Chapter 302: Which Prince Are They Trying to Bring Down? (6k)

Facing Cao Zhengyang’s inquiry, Zhong Yao immediately introduced them.

“This is Imperial Consort Ying, mother of the Fifth Imperial Prince. These behind are elders from the Liu family of the Imperial Capital—Imperial Consort Ying’s maternal kin.”

Upon hearing this, Cao Zhengyang instantly understood.

He had long heard that the Grand Eunuch Gao Xianzhong, dissatisfied with the Prefect and the Lord-Protector’s incompetence, had already returned to the Imperial Capital.

Not only had he cleanly distanced himself, but he had also exaggerated the matter, provoking the Emperor’s fury and triggering punishment.

Regardless of the reason, a prince of the realm cannot die without clarity, with no knowledge of the killer’s identity.

It seemed that Imperial Consort Ying had come personally, bearing her family’s wrath and the Emperor’s granted authority, to demand an explanation.

Upon hearing this, Cao Zhengyang stepped forward at once, bowing with clasped hands: “Cao Zhengyang, Sect Master of Taiqingmen, greets Imperial Consort Ying and all of you!”

Imperial Consort Ying gave him a cool glance, then nodded slightly in return.

“Cao Sect Master,” Imperial Consort Ying spoke, her voice cold as frost, “we are all intelligent people—I shall not beat around the bush.”

“I have come here for no other reason than to seek justice for my son.”

Cao Zhengyang nodded, indicating he understood.

For imperial consorts in the imperial harem, bearing a prince meant the possibility of vying for the throne.

This Imperial Consort Ying had expended countless efforts and resources to cultivate the Fifth Prince to this point.

Yet now he died in a foreign land, leaving not even a complete corpse behind.

Then, Imperial Consort Ying gestured to someone behind her.

Immediately, an elder stepped forward and produced a jade slip, offering it.

“This contains the Fifth Prince’s appearance and attire before his death, as well as the likenesses of his protectors!”

The elder’s tone carried an air of non-negotiability.

Seeing the jade slip offered to him, Cao Zhengyang made no move to take it.

In any spiritual nation, sects and the imperial court held equal status—not master and servant.

If you come asking for my help, you must also consider whether I am willing to accept.

Moreover, this matter involves far too much: someone who ignored five Nascent Soul Great Completion experts, slaughtered the Fifth Prince and his entourage, and left not a single trace afterward.

This reveals the attacker’s strength was immense—possibly the handiwork of other princes and their behind-the-scenes factions.

Taiqingmen currently faces countless problems; he truly had no time and no desire to take this on.

Watching Cao Zhengyang’s demeanor, Imperial Consort Ying’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Then she spoke: “Cao Sect Master, when I came to your sect, I already had a general understanding of the current situation in the Eastern Region.”

“Taiqingmen’s network and intelligence reach far surpass those of Cangyan Dao Palace.”

“If you are willing to assist, I am prepared to offer a thousand Jipin spirit stones as reward.”

Upon hearing this, Cao Zhengyang’s heart tightened.

A thousand Jipin spirit stones! That was an astonishing sum.

The depth of the Imperial Capital nobility was truly beyond comparison to small sects like those in the Eastern Region.

But one feared that such money might be earned with one’s life, yet spent with none.

His gaze swept over Zhong Yao and Xiao Ji’s haggard faces; after brief thought, he shook his head.

Once he accepted this matter, Taiqingmen would be tied to the imperial war chariot—in a sense, becoming just like these two in status.

If he dispatched peak masters and others across the sect, and one of them was caught and devoured by Lei Wuji the Poison King, the loss would be catastrophic.

Worse still, given the imperial court’s usual conduct, accepting payment yet failing to deliver results might lead to being framed in return.

It was better to offend from the start than invite later troubles.

Having made his decision, Cao Zhengyang bowed again: “Imperial Consort Ying, I deeply sympathize with the Fifth Prince’s fate.”

“But Taiqingmen is currently in the midst of turmoil—we are stretched too thin, and moreover…”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Zhong Yao and Xiao Ji: “If even the Prefect and Lord-Protector are powerless, how could we possibly succeed?”

Upon hearing this, Imperial Consort Ying’s eyes flashed with cold light.

The gray-robed elder still holding out the jade slip let out a cold snort: “Cao Sect Master, are you refusing?”

“In a sense, yes,” Cao Zhengyang replied calmly, nodding. “I apologize.”

Seeing the atmosphere instantly tense and Cao Zhengyang’s firm stance, Prefect Zhong Yao hurried forward to defuse it.

“Cao Brother, the Consort is grieving for her son. How about this: Taiqingmen merely needs to keep an eye out for relevant clues—no need to dispatch investigators.”

Lord-Protector Xiao Ji added: “Yes, just do us this favor.”

Seeing his stance had been made clear, Cao Zhengyang sighed: “Very well—I’ll take the jade slip. I’ll instruct my disciples to remain alert—but…”

He locked eyes with Imperial Consort Ying: “Taiqingmen operates by its own principles. I hope you understand.”

Imperial Consort Ying studied him deeply, then let out a soft laugh: “Cao Sect Master, you are indeed blunt. Fine—I await your good news.”

With that, she turned and reboarded the flying vessel.

The five gray-robed elders cast displeased glances at Cao Zhengyang before following her aboard.

Zhong Yao and Xiao Ji exchanged bitter smiles, bowing to Cao Zhengyang: “Thank you for your understanding, Cao Brother. We must now proceed to Cangyan Dao Palace—no further disturbance.”

Soon after, the flying vessel rose into the sky, quickly shrinking into a distant streak of light.

Watching the departing vessel, Cao Zhengyang looked down at the jade slip in his hand and snorted.

“If you chose to come to a local snake like me for help, you should know how to lower your stance—not come here with imperial arrogance and offer charity.”

Elder Wu Zhu stepped forward, whispering: “Sect Master, this jade slip…”

“Keep it,” Cao Zhengyang tossed it carelessly to Wu Zhu, a glint of cunning in his eyes.

“Handle it yourself—just give it a cursory look.”

Wu Zhu blinked in surprise—give me a gatekeeper’s task?

This was indeed far too dismissive.

…

The flying vessel pierced through clouds and mist; Imperial Consort Ying sat by the window.

Her slender fingers plucked from her wide sleeve a jade-green Guchong , its body translucent, faint luminescence swirling within.

“Judging by the color of the Zhenyan Gu ,” said Liu Xuanfeng, the Liu family’s eldest elder, staring at the insect, “Cao Zhengyang did not lie—he truly knows nothing of Fengtai’s case.”

Silence fell within the vessel.

The Fifth Prince, Xuan Yuan Fengtai, had perished in the Eastern Region; aside from other princes secretly striking, only the Five Great Sects possessed the strength to kill him.

Now that Tianji Sect had been annihilated and Taiqingmen cleared of suspicion, only Jin Leizong, Qingyu Immortal Sect, and Cangyan Dao Palace remained.

“Though he is unaware,” said Third Elder Liu Mingde with a cold snort, “his evasive attitude is still infuriating!”

Imperial Consort Ying said nothing, merely stroking the Guchong gently.

“Ying’er,” said Second Elder Liu Youtai, sighing, his white eyebrows trembling slightly.

“Forgive me for speaking plainly, but so much time has passed since Fengtai’s death—it’s unlikely we’ll find the true killer…”

Before he finished, two silent tears rolled down Imperial Consort Ying’s cheeks.

She looked at her five maternal kin, her lips trembling: “Is… there truly no hope left?”

Liu Youtai’s expression darkened: “When Fengtai was killed, the soul mark the Emperor had placed on him was completely erased. Grand Eunuch Gao came himself, and Prefect Zhong took us to the scene—but…”

“My poor Fengtai!” Imperial Consort Ying suddenly broke into sobs, “He was so young—he left no heir…”

The five Liu elders exchanged sighs.

Elder Liu Xuanfeng subtly glanced at Zhong Yao and Xiao Ji outside the cabin, then flicked his sleeve to cast a soundproofing barrier, his voice dropping to a whisper.

“The current Emperor is a man of great ambition, seeking to bring every sect under imperial control. That’s why he subtly encouraged his princes to exert influence across the realm—rewarding loyalty, punishing defiance.”

“He stirs up internal sect wars, waits until they are mutually weakened, then appears as a savior.”

“He secretly supports some while gradually infiltrating and controlling others.”

Second Elder Liu Youtai stroked his white beard, his cloudy eyes gleaming faintly: “Indeed, this grand game has only been played for a few years, yet the results are striking—over twenty percent of sects in each province have been subtly infiltrated.”

“Too bad…” Fourth Elder Liu Hansong suddenly sighed, “Fengtai chose the wrong place—he wouldn’t have ended up with no remains if he hadn’t.”

Hearing this, Imperial Consort Ying stopped crying and said: “He only wanted to earn more merit before the succession was decided—what fault did he have?”

Liu Xuanfeng nodded vigorously, signaling her to calm down.

Then he turned to the others: “The problem lies right here! The Emperor has yet to name a Crown Prince precisely to see which prince proves the most capable.”

“Whoever can subdue the sects, who controls the most, will have the best chance to sit on the throne.”

At this point, all five eyes flickered with sorrow.

Had Xuan Yuan Fengtai won this struggle, the Liu family would have risen instantly to the pinnacle of imperial nobility.

Second Elder Liu Youtai sighed and shook his head: “The Holy Wu Empire has eight provinces and seventy-two prefectures—other princes all picked the softest targets first, yet he…”

“He was the boldest!” Imperial Consort Ying suddenly rose, her hairpins jangling violently, “What good is saying this now?”

Silence fell.

Elder Liu Xuanfeng cleared his throat, breaking the quiet: “Enough. Let’s speak plainly.”

His cloudy eyes flashed with ruthlessness: “Since we cannot find the true killer, we shall… create one.”

“Brother’s meaning?” the others turned to him.

Liu Xuanfeng sneered: “Naturally, we choose the one with the greatest hatred toward our Liu family.”

His withered finger dipped in tea and wrote a “seven” on the table: “Only then will the motive be convincing.”

“At the very least, we must ensure he never becomes Crown Prince—if the Seventh Prince rises, the first to be purged will be our Liu family.”

All nodded, their minds simultaneously conjuring a single figure.

Seventh Prince—Xuan Yuan Yichen!

But this matter requires careful planning—we must first ensure that the leaders of these major sects in the Eastern Region have met that man.

“Then, our past grievances can become… a perfect motive!” said the Grand Elder.

Their eyes lit up instantly.

Thus, two days later, the flying vessel slowed considerably, and then the Lord of the Mansion, Xiao Ji, entered.

“My Lady Ying, the Cangyan Dao Palace has arrived!”

Upon hearing this, Lady Ying slowly placed the True Word Charm into her sleeve, then rose to her feet.

“Let’s go!”

…

Within Taiqingmen, morning mist had not yet dispersed.

Mo Xingjian arrived at Zhou Qing’s courtyard and suddenly halted.

Beneath the large tree outside the courtyard, Lu Yaoyao sat in meditation, her body surrounded by a faint starlight glow.

More astonishingly, a hazy aura of cultivation intent subtly shimmered around her.

“It’s an embryonic intent…” Mo Xingjian’s pupils contracted, his face filled with shock.

“No wonder—she’s absorbed the Sixteenth-ranked Heavenly Dao energy, Star Spirit. Among all of Taiqingmen, only she, besides the Fourth Elder, has already grasped an intent at the Nascent Soul late stage.”

Mo Xingjian sighed in admiration.

He recalled Li Daoxuan, Du Kui, Ghost Hound, Luo Lingling—they all took years after reaching fullness before beginning to slowly comprehend intent.

Even others from different sects—Lei Lie, Zhu He, Li Hanshan—all the same.

“Cao’s always envied me, yet he doesn’t realize he’s also got a treasure on his hands—what a blind spot!” Mo Xingjian shook his head with a faint smile.

He glanced at the still-closed meditation chamber and couldn’t help feeling pity for Zhou Qing.

“The three-color formation…” he murmured softly, knowing Zhou Qing was enduring unimaginable hardship right now.

Without disturbing further, Mo Xingjian turned and left.

But as soon as he stepped out of the courtyard, his storage bag’s identity token glowed.

When he arrived at Shenyue Peak, he found all six junior disciples stationed at Tianji Gate had returned.

“What’s going on?” Mo Xingjian asked, puzzled.

At that moment, Cao Zhengyang hurried over, surveyed all the peak masters, then said gravely: “All of you, the Supreme Elder has ordered us to unite our strength and permanently seal the Forbidden Zone’s entrance.”

At these words, the faces of over a dozen peak masters darkened instantly.

The treasures within Taiqingmen’s cavern realm were plentiful; past Sect Masters had all retrieved precious artifacts from it.

Now that the sect’s strength had surged, they had planned to enter together after finishing their duties—over twenty Nascent Soul peak cultivators exploring as one.

Why suddenly seal it?

Gao Xian was the first to react.

Since emerging from seclusion, Cao Zhengyang had already revealed some secrets to him.

“Is it because the two Cutting-Spirit elders are coming?” he asked.

Cao Zhengyang gave a slight nod.

The others finally understood.

It seemed the eight Senior Elders had decided, after deliberation, not to share Taiqingmen’s greatest secret with outsiders.

“But even if we seal it, isn’t Uncle Er still got another entrance?” asked Tong Min of Yuqing Peak.

Cao Zhengyang smiled bitterly: “Precisely because of that, we’re leaving a backdoor. And precisely this backdoor… we don’t know where it is.”

He looked at them earnestly: “Don’t dwell too much on this. We still don’t know these two elders well—not even their faces. They’ve come solely because of Zhou Qing’s reputation.”

Everyone nodded in agreement and immediately set off toward the back mountain.

Duanmu Shu and others had already been waiting long.

After briefly explaining the plan, everyone began the sealing work…

Thus, three more days passed.

The group emerged from the back mountain, weary and exhausted, but before they could rest, the Elder guarding the teleportation array rushed over.

“My Lord, the Xuanyou Immortal of Qingyu Immortal Sect has come to pay a visit.”

Cao Zhengyang paused briefly, then nodded to allow entry.

Soon, the teleportation array shimmered, and out stepped Xuanyou Immortal in a green robe, her brow heavy with solemnity.

“The mother of the Fifth Imperial Prince, Lady Ying, has recently traveled among major sects, seeking aid everywhere.”

Xuanyou Immortal spoke bluntly: “Cangyan Dao Palace refused to receive her due to Sikong Yan’s seclusion; Jin Leizong sent Lei Lie to meet her.”

She then produced a jade slip and handed it over: “This is the portrait they requested our sect help locate.”

Mo Xingjian took the jade slip and recognized it as identical to the one Lady Ying had given earlier—he shook his head: “What a wide net they’re casting.”

“Just give them a perfunctory response,” Cao Zhengyang said coolly.

As Sect Master, Xuanyou Immortal naturally understood the imperial court’s scheming.

After a moment’s hesitation, she still warned: “Brother Cao, Taiqingmen must remain vigilant on this matter.”

“Oh?” Cao Zhengyang raised an eyebrow.

“Besides seeking clues,” Xuanyou Immortal lowered her voice, “she deliberately showed a portrait of another imperial prince—as if trying to lead me to believe the Fifth Prince’s death is connected to him.”

Cao Zhengyang’s eyes flashed sharply—he immediately understood: “So… this is the imperial family’s scheme to divert blame.”

He sneered: “Trying to use our Eastern Region sects to eliminate a political rival?”

Xuanyou Immortal nodded slightly: “Exactly. Lady Ying feigns grief, but every move is calculated. I fear…”

“That she’ll stir up chaos in the Eastern Region?” Mo Xingjian picked up the thread, tapping the jade slip with his fingertip. “Then we should stay out of it entirely.”

Xuanyou Immortal nodded: “But Taiqingmen may not be able to stay out of this.”

Cao Zhengyang frowned, then quickly realized: “Which prince’s portrait did she show?”

“The Seventh Prince—Xuanyuan Yichen!” Xuanyou Immortal said slowly, each word deliberate.

Cao Zhengyang’s expression darkened instantly.

Xuanyuan Yichen had known Ghost Hound of Xiao Ling Peak—he’d visited before to challenge and spar.

Later, he even brought items for Zhou Qing to authenticate, visiting multiple times.

Especially at Baiyu Taixu Courtyard and the border regions, Zhou Qing had interacted with him far more than once or twice.

Thinking of this, Cao Zhengyang’s face grew even darker.

If Lady Ying truly intended to frame the Seventh Prince, wouldn’t all these past interactions become ironclad proof of collusion?

Once suspicion takes root, the accusation is already confirmed!

Xuanyou Immortal, seeing Cao Zhengyang’s shifting expression, understood the stakes perfectly.

After all, when verifying whether Zhou Qing had achieved the Three Flowers Convergence, she had combed through every record of Baiyu Taixu Courtyard and border dealings.

“Then I’ll take my leave,” she said. “As always: Qingyu Immortal Sect stands with Taiqingmen, through thick and thin!”

Xuanyou Immortal bowed deeply.

Cao Zhengyang forced down his worries and returned the bow: “Thank you, Immortal Xuanyou, for the warning.”

Once the teleportation array’s glow faded, Cao Zhengyang immediately summoned all peak masters and Supreme Elders still in the sect.

But no one expected that, that very night, a figure wrapped entirely in black robes appeared outside Taiqingmen.

When Elder Wu Zhu stepped out to investigate, before he could speak, the figure hurled a jade slip through the air with a sharp crack.

Elder Wu Zhu instinctively caught it—and when he looked up, the black-robed figure had vanished into the deep night.

Urgent as the situation was, Elder Wu Zhu dared not delay—he rushed to Cao Zhengyang with the jade slip.

Cao Zhengyang read it, then immediately gathered all peak masters and Supreme Elders still within the sect.

“The jade slip’s contents match Xuanyou Immortal’s warning—but are far more detailed, even recording Lady Ying’s movements and deployments. Please read and circulate!”

The jade slip’s contents closely matched what the Immortal Miss Xuanyou had warned, but were far more detailed, even recording Ying Fei’s movements and deployments—please pass it around and study it carefully!

After each person finished reading, their faces grew grim.

They had planned to stay aloof—but now, the fire had burned directly onto Taiqingmen.

“Could this informant be Prefect Zhong Yao or Lord Xiao Ji?” Mo Xingjian mused.

Cao Zhengyang nodded: “No signature, but it must be one of them. I can’t think of anyone else who’d risk warning us.”

Ling Yueshao, Peak Master of Baizhan Peak, frowned: “But as imperial officials, wouldn’t they fear being accused of colluding with sects and leaking secrets?”

Cao Zhengyang mused: “My relationship with Lord Xiao isn’t close enough for him to risk this.”

“Or perhaps this Lord Xiao treats all sect masters under Lingyun Prefecture the same.”

“As for Prefect Zhong Yao…” Cao Zhengyang shook his head with a wry smile, “we’ve met only two or three times—no real connection.”

Mo Xingjian’s eyes flashed: “Is it because of Zhou Qing?”

Cao Zhengyang nodded slightly: “Likely so. Don’t forget—Lord Xiao’s beloved daughter, Xiao Cancan, calls Zhou Qing ‘Big Brother’.”

“And her future son-in-law, Zhang Wanbao, is also close to Zhou Qing.”

“As for Prefect Zhong Yao—he probably formed a bond when he personally came to Baiyu Taixu Courtyard to escort Zhou Qing and Master Lin Daochen to the border to repair the four-color formation.”

Though still anxious, the group felt a surge of warmth.

They hadn’t realized Zhou Qing had quietly woven such a deep network of connections.

“Regardless of their motives, their actions are a gesture of goodwill toward Zhou Qing—and toward Taiqingmen!” Cao Zhengyang said solemnly.

Everyone nodded, understanding dawning.

This sudden warning proved Lady Ying’s faction would soon exploit Taiqingmen’s ties to the Seventh Prince.

This sudden warning proves that Lady Ying and the others are about to exploit the relationship between Taiqingmen and the Seventh Imperial Prince.

If they react too strongly, they’ll only sink lower.

Besides, during the Five Sects War, the Seventh Imperial Prince risked himself to send three paintings as a warning.

Cao Zhengyang scanned the crowd, his eyes gleaming with sharp light: “Gentlemen, you must prepare at once!”

All peak masters immediately rose and replied in unison: “We humbly obey the Sect Master’s command!”

……

Indeed, half a month later, the gilded flying vessel broke through the clouds once more and hovered above Mount Taiqingmen.

Zhong Yao and Xiao Ji were the first to descend from the clouds.

The protective array of Mount Taiqingmen shimmered with dual-colored light; Elder Wu Zhu stepped forward slowly, his expression stern, and gave the two a perfunctory bow.

“Our Mount Taiqingmen has already dispatched disciples to investigate witnesses across the land,” Elder Wu Zhu glanced up at the hovering vessel, his tone indifferent.

“And it hasn’t even been several days yet—aren’t you a bit too eager?”

Elder Wu Zhu stood with his hands behind his back, his tone laced with clear mockery.

Zhong Yao and Xiao Ji exchanged a meaningful glance.

Then, stepping forward, Zhong Yao bowed and said: “We have come this time to seek confirmation from Sect Master Cao on one matter.”

“Oh dear, my apologies—our Sect Master entered seclusion last month and won’t be receiving visitors for some time.”

Elder Wu Zhu tapped his forehead with a flippant tone.

The moment he finished speaking, Yin Fei descended gracefully from the vessel, accompanied by five elders of the Liu family.

Her exquisite face bore unmistakable anger: “Secluded? First Lord Sikong Yan of Cangyan Dao Palace went into seclusion, and now Mount Taiqingmen follows suit—is this deliberate provocation against me?”

Upon hearing this, Elder Wu Zhu merely cast her a fleeting glance, as if she were a clown performing on stage.

He leisurely brushed nonexistent dust from his sleeves, a sardonic smile curling at his lips: “And so?”

(End of Chapter)