Chapter 1139

Xiao Ye looked at these few companions before him who had relied on each other for many years, his lively face carrying a hint of wildness growing solemn once more, "Some things I also cannot confirm, dare not assert, I can only infer the past from what we see now."

"Did Old Zhangtou ever make a mistake? Anyway, since I entered Tingfeng Lou, I have always lived in this old man's shadow, no matter what, when I thought victory was in my grasp, the old man had already seen through everything, how boring!"

"But since Old Zhangtou deduced heavenly secrets with his lifespan, moved Tingfeng Lou's headquarters to Nan Jun, and began actively contacting the Chen family, everything has started to change. The meticulous Old Zhangtou has repeatedly hit walls in Nan Jun, the feeling of being a pawn is really too strong."

Everyone fell into deep thought.

"The Chen family... really that formidable?" Qin Jiu Gong murmured.

Xiao Ye chuckled lightly, "Is it not formidable? Seeing the dragon in the field, it is advantageous to see the great man!"

"Looking across Zhongtian, forces like Marquis Zhenyuan are not few; not to mention far away, just this prosperous and wealthy land north of the Great River already has no less than ten, right? But think, who could have Marquis Zhenyuan's dominance, who in his youth single-handedly quelled the border troubles that gave two emperors headaches for countless years?"

"And this... is mostly due to Marquis Zhenyuan and that poisonist Mr. Xu, the Chen clan seems not to have truly exerted themselves."

"Ah?!" Qin Jiu Gong exclaimed, "Don't spout nonsense, Marquis Zhenyuan didn't rise relying on clan power? How could the Chen clan not have truly exerted themselves?"

Xiao Ye glanced, "My meaning is the Chen clan did not use full strength, they used combat power, precisely speaking it should be a portion of combat power, the remainder... hehe, it seems even Marquis Zhenyuan only learned last year that Chen Shiyi is a Land Immortal Realm expert."

"As far as I know, even Marquis Zhenyuan is not very clear about the Chen clan's true foundation, merely this person with a broad enough heart, not understanding simply tossed it aside."

Lao Huang chuckled, "Because Marquis Zhenyuan knows, even if these matters are not clarified, the clan will still be his firmest backing; if he truly sits the realm and the clan still dares to conceal things from him, you can see if Marquis Zhenyuan's knife is sharp or not."

"This person treats his subordinates and common people extremely well, so good that every time I hear of it I find it utterly incredible, but toward enemies, he truly hates to grind their bones and scatter their ashes, then again ask the old cow-nosed ones from Fuyun Guan to act, eternally sealing the enemy in the endless hell."

Xiao Ye slightly nodded, "So, my meaning... you all should understand now, right?"

Xiao Huang silently covered his face, "Old Zhangtou really is a miserable old man, if this is true, then what now? If he really messes up, we fear we will also be chased a thousand li by Marquis Zhenyuan!"

"Not that exaggerated, as long as Old Zhangtou resolves Chen Shiyi's trouble with the Taiyuan Sect, things can still make sense. According to Xiao Ye's calculation, Chen Shiyi is also clearly waiting for Old Zhangtou to give an explanation." Lao Huang said.

Qin Jiu Gong suddenly noticed a blind spot, "Ah no, if you say this, why would Marquis Zhenyuan still use those people from Lou Li? With Marquis Zhenyuan's temper, this bunch should have long been slaughtered to the last, right? But I see, how does Marquis Zhenyuan still seem to trust them quite a bit!"

Xiao Ye shot a disdainful glance, "For those who do not listen well in class and moreover refuse to use their brains, I truly do not want to waste words. I have just said, some things seem even Marquis Zhenyuan does not understand."

"Then I also do not know which matter you refer to with 'some things'!" Qin Jiu Gong said.

"This matter, without accident is one of them." Xiao Ye said.

"This is not the affair of Marquis Zhenyuan and Tingfeng Lou, but of the Chen clan and Tingfeng Lou, and furthermore, more importantly... this might be the first act of the Chen clan's true foundation emerging from behind the scenes, they probably want to truly hand over power to Marquis Zhenyuan."

Qin Jiu Gong angrily scratched his head, "Truly exhausting. Forget it, just tell me straight, what should we do next?"

"We?" Xiao Ye gave a light smile.

"Do what should be done, what else can we do? Although this matter has considerable risk, it is also an opportunity. I still harbor thoughts of sleeping with the tavern owner, you lot had better not drag me down, even if Old Zhangtou's side really encounters a mishap, I will also bring you a broad future."

"You will surely become the court's hounds and lackeys as you wish!" Xiao Ye laughed lightly, his spirited demeanor, his white teeth gleaming like the finest pearl in the deep sea.

Shen Tu sneered, "How could such unpleasant words come from your mouth? We are those who rely on the heavenly secrets deduced by those in Lou Li, not those who aim to become hounds and lackeys."

……

About thirty li northwest of the Taiyuan Sect, there is a mountain named Yu Nv Feng.

In Da Yu, mountains called Yu Nv Feng are not fewer than eight hundred, even if not a thousand.

In the eyes of literati, as long as a mountain peak looks graceful, the most common name is Yu Nv Feng.

Women are thus, mountains are also thus.

However, this Yu Nv Feng among the many Yu Nv Feng should be considered relatively outstanding, a path has been built on the mountain, with many pavilions and terraces, wherever the scenery is beautiful, there must be poetry and ink treasures left by ancient literati.

At this moment, on this Yu Nv Feng, in a mountain pavilion by the clear pool on the south mountain, Chen Li and Old Zhangtou are sitting opposite each other, talking while playing.

If Chen Wuji were here, he would surely be greatly astonished, but Chen Li's demeanor is calm, as if this were simply a matter of course.

"One move off, in the end it is my greed, also my misjudgment!" Old Zhangtou lightly stroked the chess piece before him with his right hand, propped himself on the stone table, and drank a mouthful of tea just steeped with mountain stream water from beside.

Chen Li remained unmoving like a mountain, "You indeed were greedy."

Old Zhangtou's face full of regret, "If not for my current lifespan being short, I truly could not help wanting to try heavenly secrets once more, how did this just... alas."

Chen Li chuckled lightly, "Want to know?"

"Want!" Old Zhangtou's eyes blazed as he looked at Chen Li.

Chen Li also lightly sipped a mouthful of tea, "Are the sects of Zhongtian misunderstanding military families? In the Former Tang, our Chen clan also had another title, the Hereditary Dukedom of the State, to guard the state... one must indeed have some strength, right?"

Old Zhangtou stared blankly for a moment.

He too is an old fellow who lived through the Former Dynasty, this matter is naturally clear.

But, he has always regarded the Chen clan's hereditary Dukedom of the State merely as a hereditary title.

Even holding Tingfeng Lou, he has not put much effort into this matter.

"The Former Tang sovereign and you all hid it truly... truly deeply." Old Zhangtou thought a little, then understood the twists and turns here.

Guarding the state, also protecting the state, the Chen clan is not merely the pinnacle of the Li Tang military commanders, but also the Li Tang's backup and foundation.

Chen Li sighed, "Our surroundings are too many wolves and tigers and leopards, the Chen clan's blade more often guards against the outside."

"Understood!"