Chapter 170

170. Chapter 170: Sword Light and Sword Shadows! News of Li Xunhuan!

"Hehe, the Prince is quite glorious today. If I had known you were so powerful, we wouldn't have been chased and beaten when we went to steal wine."

"Getting beaten for stealing wine is a matter of course. You still want to hit the owner? Isn't that both rude and immoral? One has to occupy at least one of the two when being a person."

"The Prince's words are very true. Just for this sentence, we have to clink glasses."

"I will accompany you for as much as you want to drink, but after drinking, you have to accompany me on the road."

"Where to?"

"To play! I've been stifled for more than twenty years. Now that I've finally broken out of the cage, I have to make up for the losses of these years."

"What losses? You haven't lacked anything in terms of eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling all these years. You've almost played it to the point of flowers, and I was envious to death on the side."

Chu Yang tapped his heart with his hand.

Freedom.

Li Ge Xiao was silent for a long time and smiled bitterly, "Prince, I am a useless person. No matter where I go, I will only hold you back."

Chu Yang smiled brightly, "I was before, but not now..."

In Li Ge Xiao's surprised gaze, Chu Yang extended his finger to point at his Ren and Du meridians, using vast true essence to reopen his Heavenly Pass. It was just that the process would be extremely painful.

His meridians were filled with countless tiny cracks, and the flow of true essence was equivalent to tearing his wounds again.

Li Ge Xiao kept making muffled groans, his face turning pale, and bean-sized sweat beads slid down his temples.

Subsequently, Chu Yang stuffed two Blood Bodhisattvas into his mouth and used pure life force to repair his meridians. Under the action of both, Li Ge Xiao's hidden illnesses and old wounds were being healed rapidly.

"Is the Prince healing Ge Xiao's wounds?"

"Absolutely not! Prince! Ge Xiao's whole body meridians are like broken porcelain and cannot withstand any twists and turns. Back then, Magistrate Zheng had already invited a divine doctor, but still couldn't cure him..."

Thousand-man Commander Zuo was a bit excited and just wanted to step forward but was stopped by Old Guo.

Old Guo shook his head, "Don't be impatient. The Prince has his own sense of proportion."

A person who could carefully hibernate under the Emperor's nose for so many years, how could he be a reckless man? Not long after, Li Ge Xiao's complexion gradually became rosy, and his withered body gradually had the shadow of the past.

When he opened his eyes again, Li Ge Xiao's whole aura was like a drawn sword, sharp and exposed, and there was no longer any decadence in his eyes.

"Li Ge Xiao thanks the Prince for his great kindness and is willing to follow you to the death!"

Li Ge Xiao turned over and knelt on the ground, preparing to kowtow, but found that he couldn't kowtow no matter what.

A breeze supported his forehead.

"Prince?"

Chu Yang pulled him up, patted the dust off his body, and laughed, "We met when we were in trouble. Since we are friends and confidants, let's not do this."

"The wounds are healed, but the true essence still needs to be cultivated from scratch. Those few Blood Bodhisattvas of mine cannot make up for your deficit."

"Don't be anxious about some things; they need to be discussed in the long run..."

Li Ge Xiao understood Chu Yang's intention, which was nothing more than wanting him to calm down and then think about how to avenge Jing Ruyi.

With the friendship between the two, as long as Li Ge Xiao made a request, Chu Yang could fly to the capital in an instant and kill Yan Song. But for Li Ge Xiao, how could the revenge for his late wife be borrowed from someone else's hand? If he couldn't personally cut off the head of the old dog Yan Song, Li Ge Xiao probably wouldn't be able to close his eyes even in death.

Old Guo watched the whole process of Chu Yang subduing Li Ge Xiao, his eyelids jumping wildly, and the image of the Virtuous Prince rebelling flashed in his mind.

He couldn't help but feel his scalp tingle.

Thousand-man Commander Zuo didn't think so much, just laughed and hugged Li Ge Xiao, genuinely happy for this good brother.

Li Ge Xiao also patted his shoulder, "Still have to trouble Brother Zuo to help me go back and tell Master."

Thousand-man Commander Zuo nodded, "Magistrate Zheng will definitely be happy to know. Why don't you tell him yourself?"

Li Ge Xiao was silent for a moment and said, "Brother Zuo, times have changed. I cannot return to the Brocade Guards, and my life belongs to the Prince from today on."

The smile on Thousand-man Commander Zuo's face disappeared, leaving only a long, lingering sigh.

Li Ge Xiao was right. As long as the old dog Yan Song was alive for one day, he couldn't return to the Brocade Guards, otherwise, it would bring endless trouble to Zheng Dongliu, or even attract the Emperor's hostility.

The power of the Brocade Guards came entirely from the Emperor's trust. If that trust was lost, the Commander wouldn't be far from death.

"I met a friend today and beat up two dogs on the way. The mood is not bad. I'll treat those who want to drink, and those who don't drink should leave quickly."

Chu Yang stretched and walked into Tongfu Inn swaggeringly, not forgetting to remind them before turning back, "Remember to fix the ground for others before leaving."

Old Guo nodded expressionlessly and took Thousand-man Commander Zuo to the Seven Heroes Town government office.

The most urgent thing now was to block the news about Chu Yang.

For the stability of the Ming Empire, the Virtuous Prince must still be the Virtuous Prince of before. As for the Emperor's reaction, that was another matter.

To lock the news in Seven Heroes Town, one had to communicate with Magistrate Lou first, and then call a group of Brocade Guards to handle it. This kind of thing was their specialty.

It was nothing more than scaring the merchants and commoners, putting a embroidered spring knife to their necks, and they would soon forget today's events and never be able to remember them again for the rest of their lives.

Li Ge Xiao went to the second floor to take a bath. When he came out, he looked like a different person. He was already a handsome man with sword eyebrows and star eyes, and the wind and frost of these years added a bit of maturity to him, making Tong Xiangyu and Guo Furong's eyes bloom with peach blossoms.

I don't know if it was because they were feasting their eyes or because they wanted to curry favor with Chu Yang, the usually stingy Manager Tong had Li Dazui make a big table of good dishes, which the two couldn't finish at all.

In the end, everyone sat at a table drinking and having fun. With the courage of wine, they gradually became familiar with Chu Yang.

Deep night.

Cao Shaoqin returned to the capital holding his severed arm, bringing a piece of bad news to the expectant Cao Zhengchun.

A piece of bad news that could get his family executed...

The Emperor had let him monitor the Virtuous Prince for so many years, and the person had actually practiced into a peerless expert right under his nose.

Now that things had turned out like this, how should he report it?

Report it with his own head?

He had just assured His Majesty the Emperor not long ago that the Virtuous Prince's aptitude for martial arts was rotten to the core.

Thinking of this, Cao Zhengchun only felt his eyes go black, with a premonition that his death was imminent. The next second, Cao Shaoqin on the side spoke up.

"Uncle, why don't we push this matter onto Guo Buqing to divert His Majesty's attention."

"Guo Buqing is the Virtuous Prince's master. He couldn't have not known the Virtuous Prince's background. I think he intentionally helped the Virtuous Prince hide it."

"With Guo Buqing's help, it is understandable that our Eastern Depot was kept in the dark, isn't it?"

"Moreover, this time the Virtuous Prince left the capital because of Guo Furong's instigation..."

Hearing this, Cao Zhengchun's eyes lit up, feeling as if he had come back to life.

"Good! Do as you say. Follow me into the palace immediately. We must get ahead of Yu Huatian!"

Rushing and rushing, Cao Zhengchun was still a step slow. By the time he entered the palace, Yu Huatian was already standing in the Emperor's Imperial Study, and even Wei Zhongxian was faster than him.

The two were expressionless, but a flash of mockery passed through their eyes.

The Emperor was playing with the small ornaments contributed by the vassal states, not paying any attention to Cao Zhengchun in front of him.

Seeing this, Cao Zhengchun felt something was very wrong. He cursed the two scumbags in his heart and knelt on the ground without thinking, wailing and lamenting.

"Your Majesty, you must make the decision for this servant!"

Cao Zhengchun kowtowed until his head banged, crying with snot and tears, making those who heard it sad and those who saw it shed tears.

With him making such a scene, let alone Yu Huatian and Wei Zhongxian, even the Emperor was stunned.

"Oh? Who made Director Cao feel so aggrieved?"

The Emperor put away his cold expression and asked with interest.

"Chief Catcher of the Six Fan School, Guo Buqing! He colluded with the Virtuous Prince to deceive those above and below, hard-heartedly deceiving the Eastern Depot, and secretly cultivated the Virtuous Prince into an expert!"

"Your Majesty! Guo Buqing's heart is punishable!"

Cao Zhengchun followed the plan he discussed with Cao Shaoqin and began to cry to the Emperor. No matter if the Emperor believed it or not, he had to clear himself of responsibility first! Yu Huatian and Wei Zhongxian looked at each other, both showing disdain on their faces.

What a good Old Dog Cao, he really knows how to bite!

Everyone in the world knew the title of Guo Buqing as "the greatest of heroes." Anyone might rebel, but only he wouldn't.

But the Virtuous Prince was a thorn in the Emperor's heart. With his suspicious and jealous personality, even if he didn't believe Cao Zhengchun's words, he would definitely feel wary in his heart.

"You say that the Eastern Depot didn't know about the Virtuous Prince's martial arts foundation because Magistrate Guo obstructed it?"

The Emperor suddenly stood up and smashed the ornament he was playing with onto Cao Zhengchun's forehead. Cao Zhengchun didn't dare to use true energy to resist, letting the Emperor smash his head until it was bleeding.

The Emperor was furious, "You dog servant actually dare to frame a loyal official! Who doesn't know that Magistrate Guo is loyal and devoted, and would never do anything rebellious? You dog servant actually dare to talk nonsense to excuse yourself!"

Cao Zhengchun ignored the wound on his head and kowtowed continuously, saying with tears and snot, "Your Majesty, please see clearly! Without Guo Buqing's help, how could the Virtuous Prince have endured for so many years under Your Majesty's nose."

"Even if the Virtuous Prince wasn't taught by Guo Buqing himself, with Guo Buqing's martial arts cultivation, how could he not have noticed the Virtuous Prince's abnormality at all? He was just playing deaf and dumb!"

The Emperor turned to look at Yu Huatian and Wei Zhongxian.

Wei Zhongxian sneered in his heart and was about to speak to kick him while he was down, but was pulled by his clothes from behind by Yu Huatian. Wei Zhongxian was shocked, and the words that were about to blurt out were swallowed back.

Subsequently, he heard Yu Huatian's voice.

"Your Majesty, this servant thinks that Director Cao's words might not be groundless. Magistrate Guo wouldn't have a rebellious heart, but it is also well known that he is soft-hearted. He might be used by cunning villains inadvertently."

Hearing Yu Huatian's subtext, the Emperor was silent, one hand pressing firmly on the corner of the table.

Wei Zhongxian looked at Yu Huatian with some dissatisfaction, not understanding why the other party wanted to help Cao Zhengchun at a critical moment when it was a good time to step on him. Cao Zhengchun also didn't understand and secretly glanced at Yu Huatian.

The two didn't know that for Yu Huatian, being able to step on Cao Zhengchun was naturally a good thing, but this would undoubtedly give the Brocade Guards a chance to turn things around. Zheng Dongliu was not an easy character to deal with.

If it weren't for the Li Ge Xiao incident back then, the power of the Brocade Guards would have been almost on par with the Western Depot.

Guo Buqing and Zheng Dongliu were like-minded, and their private relationship was good. The Six Fan School and the Brocade Guards also often handled cases together. If they could move Guo Buqing, Zheng Dongliu's side would also be affected.

In this way, the status of the Western Depot would be more solid, which was more cost-effective than stepping on Cao Zhengchun.

The Emperor took a deep breath and asked in a deep voice, "What is the martial arts of that rebellious subject actually like?"

Cao Zhengchun recalled Cao Shaoqin's description and said cautiously, "Very high. He only used one move to break one of Cao Shaoqin's arms."

The Emperor raised an eyebrow and continued to ask, "Higher than you, Director Cao? Can you break Cao Shaoqin's arm?"

"I can, but..." Cao Zhengchun was planning to confess honestly but was rudely interrupted by Yu Huatian.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, no matter how high the Virtuous Prince's martial arts are, it is impossible for him to enter the palace, let alone harm Your Majesty." Yu Huatian cupped his hands and said confidently, "Although Yu Huatian is incompetent, even if I don't join forces with Director Cao, I can ensure Your Majesty is safe and sound!"

The Emperor showed a satisfied smile and nodded frequently, "Magistrate is worthy of being my pillar, much better than some dog servant who only knows how to inflate others' momentum!"

In a few words, Cao Zhengchun was squeezed to the point of a heart attack, saying anxiously, "This servant deserves to die. Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant will protect Your Majesty with my life!"

The Emperor snorted coldly.

"Even without Eunuch Cao protecting me with his life, Your Majesty has the protection of the Ming Empire's dragon veins. Ordinary people cannot hurt me at all. Those rebellious subjects have no chance."

Wei Zhongxian smiled and gave Cao Zhengchun another knife.

Cao Zhengchun gritted his teeth in hatred. Today he was caught by this scumbag and punished to death. He would definitely return it all in the future! I don't know if it was because he liked watching the people below fight, or because Wei Zhongxian's mention of the dragon vein protection gave the Emperor a sense of security, his expression turned from dark to light quickly, with a hint of a smile.

The Emperor's smile made the big stone in Cao Zhengchun's heart fall. At least this matter was over, and he would no longer be in danger of his life.

Cao Zhengchun hurriedly said, "As long as Your Majesty gives an order, the Eastern Depot will immediately pursue the rebellious subject, the Virtuous Prince. This servant guarantees that Your Majesty will be able to sleep peacefully from now on."

Yu Huatian's mouth hooked up. At this moment, the look he gave Cao Zhengchun was as disdainful as the look Cao Zhengchun gave Wei Zhongxian before.

The Emperor said lightly, "Oh? Then please tell me, Eunuch Cao, what crime did the Virtuous Prince commit to be pursued and captured by the Eastern Depot?"

"This..." Cao Zhengchun was speechless for a moment and immediately knew he had said the wrong thing.

"Back then, the reason I allowed the Virtuous Prince to practice martial arts with Magistrate Guo was that I didn't want the world to think I was a mean and ungrateful person. But now, because the Virtuous Prince's martial arts are higher, I send people to pursue him? Where do you put me?"

The Emperor's eyes were cold, and the more he looked at Cao Zhengchun, the less he liked him.

Cao Zhengchun's palms and back were full of cold sweat. He had just walked back from the edge of a cliff, only to fall into a mud pit again.

"Your Majesty, the Virtuous Prince revealed his strength as soon as he left the capital, which shows that he is also a bit unable to hold his breath. He will show his flaws sooner or later. Why doesn't Your Majesty hand over the task of monitoring the Virtuous Prince to this servant?"

"This servant will definitely not be easily fooled like Director Cao."

Yu Huatian smiled confidently.

The Emperor pondered for a moment, nodded, then looked at Cao Zhengchun and said coldly, "You dog servant, watch carefully how the Western Depot does things, and don't let me down a second time!"

Cao Zhengchun hurriedly agreed.

Just when the three thought the matter was over, the Emperor's voice suddenly came to their ears.

"The Six Fan School is busy, and Magistrate Guo is unable to attend to everything. For the sake of Magistrate's health, from today on, he is removed from his position as instructor of the Imperial Guards!"

The three felt a chill in their hearts! Guo Buqing had finally become a thorn in the Emperor's side.

The gold content of the Chief Catcher of the Six Fan School was actually not as good as that of the instructor of the Imperial Guards.

Although the Six Fan School was a very large organization, it was still under the Ministry of Justice and needed to be restrained by the Ministry of Justice. But the instructor of the Imperial Guards was not only responsible for teaching the Imperial Guards martial arts but also for commanding all the Imperial Guards to guard the capital, and the command power was above the commander of the Imperial Guards.

To put it bluntly, the Imperial Guards were the Emperor's personal security force and the most important force in his hands.

Guo Buqing, who had never been involved in party politics, was the best candidate for this position, and he had both strength and character, deeply trusted by the Emperor.

Only with the blessing of the identity of the instructor of the Imperial Guards did Guo Buqing have the qualification to be mentioned in the same breath as the two Marquises.

Now, because of Cao Zhengchun and the others, the Emperor had suspicions about him. Although it was only a sign, it was enough for the Emperor to change someone else to be the instructor of the Imperial Guards.

The position of instructor of the Imperial Guards was very important. Even Yu Huatian and Cao Zhengchun couldn't restrain themselves and showed greedy expressions.

But both knew that the Emperor would not appoint them.

In the previous dynasty, there was a powerful eunuch who held the Imperial Guards and hollowed out the Emperor's power, truly reaching a position above ten thousand people. It was just that he was ultimately a disabled person and couldn't continue, and the end was very miserable.

The current situation of the two depots and one guard standing together was very stable, and the Emperor could not break it. The two Marquises and one sect were also the same, so the new candidate for the instructor of the Imperial Guards was not among the remaining five of them.

"For the position of instructor of the Imperial Guards, do you have any recommended candidates?"

"Or, you can recommend yourselves..."

The Emperor looked at the three with a smile.

Cao Zhengchun, who understood the Emperor's thoughts, first cursed in his heart, then squeezed out a flattering smile, "How could this servant have the ability to be the instructor of the Imperial Guards? Your Majesty, please don't tease this servant."

The Emperor sneered, "At least you have self-knowledge."

Yu Huatian bowed, "Both Marquises have the ability to be the instructor of the Imperial Guards, but the Dragon-Protecting Villa and the Divine Catcher Department are already stretched thin in dealing with demons. Both the Iron-Clad Divine Marquis and the Zhuge Divine Marquis are unable to attend to everything, so we have to look for someone else."

The Emperor sighed, "I originally thought about letting my uncle serve as the instructor of the Imperial Guards, but as you said, he has heavy responsibilities and cannot be distracted, so we have to choose someone else."

Pfft! You would let Zhu Wushi serve as the instructor of the Imperial Guards?

I'm afraid you wouldn't even be at ease in your dreams at night!

Cao Zhengchun sneered in his heart. If the Virtuous Prince was the biggest thorn in the Emperor's heart, then the Iron-Clad Divine Marquis was definitely the second biggest thorn.

Wei Zhongxian's eyes kept turning, as if he had thought of some wonderful idea, and he bowed and laughed, "Your Majesty, this old servant actually has a candidate to recommend."

The Emperor looked at him with some surprise, "Oh? Things that even the two depots are having trouble with, you old thing actually have a way?"

Wei Zhongxian laughed and said, "The two Directors' eyes are only on the court, and they are confused by the situation..."

The Emperor guessed Wei Zhongxian's meaning, tapped his fingers, and reminded, "The position of instructor of the Imperial Guards is unusual. It's not just any martial arts expert you can find. What are you thinking, you old dog?!"

Wei Zhongxian hunched his body, echoed the Emperor's words and continued, "Your Majesty is right. The person this old servant is talking about, although no longer in the court, is not a ruffian hero. His talent was even praised by the late Emperor back then..."

Yu Huatian frowned, "Eunuch Wei, if you have something to say, just say it directly."

The Emperor also waved his hand impatiently, "Fart quickly. Why don't I see you talking so much on weekdays."

Wei Zhongxian looked at Yu Huatian resentfully. He finally found a chance to show his face, but it was ruined like this.

"Your Majesty, the candidate this old servant recommends is the Third Place Scholar who resigned and retired ten years ago!"

As soon as this was said, the Emperor's eyes lit up, and he suddenly realized, "Is it that Little Li Flying Dagger who never misses?"

Wei Zhongxian laughed from ear to ear, "Does Your Majesty also know the reputation of the Third Place Scholar in the Jianghu?"

The Emperor said helplessly, "How would I know what reputation he has in the Jianghu? I heard it all from the princesses and county princesses. That bunch of women hangs Li Xunhuan on their lips all day. I have to say, this guy's popularity with women is really good."

"However, can his martial arts serve as the instructor of the Imperial Guards?"

Yu Huatian thought for a while and said, "This servant had a chance encounter with the Third Place Scholar a few years ago and saw him make a move. The Little Li Flying Dagger is not a false reputation. It is close to the Dao and is no longer ordinary martial arts."

"Even you say so, it seems it is really very powerful..." The Emperor closed his eyes and fell into deep thought. The Imperial Study was suddenly silent.

In fact, whether it was Cao Zhengchun kneeling on the ground, or Yu Huatian and Wei Zhongxian, they all knew that the Emperor's performance just now meant he agreed with this suggestion.

A person with the fame of a Third Place Scholar who had been an official was more trustworthy than a Jianghu ruffian whose depth was unknown. The important thing was that although Li Xunhuan's reputation in the Jianghu was not as good as Old Guo's, he was not an ordinary person.

Under the same conditions, there shouldn't be a second suitable candidate.

The Emperor opened his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Then summon Li Xunhuan to the capital first!"

Cao Zhengchun hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, Li Xunhuan has been in seclusion for many years, and ordinary people cannot find him at all. Why not let the Eastern Depot..."

Before he finished speaking, he was rudely interrupted by Yu Huatian, "Why not trouble the Dragon-Protecting Villa? Finding people and gathering intelligence is their specialty."

Cao Zhengchun was furious, but didn't dare to flare up in front of the Emperor.

The Emperor nodded, "Then trouble you to make a trip to the Dragon-Protecting Villa and inform the Iron-Clad Divine Marquis of the matter. Keep the Virtuous Prince matter secret for now."

"This servant obeys the order." Yu Huatian knelt and kowtowed, and after standing up, left the Imperial Study, looking like he was acting swiftly.

The Emperor watched his departing back and showed a satisfied smile, then looked down at Cao Zhengchun, his expression unhappy, "Get out of my Imperial Study! Do you want me to invite you out?"

"Dog servant!"

Cao Zhengchun kowtowed a few more times and left kneeling with tears on his face.

Wei Zhongxian, who had his head buried in his chest, saw him in such a wretched state and couldn't help but show a triumphant smile.

Cao Zhengchun, who was full of anger, gave Cao Shaoqin, who was walking towards him, a loud slap as soon as he left the palace gate.

"Uncle? Did His Majesty not believe you?" Cao Shaoqin asked nervously.

"Do you think His Majesty is a fool? Can you push all the responsibility onto Guo's family in a few words?" Cao Zhengchun glanced at him coldly, "A stroke of luck in misfortune, His Majesty still had suspicions, otherwise today would be your uncle's death anniversary."

Cao Shaoqin breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, but then felt resentful in his heart. His plan clearly worked, but Old Dog Cao still hit him, clearly venting the humiliation he suffered in the Imperial Study!

Damn old dog!

One day, I will kill you with my own hands! (End of chapter)