Chapter 171

171. Chapter 171: Dragon-Protecting Villa! Demons, Spirit Demons, Demon Humans!

Yu Huatian went to the Dragon-Protecting Villa without stopping. He was different from Cao Zhengchun; he never borrowed others' hands for important matters.

Changing the instructor of the Imperial Guards was good news, but he couldn't grasp Li Xunhuan's character, and it was unknown whether he could become an ally in the future. So contacting this person in advance was very important to Yu Huatian.

Handing the task of finding Li Xunhuan to the Dragon-Protecting Villa was just a cover; Yu Huatian would still send the forces of the Western Depot to find his whereabouts.

This visit was to communicate with Zhu Wushi.

Compared to the rigid relationship between Cao Zhengchun and Zhu Wushi, the Western Depot and the Dragon-Protecting Villa had never had a conflict, at least they were in a state of minding their own business.

The location of the Dragon-Protecting Villa was mysterious, and few people in the world knew about it, but Yu Huatian happened to be an exception.

But when he really arrived near the Dragon-Protecting Villa, Yu Huatian was a bit blind. For no other reason, he forgot that there was a tricky illusion array outside the villa.

The Dragon-Protecting Villa, which gathered all the heroes of the world, had several array masters with high attainments. They created illusion arrays based on the general trend of the mountains to hide the entire villa.

Even if an army came to attack, without the correct method to break the array, they would be lost in the illusion array and unable to escape.

The array in this world was not a simple blindfold, but an array driven by spiritual energy. Even a martial arts expert like Yu Huatian would find it difficult to break it with brute force.

"How could I forget this damn array!"

The scenery in front of Yu Huatian changed suddenly. He understood that he was already in the array. It was correct not to act rashly at this moment.

The Dragon-Protecting Villa would soon notice someone breaking into the array. He only needed to wait patiently and someone would come over.

A moment later.

Yu Huatian's eyes blurred, and several masked men in black appeared in front of him, looking at him without saying a word.

These were the open guards of the Dragon-Protecting Villa, and some hidden guards were also hidden in the illusion array.

"The Emperor has an order. Please ask the Iron-Clad Divine Marquis to come out and receive the order."

Yu Huatian looked at them coldly.

Several guards looked at each other, and the leader cupped his hands at Yu Huatian and said, "Please wait a moment, Director."

After saying that, several people hid their figures and disappeared.

Not long after, the illusion array suddenly dissipated, and Yu Huatian's eyes opened wide.

He was already standing in front of the Dragon-Protecting Villa, and couldn't help but show a shocked expression.

He clearly remembered that he hadn't moved a step after entering the illusion array, so how could he suddenly appear in front of the villa? "Hahaha, Eunuch Yu, don't panic. The illusion array is like this. It can affect people's five senses unconsciously. You thought you hadn't moved a step, but you actually walked quite a distance!"

With the sound of loud laughter, a heroic middle-aged man suddenly appeared, his eyes sharp like an eagle, giving people a great sense of oppression.

"Marquis, you are joking. This Director is just curious." The arrogant Yu Huatian naturally couldn't show weakness in front of Zhu Wushi, and his tone was stiff.

Seeing this, Zhu Wushi didn't expose him and asked with a smile, "I wonder what order His Majesty has, that even requires the Director to make a trip personally!"

Speaking of business, Yu Huatian's expression was serious, and he said in a low voice, "This is not the place to talk. Trouble the Marquis to arrange a quiet room."

As soon as Zhu Wushi heard this, he understood the seriousness of the matter, hurriedly took Yu Huatian into the Dragon-Protecting Villa, went straight to his study, and arranged many men around it.

All this was done in a very short time, and the huge villa moved like a cold, seamless machine.

Looking at the Dragon-Protecting Villa that followed orders and prohibited actions, Yu Huatian was secretly shocked. This mobility was not just a little bit stronger than the two depots.

"Could this guy be training the people of the Dragon-Protecting Villa like an army?"

Yu Huatian suddenly felt a bit creepy.

After Zhu Wushi dismissed everyone, he asked in a deep voice, "Eunuch Yu, what is the matter that makes the Emperor so anxious?"

Yu Huatian said, "His Majesty misses Magistrate Guo, the Chief Catcher of the Six Fan School, for his hard work, and is afraid that he will tire himself out, so he removed Magistrate Guo from his position as instructor of the Imperial Guards and chose someone else to take over."

Hearing this, Zhu Wushi showed a shocked expression, "Magistrate Guo is diligent, loyal, and patriotic. Why was he removed from his position for no reason? What is His Majesty's intention?"

Yu Huatian coughed dryly, "Marquis, I have already explained. His Majesty is worried about Magistrate's health, afraid that he is too tired from holding two positions, and has no other meaning."

Zhu Wushi didn't believe such a statement at all, thinking in his heart what the little Emperor was doing. In his eyes, since the Emperor ascended the throne, he liked to do things he couldn't understand.

Yu Huatian laughed, "Marquis, I came to find you today for the position of the new instructor of the Imperial Guards."

Zhu Wushi paused, and then felt wild joy in his heart. Could it be that the little Emperor wanted to hand this important position to him?

If he held the Imperial Guards, his power would be qualitatively improved, and he could even try some things he didn't dare to think about in the past.

The greed buried deep in Zhu Wushi's heart gradually surged.

"The instructor of the Imperial Guards is responsible for His Majesty's safety and can be said to have heavy responsibilities. This Marquis also has the duties of the Dragon-Protecting Villa, so I am afraid I am unable to attend to everything."

Zhu Wushi smiled, no matter what, it was better to decline first, so as not to make the little Emperor suspicious.

"Hahaha, the Marquis is worthy of being His Majesty's uncle. You really share the same heart as His Majesty. His Majesty also considered this point, so he chose someone else to sit in the position of instructor of the Imperial Guards." Yu Huatian responded with a smile.

The smile on Zhu Wushi's face disappeared rapidly, and he looked at Yu Huatian with unkind eyes. The damn eunuch actually dared to tease me!

"Director, it would be better if you finished what you have to say in one breath..."

Feeling Zhu Wushi's attitude take a turn for the worse, Yu Huatian restrained his teasing and said seriously, "His Majesty wants the Dragon-Protecting Villa to find Li Xunhuan to serve as the new instructor of the Imperial Guards."

"Third Place Scholar?" Zhu Wushi felt the name was a bit familiar, and after recalling it carefully, he said in surprise, "Little Li Flying Dagger Li Xunhuan who never misses?"

Yu Huatian nodded, "It is this person!"

"His Majesty wants him to serve as the instructor of the Imperial Guards. Wouldn't that be a bit risky? Li Xunhuan has disappeared for many years, and no one knows what his situation is now."

Zhu Wushi seemed to still have thoughts about the instructor of the Imperial Guards, and his words were all about wanting the little Emperor to change candidates.

"Marquis, don't worry. A few years ago, I met the Third Place Scholar outside the pass. At that time, he used the Little Li Flying Dagger technique to kill more than twenty demons with one dagger and saved the passing merchant caravan. It can be said to be miraculous."

"To tell you the truth, if it were a head-on fight, even this Director wouldn't have the confidence to dodge the legendary Little Li Flying Dagger."

Recalling the situation at that time, the usually arrogant Yu Huatian couldn't help but show a trace of fear.

Zhu Wushi said worriedly, "With the changes in the world decades ago, there are more and more top sects in the Jianghu. If they unite, the threat to the court will be very great. We have to guard against it."

"Precisely because of this, the Ming court needs people like Li Xunhuan to return..."

"Does His Majesty mean to let the Dragon-Protecting Villa find Li Xunhuan?"

"Marquis is wise. In terms of intelligence capability, which force in the world can compare to the Dragon-Protecting Villa!"

"Didn't Director Yu meet Li Xunhuan outside the pass? It should be easy for you to find him?" "To tell you the truth, after parting in a hurry outside the pass back then, I actually looked for Li Xunhuan once, but at that time he had already left the pass, and his whereabouts were unknown."

"Oh, in that case, it is a bit difficult for the Dragon-Protecting Villa to find him. I wonder if the Director has any other clues?"

"Marquis is joking. If I had other clues, His Majesty wouldn't trouble the Marquis."

Zhu Wushi observed Yu Huatian's expression and nodded after confirming that the other party was not lying. He always felt that the other party was hiding something from him.

"His Majesty will wait quietly for the Marquis's good news. I hope the Marquis finds Li Xunhuan soon."

After saying everything that needed to be said, Yu Huatian said goodbye and left, constantly looking at the layout of the Dragon-Protecting Villa as he left, hoping to see some clues.

Unfortunately, he was a martial artist and didn't understand arrays at all, so looking was in vain.

Zhu Wushi narrowed his eyes and watched Yu Huatian's departing back, looking thoughtful.

"Call Tianya and Yidao to me!"

A cup of tea later.

Duan Tianya, the Heaven-rank number one secret agent, and Guihai Yidao, the Earth-rank number one secret agent, came to Zhu Wushi's study.

"Foster Father, what is the urgent matter for seeking us?"

Duan Tianya and Guihai Yidao knelt on one knee, their expressions respectful as they asked.

"Put down the things in your hands for now. There is a more important task that needs you to complete!"

Hearing this, although Duan Tianya and Guihai Yidao were a bit puzzled, they still nodded and agreed to Zhu Wushi's order.

Zhu Wushi said, "You two set off immediately to find the whereabouts of Li Xunhuan and must bring him back to the capital."

Duan Tianya felt the name was a bit familiar and asked, "Foster Father, is it the Li Xunhuan who was the Third Place Scholar ten years ago and is known as the Little Li Flying Dagger?"

Zhu Wushi nodded.

Guihai Yidao asked, "Why look for this person?"

Zhu Wushi frowned slightly and said with dissatisfaction, "Do you still remember what the most important rule for secret agents is?"

Guihai Yidao answered with his head lowered, "Do not ask the reason for executing a mission."

Zhu Wushi said coldly, "Good to know. Remember one thing on this trip: if Li Xunhuan is unwilling to enter the capital, you can use some special means."

"Yes!"

The two bowed and left to carry out the order.

Zhu Wushi paced back and forth in the study for a long time before walking to the desk. He reached out to the inkstone on the table and twisted it. Suddenly, the wall at the very back of the study made a rumbling sound, and a secret passage slowly appeared.

He moved forward along the long secret passage until water stains began to seep out of the pitch-black stone wall, and light suddenly appeared in front.

After Zhu Wushi came out of the secret passage, he was already standing in a lake pavilion, and the Dragon-Protecting Villa became a blurred background in the distance.

Several black figures appeared quietly in front of Zhu Wushi like ghosts, kneeling respectfully, shouting, "Master!"

These existences like shadows were actually the shadow guards secretly cultivated by Zhu Wushi. They were invisible, not known to the Emperor, and unknown to the secret agents of the Dragon-Protecting Villa.

"You guys go check Guo Buqing's whereabouts and see what he is actually doing recently."

"The Emperor couldn't have removed him from his position for no reason. He must have done something taboo."

Speaking of this, Zhu Wushi suddenly remembered Yu Huatian's strange attitude and continued to instruct, "By the way, also check the recent movements of the two depots."

"Obey!"

Several shadow guards disappeared in front of Zhu Wushi suddenly.

After doing these things, Zhu Wushi didn't return to the Dragon-Protecting Villa immediately but sat in the lake pavilion, looking at the endless mountains around.

At this moment, he seemed to merge with this pavilion. His life was like being firmly trapped by the mountains in front of him, never getting freedom for his whole life.

"Father, one day I will prove that I am stronger than Imperial Brother and stronger than his son. I should be the true master of the Ming Empire!"

After having a good drink at Tongfu Inn, Chu Yang left Seven Heroes Town with Li Ge Xiao early the next morning. Having lived a suppressed life in the capital for more than twenty years, he couldn't wait to enjoy his new life at this moment.

Long in the cage, returning to nature.

Everything on the road could be safely left to Li Ge Xiao to handle. Unlike Guo Furong, who was a half-baked person, Li Ge Xiao, who was once a thousand-man commander of the Brocade Guards, had very rich Jianghu experience.

Chu Yang, who was used to riding in carriages, decided to ride south, walking on the official road with Li Ge Xiao on horseback.

"Prince, you must be careful on this trip south. Lawless people are one thing, but more importantly, the frequency of demons appearing will also increase greatly, and there are many spirit demons and demon humans among them."

"The legendary Ten Thousand Demon Nation seems to be in the southwest region. Except for a few wealthy big cities that are unaffected, other towns are ravaged by demons. It is also the area where the Divine Marquis Mansion and demons fight most fiercely."

"For safety, we had better avoid these places."

Listening to Li Ge Xiao's description, Chu Yang couldn't help but ask curiously, "You mentioned demons, spirit demons, and demon humans just now. What is the difference between the three?"

Li Ge Xiao knew that Chu Yang had grown up in the isolated capital and had no understanding of the three, so he patiently explained to him, "Generally speaking, spirit demons refer to existences that produce spiritual wisdom after plants and animals attain the Dao. Some spirit demons can transform into human form after having enough strength, which is what we often call Great Demons."

"The Ten Thousand Demon Nation I just mentioned is the gathering place of Great Demons."

Chu Yang nodded. Spirit demons were basically the same as the demon race in the Xianxia world, without much difference.

Li Ge Xiao continued, "So-called demon humans, some refer to humans who degenerate into demons. Some of them practice the techniques of the demon race, and some inherit the bloodline of the demon race, becoming half-human, half-demon existences. Others are the offspring of humans and Great Demons."

"Most demon humans stand with spirit demons, helping spirit demons plan and becoming enemies of the human race. Therefore, all demon humans are regarded as traitors to the human race and have been hunted down by the human race. Many of the criminals captured by the Six Fan School are demon humans."

Unlike the half-demons who were not loved by their grandmothers or uncles in the Xianxia world, demon humans were doing well in this world and were still great enemies of the human race.

Chu Yang asked again, "What about demons? Are they spirit demons degenerating into demons?"

Mentioning demons, Li Ge Xiao showed unprecedented seriousness. He shook his head and said, "Although demons have the word 'demon', they have nothing to do with spirit demons."

"The birth of spirit demons is related to that great change in heaven and earth decades ago, but the birth of demons began to appear before that great change!"

"There are even rumors that demons are the root cause of that great change in heaven and earth!" (End of chapter)