Great Wei Kyoto.
With the arrival of a piece of news, it froze Xu Qingnian in his tracks.
“Luo Baiyi has killed himself.”
Yes.
Luo Baiyi had killed himself.
It was a street rumour and people were talking about it, saying that Luo Baiyi had killed himself for some reason.
There were many rumours among the people.
Some said that after all, Luo Baiyi was a woman of smoke and flowers and had unclean origins, and that Xu Qingnian was now a sub-saint and a prince of the Great Wei, so she must not tarnish Xu Qingnian’s reputation.
Others said that this was the empress’ intention, after all, the people of the whole of Great Wei were indeed looking forward to the empress tying the knot with Xu Qingnian.
And the Empress of Great Wei also liked Xu Qingnian, so learning that Xu Qingnian was keeping a canary outside would naturally not end well.
But what exactly it was, no one knew.
Almost out of town.
Xu Qingnian sighed, he didn’t expect Luo Baiyi to do this.
In fact, he didn’t want Luo Baiyi to die, as long as she revealed who was behind the curtain, everything would be fine.
Unfortunately, Luo Baiyi still chose to keep the secret.
Xu Qingnian understood that the main reason why Luo Baiyi was like this was still the issue of her birth.
The kindness of raising her was greater than anything else.
Xu Qingnian was silent for a long time.
He finally made a trip to the Peach Blossom Nunnery, and when he arrived, the place was even colder than before.
There were quite a few people outside, watching the fun.
When he stepped into the Peach Blossom Nunnery, the people were a little surprised. After all, the rumours outside were all saying that Luo Baiyi’s death had a lot to do with Xu Qingnian.
This rumour was indeed reasonable, after all, to the people of the world, Xu Qingnian could now be considered an existence above ten thousand people.
If it was rumoured that there was a relationship with a woman of smoke and mirrors, this would be extremely bad for Xu Qingnian.
Only, when Xu Qingnian appeared, it broke the rumour.
After all, if that was really the case, Xu Qingnian would not have appeared.
“Your Majesty, Baiyi couldn’t think of killing herself, I am sending someone to investigate and see what exactly is going on, please calm your anger.”
Learning that Xu Qingnian had come, Zhang Ruhui hurriedly came from the spiritual hall and bowed towards Xu Qingnian.
He was Xu Qingnian’s sworn brother, but now Xu Qingnian’s status was too high, making him somewhat cautious and not daring to be casual.
“You are welcome, brother.”
“Don’t address him like that.”
Xu Qingnian shook his head as he dragged Zhang Ruhui up, as he always did, before speaking.
“There is no need to investigate, the deceased rests in peace immediately, I will go and offer an incense stick for her.”
Xu Qingnian spoke out, he was very calm, which made Zhang Ruhui a little surprised.
However, Zhang Ruhui did not say much, there was no need for him to know about these matters, nor did he want to know.
After all, to be honest, it was already a great thing that Xu Qingnian still recognised him as his sworn brother now.
With Xu Qingnian’s identity, he had been getting better and better over the past year, whether it was earning silver or status, no one in Great Wei would dare to mess with him.
Xu Qingnian’s righteous brother, this name was so big that all six ministries had to give him some face.
But Zhang Ruhui was not stupid, on the contrary, he was smart enough to know that the higher Xu Qingnian’s status was, the lower his profile should be, otherwise if he discredited Xu Qingnian, trouble would come.
He walked towards the hearse.
Some women were kneeling by the side, sobbing in low voices, these were all Luo Baiyi’s personal maids, their master had died and their future would not be easy, plus it was impossible not to have feelings over the years.
It was normal for them to shed tears.
In the funeral hall, Luo Baiyi lies quietly in her coffin, wearing a long white dress, her eyes closed and with visible strangulation marks on her neck, having committed suicide by hanging.
It was somewhat quiet.
After Xu Qingnian appeared, Zhang Ruhui gave the crowd a look, and in an instant everyone left on their own accord.
In the middle of the funeral hall.
Xu Qingnian was the only one left.
He looked at the dead Luo Baiyi quietly, his eyes full of complications.
Xu Qingnian was very quiet.
He just looked at Luo Baiyi quietly.
It was only after a long time that Xu Qingnian spoke out, breaking the peace.
“I don’t want you to die.”
“You don’t need to be like this either.”
“You and I are both pitiful people, except that I understand your thoughts.”
“Perhaps, if you and I don’t see each other, it won’t be so.”
Xu Qingnian spoke out.
Where did he not know that Luo Baiyi had had feelings for himself.
Truth be told, if it wasn’t for the fact that he had a foreign art in his body back then, causing him to not be able to touch others, and worrying all the time, in case one day, the foreign art in his body erupted.
The enemy would use this as a reason to kill all his friends and family.
Wouldn’t that be harmful to others and to himself.
It was for this reason that he had a simple friendship with Luo Baiyi, a gentleman’s friendship, the kind that was as light as water.
Luo Baiyi was his own red-head, and the two of them did not talk about anything, but whenever Xu Qingnian saw Luo Baiyi, he would be at peace inside.
Because they were the same person.
Now that his red-head had pa*sed away, it would be impossible to say that there was not any slight ripple in his heart.
“If there is an afterlife, Xu would like to meet again.”
Xu Qingnian spoke softly, and as he said this, he fetched three sticks of incense, lit them, and then inserted them into the incense burner.
Originally, he was already leaving, and if he had not learned that Luo Baiyi had killed himself, he would not have come to the Peach Blossom Nunnery otherwise.
Now that he had finished offering incense, Xu Qingnian had also left.
He left in a very crisp manner.
There was no such thing as parting or not parting, nor was there any sadness or not sadness.
It was probably a good thing that Luo Baiyi had killed himself.
Xu Qingnian left.
This time, he left in a straightforward manner, using the power of one grade to cross ten thousand miles of mountains and rivers and rush to the Western Continent.
After Xu Qingnian had left.
In the middle of the spirit hall, a human figure appeared.
Dressed in black.
It was impossible to see his face.
It was a man who looked at Luo Baiyi and was silent for a while, eventually he disappeared back into place, not saying a word.
The news that Luo Baiyi had killed himself.
It also reached the Great Wei Imperial Palace.
When the Empress learnt the news, she was a little surprised, she did not expect Luo Baiyi to kill himself, except that Ji Ling knew that the matter had nothing to do with herself.
Although she didn’t feel much for Luo Baiyi, at most she had spoken out twice because of Xu Qingnian’s status.
Only that she had never interfered.
But what she didn’t expect was that Luo Baiyi would die.
“Your Majesty, according to thorough investigation, Luo Baiyi’s identity is unknown, suspected to be a secret son of the White Cloth Sect, her death may be related to Prince Xu, should we continue deeper investigation?”
Inside the main hall, a eunuch knelt on the floor and reported the situation.
This was Li Xian.
Now he has also become the eunuch in charge of the seal, and has a very high status in the palace. He has gotten to this position because of his own ruthless methods of doing things, and also because of Xu Qingnian’s blessing.
The palace knew that Li Xian and Xu Qingnian knew each other, and there was even a rumour that Xu Qingnian wanted to support Li Xian.
Whether it was true or not, someone had actually seen Xu Qingnian and Li Xian walking in the palace often, so Li Xian’s status had also risen, and now he had become the head eunuch, and was considered a man of the people.
Of course, this is all because of Xu Qingnian. If it were not for Xu Qingnian, he would not have reached this position at this age, even if he was more capable.
As Li Xian spoke of Luo Baiyi’s affairs.
On the dragon chair.
Ji Ling shook his head and said.
“This matter ends here, there is no need to investigate.”
The empress spoke.
She knew that the White Cloth Sect was cautious, even if she investigated thoroughly, she would not be able to find out anything, instead she would be somewhat alarmed by the gra*s.
“Your servant understands, Your Majesty, there is also quite a lot of gossip among the people, should we lower it a bit?”
Li Xian continued to ask.
It was about the gossip.
“No, let them talk, if we suppress these gossips, in the end it will be a kind of promotion, the clearer the clearer.”
The empress still refused, not wanting to deliberately suppress any gossip, such things have little impact, let the people speak if they want to, if they go to deliberately suppress it, there is not much meaning.
“In accordance with the decree.”
The latter bowed his head to receive the decree, and then withdrew from within the main hall.
After Li Xian exited, the empress’ gaze could not help but fall on the ‘Sovereign’s Book’ in her hand.
It had come to this point.
The real big fish, too, was about to appear.
There was a person hiding in Great Wei, who had been in the shadows, and many things had been made by them, and this person, had surfaced.
But who exactly, it is difficult to say, except that she already has a few candidates, and without surprise, it is in these people.
Meanwhile.
The Great Wei Imperial Prison.
In the prison.
Prince Huai Ning sat cross-legged as he stayed quietly in his cell, looking incomparably quiet.
Ji Yuan, who was next door, had also quieted down; he had been making a scene some days ago, but in recent days he had become unusually honest.
There was no other reason for this, Wang Chaoyang was originally all set to take away the Zhongzhou Dragon Cauldron.
As a result, he was stiffly snatched away by Xu Qingnian’s Forty-eight Great Ambitions, and ended up falling down.
This made him feel extremely scared.
Wang Chaoyang was gone.
The Chu Yuan Dynasty and the Sudden Evil Dynasty could not control themselves at the moment, and this trip to Great Wei, Ji Yuan inexplicably felt like a big fool.
He regretted that he had made an enemy of Xu Qingnian. If he had not made an enemy of Xu Qingnian, he might not have ended up in this situation.
But at that moment.
A voice rang out.
It reached Prince Huai Ning’s ears.
“The Great Ancestor’s Long Sword, you told Ji Ling about it, didn’t you?”
A calm voice rang out.
It fell into Prince Huaining’s ears.
As this voice rang out, Prince Huaining was not surprised, as if he had guessed that someone would come to him.
“Yes.”
He was direct, giving his answer in the form of a martial dao voice transmission.
“Why?”
The latter was not annoyed either, but spoke indifferently and asked Prince Huaining.
“There is no reason, knowing the fate of Heaven, with Xu Qingnian around, none of us can win.”
Prince Huaining of the Valley/span appeared casual.
But this casualness had annoyed the other party.
“The Mandate of Heaven?”
“Does Xu Qingnian represent the Mandate of Heaven?”
The latter asked in a cold voice.
“Generation doesn’t represent the Mandate of Heaven, I don’t count when I say so, nor do you, the result does.”
“At first I said that Xu Qingnian had to be killed, you refused to let him, now he has become a force, no one can stop him.”
“This is my only chance to win, I don’t want to lose, and I won’t lose.”
Prince Huaining was also a little fired up.
He opened his mouth in such a way to give a response.
“The only chance to win? How can he win?”
“I see that you are just blinded, and also, it didn’t say that you won’t kill Xu Qingnian, but that you need Xu Qingnian to do something.”
“If he doesn’t go through with this, he won’t be able to condense the Midcontinent Dragon Cauldron, which is the most crucial thing, and now that the Midcontinent Dragon Cauldron has been forged, our plan, will be completely unfolded.”
“Huai Ning, I will give you a chance, if you choose well, past matters will be forgiven, and I will tell you the final plan.”
The other party snorted coldly, but eventually suppressed his anger as he looked at Prince Huai Ning and said so.
He was willing to give Prince Huaining one more chance.
But Prince Huaining did not answer immediately, nor did he bother to argue.
Instead, he pondered a little.
“What are the chances of winning.”
Prince Huaining asked warily.
“Ten percent.”
“A sure win.”
The latter replied, confidently.
Hearing this reply, Prince Huaining sighed, again with this answer.
He had nothing to say.
“I have chosen this path and will not change it anymore, if I lose, die, or if you want to kill me now, do so.”
Prince Huai Ning refused the other party’s good intentions and still chose to side with Xu Qingnian.
When this was said, the latter really couldn’t help but be annoyed.
“Are you out of your mind?”
“Your son died at Xu Qingnian’s hands, and as a result, you went to help him? Decades of planning, and you actively give up, are you out of your mind?”
He couldn’t help but roar, among his words was a rage that couldn’t be hidden.
However, mentioning his own son.
Prince Huaining, however, could not help but clench his fist and said.
“I don’t hate Xu Qingnian for his death, what I hate more is you. If it wasn’t for the plan you are talking about, would the disaster at Pingqiu House have happened?”
“Everyone in the world says that my son embezzled 30 million taels of silver, but in reality, what is a mere 30 million taels of silver worth?”
“Do you really think I am a fool? Does he care about 30 million taels of silver? Even if it was 30,000,000 taels of silver, he wouldn’t be able to look at it.”
“What does his death have to do with Xu Qingnian?”
“In short, I have helped you enough, and what I owe you, I have also paid back. If you want to kill me, take my life now, otherwise, don’t say any more.”
Prince Huining also came to temper.
He uttered this bitter secret, causing the latter to fall silent at once.
The two men were quiet with each other.
After a while, the latter’s mood calmed down.
“I am saddened by Huai Ning’s death, but I have no intention of harming him, and in the final analysis, it is still Xu Qingnian.”
“However, I will not kill you, but you have already made your choice, and for the sake of the bond between you and me, I will ask you a question, and you answer truthfully.”
“Xu Qingnian, do you know of my existence?”
The other party asked.
“I don’t know, I didn’t say.”
Prince Huai Ning replied cleanly.
“Good.”
“From today onwards, there will be no more ties between you and I. I will not kill you, but if you threaten our plans, don’t blame me and kill me painfully.”
Got this reply.
The other party disappeared.
Leaving the Prince of Huaining in the cell.
After a long time, Prince Huai Ning let out a long sigh.
He didn’t know what to say about the future.
Whether it was good or bad, he was not sure anymore.
However, Prince Huaining also understood one thing: this game had reached its final stage.
What would happen next, he did not know, it involved a truly great secret that even he was not qualified to participate in.
And at the same time.
West Continent.
Little Thunder Sound Temple.
Compared to the Tianzhu Temple, the incense of the Little Thunder Sound Temple was much less popular than before.
There are nine temples in total at Little Thunder Sound Temple, dedicated to nine Buddhas.
On weekdays it seems a little cold, and there is no sound inside the temple except for the occasional ringing of the bell.
It is very peaceful, and in contrast to the incense-rich Tianzhu Temple, Little Thunderbolt Temple does indeed look like a Buddhist temple.
It was pure and relaxed.
And at that very moment, a sanyasi, hurriedly walked towards the presiding meditation room.
“Presiding Master Uncle, Presiding Master Uncle, the World Honoured One is here and says he wants to see you.”
Inside the meditation room, the sound of wooden fish rang out in bursts.
As the voice of the Shaykh appeared, the sound of the wooden fish soon stopped.
The next moment, a figure appeared outside Little Thunder Sound Temple.
This was the presiding priest.
Dressed in a robe, his eyebrows were already snow-white and he looked very old as he bowed deeply towards Xu Qingnian.
“Amitabha Buddha, poor monk Yuanwu, pay respects to His Holiness.”
The presiding officer of Little Thunder Sound Temple was extremely respectful and paid a deep obeisance towards Xu Qingnian.
As he paid a deep obeisance.
Xu Qingnian also gave a return bow.
“You are welcome, host.”
“I have come today to ask about an important matter.”
Xu Qingnian was very direct as he opened the door and explained his intention.
And without the slightest surprise or doubt, the latter nodded and said.
“The Master has already ordered it down, I still hope that His Holiness will come with the poor monk.”
Presiding Officer Yuan Wu spoke, and then personally led Xu Qingnian into the temple.
The monks within the temple all naturally surveyed Xu Qingnian.
They worshipped respectfully towards Xu Qingnian.
Xu Qingnian was a Buddhist monk and deserved to be worshipped.
At the same time, they were also surprised and curious.
They wondered what Xu Qingnian was doing at Little Thunder Sound Temple.
Shouldn’t he be going to Tianzhu Temple?
They were curious, but could not think of anything.
Soon after entering the temple, Xu Qingnian did not know where he had come to, but just followed Yuanwu all the way inwards.
Eventually, they stopped outside a cave in the back of the mountain.
Outside the cave, there were all kinds of Buddhist artefacts laid out, surrounded by a demon subjugation formation. Xu Qingnian, being of the first rank of the Immortal Sect, could naturally feel this terrifying formation.
The aura was strong, at least of the first rank.
“Amitabha Buddha, World Honoured One, the Master is inside the cave, he is physically ill and cannot come out to see World Honoured One, I hope World Honoured One will walk a few steps and take some hard work.”
Presiding Officer Yuanwu spoke, he pointed to the cave in front of him and said calmly.
“Good.”
There was no such thing as guts or no guts.
Xu Qingnian took a step across, he was a supreme martial emperor, there was nothing on this earth that could harm him anymore, even if someone set up a heavenly net here, with the help of the Dragon Cauldron of the Middle Continent, he could still leave with ease.
Therefore, he had no fear.
With one step across, he arrived within the cave.
But crossing in, Xu Qingnian saw two familiar things.
An Eight Treasures Buddha Lotus.
A Demon Subduing Divine Stone.
Two items, floating in the cave.
And within the cave, a figure appeared, but what was startling was that the figure, clad in a robe, was devoid of flesh and blood in most places, almost a skeleton, emitting a putrid smell.
The old ancestor of the Little Thunder Sound Temple had become like this.
If word got out, only no one would believe it.
“Poor monk Zhengxin, pay my respects to His Holiness.”
The skeleton spoke, his voice a little hoarse.
“Master, you are.”
Xu Qingnian spoke, and he could feel that the other party was wrapped in demonic Qi and was continuously absorbing his life.
It was not easy to hold on until now, the Eight Treasures Buddha Lotus and the Demon Subduing Divine Stone had played a big role, otherwise, it would be impossible for him to still be alive.
“Struck by the curse, hanging on for dear life, just waiting for the World Honoured One to come.”
The Zheng Xin divine monk spoke out, his tone calm, as if he was looking down on life and death.
“What curse?”
“It can’t even stop the First Grade?”
Xu Qingnian asked with a frown.
“The curse of three million human lives.”
“It’s also the fault of the poor monk for being careless, but it doesn’t matter.”
Divine Monk Zheng Xin said looking down on everything.
However, these words caused Xu Qingnian to frown.
A curse of three million human lives?
The wounds of Divine Monk Zheng Xin were old wounds, but Xu Qingnian could feel them, that is, the demonic energy that he had stirred up in the last few decades.
Three million lives was no small matter.
Counting them in detail.
In a flash, Xu Qingnian could not help but frown.
“Related to the Pingqiu Mansion?”
Xu Qingnian was keenly aware of the problem and could not help but ask.
