Xie An sat by the long table, waiting for the Demon Suppression Guards to bring him the case files.
Given the magnitude of the case provided by Chen A'si, which also involved the magistrate of Blackwater County, Xie An had the four Tankas taken to different locations for separate questioning. He then collected their testimonies and compared them.
This ensured the authenticity of the information to the greatest extent possible.
Even so, the testimonies given by the four still had discrepancies.
Each time, Xie An would circle the unmatched parts and have the Demon Suppression Guards take them back for further questioning.
After repeated back-and-forth efforts, as the Demon Suppression Guard handed over the final version of the case file, Xie An carefully reviewed it, and all the information finally matched up.
Huff!
Xie An breathed a sigh of relief and stretched his arms wide.
Dealing with the case files all night was more tiring than practicing martial arts.
The white fox had long curled up on the small table next to the brazier, fast asleep.
Xie An felt a bit envious and a bit of warmth.
During this time, the white fox had always been by his side. Although it wasn't human, it added some vitality and warmth to Xie An's otherwise monotonous life.
Xie An stood up, gently stretched his limbs, and then walked out of the camp gate.
It was already dawn, and snow was falling heavily. As far as the eye could see, it was a vast expanse of white.
The biting cold wind dispersed Xie An's fatigue.
He raised his right hand, opened his palm, and let the snowflakes fall, turning into water and wetting his palm, then trickling away along the lines of his hand.
Before long, Chen Tie hurried over, stepping on the thick snow.
"Commander Xie, Chen A'si is willing to cooperate and lead the way to the Four Fish Gang in Blackwater County."
Xie An nodded, "Very well."
Chen Tie, unaware of Xie An's plans, asked, "Is Brother Xie planning to go to Blackwater County himself? Even Magistrate Tian Youguang has joined the Tianan Alliance. I'm afraid the entire Blackwater County has been infiltrated by the Tianan Alliance. Going there might be dangerous. Or…"
Xie An said calmly, "There's no rush. I'm waiting for a message. Brother Chen, stay here and handle the aftermath. Strengthen patrols in Great Marsh Township recently. We must not allow another village massacre to happen."
Chen Tie obeyed and left, while Xie An practiced a set of health-preserving exercises in the snow, then returned to his tent for a nap.
At the beginning of Chen time, Liu Chun came to report.
Xie An had expected a reply, but Liu Chun said there was none.
After dismissing Liu Chun, Xie An sat behind the long table, frowning, and pondered, 'What major event has happened that the Eldest Princess hasn't responded? Leaving me to handle it alone?'
That's not very kind.
Moreover, it involves other counties, even a magistrate. Xie An feels a lot of pressure handling this, after all, officials protect each other.
And even Corpse Poison Pills have appeared…
Clearly, this is no ordinary matter.
You're letting me handle it alone? Not even a written order.
Xie An rubbed his forehead, feeling troubled.
It's not impossible to handle it, Qingwu County is a fifth-rank Demon Suppression Division after all, and in principle, it can also monitor officials in neighboring counties. But it would be easier to act with a written order from the Xuan Nan Prefecture Overseer.
Mainly… Xie An doesn't have a strong desire to serve the court. He's naturally unwilling to risk sticking his neck out alone.
Just then, a sound of hooves came from outside the door.
As the camp gate was lifted, a Demon Suppression Guard wearing a water-blue, fitted brocade robe walked in.
Xie An focused on flipping through the case files, not even raising his head, and said coldly, "What is it?"
"Commander Xie has quite the official air about him."
Hearing the familiar voice, Xie An suddenly looked up and saw that it was none other than Su Yuqing standing in front of him.
Xie An was overjoyed and quickly got up to make way for her, "Eldest Princess."
Su Yuqing nodded slightly, sat down at the long table, and began flipping through the case files Xie An had organized. Finally, she revealed a gratified smile, "This case file is organized very thoroughly."
Xie An said, "This matter concerns the magistrate of Blackwater County and involves the Four Fish Gang. I was worried that Chen A'si and the others might have concerns and wouldn't tell the whole story, so I cross-referenced it several times. Why did the Eldest Princess come in person?"
Xie An didn't actually expect Su Yuqing to come, he just needed a written order from Su Yuqing.
So that's how it is…
No wonder Corpse Poison Pills appeared.
So the headquarters of the Longevity Sect has moved here.
That makes a lot of sense.
After all, the Corpse Refining Hall is just a branch of the Longevity Sect.
After a moment, Xie An finally sorted out the various clues, "Then who is the Heavenly Father of the Tianan Alliance?"
"The former Imperial Preceptor, Guang Chanzi. The father of the Grand Priestess Jin Hai'er, and also the younger brother of the former Empress Jin Xiaotang."
Guang Chanzi…
Xie An had seen this name on the Great Bronze Bell before.
Unexpectedly…
"Which means… Li Hao has already colluded with the Longevity Sect."
"It's the Prince of Huainan."
Xie An was silent.
He didn't expect this to involve such a big event.
He had previously said that he only needed a written order from the Eldest Princess, but now it seems that's not enough.
After a long daze, Xie An said, "What are the Eldest Princess's plans next?"
Su Yuqing said very calmly, "I originally thought I would have to wait for the Prince of Huainan to rebel before taking action. Now it seems that the Prince of Huainan is impatient. We can take two steps. First, find evidence of Li Hao and Guang Chanzi colluding. Second, find evidence of the Prince of Huainan colluding with the Five Old Demons of the Longevity Sect. As long as the evidence is in hand, I will immediately go to the capital, persuade the imperial family and several important ministers of the court. Then notify the other governors, and we can take action against the Prince of Huainan."
If we can find the evidence in advance, we can avoid a war and prevent suffering. It would truly be a great merit to benefit the world. Xie An, I need your help."
Xie An deeply gazed at the stunning and elegant woman before him, admiring the clarity of her thinking, and also sighing at the complexity of the court.
Emperor Jingtai clearly had the idea of weakening the vassal states, but he couldn't act rashly. He still needed to find evidence.
It was evident that the Prince of Huainan had many friends and factions in the court.
Without solid evidence showing that the Prince of Huainan intended to rebel, Emperor Jingtai would have to endure it.
On the one hand, he couldn't persuade the important ministers and the imperial family.
On the other hand, although the Prince of Huainan is a prince of a different surname, his specific position is similar to that of a governor.
The Great Qian has thirty-six prefectures, and there are probably more than thirty governors. If Emperor Jingtai forcibly weakens the vassal states without evidence showing that the Prince of Huainan intends to rebel, not to mention that it would be unjustified, it would also easily cause the other governors to have restless thoughts.
If that were the case, the foundation of the country would be shaken.
If evidence were found that the Prince of Huainan was colluding with the Five Old Demons and the former Longevity Sect, then weakening the vassal states would be justified, and the other governors would only be able to respond, and they wouldn't have restless thoughts.
The general trend of the world, truly, a single hair can move the whole body.
In order to weaken the vassal states of Southern Prefecture, this Eldest Princess has been laying out plans here, patiently waiting for over twenty years.
Xie An felt somewhat moved in his heart.
The tea was already brewed, Xie An filled a cup for Su Yuqing, then took a sip himself, "My abilities are humble, I don't know how I can help the Eldest Princess."
Su Yuqing said, "You go and capture Guang Chanzi."
Pfft!
Xie An spat out a mouthful of tea.
Even he, who was usually calm, was shocked.
You want me to capture Guang Chanzi?
The former Imperial Preceptor.
At the very least, he's a Martial Dao Grandmaster.
That's too dangerous.
Su Yuqing couldn't help but smile, "The main thing is that it's not convenient for me to show my face now, but I will be by your side, assisting you."
Xie An breathed a sigh of relief.
That's more like it… But this difficulty and risk are also what Xie An doesn't want to face.
"So, I'm just showing my face?"
"That's roughly the idea." Su Yuqing said, "As long as Guang Chanzi is captured, and Li Hao is dug out by following the clues, Li Hao can be arrested. Then, dig out the Prince of Huainan from Li Hao. Also, you have a good relationship with Master Huang. Master Huang must know about the collusion between the Four Old Demons and the Prince of Huainan. Dig it out. The overall situation in Southern Prefecture can be settled."
Xie An held the teacup, and suddenly understood Su Yuqing's intention.
No wonder she lurked in Qingwu County, staying in the Xie residence and never going out.
It was all to create a false impression for Li Hao and the Prince of Huainan, making the Prince of Huainan believe that Su Yuqing was always in Nanyang Prefecture. This way, Li Hao's actions in Qingwu County would become reckless. After all, Li Hao would never have imagined that someone in Qingwu County would dare to capture him, let alone that someone in Qingwu County could capture Guang Chanzi.
However, Xie An felt that the Prince of Huainan also had informants in Nanyang Prefecture. The purpose of these informants was nothing more than to keep an eye on the Eldest Princess. As for how the Eldest Princess managed to deceive those informants… Xie An had no idea.
As for Master Huang being ambushed and hunted down by the Four Old Demons, it was highly likely that Master Huang knew about the collusion between the Four Old Demons and the Prince of Huainan.
Su Yuqing had even accounted for this.
Upon careful consideration, Xie An felt that the Eldest Princess's strategy… was feasible.
This woman is remarkable.
However, Xie An did not answer but fell into contemplation, with a troubled expression on his face.
Xie An knew his own importance and indispensability. Naturally, he had to discuss the benefits. But Xie An couldn't directly ask for these benefits; otherwise, the Chief Commander would seem too unprofessional.
The most ⊥ new ⊥ small ⊥ say ⊥ is ⊥ at ⊥ six ⊥ 9 ⊥ ⊥ book ⊥ ⊥ bar ⊥ ⊥ first ⊥ hair!
Xie An wouldn't ask directly, but the Eldest Princess had to give it to him.
Otherwise, wouldn't the risk be taken in vain?
Xie An felt that as long as he showed a troubled expression, the Eldest Princess, with her intelligence, would definitely understand his meaning…
Sure enough, Su Yuqing smiled and said, "From the first time I met you, I knew that your ambition lies in seeking immortality and proving longevity. You don't have much interest in the affairs of the court."
Xie An did not refute but poured tea for Su Yuqing instead.
Su Yuqing spoke slowly and clearly, "Xie An, with important matters at hand, I will get straight to the point."
Xie An said, "Please enlighten me, Eldest Princess."
Su Yuqing said, "This Princess's mission to Nanzhou to weaken the power of the vassal states is actually opposed by the Emperor and the imperial clan. Many people in the court are not optimistic about me. But I still came because I wanted to come myself. I want to do something for this land. And my master supports me. My master trusts me and thinks I can do it. But I have encountered many obstacles along the way, and it is rare to find a local force like you to help me."
Xie An said, "Forgive me for asking presumptuously, but Eldest Princess, you have been lying low in Nanzhou for over twenty years. Could there be other reasons?"
Su Yuqing carefully sized up Xie An, "Why do you ask that?"
Wasn't the reason she just gave enough?
That she wanted to come herself…
Xie An said, "As you know, Eldest Princess, capturing Guang Chanzi is extremely dangerous, and we also have to capture Li Hao, facing the Prince of Huainan and the Four Old Demons. All of this means that I, as an ordinary person, have to face enormous risks and pressure. Since we are getting straight to the point, I would also like to know the Eldest Princess's true intentions."
If it were their first meeting, Xie An would never have dared to ask an Eldest Princess such a question. But Xie An had been with the Eldest Princess for seven or eight years, living and eating together. They were superiors and subordinates, but also friends.
Xie An knew the Eldest Princess, and the Eldest Princess knew Xie An.
That's why he dared to ask.
Su Yuqing picked up her teacup and took a big gulp, "Secular women are often bound by constraints, and their status is mostly humble. Imperial women naturally appear glorious in front of outsiders, but how are they not humble in front of emperors and imperial relatives?
Thirty years ago, the Great Qian fought a war with the Sixteen Kingdoms of Northern Liang and lost. To repair relations, the Emperor proposed a marriage alliance. And as the eldest of the princesses, I was naturally the first to be considered for the marriage alliance.
Northern Liang is desolate and mostly inhabited by barbarians. I was unwilling to marry into Northern Liang, let alone marry someone I didn't love. So I made an agreement with the Emperor: if I could weaken the power of the Prince of Huainan, I could avert the Great Qian's policy of marriage alliances.
The century-old agreement between Great Yin Mountain and Great Qian is the end of the agreement, and also the final deadline for my agreement with the Emperor."
Xie An was even more moved after hearing this.
He never thought that even a heroine as outstanding as Su Yuqing could not escape the fate of an imperial family.
This world is like a desperate net.
Trapping everyone.
Everyone is struggling in this net.
And Xie An also has a net.
After a long time, Xie An lowered his head and said, "I'm sorry, I have stirred up the Eldest Princess's sad past."
Sympathy is sympathy, and pity is pity. But Xie An did not become hot-blooded because of this and readily agree to Su Yuqing.
Su Yuqing quickly adjusted her emotions and said, "Xie An, you are lucky. In fact, I envy you very much."
Xie An was embarrassed by what she said, "I am just a commoner, starting from humble beginnings. It is only because of the Eldest Princess's kindness that I have achieved some success today. What is there to envy?"
Su Yuqing said, "Do you still remember the token of the Taiyi Dao leader?"
"I remember."
"Do you still remember the inscription on the back?"
"Taiyi Dao, Bai."
"Do you know what this 'Bai' means?"
"The leader's name?"
"That's right. 'Bai' is the most terrifying word in Great Qian. Even the Emperor's name must be placed below the word 'Bai'. This is something even my master cannot do."
Su Yuqing slowly explained, "My master, Ye Nantian, is the only Martial Saint in Great Qian. He is also the Emperor's sworn brother. Back then, my master's martial prowess shook the world. However, my Great Qian still had to rely on the Daoist sect to barely govern the world. Do you know why?"
Xie An was increasingly surprised as he listened.
That's right.
Tianbao didn't have a Martial Saint, but Great Qian did.
And according to Su Yuqing, this Martial Saint was not a member of the Daoist sect. Why did Great Qian still have to rely on the Daoist sect?
Couldn't the Martial Saint still suppress the current world of Great Qian?
"Why?"
Su Yuqing smiled bitterly, "Because my master fought with Taiyi Dao, Bai, and the result… was that he lost. From then on, Great Qian had no choice but to respect the Daoist sect as the state religion and respect Taiyi Dao, Bai as the national preceptor."
What?
Even the old Martial Saint couldn't beat this Taiyi Dao, Bai?
This is too scary.
Wait a minute…
It seems that I have become a personal disciple of Taiyi Dao, Bai?
This…
Xie An's mind was a little confused.
He originally thought that this token was a gift from the Eldest Princess, but now it seems that it is not that simple.
Logically speaking, the Eldest Princess's master is the current Martial Saint and could refuse the marriage alliance. However, Ye Nantian is Emperor Jingtai's sworn brother, so he must be on Emperor Jingtai's side, so there is no way to refuse.
But this Taiyi Dao, Bai is even more powerful than Ye Nantian…
Su Yuqing seemed to see Xie An's confusion, "Are you very surprised as to why Taiyi Dao, Bai would make you a personal disciple?"
Xie An understood.
Today, the Eldest Princess was revealing her bottom line in order to get him to help her stabilize Nanzhou.
"Please enlighten me, Eldest Princess."
Su Yuqing said, "Because of the Immortal Box. You obtained the Immortal Box."
Xie An took a deep breath.
His scalp was tingling.
In other words, Yuhe had already determined that he had obtained the Immortal Box and informed Su Yuqing. Then, Su Yuqing sent a letter to Taiyi Dao, Bai in the capital, confirming his status as a personal disciple.
Wei Haoran and Zhao Qing'er had said before that they had also begged to become personal disciples of Taiyi Dao, but they had failed. Even Prince Bao's intervention was useless.
Countless clues flashed through Xie An's mind.
He never thought that he would accidentally gain such a terrifying backer.
He didn't know if it was a blessing or a curse…
"So, Bai knows about me?"
Pfft.
Su Yuqing suddenly covered her mouth and smiled, "If she knew you were calling her old, she would definitely slap you."
Xie An: "…"
Su Yuqing said, "Taiyi Dao, Bai is a woman. I don't know how old she is, but she looks very young. Thirty miles outside the capital, there is a large mountain called Yujing Mountain, which is also the headquarters of Taiyi Dao. This mountain did not exist originally, but because she came, the mountain came too."
Creating a mountain with her bare hands?
Isn't this an immortal's method?
"What is her name?"
"The only person in the world who suppresses the Martial Saint is her, Taiyi Dao, Bai Yujing."
Xie An tightly gripped the token in his arms, and his little heart seemed to be gripped by an invisible hand.
He had a woman who suppressed the Martial Saint as his master tens of thousands of miles away!?
Su Yuqing showed an envious expression, "I also wanted to become Bai Yujing's disciple, but she said that I had no immortal fate and that my ambition was not in longevity. She recommended me to Ye Nantian. That's why I said I envy you."
Xie An couldn't be humble.
It was indeed enviable…
Being any more humble would be too fake.
Su Yuqing said, "Therefore, I pay special attention to you. I will not force you. If you are willing to help me stabilize Nanzhou, you can be granted the title of Duke of the State. An official of the second rank. After entering the capital, you will have plenty of time to seek immortal fate."
