This scoundrel is a bit of a swordsman.

Chapter 128 Getting Beaten

There are many suspicious points in this matter. When the Immortal Pavilion collapsed, the Dragon Pattern Army sealed off the scene, but those who offered sacrifices continued to act as if nothing was wrong, showing no concern for their safety. This indicates they were certain that the Martial Emperor would not pursue the matter.

Why were they so certain that Emperor Wu wouldn't pursue the matter? This is one of the points of suspicion.

Secondly, no one knew the list of personnel from the Immortal Pavilion. As the pinnacle of combat power used by the Martial Emperor to stabilize his imperial authority, Xiao Xingchen did not believe they could be so easily wiped out. The Dragon Pattern Army ended everything with almost no decent resistance.

Thirdly, who were those people who were made into cured meat? With such a large-scale disappearance, it's impossible that the officials in Yong'an were completely unaware. Yet, no one mentioned their identities. This is the biggest mystery. He had a feeling that if the identities of the dead were clarified, a colossal conspiracy would be uncovered.

As for the fourth point, it was the unease in his heart. Could the Houtu Festival and the Evil Ghost Festival be a coincidence?

These questions convinced him that the matter of the Immortal Pavilion was far from over. Perhaps today's burning of the Immortal Pavilion was just the beginning, and the real scheme had yet to be revealed.

However, with the clue of the Evil Ghost Sacrifice, he became even more cautious about the Poetry Immortal Gathering. This Poetry Immortal Gathering was something that happened in his previous life and was a world-shaking event. If it could be so world-shaking, then it would be unworthy of its name if it couldn't compare to the Immortal Pavilion.

"Still thinking about it?"

Ruoxue saw Xiaoxingchen lost in thought and interrupted his reverie.

"Well, there are still some questions I don't understand. Could I trouble you with something?"

"you say,"

"Find someone to investigate the Demon Festival for me, and while you're at it, find a clue about the Houtu Festival,"

"The Houtu Sacrifice? What's that?" Ruoxue frowned, hearing those three words for the first time.

Xiao Xingchen shook his head and solemnly instructed...

"I don't know what this means, but these three words seem to hide a huge conspiracy, so find reliable people to investigate. Don't let go of any clues. Most importantly, keep a low profile and don't let anyone find out that we are investigating these words."

"Understood, I'll make the arrangements. Sunset is approaching, you should go to the banquet."

As Xiao Xingchen attended the banquet, her gaze drifted towards the Chen residence. With so many things happening in Daqian today, was there any point in continuing this banquet?

However, whether it's organized or not, he has to go. This is his attitude towards Dali. Befriending Chen Miao is his way of leaving himself a way out. If one day he can no longer stay in Daqian, he has already planned to escape to Dali. Moreover, judging from the current situation, that day may not be too far away. With his ability to cause trouble, once one thing is exposed, he will have nowhere to go.

"I'll go by myself. You don't need to come with me today."

"Hehe, are you afraid your little mute wife will see?" Ruoxue laughed.

"Shh, I advise you not to call her 'little mute wife.' If she hears you, you'll be in big trouble."

Ruoxue snorted coldly and went to arrange the things he had asked her to do. It was inappropriate to bring a courtesan to such a banquet, and she had no intention of going along.

When Ruoxue left, he did not leave. Instead, he thought about it alone for a long time before slowly walking outside.

After the events of last night and into this morning, he had a premonition of his impending doom: a young swordsman crippled in a brothel would undoubtedly become the object of ridicule for many.

Although the events at Shenxianlou attracted a lot of attention today, once he reappears, everything about him will be brought up again, just like right now.

He was spotted by sharp-eyed people as soon as he stepped out of the Flower Language Building.

"Hey, isn't that the young sword immortal? Why is he coming out of the Flower Language Pavilion again? He really couldn't stand it anymore, he's been staying in the Flower Language Pavilion all day, hasn't he?"

"Young man, full of energy, mainly because of his good kidneys, I really envy him,"

"Where is he going? How can a sword immortal who was crippled by a brothel woman still have the nerve to wander around?"

. . .

Such whispers and murmurs were constant, but Xiao Xingchen paid them no heed. He had been preoccupied with one question the entire way: how to approach Daji.

The Chen residence wasn't far; just two streets away, a grand mansion came into view. From afar, it was clear that many guests had already arrived at the Chen residence's gate, demonstrating the considerable influence of the Hanhai Chen family even in the distant capital.

But as Xiao Xingchen reached the main gate, he paused.

The fall of the Northern Regions, though not yet fully revealed, is a fait accompli; it's just that neither side was prepared, so they're both putting on an act.

But did Emperor Wu know that the Chen family of Hanhai was in cahoots with the Dali Kenghe?

The northern territory of the Great Qian Dynasty has been taken by the Wilderness, and the Hanhai City has been taken by the Dali. Does Emperor Wu feel no sense of urgency at all?

Something was wrong. Xiao Xingchen was shocked. Both the Northern Region and Hanhai City were extremely important places. Could the Martial Emperor be a fool to be played like this?

He couldn't help but put himself in Emperor Wu's shoes. If he were Emperor Wu, why would he choose to remain silent in the face of losing two great territories?

His gaze turned toward the Imperial Palace. Was it merely because of the existence of the Demon Suppression Prison that Emperor Wu's attention was being diverted? But how could that be? Hanhai City was also an extremely important pass in the Eastern Region. Once Hanhai fell, Dali could advance unimpeded. How could Emperor Wu ignore such a military stronghold?

What on earth was he thinking?

At this moment, Xiao Xingchen deeply felt that the emperor's thoughts were as deep as the sea. With the recent events combined, Emperor Wu seemed unfathomable to him, and he couldn't understand what Emperor Wu wanted to do at all.

"Hey, isn't this the famous young swordsman of Yong'an? Why aren't you in a brothel? What are you doing here?"

A familiar voice rang out, and Xiao Xingchen frowned. What a small world!

He was familiar with this man; after all, it was this man who had convicted him last time—Xu Zhonghou, the eunuch he had castrated.

Unexpectedly, they met again under these circumstances. At this time, Xu Zhonghou was still a well-known playboy in Yong'an, completely unrelated to the word "eunuch."

He couldn't be bothered with these spoiled brats. Even if they had some past grievances, his perspective and outlook were no longer what these纨绔子弟 (spoiled brats) were. In his eyes, these people were like ants, utterly uninteresting to him.

So he simply walked forward, ignoring the mockery.

"Damn, how can this guy be so arrogant? Brothers, do you know anyone this arrogant in Yong'an City?"

Xu Zhonghou was not prepared to let the matter rest, so he raised his voice and roared.

"Haha, Old Xu, you don't know this, do you? This is a young sword immortal. So what if he's arrogant? That's his right."

"Right, right, young sword immortal, if you hadn't mentioned it I would have forgotten, isn't this the heartless man who lost all his essence after being slept with by a courtesan? Haha, if he can lose his sword immortal title after being slept with by a woman, what's wrong with him being a little arrogant?"

"Did he even ask us that arrogant question? Yong'an won't tolerate such arrogant people."

Xu Zhonghou smiled and stepped forward, blocking Xiao Xingchen's path, then stared at him with a grin.

"We heard you went to the eighth floor of the Flower Language Building. Tell us about your fun time with that girl, and satisfy our curiosity!"

"roll,"

Xiao Xingchen was already in a bad mood, and he had absolutely no interest in meeting these spoiled brats who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.

"Oh, you think you're some kind of sword immortal? Stop pretending, you're just a piece of trash."

"Get lost!"

"Screw you! Get him, beat him up!" Xu Zhonghou had come looking for trouble, and seeing Xiao Xingchen's arrogant attitude, he wasn't going to tolerate it. He immediately ordered his men to swarm him.

Xiao Xingchen frowned, about to retaliate, but remembering Ruoxue's words, he sighed helplessly. Oh well, let him get a beating. It's better this way, so they'll believe he's really done for.