Chapter 98: Chapter 97: The Shocking Identity of the Insider
Translator: 549690339
“I am grateful for your help, Mr. Pei.” The Old Eunuch spoke with soft humbleness, smiling at Pei Xuanjing.
Pei Xuanjing returned the smile modestly, “Your excellency is too kind.”
It could be said that the moment Pei Xuanjing and the Old Eunuch struck together against Du
Chongyun, the outcome was determined, and the Mire Sect’s assassination would end in failure.
Not to mention the loss of their ordinary disciples, but the death of two first-grade martial artists, two second-class martial artists, and seven third-grade pseudo masters alone had cost the Mire Sect a heavy loss, which was almost half of their renowned experts.
However, their side also suffered considerable losses in this assassination attempt. The Xuanwu, one of the four leaders of the Brocade Guards, died in battle. Also, one master and one pseudo master from the Dong Factory and one pseudo master from the Xi Factory were all slain.
As for the remaining experts, although they did not lose their lives, they were all somewhat injured. For instance, Qingyang Zi was heavily injured by Du Chongyang, a first-grade martial artist. Though his foundation was not damaged, he undoubtedly lost much of his fighting force.
As for those third-grade and below members of the Brocade Guards who were injured, their number was considerable, and many even lost their lives.
On the other hand, Lin Qingyi was rather fortunate this time. Not only was he unscathed from the assassination attempt, but he also had an epiphany about the true essence of martial arts while fighting a master martial artist alongside another.
After experiencing this mighty storm, even if the emperor was safe and sound and had not been harmed at all, it was clear that the idea of his tour was interrupted.
When news of the attempted assassination on the emperor reached Tiandu, those in charge there immediately made the decision that the emperor’s tour could no longer go on and intended to put a stop to it.
With his officials unanimously opposing his decision, even the emperor could not act wantonly and obstinately as he pleased. He was also aware that his guards were wounded and couldn’t support his endeavor any longer.
However, the emperor wasn’t willing to return to Tiandu so easily, so he headed to Xuanfu Town, one of the important towns instead.
When they saw the emperor stop touring and enter the military stronghold of Xuanfu Town, which guaranteed his security to a large extent, the court officials could only compromise despite some minor objections.
After the emperor entered Xuanfu Town, the local governor and commander took responsibility for external security, so Pei Xuanjing and his men didn’t need to remain as vigilant as before. Their task had become much easier.
After surviving the assassination attempt and personally beheading a first-grade martial artist, Pei Xuanjing naturally solidified his supreme reputation.
The Emperor not only granted him an audience but also bestowed upon him a generous reward. When he learnt that Pei Xuanjing’s divine weapon was damaged in the battle, he promised to give him an even better one as compensation.
Unfortunately, all these rewards and compensation from the Emperor can only be fulfilled after returning to Tiandu. For Pei Xuanjing, this is providing a solution far beyond his immediate needs.
The divine weapons forged by experts like Qian Lian are rare, but there are still numerous indomitable-class divine weapons in Xuanfu Town.
Having seen Pei Xuanjing’s ability, Jiang Bin was even more eager to gain his favor. Immediately upon reaching Xuanfu, he procured an indomitable-class sword for Pei Xuanjing to use temporarily.
Jiang Bin wasn’t the only one trying to win over Pei Xuanjing. Zhang Yong, the director of Dong Factory, and Gu Dayong, the director of Xi Factory, also presented him with an indomitable-class sword as a token of gratitude for his rescue.
Having received gifts from the three, Pei Xuanjing accepted them brazenly but remained non-committal about their attempts to win him over.
Now, he was standing at the top level of the Great Ming, giving him the privilege to abstain from taking sides for the time being.
Pei Xuanjing stood atop a nameless hill, holding his hands behind his back. Facing the cool autumn breeze, his robe was fluttering in the wind.
He took in the whole view of Xuanfu City, producing a feeling of insignificance in the grand scheme of things.
“Master Pei!”
Jiang Bin came up the hill in his regular attire and stood behind Pei Xuanjing.
Lin Qingyi led a few of the Brocade Guards, also dressed in regular attire, and guarded them from several hundred feet away.
“Why is Mr. Jiang being so formal? You may address me as usual,” said Pei Xuanjing nonchalantly. Then he turned around and spoke heartily, “I never realized that such a magnificent scene is withheld by this hilly region. So engrossed, I’ve kept Mr. Jiang waiting.”
“In that case, Mr. Pei, there’s no need to refer to me as Mr. Jiang in the future. I am older than you by a few years. If you don’t mind, we can address each other as brothers.” Jiang Bin said with a smile.
Pei Xuanjing laughed heartily, “Brother Jiang.”
A glint of joy flashed in Jiang Bin’s eyes. He sighed, “Mr. Pei, you’re too modest. There’s nothing wrong with becoming absorbed in such a beautiful view.”
He took a few steps forward, and they stood side by side, facing the autumn breeze, and taking in the beautiful mountains and rivers.
“I wonder what Brother Jiang had in mind when he invited me today.” Pei Xuanjing looked into the distance and spoke lightly.
He was actually in the middle of his cultivation at home when he received a message from Lin Qingyi that Jiang Bin had invited him to meet.
Moreover, instead of meeting in Xuanfu City, they came to this unnamed hill.
Pei Xuanjing remembered that he had received so many benefits from others. It wouldn’t be right to immediately discard the relationship, so he agreed to the invitation.
Jiang Bin waved his hand and took out a letter from his bosom, “There’s no rush. Look at this first, brother.”
Pei Xuanjing, puzzled, took the letter and unfolded it to read.
After a while, a hint of coldness appeared at the corners of Pei Xuanjing’s mouth, and a brief flash of murderous intent emanated from him before quickly disappearing.
“It’s actually him. I really didn’t expect it. Is this information from the underworld?” He asked, his tone filled with surprise.
The information in the letter was none other than the clues related to Pei Xuanjing’s previous assassination attempt and the recent assassination of the Emperor.
According to the clues obtained by Jiang Bin, the mastermind behind these was a big figure in the Brocade Guards, his direct superior, the Emperor’s trusted aide, and the commander of the Brocade Guards, Qian Ning.
Even though they already knew that someone in the Brocade Guards was colluding with the underworld Mire Sect, this person held a high-ranking position. But no one had thought that it would be Qian Ning.
Jiang Bin nodded and said, “In addition to this, there is also information from undercover agents within the Mire Sect.”
When he first received this news, Jiang Bin was even more shocked than Pei Xuanjing.
Although the two were rivals, they were both trusted by the Emperor, and he never expected that Qian Ning would dare to undertake such actions.
Hearing Jiang Bin’S words, Pei Xuanjing nodded in agreement.
With the power of the Brocade Guards, it was impossible not to infiltrate a force like Mire Sect.
However, what he did not know was that in order to obtain these pieces of information, the undercover agents of the Brocade Guards suffered heavy losses, almost all of them exposed and uprooted by the Mire Sect.
However, being able to obtain such important information, it was worth it for Jiang Bin.
“Does Brother Jiang have any reservations?” Pei Xuanjing asked in confusion.
In his view, since the identity of the other party had been confirmed, all they had to do was to follow the clues to the end.
Considering Jiang Bin’s status, once he submitted this information to the Emperor, even if it may not immediately result in charges, it should be enough to sow a seed of doubt in the Emperor’s heart.
Other officials might have reservations, but for the eunuchs, all their privileges depended on the trust of the Emperor. Once they lost his trust, they would lose everything. Jiang Bin let out a bitter laugh: “Things are not as simple as they seem..”