124: An old horse still has ambitions to run a thousand miles
On the street.
A noodle shop by the road.
Xie Weilou ordered two bowls of plain noodles, and he said to Wei Zhongchen, “Prime Minister, eat more. Look how thin you’ve become.”
Wei Zhongchen picked up his plain noodles, a hint of emotion in his eyes: “Back then, this Prime Minister came to Tianqi alone with only three copper coins, and I bought a bowl of plain noodles. Young and reckless, a bowl of plain noodles could take me a hundred li; now in my twilight years, having tasted all kinds of delicacies and amassed thousands of taels of gold, I’ve been bent over, and I am indeed old.”
Xie Weilou chuckled, “I don’t think Prime Minister Wei is old.”
Wei Zhongchen slurped a mouthful of noodles and said, “Gray hair, wrinkled face, withered body—I am indeed old. I can’t refuse to accept it.”
Xie Weilou took a sip of noodle soup and smiled faintly, “A wise man once said, ‘Though the divine tortoise lives long, its time will come; though the soaring serpent rides the mist, it will eventually turn to dust. An old steed in the stable still longs to gallop a thousand li.’ Prime Minister Wei, you are old in body, but not in spirit!”
“An old steed in the stable still longs to gallop a thousand li?”
Wei Zhongchen paused for a second. He looked at Xie Weilou and asked in surprise, “Who said that? It unexpectedly resonates with this Prime Minister, as if I’ve met a kindred spirit.”
Xie Weilou stated directly, “The villain Cao, he likes other men’s wives.”
Wei Zhongchen’s mouth twitched, and he glared at Xie Weilou: “This Prime Minister is a villain, but he doesn’t like other men’s wives! This person named Cao is definitely not a good person.”
“……”
Xie Weilou’s smile deepened.
Wei Zhongchen said no more and quickly ate his noodles.
After finishing a bowl of noodles.
He put down his bowl and chopsticks, took out a scroll from his sleeve, and handed it to Xie Weilou: “I ate a bowl of your noodles, so I’ll give you a small gift.”
Seeing this, Xie Weilou waved his hand and said, “It’s just a bowl of noodles. No need for a small gift. I’m afraid of receiving a hot potato, lest I end up dead without a complete corpse.”
“You brat…”
Wei Zhongchen’s expression was a bit strange. This kid wasn’t falling for it!
Xie Weilou took out a piece of broken silver, placed it down, and stood up, saying, “I’m full. I need to go to the brothel to listen to music. Would you like to come along, old man?”
Wei Zhongchen narrowed his eyes: “Are you really not taking this scroll? There are many good things inside.”
Xie Weilou stretched: “It seems you’re not going, so I’ll go by myself.”
With that, he turned and left.
Wei Zhongchen stared at Xie Weilou’s retreating figure and chuckled, “This kid is really interesting, a cunning little fox.”
He glanced around, then put away the scroll and left.
After Wei Zhongchen left, some other figures around also left one after another.
“Old fox!”
Xie Weilou walked on the main street, a playful smile on his face.
Such a big target as Wei Zhongchen couldn’t possibly be unwatched.
Yet, this old man openly handed him a scroll in broad daylight. He didn’t need to guess to know that the contents weren’t simple. This was definitely a trap; if he accepted it, trouble would be endless.
“Let’s go to Seven Nights Snow.”
Xie Weilou walked towards Seven Nights Snow with his hands behind his back…
——
Imperial Palace.
Imperial Study.
The Xia Emperor was holding a scroll and reading it.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, Marquis Ye has returned.”
Eunuch Huang bowed to the Xia Emperor.
The Xia Emperor narrowed his eyes and immediately put down the scroll: “Quickly let her in.”
Eunuch Huang walked out of the hall.
A moment later.
Ye Guhong entered the grand hall, followed by two soldiers. The two men carried a black coffin.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.”
Ye Guhong bowed to the Xia Emperor.
The Xia Emperor asked, “Marquis Ye, have the items been brought back?”
Ye Guhong said gravely, “They’ve been brought back. We encountered several assassination attempts on the way, and after arriving in Tianqi, we experienced another one…”
“You’ve worked hard.”
The Xia Emperor showed a thoughtful expression.
“……”
Ye Guhong waved her hand lightly.
The two soldiers set down the coffin, then turned and withdrew.
Boom!
Ye Guhong struck the coffin lid, sending it flying open. Inside were two metal boxes.
The Xia Emperor quickly stepped forward, staring at the metal boxes inside. He swiftly opened the boxes, and a hint of excitement appeared in his eyes: “Dragon Yuan, Phoenix Blood!”
“Marquis Ye, you’ve rendered a great service this time. What reward do you wish for?”
The Xia Emperor closed the boxes and looked at Ye Guhong with a dignified expression.
Ye Guhong said, “Bringing back these two items is my duty as a minister. I dare not claim credit.”
The Xia Emperor shook his head: “You’ve rendered a great service this time, so an ordinary reward won’t do.”
After a brief thought.
The Xia Emperor walked to the side, took a painting from the bookshelf, and handed it to Ye Guhong: “I remember you seemed very interested in the Void Heaven Sword Arena. This is a map of the Void Heaven Sword Arena.”
Ye Guhong’s heart stirred, and she quickly took the painting: “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The Void Heaven Sword Arena was a powerful lineage from a thousand years ago. It was rumored to have countless cultivation techniques and numerous secret treasures, being extremely prosperous. However, later, a strange event occurred, and the Void Heaven Sword Arena mysteriously disappeared. Outsiders had no idea of its exact location.
It wasn’t Ye Guhong who was interested in the Void Heaven Sword Arena, but her elder brother, Ye Gucheng. For years, Ye Gucheng had been pursuing the secrets of the Void Heaven Sword Arena but had never been able to find its location. She hadn’t expected the Xia Emperor to actually have a map.
The Xia Emperor said in a deep voice, “Remember one thing: the Void Heaven Sword Arena is too terrifying. Even with a map, do not act alone. Unless you invite your elder brother, you will surely die if you go there.”
“This minister understands.”
Ye Guhong bowed.
“Hmm! You may withdraw now.”
The Xia Emperor waved his hand lightly.
“This minister takes her leave.”
Ye Guhong turned and withdrew.
The Xia Emperor looked at the boxes before him, a glint flashing in his eyes: “Dragon Yuan, Phoenix Blood, they repel each other, cannot be used together…”
——
Seven Nights Snow.
“Greetings, Building Master.”
June, dressed in a long blue dress, respectfully bowed to Xie Weilou. Her face seemed not very good.
Xie Weilou glanced at June and asked, “Is something the matter?”
June said with a solemn expression, “Building Master, Sister Qiyue is in trouble…”
Xie Weilou frowned: “Tell me the details.”
June quickly said, “Yesterday, a secret agent from Seven Nights Snow sent a message saying there was something unusual at Dabei Temple, thirty li outside the city, and that a demon race had appeared. Sister Qiyue went to investigate, but now there’s no news at all. I sent people to Dabei Temple to investigate, and still, there’s no word. They must be in trouble.”
Xie Weilou mused, “Prepare yourselves and follow me out of the city.”
“This…”
June’s expression was hesitant.
Seven Nights Snow was not weak, and there were several unfathomable existences above them. If those few were to act, there would naturally be no problem.
However, such existences were not ones they could meet. At the very least, Third Master would have to appear for those powerhouses to show themselves.
Xie Weilou wanted to resolve this matter now, which made June feel uneasy. After all, her impression of Xie Weilou wasn’t very good, and he wasn’t a cultivator either…
Xie Weilou said indifferently, “My Third Uncle won’t be back for now. Just listen to me, and don’t overthink the rest.”
June took a deep breath: “Understood.”
She didn’t know where Xie Weilou got his confidence.
But no matter what, she had to investigate Dabei Temple. Since Xie Weilou wanted to go, then they would go together.
If an accident really occurred, she could also protect him…
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