3: Chapter 3 Undercurrents, The Lingxiao Sect's Test

Three months later.

Great Yan calendar, the fourth month of Yuanchun.

Spring in the capital arrived exceptionally early. The magnolias in front of Chengde Palace were in full bloom, and as the wind blew, petals scattered like snow.

However, there was no peace in the imperial court.

The struggle between Crown Prince Xiao Jing and the Third Prince Xiao Yu had moved from the shadows into the open over these three months. During court assemblies, their factions exchanged sharp words, neither yielding; outside the court, impeachment memorials flew toward the imperial desk like snowflakes. The mobilization of the Capital Garrison, the allocation of funds and grain by the Ministry of Revenue, the promotion of officials in the Ministry of Personnel—in every area where they could compete, the two factions gave no ground.

Emperor Xiao Yuanshan sat firmly on the dragon throne, never uttering a word.

This monarch, a True God Late Stage cultivator who had reigned for forty years, seemed to enjoy the spectacle.

Yet, outside this political turmoil, there was one person whom everyone had completely forgotten.

Yongan Ward, Seventh Prince's Mansion.

For three months, this shabby residence had seen almost no visitors. Occasionally, an official would pass by and hurry away while covering their nose—rumor had it that the Seventh Prince was so poor he couldn't even afford to repair the latrines in his estate, which stank to high heaven all day.

Of course, this was a rumor Master Lu Ban had deliberately spread.

At this moment, on the first underground level.

Xiao Xuan stood before a sand table, looking at the dense array of new markers.

In three months, the Xuanying Guard's infiltration had made astonishing progress.

In the Crown Prince's Mansion's core staff circle, three people were secret agents developed by Zhao Gao. Among the Third Prince's personal guards, one of the commanders had a concubine who was a member of the Xuanying Guard. The Lingxiao Sect's liaison point in the capital had been infiltrated so thoroughly that everyone from the gatekeeper to the deacons was compromised. The accountant of the Baili Clan would appear at a small tavern in Yongan Ward on the fifth of every month to reconcile accounts with a "distant cousin"—that cousin was arranged by Zhangsun Wuji.

"Your Highness," Strategist Jia Xu pointed to the location of the Lingxiao Sect on the sand table, "For the past half month, people from the Lingxiao Sect have been entering and leaving the Baili Clan with unusual frequency. I suspect that brat Baili Qingyun is plotting something malicious."

"Baili Qingyun?" Xiao Xuan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Has he not learned his lesson yet?"

"A spoiled brat only knows how to hold a grudge after suffering a loss; he won't learn," Zhangsun Wuji laughed. "He's been cooped up at home by Baili Yuan for the past three months and was driven stir-crazy. He was just let out a few days ago and has been running to the Lingxiao Sect's liaison point every day."

Xiao Xuan nodded and looked at Zhao Gao. "Have you found out what he is doing at the Lingxiao Sect?"

Zhao Gao bowed. "I sent men to watch, but there is a Void God Realm Elder stationed at the Lingxiao Sect's liaison point, so my men dared not get too close. I only gathered that Baili Qingyun seems to be contacting someone—a Disciple of an inner Sect Elder of the Lingxiao Sect, surnamed Zhou, named Zhou Xian."

"Zhou Xian?" Jia Xu's brow twitched. "Could it be the Zhou Xian who is known as one of the 'Lingxiao Twin Talents'?"

"Indeed," Zhao Gao said. "He is the only son of the Lingxiao Sect inner Sect Elder Zhou Tong. He is twenty-five years old, at the Early Stage of the Void God Realm, possesses extremely high talent, and is highly valued by the Sect. He has been stationed at the capital liaison point for years, responsible for the Sect's dealings with the noble clans."

Xiao Xuan pondered. "What does Baili Qingyun want with Zhou Xian?"

"It is currently unclear," Zhao Gao said. "But one point is worth noting—Zhou Xian's father, Zhou Tong, is the inner Sect Elder whom the Third Prince is currently trying to win over."

Xiao Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Interesting."

He turned to look at the sand table, his gaze falling on the location of the Baili Clan.

The Baili Clan clung to the Crown Prince, yet Baili Qingyun was secretly contacting Zhou Xian of the Lingxiao Sect, who was close to the Third Prince...

The water here was likely deeper than imagined.

"Keep watching," Xiao Xuan said. "I want to know about any contact between Baili Qingyun and Zhou Xian."

"Yes!"

...

Meanwhile, at the Lingxiao Sect's liaison point in the capital.

This was a three-courtyard residence located in the most prosperous area of the East City. On the surface, it was a guesthouse for the Lingxiao Sect to receive guests, but in reality, it was the Sect's eyes and ears in the capital, responsible for gathering intelligence, contacting noble clans, and befriending the powerful.

In the secret chamber of the back courtyard.

Baili Qingyun sat in the guest seat. Opposite him was a young man with sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes, possessing an extraordinary demeanor. He wore a green shirt and had an ancient sword hanging at his waist.

Zhou Xian.

The only son of Lingxiao Sect inner Sect Elder Zhou Tong, twenty-five years old, at the Early Stage of the Void God Realm, a recognized Genius.

"Brother Baili," Zhou Xian picked up a teacup and blew on it gently. "You say there is a secret in the Seventh Prince's Mansion. What evidence do you have?"

Baili Qingyun gritted his teeth. "Brother Zhou, you may not know this, but that useless brother-in-law of mine—oh, the Crown Prince—has never taken that Seventh Prince seriously. But three months ago, I sent men to test him. Thirty-seven guards, led by an eighth-rank Grandmaster, were completely wiped out! There is a guard beside that useless fellow who is at least in the Void God Realm!"

Zhou Xian's expression remained unchanged. "A Void God Realm guard? Where would a fallen prince get a Void God Realm expert?"

"That is the problem!" Baili Qingyun leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "I suspect a great secret is hidden in that useless fellow's mansion. Perhaps it is some Treasure Trove left behind by his mother's clan."

A flash of light appeared in Zhou Xian's eyes, but it quickly faded.

"What does Brother Baili want me to do?"

"Brother Zhou is in the Void God Realm, more than enough to deal with that guard," Baili Qingyun said. "As long as Brother Zhou takes action and finds out the truth about that mansion, my Baili Clan will definitely reward you heavily. If we really find the Treasure Trove, we will split it fifty-fifty!"

Zhou Xian was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

"Brother Baili, do you know that my father is currently in contact with the Third Prince?"

Baili Qingyun was stunned. "This... what does this have to do with this matter?"

"It has a lot to do with it," Zhou Xian put down the teacup. "The Third Prince wants to win over my father, and one of the conditions he offered is—after the matter is settled, he will help my Zhou family become the number one clan in the Lingxiao Sect. Brother Baili, do you think my Zhou family's future is more important, or that elusive Treasure Trove?"

Baili Qingyun's expression changed slightly. "Brother Zhou, you mean..."

"I mean," Zhou Xian stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to Baili Qingyun, "Brother Baili wants to probe the Seventh Prince's bottom line, which is fine. But after the matter is done, I want to know one thing."

"What thing?"

Zhou Xian turned his head, his eyes deep. "The Crown Prince and the Third Prince have been fighting for so many years. Who do you think will win in the end?"

Baili Qingyun was stunned.

He hadn't expected Zhou Xian to ask this.

"This... how would I know?"

"You don't know, but the Baili Clan knows," Zhou Xian said indifferently. "Brother Baili, go back and ask your father. If he is willing to tell me the answer, I will take action."

Baili Qingyun opened his mouth, not knowing what to say for a moment.

Zhou Xian waved his hand. "See him out."

...

Half an hour later, Baili Qingyun left the liaison point, looking dejected.

In the secret chamber, another figure emerged from behind a screen.

It was an old man in grey robes with a sinister face and an aura as deep as an abyss.

"Young Lord, why ask that question?" the old man said. "The Lingxiao Sect never interferes in the struggle between the Third Prince and the Crown Prince."

"I know," Zhou Xian smiled slightly. "But Baili Qingyun doesn't know."

"Then what does the Young Lord mean..."

"I want to know how much loyalty the Baili Clan has to the Crown Prince." Zhou Xian picked up the teacup and took a sip. "If they are willing to answer such a question just to get me to take action—that means the Baili Clan and the Crown Prince are not of one mind."

The old man was thoughtful.

"Also," Zhou Xian continued, "I do want to probe that Seventh Prince. Thirty-seven guards wiped out... Interesting. A useless prince, where did he get a Void God Realm expert?"

"Does the Young Lord intend to take action personally?"

"No rush," Zhou Xian waved his hand. "Let others go and test him first. If that guard really has the ability, I will consider whether to go personally."

He paused, a playful look flashing in his eyes.

"That idiot Baili Qingyun is being used as a pawn without even knowing it. I want to see exactly what kind of person that Seventh Prince is."

...

Yongan Ward, Seventh Prince's Mansion.

First underground level.

Zhao Gao walked in quickly, his expression grave.

"Your Highness, there is new news."

Xiao Xuan looked up. "Speak."

"Baili Qingyun went to the Lingxiao Sect liaison point today and met Zhou Xian. The two talked privately for half an hour, content unknown. But when Baili Qingyun left, his expression was very ugly."

"Very ugly?" Jia Xu raised an eyebrow. "Looks like the negotiation fell through."

"Not necessarily," Xiao Xuan shook his head. "A spoiled brat like Baili Qingyun only looks ugly when he's been played. If the negotiation had fallen through, he would be furious."

Jia Xu pondered. "Your Highness means that Zhou Xian proposed some conditions that Baili Qingyun couldn't decide on, so he had to go back and ask Baili Yuan?"

"It's possible."

Xiao Xuan walked to the sand table, his eyes falling on the Lingxiao Sect marker.

"Zhou Xian... one of the 'Lingxiao Twin Talents', Early Stage Void God Realm, his father Zhou Tong is being courted by the Third Prince..."

He suddenly laughed.

"Interesting. A Sect Genius close to the Third Prince is privately contacting the Crown Prince's brother-in-law. What is he trying to do?"

Jia Xu stroked his beard. "There are two possibilities. One is that Zhou Xian wants to play both sides, so no matter who wins, the Zhou family will be invincible. Two—he is testing the Baili Clan's loyalty to the Crown Prince on behalf of the Third Prince."

Xiao Xuan nodded. "Both are possible. But regardless of which one it is, it's an opportunity for us."

"What does Your Highness want to do?"

Xiao Xuan was silent for a moment, then said slowly, "Zhao Gao, send men to watch Zhou Xian closely. I want to know his every move."

"Yes!"

"Jia Xu, prepare a set of rhetoric for how we should respond if Zhou Xian really sends someone to probe."

"I understand."

Xiao Xuan turned and looked toward the south of the city.

Three months.

Master Jiang had been in that Daoist temple the whole time, never appearing.

But he knew that Master Jiang must be watching.

"Master Jiang," he murmured in his heart, "If Zhou Xian comes personally, will you take action?"

...

South of the city, Daoist temple.

Jiang Ziya sat cross-legged on a prayer mat and suddenly opened his eyes.

He smiled slightly and muttered to himself:

"Lingxiao Sect... Zhou Xian... Early Stage Void God Realm..."

"Little one, finally going to get serious?"

He raised his hand, and his withered fingers flicked gently in the void.

An invisible ripple spread out, instantly enveloping the entire capital.

A moment later, he retracted his hand and nodded.

"Zhou Xian... interesting. He has a trace of True God Bloodline in his body, no wonder he could reach the Void God Realm at twenty-five."

He paused, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

"However, if he dares to harm Your Highness..."

He smiled and didn't finish the sentence.

That fishing rod with a hookless line lay quietly across his knees.

...

Three days later.

Night.

Yongan Ward, Seventh Prince's Mansion.

The two gatekeepers in front of the mansion were still napping in the corner. The interior of the mansion was quiet, with only a single lamp lit in the main hall, where a figure could faintly be seen sitting at the desk reading.

Everything was so ordinary, so shabby, so unremarkable.

But in the darkness, six pairs of eyes were watching this mansion.

The leader had a lean figure, his face covered with a black scarf, and a pair of eyes flashing with cold light in the night. He was followed by five people, each with auras that were not weak; the weakest was an eighth-rank Grandmaster Late Stage.

"Remember, this is just a probe," the leader whispered. "Find out the strength of that guard and leave. Don't get entangled."

"Yes."

Six black shadows flipped over the wall silently.

They didn't rush directly into the main hall but dispersed, sneaking toward the depths of the mansion from different directions.

And then—

They found nothing.

The front courtyard was empty. The corridors were empty. The east and west wing rooms were empty. The figure reading in the main hall, when approached, was just a scarecrow dressed in clothes.

The entire mansion was empty.

The leader's pupils shrank.

"Wrong! Retreat!"

It was too late.

A tall figure walked out of the darkness, holding a Painted Halberd, blocking their path of retreat.

General Lu Bu.

"Another probe," he said indifferently, his tone carrying a bit of impatience. "Can't you people come up with something decent?"

The leader gritted his teeth and whispered, "Attack!"

The six rushed up together, swords drawn, spiritual energy surging.

And then—

The Painted Halberd swept across.

The two eighth-rank Grandmasters who charged at the front were cut in half at the waist before they could even scream.

Stab again.

A ninth-rank Great Grandmaster Early Stage man in black had his chest pierced directly.

Slash again.

Two more fell.

Three breaths.

Five of the six were dead.

The leader knelt on the ground, trembling all over, his eyes full of fear.

He was a ninth-rank Great Grandmaster Middle Stage, only one step away from the Heaven-Human Realm.

But in front of that tall figure, he couldn't even block one move.

"You... what kind of Realm are you?"

Lu Bu looked down at him, his eyes without a ripple.

"You don't need to know."

The Painted Halberd fell.

...

Outside the mansion gate, in a dark corner.

Zhou Xian stood quietly, his aura completely restrained.

He looked at the tall figure, his pupils shrinking slightly.

Void God Realm.

And an extremely powerful one at that.

The moment that guard struck, he even felt a trace of a threat.

A useless prince, how could he have a guard of this level?

He frowned, turned, and disappeared into the night.

...

First underground level.

Xiao Xuan stood before the sand table, quietly listening to Zhao Gao's report.

"Your Highness, there were six people in total, five eighth-rank Grandmasters, one ninth-rank Great Grandmaster Middle Stage. General Lu Bu killed them all, leaving no survivors."

Xiao Xuan nodded and looked at Jia Xu.

Jia Xu stroked his beard. "This time is different from last time. The people sent by the Baili Clan last time had uneven strength, obviously gathered temporarily. The six who came this time had uniform strength and tacit cooperation, like well-trained secret agents. And a ninth-rank Great Grandmaster led the team—the Baili Clan couldn't have pulled this off."

"So, it was Zhou Xian's people," Xiao Xuan said.

"Eighty percent likely," Jia Xu said. "Zhou Xian was probing Your Highness's bottom line. His people were wiped out, so he should already know General Lu Bu's strength."

Xiao Xuan smiled slightly.

"Let him know."

"Does Your Highness want to..."

"If Zhou Xian knows General Lu Bu is in the Void God Realm, he will be even more curious," Xiao Xuan said. "He will think, a useless prince, where did he get a Void God Realm guard? He will investigate, dig, and think deeper and deeper. When he digs and finds nothing, he will come personally."

He paused, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

"When he comes personally..."

He didn't finish.

But Jia Xu understood.

When Zhou Xian comes personally, he will either be killed by General Lu Bu, or—

Be left behind by Jiang Ziya.

Either way, the Lingxiao Sect will lose a Genius.

And that Genius's father is the person the Third Prince is trying to win over.

...

South of the city, Daoist temple.

Jiang Ziya opened his eyes and smiled slightly.

"Zhou Xian... didn't take action personally... cautious indeed."

He nodded.

"That's fine. Let Your Highness practice a bit more."

He closed his eyes again.

That fishing rod with a hookless line still lay quietly across his knees.

...

Yongan Ward, Seventh Prince's Mansion.

Xiao Xuan stood by the window, looking at the moonlight outside.

Three months.

The Baili Clan, the Lingxiao Sect, Zhou Xian...

One force after another, one name after another, began to surface.

And on his sand table, there were more and more markers.

"Your Highness," Jia Xu walked behind him. "It's late."

Xiao Xuan nodded without turning back.

"Strategist, do you think Zhou Xian will come personally next time?"

"He will," Jia Xu said. "Geniuses all have pride. He knows General Lu Bu is in the Void God Realm, which will only make him want to meet him personally even more."

Xiao Xuan laughed.

"Then let him come."

He paused and looked toward the south of the city.

"Master Jiang, do you agree?"

The night was deep.

No one answered.

But Xiao Xuan knew someone was listening.