411: The great scholar Mingde spread rumors that King Wuling's legitimate son Xiang Tianlong

In Wu Prefecture City, within a luxurious mansion.

Two individuals, dressed in opulent robes, sat cross-legged in the pavilion.

“This is the residence of one of my students. He once received my favor, so it is extremely safe,” an Elder said.

The other middle-aged man nodded slightly.

These two were none other than Mingde Great Confucian and Academician Wanfa, who had journeyed south from Jixia Academy.

They had traveled all the way to the Three Prefectures.

“That little brat has gone mad with killing in Yue Province. A bunch of useless people, not a single one could stop him! Even the mountain bandits of Soul Severing Mountain Range, their three First Chieftains were captured alive!” Mingde Great Confucian said indignantly, almost beating his chest in frustration.

A deep sense of dread flashed in his eyes. He now had to admit that it wasn't luck that allowed that fellow to slap him away with one palm back then.

He heard that the First Chieftain of Soul Severing Mountain Range was a top-ranked expert, number eighty-nine on the Heaven Ranking, yet he was still suppressed. This showed his strength.

At least within the top sixty of the Heaven Ranking, possibly even top fifty in terms of combat power.

“It doesn't matter. No matter how strong Chu Jiang is, he is no match for the Old Prince. In these Three Prefectures, even a tiger must lie low, and a Dragon must coil. No one is an exception.”

“Even a strong Dragon can't suppress a local snake; those words aren't just for show!” Academician Wanfa said calmly.

This had been proven by countless historical events: five imperial envoys, four died and one fled. Although on the surface they all died due to accidents or demons, the powerful knew that Wu Ling King was secretly at work.

With his network of connections, making someone disappear was simply too easy.

Just at this moment.

A knock sounded from outside.

“Come in!”

Bang!

A young man pushed open the door and bowed to Academician Wanfa and Mingde Great Confucian, saying, “Greetings, Mingde Great Confucian and Academician Wanfa!”

The two nodded slightly.

Mingde Great Confucian's Face lit up with joy upon seeing this person. This man, named Li Xuan, was Mingde Great Confucian's student and currently held a high position as a cavalry captain in the Wu Prefecture Army, commanding elite cavalry.

Although his current strength had surpassed that of his teacher, he still treated him with great respect, which gave Mingde Great Confucian much Face and he enjoyed it immensely.

“Mingde Great Confucian, the task you asked me to do has been completed. I have already sent people to Wu Prefecture and other states to spread rumors that Chu Jiang colluded with demons, deliberately executed loyal officials and good generals, indiscriminately killed innocent civilians, deceived his superiors, and extensively plundered the wealth of the common people, leading to nine out of ten households being empty… and so on. In just a few days, the reputation of Chu Jiang, the Three Provinces Inspectorial Envoy, will be utterly ruined!” Li Xuan said with a light chuckle, reporting his recent achievements to Mingde Great Confucian.

“Li Xuan, if you weren't holding a high position in the Wu Prefecture Army, I would have wanted to bring you into Jixia Academy,” Mingde Great Confucian said with a smile. This man was definitely a master at manipulating public opinion, inciting people's hearts, and implementing policies to keep the populace ignorant.

“If you have the opportunity to come to the Imperial Capital in the future, you can visit Jixia Academy!” Academician Wanfa also said.

After Li Xuan thanked them three times, his eyes showed hesitation, as if he was unsure whether to speak.

“Li Xuan, just say whatever is on your mind. Given our relationship, there's no need to hide anything!” Mingde Great Confucian said with a faint smile.

After a moment of silence, Li Xuan said, “Prince Wu has admired both of you Academicians for a long time. I originally wanted to inform Prince Wu, but without your permission, I dared not overstep…”

Mingde Great Confucian was touched to see Li Xuan's respect for him and said, “The Old Prince's son must be an extraordinary individual. If we could meet him, that would naturally be for the best.”

“Academician Wanfa, what do you think…” Li Xuan then looked at Academician Wanfa, his expression earnest.

Academician Wanfa hesitated a little. Their trip should not be exposed; officially, they were still in the Southern Nine Provinces recruiting for Jixia Academy.

But Mingde Great Confucian had already agreed, and coupled with Li Xuan's genuinely sincere attitude and his ability to conduct himself well, he was trustworthy.

He also nodded.

Li Xuan was overjoyed and said, “I will go and report the news of your arrival in Wu Prefecture to Prince Wu immediately.”

The two nodded.

Leaving the Li Mansion.

Li Xuan arrived at Prince Wu's mansion.

In an ancient and elegant hall, a middle-aged man with black, waterfall-like hair, looking radiant, sat on the central throne.

This person was Xiang Tianlong, the direct descendant of the Wu Spirit Royal Mansion.

He was already one thousand three hundred years old and had been enfeoffed as Prince Wu by the imperial court.

“Prince Wu, Mingde Great Confucian and Academician Wanfa have agreed to my request. They will be able to come to the Prince Wu's Mansion tomorrow,” Li Xuan said in a deep voice.

He was a completely different person from when he faced the two Academicians in the Li Mansion earlier.

“It's truly a case of finding what you seek without effort. To involve Jixia Academy, that behemoth, and have them be our shield.”

“You've done a good job with this. Go and receive your reward later!” Prince Wu laughed heartily.

“Yes!”

“Is the plan to be moved up?” Li Xuan looked at Prince Wu and asked.

“Don't ask what you shouldn't ask. Even this Prince isn't clear about it; it depends on Father's arrangements. Just do what you're supposed to do,” Prince Wu said calmly.

“This subordinate understands!” Li Xuan bowed.

Then he left the hall.

...

Half an hour later.

Leaving Prince Wu's Mansion, Li Xuan arrived at an inn, casually ordered a few small dishes, ate, threw down some silver, and then left.

The waiter collected the silver and casually tossed it into a box.

He continued to busy himself.

As night fell.

Someone secretly exchanged words:

“What did they say over there?”

“He's not sure, but he suggests we guard strictly and can send out some forces to deploy in advance.”

“What about Chu Jiang, the Three Provinces Inspectorial Envoy? Should we notify him?”

“I suspect Wu Ling King still has a hidden move. The situation is unclear right now, so let's not alert the enemy for now and observe how things develop.”

“That's all we can do.”

The night was silent, as if no one had ever spoken there.

...

Qingshui County, the dense forest outside Wanfang County.

Boom!

A great battle was raging in the Void Realm, rocks flew through the air, countless trees were torn apart, broken, and turned into dust.

Wang Chao, Ma Han, and others were fighting, roaring in anger.

“Evil King Pavilion, are you trying to rebel by attacking imperial officials?”

A white-haired Elder laughed wildly, “Don't use such unpleasant words. Which eye saw my Evil King Pavilion rebelling?”

“If we kill all of you, who will know?”

The speaker was the Third Elder of Evil King Pavilion.

Wang Chao said, “Boastful!”

These bandits had ambushed them while they were eradicating the demon plague.

The Third Elder of Evil King Pavilion said, “A mere sixth-level of Qiankun, three Realms lower than me. Watch how this Elder captures and kills you!”

If he couldn't kill Chu Jiang, he could at least kill his subordinates.

Wang Chao, Ma Han, and Zhang Long were currently being besieged by the Second Elder and Third Elder of Evil King Pavilion. Although the two Elders were stronger than the three, the three worked seamlessly together, making it difficult for the Evil King Pavilion members to take them down quickly.

In the higher Void Realm.

Purple light filled the sky, and a sea of red mist seemed to divide heaven and earth, with the battle being even more intense. Every move caused the heavens and earth to tremble.

“I didn't expect Chu Jiang to have a Heaven Ranking expert under him!” The Evil King's Face was grim. Principal General Zhao had led the Tiger Brave Army to the three counties to hunt locusts, and he had thought this was an opportunity.

It turned out to be a miscalculation.

His original plan was to instantly capture Fu Yunxuan, torture her severely to avenge his blood feud, and then quickly escape.

To make Chu Jiang also taste this pain.

Although he could suppress Fu Yunxuan in a fight, killing her was very difficult, unless he went all out and self-destructed all his grotto-heavens, which could instantly defeat the opponent.

But that would come at too high a cost, seemingly not worth it.

Furthermore.

She possessed the Calamity Poison Body, immune to all poisons, so many of his methods were basically unable to cause effective damage to her.

He was caught in a dilemma, unable to advance or retreat.

Should he take a gamble, or run away?

This feeling was too unbearable.

Just as the Evil King was agonizing.

Suddenly, several figures slowly emerged from the Void Realm.