Chapter 509: Secret Word Nineteen Files

At the county funeral square, Xu Qing turned his head, watching Yao Yunhui and Zhang Siyun being led away. He recalled what the Misty Clan of Morning Glow Mountain had said about Marquis Yao dispatching people to intervene. He also connected this with Marquis Yao's past behavior and his disappearance on the battlefield. From all surface indications, it truly seemed that Marquis Yao was deeply problematic. Even the Palace Master, during his lifetime, had suspected Marquis Yao.

Yet, Xu Qing couldn't fathom why such a person would send all his clan members, excluding women and children, to the battlefield, only for them all to perish. And why were the women and children left behind, awaiting their reckoning? Furthermore, at the outset of the war, the Hundred Clans Allied Army's deployment to the northern theater of operations had proceeded smoothly only because Marquis Yao personally oversaw it. All these elements, when pieced together, simply didn't make sense.

Xu Qing knew, however, that he wasn't the only one who recognized these inconsistencies. But... no one could speak out. On the one hand, Marquis Yao was unpopular; on the other, there was no concrete evidence to prove he hadn't betrayed humanity.

Xu Qing remained silent. The war in Fenghai County, as he now perceived it, was no longer a simple conflict between two factions. In fact, from the moment the Palace Master fell in battle and the Seventh Prince arrived, Xu Qing had already sensed a deeper undercurrent of events.

"This Seventh Prince is not simple; he's adept at manipulating hearts." The Captain's voice, as faint as a mosquito's buzz, reached Xu Qing's ears. "What a scapegoat, what an irresistible tide, what a popular mandate!" The Captain narrowed his eyes and spoke softly. "Now, almost the entirety of Fenghai County belongs to him. Not only is his status supreme, but he also carries the immense credit for saving Fenghai County, revered by countless people. In reality, had he arrived a little earlier at the western battlefield that day, perhaps the Palace Master wouldn't have perished."

"But if the Palace Master hadn't fallen, this Prince's aura wouldn't be so brilliant; some of its luster would have been claimed by the Palace Master. Yet he arrived late, and now he alone basks in this glory. He turned the tide, earning immense fame, and became renowned worldwide after that single battle."

"I'm telling you this because I know you've long harbored suspicions, little junior brother. While your relationship with Kong Xianglong is good, remember not to be impulsive; this person is not to be provoked. Haven't you noticed how the Deputy Palace Master and the county governor's subordinates have all chosen silence? Isn't Kong Xianglong also silent? Many people understand the situation, not just us! For minor figures like us, it's enough to protect our friends and family. There's simply too much... that we cannot handle right now."

The Captain patted Xu Qing's shoulder. Xu Qing gazed at the sky, knowing all this already, having kept it buried deep in his heart for a long time.

"Senior brother, I understand."

"If the Palace Master hadn't died, the taboo wouldn't have shattered, and he wouldn't have appeared. Perhaps this was also why the Palace Master sought death and made those arrangements for the army during his lifetime." Xu Qing closed his eyes, recalling every word and every arrangement the Palace Master had made, and softly replied.

The rain fell from the sky all day long. However, the county funeral couldn't last that long; it concluded within an hour. With the Seventh Prince's departure, everything came to an end. The crowd dispersed despondently. The Captain, concerned about Xu Qing, reiterated his warnings multiple times. He had already acquired the Ancient Dao Seal Dispelling Token and was preparing to find a secluded location to break its seal. This process, however, would require time.

"Little junior brother, I'm going into seclusion for about half a month. Remember not to act impulsively. After I emerge, we'll assess the situation, and if it's untenable, we'll resign as Sword Holders." The Captain spoke earnestly, and Xu Qing nodded in understanding. Assured that Xu Qing wasn't just humoring him, the Captain hastily departed.

Xu Qing was indeed not humoring the Captain; he knew his words carried little weight and understood that, given his status and cultivation, he lacked the means to play any significant role in this intricate war. Yet, scenes from the Palace Master's life kept replaying in his mind.

After a long silence, Xu Qing sighed softly and returned to the Sword Pavilion at dusk that day. Looking around, Xu Qing murmured, "I miss the Seven Blood Eyes." Xu Qing closed his eyes and meditated silently.

Outside, dusk faded into night, the bright moon ascended, and by the third watch... a bitter voice emanated from outside his Sword Pavilion. "Xu Qing, are you there?"

Xu Qing opened his eyes; it was Kong Xianglong's voice. He rose, pushed open the Sword Pavilion door, and saw a heavily intoxicated Kong Xianglong bathed in moonlight. In the moonlight, Kong Xianglong's face twisted into a smile uglier than a grimace of pain. "Ye Ling is dead, Wang Chen is gone, and Shanhe Zi is gravely wounded, recuperating at his sect. I... I can't find anyone to drink with anymore."

"Xu Qing, can you drink with me again tonight?"

Xu Qing said nothing, stepping aside a few paces. Kong Xianglong grinned, staggered inside, then sat down and tossed a wine pot to Xu Qing. He picked up another for himself and took a long swig. "Guess who I saw this afternoon?" Kong Xianglong forced a smile and looked at Xu Qing.

Xu Qing took the wine pot, took a sip, and shook his head. "The Seventh Prince, of course. The Deputy Palace Master took me to him. That Lord Prince, knowing the Palace Master was my old man, honored me and then gave me an assignment. He asked me to reorganize the Ministry of Justice. I brought up your name, and he agreed to let me arrange it as I saw fit. Ha-ha, I'm so grateful!" His laughter, laden with heavy emotion, ended in a scoff as he spat a mouthful of thick phlegm to the side. "Damn it! The first batch of prisoners to be detained were members of the Yao family. Does he want me to kill the Yao family? Does he truly take me for a fool? Could the figure who appeared before the old man at the very last moment also have been Marquis Yao?"

Kong Xianglong burst into laughter, a cold glint in his eyes, and took another big gulp. "As for the Yao family members, I visited them during the day. They're a group of women and children, and Zhang Siyun isn't among them; I heard Deacon Sinan successfully vouched for his release. However, perhaps being a bit 'foolish' would be for the best. If I eliminate them, I might gain more opportunities to interact with this Prince and uncover the truth of this war." He lowered his head, his voice shifting from its previous hysteria to a somber tone, and a faint, ominous light flickered in his eyes. "Xu Qing, what do you think?"

Xu Qing looked at Kong Xianglong. After the war, with everyone close to him gone and the Palace Master's demise, Kong Xianglong's personality had visibly changed. And in that tone, knowing Kong Xianglong as he did, Xu Qing could tell that he genuinely harbored killing intent. To uncover the truth and get closer to the Seventh Prince, Kong Xianglong was willing to act against his usual principles.

Xu Qing remained silent for a moment before speaking softly. "If we can choose, I suggest not killing them."

Kong Xianglong looked up at Xu Qing. "Why?"

Xu Qing didn't answer but looked into Kong Xianglong's eyes. Under his gaze, the chill in Kong Xianglong's eyes slowly faded. He ultimately became dejected, drinking from the wine pot in his hand, gulp after gulp. Xu Qing stayed by his side, and like the night before, they drank in silence.

After a long while, Kong Xianglong set down his wine pot, lay back, gazed at the Sword Pavilion ceiling, and murmured, "I truly miss the old days, Xu Qing. Do you remember this time last year, when a few of us went out together?"

Xu Qing nodded, and a nostalgic scene unfolded in his mind: the two of them, along with Ye Ling, Wang Chen, and Shanhe Zi, on a mission to rescue a Sword Holder's informant from the Saintlan Clan, where they acquired an empty wish box. Later, at the border, they slew the Saintlan Clan's Black-Clothed Guards, avenging that young man. They then turned and fled together, eventually collapsing from exhaustion onto a plain. Their relationship deepened significantly after that incident.

"What a pity..." Kong Xianglong shook his head and picked up the wine pot again, only to find it empty, just like that wish box from back then. Xu Qing handed his wine pot over. Kong Xianglong sat up and took it.

"Oh, right, the Seventh Prince's people took the empty wish box we acquired during that mission. They claimed it was evidence of Marquis Yao's conspiracy." Xu Qing looked up upon hearing this, recalling the empty wish box from that time. "What was originally in there? Did the Palace Master find an answer later?"

"Yes, but it's top secret. As the person in charge of that mission, I was the only one privy to the information, and the investigation report hasn't been declassified yet... but never mind, there's nothing I can't tell you." Kong Xianglong took a sip of wine. "Based on residual aura, investigations revealed that an ancient pill, called the Fate Calamity Pill, had once been contained within it."

As Kong Xianglong uttered those words, Xu Qing's eyes instantly narrowed. He grabbed Kong Xianglong's arm and stared intently into his eyes. Kong Xianglong was startled. "What's wrong?"

"The Radiant Fate Calamity Pill?"

"Yes, that's the pill." Seeing Xu Qing's expression, Kong Xianglong also became serious, sobering up considerably. "Xu Qing, what's going on?"

Xu Qing said nothing, recalling the investigation jade slip the Palace Master had given him. After a moment, he posed a question. "Brother Kong, is the unclassified intelligence you mentioned the Classified Scroll Nineteen?"

Kong Xianglong's drunkenness completely vanished the moment Xu Qing accurately named the scroll. A sharp glint appeared in his eyes as he gazed at Xu Qing. "What on earth is going on!"

Xu Qing took out the investigation jade slip the Palace Master had given him and handed it to Kong Xianglong. As for that secret scroll, after returning from Morning Glow Mountain to the county capital, he had been preoccupied with arranging resources and troops for the war, and had inadvertently neglected it. After all, the Palace Master had already known about the secret scroll, and Xu Qing's task was merely to confirm the Morning Glow's presence. How to investigate further was left to the Palace Master's own arrangements. But now, everything was different.

Kong Xianglong snatched the jade slip and rapidly scanned it. His body gradually began to tremble, his breathing quickened, and he finally clutched the jade slip tightly, looking at Xu Qing.

Xu Qing spoke softly. "The Morning Glow, I've confirmed that there was indeed one not recorded."

Kong Xianglong's eyes became bloodshot, and he spoke with urgency. "That figure who appeared before the old man at the last moment! Did he kill the County Governor with this pill? No wonder there were no signs of a struggle when the County Governor died that day; it was extremely baffling!"

Xu Qing nodded. "But what I don't understand is, even if this pill is truly astonishingly potent, how was the poison administered? I'm skilled in toxicology and know there are many ways to poison someone, but given the County Governor's high cultivation, poisoning him without his knowledge would be extremely difficult! Moreover, the County Governor had faced numerous assassination attempts throughout his life, so he must have been exceedingly cautious. Even with trusted individuals, he wouldn't have been completely unguarded. His death was also remarkably sudden, indicating that the poisoner's method was extremely subtle and profoundly hidden! It deceived everyone."

After Xu Qing finished speaking, he fell silent. Kong Xianglong also fell silent.

After a long pause, Kong Xianglong rose, clasped his hands towards Xu Qing, and bowed deeply. "Xu Qing, you don't need to investigate this matter. It's too dangerous. I'll do it!"

Xu Qing said nothing. Observing Xu Qing's expression, Kong Xianglong hesitated, then let out a soft sigh. He knew Xu Qing's character; his silence was a clear refusal. "Then we'll do it together!" Kong Xianglong took a deep breath and said gravely.

Xu Qing nodded.

It was almost dawn, and the wine was gone. After all that had transpired, Kong Xianglong no longer had any desire to continue drinking. He stood up, preparing to leave. Before leaving, he glanced at the spot where he had spat. He scratched his head, then went over and wiped it dry with his sleeve, preparing to depart.

"Brother Kong, take this. Give some to Shanhe Zi. As for Ye Ling and Wang Chen... you can manage their portions too." Xu Qing took out a storage bag and handed it to Kong Xianglong.

"What is this?" Kong Xianglong quickly asked.

"Dao Fruits." Xu Qing said softly.