Chapter 530: County Magistrate, Please Correct Me

For over twenty days, while attempting to convince himself with countless reasons, Xu Qing had also uncontrollably pondered an alternative outcome.

He had always understood that once he stepped forward, the catastrophe awaiting him would broadly fall into three possibilities.

The first was being struck down by lightning upon his appearance. Although this possibility existed, it was unlikely.

After all, he was under public scrutiny, and while he might be opposing something, opposition wasn't rebellion.

The second possibility was being convicted and imprisoned, with his life or death then resting on another's whim.

As for the third, everything would proceed smoothly, but significant hidden dangers would arise later, leading to boundless calamity.

This was, of course, predicated on his failure.

Therefore, the moment Xu Qing stepped out, he declared his "Emperor's Heart of Ten Thousand Fathoms" to resolve the first possibility. The subsequent appearance and protection from the Deputy Palace Masters and others were beyond his expectation.

This allowed him to successfully navigate the first stage. He then passed the second stage the moment he announced the Sword-Wielding Palace Master's last decree, presented the jade slip as proof, and began his report.

Even though a conclusion had already been reached on this matter, Xu Qing's words were not intended to overturn it or to protect Marquis Yao. Instead, he aimed to add more suspense, allowing the human race in Fenghai County to understand more specific details.

While the County Governor's public support was strong, it ultimately couldn't surpass that of the old County Governor.

And the Palace Master's illustrious achievements were not so easily forgotten by the public.

Xu Qing, through his words, brought forth these two formidable figures, leveraging his identity as "Emperor's Heart of Ten Thousand Fathoms" to secure the opportunity to speak now.

The former swayed the common folk of the county capital.

The latter swayed the Fenghai cultivators participating in the battle.

This was also why the County Governor ultimately gave Xu Qing a deep look, as if seeing him anew.

Because if Xu Qing's previous words had shown even the slightest hint of defending Marquis Yao or overturning the previous conclusion, the County Governor could have instantly suppressed him.

At this moment, heaven and earth fell silent.

In the opportunity he had created, amidst the intense public gaze, and with the aura crown above his head gathering, Xu Qing stood suspended in the air, taking a deep breath.

He understood that every word he spoke at this moment was crucial, and there could be no mistakes. One wrong word would lead to eternal damnation.

He then remained silent for several breaths, gazing at the County Governor before speaking in a low voice.

"In April this year, the old County Governor mysteriously passed away, and the Saint Lan Clan invaded simultaneously. Fenghai County's eight hundred years of peace were thus shattered. The Black Sky Clan invaded the human imperial domain, blocking the new County Governor and reinforcements sent to us, leaving Fenghai County isolated, precarious, and its people in panic."

"The Sword-Wielding Palace Master was commissioned in a time of crisis, taking on the responsibility of the County Governor through the Sword-Wielding Palace to protect Fenghai County."

"In the same month, acting as an accompanying clerk, I assisted the Palace Master in handling wartime reports. By the end of April, the Fenghai County front line became critical. The Palace Master, leading the Fenghai County army to protect its human inhabitants and fulfill the Sword-Wielding Oath, personally went to the front. At that time, I was the one who armored the Palace Master."

Xu Qing's voice echoed in all directions. These words were not without meaning; he intended to stir the memories of hundreds of thousands of people present, and to make the common folk in the county capital recall the scenes from half a year ago.

He wanted them to know who had protected everything at that critical time.

"Before leaving, the Palace Master did not have me accompany him. Instead, he used a substitute to create a diversion and secretly sent me to Zhaoxia State to investigate the old County Governor's cause of death."

"The Palace Master suspected the old County Governor's death was caused by a pill called the 'Shangguang Fate Calamity Pill.' This pill is famous in ancient times and verifiable in history. Its principle of action is to detonate someone who gathers fortune; the stronger the fortune, the greater the destructive power." The moment Xu Qing spoke, Kong Xianglong on the ground soared into the sky and loudly declared:

"I participated in the matter of receiving the secret agent. I can prove the existence of Secret Scroll Nineteen and the empty Wish Box. Their contents are identical to what Xu Qing has stated!"

Instantly, hundreds of thousands of troops on the altar gasped, and the entire county capital's common folk were shaken.

The Seventh Prince's gaze was restrained, and the County Governor's face was expressionless.

Xu Qing took a deep breath and continued, "I reported all of this to the Palace Master. In the same month, the Palace Master died in battle, and I continued my secret investigation."

As Xu Qing spoke, the County Governor sighed softly. "Brother Liang Xiu, you and I were thinking alike."

Xu Qing's eyes narrowed.

The County Governor shifted his gaze from Xu Qing to the hundreds of thousands of troops, his voice tinged with sadness. "What Xu Qing said is also what I thought. I have seen that Secret Scroll Nineteen."

"The old County Governor gathered Fenghai's fortune, and his death aligns with the symptoms of the Shangguang Fate Calamity Poison."

"As for why the Palace Master associated it with the Shangguang Fate Calamity Pill, it is recorded in Secret Scroll Nineteen of the Sword-Wielding Palace. I don't know if this scroll still exists, but even if it doesn't, before the County Governor's death, the Sword-Wielding Palace had a mission to assist a Saint Lan Clan secret agent in obtaining an empty wish box. Many people were involved in this, and they can all testify."

"However, the use of the Shangguang Fate Calamity Pill requires one condition: a streak of dawn light. Perhaps it exists in other regions, but Zhaoxia State in Fenghai County also has it. Thus, the Palace Master sent me to investigate if there was any unrecorded dawn light."

"Everything I've said is clearly recorded on this jade slip!"

"Subsequently, I obeyed the Palace Master's order and went to Zhaoxia State, where I resolved the crisis of the Zhaoxia State Sword-Wielding Court. There, I investigated and found a result. The Zhaoxia State Sword-Wielding Court can testify to this, as can the traces along my journey. I also have a recorded jade slip that can serve as proof. As for the result, a streak of dawn light indeed appeared in Zhaoxia State several years ago and was not recorded."

At this moment, the County Governor looked at the heavens and earth with a bitter, lingering gaze, and softly spoke, "Actually, as County Governor, I originally intended to serve my last post for Fenghai County after succeeding the governorship. With the little life I have left, I planned to cultivate a successor from among the Deputy Palace Masters of the Three Palaces. Li Yunshan, you were my top choice."

Having said this, the County Governor raised his hand and pressed it onto the drop of the Prince's blood on the chessboard, which had not yet dissipated. Immediately, a sanguine aura spread rapidly along his fingers. Wherever it passed, dense black energy visibly emerged from the County Governor's body.

After the sanguine aura completely swept through, the County Governor standing there was enveloped in black energy, with black lines visible on his skin. His appearance was very similar to the illusory scene before the old County Governor's death.

"Because I am also poisoned."

"I have touched the chess pieces on that chessboard, and not just once. During the previous war, I persevered constantly. Xu Qing, when you visited me once, did you not also see my weariness? I deeply knew this poison could not be cured by medicine, which is why I told my servants then that I would not take any." The County Governor's eyes held a hint of reminiscence as he sighed softly, then turned and clasped his fist towards the Seventh Prince.

"Your Highness, I trouble you now to, as we discovered this poisoning secret that day, use imperial blood to reveal the fate calamity."

The Seventh Prince's face was expressionless. After glancing at the County Governor, he raised his hand and bit his fingertip. A drop of crimson blood fell from his finger pad and flew towards the chessboard.

That drop of blood contained astonishing lineage power, causing all human bodies to tremble. The next moment, this drop of blood landed on the chessboard.

Immediately, it was as if a veil had been lifted from the chessboard. Streaks of black energy actually emanated from it, and upon closer inspection, it could be seen that the source of this black energy came from the chess pieces.

"This black energy is the Shangguang Fate Calamity Poison. We cannot see or feel it, and neither could the County Governor. Only the bloodline of the Xuan You Ancient Emperor, who once unified the Desolate Ancient Continent, possesses the power to make it visible."

"The poisoner used this chessboard," the County Governor declared, causing an uproar in all directions.

The authenticity of this scene was overwhelmingly strong.

"In truth, from beginning to end, it wasn't only Brother Liang Xiu investigating; I was also secretly investigating. But this matter was too significant. I always had one doubt: the County Governor's cultivation was sky-high; who could poison him without his knowledge?"

"This matter concerns the County Governor's death. The County Governor was both my colleague and my dear friend, and a hero of Fenghai County. I hope his cause of death is accurate, for only then can we truly avenge him!"

"Until the war temporarily concluded, I finally had some results and announced all of this. However, Xu Qing makes a good point; the human race of Fenghai County should know the truth."

After speaking, the County Governor raised his right hand and waved, and instantly a chessboard appeared in mid-air.

This chessboard displayed an unfinished game, with black and white pieces locked in battle.

"This is the County Governor's chessboard. Besides the County Governor, the regular players were me, Brother Liang Xiu, and Yao Tianyan."

"Only the four of us touched the chessboard. The County Governor is dead, Brother Liang Xiu is dead, and I won't live much longer. Only Yao Tianyan escaped. Who is the murderer?" The County Governor gave a bitter smile.

As his words echoed and the black energy manifested on his body, it was like a million heavenly thunders, exploding below the altar, detonating throughout the county capital, shaking everything.

Countless people were moved.

Even Xu Qing's mind was greatly stirred, his previously firm conviction now slightly wavering.

"Xu Qing, you are a good child. What transpired today further proves that you indeed possess a heart and virtue of ten thousand fathoms. Very good, very good." The County Governor spoke softly, his expression gentle.

"Now, does your heart of ten thousand fathoms agree to me becoming the County Governor and protecting you all from now on?"

Xu Qing fell silent.

His foot shifted slightly, as if he were about to step out...

It was at this moment that Xu Qing raised his head and spoke softly.

"After the Palace Master's demise, I continued investigating this matter because I believed that merely finding evidence of the dawn light wasn't enough to prove the old County Governor's death was caused by the Shangguang Fate Calamity Pill. Given that the old County Governor was a half-step Nascent Soul cultivator, poisoning him would be incredibly difficult."

Xu Qing's words caused many to frown. At this moment, it was as if he had forgotten everything the County Governor had said, and did not notice the black energy enveloping the County Governor. He simply continued from where he had been interrupted.

"I began to ponder how one could poison the old County Governor imperceptibly. I am skilled in medicine, but I found no answer. However, I recalled that there had been a scent similar to osmanthus in the wish box."

As Xu Qing reached this point, the County Governor's pupils imperceptibly contracted. His expression slightly darkened, and he spoke plainly, "Stubborn and deluded. Li Yunshan, take him down. You teach him well on behalf of Brother Liang Xiu."

To everyone else, these words sounded benevolent. Only the Seventh Prince, upon hearing them, felt his wariness toward the County Governor increase by three points.

Because he understood that this was an attempt to crush his spirit!

"What if you possess an Emperor's Heart of Ten Thousand Fathoms?"

"What if you stand against a thousand men?"

"I neither lashed out in anger nor resorted to desperate killing. I merely reasoned with you, and then... I specifically wanted to hear you utter the word 'yes'."

Using public will, to crush your heart of ten thousand fathoms.

The ground was silent, countless eyes fixed on Xu Qing.

The captain's expression was somewhat fierce. Ning Yan shrank back, his eyes showing apprehension. Qingqiu was expressionless, but gripped her scythe tighter.

In the crowd, the unremarkable person who had once shown pride in Xu Qing now frowned, staring at the County Governor with a hostile aura emanating from him.

Below the altar, the masked Blood Fiend Marshal found the facts already so clear. In many people's eyes, Xu Qing's actions were a transgression.

While the Deputy Palace Master of the Sword-Wielding Palace hesitated, Xu Qing remained expressionless and continued speaking.

"Until twenty-three days ago, after I returned from the Forbidden Immortal Land, I detected a similar scent from a plain pill."

The moment the words "plain pill" left Xu Qing's mouth, before the crowd could react, a dangerous aura instantly rose from the County Governor's body. He raised his right hand and flicked his large sleeve.

"Utterly preposterous!"

As his words rang out, a power of Guixu erupted from the County Governor's flick of the sleeve, instantly enveloping Xu Qing.

The Deputy Palace Master's expression changed. He tried to block with all his might but was still no match for the County Governor's half-body fortune enhancement, forcing him to retreat. But at this moment, the clouds in the sky suddenly burst open, and a piercing, stone-shattering sound abruptly came from the horizon.

"Caw!"

The instant the sound appeared, a three-headed giant bird arrived in a flash.

Its speed was so immense that it appeared directly beneath Xu Qing. Its rightmost head landed beneath Xu Qing's feet, supporting him. The three heads simultaneously locked onto the County Governor, their entire bodies bristling with spikes, emitting immense ferocity, and the mask let out a harsh caw!

The sound waves exploded, forming a roar that startled all directions, causing the county capital to tremble and the heavens and earth to change color!

At this moment, all the common folk in the entire county capital gasped. Hundreds of thousands of cultivators on the ground were aghast. The Seventh Prince's expression slightly hardened, and the County Governor's face was grim, no longer composed.

In the entire world, only the giant bird Qingling was the focus of all attention.

Only its caw resounded through the clouds.

The only one who could surpass it in prominence was the slender figure standing on its high-raised right head, dressed in a white Sword-Wielder's robe, his clothes fluttering in the heavenly wind!

Four shimmering canopies shone with dazzling light. The Canglong appeared, exhaling dawn light. The shadow of Ghost Emperor Mountain stood behind him, and faintly, a long river of time seemed to coil around his body.

At this instant, it was as if Xu Shuling, the acting Palace Master from half a year ago, had returned!

At this moment, all the various clans witnessing this scene were shaken, and the shadow from back then re-emerged!

And Xu Qing's voice still echoed.

"That was the plain pill, a pill that hundreds of millions of common folk in the county capital have consumed over the years."

"At that moment, I understood the method of poisoning."

"The culprit did not directly poison the old County Governor. Over these years, he diluted the Shangguang Fate Calamity Poison countless times, infusing it into plain pills, and had all the human inhabitants of the county capital consume them."

The moment these three sentences left his mouth, they were like the thunder of creation, booming in the hearts of hundreds of thousands of cultivators present and exploding in the ears of countless common folk in the county capital.

The weight of his words was immense!

Gasps, exclamations, sounds of confusion, and unrest erupted even more intensely, building upon the commotion already caused by Qingling's appearance.

"By using the countless common folk as poison, he altered the collective fortune of the entire county capital, making everyone a conduit for the poison. The poisonous fortune contained within countless humans constantly flowed towards the County Governor, thereby allowing him to be silently afflicted by the Shangguang Fate Calamity Poison."

Xu Qing continued to speak. The county capital roared completely, and the rapid breathing of hundreds of thousands of people below the altar shook the heavens and earth, stirring up a massive storm.

"The plain pills are poisoned?"

"Plain pills, how is this possible!!"

"But it all makes sense, it's logical."

"The plain pills are made by the County Governor; he's the sole supplier in the entire county capital, all pharmacies get them from the County Governor's mansion!"

"What is real, what is fake?!"

"Here... what is the truth?!"

An uproar arose from all directions.

Indeed, what Xu Qing said was utterly shocking to everyone, causing every person's scalp to tingle involuntarily, stirring up immense waves of emotion.

Kong Xianglong gasped. All the Sword-Wielders trembled throughout their bodies, and the Deputy Palace Master's expression changed dramatically.

Especially the County Governor, he stared at Xu Qing. That the other party could investigate to this extent was beyond his expectation.

Xu Qing stood on Qingling's right head, looking down at the county capital on the ground, and spoke softly.

"Everyone in the entire county capital has been poisoned. I don't know how this poison will manifest later... or what kind of catastrophe it will cause once it does."

"I, Xu Qing, the one with an Emperor's Heart of Ten Thousand Fathoms, take responsibility for every word I have spoken."

"County Governor, my report is complete. Please correct me!"

As Xu Qing's voice continuously echoed and spread in all directions, on the altar plaza, whether believing or disbelieving, all eyes concurrently turned towards the County Governor.

Not only them, but also the common folk within the county capital, now with billions of eyes filled with shock and anger, gathered from all directions.

Because this concerned the personal safety of every single one of them!

Anything that concerns an individual, no matter how small, becomes a matter of immense importance.

At this moment, few people would consider anything else. All of them, in this instant, wanted only one answer!

Are the plain pills you've given us all these years actually poisoned?!

Xu Qing, once again, stood on the side of public sentiment!

The first time, he used the lingering prestige of the County Governor and the Palace Master to disperse the County Governor's public support, thereby gaining the right to speak.

This was subsequently defused by the County Governor.

This time, he stood on their side, using the personal safety of every individual, gathering immense momentum to pressure the County Governor.

None of this was Xu Qing's innate understanding. Instead, he learned how to wield public sentiment from the Seventh Prince after experiencing a series of events in the county capital.

Subsequently, Seventh Master in the Forbidden Immortal Land further opened the door of perception for him, letting him know that his actions and thoughts needed to be at a higher level. Only then could he see the whole picture, see things more clearly, and truly reach the peak.

Over seven years, he had finally risen from a scavenger in the slums to reach this point today. His character and mindset, like an unpolished jade, had been continuously refined and shaped through learning during these seven years, finally radiating brilliance.

The slum teacher taught him to read and write, providing his initial enlightenment.

Captain Lei taught him tolerance, giving him, who was originally a lone wolf trusting no one, a sense of belonging to a family and the warmth of human connection.

Master Bai taught him about plants and trees, how humans are like plants, with everything growing upwards.

The continuous accumulation there caused the crown halo, which had always floated above Xu Qing's head, to become increasingly substantial.

In the eyes of those who could see this scene, Xu Qing, standing on Qingling's right head at this moment, shone with radiant light throughout his body. The crown halo above his canopy radiated immense fortune, seemingly blessing him.

Faintly, the figure of a small boy danced within that crown halo.

As if telling all who could see: who was truly the legitimate one now!

Who truly embodied Fenghai's gathered fortune!

Who was truly the Fenghai person!

At this moment, with the blessing of fortune, the will of the multitude gathered, the heavens and earth changed color, and winds surged, forming a grand momentum of converging heaven, earth, and people, with Xu Qing at its forefront, gazing at the County Governor.

The County Governor's expression changed.

The Seventh Prince's eyes glowed with an unusual light as he gazed at Xu Qing. Like the County Governor, in this short time, he clearly recognized that this was the way of being human.

Seventh Master taught him perspective, methods of action, and broadened his horizons.

The captain taught him recklessness: everything must be fought for, and defying heaven was nothing to fear.

The Seventh Prince taught him the use of public sentiment: right and wrong, merits and demerits, black and white could be turned, and for a formidable hero, there was no turning back.

The Palace Master taught him integrity and the Sword-Wielder's Oath: some things must be done even unto death, and some beliefs must be protected even unto death.

The County Governor taught him strategy and schemes: how everything shifts with circumstances, and how to turn things around with a flick of the hand.

Too many people, either actively or passively, had contributed to Xu Qing's continuous growth over these seven years.

Until, he reached today!

In an instant, the five-splendor crown halo, not yet fully descended and formed by the County Governor's fortune above his head, violently trembled.

A vast amount of fortune on it diffused, carrying waves of imperceptible cheers towards Xu Qing, as if once again recognizing him anew.

"This child is no ordinary being!"

As the Seventh Prince pondered, the County Governor was about to speak when Xu Qing clasped his fists, bowed deeply, and then, looking up, spoke softly.

"This bow is in gratitude for the lessons and insights you, County Governor, have provided me. After this bow, my heart is at peace, and only now can some words be spoken."

"County Governor, I know you are Zhuzhao."

"And a Zhuzhao cultivator disdains lying, valuing all things reasonable. Just as you openly provided answers in your previous lessons and elucidations, a person with such fortitude and a logical plan, being exposed, is also reasonable."

"County Governor, please correct me." Xu Qing stared.

The moment these words were spoken, the light in the Seventh Prince's eyes intensified. Earlier, the County Governor sought to crush Xu Qing's "Heart of Ten Thousand Fathoms." Now, Xu Qing's response was also an attack on the County Governor's spirit.

Based on his cooperation with the County Governor up to this point, the latter's character truly disdained lying, basing everything on reason.

"Whatever you ask, I will tell you."

But admitting it now would mean losing any possibility of concealment, with all plans going to waste.

Yet not admitting it would violate his usual principles of conduct, causing internal discord and disrupting his thoughts.

The County Governor fell silent.

After a long pause, he gave Xu Qing a deep look, sighed, appearing even older and radiating weariness. He then took out a plain pill, conjured a towering image visible to the entire county, swallowed it in front of everyone, and spoke softly.

"The plain pills are not poisoned."

People from all directions trembled.

"Xu Qing, I don't know why you are slandering me in such a way, but considering your past military achievements, I still cannot bring myself to kill you. I will imprison you in the Sword-Wielding Palace and inquire about the instigator behind you. Li Yunshan, this is my bottom line. You will be responsible for guarding and questioning him."

"Guards!"

As he finished speaking, affirmative murmurs rose from the ground, and figures abruptly ascended into the air. One of them was the old servant by the County Governor's side whom Xu Qing had seen before.

He looked at Xu Qing with regret, and a fluctuation of Guixu stage two erupted from his body.

Meanwhile, the County Governor, with a wave of his hand, caused a swirling vortex to appear beside him. Amidst its rumbling rotation, a black-armored puppet, its face a blur of flesh and blood, its features indiscernible, stepped out of the vortex.

Death aura permeated the air, its eyes gleaming with cold light. A fluctuation of Guixu stage four erupted from its body.

"So, you are not Ziqing," Xu Qing murmured softly.

The County Governor's face was expressionless as he calmly issued his command.

"Take him down."