Chapter 756: Riding the Compass Car, to Achieve His Clarity

After Xu Qing finished speaking, everyone fell into thought.

Although they hadn't witnessed the assassination firsthand, Xu Qing's description revealed its true nature. The suspects he mentioned, in particular, seemed suspicious no matter how one looked at them.

"What kind of power can carry out an assassination within the Imperial Capital, while also masking the formations of all factions and the capital itself, making it undetectable? Or, what kind of power could make everything in the Imperial Capital become silent and sluggish?" the captain suddenly asked.

Xu Qing remained silent. Zixuan and Li Yunshan turned their gaze towards the Imperial Palace.

Only a few entities in the entire Imperial Capital could achieve such a feat: the Human Emperor himself, a force even the Human Emperor feared, or the Sword-Wielding Great Emperor.

As for a force that even the Human Emperor feared, Xu Qing and the others lacked enough information to analyze it. The Sword-Wielding Great Emperor, on the other hand, was in a deep slumber; his brief awakening when Xu Qing arrived was already miraculous. It was impossible for him to awaken again, and there would be no reason for him to act in this manner.

"What if... A Qing had detonated the Sun of Dawn at that moment?" Zixuan suddenly pondered.

"The Human Imperial Capital would suffer countless casualties, all factions would be shaken, and we would lose face, becoming the laughingstock of all races. Regardless of whose fault it ultimately was, we would not escape responsibility and would lose the initiative. The final outcome would be difficult to predict; the Human Emperor's attitude at that point would be crucial," Li Yunshan replied slowly, a frown on his face.

"Interesting!" A cold smile appeared on the captain's face.

"That individual certainly has the means to track Little A Qing's every movement and the capability to orchestrate this assassination. Moreover, Xu Qing's 'Undying Scripture' aligns with his interests."

"But when all the clues and accusations point directly to that person... I can't help but feel that the situation isn't that simple."

"Is it possible this is a scheme to sow discord?"

"Or perhaps the mastermind's true purpose is to make us suspicious, and every move we make next is merely a piece played on their chessboard!" The captain's eyes held a profound look, his voice echoing through the courtyard.

"Let's approach this from a different angle. Instead of concerning ourselves with the mastermind, let's consider what *we* would do if faced with such an event." The captain concluded, looking at Xu Qing, then Zixuan, and finally at Li Yunshan, who was responsible for the Sword-Wielders.

Li Yunshan spoke in a low voice.

"Our immediate action would be to order the Sword-Wielders of Fenghai Commandery to enter the city, both to protect Xu Qing and to investigate the incident."

"Simultaneously, we would report this matter to the Saintly Ocean Grand Domain."

"While that approach is correct, bringing in too many people risks accusations of overreach. The investigation into this assassination would become even more convoluted. Yet, we cannot simply do nothing... Xu Qing's assassination is a signal..."

Li Yunshan fell silent.

The captain also said no more after uttering that sentence.

The entire courtyard fell quiet. Only the wind and rain howled outside, kicking up scattered raindrops, while in the distant sky, beyond the black clouds, the first glow of dawn began to emerge.

Xu Qing had remained silent throughout, listening intently to everyone's analysis. His thoughts drifted, intertwining their insights with his own experiences. He recalled what the Mud Fox had said about the Grand Tutor and the answer he had deduced during his journey.

After a long pause, Zixuan withdrew his gaze from the Imperial Palace and spoke calmly.

"The Human Emperor, having been recognized by the Great Emperor, surely possesses a regal demeanor and is unlikely to make hasty decisions. Nevertheless, Xu Qing, your decision in this matter holds more significance."

Xu Qing looked up towards the Imperial Palace. After a moment, he nodded. "Then let's report this matter to the Human Emperor in the name of the Saintly Ocean Grand Domain. The conclusions we've drawn are ones the Human Emperor and other factions can naturally reach as well."

"We don't need to guess the mastermind's intentions; we will observe the Human Emperor's subsequent actions regarding this matter."

Zixuan nodded in agreement, and after a moment's thought, Li Yunshan also assented. The captain, however, blinked and whispered, "Little A Qing, do you remember when we first arrived at Fenghai Commandery? Your decision isn't wrong, but I think it would be better if we shed some tears and let people stir up a commotion."

Xu Qing considered this, and his face gradually turned pale, making him appear severely wounded.

"Still not enough, Little A Qing! Let me help you!" The captain seemed eager, while Li Yunshan felt rather speechless and turned his head away.

Zixuan, however, shot the captain a cold glare. The captain instinctively recoiled, forcing a few dry laughs, his heart filled with regret.

As time passed, dawn quickly arrived. News of Xu Qing's assassination during the night spread like wildfire. It was unclear whether the lack of immediate awareness was genuine or feigned, but as the report circulated, all factions within the Imperial Capital were shaken.

Alongside the assassination news, updates on Xu Qing's condition were also disseminated.

After being escorted back to his residence, Xu Qing's suppressed injuries flared up, causing him to collapse into unconsciousness. Fortunately, there was still a glimmer of hope for his recovery.

Meanwhile, Fenghai Commandery was fully dedicated to protecting him and facilitating his recovery.

The incident continued to spread, causing a stir throughout the land. Meng Yunbai and Huang Kun were among the first to visit, though they were received by the captain as Xu Qing himself was not seen.

Their obvious tension and strenuous efforts to clear their names unequivocally demonstrated their shock over the incident.

Even the Imperial Prince of the Star Emperor Supreme Sect arranged for elixirs to be sent as a gesture of goodwill.

Similarly, everyone who attended the Red Dust Pavilion banquet, and even the Red Dust Pavilion itself, came to offer their regards.

Furthermore, Lord Seven and others within the Saintly Ocean Grand Domain also learned of the incident through messages relayed by Li Yunshan.

Immediately upon hearing the news, the entire Saintly Ocean Grand Domain began mobilizing its forces.

In half of the Black Spirit Grand Domain, numerous sacrificial rituals commenced, causing the heavens and earth to rumble and appear profoundly disturbed.

Even more astonishingly, in the direction of the Moon Sacrifice, the Crown Prince's aura erupted with overwhelming force, its divine might encompassing all directions. Princess Mingmei's and Fifth Grandma's Reverse Moon Palace also flared with power.

Beyond the divine fluctuations, a tremendous sword qi also rose from Old Master Guan. Their combined auras, erupting during the Moon Sacrifice, shook all directions.

This was their way of expressing extreme fury over the incident.

Simultaneously, within the Imperial Capital, the jade slip collectively submitted on Xu Qing's behalf by the people of Fenghai Commandery was successively reported until it reached the Human Emperor himself.

The jade slip objectively described the incident, including the black paper. As for the Sword-Wielders of Zhushi Road, they were not summoned to the residence but remained outside. Xu Qing and his group did nothing more than fully report the matter to the Human Emperor.

Regardless of the mastermind's identity or purpose, Fenghai Commandery chose a strategy of passive resistance, responding to all changes by remaining unchanged.

Given that the Human Emperor was the primary suspect, they reported directly to him. Not only were Xu Qing and his allies observing his reaction, but all factions within the Imperial Capital were doing the same.

An hour after the jade slip was delivered to the Imperial Palace, a majestic decree echoed throughout the entire Imperial Capital.

"By special decree, the Upper Profound Sword Palace, the Palace of Regulations, and the Palace of Special Orders shall jointly investigate. A result must be found within one month!"

This was the Human Emperor's imperial decree.

The moment it was issued, bursts of light erupted from within the grand halls of the Sword Palace, the Palace of Regulations, and the Palace of Special Orders. Tall, ethereal figures formed between heaven and earth, radiating terrifying power as they bowed before the Human Emperor.

"By your command!"

Subsequently, a sacred elixir from the Imperial Palace was delivered to Ning Yan's residence. The pill was exquisitely clear and transparent, emanating a peculiar fragrance, and even the vial containing it was exceptionally unusual.

"The Heaven-Returning Immortal Elixir!" Ning Yan exclaimed the moment he saw the elixir.

"This elixir is rare even in the Imperial Palace. It is said that some of its primary ingredients have become extinct in Wanggu, found only in sacred lands..."

This elixir's healing efficacy was astonishing; it was even effective against injuries sustained by Heavenly Kings.

"Yours is of infinite value!" The captain's eyes widened, and he instinctively licked his lips.

Xu Qing raised a hand to take the elixir, examining it carefully, his heart stirred with curiosity.

Based on his understanding of pharmacology, this elixir was truly remarkable, and its refining technique was unlike any he had ever seen.

The moment the elixir was taken out, the faint anomalous matter in the surroundings was suppressed, and even the divine source within Xu Qing's body began to circulate faster.

"It contains some mysterious ingredients!" Xu Qing remarked thoughtfully, putting the elixir away under the captain's eager gaze.

The captain blinked, pondering how he might trick Xu Qing into giving him the elixir... but then he deemed it too difficult. He sighed, lamenting that Little A Qing had become too clever to fool.

In the subsequent period, the Human Emperor's imperial decree took full effect. The Sword Palace, the Palace of Regulations, and the Palace of Special Orders diligently pursued the assassination investigation.

They even extended their investigation to the Ghost Mechanical Nether Sect.

The Imperial Capital's atmosphere grew tense, and even minor figures unrelated to the incident trembled in fear.

Under such an investigation, clues naturally emerged, but Xu Qing paid them no mind.

Half a month later, his "injuries" recovered, and he made his first public appearance, venturing out with Zixuan.

After Xu Qing's assassination, Zixuan no longer ventured out to investigate the Azure Lamp. Instead, he remained by Xu Qing's side, and continued to do so even after Xu Qing's "injuries" had fully healed.

Consequently, in the days that followed, Xu Qing always ventured out with Zixuan. The two of them traveled throughout the Imperial Capital. Whenever they reached certain locations, Zixuan would pause, sensing the direction of each lamp. There were nine such locations where this fluctuation was detected: three within the Imperial Palace, two underground, and four on the ancient imperial star.

As for the precise locations, he stated that he would require some auxiliary tools for a thorough investigation. Xu Qing stated that he could refine these auxiliary tools and instruments himself, but he would also need special blood pills, each refined with his own blood, to serve as activators.

Zixuan looked at Xu Qing and nodded. "I'll help you refine them!"

With the sensing complete, the two purchased numerous materials in the Imperial Capital before returning to Ning Yan's residence, where one began refining artifacts and the other, elixirs.

Due to their unique properties, the blood pills could not be refined in a single attempt. The process required a cauldron as a vessel and, at regular intervals, based on the pills' condensation, further cultivation reinforcement and the addition of specific herbs.

Xu Qing paid close attention, letting time pass. Another half month quickly went by. When the blood pills were just days away from final completion, an imperial decree from the Imperial Palace arrived at Ning Yan's residence.

The content of this decree captured the attention of all factions: the Human Emperor had finally issued a summons.

"Xu Qing of the Saintly Ocean Grand Domain is summoned for an audience."

"The Twelfth Imperial Prince, Gu Yue Ning Yan, is summoned for an audience."