Chapter 135: Advance In Rank
Xiahou Workshop, Lingyun Hall, Meeting Hall.
“It’s actually not contradictory.” After hearing Xiahou Bushang’s words, Zhu Xiuyi shook his head with a slight smile: “Previously, Your Majesty dealt with Gao Guangning by using him to warn us Xiahou Clan. But after the warning was done, we accepted the punishment, and he would worry that something happening to Gao Guangning would anger us Xiahou Clan.”
“How could he predict that something would happen to Gao Guangning?” Xiahou Li frowned and said: “Even we didn’t think of this beforehand.”
“If we say that in Gao Guangning’s case before, Your Majesty was not the instigator but rather went with the flow, then it’s easy to explain.” Zhu Xiuyi said slowly: “In that case, someone is secretly stirring up the conflict between us and Your Majesty.”
“What evidence do you have to say that?” Xiahou Ba asked in a deep voice.
“None.” Zhu Xiuyi shook his head and said softly: “So we can’t rule out that the Investigative Bureau is playing the thief crying thief, capturing Gao Guangning, which can get some valuable information from his mouth. And it can also divert our attention, making our revenge turn elsewhere.”
“I think this guess is more reliable.” Xiahou Li stroked his thick beard and nodded slightly.
“Yes.” Xiahou Bushang chimed in agreement.
“Bubai, what do you think?” Xiahou Ba turned his gaze to his most valued nephew.
“For the moment, nephew can’t say for sure.” Xiahou Bubai answered softly: “But the two possibilities that Military Advisor Zhu mentioned are exactly the same as what nephew guessed. Either it’s the thief crying thief, or someone is really stirring trouble behind the scenes. As for which one it is, we still need to continue a deep investigation to reach a conclusion.”
Ever since returning defeated from Jiangnan, Xiahou Bubai had become even more cautious, preferring no achievement over any mistake.
“Mm, then don’t rush to a conclusion……” Xiahou Ba stroked his beard and nodded slowly. He glanced at Xiahou Bubai and said: “Bubai, I’ll hand this case to you to investigate. If it’s the Emperor playing thief crying thief, that’s still manageable, but if someone is stirring trouble behind the scenes…”
As Xiahou Ba spoke, killing intent burst from his eyes, and he gnashed his teeth heavily: “This old man will uproot him completely!”
“Yes.” Xiahou Bubai responded in a deep voice. Those who didn’t know the inside story might think Xiahou Ba was making a fuss over nothing, or that this minor matter didn’t even require a nighttime meeting—discussing it tomorrow wouldn’t delay anything.
But Xiahou Bubai knew that his own Clan Leader must have associated this incident with the shocking upheaval of heaven and earth ten years ago. That shadowy figure behind the scenes who incited the Emperor and the Noble Clans to fight each other still hadn’t been brought to justice!
Now under heaven, the situation from ten years ago had reappeared. Xiahou Ba absolutely would not allow anyone to toy with the Xiahou Clan in the palm of their hand again!
“However, our Xiahou Clan always repays every debt, and we can’t wait until we’ve investigated clearly to act!” Xiahou Ba’s gaze turned cold as he said coldly: “We must take action now, and it absolutely cannot be just a painless slap!”
“Clan Leader is absolutely right!” Xiahou Li spoke on behalf of the Elder Council and immediately responded in a deep voice: “In these past two years, our Xiahou Clan’s temper has been too mild, inevitably giving people the wrong impression that a tiger’s backside can be touched casually!” He paused, then snorted coldly: “Even if Gao Guangning wasn’t captured by Huangfu Yu. Even if he wasn’t the instigator in the previous case, Huangfu Yu warning our Xiahou Clan is beyond doubt!”
“Exactly, since he dared to lay hands on our Xiahou Clan, he should be prepared for revenge!” Xiahou Bushang also nodded in agreement.
“Revenge is certain, but we must pay attention to the method.” Zhu Xiuyi reminded softly: “In case someone really is stirring trouble behind the scenes, we can’t repeat the mistakes of the past.”
“Does Military Advisor have any good ideas?” Xiahou Ba looked intently at his advisor.
“Since Your Majesty made us suffer a mute loss, we’ll give him one where he has bitterness but can’t speak.” Zhu Xiuyi smiled and explained his plan in detail.
“Good!” The giants of the Xiahou Clan praised in unison upon hearing this.
“We’ll do it according to Military Advisor’s method.” Xiahou Ba thought for a moment and then made the decision: “This matter will be fully entrusted to Military Advisor to handle!”
“Understood!” Zhu Xiuyi cupped his fist and accepted this assignment.
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After regulating his breathing for a night, Lu Yun finally suppressed his churning qi and blood, escaping the crisis of Qi Deviation. But his meridians were still not running smoothly and would need time to gradually sort out.
Opening his eyes to look at the faint morning light outside, he couldn’t help but smile bitterly to himself. This Imperial Extreme Profound Cave Skill was truly too profound, influenced so greatly by one’s state of mind—it was simply unbelievable. When he had an enlightenment, this cultivation method would immediately advance a level, but when his state of mind had major issues, it seemed on the verge of collapse…
Because in the Grand Competition, he would have to face off against the young experts from the various clans, during this period, Lu Wei and Lu Xin had given him, Lu Bai, and the others detailed explanations of the various clans’ cultivation methods. Lu Yun hadn’t heard of any divine skill as elusive as this Imperial Extreme Profound Cave Skill—not only was its power incomparable, it also pitted the cultivator half to death…
Today was the day to resume cultivation. Early in the morning, he and Lu Xin went out as usual toward Luo River Bridge to meet up with Lu Bai and the other two.
Actually, before this, Great Steward Lu Xiu had once suggested that they move the whole family to live north of the Luo River, which would reduce the travel. Moreover, with the father and son’s current strength and status, even moving to north of the Luo River, no one would gossip.
Lu Xiu had even ordered someone to clear out a courtyard house, but it was politely declined by Lu Xin. At the time, many people didn’t understand—being able to move to north of the Luo River was the common dream of all clan members living south of the Luo River.
But Lu Yun understood his father very well. They would definitely move to north of the Luo River, but absolutely not by being taken care of, rather through their own efforts, moving there upright and proper!
Moreover, now it seemed Lu Xin had some foresight. Otherwise, if he lost to Lu Jian in the competition for steward, even moving to north of the Luo River, he probably couldn’t hold his head high.
As soon as the father and son arrived at Tianjin Bridge, they saw Lu Song gesturing excitedly, gesticulating there with Lu Bai and Lu Lin.
Upon seeing the two arrive, Lu Song and the other two hurried over to pay respects to Lu Xin. During this time, spending day and night together, Lu Xin had imparted all his lifelong learning without reservation, naturally earning their heartfelt respect. Although there was no formal master-disciple relationship, they already regarded him as their teacher.
After greeting the three, Lu Xin smiled and asked: “Song’er, what good news do you have today?”
“Hehe!” Lu Song smiled embarrassedly. He had indeed been carried away with excitement, which was really unbecoming of a scion of a noble family. But he was just too thrilled and couldn’t hold back the joy on his face: “Nephew has made a small advance.”
“Oh?” Lu Xin was startled and reached out to take Lu Song’s pulse. Lu Song didn’t resist and smiled, letting Lu Xin check.
“Circulate your qi and let me see.” Lu Xin shook his head in disbelief, seemingly not trusting his own judgment.
Lu Song then sank his qi into his dantian and mobilized the true qi in his body. Lu Xin felt that the true qi in his body was no longer as stagnant and rigid as before; it had become lively and agile, flowing freely through his body according to Lu Song’s intent!
“Amazing!” Lu Xin released his hand and exclaimed in wonder: “I thought if you could advance by year’s end, that would be great! I didn’t expect you to achieve it in less than a month!”
“It’s all thanks to Tenth Uncle and Sixth Uncle’s excellent guidance, and the clan sparing no effort in nurturing.” Lu Song said humbly with a face full of gratitude.
“Even if our guidance was the best and the clan nurtured you the most, you’d at best advance by year’s end!” Lu Xin wasn’t buying it and stared fixedly at Lu Song: “What fortunate encounter did you have?”
“Nephew had no fortunate encounter. If there’s anything special, it’s just following Vice Sect Master to look at bamboo for half a day and learning a set of breathing method.” Lu Song scratched his head and said with a bitter smile: “That method the other three also learned, but they all said there’s nothing special about it…”
