The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 69 - 63 Annihilation Dao

Chapter 69: Chapter 63 Annihilation Dao

"Could it be that she taught it?" Su Lianqing’s mind flashed with the face of the Feng Family young lady, Feng Wu.

The master of Feng Wu, the Blue-eyed Fox, is an expert who joined the Luo Sect halfway, with a heritage from the Middle Ages’ Annihilation Dao. The Annihilation Dao is a sect that focuses on Dual Cultivation of Life and Spirit, with a greater emphasis on Dao Skills.

She used her Divine Soul to spy on Xu Qing practicing the Eight Diagram Wandering Palm at night. This palm technique is not top-notch in the worldly society, but it serves as the foundational entry for the Heavenly Net Hand of the Annihilation Dao.

"People of the Annihilation Dao, do not marry for life. Even if they find a lover, it’s only to establish fate. Once the fate ends, they will sever the Emotion Silk..."

After the Blue-eyed Fox died, the Luo Sect originally planned to forcefully persuade Feng Wu to join. However, this young girl, who loves freedom and wants to venture through the worldly society, does not buy into the Luo Sect’s approach.

Moreover, the other party has gone to the Capital, and even with the Luo Sect’s significant influence, it’s impossible to manipulate the niece of the Taicang Zhou Clan in the North. Moreover, Feng Xifeng has also become a Scholar and will be participating in next year’s Imperial Examination. Once he achieves high marks, with his background in the East State Academy, he is sure to receive numerous resources from the East State Academy, promising a vast future.

That aside, not only is Xu Qing closely associated with the Feng family, he also has deep connections with Magistrate He and the newly appointed Inspector Wu, and even has ties with fierce figures like King Lin in the criminal underworld.

Even for the Luo Sect which is adept at dragging people into its schemes, they feel like throwing water onto duck’s back when dealing with Xu Qing.

Her attempt this night, utilizing Dao Skills and Divine Soul wandering, also failed to bring any benefit, forcing Su Lianqing to give up.

"Such a character is truly troublesome to deal with; it seems our sect won’t gain any advantage in Jiangning Prefecture," concluded Su Lianqing, deciding not to probe Xu Qing any further.

Even though their strength is considerable, and even their branch, the Lotus Sect, has the capability to deal with Xu Qing, the cost would undoubtedly be significant and without any benefits.

If it weren’t for the matter regarding Inspector Wu tonight, Su Lianqing wouldn’t have come to spy on Xu Qing.

According to the intelligence, after taking office, Inspector Wu is likely to investigate some matters in Yingtian Prefecture. Therefore, there’s always been a debate in the sect about whether to assassinate him.

And certain individuals in Yingtian Prefecture also strongly demand that they eliminate this risk.

"If our sect were to assassinate Inspector Wu, I fear the entire South Zhili’s sect’s influence would be wiped out, which actually aligns with those individuals’ wish to sever ties with our sect," contemplated Su Lianqing, her Divine Soul damaged yet her thoughts clearer than ever.

She faintly suspects that the court’s appointment of Inspector Wu to Yingtian might just be bait, luring the snake out of its hole.

...

...

"Previously, people from the Luo Sect didn’t come looking for me, and now they suddenly are, likely due to tonight’s banquet," Xu Qing pondered, looking at the moon in the ancient well.

The matter involving Zhao Xiong had already passed some time ago; it didn’t make sense for them to come only now.

"Considering the Embroidered Guard are hiding and monitoring, the court must be using my old master as bait. Should someone indeed make a move, the big shots at court can then track them down accordingly. If..." Xu Qing, not lacking in malicious speculation, suspected that if something were to happen to Inspector Wu, it would likely fulfill the wishes of some at the court, providing an opportunity to send troops to South Zhili, eliminate dissidents, and deepen control over South Zhili.

For example, in his previous life, when he studied the history of the Ming Dynasty, Prince Ning planned a rebellion, and it was known to everyone at the court, including the Emperor, who constantly held back.

What for?

Xu Qing’s understanding from reading history is that Emperor Wuzong of Ming, who always wanted to levy commercial taxes and strengthen military control, actually aimed to personally lead troops against Prince Ning, bringing the Personal Army to the Southern, thus leveraging military power to further control the Southern.

Following Wuzong, Emperor Jiajing also managed to strengthen control over the Southern through campaigns against Japanese pirates. Later, Kangxi and Qian Long of Man Qing also made multiple Southern tours with similar intentions.

There’s nothing new under the sun.

In reality, if an Imperial Censor appointed by the Emperor is assassinated, it would undoubtedly also weaken the Imperial Power, bringing both gains and losses.

"If I were the Luo Sect, I would definitely not choose to assassinate my old master, but others might indeed wish to pin the blame on the Luo Sect."

After all, both the Luo Sect and Lotus Sect have already rebelled, so they fear not the court’s retribution.

"Seeing this, my old master going to Yingtian to take office, even if the religious bandits do not make a move, someone might intentionally impersonate them," Xu Qing had anticipated the difficulties in Inspector Wu’s forthcoming journey, and now upon deeper analysis, felt even more convinced of the perilous road ahead.

"When the time comes, let’s see the darkness in my Qi Fortune, then decide," Xu Qing thought about all these issues until his head hurt, he wouldn’t want to get involved if it weren’t for the stakes.

On the way to assume his post, if Inspector Wu dies, it will benefit the entire family, but if he refuses, well...

If Inspector Wu successfully assumes office and secures his position as the Imperial Censor, it would indeed be greatly beneficial for his career and for Xu Qing personally.

The bigger the storm, the higher the price of fish, but this saying isn’t entirely correct.

In fact, the bigger the storm, the more fish one can catch.

Xu Qing broke off a dry branch from the Old Wutong Tree.

In fact, the Old Wutong Tree possessed magical qualities, and even in this season, the branches were still full of vitality, but since it was night, Xu Qing’s eyesight was poor.

He saw it as a dry branch, and in pulling it off, he thought he was doing the tree a favor.

If the tree felt he did wrong, it could easily say so.

No response meant tacit approval!

Holding the branch, Xu Qing drew a map on the snowy ground of the official road from Jiangning Prefecture to Yingtian Prefecture.

"Passing by Qixia Mountain, this is also where the Officials’ influence is weakest."

Xu Qing gazed at the geography of Qixia Mountain and began to ponder.

...

...

Early morning.

"Brother Guo, I need you to go to Qixia Mountain with a message again," Xu Qing instructed Xu Fu to find Guo Li, speaking directly.

Guo Li: "To serve the young master, I will go through fire and water, and would not hesitate to die a thousand times."

Xu Qing smiled: "This time it’s not as dangerous as last. When you see King Lin, tell him I appreciate the gift he sent last time. I’ve heard some rumors and specifically sent you to remind him. Some muddy waters should not be tread. Brother Guo, do you remember?"

"I remember," Guo Li nodded hastily.

He didn’t know the meaning behind his young master’s words.

But he would follow them exactly, and that couldn’t be wrong.

After all, since he and his brother had followed Xu Qing, they had never suffered a loss.

Seeing this, Xu Qing said, "This matter is urgent; Brother Guo, go quickly and return quickly. I await your news."

"Understood."

...

...

Qixia Mountain, Black Wind Village.

King Lin, hearing the message brought by Guo Zhuang, expressed surprise: "How does Mr. Xu have such extensive divine skills? I just received the news myself; how did he know?"

"I only deliver messages; I know nothing else," Guo Li shook his head.

Facing King Lin, he still felt considerable pressure. The Great Leader of the stronghold exuded an overwhelming presence, as if he could squash him with a slap.

King Lin: "I understand. Little Brother Guo, please have a seat. I have some matters to handle."

He then commanded someone to watch over Guo Li, turned, and left the hall, heading to an inner court of the stronghold.

At this moment, King Lin’s expression was grim.

He hadn’t made a move yet, and Xu Qing already knew; someone was out to harm him.