Zhang Shaoyang nodded.
"When did this happen?" Yu Xingchen frowned.
"Just a month ago." Zhang Shaoyang threw the leftover goose leg bone on the table and wiped his hands with a towel as he spoke.
Yu Xingchen remained silent with his brows furrowed.
"Mars guarded the heart and the Emperor searched for the cauldron." Zhang Shaoyang continued, "Brother Yu, don't you think this is strange?"
"You mean to say that the Emperor, he …" Yu Xingchen lowered his voice and leaned closer to Zhang Shaoyang, "has passed away?"
"That's impossible." Zhang Shaoyang shook his head and said, "I observed the stars last night. Although the Emperor Star was dim, it did not show any signs of collapse. Instead, the Auxiliary Star shone brightly and the Thief Star entered the palace."
"Someone is holding the Emperor hostage?!" Yu Xingchen exclaimed again.
"Shh!" Zhang Shaoyang raised his index finger to his lips and motioned for Yu Xingchen to be quiet. Then, he lowered his voice and said, "If I'm not wrong, the Emperor should be under house arrest now."
"Who dares to do this?" Yu Xingchen whispered, "Who dares to hold the Emperor hostage?"
"It's most likely Xuanji." Zhang Shaoyang began pouring wine again.
"Xuanji?" Yu Xingchen was confused. "Why is he holding the Emperor under house arrest? Does he want to become the Emperor? "
"It's not that simple." Zhang Shaoyang took a sip of wine and said, "How capable is Xuanji? How dare he covet the Great Ming's empire? If you ask me, he's just a small fry. The real mastermind has yet to show himself. "
"Why do you say that?" Yu Xingchen asked.
"It's simple." Zhang Shaoyang said, "Although Xuanji is the Grand Tutor, he doesn't have military power. If he was bold enough to hold the Emperor hostage, how could he still be alive today? Not to mention the others, any of the princes could take his life. Killing the rebels and saving the Emperor's life is a great achievement. Who wouldn't want to fight for it? "
"Perhaps those princes still don't know about this?" Yu Xingchen asked.
"I say, old brother, you underestimate those princes too much." Zhang Shaoyang picked up his chopsticks and put a piece of fish into his mouth. "They all have powerful people supporting them from behind, especially the current crown prince. I heard that just the number of ministers and advisors under him is as many as a hundred, and the number of experts in the Xuan Sect is innumerable. Besides, these princes have to pay their respects to the Emperor every day. Could it be that they can't tell if their father is under house arrest? "
"That's even more impossible," Yu Xingchen said doubtfully. "Since they already knew that their father was under house arrest, why didn't they do anything? Didn't you just say that this is a great contribution? "
"That's the crux of the matter." Zhang Shaoyang put down his chopsticks and looked at Yu Xingchen. "It's not that we don't want to save these princes, but we don't dare to."
"You don't dare to save him?" The more Yu Xingchen listened, the more confused she became.
"Think about it. Even the current Crown Prince doesn't dare to touch him. You can imagine how strong he is." Zhang Shaoyang said.
"Then who could it be?" Yu Xingchen frowned.
"Let me ask you. Who has the most military power in this dynasty?" Zhang Shaoyang reminded Yu Xingchen.
"Military power?" Yu Xingchen lowered his head in thought. After a long while, he suddenly looked up. "You mean …"
"That's right." Zhang Shaoyang dipped his index finger in his tea and wrote a word on the table: Zhou.
"Zhou Dao, Minister Zhou?" Yu Xingchen was shocked. In the current imperial court, the person with the most military power was Zhou Dao. He had three hundred thousand soldiers under his command, all of them elite soldiers. He had once been a general in the vanguard and had many outstanding military achievements. Later on, he became the Minister of War and was in charge of the Ministry of War. He had all the officials and power in the imperial court.
"Apart from him, no one else would dare to do this," Zhang Shaoyang said calmly.
"Even if he has the strength, we can't be sure that it's him." Yu Xingchen was confused.
"This is only one of the reasons," Zhang Shaoyang said.
"Could there be more to it?" Yu Xingchen asked.
"Of course." Zhang Shaoyang picked up a red braised prawn and began peeling it. "Bro, have you heard about Minister Zhou's wedding?"
"I've heard a little." Yu Xingchen nodded. "I heard that someone caused a ruckus at the wedding and stole the bride. I've only heard rumors about this. I don't know if it's true. "
"To tell you the truth, it's true." Zhang Shaoyang put the peeled prawn into his mouth and ate it.
"Oh?" Yu Xingchen was surprised. "Who would have the guts to steal Minister Zhou's woman? Do they have a death wish? "
"Haha, you'll be shocked if I tell you." Zhang Shaoyang picked up another prawn and began peeling it.
"What's going on? Don't keep me in suspense. Tell me, "Yu Xingchen urged.
"Firstly, it wasn't someone else who stole his woman, it was him who stole someone else's woman. It's only right for him to come and take back his woman," Zhang Shaoyang said seriously. "Secondly, the person who came was only one person, but there were hundreds of sharpshooters and dozens of ninjas in the Zhou Residence. In the end, they were all killed in one move. Thirdly, the Zhou Residence was razed to the ground by this person in an instant, and the woman was also taken away by him."
"Minister Zhou stole someone else's woman? Japanese ninjas? "Yu Xingchen was confused." Hundreds of people were killed in one move? The Zhou residence was razed to the ground in one move? What's going on? Who's so awesome that you'd believe in such ridiculous rumors? "Yu Xingchen shook his head and picked up his chopsticks.
"It's not a rumor. It's true," Zhang Shaoyang said as he ate the prawn. "One of the people who attended Minister Zhou's wedding was my senior. He's now in charge of the Imperial Astronomer. He saw it with his own eyes. How could it be wrong?"
"Is this true?" Yu Xingchen put down his chopsticks.
"Why would I lie to you?" Zhang Shaoyang said.
"Now that you mention it, it does sound a little strange." Yu Xingchen twirled his beard and nodded slightly.
"It's not that simple," Zhang Shaoyang said seriously. "Think about it. Zhou Dao is the Minister of War. How could he have ninja experts under him? What's more, the Japanese special envoy, Matsumoto Takeyoshi, was also at the wedding. "
"You're saying that Zhou Dao and the Japanese special envoy, Matsumoto Takeyoshi, are colluding in secret?" Yu Xingchen asked.
"That's possible," Zhang Shaoyang said mysteriously. "I went to the Zhou residence to check it out. It was indeed in ruins. The person who came had a very high cultivation level. It's rare to see such a high level of cultivation. "
"Does turning it into ruins prove that it was done by someone?" Yu Xingchen smiled and continued eating. "It must have been blown up by gunpowder. The rumors on the streets have been exaggerated. By the time they reach your ears, the rumors will have already changed."
"I checked carefully. There was no sign of gunpowder at all," Zhang Shaoyang said solemnly. "The residence was destroyed by Qi-Jin."
"Qi-Jin?" Yu Xingchen raised his eyebrows. "Who would have such ability? Cui Ziwen from Cuiming Hall? Yi Shuihan from Tsing Yi Society? Or Jinchan from Pear Blossom Palace? Or Ru Yan from Red Dust Pavilion? "
"You're spouting nonsense without even drinking," Zhang Shaoyang said with a smile. "Cui Ziwen was at the Zhou residence at the time. Yi Shuihan is capable, but he's always been alone and doesn't have a wife. Speaking of which, even if Yi Shuihan has a woman, no matter how stupid Zhou Dao is, he wouldn't be stupid enough to steal his woman! As for Jinchan from Pear Blossom Palace and Ru Yan from Red Dust Pavilion, that's even more impossible. They're both women. Why would they steal a wife? "
"Then who could it be?" Yu Xingchen thought hard. "It's rare to see a young person with such a cultivation level. By the way, hasn't your fellow disciple from the Imperial Astronomer seen this person? "
Zhang Shaoyang shook his head.
"If that's the case, Zhou Dao is the most suspicious," Yu Xingchen said. "That Dongying's special envoy is also involved."
"That's right. I privately asked my fellow disciple from the Imperial Astronomer about Matsumoto Takeyoshi, and I really did find something fishy." Zhang Shaoyang said as he picked up another piece of fish and put it into his mouth.
"Oh? What did he say? "Yu Xingchen asked.
"He said that this person hasn't left after paying tribute to the Emperor. He should still be in the Ming Dynasty," Zhang Shaoyang said.
"Oh? He hasn't left yet? "Yu Xingchen also felt that something was amiss.
"He's not leaving after finishing his business, and he's colluding with the Minister of War. Nothing good can come out of this." Zhang Shaoyang laughed coldly. "Coupled with what happened last night and this astronomical phenomenon, don't you think it's too much of a coincidence?"
"Then what do you think we should do now?" Yu Xingchen asked Zhang Shaoyang. "Are we really going to set up the Thousand Spirit Formation to help the Imperial Court find the cauldron?"
"Hmph, when the time comes, I'll just claim that I'm sick and can't get out of bed." Zhang Shaoyang tilted his head back and downed the wine in his cup. "If I'm sick and can't serve them, will the Imperial Court kill me?"
"If you don't take the lead, the others won't easily step forward either." Yu Xingchen picked up his cup and took a sip of tea.
"Who says no one will step forward?" Zhang Shaoyang smiled. "Hasn't that Lu guy always wanted to serve the Imperial Court?"
"I'm afraid he's the only one." Yu Xingchen said as he scooped soup into his bowl with a porcelain spoon.
"I had a falling out with him last night on purpose." Zhang Shaoyang, who had already finished one jar, reached out and opened another one.
"I saw through it a long time ago." Yu Xingchen smiled.
"Hehe, I was actually saying that for everyone to hear." Zhang Shaoyang smiled as he poured wine into his cup. "To make my position clear and let them understand what's at stake." Zhang Shaoyang slammed the wine jar on the table. "The Thousand Spirit Formation is no small matter. The slightest mistake will make me a sinner for all eternity."
"Those Sect Leaders should understand Brother Shaoyang's painstaking efforts." Yu Xingchen took a sip of the soup with a porcelain spoon and said, "No one would do such a self-deprecating thing, except for that Lu guy."
"Brother Yu, you have to be careful of that Lu guy," Zhang Shaoyang said seriously to Yu Xingchen. "His cultivation is not low, and he's narrow-minded and vicious. Brother Yu, you're a kind person, so you have to be careful of him. Mao Mountain's Soul Shattering Palm and Art of Truth Ascension are no joke. "
"Brother Zhang, don't worry. Even if I haven't eaten pork, I've seen pigs run." Yu Xingchen smiled. "This isn't my first day in the Jianghu."
"If I claim to be sick, what will you do?" Zhang Shaoyang asked Yu Xingchen. "Are you going to claim to be sick too?"
"Me? Haha. "Yu Xingchen laughed." I'm easy to handle. When the time comes, I'll go find Ziyang Monastery's Qing Chenzi and have him give me a palm strike. Then I won't have to claim to be sick, I'll be seriously injured. "
"You're more ruthless than me." Zhang Shaoyang smiled. "Speaking of Qing Chenzi, why didn't he come this time?"
"Don't you know Qingqing?" Yu Xingchen smiled. "If he's good at divination, he would've gone into hiding long ago."
"When can I be like Qingqing and be able to predict everything? How great would that be?" Zhang Shaoyang also began to drink the soup.
"I want to too, but it's a pity." Yu Xingchen shook his head and sighed. "Our combined cultivation can't even compare to his pinky finger. If we want to reach his level, we'll have to wait until our next lives."
"Why don't I just stop claiming to be sick and go teach him a lesson with you? Let him give us each a palm strike. After that, we'll stay at his place and let him serve us well. What do you think?" Zhang Shaoyang smiled. "We can't beat him anyway. That way, the imperial court can't do anything to us."
"That's a little too wicked." Yu Xingchen smiled. "We'll be fine, but Qingqing will be unlucky."
"Who cares? Anyway, he didn't come this time. With his temper, he can't do anything he doesn't want to do. We'll just treat it as him saving us this time." Zhang Shaoyang smiled.
"I think that's a good idea." Yu Xingchen smiled.
"Let's do it. Hurry up and eat. After we're done, we'll go to Ziyang Temple to find him." Zhang Shaoyang said as he tore off another goose leg.
"Eat, eat, eat. After we're done, we'll go find Qingqing." Yu Xingchen also began to gorge himself.
After the two finished eating, they left the private room and went to the main hall.
Zhang Shaoyang felt bad that he had eaten and drank for free. He didn't go to the counter to get the remaining three jars of wine and was about to leave. Unexpectedly, the waiter had sharp eyes and saw the two of them coming down the stairs. He hurriedly handed the bamboo basket containing three jars of 20-year-old Drunken Immortal wine to Zhang Shaoyang. Zhang Shaoyang didn't want to accept it, but he couldn't refuse the waiter's kindness. He could only accept it.
At this time, the two of them discovered a strange phenomenon. An old beggar was sitting in the most conspicuous seat in the main hall. In front of him were two jars of 20-year-old Drunken Immortal wine and an entire roast goose. The old beggar was happily eating large pieces of meat and drinking large bowls of wine. He was having a great time.
"Your Shopkeeper Wang is really kind." Zhang Shaoyang said to the waiter. "He actually invited a beggar to the Drunken Immortal restaurant to eat meat and drink."
Yu Xingchen was also surprised.
"You may not know, but this old beggar's money has already been paid for by someone. He paid a thousand taels of silver in advance." The waiter said, "In the future, he can eat and drink whatever he wants here. He can have as much as he wants."
"There's actually such a good thing in the world?" After hearing the waiter's words, Zhang Shaoyang sighed inwardly. As the sect master of the Righteous Sect, he had never enjoyed such treatment.
"What's going on?" Yu Xingchen was also in disbelief.
"I'm not sure. When the forest is big, there are all kinds of birds." The waiter smiled and said.
Zhang Shaoyang waved his hand at the waiter, and the waiter immediately left.
"Let's go, Brother Yu." Zhang Shaoyang winked at Yu Xingchen. "Let's go take a look and see what's so special about this person."
"That's not good," Yu Xingchen replied. If two sect masters went to watch a beggar eat, people would laugh their heads off.
"Let's go, let's go take a look." Zhang Shaoyang was very curious. He carried the bamboo basket in one hand and pulled Yu Xingchen with the other.
Who would have thought that when the two of them were only five feet away from the old beggar's back, something happened that stunned them. It was as if a wall of air had appeared out of nowhere in front of them, blocking their way! What was even stranger was that other than the two of them, the others were not affected at all. They walked back and forth around them as if nothing had happened.
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