FVN Chapter 230 The Competition Between Shui Miaozheng and Ling Ye
Chapter 230 The Competition Between Shui Miaozheng and Ling Ye
Chapter 231 The Competition Between Shui Miaozheng and Ling Ye (Second Update)
Divine Sword Sect, Sword Tomb Forbidden Ground.
The once-renowned sword-forging holy land, teeming with sword energy, is now shrouded in a deathly silence.
He Shan'er, the matriarch of the Divine Sword Sect, sat alone on the cold stone platform.
Like a sculpture.
Those eyes, which usually sparkled with charm, were now somewhat vacant, as if they had lost their focus.
"Clatter".
A soft sound broke the silence of the cave.
In a crevice in the rock of the cave's dome, a small paper figure, soaked in blood, drifted down unsteadily.
It fell into the pool of blood.
He Shan'er's beautiful eyes shifted slightly.
It's like a stiff wooden doll that has been infused with a bit of life and come alive.
Just then, a figure rushed in in a panic.
The person who arrived was none other than Cao Renqi, the nominal leader of the Divine Sword Sect.
Ever since his good brother Yuan Wugen was ruthlessly killed by He Shan'er to prove his Dao.
Based on the great chivalrous principle of "treating one's brother as one's own flesh and blood, and treating one's brother's woman as one's own flesh and blood," Cao Renqi resolutely stepped forward.
He took over the responsibility of caring for the widow and her orphan in place of his deceased brother.
He then naturally married his brother's wife, who was still quite attractive.
However, this is because his own abilities are limited.
At home, he's more like a transparent husband, with no presence whatsoever.
"Shan'er! Shan'er!"
Cao Renqi stumbled to the stone platform, his legs buckled, and he nearly collapsed to his knees, his face filled with terror. "My father-in-law—he's dead!"
To his surprise, He Shan'er showed no reaction upon hearing the news of her father's death.
There was no sadness, no shock, not even a flicker of an eyelid.
She just sat there quietly.
It was as if I was hearing something trivial that had nothing to do with me.
"Shan'er? Are you—are you alright?"
Cao Renqi was puzzled by his wife's unusual behavior.
"go out."
He Shan'er finally spoke.
His tone was icy cold, devoid of any emotion.
Feeling the biting cold emanating from the woman, Cao Renqi shivered, dared not say another word, and quickly bowed and withdrew from the sword tomb.
The cave returned to silence.
He Shan'er remained seated, motionless, like a statue.
At that moment, a small, blue, infant-shaped hand covered with strange patterns suddenly emerged from beneath the stone platform.
It climbed upwards little by little.
Finally, it landed on the woman's slender, supple waist.
It began to slowly caress and wander.
"Hehehe—"
From below the stone platform came a childish yet sinister laugh: "No one in the world is more stupid than He Qingyang."
Jiang Mu returned home and summoned the two maids, Duanmu Li and Yuan Aqing, to his side.
"Ah Li, Ah Qing."
Jiang Mu earnestly instructed the two girls, "I might have to go on a long trip. This time, I estimate it will take ten days to half a month before I come back."
"While I'm away, you two take good care of yourselves. If you encounter any troubles you can't handle, don't try to tough it out; go directly to the Demon Slayer Division and find Master Ran and the others."
Bai Xiang should be back in the next day or two at the latest. Once she's back, the family will have someone to rely on.
"Yes, sir. Ah Qing will practice her sword diligently at home and wait for your return."
Yuan Aqing nodded her little head vigorously, looking very obedient.
Duanmu Li, standing to the side, frowned her delicate eyebrows and stared intently at Jiang Mu, saying, "I want to go with you."
"Where are you going!"
Jiang Mu gave the girl a light tap on the head, annoyed. "I'm going out on official business this time, not for sightseeing."
And the higher-ups certainly wouldn't allow me to run around with someone.
You just stay home obediently, practice your swordsmanship until you're good, and take good care of Ah Qing for me.
If I come back and find that Ah Qing has lost an ounce of weight, I'll hold you responsible.
Did you hear me?
"oh."
Upon hearing Jiang Mu's resolute refusal, Duanmu Li's already expressionless face immediately fell.
Seeing the girl's aggrieved look, Jiang Mu said, "Alright, stop looking so down. I have good news for you. He Qingyang is dead. He was killed by General Shangguan, the garrison commander."
This can be considered as indirectly avenging your grandfather and your Heavenly Blade Sect for their blood feud.
"He Qingyang is dead?!"
Duanmu Li raised her head, her cool eyes suddenly widening.
Jiang Mu nodded: "It's absolutely true, I saw it with my own eyes."
The girl stood there, stunned and incredulous.
After a long while, she gradually came to her senses and clenched her small fists hanging at her sides.
"pity--"
Duanmu Li gritted her teeth and said hatefully, "I didn't manage to skin that old dog alive with my own hands, that was too good for him!"
Jiang Mu gently patted the girl's thin shoulder and comforted her in a gentle voice: "If you feel that you haven't gotten over this anger, then when I come back after I finish my business this time, I will take you to fight against the Divine Sword Sect."
"Clean up all the remnants of the He family, consider it venting your anger, how about it?"
"it is good."
A sharp glint flashed in the girl's eyes.
Jiang Mu dismissed the two girls and returned to his study, where he recorded the suspicious details about the corpses.
In any case, the biggest threat is now completely dead.
At least, they no longer have to spend their days anxiously figuring out how to pack their bags and escape Huzhou City with their entire family.
Right now, the person he cares about most is the monk Gui Kuhai.
This bald monk is currently missing, and we don't know where he's hiding in some dark sewer, continuing to plot his schemes.
Especially what exactly is that evil infant?
Jiang Mu felt uneasy.
"However, General Shangguan, the garrison commander, has recovered his cultivation, so he shouldn't have anything to fear."
"But how did this woman regain her cultivation?"
"That's so strange."
Jiang Mu couldn't quite understand it.
the other side.
Ran Qingshan rushed back to the main office, and before he could even sit down, Zhou Yuanzhi walked straight in.
The woman's cold, alluring eyes were fixed on Ran Qingshan. Without even a polite greeting, she went straight to the point and asked, "Manager Ran, I have a question for you now."
Did you know beforehand that Shangguan Luoxue's cultivation had recovered?
Ran Qingshan was taken aback, then realized why the other party had come to question him.
Zhou Yuanzhi has been making so many moves in Huzhou City, supporting He Qingyang and secretly investigating other candidates.
Isn't it because they believe Shangguan Luoxue is already useless?
Now that they've made a full recovery and are back in force, isn't this just like slapping Zhou Yuanzhi in the face in public?
As the local official in charge, Ran Qingshan could not possibly have been unaware of the situation.
Therefore, the woman felt that Ran Qingshan was deliberately concealing the truth and making a fool of her.
Ran Qingshan gave a wry smile and sincerely explained, "Lord Zhou, you have wronged me."
If I had known earlier that the Garrison Commander had regained his strength, how could I have withstood such immense pressure these past two days and sent several letters to the Capital Command opposing the inclusion of He Qingyang as a candidate?
I was truly kept in the dark, and I only just found out.
He poured Zhou Yuanzhi a cup of tea, and then his tone changed again, saying lightly, "However, Lord Zhou, let's put aside these misunderstandings and concealments."
For our Huzhou City, and even for the entire Daqing Dynasty, General Shangguan being able to recover his peak strength at the twelfth realm is absolutely the best outcome.
With her, this "goddess of the human world," continuing to govern Huzhou, it's much better than those guys like He Qingyang.
Isn't this exactly what the imperial court wants to see?
Hearing the complaints and dissatisfaction in Ran Qingshan's tone, Zhou Yuanzhi sighed softly. How could she not know this principle?
However, from the perspective of the central government and from her position as the chief inspector, the nature of this matter is by no means so simple.
That being said—
Zhou Yuanzhi walked to the window, looked at the gloomy sky outside, and said with a sense of helplessness and worry, "Shangguan Luoxue's actions clearly show that she harbors resentment and dissatisfaction towards the court."
Ran Qingshan said irritably, "The imperial court was indeed too hasty in handling this matter."
Before the person had even completely died, they were already impatiently looking for another job. Who wouldn't feel resentful in that situation?
Zhou Yuanzhi said bitterly, "The court is indeed in the wrong, so it's understandable that she has grievances."
It's a pity that because of this farce, the imperial court lost three powerful cultivators who were willing to serve.
Especially someone like He Qingyang, sometimes he's even more useful—
Ran Qingshan chuckled inwardly.
Someone like He Qingyang, if you really support him, he'll probably be the first to turn against you, he'll be a complete traitor, he'll never be loyal to you.
However, he did have a guess.
Shangguan Luoxue deliberately kept quiet, partly because her cultivation hadn't fully recovered from the previous few days and she couldn't guarantee anything.
Secondly, they might also be looking for a reason to kill He Qingyang.
After all, if the court had spoken up in advance, it would have made He Qingyang give up. If they had intervened forcibly, it would have been harder for Shangguan Luoxue to kill him.
He Qingyang is courting death, so no one dares to say anything if we just kill him.
Incidentally, it can also free up a star position for my master.
While Ran Qingshan was secretly grumbling, Zhou Yuanzhi suddenly said, "Chief Ran, there is one more thing."
The deaths of He Qingyang and that tenth-realm powerhouse have created two vacant star positions at the Venerable level.
Ran Qingshan felt a chill run down his spine and remained silent.
Zhou Yuanzhi sat in the chair, her jade fingers tapping lightly on the table. "These two empty constellation positions are the [Bi Yue Wu] of the Western White Tiger constellation and the [Dou Mu Xie] of the Northern Black Tortoise constellation."
That Water Master, and the Inspector Ling.
The star positions they both attained were both within the [Bi Yue Wu] system.
Therefore, given this opportunity, the two of them could only try to seize the position of the [Bi Yue Wu] Venerable One.
But—
Zhou Yuanzhi's red lips curled slightly, revealing a hint of mockery. "Although Shui Miaozheng's foundation is quite good, she is still one star pill short of collecting all the Star Pills under the [Bi Yue Wu] system."
If everything goes smoothly for her trip to the capital's headquarters, and she manages to obtain the opportunity to replenish her Star Core—
Perhaps then she would be qualified to compete with the others, and even with that Inspector Ling, for the position of Venerable Elder.
Ran Qingshan had a strange expression.
He knew what Shui Miaozheng's star position was, but this was the first time he had ever learned about Ling Ye's star position.
Unexpectedly, these two women were destined to be mortal enemies.
However, since Ling Ye had forcibly ascended to the twelfth realm, the star pills she collected at the beginning were still useful.
In this way, there is no need to compete and fight with others.
Ran Qingshan didn't know which Star Pill Shui Miaozheng was missing. But since they were going to the capital, it meant they could get it this time.
Next, the two women went to snatch it.
Zhou Yuanzhi suppressed her smile and continued, "Ran Qingshan, the star position you have attained is under the [Doumu Xie] system."
So the commander asked me to personally tell you that you should set off immediately tomorrow morning for the secret realm called "Dongchuan Cliff".
At that time, the Commander-in-Chief will allocate resources and manpower to try and get you to compete for the Venerable Star Position of the [Doumu Xie]!
"What? You want me to go?!"
Ran Qingshan's eyes widened as he pointed at himself.
He was stunned for several seconds before he seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world and said self-deprecatingly, "Lord Zhou, don't the officials in the General Headquarters know my own situation?"
Going there would be pointless, it's a waste of time.
Looking at Ran Qingshan, who seemed somewhat resigned to his fate, Zhou Yuanzhi said, "This is a direct order from the Chief Commander of the Capital. You have to go, whether you like it or not."
Opportunities are mysterious and unpredictable; who can say for sure?
What if, by sheer luck, the auspicious star position of "Doumu Xie" just happens to fall on your head?
Her tone softened slightly. "Besides, this isn't just about your personal future; it's part of the Commander-in-Chief's grand strategy. Just obey orders."
Ran Qingshan complained, "Elder Tian is still in the capital and hasn't returned yet. If I leave too, who will take care of the Demon Slaying Division in Huzhou City?"
Zhou Yuanzhi picked up her teacup, blew on the tea leaves, and said casually, "I forgot to tell you, the higher-ups have made a new decision. Tian Wenjing has been transferred to the position of deputy head of the Yancheng Demon Slaying Division and will take office immediately. He won't need to return to Huzhou City."
Ran Qingshan was dumbfounded: "If Elder Tian isn't coming back, who will be the deputy commander of Huzhou City?"
Zhou Yuanzhi smiled slightly: "As for the daily affairs of the Demon Slaying Division in Huzhou City, the arrangements have already been made."
During your journey to the secret realm to compete for a star position, your younger sister, Ran Chun'er, will temporarily assume the position of head of the Demon Slaying Division in Huzhou City, and will be fully responsible for all affairs, large and small, within the city.
"What?!"
Ran Qingshan's voice suddenly rose several octaves, his eyes widening, "Are you all crazy? You actually let her take over Huzhou City?"
This left him no choice but to lose his composure.
In high-level circles, everyone knows that Ran Qingshan and his half-sister Ran Chun'er have a deep-seated grudge and conflict.
The two were like oil and water.
Now, the commander-in-chief is actually taking advantage of his absence to send this woman he hates the most to Huzhou City.
Are you kidding me?
Zhou Yuanzhi took a sip of tea and said leisurely, "Manager Ran, please calm down."
I know that you two half-siblings have never gotten along and have deep-seated grudges between you.
However, this was a helpless move made after careful consideration.
After all, this is a time when manpower is needed, and the commander-in-chief highly approves of Ran Chun'er's abilities and methods.
Moreover—
Zhou Yuanzhi's smile was meaningful. "She's only here temporarily to take charge."
"As long as you focus on vying for the star position, regardless of success or failure, when you return, the headquarters will seriously consider and officially promote that kid named Jiang Mu to replace Tian Wenjing in the vacant position, making him the true deputy commander of Huzhou City."
Upon hearing this, Ran Qingshan, who was on the verge of losing his temper, immediately calmed down.
Although he was extremely reluctant to part with Old Tian.
but--
If it were Xiao Jiang, he wouldn't care if Old Tian went to the underworld.
Is this really true?
Ran Qingshan narrowed his eyes and stared at Zhou Yuanzhi.
"How could I, the Chief Inspector, possibly try to deceive you with something like this?" Zhou Yuanzhi sneered.
Ran Qingshan let out a sigh of relief.
For Xiao Jiang's future, I'll put up with it!
He put on a smiling face again and tentatively asked, "Lord Zhou, I wonder which secret realm the Commander-in-Chief plans to take Little Jiang to for intensive trials?"
Zhou Yuanzhi said, "You don't need to ask any more questions. The higher-ups have made thorough arrangements and will certainly not treat him unfairly."
However, he can't leave yet; I'll have to wait a couple more days.
"Do we have to wait?" Ran Qingshan was taken aback.
"right."
Zhou Yuanzhi said, "I need to wait for two more people to arrive and join us. Then I will personally lead the three of them to the trial grounds."
Upon hearing this, Ran Qingshan immediately understood.
It seems the commander-in-chief has found two more outstanding talents to go on the trial with Xiao Jiang.
They are also Xiao Jiang's competitors.
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