Eternal Saber-Chapter 244 - 29: Farewell

Elder Qu looked at the blade close at hand, his expression fluctuating.

He had long heard of Chen Tang’s fast saber.

At this distance, he was not entirely confident he could retreat unscathed.

Moreover, there was also a Third Grade Martial Artist, Li Yan, by the side!

Better to let him be arrogant for a few more days, no need to determine life and death at this moment.

Several thoughts flashed by, and Elder Qu snorted coldly, ignoring Chen Tang, he stood up and headed outside.

Seeing the other party showing weakness and leaving, Chen Tang did not stop him.

After all, there was no sufficient reason.

Moreover, if a fight truly broke out, life and death would be uncertain.

Driving the opponent away was achieving the goal.

As he reached the door and gained some distance, Elder Qu turned sideways, gave Chen Tang a deep look, and sneered, "The grasshopper after autumn, let’s see how long you can jump!"

Chen Tang said, "Don’t worry, when you’re buried, I’ll go jump on your grave."

After all, coming from a previous life, he was unperturbed in banter.

This one sentence almost choked Elder Qu.

Elder Qu gained no advantage, said nothing, and left with a flick of his sleeves.

Seeing the person walk far, Li Yan stood up and said, "Lord Chen, thank you so much."

"Uncle Li, just call me Chen Tang."

Chen Tang smiled, "I don’t care about those formalities."

Li Yan had long noticed a hint of the unruly spirit of Jianghu about Chen Tang, and upon hearing this, he did not insist further. However, he showed a worried expression and said, "Chen Tang, Elder Qu will likely harbor an even greater grudge against you in the future."

"It’s no big deal."

Chen Tang was completely indifferent.

He had already offended the Profound Celestial Sect Leader, offending another elder was insignificant.

When you have too many fleas, the itch doesn’t bother you.

Chen Tang asked, "Did you say earlier you were traveling far away?"

Li Yan gave a wry smile and said, "Actually, I just went back to Liangzhou, also to avoid the people of the Profound Celestial Sect."

Chen Tang frowned and asked, "Did they come looking for Uncle Li many times?"

"Yes."

Li Yan said, "They kept urging me to join the Profound Celestial Sect, and I kept delaying and being vague. This time, Elder Qu visited personally; if you hadn’t intervened, I’d likely not have been able to evade."

Chen Tang asked, "Uncle Li, do you not believe in the Profound Celestial Sect’s practices?"

"I can’t say I believe completely."

Li Yan pondered, "I don’t want to join the Profound Celestial Sect mainly because once you enter, you’ll be bound by the sect’s rules. If you violate them, the Profound Celestial Sect can even bypass the Court to punish its members directly!"

Chen Tang nodded, "That’s also why His Holiness re-established the Daqian laws."

The Profound Celestial Sect’s influence on the Court was too extensive, from top to bottom; the Three Dukes, the four ministries, the nine ministers, and even the regional authorities and local officials—they infiltrated everywhere.

Speaking of Yuan Qingshan, Li Yan sighed, "His Holiness is a rare wise ruler. Since ascending the throne, he quelled rebellions, established the Qilin Bureau, appointed a Grand General, divided and aligned with the Four Great Clans, implemented new policies, and weakened the influence of the Profound Celestial Sect..."

"These series of actions had almost no flaws, but unfortunately... a solar eclipse ruined everything."

Chen Tang remained silent.

During his time in the Capital City, the more he learned about the Profound Celestial Sect, the more he could feel its terrifying power!

In his view, even without the astronomical phenomenon of a solar eclipse, Yuan Qingshan might not have been able to contend with the Profound Celestial Sect.

The power struggles in this world differ greatly from those in his previous life.

Peak Martial Artists play a crucial role in power struggles!

Yuan Qingshan lacked personal military strength, with only Murong Daoye by his side to rely on.

Chen Tang asked, "Why haven’t I seen Junqing and the others?"

Li Yan said, "When I took up my post in the Capital, I only brought Zhongmou with me, while Shuhu went to roam Jianghu, Bo Xiong and Junqing both stayed back in Liangzhou Longxi..."

Chen Tang appeared pensive.

Li Yan observed and said, "I’m sure you can guess, nominally, I left Bo Xiong and Junqing in Liangzhou to raise livestock and breed warhorses for Qian Country, but in truth, it was to leave a retreat path for the Li Family."

That was indeed what Chen Tang had just been thinking.

Before the great battle in Wu’an County, Li Yan had already arranged a fallback for Li Junqing and the others.

If he had died in battle, his siblings would retreat to Liangzhou Longxi.

Unexpectedly, Li Yan was so cautious, leaving for Liangzhou upon being promoted to Minister of the Imperial Stables, yet he kept two children in Liangzhou.

It seems this elder could sense the undercurrents of the Capital City before even arriving!

Li Yan said, "Some time ago, Zhongmou and I returned to Longxi, and I left him there too."

Chen Tang immediately understood.

Li Yan must have seen the crisis in the Capital City.

As one of the nine ministers, he had to stay in the Capital but chose to leave all his children in Longxi!

Li Yan paused for a moment and reminded, "Chen Tang, you don’t seem to be someone who is greedy for power. If there’s a chance, you should resign and leave the Capital."

Li Yan had great appreciation for Chen Tang.

Moreover, Junqing still had him in her thoughts.

Li Yan genuinely didn’t want to see Chen Tang trapped in the Capital, becoming a casualty of the struggle between the royal power and the Profound Celestial Sect.

"Mm."

Chen Tang said nothing, "I came this time intending to discreetly send Thunder Leopard out through the Capital’s South Gate. Does Uncle have a way?"

"That’s easy, leave it to me."

Li Yan’s eyes lit up, knowing Chen Tang was already considering leaving; he didn’t ask further and agreed readily.

Chen Tang went to find Thunder Leopard, whispered a few words into its ear, and then bid farewell to Li Yan.

"Uncle, take care of yourself."

Chen Tang bowed in respect.

Li Yan said, "If you ever encounter difficult times in the future, come to Liangzhou Longxi, as long as the Li Family exists, there will always be a place for you."

Chen Tang thanked him and turned to leave.

Back at Prince Wei’s Mansion.

In the deep of night, Yuan Qingmo returned with a weary look.

These days, the Qilin Bureau had numerous affairs, involving many forces just with the punishment of corrupt officials embezzling funds and supplies, including some noble families.

Seeing Chen Tang awake and waiting for him in the yard, Yuan Qingmo was momentarily stunned.

"What’s up?" 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Yuan Qingmo asked.

Chen Tang smiled, "It’s nothing, if you have the chance, call Changsun Ming, and let’s have a drink."

"Alright, too tired today, another day..."

Yuan Qingmo’s voice paused.

In the night, he stared at Chen Tang for a moment, remained silent, seemed to have realized something, and turned to leave, saying, "I’ll go call him now."

It wasn’t long before Changsun Ming arrived.

"Heigou, Brother Chen, are the two of you craving for drinks?"

As soon as he entered, Changsun Ming complained, "Dragging me here so late, and I’m still not fully healed, my master won’t let me drink."

Yuan Qingmo brought out a few jars of wine from the room, saying, "Then you watch the two of us drink."

After saying that, he opened one of the jars and handed it to Chen Tang.

The two exchanged a smile and took a hearty swig.

Changsun Ming looked at Yuan Qingmo, then at Chen Tang, and suddenly asked, "Brother Chen, are you leaving?"

Chen Tang smiled and nodded.

Between the three of them, some things need not be said, as they already understand each other at heart.

Changsun Ming didn’t say a word, reached for a jar of wine, opened the seal, tilted his head back, and drank, paying no heed to the wine spilling on his chest.

"Drink less."

Yuan Qingmo frowned.

Changsun Ming casually wiped his mouth with his sleeve and laughed, "We must drink to our heart’s content today! Hah, you guys don’t know, I’ve craved this for so long!"

"Heigou, get us some side dishes, can’t just drink like this!"

"Peanuts, perhaps?"

"Too bad Qingcheng isn’t here; I wonder how that woman is doing now."

"If she heard you call her a woman, she’d surely fight you."

"Ha, not afraid at all; let her come to the Capital and find me!"