Firmament Sword

Huangfu Haoran raised an eyebrow slightly, lifting his head to glance at Wei Feng.

Huangfu Haoran was indeed somewhat surprised by this matter. To think there was such a powerful Martial Artist in the Imperial Capital—outside of the Imperial Palace, no less. He was not only shocked but also a little annoyed.

He didn’t doubt Wei Feng’s loyalty, but the fact that such a powerful Martial Artist existed in the Imperial Capital while he himself was kept in the dark... It truly left a bitter taste in his mouth.

’The target was the Xu brothers. What if they had come for me instead? Caught off guard, could I have escaped?’

As Wei Feng spoke, he carefully observed the Emperor’s expression. He knew in his heart that if this matter wasn’t explained thoroughly, it would surely plant a seed of doubt in the Emperor’s mind.

Even if the Emperor still needed him to keep the Xu Family in check, he would never be trusted as he was before.

”The sect Leng Yu Lian belongs to has always been split into two factions. These two factions have fought for the position of Sect Leader for many years...”

Wei Feng continued with a soft sigh, ”A few years ago, the faction opposing Leng Yu Lian gained the upper hand, so they took over the Fengyue Building. That was when the young lady named Phoenix was in charge... However, it seems there have been some recent changes within the sect, and as a result, the manager of the Fengyue Building has become Leng Yu Lian’s disciple.”

Huangfu Haoran was getting a bit lost in the convoluted details and glared at Wei Feng. ”Get to the point.”

”Yes...” Wei Feng acknowledged, then said, ”Leng Yu Lian’s disciple, Crystal, became the manager of Fengyue Building. Naturally, the opposing faction within their sect was displeased, so they sent people to try and assassinate Crystal, the manager of Fengyue Building...”

”What does this have to do with the assassination attempt on the Xu brothers?” Huangfu Haoran narrowed his eyes, a glint of displeasure flashing within them as he stared at Wei Feng.

”It’s like this. Crystal has always been a recluse, not to mention she’s surrounded by many guards and is skilled in the art of disguise. It’s extremely difficult for her opponents to find her. So, they turned their attention to Xu Luo...”

”Utter nonsense!” Huangfu Haoran looked at Wei Feng with some disappointment and sneered, ”Do you take me for a fool? Don’t I know that kid Xu Luo is on very good terms with Phoenix, the previous manager of Phoenix Tower? Since they’re from Phoenix’s side, why would they possibly try to assassinate Xu Luo? Wei Feng... is *this* the explanation you have for me?”

Wei Feng’s heart skipped a beat, but he quickly composed himself and said with a bitter smile, ”Your Majesty, this subject is not lying. It is precisely because of this relationship that the expert went to assassinate Xu Luo!”

”Explain,” Huangfu Haoran said, looking at Wei Feng.

”Although Xu Luo has a good relationship with Phoenix, he is unwilling to get involved in the internal affairs of a sect. After all, one misstep in such matters can get you utterly destroyed. I believe anyone with a bit of sense would not meddle in a sect’s affairs so easily.”

Wei Feng continued, ”That’s why that person went to assassinate Xu Luo. In truth, the assassination was just a pretense; the real goal was to frame someone! Moreover, this move could kill two birds with one stone. Your Majesty, think about it. The assassin’s strength surpasses that of a Sword Venerable and has reached a higher level. With that kind of power, how could a Martial Artist possibly fail in an attempt to assassinate the Xu Luo brothers?”

”Putting aside whether your reasoning holds up, how do you know all this in such detail...?”

Huangfu Haoran looked at Wei Feng. ”Just speaking of the Xu brothers’ Martial Arts Cultivation... I’ve heard that their strength is already quite formidable!”

Wei Feng nodded and said with a frank expression, ”It’s true that the brothers are both very strong, but there is no way they could be a match for an existence beyond the level of a Sword Venerable!”

”Continue,” Huangfu Haoran said, his eyelids drooping as if he were getting sleepy.

But Wei Feng, who was very familiar with the Emperor’s temperament, knew this was a sign of His Majesty’s extreme displeasure with him!

However, having come this far, Wei Feng could only brace himself and continue.

”By assassinating the Xu Luo brothers, the culprit could, first, provoke Xu Luo. Since Xu Luo has always been on bad terms with Crystal of Fengyue Building, this would give him a reason to act against them. Second, it could frame the Sixth Prince, which in turn... would make the Xu Family dissatisfied with Your Majesty...”

Wei Feng spoke in a grave voice, looking at the Emperor with a pained expression. ”Your Majesty, as for why this old subject knows these details so clearly, it is all due to my own history with Fengyue Building! This old subject knows Your Majesty has suspicions, but I truly did not do this... I beg Your Majesty to see the truth!”

”Wei Feng, you and I have known each other... for so many years. I have always held you in high regard.”

Huangfu Haoran lifted his head and looked at Wei Feng, speaking slowly. ”Often, even when you’ve done something wrong, I... have not blamed you. You and I, though sovereign and subject in name, are like friends in reality. If there is anyone in this world... who could be my confidant, it would be none other than you, Wei Feng!”

Wei Feng’s eyes reddened. He fell to his knees, his voice choked with emotion. ”Your Majesty’s grace in recognizing this subject’s worth is a debt I can never repay. I can only offer my life and serve you faithfully...”

”Rise,” Huangfu Haoran said with a soft sigh. ”It’s not that I suspect you of anything. It’s just that this matter is far too strange. Even I broke out in a cold sweat when I heard about it. Luckily, Xu Luo and Xu Su were fortunate enough to escape with their lives. Otherwise, if something had really happened to them... Wei Feng, do you think Xu Ji would have let you off?”

”This old subject truly... is genuinely wronged!” Wei Feng said with reddened eyes and a bitter smile. ”The world knows this old subject is on bad terms with the Xu Family, but something like this... to be honest with Your Majesty... even if I wanted to do it... I lack the ability!”

”And it is for that very reason that I am willing to believe you.” Huangfu Haoran gave Wei Feng a deep look and said, ”You may return. I will bear the weight of this matter for you. Just don’t let me be disappointed in you again!”

A wave of emotion surged through Wei Feng’s chest. For a moment, he almost wanted to admit he had done it, but years of experience allowed him to suppress the feeling.

’Even if the Emperor is already convinced in his heart that I did it, I cannot admit it!’

’Otherwise, even if the Emperor doesn’t hold it against me now, what about the future? Who could guarantee that at some point down the line, His Majesty wouldn’t bring this up again?’

’Don’t be moved by the Emperor’s words now. Wei Feng knew perfectly well that once the Emperor turned on someone, he was absolutely ruthless!’

Lifting his head, Wei Feng wiped the cold sweat from his brow, bowed, and took his leave, feeling a sense of relief in his heart.

’It wasn’t that my explanation was particularly good. It was simply that, first, the Emperor truly had no evidence connecting me to this; and second... the Emperor still needs me!’

’This means that even if the Emperor isn’t greatly dissatisfied with the Xu Family, he still remains wary of them!’

’As long as the Emperor maintains this cautious attitude toward the Xu Family, my Wei Family can continue to flourish!’

’However, this incident has probably offended the Sixth Prince beyond repair. He’ll definitely suspect me later. It seems... I must find a way in the future to ensure he never sits on the throne...’

As these thoughts ran through his mind, Wei Feng stepped out of the Imperial Palace. Outside, he looked up at the azure sky, took a deep breath, and paused for a moment before finally boarding his carriage and departing.

Inside the Imperial Study, Huangfu Haoran frowned slightly and mumbled to himself, ”Did he really do it? In all these years, I’ve never... heard of him having an expert of such strength by his side.”

A voice, old and faint, seemed to drift out of the air itself. ”In all these years, throughout the entire Imperial Capital, only Young Master Feng... is someone I cannot see through and dare not provoke... Other than him, I truly haven’t discovered any hidden experts at the Sword King Realm.”

”If he had nothing to do with it, why would he proactively come to me with an explanation?” Huangfu Haoran said.

”Everyone would suspect him for this. Only he has sufficient reason to want to eliminate the Xu brothers.”

”But if he had nothing to do with it, he would have ignored it and let others accuse him. At a critical moment, he would have surely erupted and used this incident to his advantage somehow. But he didn’t... Instead, he came to me to explain at the first opportunity...” Huangfu Haoran frowned slightly.

The old voice said, ”If even Your Majesty thinks so, then everyone else probably thinks the same. However, this matter is indeed strange. How could an expert of that caliber be driven to do another’s bidding so willingly?”

”Even if he’s not directly involved, there must be an indirect connection. I refuse to believe that Xiaoliu has such an expert by his side, especially since Xiaoliu is the biggest victim in this matter.” Huangfu Haoran then sighed softly. ”Speaking of which, the Xu brothers... it seems... they’re truly becoming a bit... difficult to control!”

”Your Majesty, shall I...” the old voice asked softly.

”No. Xu Ji is loyal to me, and I can’t alienate him. Although the Xu brothers are powerful and difficult to control, as long as they don’t get involved in political affairs, I... won’t hold it against them,” Huangfu Haoran said, a hint of exhaustion on his face.

”Rest assured, Your Majesty. With me here, no one in this Imperial Capital can harm you in the slightest!” the old voice said, full of confidence.

Huangfu Haoran nodded lightly.

「...」

”Xu Luo, are you all right?” Su Qianqian sat by Xu Luo’s bed, looking at him lying there with a somewhat pale face, a flicker of worry in her eyes.

Xu Luo shook his head. ”I’m fine, just some minor internal injuries. I’ll be better in a few days. That guy was incredibly strong. If you hadn’t scared him off, I’m afraid we would have all been in trouble.”

”That person must be from an Ancient Race!” Su Qianqian said with certainty. ”It’s not that there are no experts at the Sword King Realm in the sects, but the Sword Kings in sects are either a Sect Leader or... a highly respected Elder. They almost never enter the secular world. Only the Ancient Races would have such Sword Kings roaming the mortal plane.”

”What’s the Ancient Race?” Xu Luo asked.

Su Qianqian hesitated for a moment, then said softly, ”If I tell you, you absolutely cannot go spreading it around. Otherwise, we’ll both be in huge trouble.”

Xu Luo nodded.

Su Qianqian said, ”This world is vast, divided into four continents. The one we are on now is called the Central Plains Star Continent. To the south, there is another continent about the same size, called the Southern Celestial Divine Continent. I imagine you already know this.”

”I know. The Southern Celestial Divine Continent is extremely far from the Central Plains Star Continent, separated by a vast ocean,” Xu Luo said. ”But to think there are other continents besides these two... that... I didn’t know.”

Su Qianqian glanced at Xu Luo and chuckled lightly. ”It’s perfectly normal that you don’t know. In fact, many sects might not even be aware that those two other continents exist.”

”Oh?” Xu Luo looked at Su Qianqian, a little surprised.