Chapter 260: Chapter 243: Why should I, Chen Yuan, explain my actions to others in my life! Chapter 260: Chapter 243: Why should I, Chen Yuan, explain my actions to others in my life! Xu Lingtian saw this and smiled:
âIt was not a wasted trip. Xu came here to the Heavenly Patrol Bureau this time because he has gathered some evidence and would like to ask Chen Yuan, the Patrol Envoy of the Heavenly Patrol Bureau, for a face-to-face confrontation.
What does Lord Tao think?â
Upon hearing this, Tao Qingyuan furrowed his brows and his expression quickly turned cold:
âWhat is Sect Leader Xu implying? How has the search for a criminal implicated the Heavenly Patrol Bureau? Donât you find that absurd?â
âLord Tao, do not be hasty. Xu merely has some questions to ask.â Xu Lingtian said solemnly.
Tao Qingyuan then sneered coldly:
âSect Leader Xu wants to interrogate a court official? Who gave you the authority? The Dragon Tiger Sect is being too presumptuous. Is Nanling Prefecture theirs to command!â
Xu Yongnian seemed to have anticipated Tao Qingyuanâs reaction, tapping his fingers on the tabletop:
âLord Tao, the world belongs to the court, and you should not casually ascribe any crime to the Dragon Tiger Sect. We mean no harm; we merely wish to make friends with Envoy Chen.
It is said that Chen Yuan is a once-in-thirty-years genius in Nanling Prefecture, and I have long heard of him, naturally wanting to see for myself.â
âBrother Xu, is that really so?â
Tao Qingyuanâs gaze lingered on Xu Yongnian for a moment.
âLord Tao, do you think not?â
âHeheâŠâ
Tao Qingyuan chuckled softly, and suddenly, a voice came from outside, and a Heavenly Patrol Guard walked into the hall, bowing and saying:
âMy lord, Envoy Chen requests an audience.â
With a flash of his eyes, Tao Qingyuan said with a smile:
âItâs quite a coincidence; let Envoy Chen come in.â
He wasnât surprised at all. Given Chen Yuanâs current status, many within the Heavenly Patrol Bureau wanted to ingratiate themselves with him, and his spies were spread throughout the bureau.
Dressed in Black Cloud Clothing and holding a Yan Ling Saber, Chen Yuanâs entire figure was strikingly heroic. He was tall and slim with a calm complexion, slowly entering the Heavenly Patrol Hall with Yue Shan.
His presence was extraordinary.
As he entered, Xu Yongnian and Xu Lingtian fixed their gazes firmly on Chen Yuan without moving, their eyes meeting as if conveying some message.
Xu Yongnianâs eyebrows slightly furrowed. Perhaps it was because he had presupposed from what Xu Lingtian had said that the culprit was Chen Yuan. Upon seeing him now, there indeed was a strange sense of familiarity.
A personâs stature can change and appearance can be disguised, but it is difficult to hide oneâs aura.
Chen Yuan approached Tao Qingyuan with an emotionless face and bowed slightly:
âThis humble official, Chen Yuan, greets you, my lord.â
âThis humble official, Yue Shan, greets you, my lord.â
Tao Qingyuan nodded and gestured slightly with his hand for Chen Yuan to rise, saying:
âWhat brings you here?â
âNothing important, I just wanted to have a casual chat with you, my lord.â Chen Yuan casually fabricated an excuse.
âYou sure are at leisure.â
Tao Qingyuan pointed at Chen Yuan and laughed.
Standing nearby, Xu Lingtian was inwardly moved. From the attitudes between Chen Yuan and Tao Qingyuan, it was not hard to see that the two seemed to have reached a state practically equal,
with only Tao Qingyuan holding a slightly higher official position.
What was most important was that Tao Qingyuan also didnât say much, seemingly agreeing with this mode of interaction.
The rumors were indeed true; Chen Yuan was highly regarded by Tao Qingyuan and was intentionally being nurtured.
Chen Yuan smiled, his gaze briefly lingering on Xu Lingtian and Xu Yongnian. He had met Xu Yongnian once before, but this was his first meeting with Xu Lingtian.
Yet Chen Yuan was not unfamiliar with him.
Back in Pingâan County, he had already heard about him numerous times from Zhao Nanshan and even had his portrait in hand, which matched the rumors fairly closely.
In his middle years, yet showing no signs of aging, dressed in a Qing robe, his presence was extraordinary.
Whereas Xu Yongnian had white hair and a sallow complexion, despite his remarkable aura, he was indeed, as the rumors said, not far from death.
âWho are these two?â
Chen Yuanâs eyes held scrutiny as he feigned ignorance.
âThis is Sect Leader Xu Lingtian of the Dragon Tiger Sect, and this is the former Sect Leader Xu Yongnian.â
Tao Qingyuan introduced them with a wave of his hand.
âSo these are the gentlemen from the Dragon Tiger Sect, a name long admired. Iâm curious why theyâre not pursuing the mysterious powerhouse who tore through the Dragon Tiger Sect previously. Is there something that brings you to the Heavenly Patrol Bureau?â Chen Yuan nodded, his gaze at the two sharp.
Tao Qingyuanâs lips couldnât help but tighten at the sight.
That Chen YuanâŠ
Xu Yongnian remained silent, his gaze slightly cold, while Xu Lingtian took a deep breath and forced a smile, saying:
âWe have some clues about the whereabouts of that mysterious powerhouse. Xu came here this time to ask for the Heavenly Patrol Bureauâs assistance in capturing him.â
âIs that so? Thatâs easy to discuss. As long as the conditions set by the Dragon Tiger Sect are sincere, Iâm sure my lord wonât be stingy,â Chen Yuan chuckled lightly.
âThat would indeed be best.â
Xu Lingtian stood up, his gaze intent as he looked at Chen Yuan and said:
âThat day, a thief caused a great disturbance at my Dragon Tiger Sect. His cultivation was merely at Heavenly Gang level, yet he could fight on par with someone at Reach Profound level. His movement technique is incredibly fast, his disposition ruthless, and his saber technique unmatched. He knows the landscape and tactical layout near Nanling Prefecture like the back of his hand. Envoy Chen, what are your thoughts on this individual?â
Chen Yuan raised his eyebrows, surprised:
âA Heavenly Gang cultivator fighting on par with Reach Profound, with exceptional disposition, swift movement technique, and fierce saber technique? Could there indeed be such a formidable person in Nanling Prefecture? If found, I would indeed like to meet him.â
Xu Lingtian: âEnvoy Chen really knows how to play dumb.â
âWhat do you mean by that, Sect Leader Xu?â
Xu Lingtian, with folded arms, calmly said:
âThroughout Nanling Prefecture and even the entire Qingzhou State Domain, there are few who fit the criteria Iâve just described. Within Nanling Prefecture, perhaps only Envoy Chen himself does.â