Chapter 1290: 645: Shocking! Identity Exposed! (Part 3)

Capítulo 1290: Chapter 645: Shocking! Identity Exposed! (Part 3)

Ling Xu showed no change in expression and continued:

“Master Chen was coerced into marriage by Jingtai in the Capital and openly confronted in the main hall. You wish to be loyal to the nation, but the Emperor thinks otherwise. A genius like you is both a blessing and a threat. If they don’t tie you down completely, the Emperor and the Sima Family won’t rest. There will be a battle between you. Is this not true?”

“The court has not wronged me, nor have I wronged the court.”

“If that is truly the case, why is Marquis already making preparations? The seven prefectures of Shuxi and Tangshan of Qingzhou—these are likely Marquis’s contingency plans, for times of future contention.”

“If Daoist Ling Xu insists on saying so, then I have no argument. But those who are clear stay clear, and those who are muddy stay muddy. The future will judge.” No matter how he probed, Chen Yuan refused to admit it.

“Marquis need not be anxious. Jianghu and the court are inherently estranged. Truth be told, Shu Shan does not support the Sima Family in ruling the world either.” Ling Xu Monarch slowly shook his head.

“If that is the case, why did Shu Shan lend a hand during the fall of the former Chu?” Chen Yuan didn’t believe the old man’s lies. According to what he knew, Shu Shan was among the forces dividing the former Chu.

It was precisely because of this that Shu Shan established its authority entirely in Shudong!

Before this, even though Shu Shan was an Immortal Sect, the former Chu court suppressed them heavily, far from their current transcendent state.

“How does Marquis know that Shu Shan didn’t help?” Daoist Ling Xu smiled faintly, standing with arms behind his back, a Divine Wheel in front of him, a trace of reminiscence flashing in his eyes.

“Could it be that Shu Shan helped the former Chu?”

“Shu Shan never owes favors. A thousand years ago, when Shu Shan was first established, the Grand Ancestor of the former Chu helped. That kindness was half repaid during the demon-slaying battle five hundred years ago, which greatly hurt Shu Shan’s Primordial Energy. Two hundred years ago, Shu Shan repaid the other half. Our Shu Shan Sword Immortal fell as the price to aid the Xiang Family once.”

“Could Daoist Ling Xu be deceiving me because I’m young and ignorant, using such words to trick me?” Whether from Second Uncle Chen Huaiyi or Senior Moluo, he never heard of Shu Shan aiding the former Chu two hundred years ago—only that Shu Shan’s power surged after the Chu’s fall.

They almost annexed the entire Shudong region, firmly establishing the reputation of Sword Sect Holy Land thereafter.

“What benefit would deceiving you bring the poor Daoist? Though unwilling to speak of it, it’s unavoidable now. Over two hundred years ago, a message was sent from the Immortals of the former Chu palace requesting aid, hoping Shu Shan would deploy fully to quell rebellion and offer half of Shuzhou as a price, naming Shu Shan the National Religion.”

“Then what happened?”

“The Immortal agreed, but to prevent Shu Shan from falling entirely into the flames of war, he left alone, and never returned, only leaving behind a broken sword that returned to the Sword Tomb.

No one in Jianghu ever heard of this, nor does anyone in the world know, but only the five elders of Shu Shan know the truth—we Shu Shan Sword Immortals would never live ignobly.

The Immortal Sword was shattered, indicating inevitable fall. Later, my master’s teacher weighed carefully, realizing the momentum couldn’t be reversed and that Shu Shan’s debt to Xiang was clear. Hence, we took advantage and bit off a piece from the Sima Family, secretly controlling Shudong. The Sima Family doesn’t know this; otherwise, they wouldn’t tolerate Shu Shan but would suppress it like Goddess Palace does. Though Marquis Wuan knows much, he naturally cannot know this secret.”

After Ling Xu had spoken, he turned to face Chen Yuan, his expression grave.

Chen Yuan weighed the truth of this matter in his heart, yet his face remained unchanged, saying lightly:

“I am the court-appointed Marquis. Daoist Ling Xu speaks such things in front of me—do you not fear this will reach His Majesty?”

“I do not fear.”

“Oh?”

“The battle at Liangshan has unsettled the world. The court has begun retracting its influence—the Southern Three States have already been abandoned and will become a land of chaos.

The court lacks the power to invade Shu Shan, and that was an ancient matter anyway. Even if you tell, I would expect the Emperor to feign ignorance. Besides, you wouldn’t speak of it.”

“Isn’t Daoist overconfident?” Chen Yuan sneered.

Ling Xu Monarch laughed softly, adding:

“Master Chen dares not enter Central State nowadays—how could you report this matter? Besides, Shu Shan has no intention of aiding the court, which is actually good for you.”

“I am an official of the court—why would I not dare enter Central State?”

Chen Yuan remained unmoved, not swayed by Ling Xu’s words.

“Must the poor Daoist say it?”

“Having spoken so far, it matters not whether you do. Speak directly.” Chen Yuan chuckled to see what other tricks the old man had.

Chen Yuan understood—since he entered Wuji Hall, Ling Xu Monarch had been steering him in this direction, intentionally or not, so even if he stopped him, Ling Xu would find a way to return to this topic.

Ling Xu Monarch said ‘good’ and seriously gazed at Chen Yuan:

“Because you are the Qilin Demon True Monarch of the Taoist Divine Palace who has repeatedly thwarted the court’s plans!”

“Boom!!!”

This statement was like thunder on flat ground, tightening Chen Yuan’s heart as he swiftly considered how his identity might have leaked when only a few in Jianghu knew it, none able to betray.

Ling Xu, the old bull-nose, was bluffing him!

Instantly, Chen Yuan grasped the hidden secret.

Gaze calm, he confronted Ling Xu Monarch:

“Utter nonsense! I swore irreconcilable enmity with Demon Dao—how could I be the Qilin Demon Daoist of the Taoist Divine Palace? My Cultivation is only Refining God; how could I match a True Monarch?

Even in weaving tales, Daoist should show some respect.”

“Who said Refining God cannot match True Monarch? Yang God True Monarchs can defy the heavens and defeat Immortals—as the greatest genius since Grand Ancestor Chu, and one who battles across levels, borrowing Qilin Divine Blood to rival True Monarch is indeed possible!”

Ling Xu Monarch spoke sternly.

“If Daoist continues such ridiculous talk, then I can only bid farewell.”