Chapter 246: Time Changes and the World Alters

The two female leads were both taken away, so the celebratory drinks were off.

Lu Xingzhou also went to the Demon Suppressing Division, taking Anu with him. He participated in the “autopsy” as both the victim of the assassination attempt and an alchemist.

Ordinarily, these roles wouldn't qualify him to participate in an autopsy. But he had another special identity… The editor-in-chief, Sheng, had been dragged back and beaten just moments before, his screams still ringing in everyone's ears. Whether this "blondie" would be punished or worse was up to the Chief; others only knew there was a high probability he would become the Chief's son-in-law.

A thorough investigation revealed no identity information whatsoever. Ordinarily, a third-rank sword cultivator could make it onto the Heroes' Roll and be considered a regional powerhouse. However, no one recognized this individual, let alone found them on the list.

The so-called "hermit old monsters" didn't hide in this manner. They were usually famous experts from the past who either asked the Demon Suppressing Division to remove their names, or remained in seclusion for so long that they were presumed deceased and their names removed from records. This person, however, was clearly not one of them; they were entirely unknown.

Lu Xingzhou examined the body for a long time. "Achieving third-rank cultivation without being known is very difficult," he mused. "This isn't something one can achieve simply by diligently cultivating at home; it requires intense practical experience. Even long-term training in secret realms isn't quite enough. Du Guqingli, who trained in Cold River from a young age, was unknown until the State Preceptor declared that for her to reach third rank, she needed worldly experience. Only then did her brilliance shine forth. After all, worldly experience inevitably involves social interaction and recognized achievements. It’s hard to remain unknown... especially at third rank."

"There are indeed discreet individuals who aren't widely known, but it's not necessarily that absolutely no one knows them," someone offered. "We will try posting a public notice to see if anyone has encountered them."

"Another possibility is that their training occurred abroad, in another country or within demon territories." Lu Xingzhou sketched a likeness, then put it away. "If I travel, I'll also inquire if I get the chance."

So, the very lack of clues is, in itself, a clue. Something will eventually turn up.

However, at present, with the Demon Suppressing Division reporting such results to the Emperor, it was hard to say what Gu Zhanting would think.

Yesterday, Lu Xingzhou severely beat Huo Heng at the Misty Rain Pavilion, right in front of Prince Jin, Gu Yicheng. Today, Lu Xingzhou was assassinated. Most people would naturally assume it was either the Huo family secretly cultivating assassins or Prince Jin himself. Judging by the area where the assailant ultimately fled, Prince Jin's suspicion was greater than the Huo family's.

Regardless of who was behind it, it would likely plant a seed of doubt in Gu Zhanting's mind.

Maintaining assassins is different from maintaining guards. Such matters are generally a grave taboo for monarchs.

Lu Xingzhou looked towards the area where the nobles were gathered, his expression unreadable.

He knew it wasn't Prince Jin.

From the Demonfall Realm incident, this person already had the intention of framing Gu Yicheng. At least the Alchemy Academy still questioned his involvement with Chen Yu and his group. The assassination attempt, coming right after the conflict with Prince Jin, made the implications even clearer.

Even Lu Xingzhou himself didn't believe he was worth being assassinated by a third-rank assassin. So who else would value him so highly?

—It could eliminate Shen Tang's right-hand man, and also make the Emperor suspicious of Prince Jin, who currently had the greatest potential for advancement. Wouldn't combining these two benefits make the target valuable enough?

"A commoner disgraced and confined to her residence, a young man with still low cultivation, and a few minors... Ha."

But don't forget that the so-called disgraced commoner was disgraced for massacring the Heaven-Traveling Sword Sect and attempting to kill her own sister, Shen Tang.

"Coming to the capital this time wasn't for nothing; it's quite interesting." Lu Xingzhou picked up Anu and left the Demon Suppressing Division. "Next time we come, our strength will be different, and it might be even more fun."

"Will we come with Sister Shen Tang next time?"

"I don't know... Theoretically, Shen Tang is still in self-exile and wouldn't dare show her face easily. But times change, who knows?"

At this moment, Pei Qingyan also felt a sigh of "times have changed."

He was still at home, holding a bamboo cane, telling Pei Chuyun to stick out her hand for a beating. This was his first attempt at disciplining his daughter with a beating.

Before the cane even fell, a subordinate rushed in from outside: "Chancellor Pei, the Prefect of Dongjiang is requesting discussion on the proposal to restore Xiaghou as a prefecture. It is His Majesty's will that Chancellor Pei first deliberate with all departments."

Pei Chuyun perked up her ears.

Dongjiang Prefecture, Xiaghou.

Seeing his daughter's reaction, Pei Qingyan felt a surge of anger. "Go to your room for solitary confinement. We'll discuss this tomorrow!" He threw down the cane, turned, and went out with his subordinate. "What's the exact situation?"

"In earlier times, Xiaghou was a prefecture, even a province, and held significant status. A century ago, its spiritual energy suddenly thinned, leading to population migration and a drastic drop in its standing. Its status as a prefecture was usurped by the neighboring Dongjiang, and Xiaghou was demoted to a county."

While the people of Xiaghou knew this, others might not be aware. Pei Qingyan had heard of it but never paid much attention. "And what of it now?"

"The Prefect of Dongjiang says that ever since he took office, he's noticed Xiaghou's spiritual energy growing denser day by day. Today, it already possesses the aura of a major prefecture. Over the past month or two, many people from surrounding areas have begun migrating to Xiaghou, much like the reverse flow of migration from years ago. In comparison, Dongjiang has significantly declined, as it was originally just a large county, barely managing as a prefecture."

Given the existence of terrestrial spiritual energy, the reason for cities forming their scale in this world was quite straightforward: people gravitated to where the spiritual energy was densest. Furthermore, places with denser spiritual energy were more likely to produce treasures. Xiaghou's previous status as a lower-third-grade medicinal herb base could very well transform into a mid-third-grade medicinal herb producer, which would be a complete game-changer.

The Prefect of Dongjiang's urgent proposal was also quite direct: he preferred to relocate to a place with denser spiritual energy to work and cultivate, and enjoy more direct resource access.

"Since he took office?" Pei Qingyan recalled, his expression somewhat strange. "The previous Dongjiang Prefect's demon case... that Lu Xingzhou and Sheng Yuanyao solved."

Pei Chuyun, still with her ears perked, said nothing.

Actually, Pei Chuyun had been nearby at that time, and the very next day was a major incident. Yet, her poor father's story didn't even mention her name.

Pei Qingyan pondered for a moment, then asked, "What's the source of Xiaghou's spiritual energy? Why has it suddenly become so dense?"

"It's an issue with Xiaghou's entire terrestrial leyline. It should have been like this in earlier times, but then it became obstructed for some unknown reason, leading to its demotion. Now, the obstruction has been cleared, and the entire leyline has revived."

"There must be a core to it, right?"

"It's said to be Danxia Mountain. The people of Xiaghou are now saying that the Heaven-Traveling Sword Sect stumbled upon a treasure, occupying what was once an ordinary medicinal mountain that has now become a blessed spiritual land. In the past six months, the general cultivation level of the Heaven-Traveling Sword Sect has soared. Sect Master Shen Tang and Sword Peak Hall Master Zhang Shaoyou have reached mid-third-rank. Guardians Qin Buwang and Zhao Guishan have broken through to third-rank, and many others, including Tang Yunzhong, are at fourth-rank. Now, they have countless new disciples, presenting a flourishing image."

Pei Qingyan's heart skipped a beat.

His subordinate might not know who or what Shen Tang of the Heaven-Traveling Sword Sect was, but Pei Qingyan knew very well.

He had thought that Princess Chaohuang's relocation to Xiaghou was a form of remote exile, keeping her away from the center of power. However, he hadn't expected times to change so much. Xiaghou was no longer what it used to be, and Princess Chaohuang had actually amassed such power, seemingly even stronger than the original Heaven-Traveling Sword Sect, truly a phoenix soaring through nine heavens.

He wondered what His Majesty thought of this...

Also, how much did this have to do with Lu Xingzhou? Judging by the timing, Lu Xingzhou hadn't even come to the capital yet, had he? And were Lu Xingzhou and Shen Tang really 'that kind' of relationship...?

Thinking this, Pei Qingyan turned and glared at his daughter.

"Why shouldn't you associate with this blondie? Do you really not get it? Have you never seen someone eager to be a concubine!"

"I understand the situation," he said. "The spiritual energy has revived, the population is flowing back, and resources are abundant. It already has the foundation of a major prefecture and a vast territory. The Prefect's request for promotion and a change in prefecture status is a regular administrative consideration, and I have no objection. However..." Pei Qingyan paused, then sighed, "His Majesty might not agree. We'll have to see what His Majesty himself intends."

The subordinate was somewhat perplexed. Why would the Emperor hesitate over such a matter? If the Chancellor believes it's permissible, then it should be; what's there to object to?

"The essence of Xiaghou has formed." Ye Tinglan stood on the Star-Gazing Platform, gazing into the distance towards Xiaghou, and murmured to herself, "I wonder if it has formed too early and aroused Gu Zhanting's suspicion."

The white-haired old man who had discussed Yuan Muyu with her that day remarked, "A third-rank power that has fully established itself isn't something His Majesty can just deal with at will. Last time, with the Heaven-Traveling Sword Sect, we were unprepared and caught off guard. This time, with us to restrain him, it won't be so easy for the Emperor to act against the natural order again."

"Mm-hmm..." Ye Tinglan whispered, "It won't be that easy anymore... Especially since Shen Tang isn't fighting alone now. If someone can elevate the Hall of Yama, then replacing it with the Heaven-Traveling Sword Sect won't be any worse."

The old man: "?"

Ye Tinglan suddenly said, "I will be leaving the capital for a period. I'm entrusting you with matters of national observation for now. If anything important arises, contact me promptly via a communication talisman."

The old man asked, "Where will the Sect Master be going?"

"To take disciples on a trial. It will be a little over a month at the earliest, or up to half a year at the latest."

Taking disciples out for trials was normal, but the old man was puzzled. "Does the Sect Master truly consider the students from the Alchemy Academy as disciples?"

"He is different," Ye Tinglan said. "Also, I want to meet Shen Tang today and see if her facial features have changed."

The old man fell silent.

Back then, Gu Zhanting also had a benevolent facial appearance, indicative of a diligent and ambitious ruler. But such things can change.

Appearance is born from the heart; if the heart changes, the appearance changes too.

In the past, Shen Tang had a very favorable appearance, and the Sect Master was relatively optimistic about her. This was also partly because she truly couldn't stand the sordid affairs of imperial sibling rivalry, so she decided to support her.

But times have changed. In the past, Shen Tang had never been in charge; she was a gentle princess who was kind to others. Now, having faced adversity and wielded power, would she still be the same?