Nie Hua looked at the words on the letter; then his fingers exerted some force, causing the letter to crumple.
At the side, the white-clothed youth said softly, "Third Senior…"
"I know. I need to be calm." Nie Hua took a breath and exhaled before speaking, "This is just his personal sword. It is still uncertain if Fourth Junior is still alive. The demon might be trying to swindle us."
The Sixth Prince smiled while looking at Ying Qingqing. "The two sirs are correct. However, there is something we can be certain of. The Demon Sovereign values this Young Lady Qingqing more than we expect."
Ying Qingqing looked at the three individuals in front of her without any change in expression.
The white-clothed youth said, "The only thing I am certain of is that we might be infiltrated with spies of the Demon Cult or that there is a Demon Cult expert stalking and observing us in the dark. Otherwise, the Demon Sovereign would not be able to find out so quickly that Young Lady Ying is with us."
"Fifth Sir's reasoning is correct. This Prince has already requested for Master Mingfa to make a search." The Sixth Prince laughed and said, "This Prince feels that a member of the Demon Cult has been secretly following and monitoring Young Lady Qingqing? Of course, it can also be said as protection in secrecy."
The white-clothed youth said, "As for the matter with Young Lady Ying, I feel that it isn't good for us to make a judgment at such an early stage."
He took the letter from Nie Hua and gently waved it. "This letter's greater objective might be to sow discord and for our two parties to have disagreement."
The Sixth Prince smiled and took a glance at Ying Qingqing, while she remained silent.
"Fifth Sir is truly worthy of your name as the Intelligent Sword. This Prince is convinced, but…" The Sixth Prince laughed and said, "This Prince finds it hard to believe that the excessively arrogant Cult Master Chen who looks down on everyone would use a tactic like sowing discord."
Intelligent Sword, Shi Jing. The fifth disciple under the Sword Sovereign. He was the most junior among the Sword Pavilion Five Heroes, but his achievements were comparable with the four others.
He might only be 17 years old, but in the Divine Province, everyone addressed him as "Fifth Sir".
"Sixth Highness might be correct. If this was during normal times, I might actually have this thought too." Shi Jing wasn't hasty or impatient as he explained, "But, what if his body isn't well right now?"
The Sixth Prince remained calm and said, "The latest news is stating that Black Emperor Xiuzhe has just been defeated by the Demon Sovereign at the Qian Prefecture's Thousand Tides Mountain. Furthermore, it is an utter defeat."
Shi Jing nodded and said, "I heard about it too, but from what I know, the process of the battle was rather odd. It feels as though Black Emperor Xiuzhe was defeated by himself more than he was defeated by his opponent. We cannot verify if it was a coincidence or not, but the Demon Sovereign seemingly won with a cheap trick. Even if he is fine and at his prime, the outcome of this battle is still rather special. It doesn't exhibit the difference in strength between the two, and it isn't able to prove that the Demon Sovereign has fully recovered."
While speaking, Shi Jing shook his head. "If it is really a coincidence, then the Black Emperor is just unlucky. But what if this is an intentional arrangement by the Demon Sovereign? That would mean that Demon Sovereign's current condition isn't suitable to confront the Black Emperor directly, or perhaps, he is trying to preserve his strength so that he can fight again at the Demon Cult Shrine."
The Sixth Prince laughed and applauded. "That is rather reasonable. Then according to what Fifth Sir said, isn't this a chance for us? However, a skinny and dying camel is still bigger than a horse. We might not be able to eliminate the Demon Sovereign in a single battle, but we might be able to rescue Fourth Sir?"
Nie Hua frowned a little and said, "Why does Sixth Highness have to be so sarcastic? We might be concerned for Fourth Junior, but the well-being of the world is more important. If the Demon Sovereign is truly injured, we naturally must not allow Young Lady Ying to return into his hands."
"Third Sir, it is a misunderstanding, it is truly a misunderstanding." The Sixth Prince repeatedly shook his head.
He smiled and said, "The two sirs are upright and value righteousness more than the lives of your own people. This Prince can definitely trust that. Otherwise, Fourth Sir wouldn't have cut off the Demon Cult at the Shu Prefecture."
Nie Hua frowned even more unpleasantly in response. The Great Xia Empire's Sixth Prince then continued saying, "If it is really as Fifth Sir said, then this is indeed a great opportunity to rescue Fourth Sir. At worst, we will be able to probe and verify the recovery progress of the Demon Sovereign's injuries. For the current situation, this is the most important factor in the coming battle, and it is crucial enough to sway the outcome. Of course, this task is as risky as stroking the tiger's whiskers, and we need to plan carefully to prevent any mishaps. We have to pay extra attention to Young Lady Qingqing's safety."
While speaking, the Sixth Prince smiled and looked at Ying Qingqing, who never said a single word from start to end. She had actually closed her eyes as though she had gone into a meditative state.
The Sixth Prince let out a smile and nodded to Nie Hua and Shi Jing. "The Demon Cult will definitely contact us again. We shall react accordingly."
The Sixth Prince then left with his servants.
Nie Hua and Shi Jing looked at each other with dismay while staying in silence. Ying Qingqing opened her eyes at this moment and asked, "What does he wish to do?"
"He wants us and our master to support him to take the throne," Nie Hua spoke with a muffled voice. "The Xia Emperor has yet to state a firm heir, but the ones with the best chances are the First, Second, Fourth, and Sixth Highnesses."
The Great Xia Empire was extremely apprehensive of the Sword Pavilion but also relied on them heavily. The Sixth Prince was making a risky move, with the disadvantages possibly being greater than the benefits, and might incur the Xia Emperor's dissatisfaction. However, he was merely trying to surpass his father and taking some risks. He was doing something that others wouldn't dare to do.
"So that is the case." Ying Qingqing nodded. "Then what is the two sirs' intention?"
Nie Hua fell silent again, while Shi Jing spoke, "Our pavilion doesn't wish to be involved with the affairs of the Great Xia Empire. As for the current situation, if it is possible, we definitely wish to rescue Fourth Senior. However, the circumstances are unclear, and we have to acknowledge Sixth Highness's final statement. We can only respond according to the situation, at least until we are certain whether Fourth Senior is dead or alive."
Ying Qingqing nodded. Shi Jing looked at her and pursed his lips.
Nie Hua said, "Fourth Junior must be rescued, and we shall not let Young Lady Ying fall into the nest of demons again."
Ying Qingqing let out a smile and said, "It might not be a nest of demons."
"That's why I say that Young Lady Ying is too honest." Nie Hua smiled bitterly. "It is your attitude that prevents us from letting you leave."
Shi Jing said, "When it is slightly later, we shall depart from here and enter the Xiang Prefecture. We shall not disrupt your rest and take our leave."
The duo left, leaving Ying Qingqing alone in the tent.
She stared into space blankly. "What kind of people are you exactly?" After coming back to her senses, she sighed and said, "What kind of person am I originally?"
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When Chen Luoyang listened to Vajra's report, he tapped his finger on the armrest, while his mind recalled information on the terrain of Xiang Prefecture. He then gave his instructions, "Send a message to the opposition. We will do the exchange three days later at the Tripod Terrace Mountain. If they fail to appear, then ask them to prepare to receive their brother's corpse."
The Tripod Terrace Mountain was located in the north of the Xiang Prefecture; it was one of the mountain ranges in the South Desolate Millions Mountains. The place was extensive and filled with beautiful scenery. Looking at its geographical position, it was roughly at the center of the two armies and also roughly the same distance.
"I shall comply with Cult Master's orders," Vajra responded respectfully.
Immediately after, he chuckled and said, "Cult Master, when you ordered us to capture Xie Xingmang alive, you must have already predicted this. The Sword Pavilion and the Great Xia Empire must be having some internal strife now."
"It isn't that simple. They have allied with each other to destroy my cult. Even if there are thorns in their hearts, they would only be having hidden conflicts and wouldn't fall out immediately," Chen Luoyang said indifferently. "Furthermore, that This Seat spared the Sword Pavilion disciple's life wasn't for this reason."
Vajra said sincerely, "If Young Lady Qingqing knows about this, she must be very touched."
Chen Luoyang didn't deny. She isn't that shallow. However, the more she is like that, the easier it will be to bait her. The great teammates that are assisting me this time aren't just the Sword Pavilion and the Great Xia Empire…