If there was someone who wished to oust Commanding Officer Qian Ning from his position, there would certainly be no shortage of candidates.
It could be one of the ministers from the court, the imperial censors of the Ducal Palace, the Supervisors of the Two Factories, and so on.
After all, as the commanding officer of the Brocade Guards, the emperor's personal troops, and wielding the powerful Brocade Guards which operate independently of the court, he has already caused many to fear and envy him. Added to this is his domineering manner, which has certainly offended many.
However, the many heavyweights in the court are well aware that the person who most wants to topple Commanding Officer Qian Ning isn't any of those previously mentioned, but rather the Commanding Officer Jiang Bin standing before Pei Xuanjing.
Although both men were favored by the emperor because of Qian Ning's recommendation, leading to rapid promotions and quickly becoming one of the top figures in the Brocade Guards.
However, precisely because of this, Jiang Bin, who was originally a subordinate of Commanding Officer Qian Ning, became someone with equal standing, even threatening his position, something Qian Ning could not tolerate.
So, ever since Jiang Bin took office as the command officer, he has been continuously suppressed by Qian Ning. But Jiang Bin is not one to be messed with either, naturally, he fought back.
As a result, the struggle between the two has intensified and even become public knowledge to all.
Even the emperor has heard rumors of their competition, yet his reaction has been peculiarly indifferent, turning a blind eye and letting things take their course.
"So, Brother Jiang, you believe that even if you accuse him openly, it won't draw the emperor's attention, and might even be seen as you trying to stir up trouble and make false accusations." Pei Xuanjing understood the other party's concerns.
Jiang Bin nodded and said, "Moreover, we are now far from Tiandu, allowing the other party ample time to clean up their mess. There's no way for us to get any solid evidence."
It's already been several months since the people of the underworld were caught, and although messages have been passed on from his plants in the Mire Sect, those plants have not managed to survive.
Currently, there is no evidence to convict the other party.
"Moreover, isn't the other party in Tiandu, reflecting behind closed doors?" Jiang Bin spoke up leisurely.
The other party has just taken the blame for the emperor and endured his punishment, so it'S the perfect time for them to be in favor.
If one cannot find any evidence pehaps not only would it be impossible to bring the other party down, but one might even be evenly counterattacked.
Pei Xuanjing understood and asked curiously, "Then, the reason why Brother Jiang summoned me here today is because you want to use my hand, right?"
"Indeed, that's exactly my intention." Jiang Bin admitted truthfully.
Pei Xuanjing retorted, "The emperor favors Brother Jiang and you can't do anything. Will he believe what I say?"
If Qian Ning was one of the instigators of the assassination attempt, Pei Xuanjing would naturally not let him off the hook just because of his position. He would also be willing to join forces with Jiang Bin to eliminate Qian Ning.
But to Pei Xuanjing, Jiang Bin'S idea seemed a bit funny. He didn't believe that by saving the emperor's life, the emperor would listen to him and remove a trusted commanding officer.
If it was not pleasant to hear, if Jiang Bin revealed this matter, the emperor might even think of it as a political struggle between them.
But if he were to speak up, in the end the person who got removed might even be himself.
"Not necessarily." Jiang Bin shook his head. He knew that Pei Xuanjing's status was not enough to reveal this matter, even if he was already at the top of the Great Ming.
"Hm?" Pei Xuanjing was puzzled.
Jiang Bin laughed and said, "It's said that Mr. Pei and the right Shilang (deputy minister) of the Ministry of Personnel, Gu Ji, are very good friends. Does Mr. Pei know that he not only used to be an imperial censor in the Ducal Palace but is also currently favored by the Minister of the Ministry of
War and seems to intend to transfer him to the Ministry of War as the left Shilang (deputy minister). If so…
"I don't agree!"
Without waiting for Jiang Bin to finish speaking, Pei Xuanjing firmly rejected it.
He understood the other party's intention. Gu Ji had been an imperial censor for the Ducal Palace and was about to be transferred to the Ministry of War, backed by powerful supporters. If Gu Ji were used to expose this matter, it would surely garner the support of the civil officials at the court.
"Mr. Pei, why the refusal?" A puzzled look crossed Jiang Bin's face.
In his opinion, this was an excellent plan. At that time, the whole court would be shaken. Adding Jiang Bin's tactics for cooperation inside and outside, and there would be a very high probability of overthrowing Qian Ning.
Even if the plan failed, Gu Ji had the support of powerful people, as well as the backing of civil officials. The worst outcome would only be his transfer out of Tiandu.
Pei Xuanjing replied coldly, "This matter has nothing to do with Mr. Gu to begin with, so why should he be implicated?"
At first it was purely a benefit cooperation between him and Gu Ji, but after some time, some of friendship was fostered between them.
During the two years in Tiandu, the two had met many times and their relationship had naturally deepened. It could be said that Gu Ji is one of the few friends that Pei Xuanjing has in this world.
No doubt, even Jiang Bin is wary of a possible counterattack from Qian Ning.
So, if Gu Ji were to be put on the frontline of this scandal this time, what if a desperate Qian Ning decided to fight back?
Although Pei Xuanjing is not afraid, Gu Ji might not be able to resist the attacks coming openly and secretly. He can't protect Gu Ji up close all the time. After all, it's always important to be on guard against thieves.
They are both honorable men, so why should they drag each other into this whirlpool.
Therefore, Pei Xuanjing could not agree!
Jiang Bin gave a bitter smile and continued to try to persuade him.
However, no matter how he tried to convince him, Pei Xuanjing had the same answer: he couldn't agree.
"If that's the case, why not find an opportunity to lure him out of Tiandu, and I can kill him myself!" Frustrated by Jiang Bin'S constant persuasion, Pei Xuanjing coldly threw out a sentence.
Jiang Bin'S expression changed drastically when he heard this, and he hurriedly stopped him, "Don't talk nonsense, Mr. Pei!"
At this moment, he realized that the other party is not his subordinate, much less those common second-class martial artists, but a powerful master who can kill a first-grade martial artist at the second-class realm.
For Jiang Bin, his status as an official far outweighs his status as a martial artist, so he naturally couldn't accept Pei Xuanjing's approach.
Because he knows what kind of waves such a move would cause.
While he might be able to kill his enemies completely for political struggles, resorting to all kinds of assassinations, he inherently did not want Pei Xuanjing, a clear man of the martial world, to commit such acts.
If an event occurs once, it might occur again. If he could kill Qian Ning today, then in the future, who's to say he wouldn't attack others, or even himself?!
"Ha Pei Xuanjing chuckled without saying another word.
In truth, he was not talking nonsense just then, but was seriously considering doing such an act.
If you were to say that before, Pei Xuanjing feared the authorities of the Great Ming due to his lack of strength and feared to bring upon himself a siege.
But from the moment he killed Gong Xingqiu, his state of mind completely changed.
At this moment, he is like a tiger entering a mountain, a dragon entering the sea, breaking the shackles on his body completely. Maybe he still harbors some caution towards the Great Ming, but unlike before, he doesn't fear them.
If worst comes to worst, he could go into the martial arts world, with a boundless world outside, where he wouldn't lack for a place to settle..
With that thought in mind, Pei Xuanjing understood why a martial artist like Qingyang Zi would choose to leave the court after breaking through to the first-grade realm.
Unfortunately, Jiang Bin himself was part of the bureaucratic system, and he naturally wouldn't let such things happen.
Without the other party's help, it wasn't easy for Pei Xuanjing to lure out Qian Ning.
After all, there were martial artists in the capital of Tiandu who weren't inferior to him. Pei Xuanjing wasn't afraid, but he couldn't kill them all, nor could he vanish after killing.
Seeing Pei Xuanjing temporarily set the matter aside, Jiang Bin felt relieved. He finally understood why those people were so wary of first-grade martial artists.
Martial artists, after reaching this realm, had an aura of invincibility around them. This was no exaggeration.
Apart from martial artists of the same realm, they couldn't easily be restrained, and there was no one who could restrain them.
"Since Mr. Pei doesn't agree, then let's think of other methods." Jiang Bin finally compromised.
Regardless, Jiang Bin knew he didn't want Pei Xuanjing to take drastic measures.
Pei Xuanjing did not indicate agreement or refusal. His True Qi moved, and the letter in his hand ignited without wind, turning to floating ashes.
To be honest, he was now harboring a killing intention towards Qian Ning. If Jiang Bin could not knock him down, he'd have to take action, denying the other party the chance to live.
"Brother Jiang, I want to know the origin of the eunuch." Pei Xuanjing suddenly spoke.
Although he is an eunuch, he is a first-grade martial artist and deserves a certain amount of respect.
He was curious about this old eunuch's identity. Although they had not yet clashed, he could feel that the other's strength should be good, but it seemed to have deteriorated due to age.
"Which eunuch? The one next to the emperor?" Jiang Bin initially paused to think, then understood who Pei Xuanjing was referring to.
"That person is called Wang Zhi. Have you heard of this name?" Since Pei Xuanjing asked, he did not hide it, because even if he didn't tell, someone would.
"It's him!"
Pei Xuanjing found the name somewhat unfamiliar yet somewhat familiar.
Jiang Bin revealed the origin of the other party. This old eunuch was called Wang Zhi. He has long entered the palace since the reign of Emperor Xianzong, promoted due to a favoured concubine.
From an ordinary eunuch, he rose steadily to a high position. Due to his outstanding talent in martial arts and recognition from the emperor, he became the first to break the convention of eunuchs commanding the soldiers in the capital.
After Emperor Xianzong's death, he began to hide in the palace, serving as a guard for the royal family, receiving the trust and favour of successive emperors.
"He is also the founder of the Xi Factory, and he was the first supervisor of the Xi Factory, " Jiang Bin suggested with a hint of deeper meaning.
It was because of Wang Zhi'S existence that the Xi Factory, which should have been disbanded due to the chaos years ago, was able to survive, demonstrating the emperor's utmost trust in him.
However, these were just some of his experiences. The most important point was that he had lived for nearly three and a half 60-year cycles since the time of Emperor Xianzong.
"Three and a half 60-year cycles, over two hundred years. What a long time!" Pei Xuanjing couldn't help but sigh.
Over two hundred years, equating to two centuries in his previous life.
For a person's life to reach two centuries, in Pei Xuanjing's past life, was no less than an immortal.
In the practice of martial arts, the third -grade realm represents a transformation, not only a transformation of strength, but also a change in the essence of life.
A third-grade martial artist can live for two 60-year cycles. If one breaks through to the second-grade martial artist realm, they can live for three 60-year cycles. As for a first-grade martial artist, they can live for four 60-year cycles if nothing goes wrong.
Of course, martial artists fight constantly. Perhaps because of the injuries left by fights and cultivation, most martial artists cannot live that long.
"Indeed, it's envious." Jiang Bin also sighed, but then he looked enviously at Pei Xuanjing.
If Wang Zhi was admirable, then Pei Xuanjing in front of him was even more impressive!
At less than 24 years old, Pei Xuanjing shocked many by breaking through to the second-grade realm. However, when he demonstrated the ability to kill a first-grade martial artist, it was even more astounding.
A second-grade martial artist generally has a lifespan of three 60-year cycles. The now twenty-something Pei Xuanjing, even if he does not make any further progress, will be a powerful force in the next hundred years – his influence will probably only decrease in his last few decades when his body ages and vitality weakens.
But would such a young second-grade martial artist's future really stop here?
No one would believe that Pei Xuanjing would remain stagnant.
At least Jiang Bin was the first to not believe it.
He even speculated that with Pei Xuanjing's talent, he might be able to break into the first-grade realm before thirty.
At that time, in comparison to those 'elders' who broke through to the first-grade realm at a much older age, how strong would Pei Xuanjing be? Could he rival Ancestor Sanfeng, who dominated the world in his time?
This was unknown.
The future remained unknown, but at least the power Pei Xuanjing currently showed made everyone look up to him.
Of course, while some people were looking forward to seeing Pei Xuanjing's growth, others were not. They didn't want another supreme ruler to appear.
Perhaps, someone was already planning to kill this budding hope when he broke through.
When the time comes, it might be a storm that no one can predict! Thinking of this, Jiang Bin reminded Pei Xuanjing, "Brother Pei, you should be extra careful today."
Pei Xuanjing smiled faintly, "Brother Jiang, have you heard any news?"
Given the thorough information network of the Brocade Guards, he must have received some news; otherwise, Jiang Bin would not have said this.
"There are people from the Yinsi heading towards Xuanfu, as if they want to kill you," Jiang Bin slowly said.
"Oh!" Pei Xuanjing's face turned cold. He hadn't even found trouble for the Yinsi, but surprisingly, they dared to seek trouble with him.
"It seems, the person that Yinsi has sent this time has quite a big profile." Pei Xuanjing thought.
Jiang Bin nodded his head, "The rumor is that one of the Five Ghost Emperors of the Yinsi has come out of retreat and personally led people."
Pei Xuanjing nodded his head, "No wonder."
"So, you must be careful. In recent days, it's best not to go out alone," Jiang Bin reminded him.
"Master!" Lin Qingyi came running over from a distance and softly said, "Just received news, the Emperor summoned you, asking you to quickly see him."
Upon hearing the summons from the Emperor, Jiang Bin did not delay any longer. He saluted Pei
Xuanjing, "Let's end the conversation here today. Do you want to return with me, Mr. Pei?" "No need. Since the emperor has summoned you, Brother Jiang, you shouldn't delay. As for me, I would like to keep admiring the magnificent landscape." Pei Xuanjing politely refused.
Jiang Bin nodded and didn't say anything further. He led the others away.
Pei Xuanjing stood alone on the mountain, hands clasped behind his back, gazing into the distance with a calm face, deep in thought.
After an unknown amount of time, Pei Xuanjing withdrew his gaze, turned around, and began to speak
"Since you're here, don't sneak around."
As Pei Xuanjing's voice fell, three figures appeared a hundred yards away..