Until now, leaving the other martial artists aside, the deaths of a first-grade martial artist such as the southern ghost emperor and three second-class martial artists like Black and White Impermanence and the King of Equality alone have caused a heavy loss for the netherworld, losing several of their top tier powers.
More importantly, Everlasting Observance, the netherworld's stronghold that has been operating in Tiandu for a long time, has also been completely uprooted. That is a significant loss.
All these have affected the netherworld's reputation as news about them spread.
For any assassin organization, once doubts arise about their ability to complete tasks, their business naturally suffers, and this loss of benefits is what matters most.
That's why the southern ghost emperor was determined to kill Pei Xuanjing and restore their reputation. This was something they could not tolerate.
Every day that Pei Xuanjing exists is a challenge to the netherworld's capabilities, causing them constant loss.
If initially, their enmity arose due to third-party instigation, now, it had become a personal vendetta, a struggle over interests, nearly impossible to resolve.
Qian Ning did not hide anything, a smile appeared on his face, he said, "I made a discovery while looking into the files of Pei Xuanjing."
"Oh? What did you find?" King Chujiang perked up. They had information about Pei Xuanjing too but nothing particularly significant. Could there be some hidden secret?
The smile on Qian Ning's face broadened: "Pei Xuanjing comes from a small city in a border county, from a power called Everlasting Observance. I sent someone to investigate, and found that this Everlasting Observance is not simple, it is a branch of the Shenxiao Sect from the past."
"A remnant of the Shenxiao Sect! " King Chujiang was stunned at first, but then he broke into a joyful smile. "Commander, you are indeed wise, I admire you greatly."
He never thought that Qian Ning could investigate Pei Xuanjing's background so thoroughly and yield such results.
No matter how formidable Pei Xuanjing is, if he has any connection with the words Shenxiao Sect, then that will certainly stir up fear in many people.
It could be said that once this news is spread, he is as good as dead.
Whether it'S the martial artists' world or the imperial court, neither could possibly tolerate him!
"What! What did you just say!" Jiang Bin suddenly changed color, his gaze coldly turned to Lin Qingyi.
There was a storm of anger in his eyes. "How dare you inform me of such news so late in the game, what were you doing earlier! "
Lin Qingyi had a wronged look on his face: "I just found out about this, so I immediately came to report to you."
To be honest, he was also taken aback when he first received this news; he would never have
imagined that Pei Xuanjing was a descendant of the Shenxiao Sect.
"Now I understand why he named that sword Shenxiao." Lin Qingyi thought.
At this moment, he began to suspect that Pei Xuanjing's appearance in Tiandu had a hidden agenda, otherwise everything wouldn't be such a coincidence.
Jiang Bin did not Imow what Lin Qingyi was thinking, he said, "Fine, go to his residence immediately and make him leave, never to be seen again."
He ordered Lin Qingyi.
In Jiang Bin'S view, this was his being kind to Pei Xuanjing to the utmost. Given the truth about his background was as Lin Qingyi said, his current actions came with great risk.
"Yes, sir." Lin Qingyi nodded solemnly.
Then, giving no delay, Lin Qingyi left Jiang Bin's mansion and headed straight for Pei Xuanjing's residence.
"You want me to leave here and never show up again, why?" Pei Xuanjing was astonished.
He didn't quite understand why Lin Qingyi had left only to return shortly, or why he suddenly urged him to leave, saying that it was Jiang Bin's idea.
"Pei, you mustn't do this. The commander sent someone to your hometown and has found out everything about you. You can't hide it anymore. It'S best to leave before everything is exposed!" Lin Qingyi desperately implored.
It's worth mentioning that even if they initially met due to vested interests, Lin Qingyi owed Pei Xuanjing for his various favors. Now that Pei Xuanjing's identity was compromised, Lin Qingyi naturally wanted to persuade him to leave.
He knew Pei Xuanjing's power was great. His ability to kill a first-grade martial artist as a second-grade martial artist was enough to deter many people.
But the problem now wasn't about that, but rather that Pei Xuanjing's identity was sensitive and already compromised, so he couldn't stay anymore.
Pei Xuanjing paused, his confusion deepened: "What can't I hide? What do I need to hide?"
Seeing Pei Xuanjing still playing dumb, Lin Qingyi was somewhat dissatisfied.
I treated him sincerely, but does Pei Xuanjing still not trust me? Does he still want to hide it from me?
He said a little irritably: "Pei, you did come from a small city in the border county that houses a certain power called Everlasting Observance, did you not?"
As for Lin Qingyi knowing his background, Pei Xuanjing was not at all surprised. He nodded: "Yes, what's wrong with that?"
Seeing the irritation on Lin Qingyi's face, he asked: "Who founded Everlasting Observance? What was his original background? Surely, you must know?"
Hmm?
Pei Xuanjing was taken back, recalling the news he had received from the simulation earlier. His origin, the Everlasting Observance, seemed to be inherited from the former major power, the Shenxiao Sect.
Seeing that Pei Xuanjing wasn't talking and the puzzled look on his face seemed genuine, Lin Qingyi was confused.
Could it be that Pei Xuanjing really didn't know why the Shenxiao Sect was destroyed back then? He couldn't help but ask out loud: "Pei, have you ever heard of the Shenxiao Sect?"
Pei Xuanjing nodded, and Lin Qingyi continued to ask: "Pei, do you know why the once invincible Shenxiao Sect suddenly vanished, becoming obscure in the martial world?"
Hearing Lin Qingyi's questioning, and in conjunction with the implications of what he'd said earlier, Pei Xuanjings expression changed slightly, as if he seemed to understand something.
"I am not certain," he shook his head, then asked, "Are you implying that the collapse of the Shenxiao Sect was due to intervention from the imperial court?"
"Correct!" Lin Qingyi nodded, "And not just that, it could be said that the Shenxiao Sect's downfall was in fact due to them crossing the imperial court's bounds, thus incurring a strike of thunder. Led by the imperial court, various other powers joined forces to destroy the then mighty Shenxiao Sect."
And it was because he accidentally found out that Commander Qian Ning had collected intelligence stating that Pei Xuanjing's place of origin, the Everlasting Observance, was a lineage of the Shenxiao Sect, that he panicked!
The Shenxiao Sect suffered its downfall due to transgressions against the imperial court's taboos.
Even to this day, the name Shenxiao Sect and its legacy still remain a taboo that the Great Ming imperial court does not mention.
If this news were leaked, Pei Xuanjing would undoubtedly become the object of the emperor's suspicion and the imperial court's suppression..
"So, Brother Lin, the reason you wanted me to leave and not appear before the imperial court is because of this matter?" , Pei Xuanjing asked.
Only after listening to Lin Qingyi's explanation did he understand why Lin Qingyi would come and go, and inexplicably asked him to leave as soon as he saw him.
"Correct!" Lin Qingyi nodded.
Looking at Pei Xuanjing with a puzzled face, he couldn't help but ask, "Brother Pei, are you really unaware of the reasons behind this?"
Pei Xuanjing shook his head and said, "While I do know that the Shenxiao Sect was suddenly exterminated, I don't know the reason behind it. I'm also quite curious about what exactly happened back then that still concerns the Great Ming imperial court even after so many years."
His statements were honest, he had learned from his simulated human life that his Everlasting Observance was a legacy of the Shenxiao Sect, so he was able to attract the attention of the True Martial Sect's head, and received his support to explore the Shenxiao Sect's Forbidden Place.
But as for why the glorious and once-strong Shenxiao Sect suddenly collapsed, Pei Xuanjing knew nothing of the reasons behind this.
Although he tried to look up some records, those records seemed to taboo this matter, giving only bits and pieces, with no real answer.
Now that he saw Lin Qingyi seemingly concerned about his relationship with the Shenxiao Sect, it piqued Pei Xuanjing's curiosity even more, wanting to know the reasons behind it.
"Moreover, if the Shenxiao Sect is really taboo, then why would the head of the True Martial Sect support me in rebuilding the Shenxiao Sect in that simulated human life of mine? Isn't there a contradiction with what Lin Qingyi said?", Pei Xuanjing thought to himself.
Seeing Pei Xuanjing's questioning, Lin Qingyi's expression alternated between clear and gloomy, after hesitating for a long time, he made up his mind.
He knew that with Pei Xuanjing's character, since the other party has asked, if he didn't explain the reasons clearly, the other party would definitely not agree to leave easily.
Moreover, he had no means of coercion against such a powerful person with a record of killing a first-grade martial artist.
But Pei Xuanjing's identity has been confirmed, and his staying here is not only dangerous for himself, but also involves Commanding Officer Jiang Bin and himself.
So, he could only talk about the reasons behind it in detail.
"The reason why the Shenxiao Sect, which held the Zhidaomen Ear, was suddenly destroyed at its peak was because they violated a taboo and attracted the fear of the Great Ming imperial court. The key point is that the Shenxiao Sect intended to replace Heaven's mandate and interfere with the imperial succession!" Lin Qingyi said earnestly.
Violating a taboo, intending to replace Heaven's mandate, and interfering with imperial succession.
Even Pei Xuanjing, who had been mentally prepared, couldn't help but look shocked and speechless after hearing Lin Qingyi's words.
He didn't expect the reason for the destruction of the Shenxiao Sect to be like this.
As a top power sect, the Taoist School, it actually wanted to control the imperial succession, what an ambition.
In the eyes of the Great Ming imperial court, this was a great rebellion. Therefore, if it was for this reason, everything made sense.
As for the surprise on Pei Xuanjing's face, Lin Qingyi thought it was only natural, at least when he saw the Archives Information, his surprise was no less than Pei Xuanjing's.
He didn't mind and detailed the information he Imew:
The true establishment of the Shenxiao Sect was actually during the period of the famous Feather
Guest of Jinmen, who was favored by the Taoist Emperor and was accorded the title of Shenxiao Yuzhen King in Shenxiao Sect's legends. Thus, the Shenxiao Sect rose to prominence and became a dominant force in the Taoist School.
Up to the Great Ming, even though times have changed and time has passed, the Shenxiao Sect not only did not decline, but became stronger.
When it came to Emperor Taizong's reign, he made decrees and conferred the titles of Chongen Zhenjun and Longen Zhenjun, making the Shenxiao Sect more powerful than ever.
But two hundred years ago, the Shenxiao Sect which was normally docile, for some reason, began to pay attention to the succession of the throne and eventually rumors spread that they wanted to replace Heaven in choosing the Emperor.
This news caused a shock and disbelief among all forces when it was spread out.
For this news, there were supporters and there were detractors.
But for the imperial court of Great Ming, this was almost unbearable.
All officials felt indignation, the emperor was furious, declaring the Shenxiao Sect a rebellion, mobilizing heavy troops to suppress it, not only was the Shenxiao Sect's ancestral door destroyed, but many affiliated sects were also destroyed from then on.
After this, the Shenxiao sect's descendants were branded as traitors, and even to this day, this ordinance hasn't been abolished.
Therefore, when Lin Qingyi learned of this news, he was unbelievably shocked. He truly had not expected Pei Xuanjing to have such a background.
"So that's how it is," Pei Xuanjing said, his face didn't change.
He knew that although Lin Qingyi's reason was already grand enough, enough to fool many people and shut many mouths.
But in his eyes, it certainly was not the real reason. After all, the Shenxiao Sect's legacy has been long-lasting, just a reason like this was too fabricated.
"It seems like I need to walk through Taihe Mountain to find out what's really behind all this," Pei Xuanjing thought to himself.
Lin Qingyi didn't know what Pei Xuanjing was thinking. But after he explained his reason, Pei Xuanjing remained indifferent, which left him very anxious.
"Brother Pei, do you have any other questions? If not, I will arrange for someone to escort you out," he said impatiently.
Pei Xuanjing responded nonchalantly, "No."
"Then I will arrange for someone to escort you out," Lin Qingyi nodded.
"No need!" Pei Xuanjing rejected Lin Qingyi's offer.
Lin Qingyi's face changed, "Brother Pei, what do you mean by this? Don't you trust me?"
He admitted that he urgently wanted to send off Pei Xuanjing, but only to keep himself and Jiang Bin uninvolved.
But he was sure that he had not intended to harm Pei Xuanjing in any way.
Yet Pei Xuanjing's attitude caused him to feel suspected, and he felt discontent.
Pei Xuanjing waved his hand, "Brother Lin, you misunderstand. I say it's not necessary because it's already too late."
As expected, just at this moment, the front door of the mansion where Pei Xuanjing was staying was kicked down, and a Brocade Guard rushed in.
"It's bad, Sir! The Commanding Officer has led a group of men to encircle this mansion where Mr. Pei resides. I have no idea what they are planning to do."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qingyi's face greatly changed, then turned pale.
Watching Lin Qingyi's face turned pale, Pei Xuanjing stood up, clasped his fists, and said, "Brother Lin, I am sorry to bring you this trouble."
Lin Qingyi smiled bitterly and waved his hand, "Brother Pei, there's no need to say that, if anyone caused trouble, it'S me causing trouble to you. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been involved in this."
Pei Xuanjing shook his head, "Brother Lin, they are after me. You should take the chance to get away in the confusion!"
At this point, Lin Qingyi had thought through a lot of things, he said coldly, "They are pulling a ruse, 'borrowing a saber to kill'!"
Yes, since Qian Ning decided to use this opportunity to remove Brother Pei and make Mr. Jiang involved, why would he let me take Brother Pei away?
Probably, they deliberately let me hear the news, then seize an opportunity to catch us red-handed, and pull Mr. Jiang with us..