Chapter 62: The Damaged High Skill?
Westside Inn, Drunken Immortal Residence.
Inside a private room on the second floor, a man in a yellow robe stood by the window, overlooking the busy street below.
Heyang City is considered a big city in the southern region and is quite bustling. People come and go on the streets.
However, when a person with a mysterious appearance passes by occasionally, nearby pedestrians would quietly move away, leaving a small empty space in the originally lively street.
Meanwhile, behind the man in the yellow robe, Chu Xing, who had just entered, knelt down and addressed him as "Your Majesty," reporting what had just happened.
Shen Qinghe, who used to be a seventh-ranked local county magistrate, was transferred to the capital city due to his outstanding achievements. Over the years, he has held many official positions, with the highest rank being fifth, as a deputy of the Ministry of Justice.
As for what happened later, he was demoted and expelled from the capital city, becoming a low-ranking official, which is a different story altogether.
The reason why Shen Qinghe received extra attention, and even had the Flying Fish Guard appointed as his steward in his residence, was not only because of himself, but also partly due to Wang Shanhe.
"Finally, there's news about Wang Shanhe?" the man in the yellow robe turned around, showing a hint of interest in his eyes.
"Yes. Wang Shanhe recommended a person named Qiao Pifu. This should be the first time since resigning that he has contacted his former student, Shen Qinghe," Chu Xing replied.
"Wang Shanhe? He certainly has great patience."
"He disappeared completely for about thirty years, didn't he?" the man in the yellow robe expressed a sense of emotion in his eyes.
"In the past, he spoke directly to the late emperor when carrying the coffin, stating that the inhuman actions were the source of chaos in the world. The late emperor ordered the Imperial Guard, Zhang Gong, to shoot him with arrows. Despite being unskilled in martial arts, he was immediately heavily wounded by multiple arrows, but still insisted on crawling towards the emperor's throne... I was young at that time, but I was deeply impressed by him."
"Later, there were rumors that after resigning, he turned to the Immortal Gate for cultivation, but that seems unlikely. He despised immortals so much, how could he possibly cultivate? Yet, here we are today, hearing news about him."
Many years ago, when the previous emperor ruled, the Great Yan Imperial Court was filled with talented officials and brave heroes willing to sacrifice for their country.
However, after the Inhuman War, the Martial Saint, who was once the leader among the military officials, suffered a disastrous defeat. The fortune of Great Yan started to decline, and they had to bow down and compromise before the cultivators.
Those who stubbornly resisted the inhuman rulers, even the high-ranking officials, mostly met a tragic end.
The Martial Saint was in his prime at that time, holding the highest military rank. He was undoubtedly the most shining star in the imperial court.
On the other hand, Wang Shanhe was the Minister of Justice, holding the second highest rank among the civil officials. Although he wasn't as prominent as the Martial Saint, he was still an important figure in the imperial court.
The Martial Saint survived the war through fierce battles, but later he chose to leave his position and title.
Wang Shanhe risked his life by speaking out against the rulers, and he narrowly escaped death in the palace.
Among the many officials, those who had a strong sense of integrity either died in the chaos or, like Wang Shanhe, survived by luck but eventually left the imperial court with disappointment.
The backbone of the warriors and the integrity of the scholars were both shattered by the cultivators during these decades.
People who have the courage to sacrifice themselves for their country are mostly extinct now.
In the Great Yan court today, it is full of corrupt officials and even the Great Yan Emperor himself has to compromise in front of cultivators.
So he greatly misses that era from decades ago.
It was a time when the country faced great difficulties, but warriors displayed strong backbones and intellectuals maintained their integrity.
People like Wang Shanhe are a representation of the previous era.
Every time he hears this person's name, it fills him with regret and sighs.
"I really don't know how many loyal subjects are left in this court who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the country and die for the emperor," the man in the yellow robe sighed.
As the Great Yan Emperor, he certainly wants to have more people like Wang Shanhe in his court.
Chu Xing, who kneels before him, can only keep his eyes lowered and thoughts to himself, unable to respond to this statement.
After the man in the yellow robe recovered from his emotions, he asked about what happened this time.
Chu Xing replied, "Wang Shanhe's recommendation letter didn't mention his specific situation, so Shen Qinghe probably doesn't know either."
"If there's a breakthrough point, it might depend on this Qiao Pifu that he recommended."
The man in the yellow robe nodded slightly.
Wang Shanhe, who had been missing for over thirty years, finally made contact with his former disciple. It seemed that he had a plan in mind.
After all, he used to be a high-ranking official, and now he suddenly recommends a Qiao Pifu to become a petty constable who is not even an official?
It would be different if this Qiao Pifu was just an ordinary person.
But according to the information Chu Xing obtained, it's clear that this Qiao Pifu is not an ordinary person either.
"This Qiao Pifu seems to be weakened in spirit. According to his words, his strength is almost non-existent, and he is currently in a weak state."
"But according to the informant's information, this person is clearly strong and skilled in martial arts. It's hard to imagine that his strength is almost non-existent now..."
"Introducing him to the city as a small constable is clearly underestimating his talent. Something doesn't feel right."
"After visiting Shen Qinghe, he immediately went to the study to search for information about inhumans and souls... This is worth deeply pondering."
Hearing Chu Xing's report, the man in the yellow robe was quite surprised and became somewhat interested.
Originally, it was only because of his childhood experiences that he looked upon Wang Shanhe, who spoke out against the raising of coffins, with admiration. So, when Wang Shanhe recommended Qiao Pifu, he couldn't help but have some thoughts.
Now, after listening to the report, he also became somewhat curious about Qiao Pifu.
"After thirty years of disappearance, they are finally taking action. It seems that Wang Shanhe's recommendation of this person is not just a casual move."
"Then, let's take a good look at who this Qiao Pifu is." The man in the yellow robe said with his eyes closed.
He didn't have much time left in Heyang City.
Before leaving, take a look at the people recommended by Wang Shanhe, which is quite interesting.
................
Yan City gate.
In the shadows, a figure wearing a pitch-black star-shaped mask silently appears, gazing through the mask at the words on the wall of the city gate.
The murderer, Qiao Sen from the Qiao family.
Star Xuan Envoy suddenly feels a wave of heat on his face.
After a thorough investigation, he couldn't find any trace of the so-called Qiao family. So he confidently told Guo Yan that the Qiao family is not a concern, and may even not exist.
And what is the result?
As a result, two days later, the Qiao family came to the door and Guo Yan was murdered in broad daylight!
"Unfortunately, City Lord Guo Yan of Yan City passed away just as the Emperor was on his tour. Wuji Association has lost an important member, and we hope this won't affect the Martial Saint's assassination plan."
"Qiao family.... Qiao Sen? I need to remember this name," the gaze of Star Xuan Envoy gradually turned cold.
In Guo Yan's perspective, perhaps he had some contribution to his unfortunate assassination.
If it wasn't for him personally reminding Guo Yan, Guo Yan wouldn't have died so easily.... But he wondered why he couldn't find any trace of this mysterious Qiao family? This incident indirectly led to the tragic death of Yan City Lord, which was a huge mistake for Star Xuan Envoy, who was in charge of intelligence.
"We can't leave Yan City unattended. Let's return to Heyang City and investigate this Qiao family thoroughly," Star Xuan Envoy disappeared into the shadows.
