Martial Cultivator

Xia Family's residence.

Outside, the snowstorm continued. But inside that small courtyard, it was similarly terrifyingly desolate.

The Xia Family Head chose not to return to the courtyard at this time, but remained seated in his study. When footsteps finally approached the door, the Xia Family Head perked up, glancing towards the direction of the front door.

The study's door was soon knocked, and a deep voice sounded, "Family Head."

Xia Family Head tapped his fingers on the desktop lightly. The other party pushed the door open and entered. It was a middle-aged man. The first thing he did upon entering the study was to light a candle, bringing some light into the room.

However, the illumination was still weak, making it difficult to brighten the entire study.

The Xia Family Head looked at him without immediately asking questions, appearing very patient.

"As predicted by Family Head, that cultivator from the Southern Shaman Clan failed to kill that boy in black."

The middle-aged man spoke in a low voice, devoid of any fluctuations.

The Xia Family Head was not surprised. He just glanced at the freshly lit candle, let out a cold laugh, and then said softly, "Those foreign cultivators, always immersed in their cultivation, act recklessly. They sent only one person for such a task. Do they truly believe there are no great cultivators in this Divine Capital?"

The middle-aged man nodded and added, "At that time, the sword qi surged to the sky, it should have been a Sword Immortal."

Hearing the words 'Sword Immortal,' the Xia Family Head remained silent for a moment and then made a profound statement, "The academy may seem quiet and unremarkable these few years, but how could it be so simple? It's hard to say whether this current Dean is the most remarkable among all the predecessors, but at least his standards for accepting disciples must be the most remarkable. With 72 disciples, even the youngest one shines brilliantly, making people forget about those disciples he recruited in his early years, those were extraordinary figures. Didn't that seemingly ordinary scholar step into the Nepenthe Realm too?"

"As for the Dean's disciples before this Mr. Wei, they were not mediocre either. Now, this sword immortal is one of those he accepted in his early years, Liu Banbi."

The middle-aged man was not in a position of power, so he naturally did not know many things. At this moment, he just looked at the Xia Family Head with a confused expression.

Shaking his head, the Xia Family Head did not want to elaborate further.

The middle-aged man had a good sense of propriety. Since the Family Head did not want to continue, he changed the topic and asked, "Family Head, what should we do now?"

The Xia Family Head remained silent, not immediately providing an answer. The current situation in the Divine Capital was somewhat perplexing, even for him. The Emperor's journey to the North had stirred up so much trouble. But if he had died there, it would have been acceptable. However, he returned south and now disappeared without a trace, with his life or death unknown. This was what gave him a headache.

He would rather have the Great Liang Emperor be unable to return to the Divine Capital. After all, if he truly returned, it would likely lead to more bloodshed.

"We have already boarded this ship, there's no turning back. However, only now have I come to understand a truth: whether His Majesty is in the Divine Capital or not, killing people in the Divine Capital is never an easy feat."

The Xia Family Head felt rather emotional. The hopes of countless clansmen behind him were almost entirely placed on his shoulders. At this moment, he even doubted whether his decision back then was correct or not.

The middle-aged man suddenly lowered his voice and said, "If things go unexpectedly, Family Head, can we gather the retainers in our family and..."

The middle-aged man made a hand gesture, his meaning very clear.

However, the Xia Family Head frowned and reprimanded in a low voice, "Though their number is small, do you think they are the only ones who know about this matter?"

The middle-aged man whispered, "We can kill them first, then falsely claim that it was arranged by His Majesty. However, right now, we cannot confirm if His Majesty can return or not."

After hearing this, the Xia Family Head was silent for a long time. Suddenly, he muttered, "His Majesty fought a bloody battle in the desolate north and then encountered an assassination in Xuanling Commandery. After that, the foreign lands will definitely continue to search for His Majesty's traces. It won't be that easy for...His Majesty to return..."

……

……

In that small courtyard, the foreign cultivator referred to as Junior Brother Liang returned. Looking at his fellow senior brothers in the courtyard, he shook his head and spoke almost the same words as the middle-aged man before.

Several foreign cultivators' expressions changed slightly. The middle-aged cultivator in front sighed softly, "I forgot about this one."

Junior Brother Liang whispered, "Should we send a few more people? If necessary, we can even request Martial Uncle Zuo."

The middle-aged cultivator shook his head, saying, "Only Sword Immortal Liu took action. However, after him, Wei Xu is present, and so is the Dean. Once they get involved, the situation will become more complicated. For now, we need to wait for that urgent matter."

Junior Brother Liang reminded in a low voice, "Haven't there been news from that side? It's said that the Temple Master has personally gone to find that Great Liang Emperor. Can't we count on him to succeed?"

The middle-aged cultivator replied calmly, "Someone like the Temple Master, if he takes action, it's naturally foolproof. However, as the final safeguard, we cannot be careless."

In fact, most people in the world would probably think that once the Great Liang Emperor entered the Divine Capital, the situation there would be foolproof. After all, in the Divine Capital, there was the academy, along with numerous experts from Great Liang. Under these peoples' escort, who would think of assassinating the Great Liang Emperor? However, they wanted everyone to have that thought. Under the situation where everyone was relaxed, to deliver a fatal blow to the Great Liang Emperor.

For this reason, they had already been waiting in the Divine Capital for a long time.

Junior Brother Liang nodded slightly. But before he could speak, the middle-aged cultivator said, "Planning such a major event, it must be foolproof..."

Junior Brother Liang nodded slightly again and said nothing more.

Being invited by the sect to undertake such a task, as a second-generation disciple, he had no authority to speak.

However, at this moment, the middle-aged cultivator suddenly said softly, "Why does it feel a bit chilly tonight?"

……

……

Not far from the Xia Family residence, near two long streets.

A commanding officer in official robes stood atop a high building. Behind him, there was a street filled with experts brought by the Warden's Office and the Heavenly Imperial Institution, all prepared at this moment.

At this moment, footsteps sounded out from behind. Someone rushed over, looking wearied and covered in dust.

The Lord Warden Commander looked at the Xia Family residence in the shadows and chuckled softly, "A family with a rich heritage, a pillar of the dynasty."

The man behind him also felt vicissitudes of emotion, but more of complaints, "Your Excellency, I've been enduring the winds and snow in the Northern Frontier. I haven't even had a chance to catch my breath after returning, and now, I'm being put to work again? Moreover, I haven't even retrieved the official seal of the Left Guard. I'm still an ordinary citizen for now."

The man speaking was none other than the former commander of the Left Guard, Song Lian.