https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-375-The-Nonchalant-Xi-Men-Chuixue-and-the-Counterfeit-Ye-Gucheng/12536605/
Chapter 374: Ascending to the Peak of the Purple Forbidden City
Chapter 374: Ascending to the Peak of the Purple Forbidden City
On a moonlit night, beneath the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
This was indeed the most powerful place under the heavens. Even Sikong Zodiac, fearless of heaven and earth, took heavier steps, and Tang Tianzong's arrogant expression faded.
Sim Ziyi and Bu Ju's eyes shone with aspiration, while Mudao and Laoshi Monk's gazes remained unchanged, but they, too, breathed a little softer.
Ouyang Qing anxiously hugged Su Shaoying's arm, her heart beating rapidly.
It was true that the martial arts world did not fear royal authority. They roamed freely in the mountains and rivers or acted righteously in bustling streets. But this was the Hall of Supreme Harmony, a symbol of the empire's centralized power!
The vast and spacious square and grand hall, overlooking the world, indeed maximized the intimidation of imperial power. At first glance, it instilled a tremendous psychological pressure, making one feel insignificant.
Even Mudao and Laoshi Monk could not escape this feeling.
"It doesn't look that new. Has it been a while since it was last maintained? Is the Emperor short on money?" Su Shaoying sized up the Hall of Supreme Harmony and then asked, "Have you placed any bets on this battle?"
Everyone: "..."
Ouyang Qing glanced at Su Shaoying. "Aren't you nervous at all?"
"Why should I be nervous?" Su Shaoying asked.
"This is the Hall of Supreme Harmony!" Ouyang Qing exclaimed.
Bu Ju's eyes gleamed with fervor as he said, "When the Son of Heaven is enraged, millions will fall. Such commands originate from this very hall!"
"Yet, you're about to trample the Hall of Supreme Harmony underfoot." Su Shaoying nodded. "Guess what would happen if one of the guards suddenly decided to report your actions to the Emperor? Do you think he would issue a warrant for your arrest throughout the jianghu?"
"When the Son of Heaven is enraged, millions will fall." Su Shaoying clicked his tongue. "That would certainly spice things up in Shu, Sanxiang, Ebei, and Jiangnan."
Everyone: "..."
Shaking his head, the Honest Monk sighed, "It seems Lu Xiaofeng was right."
"What did Lu Xiaofeng say?" Mudao asked.
"He said that Su Shaoying isn't a good person," the Honest Monk replied.
Sikong Zodiac's legs felt weak, but he stubbornly retorted, "I'm homeless and carefree."
Su Shaoying nodded and gestured for him to go first. "Then please, take the lead and let us witness the unparalleled lightness of your art as the King of Thieves."
Sikong Zodiac rolled his eyes. "With Ye Gucheng and Ximen Chuixue not here yet, why should I rush?"
"You're not scared, are you?" Su Shaoying asked.
"Of course not!" Sikong Zodiac exclaimed, eyes wide.
"That's good," Su Shaoying muttered, his voice so soft that even the surrounding guards could hear, "I was just thinking, if Sikong Zodiac, who could even steal the Emperor's seal, what's there to be afraid of?"
Sikong Zodiac was stunned. "When did I ever steal the Emperor's seal?"
"You didn't?"
"I didn't!"
"Oh, then I must have remembered it wrong." Su Shaoying waved it off. "I was just trying to help you relax since you looked so tense."
Sikong Zodiac: "..."
Just then, Lu Xiaofeng appeared before them, looking puzzled. "Why are you all still here? Were you waiting for me?"
Everyone nodded vigorously. "Yes!"
"Then I'm truly touched." Lu Xiaofeng blinked, not quite understanding, though he had just stirred Ximen Chuixue's competitive spirit. However, he himself felt a bit down, so he didn't notice the odd expressions on their faces.
Everyone laughed at his words, and Lu Xiaofeng's eyes lit up as he joined in the laughter. "The King of Thieves, who was just fearless, is suddenly so modest. Could there be some kind of formidable beast up in the Hall of Supreme Harmony?"
"There are no beasts, but there are a few more people than expected." Wei Ziyun's voice suddenly rang out, and he appeared before them with Yin Xian.
Lu Xiaofeng turned to Wei Ziyun, "I don't have the ability to turn six ribbons into nine."
"It's more than just nine." Wei Ziyun replied calmly.
Lu Xiaofeng's eyes narrowed, "There are more people up there?"
"Go up and see for yourself." Wei Ziyun's expression was grim. He had calculated everything, including involving Lu Xiaofeng, but he hadn't anticipated that the six ribbons he had prepared would increase in number!
By how much?
When Lu Xiaofeng leaped onto the roof of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, he was stunned, "This many?"
With Lu Xiaofeng taking the lead, Sikong Zodiac swiftly followed, displaying his unparalleled agility. The rest of the group quickly climbed up as well, even Bu Ju pulling himself up with a rope.
The roof of the Hall of Supreme Harmony was usually only accessed by the occasional servants who came to clean and repair the glazed tiles. But now, it was packed with people.
In addition to the imperial guards stationed around the perimeter, who were of decent skill and prepared to witness the duel between Ye Gucheng and Ximen Chuixue, there were also over a dozen strangely dressed people standing on the roof.
These individuals had their faces obscured, some by wide-brimmed hats, others by human skin masks. They all wore the color-changing ribbons around their waists, clearly not wanting their true identities to be known.
The only silver lining was that these people stood separately and didn't seem to be carrying any weapons. They appeared to be like everyone else, here to witness the duel.
Wei Ziyun pulled Lu Xiaofeng to the side and asked, "Yin Xian just told me, where did your and Su Shaoying's ribbons come from?"
Lu Xiaofeng didn't hide the truth, "Mine is from Sikong Zodiac, and Su Shaoying's is from Gongsun Daniang."
"The King of Thieves, Sikong Zodiac, and the leader of the Red Shoes, Gongsun Daniang?" Wei Ziyun took a sharp breath, "These are two masters of disguise and deception, always hiding their true faces!"
"Do you suspect that Sikong Zodiac stole the ribbons from the palace treasury?" Lu Xiaofeng asked.
Wei Ziyun shook his head and explained that since they had given Lu Xiaofeng the six ribbons, one of the four brothers had always been present in the treasury, ensuring that not even a fly could get in or out.
"So..." Lu Xiaofeng's eyes flickered.
Wei Ziyun sighed and revealed the weaknesses of Tu Fang, Yin Xian, and Ding Ao—their need for money.
"So they have connections with both the officials in the court and the masters in the jianghu." Wei Ziyun said, "It's not surprising that they could get in touch with Sikong Zodiac and Gongsun Daniang."
Lu Xiaofeng frowned, instinctively feeling that there was more to this than just money.
"Now that there are so many more people, what do you plan to do?" Lu Xiaofeng asked.
Wei Ziyun shook his head, "What can we do? These people seem like reclusive friends from the underworld. We can only bring in more people to be prepared for any eventuality."
Lu Xiaofeng's eyes lit up at the prospect.
(End of Chapter)
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