Chapter 143 Fan Xian breaks through the ninth rank! Assassination at the Hanging Temple! (13)

More than half a month after Li Changan got married, it was the Double Ninth Festival.

Every three years on the Double Ninth Festival, the royal family of Nanqing would hold a chrysanthemum-viewing conference at the Hanging Temple in the suburbs of Beijing.

Nominally, participants in the chrysanthemum appreciation conference included royal family members, as well as nobles and important officials who had made contributions to the country.

These people occupied the top floor of the Hanging Temple, while the area below for chrysanthemum viewing was also open, and all officials in Kyoto would go there.

Fan Xian, the first-class earl who had recovered from his injuries, also took a carriage to the Hanging Temple.

Along the way, there were horse-drawn carriages of officials from the capital at all levels, blocking the road to the Hanging Temple.

After traveling at a snail's pace on the carriage for two hours, Fan Xian finally arrived at a fork in the road.

The imperial guards holding flags were diverting the convoy.

"Third rank and below, keep going!"

"For those above the third rank or earl, turn right and go up the mountain!"

Fan Xian sat on the shaft of the cart and shouted, "I happen to be an earl, which way should I go?"

The Imperial Guards sergeant saluted and replied, "Under normal circumstances, go straight!"

"If it's Master Xiao Fan, please turn right!"

Fan Xian smiled and said, "So, I am an exception?"

The imperial guards replied respectfully, "Master Fan, please come up the mountain!"

Fan Xian was sitting in the carriage. He had just walked about ten feet when he suddenly heard someone flying overhead.

He looked up and saw two figures flying quickly through the forest. "Zong Zhui, who is that?"

Zong Zhui is good at Qinggong, and his observation and tracking abilities are also better than those of ordinary people.

"Sir, these two people have extremely high Qinggong skills, and ordinary people can't find them!"

"Although they are faster than me, they still can't escape my eyes!"

"Those two are none other than His Royal Highness Prince Yong and Wang Qinian!"

Fan Xian asked doubtfully, "Wang Qinian is a ninth-rank cultivator with superb lightness skills. Everyone in Kyoto knows this."

"How come Li Changan has such fast movements?"

Zong Zhui said mysteriously, "It is said that His Royal Highness Prince Yong saw Grandmaster Ye Liuyun take action, and gained some insights, and has already broken through to the ninth level!"

"You were assassinated last time, but it was a blessing in disguise that enabled you to break through to the ninth rank. You are the youngest ninth rank cultivator!"

Fan Xian still found it a little unbelievable. "My technique is special, so my cultivation level is advancing very quickly. But why is Prince Yong's cultivation so fast?"

Zong Zhui guessed, "Prince Yong traveled around the world and got a lot of precious secret manuals.

He has many Shadow Secret Guards who help Prince Yong study secret manuals all day long, which helps him improve his cultivation quickly!"

Fan Xian sighed, "After all, money is the most useful thing! Only with money can we hire so many helpers!"

Li Changan and Wang Qinian rushed all the way to the entrance of the Hanging Temple and then landed on the ground.

Ye Zhong quickly stepped forward and bowed, "Thank you, Prince Yong, for your generosity. I'd like to ask you to walk the distance from the mountain gate to the Hanging Temple on the top of the mountain by yourself."

Li Changan knew that there would be traffic jams if he went out in a carriage, so he and Wang Qinian used Qinggong to speed up their journey and arrived at the Hanging Temple in less than a quarter of an hour.

However, the Hanging Temple is now under high martial law. If one flies directly into the Hanging Temple from the mountain gate, who knows how many inner court masters will be alarmed.

By then, Ye Chong, the division commander in charge of guarding, will have a huge headache.

Behind Ye Zhong at the entrance of the Hanging Temple, the soldiers were breathing deeply, and they were all seventh-grade cultivators.

Generally speaking, those above the seventh rank are qualified to be military generals in the army.

Therefore, these seventh-grade soldiers are not ordinary soldiers, but should be the ace elite of the Kyoto Guard Division.

Ye Zhong said enviously, "His Royal Highness Prince Yong has really broken through to the ninth rank!"

Wang Qinian chuckled, "The strength of our prince is unfathomable."

"But after watching your grandmaster take action and chop down a building with one sword, I gained some insights!"

Ye Zhong said solemnly, "His Royal Highness Prince Yong and Master Fan have both broken through to the ninth rank. This should be related to my uncle."

Li Changan asked in a low voice, "How is Grandmaster Ye's injury?"

Ye Zhong replied helplessly, "Your Highness, I don't know!

When we heard that my uncle was injured, we immediately sent people to Jiangnan."

"But there has been no news about my uncle since then. He must have gone into hiding to recover from his injuries."

"When a Grandmaster is injured, it is the most dangerous time. Who knows if Ku He and Si Gu Jian will take the opportunity to assassinate him."

"After all, Daqing has two grandmasters. For Dongyi City and Northern Qi, one less grandmaster will make them safer."

Wang Qinian sighed and said, “I was lucky enough to be there when Grandmaster Ye was injured.

I really don’t know what kind of strange hidden weapon could actually injure a grandmaster! "

Ye Chong rolled his eyes. Various rumors were flying around regarding Ye Liuyun's injury.

Some said it was a new type of hidden weapon from the Inspection Institute, others said it was a magical weapon captured by the Shadow Secret Guards.

Some people said that it was done by the other three great masters hiding in the dark, and many people really believed that it was the roar of thunder in the sky.

Ye Liuyun is related to the rise and fall of the Ye family, so Ye Chong is actually very nervous. Despite what Wang Qinian said, there is a high possibility that the magic weapon is in the Shadow Guard.

After all, Wang Qinian, Xing Yusen and Teng Zijing of the Shadow Secret Guard have already broken through to the ninth rank, and even the maid that Li Changan gave to Princess Yichen has broken through to the ninth rank.

If there are any powerful magic weapons or techniques in the world, the Shadow Secret Guards are the most likely suspects!
"Commander Wang, I don't care about magic weapons. If my uncle is seriously injured, it will shake the foundation of my Ye family."

Li Changan smiled slightly, "No, your Ye family is favored by the emperor, and His Majesty has always valued you. Nothing will happen!"

Ye Zhong also laughed awkwardly, then whispered, "Your Highness, today is the chrysanthemum appreciation meeting, please help take care of it."

"Your Majesty has ordered that we, the imperial guards, cannot disturb His Majesty's enjoyment of the flowers."

"So, the area within a few miles of the Hanging Temple is heavily guarded, but once you enter the Hanging Temple, only the inner court guards are there to guard it."

“There aren’t enough people inside, I’ve already told His Highness about this.

You entered the ninth rank before him, so of course I have to let you know."

Li Changan smiled secretly in his heart, thinking that Emperor Qing would probably still set up a trap to deal with the Ye family.

However, the current situation is very different from that in the original drama, and the second prince has been completely eliminated.

Then there should be major changes in Emperor Qing's plan. Does he still want to set up a plan to drive the Ye family out of Kyoto?

I'm afraid only old man Qingdi himself knows the answer to this question.

"Master Ye, you are afraid of assassins, right? Feeling guilty before facing the enemy will affect morale."

Ye Zhong said somewhat awkwardly, "Protecting His Majesty is a heavy responsibility, and I dare not make any mistakes!"

It seems that Ye Zhong has a strong sense of crisis. He knows that Ye Liuyun is seriously injured and it will have an impact on the Ye family.

If there is any disturbance at the chrysanthemum viewing conference, his Ye family will be implicated.

"Master Ye, your junior brother is the commander of the imperial guards. Isn't he here?"

Ye Zhong frowned and said, "Firstly, Junior Brother Gong's cultivation is still a little bit inferior to yours."

"Secondly, he is not here today because of other important matters!" Li Changan knew that Emperor Qing borrowed the order of the Queen Mother and transferred Gong Dian out of Kyoto.

"Don't worry, Lord Ye. The Hanging Temple is held once every three years, and nothing has ever happened. Just relax."

After he finished speaking, he turned to Wang Qinian and said, "Old Wang, I'll go up by myself, you go find your own place."

Wang Qinian cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, please be careful."

The various floors of the Hanging Temple are well organized, and officials and nobles are arranged on different floors according to their positions and titles.

On the plank road at the top of the Hanging Temple, several princes were walking along the road towards the observation deck.

The third prince Li Chengping was trembling as he stuck to the rock wall, obviously suffering from severe acrophobia. The eldest prince laughed at him while protecting him as he moved forward.

The prince came up from behind and showed an honest smile, "Oh, the little one is afraid of heights!"

Li Chengping swallowed and said, "I was still young three years ago, so I didn't come to participate in the chrysanthemum appreciation meeting."

“I came here today and realized how high this plank road is and how steep this cliff is. It’s so scary!”

The prince laughed and said, "What's there to be afraid of? Only when you are at a high place can you see all the other mountains."

At this time, Li Chengze, who had not been seen for a long time, suddenly appeared and said, "Uncle Yong's poem is well quoted, but not everyone likes to stand so high."

The prince showed a surprised expression when he saw Li Chengze, "Hey! Second brother, you're out!"

Li Chengze snorted coldly, "I am not a prince, but I am still your Majesty's son. It is your Majesty's special permission for me to come out and enjoy the flowers."

The prince said solemnly, "It is said that the most ruthless families are those of the emperors, but our family is an exception."

As he spoke, he noticed that Li Chengze showed a look of contempt, and the prince subconsciously took a few steps back.

Ever since he was slapped in public by Li Chengze, the prince has become much more cautious and always stays away from the second brother when performing.

Now the second brother is barefoot and is not afraid of those who wear shoes, so beating him is useless.

The prince said to Li Chengping, "Although this plank road is high, it is not scary at all. If you don't believe me, look at me."

As Li Chengqian spoke, he actually clung to the railing of the plank road, with his upper body stretched out beyond the road. He was not afraid of heights at all.

"I will climb to the top of the mountain and look down on all the other mountains. What a great poem written by Uncle Prince Yong!"

Li Chengze sneered, "Uncle Yongwang once wrote a poem, it's cold at the top, only when you stand firm at the top can you enjoy the beautiful scenery."

Li Chengqian leaned his upper body over the railing, his clothes rustling in the wind, frightening Li Chengping, who was severely afraid of heights, so much that he covered his eyes.

The prince laughed loudly, "Sure enough, not everyone can stand on such a high place, haha..."

He was smiling when he suddenly turned his head and found that Li Changan had just turned the corner and was walking towards them.

Li Chengqian shrank back immediately like a mouse seeing a cat.

He didn't dare to show off in front of Li Changan. Li Changan had just broken through to the ninth rank. If he accidentally pushed him down, the prince would have nowhere to complain.

"The prince himself said that not everyone can stand at this high position. You need to be strong enough."

The prince felt that Li Changan's words were sinister.

"The second one is doing well in there. Don't imitate the prince and do such dangerous actions. If you fall down, the prince won't be able to explain it."

What Li Changan said was correct. After all, Li Chengze said that he would not commit suicide, and if he died, it would be Li Chengqian's fault.

The prince laughed awkwardly and said, "Uncle Yong Wang, you are joking. My second brother and I have always been on good terms."

Li Changan didn't say anything and went straight along the plank road to the observation deck on the top floor.

When Li Changan arrived, he found that Lin Wan'er had already arrived.

"Wan'er, we meet again."

To outsiders, Princess Yichen Lin Wan'er and Prince Yong Li Chang'an are in the same party, and Fan Xian and the prince are in the same party.

Lin Wan'er smiled with her hands covering her mouth. "Uncle Yong was newly married, so he naturally forgot the passage of time and felt that only a short time had passed."

"Actually...we haven't seen each other for over a month."

"Wan'er was not feeling well and was unable to attend Uncle Yong's wedding. I hope Uncle Yong will forgive me."

Li Changan knew that Lin Wan'er was afraid of being saddened by the scene. After all, Lin Wan'er dreamed of marrying Li Chang'an openly.

Li Changan said softly, "Wan'er, your words are too polite. We are family and we should not talk behind each other's backs. How can I blame you?"

Lin Wan'er pursed her lips, and when she saw several princes coming in one after another, she didn't know what to say.

When everyone was present, Emperor Qing walked in majestically amid the officials' congratulations.

As soon as Emperor Qing entered the room, Li Changan heard someone approaching outside the window.

Sure enough, it was Fan Xian who came to report that the lower level of the Hanging Temple was on fire.

Emperor Qing said coldly, "How is the fire?"

Fan Xian replied, "Your Majesty, it has been put out!"

Emperor Qing cursed, "Since the fire has been put out, why are you shouting and yelling? Come in and talk!"

After Fan Xian entered the palace, he immediately suggested, "Your Majesty, this fire is too strange. If there really is an assassin, the highest point is the most dangerous!"

Emperor Qing said nonchalantly, "Didn't you and Prince Yong remain calm when you saw the Grand Master being struck by lightning?"

"A fire that hasn't even started scared you like this!"

Emperor Qing was actually using the father-son relationship to win over Fan Xian. After all, Fan Xian's Barrett weapon was too terrifying.

Eunuch Hou also interjected at the right time, "Your Majesty has been assassinated forty-three times in his life, and he has never retreated!"

Fan Xian insisted, "Your Majesty is responsible for the safety of the country and the people of Qing. You cannot afford to lose anything!"

Emperor Qing led everyone to the open-air viewing platform, while at the same time teaching Fan Xian a lesson.

"You and Prince Yong have both broken through to the ninth rank, Li Chengru is also an eighth rank master, and Eunuch Hou is also an eighth rank master."

"With you guys here, can't I just enjoy the flowers in peace?"

"Stop talking nonsense, now that we are here, we should make the most of it! Let's find a place to sit!"

Li Changan watched coldly. Although Emperor Qing seemed strict, he always showed his attention and care for Fan Xian, demonstrating his understanding of fatherly love.

Before Fan Xian could continue to argue, Emperor Qing was already fascinated by the magnificent chrysanthemums at the foot of the mountain.

The prince enthusiastically pulled Fan Xian over and said, "Fan Xian, come on, sit next to me."

When everyone sat down, Li Changan had already discovered two assassins on this floor.

An inner court guard with a cultivation level of lower ninth rank, should be the Western Hu swordsman.

There is also a eunuch whose cultivation is only at the seventh level, but he has strong intelligence capabilities.

As soon as Emperor Qing sat down on the main throne, the ninth-rank guard instantly drew the steel knife from his waist.

He moved extremely quickly, and in the blink of an eye he had rushed towards Emperor Qing with a steel knife in his hand.

A big change happened suddenly, and the observation deck suddenly exploded into chaos.

Almost at the same time as the swordsman launched his attack, a white figure flew in from the window, stabbing Emperor Qing with a long sword in hand!
Emperor Qing watched coldly, seemingly unable to react or dodge in time.

He saw Li Changan's figure flash lightly and appear in front of the ninth-grade swordsman, and with just one move he knocked the swordsman's weapon away.

Fan Xian also launched his attack almost at the same time, targeting the white-clothed swordsman, who was the head of the Sixth Division of the Inspection Institute, Shadow!
PS: The remaining two chapters will be posted at 18:.

(End of this chapter)