Eternal Saber

In the northeast direction of the Capital City of Great Xia, adjacent to Xiajiang, lies Jingkou, a crucial stronghold of Great Xia, guarding against Qian Country in the north and against the Profound Celestial Sect in the south, safeguarding the Capital City.

The Northern Expedition Army is stationed here.

Great Xia has many generals with titles, but most are nominal generals. Only four can establish independent mansions, and the Commander of the Northern Expedition Army, General Wei, Uncle Wang, is one of them.

As the brother of the late emperor’s empress, he held an important position as a martial relative, highly valued by the late emperor. After Ye Xuan retired, the late emperor entrusted the Northern Expedition Army to Uncle Wang.

Since the Great Xia Southward Movement, due to the powerful Gate Valves dividing the regions and acting independently, the Royal Family waned, leading to several internal strifes threatening imperial power.

Only after Uncle Wang took command of the Northern Expedition Army did the Royal Family truly possess a military force capable of intimidating the Six States and the major Gate Valves!

However, later, the late emperor suddenly passed away, and the current His Holiness ascended the throne.

Xia Daozi, as the emperor’s uncle, assisted in governance, appointing favored ministers like Shen Guobao. Coupled with the emperor’s foolishness and inability to distinguish cold from heat, power slipped away, governance deteriorated, and internal divisions within the Imperial Family began to emerge.

The night fell, dotted with sparse stars.

Within the General’s Mansion in Jingkou, lamps blazed, resembling daylight.

In the main hall, Uncle Wang, who had surpassed sixty years of age, had a lean face, sword-like eyebrows extending to his temples, eyes as cold as stars, a straight nose, and tightly pressed thin lips, exuding an authority that demanded respect without anger.

At this moment, he was dressed in an ink-colored battle robe woven with gold edges, standing in front of a desk, his figure tall and slender, holding a secret message behind him, his gaze profound and thoughtful.

At this time, a personal attendant reported from outside the door.

"Reporting to General Wei, an officer under General Liu’s command has an urgent report."

"Oh?"

Uncle Wang’s sword-like eyebrows slightly arched.

An officer under Liu Daojian coming to report to him was circumventing a level, a severe taboo in the military.

Uncle Wang, displeased, asked calmly, "Who is this person?"

"Song Wu."

The personal attendant replied.

A thought flickered in Uncle Wang’s mind.

Initially, he did not intend to meet this person, but he had some impression of Song Wu.

Born in the Jianghu, yet lacking its negative traits, diligent in his tasks, alert and shrewd, he previously performed well when sent to Beiqian to gather information.

"Let him in."

Uncle Wang said.

After receiving the order, the personal attendant quickly withdrew.

Before long, he brought Song Wu into the main hall.

Uncle Wang saw that Song Wu’s face was weathered by the elements, his complexion flushed, and his breathing not yet steady. He knew that Song Wu had rushed over a long-distance journey using Lightweight Skill.

"What’s the matter?"

Uncle Wang asked directly.

Song Wu took out a few wax-yellow letters from his bosom and presented them with both hands, saying in a deep voice, "Recently, I investigated Sword Casting Manor and discovered its secret collusion with the Profound Celestial Sect, a significant matter I dare not neglect."

"These are the secret correspondences between Sword Casting Manor and the Profound Celestial Sect. Please decide, General."

Song Wu raised his arms high, and after speaking, he lowered his head, not daring to meet Uncle Wang’s eyes.

To be honest, today’s action of his involved enormous risk!

Bypassing Liu Daojian and directly approaching Uncle Wang already violated military regulations.

But he knew, if he informed Liu Daojian, it might not help Chen Tang and could even backfire.

The only chance lay with Uncle Wang!

Yet he had no idea what Uncle Wang’s attitude would be.

After speaking these words, Song Wu was resigned to letting fate decide.

But after a long time, Uncle Wang still did not respond.

In the main hall, there was a deathly silence.

Beads of sweat began to trickle down Song Wu’s forehead. Unconsciously, he was already drenched in sweat, his heart slowly sinking to the bottom.

No response, possibly meant a response!

Just as Song Wu’s arms were about to grow stiff from holding up, a question came faintly from the front: "Why didn’t you report this to Dao Jian?"

Song Wu said in a deep voice, "General Liu is not in the camp, so I brought the secret message to report to you first, General."

This was, of course, just an excuse.

But in fact, Liu Daojian had indeed already left with his troops and was heading to Langya Pavilion.

"Sword Casting Manor has always maintained close ties with the Northern Expedition Army, why did you suddenly investigate Sword Casting Manor?"

Uncle Wang squinted slightly and suddenly asked, "Who provided you with this intelligence?"

He had just received a handwritten letter from Ye Xuan, which mentioned the collusion between Sword Casting Manor and the Profound Celestial Sect.

Shortly thereafter, an aide from the Northern Expedition Army went to investigate the Sword Casting Manor.

This matter is too coincidental.

Could this person have some connection with Ye Xuan?

If there are still Ye Xuan’s people in the Northern Expedition Army, it is more serious for him than the incident at the Sword Casting Manor!

Song Wu originally wanted to make up any excuse, but he vaguely sensed that Uncle Wang’s tone was somewhat off, faintly revealing a hint of killing intent!

Song Wu pondered for a moment, deciding to report truthfully: "A friend of mine had a conflict with Sword Casting Manor and killed someone..."

Song Wu then roughly described the matters between Chen Tang and Sword Casting Manor.

"Sword Casting Manor’s reaction was too bizarre, so I decided to investigate further."

Song Wu said: "Sword Casting Manor is heavily guarded, and there hasn’t been an opportunity until a few days ago when Sword Casting Manor gathered experts to Langya Pavilion, then I had the chance to sneak in and obtain these secret letters."

Upon hearing this, Uncle Wang’s expression eased slightly.

He took the secret letters from Song Wu’s hand, casually placed them on the desk, and said, "Sit down and talk."

"Yes."

Song Wu felt as though he had received a great pardon, his whole body drenched in sweat.

Just now, he felt as though he had walked through Ghost Gate!

Uncle Wang asked: "Is this Chen Tang you speak of, the young man who abolished Xia Yuanxian today?"

"Yes."

Song Wu nodded.

A hint of appreciation flashed in Uncle Wang’s eyes, and he said: "You truly value loyalty, risking yourself for this friend."

"The General overpraises; Sword Casting Manor was vulnerable tonight, not much of a dangerous place."

In front of Uncle Wang, Song Wu was very humble.

Uncle Wang snorted softly and said: "I wasn’t referring to Sword Casting Manor; coming to me was the real risk!"

Song Wu’s body shook as he looked at Uncle Wang in surprise.

Uncle Wang stared directly at Song Wu and slowly said: "Sword Casting Manor has close ties with the Northern Expedition Army, and most of the military weapons are supplied by the Manor. Have you not considered that I might have some connection with the Profound Celestial Sect?"

"Absolutely not!"

Song Wu resolutely said: "The General’s heart is with Great Xia, loyal to His Holiness, disdains the powerful, is upright and incorruptible, with towering righteousness, how could he possibly collude with the Profound Celestial Sect?"

These words were powerful and heartfelt, causing Uncle Wang to be quite pleased.

But he was also unable to express anything, his expression unchanged, only nodding silently.

Seeing Uncle Wang’s lack of reaction, Song Wu continued: "In recent years, the court has been afflicted by traitorous ministers, disrupting the governance, with many officials mere puppets, only the General stands firm, speaking out boldly at the Imperial Court, condemning treacherous ministers and traitorous prime ministers. Who in the Jianghu does not know of the General’s reputation?"

"Even Xia Daozi and Shen Guobao, though powerful in the court, must also fear the General!"

"It is due to the General guarding Jingkou and protecting the Capital City that Great Xia’s nation is not overturned and falls into the hands of traitors. While traversing the Jianghu, I have heard people mention the General, all saying the General is the ’Golden Beam across the Sea, White Jade Pillar upholding Heaven’ of Great Xia!"

Even Uncle Wang, as mature and composed as he was, felt a bit elated by these words.

More importantly, what Song Wu said is indeed true.

In today’s Imperial Court, only he dares to publicly criticize the likes of Xia Daozi and Shen Guobao!

"Hmph!"

As Xia Daozi and Shen Guobao were mentioned, Uncle Wang’s face sank, and he said coldly: "These two petty scoundrels deceive His Holiness, wreck our governance, if given the chance, they must be eradicated!"

"Your friend abolished Xia Yuanxian, equivalent to severing one arm of Xia Daozi, abolished well!"

Upon hearing these words, Song Wu’s heart finally settled.

He dared to report this to Uncle Wang because he heard that Chen Tang abolished Xia Yuanxian and made enemies with the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

Thus, it can also invisibly help Uncle Wang solve a major hidden problem.

In recent years, Uncle Wang has had severe conflicts with Xia Daozi and Shen Guobao, very difficult to resolve.

Xia Daozi even thought about summoning Uncle Wang to the court, with Imperial Palace experts ambushing him to slaughter him!

Uncle Wang also had similar thoughts.

A while ago, Shen Guobao petitioned for His Holiness to reduce the Northern Expedition Army’s forces, which made Uncle Wang furious!

It seems like this is just a matter of Sword Casting Manor, but due to Chen Tang making enemies with the Prime Minister’s Mansion, Shen Guobao might seize the opportunity to attack Chen Tang while he’s down.

If Uncle Wang is willing to intervene, it will not only eliminate the hidden threat of Sword Casting Manor but also serve as a lesson to the Profound Celestial Sect and a golden opportunity to strike against Xia Daozi and Shen Guobao!

The Northern Expedition Army’s fame will significantly rise!

One stone, three birds.

Uncle Wang stood up and said in a deep voice: "Issue the order, all camp leaders assemble at the training grounds immediately, lightly equipped and ready for deployment!"

The matter is accomplished.

Song Wu breathed a sigh of relief.