Eternal Saber

"General Wang, the three of us were simply blinded by greed at that time. We hope the general can give us a chance to atone for our sins."

The Great Manor Master, seeing that the situation was beyond salvation, pleaded disregarding his dignity, "The Sword Casting Manor still has its uses, and in the future, we can still forge weapons and armor for the Northern Expedition Army..."

"The Sword Casting Manor does indeed have its uses."

Before the Great Manor Master could finish his sentence, Uncle Wang interrupted, saying calmly, "Only, after tonight, the Sword Casting Manor will no longer belong to you."

Hearing these words, the Great Manor Master turned pale as earth and weakly collapsed to the ground.

"Bind them all and take them away!"

Uncle Wang waved his hand.

The members of the Sword Casting Manor had their acupuncture points sealed and were quickly escorted down the mountain by the many Northern Expedition Army soldiers.

The Jianghu members present all showed signs of amazement upon seeing this scene.

No one expected that in just one night, the Sword Casting Manor would change owners.

From now on, the Sword Casting Manor is no longer a Jianghu force but belongs to the Northern Expedition Army!

"Dao Jian, escort the prisoners back to the camp immediately, and no mistakes are allowed!"

Uncle Wang said sternly.

"Understood!"

Liu Daojian bowed in compliance and then added, "If word of this incident gets out to the Sword Casting Manor, it might cause them to flee; over there..."

"I’ve already sent people to surround the Sword Casting Manor; not a single person will escape."

Uncle Wang spoke with a calm demeanor.

"The general is wise."

Liu Daojian exclaimed with admiration, then said with a bitter smile, "I didn’t expect the Sword Casting Manor to collude with the Profound Celestial Sect, and I remained completely unaware. When did the general become aware that there was an issue with the Sword Casting Manor?"

Song Wu showed a slight change in expression upon hearing this question, feeling a bit anxious.

If Uncle Wang mentioned him, he feared he wouldn’t be able to stay under Liu Daojian’s command any longer!

"This matter was of great importance, and I was worried about information leaking, so I only sent one person close to me to investigate."

Uncle Wang smiled slightly, patted Liu Daojian on the shoulder, and said, "I didn’t intentionally keep this from you, Dao Jian, so you don’t need to take it to heart."

"I wouldn’t dare."

Liu Daojian immediately replied, looking terrified.

Song Wu breathed a small sigh of relief and gave Uncle Wang a somewhat grateful look.

"You should take your men back first."

Uncle Wang asked Liu Daojian to leave first and then casually pointed out several dozen Northern Expedition Army leaders to stay, including Song Wu.

Liu Daojian left Langya Pavilion with the Northern Expedition Army, and Shen Guobao and his people, having no further reason to stay, hurriedly went down the mountain under the protection of the Imperial Guard.

"Military affairs are busy, and I have disturbed you much today. Madam, please rest early."

Uncle Wang slightly clasped his hands toward Madam Su, then left the courtyard with dozens of leaders.

"Take care, General."

Shen Yuanlin went to see the guests off.

"Luckily, I didn’t leave tonight; I almost missed a grand show."

"This Chen Tang is really something. A single murder case involved so many forces and brought together these big figures you never usually see, who can shake an entire area with just a stamp of their foot."

"Indeed, not only did Langya Pavilion go all out to protect him, but Marshal Xuan almost fought Liu Daojian because of him. His face really is impressive, even Uncle Wang showed up."

"After today, Chen Tang is likely to become famous in Jinghua!"

Numerous Jianghu guests were busy discussing amongst themselves.

"Brother Chen, the entire commotion tonight was all because of you."

Mei Zhenyu, relieved that the crisis was over, smiled and said, "Tonight’s events may very well attract more attention than that battle during the day! You are likely to become the hottest figure in the Capital City."

Chen Tang, however, maintained a calm demeanor and shook his head.

On the surface, this incident started because of him, but behind it lies the struggle and competition among various forces.

He made a significant contribution to Langya Pavilion, and Ye Xuan valued him highly, both of which served as reasons to protect him.

But Uncle Wang had no prior acquaintance with him, and there was no need for him to intervene in this matter.

The only reason was that this incident could bring considerable benefits to the Northern Expedition Army.

Removing a Profound Celestial Sect spy near the Capital was just one aspect.

More importantly, the Northern Expedition Army took over the Sword Casting Manor as a matter of course, not only striking at the Profound Celestial Sect but also wiping out a top Jianghu force!

Furthermore, this event also dealt a substantial blow to the factions of Xia Daozi and Shen Guobao.

He was merely an insignificant pawn in this.

Those Jianghu people were just there for the spectacle and could say whatever they wanted; he had to maintain a clear understanding.

However, the actions of that Liu Daojian still revealed a hint of strangeness.

If it were only about taking action on behalf of the Sword Casting Manor, there was no need to cause such a big commotion and even surround the mountain with troops.

This move seemed more targeted at Langya Pavilion.

Before leaving, Song Wu gave him a look.

Chen Tang bade farewell to everyone and left early.

He went outside, not far away, and saw Song Wu waiting for him not far off.

"Brother Song, thank you for today’s event."

Chen Tang clasped his hands in gratitude.

"It’s nothing."

Song Wu chuckled and said, "Thanks to General Wang’s intervention, otherwise obtaining evidence wouldn’t have done any good. By the way, General Wang wishes to see you."

"Oh?"

Chen Tang was a bit surprised and asked, "Approximately what for?"

Song Wu shook his head and said, "I’m not sure, but it should be nothing bad. I’ll go with you."

The two of them set out together, leaving Langya Pavilion.

After passing through a stretch of forest, they arrived at a cliff’s edge where Uncle Wang was standing, upright, with an ancient sword at his waist, gazing in the direction of the Capital City.

"I am Chen Tang, paying respects to the General."

Chen Tang bowed.

"So you are Chen Tang."

Uncle Wang turned around, looked Chen Tang up and down, nodded slightly, and suddenly asked, "Are you willing to join my Northern Expedition Army?"

Chen Tang was stunned.

Unexpectedly, Uncle Wang sought him out for this matter, and so directly.

Uncle Wang continued, "I have heard of your skills, and you are friends with Song Wu. Joining my Northern Expedition Army, you don’t have to start as a common soldier. You can directly become a personal guard under my command."

Song Wu’s eyes lit up, looking at Chen Tang with some anticipation.

Even a genius on the Wind and Cloud Ranking must start from the lowest ranks if joining the Northern Expedition Army, advancing step by step.

Uncle Wang allowing Chen Tang to become a personal guard under him shows his high regard for Chen Tang!

More importantly, those words revealed another layer of meaning.

Although there was no direct conflict between Chen Tang and Liu Daojian today, some rifts might inevitably form.

But being by Uncle Wang’s side would alleviate Chen Tang’s worries.

Chen Tang naturally understood the implication.

However, having experienced the Qian Country, he already grew weary of the court’s scheming and power struggles.

Chen Tang was about to refuse when Uncle Wang suddenly asked, "Are you planning to join the Sword Pavilion?"

Chen Tang shook his head.

He was used to freedom, and joining any sect or power would eventually entail many constraints.

"After today, you will be renowned in Jinghua, but your situation will also be very dangerous."

Uncle Wang said, "You crippled Xia Yuanxian and thoroughly offended Xia Daozi’s faction, leaving no room for mediation. The Sword Casting Manor was eliminated because of you, and the Profound Celestial Sect will not spare you either."

"In the imperial court, there’s no place for you to establish yourself. Roaming the Jianghu, you will face crisis at every step!"

"In Great Xia, there are not many forces that can protect you. The Northern Expedition Army is one, and the Sword Pavilion is another."

Chen Tang understood Uncle Wang’s unspoken meaning.

In Great Xia, without the Northern Expedition Army or the Sword Pavilion as a backing, he may find it difficult to make any progress!

"Today I stepped in for many reasons, including eliminating the Profound Celestial Sect’s spies near the Capital City, cracking down on treacherous ministers, and taking over the Sword Casting Manor."

At this point, Uncle Wang paused, looked straight at Chen Tang, and slowly said, "Another reason, I do not want to see a young genius like you fall just like that."

Chen Tang was shocked, looking up at Uncle Wang.

He did not expect that this commander of the renowned Northern Expedition Army would say such words to him.

At that moment, he almost agreed to join the Northern Expedition Army.

But he soon calmed down again.

Uncle Wang gazed toward the Capital City, perhaps thinking of something, and sighed with some disinterest, "We are old now; after all, Great Xia’s future belongs to you young people."

Chen Tang remained silent.

Uncle Wang said, "You don’t have to rush to answer me. Whenever you make up your mind, feel free to come to the Northern Expedition Army to see me."

"Thank you, General."

Chen Tang expressed his gratitude.

"You may go, I am waiting for someone here."

Uncle Wang waved his hand indifferently.

Chen Tang and Song Wu exchanged a glance and bowed, taking their leave.

-----------------

Langya Pavilion.

Ye Xuan and Ye Taoyuan escorted Madam Su back to her residence.

Ye Taoyuan said, "Cousin, the great gift of the Sword Casting Manor you gave to Uncle Wang, he didn’t seem to appreciate it, didn’t even say a word to you."

"With so many eyes watching, to avoid suspicion, he wouldn’t say anything to me."

Ye Xuan said lightly, "Moreover, his loyalty to His Holiness is unwavering, so naturally, he is very wary of Jianghu and the Sword Pavilion."

"This Liu Daojian, to back the Sword Casting Manor, actually led a massive army to surround the mountain, truly audacious!"

Bringing up the matter, Madam Su was still indignant and frustrated.

Ye Taoyuan said, "According to him, it was to prevent the Profound Celestial Bandits from escaping, hence the grand mobilization. That sounds reasonable, but I always felt it was a bit excessive."

"He might have an issue."

Ye Xuan suddenly said.

"Hmm?"

Ye Taoyuan asked, "Is he colluding with the Profound Celestial Sect too?"

Ye Xuan shook his head, "That is unlikely, but he came today ostensibly to back up the Sword Casting Manor, but in fact, targeting Chen Tang and Langya Pavilion."

"And who did Chen Tang and Langya Pavilion offend today?"

"The Prime Minister’s Mansion!"

Ye Taoyuan blurted out and then suddenly realized, "No wonder Shen Guobao arrived so conveniently."

Then Ye Taoyuan frowned, "Given that Uncle Wang and Xia Daozi, Shen Guobao have always been at odds, could it be that Liu Daojian, as a general of the Northern Expedition Army, has defected to them?"

"Hard to say."

Ye Xuan shook his head, "It’s just my speculation."

Madam Su said, "If Liu Daojian is secretly colluding with Xia Daozi and Shen Guobao, Uncle Wang may be in danger."

"Cousin, should you give him a heads-up?"

Ye Taoyuan asked.

Ye Xuan said, "First, it’s just my speculation; second, if I go to warn him, not only will Uncle Wang not suspect Liu Daojian, he might even think I’m sowing discord."

"Actually, there’s no need to worry. Without any major changes, with Uncle Wang overseeing the Northern Expedition Army, Liu Daojian cannot create too much trouble."

After pausing, Ye Xuan’s expression changed slightly, and he suddenly said, "I’m going to see someone."