Chapter 558: Opportunity, Flood Dragon Divine Pearl! (Part 3)
Xiao Jing's pupils contracted imperceptibly.
Even though he knew Chen Yuan must have slain Xiang Qianfeng to return safely, seeing the head placed before him still startled him a bit.
He knew some details about the Xiang Family's strength, naturally including the prominent elder Xiang Qianfeng, and understood that his true cultivation had already reached the Refining God Peak, comparable to the level of the four Divine Envoys of the Heavenly Patrol Bureau.
Yet now, Chen Yuan had boldly and calmly tossed him to the ground, which was indeed surprising.
He truly couldn't figure out what method Chen Yuan used, could it be as Xiang Qianqiu said, that there was an unknown force behind him aiding Chen Yuan?
"Who is this?"
Zhang Yantong stared carefully at the charred head on the ground, somewhat curious.
"A remnant of the royal Xiang clan from the previous dynasty, Elder Xiang Qianfeng!"
Chen Yuan replied in a deep voice.
These words seemed to stir up waves, as all the Divine Envoys narrowed their pupils and couldn't help but step forward to investigate closely, being high-ranking people of the Heavenly Patrol Bureau, they naturally had some understanding of the Xiang Family.
They had even engaged in combat in the past, and Xiang Qianfeng was one of those encounters.
After confirming without error, the few exchanged glances, turning to Xiao Jing and saying:
"This person is indeed Xiang Qianfeng!"
Although the head was charred black by fire, they had ways to identify him, it couldn't be fake.
"How did you slay this person?"
Xiao Jing coughed lightly and asked.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yantong, Zuo Tiancheng, and Wu Tianxi also paused, their gazes gathering on Chen Yuan, both curious and somewhat shocked.
They had witnessed Chen Yuan's strength a few days ago; being in the Primordial Spirit Realm, he was rarely met with adversaries, but a master at the Refining God Peak was not something he could cope with.
Chen Yuan was prepared with a response, replied calmly:
"I'm not hiding from the Great Governor, it was indeed a bit cunning to slay him..."
Chen Yuan voluntarily revealed the location of Qingjiang Lake, thinking there were no deep traces left; even if one wanted to investigate, they wouldn't find out.
Chen Yuan claimed that he felt someone watching him before but could not be certain, so he didn't report to the Heavenly Patrol Bureau, and instead, laid down a formation in advance at Qingjiang Lake.
Sure enough, when he left the city today, he hadn't gone far before being attacked by Xiang Qianfeng, who claimed to avenge his son's life, and Chen Yuan led him to Qingjiang Lake.
After exhausting significant effort, he finally relied on the power of the large formation to slay this person.
There were some holes within, but generally wouldn't be problematic, as there were indeed traces of formations in Qingjiang Lake intentionally left by him, but those were set by Xiang Qianfeng.
After listening, Xiao Jing gave Chen Yuan a deep look, put away the head, and said lightly:
"You are injured, return to the Marquis Mansion to recuperate, I will report this matter to His Majesty."
"Thank you, Great Governor."
Chen Yuan slightly cupped his hands, bowed to the Divine Envoys before turning and leaving the Heavenly Patrol Hall.
Xiao Jing pondered for a moment, nodded and said:
"This matter is of great importance, I will immediately head to the Imperial Palace, record Chen Yuan's merits first."
"Yes."
"Yes."
...
...
Imperial Palace, Imperial Garden.
Today, Jingtai, in a rather refined mood, had invited the State Preceptor Pu Xian Bodhisattva for a game of chess; since the last battle in the Capital, Pu Xian spent most of his time recovering at Little Thunder Sound Temple.
Now, after nearly half a year, he had mostly recovered.
"Your Majesty, Great Governor Xiao Jing requests an audience."
A guard bowed and reported.
Jingtai paused slightly, holding a chess piece, and said lightly:
"Let the Great Governor in."
"Yes."
Shortly after, Xiao Jing entered the Imperial Garden alone, seeing the Emperor and State Preceptor Pu Xian playing chess, clasped his hands and said:
"Your Majesty."
"State Preceptor."
Pu Xian clasped his hands, gently nodding:
"Great Governor."
Though Xiao Jing's strength was indeed far inferior to his, in terms of rank, he wasn't lower, especially since he controlled the first martial government, making him wary, they were basically equal.
"Why does the Great Governor have time to see me today?"
Jingtai put down the chess piece in his hand, smiling gently.
He waved a hand, signalling someone to offer Xiao Jing a seat.
"Returning to Your Majesty, it's about Chen Yuan."
Jingtai's brows furrowed slightly:
"Regarding the Heavenly Divine Envoy matter, I will think further, don't rush."
"I'm not here for that."
Xiao Jing stepped forward and sat beside him.
"Then for what?"
Jingtai raised an eyebrow, somewhat curious.
Seeing this, Xiao Jing took out Xiang Qianfeng's head from the Jiezixumi Space Treasure, suspended it in the air and said:
"Your Majesty, look, this person is an elder from the former Xiang Family, Xiang Qianfeng, slayed today at Qingjiang Lake by Chen Yuan. I have already confirmed, there is no mistake."
"Oh?"
Jingtai was quite surprised, waved a hand, and sucked the head before him, examining it carefully:
"This person was slain by Chen Yuan? If I'm not mistaken, Xiang Qianfeng's cultivation was Refining God, wasn't it..."
"Your Majesty is correct, this person's cultivation was indeed Refining God, already at its peak."
"How did Chen Yuan possess the ability to slay him?"
"Today..."
Xiao Jing recounted Chen Yuan's words, heard by Jingtai with a profound gaze, not speaking for a while.
"Your Majesty, could you allow me to examine this object?"
Pu Xian showed some interest.
"State Preceptor, feel free to examine."
Pu Xian's eyes gleamed slightly, carefully scanning this head, and couldn't help but frown, the burn marks seemed familiar...
"State Preceptor, have you discovered anything?"
Jingtai saw his frown and assumed he found a problem.
Pu Xian said softly:
"This fire is extraordinary, surprising that Wu An Marquis is also skilled in formation arts, indeed the identity of this person aligns with the Xiang Family."
"How do you conclude?"
"Under the Heavenly Vision of mine, this object cannot hide, I can see traces of the Xiang Family's Divine Blood existed within, but now it's gone, that's rather odd."
The top figures in Jianghu knew something about the Xiang Family, including the famed Xiang Family Divine Blood.
"It should have been obliterated within the formation." Xiao Jing said indifferently.