The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS

"Your Majesty is looking for me?"

A sudden voice resounded, bringing great joy to Feng Jiwu's dignified face, while Si Haofeng slightly furrowed his brow.

From behind a golden pillar in the hall, a white-haired Daoist emerged, his presence emanating an aura of otherworldliness and detachment from the mundane world.

"Director of the Imperial Observatory, how dare you enter the palace without His Majesty's summons?" Si Haofeng's frown deepened upon seeing Qing Yu, and he couldn't help but rebuke sharply.

Without the Emperor's summons and without the guards and eunuchs of the palace being notified, Qing Yu's unauthorized entry into the palace was no small offense.

However, since the Emperor regarded him as kin, what had Qing Yu to fear about offenses!

"Enough, Si Qing, Daoist Qingyu is an outsider, we need not fuss over these trivial formalities," Feng Jiwu waved his hand and said.

An outsider? Even being the Director of the Imperial Observatory counts as an outsider?

Moreover, those oppressed Buddhist monks are also outsiders, aren't they? Why don't I see such tolerance for them?

Si Haofeng had a bellyful of complaints but knowing Feng Jiwu's trust in Qing Yu, he knew his words would be of no use. Thus, he could only keep his grievances to himself.

'Demon Path!' Si Haofeng cursed inwardly.

In his eyes, this Taoist was nothing but a charmer who bewitched the Emperor, and given the chance, he would not let him off easily.

"You have been out of contact these days, it seems you must have gained much from this journey," Feng Jiwu smiled.

"Not good nor bad," Qing Yu replied.

Feng Jiwu thought that Qing Yu's covert operations would lead to great gains. In reality, this expedition was only moderately successful. In the end, he was repelled by Pei Dongliu and retreated with injuries.

Although it turned out to be a blessing in disguise, remembering the events that followed, Qing Yu felt the aftermath of the Debating Conference was far from over.

Or rather, in the eyes of some, the end of the Debating Conference was not their end.

After the Debating Conference concluded abruptly, the Zhenwu Sect members were attacked by Demonic People on their way back to their sect.

Tong Ming was critically injured and returned to the Zhenwu Sect on the brink of death. Xuan Chen also sustained some minor injuries, while Xuanming and Xuan Yin were seriously wounded.

As for the other disciples, none survived.

Chunyang Palace also encountered an attack, though the attackers were not all Demonic People; there were also masked figures unwilling to reveal their true identities.

Fortunately, they had reached Dragon Tiger Mountain in time, traveling together, temporarily dissuading others from coveting them.

The battle between Zhang Yuanchu and Hua Yufei ended in a draw, and both returned to the Taizhen Palace together.

Overall, the Debating Conference left many mysteries unresolved, even for Qing Yu, who had been an observer and had not seen clearly.

The cunning old foxes, both overtly and covertly, had their scheming, so that the anticipated major battle in Ji Province still maintained the status quo.

However, the Daqian Court had already begun deploying troops to Ji Province recently, signaling that a major battle was imminent.

Qing Yu had originally planned to visit Zhenwu Sect again to observe the upcoming Seven Peaks Resolution. But after receiving a message from Feng Jiwu while at the Blood Robe Building base, he had no choice but to ride the White Phoenix back to Northern Zhou.

"This time, with the Northern Wolf Barbarians invading under the leadership of Jashu, a True Pill Realm Martial Artist, reportedly the illegitimate son of the Golden Wolf Khan and heavily supported by the Khan, commanding an army of one hundred fifty thousand—countless fierce soldiers from the Golden Wolf Han Court may well have infiltrated their ranks.

Daoist Qingyu, this time, we are relying on you," Feng Jiwu said meaningfully.

"It seems that the measures prepared for a long time will also be put into use," Qing Yu responded with a similarly meaningful smile.

Their conversation left Si Haofeng completely befuddled. How could this charmer withstand Jashu's army of one hundred fifty thousand with just his beguiling words, or did he plan to move the Heavenly Giant Statue to the frontier?

Si Haofeng wanted to ask, but couldn't lower his pride. After all, these so-called measures were clearly led by this demonic deceiver, and he, Si Haofeng, a prominent disciple of the Ru Sect Mountain River Academy and appointed as Dean Zhuge, did not want to show any weakness before this charmer.

"If that is the case, then, Daoist, please set off immediately and resolve this swiftly," Feng Jiwu said.

What previously seemed unhurried was just for show to Si Haofeng; in reality, he was quite anxious. This time, Jashu's army of one hundred fifty thousand was just probing; if Northern Zhou showed weakness, next time it might be two hundred thousand, or even two hundred fifty thousand.

"Resolve swiftly, yes, I have long been prepared for this day," Qing Yu nodded.

"The imperial edict is here, Daoist, please."

A rolled-up imperial edict flew from Feng Jiwu's sleeve and was caught by Qing Yu.

Clearly, Feng Jiwu was well-prepared and just waiting for Qing Yu's return.

"Please await good news from me, Your Majesty."

With that, Qing Yu strode out of the great hall, leaving in his wake the guards staring as if they had seen a ghost, and he walked away with long strides.

"Your Majesty, is this... possible?" Si Haofeng asked in astonishment.

This was no minor matter; it was a major national military affair. Shouldn't they have discussed how to defeat the enemy first, and then how to manage logistics, and given his notorious reputation as a deceiver, how was he to lead the soldiers to have faith in him...

All these issues were for Qing Yu to face and needed to be resolved. Yet Feng Jiwu, without asking any questions, had directly issued the imperial edict.

"Si Qing, just wait for the good news," Feng Jiwu smiled.

"Let's hope so," Si Haofeng muttered.

··························

Pushan Temple.

Once ruined by the encounter between Qing Yu and Zen Master Xin Hui, it had been restored to its former glory over several days.

But the former splendor was hard to see again.

Because of their battle, many pilgrims were inadvertently affected, and the number visiting the temple to offer incense had significantly decreased, especially after hearing that Zen Master Xin Hui had returned to Pushan Temple, even the more devout pilgrims dared not come.

Some had propagated that Zen Master Xin Hui, who had once deviated into madness, had become a complete madman and reckless thug.

The sight of Xin Hui, with bloodshot eyes wildly rampaging, had been witnessed by many.

Therefore, upon returning to Pushan Temple, Xin Hui secluded himself in the quiet room, continuously reciting the Heart Sutra day and night, to suppress the surging Fire of Ignorance within him.

However, today, his tranquility was disrupted.

"Knock, knock—"

Someone was knocking outside the quiet room. After knocking twice, they said, "Uncle Master Xin Hui, the demon has returned."

Demon!

It was as if a string in his mind had snapped, and the prayer beads he was twirling in his hand were crushed by his Qi Force. Golden light emanated from Xin Hui's body and Black Fire ascended.

"Finally... finally... he has returned..."

Letting the Fire of Ignorance within burn his reason, Xin Hui revealed a fierce, murderous smile.