Chapter 253: A Lot of Trouble
In the evening, thirty miles outside Xijing Prefecture, at Duanjiabao.

With Duan Tianhong's warm hospitality, people from Prince Xian's Mansion and the six major sects all had a satisfying meal and returned home with great satisfaction.

Compared to the cautious and prudent Yingtian Tower, the Duanjiabao tonight is a peaceful world. With the presence of a group of masters led by Luo Tianjin and Abbot Xuanming, the disciples of the Xianwang Mansion and the six major sects are all full of confidence and move forward courageously.

Some even wanted to wipe out Jinjianwu and the four great families of Wulin in one fell swoop, killing anyone who stood in their way and taking the opportunity to reshuffle the martial arts world. Most people just laughed it off, neither seconding nor refuting, obviously wanting to see what happened on Qingming Day first and then follow the trend.

The Hexi area is vast and sparsely populated, and the wealthy families here all have fields stretching for miles and covering thousands of hectares.

The same is true for Duanjiabao. In addition to the main courtyard where the Duan family's family members live, there are hundreds of other courtyards and houses built in an orderly manner within a radius of ten miles, which can accommodate more than a thousand people.

At night, the drunken Luo Tianjin led his people back to his residence. At this moment, Liu Xunyi, Xunzhen and his party from Huazhou had been waiting for a long time.

Now, Liu Xunyi is more and more certain that the Mongols were secretly behind the incident in Chenzhou, but he has no real evidence, so he is anxious and worried.

Liu Xunyi dared not disobey the Prime Minister's order, but now Granny Taohua and Tang Afu were unwilling to testify for him. Liu Xunyi racked his brains all the way and finally had only one last solution, which was to beg Luo Tianjin in person and persuade him to come out to mediate tomorrow and resolve the crisis.

"Xunyi, you came a step too late. You didn't see the disciples from all factions who were united in their hatred of the enemy. Haha..."

Inside the room, Lin Fangda enthusiastically recounted to Liu Xunyi the various interesting things that had just happened at the banquet, laughing and saying, "Especially Shaolin's Abbot Xuanming, he has always been mature and compassionate, and it's rare to see him so angry tonight."

At the side, Luo Ningyu poured tea for Luo Tianjin and continued, "Abbot Xuanming is a vegetarian and a Buddhist. The fact that he was forced to use a knife and a gun shows that what the Qin family did has aroused the anger of both humans and gods."

After saying that, her eyes inadvertently swept towards Xunzhen who was sitting next to Liu Xunyi, and her originally calm expression became a little unnatural.

In addition to Luo Ningyu and Lin Fangda, Luo Tianjin was accompanied by Luo Hongxuan, Deng Changchuan, Murong Bai, Di Mo and others.

Luo Tianjin moistened his throat with tea and smiled softly, "Xun Yi, you reacted promptly and handled the situation in Chenzhou properly. Just now at the banquet, the leaders of the six major sects all praised you, especially the left leader of the Qingcheng Sect. You saved Xu Zhun in the critical moment, and everyone in the Qingcheng Sect is grateful to you. You did a good job on this matter!"

"It's just a trivial matter, not worth mentioning." Liu Xunyi sighed with a bitter look on his face, "Although I saved Xu Zhun, I failed to save Sect Master Chen..."

Upon hearing this, everyone present looked gloomy, and a hint of sadness welled up in their eyes.

The death of Chen Yong caused grief throughout the Prince Xian's mansion.

At this moment, Liu Xunyi was like an ant on a hot pot, so impatient that he had no time to sigh. He turned around and asked, "Palace Master, may I ask how Brother Xu's injury...is recovering?"

"Xu Heng's injuries are no longer serious." Deng Changchuan said, "He only needs to recuperate for two months and he will be fully recovered."

Hearing this, Liu Xunyi and Tang Cong both breathed a sigh of relief, and finally put their minds at ease.

Liu Xunyi's expression changed, and he tried again: "After Brother Xu woke up, did he say who ambushed and killed them?"

"Long Yu." Murong Bai said, "According to Xu Heng, Chen Yong died under Long Yu's sword, and he was also injured by Long Yu."

"really!"

Liu Xunyi's eyes changed, and a flash of ecstasy flashed through his heart. He quickly responded: "We should have expected that this matter must be related to the Mongols."

Having said this, he frowned again and pretended to hesitate, "Now that the real culprit has been found, I wonder if the Palace Master... can tell the six major sects the truth?"

"No." Luo Hongxuan interrupted, "Master Liu, things are not as simple as you think. Now, all the martial arts sects have heard the news and are ready to go. At this critical moment, how can we make up stories without any evidence? What's more, the matter of Shaolin came first, and the matter of Chenzhou came later. Even if we want to resolve it, we should first resolve the grievances between Shaolin and the Qin family, and then discuss the matter of Chenzhou."

"I guess the eleven Shaolin monks were also killed by the Mongols, not by the Hexi Qin family." Liu Xunyi was slightly startled, and hurriedly explained, "It seems like two things, but in fact it is one thing..."

"Looking for clothes." Before he finished speaking, Luo Tianjin waved his hand gently and said, "Right now, besides what Xu Heng said, do you have any other evidence?"

"I..." Being questioned by Luo Tianjin, Liu Xunyi was speechless. He said bitterly in his heart: "If I had other evidence, why would I wait until today?"

Now that the six major sects and the four major families have each suffered casualties, they all regard each other as their mortal enemies. Whether it is for revenge or to save face, neither side will easily give in.

At this moment, it was ridiculous for Liu Xunyi to try to turn hostility into friendship with his eloquence.

"Xun Yi, I know what you're thinking." Luo Tianjin said quietly, "You don't want to see us being used by others, and you don't want to see the Central Plains martial arts community killing each other because of the Mongols' instigation..."

"Exactly!"

"Just listen to me." Without waiting for Liu Xunyi to interrupt, Luo Tianjin shook his head and said, "But have you ever thought that your good intentions may be seen as ulterior motives by others? You swear solemnly and confidently, and claim to be able to see through everything and guess everything by yourself. Then what do you regard the heroes of the martial arts world as? And where do you put the various sects? Is it possible that in such a big world, you, Liu Xunyi, are the only smart one? Are all the others fools? Once the arrow is shot, there is no turning back. Since the martial arts sects have mobilized their troops, they will never end it hastily. You know, in the absence of ironclad evidence, your so-called 'truth' will not only fail to turn the tide, but will intensify the contradictions, and even make it worse, making the situation more and more out of control. Even you, Liu Xunyi, will become the target of public criticism. By then, not only will you not be grateful to everyone, but you will be hated, despised, disliked, and even... cursed!"

Liu Xunyi disagreed with Luo Tianjin's remarks. He frowned and retorted: "Master, is face more important than life? There is a saying: 'Everyone makes mistakes. It is the greatest virtue to correct them.' Now that we have seen the truth and know that everything is caused by the Mongols, why don't we expose them? Why do we have to watch the rivers and lakes in chaos and blood flow?"

"Even if they are wrong, the martial arts sects will never admit that they are wrong." Luo Tianjin said lightly, "You are right about one thing. When you are in the martial arts world, face is sometimes more important than life." Liu Xunyi looked at Luo Tianjin in disbelief and asked hesitantly, "Could it be... that this is the reason why the Palace Master is unwilling to make the truth public?"

"Liu Xunyi, how dare you!" Murong Bai's eyes darkened and he scolded, "What qualifications do you have to question the Palace Master? Don't forget your status! You are so disrespectful, why don't you slap him in the face?"

"That's it!"

Without waiting for the bewildered Liu Xunyi to react, Luo Tianjin waved his hand nonchalantly and said with a smile: "Liu Xunyi is still inexperienced. There are some things that he has never experienced personally, so naturally he cannot understand the essence of them."

Deng Changchuan smiled faintly and said, "What the mansion master said is very true. Young people are all like this, full of blood and full of self-righteousness. They will not turn back until they hit the wall. Haha..."

Liu Xunyi certainly understood that what Luo Tianjin and Deng Changchuan said was all based on experience. Although it was unpleasant to hear, they were well versed in the ways of survival in the martial arts world. But even so, Liu Xunyi still couldn't give up.

It was not that Liu Xunyi was stubborn and self-righteous. It was just that he shouldered a heavy responsibility, and whether out of concern for the safety of the Central Plains or out of obedience to the Prime Minister's strict orders, he had to stand up and try every means to stop this storm.

After hesitating for a long time, Liu Xunyi gritted his teeth and pleaded again: "Xunyi is a nobody, his words are not taken seriously, naturally no one will believe what he says. But the palace master is the famous 'Northern Sage King', if you speak, the martial arts heroes will definitely give you some sympathy, even if there is no solid evidence, people will believe it..."

"No need to say more!"

Facing Liu Xunyi's pleading, Luo Tianjin interrupted impatiently, "I am not heartless, and I don't want to see fighting in the martial arts world. But everything must be based on reason. First, the grudge between Shaolin and the Qin family is rooted in the tragic deaths of eleven monks. As an outsider, I cannot intervene in this matter, and it would be unreasonable to intervene rashly. Therefore, this section can only be resolved by them themselves, and I will not take the initiative to intervene. Second, the matter of Chenzhou, the six major sects and the four major families are killing each other. This matter is related to my Xianwang Mansion. I can either send troops to attack or come forward to mediate, but no matter which choice is made, there must be evidence, and it must not be empty talk. This is not only related to the reputation of Xianwang Mansion, but also to our life and death. Therefore, if you want me to come forward, then find the ironclad evidence that the Mongols are obstructing it. But if you can't produce evidence, not only can I not intervene, but you have to give up this idea, so as not to burn yourself and ask for trouble."

"Palace Master, I..."

"Go down!" Luo Tianjin no longer gave Liu Xunyi a chance to explain, and waved his hand with tired eyes, "Go down! I'm tired."

"But……"

"Xun Yi!" Lin Fangda hurriedly grabbed Liu Xun Yi's arm and whispered, "The Palace Master has been tolerant of you many times, don't push your luck. If you anger the Palace Master, be careful of being punished again, why don't you hurry and follow me out?"

After saying that, Lin Fangda dragged the unwilling Liu Xunyi without further ado, and coaxed and persuaded her out of the room.

After leaving, Liu Xunyi had a lonely look in his eyes and was full of despair. He remained silent all the way and walked slowly forward like a wandering soul.

Tang Cong followed behind him silently, not knowing how to comfort him.

"Are you completely giving up this time?"

Suddenly, Xunzhen's voice sounded in front of Liu Xunyi.

Liu Xunyi suddenly woke up, looked at Xunzhen who was close at hand with hesitant eyes, and asked suspiciously: "Just now in front of the Palace Master, I argued with you, why didn't you say a word?"

"Palace Master Luo has made up his mind. Even if I tell him everything, it will be in vain." Xunzhen chuckled, "Only you are so short-sighted that you can't see Palace Master Luo's attitude and insist on twisting him again and again."

Hearing this, Liu Xunyi couldn't help but smile bitterly and sighed, "How could I not know the Palace Master's intention? He wants to protect himself and doesn't want to wade into this muddy water. I just... am unwilling to accept it."

Tang Cong rolled his eyes and interrupted, "No matter what, the Palace Master still left a chance for the Sect Master and didn't kill him all at once. Hehe..."

"What opportunity?" Xunzhen raised his eyebrows and sneered, "Tomorrow is the second day of August. Can we find evidence tonight that the Mongols are interfering? This 'opportunity' is just a way out given by Lord Luo to both sides."

After that, Xunzhen pretended to be sympathetic and patted Liu Xunyi on the shoulder, saying regretfully: "Forget it! Forget it! Sect Master Liu has already tried his best. As for the result, we can only leave it to fate..."

"Boom!"

Before he finished his words, there was a sudden crisp sound of a copper basin falling to the ground in the courtyard opposite.

Then, there was a loud noise of tables and chairs falling over, and along with it, there seemed to be a faint sound of a woman sobbing.

Liu Xunyi and the other two were perked up and looked over at the sound, with suspicious looks on their faces.

Before Liu Xunyi could go forward to find out what was going on, Tang Cong's hesitant mutterings had already quietly sounded in his ears.

"The person living in that courtyard seems to be... a young lady?"

……

　We will arrive in the northern frontier tonight. I wonder if I can ride a horse and drink three thousand cups with Brother Su?

　　
　
(End of this chapter)