Chapter 997: Gathering of Heroes (Part )

"I understand what Taoist Gu Yue meant, but understanding is not the same as comprehension." After thinking for a moment, Qin Wei seemed to still be puzzled, and said in a deep voice, "Please forgive my shallow knowledge. Liu Xunyi has been working in Tianji Pavilion for 20 years. He is diligent and hardworking, but he is only a fifth-rank official. To the court... he can almost be described as a 'minor official'. Not to mention that the emperor disdains him, even Zhao Yuan, the 'Marquis of Tianji' at that time, could discipline him. However, he has only been dealing with your Central Plains martial arts world for a short period of three to five years. How can he soar to the sky? How can he have such a great appeal? To be disrespectful If I were to say so, the status of the Wulin leader in the martial arts world is equivalent to that of the emperor in the dynasty. He can decide life and death at will. How could he take a desperate Liu Xunyi seriously? What surprised me even more was that the leader of Qingfeng had clearly issued a killing order, so why did so many people help him regardless of the consequences? As you know, from the moment the emperor designated Liu Xunyi as a "court criminal", no one from the court officials to the government officials dared to have any relationship with Liu Xunyi, for fear of being implicated. Why can't we find any trace of such a supreme deterrent power in the Wulin leader?"

"Lord Qin has lived in the court for a long time and is used to the king's orders and laws, and knows very little about the human relationships in the martial arts world." Gu Yue smiled bitterly, "Although the Wulin Alliance Leader is the master of the Central Plains martial arts world, there is still a world of difference between him and the emperor. The imperial power is granted by heaven and is inherited from generation to generation. Therefore, his words are law and no one dares to disobey him. The Wulin Alliance Leader is a 'latecomer' who relies on his own strength and prestige in the martial arts world to rise step by step. He is jointly recommended by heroes all over the world for a period of three years. Therefore, although the Wulin Alliance Leader has the power to command the heroes, he does not have the power to dispatch the heroes, let alone the ability to control the various factions. What's more, the people in the martial arts world are different from the officials appointed by the court. Any hero who has made a name for himself in the martial arts world, Most of them are brave and unruly. They often do what they want and are not easily influenced by anything. If he obeys you, he will go through fire and water without regrets and enjoy it. If he does not obey you, even if you stab him eight or ten times, he will still dare to point at your nose and curse you. Therefore, the emperor obeys you more by force than by kindness, and the leader of the martial arts world obeys you more by kindness than by force. Once his prestige is damaged and the heroes of the world are dissatisfied, the power of the leader of the martial arts world will no longer exist. Although Liu Xunyi has been in the martial arts world for a short time, he has made many friends who only recognize "friendship" and not "power". Not to mention that the leader of the martial arts world is not taken seriously by them, even the king of heaven can't shake their determination to collude with Liu Xunyi. "

In fact, Gu Yue only told half of the real reason. The more important reason why Liu Xunyi has such a great appeal is his little-known life experience.

However, Gu Yue did not intend to tell Qin Wei about this now.

The reason is nothing more than the subtle relationship between Qin Wei and Liu Xunyi. Qingfeng is worried that if Liu Xunyi's life experience is revealed too early, Qin Wei may waver.

If he were to turn against his own side out of consideration for their brotherhood, or even persuade the court to change its stance from "supporting Qingfeng" to "supporting Liu Xunyi", the consequences would be disastrous.

Even though the possibility is very small, Qingfeng still has to be cautious just in case.

Qin Wei was skeptical about Gu Yue's explanation, but he did not ask any further questions. Instead, his mind changed, and an indescribable confusion flashed in the depths of his eyes.

As if he was worried that Gu Yue would see his uneasiness, Qin Wei lowered his eyelids and asked nonchalantly, "How is Liu Xunyi now?"

"You were lucky enough to have a life in Lin'an, but now you can't hope to escape in Luoyang." Gu Yue sneered, "Don't worry, Master Qin. We won't let you make a wasted trip. The leader just wants to borrow Liu Xunyi's life at the 'Anti-Traitor Conference' to give a satisfactory explanation to the heroes of the world. After this matter is over, we are willing to hand over Liu Xunyi's body to you. As for how the court will deal with it... it has nothing to do with us."

"I am an acquaintance of Liu Xunyi. Can Taoist Gu Yue convey a request to the leader of Qingfeng Alliance for me?" Qin Wei frowned slightly and said intermittently, "This matter... has nothing to do with the court. It is my own idea."

"I am all ears."

"I know that Liu Xunyi will be killed on May 5th. I have come a thousand miles to follow the will of my host and will not interfere with the arrangements of the leader of Qingfeng. But..." Qin Wei's eyes were complicated and his words became more hesitant. "When the leader of Qingfeng executes Liu Xunyi, can you... leave his body intact?"

"This..." Gu Yue was stunned, "What do you mean, sir?"

"The man is dead... all grudges should be returned to dust and earth. I have known him since childhood, and I really can't bear to watch him die without a complete body."

"Lord Qin values ​​friendship and loyalty, and I deeply respect him. But this matter... I dare not make my own decision." Gu Yue hesitated, "The master means... to use Liu Xunyi's head to comfort the dead. If I leave his body intact, I'm afraid it will be difficult to vent my hatred."

"This……"

"But I will convey Sir Qin's wishes to you. Even if I cannot keep Liu Xunyi's body intact, I will find someone to sew his head and body together and give him a complete body."

"So...whatever!"

"In fact, I have an unwelcome request, I wonder if I should tell you?" Gu Yue rolled his eyes and took the opportunity to speak, "Of course, this is not the intention of the headmaster, it is just my own idea."

"I'd like to hear your advice!"

"On the fifth day of the fifth month, if Liu Xunyi decides to bite back, if necessary... I hope that Lord Qin can step forward and uphold justice on behalf of our head of the family."

"Do justice?" Qin Wei raised his eyebrows and asked suspiciously, "You mean... let me stand up and refute Liu Xunyi and give false testimony for the leader of Qingfeng Alliance?"

When Gu Yue heard the word "perjury", his expression changed slightly, and then he smiled awkwardly, which was considered as acquiescence. "I wonder what you mean by 'when necessary'?" At this time, Qin Wei was a little unhappy in his heart, but he remained calm on the surface, "Could it be that the words of the leader of Qingfeng and Madam Luo combined are not as important as those of a little Liu Xunyi?"

"Lord Qin, you are too kind! If it was just Liu Xunyi who was making random accusations, it would be of no consequence. After all, he is a dying man, so it is understandable that he would frame him. I believe that heroes in the world will not care." Gu Yue replied meaningfully, "But if other people come forward to help, especially the person who appeared in the Xianwang Mansion on the seventh night of the twelfth lunar month two years ago..."

"You are talking about... Xie Xuan and Yun Zhuiyue?"

"That's right!" Gu Yue answered frankly, "Among them, Xie Xuan is the most deadly. He is Luo Tianjin's life and death friend, and now he is the lord of the Xianwang Mansion. If he starts talking nonsense... there is no guarantee that the heroes in the world will not criticize the leader. At this time, if a very important person stands up and says a few 'fair words' for the leader..."

"Your Excellency's intentions... don't seem to be kind." Seeing that Gu Yue was treating him like a fool, Qin Wei finally lost his patience and said mockingly, "If I stand up and reveal my identity, I can certainly 'testify' for Qingfeng Alliance Leader, but at the same time, everyone will know that Luo Tianjin's death... is related to me. In this way, won't those people who shout for revenge for Luo Tianjin regard me as an accomplice of Liu Xunyi? It is understandable that Taoist Gu Yue wants to help Qingfeng Alliance Leader 'prove his innocence', but using me as a 'sacrifice' and putting me in an irreparable situation... doesn't seem very kind."

"Master Qin, please don't misunderstand me. I have no intention of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs." Gu Yue's eyes changed, and he quickly explained, "I am just considering the current situation. Master, we are in the same boat. We share honor and disgrace. If the leader is troubled in the "Anti-Traitor Conference" or even loses, I am afraid that your safety in Luoyang City... will be difficult to guarantee. On the contrary, as long as the leader sits firmly on the throne of the leader of the martial arts world and makes the heroes of the world submit to him, you will be able to rest assured, and no one will dare to cause trouble for you."

"Master Gu Yue, are you threatening me? Or are you reminding me?" Qin Wei's tone became increasingly hostile, with a hint of questioning in it.

"Neither, I am just speaking the truth. I believe that with Lord Qin's discerning eyes, he will be able to see my sincere heart." Gu Yue pretended to be humble, "Of course, whether this matter succeeds or not is up to Lord Qin to decide, I dare not force it."

"I will carefully weigh this matter and will take any action after the 'Anti-Traitor Conference'."

"I also hope that the anti-traitor meeting will go smoothly. All our worries are unnecessary." Having said this, Gu Yue seemed to see that Qin Wei was a little impatient, so he changed his expression and pretended to be concerned, "Are you used to living here, Lord Qin? Do you want me to arrange a guest house for you in the Xianwang Mansion?"

"No need to bother!" Qin Wei waved his hand without thinking, "I once visited the Xianwang Mansion with Zhao Yuan. Many people have seen me and know that I am from the court and that I was involved in the assassination of Luo Tianjin. The reason why I disguised myself is that I don't want to attract other people's attention and stir up unnecessary trouble. Now, I am just a nobody in the martial arts world, just joining in the fun. If the leader of Qingfeng Alliance pays special attention to me, it will arouse suspicion."

"Haha...Since Lord Qin...Oh no! It should be Young Master Qin who has his own plans, I will not force him to do anything." Gu Yue took advantage of the situation and pretended to be generous, "Shunxi is one of us, Young Master Qin can ask him for any instructions. All your expenses in Luoyang City will be charged to me."

"Master Gu Yue is too polite..."

"Snapped!"

Just as Qin Wei and Gu Yue were having a scene, there was a loud noise of a teapot breaking downstairs, followed by a chaotic uproar of smashing, shouting and cursing.

"Bang, bang, bang!"

Before the confused Qin Wei and Gu Yue could figure out the situation, someone suddenly knocked on the closed door.

"Uncle Master, something happened downstairs."

Hearing this, Gu Yue frowned, subconsciously glanced at the absent-minded Qin Wei, and asked in a deep voice: "What's the matter with all the noise?"

"There were two groups of people in the lobby shouting at each other over a pot of tea, and even fighting each other." A Wudang disciple replied with a slightly embarrassed tone outside the door, "One of the groups... was exactly Lord Qin's men."

……

(End of this chapter)