Chapter 114: Chapter 114: The Secret of the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure (Second Update)
Facing Xu Nian’s words, Shen Rongyin showed no intention of pressing the issue further.
No one knew what she was truly thinking. At least, her current silence spoke volumes.
Xu Nian couldn’t be bothered with her any longer and instead turned his attention to Kong Qingquan and Zhao Qixian.
His affairs with Shen Rongyin were private matters. Now, it was time for official business.
"Gentlemen, I apologize for any lack of hospitality," Xu Nian said, setting down his teacup and gesturing respectfully. "My humble place indeed lacks the resources of the major sects."
Kong Qingquan shook his head with a smile. "Sect Leader Xu is too modest. We visited today solely concerning the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure. Could Sect Leader Xu perhaps shed some light on it?"
For these two, the only thing in Jianghu that could truly stir their hearts was the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure. They had no interest in Xu Nian’s private affairs. After all, those were Xu Nian’s own issues and had nothing to do with them. Scandals of the Imperial Family are merely amusing gossip, not to be taken to heart.
Zhao Qixian also nodded. "Boy, your list has thrown Jianghu into turmoil. Now everyone wants to find the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure. What exactly are you planning?"
Even these two had been startled by the news. It was likely that even more people would be alerted in the coming days. By then, Fengxiang Prefecture and Celestial Origin Mansion would probably see an even greater influx of individuals.
Xu Nian pondered for a moment before speaking. "There’s no need for you two to inquire about the source of the list; I won’t disclose it. However, I can tell you that I am indeed interested in the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure. But given the Profound Yellow Sect’s current situation, obtaining it is incredibly difficult. Therefore, I felt I had no choice but to involve more people. I just never expected so many to be interested in the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure, even to the point of alarming you two. That was truly beyond my expectations."
His words were true. From the beginning, his aim was to draw more people in as cannon fodder. No one knew what lay within the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure. Even Xu Nian himself couldn’t guarantee he could obtain it. But now, the more people involved, the safer he felt. That was his real intention.
Zhao Qixian and Kong Qingquan exchanged a look, both smiling faintly. They believed Xu Nian wasn’t lying; after all, there was little need for him to lie in their presence.
Kong Qingquan chuckled softly. "Regarding the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure, I’ve only come across fragments of information in the library. I’m not entirely clear on the specifics, but..."
He paused abruptly, his gaze falling on Shen Rongyin. The implication was clear: the remainder of the conversation was not for her ears. The Imperial Court had already dispatched people to participate, and Shen Rongyin currently represented the Shen Family. Without a Nine Dragon Key, the Shen Family naturally had no standing in this matter.
Shen Rongyin didn’t display any anger. Instead, she rose and bowed. "Rongyin will not disturb your discussion further."
With that, she calmly walked outside, Earth Deficiency following closely behind her.
As soon as the two had departed, Zhao Qixian snorted coldly. "Don’t listen to what you shouldn’t, or you might find yourself deaf!"
These words were, of course, directed at Earth Deficiency. With his exceptional hearing, eavesdropping on their conversation would have been effortless. But Zhao Qixian’s threat was potent; Earth Deficiency certainly wouldn’t dare to entertain such thoughts. Compared to Kong Qingquan’s swordsmanship, he feared Zhao Qixian’s sword far more.
Only after they had walked some distance away did Kong Qingquan continue speaking.
"The Confucian texts record that the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure is related to our very world. But to know the specifics, one would likely need to see it for oneself. Otherwise, one could only inquire with His Majesty, the current Emperor!"
Kong Qingquan elaborated, "It is rumored that the founding Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty obtained the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure, which led to the establishment of the current Great Qian Dynasty. Sadly, its true secret is known only to the successive emperors; no one else is qualified to learn of it."
As soon as Kong Qingquan finished speaking, Zhao Qixian, at his side, nodded. He too had discovered ancient sword manuals left by predecessors in the Sword Tomb. Among them were records concerning the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure, particularly the gathering of the Nine Dragon Keys three hundred years ago. The Nine Dragons Secret Treasure had been on the verge of being opened back then, but agents of the Imperial Court directly intervened. Almost all those involved were massacred. Thus, the true nature of the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure became a complete mystery.
"However," Zhao Qixian continued, "a senior from the Sword Tomb escaped that massacre and, with his dying breath, left a single word within the Sword Tomb."
Zhao Qixian said solemnly, "Cage!"
Xu Nian and Kong Qingquan both looked at him intently.
Zhao Qixian explained, "Three hundred years ago, a senior from the Sword Tomb survived. He had even glimpsed the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure from afar. Though pursued relentlessly by the Imperial Court, he fought his way back to the Sword Tomb and left behind that one word: ’Cage’!"
Cage? What did that mean? A single word, yet it brimmed with countless possibilities. Was the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure located within some kind of cage? Was the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure itself a cage? Or did entering the place where the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure was hidden mean essentially walking into a cage?
Xu Nian felt a headache coming on.
Beside him, Kong Qingquan frowned slightly. After a moment, he spoke. "Actually, more than the nature of the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure, I’m curious about its location!"
Location... It seemed only the Blood Demon Sect Leader knew its current whereabouts. No one understood how he had come by this knowledge, but many people appeared to be aware of this information and believed it.
Xu Nian asked in a low voice, "The Blood Demon Sect Leader?"
"Sect Leader Xu," Kong Qingquan suddenly asked, "do you know why the Jianghu people don’t make a fatal move against the Blood Demon Sect?"
A flash of understanding lit up Xu Nian’s eyes, and he looked up abruptly. "The location of the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure?"
Kong Qingquan nodded slightly.
"With our strength, eliminating the Blood Demon Sect would be easy. Even the Brocade Guard dispatched by the Imperial Court could accomplish it. Yet, the Blood Demon Sect has not been eradicated, and there are even rumors that no one dares to target them."
Kong Qingquan explained, "The reason is that the Blood Demon Sect Leader knows the whereabouts of the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure. I suspect that the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure is likely within the borders of Fengxiang Prefecture, and the Blood Demon Sect Leader himself might be hiding somewhere within Fengxiang Prefecture."
The Nine Dragons Secret Treasure is in Fengxiang Prefecture? Are you serious?
Xu Nian’s eyebrows knitted together tightly.
If that’s the case, then all my previous guesses were wrong. The Blood Demon Sect’s occupation of Fengxiang Prefecture likely wasn’t to kill me. Instead, their Sect Leader must have anticipated that the Nine Dragon Keys would converge in this era and made preemptive arrangements in Fengxiang Prefecture. That way, the Blood Demon Sect could be one step ahead. But the Blood Demon Sect definitely has connections with someone influential in the Imperial Court. The Ninth Prince is the most likely candidate. So, does the Ninth Prince know the whereabouts of the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure?
"What are your intentions?" Xu Nian asked, looking intently at the two men.
"To join forces!" Kong Qingquan stated. "We don’t possess any Nine Dragon Keys. Opening the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure requires all of them to be gathered. Sect Leader Xu, you already have three, which is precisely why we’ve come."
As masters of the Free Heaven Realm, seizing the keys by force would be unbecoming of their status. They still cared a great deal about their reputations. So, their visit to the Profound Yellow Sect was for the purpose of collaboration. They aimed to enter the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure together and uncover the secrets it held.
Zhao Qixian also nodded in agreement. They had both been drawn into this, so naturally, they came here to uncover the true secrets of the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure. This was, after all, the greatest secret since the founding of the Great Qian Dynasty. Zhao Qixian, with one foot already in the grave, naturally wanted to witness the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure before he died.
"Alright!" Xu Nian nodded. "We can cooperate. But we’ll probably need to find the Blood Demon Sect Leader first, won’t we? Otherwise, we won’t know the location of the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure."
After all, the crux of the matter still lay with the Blood Demon Sect Leader. The owners of the Nine Dragon Keys likely all yearned to explore the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure.
[System Task: Nine Dragons Secret Treasure.]
[Introduction: The Nine Dragons Secret Treasure has reappeared in Jianghu. As the most prominent force in Fengxiang Prefecture, you naturally cannot miss this opportunity.]
[Goal: Enter the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure.]
[Time Limit: One month.]
[Reward: Dependent on the Host’s completion.]
[Tip: The Host can delegate this task to disciples. Task division is flexible. The reward is limited to Contribution Points, and this task’s reward cannot exceed one thousand Contribution Points.]
The System Task suddenly arrived.
One thousand Contribution Points directly! The more Contribution Points, the greater the difficulty. It appeared the secrets of the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure might cost many their lives.
But since the task had been issued, Xu Nian naturally wouldn’t let it pass.
It’s just the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure. With so many players by my side, bulldozing through this shouldn’t be a problem at all. Every single player is a talent! An invaluable talent!
Zhao Qixian pondered. "This old man will send a message to Cui Shengshu and have him prepare quickly. As for the Blood Demon Sect Leader, he probably won’t be able to sit still either. With the Nine Dragon Keys gathering, he won’t be able to avoid showing himself even if he wants to!"
The Blood Demon Sect had made such a grand play. With the Nine Dragon Keys converging, how could their mysterious Sect Leader possibly miss out? He would definitely appear.
As for now... the Nine Dragon Keys had to be gathered together as quickly as possible.
Xu Nian, carrying the Red Dragon Sword, stood up and turned towards the outside.
Shen Rongyin stood under a large tree, her expression complex as she stared at the lush green foliage before her, her heart filled with resentment.
Seek revenge? How could I seek revenge? With Zhao Qixian and Kong Qingquan present, who could possibly kill Xu Nian?
Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but sigh.
How does His Majesty truly view me? Why didn’t he just kill me directly back then? Was I left alive merely to be humiliated?
Xu Nian slowly walked up and stood beside her. "I was indeed plotted against back then," he said. "It was very likely the Ninth Prince. You’d better be careful. As far as I know, he’s bringing people this time, and the Eighth Prince is among them!"
Hearing this, Shen Rongyin said nothing. She just stood there silently, the light completely vanished from her eyes.
At this moment, she resembled a walking corpse...