Chapter 56 Lingjing Xingzhe Night Tour God

Zhang Yuanqing was jolted awake in an instant. He tried to move his body, but his muscles were sore and weak, as if he had received general anesthesia.

The Queen and Jingwei beside him were in a similar state, twisting their pale faces and making feeble attempts to resist, looking even weaker than three-year-olds.

"Don't bother struggling. Once you're hit by the Azure Dragon Gang's Ruan Jin San (muscle-weakening powder), even top-tier martial artists will be rendered useless for the time it takes to brew a cup of tea," Wang Beiwang said indifferently.

"Cousin, Cousin, what are you doing?" Zhang Yuanqing forced a smile. "I'm your cousin, Li Erdan."

Wang Beiwang sneered repeatedly, "Let's not beat around the bush. I've already broken free from your mind control."

Hypnosis is a modern term; in ancient times, it was called "mind control."

Zhang Yuanqing's heart skipped a beat. He abandoned his unrealistic fantasies, racking his brain for a solution while stalling for time. He asked, "How did you do it?"

Wang Beiwang patted his sword hilt. "Swordsmen cultivate their hearts. Mere mind control can only affect me temporarily. Before sleeping at night, I chatted with my parents about you, and I vaguely sensed something was wrong. I woke up in the middle of the night and realized I was under your mind control. You're really bold to dare stay in my house."

"Aren't you just a mediocre martial artist?"

"Why would I reveal my full capabilities to an enemy!"

Zhang Yuanqing was dumbfounded. It wasn't because Wang Beiwang had lied to him—that wasn't the key. The key was the phrase "swordsmen cultivate their hearts." From a Lingjing Xingzhe's perspective, this was a swordsman's passive skill: Iron Will.

Iron Will was a passive ability that only level 4 swordsmen could master. Theoretically, Wang Beiwang, at most at the Extraordinary stage, shouldn't possess "Iron Will." However, ancient cultivators were different from Lingjing Xingzhe. The latter received enlightenment from the Lingjing, while the former relied on their own slow cultivation.

In other words, ancient scouts began to temper their will during the Extraordinary stage, waiting for it to transform into "Iron Will" in the Saint realm. This was gradual cultivation.

This was uncharted territory for Zhang Yuanqing.

Looking at his dazed enemy, Wang Beiwang snorted coldly. "I have limited patience. If you don't tell me the truth, don't blame me for being impolite."

Zhang Yuanqing's eyes darted around, and he forced a smile. "Good sir, we..."

Jiang Jingwei interjected stubbornly, "Just kill us if you want to; don't waste time."

"Scram!" Zhang Yuanqing turned and spat at her face. Was this stupid girl here to get them killed?

He continued, "Good sir, we encountered enemies and were forced to hide in your esteemed residence, hoping to seek refuge. That's all. We have no hostility towards your parents. Otherwise, why would we freeload without doing anything?"

The Heavenly Venerate has always been able to adapt. He who understands the times is a wise man. If his hands and feet weren't tied and his body wasn't weak, Zhang Yuanqing would have kowtowed right then and there.

The Queen nodded repeatedly. "That's right, we're just staying for a few days and have no ill intentions. Brother Wang, chivalrous people of the martial world are righteous. Please, help us."

She regretted not being a musician or an Ero, unable to use a beauty trap.

Wang Beiwang's eyes swept over the three of them for a moment, then suddenly kicked over the wooden box, pointing at the three sets of bright yellow casual clothes that had slid out. He sneered, "Yellow dragon robes—this is what the Emperor wears. Commoners aren't allowed to weave or hide them, which is the same as rebellion. The three of you have quite the background."

His gaze sharpened, and he suddenly drew his sword, piercing Zhang Yuanqing's shoulder. "Who exactly are you?"

Zhang Yuanqing groaned in pain. Blood instantly stained his shoulder red, and sweat beaded on his forehead. He hissed and shouted, "Spare me, hero! We're just thieves who stole these clothes. That's why we're being chased."

Wang Beiwang said coldly, "I'll ask, and you'll answer, just like during the day. I'll only give you three *chana* to answer each question. If you're slow, I'll stab you with my sword. Each time you're slow, I'll stab you once."

Zhang Yuanqing thought, *How long is three chana? Is your unit of time so casual?*

Before he could complain, Wang Beiwang asked, "With your mediocre skills, how could you sneak into the palace?"

"The clothes weren't stolen from the palace."

"Then where were they stolen from?"

"The Zheng family."

"Why would the Zheng family have yellow dragon robes?"

"The Zheng family wants to rebel."

"Is the Zheng family chasing you?"

"Yes."

"Why steal the dragon robes?"

"We work for the Yang family. The Yang family wants to collect evidence of the Zheng family's rebellion."

During the rapid exchange, Zhang Yuanqing controlled his emotional reactions, making each sentence seem incredibly truthful, resisting Wang Beiwang's Insight skill.

*People of the Yang family...* Wang Beiwang didn't continue asking questions and fell into thought, shocked by the content of the answers.

As someone from the capital who had been in the martial world for a long time, his perspective was different from ordinary martial artists and common people.

*The Zheng family is plotting rebellion, and the Yang family is waiting to take advantage...* This involved the highest level of power games and struggles, not something comparable to martial arts squabbles.

He believed that "Cousin Li Erdan" wasn't lying. At least, with his keen eye, he hadn't detected any signs of lying.

Moreover, the three yellow dragon robes were exquisitely embroidered and made of high-quality fabric, definitely originating from the palace or a noble family.

These three "thieves" had some skills, but not much. It was impossible for them to sneak into the palace. Compared to that, sneaking into the Zheng family was more likely.

Seeing Wang Beiwang's expression change不定 (yinqing buding - uncertain) and his eyes dart around in his sockets, looking like he was caught in a brainstorm, Zhang Yuanqing breathed a sigh of relief.

After more than ten seconds, Wang Beiwang regained his senses and suddenly looked at Jiang Jingwei. He asked, "Is what he's saying true?"

Jiang Jingwei nodded vigorously. "True."

Wang Beiwang's gaze suddenly sharpened as he looked at Zhang Yuanqing. "You dare to lie to me!"

He suddenly drew his sword, causing a splash of blood. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he was about to thrust the sharp sword into Zhang Yuanqing's chest. As a member of a Jianghu gang and a swordsman who licked blood from the blade, he had always been decisive in killing.

Just as the sword was about to pierce his heart, Wang Beiwang suddenly stopped. The tip of the sword pierced halfway into Zhang Yuanqing's chest, stopping before it pierced his heart.

"I can still use you," he said, putting the fine steel long sword back into its scabbard.

Zhang Yuanqing felt relieved, knowing that his actions to subtly manipulate the other party's emotions had taken effect at a crucial moment.

After waking up, Zhang Yuanqing had begun to subtly influence the other party's emotions. Considering that the other party was a swordsman, he only made shallow influences, making the other party feel that the "three thieves" were very valuable, stimulating the emotion of making the most of their usefulness.

A swordsman's emotions were the most difficult to manipulate, so he deliberately threw out a pile of valuable information to guide the other party's exploration, buying time for himself to manipulate emotions.

As for the aftermath of Jingwei "being forced" to betray her teammates, it wasn't important.

A swordsman wouldn't be stupid enough to only ask one person, and neither the Queen nor Jingwei had the means to restrain Insight, so being discovered to be lying was normal.

What Zhang Yuanqing wanted wasn't to deceive the other party, but to delay time and allow emotional manipulation to take effect.

Although he was hit by the Ruan Jin San (muscle-weakening powder) and his limbs were tied, as a Lingjing Xingzhe, as long as his inventory wasn't sealed, he always had a chance to counterattack from a desperate situation—no, to escape.

Wang Beiwang wouldn't keep staring at them forever.

Just as Zhang Yuanqing thought this, he saw Wang Beiwang swing his sword hilt at his cheek.

"Pa!"

The sword hilt struck behind his ear, and Zhang Yuanqing's eyes rolled back as he passed out.

Wang Beiwang knocked out Jiang Jingwei and the Queen in the same way and left the room.

...

Zhang Yuanqing was awakened by a slight bumping sound. He opened his eyes and found himself in a narrow carriage. The entire carriage swayed with the rumbling wheels.

His hands were tied behind his back, and his ankles were also tied. He was curled up on his side in the carriage, and next to him was Jiang Jingwei. Behind him was a soft, full sensation... the Queen was lying behind him.

"Eh!"

Wang Beiwang's surprised voice came from the front of the carriage, "Li Erdan, your body is the weakest, yet you woke up the fastest. Strange indeed."

Zhang Yuanqing struggled to sit up, took a few breaths, and said with a wry smile, "Cousin, my siblings and I traveled thousands of miles to the capital to seek refuge with you, but you tied us up. Are you planning to sell me and my sisters to a brothel?"

Wang Beiwang sneered, "Your two sisters are mediocre in appearance and won't sell for much. You, on the other hand, are quite handsome. It wouldn't be bad to send you to a high official as a *biantong* (a young boy kept for homosexual relations)."

Zhang Yuanqing had used illusions to alter the faces of Jingwei and the Queen, hiding their true appearances. This was the self-preservation of a wanted criminal, although their true appearances weren't actually Jingwei and the Queen's real faces either, but belonged to Chu Meiren and Wang Geji.

*Things are not looking good...* Zhang Yuanqing tutted and said, "Which high official's house are we going to? Tell me in advance, Cousin, so I can prepare myself mentally."

Wang Beiwang said coldly, "No need to test me. You'll naturally know when we get there. Don't try any tricks on the way. If you dare to call for help, I'll cut off your tongue."

*What's so scary about cutting off my tongue? When I see Aunt and Hong Ji, a vial of life-source liquid will heal it!* Zhang Yuanqing pricked up his ears, listening for any sounds outside the carriage.

There were no loud shouts or noisy voices. He had to listen very carefully to catch any sounds occasionally.

*This isn't a bustling area; it's relatively quiet.*

*Sigh, there's no point in shouting loudly anyway. I'll wait until we pass through a busy market!*

Zhang Yuanqing sighed helplessly.

Unfortunately, he didn't find an opportunity until the carriage stopped.

Wang Beiwang's route was carefully researched, avoiding all the busy markets.

As the carriage stopped, Zhang Yuanqing, the Queen, and Jiang Jingwei inside all widened their eyes, listening intently to the sounds outside.

Zhang Yuanqing whispered, "Listen to me. Wang Beiwang should be taking us to see the Azure Dragon Gang's higher-ups. I've already come up with a complete and perfect story to deceive the Azure Dragon Gang. I'll use an item to hypnotize you later, making you believe my story. As long as the Azure Dragon Gang's higher-ups aren't Saint-realm swordsmen, we have a chance of survival..."

Previously, they were unprepared and were attacked by Wang Beiwang.

They couldn't repeat the same mistake.

After the carriage stopped, Wang Beiwang jumped down from the front of the carriage. A few seconds later, Zhang Yuanqing and the others heard a "咚咚" (dong dong) knocking sound.

After a moment, the door opened, and Wang Beiwang's voice sounded, "I want to see Elder Xu."

A deep voice replied, "Elder Xu is practicing."

Wang Beiwang said, "This is an urgent matter. I must see him now."

The other party was silent for a few seconds before saying, "I'll report it. You can come in first. There's a board behind the door; you can lay it yourself."

Footsteps hurried away, and Wang Beiwang went behind the door, took out a board, and laid it on the threshold and steps. Then, leading the horse, he entered the house with a series of bumps.

At this time, Zhang Yuanqing had just finished hypnotizing the Queen and Jingwei, struggling to put the pocket watch back into his inventory.

Wang Beiwang sat in the front of the carriage, guarding the three of them, and instructed, "Later, you will meet the Azure Dragon Gang's Elder Xu. Answer whatever he asks. The Azure Dragon Gang will never kill innocent people indiscriminately, but if you dare to try anything... Elder Xu's sword isn't as soft as mine."

Zhang Yuanqing's heart skipped a beat. "Is Elder Xu also a swordsman?"

Wang Beiwang's tone was filled with respect. "My swordsmanship was taught by Elder Xu. He was the one who led me into the path."

*Did I violate the spirit world's mother? Is that why they're doing this to me...* Zhang Yuanqing's heart sank to the bottom.

*All my previous preparations were in vain.*

The Azure Dragon Gang's elder must be at the Saint realm. He didn't know if the hypnotized Queen and Jingwei could deceive a swordsman, but Zhang Yuanqing knew that he definitely couldn't deceive a swordsman's Insight skill.

At this time, he began to regret lending the red dancing shoes to Hong Ji. Most Extraordinary-level items required physical operation, and it would be difficult to use them when his body was weak and his hands and feet were bound.

The red dancing shoes were different. This thing didn't require stamina to use. Wearing them allowed one to run on walls, and its evasion attribute was also high.

None of the professions in the two major spirit world districts had the ability to fly into the sky or escape into the ground at the Extraordinary stage. After all, the Extraordinary stage was only stronger than ordinary people.

There were only a few exceptions, such as Fire Adepts, Night Watchers, and Gliders, but none of them were applicable now.

The red dancing shoes, as a rule-based item, were unique.

At this moment, a steady and solemn voice came from outside, "Beiwang!"

A middle-aged man wearing a white robe, with his hair tied up with a wooden hairpin, with sleeves fluttering, shaped like a Daoist, walked from the winding corridor under the guidance of the gatekeeper.

Although he dressed in an otherworldly manner, Elder Xu, with sharp eyebrows and eyes, frowned and asked, "The urgent matter you spoke of is these three thieves?"

Wang Beiwang untied the package on his back, placed it in the front of the carriage, and said, "Elder Xu, please take a look."

Unwrapping the package in front of Elder Xu, revealing a bright yellow color with embroidered golden dragons.

Elder Xu's pupils suddenly contracted, and he turned into a white shadow, rushing to the front of the carriage, tightly clutching a yellow dragon robe in his hand, and asked sternly, "Where did this come from?"

"It was carried by these three thieves," Wang Beiwang said, casting his gaze towards the carriage.

Without needing to say more, Elder Xu, clutching the yellow dragon robe, eagerly lifted the car curtain.

Elder Xu's gaze swept across, first falling on the Queen's face, and he said in surprise, "Zhu Fu? Aren't you in the palace?"

The Queen was stunned, not understanding the situation.

*Who is Zhu Fu? Is this Elder Xu mistaking me for someone else?*

The next second, she realized that something was wrong. This face was "捏" (nie - pinched) out by the gang leader using illusions. It was impossible for it to be someone Elder Xu knew.

Then there was only one possibility: Elder Xu had seen through the illusion and recognized her identity—Wang Geji.

Wang Geji was an assassin arranged by the Azure Dragon Gang to enter the palace.

Elder Xu then looked at Jiang Jingwei and Zhang Yuanqing. When he saw the latter's face clearly, his expression changed, and he exclaimed, "The Emperor!?"