Jiang He's tone was very serious, and it was the first time Chen Yuan had seen this expression on his face. He nodded immediately:

"Rest assured, sir, I will do my best this time!"

Then, Jiang He carefully explained the ins and outs of the matter to Chen Yuan. The position of Imperial City Commander was not important; what was important was that Chen Yuan could participate in the ancestral ritual.

Only in this way could he make his move.

As for the Imperial City Commander, he wasn't killed by the people of Dao Shen Palace as Chen Yuan thought. At this crucial juncture, they wouldn't let the imperial court notice anything amiss.

They wanted to win in secret.

Although Dao Shen Palace was strong, it was still far behind the imperial court as a whole. The few True Lords alone were an insurmountable chasm!

If Dao Shen Palace really had the ability to deal with several True Lords, there would be no need to plot any schemes; wouldn't it be better to directly storm into the capital and sweep everything aside?

Once you reach a certain level of strength, sweeping everything aside is the way to go!

"With my qualifications, the position of Imperial City Commander seems... insufficient, right?"

Zhang Xuan had previously told Chen Yuan about the important positions of the Sky Patrol Division in the capital. The Imperial City Commander was one of them. The capital was divided into inner and outer cities.

Each had four commanders guarding the four city gates, which were important positions in the Sky Patrol Division, second only to the Golden Envoys of various states.

The outer city was the capital, and the inner city was the Imperial City.

Inside were the imperial palaces and halls. Apart from the imperial family members who had not been sent out, most of them resided within the Imperial City. And whenever the court held a meeting, important officials from various departments would pass through the gates of the Imperial City.

It couldn't be considered unimportant.

It was a pity that in recent years, Jingtai had intentionally weakened the power of the Sky Patrol Division. Two of the four Imperial City Commanders had already been replaced by people from the Imperial Surveillance Division, and the two sides were now somewhat at odds with each other.

Jiang He said calmly:

"Jiang knows that you have a good relationship with Zhang Xuan. His father is a Xuan-level God Envoy, holding a high position in the court. After you enter the capital, you can first pay him a visit. This is my personal letter. After he reads it, he will be inclined to support you."

As he spoke, Jiang He waved his hand, and a letter slowly hovered in front of Chen Yuan.

Then he added:

"Over the years, Jiang has gained some influence within the Sky Patrol Division. In addition to Zhang Xuan's father, I will also use some other connections. Your position as Imperial City Commander has great potential."

Chen Yuan nodded, understanding in his heart.

Dao Shen Palace had indeed prepared these prerequisites. Coupled with his relationship with Zhang Xuan, if he could get the support of that God Envoy Zhang.

The hope of ascending to the position of Imperial City Commander was not small.

"I understand."

"There are many of Jingtai's spies in the capital. Dao Shen Palace seems to have been operating for many years, but in reality, they haven't deeply penetrated it. They are all some peripheral members, and they may not be trustworthy.

After entering, you must act cautiously and prioritize your safety in everything."

"Rest assured, sir."

The capital was a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, with countless strong individuals. It was the most important base camp of the imperial court, and naturally, it couldn't be compared to other places. It seemed that the imperial court's influence in other states was declining year by year.

But in Zhong Prefecture, the Sima family still held firm control.

He had been aware of this long ago.

This trip was accompanied by danger in the process of opportunity.

Jiang He stared at Chen Yuan for a moment and said softly:

"The whereabouts of Xiao Qingmu, the daughter of Xiao Yunsheng, have been found."

Hearing this sentence, Chen Yuan's eyes instantly lit up. If he had the opportunity, he would definitely not let go of these remnants of Qingyun, leaving himself with future troubles.

You absolutely couldn't do this if you didn't have rocks in your head!

"Where is she?"

He immediately asked.

"According to their route, they are preparing to go to Zhong Prefecture. They are probably just entering Zhong Prefecture now. Will you deal with them yourself, or will Dao Shen Palace directly eliminate them?"

Chen Yuan smiled and slowly shook his head:

"Since the whereabouts of these people have been found, and it happens to be on the way, there's no need to trouble Dao Shen Palace. It's time to settle some grievances!"

It was a grudge he had with the people of Qingyun Sword Sect. According to his previous plan, he was prepared to personally destroy their sect. It was a pity that everything came too quickly.

The other party didn't give him a chance to grow up. They directly dispatched a Transformation Yang True Person to deal with a Tongxuan martial artist. He could only turn to Dao Shen Palace and use the hands of the Dao Lords to solve them.

Although it was completely resolved, there was still a fire in his heart.

If he could solve it personally, that would naturally be the best.

Moreover, Chen Yuan had a hunch that, according to past experience, this Xiao Qingmu was likely to bring him the Child of Destiny; otherwise, the involvement wouldn't be so deep.

Even if it was just a possibility, he didn't want to let it go.

"Alright, then do it yourself."

Jiang He didn't force anything. The strongest of those Qingyun Sword Sect remnants was only at the Tongxuan level. For Chen Yuan, who had already entered the Dan Realm, they were nothing at all and could be wiped out with a wave of his hand.

Tongxuan....

They were not taken seriously at all.

After chatting for a while, the two talked about some matters in Zhong Prefecture. Jiang He had a deep understanding of Zhong Prefecture because he himself was from a small family in a prefecture city under Zhong Prefecture.

Previously, rumors in the martial world said that Jiang He had been cruelly dumped, which also happened in Zhong Prefecture.

But later, according to Chen Yuan's understanding, Jiang He's family had already perished. The person who did it was related to Zhao Hao's parents from before, which was why Jiang He had exterminated the Zhao family.

It was another version of "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river; don't bully a young man for being poor."

After chatting for two hours, Chen Yuan didn't stay any longer. He was now a little eager to see the terrified gazes of these Qingyun Sword Sect remnants.

It would definitely be very interesting!

The day Chen Yuan left Qing Prefecture was the 28th day of the tenth month in the eighth year of the Great Jin Dynasty under the Jingtai Emperor!

......

......

Zhong Prefecture, Changshan Prefecture.

Located on the border of Zhong Prefecture, adjacent to Yang Prefecture, it is a relatively large prefecture and a very important location, one of the important prefectures guarding the capital.

Unlike other prefectures, Zhong Prefecture is relatively small, only half the size of Qing Prefecture, and is composed of five prefectures, Changshan Prefecture being one of them.

The capital is in the center, and the other four prefectures guard it.

Because its location is too important, the Sky Patrol Envoys of these four prefectures are all Dan Realm Grandmasters, but in terms of status, there is still a big gap compared to the Heavenly Dan Golden Envoys who are stationed in one area.

Outside Changshan Prefecture City, inside a dilapidated and deserted temple, more than a dozen young martial artists with different clothes mostly looked dejected and dispirited.

Although their clothes were different and no different from ordinary martial artists, they had one thing in common: they all used swords, either on their backs or slung across their waists....

They were none other than the remaining remnants of the Qingyun Sword Sect.

When Xiao Yunsheng died that day, Xiao Qingmu felt a strange palpitation in her heart. In a panic, she immediately went to the Ancestral Hall and found that her father's soul lamp had been extinguished.

She immediately knew that her father had died, and sorrow and hatred filled Xiao Qingmu's mind. After a moment of stiffness, she remembered what Xiao Yunsheng had told her before intercepting Chen Yuan.

He told her that if she found his soul lamp extinguished, she should immediately take away some talented disciples and resources to rebuild the Qingyun Sword Sect in the future.

In this way, the disciples of the Qingyun Sword Sect left Qing Prefecture in a stumbling manner. Originally, there were nearly thirty people, but most of them died in various ambushes.

To this day, only a dozen of these Qingyun Sword Sect disciples remain.

The dozen or so Qingyun Sword Sect disciples seemed to be standing in a chaotic position, but in reality, they vaguely guarded a handsome white-clothed man.

This man carried a spiritual sword, was thin, had his long hair tied up, and had an air of not changing his expression even if Mount Tai collapsed in front of him. Although his appearance was not as handsome as Chen Yuan,

But he was definitely handsome.

He was the most powerful among the current Qingyun Sword Sect disciples and was elected as the senior brother by everyone.

"Senior Brother Zhao, what exactly did Senior Sister Xiao go to do?"

Finally, one of the Qingyun Sword Sect disciples couldn't bear his curiosity any longer and stepped forward to ask in a low voice. As soon as he spoke, the eyes of the other Qingyun Sword Sect disciples also gathered on Senior Brother Zhao.

Xiao Qingmu was the direct daughter of Sect Master Xiao Yunsheng, and she was the one who took them down the mountain in advance. In everyone's minds, she was like a backbone.

Now that she had been missing for nearly three days, although Senior Brother Zhao was taking care of them, as time passed, a kind of inexplicable panic filled everyone's hearts.

Of course, they were mainly being chased too hard.

One after another, their fellow disciples fell, making everyone even more insecure, fearing that the next person to die would be themselves.

"Senior Sister Xiao has gone to find a way out for us."

Senior Brother Zhao said in a deep voice.

"A way out!"

Hearing this sentence, everyone's eyes lit up instantly, and a glimmer of hope arose.

In the endless pursuit, they were not optimistic about the future because the forces that had seized the Qingyun Sword Sect's territory and resources were all chasing them.

How difficult would it be to gain a foothold?

I'm afraid that once the news spread, it would attract a siege.

When a wall falls, everyone pushes it, that's how it is.

Now hearing the words 'a way out', how could they not be excited?

"Don't worry, everyone, my Qingyun Sword Sect will one day return to Qing Prefecture. At that time... it will be the day of our revenge. Demon Prison Gate, Iron Fist Sect, Chen Yuan... these people will all be wiped out by our swords!"

"Repent for their past crimes!"

Senior Brother Zhao said solemnly to the other disciples.

"Yes, under the leadership of Senior Brother Zhao, we will eventually rebuild the Qingyun Sword Sect!"

"That's right, only Senior Brother Zhao is our hope!"

Two Qingyun Sword Sect disciples immediately echoed.

Senior Brother Zhao smiled and nodded slightly at the two of them, seemingly praising their discernment.

His name was Zhao Deren. He was not outstanding in the Qingyun Sword Sect. Both Gu Hao and Wu Zongxian were stronger than him, and he was considered to be in the middle to upper level.

But now they are all dead!

When pulling out the tallest one from among the short ones, it naturally fell to him.

Among the remaining Qingyun Sword Sect disciples, he was the most powerful and had the highest cultivation. The position of future Sect Master, who else but him?

From the moment Xiao Qingmu took him down the mountain, Zhao Deren's ambition began to rise. No, to be precise, his ambition had already begun to show after he had schemed against Wu Zongxian!

He wanted to get Xiao Qingmu and ascend to the position of Sect Master!

The reason why Wu Zongxian had tried to intercept Chen Yuan, overestimating his abilities, was his suggestion. There were many stumbling blocks on the road to the Sect Master, but he would clear them one by one.

Wu Zongxian was just one of them.

Later, Wu Zongxian did die in Chen Yuan's hands, and the disciples who went with him disappeared without a trace. Although this matter was not spread in the Qingyun Sword Sect, he knew it very well.

And because he had reported the matter to Xiao Qingmu midway, he had also been cleared of suspicion.

As for instigating Wu Zongxian to his death, only Heaven, Earth, and he himself knew about it.

Now, although the sect had been destroyed, it was not without hope of rebuilding it. He knew very well that Xiao Qingmu had a lot of treasures and Yuan Crystals in her hands. These things were the foundation of the sect.

As long as he got these things, his cultivation would definitely skyrocket. The Dan Realm was not his end point at all.

And Xiao Qingmu had begun to gradually respond to him, making his confidence soar, feeling that the beauty was about to be in his hands.

It was a pity that Xiao Qingmu had not fully devoted herself to him, only telling him that she was not in the mood for love for the time being. If he really liked her, he could set a date for love on the Qixi Festival next year!

Now, Zhao Deren was very much looking forward to the arrival of the Qixi Festival next year!

It wasn't that he hadn't thought of forcing it, but after thinking about it, he gave up. Xiao Yunsheng couldn't have left Xiao Qingmu with nothing to rely on. She definitely had Dan Talismans and even Divine Talismans in her hands!

This had been verified before. It was with the help of several Dan Talismans that they had escaped one pursuit after another. The only thing that made him unhappy was that

Xiao Qingmu was unwilling to give him even one Dan Talisman for protection.

But he was preparing to win her trust, so it was impossible to show any other unpleasant attitude.

He had shaped himself very well, and he was very sure of this.

As soon as the two confidant disciples who had defected to him spoke, even if the other disciples had other thoughts in their hearts, they did not dare to express them at this moment, and they all echoed.

It was as if Zhao Deren was now the new Sect Master of the Qingyun Sword Sect.

As time passed, the sky gradually darkened. Zhao Deren frowned, inevitably feeling some worry. Xiao Qingmu was related to his opportunity to rise, and there must be no mistakes.

I don't know if what she said is true....

Before leaving the day before yesterday, Xiao Qingmu had also revealed some things to him. The reason she left this time was actually to contact the nobles in the capital through some means she had left behind in the past.

Only existences like these could completely eliminate those pursuers. As for who it was, Xiao Qingmu didn't say much, but Zhao Deren had some guesses in his heart.

It's a pity that he couldn't be sure, and now he could only wait here.

In the beginning, there was indeed no problem. After they entered the territory of Zhong Prefecture, the frequency of those pursuers had been very low, and the danger had been greatly reduced.

But Xiao Qingmu was still very careful, even dressing herself up as a man before leaving, as if someone was spying on them...

Xiao Qingmu had said before leaving that she would return to meet them within three days, whether the matter was successful or not, and that they must not leave this place.

Just wait for her here....

But as the three-day period approached, she had not returned, which made him also feel a hint of hidden worry. Could it be that something unexpected had happened to Senior Sister Xiao?

It shouldn't be, Zhong Prefecture is not Qing Prefecture, and those people's hands probably can't reach that far. Moreover, Xiao Qingmu is not powerless.

The methods she can unleash definitely far exceed Tongxuan.

Just as Zhao Deren's mind was in turmoil, those Qingyun Sword Sect disciples seemed to see that he was distracted, and the hearts that had been soothed before became somewhat panicked again.

"Senior Brother Zhao, what exactly did Senior Sister Xiao go to do?"

"Yes, didn't she say she would be back in three days?"

"Could it be that something happened to Senior Sister Xiao?"

"Could it be that Senior Sister has abandoned us?"

One after another, chaotic voices rang out. Zhao Deren's heart moved, especially when he heard the sentence 'Could it be that Senior Sister has abandoned us?', a sense of unease also surged into his heart.

But he also knew that he couldn't panic at the moment, otherwise, when Xiao Qingmu came back and saw that he couldn't even control these junior brothers, wouldn't she be very disappointed in him?

Immediately, he said in a deep voice:

"Don't think wildly. How could Senior Sister Xiao abandon us and flee alone? If that were the case, she wouldn't have secretly taken us down the mountain in the first place.

You must have confidence in Senior Sister Xiao. She is the daughter of the Sect Master, and her obsession in this life is to rebuild the Qingyun Sword Sect. How could she live in shame? If you don't even have this bit of composure,

How will you cultivate to the peak of martial arts in the future?"

"Martial artists must have the confidence to not fear anything, even if the road ahead is bumpy, they must overcome obstacles. Senior Sister Xiao has the means left by the Sect Master, and there will definitely be no accidents. Perhaps it's just that she's been delayed for some time."

"Yes, what Senior Brother Zhao said is right."

"We must have confidence in Senior Brother Zhao and Senior Sister Xiao. Under their leadership, we will rebuild the sect!"

The two disciples who spoke before immediately echoed.

The other disciples looked at each other and didn't say anything else. Most of them were at the Ninggang cultivation level and didn't dare to contradict Zhao Deren. At worst, they would just wait a little longer....

The sky was getting darker and darker, black clouds covered the moonlight, and gusts of cold wind howled. Within a few miles, only their dilapidated temple had a fire.

Looking from afar, it was like a lighthouse.

Several Qingyun Sword Sect disciples were roasting wild rabbits, turning them idly. Zhao Deren leaned against a pillar on the side, closing his eyes, seemingly thinking about something.

"Swish..."

The cold wind howled, and suddenly a soft footstep entered the dilapidated temple. Those alert Qingyun Sword Sect disciples looked at the door at the same time.

Someone said softly:

"Has Senior Sister Xiao come back?"

"It should be."

"Senior Sister Xiao has finally come back!"

A hint of relief appeared on the faces of several disciples.

But only a solemn expression flashed across Zhao Deren's face. In his perception, the aura that was approaching was completely different from Senior Sister Xiao's. He immediately said coldly:

"The person outside is not Senior Sister Xiao, be on guard!"

Hearing this sentence, the Qingyun Sword Sect disciples were stunned for a moment, and then immediately stood up, placing one hand on the hilt of the long sword on their bodies.

Their eyes stared warily at the door.

In the darkness, a figure slowly approached, and two green lights filled its eyes.

"Who's there!"

Zhao Deren's eyes turned cold, and he drew his long sword and shouted sharply.