Longevity Chronicles-Chapter 326 - 239 The Daoist Sect’s Legendary Name is Primordial, Zhu Qi Dances with Sword Intent Overwhelmingly Powerful_2

Xiao Chenzhou and his daughter Xiao Chunjiao, leading the remnants, fortified themselves within Xixia City without emerging, while secretly calling for the rest of the Taiping Army rebels to come to their aid.

At noon, another rebel faction of the Taiping Army, the Jiao Demon Department, came to reinforce them, only to fall into an ambush laid by the Ninth Prince's good friend, Zhang Jiudeng, the current Great Governor of Ancient Qin Province. After an hour of intense battle, the Jiao Demon Army was routed and suffered a disastrous defeat.

The remaining rebels of the Taiping Army, upon receiving the news, retreated one after the other, and the Devils no longer had any reinforcements.

General Zhang Jiudeng's leading general, Lin Dechang, led the main army to join forces with Yin Qiye, besieging Xixia City alongside the Heavenly Demon Army.

Without water or food, and bombarded with countless secret techniques, it was estimated that within two to three days, Xixia City would inevitably fall.

Xiao Chenzhou, Xiao Chunjiao, and other Devils would surely be brought to justice.

At this time in Demon City, it wasn't just the strange device known as the "Spirit Stone Radio" that came from Western Countries broadcasting the news.

The newsboys who were shouting along the streets were also continuously exclaiming "Shocking news," "Major announcements," "Extra, extra," and the like.

In no time at all, everyone in Demon City, from the distinguished officials to the lowly foot traders, knew of the Ninth Prince's ruthless methods, who nominally reigned over this territory.

The Princess had been kidnapped!

In just one day's time, he had summoned a great force and dealt a heavy blow to the Western Capital Army.

You see, in recent years, the power of the Taiping Army had expanded day by day, and Xiao Chenzhou's Western Capital Army was among the most prominent of its factions.

Many provinces had repeatedly sent troops to suppress them, but none could get the better of Xiao Chenzhou.

And yet, having crossed the Ninth Prince Zhu Qi, he did not even withstand a single day?

Tao Qian had yet to learn the explanations from the Cultivation World about this situation.

For now, in the Xianheng Hotel, he was hearing the many opinions of the ordinary people about this matter.

After all, the court had won a victory, so the people should have celebrated.

However, that wasn't the case.

What buzzed in his ears were, at most, a few words of sympathy for the Rashamon Girl, Princess Zhao.

"Ha, I always said the Ninth Prince was just for show. To think he married such a fascinating Rashamon Girl, only to fail to protect her, letting the Devils of the Taiping Army abduct her."

"What a waste of a heavenly gift. The Princess is truly an exotic fairy-like beauty, to be snatched away by the Devils of the Western Capital Army, how could she stay alive?"

"That's not the case. I'll quietly tell you a secret, don't tell anyone, alright… Everyone knows that the Ninth Prince has become tyrannically insane in recent days, right? There's a reason. On his wedding day, he was ambushed by Princess Taiping Xiao Chunjiao. She struck his vital parts with a hidden weapon. Tsk tsk, perhaps the one who took action this time was that very Commandery Princess Xiao Chunjiao."

"Now that you mention it, I'm suddenly guessing something."

"No need to guess. Just go to that Flower Alley and ask those courtesans, they'll tell you. There have long been rumors that Princess Taiping Xiao Chunjiao and our Princess are the true couple, and it was only because the Ninth Prince snatched her away that she fiercely took revenge. Now she's gone as far as to abduct the Princess, likely to flee to the ends of the earth."

"That's not right, I heard the one who caused the bloody incident yesterday was a male Devil?"

"You don't get it. Some theaters in the south are rehearsing a new play called 'Rashamon Girl,' I heard it's a story about two women."

"These street rumors can't be taken seriously, but who would've thought the Ninth Prince's army could be so strong. The Western Capital Army has always been known for its combat prowess, yet within one day, they fell to Yin Qiye. It seems the Ninth Prince may still have a chance to contend with the other Princes, and he might even become the next Emperor."

"They are all tarred with the same brush. The Ninth Prince's Heavenly Demon Army, the Taiping Army's rebels, and that absurd warlord Zhang Jiudeng - not one of them is a good person. Whoever ends up in charge, it's us common civilians who suffer the most."

"You said it! Just look at the world today. Demons have entered the world, a group of demons causing chaos. Us weak members of the Human Clan are probably going to end up in the pitiful position of the Ancient Era, have you ever heard of 'two-legged sheep'?"

"It's infuriating, the world is crumbling to such an extent. I also want to pursue Immortality and learn the Dao, but sadly, I have no Sect to join."

"Hey, have you heard of the Huang Lian Saint Mother? I'm telling you, those are all relatives there. Not only can you pursue Cultivation, but you can also..."

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Seeing Tao Qian's serious face, listening intently to all this.

After yesterday's experience at Jin Mansion, Yu Yanshi and others didn't think that Tao Qian cared about the gossip or sensational rumors.

Thinking it over, they took turns to clarify Tao Qian's doubts.

After all, they had been mingling in Demon City for a long time and each had significant backgrounds; they effortlessly divulged secrets Tao Qian was unaware of.

First came Shi Yingqiong from the Shaoqing Sect, who happened to hear a newspaper boy on the street recounting the glorious military achievements of Yin Qiye, a major general of the Heavenly Demon Army. Her swordlike eyebrows arched as she said coldly,

"Yin Qiye, this man, is a True Inheritor of the Taishang Demon Sect's True Lineage, and he is highly skilled in various Heavenly Demon Secret Techniques."

"Such a figure, if in any other sect, would have great freedom."

"Yet in the Taishang Demon Sect, he is ordered by the Sect Master to assist that Zhu Qi... A grand sect of the Demon Path bearing the name 'Taishang', yet it seeks to seize Fortune through the power of Zhu Qi, truly a laughter-inducing farce."

After Shi Yingqiong finished speaking, surprisingly, it was Yang Li from the Reclining Buddha Temple who picked up the conversation.

This handsome young man also spoke softly, directly revealing Zhang Jiudeng's background:

"Zhang Jiudeng is an absurd warlord; he practices bizarre Evil Techniques, and behind him are the supports of many sects, such as the Heavenly Immortal Dao, White Bone Temple, Plague Locust Sect, and so on."

"Although they are all considered heresy and heterodoxy, their strength is indeed not poor."

"He conspired with Yin Qiye, and with preparations made in advance, he indeed was able to inflict heavy losses on Xiao Chenzhou in a single day."

"However, Zhu Qi's goal will not be so simple; he intentionally allowed his subordinates not to completely annihilate the Western Capital Army, just to besiege it. I'm afraid it is to draw out Xiao Chenzhou's financier behind the scenes..."

"The Fourth Prince Zhu Xuan!"

At this moment, Yu Yanshi joined the conversation.

He appeared to know quite a lot and, seeing Tao Qian's curiosity, he revealed everything he knew.

"Yesterday's bloodshed at the Jin Mansion should be a deliberate act by Zhu Qi."

"It was just looking for an excuse to go to war, and with such a swift strike in a single day, a mere Xiao Chenzhou could not possibly satisfy the ambition of the Ninth Prince who aims to ascend to the throne."

"This is an overt plot!"

"Xiao Chenzhou may be the Prince of the West Capital for the Taiping Army, but in truth, he has long sided with the Fourth Prince Zhu Xuan."

"He even sent his only daughter, Xiao Chunjiao, to Zhu Xuan to be a negligible concubine. On the day of Zhu Qi's grand wedding, Xiao Chunjiao publicly attempted an assassination with a Dragon-locking Needle, fatally wounding Zhu Qi's lifeline—eager to make a mark and vie for favor in Zhu Xuan's eyes."

"Now Zhu Qi's counterattack has arrived, it remains to be seen what Zhu Xuan will do."

"This spectacle is worth watching, and it's a good opportunity to see if there are any benefits we can take advantage of."

"Our National Salvation Congress does not have much wealth, but we can't miss this chance."

Quite rarely, Yu Yanshi, like a sly merchant calculating business, made the others nod in agreement with his point of view.

This scene further piqued Tao Qian's curiosity.

The National Salvation Congress has assets?

Is this Yu Yanshi's scheming besides demonstrations and publishing?

After some interaction, Tao Qian was no longer a stranger to the group.

Therefore, he also didn't plan on being polite and asked what came to mind.

Unexpectedly, his question made the others reveal smiles.

Yu Yanshi was the most excited, swiftly reaching out to grab Tao Qian and lead him toward a secret territory.

While pulling him, he enthusiastically said,

"We are not fools; how could we truly believe in saving the nation and the people through merely organising protests and shouting slogans? Would that not turn us into a joke?"

"Now the time is not yet ripe; hence, our preparations are carried out in secret."

"If it were someone else, they certainly wouldn't be privy."

"But Daoist friend, you are different; my 'Heavenly Human Sensing Technique' has never been wrong, you surely share our ideals and path."

"Today is a good hour; whether or not Daoist friend chooses to join our National Salvation Congress, let's not rush the decision. Yu Yanshi presumes to invite Daoist friend for a visit, to see the assets we have accumulated over these days."