Chapter 123: The Sacred Relic Emerges, the Holy Son Appears!

After Master Xue departed, the Fairy frowned and commanded, "Summon Protectors Li and Xu to discuss matters immediately!"

"Understood." A maid hurried off to deliver the order.

Soon, two middle-aged men wearing masks appeared. They bowed respectfully, saying, "Greetings, Fairy."

After a moment of hesitation, the Fairy recounted what Master Xue had said about Zhang Zhiji’s impending departure.

"This..." Both protectors turned pale at the news.

The tall, thin Protector Li said, "Fairy, let us send our people to retrieve the Sacred Object tomorrow. We must not let those bastards from the Pure Sect get to it first!"

However, the short, stout Protector Xu countered, "Fairy, I believe there is no need for such haste. After all, the revelation that the Sacred Object has appeared in Fengcheng County came from the Sacred Beast’s divination; it is unlikely that the scum of the Pure Sect have obtained this top-secret information yet. Furthermore, although Zhang Zhiji is young, he is full of cunning. I fear this may be a ploy to lure us out."

"Hmph! Xu, I think you’re not afraid of any ploy—you’re just a coward who doesn't dare to face Zhang Zhiji head-on!" Before Protector Xu could finish, Protector Li mocked him with a cynical sneer.

"You bastard! What did you say? I have been with the Sacred Sect for twenty-three years and have made countless contributions. Do you have any idea what you're talking about?" Protector Xu was livid, retorting sharply.

Protector Li let out a cold, mocking laugh. "Oh, anyone can boast. I just worry that some people rely on their seniority to suppress the truly talented members of our sect, preventing them from ever rising."

"You..."

"Enough!" Seeing her two right-hand men on the verge of a physical confrontation, the Fairy could no longer contain her irritation and shouted angrily.

The two protectors ceased their bickering, though they stood with arms crossed, glaring at each other in silence. The sight gave the Fairy a headache. Unable to resolve their conflict, she decided, "In that case, we shall proceed on two fronts tomorrow! Protector Li, have your people prepared. By noon tomorrow, begin the operation and strive to secure the Sacred Object as quickly as possible."

"Yes!" Overjoyed, Protector Li bowed respectfully and cast a smug look at Protector Xu. Protector Xu glared back but kept his silence.

The Fairy then turned to Protector Xu. "Protector Xu, since you have your concerns, do not act rashly. Keep your men in the shadows to provide support for Protector Li's team, just in case of an emergency."

"Understood."

***

Li Yuanjing was unaware of these developments. However, at the first light of dawn the next day, the vanguard of Zhang Zhiji’s retinue escorted his carriage out of the city. This immediately drew the attention of many on the streets, especially those watching closely.

At the North Gate of Fengcheng, a thin man hidden in the crowd clenched his fists in excitement as he saw Zhang Zhiji’s force of nearly two hundred men leave the city. He whispered to a dirty little girl who looked like a beggar, "Go quickly and report to the Protector: Zhang Zhiji has left the city!"

The girl nodded, stuck out her tongue, and vanished in an instant. Had anyone seen her tongue, they would have been terrified; it had been sliced by scissors, forked like a snake's.

***

"Hehe. Fairy, everything is ready, and the timing is perfect. Shall we make our move?"

Soon, the news reached the Fairy. Protector Li chuckled obsequiously, shot a provocative glance at Protector Xu, and addressed the Fairy.

The Fairy hesitated. Although the Incense Sect had immense influence in Fengcheng, they were still a clandestine organization, and her instinct was to wait until nightfall.

Seeing this, Protector Xu sneered, "Li, do you intend to start an uprising in broad daylight and bring the imperial army down upon us? Do you want to destroy the foundation our sect has built over all these years?!"

Protector Li had not expected the Fairy to still be dithering even though Zhang Zhiji had left, which put him in a difficult position. Internal competition within the Incense Sect was far from fair or merciful. He urged the Fairy, "Fairy, do not listen to his fear-mongering! You know the importance of the Sacred Object to our sect. The ancestral motto says: 'When the Sacred Object appears, the Sacred Son shall emerge.' My men are prepared and disguised as bandits; we can act in the name of the Boshan Gang. If things get out of hand, we can let those bandits take the fall. What is there to fear?"

He continued, "Furthermore, the Pure Sect is not to be trifled with! If our Sacred Beast could divine that the object is in the residence of Liu Yun of the Liu Trading Firm, who is to say their beast hasn't done the same? Fairy, if they get to it first, fifty years of my efforts—and the sect's—will turn to ash. How could we face our ancestors?"

"Shut up! You are fear-mongering! If we follow your plan, you will lead us into an abyss of no return!" Protector Xu shouted, hoping to restore the Fairy’s calm.

But the Fairy, swayed by Li’s rhetoric, shouted, "Stop arguing! You both have valid points, but if we let the Pure Sect take the lead, we will be guilty of a crime that cannot be redeemed even by a hundred deaths!"

"However, to be safe, we shall not act rashly right now!" The Fairy stood up and commanded, "Everyone, continue gathering intelligence! By noon, if we confirm that Zhang Zhiji has indeed left and there is no anomaly in the city, we will strike at the Liu residence!"

***

Having reached a sufficient understanding with Zhang Zhiji, Li Yuanjing had a rare chance to sleep in. When he finally woke, it was nearly noon.

As he lazily rose, a familiar, coquettish voice drifted from outside: "Master, are you awake? May I come in to serve you?"

Li Yuanjing frowned. It was Xun Keqing. *Why is she here in Fengcheng instead of staying in Quanzi Village?*

He had a bad feeling. After a moment of thought, he composed himself and called her into the room.

"Master, let me serve you..." Seeing Li Yuanjing shirtless, his pale skin revealing well-defined muscles, Xun Keqing flushed and called out to him sweetly as she moved to help him dress.

"Ah..."

Just as she leaned in, Li Yuanjing grabbed her waist and pulled her close, causing her to cry out in surprise. He chuckled, sliding his hand under her clothes to stroke the soft skin of her lower back, and asked with a sly smile, "You little vixen, why aren't you staying put in Quanzi Village? What brings you here to Fengcheng?"

"This..." Even with his gentle touch, goosebumps broke out all over Xun Keqing. She had stayed in the village, but through her channels, she knew exactly what had happened in the city—and how Li Yuanjing had risen to power under Zhang Zhiji like a carp leaping over the dragon gate.

Even after only a few days, she could clearly feel that the restrained aura around him was several times more powerful than before. A cold sweat broke out over her entire body.

Deciding not to risk his ire, she knelt on the floor and hurriedly explained, "Master, I received news that the Sacred Object of our Incense Sect has appeared here in Fengcheng. According to ancient legend, when the Sacred Object appears, the Sacred Son shall emerge!"

Li Yuanjing’s brows shot up.