Chapter 55 Discussing the Deal Again

Shen Chang'an actually held a deep sense of disdain for the legends surrounding the dragon veins.

To him, the most important thing in the world was people.

When a sovereign of a generation refuses to ponder how to comfort the hearts of the common folk and properly govern the country, instead pinning all their hopes on a so-called dragon vein, is that not utterly ridiculous?

Even if a dragon vein truly existed, would it not eventually wither and decay due to the dispersion of the people's hearts?

Ignoring the governance of the realm while chasing after the power of a dragon vein is nothing more than abandoning the root to chase the tip.

Yet, to the people of this world, the dragon vein was synonymous with imperial authority.

He who controlled the dragon vein essentially ascended the dragon throne.

Xue Lie and Bao Yi's attempts to capture the Dragon Maiden, alongside the White Lotus Sect's relentless search for her whereabouts, were all driven by this singular goal.

Only by acquiring the dragon vein with the assistance of the Dragon Maiden could they gain the qualification to contend against the Dragon Emperor.

As for whether the dragon vein might ultimately be seized back by the Dragon Emperor, that was a matter decided entirely by strength. They were broad-minded enough not to care that this was a trap deliberately set for them by the Dragon Emperor.

This scheme could well be described as an open plot.

Though they knew full well that the Dragon Emperor required the dragon vein to sustain the Great Qian dynasty, not a single person remained unmoved by the temptation.

If they obtained the dragon vein, they would still retain the qualifications to fight the Dragon Emperor; if they failed to acquire it, they could only wait until Great Qian fractured completely, slowly gathering the scattered dragon veins thereafter, ending the chaotic era, and founding a new nation.

Yet that entire process would be arduous and time-consuming. Furthermore, with the process stretching on so long and various unpredictable variables constantly arising, it was far better to risk everything in a decisive battle against the Dragon Emperor.

Thus, even knowing they would become targets of the Dragon Emperor upon acquiring the dragon vein, the various factions remained utterly fearless.

Only now did Shen Chang'an understand why the Dragon Maiden wished to keep her identity concealed. The Dragon Emperor had no intention of welcoming her back, and anyone who received the news would likely strike in secret immediately to capture her.

Once her identity and whereabouts were exposed, pursuers would be upon her in an instant.

Over these past days, thanks solely to Xue Lie and Bao Yi covering up her tracks through various means to prevent others from discovering her whereabouts, the locations of both Shen Chang'an and Jiang Yunyi had remained undiscovered until today.

---

Yet, pondering this, Shen Chang'an could not help but think of Zhang Hongyu. That young man wielded the Nine Heavens Sword and, as the successor of the Nine Heavens, was virtually equivalent to the Dragon Emperor's trusted confidant.

And yet, that very same person had attempted to abduct Jiang Yunyi—who knew what schemes he had truly been plotting in his heart.

However, he had now been slain by a single sword strike from Shen Chang'an, and the Nine Heavens Sword had departed. Whatever he had been planning, it had already ended in complete failure.

"If that is the case, Jiang Yunyi is essentially targeted by everyone in the world. With everyone desiring the dragon vein, once she reveals herself, her path will be fraught with insurmountable difficulty."

At this thought, Shen Chang'an turned his gaze toward Li Qingqing and asked, "State the terms of the transaction you wish to propose."

Li Qingqing let out a soft, giggling laugh and said, "Speaking with Daoist Master Shen is truly convenient. There is no need for me to spell it out directly; you already understand my intent."

Shen Chang'an let out a cold snort. "Spare me the clever games in my presence. You ought to realize that even now, I still harbor the desire to kill you."

Li Qingqing shrugged, appearing completely unconcerned, and spoke softly, "There are plenty of people in this world who wish to kill me. Practically everyone who knows me is eager to see me dead. You alone, Daoist Master Shen, are capable of restraining your intent to kill. That is precisely why I dared to come out and meet you."

"Do not derail the conversation. State your conditions."

Li Qingqing nodded, refraining from straying further off topic. "It is very simple. I must fight my way back into the White Lotus Sect and reclaim my position as the Holy Maiden. To accomplish that, I need to eliminate the Holy Son currently outside."

"The Holy Son?" Shen Chang'an frowned.

"Where there is a Holy Maiden, there is naturally a Holy Son. The Holy Son and Holy Maiden of the White Lotus Sect are, in truth, the successors to the future sect leader. In our generation, including myself, there are a total of two Holy Maidens and one Holy Son."

"Previously, I fell victim to the treacherous scheming of this Holy Son, Su Xiuyan, which forced me into exile. When I returned later, I discovered that my sphere of influence had been largely carved up and divided between him and the other Holy Maiden... With no other choice, I can only seize an opportunity to eradicate him, take over his faction, and continue the struggle against the other Holy Maiden."

"Take over..." Shen Chang'an's brow twitched slightly. "Is it truly that easy?"

Li Qingqing shook her head and sighed. "Naturally, it is not that simple, but that is my affair. Ultimately, slaying him will yield me no small amount of benefits."

"With so many men under his command, how are we supposed to kill him?" Shen Chang'an asked coldly.

"I naturally have my methods. However, I cannot yet reveal them to Daoist Master Shen."

Shen Chang'an's brow immediately furrowed tightly. Having just been manipulated by the Jade Clear Immortal to the point of nearly developing post-traumatic stress disorder, Li Qingqing's refusal to disclose her method instantly made Shen Chang'an want to reject her outright.

---

Yet, catching sight of Jiang Yunyi beside him, he suppressed the rising anger in his heart.

"I will give you only one chance... Make sure you do not let me discover anything amiss, and do not give me a reason to kill you..."

As Shen Chang'an spoke, a freezing chill flashed across his eyes, and a chilling, bone-piercing murderous intent locked onto her, making Li Qingqing shiver with cold dread.

"Rest assured, I have no desire to die."

Li Qingqing knew very well in her heart that seeking out Shen Chang'an for cooperation was in itself the most perilous undertaking. Had Shen Chang'an been alone, she would not have even shown her face if she watched him die.

Yet, with others present, Shen Chang'an would harbor a few more reservations, which was precisely what made cooperation with him possible for her.

"Continue. If we kill Su Xiuyan, what benefits will we gain?"

Hearing the word "we," a sweet smile bloomed on the little Dragon Maiden's face, though in the darkness of the cavern, no one could see it.

"Naturally, there are benefits. The fine treasures upon Su Xiuyan are quite numerous. When the time comes, all those items can bear the surname Shen."

Shen Chang'an said coldly, "You know that is not what I meant."

"Of course. There is also one crucial treasure resting upon Su Xiuyan's person," Li Qingqing said, wearing a cold smile. "The Dust-Clearing Robe of Six Senses."

"What is that?" Shen Chang'an inquired.

"A Buddhist treasure," Li Qingqing explained. "This item can sever the traces of the six dusts and senses. If this Young Lady Dragon Maiden were to wear the Dust-Clearing Robe of Six Senses, as long as she so wished, no one would be able to perceive her true identity. Not only that, but even those attempting to locate her and plot against her will find their efforts severely and profoundly disrupted."

"This treasure is the very backing Su Xiuyan relied upon to capture the Dragon Maiden. Once he captured her, he intended to immediately dress her in this precious garment. Thereafter, few indeed would be able to track down the Dragon Maiden's whereabouts. Even if they found her, it would cost them an immense amount of time."

"By the time they manage to find her, Su Xiuyan will likely have already seized the dragon vein!"