Upon learning that Qingmu is the Eldest Princess of Qian, the soul of the Eight Trigrams in Chen Tang ignited instantly.

"What exactly happened back then?"

Chen Tang asked, "Why did Emperor Qian cast His Holiness into the Celestial Prison? Was it really because the Dugu Clan was executed and he was venting his anger?"

Qingmu's expression darkened as she replied, "After my mother's death, my older brother quarreled with my father over this incident. He finally enraged our father, who cast him into the Celestial Prison, planning to execute him."

"A tiger, fierce as it is, does not eat its own cubs. How could Emperor Qian bear to kill his own son?" Chen Tang asked with furrowed brows.

Qingmu remained silent and said, "Actually, my elder brother could never understand many of our father's actions and had often tried to advise him, only to incite his wrath each time."

The fat old man sneered and said, "What wouldn't a man like Emperor Qian do? I saved you too because you both are from the Dugu Clan. If I saved only the Crown Prince, Emperor Qian would be so enraged that he might even kill you to vent his anger!"

This ruthless?

Chen Tang secretly clicked his tongue.

But on second thought, anyone who can execute the mother for the prominence of her son is certainly not a benevolent person.

Executing the mother for the prominence of her son is merely apprehension over the influence from the maternal side, fearing their relatives' control over the court.

However, there are many ways to counteract that.

The method of executing the mother for the prominence of her son is too cruel, whether to the son or to the mother.

Chen Tang vaguely remembered hearing similar rules in his past life but couldn't recall exactly which dynasty it was from.

"Then after the escape, didn't the two of you stay together?" Chen Tang asked.

Qingmu shook her head and said, "My older brother is after all the Crown Prince. He had to stay in the Divine Land. My master entrusted him to another person and took me out of the Divine Land."

The fat old man said, "Mainly because bringing both of you would make it difficult to escape. If someone chased us, it would be easy to capture all at once, so he could only leave one behind."

Chen Tang asked Qingmu many questions about Qian Country.

Many things he couldn't find answers for in the Cyan Dragon Bureau, Qingmu had them.

When leaving home, Chen Tang was full of energy, walking with a bit of a sway.

Knowing Qingmu's identity, what was there to fear?

No matter what County Captain Han Lang, Black Water Gang, or Marquis Wu'an, however powerful their backing, could they be more powerful than his?

Behind him was the Eldest Princess.

Behind the Eldest Princess was His Holiness!

With the Vermilion Bird Guard at home, and working at the Cyan Dragon Bureau.

With the backing of the princess, supported by the Emperor, he could traverse Wu'an County with no fear.

Chen Tang went to the Cyan Dragon Bureau, ran straight to Cai Yin, held his head high, and said loudly and justifiably, "Cai, I want to take leave!"

Just been here for a few days, and wanting to drop out again?

Cai Yin widened his bull-like eyes, just about to lose his temper.

But seeing Chen Tang's confidence, it occurred to him that this kid has a significant backer at home.

Let it go for now.

Cai Yin waved his hand, saying flatly, "Come back early."

Chen Tang felt immensely pleased inside.

In his past life, even for a leave request, he had to ponder for a long time and be very polite in front of the boss, or even have to act miserable if necessary.

No more of that now!

It's impossible to keep a low profile; his strength doesn't allow it.

Leave request, naturally, is to go to the Snow Mountain.

The things the Mountain Guest asked him to investigate have been almost fully checked out.

Moreover, he has had some breakthroughs in his cultivation, just right to report to the Mountain Guest on the Snow Mountain.

Everything on the Snow Mountain remains unchanged.

"I'm back."

Chen Tang greeted.

"Is there some happy event?"

The Mountain Guest lifted his eyelids and could see it immediately.

Chen Tang chuckled and said, "Senior, the matters you asked me to look into, I've checked out most of them, just came back to tell you."

"The current Emperor is called Yuan Qingshan..."

Chen Tang narrated the information about Yuan Qingshan and the Pingzhou Mu to the Mountain Guest.

"Qian Country's position of Grand Commandant has always been vacant. It is said that ten years ago in Qian Country, the Grand Commandant retired back to the fields, and the position has remained empty ever since."

Chen Tang said, "As for the Cyan Dragon Bureau and the Profound Celestial Sect, there's currently no evidence of any connection."

The Mountain Guest listened to the information Chen Tang brought, contemplated for a moment, and suddenly said, "The Governor of Pingzhou is rebelling!"

Chen Tang was startled.

The Mountain Guest said, "All the counties and commanderies in Pingzhou are likely under his control, Wu'an County as well. The little power you're relying on, like the Vermilion Bird Guard, is useless before a mighty army."

What's going on?

Chen Tang was a bit dazed.

His excitement hadn't yet waned, and the Mountain Guest's words were like a cold shower, instantly cooling him down!

However, the Mountain Guest's thought process was a bit too big of a leap for him to grasp immediately.

"Senior, how do you know?"

Chen Tang couldn't help but ask.

The Mountain Guest was always on the Snow Mountain and seemed not to know much about Qian Country, like who the current Emperor was or who the Pingzhou Mu was, so how did he suddenly come to that conclusion?

"Actually, the last time I heard you mention some things, I sensed something was amiss."

The Mountain Guest said, "Cold Iron is the rarest resource in the Extreme North Cold Domain. Regardless of which of the Seven Cold Domain Countries it is, it's unlikely they would trade Cold Iron to Qian Country."

"Are you saying that the trade between the two regions is fake?"

Chen Tang was somewhat incredulous, saying, "It's true that this matter is orchestrated by the Pingzhou Shepherd, but to pass the fake for the real, to deceive everyone, seems impossible, doesn't it?"

The Mountain Guest said, "It's not about passing the fake for real; it's more about exchanging inferior quality for high quality. The Cold Iron traded to Qian Country is certainly not of the finest quality from the Cold Domain."

"Just exchanging for some Gold and Jade Artifacts wouldn't satisfy the Seven Cold Domain Countries. If they are willing to engage in this trade, they surely have a larger purpose."

"Moreover, the Extreme North Cold Domain has long had designs on Qian Country's Pingzhou. It was so in the previous dynasty, and it won't change with Qian Country. The trade is just a guise; the real aim is to allow the Black Water Gang to enter Pingzhou and gradually establish influence in various commanderies and counties of Pingzhou."

Chen Tang asked, "Are you suggesting that the Pingzhou Shepherd's rebellion is in collaboration with the Black Water Gang?"

"Precisely."

The Mountain Guest said, "If he were to rely solely on Pingzhou's own strength, he wouldn't have the guts, nor could he counteract the mighty army of Qian Country."

"But what would be the benefit of doing so?"

Chen Tang pursued, "He Yeqian is already the Pingzhou Shepherd, and has even been honored as Duke Jingbei, reaching the zenith of a subject's position. Why would he risk rebellion?"

"One reason is what you just mentioned - Prince Qinghe was defeated in the Capital City's struggle for the throne."

The Mountain Guest said, "Although the current Emperor Qian has only imprisoned Prince Qinghe and granted the Pingzhou Shepherd a noble title, he certainly will be wary of the Pingzhou Shepherd, and the Pingzhou Shepherd will sense it, detecting a crisis."

"Prince Qinghe's mother and child are both in the Capital City," Chen Tang remarked.

"Those who are capable of great deeds do not care about these things, especially when it's just a daughter and a grandson,"

The Mountain Guest continued, "Another reason is having the support of the Extreme North Cold Domain. If the Pingzhou Shepherd raises a rebellion, he can merge with the Extreme North Cold Domain to become the Eighth Nation. And the Pingzhou Shepherd can naturally proclaim himself king."

If, at the start, Chen Tang still had doubts,

upon hearing this, he had begun to believe what the Mountain Guest said.

Because he suddenly recalled another piece of information.

Conscription!

This year's conscription involves the Pingzhou Thirteen Commanderies, with unprecedented force, and is mandatory, only Entry Level Martial Artists have a choice.

Now it seems this could very well be a sign of Pingzhou's rebellion!

Another doubt arose in Chen Tang's mind, he asked, "With such a huge commotion, there must be some clues. The Cyan Dragon Bureau has stations in Pingzhou City and various commanderies, could they really be completely unaware?"

"This is precisely the crux of the matter."

The Mountain Guest said, "The Cyan Dragon Bureau might stand on the current Emperor's side, or perhaps not."

"What do you mean by this?"

Chen Tang was puzzled, furrowing his brows, "As far as I know, the Cyan Dragon Bureau takes direct orders from the Emperor Qian and oversees the officials."

The Mountain Guest said, "Emperor Qian was a Grandmaster who built his empire and created Qian Country, so the Cyan Dragon Bureau might have obeyed Emperor Qian. But the current Emperor Qian has just ascended the throne, and in terms of prestige and power, he is far insufficient to control the Cyan Dragon Bureau."

Chen Tang asked, "If not siding with the current Emperor Qian, is the Cyan Dragon Bureau planning to assist the Pingzhou Shepherd?"

"The Cyan Dragon Bureau doesn't need to help the Pingzhou Shepherd either,"

The Mountain Guest said, "The Cyan Dragon Bureau just needs to feign ignorance, to remain neutral, at most, they would be held accountable for negligence."

Chen Tang inquired again, "But what benefit is there for the Cyan Dragon Bureau in doing so?"

"It's hard to say, two possibilities,"

The Mountain Guest pondered, "That's why I asked you to investigate two other matters: who is the current Grand Commandant, and what is the relationship between the Cyan Dragon Bureau and the Profound Celestial Sect."

"If the Cyan Dragon Bureau remains neutral, and Pingzhou rebels, Qian Country will undoubtedly dispatch troops to suppress it. Given the current Emperor Qian's prestige, he has no chance of conquering Pingzhou backed by the Extreme North Cold Domain."

Chen Tang realized, "So, to reclaim Pingzhou, the current Emperor Qian can only re-establish the position of Grand Commandant, to command the military might of the nation!"

"Precisely,"

The Mountain Guest said, "There are not many within Qian Country who possess such prestige and power."

Chen Tang said, "The first possibility is that the Cyan Dragon Bureau may remain neutral to reestablish the Grand Commandant; the second possibility involves the Profound Celestial Sect, but what benefit does Pingzhou's rebellion have for the Profound Celestial Sect?"

The Mountain Guest said, "Qian Country is a polity where religion and government coexist. The Profound Celestial Sect's influence in Qian Country should surpass even the imperial authority. Back then, Emperor Qian was chosen by the True Dragon and followed by the people, and if so, the True Dragon can choose another."

"To the Profound Celestial Sect, the significance of spreading their teachings is greater."

"It's possible the Profound Celestial Sect has some agreement with the Extreme North Cold Domain, whereby if they ensure neutrality during this Pingzhou rebellion, they would be allowed to preach in the Extreme North Cold Domain. Of course, these two possibilities remain only my conjectures."

Chen Tang took a deep breath, trying to absorb all the information provided by the Mountain Guest.

Pingzhou Shepherd He Yeqian plans to rebel.

The wife of the Heir of the Huo Family happens to be He Yeqian's daughter.

In other words, with Pingzhou's rebellion, Wu'an County will certainly respond!

The military defenses of Wu'an County are all in County Captain Han Lang's hands.

Han Lang is also associated with the Huo Family.

Along with the cooperation of the Black Water Gang, the Huo Family's control over Wu'an County is virtually assured!

However, there are still two variables in this situation.

They are the Profound Celestial Sect and the Cyan Dragon Bureau.

If these two forces remain neutral, then Wu'an County is bound to fall under the control of the Huo Family and the Black Water Gang!

At that time, let alone seeking revenge on the Young Leader of the Black Water Gang.

He himself might not even be able to keep his life.

The identity as Princess Qingmu would be of no use, most likely becoming a bargaining chip in negotiations with Qian Country.

On this day, Chen Tang felt as if he had experienced great ups and downs.

While in Wu'an County, he was still spirited and enthusiastic.

But upon arriving on Snow Mountain and hearing the Mountain Guest's words, he had little desire to descend the mountain...

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