Casting immortality in the furnace

Chapter 65 Interplay of Light and Darkness

"As expected of a sword furnace, it's truly formidable."

Chen Qing walked towards Lou Zhenqing with a gloomy look in his eyes and a blank expression.

Zhai Yao's Hidden Bat Robe was a secret treasure of the Xiao Fu tribe, capable of isolating energy and concealing one's form. Even a Foundation Establishment cultivator like her would find it difficult to detect, yet the Sword Furnace found her in just one night.

"Since they captured Zhai Yao, they must have interrogated him..."

Elder Chenqing's biggest worry was that news of Chenxing and Zhai Yao's affair would reach the Yue Kingdom's court.

If Prince Wuju knew about those things, he would definitely think that the Gumi tribe was deceiving and humiliating him, and it might even lead to a conflict between the two countries.

She was so heavy-hearted that she forgot to greet Lou Zhenqing.

"Elder Chenqing, the assassin who harmed Her Highness the Princess was captured last night. Here is his head, as well as the items he was carrying," Lou Zhenqing said.

Qin Zhiyuan and Shen Yusheng stepped forward and handed the items to the servants of the Gumibu Department.

Chen Qing's gaze lingered on the black robe.

That wasn't Zhai Yao's hidden bat cloak, but the one she personally handed to Huo Duo last night.

The original plan was to have Huo Duo impersonate Zhai Yao to take the blame for him.

Now Zhai Yao has been beheaded, and Huo Duo has also failed.

"If that's the case, why did Lou Zhenqing only bring Zhai Yao's head?"

Chen Qing felt suspicious, but forced a smile onto his face:

"No wonder I couldn't find the assassin last night; it turns out this assassin had a secret treasure to conceal his presence."

Her gaze swept over Lou Zhenqing and the other two, and she praised them:

"Doctor Lou truly lives up to his reputation as a master swordsmith. He captured this thief in just one night. He is truly remarkable."

Lou Zhenqing looked ashamed and pointed at Fan Zhou, sighing:

"Elder, you misunderstand. The reason I was able to capture the assassin so quickly is thanks to my little apprentice, Fan Zhou."

"Oh?"

Elder Chen Qing's gaze lingered on Fan Zhou, a hint of doubt in his eyes:

"What's going on?"

Fan Zhou and Lou Zhenqing had already prepared their explanations, and now they began to speak slowly:

"Last night when I returned to my residence, a black-robed assassin suddenly appeared from the shadows, claiming that I had ruined his plans and that he was determined to take my life."

My mind went blank for a moment. I drew my sword and fought him. After dozens of rounds, I suddenly realized that this scoundrel must be the thief who stabbed the princess!

Remembering that the elder misunderstood me as an assassin last night, and now that the real assassin has come knocking, I must capture him to prove my innocence.

So I risked creating an opening, letting the assassin slash my chest, and I seized the opportunity to cut his sword in half, plunge my own sword into his dantian, and wrestled with that damned assassin... cough cough cough!"

As Fan Zhou spoke, his face turned pale, as if his injury had relapsed. He coughed repeatedly and became unsteady on his feet.

Before setting off, Lou Zhenqing did some tricks on him to make him look like he had just recovered from a serious injury, in order to gain sympathy by playing the victim.

After a while, Fan Zhou looked at Elder Chen Qing with a weary expression and said weakly:

"Fortunately, I struck the assassin in a vital spot, and he lost all his strength. I fought him for a long time and managed to kill him by sheer luck. Otherwise, my reputation would have been ruined."

"That brat is spouting nonsense!"

Elder Chen Qing cursed inwardly, not believing a word Fan Zhou said, but on the surface he had to smile and praise him:

"I misunderstood you before. You risked your life to capture the assassin for Her Highness the Princess. You are truly brave."

"Thank you...cough cough cough...!"

Fan Zhou barely managed to reply, then coughed painfully again, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

Chen Qing's expression was sinister. "They've come to ask me for compensation."

She secretly resented Huo Duo for his incompetence. Now that the situation was completely in the hands of the Sword Furnace, she could only be blackmailed.

"It seems Lou Zhenqing knows about Chen Xing and Zhai Yao's affair. He deliberately used Zhai Yao's head to hint to me that they will pretend they know nothing."

Otherwise, Jianlu would definitely have sent Zhai Yao to Yue and handed him over to Prince Wuju for interrogation. How could he have killed him directly?

Elder Chen Qing glanced at Lou Zhenqing, but he was only looking at Fan Zhou with a worried expression, seemingly unaware of her gaze.

"Alright, alright. Since they're willing to back down, I'll offer some compensation and let this matter drop."

Thinking of this, Chen Qing felt a little more relaxed.

She took out a jade box and handed it to Lou Zhenqing, smiling:

"I feel truly guilty that your disciple was so seriously injured while capturing the assassin. There is a [Pine and Cypress Fire] in this box as compensation. Please accept it, Doctor Lou."

"Elder Chen, you are too kind. It is our duty to capture the assassins after Her Highness the Princess was injured in the market."

Lou Zhenqing was polite in words, but he directly took the jade box and handed it to Fan Zhou, scolding him:

"Hurry up and thank Elder Chen."

Fan Zhou's expression turned solemn, and he bowed to Chen Qing, saying:

"Thank you for your kindness, Elder."

Chen Qing nodded with a smile, her expression as kind as an old grandmother's.

"By the way, Dr. Lou, has the assassin's background been determined?"

Lou Zhenqing's expression darkened, and he said in a low voice:

"In my opinion, this person was most likely sent by another tribe with the intention of sabotaging the marriage alliance between our two countries. Elder, you should be more careful in the future and not fall into the trap of such a villain."

Elder Chen Qing knew that Lou Zhenqing was hinting at something, and immediately said with a serious expression:

"Don't worry, Dr. Lou. Her Highness is a woman of great principle and will never listen to the instigation of others."

"Excellent, excellent."

Lou Zhenqing nodded in satisfaction and cupped his hands in greeting:

"In that case, I will take my leave. Please give my regards to Her Highness the Princess."

Chen Qing returned the greeting and said, "Once the princess recovers, I will definitely host a banquet to entertain you all."

"I dare not trouble myself."

Lou Zhenqing made a modest remark and left with Fan Zhou and the others.

Chen Qing stood there until they were far away, then sighed wearily.

She turned her head to look at the wooden box held by the maid beside her, and murmured as she gazed at the pitiful head inside:

"What a waste of all our efforts."

Just then, a maid rushed out of the palace in a panic, shouting:

"Elder, something terrible has happened! Her Highness the Princess has fainted!"

Chen Qing's eyes dimmed, and he sighed deeply, his body hunching over.

She knew all along that Chen Xing was spying inside, and Zhai Yao's death couldn't be kept secret.

"It's better that she's dead. It will finally put an end to Xing'er's feelings for him."

Chen Qing shook his head helplessly and turned to walk towards the palace.

The maid beside her was still urging her anxiously, but she calmly stepped onto the palace steps.

the other side.

Fan Zhou and the others returned to the weapon forging workshop.

Lou Zhenqing sat at the head of the table and let out a leisurely breath.

"In that case, the assassination incident is over."

Shen Yusheng stroked his beard and pondered, "Elder Ke Chen's expression doesn't seem too good."

"She originally wanted to do us a favor, but now she owes us one, so it's normal for her to be unhappy."

Lou Zhenqing didn't care much.

He was unaware of Zhai Yao's situation; he only felt that he had done a good deed and that Princess Chenxing would surely thank him.