"The thirty-six families of Lingnan gathered in the Qinling Mountains, along with the Shaolin Temple and the Six Gates, all for the clues to the ruins held by Monk Puhui?"
Chen Jiuyang gathered information about the power distribution in the Qinling region from the captured members of the Zhao family.
"How could the Chief Constable of the Six Gates in Lingnan not know the poisonous nature of these influential families?"
"The Six Gates have sealed off the Qinling Mountains, not only preventing people from entering but also from leaving. To save Monk Puhui and repay this karma, we must understand the true intentions of the Six Gates."
Anyone who could become a provincial chief constable of the Six Gates was no ordinary person.
The thirty-six Lingnan aristocratic families and Shaolin Temple were one matter.
But adding the Six Gates of Lingnan…
Chen Jiuyang pondered for a moment, then took out his phone to make a call: "I need to inquire about someone's detailed information…"
Twenty minutes later, Chen Jiuyang received a top-secret message document on his phone, which was to be burned after reading. It was sent by the Apocalypse Legion. His current identity was still a Major in the Apocalypse Legion, on active duty.
The Chief Constable of the Lingnan Provincial Six Gates, Jiang Manying!
Information about this person's life suddenly appeared before Chen Jiuyang.
Jiang Manying, a descendant of martyrs from the National Destiny War sixty years ago, came from a humble background. He entered the Dragon Country Academy's gifted program at the age of eleven, graduated with a doctorate at fifteen, and then studied abroad in countries like the United States and Britain. At eighteen, he retook the college entrance examination and, as the top scorer in science in Longjing, was admitted to Longjing National Defense University. He graduated at twenty-one, served in the Zhenxi Army, and was awarded the rank of Major General at twenty-five due to his merits.
He resigned his military rank and retired at twenty-eight after being injured by an ambush. He then married the legitimate daughter of the Wei family, the foremost aristocratic family in Lingnan. He entered politics at thirty-five and became the Chief Constable of the Lingnan Six Gates at fifty.
Chen Jiuyang's eyes flickered. Jiang Manying's resume could be described as legendary; his experience was too extensive.
A person like him would be qualified to enter the capital and serve in the cabinet, at least at the third rank. Yet, he remained in the fifth-rank position of Chief Constable of the Six Gates.
"Why would such a person get involved in the matter of the ruins? What is their purpose?"
Chen Jiuyang was unsure: "It seems I can only gauge their intentions after those who leaked the news report back."
…
A group of people from the Zhao family escaped and reported the matter of Marquis Xuanyang assisting Monk Puhui.
At the foot of a mountain perpetually shrouded in white mist within the Qinling region, an elder in a black constable's uniform, appearing to be in his sixties, gazed at the mist and said to the person beside him:
"Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han both sought longevity. Peng Zu, a terrestrial immortal in the era of the decline of gods and immortals, lived for eight hundred years and buried himself in the Qinling Mountains. Later, Sage Wang Yangming sealed his burial place with Confucian truths. Legend has it that Peng Zu's corpse transformed into a Longevity Tree, which bears a Longevity Fruit every thousand years. Consuming the Longevity Fruit allows one to live for eight hundred years, just like him."
"Do you think this is true or false?"
The person beside the elder thought for a moment and replied, "Elder Du, this statement should be true. Otherwise, why would the thirty-six families of Lingnan have occupied this place for hundreds of years?"
"Monk Puhui inherited the true teachings of the Book of Changes, and his divination and calculation abilities are extremely powerful. Ten years ago, he could decipher thirty percent of the Sage's truths. Now that he has reappeared, he is likely after this Longevity Fruit."
"Heh heh…" Jiang Manying chuckled, his expression unreadable.
Among the many provinces of the Dragon Country, except for Shu Mountain, which made significant contributions during the National Destiny War sixty years ago and was allowed to have its sixteen local forces flourish, surpassing the local Six Gates in power, in any other province, the Six Gates were second to none in martial arts strength.
At this moment, Chen Jiuyang's information reached Jiang Manying. Jiang Manying glanced at it and coldly said, "Send members of the Wei family to eliminate this person."
"Yes, Elder Du."
Jiang Manying looked at the white mist above the mountain, a hint of greed in his eyes—the desire of the human heart.
It was a desire that no one could resist.
…
"The thirty-six families have occupied Lingnan for hundreds of years, all for a legendary, elusive Longevity Fruit?"
Chen Jiuyang interrogated the Zhao family captives and received the news, his gaze fixed on the depths of the Qinling region.
"The Longevity Fruit, even if it doesn't grant eight hundred years of life, its effects can at least cleanse the marrow and strengthen the bones, breaking through the Earth Realm and reaching the Heaven Realm."
"No wonder they went to such great lengths to capture Monk Puhui. After toiling for centuries, they can't let someone snatch the prize."
"Monk Puhui has truly stirred up a hornet's nest."
"But it should be more than that…"
Chen Jiuyang pondered slowly, his expression suddenly solemn. He spoke loudly, "Since you're here, why hide? You are the aristocratic families of Lingnan, after all. Such stealthy actions make me look down on you."
"Well said, young hero Marquis Xuanyang."
A middle-aged man in white brocade robes slowly appeared from nearby, followed by dozens of martial artists.
Chen Jiuyang looked at the middle-aged man and said, "Wei Chenggong, the head of the foremost Wei family in Lingnan?"
After interrogating the Zhao family captives, Chen Jiuyang had a general understanding of the various forces within Lingnan.
"Indeed." Wei Chenggong's aura was robust, his vital energy pure. Although eighty years old, he looked like he was in his forties or fifties.
The aristocratic families of Lingnan, like those in Ziyang County, had been passed down for centuries. Their foundations were not very strong, with most only reaching the peak of the Earth Realm.
Wei Chenggong sized up Chen Jiuyang, noting that Marquis Xuanyang's vital energy was contained and not leaking, giving a sense of returning to simplicity. However, before coming, he had already used his connections with the Six Gates to carefully examine Marquis Xuanyang's past combat records.
He was shocked by what he saw. Monk Puhui had quietly invited such a young expert to help him, giving them a sense of crisis.
In terms of seniority, Jiang Manying was his son-in-law. In terms of status, Jiang Manying held the highest position, so even he, the father-in-law, had to obey Jiang Manying's orders.
The head of the Zhao family in Lingnan was killed by Chen Jiuyang with a single punch, leaving the Zhao family members in a state of panic.
Wei Chenggong spoke, "Marquis Xuanyang, your future is destined for kingship. Why must you get involved in Monk Puhui's affairs?"
"I owe Monk Puhui a great debt of gratitude. I will protect his life." Chen Jiuyang slowly raised his hand, assuming a stance.
Wei Chenggong's heart sank. Chen Jiuyang was a person of loyalty and righteousness. When an ordinary person was killed by the provincial chief constable, Chen Jiuyang directly avenged him, brutally killing the provincial Six Gates chief constable in front of the Third Prince Zhou Fangzun. Encountering such a person was truly troublesome.
Wei Chenggong's expression turned grim: "Since Marquis Xuanyang is determined to go his own way, let us settle this with our hands. What do you say to a fight to the death?"
Although Chen Jiuyang was not easy to provoke, as the head of the foremost aristocratic family in Lingnan, Wei Chenggong was also not someone to be trifled with.
"Hahahaha!"
"Good!"
Chen Jiuyang laughed heartily, "It suits me perfectly!"
His eyes were filled with burning fighting spirit.