Chapter 68 of 100
Chapter 68
5 min read1,210 words
"Zhao Zijing, what's going on here?" Sun Bugui said angrily.
As one of the Seven Perfected of Quanzhen and the wife of Ma Yu, the current leader of the Quanzhen Sect before he became a monk, Sun Bugui was well aware of the Quanzhen Sect's stance.
The Quanzhen Sect had no intention or courage to resist the Mongols, but it was also unrealistic to directly side with the Mongols and accept their orders in the short term.
Unless the Mongols truly unified the world, the Quanzhen Sect would only nominally submit to the Mongols. For now, the best they could do was to remain neutral.
In short, they wanted to be both a prostitute and a virtuous woman.
Although the Mongols currently had the upper hand, their excessive massacres had offended the heavens, and the people of the Song Dynasty were filled with indignation, their resistance growing stronger.
In such a situation, any display of pro-Mongol sentiment could make them a target of public condemnation.
The Quanzhen Sect did not want to be at the center of controversy at this critical moment.
According to Ma Yu's idea, the Seven Perfected of Quanzhen should immediately go into seclusion, and only send the third-generation disciples Zhen Zhibing and Yin Zhiping to deal with the situation.
Sun Bugui never expected that Zhao Zijing would have such a thing on him.
This was pushing the Quanzhen Sect into a fire pit.
"Uncle Master, I don't know anything about this. It has nothing to do with me. They are framing me, they must be framing me..." Zhao Zijing pointed at Zhongxin.
Sun Bugui could no longer hold back and slapped Zhao Zijing.
"What are you worth that others would frame you?" Sun Bugui said.
It was no wonder Sun Bugui said this; in her eyes, Zhao Zijing was just a third-generation disciple, not worthy of being framed.
"Zhao Zijing, the reason why the Master stripped you of your position as the head disciple is because of your improper conduct. I never expected that you would harbor resentment and secretly collude with the Mongols," Sun Bugui said, trembling.
Hearing Sun Bugui's words, Zhongxin smiled faintly and said, "Master Sun, your conclusion is too hasty. Zhao Zijing might not have colluded with the Mongols only after losing his position as the head disciple."
"What do you mean?" Sun Bugui asked.
Zhongxin waved the silk in his hand and said to Zhao Hao, "Your Highness, please check if the seal at the bottom is Kublai Khan's seal."
Zhao Hao took the silk and, after a brief glance, nodded and said, "Yes, it is Kublai Khan's seal. Great Hero Guo, you lived in Mongolia for a long time, please confirm it."
Guo Jing took the silk, feeling heavy-hearted. After reading the content, his mood became even heavier.
He had seen Kublai Khan's seal more than once; it was undoubtedly genuine.
What shocked Guo Jing the most was the date on it.
"This date, this date..." Guo Jing trembled, unable to believe it.
"Jing, what's wrong?" Huang Rong, who had been observing coldly, came to Guo Jing's side and asked with concern.
"Rong, this date is exactly the day I sent Guo'er to Zhongnan Mountain," Guo Jing said.
"What?" Huang Rong was startled.
Yang Guo's eyes flickered, and he said, "Uncle Guo, do you remember that day when Zhao Zijing led the Quanzhen Sect's Taoists to attack you, refusing to listen to your explanations and insisting on capturing you?"
Guo Jing nodded subconsciously and said, "Yes, I explained to Brother Zhao many times, but he wouldn't listen."
"But that day, Zhao Zijing blocked you, while Hodu and his group entered Zhongnan Mountain unimpeded. If it weren't for Uncle Guo's heroic efforts, the situation on Zhongnan Mountain today would be hard to predict. Have you ever thought about why Hodu and his group could enter so easily? Hodu clearly brought many people, but Uncle Guo was alone. Why did Zhao Zijing not ask any questions and always consider Uncle Guo a criminal? Moreover, the martial arts Uncle Guo used were the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms. Could Zhao Zijing not recognize them?"
Yang Guo's words were like knives, cutting into Guo Jing's heart.
"Yes, yes, I didn't think much about it at the time. Now that you mention it, there are indeed many suspicious points," Guo Jing murmured.
Even Huang Rong's gaze towards Zhao Zijing became more suspicious.
Huang Rong did not fully believe the words of Zhongxin, Zhao Hao, and Yang Guo.
But Guo Jing never lied.
Guo Jing clearly acknowledged that what Yang Guo said was true. With so many coincidences, it was no longer a coincidence but a naked conspiracy.
"Misunderstanding, this is all a misunderstanding. Great Hero Guo, don't listen to this boy's nonsense. These are just coincidences," Zhao Zijing said loudly.
Although he was not particularly smart, he was not stupid.
At this moment, denying everything was the most important thing.
Zhao Zijing could clearly feel Sun Bugui's gaze.
If looks could kill, he would already be dead.
"There are too many coincidences. But if you deny everything, it's no wonder you feel wronged. I have a method," Zhao Hao said.
"What method?" At this moment, Sun Bugui was the most anxious.
"I heard that Great Hero Guo and his wife are proficient in the 'Nine Yin Manual,' and there is a technique called the 'Soul Capturing Technique' in it. I'm sure Great Hero Guo and his wife are familiar with it, right?" Zhao Hao said.
Hearing Zhao Hao's words, Guo Jing frowned slightly.
He knew the Soul Capturing Technique, but he had never liked it and had not studied it in depth.
On the contrary, Huang Rong was very proficient in the Soul Capturing Technique.
However, it could not be denied that Zhao Hao's suggestion was indeed the most appropriate method.
After the Soul Capturing Technique was used, the subject would drop all defenses and reveal their deepest secrets.
This way, whether Zhao Zijing was innocent or not would become clear.
"Your Highness, in the study of the 'Nine Yin Manual,' you are the best. Why don't you verify it yourself?" Guo Jing asked.
"How could the people of the Quanzhen Sect trust me to verify it?" Zhao Hao said sarcastically.
"Jing, let me do it," Huang Rong stepped forward and said.
Sun Bugui hesitated for a moment, then bit her lip and said, "Then I will trouble Lady Guo."
Having Huang Rong do it was better than having someone else.
She could only hope that Zhao Zijing would not let her down.
The situation had escalated to a point where Sun Bugui could no longer control it.
"Daoist Zhao, relax, look into my eyes, relax. If you are wronged, I will clear your name," Huang Rong's voice had a magical quality, making Zhao Zijing involuntarily fall into a trance.
"Zhao Zijing, did you reach an agreement with Kublai Khan, where he appointed you as the leader of the Quanzhen Sect, and you led the Quanzhen Sect to side with the Mongols?" Huang Rong's eyes glowed strangely as she asked slowly.
"Yes," Zhao Zijing said involuntarily.
A mysterious smile appeared at the corner of Zhao Hao's mouth.
Page break for AD
Page break for AD end