I Have A Sword-Chapter 1266: Master Pagoda

Ye Guan gazed at Tian Chen.

Tian Chen's face was solemn.

Ye Guan saw that and instantly had a vague idea of the reason behind Tian Chen's words.

"Is it because of our identities?" asked Ye Guan.

Tian Chen nodded. "I underestimated my elder brother's determination to eliminate me. They're now preparing to use your identities as a pretext to impeach me. To prevent that, our side might have to make a move against you.

"If you stay here, you'll be in danger."

Tian Chen looked at Ye Guan with an apologetic face. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this."

"I should be the one to apologize. If you hadn't brought us out, you wouldn't have to deal with something as troublesome as this."

Tian Chen revealed a bitter smile. "If I hadn't brought you out, I would have died at the hands of the Ancient Demon Clan members."

Ye Guan smiled faintly and asked, "Is this situation that difficult to resolve?"

"Yes." Tian Chen nodded. "It's very difficult. If you stay here, the trouble will only escalate."

Ye Guan pondered for a moment. "If we leave now, isn't it already too late?"

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Tian Chen spoke with determination. "I'll do my best."

"The biggest issue is our identities, right?"

"Yes."

"Who says everyone from the Desolate Borderland is a criminal?"

Tian Chen was stunned.

Ye Guan explained, "The names of the criminals in the Desolate Borderland are definitely recorded somewhere. In that case, it should be easy to verify whether we're criminals or not."

"Ah!" Tian Chen slapped his forehead. "I completely forgot about that..."

Ye Guan continued, "Of course, even if we're not criminals, your elder brother will still find ways to create problems. That means you can't stay on the defensive; you must go on the offensive."

Tian Chen raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Go on the offensive? How?"

"File a report claiming your elder brother is colluding with the Ancient Demon Clan members."

Tian Chen froze in shock. "Would anyone believe that?"

"It doesn't matter whether they believe it or not. What matters is that your brother has the motive to do so. Both of you are vying for the throne. If he colludes with the Ancient Demon Clan to kill you, it is completely believable.

"Whether others believe it is his problem, not yours. Let him figure out how to prove his innocence."

Tian Chen shuddered slightly. He realized that Ye Guan was no ordinary man, and he was definitely not a decent man as well.

Ye Guan added, "If you want to be even more aggressive, there's another way."

Tian Chen's interest was piqued. "What way?"

Ye Guan said, "After you leave here, find a secluded spot and stab yourself. Then have your subordinates spread the word that it was your elder brother who did it.

"Again, it doesn't matter if people believe it or not. Your brother will still have to prove it wasn't him."

Tian Chen was dumbfounded.

Ye Guan concluded, "Go for it."

Tian Chen thought for a moment before nodding. "Alright."

Just as he was about to leave, he looked back at Ye Guan. His curiosity got the better of him as he asked, "Brother Ye, may I ask what you used to do?"

Ye Guan replied, "I once ran an academy."

Tian Chen nodded knowingly. "Ah, no wonder. Scholars are always up to no good!"

With that, he turned around and sprinted off.

It was Ye Guan's turn to be speechless.

Soon, Tian Chen found a secluded area. He looked around and punched himself hard in the abdomen.

"Pfft!" He spat a mouthful of blood. Then, he clutched his stomach and yelled at the top of his lungs, "Help! Someone's trying to kill me! I'm dying!"

"..."

Soon, the news that the Crown Prince was colluding with the Ancient Demon Clan members to harm Tian Chen spread throughout the capital.

A young man dressed in a yellow robe was sitting on the stone steps. Handsome and dignified, he bore a striking resemblance to Tian Chen. The young man, engrossed in a textbook, was none other than the Crown Prince, Tian Xing.

An elderly man walked in, and he was none other than Prime Minister Ji.

Seeing Prime Minister Ji, Tian Xing closed his book and stood up to greet him with a slight bow. "Teacher."

Prime Minister Ji glanced at the book in Tian Xing's hand. "Reading?"

"Yes." Tian Xing smiled. "Those in poverty find wealth in books, and the wealthy find honor in them. Reading more books is never bad."

Prime Minister Ji nodded approvingly. "True, but don't neglect your cultivation. In this era, strength often outweighs reason."

"Of course." Tian Xing gestured for Prime Minister Ji to take a seat. "Teacher, is this about the recent rumors?"

Prime Minister Ji nodded. "Tian Chen has submitted a report claiming that you've colluded with the Ancient Demon Clan members to harm him. He was attacked and was left seriously injured. What do you think?"

Tian Xing frowned in confusion. "When did my younger brother learn to frame people and make accusations? Did he hire a new strategist?"

"If we accuse him of violating the laws by harboring criminals, people will assume we're deliberately targeting him..." Prime Minister Ji trailed off.

Prime Minister Ji frowned. Tian Chen was always honorable. When did he start resorting to such tactics?

Tian Xing thought for a moment before suggesting, "Have the censors stand back for now."

"The priority is addressing the allegations against us. Colluding with the Ancient Demon Clan is no trivial matter." Prime Minister Ji agreed. Then, he sighed deeply, feeling exasperated. They were being falsely accused, and they had to prove their innocence when it was supposed to be innocent until proven guilty.

Tian Xing chuckled. "No need to respond."

Prime Minister Ji looked puzzled. Tian Xing elaborated, saying, "Responding will only make things worse. He pulled this stunt to protect those two criminals. I'm curious why he was willing to go to such lengths for them."

After a pause, he added, "That said, unchecked rumors can snowball into a major issue. Even baseless accusations can tarnish my reputation. If we don't respond, the rumors can get more and more outrageous.

"When that happens, even if we hadn't colluded with the Ancient Demon Clan, the rumor would stay as a permanent stain on us. We need to address this carefully without falling into his trap."

Prime Minister Ji nodded. "Agreed."

Tian Xing nodded as well. "It seems I'll need to pay my younger brother a visit."

"Now?"

"Shall we go now?"

"We must do so openly and honorably."

Prime Minister Ji nodded in agreement. "Indeed."

"Teacher, have someone investigate the backgrounds of those two criminals."

"I've already arranged it. We'll have news shortly."

Tian Xing nodded again and then stood up. "Someone, bring me the Ten Thousand Immortal Pill that Father gave me."

Moments later, Tian Xing led an impressive entourage to Tian Chen's residence.

Tian Chen personally came out to greet him.

Tian Xing looked concerned as he asked, "Brother Chen, are you alright?"

Tian Chen replied with a solemn gaze, "Big Brother, I never expected you to collude with the Ancient Demon Clan. Don't you think that was a bit excessive?"

The crowd was shocked. How could Ninth Prince Tian Chen speak so bluntly? Even though everyone knew the brothers were fighting for the throne, did he really have to make such a bold accusation out in the open?

Tian Xing sighed deeply. "Brother Chen, outsiders may not believe me, but how can you doubt me? Do I look like that kind of person?"

Tian Chen chuckled. "I don't think you are that kind of person either, but the Ancient Demon Clan assassin who tried to kill me said that it was your doing. They sounded so convincing.

"Big Brother, I had no choice but to believe them!"

"And where is this assassin?"

"He escaped."

Tian Xing smiled faintly. "Then there's no way to prove it."

Tian Chen nodded. "Indeed, there's no way to verify it now. Big Brother, you'll have to find another way to prove your innocence."

Tian Xing's smile vanished. Then, he softly said, "Brother Chen, you're being shameless. You're the one making a baseless accusation here, and you're expecting me to prove my innocence?

"Don't you find that disgraceful? That's unlike you."

Tian Chen replied in a similarly low voice, "If I don't hit you, you'll hit me. What else can I do?"

Tian Xing smiled faintly. "Take care of your injuries."

With that, he pulled out a box and handed it to Tian Chen. "This is the Ten Thousand Immortal Pill that Father gave me. It's incredibly effective, and it will surely be helpful to you."

Tian Chen appeared shocked. "A Creation Realm pill?! Big Brother, I can't accept this!"

Despite saying that, he had already accepted the box.

The crowd watched on silently.

Tian Xing patted Tian Chen on the shoulder and added, "Brother Chen, you're becoming more shameless by the day."

Tian Chen laughed. "Big Brother, do you have anything else? If not, I'd like to go treat my injuries."

Tian Xing smiled. "Take care now. If you need anything, just let me know."

With that, he turned around and left with his entourage.

Once Tian Xing was gone, Tian Chen stood in silence for a moment before turning around to leave. Back in his room, Ah Weng appeared beside him and said, "Your Highness, we've just received word that the censors who were preparing to impeach you have suddenly decided to withdraw."

Tian Chen nodded. "Okay."

Ah Weng bowed slightly and withdrew.

Tian Chen murmured to himself, "Brother Ye, you're definitely not an ordinary person..."

***

Ye Guan visited Fan Shan's room. She was still cultivating and was surrounded by strong spiritual energy.

After confirming that everything was normal, Ye Guan left. When he stepped out of the room, a lady appeared in front of him; she was the Mistress of the Xuanyun Residence.

Ye Guan still didn't know her name, so he asked, "How should I address you?"

The lady stared at him. "You've gotten involved in their struggle for the throne."

Ye Guan nodded. "It was unintentional."

The lady stared silently at her.

Ye Guan didn't bother saying more and returned to his room.

Once there, he sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.

He needed to get Fan Shan out of here.

Staying here meant getting entangled in the power struggle for the throne and getting caught up in the conflict between the Heavenly Tomb Empire and the Ancient Demon Clan.

Their fight would most likely escalate, and he was too weak to make such risky moves.

He had to keep a low profile.

Ye Guan took out the Little Pagoda and the Qingxuan Sword. Gently stroking the sword, the sword trembled before a soft voice echoed. "Young Master..."

Ye Guan muttered, "Little Soul..."

Little Soul replied, "Master, I'm very weak... I want to sleep..."

Ye Guan nodded. "Alright."

Soon, Little Soul fell into a deep slumber.

Her injuries were extremely severe. In fact, she was more seriously injured than Ye Guan and Little Pagoda.

Ye Guan then looked at the tiny pagoda. "Master Pagoda..."

After a moment of silence, Master Pagoda spoke, "Damn... I've never been so humiliated in my life."