This scoundrel is a bit of a swordsman.

Chapter 185 The Origin of Burning City

Huangfu Lingxue's expression was as solemn as a cold pool. She never dreamed that Xiao Xingchen and Ruoxue were among those who broke into the ancestral temple. What exactly happened that night?

She nodded slightly, taking Ruoxue's words to heart. Ruoxue had said something very true: both of them had just arrived in Yong'an, but she and Xiao Xingchen were like heaven and earth. One was like a bird soaring in the sky, while the other was like a trapped beast stuck in the mud. Xiao Xingchen was hiding a huge secret, which she had only recently realized.

“I will keep an eye on it, you can rest assured, but I need to know what you went through afterwards.”

"Of course, Your Highness is qualified to know everything."

Seeing that her goal had been achieved, Ruoxue's face showed no joy whatsoever; instead, it grew even more solemn. Choosing to act in this way at this time was indeed too risky. As if sensing her worries, Huangfu Lingxue comforted her.

"There is no need to worry too much. How could the Great Qian be so weak? Not only is Father Emperor biding his time, but the royal family's foundation is also unfathomable and sufficient to deal with any unexpected situation."

Is this what I'm worried about?

Ruoxue shuddered, then a bitter smile appeared on her face. What she was worried about was that Xiao Xingchen would play with fire and get burned.

"Actually, I'm quite curious too. How did Xiao Xingchen become so sure that he wouldn't lose his life? Let's go and find out together."

Huangfu Lingxue stepped inside. Given what had happened to Xiao Xingchen, most people would have buryed their heads in the sand like ostriches, not dared to act so brazenly. It was truly puzzling to her that the Imperial Palace had not yet issued a decision on Xiao Xingchen's punishment. This, in turn, proved that Xiao Xingchen's arrogant behavior was based on nothing but fearlessness. So how did Xiao Xingchen get so confident?

This matter weighed heavily on Huangfu Lingxue's heart, becoming her biggest question.

With the arrival of the eldest princess, the crown prince and the fourth prince rushed over like birds returning to their nests.

Because they came on foot, they were much slower than the others.

Surprisingly, Zhan Shuai actually stepped into Huayu Tower for the first time ever, which really shocked everyone.

Considering what Xiao Xingchen said on stage, many people have begun to believe that there must be some unknown agreement between Wu Xie and Zhan Shuai.

Following the War General, the Left Prime Minister arrived in quick succession. The arrival of these two important figures, representing the civil and military officials of the Great Qian Dynasty, was like a sudden storm, instantly changing the nature of the gathering at Huayu Tower.

Xiao Xingchen had guessed that the War Commander would come, but the appearance of the Left Prime Minister left him completely bewildered, unable to discern whether it was the Left Prime Minister's own intention or the Martial Emperor's decree. Or perhaps, was this a warning to him?

He warned himself that there were things he could say and things he couldn't. However, Xiao Xingchen remained calm about these things. He was now only waiting for the Martial Emperor's decree to officially bestow the title of "King of the Mountain" upon him.

Finally, there were the few from Great Xia. Their arrival didn't cause a major uproar; it was like a gentle breeze across a lake, leaving little ripple. Everyone knew perfectly well that associating with a few people nearing their end was utterly pointless. Based on their actions outside Yong'an City, Great Qian would never allow them to leave unscathed.

Therefore, although everyone was curious about these people, they all restrained themselves and did not go forward to ask them any questions. Perhaps the people of Daxia also sensed the strange looks from the crowd. Their eyes were like those of hungry wolves, fixed on Xiao Xingchen. This made Xiao Xingchen understand that young people who are just starting out in life still need to experience the trials of society before they can understand how to walk the path of life.

However, he did not show much enthusiasm, because the Great Xia was a place he had to go to in the future. He wanted to personally explore which predecessor had brought the civilization of his previous life here.

Furthermore, he surmised that the few people from Great Xia who came this time were by no means key figures, because their shrewdness and manner of speaking were just like those of cattle and horses in his previous life, resembling a group of ordinary working people.

After a brief response, he turned his gaze to the arena. Seeing that almost everyone had arrived, Xiao Xingchen, the host, naturally took the lead in speaking.

He didn't care who the distinguished guests were sitting below him. He remained as cynical and arrogant as ever, and even let out a disdainful snort when he saw Zhan Shuai, completely disregarding him.

However, surprisingly, Zhan Shuai didn't take it to heart and just leisurely drank his tea.

The expression on the left prime minister's face was rather intriguing. His gaze was fixed on Xiao Xingchen, making Xiao Xingchen feel uneasy, completely unaware of what the old man was looking at.

"Welcome everyone. I won't waste time with empty words. I've invited you all here today to decipher the mystery, so please don't hold back. Information sharing benefits everyone. Once we're outside this door, we can continue with the fighting and killing if we want. Do you have any objections?"

Before anyone could reply, he made a direct assertion.

"If you have any objections, that's fine. We have many experts here today. Anyone who objects can simply be expelled."

This sentence was like an insurmountable chasm, blocking everyone's way out and causing everyone in the hall to shake their heads helplessly.

"Then I won't waste any more time. Let's begin. I'll set an example for you all. I'll pose a question, and we can all add to it together, hoping to restore the true picture of Yong'an in the Great Qian Dynasty."

All eyes, like beams of blazing flame, focused on him, their gazes fixed intently on him.

"The first thing I'll mention is the ancestral temple. The Great Qian Ancestral Temple is like a bottomless, mysterious abyss, definitely not as simple as you see it,"

"The first topic we'll discuss is the ancestral temple. If you have any information about the ancestral temple, please feel free to share it now."

Xiao Xingchen threw out the topic as if testing the waters, then sat calmly, waiting for the next person to respond.

He was not intimidated by the silence of the crowd, firmly believing that someone would reveal a shocking secret, especially about that little monk...

Not only him, but several others also turned their attention to the young monk Miaowu, after all, he had made a puzzling statement on the platform of virtuous talents: "Since everyone is looking at me, then I will make a fool of myself."

Perhaps feeling a little uncomfortable under everyone's gaze, the young monk stood out from the crowd and was the first to step forward.

"Alright, little monk, tell us everything you know so that you can set an example for everyone."

Yan Yi responded.

"Well, I know very little about the Great Qian Ancestral Temple. The reason we from Burning Ashes City have come to Yong'an is actually for one thing: to find the Silent Temple."

"Silent Temple? Little monk, isn't Silent Temple located in Cangshan Mountain outside Yong'an City? What does it have to do with the ancestral temple?"

"No, the Silent Temple you know is not the same Silent Temple I am looking for. I am looking for the Silent Temple that worships demons."

Everyone was astonished and looked suspicious. Seeing this, the little monk continued to explain: "The reason why Burning City has been able to stand in the Western Regions for hundreds of years is closely related to two things: the Flaming Mountain and the Silent Temple."

Xiao Xingchen appeared calm on the surface, but his heart was in turmoil. He had finally found it!

Ever since he first heard of Burning City, he had harbored doubts about the Flaming Mountain and the Silent Temple. Unfortunately, the Western Regions were too far away for him to explore in person. Now, having met the young monk Miaowu, he knew that the opportunity had arrived. The young monk must know a great deal about the secrets of the Silent Temple and the Flaming Mountain, and this was exactly the information he needed. So he immediately began to speak.

“Little monk, I have a question. What secrets do the Flaming Mountain and the Silent Temple in Burning City hold? We, who have lived inland for a long time, are like frogs at the bottom of a well. We have no idea what you mean by the Silent Temple. Could you please answer our questions first? In this way, we can connect your information with our own knowledge and avoid making a fool of ourselves by misattributing information.”

"That's natural. It's understandable that you don't know anything about the Western Regions since you've never set foot there. But these things aren't exactly secrets."

"Legend has it that long ago, before the City of Burning Ashes existed, there was only one Flaming Mountain in the Western Regions. The Flaming Mountain was surrounded by raging flames all year round, like a ferocious beast that no one could cross, until the arrival of a group of mysterious people."

"How many people? Could it be four?"

Xiao Xingchen couldn't contain himself and blurted it out, his face even showing an uncontrollable excitement, as if he had discovered some earth-shattering secret.

"How do you know? Did you go there yourself? Yes, there were four, but not four people."

Miao Wu looked surprised, which successfully piqued the interest of everyone present. Everyone looked curious, like chicks eagerly waiting for Miao Wu to continue his story.

"According to historical records, a man and three demons came to the Flaming Mountain. They wanted to cross the mountain, but the raging flames were like an insurmountable chasm, blocking their way."

"I go!"

Xiao Xingchen couldn't help but cry out again, an action that drew anger from the crowd.

"Xiao Xingchen, can you shut your mouth and wait until the little monk finishes speaking before you open your mouth?"

Huangfu Lingxue scolded him angrily, her voice filled with disappointment.

"Okay, okay, I won't say anymore, you can continue."