C10 The Immortal Cultivation Hall Debate

Yang Xiao seized the moment when the man in black spat blood and was grievously wounded. Channeling his Spiritual Force into his fingertips, he swiftly sealed several of the man's acupuncture points. With the man in black's Spirit Aura crippled, escape was no longer an option.

A surge of relief washed over Yang Xiao. He had suspected Yu Xuezhong of intentionally complicating matters for him, yet if Yu Xuezhong had been the one to apprehend the thief at the Yang family's expense, Yang Xiao's standing in the Immortal Cultivation Hall would be jeopardized. No doubt, Yu Xuezhong would hold this over him in the future.

Thankfully, it was he who had captured the thief. By turning the thief over to the Immortal Cultivation Hall, along with the half of Prime Minister Xu's genuine manuscript he had obtained from Yang Xuan's room, he was sure to make a favorable impression on the City Lord.

Yu Xuezhong was in no position to challenge him!

Still, the thief's claim that the treasure was in Yang Xuan's possession could not be taken lightly. Given that Yang Xuan had Prime Minister Xu's original work, what couldn't be possible? It seemed prudent that after delivering the thief to the Immortal Cultivation Hall, Yang Xiao should thoroughly question Yang Xuan.

Should Yang Xuan prove to be implicated, Yang Xiao would personally escort him to the Immortal Cultivation Hall, regardless of his status as the Second Uncle's son.

Without delay, Yang Xiao commanded his guards, "To the Immortal Cultivation Hall, now."

As the Yang family entourage departed from Yang Mansion, Yu Xuezhong's subordinates couldn't help but notice the captive in black. They hurried to the City Lord's Mansion to inform Yu Xuezhong of the development.

Before long, the Immortal Cultivation Hall was abuzz with two factions converging.

Yu Xuezhong's earlier grin had vanished; he stood to the side, brow furrowed, lost in thought.

In stark contrast, Yang Xiao was the picture of satisfaction, occasionally throwing challenging glances at Yu Xuezhong.

"What's the situation here?" inquired the elder presiding over the hall, an old man in his sixties, peering curiously at the two men. He was puzzled. He had given Yu Xuezhong the task of investigating the Yang family, yet it was Yang Xiao who had nabbed the thief.

Yu Xuezhong seemed to grasp the elder's implication and addressed the deputy governor, "Although Yang Xiao apprehended the thief tonight, the Yang family has long harbored thoughts of rebellion. They're in league with the thief."

Yang Xiao let out a derisive snort. "How could the Yang family possibly conspire to rebel? Our family's century of service to Qingzhou City isn't something to be tarnished with baseless accusations!"

A sly smile crept onto Yu Xuezhong's face as he produced a piece of calligraphy from his sleeve. "Behold, the 'Cang Lan Record,' a youthful work of Prime Minister Xu. I discovered it in the room of Yang Xiao's second brother, and it's even signed 'Yang Xuan' in the lower left corner."

Presenting the calligraphy and painting to Yang Xiao, Yu Xuezhong challenged him, "Deacon Yang, you claim I'm slandering the Yang family, so how do you explain this artwork? If there's no collusion with the thief, how did Prime Minister Xu's original end up in the Yang Mansion? And why would the thief hide the City Lord's Mansion's stolen treasures there?"

"Don't spout such nonsense!" Yang Xiao retorted, visibly enraged.

"Perhaps the deputy governor would care to weigh in?" Yu Xuezhong said with a cold laugh, turning away.

The deputy governor scrutinized the calligraphy, his astonishment growing. It was indeed an original by Prime Minister Xu!

Regaining his composure, he addressed Yang Xiao, "Before we discuss why the thief was hiding in the Yang Mansion, shouldn't you return the stolen treasure? And this authentic piece by Prime Minister Xu—how did it come into your family's possession? Wasn't this painting rumored to have been stolen? What's your explanation?"

Yang Xiao, seething with anger at Yu Xuezhong, presented another piece of calligraphy to the deputy governor. "This calligraphy may be connected to my second uncle, Yang Wuqi, whose talent for cultivation was unparalleled. At twenty, he set off to travel the world, dedicated to his practice, but sadly, he died young. This painting was likely found by him during his journeys. I ask you to pardon my second brother, deputy governor. The City Lord's treasure was not on the thief, and the Yang family would never conspire with criminals. Besides, if we had taken the City Lord's Mansion's treasure, how could we continue to stand in Qingzhou City? The Yang family would never commit such an act."

"Deacon Yang, we've only heard your side of the story. Deputy Governor, I'll conduct a thorough search of the Yang Mansion tonight, and Yang Xiao's second brother must be questioned," Yu Xuezhong stated. He was determined that even if the Yang family couldn't be toppled today, he would at least ensure Yang Xiao lost face and could no longer remain in the Immortal Cultivation Hall with dignity. For instance, Yang Xiao's second brother had the audacity to brazenly affix his personal seal to Prime Minister Xu's authentic work. Should this scandal become public, how would the disciples at the Immortal Cultivation Hall, who revere Prime Minister Xu, react?

"Sir, the Yang family's loyalty remains unwavering. If the City Lord's Mansion treasures are found within our walls, it would only be due to someone setting us up. If we truly coveted the treasures, why would we deliver the thief to the Immortal Cultivation Hall? Had we desired the treasures, we could have killed the thief and no one would be the wiser about his presence in the Yang family. What purpose would there be in such superfluous actions?" Yang Xiao retorted, his gaze icy as he addressed Yu Xuezhong.

The deputy governor glanced between Yang Xiao and Yu Xuezhong, then spoke, "Both of you, come with me to the City Lord's Mansion. The matter of Prime Minister Xu's missing work resurfacing, along with the theft of the City Lord's Mansion treasures, is of great significance. I must inform the City Lord immediately and decide on our next steps."

The deputy governor ordered the man in black to be taken into custody and the calligraphy secured. Then, the trio promptly made their way to the City Lord's Mansion.

The City Lord's Mansion was a short distance from the deputy governor's office. A red lacquered gate led to a modest yet exquisitely manicured garden, beyond which lay the City Lord's private quarters.

The City Lord was a senior gentleman, well into his sixties. Upon their arrival, they found him using a gourd spoon to water his plants. If not for his residence in Qingzhou City's most opulent mansion, many might mistake him for a humble farmer.

The deputy governor stepped forward and bowed respectfully, addressing him, "City Lord, the Yang family has apprehended the treasure thief, who is now under arrest. However, the treasure itself remains missing, likely concealed by the thief. We will thoroughly interrogate him and endeavor to recover the treasure for you at the earliest opportunity. Additionally, we have located Prime Minister Xu's lost original work at the Yang family's residence."

"An authentic piece by Prime Minister Xu?" The City Lord seemed uninterested in the treasures that had eluded him, but at the mention of Prime Minister Xu's original work, he paused mid-watering. Drying his hands and feet, he rolled up his pants and gestured towards the hall, "Come, let's discuss this in the hall."

Once inside, the deputy governor promptly spread out the authentic work on the table.

The City Lord gazed at the piece, captivated. "Indeed, this is Prime Minister Xu's authentic work. Observe how the characters transform..."

But something felt off.

It was likely a forgery...

The City Lord had a lifelong passion for calligraphy, with Prime Minister Xu's being his most cherished. Xu's profound cultivation and talent were infused into his script. An authentic piece should exude an ethereal spirit aura. Yet, this script seemed too mundane. Had the writer's spiritual force been weaker, the City Lord might have been deceived.

This calligraphy almost tricked him.

"Who penned this?" The City Lord glanced at the signature and then at the three individuals standing by. He inquired, "The name 'Yang Xuan' is marked here. Who is Yang Xuan?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Xiao promptly responded, "Yang Xuan is my younger brother. He's a bit frivolous and didn't realize the value of Prime Minister Xu's original work, so he affixed his personal seal. I assure you, he will face strict discipline when I return."

The City Lord couldn't help but chuckle, his interest piqued. "There's no need for that. Just have Yang Xuan brought to the City Lord's Mansion tomorrow."