Chapter 30 Two Factions
The Eastern Capital of Daliang, Bianzhou, Kaifeng Prefecture.

The Bian River runs through the city, and there is a dock on the bank. Although it is still snowing, the boatmen are crowded with people, all wearing only a single layer of clothes. Some are even shirtless, but they are still sweating all over.

Bianzhou is located in the heart of the Central Plains, almost in the center of the world together with Luoyang. It is on the bank of the Yellow River and borders Zhengzhou to the west. Its river transportation is very developed. There are countless large and small ships traveling back and forth every day, which has made the water transport that has been declining in recent years gradually prosperous.

As the most populous city in the world today and the capital of Daliang, people at that time often called it "Bianliang".

At this time, there were still many people walking in the streets despite the falling snow. The hawkers' cries mixed with various noisy sounds, making it very lively.

But in front of a government office in another district, there were almost no people in and out of the streets. Occasionally, a few riders came on horseback, and they were all dressed in Xuanming Sect costumes.

This government office that occupies half of the neighborhood is the headquarters of the Xuanming Cult. Just based on the land area, there is no place for people to live around it, but there is an underground palace built below the government office.

Not only did the Xuanming Sect imitate the underworld in its structure, but its headquarters was also designed to look like the gate of hell.

Ordinary intelligence can be handled by government agencies on the ground, but matters of top secrets need to be passed down.

Underground palace, inside the main hall.

The torches used for lighting were crackling, but the hall still looked extremely dark.

Meng Po leaned on her wooden crutches, walked slowly for a while, and said hoarsely: "The five Jiang brothers are all dead."

On both sides of the hall, there were two tall and thin figures standing quietly. Their appearances were hidden under black and red robes, making it impossible to discern their faces.

These two people are the Water and Fire Judges whose status in the Xuanming Sect is second only to Meng Po. If the Underworld Emperor is not around, Meng Po needs to discuss any instructions she issues with them.

At this time, the Water Judge said, "The five of them are quite powerful, how could they be killed so easily? Could it be the Li Tang rebels again?"

On the other side, Judge Huo responded sharply, "The five Jiangs are all fools. They have always underestimated the enemy. I'm afraid that's why someone found an opportunity to defeat them one by one. They are really a bunch of useless people!"

The Water Judge reached his hand out from his sleeve and pressed it down slightly.

"Meng Po went to Caozhou in person this time. Are the Li Tang rebels really that powerful?"

"They are not the rebels of Li Tang."

Meng Po moved slowly and said hoarsely, "At that time in Caozhou, I also fought with Li Cunxiao and Li Cunzhong from Tongwenguan. After that, I was busy dealing with Zhu Hanbin and didn't have time to deal with them."

"Tongwenguan?"

Judge Shui was a little puzzled and asked, "Why do they insist on killing the five Jiangs?"

"I am not interested in this matter. Five of them died, and Caozhou and Yanzhou also lost two helmsmen. The eastern forces are weak at the moment, and we need to replenish our forces as soon as possible."

"Does Meng Po have any advice for you?"

"If this matter gets out, it will tarnish the reputation of my Xuanming Sect." Meng Po leaned on her cane and said, "My idea is to promote the powerful helmsmen below and re-establish the Five Yama Lords."

The Water and Fire Judges were somewhat embarrassed. The two of them looked at each other and said, "But the Hades Emperor is still in retreat. It's okay for the two helmsmen to talk. But should we wait until the Hades Emperor comes out of retreat before discussing the matter of re-establishing the Lord of Hell?"

"I don't know when the Dark Emperor will come out of retreat. Do I need to ask His Majesty for instructions on this matter?"

"This……"

The Water and Fire Judges looked at each other, and then asked Meng Po, "Then I wonder if Meng Po has a candidate for the new Lord of Hell?"

"Caozhou Governor Zhu Hanbin suggested to me that the leader of Huizhou had made great contributions in capturing Xuan Jingtian, and he was the only one left among the three leaders on the battlefield. He could be appointed as the Taishan branch leader and serve as the Lord of Hell."

"Zhu Hanbin?"

The two were stunned, and then the Water Judge Weng said, "Could it be that Meng Po has second thoughts about the Underworld Emperor? You and I both know that Zhu Hanbin has never been close to the Underworld Emperor. Not to mention that he was kicked out of the Imperial Guards and sent to Caozhou, he is still flirting with the Ghost King. This time, even you, Meng Po, didn't get any evidence against him. I'm afraid he is already a big trouble."

"Besides, why did he want to report to the leader of Huizhou? What was he thinking?"

"It is not your turn to judge my loyalty to the Hades!"

Meng Po leaned on a cane, her old eyes gleaming with brilliance. She walked to the high platform and said in a cold voice: "I have my own plan for this matter. Although we captured many rebels in the Caozhou battle, we also suffered heavy losses. Zhu Hanbin can be eliminated at any time, but the matter of Lord Yan's re-establishment cannot be delayed."

"Besides..." She groaned for a moment, then said, "Zhu Hanbin is not stupid. He may be able to be won over to the Dark Emperor. I think I can show him some kindness."

The Water and Fire Judges looked at each other again, and then reluctantly said, "Meng Po's words make sense, but the candidates for the Lord of Hell need to go to the headquarters for inspection."

"I will make such arrangements. If there are those who are disloyal to the Dark Emperor, they will be eliminated."

"In this case, we two have no objections."

"Now that it's settled, I'm going to start selecting candidates."

At this time, Judge Huo suddenly said, "Although the five Jiang brothers are a bit of a coward, each of them has the strength of a great star. Since the opponent can easily kill three of them without leaving any trace, it is probably not a simple matter."

Judge Shui understood and said, "If His Majesty heard about this dangerous factor in the territory, he would be furious. Shouldn't Mengpo investigate it thoroughly? Moreover, the Tongwenguan and Huanyinfang factions were really arrogant this time, which shows that they have set up many secret agents in Daliang. We must investigate them thoroughly!" "Of course." Mengpo nodded and said, "What do you two want to do?"

"Send a few experts to Caozhou again to conduct a thorough investigation. Not only that, we need to mobilize all the branches in each state to catch the spies of other forces."

Meng Po pondered for a moment and said, "Then we should send the Day and Night Star Envoy and Lord Cui Yu to Caozhou to investigate. As for the latter matter, the two judges should personally supervise it. What do you think?"

"Very good."

----

Fengxiang, Huanyinfang.

In the palace-like complex, maids in indigo clothes came and went, sweeping away the snow on the road.

The rest held big red lanterns, spring couplets and the Chinese character "福" and began to decorate the columns of the palace gate's ancient charm.

In just over ten days, it will be the New Year.

According to the custom of Huanyinfang over the years, this period of time is the most relaxing. At that time, King Qi will also celebrate with them.

Miao Chengtian walked through the road and the maids on both sides saluted him.

"Meet Saint Ji..."

At the same time, they did not forget to greet the girl behind Miao Chengtian.

"Miss Xue'er is well."

"I wish you well, too."

Ji Ruxue nodded politely and followed Miao Chengtian into the main hall.

Palace lanterns have been lit in the hall, and a faint fragrance lingers in the air, bringing an instant sense of tranquility to one's heart.

At this time, there were two figures standing in the hall.

Ji Ruxue looked up and saw that one of the women was Xuan Jingtian, and the other mature woman with a somewhat arrogant look on her face was the leader of the Nine Saints, Fan Yintian.

When she glanced at me from the side, there was an indescribable charm on her face, and with her well-proportioned figure, she had a charm that appealed to both men and women.

Ji Ruxue did not delay and immediately saluted with her arms crossed.

"Meet the Holy Lady Fanyintian."

"I heard that Miss Ji made great contributions in Caozhou this time?"

Fanyintian chuckled, but the sound came from his nose: "According to Miss Ji, is that bad guy really as powerful as Miaochengtian said? How does he compare to our Huanyinfang?"

Miao Chengtian was standing beside Xuan Jingtian. Her expression did not change at all when she heard these words. Instead, she even tried to stop Xuan Jingtian, who had an unsuspecting look on his face.

"I have worked with that bad guy captain for some time. He is only one or two years older than me, but every time he gives an order, his subordinates will immediately and strictly execute it. The organization's orders are strictly enforced."

Ji Ruxue's voice was clear, but she did not, as Fan Yintian had expected, spend too many words to describe how powerful these bad guys were, or how powerful the masters among them were. She only said this short sentence and then stopped talking.

The latter frowned, somewhat dissatisfied, and was about to scold.

But at this moment, a very melodious voice was heard from the head of the palace.

"This boy is only a young man, but his subordinates follow his orders as if they were his rules. This shows that this bad guy is indeed a rare elite."

The women were startled for a moment and turned to look towards the head of the hall.

In the center of the hall, there is a spacious screen embroidered with beautiful lake views.

But behind the screen, there were thick gauze curtains that separated the couch at the head of the hall.

At this moment, a graceful lady in gorgeous dress was lying on the couch.

Ji Ruxue packed her luggage together with several other holy ladies.

"Meet the Empress."

Lying on the couch, the empress spoke lazily.

"Xue'er, tell me about that captain."

(End of this chapter)