85: Chapter 85 Even a Grandmaster of the Celestial Realm cannot withstand the "Heartbreak Arrow," unless they are a Martial Immortal.

Two days ago, news of this battle spread like a storm to the imperial palace and the residences of high officials; the Terror General Ling Luoshi and the Grandmaster expert Yuan Thirteen Limits had actually died at the hands of a young man who had just entered the Jianghu.

Compared to them, the Twelve Single-Clothed Swords, Yu Chuntong, and the others paled in comparison.

Everyone reacted differently upon hearing this news; some were so shocked their jaws dropped,

some smashed their cups, some laughed heartily, and there were even rumors that the night-luminescent pearls, Eunuchs, and palace maids in the imperial palace had suffered.

After Yan Weiling heard about it, she admired the Heir Apparent immensely and wanted to go see him.

Zhuge Zhengwo went with her to the main hall, where the travel-worn Sheng Yayü, Leng Lingqi, and Shen Huzhan stood up and called out, "Martial Uncle."

Sheng Yayü looked a bit weathered, but she was not injured;

Leng Lingqi was covered in wounds, and blood seeped through his bandages.

On their way escorting Suwen home, they encountered eighteen attacks; it was only thanks to Zhao Fangcai's Medicinal Pills, Sheng Yayü consuming Snake Gallbladder to enhance her strength, and Shen Huzhan's reinforcement that they were able to survive the danger safely.

One was injured while the other was fine because of their different fighting styles.

Zhuge Zhengwo had Leng Lingqi go treat his injuries first, then smiled at Sheng Yayü and said they could set off.

The four Disciples each had different backgrounds, but he felt the most heartache for his eldest Disciple, Ruthless; when he first received the letter saying Ruthless was still alive,

he couldn't believe it, but seeing her truly before his eyes now, he felt deeply gratified, feeling that she was like a resilient wild rose.

Sheng Yayü smiled and expressed her thanks, saying it was all thanks to the Hundred-Year Bitter Severing Crooked Snake gallbladder sent by Your Highness.

Shen Huzhan teased Ruthless about her inability to forget a certain man; he wore a mustache that looked like two scars,

and carried the ancient Ananda Saber on his back; he was the Disciple of Great Master Lancan, Ye Aichan, of the Zizai Sect, and the leader of the "Heavenly Inquiry" in the Jianghu.

Sheng Yayü coughed; Zhuge Zhengwo saw the embarrassed look in her eyes and, knowing she was a woman and understanding that Your Highness's feelings for her were unusual, he laughed heartily to break the awkwardness.

Sheng Yayü and Cold Blood returned to the residence, carrying the fatigue of their long journey and covered in dust.

Zhuge Zhengwo did not immediately ask about the details of the Xiangyang battle, but instead had the two of them return to their rooms to rest and wash away the exhaustion and dust of the journey.

By evening, the Divine Marquis Residence had already prepared a lavish spread of food and wine, and the chairs were arranged in order, clearly waiting for the arrival of distinguished guests.

Zhuge Zhengwo spoke up, "Many people in the capital are very interested in that battle in Xiangyang."

He looked at Sheng Yayü and Cold Blood. "They will arrive soon. When they do, just speak truthfully; there's no need to hide anything."

"Alright!" Sheng Yayü nodded in agreement.

Cold Blood followed up, "Martial Uncle, just let Senior Brother Ruthless speak."

Having changed into clean clothes, his Aura remained cold and distant.

Zhuge Zhengwo nodded slightly; he knew Cold Blood was not good at socializing.

Originally, he had sent Cold Blood to infiltrate the "Alliance" to let him experience more of the ways of the world in the Jianghu, but now that Ling Luoshi was dead, Cold Blood's trip had yielded nothing but some bitter experiences.

Zhuge Zhengwo had indeed put a lot of thought into cultivating his four Disciples.

Each Disciple was carefully chosen by him, and in the process of solving various cases, the Four Great Constables had also undergone life-and-death trials, constantly growing and improving.

Just as Cold Blood finished speaking, Yan Weiling came in to report, "Marquis, the people from the Imperial Uncle's Directorate of Astronomy are about to arrive!"

"I didn't expect him to arrive first." Zhuge Zhengwo was slightly surprised; the title "Zero Four Three" startled him a bit.

Zhuge Zhengwo stood up and went out to greet them.

"Haha, Xiao Hua, long time no see!" a hearty laugh rang out.

Along with the laughter, a tall and imposing figure appeared at the doorway.

This figure blocked the light from the doorway, casting a shadow and exuding a fearsome Aura; it was none other than Madman Yan—the man recognized as the number one in the Great Song's Martial Forest since Sword Demon Dugu Qiubai.

He had entered pleasure houses at the age of ten, possessed the demeanor of a Xiantian Master by thirteen, was famous throughout the Jianghu by twenty, and became a Grandmaster of his generation by twenty-five.

His tall stature, extraordinary bearing, and sharp gaze could suppress others like a raging tide.

"Xiao Hua" was Zhuge Zhengwo's courtesy name; in the capital, there were few who dared to call him by his courtesy name directly, and Madman Yan was one of them.

Just as Madman Yan sat down, more people arrived.

This time, it was the Chief Constable of the Six Doors, Zhu Xiawu, along with several others known by the titles "Double Drizzle," "Wind Sword Peak," "Silent Wound," "Flower-Clad," and "Throat Locker."

They were quite surprised to see Madman Yan, then silently found their seats and sat down.

Next, Eunuch Mi Youqiao from the palace arrived.

He had been forcibly taken into the palace as a youth and was not castrated because Emperor Zhezong, Zhao Xu, liked his appearance.

After Empress Dowager Gao passed away and Zhao Xu took control of the government, Mi Youqiao's career flourished; he had even seen off the Seven Sacred Lords of Tiangang and people from the Leiyin Temple.

Late at night, the surroundings were exceptionally quiet, yet the lights in the Divine Marquis Residence were still burning.

The food and wine on the table remained untouched as Sheng Yayü began to recount the Battle of the Ten Li Pavilion in Xiangyang.

During her narration, people occasionally asked questions; as she simulated the battle conditions, her description made everyone feel as if they had personally experienced the fight.

Yan Weiling listened with a face full of excitement, lamenting the intensity of the battle and regretting that she hadn't been able to witness the scene of an "Innate fighting a Grandmaster" with her own eyes.

The focus of Zhuge Zhengwo and Madman Yan was different from Yan Weiling's.

Zhuge Zhengwo looked serious, his brows furrowed. "You're saying that after Zhao Fangcai and Miss Wang severely injured Yuan Thirteen Limits, a white-haired old man caught the Heartbreak Divine Arrow with his mouth and then cut off his head?"

Sheng Yayü nodded in confirmation.

A desire for battle ignited in Madman Yan's eyes. "How did he catch it?"

"With his mouth! He just opened his mouth and bit down, and the arrow went right in."

Everyone was extremely shocked; the power of the Heartbreak Divine Arrow far exceeded the normal scope of martial arts. They felt that Yuan Thirteen Limits' desperate strike was already difficult enough to block, let alone catch with one's mouth, and they were all curious about how much courage and confidence this person possessed.

Seven Guan asked with a smile, "Madman Yan, would you dare to catch it with your mouth?"

Everyone looked at Madman Yan.

"How would I know without trying!" Madman Yan replied.

Zhu Xiawu took up the conversation, "Even a Heavenly Human Realm Great Grandmaster cannot catch the Heartbreak Divine Arrow, unless they are a Martial Immortal!"

"Impossible!" Leiyin Xi shook his head and said, "A Martial Immortal's Aura is extremely terrifying. If there were truly a Martial Immortal here, it would be impossible for there to be no commotion.

Furthermore, the only dynasties known to have had Martial Immortals are the Qin, Han, and Tang!"

Zhuge Zhengwo said, "If there were a Martial Immortal within the borders of the Great Song, how could there be no news of it at all?"

Zhu Xiawu said calmly, "Divine Marquis Zhuge, you've forgotten someone."

As the Chief Constable of the Six Doors, he held a high position within the Six Doors because of the Four Great Constables' "Pacification Arc," but he was not happy serving as the Chief Constable.

Mi Youqiao toyed with his teacup and asked, "Who is Chief Constable Zhu talking about?"

Everyone understood that people like Ling Luoshi and Yuan Thirteen Limits wouldn't try to kill Zhao Fangcai for no reason; there must be someone pulling the strings behind them. When Mi Youqiao asked, Zhu Xiawu's expression immediately changed.

He bowed and said, "Regarding the matter in Xiangyang, who else could it be?"

Everyone was stunned, then exclaimed, "Sword Demon Dugu!"

Inside the imperial palace, Zhao Xu stood up in surprise. "What? A Martial Immortal? Sword Demon Dugu?"

Mi Youqiao knelt on the ground and reported, "It was the deduction of Grandmasters such as Madman Yan, Zhuge Zhengwo, and Seven Guan."