Chapter 596 - 252: Pure Land Spirit Light, Bright King Guangdu

"Seventh Brother, the whole Celestial Gate Pass has been locked down. We’ve searched everywhere and managed to capture thirteen direct descendants of the Situ Family."

Ji Mingyue is very capable in taking action.

Once Chen Ping became suspicious, he recalled investigating Eagle’s Beak Cliff, where he overheard the Crown Prince of Great Li, Ji Xuantong, mention the name "Situ Hao." He immediately ordered a thorough investigation in Celestial Gate Pass City, to see if there were any traces of the Situ Clan.

"According to intelligence from the Celestial Heart Pavilion, since [The Battle at Barrier River], all direct descendants of the Situ Family have disappeared without a trace, abandoning their properties, seemingly in a hurry.

Even with Celestial Heart Pavilion’s intelligence, they couldn’t pinpoint their whereabouts. But unexpectedly, their traces were found here at Celestial Gate Pass."

Ji Mingyue looked at Chen Ping with great admiration.

In her view, although Seventh Brother usually doesn’t involve himself much in affairs, spending most of his time doing cultivation, and occasionally proposing governance strategies, his ideas are incredibly precise.

The most impressive part is that he can often see through things with startling insight.

Just like this time, the assassination events erupted in various provinces, causing panic from Jiangdong to Jiangnan...

The worst part is, after the assassinations, the victims’ reputations are ruined, becoming the target of public ire.

Officials may die for a cause, but when their families and friends get implicated, it becomes truly fearsome.

If this malicious trend isn’t curbed soon, the flames will directly burn Chen Ping.

Under the wrath of the people, there must be a focal point for venting.

Citizens from hundreds of cities stirred up unrest, with their eyes set on King Ping.

The reasoning is simple.

Under King Ping’s governance, so many scoundrels have emerged; the crimes of hundreds of officials are evident, oppressing the people. If he claimed ignorance, it would be implausible, merely officials colluding...

Driven by those with an agenda, these discussions, like ripples in the sea, gradually stirred up massive waves.

To the extent that the new policies promoted with great effort by Chen Ping almost collapsed.

The peaceful vision he promised has been doubted. In some areas, the citizens have gone to extremes, even raising flags of rebellion.

Thus, this wave of attacks seems to target minute details, aiming to disrupt the foundations of his power, presenting an extremely insidious plot.

From an outsider’s perspective, the assassins from the Wind and Cloud Pavilion, and those two exposed figures—the "Deer Slaying Saber" and the "Righteous Sword"—are culprits, yet those who truly see the underlying secrets know that the Wind and Cloud Pavilion alone couldn’t orchestrate such a plot to "kill hearts and cause chaos."

At least, regarding intelligence, the Wind and Cloud Pavilion couldn’t achieve comprehensive and insightful knowledge.

If an assassin... organization could achieve this level of intelligence, wouldn’t it make everyone in the realm feel insecure, leaving no room for any dynasty?

"I’ve always wondered why the Situ Family, claiming to [Calculate All Living Beings], hasn’t been accused of boasting, nor has anyone perceived them as dangerous—yet this is excessive."

Chen Ping shook his head with a smile.

In his view, if he were in power and a family as formidable as theirs emerged, he wouldn’t dare sleep too deeply.

They claim to have calculated all living beings—what secret, what intention, could deceive them?

Even if one’s heart is pure, without fear of revealing secrets, being constantly monitored by their calculations would be overly unsafe.

Such a family hasn’t been directly eradicated.

It’s quite something.

So, the only explanation is.

Neither the Great Li Dynasty nor the Beizhou Influence can deal with the Situ Family.

The Situ Family itself is merely a facade; their hidden strength is actually formidable.

"The [Calculate All Living Beings] and [Wind and Cloud List] styles of knowing everything seem quite similar. Previously, it felt ordinary upon thinking, but truly analyzing, reveals abnormality everywhere."

"How could you, Junior Brother, be certain that the mastermind behind the Wind and Cloud List, or members of the Situ Family, would appear at Celestial Gate Pass?"

Han Xiaoru had been itching with curiosity; she doesn’t like thinking deeply, preferring directness throughout life.

Yet, deep down, she particularly feared when people held back answers.

Hearing this makes her itch, but not receiving answers is maddening.

"This is even simpler, Xiaoru, just think—if you orchestrated such a grand scheme, manipulating everyone, wouldn’t you want a close look at the moment when the plan unfolds?"

"Of course, if something goes wrong, you would personally step in to directly complete the plan," Han Xiaoru answered without hesitation.

"You see, you would do that too, thus the mastermind certainly would."

Chen Ping spoke with conviction, "In the absence of news overturning the plot, that person is surely extremely anxious, which is why they cannot be easily killed."

The Golden-Robed Man of Divine Martial Realm, possibly the Pavilion Master of Wind and Cloud, was pretending to be dead at this time.

Fortunately, Chen Ping ignored him.

Only dispersing his cultivation, keeping him under control.

The battle at Eagle’s Beak Cliff resulted in complete defeat for Ji Xuantong and others, with none escaping to report.

Creating a significant time gap.

Before the opposition could respond, Chen Ping had already ordered the lockdown of Celestial Gate Pass, deploying a large number from Celestial Heart Pavilion, and invited three elders from the Qingwei Sect along with their disciples to take action, taking advantage of having foresight and initiative.

"Let’s close the net now; I truly want to see who dares to stir up such a storm this time?"