People in this world, just like people in later generations, enjoy reading gossip news.
In the blink of an eye, quite a few people bought a copy of "Jianghu Monthly" from the little beggar and began reading it with great interest.
Li Yao was very curious about what exactly was written in the "Jianghu Monthly".
So he took out a copper coin and bought a copy of "Jianghu Monthly".
Chapter 146 Dragon Guard Manor, Iron-Blooded Marquis
The Dragon Guard Manor is an intelligence agency established by Zhu Wushi, the Iron-Blooded Marquis, under the orders of the late emperor. It is dedicated to collecting the private information and intelligence of the court's powerful and influential figures.
With the "Iron Certificate" and "Imperial Sword" bestowed by the late emperor, Zhu Wushi made the power of the Dragon Guard Manor surpass that of all other court institutions.
After Emperor Zhengde ascended the throne, he was wary of the growing power of his uncle, the Iron-Blooded Marquis, which threatened his throne.
Therefore, he began to vigorously support the Eastern Depot and allowed Cao Zhengchun to develop his power.
As the Eastern Depot's power grew, the Dragon Guard Manor faced constant constraints.
At this moment, in the main hall of the Dragon Guard Manor.
There was a middle-aged man sitting high in the center of a luxurious chair.
He was expressionless, his right hand tapping incessantly on the armrest of the seat, as if he were deep in thought.
This person is the founder of the Dragon Guard Manor, the famous Imperial Uncle: Iron-Blooded Marquis Zhu Wushi.
In the hall below Zhu Wushi, there were two young men standing.
He was a man of imposing stature, with a calm expression, though a hint of melancholy lingered between his brows.
A person with a cold and aloof demeanor, giving off an unapproachable feeling.
These two are Duan Tianya and Gui Haiyidao, who went to the desert to rescue Yang Yuxuan's children.
Unfortunately, they arrived a few steps too late, and Li Yao beat them to it, but they were no match for Li Yao.
Ultimately, this led to their failure to complete the task assigned by their adoptive father.
This was their first mission failure.
At that moment, a handsome man dressed in white walked into the hall.
This person is elegant and graceful, yet as beautiful as a peach blossom.
Whether you're a man or a woman, you'd probably be instantly smitten if you saw this person.
She is Shangguan Haitang, disguised as a man, the number one secret agent of the Xuan class of the Dragon Guard Manor, and the master of the number one manor in the world.
"Godfather!"
Shangguan Haitang respectfully bowed to Zhu Wushi and reported:
"According to the intelligence from the number one village in the world, there are a total of eighty-seven people named Li Yao throughout the country."
"Among them, there are 28 people who are between 20 and 30 years old."
“These people are all documented, but none of them resemble the newly appointed Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Li Yao.”
Shangguan Haitang is in charge of the number one manor in the world, recruiting talents from all over the world and collecting all kinds of information.
Therefore, finding out someone's identity and background would be a piece of cake for her.
Unfortunately, she never managed to find out Li Yao's identity or background.
A hint of disappointment flashed in Zhu Wushi's eyes.
Duan Tianya frowned and said:
“Godfather, Li Yao’s origins are unknown, and his actions are even more bizarre.”
"He first killed Cao Shaoqin and the Eastern Depot army in the desert, ahead of us, and took away Lord Yang's children."
"Later, he suddenly reappeared in the capital and became the new commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."
"The Embroidered Uniform Guard has always been controlled by Cao Zhengchun of the Eastern Depot."
"Now it has fallen into Li Yao's hands. Logically speaking, Cao Zhengchun should not sit idly by."
"However, Cao Zhengchun did not make any move."
"The reason for this is truly perplexing."
Shangguan Haitang's eyes darted around, and she said, "Father, could it be that the Emperor has become dissatisfied with Cao Zhengchun and has specially arranged for Li Yao to come out and check Cao Zhengchun?"
Zhu Wushi nodded expressionlessly and said, "That's possible! According to my men, this person once fought a great battle with Cao Zhengchun in the palace."
"You fought a major battle with Cao Zhengchun?"
Duan Tianya and Shangguan Haitang exchanged a glance, both of them quite surprised.
Shangguan Haitang quickly asked, "Who won?"
Zhu Wushi said, "The two sides are evenly matched, but Li Yao clearly has the upper hand."
Shangguan Haitang's expression shifted, and she exclaimed in surprise, "In other words, even Cao Zhengchun might not be a match for Li Yao."
Zhu Wushi nodded and said, "You could say that."
At this moment, a fierce glint flashed in Guihai Yidao's eyes, who had been expressionless all along.
He was defeated by Li Yao in the desert last time, and he still harbors resentment and is determined to avenge himself.
Shangguan Haitang said, "It seems that this person's background is definitely not simple."
Zhu Wushi said, "This person is highly skilled in martial arts, yet the emperor values him so much. There may be some unknown secrets hidden behind him. I'm afraid this person might be a threat to the emperor."
Shangguan Haitang was moved and said, "Then what should we do? Godfather, should we remind the Emperor?"
Zhu Wushi waved his hand and said, "No need. Now that the Embroidered Uniform Guard has been taken over by Li Yao, it is going against Cao Zhengchun. They are fighting like dogs, which may not be a bad thing for us."
Duan Tianya said, "But, godfather, we cannot let our guard down against Li Yao."
Zhu Wushi said, "That's natural. I've already arranged for people to secretly monitor Li Yao. If he makes any unusual moves, it won't be too late for us to take action against him."
He paused for a moment, then continued, "I've called you here today for another task that I need you to complete."
Shangguan Haitang quickly asked, "What mission?"
Just then, someone outside the hall said, "Reporting to the Divine Lord, the person monitoring Li Yao has returned."
Zhu Wushi's heart stirred. He arranged for people to monitor Li Yao, and they would not return easily unless Li Yao made any unusual moves.
Could it be that Li Yao has made some unusual moves?
He said calmly, "Let him in."
Immediately afterward, a figure entered the hall.
This person was the one who had been hypnotized and warned by Li Yao earlier.
Zhu Wushi asked, "How is it? Has Li Yao made any unusual moves?"
The man looked dejected and knelt down with a thud, saying, "My Lord, I am incompetent. Li Yao discovered my incompetence and asked me to pass on a message to you, telling you not to send anyone to monitor him anymore."
Duan Tianya and the others looked at each other in bewilderment.
They all recognized the person kneeling on the ground; he was one of the top tracking experts from the Dragon Guard Manor.
Even the most skilled martial arts master could be silently monitored and tracked by this person.
How did Li Yao discover that he was being followed by this person?
A flicker of surprise crossed Zhu Wushi's eyes, but it vanished in an instant.
He waved his hand expressionlessly and said, "You can leave now. You don't need to follow Li Yao anymore."
The person kneeling on the ground accepted the order and withdrew.
No sooner had this person left than another rushed in, looking flustered, and said, "Reporting to the Divine Lord, the person imprisoned on the ninth level of the Heavenly Prison has escaped."
"What?!"
Zhu Wushi suddenly stood up from his seat, no longer as calm and collected as before.
Duan Tianya said, "Godfather, you once mentioned that the person imprisoned on the ninth floor of the Heavenly Prison was Gu Santong, the number one expert in the world twenty years ago."
Zhu Wushi said in a deep voice: "This Gu Santong is the number one evil demon in the world. Twenty years ago, he used the Absorption Technique to absorb all the power of 108 people from the Eight Great Sects. However, he was later defeated by me and imprisoned by me on the ninth level of the Heavenly Prison. Once this person escapes, he will surely cause bloodshed in the martial world and cause endless harm."
Shangguan Haitang said, "Godfather, let's go to the Heavenly Prison."
Chapter 147 Mysterious Figures, the Sunflower Sect with its Many Masters
Zhu Wushi led Duan Tianya and the other two to the ninth level of the Heavenly Prison.
As soon as they arrived at the entrance, they saw countless pieces of iron scattered on the ground.
"This is……"
Zhu Wushi's eyes narrowed sharply.
He could naturally tell that this was caused by the profound internal energy.
If it were just about shattering the iron tablet, Zhu Wushi was confident that with his profound skills, he could do it easily.
But he couldn't shake the iron monument into countless pieces.
He believed that even Gu Santong could not have done it.
In other words, it was another expert who shook the iron tablet to this state.
Who exactly is this expert?
Duan Tianya and the other two looked at each other in bewilderment when they saw the pieces of iron scattered all over the ground.
They all knew that there should be an iron stele here inscribed with "Iron-Blooded Marquis".
Now, however, it has turned into a pile of iron sheets.
This is simply unbelievable.