Grassroots Travel: The Star Lord of Another World

Chapter 279 Disastrous Consequences

The letter in Nan Li's hand seemed to weigh a thousand pounds. Her eyes fell on the last line of words, and her face became paler. The wording in the letter was harsh, linking the Xingchen Pavilion with the mysterious forces. The words between the lines revealed the court's suspicion and determination.

"This is impossible! We have never had any contact with any mysterious forces!" Nan Li looked up suddenly, his tone full of disbelief and anger.

Gao Xingchen took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. He knew that now was not the time to panic. He took the letter from Nan Li and read it carefully, trying to find a flaw between the lines. However, the letter was written flawlessly and there was nothing that could be refuted.

"Someone is secretly framing us." Gao Xingchen said in a deep voice, with a cold light flashing in his eyes, "Moreover, their goal is not only to make us disband Xingchen Pavilion, but to completely destroy us."

Nan Li's heart trembled. She understood what Gao Xingchen meant. The letter from the court came too suddenly, and the wording was so harsh. It was obvious that someone was behind it and wanted to put Xingchen Pavilion to death.

"Could it be..." Nan Li thought of several possibilities, but she rejected them one by one. Although Xingchen Pavilion has developed rapidly, it has always been low-key and has never had any major conflicts with other forces. Who would be so deliberate to frame them?

"Now is not the time to pursue responsibility. The most urgent task is how to deal with the pressure from the court." Gao Xingchen interrupted Nan Li's thoughts. He knew very well that time was running out and they had to come up with a countermeasure as soon as possible.

"What should we do? Should we really disband the Star Pavilion?" Nan Li asked anxiously. They had worked so hard to build the Star Pavilion, and they had put so much effort into it. She absolutely did not want to see it destroyed.

Gao Xingchen shook his head and said with a firm look in his eyes: "Xingchen Pavilion must not be disbanded! This is our common hard work and our hope to fight against the forces of darkness. We must not give up easily!"

"But, the pressure from the court..." Nan Li wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Gao Xingchen's wave of his hand.

"I will go to the imperial capital in person and explain everything to His Majesty in person." Gao Xingchen said in a firm tone. He knew that the only way to clear the suspicion of Xingchen Pavilion was to find out the truth, and this trip to the imperial capital was destined to be full of thorns.

A depressing atmosphere of impending storm enveloped the two people's hearts, and their future fate seemed to become precarious...

A heavy atmosphere spread over the Xingchen Pavilion like sticky ink. After Gao Xingchen announced the court's decision and the news that he was about to go to the imperial capital, everyone in the Xingchen Pavilion was in a panic.

The first person to get restless was the wealthy businessman Li. He was a profit-seeking businessman, and he had invested in Xingchen Pavilion because he saw its development potential. Now that Xingchen Pavilion was being targeted by the imperial court, he naturally wanted to avoid it.

"Master Gao, it's not that I'm ruthless, it's just that this matter is of great importance. I, a small businessman, dare not violate the majesty of the court!" Li Fushang smiled, but his tone was cold and resolute, "The money I invested before is just a waste of money. I only ask Master Gao to show mercy and let me live. From now on, you and I owe each other nothing!"

Gao Xingchen's face was calm, and he could not tell whether he was happy or angry. He just said calmly, "Boss Li, you are too serious. I understand your concerns. Xingchen Pavilion will handle its affairs on its own and will never involve others."

Li, the wealthy businessman, nodded repeatedly as if he had been pardoned, and fled from Xingchen Pavilion. However, he did not stop there. In order to show his loyalty to the court, he even publicly declared that Xingchen Pavilion was colluding with evil and that he had been deceived into investing. Now he had come to his senses and wanted to completely distance himself from Xingchen Pavilion.

The attack by the wealthy businessman Li undoubtedly dealt a heavy blow to the Xingchen Pavilion, which was already in a precarious situation. When the news spread, the already unstable Xingchen Pavilion became even worse. Some members who were already suspicious began to waver, and some even secretly packed their bags and prepared to leave this troubled place.

Faced with such difficulties, Gao Xingchen did not back down. He entrusted all the affairs of the Xingchen Pavilion to Nanli, and told her to be careful and cautious. He then took Xuanfeng and set out on the journey to the imperial capital.

At the same time, Hall Master Zhao also took several loyal members of the Star Pavilion and tried to go to nearby towns to inform local officials of the true situation of the Star Pavilion, hoping to gain their understanding and support. However, they were blocked by unknown forces. Not only did they not have the opportunity to explain, but some members were even assassinated on the way and seriously injured.

"Who is it? Who is behind this?!" Hall Master Zhao looked at his companions lying in a pool of blood, his eyes bloodshot and filled with grief and anger. However, all he got in response was the sound of cold wind and endless darkness...

After Gao Xingchen left, the atmosphere in Xingchen Pavilion became more solemn. Nan Li stood on the top floor of Xingchen Pavilion, looking at the rolling mountains in the distance, with mixed feelings in her heart. The betrayal of the rich businessman Li was just the beginning, and she knew that a bigger storm was still to come.

As expected, the words of the wealthy businessman Li spread like a plague in the city, and the reputation of Xingchen Pavilion plummeted. The merchants and visitors who used to come in an endless stream disappeared, replaced by all kinds of rumors and suspicious eyes.

There was also some vacillation within the Xingchen Pavilion. Some members who had originally harbored doubts about Gao Xingchen chose to leave under tremendous pressure. Among them, the most heartbreaking was Deacon Wang, who was in charge of the intelligence work of the Xingchen Pavilion.

Deacon Wang was an old man in Xingchen Pavilion. He was cautious and low-key, and was deeply trusted by Gao Xingchen. However, on a stormy night, he quietly left Xingchen Pavilion, leaving only a short letter.

"Pavilion Master, Madam, Xingchen Pavilion has treated me well, but the current situation is difficult. I am no longer able to bear it. I have no choice but to leave. I hope you two take care of yourself."

Nan Li looked at the familiar handwriting of Deacon Wang, and her heart was broken. She knew that Deacon Wang had been forced to leave. He had elderly parents and young children to take care of, and he could not afford to be accused of betraying the court.

Deacon Wang's departure was just a microcosm. In the following days, several more members of the Star Pavilion chose to leave. Some of them joined the hostile forces, while others hid their identities and disappeared in the vast sea of people.

Faced with such a predicament, Nan Li suppressed her grief and tried to maintain order in Xingchen Pavilion. On the one hand, she strengthened internal precautions to prevent information from leaking; on the other hand, she actively contacted various forces in the hope of finding a solution.

However, all efforts seemed to be in vain. Xingchen Pavilion was like a boat in the wind and rain, which could be swallowed by the huge waves at any time. For the first time, Nanli felt deeply powerless and desperate.

At this moment, Xuan Feng hurried to Nan Li and said solemnly, "Madam, there is news!"

Nan Li almost grabbed Xuan Feng's arm and asked anxiously, "What news? Tell me quickly!"

Xuan Feng took a deep breath and said in a heavy tone, "Madam, I have used all my secret investigations and finally found out that it is the Netherworld Cult that is behind all this!"

"The Netherworld Cult?" Nan Li frowned. She was familiar with the name. This was an evil organization that acted secretly and ruthlessly. It had always been a strong rival of the Star Pavilion. "Why did they target the Star Pavilion?"

"The Netherworld Cult's goal is not just the Xingchen Pavilion," Xuanfeng explained, "They want to use the imperial court to eliminate us, and then take the opportunity to control the entire martial arts world."

"So that's how it is," Nan Li suddenly realized, "They want to kill two birds with one stone, what a vicious plan!"

"Not only that," Xuan Feng continued, "The Netherworld Cult also secretly spread rumors, saying that the Star Pavilion is colluding with the Demonic Path and plotting evil. Now the whole martial arts world is rumored that the Star Pavilion is an evil heretic and everyone is free to kill it!"

Nan Li's face became even uglier. The move of the Netherworld Cult was like cutting off the firewood from under the cauldron, completely cutting off the retreat of the Star Pavilion. Now the reputation of the Star Pavilion has fallen to the bottom. Even if it can clear its relationship with the mysterious forces, it will be difficult to restore its former glory.

Just then, a carrier pigeon flapped its wings and landed on the windowsill. Nan Li took off the bamboo tube from the pigeon's feet, poured out a piece of paper, unfolded it, and his expression suddenly became more solemn.

"What's wrong, Madam?" Xuanfeng noticed that Nanli was acting strangely and asked hurriedly.

Nan Li took a deep breath, handed the note to Xuan Feng, and said in a deep voice: "Read it yourself."

Xuan Feng took the note and read it carefully. It read:

"The Netherworld Sect is too powerful to be defeated. Come to Yunmengze quickly to discuss the plan. - Old friend"

"Old friend?" Xuan Feng frowned, "Who is it?"

Nan Li shook her head: "I don't know, but this letter comes at the right time. Maybe we still have a chance of survival."

"Ma'am, you mean..."

"Let's go to Yunmengze!" Nan Li said firmly, with hope in his eyes. "Even if there are mountains of swords and seas of fire ahead, we will give it a try!"

However, Yunmengze is full of dangers. Who is this mysterious "old friend"? What kind of plan will he come up with to help Xingchen Pavilion overcome this crisis?