Facing the terrified Heaven Sect Holy Son, Xu Qi’an curled his lips, “Guess.”
The Holy Son opened his mouth, but didn’t know what to say. The mysterious aura that Xu Qian displayed was so overwhelming that it threw him into deep confusion and bewilderment.
Did I just kill the topic without realising? Clearly, this matter is related to a secret of the Heaven Sect, Li Lingsu’s unlikely to tell me the truth. If I want to extract any information, I can’t ask directly, nor can I use a trading model. I have to make him volunteer the information himself… Xu Qi’an thought for a moment, then said calmly:
“To you, this is a secret that the Heaven Sect cannot reveal to outsiders. To me, it was something I learned hundreds of years ago.”
Hundreds of years ago… Li Lingsu opened his mouth slightly and stared at him in a daze.
Who is he?
Has he lived for hundreds of years?
Except for the Confucianists, only cultivators above fourth rank in any system could have such longevity. That means Xu Qian is at least third rank? No, his methods are bizarre, but he couldn’t even defeat Sister Qing.
In an instant, all sorts of thoughts flashed through Li Lingsu’s mind.
“You can’t even beat Sister Qing, yet you’ve lived for hundreds of years?” He frowned and questioned.
“I can’t even defeat a fourth rank, but what the shaman clans know, I know as well,” Xu Qi’an replied with a grin.
Li Lingsu was left speechless, unable to come up with a retort, and found Xu Qian more and more unfathomable.
Xu Qi’an continued, “Knowing does not mean understanding the inside story.”
Li Lingsu, who had just opened his mouth to question, closed it again. Just now, he’d wanted to ask, ‘Since you know the Heaven Sect’s secret, why did you just ask me?’
But it turned out he’d been answered; he hadn’t expected the other’s logic to be so watertight.
The Heaven Sect Holy Son pondered for a moment, then said:
“I don’t know much more than you, but it’s true there is such a thing. Of course, it has never been recorded in any of our books, but it can’t be hidden from any disciple either. The reason is simple: the Heaven Sect has been passed down for thousands of years, with masters emerging in each generation. Once you ascend to third rank and transcend mortality, you can have a tremendously long life.
“Logically, even if some seniors are occasionally lost to tribulation or battles, it’s impossible for all of them to vanish. Yet, transcendent masters of the Heaven, Earth, and Human sects are incredibly rare.
“The Earth Sect cultivates merit, but runs the risk of falling to demons. The Human Sect is scorched by karmic fire, and almost no Daoist Leader has survived the tribulation. So, what about us of the Heaven Sect?
“The Heaven Sect’s Supreme Forgetting of Emotion is the greatest path. It’s different from karmic fire or falling to demons. Where, then, does the problem lie for us?
“Many disciples have such doubts in their hearts, but answers are forever out of reach. Only the senior masters and a handful of outstanding disciples know the true method of cultivation. The higher your rank, the more likely you are to ‘vanish’.
“No one knows where they have gone. I suspect not even the senior sect masters know, or perhaps only the Daoist Leaders throughout the ages know, but they’ve never spoken of it.”
Having said this, Li Lingsu looked at Xu Qi’an, seeking advice in an attitude of information exchange:
“Se- senior Xu, do you know?”
These matters were Heaven Sect secrets and he would never have told anyone else, but this Xu Qian, who claimed to have lived for hundreds of years, had exposed it at a word. Li Lingsu thought perhaps he understood more of the inside story than himself.
So you don’t know the truth either. I was just about to fleece you, yet you’ve turned around and tried to fleece me… Maintaining his air of a mysterious master, Xu Qi’an chuckled:
“Where did the Daoist Venerable go?”
Li Lingsu’s pupils contracted sharply, his face fell into a daze. After a while, his frozen eyes trembled slightly and his breathing quickened.
In an instant, it was as if he’d figured out doubts that had puzzled him for ages, or found answers to old questions.
“Thank you, Senior, for clearing up my doubts!”
The Heaven Sect Holy Son earnestly performed a Daoist salute.
I didn’t say anything. I only asked a question… Xu Qi’an muttered silently. Not dwelling on the topic, he changed the subject:
“Earlier, how did you know that heading west would mean the Dongfang Sisters wouldn’t chase too far?”
Li Lingsu gave a ‘heh’ and said:
“Because they were going west anyway. Strictly speaking, they were going to Leizhou, seemingly in search of a stupa. Sister Rong said her master’s chances of reincarnation and resurrection depended on this journey.”
A stupa… from the name alone, it’s clearly something Buddhist. Leizhou borders the Western Regions and is part of the Great Feng. Dongfang Wanrong is a warlock, so her master must be a warlock as well…
Xu Qi’an frowned, struggling to connect these pieces, and said, “Tell me in detail.”
“I don’t know the specifics. All I know is that Sister Rong’s master is Nalan Tianlu, father of Nalan Yan, the previous city lord of Mount Jing City. During the battle of Shanhai Pass, he was killed by Wei Yuan.”
Li Lingsu’s eyes flicked past Xu Qi’an’s shoulder and saw his sister-in-law sitting on a large rock in the distance, watching them and smiling.
His heart sank and he quickly lowered his head, suspecting she was eavesdropping, but lacking evidence.
A woman of mediocre looks was not on his list of contemplations for Supreme Forgetting of Emotion, especially since her husband was such a terrifying figure.
Curse this damned charm of mine…
The Heaven Sect Holy Son steadied his nerves and said:
“But you know, the Church of the Warlock God is skilled in cultivating the primordial spirit. The flesh is easily destroyed, but the primordial spirit is hard to extinguish. As far as I know, that Nalan Tianlu was a second rank Master of Rain. Most likely, when he died, his primordial spirit lingered and was seized by the Buddhist monks.”
And what does that have to do with the stupa… Xu Qi’an fell into contemplation.
…
The Capital.
Jingxiu Palace. The Crown Prince sat in a warm, spring-like hall, dressed in a python-embroidered robe, cradling a teacup in his hands.
“Mother Consort, in just half a month, your son will ascend the throne.”
When the Crown Prince said this, his voice was steady, a calmness as if a mountain collapsing before him would not change his expression.
This was a detail he had repeatedly reminded himself of lately. The Emperor who had passed, the late Wei Yuan who had died in battle, and the still-standing Wang Prime Minister, all these once powerful figures had an air of composure and confidence about them.
As the soon-to-be sovereign, he naturally had to ensure his expressions revealed neither joy nor anger.
The dignified and well-maintained Consort Chen looked radiant as she walked over to the Crown Prince, gently touching his sleeve, exclaiming in excitement:
“Good, good, we’ve finally made it, finally made it through.”
Tears glistened in the eyes of the mature, graceful woman.
She was overjoyed for a moment, then her brow suddenly furrowed. “You must beware of the Fourth Prince acting in desperation.”
The Crown Prince shook his head with a smile:
“He won’t. I have held the position of Crown Prince for more than a decade. Both the people’s hearts and the officials are in my favour. I am the legitimate successor.
“With Father dead, the country cannot go a day without a sovereign. All of court and the nation eagerly await my ascension. Moreover, as soon as that notice was posted, my reputation among the people soared. Fourth Brother has no support, no popular favour, and is no threat.
“In fact, all this is thanks to Prime Minister Wang. Without his assistance, Fourth Brother might still have managed to muster the remnants of Wei Yuan’s Clique and struggle for power.”
Consort Chen smiled, “Once you ascend, you must rely more on Prime Minister Wang.”
“Your son understands.”
Consort Chen nodded in satisfaction, and then suddenly said bitterly, “When you ascend, I want that woman sent to Changchun Palace.”
Changchun Palace was the cold palace. As for ‘that woman’, it was all too clear who she meant.
The Crown Prince frowned lightly, “Mother, after my enthronement, you will be the mistress of the inner palace. Why take issue with a mere title?”
He understood her intent. She wanted to become Empress Dowager, and more than that, she wanted to banish that woman to the cold palace.
But he was, in name, the Empress’s son, and the Empress was his legal mother. Unless she committed an unpardonable crime, even after his enthronement, he could not strip her of her position.
“Hmph!”
Consort Chen said in a low voice, “I understand the Crown Prince’s concerns. The Empress has long since lost her virtue and is unfit to be mother of the realm. Let me tell you…”
The Crown Prince listened, wide-eyed, lost for words for a long time.
He had never imagined such a past between the Empress and Wei Yuan.
“But Wei Yuan is now dead. There is no longer a witness…” The Crown Prince frowned.
“If you want to condemn someone, you’ll never lack an excuse.” Consort Chen sneered.
“Let me think on it.”
…
The Eastern Palace.
After the Crown Prince returned, he immediately sent someone to summon the Prime Minister Wang.
He told Prime Minister Wang about Consort Chen’s idea and asked, “Sir Prime Minister, what is your opinion?”
The grey-haired Prime Minister Wang was taken aback for a moment, then sighed, “So that’s how it is. Your Highness has resolved a doubt that has plagued me for years.”
After a pause, he continued,
“Your Highness is about to ascend the throne. When making decisions, you must first consider gains and losses, not blood ties. If you wish to use this as a reason to depose the Empress, it would indeed be reasonable. However, have you considered what will become of the royal family’s reputation?
“After you ascend, the royal family’s reputation will be your own. After the late Emperor’s death, all past matters are blamed on him. Now, the Great Feng welcomes a new era. At such a critical moment, if such a scandal breaks out, Your Highness will be the one to lose face. Damage to reputation will affect not only the Empress, but you as well.
“To take a step back, even if Your Highness disregards all this and insists on confirming the matter, will Wei Yuan’s reputation… will Xu Qi’an agree?”
The Crown Prince’s breathing faltered, his expression briefly stiffening. The next moment, he regained his composure and said slowly,
“The Prime Minister’s view is very fair. We have not considered everything adequately.”
He lightly changed the subject, smiling, “I hear your esteemed daughter is about to be betrothed to Xu Xinnian, the hanlin bachelor?”
Prime Minister Wang immediately smiled, “The auspicious date has already been chosen. The betrothal will take place in three months.”
The Crown Prince laughed, “Don’t forget to invite us for a drink then.”
…
Today, the sun was shining beautifully. Dressed in a red skirt and lavishly adorned, Biaobiao stood on the spirit dragon, gliding across the lake, her slender waist twisting gracefully.
Huaiqing, elegantly dressed, held a wine cup, standing on the shore, watching the useless Lin’an exclaim in delight and laugh in clear, bell-like tones.
Since Xu Qi’an left the capital, she had clearly noticed Lin’an’s mood had improved immensely.
Although she still daydreamed at times, most of the time, she was far happier.
The reasons included the fact that after Zhende’s death, the atmosphere in the palace had brightened, and also that the Crown Prince was about to ascend the throne, which made Lin’an happy for her own brother. But in Huaiqing’s view, the greatest reason was Xu Qi’an.
What did he say to her before he left, or what did he promise?
The imperial eldest daughter, as pure and beautiful as a lotus, frowned deeply.
She felt a silent pang of annoyance, then turned her gaze to the sky and muttered to herself,
“A mountain storm is rolling, wind fills the tower.”
The mess left by Father Emperor was not the issue; the rebel cliques in Yunzhou were the court’s greatest challenge, and also the biggest challenge for the soon-to-be-crowned Crown Prince.
…
A narrow mountain path. Three people, two horses, clattered along, raising a trail of dust behind them.
Before dusk, the three of them arrived in a small town and planned to rest for the night at the inn.
Sitting by a square table in the inn’s main hall, Li Lingsu sipped his cloudy wine, puzzled:
“Senior, why aren’t we returning to the capital? Is there still unfinished business?”
In his view, the three of them should immediately set off north for the capital, but Xu Qian had continued westward, showing no intention of returning.
“If you wish to go to the capital, you can leave on your own.” Xu Qi’an poured a cup of wine for Mu Nanzhi.
“No, if I leave you, I lose the Constellation Shifting technique. Sister Rong and Sister Qing will soon drag me back.”
Li Lingsu patted his waist and shook his head repeatedly.
After a quick supper, they each returned to their rooms. Xu Qi’an took out a large vat of water and several pots of poisonous herbs from the Earth Book fragment, arranging them by the bedside, hoping that under the nurturing of the reincarnated Flower Goddess, those that should grow would grow, and those that should evolve would evolve.
Hmm, I can’t take out the Earth Book fragment in front of Li Lingsu in the future. He’s most likely Number Seven.
A long time ago, Daoist Jinlian had introduced the members of the Heaven and Earth Society and mentioned that Number Seven was being hunted and had an extraordinary relationship with Li Miaozhen.
Number Seven and Li Lingsu matched perfectly. He had also said that all his savings were with his junior sister Li Miaozhen, which meant the Earth Book fragment was in her possession.
That made sense. Li Lingsu had little confidence in his ability to escape pursuit from the pair of sisters. The Earth Book was a treasure gifted by Daoist Jinlian, a Daoist Sect artefact. To prevent it from falling into the wrong hands, it was logical that Li Lingsu entrusted it to his junior sister as a precaution.
At this moment, Xu Qi’an suddenly felt a touch of something in his heart, sensing the unique fluctuation of a certain artefact from within the Earth Book fragment.
He tapped his finger lightly on the mirror.
Clack… a conch engraved with spells fell onto the table.
He picked up the conch and put it to his ear.
A man’s voice came through clearly: “What’s…”
Xu Qi’an remained in a listening posture. For a while, the conch was silent, with no sound coming.
What’s?”
Xu Qi’an fell into thought. Was the Jianzheng’s Second Disciple trying to say something?
He racked his brains, trying to make connections. Then, at last, the conch, after a long silence, produced another sound: “your…”
What’s your?”
Xu Qi’an frowned even more, wondering what this could possibly mean. What was this second senior brother trying to say?
He pondered deeply…
Unfortunately, the conch produced no more sounds.
Xu Qi’an couldn’t guess Second Senior Brother’s meaning and had to give up. He took off his shoes and socks, soaked his feet for a while, and just as he was about to go to bed, his keen hearing caught a faint voice from the conch on the table:
“location…”
Finally, there was a sound! Xu Qi’an repeated in a low voice, “What’s your location…”
Then he raised his voice: “What’s your location?!”
A row of question marks flashed through his mind. So, Second Senior Brother was asking: Where are you?
He was asking about his location…
That’s all?
Maybe the distance was too great, and the conch’s “signal” was poor. Xu Qi’an made a guess and replied,
“I’m on the border of Yongzhou, in a place called Qingya Town.”
After a long wait, the conch produced a sound: “Al… right.”
Then it fell silent once more.
That should be it then. The conch the Jianzheng gave is no good, the signal’s terrible… Grumbling to himself, he walked to the cupboard and fetched a clean quilt.
“Move over a bit, the space you left me is far too small.”
Xu Qi’an threw the quilt onto the bed and nudged Mu Nanzhi’s fragrant shoulder.
“Why didn’t you get two rooms?” Mu Nanzhi turned her head, her bright eyes full of doubt.
“I was worried you’d get scared sleeping alone.”
Xu Qi’an slipped under the covers. Although they used different quilts, the distance between the two was so small he could count the princess consort’s hairs and smell the unique delicate fragrance of the reincarnated Flower Goddess.
Mu Nanzhi glared at him, turned over, and faced the wall with her back to him.
Loose strands of hair revealed glimpses of her fair and delicate neck.
Xu Qi’an moved further, so did Mu Nanzhi. With every offensive and retreat, she was soon pushed to the edge of the bed, with nowhere left to retreat.
She turned and glared at him, snapping, “What do you think you’re doing?”
Sorry, that was the Desire Gu’s doing just now… Xu Qi’an fell silent, unable to answer.
He gazed at Mu Nanzhi’s unremarkable features and said softly, “I wanted to look at you a little longer. Your true self.”
Mu Nanzhi’s face turned red in an instant, even her ears flushing.
The two gazed at each other in the darkness. Gradually, their breathing quickened, and their heartbeats raced.
Go for it, go for it… Just as Xu Qi’an was about to take a gamble, he suddenly heard the heartbeat of a third person.
He was shocked, and suddenly looked up at the head of the bed.
A white-robed arcanist stood there, silently watching the man and woman on the bed.
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