In an instant, the two fourth-rank experts became lambs to the slaughter.
This was the true strength of a magical treasure. Even if it were damaged, it was not something “mortals” could resist.
Below beyond-mortal ranks, there was no way to fight back against a magical treasure.
Neither Liu Hongmian, Jingxin nor Jingyuan recognised the Huntian Divine Mirror, but after experiencing the strange comas that White Tiger and Qihuan Danxiang fell into, and seeing four experts on the other side, plus a “traitorous” Dongfang Wanqing among them, the choice to make was self-evident.
Without any word of warning, Liu Hongmian crossed her swords in an X-shaped sword energy slash, feigning an attack, then turned and ran like a lithe pantheress without looking back.
She wisely chose to flee on foot rather than take to the air.
Coarse martial artists could only achieve their fastest speeds with their feet on the ground. Using lightfoot techniques or flying would be tantamount to walking into a trap in the eyes of those sword-flying Daoist experts.
Jingxin and Jingyuan also split up and escaped in different directions. There was only one magical artefact, splitting up was their slim chance at survival.
Seeing this, Chu Yuanzhen immediately issued orders, calling out loudly:
“Li Lingsu, you chase Jingyuan. Miaozhen, go after Jingxin. Hengyuan and I will go after Liu Hongmian.”
Although it was the first time he had worked with this group, he had already obtained information on Liu Hongmian and the others from Li Lingsu privately.
Chu Yuanzhen’s arrangement was well-considered. Among the three, the warrior monk Jingyuan possessed the Vajra Divine Art and was the most difficult to deal with, so he let Li Lingsu pursue him with the magical treasure in hand, with Dongfang Wanqing sure to follow.
As a martial artist, she could keep Jingyuan in check.
Only with Li Miaozhen was there some uncertainty, but a zen master lacking powerful offensive capabilities meant would not be able to do much to her.
Liu Hongmian, as a martial artist, would be easily handled by him and Hengyuan.
Hengyuan leapt up, landing behind Chu Yuanzhen, and the two of them flew away on their swords, whistling like the wind.
Liu Hongmian dashed through hills and valleys, her dress torn by branches and shrubbery, but she did not pause for a moment, her mind fixed only on escape.
Earlier, they had been glad at being fourth-rank cultivators, easily overlooked as “little lackeys,” and Qihuan Danxiang and White Tiger had vowed vengeance in secret.
Who would have thought that Xu Qi’an’s disregard for them did not mean they would be spared, the blade to deal with this group of fourth-ranks had already been drawn in secret.
Whoosh…
A sound of something tearing through the air burst out overhead. Liu Hongmian’s heart lurched, she knew the Daoist experts had caught up.
The terrain is rough on the mountains, there’s shrubbery blocking the way, it’s difficult to escape flying Daoists… While accelerating her run, Liu Hongmian reached out and grabbed a branch.
She leapt high, spun in the air, and threw the branch at the opponent flying behind her.
Whoosh!
The branch howled through the air, imbued with powerful qi, many times faster than any crossbow bolt.
Chu Yuanzhen simply reached out and caught the branch in his hand.
He caught my full-force attack with his bare hand? Isn’t he a Daoist… Liu Hongmian was shaken.
As her thoughts flickered, a rustling sound reached her ears. The surrounding leaves and branches began to fly up, then were infused with sword energy, forming a majestic sword formation.
Chu Yuanzhen shaped his fingers like a sword, controlling the whole formation.
Thud, thud, thud…
Dead branches and leaves became a rain of swords, pitting the ground with craters and knocking over tree after tree in the woods with cracking sounds.
Liu Hongmian sprinted through the torrential sword rain, relying on a martial artist’s danger sense to dodge; if she could not, she braced her body and took the blows.
When she finally made it through the sword rain, she suddenly stopped in her tracks: in front of her stood a middle-aged monk bathed in golden light, palms together, waiting for her.
Behind her stood a swaggering, carefree swordsman in an azure robe, standing tall on his flying sword.
…
A quarter of an hour later, the three groups reassembled at the designated spot.
Li Lingsu returned, carrying the unconscious Jingyuan over his shoulder, flying back with Dongfang Wanqing.
Hengyuan also returned with Liu Hongmian slung over his shoulder, both men riding flying swords.
Only Li Miaozhen returned empty-handed, scowling.
Seeing this, Li Lingsu was energised, put his hands on his hips and, assuming the manner of a senior brother, laughed as he said:
“Honestly, junior sister, this tarnishes the Heaven Sect’s reputation, and your credentials as Holy Maiden.
“To think you let a mere Jingxin escape?”
Li Miaozhen sneered coldly:
“No matter, the woman at your side will make a decent substitute.”
… Li Lingsu changed the subject: “Jingxin is no weakling, a peak fourth-rank expert, it must be difficult. You tried your best, junior sister.”
Li Miaozhen snorted.
The Daoist Golden Core could restrain precepts, and Li Miaozhen’s other techniques, such as soul-stunning, were likewise effective against zen masters.
However, the secret techniques of Union of Heaven and Man could also be countered by precepts and zen cultivation.
Even so, Li Miaozhen’s combat strength was a level above Jingxin’s, otherwise, the peak fourth-rank Jingxin would have turned hunter and slew the Heaven Sect’s Holy Maiden instead.
Chu Yuanzhen was unsurprised, even expected this, and said with a smile:
“The ones who slipped through the net can be ignored, we have already gained plenty. Daoist Li, may I trouble you to capture Liu Hongmian’s primordial spirit.”
Liu Hongmian’s primordial spirit had been struck by the Human Sect’s Heart Sword, and her body subdued by Hengyuan’s Vajra Divine Art. As of now she was unconscious.
But she would awaken soon.
After Li Lingsu drew out Liu Hongmian’s soul, Chu Yuanzhen glanced around, saw they were alone, and took out the Earth Book fragment.
Hengyuan, Li Miaozhen and Li Lingsu followed suit, taking out their own fragments.
During the earlier battle, they had all continually felt a familiar lurch in their hearts, realising someone was writing in the Earth Book, but had been too busy to respond.
“Oh, Number One says the Sovereign Sword has been lost…”
Li Lingsu finished reading and paused in astonishment. “Who’s Number One?”
Li Miaozhen glanced at him and said coolly:
“Number One is the eldest princess, Princess Huaiqing of Great Feng, a highly disagreeable woman.”
These days, there was no longer any need for secrecy about the identity of the Earth Book holders.
Except for Number Eight, who was still inactive, the rest had all met in person and become friends.
Number One is Princess Huaiqing?! In Li Lingsu’s mind appeared a graceful beauty in elegant dress, disarmingly noble and dignified.
He immediately shook with grief.
That bastard Xu Qi’an, picking flowers so close to home!
Hengyuan said in surprise:
“Daoist Li, are you hurt? Why do you tremble so?”
Li Lingsu put on an air of righteousness and said melancholy:
“Because evil lives for a thousand years, while men of justice like myself are constantly persecuted by fate. Heaven is unjust.”
Li Miaozhen curled her lip:
“Pay him no heed. He’s just regretting that he lost his Earth Book fragment for a whole year and let that Xu have the advantage.”
Hengyuan suddenly understood, pondered, and said:
“Even without Sir Xu, her Highness Huaiqing would hardly have set her sights on you, Daoist Li.”
… Li Lingsu replied with a blank expression, “Master, do you know the zen of silence?”
Hengyuan frowned and shook his head:
“I am a warrior monk; we do not cultivate Zen.”
Li Lingsu clasped his hands in salute.
Chu Yuanzhen drew the conversation back on track: “Should we tell her or not?”
Hengyuan and Li Miaozhen both stayed silent, one was indifferent, and the other could not be bothered with Number One’s questions.
Li Lingsu, unfamiliar with Number One, said nothing either.
So, Chu Yuanzhen used his finger as a brush and wrote:
【FOUR: The Sovereign Sword is in Xu Qi’an’s hands. He just summoned Emperor Gaozu’s Aspect and fought against the Dharma Aspect of a Bodhisattva from the Buddhist sect. He successfully repelled the Church of the Warlock God, the Buddhist sect, and the experts from Qianlong City, securing Quanrong Mountain and the Dragon Qi.】
After replying, Chu Zhuangyuan glanced over the captives and said:
“The Heart Gu Master and the tiger yao are near death. Extract their primordial spirits as soon as possible.”
These people were all fourth-rank experts, foundational even in Qianlong City, and must hold considerable intelligence.
Li Lingsu nodded, communicated with the Huntian Divine Mirror, and extracted the primordial spirits of Qihuan Danxiang and the white tiger, sealing them in an artefact for storing primordial spirits.
After a moment of hesitation, Li Lingsu turned to Dongfang Wanqing and said:
“Sister Qing, you should go.”
Dongfang Wanqing calmly replied, “Li Lang, come with me back to the East Sea Dragon Palace.”
Chu Yuanzhen and the others thought Li Lingsu would say something like, “Our hearts are not aligned, so we cannot work together.”
Li Lingsu shook his head:
“My wanderings in the mortal world are far from over. If I went back to the East Sea Dragon Palace with you, my master would definitely come looking for me. He wants to drag me back to the Heaven Sect, and if that happens, I might never be able to leave the sect for the rest of my life.”
He explained to Dongfang Wanqing the Heaven Sect’s attitude towards himself and Li Miaozhen.
Dongfang Wanqing did not believe him and turned her head to look at Li Miaozhen.
Li Miaozhen answered with an “Mm.”
Dongfang Wanqing frowned slightly, her cold face hesitant for a moment, then said:
“In that case, I shall accompany you.”
Ah, this… Li Lingsu’s eyes flashed as he cleverly found an excuse, and said in a deep voice:
“I also do not wish to leave Sister Qing, but that bastard Xu is unimaginably vicious and petty. If he sees you, he will surely lay hands on a beauty, and I am no match for him.”
Hengyuan frowned, somewhat displeased, and sent a sound transmission to Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen:
“Daoist Li Lingsu seems to hold deep prejudice against Sir Xu.”
How could it not be deep, after being tricked so badly? But this is just private grumbling is all, when it comes to business he’s still diligent… Chu Yuanzhen’s mouth twitched.
There’s no prejudice, merely the fighting spirit if lecherous men, just like how scholars often belittle each other… Li Miaozhen said blandly:
“He will not. Do not worry, Miss Dongfang. That Xu won’t be bothered with you. As long as you haven’t done anything utterly unforgivable or bear deep enmity with him, you may go to Quanrong Mountain as you wish.”
Li Miaozhen, you disgrace to the Heaven Sect, you are forcing me to death… Li Lingsu was furious, the senior and junior disciples stared, sparks flying invisibly.
Chu Yuanzhen, standing on his flying sword, broke the covert battle between the hidden talents of the Heaven Sect and said:
“Let’s return to Quanrong Mountain.”
…
The Sovereign Sword is in Xu Qi’an’s hands. He just fought with the Buddhist sect, the Church of the Warlock God, and the traitors of Qianlong City, securing the Dragon Qi and Quanrong Mountain…
In the lavatory, Huaiqing gazed at the Earth Book fragment in her hand, slightly dazed.
What do you mean summoned Emperor Gaozu’s Aspect?
Even a Bodhisattva’s Dharma Aspect from the Buddhist sect has appeared?
What exactly happened at Quanrong Mountain?
One question after another surfaced in her heart. The usually self-possessed princess was now filled with curiosity about the distant battle at Quanrong Mountain.
It was like having a stock ledger book placed right before her, making her eager to look through it.
Huaiqing quickly regained her composure, left the lavatory without any change in expression, and returned to the side hall.
At this time, the imperial family’s internal meeting in the imperial study was still ongoing.
The princesses and noble ladies drank tea and ate pastries, chatting quietly and waiting for the meeting to end.
After taking her seat, Huaiqing picked up her tea and sipped it lightly. Turning her head, she glanced at Lin’an, who wore a grave expression, and softly said:
“We know the reason for the abnormality at the Yongzhen Shanhe Temple.”
Lin’an’s eyes lit up and she asked suspiciously:
“You know?”
Huaiqing looked away, lowered her voice and said:
“The Sovereign Sword is in Xu Qi’an’s hand. He fought with the Buddhist sect, the Church of the Warlock God, and the remnants of Qianlong City.”
The Sovereign Sword is with Running Dog… Lin’an’s breathing became hurried as she blurted out:
“What was the result? Was he hurt?”
Huaiqing replied calmly, “Has he ever lost?”
This offhand remark made Lin’an’s anxious heart settle down at once.
Following this was a huge sense of security, all her worries and troubles vanished at that moment.
She did not even know the specifics, nor the weight of what lay behind the matter, but as long as she knew he was involved, that he was shouldering it, Lin’an’s heart felt a peace and calm like never before.
Lin’an let out a long breath, dispelling all gloom in her heart.
“I need to inform brother Emperor.”
The sparkle returned to Lin’an’s face.
Huaiqing glanced sideways and said, “You have your own means of contacting Xu Qi’an, it has nothing to do with us.”
“Don’t worry!”
Lin’an patted her on the shoulder, speaking with great camaraderie.
Huaiqing sighed. If it were any other sister, she would not have revealed this.
She confessed to Lin’an firstly out of consideration of the larger picture. In the Great Feng now, both among the common folk and in politics, stability was most important.
Second, so many people in the palace knew of the matter, it would be hard to conceal, and could easily be used as a reason for various lords to oppose donations.
Emperor Yongxing, as the ruler of a nation, would at most have his reputation damaged. Xu Erlang, however, would be completely finished.
Lin’an lifted her skirts and left the side chamber, heading for the imperial study.
“Your Highness, you cannot go in.”
The eunuch at the door hurried to block her, wearing a pained expression:
“His Majesty and the royal princes are in council. Please do not put us in a difficult position.”
Lin’an pointed to the big doors of the imperial study, full of authority:
“Go and report, quickly.”
She was far more mature and restrained than before. In the past she would not have cared at all about the eunuch’s feelings.
The eunuch hesitated, then scurried away to report.
Lin’an watched him and saw the emperor’s chief eunuch, Zhao Xuanzhen, poke his head out, glance at her a few times with a fawning smile, then quickly disappear.
After a moment, Zhao Xuanzhen hurried out and bowed deeply:
“Your Highness, His Majesty invites you in.”
Lin’an nodded in satisfaction, she knew her brother emperor would certainly let her in.
Emperor Yongxing almost never refused any of her requests.
Lin’an followed Zhao Xuanzhen over the threshold and into the imperial study. On either side of the scarlet carpet stood a host of uncles and brothers who frowned at her entrance, their expressions less than friendly.
King Li snorted:
“Seniors are in council, why have you come in? No decorum at all.”
He was rebuking Lin’an, but also expressing dissatisfaction with Emperor Yongxing’s indulgence towards his sister.
Emperor Yongxing took a deep breath and said with forced patience:
“Lin’an, we are in council with the uncles and elders. Your business will have to wait.”
A prince waved his hand and ordered Zhao Xuanzhen, “Escort Her Highness Lin’an out.”
Zhao Xuanzhen looked at the princess who, after two reigns, was still the most favoured in the palace.
Lin’an ignored them all and asked:
“Does brother Emperor know the reason for the abnormality at the Yongzhen Shanhe Temple?”
Emperor Yongxing’s face darkened. He glanced at King Li and the others and said coolly:
“It was because we acted against the proper order, causing displeasure in the court. The ancestors punished us.
“We have already agreed to issue a self-reproach edict at once and reflect in the ancestral temple for three days to appease our forebears’ wrath.”
“What has that got to do with brother Emperor!”
Lin’an’s delicate brows shot up as she glared at the princes and kings on both sides.
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