763. The Earth Book and the Gatekeeper (double chapter)

A secret of the Earth Book fragment… Luo Yuheng felt a stir in her heart and tightened her grip on the Earth Book fragment, guarding against Xu Qi’an suddenly snatching it away.

She had status and a set identity, and could not act like Mu Nanzhi, a grown woman still coquettish and petulant towards a boy.

Hmm, the above was Luo Yuheng’s own subjective guess, motivated by rivalry in love.

Daoist Leader, I think al-Asura was only joking, we wouldn’t expel you from the Heaven and Earth Society… When Li Miaozhen saw Daoist Jinlian’s message, she nearly laughed out loud.

【SEVEN: Is it about the whispers that appeared after the Earth Book fused?】

As an owner of an Earth Book fragment, Li Lingsu had also heard the dreadful whispers. Later, when al-Asura “threatened” Daoist Jinlian, he was present as well, so he understood immediately that the so-called secret was most likely this matter.

The other holders of Earth Book fragments did not speak, staring intently at their own fragments.

At this moment, Lina suddenly jumped in and sent a message:

【Daoist Leader, I am sorry, I did nothing. I failed in my promise to you.】

This honest “little white skin” from the Southern Marches felt deeply guilty about it.

【NINE: It is no matter. Life is full of uncertainty, and things never turn out as we wish. You were not in the central plains at the time and could not have rushed here, it is not your fault.】

As soon as he sent this, Lina sent another message:

【But Daoist Leader, after you fused with Heilian, could it be you’ll fall into the demonic path again?】

Lina’s words struck everyone’s hearts like a warning bell.

【FOUR: This, this… what Lina said makes sense, I actually forgot all about it yesterday.】

【SEVEN: Ah, right, if Daoist Leader fuses with Heilian, what if he falls into the demonic path again?】

【SIX: Surely not, surely not.】

Master Hengyuan spoke up for Daoist Jinlian.

【EIGHT: It could even be that the demonic path has already taken hold, and the one communicating with us now is not Jinlian, but Heilian.】

Al-Asura, given his own experiences, was a seasoned conspiracy theorist.

【TWO: Hearing Eight say that, I recall, when Daoist Jinlian seduced Zhende to enter the Dao, he also disguised himself as a good-natured elder.】

Why did I ever invite Lina into the Heaven and Earth Society… Daoist Jinlian reflected deeply for three seconds, and his conclusion was that sometimes, one could not trust in fortune alone.

Lina might have robust fortune, but fortune had no connection to intelligence; one might as well have no fortune at all rather than trust blindly in it.

【NINE: Do not worry, Heilian’s will has already been wiped out. Even if, one day, I truly did fall into the demonic path, it would be in the distant future. For the next hundred years at least, there will be no such threat.】

Under the quilt, Xu Qi’an’s right arm gently held Luo Yuheng’s slender waist, his palm gently stroking, feeling the delicate and smooth skin of her lower belly. He asked:

“National Teacher, what do you think?”

Luo Yuheng ignored Xu Qi’an’s liberties and said calmly,

“For an evil thought to be born is not something that happens overnight. Moreover, the Earth Sect cultivated merit, and karmic backlash gave rise to the emergence of Heilian. That is the cause and effect built up by Jinlian’s hundreds of years of doing good deeds.”

Luo Yuheng’s words, as another great figure of the Daoist sect, sounded authoritative to Xu Qi’an.

So he devoted himself more keenly to enjoying the National Teacher’s slender waist.

A woman’s slender waist was the most easily overlooked treasure; people only admired it, but seldom handled or savoured it.

Of course, this only applied to women with good figures; little pot bellies were not included.

Having finished the explanation, Daoist Jinlian returned to the main topic:

【That’s right, there is indeed a secret hidden within the Earth Book. This must start with the birth of the Earth Book. How much do you know about it?】

The birth of the Earth Book? I think I heard Li Miaozhen mention it, but I cannot remember what she said… Xu Qi’an buried half his face in Luo Yuheng’s jade neck, kissing and licking her whilst glancing at the Earth Book fragment.

Li Miaozhen and Li Lingsu knew something about the Earth Book, but did not speak up, not wanting to give Daoist Jinlian an opportunity to ramble.

Other members were entirely ignorant of its origins, and likewise did not want to offer Jinlian an opportunity to digress.

Seeing no one respond, Daoist Jinlian had no choice but to take the initiative and said:

【Legend has it that during the era of the ancient human emperor, there was a system of cultivation called the ‘Way of Spirit and Incense’. The core of this system was to seize a river or famous mountain by force, then build a temple on the conquered land.

【With this as a base, they would then gather believers, who burned incense and made offerings, which could be livestock or even boys and girls, depending on whether the temple master was human or Yao. The latter mostly relied on coercion.

【Once the follower base reached a certain size, they would gradually coalesce a magic treasure called the ‘God Seal’. There were two types: ‘Mountain God Seal’ and ‘Water God Seal’. In their own domain, gods holding these seals were invincible.

【So, sounds familiar?】

It is just like the arcanist system, is this not a lesser version of arcanists?… Xu Qi’an wanted to reply, but his ‘mobile phone’ was taken by his little aunt-girlfriend, so he couldn’t.

Besides, he now remembered: when discussing the Earth Book fragments earlier, Li Miaozhen had said the Earth Sect’s Earth Book seemed to have been obtained by the Daoist Venerable from a group of legendary mountain and water gods. Yes, it must have been Li Miaozhen who said so.

【ONE: The arcanist system?!】

Huaiqing’s mind was always the quickest, and she immediately gave an answer.

【FOUR: It is very similar to arcanists, but not as formidable. The Jianzheng can command the fortune of all the Central Plains.】

Chu Yuanchen thought for a moment before replying.

The ancient books of the sect hadn’t explained things in such detail… Li Miaozhen and Li Lingsu now recalled what was recorded about the Earth Sect’s Earth Book, only knowing it originated with the ancient mountain and water gods, but nothing so detailed.

It was worth mentioning that Li Lingsu and Li Miaozhen were genuinely well-read, they had studied all the Heaven Sect’s ancient texts and remembered them well.

It was not because crouching dragon and fledgling phoenix enjoyed studying, but because it was a hard requirement for the Heaven Sect’s Holy Son and Holy Maiden.

If you could not memorise a few hundred books, how could you be a Holy Son or Holy Maiden? What? You say you don’t want to be one? Fine, we’ll clean house.

That was more or less how the Heaven Sect educated.

Their masters would not even blink when cleaning house. After all, they followed the principle of supreme detachment from emotion.

【NINE: That’s right, it is very similar to a first rank Master of Heaven’s Mandate in the arcanist system.】

【FIVE: So why did this system disappear?】

【NINE: The disappearance of the Way of Spirit and Incense was partly due to the march of history. Successive human emperors treated these deities as foes to eradicate, which greatly limited the inheritance and development of that system.

【Moreover, before founding the Earth Sect, the Daoist Venerable wiped out all those spirits in one fell swoop.】

The Daoist Venerable wiped out the Way of Spirit and Incense… Even though they had guessed as much, the Heaven and Earth Society members could not help but be shocked when Daoist Jinlian said it so plainly.

This most mysterious Beyond-rank, the Daoist Venerable, had truly done one earth-shattering thing after another in secret.

【EIGHT: So, the Earth Book fragments are connected to those God Seals?】

Al-Asura hazarded a guess.

【NINE: Exactly. The Daoist Venerable exterminated the Way of Spirit and Incense in order to seize the God Seals from the mountain and water gods. Later, he forged all the collected God Seals into a single magic treasure called the ‘Earth Book’.】

So that’s the origin of the Earth Book! No wonder it can store dragon leys and suppress ley lines… The members of the Heaven and Earth Society suddenly understood.

【ONE: What does this have to do with the artefact spirit?】

【NINE: To create the Earth Book, the Daoist Venerable used himself as one of the materials.】

!!! It was like a thunderbolt exploded in the ears of the Heaven and Earth Society members, making their hair stand on end and their skin crawl.

As expected, the more concise the message, the more tremendous the matter. Xu Qi’an swallowed and murmured,

“The artefact spirit of the Earth Book fragment, could it be…”

He felt Luo Yuheng, in his arms, tense up all over, apparently equally shocked by the revelation.

【NINE: That is correct. The artefact spirit of the Earth Book is actually the Daoist Venerable’s primordial spirit. When the Earth Book was completed, a terrible event occurred. The ancient records of the Earth Sect say: The Earth Book became monstrous, devouring living beings and all things; almost all disciples of the sect perished; the Earth Book was shattered into nine pieces, and the demon spirit sealed away!】

For a long time, no one said a word.

Luo Yuheng and Xu Qi’an were both immersed in this astounding news, unable to calm down.

After a silent moment, Luo Yuheng said,

“Give me your hand.”

Xu Qi’an paused for a second, then caught her meaning and drew out the hand that was pressed on his auntie’s stomach from under the quilt.

Luo Yuheng grabbed Xu Qi’an’s finger and quickly wrote:

【THREE: What was the Daoist Venerable’s purpose in refining the Earth Book? When he split his spirit into three and established the ‘Heaven, Earth, and Human’ sects, he should have already achieved great mastery and been promoted to Beyond-rank. What could make him go to such lengths to try again?】

Xu Ningyan is still as methodical as ever… Though every member of the Heaven and Earth Society had tens of thousands of questions, they did not know where to start.

Seeing Xu Ningyan clearly and directly point out the crux of the matter, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, secretly praising Xu Ningyan and waiting patiently for Jinlian’s reply.

National Teacher, you really are not clever enough. I’ve already guessed the Daoist Venerable’s purpose… Xu Qi’an sighed softly. Little Evil is smarter, Little Evil truly represents the peak of the National Teacher’s intelligence.

【NINE: No one in the Earth Sect knows the Daoist Venerable’s purpose. I didn’t know either, until I learned the secret of the Gatekeeper from Ningyan. Then I understood: only the Gatekeeper could make Beyond-rank experts flock so eagerly. Of course, what the Gatekeeper represents is still unknown.】

His words convinced the members of the Heaven and Earth Society.

【FOUR: There’s another question. Why did the Daoist Venerable, after becoming the spirit of the artefact, mutate into a demon?】 Chu Yuanzhen asked in confusion.

【TWO: As for this, I do have some ideas. That incarnation of the Daoist Venerable cultivated the power of merit. After refining the Earth Book, for some reason he might have suffered divine punishment, turning perverse and evil, much like Daoist Jinlian.】

The logic was clear!

There’s really no need to bring up Heilian every time. Spare me some face, you unfilial brats who don’t know to respect your elders… Daoist Jinlian sent a message:

【This is also the speculation of successive Daoist Leaders of the Earth Sect. The only remaining doubt is: what is the connection between refining the Earth Book and the Gatekeeper? This question involves the Gatekeeper, so it is destined to have no answer.】

The Daoist Venerable destroyed the way of spirit and incense and refined the Earth Book. The way incense spirits absorbed fortune was almost exactly the same as arcanists… Xu Qi’an felt as if someone had struck his head hard with a stick.

Dumbfounded!

In a flash, he understood many things. Clues that had confused him before all pieced together in his mind.

【TWO: Xu Ningyan, do you have any leads?】

Li Miaozhen had an inexplicable confidence in Xu Qi’an. When faced with difficult riddles, she always thought first of the Great Feng’s legendary deduction expert, Silver Gong Xu!

Luo Yuheng, seeing the words appearing on the mirror, twisted her elegant neck and glanced back at Xu Qi’an behind her.

Xu Qi’an snapped back to himself, gazed into her lively, beautiful eyes, and said with a smile,

“National Teacher, if I can figure it out, can we do it again?”

As he spoke, he pressed his lower abdomen over.

Luo Yuheng frowned and retreated to the edge of the bed, ignoring him in a huff.

As soon as Xu Qi’an felt that soft, springy sensation, it was gone, leaving him disappointed.

【SEVEN: Foolish junior sister, what are you thinking? Xu Qi’an is not a Master of Heaven’s Mandate; he’s a detective. He only just learned that the artefact spirit of the Earth Book fragment was the Daoist Venerable. What clue could he possibly have?】

Li Lingsu jumped in to strike a blow.

He rather disliked Xu Qi’an now. Not only had he lost face in Jianzhou thanks to Xu Qi’an, his own disciple had also caused him to be embarrassed in front of many big figures last night.

【FOUR: Miaozhen is indeed making it hard for Ningyan.】

【EIGHT: This matter is as obscure as the Buddha’s secrets. It cannot be unravelled anytime soon, though it may eventually come to light. Did the Gu God not say that the era is coming to an end?】

Al-Asura had already learned about the conversation between the Gu God and Baidi from the young prodigies of the Heaven Sect, news that was as quick-spreading as the joke about “the loving and harmonious family of Asura Kings”.

Luo Yuheng looked at the Earth Book fragment, her brows furrowed, seemingly a little displeased.

“I have indeed deduced a few things, but they’re rather frightening,” Xu Qi’an sighed.

Luo Yuheng grabbed his hand, pressed it upon the Earth Book fragment, and said coolly,

“Speak!”

Xu Qi’an paused, gathered his thoughts, and then used his finger as a pen to write:

【I do have some immature speculations.】

He really does have some ideas?

The Heaven and Earth Society members perked up. Even Daoist Jinlian did not expect such an answer and sent a message:

【Let’s hear them.】

【THREE: No, no, the Holy Son is right. I don’t know much either. I’m not a Master of Heaven’s Mandate, I’m just a detective. If my assumptions are wrong, I might end up misleading you.】

【TWO: Nothing good ever comes out of his mouth. Don’t take him seriously.】

【ONE: The Holy Son’s words just now were not inappropriate; they merely matched what he knew.】 Huaiqing remarked sarcastically.

“……” Li Lingsu looked sullen.

Xu Qi’an sent a message:

【I will only speak of three things. The rest is for you to think over yourselves.

【One; the Daoist Venerable refined the god seals for a reason connected to the Gatekeeper, I can be certain of this, the reason relates to my second point.

【Two; The characteristics of the way of spirit and incense are very similar to those of arcanists, and the current Jianzheng is suspected to be the Gatekeeper.

【Three; Does this not shed some light on the secret of how the first Jianzheng rose to power?】

Beyond-rank experts are plotting for things pertaining to the Gatekeeper, the Jianzheng is the Gatekeeper, the connection between the arcanist system and the way of spirit and incense is like that of two incarnations, this explains why the Daoist Venerable wanted to destroy the way of spirit and incense and refine the Earth Book… Though these are just speculations, I believe the truth is more or less as Xu Ningyan surmised. Another great secret unveiled… Li Lingsu clicked his tongue in admiration, feeling how pleasing it was to glean secrets by following that son-of-a-bitch Xu Qi’an.

I can even show off to Brother Yang later; his look of envious hard-mouthed jealousy would be especially amusing. Hmm, would that seem disloyal, though?

Beyond-rank experts plotted for the Gatekeeper, the connection between way of spirit and incense and arcanists, and the first Jianzheng’s unprecedented meteoric rise… Everything fits! This is the charm of deduction, it’s why I’m obsessed with solving mysteries… Li Miaozhen felt as if an electric current shot through her body, making her tremble with excitement, an instant mental high.

Lady Flying Swallow often sought advice from Xu Qi’an on solving cases back in the day.

So, did the first Jianzheng receive the inheritance of the way of spirit and incense, and then, reasoning by analogy, found the arcanist system based on it? This seems like the only explanation, my confusion is finally resolved… Chu Yuanzhen marvelled aloud.

He had previously doubted: the way the first Jianzheng established his system was unlike that of any other initiator, all Beyond-rank experts founded their systems not from nothing, but only after advancing to a certain level, from which they then retrospectively set out the system’s framework.

One could see the overlaps between systems, in the spells and methods they shared to some degree.

Yet, the first Jianzheng, though the arcanist system did originate from warlocks, had established the arcanist system starting at the very lowest rank.

Which was extraordinary, as low-ranked practitioners simply did not have the ability to found a whole system. No matter how great one’s talent, this depends on experience, not just innate genius.

It was like how a prodigiously clever virgin could still be manipulated by a honey trap, yet an average veteran could possess the top ability to spot a fake.

But if the first Jianzheng had an inheritance, if he gained the incense deity legacy and, with astonishing talent, explored and created a new path based on it, that was completely possible.

What’s more, back then the Central Plains were in chaos, contending warlords everywhere, the perfect soil for the way of spirit and incense to thrive.

So that’s how it was. Interesting! Since coming out of seclusion, I have learned more secrets within the Heaven and Earth Society than I did over the past thousand years… Al-Asura had tasted a newfound sweetness.

To think that spending less than half a month with a bunch of junior human cubs had allowed him to learn so much, and such high-level secrets.

What are they talking about? It sounds so impressive, but I can’t quite understand… Lina scratched her head, worried but afraid to ask for fear of being mocked by the Heaven and Earth Society.

After all, she had been pretending to be as clever as Xu Qi’an and the others, and had kept up the pretence really well so far, no one had found out.

Master Hengyuan was a little surprised, but after the surprise passed, he only felt relieved and sighed with satisfaction,

As expected of Sir Xu!

Luo Yuheng’s eyes widened slightly as she stared blankly at the Earth Book fragment.

With her intelligence, she could, of course, easily decipher the truth behind the information Xu Qi’an had provided.

A truth that made one’s mind reel with excitement.

If she had not happened to be cultivating with this lecher pestering her, even at her level, she might never have known such a secret from today’s discussions in the Earth Book.

Most members of the Heaven and Earth Society were middling in rank, but the level they came into contact with was truly astonishing.

As her thoughts drifted, she felt a burning hot hand slip between her thighs.

Luo Yuheng erupted with fury, “Get out!”

The ancestral divine sword whistled through the bedcurtain, accurately stabbing three inches below Xu Qi’an’s bellybutton. With a ripping sound, the quilt was torn, and a ‘ding’ was heard from inside.

Ding, ding, ding… This time Luo Yuheng was truly merciless, stabbing repeatedly with the divine sword.

Come on then, let’s see whose sword is sharper… Xu Qi’an was indignant, convinced that his own hardness outmatched even the peerless divine weapon.

But he knew his intimate actions just now had made Luo Yuheng feel toyed with.

He hurried to speak sweet words to coax her, begging for mercy and admitting fault.

This fish always fell for that.

“National Teacher, we haven’t finished talking yet. Can you settle with me later?”

Luo Yuheng snorted coldly, let the divine sword fall to rest by the pillow, and continued reading the Heaven and Earth Society’s transmission.

【SEVEN: Hey hey hey, Daoist Jinlian, did you know all along that the arcanist system is linked to the now-vanished way of spirit and incense in antiquity? Wow, we bare our hearts to you, but you hide things from us, not treating us like your own people at all. I, Li Lingsu, suggest we boot Daoist Jinlian out of the Heaven and Earth Society.】

【TWO: Seconded.】

【FOUR: Thirded.】

The three ‘social death’ members were taking revenge.

Daoist Jinlian was not flustered in the slightest, and replied via the transmission:

【Firstly, your ranks are too low, so this information is meaningless to you. Secondly, back then, when the Jianzheng was not sealed, who would dare leak secrets about the arcanist system? That old fellow always looks kindly and gentle, but he was actually ruthless to the core.】

The Jianzheng was gone now anyway, so he needn’t be so cautious with words.

Daoist, you’ve made a mistake, the Jianzheng is only sealed, not actually dead… Xu Qi’an was stirred, but felt there was no need to remind Daoist Jinlian.

【ONE: What are your plans now?】

Huaiqing sent via the Book.

【TWO: I plan to take my troops to war in Yongzhou.】

The others felt the same as Li Miaozhen. After raising troops for so long, it was time for battle.

【ONE: Although Xunzhou is a great victory, it is but temporary. Once Baidi returns, the Great Feng will face a massive crisis again. Do any of you have a plan?】

The Earth Book group fell silent.

The gap in raw strength was difficult to overcome with schemes.

Xu Qi’an had no solution either, and felt somewhat heavy-hearted.

【ONE: Never mind. Since Baidi has not yet returned, we still have time. If you think of any plans, share them in the Earth Book, we shall discuss together.】

With that, this internal Heaven and Earth Society meeting came to an end.

…

After putting away the Earth Book fragment, Luo Yuheng sensed “something wrong”, adjusted her hips, and was about to get up and dress when she suddenly heard Xu Qi’an sigh:

“Actually, there was something else I did not mention just now.”

Luo Yuheng tilted her head slightly, but remained lying down.

“I now finally understand why both Buddha and the Warlock God fought for the Central Plains, and I also understand how, even after consolidating their fortune, they can still have eternal life.”

Luo Yuheng was moved:

“You mean, they also used the methods of the way of spirit and incense?”

Xu Qi’an nodded:

“Only by such means can one consolidate fortune without being bound by the shackles of mortal lifespan. Now I finally realise that among all people, objects, and systems linked to fortune, Confucianism is the most unique.

“The Confucian way of consolidating fortune is likely completely different from the way of spirit and incense. This also leads to their short lifespans, yet terrifying strength.”

Luo Yuheng nodded almost imperceptibly, agreeing with his words.

“Enough, this is still far too remote for me,” she said.

Xu Qi’an suddenly became mischievous again, chuckling slyly:

“National Teacher, the Great Feng is counting on you. Let us continue to quell your karmic fire.”

Luo Yuheng’s willow brows stood upright:

“You’ve forgotten what we agreed to just yesterday?”

Xu Qi’an did not accept:

“But I also said a while ago, if I could answer their questions, you would dual cultivate with me once more.”

Luo Yuheng snorted coldly, “Did I promise you that?”

“You didn’t refuse either,” Xu Qi’an said confidently, then, aggrieved, “Is that not tacit agreement?

“Besides, we haven’t even gotten out of bed yet, so it doesn’t count as a second time. I swear, just this once, once we get out of bed, I’ll stop bothering you.”

As he spoke, he tried to move Luo Yuheng’s shoulder to lay her flat.

Auntie quickly turned to her side, refusing to let him succeed, her back to him.

She instantly realised this pose was even more dangerous and hurriedly turned back around, widening her beautiful eyes and glaring furiously at him.

Xu Qi’an, inhaling her faint fragrance, slipped his arm tightly around her smooth, supple waist:

“Just once, really, just once.”

Luo Yuheng let out a long breath, seeming a little helpless, turned her head to one side and said coldly:

“Just this once.”

Xu Qi’an pressed down on her, supporting himself on both sides of her slender waist.

…

There were still servants within the residence, though not many, but there were always enough to look after their master’s daily needs.

Yang Gong, in his youth, had also been a romantic scholar with beauties at his beck and call, and he arranged for Silver Gong Xu to have only young, lovely maidservants.

They were originally chosen to warm Silver Gong Xu’s bed.

Upon learning they were to attend Silver Gong Xu, the beautiful maidservants were all wildly excited. If Silver Gong Xu took a liking to one of them and accepted her into his chambers, it would be a rags-to-riches transformation, and she’d have a bright future.

Who would have thought, the very day Silver Gong Xu moved in, he brought back a beauty so stunning she seemed otherworldly, obviously no ordinary mortal.

Now, even with the sun high in the sky and lunchtime approaching, she had pinned Silver Gong Xu firmly to the bed.

Truly a seductive enchantress. She looked as poised as a celestial maiden, without the slightest air of a vulgar seductress.

The maids pretended to attend to tasks in the courtyard, all the while listening to the creaking of the bed within, thinking to themselves how remarkable it was, since dawn till nearly noon, not a single sound was made.

…

The same morning.

In Xu Manor in the capital, Auntie, attended by Lyu’e and several young maids, put on the formal attire of a first-rank entitled lady.

Since Huaiqing ascended the throne, she had been named a first-rank entitled lady. Xu Qi’an had neither father nor mother, and was raised by his uncle and aunt, so naturally this honour fell to her.

What did it mean to be a first-rank entitled lady?

Only the wife or mother of a first-rank official could be so honoured.

First-rank officials were of the three dukes level, and all the current first-rank entitled ladies were already grey-haired, either very old or long dead, and they were all wives, none were mothers.

After all, anyone able to make it to first-rank in officialdom would be half a step from the grave, and their parents would have passed on long before.

Auntie was probably the only genius of her age to become a first-rank entitled lady as a “mother”, and was certainly the youngest.

If she were in the cultivation world, her peers would draw a sharp breath and exclaim:

Such a woman is truly terrifying!

But in reality, Auntie had done nothing herself, she simply tended flowers and kept fish at home, and had somehow become peerless and unrivalled across the land.

Even Second Uncle Xu, when he first heard Auntie had been made an entitled lady, could not help sighing inwardly:

Dumb people have dumb luck!

Of course, outwardly he said:

My dear is truly blessed with great fortune.

The formal first-rank lady attire was extremely luxurious, from the number of hair ornaments to the sashes and embroidery, all strictly regulated.

For instance, the gold-plated and inlaid phoenix coronet Auntie now wore was so ornate and heavy she needed to adjust her neck every few steps.

“Lingyue, are you ready?”

Dressed in lavish attire and accompanied by maids, Auntie pushed open Xu Lingyue’s door.

Auntie was an exceedingly beautiful woman to begin with, and in her splendid clothes, her beauty was imbued with added nobility.

Seeing her eldest daughter sitting by the table in home attire, reading, Auntie immediately felt annoyed:

“Did you even listen to what your old mum said yesterday? Why aren’t you changed yet? We are going to the palace soon.”

Xu Lingyue replied calmly:

“Wearing such clothes, Mother, you ought not refer to yourself as ‘your old mum’. Such coarse language is beneath your dignity.”

Auntie was taken aback by her daughter’s retort and, at a loss, simply said:

“Lyu’e, help Miss change quickly. We’re heading to the palace soon to see Her Majesty the Empress and discuss your elder brother and Princess Consort Lin’an’s marriage.”[^1]

Xu Qi’an and Lin’an had already become engaged, a marriage arranged with their parents’ assent.

The wedding date had also been set for half a month after the Spring Sacrifice, and now there were half a month to go until the festival itself.

That was to say, Xu Qi’an and Princess Lin’an would be married in a month.

Acting as his “mother”, Auntie now had to go into the palace to discuss the details and etiquette of the wedding with Her Majesty the Empress.

This was a formality that had to be observed between elders.

Xu Lingyue put down her book and said expressionlessly:

“I have a headache today, so I won’t go. Didn’t I already tell you at breakfast, Mother?”

Auntie was briefly taken aback again and said in bewilderment:

“Did I forget?”

Xu Lingyue said,

“It’s fine, I don’t blame you, Mum.”

…Auntie was left speechless, wondering what was wrong with her daughter today. Her usually meek and easily bullied eldest daughter was so sharp-tongued all of a sudden.

She had even managed to leave her own mother tongue-tied, which was a rare occurrence indeed.

Xu Lingyue did not seem to be in a good mood, and her tone was cold:

“Isn’t Sister Simu going with you anyway?”

She scrutinised her mother, said “Oh”, and added:

“Mum’s just nervous and afraid of the occasion, aren’t you? You want to drag your daughter along to boost your confidence. But I am just a weak and helpless girl. I’ve never faced such a situation before. I simply won’t go.”

“Me, nervous? Nonsense!”

Auntie put her hands on her hips, thinking her daughter was undermining her, though she had indeed lost her nerve.

Xu Lingyue thought that, after all, their mother-daughter bond ran deep. Even though she was in a foul mood, she still gave her mother a tip:

“You don’t need to say anything, just put on a smile. If you can’t answer a question, just look at Sister Simu. She’ll help you deal with it.”

Just look at Simu… Auntie took that to heart, but spat back:

“Cheeky girl, stop offering rotten advice. Fine, don’t come if you don’t want to, your old… mother will go by herself.”

She immediately took her maid and headed to the inner hall, ordering a carriage to be prepared as she waited for Wang Simu.

Shortly after, Wang Simu arrived at Xu manor, dressed in bright clothes and maintaining her dignified manner. She entered the inner hall and obediently said,

“Auntie, it’s time. Shall we make for the palace?”

Auntie straightened her back, lifted her snowy chin a little, and replied with composure,

“Mm!”

So much pressure… Wang Simu glanced at her future mother-in-law, who did not need to be angry to command respect, and took a deep breath.

…

Xunzhou.

Xu Qi’an and the National Teacher’s dual cultivation was interrupted ahead of schedule. Sun Xuanji arrived with Protector Yuan to discuss the matters of constructing the teleportation formation.

Brother Sun, you’ve gone too far… Xu Qi’an cursed inwardly. He had wanted to ask a maid to inform Brother Sun to wait a few hours.

But Luo Yuheng did not give him that chance, kicking this insatiable scoundrel away, quickly putting on underwear and skirt, and donning her robe and feathered coat.

She then cast a small spell to mask her scent.

Xu Qi’an and Luo Yuheng welcomed Sun Xuanji and Protector Yuan in the inner hall, as the maids served hot tea.

“There needs to be a teleportation platform at Cloud Deer Academy, Sitianjian, Lingbao Temple, and the palace.”

Xu Qi’an had already arranged for this and said,

“As for the jade tokens for teleporting to Sitianjian and the palace, give them to me. The token to Cloud Deer Academy goes to the dean, and the token to Lingbao Temple goes to the National Teacher.”

Teleporting to the palace… Luo Yuheng cast him a cold sideways glance.

“As for here in Yongzhou, firstly, my house here needs a teleportation formation, so I can return here quickly from the capital. In addition, every major city along the Yongzhou defensive line must have a teleportation formation, so that the National Teacher and the dean can provide support at any time.”

Sun Xuanji nodded and glanced at Protector Yuan.

Protector Yuan unfurled a map and said,

“Yang Gong has already marked out the map, and decided where to set up the teleportation formations.”

This was far more detailed than what Xu Qi’an had said.

Not bad. With all these teleportation formations, our mobility would be enough to make the Yunzhou army despair. If only they could teleport whole armies… Xu Qi’an nodded in satisfaction.

Protector Yuan was currently focused on reading Sun Xuanji’s thoughts and did not notice him.

The teleportation jade tokens were single-use items that had to be constantly made. They were not expensive but not cheap either, so it was impossible for hundreds or thousands, let alone tens of thousands, of soldiers to be equipped at the same time.

No one could afford that!

And while Arcanists could also take people with them when teleporting, given Sun Xuanji’s third rank status, he could only take a few dozen people at most at one time, he couldn’t possibly support the teleportation of thousands upon thousands of people.

“I want a jade token for the palace teleportation as well,” said Luo Yuheng coolly.

Sun Xuanji immediately looked at Xu Qi’an, who said at once,

“If the National Teacher wishes it, of course we must agree.”

Sun Xuanji nodded and had no objection.

…

The pretty maids carried bedding and sheets out of the east wing, walked across the courtyard and arrived at a secluded corner to wash them.

They shook open the sheets and hung them on the bamboo poles, only to find the sheets were damp, irregular waterstains covering half of them.

“Ha!”

The beautiful maid who shook open the sheet sneered,

“And here I thought she was some proud and aloof immortal. Just look at these sheets.”

“People really shouldn’t be judged by their looks. What ordinary woman could have a physique like hers? No wonder Silver Gong Xu couldn’t get out of bed.”

The maids clustered around the sheet, clicking their tongues in amazement and chattering suggestively.

In the inner hall.

Luo Yuheng’s face instantly flushed red, and she glared at Xu Qi’an furiously, as if about to tear him apart.

No trace of the cold arrogance of the National Teacher remained.

With the cultivation they possessed, not a single gust or rustle in the residence could escape their five senses.

Have we ever not soaked half the sheets with our dual cultivation? Haven’t you got used to it yet? Always pretending to be prim and proper… Xu Qi’an grumbled inwardly, an embarrassed look on his face. He was just about to apologise and say something nice via voice transmission,

When beside him, Protector Yuan’s eyes lit up. The blue pupils scrutinised Xu Qi’an, and he intoned,

“Silver Gong Xu’s thoughts told me: Have we ever not soaked half the sheets with our dual cultivation? Haven’t you got used to it yet? Always pretending to be prim and proper…”

??? Xu Qi’an’s neck stiffened. He shifted his gaze from Luo Yuheng’s face and, little by little, turned towards Protector Yuan.

A few seconds later.

“Boom!”

The inner hall’s roof suddenly blew off, broken beams and tiles scattering in all directions.

A dark gold figure soared into the air, fleeing towards the sky.

A woman with fluttering feathered robes chased right after, voice cold as frost,

“Sword, come!”

From the east wing, a streak of sword light shot upwards, landing in Luo Yuheng’s hand as she soared away into the azure sky.

Inside the hall, Protector Yuan’s compulsive mindreading stopped. He turned his head to survey the broken tiles and beams scattered everywhere, realising in shock that he had caused a catastrophe.

His furry face turned deathly white. He looked to Sun Xuanji, voice trembling,

“Bro- Brother Sun, I didn’t do it on purpose. I couldn’t help myself…”

Sun Xuanji shook his head and patted him gently on the shoulder with a kindly expression.

Protector Yuan read his thoughts:

“It’s alright.”

Protector Yuan had just breathed a sigh of relief, when he heard the second half:

“You didn’t have a choice in this life. In the next, be a good monkey.”

[^1] Now that Huaiqing is on the throne, some things to disambiguate on translations of chinese titles: Huaiqing is referred to as Emperor (male title) but otherwise uses “Her Majesty”. The Empress (dowager, Shangguan whatever-she’s-called) is still the Empress. They are distinct roles.

763. The Earth Book and the Gatekeeper (double chapter)

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