Luo Yuheng needed a man blessed with a great destiny for dual cultivation. She became the Imperial Preceptor but always refused to practice dual cultivation with Emperor Yuan Jing…
Daoist Jin Lian most likely knew about my destiny blessing. He had repeatedly asked Luo Yuheng for medicine, specifically requesting me to go…
Before departing for Chu Province, Luo Yuheng had entrusted Chu Yuanzhen to deliver a sword talisman to me…
When guarding the lotus seed in Sword Province, Daoist Jin Lian forcefully gave me a protective talisman, telling me to call for Luo Yuheng in times of crisis, and she truly came…
Various details, both seemingly reasonable and unreasonable, flashed through Xu Qi An’s mind one by one.
If that’s the case, then I’m in for a real headache! His face revealed a complex expression.
“But I heard the Imperial Preceptor didn’t choose to practice dual cultivation with Yuan Jing,” Xu Qi An said casually, stabilizing his emotions.
The Princess Consort looked up, showing a thoughtful expression, and shook her head:
“Hmm… I don’t know about that. I often advise her to just submit to Emperor Yuan Jing. Choosing the emperor as a Dao partner wouldn’t be beneath her.
“But she seems dissatisfied with Emperor Yuan Jing, dissatisfied in every aspect. No, I can sense her disdain for Emperor Yuan Jing.”
Dissatisfied in every aspect, not just because his destiny isn’t enough… Xu Qi An’s eyes flashed as he asked:
“For a woman of the Imperial Preceptor’s cultivation level, she probably wouldn’t care about the three obediences and four virtues like ordinary women, right?”
The Princess Consort made an affirmative sound: “Luo Yuheng certainly wouldn’t, but what does choosing a Dao partner have to do with those rituals? Choosing a Dao partner is an extremely cautious matter.”
This Luo Yuheng is quite the shark… Xu Qi An’s heart sank.
Dual cultivation was equivalent to choosing a Dao partner, which showed how seriously Luo Yuheng took matters between men and women. So, after evaluating Emperor Yuan Jing, she truly only borrowed his destiny to suppress the karmic fire, never intending to practice dual cultivation with him.
If my earlier guess is correct, Luo Yuheng is also evaluating me.
Once she feels it wouldn’t hurt to try dual cultivation with me, it means she’s ready to choose a Dao partner.
Given how seriously Little Aunt views Dao’s partners, and her status as a second-grade expert, if she chooses me, would any of the fish in my pond have a chance to survive?
If that’s the case, my head suddenly doesn’t feel so big anymore… he inwardly complained.
Everything has its pros and cons. The advantage is that I’ve gained another trump card. In the future, if necessary, I can sell myself to Luo Yuheng in exchange for favors.
Of course, this assumes she’s quite satisfied with me and puts me at the top of her Dao partner candidate list.
Hmm, I should find an opportunity to test her.
“Why are you asking about this so clearly?” the Princess Consort asked suspiciously.
“For a beauty like the Imperial Preceptor who could topple a city or a nation, becoming her Dao partner would be a blessing earned from eight lifetimes of cultivation,” Xu Qi An said with feigned emotion.
“Stop dreaming. With your meager qualifications, how could Luo Yuheng possibly be interested in you?”
The Princess Consort’s reaction was unexpectedly strong, full of cold mockery.
Then, she casually touched the Buddhist prayer beads on her wrist and said coolly: “Luo Yuheng’s appearance is certainly not bad, but to say she could topple a city or a nation is an overstatement.”
Having said this, she raised her chin and looked down at Xu Qi An.
This posture clearly said “Look at me, look at me” and “I’m the true first beauty of Great Feng.”
Xu Qi An scoffed disdainfully: “Why don’t you go look in the mirror?”
The Princess Consort became furious and threw small pebbles at him.
“Alright, alright, the Imperial Preceptor is far inferior to you,” Xu Qi An said perfunctorily.
The Princess Consort was still unsatisfied. She gripped her prayer beads, determined to reveal her true appearance to this boy, to let him know whether Luo Yuheng or she was more beautiful.
“Think carefully. This is the capital. If you take off your prayer beads, the Imperial Observatory might bring soldiers to arrest you tomorrow,” Xu Qi An threatened.
The Princess Consort immediately backed down.
The Director was the Director, and the Imperial Observatory was the Imperial Observatory. What the Director knew, other mages at the Imperial Observatory might not necessarily know. If they discovered the Princess Consort’s dazzling aura, they might immediately report it to the palace. Although Xu Qi An could stop them, it would also expose his secret of hiding the Huai Prince’s widow.
Once a secret is known, it becomes difficult to keep.
Additionally, there was another small secret he couldn’t mention. He was afraid to see the Princess Consort’s true face. That hidden woman was too radiant, too perfect to seem like a mortal being.
Even facing a woman of ordinary appearance, Xu Qi An could feel his fondness for her growing day by day. If he were to see that peerless beauty again, he couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t do something to her tonight.
For instance, making her understand what it means for a melon to be ripe and fall from its stem.
Although the Princess Consort wasn’t very comfortable with Xu Qi An’s praise for Luo Yuheng, overall, she had quite enjoyable day.
So the next morning, before Xu Qi An left, she made noodles for him to eat.
…
“So sticky and mushy, and so salty. The Princess Consort’s noodles are truly awful. So much chicken essence is she trying to choke me to death… One day I’ll let her taste my cooking skills and teach her properly.”
Xu Qi An complained while entering the brothel, changing his appearance and clothes before returning home.
After cultivating for two hours, he rode his mare, clip-clopping to a high-class brothel.
Waiting for a long time in a familiar private room, Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao finally arrived, wearing watchmen uniforms, and carrying bronze gongs and sabers.
Since they were discussing official business, they didn’t call for courtesans. The three sat around the table, watching the opera performance in the main hall below while drinking and eating peanuts.
“How’s the investigation I asked you to do?” Xu Qi An kicked Song Tingfeng.
“Last night, a group of black-robed figures did enter the inner city through the south gate. They even warned the gate guards not to leak this information. Huh, these northerners from Chu Province don’t know whose territory the capital is. I spent one-tenth of a tael of silver to get the information from last night’s guard.”
Song Tingfeng took a sip of wine, smacked his lips, and said: “They didn’t enter the imperial city. After entering the inner city, they disappeared. This morning, I asked the silver gong watchmen patrolling the imperial city to investigate, and indeed, no one saw that group of spies enter the imperial city.”
Didn’t enter the imperial city?
Is Hengyuan imprisoned somewhere in the inner city? No, it’s also possible he was secretly sent into the imperial city, or even the palace, just like how Marquis Pingyuan secretly sent kidnapped people into the imperial city.
“The Daoist said Master Hengyuan won’t be in mortal danger in the short term, so we should have quite a bit of time. We can’t be too hasty. If Hengyuan was taken into the palace, rescuing him would inevitably lead to a break with Emperor Yuan Jing.
“If that’s the case, I need to prepare an escape route in advance and get ready. We can’t rush to rescue him…”
As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Xu Qi An said: “Notify the brothers patrolling the streets. If they notice anything unusual in the inner city or see spies wearing black robes and masks, they must inform me immediately.”
Zhu Guangxiao nodded and made an affirmative sound.
Song Tingfeng suddenly said: “By the way, I heard that in three days, the delegation from the northern barbarians and demons will enter the capital.”
Is the barbarian and demon delegation entering the capital? They just joined forces to break through Chu Province’s city, how long has it been? How dare they enter the capital? Xu Qi An frowned:
“I haven’t heard about this.”
Song Tingfeng snorted: “His Majesty held a small court meeting yesterday to secretly discuss this matter. Silver Gong Jiang revealed it to us last night while drinking at the Imperial Entertainment Bureau.”
I know about the Northern War. Given the delay in information transmission, the northern conflict should have started long ago. But even so, for the northern barbarians and demons to send a delegation to the capital, this is enough to show that the war situation is unfavorable… Xu Qi An pondered:
“The barbarians and demons seem too weak, seeking help so quickly?”
The northern barbarians and demons, Great Feng, and the Witch God Cult formed a three-way balance of power.
Song Tingfeng said: “Jing Guo’s cavalry is the best in the Nine Provinces. Before the Battle of Shanhai Pass, the barbarian cavalry could contend with Jing Guo’s, but after the battle, the barbarian experts were nearly wiped out. Now, Jing Guo’s cavalry reigns supreme in the Nine Provinces.
“I think the northern war won’t drag on for long. The northern barbarians won’t last through this year.”
Zhu Guangxiao added: “After Jili Zhigu’s death, the barbarians and demons only have one Zhu Jiu, while the Witch God Cult doesn’t lack high-grade experts. Moreover, the battlefield is the home turf for witches. The Witch God Cult’s ability to control corpse soldiers is terrifying.”
Zhu Jiu was seriously injured after the battle at Chu Province’s city and hasn’t fully recovered. Thinking about it this way, it makes sense… Xu Qi An nodded.
Zhu Guangxiao sighed: “Compared to Great Feng’s gradually weakening national power, the three countries under the Witch God Cult’s rule are growing stronger day by day. If it weren’t for Lord Wei still being around…”
As watchmen who monitored officials, Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng had broad perspectives and could perceive Great Feng’s weakening national power.
It was getting worse year by year.
However, their patriotic sentiments were soon replaced by the giggles of young women.
Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao each chose a pretty girl and embraced them as they entered a room to get down to business.
Xu Qi An sat alone at the table, silently drinking and expressionlessly watching the opera performance in the main hall below.
…
That night, in Xu Er Lang’s study.
Xu Qi An held a teacup, listening to Xu Er Lang’s recitation, and frowned: “Is that all?”
“The Hanlin Academy has been quite busy lately. The court wants to revise military books, so I haven’t had much time to memorize the late emperor’s daily records,” Xu Er Lang explained helplessly.
“Revising military books?”
“It’s customary to revise military books during wartime,” Xu Er Lang took a sip of tea and said:
“Let me tell you something. In three days, the northern barbarian and demon delegation will enter the capital. The northern war is raging, and unless something unexpected happens, the court will send troops to support the barbarians and demons.
“When intelligence from Chu Province arrived, the court had already made this decision, but it still needed time to build up. Heh, to put it bluntly, it’s about stirring up people’s hearts. Tomorrow, the Imperial College will hold a literary gathering in the imperial city, aimed at promoting pro-war ideology.”
Huai Qing told me about this. Oh right, I still need to accompany her to the literary gathering… Xu Qi An remembered.
He hadn’t experienced war in his previous life, but he had read a lot of ancient and modern history. He could understand what Xu Er Lang was trying to express.
Mobilization during wartime was a method used since ancient times. It was necessary to tell the people why we were going to war and what the significance of the war was.
Of course, in this era, the court needed to mobilize not ordinary people, but the scholar-official class.
“So, is the daily record I’ve been reciting useful to you, Brother?” Xu Er Lang asked.
“Yes!”
Xu Qi An gave an affirmative answer and said:
“From this daily record, we can see that the late emperor didn’t frequently ask about the Human Sect’s method of immortality, but it wasn’t rare either. This shows that he had some illusions about immortality.
“But for some reason, he also didn’t hold necessary illusions about immortality. For now, I haven’t seen any indication that the late emperor wanted to cultivate.”
“The late emperor never cultivated in the first place,” Xu Er Lang said, then frowned: “For some reason?”
The late emperor was a smart man, he knew his limits… Xu Qi An smiled without explaining, instead saying:
“The late emperor never cultivated until his death, but he did have illusions about cultivation. I guess the late emperor might have influenced Emperor Yuan Jing. Keep looking at the daily records and memorize them as soon as possible.”
The next day, heavy rain poured down, with wind carrying rain sprays, bringing a hint of coolness.
Rainwater flowed along the eaves, forming curtains of water droplets.
As summer gradually came to an end, the green seedlings in the fields showed signs of turning yellow.
It was a day off, and Xu Er Lang stood under the eaves, saying with some emotion: “It looks like we won’t be able to attend the literary gathering.”
Xu Qi An walked out of the room and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him, watching the rain. He smiled and said: “I think so too, so Er Lang, let me borrow your official badge.”
Opposite the brothers, in the east wing, Xu Lingyin stood under the eaves, waving a tree branch, constantly “cutting” the water curtains under the eaves, never tiring of it.
Her little shoes and trouser cuffs were wet from the rain.
At this time, Li Na was still sound asleep, Li Miaozhen was meditating in her room, and Second Uncle Xu, wearing a straw raincoat and bamboo hat, had miserably gone to work his shift.
Xu Qi An also had business today. He was going to the Lingbao Temple to do two things: First, to test Luo Yuheng’s true attitude towards him.
Second, to ask about the previous generation’s Human Sect leader.
…
In the pouring rain, Wei Yuan’s carriage moved through the rain curtain, with raindrops constantly bursting on the carriage roof, making pattering sounds.
Da Qingyi opened the carriage window, silently watching the rain blur the world.
At one moment, the rainwater seemed to freeze for an instant, like an illusion.
“Rain can wash away dust, but it can’t cleanse people’s hearts.”
A sigh sounded in the carriage, the voice carrying a sense of vicissitude.
Wei Yuan continued to look at the rain curtain and said calmly: “Is the rainy scenery of Qingyun Mountain not as beautiful as what I have here?”
The silently appearing Principal Zhao Shou had a serious expression: “After the Battle of Shanhai Pass, Great Feng should have been thriving, but because, because…”
Zhao Shou tried to speak several times but found he couldn’t remember.
“Because something happened during that time. At the end of the imperial examination year, the statue in the Extreme Abyss cracked, and the one in the northeast did the same. In the end, you only bought twenty years for Great Feng and humanity. All these years, I’ve been thinking, if the Director hadn’t stood by and watched back then, the outcome would have been different.”
Wei Yuan still showed no expression, his tone flat: “Man proposes, but God disposes. Nothing in this world will go according to your wishes, Zhao Shou, nor according to mine. The Director is not on the same path as you and me.”
Zhao Shou nodded and said: “The Worm God is an ancient deity, but also a rootless duckweed. The Witch God is different. He dominates the northeast, ruling over millions of lives. He holds at least a third of humanity’s destiny.
“If He breaks the seal, no one in the Nine Provinces can stop Him. Unless the Confucian Sage is resurrected.”
Wei Yuan sighed: “I will stop Him. I’ve been making preparations since last year.”
Zhao Shou stared at him and asked: “What if you fail?”
Wei Yuan smiled: “Have you ever seen me lose?”
…
The carriage slowly came to a stop outside the palace gates.
Nan Gong Qianrou loosened the reins and opened the carriage door, saying: “Foster father, we’ve arrived.”
He scrutinized the carriage compartment. Apart from Wei Yuan, there was no one else. However, while driving, his warrior’s instinct had caught a fleeting sense of something unusual.
Nan Gong Qianrou opened a large umbrella and guided Wei Yuan out of the carriage. Raindrops pattered on the oiled paper umbrella.
Wei Yuan took the umbrella and said calmly: “Wait for me here.”
He held the umbrella and entered the palace alone, his blue robe swaying in the wind and rain as if he were facing the world’s storms and tempests all by himself.