Tian Ji and Tian Shu exchanged glances, then knelt together: “Your Majesty, please forgive us. We failed to obtain the lotus seeds.”
The smile on Emperor Yuan Jing’s face gradually faded, replaced by a deep, somber expression. He spoke slowly:
“Twenty cannons, twenty-six experts, and you two Fourth-Rank cultivators. With Earth Sect Daoists cooperating with you. I’ll give you a chance to explain. If there’s truly a valid reason, I may forgive you.”
Tian Ji glanced at his companion, then said in a deep voice: “Your Majesty, Jian Province was in turmoil this time. Besides us and the Earth Sect, there were experts from the Martial Alliance who came out in full force to compete for the lotus seeds.”
Emperor Yuan Jing’s face was expressionless: “So, you lost to the Martial Alliance?”
Tian Ji sensed a chill and hurriedly said:
“Not the Martial Alliance. The Earth Sect Daoists hiding the nine-colored lotus invited several helpers. They were: Li Miao Zhen, the Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect; former constable Xu Qi An; Chu Yuan Zhen, a nominal disciple of the Human Sect; Yang Qian Huan from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau; as well as a monk and a young girl from the Strength Gu Clan of the Southern Frontier…”
The female spy Tian Shu, who had remained silent, keenly noticed that His Majesty’s breathing suddenly became slightly rapid when he heard the name “Xu Qi An.”
She didn’t raise her head to peek at the emperor’s face, but she could guess that His Majesty’s expression must be very unpleasant now.
Emperor Yuan Jing’s expression was more than unpleasant. His face was as dark as water, the veins on his forehead slightly protruding, showing the appearance of someone desperately suppressing their anger.
“Who would have thought? Once an insignificant nobody, now he’s become a dog that bites,” Emperor Yuan Jing’s cold laughter squeezed out from between his teeth. “I just issued an edict of self-reproach and was thinking of settling accounts with him after the storm passed. His entire Xu clan is in the capital. We’ll see how I deal with him.”
After a pause, he said: “Continue.”
Tian Ji recounted everything he had seen and heard in detail, including the conflict between the mysterious young master and Xu Qi An. Of course, regarding this part, his view was that the mysterious young master was the direct disciple of some power, who, out of jealousy for Xu Qi An’s reputation, wanted to make a name for himself by stepping on Xu Qi An, which is why he deliberately targeted him.
This was logical.
“How did Xu Qi An get mixed up with the Earth Sect Daoists?” Emperor Yuan Jing suddenly asked.
“This subordinate hasn’t had time to investigate yet,” Tian Ji reported. Seeing that Emperor Yuan Jing had fallen silent again, he skipped this topic and continued.
Emperor Yuan Jing listened quietly until he heard Tian Ji say that Xu Qi An threw out a protective talisman, shouting “National Preceptor, save me,” and the National Preceptor came riding on golden light… The old emperor’s expression changed drastically.
“How did the National Preceptor get involved? How could he summon her? By what right could he summon the National Preceptor…”
Emperor Yuan Jing paced back and forth in the Imperial Study, his expression alternating between ferocious and gloomy.
Why did she, the National Preceptor, respond to Xu Qi An’s call for help? When did they become involved?
Indescribable emotions welled up in his heart. Emperor Yuan Jing’s expression suddenly turned ferocious as he had the idea of immediately eliminating Xu Qi An, killing this vicious dog that would bite.
Regardless of the edict of self-reproach, regardless of the opinions of his ministers, regardless of what the world would think…
It wasn’t because he feared Xu Qi An’s rapid growth. Emperor Yuan Jing had seen many talented individuals with good aptitude. Wasn’t Chu Yuan Zhen one of them? But Emperor Yuan Jing couldn’t even be bothered to deal with him.
It was because Xu Qi An had called for the National Preceptor’s help, and she had responded!
“Prepare the carriage. We’re going to Lingbao Temple!” Emperor Yuan Jing said, enunciating each word.
…
At Haoqi Tower.
Xu Qi An wore a sky-blue brocade robe embroidered with light blue cloud patterns. His jade pendants clinked as he moved. His hair was bound with an openwork gold crown, and he wore cloud-stepping boots.
At first glance, he looked even nobler than a prince. Combined with his tall stature, handsome features, deep and spirited eyes, and that touch of liveliness between his brows… it formed a unique blend of the qualities of a noble young master from a prestigious family and a frivolous young man from the streets.
Wei Yuan looked at the young man sitting opposite him, slightly dazed, and smiled: “I’m used to seeing you in the night watchman’s uniform. Changing your outfit occasionally is indeed refreshing to the eye.”
“My sister made it for me, sewing every stitch,” Xu Qi An held his teacup, recalling the infatuated look in Xu Ling Yue’s eyes at the time, and smiled, “Lord Wei, what do you think of my chances of wooing Princess Huai Qing in this attire?”
Wei Yuan looked at him calmly, his eyes containing the vicissitudes washed out by the years, “This isn’t your usual way of speaking. If you have something to say, just say it directly.”
“When investigating the case of Consort Fu, I learned from the Imperial Uncle that you and the Empress were childhood sweethearts and that you regard Huai Qing as your daughter. I thought that if I could become the Imperial Son-in-Law, you would surely treat me as your son-in-law,” Xu Qi An smiled and said, “Lord Wei has treated me extremely well, with kindness as heavy as a mountain. Despite having no blood relation, you’ve carefully nurtured me, all because of those three questions of conscience…”
Wei Yuan’s expression was gentle: “It seems you’ve gained some extra insights from this trip to Jian Province.”
Xu Qi An put down his teacup, took out three dice from his sleeve, and placed them on the table one by one, saying softly:
“In my hometown… well, when I was a constable in Changle County, I learned a drinking game from the street folk called ‘Truth or Dare.’
“The points on the dice determine the outcome. The one with the lower points either answers a question or drinks a cup of wine. I want to play this game with you, Lord Wei, but without drinking, only telling the truth.”
He looked calmly at the man in blue robes, “If you’re unwilling, I… this lowly official will leave immediately. From then on, I won’t bother you again.”
This time, there was no smile on Wei Yuan’s face. He stared at Xu Qi An for a very long time.
“Have you thought it through?”
“Yes.”
Wei Yuan in blue robes nodded and raised his hand from within his sleeve, making a gesture of invitation.
Phew… Xu Qi An let out a sigh of relief, but couldn’t help feeling nervous.
He picked up the teacup, lightly wiped it, and rolled the three dice into the cup. Clank, clank, clank! The dice collided and spun in the teacup. As Xu Qi An turned it over, they settled into silence.
He opened the teacup. Six, six, six!
I knew it. With my luck, I’m unbeatable at dice, especially now that the jade pendant from Jian Zheng has cracked and my luck is leaking out… Xu Qi’an thought to himself.
Wei Yuan picked up the teacup, then wiped it, shook it for a moment, and turned it over on the table. Without any suspense, he revealed it directly.
Two, five, six.
He smiled gently and said, “What do you want to ask?”
Xu Qi An pondered and said, “What is your relationship with the Empress?”
He chose this question not out of simple curiosity. Firstly, the nature of Wei Yuan and the Empress’s relationship would determine the extent of the falling out between Wei Yuan and Emperor Yuan Jing.
Secondly, Lin An’s birth mother, Consort Chen, was a pawn of the mysterious sorcerer. The relationship between the Empress and Wei Yuan would determine whether the mysterious sorcerer would use the same trick again, plotting through the Empress to frame Wei Yuan.
Lastly, out of a pervert’s intuition, Xu Qi An felt that the relationship between the Empress and Wei Yuan was not simple.
“You know quite a bit.”
Wei Yuan put away his gentle expression, his eyes, weathered by the years, sharpened a bit. He stared intently for a moment and said, “I will tell you about my relationship with the Empress in the future, but not now. Heh, you didn’t say I had to tell you now either.”
You’re exploiting this loophole… Xu Qi An nodded, “Alright.”
Wei Yuan’s words indirectly confirmed that his relationship with the Empress was not ordinary, which was a kind of answer in itself.
In the second round, Xu Qi An again rolled six, six, six, while Wei Yuan got five, five, one.
Xu Qi An lowered his eyes, looked at the dice in front of Wei Yuan, paused for a moment, then slowly raised his gaze to stare at him: “Lord Wei, do you know what secret is hidden behind the Battle of Shanhai Pass?”
Wei Yuan said calmly, “If you’re referring to the theft of Da Feng’s fortune, then yes, I know.”
He knows about the secret of Da Feng’s national fortune being stolen… The surprise that welled up in Xu Qi An’s heart was immediately suppressed, his face remaining impassive.
Wei Yuan’s gaze lowered slightly as he said, “Whenever a war breaks out, it’s a time when the national fortune is shaken. If we win, the national fortune increases a bit; if we lose, it decreases a bit.
“The larger the scale of the battle, the greater the fluctuation in national fortune. In the middle of the Da Zhou Dynasty, when feudal lords rebelled and the rebel army reached the capital of Da Zhou, historical records show that people’s hearts were unsettled, and the gentry class was in a state of anxiety.
“Although the rebellion was eventually suppressed, it became the turning point of Da Zhou’s decline. The Battle of Shanhai Pass was a mixed battle between various countries, with a total troop deployment exceeding one million. The scale was rarely seen in historical records. The intensity of the national fortune’s fluctuation was likely far greater than during Emperor Wu Zong’s purge of the court.
“If one wanted to steal the national fortune, the Battle of Shanhai Pass would have been the best opportunity. Unfortunately, I only realized this later.”
When Wei Yuan mentioned that the troop deployment exceeded one million, he was referring to true elite soldiers, not including militia and auxiliary troops. Historical records often describe armies of 100,000 or 300,000 marching to battle.
But in reality, these numbers are greatly inflated, including logistical militia. The number of soldiers fighting on the battlefield might not even reach a third of the total.
In the Battle of Shanhai Pass, the elite troops that could fight on the battlefield, deployed by Da Feng, the Buddhist Kingdom, the northern and southern barbarian tribes, the demon race, and the Shaman-God Cult, exceeded one million.
So that’s why the first-generation Jian Zheng and the former leader of the Heaven Gu Clan planned such a war. It was to pry loose the national fortune of Da Feng, the orthodox dynasty of the Central Plains… Xu Qi An suddenly understood.
Although he knew that Da Feng’s national fortune had been stolen during the Battle of Shanhai Pass, he didn’t understand the principles behind it.
Third round.
Xu Qi An’s luck was explosive, rolling another 666, but this time the situation was different. When Wei Yuan revealed his teacup, it was also 666.
“How rare!”
Wei Yuan smiled and said, “Why don’t we each ask a question?”
Xu Qi An nodded in agreement and was the first to ask his question: “Does Lord Wei know who stole the national fortune? What was their purpose?”
Wei Yuan shook his head: “Among the major systems, only sorcerers and Confucians are closely related to fortune, with the Human Sect being half-related. And only sorcerers and Confucians can manipulate national fortune.
“In the current Confucian system, the highest-ranking person is Zhao Shou, the principal of Yunlu Academy. He’s not quite capable of manipulating Da Feng’s national fortune. So that leaves only the sorcerers.
“Sorcerers can screen heavenly secrets. How could I possibly know who it is? Even if I knew, I would have long ‘forgotten.'”
Xu Qi An took a deep breath: “It was the first-generation Jian Zheng.”
After saying this, he stared unblinkingly at Wei Yuan, hoping to see a reaction of “drastic change in expression” in his eyes.
Indeed, Wei Yuan’s eyes suddenly darkened, and his fingers resting on the table trembled slightly.
He stared intently at Xu Qi An, his body involuntarily leaning forward, his tone slightly urgent: “Explain clearly, what do you know? What intelligence do you have?”
Xu Qi An said, “Lord Wei, is this your question?”
Unexpectedly, Wei Yuan shook his head, composed himself, and regained his calm demeanor.
Wei Yuan in blue robes shook his head and asked gently: “My question is: The sealed object under Sang Po is inside you, isn’t it?”
A bolt from the blue.
…
At Lingbao Temple.
Emperor Yuan Jing sat in the familiar quiet room, looking at the flawless beauty opposite him. Luo Yu Heng was one of the most heart-stirring women he had ever seen.
No matter how his mood changed or how his preferences for women changed, Luo Yu Heng could always satisfy his aesthetic tastes, never causing aesthetic fatigue.
This woman, although she had never agreed to dual cultivation with him, had long been a forbidden delicacy in Emperor Yuan Jing’s heart.
Moreover, his long-cherished plan for longevity still relied on this woman to realize.
Therefore, any man who had close dealings with Luo Yu Heng was not allowed.
She could disdain me, she could perfunctorily deal with me, she could brush me off, all of that doesn’t matter. But if she shows favor to another man, gives him special attention.
That man would have only one path – death.
Emperor Yuan Jing was filled with killing intent towards Xu Qi An. Even if the storm of the self-reproach edict hadn’t passed, he had countless ways to target Xu Qi An.
Is it difficult for an emperor to deal with a commoner?
Not at all.
Previously, ignoring him and letting him run amok was because Emperor Yuan Jing had never considered him an opponent, not worthy of it. His enemies were the court officials, Jian Zheng, and Zhao Shou.
Xu Qi An was nothing more than a pawn in the storm.
Even now, he didn’t view Xu Qi An as an enemy, originally thinking of settling accounts after the storm had passed.
He didn’t expect this vicious dog to bite flesh it shouldn’t have.
Well then, even if it costs something, the vicious dog must be put down.
Emperor Yuan Jing stared at the female National Preceptor and said in a deep voice: “I heard from the Prince of Huai’s spies that the National Preceptor also intervened in the Jian Province affair?”
Luo Yu Heng, with her fair face like flawless jade, nodded slightly.
“Why did the National Preceptor intervene in this matter?” Emperor Yuan Jing pressed.
“The nine-colored lotus is a supreme treasure of my Daoist sect. How could we allow outsiders to covet it?” Luo Yu Heng’s red lips parted slightly, her voice cold and clear. “Rather, why did Your Majesty attempt to seize the lotus seeds?”
Emperor Yuan Jing patiently explained: “My aptitude for cultivating the Dao is dull, and I have yet to form the Golden Core. I’m extremely anxious. When I learned that the nine-colored lotus seeds could open one’s mind to enlightenment, I sent people to retrieve them.”
After he finished speaking, he saw Luo Yu Heng nod, accepting his explanation. He suddenly smiled and spoke in a casual tone as if making small talk:
“I heard that Xu Qi’an burned a talisman to summon the National Preceptor. Ha, I appreciate him—he’s talented, ambitious, and has a strong sense of justice. But he’s too young to understand the importance of the bigger picture.
“He needs a few more years of tempering. This time, demoting him to a commoner will be a good opportunity to grind down his impulsive nature. However, I didn’t expect that he and the National Preceptor would have such a relationship.”
Luo Yuheng frowned slightly and responded coldly, “What kind of relationship could someone as insignificant as a mere commoner have with me?”
Emperor Yuanjing’s eyes flashed with a sharp glint, and he quickly pressed, “If that’s the case, then how was he able to summon the National Preceptor?”