Since Xu Qi An left the capital, Princess Huaiqing had never actively contacted him.

When Xu Xinnian visited earlier to discuss oversights in the donation strategy, he pointed out the new emperor’s lack of authority and inability to control the court officials.

“If only Big Brother were in the capital!” Second Young Master Xu sighed.

Unfortunately, since Xu Qi An began wandering the jianghu, he had cut off all contact with the capital and never sent any letters home.

Huaiqing certainly knew that if Xu Qi An were in the capital, his influence would be stronger. Given his past actions—blocking the palace gates, executing the Duke, and killing the former emperor—many officials would willingly donate money with just one word from him. No one wanted to provoke that man.

But Huaiqing hadn’t reached out to him. It wasn’t because it would be awkward or they weren’t close enough… She simply felt that if Great Zhou truly reached a point where it needed one person to handle everything, then its fate would truly be sealed.

“Has your dog servant sent you any letters?” Huaiqing asked.

“Of course!” Lin’an lifted her snow-white chin proudly. “Many of them!”

“In your dreams,” Huaiqing mercilessly exposed the truth.

“You…” Lin’an glared at her.

Huaiqing lifted her teacup with good humor and took a small sip.

Lin’an left angrily, returning to Shaoyin Palace in low spirits.

“Your Highness, did you get upset again at Dexin Court?” Her maid covered her mouth and giggled.

Lin’an remained silent, feeling dispirited. She accepted the tea offered by her maid but didn’t drink it, just holding it to warm her hands.

After sitting for a while, Lin’an suddenly said, “Sometimes I think I’m not important to him.”

Her maid naturally understood her meaning and asked gently, “Why would Your Highness think that?”

“I’m not as clever as Huaiqing, my temperament isn’t good, and I have no cultivation. Back when he was still a Silver Badge, I was a princess, and I felt confident then.”

“Confident enough to put your hands on your hips in front of him every day,” the maid added quietly.

“But now I can’t even do that anymore. I’m completely useless to him.”

Lin’an’s face showed rare melancholy. These inner thoughts she could only confide to the maid who had grown up with her.

The maid said, “This servant believes Master Xu’s feelings for Your Highness have nothing to do with whether you’re useful or not. If the prerequisite for loving someone is their usefulness, what meaning would such love have? Your Highness should just be yourself.”

Lin’an suddenly became agitated: “Then why doesn’t he contact me? Even when he was investigating cases before, he only thought of Huaiqing, discussing everything with her alone. Now that he’s left the capital, there’s no news at all. I sent him letters through the Celestial Observatory long ago, but he never replied. Now that the Emperor is in trouble, he’s the only one I can rely on, but I can’t even find him…”

As she spoke, her voice grew quieter, and she lowered her head dejectedly.

…

Near dusk, a streak of pale golden light crossed the capital’s sky, landing on the Eight Trigrams Platform of the Celestial Observatory.

As the golden light dispersed, it revealed Xu Qi An and his group of seven.

The Observatory Master sat behind his desk, facing away from everyone, overlooking the capital.

Miao Youfang nervously looked around, his legs slightly weak. This was his first time in the capital, his first time ascending the legendary Star-Watching Tower, and his first time meeting the Observatory Master.

White hair and white clothes, truly a divine immortal… Miao Youfang gazed at the Observatory Master’s back, feeling spontaneous admiration.

Li Lingsu was also visiting the capital and meeting the Observatory Master for the first time. Though somewhat restrained, he remained generally composed.

Luo Yuheng waved her wide sleeve, revealing the seated Detaching Emotions Arhat.

“You may all go ahead, I need to speak with the Observatory Master,” Xu Qi An said, sweeping his gaze across everyone.

Li Lingsu was burning with curiosity, hoping to stay and perhaps hear some high-level secrets that might reveal Master Xu’s true identity… but since his senior had spoken, he could only obediently leave.

Watching Li Meizhen and the others descend the stairs, Xu Qi An let out a breath, finally dropping his act as a profound expert.

“Observatory Master, the National Preceptor, and I captured the Detaching Emotions Arhat in Yong Province,” Xu Qi An said, cupping his hands in greeting.

The Observatory Master seemed not to hear, remaining motionless with his back turned to Xu Qi An and Luo Yuheng.

He couldn’t be dead, could he… Xu Qi An thought sarcastically then heard Luo Yuheng say:

“His divine consciousness has left his body.”

What?

Xu Qi An couldn’t hide his surprise, not because the Observatory Master could project his divine consciousness—as a frequent visitor to the Celestial Observatory who had ascended the Eight Trigrams Platform numerous times, he knew the Master would always be waiting whenever someone came.

What surprised Xu Qi An was what matter could be so urgent that the Observatory Master wouldn’t return even when “guests” arrived at his home.

…

“Since we rarely visit the Celestial Observatory, let me show you around,” Li Meizhen said, leading everyone downstairs with familiar ease. Before long, they saw a white-robed mystic carrying a soft brush and paper passing by.

“Senior Brother, where is Junior Sister Caiwei?” Li Meizhen called out to him.

The white-robed mystic replied, “Junior Sister Caiwei is reading in the library.”

Li Meizhen was shocked. “Chu Caiwei is reading?”

She thought to herself that the sun must be rising from the west.

“Junior Sister Caiwei will be qualified to teach disciples next year, so she spends every day in the library now,” the white-robed mystic explained before hurrying away.

Li Meizhen had originally planned to ask Chu Caiwei to be their guide, but seeing how busy she was, she gave up the idea. Besides, she and Chu Yuanzhen had visited the Celestial Observatory several times and were quite familiar with it.

As they continued walking, Li Lingsu and Miao Youfang looked around curiously, taking in the legendary Celestial Observatory.

This was a gathering place for mystics, and only here could one see such a large group of them assembled.

Miao Youfang quietly asked Li Lingsu, “Why do all the mystics here carry brush and paper with them?”

All along their way, they had noticed the white-robed mystics carrying paper and soft brushes, as if ready to write at any moment.

Li Lingsu pondered for a moment: “Mystics are generally scholarly.”

Miao Youfang had a sudden revelation: “I see. How shameful—I can only write my name.”

As they talked, they arrived at the seventh floor.

Li Meizhen explained, “This floor is where the alchemists gather, and the Observatory’s alchemy chambers are here. Let’s leave quickly.”

Seeing his junior sister’s apparent wariness, Li Lingsu asked curiously, “Is this a restricted area of the Observatory?”

A look of understanding crossed his face: “To protect trade secrets?”

“No!” Chu Yuanzhen said flatly. “It’s because all the alchemists on this floor are obsessed fanatics. If you know nothing about alchemy, they’ll look down their noses at you and mock your lack of intelligence.”

“How arrogant,” Li Lingsu remarked. “Would they welcome those with some knowledge of alchemy?”

“No!” Master Hengyuan said solemnly. “If you show any interest in alchemy, they’ll try to make you sample strange foods—like fruits with eyes or roasted chickens with two heads. They might even try to convince you to participate in human transmutation experiments. In the entire capital, only the Observatory Master and Lord Xu can keep them in check.”

“Lord Xu?” Li Lingsu didn’t understand.

“Xu Qi An!” Hengyuan said.

“Ah, Xu Qi An,” Li Lingsu suddenly realized. “I’ve long heard his name but never had the chance to meet him. Now that I’m in the capital, I must visit him.”

The three Earthen Book fragment holders gave him an indescribable look.

“What does human transmutation mean?” Miao Youfang interjected.

“For example, crossbreeding you with a pig.”

Both Miao Youfang and Li Lingsu ducked their heads and quickened their pace.

The group quickly left the seventh floor and encountered a group of white-robed mystics on the sixth floor.

“Daoist Li.”

A white-robed mystic eagerly greeted them with clasped hands, then turned around and looked at them with the back of his head before walking away.

“Scholar Chu.”

Another white-robed mystic recognized Chu Yuanzhen, greeted him with a smile, then suddenly turned and showed them the back of his head.

Miao Youfang and Li Lingsu were stunned, looking at Li Meizhen in confusion.

“For these people, looking at you with the back of their head is a sign of respect,” Li Meizhen said flatly.

She seemed unwilling to explain further.

Miao Youfang and Li Lingsu nodded, indicating they understood.

But in their hearts, they thought the customs of the Celestial Observatory were truly strange.

After visiting the sixth floor, they descended to the fifth floor.

Three white-robed mystics approached in the corridor. Miao Youfang and Li Lingsu stepped forward to greet them.

“Greetings, Senior Brothers.”

The three white-robed mystics didn’t recognize these two but knew Li Meizhen and Chu Yuanzhen. Just as they were about to return the greeting, they saw the pair suddenly turn around, presenting their backs of heads.

The three mystics’ faces instantly flushed red, feeling deeply insulted. They stormed off, saying, “Who do you think you’re looking down on!”

“???”

Miao Youfang and Li Lingsu looked at Li Meizhen in bewilderment.

Li Meizhen’s eyes sparkled with amusement: “I said it was for that specific group of people.”

Li Lingsu’s expression stiffened: “There’s a difference?”

Beside them, Chu Yuanzhen suddenly mused: “In a few years, the Observatory disciples might start greeting each other by exchanging fruits and pastries.”

Poor Observatory Master… Li Meizhen, Chu Yuanzhen, and Hengyuan thought simultaneously.

Li Lingsu and Miao Youfang exchanged glances, not understanding why the three wore such complex expressions.

Li Meizhen said: “Chu Yuanzhen, Master Hengyuan, and I plan to visit a friend underground. The guest rooms are on the fourth floor—you can ask the Observatory brothers to show you there.”

Miao Youfang was surprised: “Don’t we need to be questioned? This is our first visit.”

“No need!” Li Meizhen waved dismissively. “They couldn’t be bothered. With the Observatory Master presiding, who would dare cause trouble?”

Li Lingsu said: “The underground of the Star-Watching Tower? Let Miao Youfang and I accompany you.”

Li Meizhen hesitated before saying: “Very well.”

The group arrived at the first-floor hall, opened the iron door inside, and descended the steep stairs into the underground.

Oil lamps embedded in the stone walls drove away the darkness.

“The Observatory’s underground is meant for prisoners, but there’s rarely anyone who needs long-term imprisonment. Usually, it serves as the ‘guest quarters’ for the Observatory Master’s two disciples who often stay here,” Li Meizhen explained.

Why would the Observatory Master’s disciples choose to live in such a dark and damp place… Li Lingsu wondered privately.

Their footsteps echoed through the flickering corridor.

Suddenly, a deep voice came from behind one of the doors:

“What brings you here?”

The group stopped before the door, and Chu Yuanzhen replied:

“Senior Brother Yang, we’ve returned to the capital to visit you and Junior Sister Zhong. After this, we’ll be scattered across the jianghu, each wandering our path. It’ll be a long time before we can return.”

Li Meizhen asked: “What did Senior Brother Yang do this time?”

Whenever Yang Qianxuan was underground, it meant the Observatory Master had confined him again.

Yang Qianxuan was silent for a few seconds before saying glumly:

“It’s nothing major. This winter was brutal, and the capital’s citizens lacked coal and cotton. I intended to distribute all the silver and gold from the Observatory’s treasury to aid the disaster victims. Master didn’t agree and confined me here.

“Master… Master always misunderstands me.”

Miao Youfang’s eyes widened upon hearing this.

To think the Observatory had such righteous individuals—he wasn’t alone in his principles.

“Such noble character!” Li Lingsu praised, peering through the door’s small window to see a solitary figure standing proudly inside.

What an exemplary person!

Just then, he heard the noble figure ask in a conflicted tone:

“I’ve been confined in the Observatory and can’t learn about outside affairs. Has there been any news of that dog Xu Qi An since he left the capital over a month ago?”

…

After a long while, Xu Qi An heard the Observatory Master exhale deeply, indicating his return.

I didn’t see his divine consciousness return at all… Xu Qi An couldn’t help but ask curiously: “Where did you go just now, Observatory Master?”

“Fought with Kalpavriksha at the Leizhou border.”

The Observatory Master picked up his wine cup and took a sip.

He didn’t mention who won or why they fought. Setting down the cup, he turned to look at the seated Detaching Emotions Arhat.

The Observatory Master fought Kalpavriksha at the Leizhou border. Was it because of me, or something else…

As Xu Qi An pondered this, the Observatory Master turned around, examined him and the Detaching Emotions Arhat, and praised: “You understand how to find alternative paths.”

Xu Qi An knew he was referring to capturing a top Buddhist expert to remove the Demon-Sealing Nails, and continued: “Though the National Preceptor captured the Detaching Emotions Arhat, commanding him proved difficult. That’s why we brought him back to the capital for you to handle.”

The Observatory Master dipped his finger in the wine cup and flicked a single drop.

Pat!

The wine drop struck the Arhat’s brow point. Xu Qi An seemed to hear deafening thunder—he could only imagine what the Arhat experienced.

The long-haired old monk trembled, slowly opening his eyes as if waking from a dream.

He glanced at the Observatory Master, Luo Yuheng, and Xu Qi An, then pressed his palms together: “Amitabha, greetings, Observatory Master.”

The Observatory Master said flatly: “Remove the Demon-Sealing Nails, and I’ll confine you beneath the Star-Watching Tower for three years. After that, you’re free to return to the Western Regions.”

The Detaching Emotions Arhat pondered briefly: “This monk has one condition.”

The old monk looked at Xu Qi An: “Release Jingxin and Jingyuan, and this monk will remove three Demon-Sealing Nails for you.”

No threats or coercion, no defiance unto death—upon seeing the Observatory Master, the Detaching Emotions Arhat had yielded.

And the Observatory Master made appropriate concessions, allowing both parties to reach an agreement.

“Three?” Xu Qi An emphasized.

The Detaching Emotions Arhat pressed his palms together, lowered his gaze, and said calmly:

“Each Demon-Sealing Nail requires different unsealing incantations. They are dharma implements forged by Buddha himself. This monk knows the incantations for three nails.

“If the Buddha’s Son wishes to remove them all, a Bodhisattva must personally act.”

A Bodhisattva must personally act… Xu Qi An couldn’t help but pinch his brow.

The Four Great Bodhisattvas of Buddhism—Kalpavriksha, Samantabhadra, Faji, and Vaidurya—each was a peak expert, and each covered his body.

Asking them to remove the Demon-Sealing Nails was pure fantasy. It would be like Silver Badge Xu gift-wrapping himself and delivering himself to them, with the Buddhist sect cheering as they waited to unwrap their package… he silently mocked.

“The Demon-Sealing Nails were one of Xu Pingfeng’s backup plans, meant to permanently seal both Shenshu and me. He prepared for failure—even if he couldn’t reclaim the luck, he wanted to cripple me.

“So it makes sense the nails are difficult to remove. How could simply catching any Arhat be enough to permanently eliminate the threat? That wouldn’t be worthy of a Second-Grade Qi Practitioner’s scheme.” Xu Qi An could only console himself this way.

“Which three?” Xu Qi An asked.

“Two in the Governing Vessel, one in the Baihui acupoint,” the Detaching Emotions Arhat replied.

The nail in the Baihui acupoint had already been removed by Shenshu—fortunately, only one overlapped.

This result was roughly as expected.

“Thank you, Master. I will honor my promise to release Jingxin and Jingyuan.” Xu Qi An respectfully pressed his palms together.

Seeing the deal was struck, Luo Yuheng formed a hand seal and recalled her iron sword.

Golden Buddhist light flashed in the Detaching Emotions Arhat’s pupils, his aura rising steadily, magnificent and imposing.

Xu Qi An walked before the Detaching Emotions Arhat and sat cross-legged with his back turned.

The Detaching Emotions Arhat paused momentarily, seemingly gathering power. Xu Qi An could sense the aura behind him increasing dramatically, similar to when the one-armed Shenshu had removed the Demon-Sealing Nail.