Chen Sanshi stood silently.
He didn't rush to reply.
Before his death, his master had warned him countless times—beware the Dragon Abyss Sword, and beware the immortal master behind the emperor.
Back at Wolf Juxu Mountain, Chen Sanshi had barely slain the late-stage Qi Refining High Priest of the Witch God Sect by gathering the will of tens of thousands of fallen soldiers, bolstered by the Great Snow Dragon Cavalry's Heavenly Dragon Formation.
But the emperor…
That old man had already reached the perfection stage of Qi Refining years ago. The Dragon Abyss Sword in his hand could even split open the Blood Sacrifice Formation itself, and he also held the Nation-Stabilizing Imperial Seal.
Add to that the imperial control over most of the Northern Liang troops—what Chen Sanshi currently commanded was only a fraction.
Truth was…
He didn't even have the right to refuse outright.
With Master gone, there was no one left to stand before them.
"Entering the capital?"
The moment the other senior brothers and sisters heard those words, they understood the malice behind the command.
If their junior truly left the frontier and settled in the capital, then no matter how great his prestige, he would slowly lose control over the army.
By then, he'd be a tiger bound in chains of black iron—whatever orders they gave, he'd have to obey.
Otherwise, they could end him at any moment.
"Damn it."
Wang Zhi nearly cursed aloud.
The rest of the senior brothers looked at Chen Sanshi in silence.
They waited.
Waited for their junior's decision.
Just as Fang Qingyun had said after that last banquet—what happened next would depend entirely on what kind of life their junior wanted to live.
If he accepted the conditions, his life might indeed be easier—less freedom, yes, but less risk too.
After all, throughout history, officials who obeyed the throne lived comfortably enough.
And as long as he could protect his junior sister and brother, no one could really blame him.
"Lord Chen, why haven't you accepted the decree yet?"
Eunuch Hou's shrill voice cut through the silence, louder than before.
"Your servant accepts the decree and gives thanks for the Emperor's grace!"
Chen Sanshi stepped forward, bowed deeply, and received the imperial edict with both hands.
Immediately after, Eunuch Hou produced another scroll.
"General of Nation-Suppression Cheng Wei, by command of His Majesty—you are appointed Deputy Commander of Mingzhou Regional Command, Senior Second Rank. You are to depart at once!"
"General of Nation-Stabilization Meng Guangxin, His Majesty, in his boundless compassion, knows of your fondness for Buddhist teachings. Now that the northern war has ended, you are appointed Overseer of Chengtian Temple. Depart immediately!"
"General of Nation-Service Ye Fengxiu, appointed Deputy Commander of Qingzhou Regional Command, Senior Second Rank. Depart immediately!"
"General of Nation-Suppression Tang Ruoshan, appointed Main Commander of the Tiger-Leopard Battalion in Hezhou, to assist the Prince of Zhen'nan in guarding the southern borders. Depart immediately!"
"General of Nation-Stabilization Rong Yanqiu, appointed Chief of the Six Inner Palace Bureaus, bearer of the imperial seal. Depart immediately!"
In just a few sentences, the imperial decree scattered those who had spent most of their lives serving in the northern army to every corner of the realm.
"Your servant accepts the decree!"
"Your servant accepts the decree!"
Rong Yanqiu and the others, seeing their junior brother remain silent, showed faint disappointment but still accepted the orders one after another.
Finally, when Meng Guangxin reluctantly took the last scroll and Eunuch Hou turned to leave—
Chen Sanshi's voice suddenly rang out.
"Eunuch, I have a memorial to present!"
"Oh?"
Eunuch Hou arched an eyebrow. "Lord Chen, please speak freely. This humble servant will report your words to His Majesty—without a single alteration."
As he spoke, two members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard immediately produced paper, while another readied his brush to transcribe every word.
"Our Great Sheng Dynasty stands on the pillars of rites and filial piety," Chen Sanshi said clearly, his voice carrying across the entire training ground. "The sages taught us long ago—among all virtues, filial piety comes first. According to the teachings of the ancient sages, one who loses his father must return home and observe mourning for seven years.
"We dare not defy His Majesty's decree.
"However, our revered master has passed but seven days ago.
"If we, his disciples, abandon our mourning so soon and rush off to our posts, would that not be unfilial?
"If possible, I and my senior brothers and sisters humbly request permission to remain in Liangzhou to observe mourning for seven years. After that period, we shall each assume our posts as commanded."
His words struck like thunder.
Everyone fell silent.
In this world, the Confucian sages had indeed set such a rule long ago.
And the Great Sheng Dynasty revered the Confucian Dao.
Many of its generals were martial scholars.
But the custom of seven years' mourning was over two thousand years old.
In modern times, it had been shortened to just seven days.
Still, no one said his reasoning was wrong.
In fact, anyone who truly upheld such ancient virtue would be admired by scholars throughout the realm—seen as a model of righteousness.
Only now did Rong Yanqiu and the others understand—
Their junior wasn't yielding.
He was maneuvering.
If he could remain in Liangzhou for seven years, the situation could change entirely.
But obviously, the court would never allow it.
"Lord Chen truly is a man of loyalty and filial piety," Eunuch Hou said after a pause, smiling faintly. "But remember—it's loyalty and filial piety, with loyalty coming first! Lord Chen is a pillar of the nation, a rare genius of war.
"With the barbarian threat pacified, it would be a waste for you to remain confined to a single corner of Liangzhou.
"Meanwhile, the Southern Xu Kingdom and two other states are secretly forming alliances.
"His Majesty's decision to summon you to the capital stems from trust—so that, if war arises again, you can command our armies at a moment's notice and prevent disaster.
"This is the greatest sign of imperial confidence and favor! His Majesty entrusts nearly the entire realm's forces to your hand.
"But… seven years of mourning…"
He sighed dramatically. "His Majesty will surely agree—but the empire cannot go seven years without General Chen."
The words sounded flattering.
But every syllable was a veiled refusal.
"Eunuch Hou," Chen Sanshi said calmly, "I understand. Since ancient times, loyalty and filial piety cannot both be fulfilled."
Chen Sanshi spoke again. "But even loyalty does not mean abandoning filial piety entirely.
"Two thousand years ago, Yu Shangong, known as the War Immortal, lost his father in the middle of the Great Zhou's war against foreign invaders. Yet he still returned home to mourn for three years, commanding all military affairs solely through letters. Only after the mourning period was over did he step out once more.
"We, as descendants of martial men, should take the War Immortal as our example. Even if we serve in the army and cannot afford seven years, at the very least, three years of mourning is the minimum."
Yu Shangong—the War Immortal—was the greatest minister of all ages.
At the end of the Western Zhou, when all the feudal lords rose to carve up the realm, Yu Shangong was entrusted with safeguarding the orphaned prince. With nothing but a six-year-old child and a small western stronghold, he single-handedly restored the entire realm, building the prosperity of the Eastern Zhou. When peace was restored, he willingly returned power to the throne. The emperor revered him as "Second Father," and his descendants were ennobled as kings for generations, creating one of history's most revered tales of ruler and minister.
Citing his name—no one could object.
Even the emperor himself would have to stay silent.
"This…"
Eunuch Hou hesitated, clearly unsure how to respond.
"Yes, Eunuch Hou!"
Wang Zhi took the lead and shouted, "Please report this to His Majesty! Even if we must return to the status of commoners, we wish to remain in Liangzhou to observe three years of mourning for our master!"
"Please report this to His Majesty!"
The other senior brothers and sisters joined in unison.
At this point, even Eunuch Hou could no longer refuse outright.
He could only compromise. "All right, all right, I've heard every word. This servant will convey your request to the court. His Majesty himself will decide."
"In that case, thank you, Eunuch Hou."
Chen Sanshi clasped his hands respectfully.
"However, Lord Chen," Eunuch Hou raised an eyebrow, gesturing politely, "might I have a private word?"
Chen Sanshi nodded, following him to a quiet corner.
"Eunuch."
Chen Sanshi already had a guess at what was coming, but he feigned ignorance. "What is it you wish to say?"
"Lord Chen," Eunuch Hou began with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, "the court has always placed great trust in you.
"Think back—when you first crossed the river from Yunzhou to Liangzhou, it was His Majesty himself who publicly announced your name to the world, granting you precious medicines and treasures. Those very medicines allowed you to rise through the ranks, to triumph in the Martial Selection, and become Grand Commander Sun Xiangzong's final disciple, did they not?
"So I hope Lord Chen won't do anything to chill the court's heart."
"Eunuch Hou, what do you mean by that?"
Chen Sanshi's eyes hardened, voice rising sharply. "I, Chen Sanshi, have blocked blades for His Majesty and shed blood for the court. Now I only wish to honor my master's spirit—how does that sound, in your mouth, like treason or rebellion?!"
"L-Lord Chen, that's not what I meant!"
Eunuch Hou flinched, startled by the sudden flare of killing intent.
He quickly patted his chest with a delicate hand, trying to calm himself. "This humble servant knows well that Lord Chen is a loyal general of the realm. I meant only that such a man as you would never keep secrets from the court."
"I understand now."
A flash of silver light gleamed in Chen Sanshi's hand—the silver dragon of the Dragon Gall Silver Spear appeared, true qi rippling outward. The oppressive might forced Eunuch Hou to stumble several steps back.
"This spear," Chen Sanshi said coldly, "was personally passed to me by my master. Are you suggesting I hand it over as well? I'd be willing—but even if sent to the capital, someone must wield it. Should it just gather dust in the imperial armory?"
"Good weapons belong with heroes. Naturally, this spear should remain with Marquis Chen."
Eunuch Hou forced a nervous smile. "Don't misunderstand, my lord. The court has no intention of taking your belongings. Only that… certain things might be shared. For example—your techniques.
"If Grand Commander Sun's martial arts could be more widely transmitted, that would be a great legacy for him—founding his own lineage, his name echoing through history."
He paused, lowering his voice.
"And then… there are certain relics left by the Grand Commander. Among them, there may be… special items—perhaps secrets. Even if you keep them, they'd serve you little use.
"Lastly, there's the matter of the Heavenly Book. His Majesty hopes for an explanation—if special methods or formations are required to invoke the celestial phenomena, it would be best if you revealed them."
Secrets…
He must mean the Governor's Command Token.
So, after all, they were after the technique beyond the Martial Saint realm.
That technique—Master had never passed it to outsiders. That alone made his will clear: it was not meant to spread.
Chen Sanshi could not defy his teacher's final wish.
As for the Mystic Pearl—it held the key to activating the true Heavenly Book Formation, and also to the Commanding Immortals divine ability. Inside it remained True Person Mei's residual spiritual power. How could he possibly hand that over?
That treasure had been won with blood and life.
But now…
It was clear he could no longer stall with words alone.
So be it.
He would drag this out as long as possible.
Chen Sanshi made up his mind and opened his mouth to reply—when suddenly, the faint creak of a wheelchair came from behind.
"Eunuch Hou."
Fang Qingyun approached alone, pushing his own chair forward. "No need to question my junior brother further. Our master's relics were handed to me beforehand."
"Senior brother?"
Chen Sanshi turned toward him, but Fang Qingyun's eyes signaled—stay silent.
"General Fang?"
Eunuch Hou frowned, uncertain. "But the Dragon Gall Silver Spear was personally handed to General Chen before the entire army…"
"What? You don't believe me?"
Fang Qingyun's tone remained calm but cutting. "A complete set of martial techniques beyond True Force realm—and the method to activate the Heavenly Book Formation—are both in my hands."
Eunuch Hou hesitated.
He recalled that Fang Qingyun had indeed been present during the Battle of Hulao Pass.
If that was true, the man might really know something.
He probed carefully. "If that's the case, General Fang, then I must trouble you to hand them over. I will personally deliver them to His Majesty. Rest assured, the court only wishes to preserve and develop them. In the future, both you and General Chen will have full access to the Martial Saint-level techniques and the formation secrets. Everyone will share in the glory."
"No."
Fang Qingyun shook his head lightly. "Eunuch Hou, the matter is too serious to hand to you alone."
"What's wrong with that?"
Eunuch Hou frowned. "I'm the imperial overseer in Liangzhou—the bridge between the frontier and the capital."
"Perfect, then."
Fang Qingyun's expression remained cool. "If anything happens to those items in your hands, the responsibility lies entirely with you. It will have nothing to do with me—or with General Chen."
"This… this talk of yours—"
Eunuch Hou gave an awkward laugh. "How could this humble servant shoulder such a heavy burden? But General Fang, from what you said just now, could it be that…"
"Correct."
Fang Qingyun's tone was calm and steady. "I'll personally enter the capital and deliver everything to the court."
"Oh?"
Eunuch Hou pondered briefly, then nodded eagerly. "Excellent! That would be best. General Fang, I must trouble you, then. When can you depart? This matter is of great importance—delay would be unwise."
"Anytime." Fang Qingyun leaned lightly against his chair. "I travel alone. There's nothing to pack."
"Splendid, splendid!"
Eunuch Hou was clearly pleased. "Then I'll make the arrangements immediately. We'll depart before noon. Don't worry—there will be Martial Saints and members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard escorting you. Nothing will go wrong."
He said this, then hurried away to prepare the convoy.
"Fourth Senior Brother?"
Chen Sanshi looked at him, hoping for an explanation.
The items were all clearly in his hands—so why was his brother taking the blame himself?
And he was going to the capital?
"Old Fourth, what are you doing?"
Wang Zhi and the others gathered around, confusion written across their faces.
It was clear that none of them had expected this.
"Everyone, calm down."
Fang Qingyun's voice was clear and measured. "Since none of you wish to leave, someone has to go to the capital and settle things face-to-face."
Chen Sanshi instantly understood his brother's intention.
Without handing over their master's inheritance, neither he nor the others would ever be allowed to stay in Liangzhou.
So his fourth senior brother was planning to go himself—to buy them time.
Master was gone.
Now Fourth Senior Brother was taking his place.
Silence fell.
Everyone stood around the wheelchair in a loose circle, eyes lowered to the scholar in the green robe sitting within it.
"Cough, cough…"
Fang Qingyun leaned forward slightly as he coughed. "What's with these faces? It's just a trip to the capital. It's not as if I've never been there. Every time one of you got into trouble, wasn't I the one who went with Master to handle it? Don't make it sound like I'm going to die. Once things are settled, I'll come right back."
"Senior Brother," Chen Sanshi said quietly, "the items aren't with you."
Neither the martial techniques nor the Mystic Pearl were in Fang Qingyun's possession. He might not have even seen them before. If he reached the capital empty-handed, things could turn ugly.
"Don't worry."
Fang Qingyun gave a faint smile. "I have them."
Chen Sanshi fell silent.
So his senior brother had already made up his mind long before.
He couldn't stop him. Didn't know how to stop him.
Within half an hour, the Embroidered Uniform Guard arrived with carriages and horses.
"Old Fourth, you're leaving too suddenly," Meng Guangxin said gruffly. "Not even a word of warning?"
"Enough, enough. It's not like I won't come back."
Fang Qingyun waved dismissively. "Out of the way."
"Old Fourth!"
Lü Ji, who had left earlier after the reward ceremony, came rushing back upon hearing the news. "You're leaving?"
"Perfect timing."
Fang Qingyun took out a folded letter from his robe. "This was left for you by Master. Little Brother, push me forward."
"Alright."
Chen Sanshi silently pushed the wheelchair through the crowd.
"Junior Brother," Fang Qingyun said softly, his expression unreadable. "You hold great power now. Be cautious in everything you do. Once I'm gone, Liangzhou will depend on you."
"Senior Brother, when will you return?" Chen Sanshi asked. "If all goes well with the items, you should come back and observe mourning for Master."
"Two months."
Fang Qingyun thought for a moment. "I'll return in two months."
"Alright."
Chen Sanshi stopped pushing.
Two members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard lifted Fang Qingyun onto the carriage.
The curtain fell, hiding his figure.
"Hyah!"
The driver cracked the reins.
Before long, the convoy left the military city, merging into the bustling streets. At the crossroads, it turned in another direction—and soon disappeared completely from sight.
At the Edge of the World.
In the endless Sea of Mist, two cultivators sat aboard a spirit boat.
A golden barrier surrounded them, pushing back the choking fog with a harsh kaka sound.
One was a mustached man holding a wine gourd, already half drunk.
The other was a refined-looking man standing with hands behind his back, clearly disgusted.
"Junior Brother," the drunken man slurred, "won't you drink with me?"
Wang Jun ignored him.
Qu Yuanxiang muttered, "Ah, what rotten luck! Of all people, they sent us two to do grunt work in the mortal world."
"Grunt work?"
Wang Jun shot him a glance. "If we can find a spiritual vein, not only will we have resources for Foundation Establishment, even those for Core Formation will no longer be a problem. Countless people would kill for this assignment."
"Heh."
Qu Yuanxiang's nose reddened with wine. "True enough. But once we reach the Eastern Divine Continent, I'll be a free immortal, won't I? No more sect rules binding me.
"I'll do whatever I please!
"That's not a punishment—it's a blessing!"
"Don't get too carried away."
Wang Jun's tone sharpened. "Our sect's orders come first. The seals are weakening, and other sects will soon descend upon the Eastern Divine Continent as well. Whoever claims the land first will own the spiritual veins beneath it. We have no time to waste."
"Fine, fine."
Qu Yuanxiang waved his hand lazily, half-drunk. "But I heard that so-called Emperor of the Sheng Kingdom has connections with our elders. They told us to treat him with respect. I can't imagine what's so impressive about some mortal emperor."
"He's nearing Foundation Establishment," Wang Jun said flatly. "Not inferior to us."
"What? Someone in this broken land can reach Foundation Establishment?"
The two men exchanged a startled glance as the spirit boat drifted deeper into the mist.
The spirit boat had long since emerged from the thick fog.
With a flick of Wang Jun's sleeve, the boat vanished into his storage, and the two men soared into the sky, sweeping over Southern Xu toward the Great Sheng Dynasty.
In the Great Sheng capital—
Inside the Wanshou Palace.
Emperor Longqing sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, hands forming seals as spiritual energy circulated through his body, purging the baleful qi that lingered within.
Though it was only a trace of corruption, dispelling it required tremendous effort.
It wasn't until dusk on a certain day that he finally stopped and said, "Come in."
"Your Majesty."
Eunuch Huang Hong had been waiting outside the hall for several days.
"How are things progressing?"
Emperor Longqing's voice echoed from the depths of the hall like a sound from the abyss. "By now, Chen Sanshi and his people should have reached the capital."
"Your Majesty…"
Huang Hong bowed low. "Chen Sanshi is still in Liangzhou."
"Still in Liangzhou?"
The Emperor's tone deepened. "What, is he defying orders again?"
"That's not the case," Huang Hong replied quickly. "It's just that Chen Sanshi claims he wishes to remain in Liangzhou to observe filial mourning for three years. He even used the example of the War Immortal Yu Shanggong to justify it…"
"'Mist shrouds the cold river, moonlight veils the sand. A boat anchors by the desolate hills, near a lonely home.'"
Emperor Longqing recited softly, his tone faintly mocking. "Mist and fog—always hazy, always hiding the truth. That means there's a ghost in his heart."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Huang Hong bowed again. "Then how should your servant proceed?"
"Send orders to Liangzhou. Summon him to the capital to face me in person."
After issuing that command, the Emperor brushed the matter aside and asked, "What day is it?"
"Replying to Your Majesty," Huang Hong said after checking carefully, "the twenty-ninth day of the first month."
"Perfect."
The Emperor gave his order. "Arrange for them to come to the Wanshou Palace to see me."
"As you command."
Huang Hong bowed and left—only to return shortly after.
Behind the beaded curtain, Emperor Longqing remained silent, waiting for him to speak.
"Your Majesty," Huang Hong said respectfully, "this servant deserves punishment. While guarding outside for several days, I missed some updates. According to new reports from Eunuch Hou, Chen Sanshi hasn't come to the capital—but Fang Qingyun has. It's said he brought with him the martial technique surpassing the Martial Saint realm, as well as the secret of the Heavenly Book Formation. He is now residing within the city."
"Bring him before me."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
An hour later, the Twelfth Prince, Cao Zhi, personally escorted Fang Qingyun into the hall.
"When your master passed away," Emperor Longqing said, "I was in seclusion. Otherwise, I would have attended his funeral myself. You have my condolences."
He paused, then his tone grew darker. "But Fang Qingyun… I don't recall issuing any decree for you to come to the capital."
"Cough, cough…"
Fang Qingyun coughed lightly. "Please forgive me, Your Majesty. The matter was of great importance. I couldn't trust anyone else to handle it."
As he spoke, he reached into his robe and drew out a thin book and a talisman.
Huang Hong inspected both before handing them through the curtain.
The faint sound of paper rustling followed.
"'The Dragon Scripture,'" the Emperor read aloud.
"The dream of every martial practitioner under heaven.
"So, to step into the realm of True Force, one doesn't rely on spiritual qi and techniques alone, but also needs heavenly treasures."
Emperor Longqing's tone was casual, as if speaking idly. "Did Sun Xiangzong ask you to deliver this to me? Haha… he truly was my old comrade, the Duke of Ying of our Great Sheng. Even in death, he still thinks of the empire's future."
His words sounded nostalgic, but behind the curtain, the dragon-like pressure of his gaze pierced through, fixing upon the faint outline of the scholar in green seated in the wheelchair. The might of an emperor rolled out unconsciously.
"No."
After several seconds of silence, Fang Qingyun answered quietly.
"My master was a stubborn man. He passed this technique only to my junior brother—and most likely warned him never to share it with the court, nor hand it to the royal family."
Fang Qingyun's tone was calm but heavy. "If I speak thus, will Your Majesty take offense?"
That statement alone was a direct admission that Sun Xiangzong, even in death, stood opposed to the throne.
But from behind the curtain, the aura of anger slowly dissipated. The burning dragon light in the Emperor's eyes dimmed, replaced by a sigh.
"Heh… the man is gone."
"When Zizhan lived, I never held it against him. Now that he's buried, I certainly won't."
"But since Sun Xiangzong passed this technique only to Chen Sanshi, how did it end up in your hands? And why have you brought it here—to give it to me?"
"Shameful, truly shameful."
Fang Qingyun gave a bitter smile. "I deceived my junior brother. I used his trust to request a look at the True Force technique, then secretly copied it. What I have here is only a copy."
"As for this talisman, it works in tandem with the Heavenly Book Formation. Once the formation is laid out, activating the talisman will stir the heavens themselves, unleashing the formation's full power."
"There were five talismans in total."
"They were all left by Master, who gave them to my junior brother for safekeeping, and one to me as a precaution."
"Two were used at Hulao Pass."
"One more on Wolf Juxu Mountain."
"Now, in all the world, only two remain—one with my junior brother, and one with me. Once used, they'll be gone forever."
"I betrayed my fellow disciple and defied my master's will, bringing these to the capital not to seek favor, but to tell Your Majesty this—some things are best left to the past. Let them scatter with the wind and return to the heavens and the earth."
"Yes," Emperor Longqing murmured softly, eyes narrowing to a glimmer of thought.
Emperor Longqing sighed softly. "As the saying goes, 'A hundred years of triumph and ruin, all pass like a fleeting dream.' I've cultivated the Dao for many years—how could I fail to see through such things? It seems, Minister Fang, you too have come to understand."
Fang Qingyun cupped his hands. "Your Majesty, this minister wishes to speak words that may warrant death."
"Speak freely," Emperor Longqing said with a sweep of his sleeve. "I pardon you in advance."
"Your Majesty says I've come to understand, but actually…"
Fang Qingyun paused. His tone shifted—from resentment, to helplessness, and finally to quiet despair. "But what if I don't understand? What can I do about it?"
The moment those words fell, silence filled the space behind the curtain.
Then, the Emperor laughed.
It was a cold, detached laugh.
"Huang Hong, draft the decree. Announce to the world—Fang Qingyun shall be granted the title of Marquis Wu'an."
After giving the order, Emperor Longqing asked calmly, "Tell me, what else do you want?"
"This minister has no other request," Fang Qingyun replied. "I only ask to return to Liangzhou, to join my fellow disciples in observing three years of mourning for our late master. Your Majesty, if I may add one more word—among all my brothers and sisters, my junior brother may have spent the least time with our master, but his bond with him runs the deepest. He is loyal and values relationships above all. I think it's best to let him follow his heart.
"After all, in his eyes, our master was everything—but Your Majesty too is his greatest benefactor.
"Now that our master has passed, can Your Majesty not grant him a little more time?"
Master, Emperor—one gone, one remains.
Once the master is dead, the Emperor becomes the most important figure in his heart. Why press him so hard at such a time?
"Three years is too long. The court cannot go three years without Sanshi."
After a moment of thought, Emperor Longqing said, "One year. I will allow him to remain in Liangzhou for one year of mourning. After that, no matter what, he must come to the capital. Then, his fellow disciples may continue the mourning for a full seven years, and arrangements can be made afterward."
"General Fang," Huang Hong interjected quietly, "His Majesty has already made the greatest concession. Please, don't push further."
"This minister thanks Your Majesty for your grace."
Still seated in his wheelchair, Fang Qingyun bowed deeply. "In that case, I shall take my leave and return to Liangzhou to mourn my master together with my brothers."
"Minister Fang, stay."
The Emperor's voice suddenly rang out again. He turned to the Twelfth Prince, Cao Zhi. "Zhi'er performed well in the northern desert campaign, but he still lacks knowledge. Minister Fang, your health is poor, so rather than tiring yourself with travel, stay here in the capital. I will grant you a marquis residence in the city. You'll tutor Zhi'er in his studies, and when you have spare time, you can accompany me in conversation. Your master is gone, but you and I—well, perhaps we might call ourselves old friends."
"This minister…"
Fang Qingyun closed his eyes briefly, then reopened them. "Accepts the decree."
"Oh, and one more thing."
The Emperor flipped through the manual. "This Dragon Scripture—since it's not the original copy, are you sure you made no mistakes while transcribing it? A single misplaced stroke in a martial art can send one astray for a thousand miles."
"Your Majesty may rest easy—there isn't a single character wrong."
Fang Qingyun's tone was steady. "And this minister wouldn't dare forge anything. The Dragon Scripture is indeed complex, but once someone with exceptional talent among the Martial Saints practices it, the results will speak for themselves."
"I see. You may go."
"This minister takes his leave."
Fang Qingyun was finally permitted to depart the Wanshou Palace.
"General Fang," said Cao Zhi, pushing his wheelchair, "from now on, I'll probably have to bother you often to ask for instruction."
Fang Qingyun gave a faint smile. "This minister will share all he knows."
"Really?"
Cao Zhi's face lit up with boyish excitement, though he quickly added, "But tell me, General Fang—bringing such precious treasures to the capital, was it truly only to let my elder brother and the others stay in Liangzhou for just one more year of mourning?"
"Does Your Highness play chess?"
Fang Qingyun didn't answer directly—instead, he changed the topic.
"I've played before—with Sixth Brother," Cao Zhi replied. "But I was never very good at it. I don't think I ever won."
"Then allow me to teach you a few moves first."
"Gladly."
In front of the Wanshou Palace, Emperor Longqing stood at the grand entrance, watching as Fang Qingyun and Cao Zhi slowly disappeared down the corridor.
Beside him, Huang Hong held the Dragon Scripture and the talisman in his hands. "Your Majesty, it seems that after Grand Commander Sun's death, General Fang has finally understood the situation. He means to use these things to protect his sect."
"He has always been clever."
The Emperor's gaze remained distant. "That talisman indeed contains spiritual light—it's clearly a formation talisman, much like the ones Sun Xiangzong used at the Edge of the World. Pity it can only be activated once; there's no way to test it.
"I don't cultivate martial arts. You've read the technique—what do you think? Real or false?"
"Eighty percent genuine," Huang Hong replied. "But it's far too advanced. This servant will need time to study it. It also mentions that to awaken the divine manifestation within the human body, one must use a special heavenly treasure."
"Hmm. Very well."
After a moment's thought, Emperor Longqing made his decision. "Make another copy of the technique and personally deliver it to Hezhou—to Rong'er. You two will cultivate it together. As for the heavenly treasure, I'll deal with those people myself to get what you need.
"Come.
"It's time we met them."
Behind the Wanshou Palace, by the lakeside—
Two cultivators descended from the air, retracting their flying swords before landing smoothly.
Wang Jun cupped his hands. "I am Wang Jun, a disciple of Shengyun Sect, here on behalf of the sect to collect the Immortal Tax."
Beside him, Qu Yuanxiang took a long swig from his wine gourd, too lazy to speak.
Only after Wang Jun shot him a glance did he mutter, "Qu Yuanxiang."
Emperor Longqing took out a storage pouch. "The spiritual grain harvest of the past five years is inside."
"No problem," Wang Jun said with a faint smile.
After checking everything carefully, Wang Jun handed back a small pouch filled with spirit stones. "These are the spirit stones my sect promised Your Majesty."
"Mm."
Emperor Longqing didn't take it himself but gestured for a eunuch to receive them. He then seated himself cross-legged on a cushion inside the pavilion.
Seeing that, Qu Yuanxiang also moved to sit on another cushion nearby.
"Bold!"
Huang Hong's sharp voice rang out. "Did His Majesty grant you a seat?"
"You—"
Qu Yuanxiang slammed his wine gourd down heavily, about to speak, when dark figures silently appeared all around them.
The palace death guards drew their curved blades in unison. The blade edges gleamed faintly, releasing a misty purple aura that rippled through the air.
"Your Majesty, forgive him," Wang Jun quickly said with a bow. "My senior brother is a drunkard. He knows little of etiquette."
Qu Yuanxiang's jaw clenched. His eyelid twitched, but in the end, he chose not to sit down.
"You two Daoists are guests of mine," said Emperor Longqing calmly. "No need for hostility. All of you, withdraw."
The guards and attendants silently retreated. The Emperor poured himself a cup of tea, the faint fragrance drifting through the air.
"Great Sheng's Emperor," Wang Jun said, straightening, "I have another matter. I hope that the next collection of the Immortal Tax can be increased by ten percent. Oh, I mean ten percent per acre."
"Half that."
Emperor Longqing's reply was cool but firm. "At most, five percent. I am the Son of Heaven of the mortal realm—I must also think of my people."
"Not even that little condition?"
Wang Jun's eyes narrowed slightly. "Your Majesty grows less sincere by the year. My sect provides you with vast amounts of spirit stones annually for your cultivation. It's not for this mere spirit grain, but because, back then, the seal between realms was still strong, and we could not freely enter the Eastern Divine Continent. We hoped Your Majesty would help us locate the ancestral vein. But so many years have passed, and not a single word of progress has come from you. And now, when we ask for a small increase of grain, you refuse? Isn't that a bit… inappropriate?"
"To be honest," said Emperor Longqing slowly, "I knew little of the ancestral vein before. But not long ago, during a journey beyond the palace, I gained some insight. If nothing goes wrong, I should soon find a clue."
He sipped his tea and gently placed the cup down. "However, I will also need a few things from your sect."
"What does Your Majesty want?" Wang Jun asked. "Please, name it."
"A Foundation Establishment Pill," Emperor Longqing said unhurriedly. "And two rare heavenly treasures suitable for cultivating the True Force realm."
At that, Wang Jun's eyelid twitched. "Your Majesty's price seems a bit steep. You must know how precious a Foundation Establishment Pill is in the cultivation world. Many at the Peak of Qi Refining die without ever obtaining one.
"Even for us, the quota for such a pill is less than one in a hundred!
"If Your Majesty truly locates the ancestral vein, that would be another matter. But asking for so much merely for a possible lead—don't you think that's excessive?"
Emperor Longqing gave no reply. He simply sat there in silence, drinking tea slowly, as if their words were wind passing through the hall.
"Fine—one Foundation-grade spiritual item at most!" Wang Jun finally said. "And even that requires approval from my sect. Only once they agree can I give it to you."
"The heavenly treasures for True Force cultivation must still be included," Emperor Longqing added evenly.
"Fine."
Wang Jun nodded curtly. "In addition, we'd like to ask—where is the Guardian Envoy of the Eastern Divine Continent now? The one who, at the Edge of the World, slaughtered so many cultivators from Qingxuan Mountain."
"He is gone."
Emperor Longqing's tone dimmed. "An old acquaintance—dead now."
"Dead? Already?"
Wang Jun frowned. "Does he have a body? Where was he buried?"
A short while later, the two cultivators rose into the air and flew out of the palace grounds.
"We'll split up," Wang Jun said. "I'll investigate elsewhere. You head to Liangzhou first. Don't stir up trouble. If anything happens, show them the golden token the mortal Emperor gave you."
"Tch."
Qu Yuanxiang pulled his wine gourd from his lips, his expression sour. "That mortal Emperor, Cao—what an arrogant fool! Acting so high and mighty, making the two of us stand there like servants just to speak!"
"Mortal emperors are always like that."
Wang Jun's tone held restrained irritation. "But what can we do? The sect has ordered us to be respectful. Besides, his cultivation isn't below ours. He holds several powerful treasures, and even his guards cultivate the Incense God Path. Under the suppression of the Heavenly Dao, few in this continent could be his match. Just bear with it. Once we find the ancestral vein, we won't have to look at his face again."
"Junior Brother," Qu Yuanxiang hiccupped as he asked, "that Guardian Envoy—was he really as powerful as the rumors said?"
He gave a low chuckle. "They say he sealed both the ancestral and demonic veins, and at the Edge of the World, even forced the Qingxuan Mountain's Patriarch himself to act. The old man's manifested body was shattered under the suppression of the Heavenly Dao."
"I don't know," Wang Jun admitted, shaking his head. "Only that they possessed a unique inheritance—and possibly clues to the other ancestral veins. Once you reach Liangzhou, stay alert, and be careful."
"Don't worry, Junior Brother."
Qu Yuanxiang stepped onto his sword, swaying drunkenly, yet his speed was anything but slow. "I'll find out everything—down to the last detail."
"I hope you take this seriously," Wang Jun called as they parted ways. "If we do uncover the clues, we'll both get our Foundation Establishment Pills."
At those words, Qu Yuanxiang's expression finally sharpened. His eyes gleamed with a sinister light.
"Rest assured!
"That Guardian Envoy—no matter how powerful he was, he's dead now.
"When I dig him up from his grave, we'll see if he left anything worth taking."