Chapter 278: Chapter 251: How Could the Sect Leader Possibly Fall for That Mere Mortal?

"Cough, cough, cough..."

The moment Xiao Mo’s consciousness withdrew from the Hundred Generations Book, he broke into a violent coughing fit.

When Xiao Mo opened his eyes, his entire body was soaked in sweat, and even breathing had become extremely difficult.

After a long while, Xiao Mo gradually recovered.

He recalled what had happened in the Hundred Generations Book.

’This was the first time I’ve failed at Crossing the Tribulation.’

’This feeling was different from an ordinary death.’

’I’d died three times before. It was always painful, but I had gotten used to it.’

’But the feeling of failing the Tribulation Crossing this time was completely different.’

’Death is just a momentary event; at most, there’s some pain right before it happens.’

’But when I failed at Crossing the Tribulation, besides the pain, I could clearly feel my meridians and Root Bone shattering.’

’That despair from my body’s instincts as my Great Dao was severed, and the distinct sensation of my Realm dropping, tore my Divine Soul and body to shreds.’

’In the end, it triggered the Hundred Generations Book’s protection mechanism, which forcibly ejected me.’

"Your Majesty..."

Just as Xiao Mo was about to re-enter the Hundred Generations Book to see what had happened to him, Wei Xun’s voice came from outside the study.

"Enter." Xiao Mo took a deep breath, got out of bed, and drank a cup of tea.

Wei Xun hurried into the Imperial Study and skillfully knelt before Xiao Mo. "This old servant greets Your Majesty."

"Spare me the formalities. From now on, just get straight to the point."

Xiao Mo rubbed the corners of his eyes, his head aching slightly.

Xiao Mo had wanted to complete Wangxin’s life experience before the wedding ceremony.

Therefore, he had set the time ratio between the Hundred Generations Book and the real world to be very high.

Xiao Mo was already mentally exhausted to begin with.

Having just failed at Crossing the Tribulation, his headache was even worse.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, someone from the Empress Dowager’s side came just now to ask when Your Majesty would be going over," Wei Xun said cautiously.

"Going over?" Xiao Mo asked, confused. "Is the Empress Dowager asking Us to accompany her for a meal again?"

"Your Majesty has been preoccupied with state affairs and has likely forgotten, but today is the day of the wedding rehearsal." Wei Xun smiled. "That talented lady of the Yan Clan is already getting dressed and ready at the Empress Dowager’s palace."

"..."

Hearing Wei Xun’s words, Xiao Mo finally remembered. Today was the wedding rehearsal, an event Empress Dowager Yan considered extremely important.

"We know." Xiao Mo’s expression was weary. "Prepare the carriage."

Wei Xun looked up, glanced at His Majesty’s face, and asked with concern, "Is Your Majesty feeling unwell? Does this old servant need to summon the Imperial Physician..."

"No need." Xiao Mo waved his hand dismissively. "The sooner We finish, the sooner We can return to rest."

"Yes, Your Majesty. This old servant will go and make preparations at once." Wei Xun quickly withdrew and said to the Maids standing outside the door, "What are you standing around for? Hurry up and help His Majesty change! Move it!"

"Yes!"

Several Palace Maids entered the room and helped Xiao Mo change into his wedding attire.

A short while later, Xiao Mo was seated in the Dragon Chariot, heading toward the Sacrificial Altar.

But halfway there, the Dragon Chariot came to a stop.

Xiao Mo lifted the curtain and saw Fairy Jiang standing in their path.

"Your Majesty..." Wei Xun sought his Sovereign’s opinion. After all, the person blocking their way was no ordinary individual.

"You all wait for Us up ahead." With that, Xiao Mo disembarked with Wei Xun’s support.

Wei Xun led the chariot fifty zhang forward before stopping, then ordered everyone not to look back.

Jiang Qingyi stared at the man before her, her gaze lingering on his red wedding attire for a long moment. Her beautiful, willow-like brows furrowed slightly. "Is Your Majesty getting married?"

"Not yet." Xiao Mo smiled. "This is just a rehearsal. The official ceremony is in half a month."

"Heh." Jiang Qingyi let out a cold laugh, her expression turning chilly. "I hear Your Majesty’s wedding attire was made stitch by stitch by that talented lady of the Yan Clan?"

"That’s right." Xiao Mo nodded. "Does Fairy Jiang have some objection to this attire?"

"No." Jiang Qingyi turned her head away. "I just feel this attire doesn’t suit Your Majesty."

"Doesn’t suit me?"

Xiao Mo was taken aback for a moment.

’Although I have my own reservations about the daughter of the Yan Clan, to be honest, this wedding attire seems to fit me perfectly no matter how I look at it.’

’And for some reason, Fairy Jiang seems to have a poor impression of the Yan Clan, even a hint of hostility.’

"Take this."

As she spoke, Jiang Qingyi tossed the longsword in her hand to Xiao Mo.

Xiao Mo caught it instinctively. He looked down at the longsword; its blade was long and slender, crimson all over, and engraved with ripples like clear water.

"Fairy Jiang, what is this?" Xiao Mo asked.

"When Your Majesty holds this sword, you look much more pleasing to the eye."

Jiang Qingyi sized Xiao Mo up and down.

"I’m giving this longsword to Your Majesty. It can nourish Your Majesty’s Spiritual Power. Use it when you practice your Sword Techniques from now on, and even hold it when you sleep."

...

「In the Zhou Imperial City, at the residence of the Wanjian Sect’s envoy.」

Wanjian Sect Elder Huang Wei was in the courtyard, admiring the valuable porcelain and calligraphy paintings gifted by various dignitaries and influential figures.

But after a moment, a woman walked straight in.

"Lady Qiu Ye." Upon seeing Qiu Ye, Elder Huang quickly stood and bowed.

"Is there something Lady Qiu Ye needs?"

Huang Wei looked quizzically at the Sect Leader’s personal maid.

’Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t come looking for me unless it was important.’

"Today is the rehearsal for the Zhou Kingdom’s Emperor’s wedding ceremony. The Sect Leader has a task for you." Qiu Ye placed a letter on the table.

Huang Wei quickly took the letter and read it, growing more and more confused.

’The task itself is simple, but I just can’t understand the Sect Leader’s intentions at all.’

"What is the Sect Leader’s true meaning?" Huang Wei couldn’t help but ask.

"I don’t know either." Qiu Ye shook her head.

"How strange." Elder Huang scratched his head and said casually, "Don’t tell me the Sect Leader has taken a fancy to the Sovereign of Zhou? Otherwise, why would she..."

Just as Elder Huang was halfway through his sentence, a streak of Sword Qi shot past his neck, scaring him into silence.

"Watch your tongue!"

Qiu Ye glared at Huang Wei.

"What does the Sovereign of Zhou amount to? How could he possibly be worthy of the Sect Leader’s notice? The Sect Leader’s intentions are far too profound for the likes of us to guess. If you dare spout such nonsense again, I’ll take your head myself!"

"Yes, yes, yes, I’ll go do it right away, right away..."

Elder Huang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and scrambled out of the courtyard.

After Huang Wei left, Qiu Ye, now alone in the courtyard, fell into deep thought.

’The Sect Leader personally took on the role of National Master of the Zhou Kingdom and even moved directly into the inner palace.’

’Not long ago, I was ordered to return to the Wanjian Sect to bring that longsword the Sect Leader personally forged to the palace, only to find out she was giving it to the Sovereign of Zhou.’

’Now she’s sending Huang Wei to stir up trouble.’

’Could it be that the Sect Leader really...’

’Impossible, impossible!’

Qiu Ye shook her head vigorously.

’How could the Sect Leader possibly fall for a mere mortal?’

’Absolutely impossible!’