Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao-Chapter 241 - 20 Yuan Tiangang

The Imperial Palace’s vastness exceeded Lu Yu’s expectations. Situated at the heart of human Fortune and Destiny, without the presence of Mountain Gods or Earth Gods, he found himself at a loss when looking for someone to ask for directions, realizing that finding someone was not as effortless as he had imagined.

After what felt like an eternity, he stumbled upon a large, abandoned hall that seemed to have been untouched for years. Despite the daily cleaning by eunuchs and palace maids, it evidently lacked vitality.

As Lu Yu entered, he was captivated by the opulent decor, convinced even Li Shimin’s palace might not compare. Soon, a tea set caught his attention, stirring memories from the past.

"Are you courting death, hiding here?" The scolding of an eunuch resounded. It came from an old eunuch, whose aged face was creased with wrinkles, his body somewhat hunched.

"Do you realize where this is? This is the Supreme Emperor’s resting chamber. If someone learns you’re hiding here, you’ll be executed," the court eunuch’s shrill voice held a hint of warmth.

"Eunuch, I’m sorry, I got lost," a woman’s voice echoed from behind the curtains.

She was a young girl in her teens, already bearing the looks that could unsettle a nation. Despite her youth, one could glimpse her future peerless elegance.

"What’s your name, and when did you enter the palace, that you don’t even recognize the paths?"

"My name is Wu Meiniang, I just entered the palace yesterday," the young girl said softly.

"So you’re the newly arrived talent Wu. Considering you’ve just entered the palace, I won’t say more. Now follow me out of here quickly. If we’re seen, it’s a grave offense."

The young girl hurriedly followed behind the old eunuch, slowly heading out of the grand hall.

Lu Yu stealthily imbued a trace of his breath onto Wu Meiniang, making it easier to find her in the future. He overheard the conversation between the girl and the old eunuch.

"Eunuch, why is the tea set on that table not taken away, why is it left there?"

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"That is the Supreme Emperor’s cherished artifact. His Majesty has not ordered it to be removed."

"If it’s so cherished, then why hasn’t it been buried with him?"

"Who knows, the Supreme Emperor never ordered it. Sometimes, though, I’ve heard him muttering to the tea set about retribution," the old eunuch murmured.

"Ah!" The young girl’s mouth flew open, and she quickly covered it with her hand, a peculiar light flickering in her eyes. She seemed incredibly excited, as if the fragile facade was merely a disguise. At that moment, her true nature, no longer restrained, revealed her real temperament.

Lu Yu saw everything clearly. He chuckled to himself; who would have thought that this seemingly delicate girl, like a rabbit, harbored the soul of a malicious dragon that chose its victims carefully?

Suddenly, the lights outside the grand hall blazed to life, and numerous guards poured in from all directions, shouting "Catch the thief!"

The Old Eunuch was immediately panicked and grabbed the young girl’s hand, dragging her to one side. However, a baffling scene unfolded before them, as the royal guards, searching diligently all around, seemed completely blind to the presence of the two, walking past them without any indication of detecting anything amiss.

Before long, a man dressed in a Taoist Robe made his way through the guard, and as he walked, he said, "That doesn’t make sense. I clearly saw the Aura of Heaven’s Son hiding here. How could it be missing?"

This man was Yuan Tiangang from the Great Tang Imperial Astronomical Observatory, who was now looking around with a puzzled expression on his face, yet he indeed noticed nothing unusual.

"Imperial Astronomer, it looks like you’re not as divine as the legends say. His Majesty is in the prime of his life, and you claim that the Aura of Heaven’s Son is here. I think His Majesty has been too indulgent with you; if it were up to me, I would have had you executed long ago," the leader of the guards said with disdain.

"Brothers, there’s no thief here, let’s go," he announced, beckoning his men to follow him as he led them away.

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Yuan Tiangang, left alone, still couldn’t believe it and murmured to himself, "It doesn’t add up, my calculations can’t be wrong, how could we not find the person?"

Unconvinced, Yuan Tiangang looked around, but by that time the Old Eunuch had already left with Wu Meiniang, who was wearing an expression of excitement and curiosity on her face, and he saw nothing.

Suddenly, a faint sound of footsteps came from behind him, and Yuan Tiangang turned around in alarm to see a Scholar, wearing a green robe and with a refined appearance, standing beside him. At the sight of him, Yuan Tiangang felt as though he was seeing an ocean, peering into an abyss, an inexplicable dread proliferating in his mind.

"Who are you?" Yuan Tiangang asked, his voice trembling slightly.

"Yuan Tiangang, the nephew of Yuan Shoucheng? As for who I am, you can ask your uncle when you go back. Go on, stop showing off your skills. This matter isn’t something you can get involved in," Lu Yu said gently.

To Yuan Tiangang’s ears, these words were a melody from heaven. The moment the Scholar appeared, he feared he was destined for doom, yet here the Scholar was, casually sparing him.

He bowed deeply and sincerely thanked him, "I’m grateful for your mercy, sir," and then slowly backed away, his heart pounding, dreading that Lu Yu might call out "wait."

It was not until he had left the Imperial Palace that he heard no further word from Lu Yu and finally relaxed, his legs giving way beneath him as he collapsed to the ground, unaware that his back was soaked through.

When he arrived home, worn out, he saw his uncle leisurely enjoying the moonlight in the courtyard.

"What have you done to yourself? Why do you look like this? We Cultivators should be composed and tranquil. Look at you now, restless and unstable. Where is the demeanor of a Cultivator? I have warned you before; you shouldn’t meddle with the Fortune and Destiny of the Human Path.

You just wouldn’t listen and insisted on being the Imperial Astronomer. Have you encountered another troublesome matter?" Yuan Shoucheng chided his nephew before showing concern.

Yuan Tiangang moved slowly to his uncle’s side and sat down on a stone stool. He sighed and said, "Today, I was very close to not coming back."

"Tonight, I observed the celestial signs and saw the Aura of Heaven’s Son appear where the Supreme Emperor’s palace used to be. I thought it might be the one who would replace Tang, so I intended to have someone arrest the trespasser. But the person wasn’t found, and instead, I encountered a Scholar dressed in a green robe."

Yuan Tiangang recounted everything he had seen and heard, and conveyed the words of Lu Yu.

"Fortunately, I have met this gentleman before. He is a Land Immortal who can come and go freely from the palace. He likely has treasures of the Human Path with him. You’ve been foolish; in all history, no woman has ever ascended to the throne. It’s an unprecedented event. The depth of involvement is not something your frail body can withstand.

In the future, remember not to show off and know that it’s wiser to conceal your abilities," his uncle admonished.