Lord Shenxiu-Chapter 491: Palace Discussion (Extra update for monthly pass)
Chapter 491: Chapter 491: Palace Discussion (Extra update for monthly pass)
Changluo.
As the capital of the Second Yan Han Empire, it was protected by eight cities and bloomed with thousands of extravagances.
Even at night, there were scenes of everlasting splendor, with trees ablaze with lanterns and streets sparkling as if it were always daytime.
At the heart of all this glory, of course, stood the Imperial Palace.
A simple carriage, carrying an ordinary-looking middle-aged Daoist, drove openly through the Imperial City, drawing many curious glances.
It is known that in this forbidden land of the Emperor, riding horses or being carried in palanquins is strictly prohibited.
The only ones who could do so were His Majesty the Emperor and a very few others who held the supreme power of the empire.
But when the middle-aged Daoist got off the carriage, everyone thought it was just as it should be.
For he was the leader of the Supreme Dragon and Tiger Sect, Qingwei Dao Miao Zhenjun!
Given such status, it was natural that he should be granted the privilege to ride or be carried within the Imperial City.
Qingwei Dao Miao Zhenjun stepped out of the carriage and walked unobstructed straight into Chengtian Hall.
The hall was originally called Daoji Hall, but in Chengtian First Year, it was renamed by the old emperor, causing quite a stir.
Several officials who submitted petitions in protest were executed on the spot.
But the old emperor still pushed through with his changes with extreme rigidity.
After waiting for a moment, Qingwei Dao Miao Zhenjun was summoned by a little eunuch:
"Announcing... Qingwei Dao Miao Zhenjun for an audience!"
The middle-aged Daoist nodded slightly and entered the grand hall.
Chengtian Hall was resplendent with gold and jade, supported by nine dragons, majestic and grand.
Not only that, but those nine golden dragons seemed not merely to be lifeless sculptures but rather incarnations of dragon qi itself, with eighteen divine eyes radiating light, fixating on the newcomer.
As the core of the Yan Han Empire, the main hall of the Imperial City, the seat of the Emperor, this place was naturally the center of the world and the heavy land of dragon qi.
Even ordinary Primordial Pill Masters were greatly suppressed here.
However, Qingwei Dao Miao Zhenjun showed no change in his expression and performed a courtesy: "Daoist pays respect to Your Majesty!"
Behind the imperial writing desk sat an elderly man with white hair.
His appearance was plain, dressed only in a bright yellow embroidered dragon robe, his hair simply tied up, without any cumbersome ceremonial attire or decorations.
Those twelve-Chaptered ceremonial robes were only worn during sacrificial times and otherwise were cumbersome.
The emperors of the Second Yan Han Empire no longer needed to use deliberate ceremonial distinctions to prove their status and nobility.
In this world where Daoist skills were revered, the protection of dragon qi and the power flowing in their bloodlines were the best proofs!
Only true mortals who were Emperors would think to use all sorts of ceremonies, regulations, and meticulous divisions in the pleasures of life to artificially differentiate classes.
Real sovereigns need none of these!
"True Monarch comes in the depth of night for a matter to discuss!"
The old emperor spoke calmly, casually handing a document to Qingwei Dao Miao Zhenjun.
Although he could have used a quick sweep of divine sense or the Innate Eight Diagrams for divination to obtain the result, to show respect, the middle-aged Daoist still took the document and glanced briefly: "Assassination attempt against the Fourth Prince in Daze City?"
A flush of red appeared on the old emperor’s face, his eyes smoldering with fury as he suddenly coughed several times: "Cough cough... Difficulties of national affairs... and yet they still engage in such infighting, even more crazily colluding with outsiders!"
How terrifying is the Emperor’s fury?
The nine golden dragons seemed to open their gaping maws, ready to choose someone to devour.
As for the attending eunuchs and palace maids, they were frightened to the extent of kneeling on the ground, wishing they had not been born with ears.
"Your Majesty need not be angry, fortunately the Fourth Prince is blessed and safe."
Qingwei Dao Miao Zhenjun bowed again.
The old Emperor gasped for air, pushed away the Great Eunuch who wanted to come forward to massage him, and looked at the middle-aged Daoist with great envy.
Successive Emperors had naturally also wished to cultivate, but it seemed that because of the interference of the dragon energy, it was very difficult to achieve true fruition.
’If I remained eternally youthful, would those treacherous sons even dare to harbor and take such actions?’
The old Emperor harbored a flame in his heart, yet he was very clear that his body was increasingly failing.
He feared... his end was not far off!
Yet he did not wish to die!
With great power in his hands, to carve up the world as he pleased, having enjoyed it for dozens of years still wasn’t enough; he wanted another five hundred years!
Anyone standing in the way of this goal was an enemy!
Even if it was his own sons, like that unfortunate treacherous Eldest Prince...
"It was indeed thanks to a Loose Cultivator Primordial Spirit that protected and left the Fourth untouched..."
The old Emperor said, "The matter occurred tonight... According to intelligence reports, that Loose Cultivator Primordial Spirit, with a single flying sword, has just killed the Faceless Buddha."
"The Faceless Buddha practiced both demonic and Buddhist techniques, overcoming the calamity twice, and even among Primordial Spirits, was quite formidable..."
As a Dharma Body Cultivator, Qingwei Dao Miao Zhenjun commented indifferently.
"This person goes by the name Zhong Shenxiu, commonly known as Young Master Shen Xiu... He has been active in the Fufeng Protectorate, initially displaying only Divine Power Cultivation but suddenly became a Primordial Pill three years ago, and now... unexpectedly, he’s a Primordial Spirit Practitioner."
The old Emperor spoke slowly.
From the incident occurring to the delivery of the message to him, it took merely a few hours.
Such swift knowledge of everything was enough to prove the royal family’s terrifying reach.
"It is, indeed, impressive... But achieving Primordial Spirit in three years?" The middle-aged Daoist laughed incredulously: "That’s simply impossible!"
Not only does new cultivation require time to settle, but it also needs time to deal with contamination and to temper; sudden leaps are far from beneficial.
The result of such actions usually leads only to one end: total loss of control, turning from immortal to monster!
"I also think he’s some charlatan who has wandered the world, his previous Divine Skills and Primordial Pill, nothing but disguises... Moreover, he has some enmity with your Dragon Tiger Sect, having killed one of your disciples."
The old Emperor continued, expressionless, making it hard to discern anger or joy.
"Your Highness need only command me!" The middle-aged Daoist answered indifferently.
He hadn’t really taken a mere disciple seriously; if the old Emperor wished to mediate, he had no objection.
"Nowadays, the empire is indeed plagued with troubles; having another Primordial Spirit to serve me is also good... Moreover, this person has also made contributions."
The old Emperor said, "I have two imperial decrees here. One is to confer upon him the title of True Monarch, which you shall personally deliver! And the other..."
"If this person indeed harbors secrets, or ill intentions, he shall be executed by the Daoist..." Qingwei Dao Miao Zhenjun finished without a change of expression.
If the other party was just an ordinary Primordial Spirit practitioner with decent combat power, then it might be worthwhile to co-opt him.
The title of True Monarch, generally bestowed only upon Dharma Bodies, was seldom given to Primordial Spirit Practitioners; such an honor would cause ninety-nine percent of cultivators to toil and serve loyally.
In reality, it was merely a more prestigious title, not something to be taken too seriously.
"I also offer the opportunity worth thousand gold horse bones; if his evaluation is normal, you tell this new True Monarch... I shall fulfill one of his wishes, whatever he desires—be it people, a fiefdom, or a cultivation technique."
The old Emperor said indifferently.
In reality, truly powerful Primordial Spirit Practitioners would not be swayed by just a title.
To win someone over, one must make significant sacrifices.
This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶
