Chapter 17

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Clear Mirror Study, also known as “Imperial Study”.

It was the place where the Emperor of Zhou did his reading and stored books.

“Chaoen, how’s the matter with the Truth Monastery?”

The Emperor of Zhou had slightly white earlocks. He summoned the old eunuch in red robes beside him in a slightly weary tone.

“Daoist Chang Yun claimed to have an accident with his elixir cauldron, hence causing such a great commotion.”

With wrinkly skin and white hair, looking old and decrepit, as though he would be knocked over with just a breeze, the old eunuch Chen Chaoen replied slowly with a bow.

“It’s nothing major anyway. If I was not investigating the imperial city recently, I wouldn’t have gone there personally.

“That daoist’s talent is only ordinary and was stuck in the fourth Mortal Stage for a decade. His Qi had already started deteriorating. However, for him to be enlightened by the wisdom of martial arts during elixir refinement, he can be considered a talent.”

The Emperor of Zhou was in the process of signing the memorials sent to the throne from the various provinces and regions. He cared not for such minor issues.

His brows frowned slightly and asked, “Did you find any lead on the phenomenon from that day?”

The old eunuch Chen Chaoen shook his head. He brought men from the Ceremonial Directorate and carefully searched through all palaces and halls within the inner court.

Even desolate places like the Jingren Palace and the Eternal Happiness Palace were not spared.

However, it was still fruitless.

“That person did not leave behind any aura and the tracks well hidden. It’s either an expert in the art of concealment or someone of an extremely high cultivation stage! Even my Heaven Vision Technique was of no use.”

A bright glow flashed within the old eunuch Chen Chaoen’s narrow eyes with blurry pupils, giving him the eerie air of an ancient ghost.

“If you can’t find him, I’m afraid that person has long departed from the imperial city and disappeared without a trace.”

The Emperor of Zhou was still troubled by the grand phenomenon of the Sun and Moon sharing the same sky from that day.

Could it be a sign?

For that, he had even summoned the imperial astronomer, Yuan Li, to perform five rounds of fortune-telling. However, there were no abnormalities.

“Your Majesty, I have an insolent speculation.”

Chen Chaoen bowed his already bent back even further.

“Within Tianjing City, there aren’t many people that can trigger such a phenomenon that affects the Imperial Dragon Qi.

“Marquis Zhao Kai who’s one step away from the Innate Grandmaster Stage, His Highness the Crown Prince who bears the dragon Qi, and…the leader of the Dragon Guardians anointed by the ancestor.

“Apart from them, I really can’t think of anyone else that could create such a phenomenon.”

The Emperor of Zhou closed his eyes while his fingers tapped on the broad narra desk.

After 15 minutes of silence, he finally said softly, “It’s not Zhao’er. He’s only capable of securing the nation. He doesn’t have the spirit or ambitions to take over the world, to swallow the Sun and Moon. Moreover, his foundations had been damaged since young and would never have such a deep and powerful foundation to manifest such a phenomenon.

“Marquis Zhao Kai…Back then he did not fight for the throne. If he’s only thinking of making a move after I’ve been on it for so long, wouldn’t that be a little too late?

“There had been no news of Grand Commander Zhao of the Dragon Guardians ever since his battle with Master Zhizhu of the Great Boundless Palace fifteen years ago.

“After that, the Grand Commander told the four chief guardians he would enter closed-door cultivation to the death and see if he could break through to the tenth Mortal Stage and become a Human Immortal.

“In the blink of an eye, the Great Boundless Palace’s Master Zhizhu is at the end of his ropes while his disciple Phags-pa is exerting his dominance over the world.

“Meanwhile, I’ve yet to see the Grand Commander come out of his closed-door cultivation. I’m afraid that…he has failed.”

Before Chen Chaoen, the Emperor of Zhou did not show any air of authority.

Within the imperial palace, the old eunuch that followed him all the while back when he was still fighting for the throne was the only one he could share his heartfelt thoughts with.

“Innate Grandmasters have a lifespan of over two hundred years. Along with precious herbs that prolonged one’s lifespan, it wouldn’t be a problem to live up to three hundred years!

“From my perspective, the Grand Commander might not have failed his closed cultivation. He might also be seeking life through death, looking to reverse one’s mortality. He might be at the critical moment of becoming a Human Immortal.”

Chen Chaoen said carefully.

The Dragon Guardians were established during the founding of the kingdom by the founding ancestor.

Grand Commander Zhao Ce was one of the few Innate Grandmasters in the world.

Although his name was on the ranking board, few people knew about his identity and full name.

Back then, if not for the Grand Commander Guardian holding off Master Zhizhu from the Great Boundless Palace along with his eight subordinate divisions, the Zhou Kingdom might be as secure as it turned out to be.

“It shouldn’t be Marquis Zhao Kai. If he wanted this seat, there’s no need to wait until now.”

The Emperor of Zhou thought about it, then removed the doubt in his heart.

“Back then, Father loved him and even praised him with words like ‘this son is just like me’. However, soon after that, he departed from Tianjing City, leaving behind his wealth and power of a prince to travel the world.”

Chen Chaoen did not say much. He was only analyzing and deducing.

If not those three, then who else could trespass the imperial city silently and also affect the Imperial Dragon Qi?

“If Grand Commander Zhao was around, the Zhou Kingdom would not be in such a passive state.”

The Emperor of Zhou massaged his tightly knit brows and lamented, “Just a single monk from a secretive sect managed to make me hand over Yongxue Pass! I’m truly a disgrace to the previous emperors!”

Chen Chaoen lowered his face and said in a soft voice, “I deserve to die for my inability to ease your worries.”

He managed the Ceremonial Directorate, having to watch over the imperial city and serve the emperor at the same time.

In terms of martial arts cultivation stage, this old eunuch that had access to imperial secret arts and elixir supplies was already an expert at the peak of the Spiritual Transformation Stage.

Unfortunately, a eunuch was innately handicapped, lacking that little bit of extreme Yang Qi, making it almost impossible for them to reach the Innate Grandmaster Stage.

“When you visit the Black Dragon Altar again, go ask the commander of the four guardians and see if you can learn the whereabouts of the Grand Commander. Regardless of his success or failure, the Taiji Pure Yang Coffin that was borrowed for his cultivation breakthrough should be returned.”

The Emperor of Zhou frowned his brows deeply as he ordered in a low voice.

Within the imperial treasury, there was a great treasure named Taiji Pure Yang Coffin.

It was able to collect the pure Yang Qi from its surroundings, using it to cleanse one’s body and restore vitality.

However, it was taken by the Grand Commander of the Dragon Guardians for his closed-door cultivation to the death. Up until then, it was never returned to the imperial family.

“With that treasure, Zhao’er will be able to start his Foundation Establishment immediately and cultivate the Sacred Heavenly Scripture acquired by the great ancestor. Meanwhile, Chaoen, you will have a better chance at breaking through to the Innate Stage.”

The Emperor of Zhou had never slacked off and performed his tasks dutifully ever since his ascension to the throne.

However, there were external threats of the Yuanmeng Empire and other nations on the Divine Continent.

At the same time, there were also internal worries of the great families and sects of the martial world.

They caused him to be heavily burdened and shackled, making it difficult for him to execute anything.

He had a total of 11 children, nine of them princes.

At that moment, three had passed away.

The Crown Prince was not living up to his expectations, lacking the spirit and ability to expand the nation.

Little Nine was too similar to Marquis Zhao Kai, loving to deal with the sects of the martial world, completely forgetting that the various sects out there were like wild snakes.

They were a group of people without a sense of righteousness and patriotism in their hearts. Furthermore, they were like insurgents and thieves that would only break the rules with their violence.

The Fifth Prince whom he favored had even died in Yongxue Pass, losing his life to the barbarians of the plains.

The rest of his sons were even worse.

They lacked the ability to govern and the quality of an emperor.

“Yuan’er is quite promising, but he’s too young.”

After much contemplation, the Emperor of Zhou picked the Eleventh Prince, Zhao Yuan, but then shook his head and said, “I can only choose the Crown Prince. Sigh…if I steeled my heart and killed that cursed child in the crib, perhaps my other sons wouldn’t have died so early…”

Chen Chaoen remained silent. He constantly reminded himself that he was only a servant.

The emperor’s matters in the kingdom were not something he should comment on.

“Your Majesty has a kind heart. How would you bear to act against your own flesh and blood? All these years during Consort Ning’s death anniversary, Your Majesty would visit Jingren Palace and stay for a while. From that, we can see that Your Majesty still treasures the old feelings.”

Chen Chaoen held a cup of warm tea and passed it to the frowning emperor’s side.

The old eunuch that looked like a flickering candle flame in the wind had dry skin that was akin to old dead trees.

However, his hands were fair as jade, devoid of any wrinkles.

“At first, I didn’t believe in Yuan Li’s fortune. With a kingdom’s fate and the Imperial Dragon Qi protecting me, any regular martial arts expert wouldn’t be able to harm me. How would I be cursed by my own son?”

The Emperor of Zhou lifted the lid from the cup and blew at it.

“However, the truth is laid before me. I’ll be honest with you, Chaoen. Ever since Cheng’er’s passing, I’ve been having frequent nightmares.

“Just above the Hanging Arch Palace, I dreamt of a black dragon opening its maws and swallowing me whole! It’s terrifying!”

Chen Chaoen’s faint brows twitched as his heart was shocked.

He was an expert in martial arts and was naturally able to pick up on that cold killing intent within the emperor’s tone.

“Your Majesty, your plan is?”

He could not help but lower his voice.

“Three months later, when that cursed child follows Little Nine on the way to Tong Province, go make him die of a sudden illness.”

The Emperor of Zhou took a sip of hot tea and said calmly, “Fifteen years. I’ve let him live for fifteen long years.

“At this point, for the Zhou Kingdom, I can’t think about the ties of flesh and blood any longer.”

Chen Chaoen, the supervisor of the Ceremonial Directorate sighed softly, then nodded in reply, “I’ll see to it.”