Chapter 218: Heart of the Strong

Chapter 218: Chapter 218: Heart of the Strong

In the Sky City, within the Western Garden Palace.

Zhongshan, Qianyou, Shuijing, Ada, A'er, and Gulin gathered once again. After over six months of investigation, Zhongshan's route had been mostly planned out, and they had obtained some topographic images, which Zhongshan was now explaining to everyone.

Although six months had passed, Gulin's resentment towards Zhongshan had faded somewhat, but there was still a hint of coldness in his eyes.

After the explanation, Princess Qianyou suddenly spoke, "Master, do you know that three days ago, Great Wei Tianlong Bodhisattva has arrived?"

"Arrived?" Zhongshan puzzled.

"Yes, he is currently resting in a serene temple to the east of the Sky City, recuperating and adjusting his own aura to its peak. In a month, he will officially battle Emperor Nalan." Princess Qianyou said.

"Great Wei Tianlong Bodhisattva?" Zhongshan frowned, contemplating.

"The one accompanying him is the Enlightened Arhat we encountered at the Phantom Spring last time," Mr. Shuijing said.

"Great Wei Tianlong Bodhisattva, isn't he from the Holy Land of Pure Bliss?" Zhongshan asked with a furrowed brow once again.

"Of course, I told you last time," Gulin sneered beside him.

Zhongshan paid it no mind, and neither did the others.

"Holy Land of Pure Bliss? It seems like the next month might not be peaceful," Zhongshan sighed lightly.

"Not peaceful? What do you mean?" Gulin frowned.

"Your Highness, when Crown Prince Daguang Juetai was still alive, there were conspiracies against us. Now that there's a holy land involved, won't it provoke even more conspiracies?" Mr. Shuijing explained.

"What? Someone wants to harm us?" Gulin exclaimed immediately.

"Yes," Mr. Shuijing said with concern.

"Who? What should we do?" Gulin immediately became worried.

Gulin still remembered the situation at Wuhu back then, it was a total massacre. Even though they found a scapegoat later, a slight misstep could lead to being nowhere to be buried.

"Prepare to face difficulties, but remain unmoved like a mountain. Do not covet or resent, focus on ourselves, and dissolve external forces until a month later when we leave the Sky City," Mr. Shuijing said.

Half a month later, there was still half a month left before Nalan Piaoxue's bloody grand birthday celebration.

In the imperial palace, in a secluded hall, Nalan Piaoxue, the King of Julu, and Yi Yan met once again.

"Your Majesty, Great Wei Tianlong Bodhisattva has been here for almost twenty days," the King of Julu smiled.

A palace attendant arrived and escorted Yi Yan away. Watching Yi Yan leave, Nalan Piaoxue furrowed his brow, while the King of Julu had approached behind him.

"King of Julu, what do you think?" Nalan Piaoxue frowned.

"I think, although the Grand Commander has agreed to Your Majesty's request, he may still continue to plot against Princess Qianyou. The Grand Commander now..." the King of Julu stopped halfway through his sentence.

"What about now?" Nalan Piaoxue asked.

"I cannot say, Your Majesty," the King of Julu replied.

"Speak! You are forgiven!" Nalan Piaoxue said sternly.

"Yes, the Grand Commander's power is now rivaling Your Majesty's. He is disobeying the emperor's orders, and once disobedient, there may be a second time. Who is the true ruler of the empire in this case, I am worried..." the King of Julu immediately advised.

"That's enough!" Nalan Piaoxue interrupted immediately.

"Yes," the King of Julu fell silent.

After a moment of silence, Nalan Piaoxue took a deep breath and said, "Yi Yan is also working to fulfill the wishes of the late emperor. Although his methods are somewhat extreme, ultimately, it's for the empire. Besides, his health..."

As Nalan Piaoxue spoke, his brows furrowed, clearly showing his annoyance at Yi Yan's lack of respect for the emperor. But Yi Yan had worked hard for the empire his whole life, and now he was facing imminent death. Nalan Piaoxue couldn't bring himself to be too harsh.

"Yes, but what about Princess Qianyou and Great Wei Tianlong Bodhisattva?" the King of Julu worriedly asked.

"Although Yi Yan has agreed, we still need to be cautious. You gather strong individuals to protect Princess Qianyou and her group. As for Great Wei Tianlong Bodhisattva, you don't need to worry. Besides me, there's no one in the entire Sky City who can threaten him," Nalan Piaoxue said.

"Yes," the King of Julu immediately agreed.

"For the last half month, there must be no mistakes. I'll be in seclusion this time, so don't disturb me anymore. The battle in half a month is crucial," Nalan Piaoxue said.

"I obey," the King of Julu immediately replied—

At the Grand Commander's Mansion.

General Tie Xue anxiously watched the pavilion not far away, where the Grand Commander had been sitting motionless for three days since returning from the palace, watching the fish in the pond. Please, let nothing happen!

"Tie Xue," Yi Yan suddenly spoke up.

Yi Yan's words seemed to pour into General Tie Xue's ears like divine music. Tie Xue quickly ran over and appeared in the pavilion in an instant.

"Grand Commander," Tie Xue immediately responded.

"Prepare a grand feast. I want to entertain Princess Qianyou and Enlightened Arhat," Yi Yan said with narrowed eyes.