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Chapter 460: Loyal and Righteous, Meeting the Imperial Emperor Again
Pa!
The dark-skinned cultivator's five fingers curled like hooks, gripping True Monarch Red Refinement’s skullcap. The latter's brain matter turned into a pile of bloody mush.
True Monarch Red Refinement’s nearly shattered nascent soul, just barely regaining a thread of clarity, was instantly devoured by a mysterious force of law and vanished without a trace.
"Even a mosquito’s leg is still meat."
The dark-skinned cultivator smacked his lips. The nearly transparent mask on his face, thin as a cicada’s wing shifted and warped.
This scene bore an uncanny resemblance to how the Master of Unseen Gate had assassinated the Palace Master of Proud Moon Palace, both involved approaching under the guise of a familiar cultivator before erupting in a sudden kill.
Lan Chang'an lacked such professional stealth techniques or assassination arts.
However, his Evergreen Technique was excellent at concealing one’s presence, and with the assistance of a rare item like the Black Wind Cloak, the effect was not much inferior.
In addition, he possessed fourth-rank divination skills, and his spiritual sense perception far surpassed the Unseen Gate Master's.
At present, both “Xiang Dalong” and Lord Earthrock were stationed at the frontline fortress.
True Monarch Red Refinement had been monitoring from the rear, never expecting puppet master Xiang Dalong to also be skilled in infiltration and assassination.
Lan Chang'an waved his hand, collecting True Monarch Red Refinement’s spatial ring, the hidden poison pouch at his waist, and the poison cauldron behind him.
The poison pouch was a specially refined Hundred-Treasure Bag of Toxins, capable of silently unleashing various rare poisons and plagues.
Inside the poison cauldron were over a dozen of the world’s deadliest and rarest poisons, such as the Blood-Kiss Centipede, Three-Tailed Blue Scorpion, and the Vertical-Eyed Pit Viper, all soaking in black venomous liquid.
“A poison master’s arsenal should never be underestimated.”
Lan Chang'an carefully collected and stored them, wary of any automatically triggered toxins.
Hm?
Lan Chang'an sensed something. With a sweep of spiritual sense, he gazed at True Monarch Red Refinement’s now soulless body.
He circulated his mana, and from a distance, aimed his palm at Red Refinement’s abdomen.
Whoosh!
Several ominous flames of various colors floated out from Red Refinement’s body, guided by Lan Chang'an’s mana, and were sealed within a black stone jar.
It was only because Lan Chang'an had succeeded in a one-strike assassination and devoured the opponent’s nascent soul’s consciousness that he could safely harvest the external-refined toxic flames within the body.
“The Red Refinement Poison Flame, along with these ultimate poisons, could theoretically enhance the power of the Five Birds Venom Fire Fan.”
Lan Chang'an revealed a satisfied smile.
Previously, the spoils from Fairy Luo had been plentiful.
But in comparison, the “gift” from True Monarch Red Refinement suited him far better.
After collecting the loot, Lan Chang'an summoned the Evergreen mana and incinerated True Monarch Red Refinement’s body into a pile of toxic bone ash, which he stored in a bone box.
By destroying the corpse, he left no clues for the Great Yu Kingdom to follow afterward.
“A poison master’s corpse left in the world could easily harm innocents.”
Out of “great compassion,” Lan Chang'an collected the toxic ashes to recycle in the future.
...
Having cleaned the scene,
Lan Chang'an donned the Black Wind Cloak, reducing his presence, and turned into a faint black shadow as he quietly slipped away from the True Monarch’s abode.
Since the assassination focused on the soul and lacked any overt magical battle, it didn’t trigger the abode’s alarm formations.
As his cultivation and spiritual sense improved, Lan Chang'an had gained more refined control over the Barbed Arrow.
By using only a small amount of mana and focusing more on the spiritual sense, the Barbed Arrow delivered an even purer soul attack.
In major immortal cities and True Monarch estates, the defensive formations were indeed much stronger.
However, the open spaces within the city made it easier for Lan Chang'an to strike and escape.
Earlier in the fortress, Lan Chang'an had deliberately arranged to live next to True Monarch Red Refinement, manipulating the forces of fate to amplify the latter’s sense of unease.
Under the cover of the Black Wind Cloak, Lan Chang'an flitted through the shadowed corners of the immortal city.
Even though the abode’s alarms weren’t triggered, shortly after Lan Chang'an left, alert sirens began to sound across Qingfeng City.
Before long, another stationed Nascent Soul cultivator within the city and those at the frontline fortress of the Great Yu Kingdom were alarmed, and numerous law enforcement cultivators flew toward Red Refinement’s abode.
Lan Chang'an surmised that some special formation or mystical artifact within the city had detected the fall of a high-rank cultivator.
Despite the lockdown of Qingfeng City, it did nothing to prevent his escape.
With the aid of the Hundred Illusion Mask, he altered his appearance and blended in as one of the patrolling cultivators, easily leaving the scene.
...
Thousands of li away, at a floating battle fortress near the front lines.
“What! True Monarch Red Refinement was killed in Qingfeng City?”
“No traces of a battle within the estate?”
Receiving the urgent transmission, several Nascent Soul True Monarchs within the fortress were deeply shocked.
A Nascent Soul cultivator, even if weakened after battle, shouldn’t have died so soundlessly within a city guarded by arrays and estate restrictions.
“Who was the killer? Across the entire Central Region, only a few cultivators could pull that off.”
The imperial clan’s Nascent Soul elder frowned, deep in thought.
To deduce the killer, one typically began with motive. For instance, who bore grudges against Great Snake Mountain or True Monarch Red Refinement, or who had conflicting interests?
But in the world of cultivation, one must also consider who had the capability.
Several of the Nascent Soul cultivators within the fortress instinctively glanced at Xiang Dalong’s estate.
In recent days, Xiang Dalong and Lord Earthrock had been stationed at the fortress, even confronting Great Luo Kingdom’s Nascent Soul giant from afar.
“That old snake Red Refinement’s dead?”
A gloating voice rang out.
“Haha! Shall I assist in the investigation and help find the real killer?”
Xiang Dalong and Lord Earthrock appeared above their estate, emanating the undeniable pressure of a Nascent Soul cultivator and a fourth-rank demon king which was impossible to fake.
“It wasn’t Xiang Dalong.”
The imperial elder and several Nascent Souls secretly shook their heads.
During this period, Xiang Dalong and Lord Earthrock had never left their perceptive range.
The killing of Fairy Luo had been a sudden ambush, enabled by Lord Earthrock’s support.
Even if there were a second Xiang Dalong, without Lord Earthrock’s cooperation, it would be nearly impossible to swiftly kill an early Nascent Soul cultivator.
Xiang Dalong was a major power in the Central Region; the Nascent Soul cultivators at the fortress dared not inspect him too closely. But Lord Earthrock’s demonic aura was exposed, clearly distinguishable.
“True Monarch Xiang must remain stationed at the fortress to defend against Great Luo Kingdom’s mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. This matter is of great importance, no need for him to return to Qingfeng City.”
The imperial Nascent Soul elder gave the order for the fortress to retreat by a thousand li and personally took a clan Nascent Soul cultivator back to Qingfeng City to investigate.
Shortly after their departure, Xiang Dalong strengthened the fortress’s defenses and made a round of inspections.
During that time, Lan Chang'an, having returned from the assassination, quietly rendezvoused with the White-Robed Puppet, completing the identity swap.
As early as the Core Formation stage, Lan Chang'an had fused a shadow of his past life into a puppet, creating a puppet double.
This puppet double could be remotely controlled from long distances and shared vision and senses.
Possessing the aura of a divine soul and enhanced with human-mimicking puppet techniques, it could easily pass for the real thing.
With the fourth life fused into the puppet, in a low-energy, non-combat mode, it could be sustained for a long duration.
Lan Chang'an could now illuminate his fourth life in just a few months.
Thus, both entities could coexist.
Earlier, Lord Earthrock had consistently accompanied the white-robed puppet, serving as effective cover to avoid exposure.
...
The next day, the imperial elder concluded his investigation and returned to the floating war fortress.
Reportedly, he found no significant clues.
With the Great Yu Kingdom at war, the frontlines remained the highest priority. There was little energy to spare for a thorough investigation.
The matter could only be submitted to the imperial court, where the divination grandmaster would be tasked to deduce the truth and assist the inquiry.
The imperial elder gathered several Nascent Soul cultivators within the war fortress and gave a brief overview of the situation.
After learning the details, Lan Chang'an followed the line of reasoning and said,
“Judging from the findings, it seems a mysterious cultivator disguised themself as one of Red Refinement True Monarch’s trusted aides and struck when he was off guard.”
“Perhaps we should begin from the angle of capability, namely which cultivators in the Great Yuan are skilled in disguise and assassination.”
The Nascent Soul cultivators present had already considered this possibility.
Someone shook their head and said, “The Great Yuan territory is vast, and there are quite a few Nascent Soul cultivators with such abilities, some known, some hidden.”
In the Great Qing, even orthodox sect cultivators might kill and steal in secret, laying blame elsewhere all the more so in the chaotic Great Yuan.
“Then we narrow the scope, start with the Central Region, especially our enemies.”
“The ‘Demonface True Monarch’ of Yaqi Mountain is known for such methods. He’s adept at disguise and often toys with various identities among the mundane world.”
“Demonface True Monarch is one of Yaqi Mountain’s leading figures. He roams the world constantly and dislikes conflict. There’s been no sign of him participating in this war.”
“But times have changed! With a hefty reward promised by Yaqi Mountain’s leaders, he might’ve been persuaded.”
“There are only so many mid-stage Nascent Soul enemies, Demonface True Monarch fits the profile best.”
After a round of discussion, the cultivators agreed that he was the most likely suspect.
Lan Chang'an concurred, “Indeed, Demonface True Monarch is the prime suspect.”
…
Within the True Monarch’s residence at the floating war fortress.
Lan Chang'an seized the opportunity to quickly refine the poisonous treasures, Red Refinement Poison flame, and bone toxin essence from Red Refinement True Monarch into the Five-Beast Poisonflame Fan.
Even with just an initial fusion, the fan’s power increased notably.
By slaying a poison-crafting grandmaster, Lan Chang'an greatly expanded his cache of fourth-rank toxic materials.
As for the other suspicious or incriminating items, Lan had already disposed of them, including the remaining bone ash, which he had Lord Earthrock dissolve deep into the molten rock beneath the earth.
Having slain two Nascent Soul cultivators back-to-back, Lan Chang'an’s value skyrocketed, his spoils far surpassed the profits from his previous dealings with the Great Yu Kingdom.
That said, the top-tier resources from the imperial court were still incredibly hard to come by in the broader cultivation world.
Additionally, the Nascent Souls of Fairy Luo and Red Refinement True Monarch had been absorbed by the Nine Seal Stele, from which Lan Chang'an extracted useful memories.
In Fairy Luo’s memories, aside from classified secrets of the Great Luo imperial family, there was also detailed insight into the Great Yu imperial court.
After all, the Great Luo Kingdom had originally split from the Great Yu, and the Luo family had bloodline ties and intermarriages with the Yu imperial family.
Regrettably, even after absorbing two Nascent Souls as nourishment, the sixth imprint on the Nine Seal Stele only flickered faintly, progress was negligible.
Lan Chang'an reaffirmed that the sixth life’s level was too high; the divine soul of a Nascent Soul cultivator was insufficient to illuminate it.
…
Three days later.
Noticing unusual movements from the Great Yu Kingdom, the Great Luo Kingdom launched a proactive strike, probing the defenses with harassment tactics.
Thunder rolled across the clouds overhead.
A vast spiritual pressure, belonging to a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, surged forward like a tidal wave, bearing down on the floating war fortress.
“Xiang Dalong! I have descended upon the Water Moon battlefield, why have you not come forth to face me?”
“Could it be that your so-called prestige as a Central Region giant is built solely on sneak attacks from the shadows?”
A thunderous voice echoed closer and closer, accompanied by crashing bolts of lightning.
Behind it, the auras of several other Nascent Soul cultivators from the Great Luo Kingdom approached.
“That’s Grand Elder Cloud Thunder True Monarch of the Profound Sky Palace!”
The high-ranking cultivators inside the fortress recognized the visitor immediately.
Profound Sky Palace was a transcendent force of the Great Luo Kingdom, deeply tied to the Luo imperial family through marriage, and jointly governed the cultivation nation.
Lan Chang'an made a quick calculation and understood the reasoning.
A few days ago, while planning to assassinate Red Refinement True Monarch, he had left his puppet double to sit tight at the fortress, adopting a purely defensive posture.
After Red Refinement’s death, the imperial elder had ordered the floating war fortress to withdraw a thousand li.
The Great Yu’s cautious and weak stance had tipped off the Great Luo Kingdom, prompting them to test the waters.
Furthermore, there was unreliable intel:
Fairy Luo’s self-destruction might have cost Xiang Dalong dearly, possibly inflicting a hidden injury.
...
Inside the battle fortress, several Nascent Soul cultivators soared into the sky, preparing to confront the True Monarch from the Great Luo Kingdom.
"True Monarch Xiang, are you sure you can handle 'Cloud Thunder True Monarch' from the Profound Sky Palace?"
An imperial elder reminded him solemnly.
As agreed, Lan Chang'an was responsible for restraining the mid-stage Nascent Soul giant.
“Hah! A stray dog defeated by Emperor Yu, I'd like to see what you're made of!”
Lan Chang'an let out a loud laugh, his mocking voice echoing through the skies.
Whoosh—
The Black Heaven Wings spread with fury, unleashing a surge of black wind and radiant haze that tore apart the clouds in an instant.
Leading the charge, Lan Chang'an rose to the crest of the cloud sea, flying straight to meet the Great Luo Kingdom’s Nascent Soul behemoth.
Zzzzt!
In the distance, a magnificent silver thundercloud ring emerged over the sky, gathering tens of thousands of lightning threads. Its brilliance lit up the clouds for hundreds of li.
The thundercloud ring stretched four to five li in diameter. At its core stood a tall man with long silver-white hair and a storm-patterned robe. His face was sharp as if carved from stone, with thunder-shaped brows arched upward, he looked like a cold and imposing God of Thunder descending from the heavens.
Beneath the cloud’s summit, several Great Yu Nascent Soul cultivators intentionally avoided the “Cloud Thunder True Monarch,” each locking into battle with their familiar counterparts to keep each other in check.
“Jumping clown! How dare you act so brazenly!”
The Cloud Thunder True Monarch barked in fury. With every step he took, a lotus-shaped thunder shadow bloomed beneath his feet as he advanced at blinding speed.
Lan Chang'an’s jab had hit a nerve.
At the start of the war, Emperor Yu had defeated and wounded the Cloud Thunder True Monarch, and then, right before his eyes, used the Azure Dragon Sword to slay another early Nascent Soul cultivator of the Great Luo Kingdom.
Heaven-Cracking Thunder Burial!
The Cloud Thunder True Monarch formed seals with both hands, his expression flickering between light and dark. The massive silver thundercloud ring began to spin at high speed, summoning an endless torrent of silver-white lightning serpents. The deluge of thunder surged like an avalanche from a snow-capped mountain, engulfing several li where Lan Chang'an stood.
The Black Heaven Wings transformed into a flickering mirage of wind and haze, narrowly dodging the core of the thunder attack.
Verdant light flowed as pure wood-element spiritual energy surged forth.
Swish swish swish!
Three identical Lan Chang'ans appeared, forming hand seals in unison. Above their heads floated a charred, grotesquely thick wooden stake.
Frightening blue lightning surged upon the stake, roaring like a doomsday thunder dragon.
BOOM! ZZZZT!
The thundercloud avalanche clashed with the blue lightning, annihilating each other in a storm of chaos.
Despite the power clash, residual strands of silver lightning struck the charred wooden stake.
Hiss—
Black smoke rose from the stake as it absorbed the remaining silver lightning, preventing it from seeping through to harm Lan Chang'an.
“The Thunderwood Stake! Such a rare treasure of heaven and earth has fallen into your hands?”
Cloud Thunder True Monarch's face darkened with surprise as greed flickered in his eyes.
As a lightning-element Nascent Soul cultivator, he instantly recognized the rare and precious nature of this innate spirit treasure.
Not only did it possess tremendous power, but it also had great potential for growth.
To think such a treasure would fall into Xiang Dalong’s hands, what a waste!
Still, the Thunderwood Stake, rooted in ancient timber and baptized by divine lightning, also resonated with the Dao of wood, making it suitable for wood-element techniques as well.
“A worthy bird chooses a good tree. Fellow Daoist, you’re far too attached to appearances.”
As Lan Chang'an spoke, a beam of earthy-yellow light shot out from his waist.
Whoosh!
A sandstorm erupted as Lord Earthrock’s body expanded, transforming into a two-zhang-tall half-demon rat-man. Clad in heavy scale armor and wielding a bronze halberd, it lunged at the Cloud Thunder True Monarch from the flank.
“Vile beast!”
The Cloud Thunder True Monarch growled, flinging out a Vajra Bangle from his arm. The artifact expanded to dozens of zhang, radiating dazzling arcs of gold and silver lightning.
BOOM!
Lord Earthrock was struck and sent flying. Cracks spread across its armor, and wisps of black smoke rose from its purple fur.
Chii chii—
Snarling wildly, Lord Earthrock flipped through the air, unleashing its violent demonic might. Channeling strength, it hurled the bronze halberd like a comet.
The thunderclouds roared as the bronze weapon tore through them.
The Cloud Thunder True Monarch squinted slightly, arcs crackling under his feet as he vanished, dodging the powerful strike.
Suddenly, several black feather-like blades streaked toward him from behind.
The Black Heaven Wings flared, casting a curtain of dark wind and haze, slashing out arcs of shadowy feathers.
“He actually predicted my thunderflash escape path...?”
The Cloud Thunder True Monarch was startled. His silver hair whipped like a thunder waterfall as mid-stage Nascent Soul power exploded from him, releasing countless arcs.
BZZZ!
Within a radius of several li, silver lightning snakes shot out from the surrounding clouds, dispersing the black haze and obliterating the incoming feather blades.
Just then, Lord Earthrock charged again, sweeping its bronze halberd wide, only to be narrowly evaded once more by the Cloud Thunder True Monarch’s lightning movement.
“Seeking death!”
A frustrated roar rang out.
The Vajra Bangle, crackling with golden and silver lightning, smashed downward at Lord Earthrock’s head with full force.
CLANG! BOOM!
A rustic shield rose in front of Lord Earthrock. Thunder exploded as both beast and shield were sent flying.
“A fourth-rank demon king’s body is already formidable, and this rat also carries an impressive defensive magical treasure!”
The Cloud Thunder True Monarch frowned. Lord Earthrock wasn’t a serious threat, but couldn’t be ignored.
He remained wary of the Devouring Black Silks, if he got ensnared at close range, he would lose the upper hand.
Lord Earthrock fought ferociously, armored and fearless of death, constantly pushing the True Monarch back.
Despite accumulating injuries, it endured the blows to ease the pressure on the master.
Meanwhile, Lan Chang'an continued predicting the Cloud Thunder True Monarch’s lightning movements. The Thunderwood Stake neutralized most of the incoming lightning techniques.
Though lacking any formal joint technique, the man and the beast moved with uncanny harmony.
One pressed with bold fury, the other maneuvered with graceful poise.
…
After a prolonged clash.
Lan Chang'an and Lord Earthrock fought Cloud Thunder True Monarch to a stalemate, evenly matched.
Aside from the rat demon’s bloodied appearance, both Lan Chang'an and the True Monarch were unscathed.
Trying to dominate with cultivation, the True Monarch summoned another lightning treasure, a thunder ruler to unleash a furious storm of attacks.
He had lost to the Emperor Yu.
But surely he could still suppress this Xiang Dalong, a “pseudo-giant”?
To his dismay, Lan Chang'an’s profound mana and enduring meridians allowed him to weather the assault using movement arts and defensive treasures.
“Haha! Is that all you've got? No wonder Emperor Yu beat you like a stray dog.”
Lan Chang'an burst into laughter, jeering once more.
The Cloud Thunder True Monarch lost all composure. His hair was disheveled, face grim and resentful as though someone had torn open an old wound in his heart.
He wanted to shout: Losing to Emperor Yu isn’t shameful! Don’t act like you’re on the same level as him!
Yet failing to overpower Xiang Dalong and his beast companion, that was embarrassing.
He had assumed Xiang Dalong's fame came from puppets, spirit beasts, and underhanded tricks, certainly not from direct combat.
A grave mistake.
And Xiang Dalong hadn't even deployed his puppet army.
If this became a prolonged siege, it’d be like fighting three foes at once, he would definitely suffer losses.
The Cloud Thunder True Monarch had to admit this strategic probe had ended in failure.
He sent a covert command, instructing the high-ranking cultivators below to prepare for retreat.
“This is bad! Xiang Dalong and his beast have completely pinned down the Cloud Thunder True Monarch!”
The Great Luo Kingdom’s Nascent Soul cultivators hidden beneath the clouds felt a surge of dread.
Their side was already disadvantaged, without the Cloud Thunder True Monarch gaining an edge, defeat was inevitable.
“Retreat!”
Exhausting his vitality, the Cloud Thunder True Monarch unleashed another explosive burst, temporarily forcing back Lan Chang'an and Lord Earthrock to cover his forces' withdrawal.
As the losing side, the Great Luo cultivators suffered heavy casualties, leaving behind many artifacts and flying vessels.
“True Monarch Xiang, to stand your ground against Cloud Thunder True Monarch, we are deeply impressed!”
“True Monarch Xiang has overpowered a Central Region giant, this battle will surely spread his renown across the region!”
On the way back, several Nascent Soul cultivators from Great Yu actively approached Lan Chang'an, praising him with no small amount of flattery.
“A resounding victory. True Monarch Xiang deserves the highest merit!”
Though both pleased and concerned, the imperial elder immediately recorded Lan Chang'an’s achievements.
“Mn.”
Lan Chang'an nodded calmly. Against a mid-stage Nascent Soul giant, he didn’t need to go all out, just riding the current was enough to reap a trove of merit.
...
Half a month later.
Behind the war fortress, in Qingfeng City, the skies stirred with heavenly phenomena, radiant golden clouds, and auspicious streaks of rainbow light.
“Imperial Purple Qi!”
Lan Chang'an sensed it instinctively. Activating his Qi Observing technique, he gazed from afar and caught sight of a wisp of purple dragon aura.
There was no need to ponder, he already knew who had arrived.
Moments later.
An imperial elder hurried over to report:
“True Monarch Xiang, His Majesty the Yu Emperor has arrived in Qingfeng City. He summons you to an audience.”
“An audience?”
Lan Chang'an wasn’t used to the monarch-subject formalities of an Immortal Dynasty.
Still, considering the rich rewards promised by the imperial court had yet to be fulfilled, he couldn’t be bothered to quibble over titles.
“As a major power of the Central Region, True Monarch Xiang need only observe basic courtesies when meeting the Yu Emperor,” the imperial elder quickly amended with a courteous smile.
“Hm.”
Lan Chang'an muttered inwardly; That’s more like it.
In the world of cultivation, whether emperor or overlord, all authority ultimately stemmed from strength.
…
Before long, Lan Chang'an followed the imperial elder back to Qingfeng City.
At the heart of the city stood the most majestic estate, now transformed into the Yu Emperor’s temporary palace.
The imperial elder respectfully saw Lan Chang'an to the threshold.
Inside, the palace hall gleamed with golden splendor. Vast and imposing, it was silent enough to hear a pin drop.
No third party was present. Only a middle-aged emperor clad in a golden python robe sat atop a dragon throne.
“Xiang Dalong of the Yunxia Sect pays respects to His Majesty the Yu Emperor.”
Lan Chang'an gave a slight bow in greeting.
“True Monarch Xiang,” the Yu Emperor’s voice boomed like a great bell striking bronze, each syllable rippling with golden waves through the air. A five-clawed golden dragon loomed faintly behind him, its aura awe-inspiring. “This emperor asks you, why did you kill Fellow Daoist Red Refinement of Great Snake Mountain?”
The pressure pressed down on Lan Chang'an like the heavenly court’s decree. His mana stalled, his movements sluggish, as though facing a sovereign of the ancient Immortal Court.
But with a sharp focus of spiritual sense, the illusion of the golden dragon and imperial majesty shattered.
In its place appeared a very real middle-aged man with thick brows, piercing tiger eyes, and a square-jawed face of flesh and blood.
The Yu Emperor raised an eyebrow, surprised by the depth of Xiang Dalong’s spiritual sense, which was at the mid-stage Nascent Soul.
A typical early-stage cultivator would have crumbled under his imperial aura.
Still, for a peak early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator who was also a fourth-rank puppet master, such spiritual prowess wasn’t unheard of.
“Why would Your Majesty say such a thing?”
Lan Chang'an countered, calm and composed:
“When Fellow Daoist Red Refinement fell, I was at the fortress with Lord Earthrock. The other True Monarchs can all attest to this.”
“Furthermore, the investigation points toward the ‘Demonface True Monarch’ of Yaqi Mountain.”
“I slew Nascent Soul enemies on the battlefield, stood against mid-stage giants, shed blood, risked life only to be baselessly accused by the imperial court? It chills the heart…”
His words were well-reasoned, his expression gradually shifting into one of sorrowful grievance.
The Yu Emperor’s face remained impassive, his cold gaze fixed on the Central Region’s newest rising force.
“What a righteous and loyal True Monarch Xiang.”
His eyes glinted like molten gold, a faint trace of mockery curling his lips.
“You overpraise me, you overpraise me!”
Lan Chang'an put on a modest face, feigning humility.
The corner of the emperor’s eye twitched subtly. His tone turned grave:
“Our imperial lineage inherits the principles of the ancient Immortal Dynasty. Our national fortune and dragon qi deter ghosts and gods! At times, no proof is needed to discern cause and effect, to determine truth from falsehood.”
Lan Chang'an silently noted, beyond divination, the imperial family likely wielded other inscrutable methods for identifying culprits.
“Killing Fairy Luo was indeed a great merit. It struck a heavy blow to the Great Luo Kingdom,” the emperor said.
“But Fellow Daoist Red Refinement perished as well. As a master of poison alchemy, he played a vital role on the battlefield…”
The emperor’s voice turned sullen with displeasure.
Both sides lost a Nascent Soul cultivator. From the empire’s perspective, it wasn’t exactly a gain.
The one who benefited most was Xiang Dalong.
He remained a critical powerhouse in the war effort, someone the imperial family still needed to rely on.
Lan Chang'an heard the warning loud and clear.
This act of double-dealing for reward had deeply displeased the court.
He shifted the topic: “Was it Great Snake Mountain who made the accusation?”
“They did not.”
The Yu Emperor’s expression eased.
Great Snake Mountain didn’t dare file a complaint, now keeping a low profile. It made pressing the matter awkward.
Years ago, when Xiang Dalong slew the Scarlet Abyss Serpent King, they had indeed accused him. But later the Twin Dragons of the Central Region joined hands and the matter was dropped.
Now, Great Snake Mountain had only one Nascent Soul left, True Monarch Red Serpent, already nearing the end of his lifespan.
“Since there is no evidence and no party seeking justice, this matter shall not be pursued further.”
The emperor’s tone lightened. With a wave of his hand two items materialized midair:
A long azure feather, several zhang in length, its surface swirling with wind and colored mist, faint phoenix patterns glimmering with Dao charm.
A golden jar of medicinal blood, thick and gleaming, the liquid inside rippling with scale-like golden lines.
The Azure Sparrow Plume. The Golden Scale Blood.
(End of chapter)