Leng Luo spoke frankly and confidently, “When I was with the Black Knights, I’d met the Emperor several times. No matter how great the quarrel is between the Fourth Prince and the Second Prince, they are still princes. The only person who can manage them is the Emperor.”
Lu Zhou looked up. Leng Luo had a point. He had been thinking of a way to deal with the Second Prince’s subordinate, Mo Li. Perhaps, he could work on the Emperor instead. “The Black Knights answer to the Emperor. You were the leader of the Black Knights back then, and yet, you’ve only met the Emperor several times?” Lu Zhou found this strange. Leng Luo replied, “Usually, his attendants would convey his message for him.”
The monarch of a nation would not easily show himself after all. Moreover, the Black Knights operated in the shadows and were not in the Divine Capital. The Emperor could not venture outside without due cause.
“The attendants usually possess unfathomable cultivation bases. The Emperor trusts them highly. There had been many assassination attempts over the years, and the assassins were usually incapable of getting past the attendants, let alone kill the Emperor,” Leng Luo said with a sigh.
Lu Zhou nodded. “Continue.” Leng Luo said, “Since Zhao Yue is Princess Yun Zhao’s orphan, she would have the opportunity to meet the Emperor. Moreover, Zhao Yue remains by the Empress Dowager’s side and has the Empress Dowager’s support. It’s most appropriate to have her relay the message before the Empress Dowager departs from the capital. However, the Emperor is the Emperor after all. He’s no stranger to schemes and plots. It will be difficult to deal with him.”
“You have a point.” Lu Zhou was about to call for someone when Zhou Jifeng came rushing into the great hall anxiously.
“Pavilion Master, Jiang Aijian sent word to inform you that the Empress Dowager has departed from the capital.”
“This is our chance,” Leng Luo said. “Chance?” Zhou Jifeng was puzzled. “It’s alright even if we don’t make contact with the Emperor. I’m willing to infiltrate the Black Knight’s camp,” Leng Luo said. He was the former leader of the Black Knights after all. Now that he had mostly recovered his cultivation base, it would not be difficult for him to make use of his previous resources.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded as he said, “Will it be a problem for you to act on your own in the Black Knights’ camp?”
Leng Luo was slightly taken aback. He had thought to head over there with Lu Zhou. It was much safer with Lu Zhou by his side. However, at this juncture, he did not dare to voice his apprehension. Moreover, he was certain Lu Zhou had his own plans as well. Apart from that, he did not dare to ask for too much. He was already grateful that Lu Zhou allowed him to come along. In the end, he replied, “No problem.”
“Good.” Lu Zhou waved his hand. Without another word, Leng Luo cupped his fists and left the great hall.
“You can return to what you were doing,” Lu Zhou said.
“I’ll take my leave.” Zhou Jifeng left the great hall. He was impressed. In his opinion, Lu Zhou was like a general devising strategies in his secluded tent while determining the outcome of a battle far away. Lu Zhou did not seem nervous in the least. As soon as he left the great hall, he ran into a drenched Duanmu Sheng
Duanmu Sheng held the Overlord Spear in his hand as he called out, “Zhou Jifeng.”
“Greetings, Mister Third.”
“Let’s go. I suddenly thought of a way to hone my basic spear techniques,” Duanmu Sheng said excitedly.
“Don’t worry, I’ve been reckless in the past, and I apologize for that. This is also a good opportunity for you to hone your sword skills…” Duanmu Sheng apologized as he pulled Zhou Jifeng toward the back of the mountain.
Lu Zhou returned to the east pavilion and glanced at the parchment drawing on the table.
The parchment drawing remained unchanged. All it showed was the Divine Capital and the Mausoleum of Swords.
“Looks like there won’t be any information about the fourth Open Heavenly Writing Scroll for the time being.”
Lu Zhou waved his hand. The special treasure box landed on the floor.
He sat with his legs crossed. With bated breath, he focused his mind. He looked at the bronze treasure box with a three-day time limit.
‘Should I open it? I might lose the huge reward inside though. Moreover, I might remain an African Chieftain forever. Will I be alright living life as an African Chieftain? The problem is… if I unlock the treasure box, I’d have to let Mo Li go while I hide on this mountain and keep a low profile.’
Lu Zhou had no qualms about not completing the system’s missions. After all, he did not know what ‘Cooldown’ meant. It was risky.
In the end, he sneered. “Do you think that I’d be restricted by you just because you’ve increased the difficulty?” He raised his hand and smacked the box.
Click!
As soon as the button was pressed, the same message popped up again. Lu Zhou did not seem to hesitate as he chose to unlock it.
“Ding! Obtained the avatar, the Nine Transformation Yin Yang, Special Cooldown x 1, Reversal Card x 20, Critical Block Card x 50.”
“Ding! Activated Special Cooldown. All item cards will be placed under cooldown for seven days. Countdown begins…”
Lu Zhou expected as much. He called up the system dashboard and looked at the items column. The remaining time was displayed there; 6 days 23 hours. However, his mounts and weapons were not placed under cooldown.
“At least it has a conscience.”
With just a thought, Lu Zhou equipped the avatar. His Eight Methods Connected avatar disappeared and was replaced by the Nine Transformation Yin Yang. At the same time, a huge surge of power coursed through his meridians.
Early the next morning.
When Lu Zhou opened his eyes, he felt refreshed. It seemed like his cultivation base had progressed into the Dao Transforming stage. He believed it would not take long before he entered the Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm. He could only consider himself established in the cultivation world once he entered the Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm.
Lu Zhou checked his remaining life span.
Remaining life: 6,582 days. If he did not have the Reversal Cards, he would not have been able to endure the sight of these numbers every day. He prepared to use his Reversal Card. Then, he remembered that his item cards were all on cooldown. He had no choice but to give up on using the Reversal Cards.
‘Seven days isn’t that long. I can wait.’
At this moment, Zhou Jifeng’s voice rang from outside. “Pavilion Master, Senior Leng has departed.” When Lu Zhou emerged from the pavilion, he saw Pan Zhong and Pan Litian as well. He frowned as he asked, “What’s the matter?” Pan Litian said, “I’m just thinking that I’ll feel bad if something were to happen to Leng Luo. Hence, I wish to travel to Rubei with him.”
“I would like to go as well.”
“Me too,” Zhou Jifeng chimed in.
With his hands on his back, Lu Zhou replied, “Golden Court Mountain’s barrier is now gone. There will be people with malicious intent trying to sneak into Golden Court Mountain. If everyone’s gone, who’s going to guard Golden Court Mountain?”
The three of them were stunned. They could not come up with a reply.
“Look after Golden Court Mountain. The time for you to showcase your abilities will come.”
“Understood.” The three of them bowed.
Lu Zhou had no intention of sending too many of his men out. It would be meaningless. Moreover, the more people he sent out, the more attention they would attract. Moreover, if they were in danger, he would not be able to protect all of them. He decided to leave Mo Li to Leng Luo. With Leng Luo’s abilities, it should not be a problem for him to look for an opportunity to launch a deadly blow.
There was not much that Lu Zhou had to do. All he needed to do was observe from the shadows and try to fool as many people as he could. He was not Ji Tiandao. Walking right into the trap in a fit of rage was not a show of strength, it was pure stupidity. After that, Lu Zhou summoned Little Yuan’er. Then, they left Golden Court Mountain on Whitzard’s back.
Meanwhile, in a certain pavilion in Rubei City.
The pavilion was high enough to be a great vantage point. As soon as one looked out, one would be able to see the streets of Rubei.
“Sect master, the Empress Dowager has departed. She should be staying in the Obedient Summer Villa when she arrives.” “Very well,” Si Wuya replied casually before asking, “Has Jiang Aijian relayed the information?”
“He should have.”
“Should have?” Si Wuya did not like that word. It meant that there was uncertainty. He did not like uncertainties.
Ye Zhixing bowed and said, “Although our men discovered that Jiang Aijian is the Evil Sky Pavilion’s informant, he’s extremely cunning. We couldn’t keep track of him all the time.”
As soon as Ye Zhixing finished speaking, a figure shot past the pavilion. Soon after, a mocking voice rang in the air. “Trying to monitor me? You guys are far from capable of doing that…”
“After him.” Si Wuya stood up and looked out the window.
“Understood.” Ye Zhixing gave chase at lightning speed, vanishing from sight in just a blink of an eye.
“That can’t be right.” Si Wuya suddenly turned around.
A figure appeared at the entrance. The man stood there with his hands on his back.
