Yu Shangrong pressed the Longevity Sword down. He murmured to himself, “I’ve said… that I would live in seclusion after the battle with Eldest Senior Brother. Why must I be forced to do this?” He looked in the direction his master had left and sighed softly.
“The remaining life energy… I can do without. You’ll be buried with me when I die.” Yu Shangrong raised the Longevity Sword and gauged the remaining life energy. The blade had a red glow, but unfortunately, it was much fainter than before. Yu Shangrong returned to the depths of the Cave of Reflection. He sat with his legs crossed and no longer tried to break the mantra.
Three days later.
A flying chariot departed from the Divine Capital. It avoided places where humans dwelled. It was headed for the Evil Sky Pavilion.
On the flying chariot.
Lu Yunzhao who was standing next to the Empress Dowager said, “Empress Dowager, don’t worry… I’ve been in contact with the Evil Sky Pavilion’s master before this. He isn’t a villain who kills without rhyme or reason. Moreover, Princess Zhao Yue is his disciple. If he had been as evil as rumored, Princess Zhao Yue would never return to the Evil Sky Pavilion so easily.”
The Divine Capital was protected by the Ten Terminal Formation. Cultivators who wanted to cause trouble would not simply enter the Divine Capital.
The Empress Dowager reclined in her seat and said, “I feel relieved hearing that.”
At this moment, Jiang Liang appeared at the flying chariot’s helm. With his arms crossed, he said, “Empress Dowager, a villain will always be a villain. We should still be careful.”
Li Yunzhao said disapprovingly, “Jiang Liang, you’ve been with His Highness, the Crown Prince, for many years so there’s so much that you don’t know.”
“Do enlighten me, Eunuch Li.”
“During the battle on Lotus Dais… the Evil Sky Pavilion’s patriarch fought against malicious forces and saved many cultivators who were present. News of this has long been circulating in the cultivation world. One more thing, apart from the Evil Sky Pavilion’s first disciple, Yu Zhenghai, the names of the other disciples have already vanished from the black roll,” Lu Yunzhao said.
“I hope that’s true.” Jiang Liang nodded.
“I am aware of your profound cultivation base… but let me warn you, when we’re at the Evil Sky Pavilion, do not do anything rash… If you do, not even I or the Empress Dowager can save you.” Li Yunzhao wanted to dissuade him from doing anything reckless.
“Eunuch Li, you’re overthinking… My mission is only to ensure the Empress Dowager’s safety,” Jiang Liang replied.
“That would be best.”
At this moment, the Empress Dowager, who was reclining on her chair, spoke with an extremely tranquil tone, “Jiang Liang.”
Jiang Liang bowed at once and said, “Empress Dowager.” “I heard that you have a profound cultivation base.”
“They’re all compliments that I don’t deserve.” “What do you think Eunuch Li’s cultivation base is like?” The Empress Dowager’s tone was gentle as though there was nothing odd about her question.
“Well…” Jiang Liang gave it some thought before answering, “If we were to fight with our full strength, I won’t be a match for Eunuch Li. If we were to fight with other methods… I think I stand a chance.” Li Yunzhao laughed and said, “Empress Dowager, you might not be informed, but Bodyguard Jiang once infiltrated the Li Nation in Rongbei and assassinated its monarch all on his own. That’s a phenomenal achievement. Nobody whom Bodyguard Jiang has marked would survive.”
The Empress Dowager laughed and said, “In that case, you’re a precious talent for Great Yan. I hope that you’ll serve the Imperial court well.”
Jiang Liang bowed and said, “I give my heart to the Imperial court.”
“Eunuch Li has served me for many years, and I trust in his judgment. You should heed his advice as well,” the Empress Dowager said.
“As you command.”
The flying chariot continued to fly toward the Evil Sky Pavilion.
Eunuch Li looked around himself. He walked up to Jiang Liang and he beckoned him over. “Bodyguard Jiang…”
Jiang Liang was slightly stunned. He wondered what was the need for Eunuch Li’s secrecy. He followed him.
There were two imperial physicians onboard the flying chariot. They were considered cultivators as well. There was nothing much to worry about with them looking after the Empress Dowager. They went to the other side of the flying chariot.
Li Yunzhao said, “I have something sincere I’d like to talk to you about, Bodyguard Jiang.” “Let’s hear it, Eunuch Li.”
Li Yunzhao did not beat around the bush. “Bodyguard Jiang, what kind of mission has the Crown Prince given you in the Evil Sky Pavilion?”
Jiang Liang was taken aback by Li Yunzhao’s candidness. He asked, “Why would you say that, Eunuch Li?”
“You’re skilled in assassination. If the Crown Prince truly intends to protect the Empress Dowager, why does he have to send you?”
Jiang Laing was at a loss for words.
Li Yunzhao smiled and said, “Do you know why His Majesty isn’t worried that the Empress Dowager is going to the Evil Sky Pavilion?”
Jiang Liang shook his head. He was also puzzled by that.
The Empress Dowager was an important and venerated person of the empire. Yet, she was now venturing toward the dangerous Evil Sky Pavilion. He was surprised to learn that His Majesty had approved this. It had been bugging Jiang Liang for a long time. Li Yunzhao said, “That’s because… the Evil Sky Pavilion Master, Ji Tiandao, is an acquaintance of the late emperor.” Jiang Liang’s eyes widened upon hearing this. He did not expect the great villain, who was despised by the general public, would have such a relationship with the late emperor. He asked, “If they’re acquaintances, why does the Evil Sky Pavilion act like the Imperial family’s enemy? I was told that there were several such incidents.”
“You’re wrong,” Li Yunzhao said solemnly.
“I’m wrong?”
“The Evil Sky Pavilion has never treated the Imperial family as its enemy… The ones creating conflict are its first and seventh disciple, Yu Zhenghai and Si Wuya,” Li Yunzhao answered. Jiang Liang was confused. “Eunuch Li, just be straight with me. I’m but a crude martial man. My brain isn’t trained for this.”
Li Yunzhao nodded. “It’s as I said earlier. I advise you to show restraint when you’re in the Evil Sky Pavilion. If things go wrong, even His Highness, the Crown Prince, can’t help you, let alone the Empress Dowager. You should weigh the pros and cons.” He left with a flick of his sleeves after he finished speaking.
Stunned, Jiang Liang furrowed his brows, rooted to the spot.
Near dusk. The Evil Sky Pavilion.
Lu Zhou was studying the great longevity limit in the eastern pavilion. The desk before him was covered in books.
The female disciples would make periodic trips to the eastern pavilion as well, carrying books in their arms. “Pavilion Master, we’ve carried all the books related to life here.”
Lu Zhou did not look at them as he said, “Alright.”
At this moment, Little Yuan’er’s voice reached him from the outside. “Master, the flying chariot from the Divine Capital is here. Fifth Senior Sister has gone over to greet them… Eh? Master, your reading!”
Little Yuan’er walked into the eastern pavilion and saw books piled up on the table.
Lu Zhou merely picked a few and flipped through them. He did not have the energy to go through the other books. He looked up and glanced at Little Yuan’er. Then, he said, “Yuan’er.”
“Yes, Master?”
“Keep an eye on the Cave of Reflection… Report to me immediately if there’s anything amiss,” Lu Zhou said.
“Yes, master.” Little Yuan’er left the eastern pavilion after receiving her mission.
Lu Zhou shifted his gaze to the books before himself. He mumbled, “The people of Noblemen Nation have short lives. Hence, they cultivated to prolong their existence. The longest-living of them all is only about 500 years old.”
In other words, although Yu Shangrong had the Longevity Sword, he would only live half as long as ordinary cultivators? While Lu Zhou was deep in thoughts, Mingshi Yin stopped outside the eastern pavilion, bowed, and said, “The visitors from the Divine Capital are waiting in the great hall.”
“Alright.” Lu Zhou waved his sleeve and exited the eastern pavilion.
Inside the great hall.
Lu Zhou swept his gaze across the people gathered there.
Almost everyone was present.
Li Yunzhao and the others stood in the middle.
Behind Li Yunzhao, Zhao Yue and one of the Imperial physicians were supporting a poised and noble old woman.
Jiang Aijian’s eyes were trained on the old woman.
“Have a seat.”
Lu Zhou was not being considerate of the Imperial family, but of Jiang Aijian and Zhao Yue. He did not assume his seat on the throne but sat opposite the Empress Dowager.
Li Yunzhao knew this was the Evil Sky Pavilion and not the palace or anywhere else. The protocols of the palace did not apply here.
The Empress Dowager was old enough to overlook these matters. When she looked at Lu Zhou, her eyebrows moved slightly. Her tired eyes seemed to have discovered something as she straightened up. She said gently, “Old mister, you resemble an old acquaintance of mine.”
