Chapter 256: He Qian’s Choice
Old Taoist was more than pleased after obtaining this cultivation method. After all, he initially intended to give White Ape his edict amulet to refine the creature’s hyoid bone just so he could meet the great master behind White Ape anyway.
And now, this person here was clearly the teacher of White Ape’s master. The man might even be a legendary immortal so the cultivation methods he gave must be of grave significance. Old Taoist said he wasn’t worthy because one, he was being polite, and two, he genuinely felt he wasn’t worthy.
Old Taoist was a man of profound experience and knew many things. Throughout his lifetime, he had been devoted to searching for authentic cultivation methods, but fifty years later, he still hadn’t reached his goal. The path to great awareness had been lost for so many years now, and even more so since the spirit energy of the earth dried up and the era of immortals was gone. Now that he finally met a genuine expert who could perform the Nebula Barrier, Old Taoist had to seize this opportunity.
So how should he deepen their acquaintance?
After brief contemplation, Old Taoist had an idea.
“Curator is a man of profound cultivation. There’s something I wish to seek your guidance in so I do hope you can give me some advice on cultivation,” Old Taoist said respectfully.
Lin Jin was in a hurry to take revenge on the old dragon so he replied, “Mr. Wu, please wait a moment. I’ll come to you after I’m done taking care of something urgent.”
Old Taoist nodded and stepped away.
Lin Jin had to act quickly as the commotion they caused was too huge. Even with the Nebula Barrier, it was impossible to conceal all traces.
The people of Jade Dragon Kingdom might have realized something by now.
He was running out of time. If the experts from Jade Dragon Kingdom come for him, it would become troublesome.
“I’m going to slay an evil dragon. Are you willing to come with me?” Lin Jin glanced at the villainous experts. All four of them nodded at once. They came answering to the curator’s summon after all. So forget slaying an evil dragon, they wouldn’t think twice if they were asked to annihilate Jade Dragon Kingdom.
Villainous experts rarely cared too much.
“Great!”
Without further delay, Lin Jin led them to Jade Dragon Temple.
That old dragon should be hiding inside this temple.
Meanwhile, the emperor He Qian had learned about this incident in the capital. After all, the commotion caused by Rank 4 beasts battling and a startling bolt of lightning on this bright sunny weather was too huge. As lord of the nation, how could he be oblivious to them?
At that moment, an inner guard hurried over to convey the latest news.
After reading through, He Qian frowned.
“Minister Yu is dead?”
This was a serious issue. Minister Yu was a highly-ranked official of significant background and had strong backing support. Even He Qian had to show him some respect.
More importantly, Minister Yu himself was just as strong as he, too, possessed a Rank 4 jade dragon pet beast. The man was practically the mainstay of Jade Dragon Kingdom.
Generally speaking, Minister Yu’s murder was too grave an issue that the murderer was to be apprehended at once for public execution.
However, He Qian didn’t give his orders immediately.
He asked the inner guard, “Has anyone else heard of this?”
After a thought, the inner guard nodded. “It’ll soon be known. Minister Yu’s body has been found by someone else.”
He Qian nodded. “Order the city guards to close the gates at once. From now on, no one is to enter or leave the city.”
“I understand!” The inner guard immediately went to fulfill his duty.
Then, He Qian called out, “Yao Sheng!”
“I’m here,” Great Eunuch Yao Sheng stepped forward at once, bowing in greeting.
“Call He Qi over.”
This instruction made Eunuch Yao Sheng’s eyelids twitch. However, he knew he mustn’t delay this task even a second.
And so, he went away to comply.
Soon, a middle-aged warrior came into the great hall donning full armor and a sword. He knelt at He Qian in greeting.
“General He Qi of Jade Dragon’s army greets the emperor.”
It was a rich baritone voice that suited this obviously powerful warrior.
“He Qi, I command you to gather your troops at once in full armor to defend the palace.” At He Qian’s command, He Qi immediately acknowledged it and went away.
No doubt, be it the inner guards, Great Eunuch Yao Sheng, or even this General He Qi, they were all He Qian’s confidants.
“Yao Sheng, get me a change of clothes.” He Qian got up and Yao Sheng quickly hurried after him, confused as to why the former suddenly wanted to change his clothes.
Soon, Yao Sheng learned the answer.
Because once the emperor was done changing, many ministers came to request an audience.
Although Yao Sheng refrained from getting involved with the nation’s affairs, he had eyes and ears everywhere. He knew that most of these ministers belonged to Minister Yu’s faction.
Also, these ministers would never just sit tight after learning about Minister Yu’s sudden death. Perhaps they were here to clarify the situation, or even pledge loyalty to the emperor instead.
Yao Sheng knew about the power struggles within the palace but he would never get involved.
If he did, the more he got involved, the faster he died.
By the time Yao Sheng followed He Qian to his study, about a dozen ministers were already waiting there. There were many warriors too in full armor but they didn’t carry weapons.
Without He Qian’s permission, no one was to carry weapons into the palace.
“Your Majesty!”
At the sight of He Qian, everyone knelt in greeting.
One of the warriors stepped forward to say, “Your Majesty, impertinent criminals have entered our Jade Dragon City and murdered Minister Yu in broad daylight. Please give us the order to apprehend these crooks.”
After this warrior spoke, most of the ministers knelt together.
These people of Minister Yu’s faction were clearly anxious when He Qian didn’t immediately issue an order to apprehend Minister Yu’s murderer. Hence, they came requesting an audience to force He Qian into taking action.
However, some ministers didn’t move. They must be observing the situation, waiting to make the right choices.
Most of the ministers knew how powerful Minister Yu’s backing support was. While citizens of Jade Dragon Kingdom a.s.sumed that the emperor had absolute authority, the facts were far from it.
Why was Jade Dragon Kingdom named ‘Jade Dragon’?
Many ministers knew that each year, once every spring and autumn, no minister would ever be absent from Jade Dragon Temple’s festival. Because they knew what decided the nation’s fate wasn’t their emperor but the jade dragon deity of the temple instead.
Minister Yu was a representative of this Jade Dragon Temple.
“My beloved ministers, I too am deeply despaired by Minister Yu’s death. I have ordered the city guards to seal off the city and to apprehend the criminal. As the situation has become dangerous, I had wanted to send troops over to ensure my ministers’ safety but since you’ve all gathered here, please stay here for the time being. Don’t worry, I am able to ensure your safety inside this palace.”
Having said that, he walked away.
Immediately, the group of ministers was dumbfounded.
This turned out rather different from what they imagined. Just as they were about to chase after the emperor to clarify, Great Eunuch Yao Sheng stopped them.
“My lords, His Majesty has ordered everyone to stay here and relax. It’s dangerous outside so please refrain from going out.”
After that, he too went away. Over a hundred guards soon surrounded the imperial study. Those ministers were no fools and could easily tell how they were being restrained.
Some of the smarter ones knew there would be a huge crisis today.
Once outside, He Qian received an update from an inner guard about what was happening outside.
“Issue a royal decree and have the city guards defending the temple retreat. Those who disobey are to be killed on the spot!” He Qian instructed the inner guard.
The inner guard immediately acknowledged the order and went away.