Chapter 294: Chapter 54: The Study of Heaven’s Secrets (Second update, seeking monthly pass)
On the western border of Liangzhou, deep within a lake two thousand miles away.
Within the lake, dark shadows slowly sank and rose beneath the surface, like colossal creatures lurking in the abyss, emanating a terrifying aura.
Suddenly, a red bird came swooping in with a shrill cry.
As it approached the lake, it transformed into the figure of a girl in a red dress.
She stopped above the deep lake, bent over, and respectfully said, “Hongyun of Tianji Palace pays her respects to the elders of Dragon Gate.”
At the tranquil surface of the lake, a shadow suddenly emerged, then its body rapidly shrank, taking on the appearance of an elder.
“What’s the matter?” the elder asked the girl in the long dress, calmly.
“I’ve just received news. Marshal Haotian of Heavenly Gate Pass has just emerged from his retreat and seems to be heading to Tianji Tower. He will be leaving Liangzhou for a while. Our palace believes that now is a good opportunity to attack Liangzhou,” Hongyun said respectfully.
Although their powers were different, Tianji Palace treated these Great Demons and Demon Kings with the utmost courtesy.
“That yellow-mouthed child from the Li family?”
The elder raised his eyebrows slightly. He had heard about the young man from Heavenly Gate Pass before. The demons outside Liangzhou already knew that Heavenly Gate Pass was not to be approached.
According to the intelligence from Feng Shan Jun, who had joined the divine palace, the young man indeed had the ability to slay a Demon King; even the Ten Thousand Caverns Ghost Mother had perished at his hand, which made him extremely vicious.
Whish~!
The water surface suddenly rippled, and then a fierce dragon head emerged, covered in golden light, morphing into an elderly Taoist with an easygoing demeanor – the wanted Dragon Lord.
Having joined Dragon Gate, he had now become one of its elders.
“Did you witness this yourselves?” Dragon Lord immediately stared at Hongyun and asked.
Hongyun replied respectfully, “We did not witness it with our own eyes, but according to our intelligence analysis, there’s a ninety percent chance it is so.”
“You want to ambush and kill that youth?”
The elder beside him saw through Dragon Lord’s thoughts at a glance, his eyes cold as he said:
“Don’t get any ideas. According to previous intelligence, to kill that youth, it would take at least the combined efforts of three Demon Kings. Set aside your personal vendetta for now. Since you’ve joined Dragon Gate, you should prioritize its interests.”
Dragon Lord’s brows furrowed slightly, and with a grim face, he said, “I am not motivated by personal grudges. This is a rare opportunity. That youth’s growth rate far exceeds your expectations. I’m worried that if we don’t kill him now, Dayu Divine Dynasty will have another Immortal.”
“You’re worrying too much.”
The elder shook his head. “Do you really think we would allow him to grow unchallenged? Even if he is a genius, what of it if we gave him ten years? To make it even more exaggerated, five years? Hmph, not to mention five years, he won’t have even five months.”
“Once the grand elder emerges from his retreat, he will take care of him, and no one will be able to stop it!”
Dragon Lord’s expression shifted slightly, and he nodded. “If that’s the case, then I shall say no more.”
Hongyun cautiously asked, “Are you all going to wait for the grand elder to emerge before attacking Liangzhou?”
“We will consider this matter ourselves. Thank you, Miss Hongyun, for your report,” the elder said with a slight smile.
Hongyun immediately understood that this was their way of dismissing her.
In her heart, she cursed silently, but outwardly she smiled and exchanged a few pleasantries. Seeing that the other party’s response was lukewarm, she did not linger any longer and turned to fly away.
“Hmph, they don’t want to offer anything but are keen to extract intelligence.”
Once she had left, the smile on the elder’s face faded, and he said to Dragon Lord:
“This time the grand elder will emerge from his retreat earlier, probably within the next few days. By then, it won’t matter whether or not that young man is in Liangzhou. Go notify all the halls of Dragon Gate. It’s time to assemble!”
“We’re finally going to attack?”
Dragon Lord took a deep breath, and a look of fervor appeared on his immortal-like countenance, with a bloodthirsty gleam surfacing in the depths of his eyes.
…
…
The main tower of Tianji Tower is located in Yongzhou, neighboring Liangzhou.
Compared to the vast and sparsely populated Liangzhou, Yongzhou is close to the south with spring-like weather year-round and abundant resources. The lord of Tianji Tower resides here year-round, and it’s also heavily guarded by the Helian Clan, one of the five Divine General Mansions.
To this day, there has been no record of demons breaching the city in Yongzhou for three hundred years.
The people here live in peace and contentment. This serenity also attracts many noble families to relocate here. After a stable development, several prominent centennial noble families have emerged.
It takes six days to ride from Heavenly Gate Pass in Liangzhou to the main tower of Tianji Tower in Yongzhou.
Li Hao, following the master of the Three Immortal Realms who was guiding him, traveled through the air, making the round trip in just two days.
If Li Hao were to travel at full speed by himself, he could make it in one day.
This guide was the Hermit Tianji, who had presided over the conference on Taoism. He had seen Li Hao slay a lesser Demon King at that conference and was now guiding Li Hao very courteously, without putting on the airs of an elder.
Martial Artists are different from civil officials, valuing strength above all else.
Civil officials like to say that the accomplished can be one’s teachers, but in everyday life, they follow the practice of respect for their elders and teachers.
Even if a young top scholar criticizes an ordinary, ignorant elder, they can be bashed, even by some acerbic people to the point of being denounced as worthless and encouraged to take their own life.
And with the current emperor valuing civil servants, many military officials and martial artists in Jianghu have also adopted some scholarly air, favoring the order of seniority and lineage.
“Master Lu has said that if General Haotian wishes to come and meditate for as long as he likes, he may do so,” Hermit Tianji said to Li Hao with a smile.
“If you say that, I might just stay and not leave,” Li Hao said.
“That would be most welcome,” Hermit Tianji laughed heartily.
Li Hao’s three years at Heavenly Gate Pass were no secret to Tianji Tower, and they naturally knew that Li Hao was unlikely to stay long in Tianji Tower.
Before long.
The two arrived at the heart of Yongzhou, a city called Tianji City.
In the distance, they could see a towering tower standing within the city.
Li Hao’s gaze swept towards the city, where the streets were bustling with an extremely lively and prosperous crowd.
Along the way, he felt the unique ambiance of Yongzhou, slightly different from other states. This place had more young warriors in fine clothes, and on many hilltops, one could see groups of youth banding together to slay demons.
The perilous outskirts also had a visible presence of merchant caravans.
It was clear that the number of demons here was significantly fewer than in other states.
Li Hao had already sensed the peace and prosperity of the region.
Only in a peaceful and prosperous place like this would there be so many young people, full and idle, out to make a name for themselves by slaying demons.
Soon, the two arrived at the main building of Tianji Tower.
There are seven Tianji Towers, each guarded by a tower master.
Although Hermit Tianji is also a tower master, he belongs to the “floor” of the tower.
To be precise, he should be considered a floor master.
Each Tianji Tower has nine floors, managed by three floor masters like Hermit Tianji and one true sub-tower master. Its foundation is incredibly strong.
This is also one of the reasons why Tianji Tower has a strong presence in Yongzhou, and seldom any demons dare to invade.
At this moment, Li Hao was brought in front of the main building.
Outside the main building, on the training ground, many disciples of Tianji Tower were cultivating. In the distance, there were high mountains with waterfalls, deep pools, and deep gorges and precipices resembling a moat, shrouded in misty clouds, appearing like a fairyland and sacred place.
No sooner had Li Hao’s figure landed than he looked up at the plaque of Tianji Tower and heard a voice drifting to his ears:
“Marshal, the tea is ready, please come up.”
It was the voice of Master Lu, the main tower master—Lu Chunsheng.
Li Hao looked up and saw a figure in white on the top of Tianji Tower, smiling at him.
“The main tower master is waiting for you,”
said Hermit Tianji with a smile.
Only those in the Four Stands Realm, who could receive tea hospitality from the main tower master, enjoyed such treatment. Even those esteemed princes of the royal family rarely received such attention, and the young man before him was an exception.
“Thank you for guiding the way.”
Li Hao smiled, bid him farewell, and then flew up to the top of the building, entering from the outside of the tower.
The roof of the building was a spacious area like a private chamber, with a long table for burning incense, a guqin placed horizontally, and the fragrance of tea wafting through the air.
“Please,”
said Lu Chunsheng, in his snow-white clothing. He appeared elegant and gentle, gesturing lightly with his hand towards Li Hao.
Li Hao sat down on the cushion beside the tea table and said with a smile, “Thank you for the invitation, Master Lu.”
“It’s only the reward you deserve.”
Lu Chunsheng smiled, sizing up Li Hao with a gaze that briefly intensified, then softened again with a smile, “It seems the rumors are true, Marshal. Could it be that you have already stepped into the Three Immortal Realms?”
To ask such a question of any other person Li Hao’s age would seem ridiculous and insane, but given it was Li Hao, it wasn’t that hard to understand.
“Hmm.”
Li Hao saw that he had been figured out and didn’t hide it, considering he had already exposed himself while slaying demons outside the pass.
Hearing Li Hao’s admission, and although Lu Chunsheng was prepared, his eyes still cast a slight, intense gaze, and the teacup he lifted gently rippled.
“Marshal is indeed a rare talent of the ages.”
Lu Chunsheng spoke with a smile, a light sigh of admiration in his tone.
Although he was well-learned and well-informed, such natural talent astonished him, and he felt even more admiration for the emperor, who had a discerning eye.
Li Hao chuckled, took a sip of tea, and said, “Excellent tea.”
“It is made with spring dew from March, just slightly sweet,” Lu Chunsheng said casually but with satisfaction in his tone.
Seeing this, Li Hao did not hold back and drank several more cups before looking at the guqin beside him, “Master Lu, you also understand the guqin?”
“I know a little, just a little.”
Lu Chunsheng laughed, “I heard the Marshal has broad interests and is quite learned. Would you care to play a tune?”
“Why not have Master Lu start first and cleanse my ears?” Li Hao replied modestly.
At these words, Lu Chunsheng laughed, did not insist further, and went over to the guqin.
He sat down with a proper posture, made a slight gesture, and then raised his hand to play the instrument.
The melodious sound of the guqin filled the space around the building.
Li Hao listened quietly and then felt surprised. He had thought the other’s claim of ‘knowing a little’ was out of modesty, but it turned out… it was indeed just a little?
Seeing Master Lu engrossed in playing, Li Hao had no choice but to carry on savoring his tea slowly.
The tea was flavorful, at least.
Master Lu’s musicianship, Li Hao estimated, was about the level of the second rank.
That level could be reached by a talented individual after seven or eight years of study.
For one with no talent, it would take twenty or thirty years of practice.
Soon, the piece ended, and Lu Chunsheng opened his eyes, smiling at Li Hao, “I have shown my lack of skill.”
Indeed… Li Hao thought inwardly, but outwardly he smiled and said, “Not at all, Master Lu’s skill on the guqin is quite impressive. You must have practiced for a long time, right?”
“For a little less than half of a solar term,” Lu Chunsheng replied with a light laugh.
“You play very well.”
Better not to play next time… Li Hao outwardly complimented.
“Would the Marshal like to play a tune?” Lu Chunsheng’s smile grew wider, and his eyes held more warmth when he looked at Li Hao.
Li Hao shook his head, “My skill on the guqin is modest; I would prefer not to embarrass myself.”
“The Marshal is still young. It is admirable that you can spare the time to delve into music on top of your cultivation. There’s no need for self-deprecation,” Lu Chunsheng immediately reassured, feeling a pang of guilt for having perhaps played too passionately and dented Li Hao’s confidence.
Li Hao shook his head slightly, “Master Lu, I need to hurry back to Heavenly Gate Pass where I am stationed. Perhaps it is time for me to examine the cultivation techniques?”
Upon hearing this, Lu Chunsheng sighed regretfully and replied, “Alright then, please follow me, Marshal.”
He led Li Hao downstairs and said, “Marshal, feel free to choose any secret manual here. Whichever you take a fancy to, I can grant you.”
Li Hao, looking at all the various secret manuals, felt like he had entered a library.
All the secret manuals were spotlessly clean.
Li Hao turned and asked, “How long can I look?”
“As long as you wish,” Lu Chunsheng said with a smile.
Li Hao smiled as well, seriously saying, “Then I thank you very much, Master Lu.”
Lu Chunsheng smiled, explained the classification of some secret manuals to Li Hao, and then left Li Hao there, going back upstairs himself.
Li Hao wasn’t in the Four Stands Realm, so there was no need to worry about him stashing the secret manuals away in a pocket dimension. Besides, all these manuals were cataloged; he wasn’t concerned about them being stolen.