“Originally when they returned, it marked the funeral period of the Buddha Lord, taking back the Incense Fire of the Jiang family, and in the end, it was supposed to revert fully to my family, with interest.”
“But now, this place has been discovered by people from the Immortal Gate, and behind those three Desolate Gods, there likely are powerful manipulators, their actions not mere slaughter.”
Emperor Yu’s eyes were piercing, “No one can prevent my Jiang family from resurrecting the Ancestor; perfection is imminent, and no mistakes can be allowed.”
The Daoist nodded slightly and sighed, “Their foundation in the Immortal Gate is too shallow, and their situation is difficult, not to mention whether they can build good relations with the saints. The reopening of the Immortal Gate might take a while.”
Hearing this, Emperor Yu also fell silent.
“If you choose that child, I will support the Dayu Divine Dynasty for another ten years, giving that young man another ten years.”
The Daoist’s voice was aged as he said, “Before I leave, I will take away all the dust. If you have not made a choice, then choose between Chun Sheng and the wielder of the Bright Moon Sword to be the next Dao Tong; I will entrust them with this Daoist Palace.”
The two he spoke of were among his Direct Disciples, carefully selected once more.
Emperor Yu glanced at him, his thin and gnarled body having protected the Dayu Divine Dynasty for over three thousand years.
He bowed slightly and said, “Ten years are enough for that child.”
The Daoist fell silent for a moment, realizing the other had already made a choice.
“Do you have confidence?” he asked.
Emperor Yu did not respond.
The Daoist sighed deeply and slowly said, “I hope you have not chosen wrongly.”
“Wait for me to return.”
Emperor Yu said softly.
In a chamber shrouded in millennium darkness, a single lamp illuminated the space.
He knew what burning a long-lasting lamp entailed.
After speaking, he bowed slightly, and his figure immediately disappeared with a flicker.
This faint light illuminated the clean Secret Hall, where the dust fluttered in the light, unable to hide.
…
…
Liangzhou, Heavenly Gate Pass.
Since slaying the Buddha Lord and returning from Mount Wuliang, Li Hao had brought Candle Flame God, Xiyan, and Feng back to this familiar Heavenly Gate Pass.
Ren Qianqian learned that Feng’s soul was compromised, tears streaming down her face, the girl who seemed cold on the surface but was intensely emotional with people she knew.
Li Hao consoled Ren Qianqian, returning to their normal lives.
He knew that the old man in the Imperial Capital must be troubled by his matters.
He, too, was waiting for a result; it wouldn’t be long.
Even if it was not the ideal outcome, he would hold no resentment.
After all, that old man had given him much assistance.
“Feng, it’s been a long time since you’ve had my barbecue, try some.”
In the courtyard, the rich aroma of meat wafted, and Candle Flame God and Xiyan were already drooling from the smell as Li Hao grilled. Find exclusive stories on empire
Feng inhaled deeply, his slow expression relaxing a bit as he took the barbecued meat from Li Hao and started to eat heartily.
Li Hao smiled and passed him the wine gourd.
The scent of food and fire permeated the courtyard.
Two days later, an old man in a black long robe arrived alone at this border of Liangzhou.
Looking up, he saw the majestic walls and the Haotian Flags fluttering mightily in the wind atop the fortification, imposing and majestic.
The elderly man looked up and then leisurely walked into the city.
After showing his pass, he moved unhindered through the city. The inspecting soldiers recognized the extraordinary demeanor of this old man, realizing he was either wealthy or noble, and seemed to hold some power.
Inside the city, a variety of stalls lined the streets, and young nobles wandered around the city, which looked prosperous and thriving, not at all like the scene expected in a border city.
The elderly man casually admired the various sights of the city and soon made his way to the center of the town.
There stood an isolated courtyard surrounded by a fence, with an open environment and soldiers patrolling around. Nobody dared to approach rashly.
From inside the courtyard, the elderly man heard the drifting sound of a flute and couldn’t help but smile faintly. This fellow, having killed the Buddha Lord and still leisurely playing his music here, was oblivious to the chaos this act had caused all over the world.
He went straight to the entrance of the courtyard, where he was immediately stopped.
“An old friend is visiting,”
the elderly man said.
The guards were strong, belonging to the Fifteen Li Realm, and wanted to ask more questions but felt an indescribable sense of intimidation. Despite the calm expression of the old man, their minds seemed preoccupied, and they nodded subconsciously before immediately turning to inform others.
“Please let the honored guest in,”
came the voice of Li Hao from inside the courtyard.
The two guards quickly escorted the elderly man inside.
Inside, Li Hao stopped his fingers on the strings of his instrument, and his eyes showed a hint of surprise.
Despite not intentionally probing, he recognized the old man instantly from just a wall away.
He hadn’t expected, with such a significant event, this old man who should have been in the Imperial Capital to appear here; it was truly shocking.
By now, if Li Hao couldn’t recognize the identity of the old man, he would be too obtuse.
Quickly rising to his feet, Li Hao went to greet him.
The old man and the young man, who had once met randomly by the Willow River, were once again meeting in this fenced courtyard.
Li Hao bowed slightly, about to greet formally, but the elderly man raised his hand, and a force lifted him up, “No need for formalities.”
With just a few words, Li Hao immediately understood and also recognized that he hadn’t mistaken the man’s identity.
“The environment is nice.”
The old man looked around, noticed the young girl practicing swordplay nearby, saw Feng Boping who was somewhat slow and senile, and the dominator of the Great Void Realm, Candle Flame God, sitting aside.
The small courtyard was indeed filled with curiosities.
The old man chuckled to himself.
Li Hao hesitated, “Elder, how come you are here?”
He didn’t address him as “Your Highness,” as the other’s actions clearly showed he did not want to reveal his identity, especially now that the Yu Divine Dynasty in various provinces was fraught with danger, demons lurking everywhere, and Emperor Yu leaving the Imperial Palace to travel this far from the capital, which complicated Li Hao’s feelings.
He had just slain the Buddha Lord, and yet the other party had come to meet him personally, which was an overwhelming show of trust.
“I had the itch to play a game of chess,”
the elderly man chuckled, observing the courtyard filled with painting boards, ancient zithers, and chess boards, commonly used items, and couldn’t help but find it amusing, adding:
“Do you spend your days playing these without cultivating?”
“That is my way of cultivation, and I’m working hard…” Li Hao thought to himself, but merely grinned awkwardly outwardly, as this was not something easily explained.
“Moving here must have been hard; has your skill at chess rusted?”
The old man chuckled while strolling through the courtyard. Seeing the young girl stop her sword practice and curiously tilting her head to look at him, he smiled back.
“It’s not so tough; the borderlands have their scenic beauty as well, all part of the mortal world’s finest.”
Li Hao lightly laughed and invited the elderly man to sit inside the courtyard.
He then asked Ren Qianqian to bring some tea to serve.
Ren Qianqian was astonished internally, unsure of the old man’s identity, but obeyed Li Hao’s instructions obediently, quickly bringing in the tea to steep for the elderly man.