“Yellow Eunuch, long time no see! How have you been recently?”
Zhu Zai quickly walked out, speaking with enthusiasm.
“All good, all good, Lord Zhu, it’s been a long time since we’ve met, please forgive my neglect!”
Huang Jin greeted him with a smile.
Both were secretly on guard, yet on their faces, they both showed the joy of a long-awaited reunion, exchanging warm pleasantries.
Although Huang Jin had ruled out the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards)’s suspicion, even if there was only a slight possibility, he wouldn't truly be indifferent. He secretly observed Zhu Zai, watching if he revealed anything unusual.
At this moment, Zhu Zai was even more on edge, fearing that Huang Jin had discovered Li Miao’s identity and had come for his life. He swept his gaze towards the door, seeing that only a few young eunuchs had followed, which finally allowed him to somewhat relax.
“Yellow Eunuch, since you’re here, please sit and have some tea.”
Zhu Zai said.
“Oh, Lord Zhu, there’s no need to be polite. I am also here on the Emperor’s orders to invite all the imperial relatives to a banquet,” Huang Jin said with a smile.
“We still have to go to other imperial relatives’ residences later, and it’s getting late. We truly don’t have the leisure. Another day, another day I will definitely pay a visit.”
“Oh?”
Zhu Zai probed.
“Why the rush? The annual family banquet is always held on New Year’s Eve. Why has it been moved forward this time, and in such a hurry?”
“Ah.”
Huang Jin, a shrewd individual, blurted out a lie,
“His Majesty only said that in previous years, having the imperial relatives attend the banquet in the palace on New Year’s Eve, and then going to ancestral worship together the next day, meant they couldn’t spend the New Year with their families, which seemed a bit heartless.”
“This year, he simply decided to hold it earlier, so that the elder imperial relatives can enjoy family time at home on New Year’s Eve.”
Zhu Zai knew it was an excuse as soon as he heard it. The Emperor had been on the throne for over twenty years; when had he ever cared about this? He knew there must be something fishy going on.
However, since the other party had given an explanation, from his position, he couldn't continue to question it. He simply exchanged a few more pleasantries and then escorted Huang Jin out the door.
After Huang Jin disappeared from his sight, Zhu Zai waited for a moment, and seeing that there was indeed no activity, he went to Li Miao’s door and knocked.
It was already afternoon, and Li Miao had woken up. He was currently lying on the bed, twirling his fingers and crossing his legs, pondering something.
To be honest, he hadn’t expected that a mid-level task like the Five Mountains Sword Sect would evolve to its current state.
Although he had spoken boldly with Zhu Zai, by handing the matter over to Zhu Zai, he was actually indicating:
He was not willing to truly take the matter to the point of confronting the Emperor.
It wasn’t that he had any psychological barriers regarding this matter; he simply didn’t want to bear the karma.
After all, what Li Miao sought was “Happy” (freedom/unrestrained ease). And this freedom could only be achieved in a tolerable world. If the world were truly in turmoil and filled with war, Li Miao, no matter how carefree he was, wouldn’t be able to enjoy himself.
Actually, if you think about it, does it matter to Li Miao whether the Emperor is Ji Tianrui?
Not at all.
Suppressing the martial arts world and hunting down Celestial Beings had started since the Grand Ancestor. It was just that the Emperor had changed from “killing” to “using”; the process was different, but the result was actually no different.
Even if another Emperor came to power, it would be the same.
And although the Emperor was a muddle-headed ruler, he wasn’t the “active” kind of muddle-headed, but the “inactive” kind.
When it came to harming people, among Emperors, he actually didn’t rank high. Great Shuo reaching its current state also wouldn’t be solved by simply replacing the Emperor.
And now Li Miao had generally grasped the court’s true capabilities. With his martial prowess, even if the Emperor knew his identity, he would likely have to consider whether he could defend against Li Miao’s assassination.
Therefore, Li Miao was happy to hand the matter over to Zhu Zai, an imperial relative, and absolutely not shoulder the burden himself.
Hearing the knock, Li Miao knew it was Zhu Zai. He didn’t get up, but with an empty grasp, he pulled open the door.
Zhu Zai stepped in and, seeing Li Miao’s relaxed demeanor, immediately became annoyed.
“Lord Li seems quite comfortable here!”
“Thanks to you.”
Li Miao said lazily.
“Get up!”
Zhu Zai bristled with anger.
“No, I won’t. I was beaten all over by your ancestor. Not only do you, a descendant, not compensate me, but you also want to make me, an injured person, get up and talk.”
“Your Old Zhu family really mistreats meritorious officials, tsk tsk tsk, a family tradition.”
Zhu Zai raised his hand, about to throw the jade pendant from his waist.
“Alright, alright, I’ll get up.”
Li Miao retorted a couple of sentences, then with a flash, he was at the table, sat down, and poured a cup of tea.
“What, Commander, have you already decided whose life you want?”
“You give the word, give me a name, and tonight I’ll press him into a latrine pit.”
Li Miao rolled up his sleeves.
“Not about that.”
Zhu Zai sat down.
“Huang Jin just came; he wants to invite me to the palace for a banquet.”
“A Hongmen Banquet?”
Li Miao also thought of this first.
One could only say that these two had worked together for over twenty years; although one was a strategist and the other a strong enforcer, their way of thinking had long become similar.
“I don’t know. I probed a bit just now. It’s not just me; all the imperial relatives in Shuntian Prefecture are going.”
“So I came to ask you, are you sure your identity hasn’t been exposed?”
As it concerned Zhu Zai’s safety, Li Miao also put away his casual attitude, thought carefully for a moment, and then said.
“If you mean direct exposure, I can confirm it has not.”
“However, there are quite a few clues.”
“I’ve shown my face at the Mount Tai Sect, Tai’an City, Shaolin, and Miao Territory. And speaking of those most deeply involved with the Ming Cult recently, none other than our Jinyi (Embroidered Clothing).”
“Also, the deaths of Wan Tianzong, Bu Lei, and Cheng Yuanzhen, although some cover-ups were made, I can’t say for sure there are no flaws.”
“Actually, it just depends on whether the Emperor will think of you and me. For now, no one has connected these things; it’s just a blind spot.”
Li Miao thought for a moment and said.
“My advantage is that I have no background; the Emperor can only deduce the process from the result.”
“As long as I don’t act with full power openly, the Emperor shouldn’t immediately think of us. But as soon as I reveal my martial arts, the Emperor will likely connect all the dots at once.”
“So—you should still be safe for now.”
Zhu Zai nodded, relieved.
“In that case, I overthought it.”
Li Miao shook his head.
“Not necessarily.”
“Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. It’s definitely not without purpose; we must be prepared.”
“Wait for me a moment; I’m going to create a martial art to use.”
With that, disregarding Zhu Zai’s shocked gaze, Li Miao flashed onto the bed, assumed a five-hearts-to-heaven posture, and closed his eyes without speaking.
After about half an hour, Li Miao finally opened his eyes.
Zhu Zai immediately noticed the abnormality.
Li Miao’s eyes were much dimmer, his face appeared somewhat haggard, and his whole person seemed to be covered in a layer of dust, no longer having his usual spirit.
“You are...”
“Oh, I created a martial art to conceal true qi and hide my realm. I haven’t thought of a name yet.”
Li Miao smiled.
“Tonight, I’ll go to dinner with you. As long as I don’t make a move, ordinary Celestial Beings won’t be able to discern my martial arts.”
“?”
Zhu Zai was silent for a moment, then slowly said.
“Are you truly not Damo reincarnated?”