"Nine months may be a bit on the short side, but it is certainly understandable, wouldn't you say?"
As the number-one master detective of Jiangzhou, Lianshan Xin always strove for rigor.
Nie Youzhu nodded, careful not to sound too definitive. "Naturally. Premature infants born at nine months are by no means rare across the martial world. I shared this news with you, Young Master Xin, with no ulterior motive other than to offer a friendly word of caution. After all, the fame of your Heaven's Chosen lineage precedes you. Having one more friend opens one more path in life—would you not agree?"
"Envoy Nie makes a fair point."
Considering the secret he had glimpsed about Tian Ji using Tianyancha, alongside his top patron's demeanor toward the young man, Lianshan Xin acknowledged both the veracity and the immense value of Nie Youzhu's intelligence.
Especially its value to him.
"How did Envoy Nie come across this secret?" Lianshan Xin asked curiously.
Nie Youzhu explained, "Our Candlelight of Millennia Pavilion naturally requires intelligence gathering to compile our various rankings. For many eminent figures in the martial world, as well as rising talents, we conduct dedicated investigations and even dispatch personnel to make contact, lest we mislead the realm."
Lianshan Xin praised, "Professional."
"Of course."
"Was Tian Jing also a rising talent back then?"
"He was. When His Majesty roamed the martial world in his youth, he also accomplished many great deeds and forged deep bonds with many who are now prominent figures."
"His Majesty was certainly energetic," Lianshan Xin sighed once more.
In his previous life, he had heard a theory: almost all highly successful people possessed extraordinary stamina. They could sleep the least, work the most, and their bodies could endure it without faltering.
One had to admit, that was a unique innate talent in its own right.
It seemed his top patron was just such a high-energy person.
"Is there any other evidence?"
This matter was of vital importance to Lianshan Xin.
It would determine how he treated Tian Ji and what role he arranged for him.
Nie Youzhu clearly possessed some understanding of the Heaven's Chosen lineage's Dragon Supporting Immortal Art, so she did not find Lianshan Xin's attitude strange.
Given the gravity of the subject, she dared not make wild claims, speaking with the utmost care. "Young Master Xin, this matter involves His Majesty, so we dared not investigate too deeply. Can you understand our position?"
"Understood."
"The words I am about to say will only ever be spoken within this room. Once I step outside, I will not admit to a single syllable," Nie Youzhu said in a low, somber voice.
Lianshan Xin gave a slight nod, listening intently.
"My mother met Tian Ji's mother while traveling the martial world back then. They hit it off immediately and became close confidantes. Before her wedding, Lady Tian had a deep, private conversation with my mother and disclosed her romantic entanglements with both men.
"My mother asked Lady Tian whom her heart truly belonged to. Lady Tian confessed that she was already His Majesty's woman, but had resolved to marry Hero Tian.
"When my mother asked for her reasoning, she said she could not bear to wrong either man, and thus made that choice."
Lianshan Xin pressed his lips together, choosing to remain silent.
Nie Youzhu continued, "Later, misfortune befell Hero Tian and his wife, leaving behind only Tian Ji. When the news reached Shenjing, His Majesty dispatched Lord Heavenly Divination himself to escort Tian Ji back.
"None of the Nine Heavens move lightly. Whenever one of them takes action, the entire world watches, and the martial world trembles.
"Of course, this is all I know. Just as you pointed out, it still does not prove anything definitive."
Up to this point, there was no hard evidence to corroborate their speculation.
Consequently, Nie Youzhu dared not speak with certainty, offering this piece of intelligence to Lianshan Xin free of charge as a bargaining chip.
Lianshan Xin pondered for a moment, then lightly clapped his hands. "Envoy Nie, can you promise me that aside from myself, you will never speak of this to another living soul?"
"Naturally. The Candlelight of Millennia Pavilion has always strictly maintained its neutrality. Had you not been dissatisfied with the rankings, Young Master Xin, I would never have disclosed this to you. Doing so has already violated our pavilion's rules," Nie Youzhu replied.
Lianshan Xin thought to himself that rules were made to be broken.
However, he was confident that his threat packed sufficient punch.
"Whether it is you or your mother, I hope this matter never leaks. Should I hear of this from another person's mouth, I will settle the score with you and your esteemed mother."
Lianshan Xin laid the ugly truth out first. "I may lack the power to touch the Candlelight of Millennia Pavilion, but it would not be difficult for me and our Heaven's Chosen lineage to deal with you and your mother. I trust Envoy Nie will not invite her own ruin."
Nie Youzhu turned pale and immediately raised her right hand to swear a solemn oath. "If I, Nie Youzhu, ever leak this matter to anyone else, may I be struck by the five heavenly thunders and die a miserable death!"
Lianshan Xin's expression softened.
People in this ancient era differed from those in the modern world; they took oaths very seriously.
A figure like Sima Divine Turtle was an anomaly; Lianshan Xin did not think he would casually bump into someone capable of rivaling Sima's brazenness.
Even so, he took an extra precaution.
"Add your mother to the oath as well, along with the Candlelight of Millennia Pavilion."
While he doubted Nie Youzhu possessed a skin as thick as Sima Divine Turtle's, what if she was simply fearless of death?
Lianshan Xin's extreme caution left Nie Youzhu so exasperated that she let out a hollow laugh. "Young Master Xin, you should know that a scholar can be killed, but not humiliated."
Lianshan Xin said calmly, "Envoy Nie, was it not you who brought Kong Ningze to the academy?"
Having struck twice before, Lianshan Xin now produced a hat trick.
He had realized that without applying sufficient pressure, Nie Youzhu would never truly fall in line.
Yet once the pressure mounted, she would show her true colors.
Sure enough.
Hearing Lianshan Xin bring up that incident again, Nie Youzhu was consumed with fury, but reason ultimately prevailed.
"If I ever leak the matter regarding Tian Ji to anyone else, may my mother and I be struck by the five heavenly thunders and die without an heir! May the Candlelight of Millennia Pavilion's lineage be severed and its five-hundred-year foundation reduced to ashes!"
Lianshan Xin nodded in satisfaction. "Envoy Nie, from now on, you are my best friend in the Candlelight of Millennia Pavilion."
Nie Youzhu gritted her teeth. "I would not dare presume upon your favor, Young Master Xin."
"Envoy Nie, at your age, you shouldn't let momentary petulance dictate your judgment. Impulsiveness belongs to the young; you should weigh the benefits and drawbacks. Look, before arriving, had you not already gathered intelligence on me, preparing to strike a deal?"
How could Nie Youzhu have produced this intelligence on Tian Ji out of thin air?
Tian Ji was a newcomer to the martial world.
He had only just crossed swords with Thousand Faces once.
Yet the Candlelight of Millennia Pavilion already knew of it.
And they held his background, preparing to sell it for a handsome sum.
This was plainly a premeditated scheme to hoard a rare commodity.
If it was not prepared for Lianshan Xin, it was meant for Qi Shiyun.
Either way, it proved the Candlelight of Millennia Pavilion was hardly neutral. Of course, Lianshan Xin had never believed their claims of neutrality in the first place.
Watching the subtle shifts on Nie Youzhu's face, Lianshan Xin continued casually, "You are on good terms with Kong Yujia and didn't believe my combat record, so before coming here, you had no intention of including me on the Hidden Dragon Rankings. But I am the Chosen Son of Heaven from the Heaven's Chosen lineage, and my fame soared after defeating Thousand Faces, so you didn't want to offend me either. Thus, you planned to sell Tian Ji's secret for a good price. Whether it was Scholar Qi or myself, we would both owe you a debt of gratitude."
Nie Youzhu's indignation melted into a bitter smile. "Young Master Xin's insight is truly piercing. The Heavenly Eye lives up to its reputation."
"Why would this even require the Heavenly Eye? A tiny bit of thought is all it takes," Lianshan Xin chuckled. "It's just that man proposes and Heaven disposes. You never foresaw that despite your well-laid plans, Thousand Faces would disrupt them all."
Nie Youzhu had no choice but to nod in agreement. "Thousand Faces ruined me."
"If the Candlelight of Millennia Pavilion gathers any intelligence regarding Thousand Faces in the future, feel free to share it with me in a timely fashion. I, too, wish to capture him as swiftly as possible," Lianshan Xin remarked.
Nie Youzhu looked skeptical. "Do you truly wish to capture Thousand Faces quickly, Young Master Xin? Let me rephrase: does Lord Heavenly Sword truly wish to capture him swiftly?"
Lianshan Xin replied coolly, "Envoy Nie, you are speaking too much."
Nie Youzhu explained, "The academy does not lack clever people, nor is Jiangzhou short of experts. The doubts I harbor are likely shared by them, prompting wild speculations."
"Even thinking such thoughts is a crime."
Lianshan Xin slammed his palm against the table and stood up.
"Certain things are forbidden from even crossing your mind—unless the Candlelight of Millennia Pavilion wishes to test whether Lord Heavenly Sword's blade is sharp enough. Would you like to try?"
Nie Youzhu instantly shut her mouth.
Lianshan Xin wasted no more breath on her.
This woman seemed to think she was an intelligence agent entitled to poke her nose into everything. What she failed to realize was that the truth was whatever Heavenly Sword declared it to be.
Lacking Heavenly Sword's strength while daring to doubt him, someone like her deserved nothing more than wandering the martial world; she was plainly unsuited for the imperial court.
Even Lianshan Xin had provoked Thousand Faces only after gaining the power to defeat him.
"Envoy Nie, rest and recover well. I still have classes to attend."
"Young Master Xin, please wait a moment." Nie Youzhu stopped him. "May I ask if Scholar Qi's strength has improved recently? A new edition of the Hidden Dragon Rankings is about to be released. As the previous edition's third-place finisher, Scholar Qi will draw considerable attention."
Lianshan Xin happened to know the answer. "Envoy Nie gifted me a piece of intelligence for free, so I shall reciprocate with one. Scholar Qi is currently in closed-door cultivation, breaking through to the Domain realm. There is no need to rank her on the next edition of the Hidden Dragon Rankings."
Once a martial artist forged their own martial arts domain, they ceased to be a hidden dragon; they became a soaring dragon in the heavens, merely a single step away from the Great Grandmaster realm.
From then on, Qi Shiyun would never again need to be compared against her peers.
Nie Youzhu was deeply shaken. "Reaching the Domain realm at twenty-four... Does Scholar Qi possess such monstrous talent? She is only one year behind Lord Heavenly Sword back in his day."
Lianshan Xin nodded. "Scholar Qi is indeed uniquely gifted. Of course, Lord Heavenly Sword was somewhat more formidable."
Had Heavenly Sword not been named Zhang Aniu, Lianshan Xin felt he would have been even more devoted to the man.
The name 'Aniu' was simply a bit too earthy for Heavenly Sword.
"What a pity that Lin Ruoshui stands above her; otherwise, Scholar Qi would have completely suppressed every hidden dragon of this generation," Nie Youzhu sighed.
"Lin Ruoshui? The one known as the Water God? The top of the Hidden Dragon Rankings?"
Lianshan Xin had never scrutinized the Hidden Dragon Rankings closely, but he had heard of the top-ranked "Water God."
"Yes, that is her."
"Scholar Qi is on the verge of breaking through to the Domain realm, yet even she cannot suppress Lin Ruoshui?"
Nie Youzhu shook her head. "Lin Ruoshui officially broke through to the Domain realm just yesterday. Furthermore, she is only twenty-two."
Lianshan Xin fell silent.
Zhang Aniu had broken through to the Domain realm at twenty-three.
Lin Ruoshui was a full year earlier than Zhang Aniu.
Such talent bordered on the demonic.
Had he not possessed the backing of his top patron and second patron, he would have lacked the confidence to contend with such a monster.
"Lin Ruoshui also ranks first on the Peerless Beauties Rankings. Looking at it now, it is truly unfortunate for Scholar Qi to share an era with her," Nie Youzhu remarked with emotion.
Suppressed across the board?
Qi Shiyun was already stronger than Tian Ji and Zhuo Biyu.
Did that mean Lin Ruoshui's strength surpassed the young masters of the Nine Heavens?
"What is Lin Ruoshui's backing?" Lianshan Xin asked curiously.
Nie Youzhu shook her head. "On the surface, Lin Ruoshui has no backing whatsoever. Her martial arts were entirely comprehended on her own."
"Are you joking?"
Lianshan Xin, whose own martial arts achievements were less than stellar, refused to believe such an absurdity.
Nie Youzhu explained, "Rumors in the martial world say that Lin Ruoshui gained enlightenment beside Lake Poyang, watching the ebb and flow of the tides, the morning frost, and the evening dew. With an epiphany in her heart, she stepped onto the martial path and advanced by leaps and bounds."
Lianshan Xin: "...Isn't that just the ancient legend of immortals ascending in a single step?"
"Hence another rumor claims she is the reincarnation of an immortal. As for the precise truth, no one knows."
At this point, a touch of schadenfreude crept into Nie Youzhu's tone. "Speaking of which, Young Master Xin, you and Lin Ruoshui can be considered of the same generation."
An age gap of only four years fell squarely within the same generation.
Glancing at Nie Youzhu, Lianshan Xin did not stoop to bickering.
She understood nothing of the raw weight behind his top patron and second patron.
"So what if she's the Water God? Is she a match for Thousand Faces?"
Nie Youzhu: "..."
"My goal is to become a Great Grandmaster, to take my place among the Nine Heavens and become the true Heavenly Eye. The younger generation has never been in my sights. Envoy Nie, your vision is too narrow."
Having delivered his boast, Lianshan Xin felt refreshed.
"By the way, remember to include me on the new edition of the Hidden Dragon Rankings."
Lianshan Xin had reasoned it out: among seventy-five hidden dragons, aside from the top three, who drew more attention than the dead-last spot?
He had won either way!
***
While the Heavenly Eye was bathing in his triumph, Thousand Faces was already on the verge of breaking down.
"Master, did Lianshan Xin resort to trickery again?"
Lanxin was furious.
"With your capabilities, Master, it is impossible for him to see through your disguise. Speaking of which, how were you exposed this time?"
Beside her anger, Lanxin looked at Thousand Faces with bewilderment.
Thousand Faces' hands were trembling.
He had been dissecting this very question.
After replaying the encounter in his mind countless times, he could only arrive at one conclusion. "Lianshan Xin... may truly possess a pair of Heavenly Eyes capable of seeing through my disguise."
"What?"
Lanxin was stunned.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Master, you said yourself that no one in this world could see through your disguise, not even Heavenly Sword."
"Heavenly Sword indeed cannot, but the Heavenly Eye might."
Thousand Faces closed his eyes. Bitter as it was, he resolved to be a graceful loser.
"Lanxin, steer clear of Lianshan Xin in the future. He is the natural nemesis of our lineage. All things in creation balance and counter one another. I remained invincible beneath the heavens for too long, so Heaven sent Lianshan Xin to remind me to curb my pride, temper my impetuousness, and continue raising my cultivation. The Great Grandmaster realm is not my limit.
"If I attain true immortality, I refuse to believe Lianshan Xin will still see through my disguise.
"I should even thank Lianshan Xin for waking me in time. He made me realize that innate talent alone is insufficient; raw strength matters just as much. I had neglected the essentials in pursuit of the trivial."
By the end, Thousand Faces' tone grew resolute, reclaiming his aura of supreme authority.
Yet Lanxin felt only heartache.
"Master, are those truly your honest thoughts?"
To her ears, it sounded entirely like an attempt to salvage his dignity.
After all, Thousand Faces had never been known for brute combat strength.
His reign over the martial world rested entirely upon his Thousand Faces of Myriad Forms.
If it came down to fists alone, where did he rank among the Great Grandmasters?
Thousand Faces' composure shattered again. "Silence! Your master never lies!"
Lanxin desperately wanted to point out that he had just lied, but she swallowed the words at the tip of her tongue.
To survive within the Sacred Cult, one could not be too honest.
She chose to change the subject. "Master, earlier when Lianshan Xin sullied your reputation at the Prefectural Estate, many Sacred Cult disciples grew restless. Now that this attempt has also fallen short, I fear the disciples' loyalty will waver even further."
Thousand Faces sneered, "I may not be able to handle Lianshan Xin, but do you think I cannot handle them?"
Lanxin: "..."
"Originally, I intended to kill Lianshan Xin to discipline our ranks and intimidate the Nine Heavens. Since that plan failed, we shall turn our blades inward."
Thousand Faces hardened his resolve, his Great Grandmaster aura rolling outward. "This seat will teach those fence-sitters that even in defeat, I remain their unquestionable Great Grandmaster."
A wave of sorrow washed over Lanxin. She felt that Thousand Faces currently resembled a helpless father who, having swallowed his humiliation outside, returned home only to vent his fury on his children.
And all of this was thanks to Lianshan Xin.
"Master, what are your arrangements regarding Bailudong Academy?" Lanxin smoothly steered the conversation away.
Thousand Faces hesitated briefly, then let out a deep sigh. "Since Lianshan Xin can see through even me, the agents I planted will likely fail to elude his Heavenly Eye. Our arrangements at the academy are effectively half-ruined."
Lanxin voiced her doubts, "Master, is there any possibility that Lianshan Xin is not nearly as formidable as he appears?"
Both of them were in the True Intent realm; Lanxin found it hard to believe that mastering a mere Void Penetration True Intent allowed Lianshan Xin to run rampant across the world.
It defied her understanding.
Yet Thousand Faces merely asked in a chill voice, "Are you questioning my competence?"
"Your disciple wouldn't dare. I merely find it hard to imagine that a mere True Intent cultivator like Lianshan Xin could possess such prowess. Master, if he truly is that gifted, all the more reason to eliminate him early," Lanxin advised tactfully.
"I have my own plans for him."
Lanxin waited for him to elaborate, only to find he offered nothing further.
She sighed inwardly.
Her master had dominated the martial world relying on his unique craft. Now that he had encountered his nemesis, though not entirely broken, he had lost a fair share of his spirit.
That boded ill.
"From now on, do not remain undercover in the Kong clan; they have lost their utility," Thousand Faces instructed. "Go to Jianji Daoist Temple."
Lanxin's heart stirred. "Master, do you still wish to sow discord between the Six Sects of Mount Kuang and the Nine Heavens?"
"More than that. The Cult Leader sent word ordering me to find a way to draw the Celestial Master to Jiangzhou as well."
At this point, Thousand Faces began coughing violently.
Lanxin clearly saw him cough up blood.
"Do not fret. I merely took a sword strike from Zhang Aniu; it is not fatal," Thousand Faces consoled her. "Zhang Aniu did not have an easy time of it either."
Lanxin's spirits rose. "Did you also severely wound Heavenly Sword, Master?"
"I leisurely retreated beneath his blade three times, forcing Heavenly Sword to endure three consecutive failures. His sword heart has inevitably suffered."
Lanxin: "?"
"After three consecutive failures, Zhang Aniu already understands in his heart that he is no match for me. If he provokes the Six Sects of Mount Kuang on top of that, he will certainly fail to control the situation in Jiangzhou. When that happens, the Celestial Master will have to intervene."
Lanxin offered a cautious reminder, "If the Celestial Master arrives in Jiangzhou and joins forces with Heavenly Sword, wouldn't that place you in danger, Master?"
"Certainly not. Across the world, aside from Lianshan Xin, no one can see through my disguise. As for Lianshan Xin, someone else will deal with him; he will pose no threat to our Sacred Cult."
Thousand Faces spoke with immense confidence.
In the past, Lanxin would have believed him unconditionally.
Now, however, doubt crept into her mind.
A deity could never afford to lose.
Once a deity began tasting defeat, faith would waver.
***
Meanwhile, Thousand Faces' lifelong nemesis was currently observing a young dragon.
A male one.
Having previously slain two princesses, Lianshan Xin had grown somewhat immune to wild princesses.
Yet a wild prince still held a certain novelty for him.
"Why are you looking at me with that gaze again?"
Tian Ji felt his hair stand on end once more under Lianshan Xin's stare.
"I told you, I like women."
"I know you like women, Brother Tian. Do you like anything else?"
"Like what?"
"Power, for instance?"
"Nonsense, who doesn't like power?"
Lianshan Xin said solemnly, "I don't. I hold no love for authority and have zero interest in power. My greatest regret in life was joining the Nine Heavens. If there is a next life, I would rather be a carefree, untethered wanderer of the martial world."
Tian Ji's expression turned thoroughly bizarre.
Why did those words sound so painfully familiar?
Zhuo Biyu also looked at Lianshan Xin in astonishment. "Have you lost your mind? If you don't wish to be in the Nine Heavens, you can quit right now."
"Miss Zhuo jokes. One who eats the sovereign's grain must remain loyal to his duties; I, Lianshan Xin, am not one to abandon things halfway. Having received immense favor from the Nine Heavens, even if I dislike power, I will surely dedicate my heart and soul to the cause."
*I was merely cosplaying my top patron to take advantage of Tian Ji. Taking it seriously is your mistake.*
Lianshan Xin steered the conversation back. "Brother Tian, if an opportunity arose to wield pivotal, world-shaking power, would your heart be stirred?"
"No."
"Huh?" Lianshan Xin was slightly caught off guard.
From what he had observed, Tian Ji was hardly a pure-hearted gentleman detached from worldly ambitions like himself.
Tian Ji explained, "My goal is to become the Heavenly Secret, one of the Nine Heavens. Any greater power is simply courting disaster. My master constantly teaches me: know your measure, know when to advance or retreat, and guard your boundaries. For us, the Nine Heavens is our boundary."
Lianshan Xin blinked.
The teachings of the Heavenly Divination lineage had real substance.
It sounded exceptionally safe.
Unlike his Heaven's Chosen lineage, which sounded like courting death at every turn.
"Brother Tian truly lives up to being the successor of Heavenly Divination," Lianshan Xin praised. "Yet there is one problem."
"What problem?"
"Can the Heavenly Secret withstand the fallout of slaying a princess?" Lianshan Xin asked.
Both Tian Ji and Zhuo Biyu underwent drastic changes in expression.
"What nonsense are you spouting?!" the two reprimanded him in unison.
Lianshan Xin raised a hand. "A slip of the tongue. What I meant was, we are still too weak. We cannot rely on blind luck; we must strive to ensure that even if that matter comes to light, we have the means to protect ourselves."
These words resonated with Tian Ji and Zhuo Biyu; they had been brooding over the exact same dilemma for the past two days.
Tian Ji said in a heavy voice, "The best way is for you, Madman Qi, Zhuo Biyu, and myself to all become members of the Nine Heavens before the secret is exposed. The Heavenly Secret alone might not withstand it, but four of the Nine Heavens should suffice."
Zhuo Biyu proposed a different path. "Insist firmly that Zeng Ningbing was killed by Thousand Faces. That way, even if her lineage comes to light later, Thousand Faces will shoulder the blame, and it will have nothing to do with us."
Lianshan Xin marveled inwardly.
One of these two was an imperial prince, the other a Demon Cult mole. The prince plotted against the imperial family, while the Demon Cult mole plotted to frame the Demon Cult.
His newly founded Yixin Society truly teemed with talent.
Everyone had a bright future ahead of them.
Lianshan Xin was thoroughly pleased.
At the same time, he settled on a tentative plan:
He would first establish Tian Ji as his target to support.
Although Tian Ji claimed he did not desire greater authority, whether Tian Ji wanted it was irrelevant; what mattered was that Young Master Xin wanted it.
Young Master Xin also wished to advance his career and become an emperor's man.
"Brother Tian and Miss Zhuo both make valid points; we must pursue both avenues. Brother Tian, your injuries are nearly healed. Once you have fully recovered, please offer me some pointers in martial arts," Lianshan Xin actively issued a challenge. "Allow me to see how large the gap is between myself and someone of the Nine Heavens' quasi-young-master caliber."
*And incidentally verify whether you truly possess the True Dragon bloodline.*
Nie Youzhu's words had made Lianshan Xin ninety percent certain, but she possessed no hard proof.
However, Lianshan Xin could find the proof himself.
The Dragon Subduing True Intent was the absolute bane of dragon breeds.
Tian Ji immediately laughed upon hearing this. "Brother, although our lineage does not specialize in combat, looking at my burly, imposing physique should tell you that I am an anomaly among us. Had I not only recently stepped into the martial world, my name would have long graced the Hidden Dragon Rankings."
Zhuo Biyu concurred. "I rank ninth on the Hidden Dragon Rankings. Even if Tian Ji cannot match me, breaking into the top thirty would be no issue for him. As for you, Lianshan Xin... you are still far from making the rankings."
Lianshan Xin began setting a trap. "Miss Zhuo, how about we make a wager? Let us bet on whether I can make the next edition of the Hidden Dragon Rankings."
Zhuo Biyu smiled at the proposal. "Lianshan Xin, I heard about you calling out Thousand Faces' disguise again just now, but that only proves your eyesight is extraordinary. The Hidden Dragon Rankings are compiled by the Candlelight of Millennia Pavilion, which enforces extremely rigorous standards for those included, never tolerating fraud. You have only just debuted and do not understand the pavilion. Given your current strength, making the rankings is utterly out of the question."
"Miss Zhuo, simply tell me: do you dare to bet?"
"A guaranteed victory—why wouldn't I? What do you want to wager?"
Lianshan Xin glanced at the petite, demure Zhuo Biyu and realized he was a shallow man; he still preferred the grandeur of someone like Scholar Qi.
Since there was no physical attraction, he naturally had to focus on his career.
Considering Zhuo Biyu's relationship with Blood Guanyin, as well as his own connection with her, Lianshan Xin prepared for the worst. "Today I defeated Thousand Faces a second time, which will inevitably provoke the Demon Cult's wrath. I have a premonition that the Four Great Elders of the Demon Cult may all target me, especially Blood Guanyin. After all, rumors say she harbors a deep hatred for men."
Zhuo Biyu instinctively defended Blood Guanyin. "Blood Guanyin was obviously abandoned by a man."
"Anyone with eyes can see that, but taking out her wrath on innocent men instead of the one who abandoned her is where she goes wrong. However, she is rather gentle toward women; many female martial artists have survived beneath her blade. Miss Zhuo, if Blood Guanyin ever comes to kill me, could you block two strikes on my behalf?"
"No problem," Zhuo Biyu agreed without hesitation.
"Since your stakes are so high as to involve the Four Great Elders of the Demon Cult, I want high stakes as well."
"Name them."
"In the future, when I inherit my master's position, I intend to rename the Heavenly Sword lineage to the Heavenly Saber lineage. I look favorably upon your future in the Nine Heavens. When that day comes, you must lend me your full support."
"Deal."
Tian Ji chimed in, "You two certainly plan far ahead."
Lianshan Xin replied with profound meaning, "Brother Tian, he who does not plan for ten thousand generations is unfit to plan for a single moment."
Tian Ji failed to catch the deeper implication.
He offered a reminder, "You should consider your immediate troubles instead."
"What immediate troubles could I have?"
"I just cast a divination for you. The hexagram indicates that an unforeseen disaster is about to strike you."
"An unforeseen disaster?"
Lianshan Xin's expression instantly turned solemn.
He had full confidence in the divination prowess of the Heavenly Divination lineage.
"Where does it originate?"
"That, I cannot calculate clearly," Tian Ji shook his head.
Being able to foresee good or ill fortune was already remarkable; demanding that he foresee precise events beforehand was asking far too much.
Yet Lianshan Xin soon learned where the disaster originated.
*Clang! Clang! Clang!*
Someone was knocking on the door outside.
"Young Master Xin, are you inside?"
"I am."
"Young Master Xin, this is terrible! Jiang Jingshen is dead!"
Lianshan Xin froze, opening the door to see Du Jiu.
He asked with furrowed brows, "Who is Jiang Jingshen?"
Du Jiu: "...The son of the Golden Scale Alliance's vice leader, that short, dark, chubby fellow who insulted you during martial arts class and was knocked out by you in a single blow."
"The Golden Scale Alliance vice leader's son? That short, dark, chubby fellow?" Lianshan Xin matched the name to a face.
"Yes, that's him!"
"How could he be dead? I didn't strike to kill; I merely knocked him unconscious."
"I don't know, but he's dead! Young master, he never fought anyone else. After you knocked him out, he never woke up again, and someone just discovered he had stopped breathing. The Golden Scale Alliance will certainly brand you the murderer!"
Lianshan Xin raised an eyebrow. Instead of panicking, he turned around and gave Tian Ji a thumbs-up. "Tian Ji, your divination skills have earned my respect."
It truly was an unforeseen disaster.
Tian Ji gave a light cough. "Handle your immediate trouble first. Leader Jiang of the Golden Scale Alliance is also a Domain realm expert and a guest of honor to the Second Prince."
Zhuo Biyu added, "Leader Jiang's eldest son, Jiang Jingbin, known as the Gale Sword, ranks thirteenth on the Hidden Dragon Rankings. If he comes after you in a one-on-one duel, the Nine Heavens will find it hard to intervene."
Lianshan Xin's face darkened. "I suspect the demonic scoundrels intentionally framed me. Unfortunately for them, they picked the wrong target."
Leading Du Jiu, Lianshan Xin hurried toward the scene of the incident.
Once Lianshan Xin had departed, Tian Ji looked at Zhuo Biyu. "While you were betting with Lianshan Xin earlier, I cast a divination for you as well."
Zhuo Biyu asked with curiosity, "What did the hexagram show?"
"Absolute misfortune. You are bound to lose," Tian Ji added. "The divination process was remarkably smooth, meaning there are virtually no variables in this matter, and it will unfold very soon."
"I guessed as much," Zhuo Biyu replied nonchalantly.
Tian Ji was entirely dumbfounded. "What? You guessed it?"
Zhuo Biyu rolled her eyes. "Lianshan Xin is no fool; why would he bet on a guaranteed loss? Based on the Candlelight of Millennia Pavilion's style, they would certainly dispatch someone to make contact with him. Seeing how confident he was, he had clearly secured their promise.
"Back when I was at the headquarters in Shenjing, I heard that the Hidden Dragon Rankings would expand their roster to seventy-five people. Lianshan Xin's raw strength is insufficient to make the cut, but having seen through Thousand Faces twice, his perceptive eyesight is genuinely terrifying.
"I reckon the Candlelight of Millennia Pavilion will place him after the seventieth rank, most likely in the very last spot. That way, they can preserve a semblance of fairness while giving face to our Nine Heavens."
Tian Ji grew increasingly dazed.
Even his divinations had not been that clear.
Yet Zhuo Biyu had deduced every detail through sheer logic.
"Since you saw through it so clearly, why did you still bet with him?" Tian Ji could not comprehend.
Zhuo Biyu said calmly, "I said a great deal earlier, but only one sentence truly mattered: I look favorably upon his future in the Nine Heavens. In the future, I am bound to establish the Heavenly Saber lineage. Securing his help is equivalent to securing the backing of the Heaven's Chosen lineage. What is there to fear in losing? Losing is winning. If I lose to him a few more times, the bond between us will only grow deeper."
Tian Ji was profoundly shaken.
As a novice who had only just stepped into the martial world, his experience paled in comparison to a veteran like Zhuo Biyu, who had already roamed it for several years.
"But Lianshan Xin's wager involves Blood Guanyin."
Zhuo Biyu laughed. "Had he not mentioned Blood Guanyin, I wouldn't have bothered betting with him. Blood Guanyin is famous for killing men while sparing women. If you men see her, you had best run as far as you can. But if I encounter her, as long as I show proper deference, my life can always be preserved."
Tian Ji was utterly humbled. "No wonder Master says that after reading ten thousand books, one must travel ten thousand miles. This kind of worldly experience truly cannot be learned from scrolls. I have been enlightened."
Zhuo Biyu beamed with pride. "Learn well; your road is still long."
***
As was widely known, the Second Prince was also a man who loved learning with an open mind.
On this day, the Second Prince held a book, engrossed in reading.
Any outsider witnessing this would shower him with praise for his diligent scholarship, calling him a paragon among princes.
However, his personal attendant eunuch, Li Jinzhong, knew that nine times out of ten, the Second Prince was perusing banned books explicitly prohibited by the imperial court.
The master he served was an entirely different person from what the outside world believed.
Of course, he dared not voice any opinion.
He merely reported the incoming messages from various quarters truthfully: "Your Highness, Grand General Pacifying the Seas has submitted a memorial to His Majesty, stating that three of our Great Yu naval vessels have fallen into disrepair over the years and must be overhauled before they can continue deterring overseas nations. The Ministry of War is locked in endless debate over this, while both the Left and Right Prime Ministers remain noncommittal."
The Second Prince nodded, continuing to read.
Li Jinzhong knew His Highness did not care about this matter and proceeded with the next report: "Your Highness, Marquis Dingyuan's expedition to the southern border suffered an initial setback. Following the news, the Political Affairs Hall was incensed and is currently discussing whether to replace the commander."
The Second Prince gave another nod and flipped a page.
A light breeze drifted past, and from the corner of his eye, Li Jinzhong caught a glimpse of the illustrations—depicting nothing but demons wrestling in carnal embrace.
Reflecting upon his own mutilated form, Li Jinzhong's heart remained as still as water. He continued reporting, "Yesterday, the Crown Princess entered the palace to pay her respects to the Heavenly Empress, seeking to join the Heavenly Empress lineage. The Heavenly Empress did not commit, stating only that she needed to confer with His Majesty."
The Second Prince finally spoke up. "The Crown Princess is certainly impatient. The Heavenly Empress lineage has long had its successors; if she joins now, can she truly outshine them? Furthermore, joining the Heavenly Empress lineage ensures that one can never bear children. Throughout the dynasties, most crown princesses set their sights only on the four imperial consorts. She certainly possesses daring, aiming directly for the Heavenly Empress."
Li Jinzhong flattered, "Whether she seeks the Heavenly Empress or the four consorts, it is pure nonsense."
The Second Prince shook his head, speaking with deep undertones. "You are mistaken; our imperial sister-in-law still stands a chance."
Li Jinzhong snapped his head down.
Having served the Second Prince for five years, he understood the hidden meaning: it was by no means a wish for the Crown Prince to ascend the throne.
Thus, he could not touch upon that topic, nor did he dare to.
The Second Prince clearly had no intention of forcing him, commanding, "Continue."
"Sakura Country dispatched an envoy seeking an audience. They stated that so long as our court regularly bestows treasures and martial arts manuals upon them, and marries a princess to their royal family, they are willing to submit as vassals and pay tribute."
The Second Prince did not even bother to speak, his eyes glued to his book.
"Your Highness, that psychic parrot we spent a year scouring the martial world to find refused all food yesterday; it seems to have fallen ill."
"What?"
The Second Prince instantly tossed aside his banned book, turning anxious. "Take me to see it at once!"
"Yes!"
After a flurry of activity, and upon confirming that the psychic parrot showed no other abnormalities, the Second Prince finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Summon the Heavenly Physician—no, summon the finest imperial physician from the Imperial Academy of Medicine to examine it. Not a single mishap is permitted," the Second Prince ordered, still uneasy.
"Yes, people have already been dispatched to the Imperial Academy of Medicine."
"Well done."
The Second Prince rewarded Li Jinzhong with an approving glance.
"What other news is there?"
Upon seeing the next report, Li Jinzhong shuddered violently.
"What is it?" The Second Prince noticed his odd reaction.
Li Jinzhong looked at the Second Prince, lowering his voice with extreme caution. "News has arrived from Jiangzhou. Fairy Ningbing... died at the Prefectural Estate."
The Second Prince's face twisted instantly. "Who died?!"
Li Jinzhong had no choice but to repeat, "Fairy Ningbing."
*Bang!*
The Second Prince slammed his fist onto the table, an earth-shattering murderous intent erupting from his figure.
"Who did it?"
"On the surface, it appears to have been Thousand Faces, an elder of the Demon Cult."
"And in reality?" the Second Prince demanded coldly.
Li Jinzhong looked at the speculation penned on the intelligence slip, hesitating whether to report it.
The Second Prince snatched the slip away.
Then, he laughed out of sheer fury. "Good, good, marvelous! The younger generation of the Nine Heavens has grown so arrogant that they don't even put me in their eyes!"
Li Jinzhong offered a loyal reminder, "Your Highness, please speak with caution. If your servant may be so bold: though Fairy Ningbing was beautiful, she is not worth offending three young masters of the Nine Heavens over."
"What the hell do you know?!" the Second Prince roared in rage. "Do you know Zeng Ningbing's true background? She was my imperial sister!"
"What?" Li Jinzhong was utterly stunned, blurting out, "Then why did Your Highness treat her as your romantic confidante—"
Before he could finish, Li Jinzhong choked on his words under the Second Prince's murderous glare.
A chill ran through his entire body.
He understood: his master's sickness had penetrated deep into his marrow.
If his master failed to become emperor, harboring such inclinations was an outright death sentence.
The Second Prince gradually regained his composure.
He glanced once more at the speculation on the intelligence slip, taking a deep breath.
"I originally intended to leverage my ties with Elder Zeng at a critical juncture, but these youngsters of the Nine Heavens have ruined my grand designs.
"Yet misfortune may conceal a blessing. If Imperial Father learns that his former confidante has lost her daughter in her middle age, he will surely feel far more pity and tenderness toward her."
After a moment's contemplation, the Second Prince gave a decisive command. "Summon Elder Zeng to the capital and arrange a meeting between her and Imperial Father. Then, launch a thorough investigation into Ningbing's death. Perhaps this will be my finest opportunity to thrust my hand into the Nine Heavens."
Chapter 84