Early morning.
A luxurious carriage rolled in along the main thoroughfare and pulled to a stop in the plaza outside Tianji Tower. The twelve mounted escorts reined in their horses one after another.
Dressed in crimson official robes, Zheng Wenhan stepped onto a wooden footstool to dismount, instructing his attendants, "Wait here!"
With that, he lowered his hands and walked toward Tianji Tower, his sleeves billowing in the breeze.
Tianji Tower was an eight-story pagoda topped with a pointed spire, each level ringed with upturned eaves and observation galleries. Years ago, when the late emperor obtained celestial elixirs, his majesty was greatly pleased. He spent immense sums from the state treasury and conscripted master craftsmen to erect this tower for the Imperial Preceptor.
On the day of its completion, the late emperor personally inscribed its plaque: *Fathoming every heavenly secret, rivaling creation itself.*
Thus, it was named Tianji Tower.
Ascending the white marble steps and entering the main hall, Zheng Wenhan saw a middle-aged man in Taiji Daoist robes standing quietly with a horsetail whisk cradled in his arm. A smile graced his face.
"Chancellor Zheng, the Imperial Preceptor has been expecting you for quite some time."
Zheng Wenhan raised an eyebrow. "The Imperial Preceptor knew I was coming?"
The middle-aged Daoist smiled faintly. "All affairs under heaven are within the Imperial Preceptor's grasp."
*Then does the Imperial Preceptor know where Zhao Shun is hiding?* Zheng Wenhan nodded slightly and said, "Lead the way. I must see the Imperial Preceptor."
The middle-aged Daoist shook his head. "The Imperial Preceptor is cultivating in secluded meditation and has reached a critical juncture. Before the Heaven-Worship Ceremony begins, he will see no outsiders."
Zheng Wenhan frowned. "I have a matter of extreme urgency."
The Yang family had already caught wind of his designs. Over the past two days, they had continuously joined hands with court officials to submit memorials of protest, demanding an audience with the emperor. At the same time, the Yang family's estate guards, retained guests, and the city defense forces under their command were all actively mobilizing, seemingly searching for something.
This made it very difficult for him to deploy the city defense army and government soldiers to track down Zhao Shun.
If this dragged on any longer, the Zheng family would have no choice but to launch a forced rebellion.
They had to kill Zhao Shun before the Heaven-Worship Ceremony, and then stage a mutiny under the pretext of purging corrupt officials from the sovereign's side to execute the puppet in the palace. Only then could their grand enterprise succeed.
Yet Zhao Shun was nowhere to be found.
The middle-aged Daoist smiled faintly as he drew an embroidered pouch from his sleeve and handed it over. "The Imperial Preceptor knows everything."
Zheng Wenhan opened the pouch and pulled out the slip of paper inside. Unfolding it, he saw two words written across it: *Shenrui*.
His pupils contracted slightly.
The middle-aged Daoist maintained his smile. "Chancellor Zheng, over the next two days, have the city defense army keep a close watch on both the inner and outer cities. Wherever conflict erupts, surround it with troops and execute everyone on the spot! The Heaven-Worship Ceremony takes place in three days. Do not delay matters."
Zheng Wenhan pocketed the pouch. "I understand."
Once Zheng Wenhan had walked out of Tianji Tower, the middle-aged Daoist pulled out another embroidered pouch. "Junior Sister, go."
A woman in Taiji Daoist robes appeared out of nowhere. Though she possessed a sweet countenance, her expression was aloof and indifferent. She took the pouch and vanished once more.
***
[Ding! Congratulations on completing the side quest: Survive 72 hours.]
[Ding! Quest reward: Saint-stage spiritual power and items unlocked.]
[Ding! Side quest activated: Rescue Wang Xiu!]
[Ding! Side quest activated: Subdue the Azure Dragon Gang.]
Lying on the simple bed, Zhang Yuanqing felt a scalding heat on his forehead. The Taiyin mark surfaced, transforming into a brilliant nebula as vast, pure stellar power and lunar power flooded into his body.
Like a parched sponge, his body greedily absorbed the two energies until it reached the peak of Level 4, stopping only reluctantly.
Zhang Yuanqing opened his eyes. The pupils that had grown dim from sickness now turned bright and sharp, glittering like stars.
"Back to Level 4 peak!" After assessing his physical condition, he opened his inventory, pulled out a Saint-quality pill, and swallowed it.
The pathogens inside him had been spread by a Level 6 Saint. Even with a Night Roamer's restorative powers aided by specialized medicinal pills, he had barely managed to cling to life while completely losing his combat strength. Even now, back at the Level 4 Saint stage, he could not purge it through his natural immunity alone.
Next, he checked his inventory. Low-quality Saint-stage items were unlocked, while mid- and high-quality items remained sealed—the former corresponding to Level 4, and the latter to Levels 5 and 6.
*Thank goodness I hoarded quite a few low-quality items during my time in New York County. Otherwise, a Prop Heavenly Lord like me who possesses nothing but supreme-grade items would be entirely screwed in a situation like this,* Zhang Yuanqing rejoiced inwardly. He then closed his inventory and examined the dungeon quests.
The main quest remained unchanged, as did the remarks.
The side quests had changed, no longer tied to survival time but rather converted into clearly defined objectives.
This was a good thing. As long as he completed a side quest, he could unseal another portion of his strength without having to grind out time like the previous two rounds.
Grinding time was a rigid rule that left little room to maneuver. These targeted quests were where an expert player could really show off their skills.
*Two side quests: Rescue Wang Xiu; subdue the Azure Dragon Gang. The Azure Dragon Gang can be allies? Right, the Azure Dragon Gang stands on the side of justice, completely different from the Zheng family's faction. They despise Zhao Shun because the fatuous ruler's incompetence brought disaster to the nation and the people. At its core, the Azure Dragon Gang hates those who harm the country.*
*Subduing the Azure Dragon Gang will be quite difficult, though... Let's rescue Wang Xiu first.*
Zhang Yuanqing silently drafted his dungeon walkthrough in his mind.
He sat up, shoved away Jiang Jingwei's leg resting across his belly, and casually woke her with a slap across the cheek.
Jiang Jingwei woke up in a foul mood and immediately tried to brawl with him, but Zhang Yuanqing pinned her to the bed with a single hand, rendering all her thrashing and flailing completely futile.
Jiang Jingwei froze abruptly and cried in shock, "You've recovered? You got your level back!"
Then she pouted angrily. "My side quest still isn't finished."
"There's no rush for long-cycle story dungeons like this." Zhang Yuanqing threw back the quilt, got out of bed, draped a coarse cloth jacket over his shoulders, and strode out of the room.
In the courtyard, Wang Beiwang was holding a bundle of hay and feeding the horse. Seeing him come out, he said indifferently, "I've thought of a way. Rumors on the street say the Zheng and Yang families are like fire and water. Since the Zheng family wants to rebel, we can turn to the Yang family for help. I'll find a way to get you an audience with someone from the Yang family.
"The Zheng family has surely anticipated this, so next, we must carefully consider how to meet with the Yang family safely."
He had considered many options last night. The best choice would have been seeking assistance from the Azure Dragon Gang's elders or the Sect Master himself. However, given that the Sect Master despised evil and held deep moral conviction, he would probably slap this fatuous ruler to death the moment they met.
Elder Xu could at least be reasoned with, whereas the Sect Master practiced fire-attribute arts and had roamed the martial world for decades, known by the moniker 'Reckless Fire God.'
Thus, settling for the second-best option, he turned to the Yang family.
"And what happens after meeting the Yang family? You already know the Zheng family is keeping watch in the shadows. If Zhen takes refuge with the Yang family, the Zheng family will have no choice but to burn their bridges and launch an open mutiny. Don't forget that most of the city defense army is under the Zheng family's control. The Zheng family's cronies are spread throughout the court, and they have the Imperial Preceptor backing them. Tearing off the mask with the Zheng family right now leaves Zhen with zero chance of victory," Zhang Yuanqing flatly rejected.
Wang Beiwang sneered, "So you intend to hide here the entire time, waiting until the day of the Heaven-Worship Ceremony? Truly a fatuous ruler, greedy for life and afraid of death."
Zhang Yuanqing stood with his hands clasped behind his back and reprimanded, "Audacious peasant! How dare you show disrespect to Zhen! Believe it or not, I can have you dragged out and executed!"
*The fatuous ruler suddenly grew a backbone?* Wang Beiwang was taken aback. Suppressing his anger, he asked, "Then what do you propose?"
Zhang Yuanqing smiled in a teasing tone. "Hiding here all day is dreadfully dull. Does the capital have an Entertainment Bureau or brothels? Take Zhen out for some merrymaking."
Wang Beiwang took it seriously and flew into a towering rage. "Fatuous ruler, with death staring you in the face, you're still thinking of women? I might as well send you to your death right now!"
He snatched the sword at his side and thrust it forward.
It was well known throughout the realm that the reigning emperor, Zhao Shun, was insatiably lustful. Despite having three thousand beauties in the imperial palace, he still selected concubines every single year. Every time he stepped outside the palace, he was certain to violate a respectable woman.
Those of exceptional beauty were taken into the palace, while those who fell slightly short were merely bedded on the spot.
Faced with the incoming blade, Zhang Yuanqing did not dodge. With a flick of two fingers, he clamped down firmly on the sharp sword tip.
Wang Beiwang instinctively pulled back, only to find the sword tip felt as if it had fused into the emperor's fingers. He could not withdraw it at all. He exerted every ounce of strength, yet the other man's arm did not tremble in the slightest.
"You... you..." Wang Beiwang stared blankly at the fatuous monarch.
Zhang Yuanqing released the sword tip and resumed his posture with hands behind his back, speaking in a measured voice:
"To tell you the truth, Zhen has always been biding time, secretly cultivating divine arts. My strength could rival Tuoba Guanghe, and my wisdom could match the Imperial Preceptor. Alas, my talent was so monstrous that heaven grew envious and sent down divine power to seal Zhen's cultivation.
"Disheartened, Zhen let everything slide, sinking into depravity and beginning a dull, tedious life of wine pools and meat forests... Alas, Zhen was wrong. My decadence brought great suffering to the people of the Southern Dynasty. Thus, Zhen repents and vows to purge the court and restore peace and prosperity to our realm."
He looked toward Wang Beiwang and said, "Now that Zhen has regained divine power, Wang Beiwang, are you willing to assist Zhen in putting down the rebels and upholding the state?"
Wang Beiwang stood dumbfounded.
***
Carriage wheels rumbled as Wang Beiwang drove toward the inner city, the fatuous ruler's words still echoing in his mind, leaving him profoundly shaken.
His years of martial world experience, his knowledge, and his reason all told him the fatuous ruler was spouting lies.
Yet the facts he had witnessed with his own eyes could not be brushed aside.
If not that, how else could the emperor's strength have skyrocketed so drastically? Cultivation was an arduous path; Wang Beiwang had practiced swordsmanship for over a decade just to achieve modest success. And which of those renowned grandmasters in the martial world wasn't at least in their forties?
To have one's cultivation leap bounds overnight was completely unheard of.
The more Wang Beiwang thought, the more astounded he became. For the first time, he felt a spark of awe toward this emperor he had hated for so long—an awe he was loath to admit even to himself.
Just then, the sound of melodious singing and playful banter reached their ears. They had arrived at the inner city's famed Hongxiu Pavilion.
Hongxiu Pavilion stood beside the main avenue of the inner city, a two-story building adorned with vibrant red silk banners. Up on the second-floor gallery railings, lavishly dressed young women laughed, chattered, and playfully shoved one another, their delicate bodies trembling coquettishly in a display meant for the pedestrians below.
By the entrance, brothel servants bowed and scraped to drum up business, ushering in thirsty, eager young men.
Wang Beiwang reined in the horses before Hongxiu Pavilion, tossed a bit of broken silver to an approaching servant, and instructed, "Lead the horse to the back courtyard and feed it well."
He then led Zhang Yuanqing and Jiang Jingwei inside as they hopped down from the carriage. Another servant who hadn't managed to snag a customer blinked in surprise, quickly stepping forward to block them, saying in bewilderment, "Hongxiu Pavilion does not entertain female patrons."
He cast a glance toward Jiang Jingwei.
Zhang Yuanqing replied offhandedly, "She's a man dressed in women's clothing."
*Who would believe that?* Just as the servant opened his mouth to object, his mind spun with dizziness. His gaze turned blank, and a few seconds later, he returned to normal, instinctively believing Zhang Yuanqing's words, and guided the trio inside.
Entering the pavilion, Zhang Yuanqing swept his gaze across the room. Facing the entrance was a large stage covered in a thin red carpet, intended for musical performances and operas, though it currently stood empty.
There were not many patrons in the main hall. They sat in groups of two or three having breakfast, some alone and others accompanied by beauties.
Those sitting alone were mostly patrons who had stayed the night and were leaving after eating, while those accompanied by women were there for a bit of morning exercise.
"Are the three of you here for the first time, or do you have a familiar lady?" the servant asked with a fawning smile. "The ladies are still asleep. Would you care for some breakfast first?"
The three chose an empty table further inside and ordered breakfast. Zhang Yuanqing sighed regretfully, "Arrived too early! Completely forgot that brothels do their business at night."
Wang Beiwang watched the servant's retreating back and asked tentatively, "Your Majesty, do you practice illusion arts?"
"Call me Young Master while we're outside," Zhang Yuanqing said, adopting a profound air. "Illusion arts are merely a minor trick. Zhen... this young master cultivates the art of commanding ghosts and spirits."
Wang Beiwang came to an understanding. "I heard our Sect Master mention that the Imperial Preceptor can communicate with ghosts and spirits, concoct elixirs, set the solar terms, and divine fortunes by the stars. Are you the Imperial Preceptor's disciple?"
"He isn't worthy!" Zhang Yuanqing rolled his eyes. Seeing that breakfast hadn't arrived yet, he said, "Wang Beiwang, I have a mission for you. After breakfast, disguise yourself as a beggar, walk around within a five-li radius of Tianji Tower, and shout to everyone you see: 'I am the reincarnation of Yuanshi Tianzun! I urgently need ten taels of silver to return to the Heavenly Court! Any kind soul who lends a hand will be crowned the Jade Emperor upon my return!'
"If anyone asks where Yuanshi Tianzun is, bring them over."
"I'm not going." Wang Beiwang grew agitated. "That's humiliating! I'm a renowned swordsman in the martial world!"
"You don't want to save Xiu'er anymore?"
"I..." Wang Beiwang's face contorted.
***
After finishing breakfast, Wang Beiwang left Hongxiu Pavilion. He found a beggar on the street and traded two copper coins along with his own clothes for a set of tattered rags.
Under the beggar's look that suggested he was an absolute idiot, he picked up a cracked bowl and walked away.
After walking some distance and putting space between himself and that beggar, Wang Beiwang looked left and right, hesitating repeatedly. Finally, driven by the thought that *Xiu'er matters most*, he yelled out at the top of his lungs:
"I am the reincarnation of Yuanshi Tianzun! I urgently need ten taels of silver to return to the Heavenly Court! Any kind soul who lends a hand will be crowned the Jade Emperor upon my return!"
Passersby on the street cast glances of pity, shock, bafflement, and the sheer certainty that he was a lunatic.
A powerful wave of shame flooded his chest. Wang Beiwang's cheeks burned, and his voice unconsciously dropped. He hung his head and hurried away.
Only after walking a long way did he summon up his courage again to loudly shout the slogan, receiving bizarre looks from the pedestrians each and every time without fail.
After repeating this several times over the course of two hours, Wang Beiwang was in the middle of shouting the slogan when he suddenly heard someone ask tentatively:
"Yuanshi Tianzun?"
Chapter 862