12dz Chapter 37 Emperor Yuan
Chapter 37 Emperor Yuan
"Senior Emperor Yuan, how have you been?"
A melodious female voice drifted across the mountaintop on the wind, and a woman in a long, dark dress walked slowly towards them, her skirt trailing on the ground, as if the night itself had solidified.
She walked to the stone table and gracefully sat down.
Emperor Yuan didn't even lift his eyelids, remaining lazily reclining in his chair, lightly waving his feather fan: "What matter requires you, Princess Youyue, to personally come up the mountain?"
The woman in the black dress sighed softly, her voice tinged with solemnity. "The Qingchi Immortal Sect, one of the three sects, just sent people to my Youyue Imperial City to demand an explanation. My father has ordered me to go up the mountain to find Senior Yuanhuang."
"Oh?" Emperor Yuan's tone was flat and indifferent. "What...is this any of my business?"
"When you visited Youyue a thousand years ago, you were already a Golden Core True Lord with extensive knowledge."
"I have come here only to ask you, senior, if you know who that Sword Dao True Lord who made the move is?"
Emperor Yuan feigned hesitation, and after a long while shook his head, his tone sincere:
"I don't know. I specialize in poison and gu techniques, and I know absolutely nothing about swordsmanship."
Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible hint of disappointment flashed across Lin Miaoyi's eyes, yet she still gave a slight bow.
"On behalf of the Youyue royal family, this junior thanks you, senior."
"It's alright."
Just then, Yu Die gracefully approached carrying a tea tray and silently poured Lin Miaoyi a cup of tea.
The tea soup was emerald green, exuding a faint, ethereal fragrance.
Lin Miaoyi took the teacup, thanked him softly, and then drank it all in one gulp.
"In that case, Miaoyi will not disturb your cultivation any longer, Senior." She rose, bowed respectfully to Emperor Yuan, and thought to herself:
"Father's words are true. Although Senior Yuanhuang's cultivation is extraordinary, he has no airs whatsoever and is truly approachable."
Just as she turned to leave, the Emperor Yuan's languid voice rang out again:
"Within the Youyue Kingdom, there is an organization called 'Listening to the Rain Pavilion.' You might be able to start your investigation from there."
Lin Miaoyi paused, a flash of joy appearing in her eyes, and bowed again:
"Thank you for your guidance, senior!"
After the black figure disappeared into the winding mountain path, Yu Die pouted and muttered to herself as she tidied up the tea set:
"What wicked scheme is the master plotting now, deliberately leading the Youyue royal family to investigate 'Listening to the Rain Pavilion'?"
"My dear Jade Butterfly, 'Listening to the Rain Pavilion' is a killer organization that does all sorts of evil for money."
"My words were meant to restrain the Youyue royal family and to seek the well-being of all living beings. How could you assume such a thing about me?" Emperor Yuan covered his face with his fan, his tone full of hurt.
"Having taken care of you for so many years, how could I not know what you're thinking?"
Emperor Yuan paused slightly as he fanned himself, noticing that Yu Die's gaze kept drifting towards the book "True Explanation of Swordsmanship" on the stone table, and he understood.
"You want to see that kid who practices my swordsmanship?"
"My master understands me best." Yu Die's eyes lit up.
"Didn't you previously show absolutely no interest in my swordsmanship?"
"I'm not interested in swordsmanship, but I am interested in that person."
To be able to master such an obscure and perverse sword technique, that person... must have a personality as perverse as their master's.
"Ha..." Emperor Yuan couldn't help but chuckle, "It's true what they say, daughters grow up and leave home. Let them go if they want; it'll be good for them to go down the mountain, gain experience, and broaden their horizons..."
Upon hearing this, Yu Die's face immediately lit up with a smile, but she quickly frowned.
"After I leave, Master must take good care of himself and not make a mess of Immortal Gu Peak again."
"Since you're so lazy, I'd better go down the mountain and find you a reliable maid to take care of your daily needs."
"Hahaha..." Upon hearing this, Emperor Yuan laughed heartily, looking at the girl he had raised with his own hands, his eyes revealing a fatherly sense of satisfaction:
"I am a Golden Core True Monarch, why would I need anyone to take care of me?"
Yu Die wrinkled her delicate nose and said reproachfully, "Then why do you make me do laundry and cook every day?"
"Because you are my adopted daughter," Emperor Yuan replied matter-of-factly.
Yu Die was momentarily speechless with anger, her pink cheeks puffed out slightly. After a long while, she finally spoke with a hint of resentment:
"...Alright. Then you should at least know that person's current whereabouts, right?"
Emperor Yuan rarely showed a thoughtful expression, but after a moment he shook his head:
"It seems that there is something on him that obscures the secrets of heaven, and I can hardly see through him."
The reason I was able to sense his danger and intervene was because he had practiced my method. In the face of life and death, our energies resonated, allowing me to pinpoint his location.
Upon hearing this, Yu Die couldn't help but roll her eyes:
"Just now you told Miss Lin you knew nothing about swordsmanship, and now you're talking about your swordsmanship. You're a liar all the time..."
Suddenly, Yu Die changed the subject, "Master, the lifespan of a Golden Core True Monarch is around 1,500 years."
"You've lived in the Youyue Kingdom for a thousand years. Considering the time it took you to break through to the Golden Core stage, doesn't that mean your days are numbered?"
The Emperor Yuan gently waved his feather fan, his tone languid, yet it exuded unparalleled confidence:
"Do not judge me by the standards of mediocre people. I am different from them."
Yu Die was already used to Yuan Huang's appearance and remained silent for a moment.
She cleared the tea set from the stone table, and before leaving, she couldn't help but mutter, "Narcissist."
"Ha..." Emperor Yuan chuckled softly, closed his eyes, and said no more, but the meaningful smile on his lips lingered for a long time.
……
In a secluded courtyard in Yishan City.
Li Qingyi has regained her original appearance and is sitting quietly on the stone bench.
Opposite him, Qin Xiyue was closing her eyes to regulate her breathing, her face still somewhat pale.
In Li Qingyi's mind, the fleeting glimpse of sword light on Qingxin Peak kept replaying.
"The master who created 'The Complete Guide to Kendo'... is he really still alive? Or is it just my imagination?"
His mind was in turmoil, and he couldn't make a decision.
However, it was fortunate that they were able to escape from that seemingly hopeless situation.
He had previously explored Yishan City briefly and found it to be a mortal town with scarce spiritual energy and few traces of cultivators.
Xi Yue's injuries have not yet healed and she needs to rest.
Perhaps... I should visit the city lord here and see if I can find out any information about the place where cultivators gather.
Having made up her mind, Li Qingyi took out several golden body talismans and gently placed them beside Qin Xiyue. Then she quietly got up and walked out of the courtyard.
As for the thought of searching for Ling'er and the others, it lingered in his mind for a while, but he ultimately suppressed it.
Now that we've offended such a behemoth as the Qingchi Immortal Sect, it's best to avoid getting involved with those people.
Previously, he had the Qin family as a mountain pressing down on him, but now that the Qin family has been destroyed, he feels as if he has fallen into an even bigger vortex.
"Weak, still too weak. If I possessed the cultivation to cleave through the Purple Mansion with a single sword strike, perhaps then I could truly control my own destiny and gain the freedom I desire."
That stunning sword strike, delivered from afar, was deeply imprinted in his heart and became the goal he pursued.
He wants to become stronger!
With this determination, he didn't rest for long and headed straight for the city lord's mansion.
Along the long street, the hustle and bustle of the city and the vibrant atmosphere of everyday life are palpable.
"Selling osmanthus cake! Freshly baked osmanthus cake!"
"Our freshly brewed fruit wine is fragrant and delicious! Come and take a look!"
"Sir/Madam, our shop is newly opened today, and we're offering a complimentary one of our signature dishes. Come in and have a taste!"
Various hawking cries could be heard incessantly.
As Li Qingyi walked among them, the aroma of food made her feel a pang of hunger.
However, he soon realized a problem—he did not have any gold or silver commonly used in the world.
Previously, in the Qin family's collateral branch, all expenses were arranged, so why would I have to worry about these trivial matters?
"Never mind, business is more important."
He composed himself, quickened his pace, and soon arrived at a magnificent mansion with the words "City Lord's Mansion" inscribed on the plaque.
"Halt! Who goes there?" Two guards stepped forward and stopped him.
Li Qingyi did not answer, but wanted to save some time. With a slight thought, she released a trace of the spiritual pressure of a Qi Refining stage cultivator.
The two guards turned pale instantly, their legs went weak, and they almost knelt down.
They looked at each other, not daring to offend this seemingly young immortal master, nor daring to let him pass without permission. They stood frozen in place, stammering and unable to speak.
Fortunately, a middle-aged steward dressed in brocade robes happened to walk out of the mansion.
Upon seeing the scene at the door, he first frowned, but after sensing the faint spiritual pressure emanating from Li Qingyi, he immediately put on a smiling face and quickly went to greet her.
"I was unaware of your presence, Immortal Master! Please forgive my lack of hospitality! My surname is Zhang, and I am the steward of your household. Please come in, Immortal Master!"
He had originally planned to go home to handle some personal matters, but at this moment he had completely forgotten about it.
Li Qingyi nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over Manager Zhang. She discovered that he actually possessed the cultivation level of the Body Tempering Realm, which was quite rare in this mortal city.
Led by Steward Zhang, Li Qingyi entered the mansion and sat down in an elegant living room.
Before he could speak, the clever steward preemptively said:
"Please have a seat for a moment, Immortal Master, and some tea and refreshments. I will go and invite the City Lord here now."
After saying this, he bowed and withdrew, walking hurriedly.
Li Qingyi watched Steward Zhang's departing figure, slightly surprised:
"This person... is quite clever and sensible."
In just a short while, a middle-aged man dressed in dark blue casual clothes and with a refined appearance strode into the living room.
The aura emanating from his body was clearly that of the third stage of the Spiritual Beginning Realm, the Opening Aperture Realm.
"I am Li Jinghong, the city lord of this city. I am unaware of your presence, Immortal Master. What brings you here?" The man bowed respectfully, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant.
Li Qingyi stated her purpose directly:
"Lord Li, I would like to know if there are any places nearby where cultivators trade?"
Upon hearing this, Li Jinghong's brows furrowed at first, then slowly relaxed, only to furrow again a moment later. His expression shifted several times, as if he were weighing something.
Finally, as if he had made up his mind, he looked up at Li Qingyi, his tone earnest:
"To be honest, Immortal Master, I do know of a place."
However, I have a favor to ask of you, Master, to lend me a…small favor.