Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao-Chapter 298 - 76 The Origins of the Empress

"Right, what was the situation when you last sensed Mr. Lu taking action?" Yuan Shoucheng suddenly asked Yuan Tiangang.

"It was me showing off my skills, trying to locate the position of the Hidden Dragon. That’s what provoked the gentleman to secretly intervene and use Illusion Technique to conceal the Hidden Dragon’s whereabouts," Yuan Tiangang replied after a brief moment of thought.

"According to what those foreigners said, the Hidden Dragon this time should be a woman."

"From ancient times to the present, there has never been an empress," expressed Yuan Tiangang with a sigh.

"This matter probably involves the struggle at the higher levels, otherwise that barbarian Divine Spirit wouldn’t have sent someone from afar to inquire. If my speculation is correct, then Mr. Lu is probably protecting this Hidden Dragon." Under Yuan Shoucheng’s diligent questioning, Lu Yu was gradually stripped of his veil of mystery. Your adventure continues at novelbuddy

"So it is to say, finding the Hidden Dragon naturally means locating Mr. Lu."

In the Imperial Garden of the Great Tang Imperial Palace, with a riot of colors from various blossoms, numerous precious trees thrived inside. It was the summer season, and the incessant chirping of cicadas was noisy enough to disturb the peace of the mind.

In a rarely visited small corner of the Imperial Garden, a humble thatched cottage was situated, looking fresh and elegant, harmonizing with and seemingly an innate part of the surrounding environment.

Peering through the little window of the thatched cottage, one could see a young girl about the age of a teenager, busily writing something with a brush in hand.

Yuan Shoucheng and his nephew Yuan Tiangang were eyeing the little thatched cottage, their faces showing stunned expressions.

"Incredible, I don’t know how many Arrays were set around this small thatched cottage. If anyone tried to forcefully enter, they would likely be reduced to ashes by the great Array in an instant," Yuan Tiangang exclaimed.

"This shows how much Mr. Lu values her. We should not act rashly. Let’s wait here for the master to return; otherwise, it would be troublesome if we angered the master."

"Scared of me?" Just as the uncle and nephew were discussing, a gentle voice suddenly reached their ears.

Turning around, they saw a green-robed gentleman with a smiling face, who had appeared beside them without notice. The disparity in their realms made them feel despair, as they hadn’t sensed his approach.

Yuan Shoucheng hurriedly pulled Yuan Tiangang to salute Lu Yu, saying, "Master, please forgive us, my nephew and I meant no harm."

Lu Yu said with a smile, "I naturally know that neither of you harbors any ill will. Would you like to come in and sit?"

"It’s a great honor to be invited by the master. How could we refuse?" Yuan Shoucheng said while clasping his hands together in a polite gesture.

Lu Yu gently waved his sleeve, opening the Array, and Yuan Shoucheng followed his lead step by step, slowly walking toward the interior of the thatched cottage.

Wu Meiniang, who had been engrossed in her studies, was immediately drawn to the noise outside. Excitedly, she threw her brush aside and hurriedly ran out.

"Master, you’ve returned!"

Having said this, she noticed the two people behind Lu Yu. She immediately composed herself, revealing a well-behaved demeanor and said, "It seems we have guests. Master, I’ll go brew some tea."

Having said that, he hurried to find a teacup, and as he walked, he still pondered why a Taoist from the Imperial Observatory would be visiting here.

Wu Meiniang daintily offered the tea, which surprisingly flattered Yuan Shoucheng and his nephew. If they guessed correctly, she could be the future Empress—though still a hidden dragon in her youth. With the support of such a great figure as Lu Yu, she would naturally grow up smoothly. Should this be true, she would be the first and only empress throughout the ages.

To serve tea to an Empress of a thousand years was indeed reason enough for them to be taken aback. They hurriedly took the teacups, continuously uttering words of unworthiness.

Wu Meiniang observed Yuan Shoucheng and his nephew’s reactions. Though her face remained impassive, her heart fluttered with joy—she rather liked their response.

"Have you finished your studies for today?" Lu Yu asked the seemingly docile Wu Meiniang.

"No, Master, not yet," she replied.

"Then you ought to finish them quickly," commanded Lu Yu. Wu Meiniang reluctantly entered her small room, picking up the pen she had just set aside, and with some resentment, continued her assignments.

In her heart, however, she was somewhat annoyed. Had she known, she would not have promised her tutor to double her studies if she could witness the assembly of nations. Now it felt like she was picking up a rock only to drop it on her own foot, which left her feeling quite frustrated.

Yuan Shoucheng and his nephew watched Wu Meiniang leave, and it was only then that they slowly breathed a sigh of relief. She could be the future Empress, and while a hermit like Lu Yu might disregard this fact, they, whose foundations lay within the secular world, could not afford to be careless. After all, to survive well in the lay world, one must inevitably deal with the sovereign of the Human Path, and truly selfish and cold-hearted were those True Dragons—if they bore a grudge, there might be no good days ahead for them.

Lu Yu, seeing their reaction, smiled and shook his head, "This little fellow seems obedient, but she harbors a deep mind. Don’t laugh at her."

Both men hastily waved their hands, "How dare we, how dare we."

"Now, tell me, what brings the two of you to visit me?"

Yuan Tiangang promptly stood up and reported the previous events in detail.

With a smile, Lu Yu asked, "So, these foreign envoys who have come to the Great Tang are looking for an Empress?"

"That’s correct. According to Li Shunxin, it is the Imperial Decree from their Divine Spirit, commanding them to find the whereabouts of the Empress and then pass the message back. As for the reason, they themselves are not clear, and if Master has any guesses, we would be grateful for your clarification," Yuan Tiangang eagerly looked at Lu Yu, feeling that today he might hear a great secret of the Three Realms.

"The Transcendence of All Saints of the Three Realms is imminent; therefore, the balance of yin and yang between heaven and earth is needed. Yet from time immemorial, only men have been kings; never has a woman ascended the throne. It is said: Without the solitary yin, nothing grows; without the solitary yang, it doesn’t last. Thus, a female Empress must emerge among the human race to comply with Heaven’s Secret."

"But what does this have to do with the Divine Spirit of Nanzhao? Why would he target the Empress of Kyushu?"

Lu Yu replied with a slight smile, "All Buddhas wish for the emergence of an Empress, but there’s no requirement that she must arise from the lands of Kyushu. It is not wrong for a foreign woman to seize this opportunity. The Divine Spirit seeking the Empress of Kyushu surely aims to impede the growth of the hidden dragon. By establishing a barbarian woman as the Empress, they intend to gain merit."

"Humph, barbarians dare to covet the fortune of Kyushu? They truly know not what death is," Yuan Tiangang said angrily.

From Lu Yu’s words, he naturally inferred that should these people discover Wu Meiniang’s whereabouts, they would definitely obstruct her path to the throne. Instead, they would support their own Empress, thus fulfilling the Heaven’s Secret through them, increasing their power and, in turn, weakening Kyushu’s Fortune and Destiny.

"Their intentions deserve punishment," Yuan Shoucheng said slowly, having made up his mind to report this matter to the Taoist Sect and ensure that the opportunity did not fall into the wrong hands.

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