The Challenge of a Farmhouse Son-in-Law-Chapter 1040 - 1034: Starting to Doubt the Master

He had always thought that his master would one day reveal the secrets of the Dao Sect to him, perhaps when he won the title of State Preceptor, but he had never imagined that all of it had been in his master’s calculations; he had never been regarded as a disciple worthy of inheriting his master’s mantle. To Huo Li and Yu Jizi, he might just be a pitifully obedient worm.

A worm sacrificed as soon as the deed was done.

Huo Li’s face turned pale, his lips quivering slightly.

Looking at Jin Zijin, he took a long while before he could utter a word.

"How do you expect me to believe you?"

Jin Zijin said, "I am only responsible for telling you these things. Whether you believe them or not is up to you. I’ll give you three days to think it over, if you decide, come find me in the city."

Huo Li watched Jin Zijin walk out the door, his heart troubled for a long time.

He had never heard of these Dao Sect secrets before, but Jin Zijin knew them very clearly because Tian Jizi had not hidden them from him.

He still remembered the time he brought food to his master and saw him drawing something, but his master, angry, had driven him out. Thinking back to his master’s demeanor then, he still felt intimidated.

His master had always been a kind old man, seldom showing such an expression.

Could it be as Jin Zijin said, that he had always been researching a method to extend life? That drawing was the Blood Sacrifice Soul Transfer Array. His master, old as he was, wished to swap into a younger body to continue living in this world, and the reason he was reserved with him was because he never planned to hand over Xuanzong, the Dao Family, and the Imperial Court to anyone.

His goals were not just the Dao Family but also the Imperial Court.

At this thought, Huo Li was abruptly startled.

...

The Emperor was going to send troops against Xining, and certainly wouldn’t use only his own soldiers.

No one who held significant military power could escape.

Yue Rujing was heading back to Lingnan and would gladly lend troops to Jin Zijin, but as for aiding Moning in fighting Mocong, it was uncertain.

Meanwhile, the Emperor had summoned the Ducal Residence’s old man into the palace, not meeting him in Qianqing Palace but directing someone to bring him straight to Jiaotai Hall, used by the Empress to receive guests.

The old man from the Ducal Residence, who had lived over eighty years, surely understood what the Emperor wanted.

Initially, he had been unwilling to come, feigning illness at home.

After all, he was old, and feigning illness was not a rare occurrence for him, quite a normal thing, but this time it seemed the Emperor was not so easily fooled, sending Wan Decheng to convey a message to the Ducal Residence that the protective Duke was old and frequently fell sick, yet often attended court as well, which was really inappropriate. It would be better for him to abdicate early and return home to enjoy his remaining years.

Was this their way of stripping him of his power if he didn’t show up, citing his illness?

How could this be acceptable? As long as he, this old frame, lived another day, he intended to hold the power of the Ducal Residence in his hands.

At his age, if he couldn’t see King Jin ascend as Crown Prince, he wouldn’t relinquish power unless he died.

"Old minister pays his respects to the Emperor and the Empress."

Genuinely an old man of over eighty, he wasn’t like Yu Jizi or Tian Jizi who could defy age. It was evident, as he entered Jiaotai Hall, that the Ducal Protector was somewhat out of breath.

"Protector of the Nation, please take a seat."

The Emperor had already prepared a chair, perhaps anticipating a prolonged confrontation.

The Empress sat beside the Emperor, looking at the Ducal Protector’s somewhat trembling frame with concern.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the Emperor went straight to the point.