The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 1135 - 617: Identity Exposure Crisis! (Part 2)
She did not conceal anything; instead, she revealed her plan thoroughly.
It’s not blind trust but considering Zhang Yan Yi’s cultivation level, if she left the Capital, the Old Heavenly Master would surely notice.
Moreover, Wu Xiankui is tolerable, but Xuan Yin, that bald donkey’s magic is profound; if the Empress leaves the Capital, Xuan Yin might sense it.
If Zhang Yan Yi is willing to take action to cover her, then it’s foolproof.
"Just like this lad?" Zhang Yan Yi’s eyes fluttered slightly, showing a hint of surprise. He glanced deeply at the monarch and minister and suddenly said, "Your Majesty has made some progress in cultivation recently?"
Zhang Yan Yi was well aware: if Xu Zhenguan had possessed this Secret Skill before, he would never have hidden it from use.
Using it now only indicates that he has mastered it recently, and it’s highly likely tied to a secret of Royal Family inheritance.
Xu Zhenguan smiled and said, "Indeed, I’ve gained some insights occasionally."
Zhang Yan Yi pondered for a moment, nodded, and said, "Good. The puppet will be sent to the palace later by Gongshu; after Your Majesty’s departure, I will take action to shield you."
The reason for agreeing is not due to personal connections but because of the Empress’s mention of "Heavenly Hunting and Destruction of Buddha."
Implying that in front of the great enemy of Western Regions Buddhism, the court and Daoist are allies.
Interestingly, due to the cooperation between Prince Jing and Xuan Yin, the Heavenly Master Mansion, although nominally not involved in worldly matters, in reality, must and can only join the stance.
If it doesn’t take a stance, once the court is defeated, the next to be destroyed is the Heavenly Master Mansion.
When the lips are gone, the teeth feel cold.
Zhang Yan Yi sighed in his heart: Finally, it has come to this point.
Just like the reenactment of the war six hundred years ago.
In the chaos, the Heavenly Master Mansion ultimately cannot remain illusively aloof.
Zhang Yan Yi gave a self-mocking smile, looked at Zhao Douan, and said, "Yu Xiu and Jin Jian are still in your place? I will send a decree via the immortal crane, ordering them both to go with you to Coastal and await orders."
Zhao Douan was stunned.
Old Deng’s implication is that the Heavenly Master Mansion finally decides to stop standing by and has decided to intervene? Well... Buddhism is already raising the flag of "revenge," and the situation, compared to the previous civil war, is already different.
Immediately, the second thought is: Won’t Old Deng again carry the immortal crane to the front line... oh, it shouldn’t be, it shouldn’t be.
"Thank you, Heavenly Master." Zhao Douan assured, "In this battle, unless I die, the two disciples will not fall into danger."
Zhang Yan Yi glared at him with annoyance and said, "With Your Majesty going together, I have no worries."
Alright, this freeloading monster clearly thinks that since the Empress acts personally, she doesn’t mind offering a favor for free.
Both parties agreed.
The monarch and minister were about to leave when suddenly, Xu Zhenguan’s footsteps halted. He turned his head and casually said, "There’s one more thing, Xu Jianwen isn’t dead."
Zhang Yan Yi sat on the wicker chair under the banyan tree, closed his eyes, undisturbed: "Oh."
Xu Zhenguan’s long eyelashes twitched slightly: "The Heavenly Master knew earlier?"
Zhang Yan Yi’s breathing was long and deep, seemingly asleep.
...
...
Marine Road.
Near the East Sea, a famous "Martial Arts Holy Land" stands tall in the Martial World.
At this moment, on Qingshan, the clouds and mist coil around.
Though it is winter, the climate near the sea is moist, and the mountains are covered in dark green.
Wearing luxurious clothes, with a jade belt around his waist, the dignified Prince Jing Xu Wen walks down the mountain path shrouded in clouds, heading downhill.
Two people accompany him.
Princess Consort Lu Yan’er is veiled, dressed in a simple and elegant green robe.
Duan Shuiliu, stout and short, in plain clothes.
The three walked down from the mountain top, arriving at the gentle stone platform at half-mountain, where they saw only a few grass huts standing.
Several Qingshan Disciples are immersed in their respective martial arts worlds, oblivious to the heavens and earth.
Only the three of them walk side by side.
"Greetings, Senior Brother."
All three spoke in unison, cupping their fists in salute to Duan Shuiliu.
This was the original "trio" representing Qingshan Disciples who went to the Capital for martial exchange:
Chai Keqiao, Xiao Ran, Qi Ye.
"Yes," Duan Shuiliu nodded slightly and said, "Master and Prince have already spoken; he will borrow a group of Qingshan disciples for assistance. You three shall bring those willing to descend and go together."
Chai Keqiao and the other two were somewhat surprised:
Did Master agree to assist Prince Jing?
"May I ask," Chai Keqiao blinked, "will Master aid..."
Duan Shuiliu glanced at him, his face stern and words elusive: "What kind of figure is Master? How would he interfere in mundane affairs?"
Will he not? The Three whispered in their hearts, respectfully clasping their fists: "Understood."
Prince Jing stood on the mountain path with a smile, admiringly saying: "With Qingshan’s influence in the Martial Arts, defeating the Zhao thief is effortless for me."
Princess Consort Lu Yan’er remained silent, gazing at the end of the sea of clouds below the mountain, where a large group of heavily armed cavalry assembled at the foot of the mountain, her eyes drifting with unease.
...
...
In a remote graveyard.
Suddenly, paper money began to drift down from the sky.
An unkempt man, with a longsword made of ancient Copper Coins, walked through the graveyard with a crow.
The longsword slashed out.
"Hulala..."
In the illusory Huangquan Road, a Divine Soul seemed to be recalled.
A grave before him split open, and in the dense black air, Master Gu Huo weakly crawled out, his face pale as paper.
Withered appearance.
Just after crawling out, he trembled and threw a Copper Coin to the Netherworld Sect Leader.
The Netherworld Sect Leader grabbed it with a smile, saying: "Is this your last piece of life-selling money? Hmm, you might have money, but your cultivation can’t withstand this repeated tearing. I must remind you, with your Divine Soul’s current frail state, if you split your soul again, your cultivation might fall back to a mortal’s."
Master Gu Huo sat on the grave, panting heavily, saying irritably: "It’s none of your business. Even if I have only one life left, so what? I only care why I died again this time, and couldn’t be summoned back by Chang God. Did I go to the Capital again? Or did I encounter Zhang Yan Yi?"
The Netherworld Sect Leader said blandly: "I don’t know that. Anyway, take care of yourself."
After speaking, the Netherworld Sect Leader hurriedly left, much like a perfunctory worker wanting to go home after settling accounts.
Master Gu Huo didn’t keep him, resting on the grave for a long time before stumbling away.
He planned to first go to a predetermined relay location to figure out his movements before his latest death — he would periodically send letters to a certain location, detailing his current actions. This way, even if he died and lost his memory, after resurrection, he could roughly know what he had done through these letters.
Hmm... But only knowing the specifics, it’s impossible to know how exactly he died...
"Could it be that Xu Jianwen again provoked some formidable enemies and got me into trouble? Hmph, if it weren’t to rely on him to reclaim the throne, I wouldn’t work for him. Alas, once I recover, I must quickly go to Coastal, retrieve things from the treasury, and repair my injuries, restore my cultivation... Hoping the treasury isn’t eyed by others this time..."
...
...
Jianning Prefecture.
Within an unremarkable temple.
On this day, a young monk, Tian Hai, with a yellow ribbon tied on his head, covering his third eye, bid farewell to the abbot of the temple and left alone, carrying the Six Paths Stick and a pack.
"Did Prince Jing go to the Marine Road? Alright, then I’ll meet with him."
Tian Hai the young monk’s eyes were deep: "If not for chance, how would I know that Princess Consort Lu Yan’er is actually a descendant magician of the Pei Nian Nu lineage? The Prince Jing must be controlled, to be cautious..."
Tian Hai’s steps were hurried.
As the sole survivor of the battle at Baihua Village, Tian Hai clearly saw Zhao Douan summon "Pei Nian Nu"...
And after being rescued by the Jiancheng Rebel Army, he was sent here to recuperate.
During the days of recuperation, he gradually understood the situation outside and slowly pieced everything together.
"Pei Nian Nu... Lu Yan’er... is there a connection between the two? Zhao Douan, I won’t let you succeed again."
Tian Hai pursed his lips, eyes cold with hatred: "You and I are irreconcilable. I must kill you!"
...
...
"Achoo!"
Capital.
Just after the Divine Soul returned to the Zhao Mansion, entering a puppet body, Zhao Douan sat up and couldn’t help but sneeze, rubbing his nose and frowning:
"Who’s cursing me?"
——
ps: Gagaga, up next is the couple’s joint act, the plot of battling Qingshan is just around the corner...
Typos will be fixed after updates
