The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 705 - 463. Sealing (5k)_3

The forbidden area, expanded to a ten-mile radius.

When the Dragon Ship entered Jianning Prefecture, meeting the Empress, a large group settled in the gardens below Luo Mountain, the Sealing Ceremony was fervently prepared.

Outsider craftsmen and laborers crowded the large towns around Luo Mountain, while many came, hearing the news, gathering around to witness the Emperor’s rare Sealing Ceremony.

On this day, a group quietly arrived at a town near Luo Mountain, and found a desolate mountaintop in the wild.

The mountain wind howled.

On the desolate mountaintop, wearing a black robe, the Second Prince "Xu Jianwen," who had supposedly died during the coup three years ago, stood with hands behind his back, gazing at the towering, majestic, and awe-inspiring peak of Luo Mountain, and laughed:

"This place is a good spot for viewing the ceremony."

Behind him, followed three people.

They were:

Qi Yuchun, dressed as a Jianghu person, carrying a long spear wrapped in cloth on his back.

Ren Kun, wearing a khaki magic robe, whose eyebrows matched the color of his clothes, crossed his arms with a flippant expression.

And the Daoist dressed "State Preceptor" Demon Path, Master Gu Huo, whose features were more defined compared to the Yu Country people.

"Your Highness, though this place is still far from the main peak of Luo Mountain, the Fake Emperor is strong, and on the day of the Sealing Ceremony, a large army will be on high alert around us. Coming here just for a spectacle is too risky," Qi Yuchun couldn’t help but say.

Ren Kun, whose personality was different, agreed without opposition:

"It is indeed not very safe. Especially if the Fake Emperor advances to the true Heavenly Human Realm, it would be even more dangerous."

Only the eccentric Master Gu Huo, twice resurrected, snickered:

"Perhaps His Highness wants to help disrupt the Fake Emperor’s Sealing Ceremony."

Qi Yuchun swept a cold glance at him, saying nothing.

After Zhuang Xiaocheng’s death, Kuangfu Society nearly fell apart. That day, he and Ren Kun found Xu Jianwen, and were greatly astonished, later confirming His Highness Jianwen was indeed not dead, they understood why Grandmaster Zhuang dared to sacrifice himself.

Afterward, Qi Yuchun became the apparent new leader of Kuangfu Society, instructing each sub-branch to enter "hibernation," waiting for the opportunity.

In reality, it was Xu Jianwen who had resurrected and was giving commands.

Not long after, Master Gu Huo, initially killed by Zhao Douan, resurrected from the Netherworld through prior arrangements with help from the Netherworld Sect Leader, and rejoined Xu Jianwen.

This time, Xu Jianwen alone led three core generals of Kuangfu Society to Luo Mountain.

"No," in the mountain wind, Xu Jianwen shook his head, denying Master Gu Huo’s speculation, calmly gazing at the towering Luo Mountain:

"When the snipe and clam fight, the fisher benefits. This time we only watch the ceremony from afar, the Eight Princes will act, we will watch the show from here."

Qi Yuchun couldn’t help but ask:

"Your Highness, if you want to watch, why risk yourself?"

Xu Jianwen slowly turned around, under the black hood was a slightly pale face, rich in nobility:

"My third sister will die; how can I not see her off as her second brother?"

...

...

The third year of Tianfeng, May 15th, the day of Jiazi.

Auspicious for blessing, fasting, worshipping heaven and earth.

The day of the Sealing Ceremony finally arrived. Zhao Douan, following the Empress, had arrived at the Royal Villa near Luo Mountain days ago.

Also staying at the villa were the ship crew led by Mo Chou and Sun Lianying, and a group of civil officials led by the Minister of Rites.

And a group of Imperial Guards led by Eunuch Hai.

Furthermore, local officials led by Governor Ning and the Magistrate of Jianning, and three elite armies from Jiancheng Road, Huai River, and Marine Road were stationed in advance.

For the smooth operation of the Sealing Ceremony, on this day, roads within a twenty-mile radius centered on Luo Mountain were closed to pedestrians, residents were to stay indoors, not to go out.

Troops and government officers thoroughly checked Luo Mountain thrice ensuring no idle people remained.

Star Officials accompanying the Astronomical Observatory repeatedly divined, confirming this day as auspicious for the Sealing Ceremony, early in the morning as dawn broke, Zhao Douan saw a clear sky without clouds, the sun shining brightly, an excellent day.

Zhao Douan put on a new official robe and, together with Eunuch Hai and others, arrived earlier at the foot of Luo Mountain to oversee the patrol.

Luo Mountain’s main peak towered magnificently, standing at its foot and looking up, the whole mountain was lush and verdant, with the peak as the center, from the mountainside upward, wispy clouds seemed to flow and coil faintly.

"Strange, clearly there are no clouds in the sky, why is there fog on the mountain?" Zhao Douan asked curiously amidst the crowd.

The Python Robed Old Eunuch stood beside him, Hai Chunlin today also dressed elaborately, calmly said:

"Luo Mountain is hollow, beneath there’s a spring from the earth’s veins, steam rises forming clouds and fog."

That’s unscientific... Zhao Douan looked startled at the old fellow, not believing it.

But recalling certain peculiar natural phenomena in some scenic spots from his past life, he grew half skeptical and half convinced.

"Today’s Sealing Ceremony, Prince Jing really isn’t coming?"

Zhao Douan looked around, where he could see, besides the large group of Ministry of Rites officials and local officials gathered around the altar at the mountain foot, there were also elite soldiers sealing off the mountain foot.

Flags with "Yu" character, standing every ten feet.

It was dawn, the sky was clear, yet still carried some leftover coolness, the Empress’s Dragon Chariot was yet to arrive.

Eunuch Hai folded his sleeves, said faintly:

"Shadow Guard’s information says Prince Jing and his family are in the Royal Mansion in Jianning Prefecture, claiming illness, not showing up."

Zhao Douan rubbed his chin:

"Surely they’re up to something bad; what about the escaped magicians of the Magic God Sect? Have any traces been found?"

Eunuch Hai shook his head:

"No trace, but with the ’Magic God’s’ teleportation abilities, they will surely appear today. Although the core of the Sealing Ceremony is at the five-colored altar on the mountaintop, the Divine altar at the mountain foot is crucial to the Sealing Ceremony.

If certain people led by Prince Jing intend to sabotage, the greatest possibility is sending experts to attack the mountain foot, destroy the offering table... we are here to guard the mountain foot today."

So... those Magic God Sect magicians, along with Duan Shuiliu, and Prince Jing’s private soldiers, spies, and various experts, possibly sent secretly by other Prince, will ambush to assault the altar today?

Zhao Douan swallowed, murmured: "Eunuch, can we handle it?"

Eunuch Hai gave him a sidelong glance: "What is there to fear?"

Zhao Douan also laughed, revealing white teeth: "Let them come, we’re not afraid."

Suddenly, deep and resonant bell and drum sounds transmitted from afar, echoing in the ears of those at the mountain foot, a sense of solemnity arose spontaneously.

Earlier, the relaxed conversation of the Inner Court Tributor, military experts all fell silent, showing seriousness.

Amidst the ceremonial music played by the Ministry of Rites, a grand procession departed the Royal Villa, heading toward Luo Mountain.

The Empress had arrived.