The Prince Can Do Divination-Chapter 191 - 154: Confucian Temple’s Strategy, Demon-Slaying Grand Assembly, Meeting the White-robed Celestial Master
"It’s precisely because this person is jealous and conceited that he could never be content playing second fiddle to Xun Yu. He must have sensed he was about to be cast aside. At a time like this, a Saint’s Book is a timely blessing, putting him in a no-win situation. It’s an open conspiracy."
"So this is the Confucian Temple’s plan?"
The fair woman finally understood.
...
「Liu Family Manor.」
「During a break in the meeting.」
In truth, Lu Mingyuan’s consciousness had already transferred to Monk Fahai.
All this time, Monk Fahai had been quietly grinding levels outside the Capital City, participating in missions arranged by the Vajra Department Institute, hunting Demon Fiends, and occasionally moonlighting as an assassin for Prince Jin’s Mansion to take out underground forces.
Projecting his consciousness to think required immense mental energy, but simply issuing orders to kill was quite easy.
To Lu Mingyuan, it felt just like auto-clearing a dungeon.
After some time spent absorbing Demon Power and Flesh and Blood Power, Monk Fahai’s Cultivation had reached a respectable level. He was at least as strong as Yang Erlang; both were about five times more powerful than an ordinary Sea-Viewing Realm Cultivator.
The current state of the Blood Shadow Legion was as follows:
There were three combatants of the Celestial Character Grade.
The Earth Character Grade consisted of elite Shadow Warriors, who served as key combat personnel. Yang Jian and Fahai could each command about fifty of them.
The Human Character Grade handled exorcisms and intelligence gathering. Their numbers had swelled to over a hundred, and they lay hidden in every corner of the Capital City, acting as his eyes and ears.
First, he needed to find time to receive the Tributors from the Qingqiu Temple.
A few days ago, he had sent a Communication Light Talisman. The Qingqiu Temple was highly supportive and intended to send over a large contingent, who should all be on their way by now.
’Eh? A mission.’
Lu Mingyuan noticed that Monk Fahai’s Jade Token was glowing.
’A mission from Prince Jin’s Mansion? Who am I supposed to assassinate with Wu Shangzhen?’
He took a closer look, his brows furrowing. ’The Great Protector of the Shadowless Hall?’
’Unbelievable.’
’I have to assassinate myself?’
Lu Mingyuan was instantly amused.
At the same time, he sensed something was wrong.
How did Prince Jin know the Shadowless Hall had a new Protector? That information had only been announced a short while ago.
’Could it be that the details of the Shadow Scout’s meeting have been leaked?’
’This means there’s a mole in the Shadowless Hall!’
Lu Mingyuan thought for a moment and quickly reached a conclusion.
Among the many Evil Cultivators present just now, there was definitely a traitor.
’Looks like I have to tell the Shadow Scout about this.’
’I can’t let her crash and burn this quickly.’
「Meanwhile.」
"Great Protector, were you cultivating?" Luo Ying approached alone, asking with a curious expression.
Lu Mingyuan’s consciousness immediately returned to Yang Erlang’s body. He opened his eyes again, only to find the meeting had ended and all the Evil Cultivators had already left.
In the entire hall, only Luo Ying and he remained.
Of course, Lu Mingyuan wouldn’t tell the truth. He explained, "I was indeed practicing a Breathing Technique. The decisive battle is approaching. Every bit I can improve my strength increases my chances of winning."
As if remembering something, he asked about the high-ranking Evil Cultivator who had first objected, "By the way, who was that in the first seat to the left? The one who was arguing with you."
Luo Ying glanced at the chair’s position and said, "That man is Sun Changlan, the Sect Leader of the Li Yang Sect from Qinghai State. He’s a Tenth Realm master who made his name nearly a century ago and holds great sway in the Endless Pavilion. He just has never been able to purchase a Blessed Land, so he hasn’t earned the right to have his organization recognized as a major sect. Why? You’ve also noticed something’s off about him?"
Luo Ying’s lips curled into a faint smile.
Lu Mingyuan said seriously, "If I’m not mistaken, by now, he has already relayed the contents of our meeting to Lu Guangjing."
"How about we get rid of him first?"
At that, Luo Ying’s gaze turned extremely cold and sharp, her killing intent laid bare. "No rush. Lu Guangjing hasn’t made a move yet, so Sun Changlan’s value has not been fully realized. When he loses his value, I will definitely be the first to eliminate him."
Lu Mingyuan gave a bitter smile. "I’m afraid they’ll target me first. This Great Protector title you gave me is a real hot potato."
"It’s unavoidable," Luo Ying said, her helplessness apparent as she spoke earnestly. "If I can’t use you to determine which of the Cultivators under me are obedient, the consequences would be far worse. We’d probably have very few people we could actually use."
"When it’s time to act, just say the word, Milady. The New Year is coming up, so I might disappear for a while."
"New Year? You celebrate the New Year?" Luo Ying raised an eyebrow.
Lu Mingyuan shook his head. "I’m just going into seclusion for a while. It’s also a good chance to evade Prince Jin’s assassins."
"Fine. Approved."
...
「A short while later.」
Lu Mingyuan’s consciousness returned to the Cold Palace.
He had just walked out of the courtyard and was stretching his stiff body when Zi Yun entered the small yard to report:
"Your Highness, the Noble Consort summons you."
"Got it."
Lu Mingyuan flexed his hands and rolled his arms to loosen them, then strode out of Qingzhu Hall toward Yaoguang Palace.
But when he arrived at Yaoguang Palace, he found his grandfather was there as well.
The brazier in the main hall was very warm. Wang He’fu was brewing tea with a leisurely expression.
"Greetings, Grandfather. Greetings, Mother. Grandfather, it’s been a long time."
Lu Mingyuan stepped forward and paid his respects to each of them in turn.
"My son is here. Come, come, sit and talk," Wang Zhaoyan said with a smile, waving him over.
Upon seeing Lu Mingyuan’s face, Wang He’fu noted that his grandson’s Essence, Qi, and Spirit were even more vibrant than before. The Great Yan Ruler, a man who sat in the Imperial Court with the unshakeable presence of a great bell, was exceptionally warm before his grandson. He chuckled and said:
"The end of the year is fast approaching. We called you here today to discuss your attendance at the Demon Slaying Conference."
"The Demon Slaying Conference?"
Lu Mingyuan murmured lightly.
He racked his brain for a moment before he recalled the details of the Demon Slaying Conference.
Every year, the Great Yan hosts the Banquet of All Nations to display its power and show the other countries the extent of its national strength. The theme alternates between literary and martial arts each year—a civil competition one year, a martial one the next.
Last year was the poetry conference, so this year it was the Demon Slaying Conference.
The so-called Demon Slaying Conference was an event established in the 167th year since the founding of the Great Yan. In that year, the Great Yan had completely subjugated the Demon Race of the Western Border and secured its foothold in the Central Plains World. The conference was created to ensure the people of Great Yan would remember the era when their ancestors fought and bled against the Demon Race, and to show that the demons who once oppressed the Central Plains Dynasty were nothing to be feared.
Now, the Demon Slaying Conference has become a symbol of the dynasty’s might.
It was like the Roman Colosseum of his past life—a place where Princes and nobles entertained themselves by watching men and beasts fight to the death.
Various nations would send designated masters to a battlefield via a Teleportation Array to compete. The winner was decided by points, so it wasn’t an overly serious affair. A battlefield would be opened up in a peripheral zone, avoiding any real danger, with the main goal of demonstrating the power of Great Yan’s Cultivators to the other nations.
In previous years, the winner was always Great Yan.
After all, the Cultivators of Great Yan were numerous and powerful, far beyond what the smaller nations could match.
"It’s the end of the year again, time for the switch from civil to martial. Do you still remember last year’s poetry assembly?" Wang He’fu asked with a smile.
Lu Mingyuan nodded. "I remember, but I don’t believe I participated."
Wang He’fu laughed heartily. "You won’t be participating this time, either. Attending the Demon Slaying Conference is mainly for you to broaden your horizons and watch the experts from various nations compete. There will be no shortage of Three Religions Cultivators, Qi Cultivators, and Martial Artists. Observing them should be of great benefit to your Cultivation."
"Indeed."
Lu Mingyuan did not deny it.
Observing masters spar could indeed teach one many things, especially for a Cultivator like him who had just entered the Middle Fifth Grade.
"This year’s Demon Slaying Conference probably won’t be so smooth. We originally didn’t want to hold it, but rules are rules, after all," Wang Zhaoyan sighed.
Wang He’fu said calmly, "You need to be mentally prepared for what I’m about to tell you."
Lu Mingyuan replied calmly, "Please speak freely, Grandfather."
Wang He’fu spoke with a grave expression. "Your appeal was rejected. It has become one of the rare cases to fail review by the Drumming Institute. Generally, when a case is bold enough to be investigated by three Government Offices of the Imperial Court, it seldom comes back with the original verdict intact. At the very least, the sentence is usually reduced or the charges are lightened. But this time, for the outcome to be what it is, an external force must have intervened."
"It’s alright, Grandfather. I wasn’t expecting the Drumming Institute to overturn the verdict anyway. It’s an incredibly difficult case, so this is understandable," Lu Mingyuan said, trying to comfort him.
’I can finally breathe a sigh of relief about this.’
’Lu Yunqing pulled his strings and almost got me exonerated.’
’But I figured my father, the Emperor, wouldn’t let that happen.’
’Lu Yunqing’s path has already been paved wide and far. He certainly can’t have another competitor emerging at a time like this.’
’It’s easy enough to understand.’
After chatting for a while longer, Lu Mingyuan left Yaoguang Palace.
「On the way.」 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
He caught a glimpse of a young White-robed Celestial Master passing through the Imperial Palace.
’Familiar location, familiar attire.’
Lu Mingyuan inquired about this person’s identity and learned he was the Vice Mountain Master of the Thunder Pool Daoist Academy, the Taoist Sect’s Celestial Master, Xu Changqing.
’But this time was different. The man looked like he wanted to talk to me.’
...
