Li Shuo’s voice was very low, carrying the majesty of an Emperor along with a faint, imperceptible tremor.
“You should know what the Imperial Seal represents; you should also know that I trust you because of your life-saving grace and your righteousness in protecting my daughter. But this matter… is of no small importance. You must give me a reason why I must lend it to you.”
He did not ask, “Does Pei Sect Leader know?”
Because he knew that if the Liuyun Sect were acting officially, it would never be in this manner—Xu Ping’an acting alone, infiltrating in the dead of night.
This felt more like Xu Ping’an’s personal decision.
Xu Ping’an was silent for a moment, appearing to weigh his words, before finally saying slowly:
“Does Your Majesty trust this commoner’s medical arts?”
Li Shuo nodded.
“Mister’s medical arts are beyond the comprehension of even ghosts and gods. I have experienced them firsthand.”
“Then does Your Majesty believe that this commoner can ‘see’ certain things that ordinary people, or even ordinary cultivators, cannot see?” Xu Ping’an continued.
Li Shuo’s eyes shifted slightly, recalling the incomprehensible yet effective methods Xu Ping’an used to treat him. He nodded again.
“I believe.”
“Then Your Majesty must believe that what this commoner ‘sees’ right now is that the Great Qi Dragon Qi is already like a candle in the wind, its life hanging by a thread.”
Xu Ping’an’s voice was calm, yet every word was like a hammer striking Li Shuo’s heart.
“There is an extremely ancient, extremely Yin and evil power entwined around the Dragon Vein, eroding the fortune of the nation. The day of the Immortal Destiny Assembly is when it will reveal its final move and the fortune will collapse.”
“This commoner’s request to borrow the Imperial Seal is not for private gain, but rather to use the orthodox dynasty fortune and the belief of the millions of people condensed upon it to take a desperate gamble.”
“I wish to see if I can add a flicker of light to that dying candle—or at least, prevent the collapse from being so catastrophic, and buy a bit more time for the people of the world.”
He did not speak in great detail, but the words “Dragon Qi,” “ancient evil power,” “the day of the Immortal Destiny Assembly,” and “collapse of fortune” were like cold daggers piercing through the fears that Li Shuo had been unwilling and afraid to dwell on deep within his heart.
Recently, national affairs had been difficult.
Natural disasters and man-made calamities were frequent, and demons appeared often.
Although he was heavily burdened by illness, how could he have no inkling of these things? He was simply powerless to turn back the tide and could only barely hold things together.
Now, Master Xu, whom he had once regarded as a life-saving straw, had personally spoken this worst-case prophecy.
Li Shuo’s face turned deathly pale, his breathing became rapid, and he broke into another fit of heart-wrenching coughing.
Fu’an hurriedly stepped forward to rub his back.
When the coughing subsided slightly, Li Shuo gasped for air, his eyes looking sharply at Xu Ping’an. “Mister… what are the chances of success?”
Xu Ping’an shook his head. “Nothing in this world is absolute, especially when it involves the path of fortune; there are too many variables. This commoner can only say that I will do my best. Without the Imperial Seal, there is not even a chance to try.”
The hall fell into a dead silence. Only Li Shuo’s heavy breathing and the occasional crackle of the lamp wick could be heard.
After a long time, Li Shuo seemed to use all his strength to slowly close his eyes.
When he opened them again, they were filled with a desolate resolve, like someone burning their bridges.
He looked at Fu’an and uttered a single word, extremely softly yet with great weight: “Fetch it.”
“His Majesty!”
Fu’an’s old face was covered in tears as he tried to protest.
“Fetch it!”
Li Shuo barked in a low voice, carrying the unquestionable decisiveness of an Emperor, even though that decision was steeped in endless sorrow.
Fu’an, weeping and trembling, scrambled toward a hidden mechanism deep within the hall.
A moment later, he returned with a purple sandalwood box held in both hands, his body shaking.
Li Shuo signaled for him to hand the box to Xu Ping’an. Xu Ping’an took it; it was heavy and cold to the touch.
He opened the lid.
A square Imperial Seal, pure white throughout with a coiled dragon knob, emitting a warm luster and a heavy aura of the Dao, lay quietly upon bright yellow silk.
It was indeed the Heirloom Seal of the Realm that had been passed down through Great Qi for a thousand years.
Xu Ping’an examined it carefully to confirm it was correct, then closed the lid.
He said no more, only giving Li Shuo a deep bow.
“I shall remember Your Majesty’s trust and weight. Once the Imperial Seal is used, it shall be returned. Your Majesty… please take care of your health.”
Having said this, he turned and, just as he had come, walked toward the window.
“Master Xu!”
Li Shuo suddenly called out to him, his voice hoarse, carrying a final sliver of hope and bewilderment.
“Is there… still hope for my Great Qi?”
Xu Ping’an’s footsteps paused. He did not look back, staring out at the heavy night sky.
Just like the last time he had departed, he left behind those calm yet ambiguously meaningful words:
“Do your best and leave the rest to the Mandate of Heaven. Your Majesty should recover well.”
As the words fell, his figure blurred and he disappeared outside the window.
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, only Li Shuo’s heavy breathing, Fu’an’s muffled sobbing, and the lingering scent of medicine remained.
Li Shuo collapsed back against the dragon bed, staring at the empty window.
The cold sensation of the Imperial Seal being taken away seemed to remain in his hands.
The Heirloom Seal of the Realm leaving his side was an unprecedented absurdity and risk.
But Xu Ping’an’s final sentence had strangely caused a weak hope—one he didn’t even dare to dwell on—to sprout in his heart, which had been nearly numbed by pain and national affairs.
Meanwhile, Xu Ping’an, carrying the heavy Imperial Seal that bore the fortune of the dynasty and the trust of the Emperor, had once again merged into the shadows of the Royal City.
He moved quietly toward the core where the Dragon Qi converged and the Calamity Qi condensed.
Time ticked away, pointing toward the preordained moment of destruction: the day of the Immortal Destiny Assembly.
The day of the Immortal Destiny Assembly.
Liuyun Sect’s Swordsmith Peak had never been as boisterous as it was at this moment.
The massive Drill Ground had been temporarily converted into a magnificent assembly hall.
Rosy light covered the ground, and clouds stretched to the sky.
Hundreds of jade tables were arranged around a central high platform, laden with spiritual fruits, delicacies, and fine nectars.
Various sect banners fluttered, representing over a hundred righteous sects—from first-rate sects that shook the region to small and medium sects from remote corners.
Sect Masters, Elders, and Inner Disciples were gathered together, their robes fragrant and their treasures faintly glowing.
The sounds of flutes and strings were melodious and pleasant.
Disciples dressed in Liuyun Sect uniforms moved back and forth to serve, their postures graceful.
From time to time, magnificent streaks of light descended from the sky, accompanied by the clear voices of the master of ceremonies announcing the names:
“The Vice Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Perfected Master Yun Yi, has arrived!”
“The Elder of the Mystic Pavilion, The Master of Mysterious Dust, has arrived!”
“Master Miaoyin of The Hall of Compassionate Navigation has arrived!”
“Taoist Huoyun of Blazing Fire Valley has arrived!”
Each announcement drew a round of either enthusiastic or reserved greetings and small talk.
The atmosphere was heated yet solemn, as if it were a grand chapter of history gathering the elite of the world’s righteous path.
On the main seat of the high platform, Pei Qingxuan was dressed in the ceremonial robes of the Sect Master, wearing a star crown.
Her beauty was peerless, and her aura was as cold and clear as a goddess from the highest Heaven.
She sat there, responding to toasts and conversations from all sides.
Her behavior was appropriate, her smiles pleasant, fully displaying the grace and majesty of the leader of a first-rate Sect.
However, only she knew that beneath her wide sleeves, her fingertips were slightly cold.
Her gaze would occasionally sweep across the edge of the venue or toward the distant horizon where nothing could be seen.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.