Xu Qi An followed the Daoist apprentice, passing through the front hall, across the square, and through a series of pavilions and gardens, arriving at the deepest part of Lingbao Temple.
This was a tranquil small garden where flowers and trees had long withered. Rock gardens and pavilions stood tall, with a shimmering pond nearby.
A stunningly beautiful female Daoist sat cross-legged above the pond water. She wore a Taiji robe and a lotus crown, with a red cinnabar dot between her brows. She appeared both ethereally elegant and bewitchingly alluring.
Her face was as white as snow, flawless as if carved from ice crystal. Her nose was straight and beautiful, her lips full and moist. When her eyes were closed, her interlaced eyelashes were as thick as brushes.
Xu Qi An had been staring at her since entering the garden, watching as he walked, unable to discern her age.
She seemed like a woman just entering her 30s, yet also like a mature woman dripping with allure. Or, upon closer inspection, one could see a charm that blended innocence and seduction.
“I can’t believe I’m feeling like ‘I need to find a way to marry this woman.’ Is it because I’ve been away from women for too long, or does the Human Path have some special cultivation method… of enchantment?”
Xu Qi An’s thoughts flickered, but his expression remained unchanged.
“Did Jinlian send you to find me?” Luo Yuheng opened her beautiful eyes, the ratio of pupils to whites perfect, revealing a pair of intelligent eyes.
“Indeed. Daoist Jinlian’s spirit form was severely injured, and his physical body was also wounded. He asked me to come and request a Qi Gathering Pill.”
Usually, Xu Qi An would have asked for two pills and kept one for himself. But he wasn’t familiar with Luo Yuheng, the leader of the Human Path. To repay Daoist Jinlian for saving his life, he decided to tell the truth straightforwardly.
In front of such a powerful figure, one must never feel overly confident or try to show off their personality. That would only lead to disaster.
“You’re a member of the Heaven and Earth Society, holding which number of the Earth Scripture?” Luo Yuheng’s voice was pleasant, textured, and magnetic, reminding Xu Qi An of voice actors from his previous life.
“Number three,” Xu Qi An replied.
Luo Yuheng nodded, her beautiful eyes gazing at him silently for a long time. Suddenly, she let out a soft exclamation, confusion flashing across her face.
“Your fate is very strange… Tell me your birth time and date,” the beautiful Daoist asked.
A breeze blew by, causing the hem of her robe hanging over the water to dance. From Xu Qi An’s angle, he could vaguely see the curves of her voluptuous buttocks.
Can she also see through my abnormality? Xu Qi An immediately reported his birth time and date.
Luo Yuheng’s slender jade hand emerged from her sleeve, her crystalline fingers moving in calculation. After a moment, her willow-like brows furrowed, as if encountering something difficult to explain.
Xu Qi An, feeling somewhat nervous and expectant, asked, “Imperial Preceptor, what do you see?”
“Monkey!” she said.
How do you know I like monkeys… No, no, she’s talking about the zodiac sign corresponding to my birth time… like the zodiac signs from my previous life… Xu Qi An realized his mind was wandering to improper thoughts.
This woman always makes me unconsciously think of 36D sisters, mother’s friends, kind aunts… This must not be my problem, but rather her polluting my mind… Is this a unique characteristic of the Human Path? Hmm, I should ask Daoist Jinlian later.
Luo Yuheng shook her head, her textured voice saying, “Unremarkable.”
She was unwilling to say more. From her sleeve, she took out a porcelain bottle, lightly flicking it with her finger. The bottle floated in front of Xu Qi An.
“Thank you, Imperial Preceptor!” Xu Qi An took the bottle and bowed in gratitude.
She can’t see through my specific situation either, just vaguely sensing something like Daoist Jinlian… Xu Qi An no longer lingered and took his leave.
…
The carriage entered the Imperial City, stopping at the entrance of the palace. Jiang Luzhong, who was driving, jumped down from the carriage and took out a wooden ladder to help Wei Yuan descend.
Except for members of the royal family, officials were not allowed to ride in carriages or on horses within the palace.
Wei Yuan led Jiang Luzhong into the palace. As they approached the Imperial Study, they met Eunuch Liu coming towards them.
“Lord Wei, you’ve finally arrived.” Eunuch Liu complained repeatedly, “His Majesty sent me to respectfully await you. Hurry, His Majesty is furious in the Imperial Study.”
Wei Yuan nodded calmly. His composure, seemingly unshakable even if the sky were to fall, was not affected by Eunuch Liu’s words.
“Those old fogies were just impeaching you in front of His Majesty… Ah, you handle it yourself. In any case, be cautious.”
Eunuch Liu and Wei Yuan were on the same side, with Wei Yuan being the spiritual leader of the entire eunuch faction. It was extremely difficult for any court official to plant spies in the palace, but Wei Yuan could do it effortlessly.
Wei Yuan arrived at the door of the Imperial Study and heard Emperor Yuanjing cursing inside: “Useless, all of you are useless. The Sangbo case is still unsolved, and the clues you two have gathered are not even as much as a lowly Bronze Gong Officer’s. What use does the court have for you two? What use does the Imperial Court have for you!”
Inside the Imperial Study, the Minister of Justice, the Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review, and the Prefect Chen Hanguang stood side by side in the middle, heads bowed as they listened to Emperor Yuanjing’s reprimand.
Besides the three, the current Prime Minister, various ministers, and several nobles stood on both sides, eyes lowered respectfully.
The massacre at the Marquis of Pingyuan’s mansion has spread throughout the court and society today. Nobles were filled with inexplicable fear, on one hand impeaching Wei Yuan and demanding a strict investigation of the culprit, on the other hand secretly strengthening the guards in their households.
For a time, people’s hearts were filled with anxiety. Some said it was a powerful demonic clan member invading the capital, killing important court officials at will to disrupt the court. Others said it was the Buddhist sect causing trouble in secret, aiming to spread their teachings in the Central Plains and force the Great Sui Dynasty to submit.
“Your Majesty, why has the Divine Envoy fallen ill at this time?”
“Hah, ill? He’s standing by and watching.”
“Why was the culprit allowed to escape last night? The Night Watchmen have neglected their duties. Your Majesty must severely punish Wei Yuan.”
Several ministers offered their advice.
Amidst the discussions, Wei Yuan entered the Imperial Study.
“Wei Yuan!” As soon as Emperor Yuanjing saw him enter, he grabbed a stack of documents and threw them at him. Amidst the rustling of papers, he shouted angrily:
“Three days, if you can’t find the culprit within three days, I’ll strip you of your position.”
Wei Yuan nimbly avoided the documents, calmly picking up the scattered papers from the ground, and sighed, “Your Majesty, why be angry? Cultivation is about cultivating the mind, don’t disturb your mental state.”
Emperor Yuanjing snorted coldly.
The Minister of Justice said in a deep voice, “Your Majesty, the Night Watchmen have allowed the culprit to escape twice in a row. I suspect Wei Yuan is colluding with foreign powers and harboring evil intentions. I request Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly.”