585 The Grand Scenery of East Qingzhou
“I need to return.” Saying this, Qin Huai sat cross-legged with a calm demeanor. In the following moment, the world shifted, a cold breeze drifting in through the cracks beside him.
Qin Huai slit his finger, and a drop of blood leaped from his body, swirling like a living dragon. Eventually, it solidified into a pool of blood in his palm.
Ripples spread across this pool, revealing an image of the Heart’s Eye Pavilion, where the white-robed king remained seated, unmoving.
With a squeak, Qin Huai pushed open the door to the secret room. Shortly after, Gou Jie arrived, familiar with the room. The latter reported on recent developments.
“The Sacred Heart Sect has been silent over the past three months, and we haven’t found any trace of the white-robed king. On the other hand, visceral prefecture realm experts in Qingzhou City have begun to appear like bamboo shoots after a rainstorm.”
He sighed. “Logically, according to the Sacred Heart Sect’s cultivation method, the increase in visceral prefecture realm martial artists should decrease those below. However, recent turmoil throughout the Great You has caused a surge of refugees in this remote province. Many ambitious people, upon hearing about Qingzhou City, have flocked here, causing the city’s population to swell.”
Hearing this, Qin Huai couldn’t help but furrow his brows, wondering if the Sacred Heart Sect Master had miscalculated or if he had foreseen all this.
“Given this situation, even without the blood sea, a king realm expert might emerge from Qingzhou City…” Qin Huai murmured, rubbing his forehead.
After a pause, he instructed, “Regardless, we must monitor the white-robed king’s movements. As long as he doesn’t make a move, it’s still a good thing.”
“Don’t worry, Alliance Master,” Gou Jie assured him. “Regarding Fang Huo and the others…” He paused. “I fear their journey back will be prolonged. They’re all tied up in the war and can’t free themselves. Furthermore, their exceptional performance on the battlefield attracted the attention of the six clans’ experts. They’re under constant surveillance. Returning recklessly may bring more trouble than help to Qingzhou, given the traitors among us.”
“Yes… After all, they’ve been under the rule of the eight royal clans for ten thousand years. Traitors are to be expected.” Qin Huai nodded, recalling rumors he had heard from the little girl about the six clans and three sects.
“Then let them act according to the situation,” he decided.
He and Gou Jie proceeded to Lingkou Pass, where a long line of people extended as far as the eye could see. Comprised of displaced residents of Qingzhou and refugees from other provinces escaping the war, they were distinguished by their varying accents and diverse attire.
“Send a message to the Nine Dragons Sect, advising them to maintain stability,” Qin Huai instructed, observing the crowd. “Among these refugees, many possess potent blood essences. In a minor place like the ten counties, they’d be regarded as experts capable of single-handedly defending a city.”
Gou Jie laughed. “Alliance Master, don’t worry. Your empress’s rule is different now.” His face beamed with pride as he spoke. “Aside from Elder Yang and Feng Zhiqun, four visceral prefecture realm experts guard the Nine Dragons Sect.”
“Elder Sanlong and father-in-law?” Qin Huai asked, prompting Gou Jie to respond, “It seems you already have a plan in mind, Alliance Master.”
“And Shaoxiang?” Qin Huai continued.
“I’m not sure,” Gou Jie confessed. “Earlier, I tried to divine her whereabouts on a whim but was unsuccessful. It seems the empress has managed things well and amassed a significant amount of fortune. She may not hold an emperor’s title, but she possesses an emperor’s reality. In any case, apart from the six visceral prefecture realm experts, there are a lot of bone pattern realm experts in the Nine Dragons Sect, probably in the hundreds. As for the entire ten counties of East Qingzhou, there are even more…”
As Qin Huai listened to Gou Jie describe the transformations in the ten counties, his gaze strayed toward the horizon. His rebirth mirror, resting on his lap, reflected a fate dragon growing increasingly majestic, its head already lost amongst the clouds. Its aura was impressively mighty.
“To have achieved such a realm, Alliance Master, your efforts have not been in vain,” said Gou Jie sincerely.
Qin Huai let out a sigh of relief. His eyes sparkled with renewed energy. The rising realms of his loved ones and comrades, along with the prosperity of his homeland, nothing could be more motivating to him.
“Thank you for your dedication, Brother Gou!” He patted Gou Jie’s shoulder before turning to depart.
“Alliance Master, don’t you plan on visiting Lingjiang this time?” Gou Jie asked, taken aback.
“No, I won’t. Just give me a concise report on the ten counties of East Qingzhou and the Great You and send it to the secret room,” Qin Huai answered.
“It’s already prepared for you,” replied Gou Jie, clapping his hands.
From a distance, two figures approached, carrying two hefty stacks of sheepskin scrolls that almost towered over them.
“Seems like I have enough reading material for a couple of days,” Qin Huai remarked, smiling as he shook his head.
…
Meanwhile, in the imperial palace, a youthful face fretted in the royal study. His slender fingers tapped rhythmically on the wooden table. This was the current little emperor.
“Oh, the six great royal clans, the six great royal clans…”
“Your Majesty, the mysterious man’s willingness to stir up the storm isn’t necessarily a bad thing,” came a voice from a shadowy figure standing behind the little emperor.
“With him stirring the storm, that imperial uncle of yours will be safe, right?”
“But the Great Spirit Dragon is my imperial uncle!” the little emperor retorted, his anger flaring. Even though his imperial uncle refused to admit it, he would never mistake the dragon energy emanating from his body. The claim of being a pureblooded Kun Peng? It was a mere facade.
Since the other party didn’t admit it, he naturally wouldn’t expose him. And as for his identity, the imperial uncle was probably aware of it in his heart. Everyone was clever; they were just playing dumb.
The shadowy figure was momentarily speechless before breaking into a laugh. “How could there be two invincible beings in the spirit world? If they were one and the same, that would make sense.”
The little emperor scratched his head. “Even though Imperial Uncle promised not to visit the King Bone Altar, from our recent interactions, I’m certain he will! I don’t know where this imperial uncle comes from, but he fears nothing. Sweeping away the six royal clans wasn’t enough, and now he aims to clean them all up together. Does he think he’s the reincarnation of the True Emperor?”
He let out a long sigh. “I guess it’s not a problem for now. The six royal clans have already pinned the blame on Prince Qing Cang,” the shadowy figure added.
“Right. My imperial uncle, Qing Cang, has been playing the fool for years. The power he has accumulated is probably immense by now. With him drawing attention, the truth can’t be uncovered anytime soon,” the little emperor said, a wicked grin playing on his lips.
If it were merely an idle king, the six royal clans would soon discover that his Imperial Uncle was not Prince Qing Cang. But the fact was, his uncle was quite capable. He had been patient for years, merely to claim the throne.
“Uncle, you’ve left me no choice. Don’t blame me for collecting some interest,” the little emperor hummed happily. His face suddenly turned grave, as if a troubling thought had crossed his mind.
“Let’s go. We must keep a close watch on that Imperial Uncle in the spirit world.” He jumped down from the chair, strolling towards the dragon bed where he sat down. “No, I must defeat a few of the six clans’ brats in advance to lighten Imperial Uncle’s burden.”
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the vast Dragon Palace. “Sigh, there’s no one to depend on in such a vast Dragon Palace. I’ll have to do it myself.”
…
Two days later, Qin Huai finally finished reading Gou Jie’s detailed briefing, his eyes bloodshot from intense reading.
“I’ll still have to rely on you, Brother Gou!” Qin Huai said to Gou Jie, who had just arrived.
“Are you leaving already?” Gou Jie asked, a bitter smile playing on his lips.
“Ah, I still have an important task to do in the spirit world.” Qin Huai lowered his voice, his expression serious. “We can’t keep hoping the white-robed king won’t make a move. That would be too passive.”
As long as the white-robed king wasn’t dealt with, the metaphorical sword over his head would keep him awake, causing constant unease.
“May the Alliance Master’s martial luck ever flourish!” Gou Jie bowed respectfully as he watched him leave.
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