Great Dao Lord through Deducing Myriad Arts

Chapter 277: Chapter 229: Conflict in the Palace, Before the Martial God Temple (Part 2)

Let’s analyze this source text first:

[Step 1: Contextual Analysis]

Literary genre: This appears to be a Chinese cultivation/martial arts fantasy web novel (xianxia/wuxia), with elements of court intrigue and imperial politics.

Language style: Formal narrative with elements of classical Chinese-inspired dialogue, particularly when characters of high status are speaking.

Tone: Serious, political, with undertones of conspiracy and plotting. Some scenes have tension, while others contain political intrigue.

Plot keywords: Martial arts, cultivation, imperial court, palace intrigue, eunuchs, emperor, dowager empress, conspiracy, martial grandmaster.

Characters:

- 武良辰 (Wu Liangchen): Male, recently achieved Grandmaster status in martial arts, originally a carriage driver from Dinghai City

- 王德 (Wang De): Male, appears to be a eunuch serving the Dowager Empress

- 刘三海 (Liu Sanhai): Male, head eunuch of the Rituals Department, loyal to the Emperor

- 燕晟 (Yan Sheng): Male, the current Emperor, 25 years old, described as thin and somewhat childlike

- 顾一 (Gu Yi): Male, someone who was killed by Wu Liangchen

- Two unnamed Grandmasters at the Martial God Temple who are being visited and receiving gifts

[Step 2: Integrated Translation and Polishing]

Now let me translate the text following all the rules and guidelines:

This text appears to be about court intrigue in an imperial palace setting. We have an emperor who is in a power struggle with his mother (the Dowager Empress). There are also martial arts masters who are being courted by both sides. A new martial arts grandmaster named Wu Liangchen has emerged and various factions are interested in him.

Let me proceed with the translation:

"I heard there’s another person who has attained the Grandmaster realm in the Capital City?"

Wang De jolted in alarm, hastily kneeling down again, and replied with a trembling voice, "Yes, respected ancestor, that is correct."

"What’s this person’s background?" another leisurely voice asked.

Wang De felt cold sweat running down his back.

Despite having come here many times, he had never seen these two ancestral figures face-to-face, let alone spoken with them.

Today, both of these ancestors were speaking simultaneously, which left him feeling rather apprehensive.

"This person’s name is Wu Liangchen, originally a small carriage driver from Dinghai City. I’m not sure how he managed it, but in just two or three short years, he grew from a commoner into a Grandmaster." Wang De didn’t dare waste words, concisely relating Wu Liangchen’s background.

After listening, silence filled the hall for a moment, then one person sighed lightly, "According to this, this Wu Liangchen’s talent is truly astonishing!"

"To kill Gu Yi immediately after his breakthrough, he’s certainly formidable!" another voice chimed in agreement.

Wang De didn’t dare make a sound, just kneeling silently on the ground, listening.

"I presume these gifts were meant for this Wu Liangchen, but he didn’t accept them, so they were sent to us instead?" the first voice spoke again.

Cold sweat immediately broke out on Wang De’s forehead, and he stammered, "This... this..."

"Alright, stop making things difficult for him. Go back and tell your master that we understand!" the other voice mediated.

Wang De felt relieved at last, kowtowed a few more times, then retreated fearfully.

After he left, conversation resumed in the great hall.

"Becoming a Martial Arts Grandmaster from a commoner in just two years—I find that hard to believe."

"It is quite exaggerated, but this Wu Liangchen’s talent must be exceptional. We should find an opportunity to test his skills. If his aptitude is sufficient, we could bring him in and research the path ahead together."

"Wouldn’t that just benefit that youngster for nothing? After all, we brothers have been researching for so many years and finally made some progress, yet he gets to reap the fruits?"

"Hehe, don’t be hasty. I’m not saying we should let him reap the benefits! The path we’ve researched may seem feasible, but no one knows if it can truly be traversed. Since neither of us can risk ourselves, this youngster’s appearance is perfect—he can serve as our test subject." This voice said with a cold laugh.

"Brilliant! Why didn’t I think of that?"

"Patience. Let’s observe for a while, then act when the time is right."

"Agreed!"

While they were talking, Wang De, having completed his mission, was walking down the mountain with a sense of relief.

However, halfway down the mountain, he encountered a familiar face.

The head eunuch of the Rituals Department, Liu Sanhai, was leading a group of junior eunuchs carrying gifts up the mountain.

The two parties—one going up, one coming down—met face to face, creating an awkward atmosphere.

Fortunately, Wang De was quick to react, giving a slight bow before stepping aside.

Liu Sanhai didn’t say anything either, simply continuing up the mountain.

Thus, the two groups passed each other without exchanging a single word.

Leaving Wang De to report back, Liu Sanhai’s purpose was the same as Wang De’s—delivering gifts to the Martial God Temple.

However, he didn’t receive the same treatment as Wang De. After placing the gifts down and kowtowing, he departed.

On his way back, Liu Sanhai was deeply worried.

The current situation was becoming increasingly unfavorable for the Emperor.

Having lost Prince Yu as his right-hand man, the pro-Emperor faction had been greatly weakened, and with it, the Emperor had lost what little space he had left to maneuver.

Even the gifts delivered today had been scraped together by the Emperor from various sources.

Whenever he thought about this, the loyal head eunuch of the Rituals Department felt profound grief.

What kind of situation was this?

The majestic Son of Heaven, the supreme ruler, living in such a constrained manner, without even the most basic guarantees.

Great Yan would eventually fall into ruin at the hands of that extravagant and dissolute woman in the rear palace.

But these thoughts he dared only keep to himself, not daring to reveal even a hint outwardly, or it would surely bring catastrophic consequences.

He didn’t know how to change the current predicament, so he could only bury his worries deep in his heart as he headed toward Yangxin Hall.

At the center of the imperial palace stood Taihe Palace, the largest building in the entire imperial complex.

It was majestic, imposing, magnificent, and splendid.

But it lacked human presence.

This was because it was only used during imperial weddings or grand court assemblies.

Usually, it remained unused.

The Emperor’s daily work and rest typically took place in Yangxin Hall, next to Taihe Palace.

This consisted of three small rooms, arranged meticulously, with an Earth Fire Dragon beneath the floor, making it as warm as spring even in winter.

But today upon entering, the room wasn’t so warm—only slightly warmer than outside.

The current Emperor, the Dowager’s son and the thirteenth ruler of the Great Yan dynasty, Yan Sheng, was wearing an old jacket, sitting in a chair waiting for him.

Yan Sheng was twenty-five years old this year, fair-skinned but rather frail in build.

Especially when he sat blankly, his vacant gaze made him look more like a child than a ruler wielding great power.

Seeing this, Liu Sanhai’s nose tingled, and he almost shed tears.

Fortunately, he quickly lowered his head, concealing these expressions.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"Sanhai, quickly, sit down. Did you see those two national guardian Grandmasters?" Yan Sheng welcomed him warmly, then asked eagerly.

Liu Sanhai hesitated, initially wanting to fabricate some comforting lies for the Emperor, but seeing his sincere expression, he ultimately couldn’t bring himself to do so.

"No, after this servant delivered the gifts, I kowtowed at the entrance of the great hall and then returned."

"I see..." Though he had anticipated this, disappointment was still evident on Yan Sheng’s face.

"Your Majesty, on my way there I encountered Wang De, who was probably also delivering gifts."

Hearing Wang De’s name, a flash of anger appeared on Yan Sheng’s face, but he quickly composed himself.

"That’s not surprising. It would be strange if he didn’t go!"

"My high and mighty mother must be quite pleased right now, always wanting to get ahead of me in everything."

His tone was cold, but the deep resentment and sarcasm were clearly audible.

Liu Sanhai naturally didn’t dare comment and silently went to pour tea for Yan Sheng.

But when he tried, he discovered the thermos was completely empty.

"This..."

Seeing this, Yan Sheng laughed coldly, "Don’t bother. Since this morning, forget hot water—they haven’t even sent charcoal to light the Earth Fire Dragon."

"Heh, I’m probably the first emperor in Great Yan’s history to suffer from the cold. My mother... she’s truly ruthless."

As he spoke these words, deep hatred finally surfaced in Yan Sheng’s eyes.

Liu Sanhai said quietly, "These servants won’t hurry unless pushed. I’ll go right now and expedite your hot water and charcoal!"

With that, he turned and left Yangxin Hall, preparing to go to the logistics department to request fire charcoal and hot water.

Just then, several young eunuchs arrived pushing a cart.

The cart was loaded with high-quality silver charcoal and plenty of hot water.

Liu Sanhai was startled, "This..."

The lead young eunuch smiled at Liu Sanhai, "Grandpa Hai, my godfather asked me to deliver these to you."

Liu Sanhai’s mind raced, immediately understanding who this young eunuch’s godfather was, so he didn’t inquire further, just nodded.

"Good, unload it!"

Soon, the charcoal was unloaded, the hot water prepared, and the young eunuchs left with their cart.

Liu Sanhai ordered someone to light the fire, then carried the thermos inside.

"So quickly?" Yan Sheng asked with surprise.

"Wang De sent people to deliver it!"

"Him? Why would he..."

Yan Sheng suddenly understood and said nothing more.

Few people who survived in the imperial palace were fools. Wang De was using this method to subtly express goodwill toward the Emperor, while also indicating that his hands were tied.

This was also to save his own life.

After all, no one could predict the future. If Yan Sheng eventually came to power, the head eunuch at the Dowager’s side would be the first to face death with nowhere to be buried.

So it was better to curry some favor in advance, at least leaving himself an escape route.

As for whether anyone would inform on him...

Unless they were insane, who would dare offend two powerful eunuchs simultaneously?