Chapter 123: Chapter 123: Illegitimate Son?
’The Martial Kingdom’s treasure vault is mine for the picking?’
Shen Daoxing froze, taken aback. He hadn’t expected the Martial Kingdom’s Emperor to say such a thing and didn’t know how to react for a moment.
"What? Is the treasury of our Martial Kingdom not to your liking, Shen Daoxing?"
The Martial Kingdom’s Emperor said with a slight smile.
"Of course not!"
Shen Daoxing snapped back to his senses and hurriedly said, "Thank you for your gracious reward, Your Majesty!"
King Xianqing’s eyes widened. "Your Majesty, the Dragon Vein of our Martial Kingdom’s Royal Family cannot be handed over to an outsider! If we do this, how will we maintain our standing in the Martial Kingdom?"
But the Martial Kingdom’s Emperor didn’t even spare him a glance, leading Shen Daoxing away.
At that, everyone from the Sword Institute breathed a sigh of relief.
"This Emperor of the Martial Kingdom is actually quite reasonable, unlike that bunch of bastards from Celestial City Academy!"
Bai Yi took a sip of wine, not forgetting to mock Celestial City Academy.
"This is wonderful!"
The Ninth Princess couldn’t help but show her delight. She had just been genuinely worried that her father, the Emperor, would kill Shen Daoxing for the Dragon Vein.
The Ninth Princess didn’t care who obtained the Dragon Vein; she only knew that the Dragon Ancestor must have had his reasons for choosing Shen.
"Your Majesty is truly benevolent and kind-hearted! This is a great fortune for our Martial Kingdom, the glory of our Martial Kingdom!"
The ministers all chimed in at the opportune moment, showering him with flattery.
The Eldest Prince and the Seventh Prince exchanged a surprised look.
"Seventh Brother, you said Shen Daoxing is from Baiyun City?" the Eldest Prince suddenly asked the Seventh Prince beside him.
"Yes."
The Seventh Prince nodded.
"He’s only about eighteen or nineteen, right?"
the Eldest Prince added.
"Yes."
The Seventh Prince nodded, a little puzzled. "What’s wrong?"
"I remember Father made a visit to Baiyun City in disguise nineteen years ago!"
The Eldest Prince paused, then suddenly said, "Do you think this Shen Daoxing could be Father’s illegitimate son?"
"No way..."
The Seventh Prince’s mouth fell open as he stared at the Eldest Prince.
"Otherwise, from the Celestial City Academy incident to this Dragon Vein Trial, why would Father be so protective of Shen Daoxing?"
the Eldest Prince explained.
The Seventh Prince’s eyes widened in sudden realization.
Immediately, the way the two of them looked at Shen Daoxing changed.
The group descended Wudu Mountain. Shen Daoxing followed the Martial Kingdom’s Emperor into a sedan chair and, after a bumpy ride, arrived at the Imperial Palace. Looking out the window of the sedan, he saw the entire palace complex, resplendent and majestic. The long palace road was wide and straight.
"Young Master Shen, please follow me."
After stepping out of the sedan chair, a young, fair-faced eunuch appeared before Shen Daoxing, gesturing for him to follow.
Shen Daoxing nodded and followed the eunuch.
...
「On Celestial City Mountain」
Atop a towering peak shrouded in mist and ethereal energy, Ma Zheng, the former Headmaster of Celestial City Academy, sat cross-legged at the very summit. His eyes were tightly closed, and his feet dangled in the air; he was actually floating. With his fingers held in an orchid gesture resting on his legs, he shimmered with a golden light, like an Immortal.
At that moment, Ren Changfeng, Chen Guanggu, Bai Bo, and the others from Celestial City Academy arrived at the base of the summit.
"Master!"
The three of them bowed respectfully, but after exchanging glances, no one spoke.
Xia Junze was a once-in-a-millennium genius of Celestial City Academy. He was even greater than the young Ma Zheng had been in his day, and Ma Zheng had long ago taken a liking to him, intending to make him his closed-door disciple.
He even planned to bring him into the Celestial Profound Sacred Land.
How could they tell Ma Zheng that the genius disciple he valued so highly had died in the Martial Kingdom’s Trial Land?
The three remained silent. Without opening his eyes, Ma Zheng slowly asked, "The Martial Kingdom’s Dragon Vein has been destroyed?"
"Master, you knew?"
The three were astonished.
The destruction of the Martial Kingdom’s Dragon Vein was a matter of grave importance. If enemy nations found out, they would surely invade while the kingdom was weak. For this reason, the Martial Kingdom’s Emperor had immediately locked down all news of the event.
They too had been repeatedly warned before they left.
So how could their Master, who had been at Celestial City Academy the entire time, possibly know?
"Why do you think those two were able to sneak in so easily?"
Ma Zheng said faintly, his expression betraying no joy or sorrow, completely unreadable.
Realization dawned on Ren Changfeng. His eyes widened. "Could it be, Master, that you..."
Ma Zheng glanced down at the three of them but said nothing.
"But Master, once the Martial Kingdom’s Dragon Vein is destroyed, it loses its national destiny and a crucial source of power. It will surely be coveted by other nations!"
Bai Bo was stunned, expressing his confusion.
"This is the will of the Sacred Land!"
Ma Zheng said suddenly. "The Sacred Land does not need a powerful Martial Kingdom. A kingdom that is too powerful will only slip from its control, just as the Martial Kingdom’s Emperor sided with the Sword Institute this time."
The three of them understood. They exchanged a look, then bowed respectfully. "Master’s insight is profound!"
"Mhm."
Ma Zheng nodded, then spoke again.
"Then Shen Daoxing must have died at Junze’s hands, I presume? Call Junze over. I want to personally teach him a Cultivation Technique."
"Er..."
At these words, Ren Changfeng and the other two froze on the spot, not knowing how to answer.
"Hmph?"
Ma Zheng frowned, slightly annoyed. "Why haven’t you called Junze over yet?"
"Master."
Ren Changfeng was silent for a moment before finally speaking. "Junze... he died in the Trial Land at Shen Daoxing’s hands."
"What!"
Ma Zheng’s eyes snapped open.
"Not only did Shen Daoxing kill Junze, but he also obtained the last of the Dragon Vein’s power. I’m afraid his strength has already reached a new level."
Ren Changfeng paused, then added.
BOOM!
It was like a bolt from the blue.
The peak of Celestial City Mountain suddenly exploded.
"Shen Daoxing!"
An extremely deep and furious voice suddenly boomed across the sky above Celestial City Academy.
The disciples in the academy all jumped in fright, feeling the profound fury radiating from the old Headmaster.
...
「In the Imperial Palace」
Shen Daoxing followed the eunuch, winding his way through one palace hall after another. ’The Imperial Palace is huge,’ he thought. They walked for quite some time before finally arriving at a clean side hall.
"Young Master Shen, you will be staying here temporarily from now on!"
The young eunuch pointed to the courtyard and said respectfully, "My name is Li Fugui, and I am the Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Ceremonial Bureau. If you need anything in the future, please feel free to give this servant your orders."
"I’m staying here from now on?"
Shen Daoxing was a little confused. "Aren’t we going to the Royal Treasure Vault?"
"Oh, His Majesty has instructed that Young Master Shen should first stay here for a few days. As for the Royal Treasure Vault, it will not be too late to go after you have rested for a while. We will make the arrangements for you."
the young eunuch said, still speaking with the utmost respect.
Before Shen Daoxing could say anything, Eunuch Li gave a few orders to the palace maids beside him. The maids, carrying bedding and other daily necessities, began to prepare a bed for Shen Daoxing, giving him no chance to refuse.
At the same time, the sound of marching footsteps—CLACK, CLACK, CLACK—rang out. Shen Daoxing saw a squad of soldiers in black armor emerge and take up positions outside the side hall, guarding the entrance tightly.
The middle-aged man leading them had a sharp gaze and a natural air of authority. One look was enough to tell he was a battle-hardened expert.
"This is..."
Shen Daoxing was confused.
"Oh, this is General Hu Wei, Wu Yan. His Majesty arranged for him to ensure your safety. There is no need to worry."
Eunuch Li said with a smile. After arranging everything, he left a few palace maids to attend to Shen Daoxing and then departed.
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