Chapter 1 Averting Disaster

Zhang Yuanqing stared at the National Preceptor’s golden eyes and said loudly, “In this time of crisis, I seek the National Preceptor’s protection, for the sake of the Southern Dynasty and its people.”

His voice was loud, clearly reaching the ears of the officials and commoners present, drowning out the surrounding noise.

All eyes turned to the National Preceptor. Xie Lingxi, mixed in with the crowd, called out in a crisp voice, “Please, National Preceptor, protect His Majesty for the sake of the people and the court.”

She didn’t know why her Yuanshi-gege had entered the dragon’s den alone, but she knew she only needed to cooperate with Yuanshi-gege unconditionally.

Wang Beiwang, Hong Ji-ge, Xiao Yuan, and Palace Master Zhisha were also cooperating unconditionally. With the enthusiastic support of his teammates, the people began to echo.

Begging the National Preceptor to protect the fatuous emperor whom they usually mentioned with gnashed teeth.

The National Preceptor was silent for a long time before slowly saying, “Acceptable.”

Turning into a golden ray of light, he遁dùn (escaped) into the Tianji Building. The corners of Zhang Yuanqing’s mouth curled up as he looked at Zheng Wenhan and smiled, “Prime Minister Zheng, I will be handling government affairs in the Tianji Building. I leave the internal investigation of spies in the Imperial City Division to you. If you can’t find the spies colluding with the Northern Dynasty within three days, come see me with your head!”

He was conveying to Zheng Wenhan that he was employing delaying tactics, meaning the conflict between them was irreconcilable.

But rebellion was a major taboo. The plan for the sacrificial ceremony had failed. If not forced, Zheng Wenhan would definitely choose to strike after making thorough preparations.

Zhang Yuanqing’s choice not to move the Imperial City Division and not expose his rebellion was to give Zheng Wenhan a way out, preventing him from rebelling directly.

Zheng Wenhan understood this clearly.

But he could only follow the steps down. In public, he suppressed the emotions in his heart and cupped his hands, saying, “This humble minister understands.”

On the top floor of the Tianji Building, in the eighth-floor dan (elixir) chamber, Zhang Yuanqing leaned against the railing, looking down at the people like ants, with small streams flowing along the streets, scattering in different directions.

On the square outside the Tianji Building, two hundred city defense soldiers and two hundred Imperial City Division soldiers were lined up. The former was a force controlled by the Yang family, while the latter belonged to Zheng Family Ming.

Further away, on the main road connecting to the imperial city, luxurious carriages were driving towards the Tianji Building. Some were the carriages of the cabinet officials, and some were eunuchs from the palace.

The former was because the emperor had ordered that government affairs be handled in the Tianji Building, so cabinet officials needed to assist in the office. The latter was to serve the emperor.

Zhang Yuanqing withdrew his gaze and walked out of the dan chamber.

“Your Majesty, stay.” A middle-aged Daoist guarding the entrance of the dan chamber stopped him, his expressionless face cautious.

“The National Preceptor has ordered that you can only rest in this room, not go out, and not walk around inside the Tianji Building.”

Zhang Yuanqing scrutinized the middle-aged Daoist. His face was fair and beardless, his eyes bright, full of spirit, and his cultivation was not shallow.

“I want to see the National Preceptor,” he said.

“The National Preceptor is comprehending heavenly skills and will see no one.” The middle-aged Daoist looked straight ahead, not changing his attitude because of his identity as the emperor.

The Daoists in the Tianji Building all looked down on the emperor and despised imperial power.

Zhang Yuanqing secretly curled his lips, and said with a chuckle, “If I were to kill you now, do you think the National Preceptor would stop me? Would he avenge you? Or do you think I can’t kill you?”

When he said the last word, he unleashed a mental strike. The sound was like an ear-piercing noise, like a sharp steel needle.

The middle-aged Daoist’s vision went black, the veins on his forehead bulged, and his face twitched, but no blood flowed from his nose.

Level five, damn it! If they really fought, it’s not certain who would win! Zhang Yuanqing was shocked but remained calm on the surface, maintaining a smiling and relaxed posture.

A few seconds later, the middle-aged Daoist recovered from the mental damage, looked at the fatuous emperor, and there was more dread and surprise in his eyes. He said indifferently, “Since Your Majesty wants to see the National Preceptor, then I will inform him for you.” He opened his mouth and spat out a Yin energy, and a white-clothed yin spirit servant floated away.

Zhang Yuanqing turned around and returned to the dan chamber. He sat cross-legged on the futon, then directed the spirit servant to move a low table, a water bucket, and charcoal from the corner, and began to boil water to make tea.

When bubbles appeared at the bottom of the pot, a golden light passed through the wall and entered the dan chamber, transforming into an old Daoist with immortal charm.

He came really fast, the water hasn’t even boiled yet. Zhang Yuanqing scooped a ladle of water from the bucket and rinsed the tea set.

His eyes were always on his hands, not looking at the other party, even though the person sitting opposite the low table was a Ruler.

“Your Majesty is not afraid that this贫道pín dào (humble Daoist) will kill you?” The National Preceptor’s expression was indifferent, his tone ethereal, as if he were a Taoist priest who had cultivated to the realm of detachment.

Zhang Yuanqing used bamboo tongs to pick up a tea cup and drain the water. “If you could kill me, you would have done it years ago. Why bother spending so much effort? I only knew that you might have concerns and didn’t want to kill me personally, but today I understand the reason!”

“Understand what?” The National Preceptor asked indifferently.

“I am the ruler of a country, protected by dragon energy. Killing me would cause you to suffer the five衰shuāi (decays) of heaven and man.” Zhang Yuanqing’s tone was also very calm, as if he were chatting with an elder. “So you want to use the Zheng family and Madame Ya to kill me.”

The National Preceptor’s expression was still cold. “I can still let the Zheng family kill you. There are many ways to kill you, and I don’t need to do it myself. Entering the Tianji Building doesn’t mean you’re safe.”