Chen Sanshi scanned the gathered group with one quick glance. This was no small force—nearly seventy percent of all military strength in Lingzhou was concentrated here.
"The Crown Prince is now confined in the Eastern Palace under heavy surveillance," said the black-robed monk slowly. "Thus, this poor monk will oversee all matters related to this operation."
"The emperor is away from the capital," he continued, "so there's no need to worry about the mysterious immortal rumored to protect him."
"When the time comes, our first move will be to seize control of the remaining three thousand Golden Crow Guards stationed on the mountain, as well as their commander, Jiang Yuanbo. This task will be entrusted to General Meng. Will that be feasible?"
The monk's tone was calm, but each word carried weight.
Meng Quji replied in a steady voice, "Among my men, there are eight thousand I can use. I'll find a reason to send the rest away first. Those eight thousand will handle the Golden Crow Guards. As for Jiang Yuanbo—I alone am enough to keep him pinned."
"Amitabha. With General Meng handling it, this monk can rest easy."
The black-robed monk nodded in satisfaction, then continued, "Next is the second target—Commander Assistant of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Changsun Xusheng. He retired from court years ago but later returned to protect his nephew, the Twelfth Prince, and now holds command once more. This man must be dealt with by General Fan Tianfa. General, do you have confidence?"
"Tomorrow, I depart for the front."
Fan Tianfa's tone was deep but composed. "I'll have a trusted aide impersonate me while I secretly return to Mount Ziwei. When the operation begins, I'll do everything I can to stop Changsun Xusheng."
"There's another matter," said the monk, lowering his voice slightly. "The Grand Chamberlain of the Directorate of Ceremonial Supervision—Chief Eunuch Huang Hong. He's been a Martial Saint for many years, his strength is unfathomable, and he's the emperor's most trusted bodyguard. There's no way around him."
"Leave that one to me," Lü Ji said firmly.
"Excellent," said the monk. "That brings us to the emperor's secret guards—twelve death-servants, personally raised in secret. They're prodigies chosen from among the common people, but still in their developmental stage. None have yet reached the Martial Saint level. These, I'll leave to you eunuchs and generals."
"Rest assured, Holy Monk!"
Several eunuchs and hidden Golden Crow agents replied at once.
"And lastly…"
The monk paused, his tone deepening. "There's the emperor himself. Ever since he began his Daoist cultivation, no one has seen him strike a blow. The only person who might know his true strength is Sun Xiangzong. That makes him the most dangerous opponent of all."
"But that," he said with a faint smile, "is not something you need to concern yourselves with. His Highness and I will handle that together—through persuasion, not force."
"Hero Zhang," he said, turning toward Chen Sanshi, "when the time comes, you'll join us as well. In the meantime, keep an eye out for the relics of the Founding Emperor. It would be best if you can locate them. Otherwise, they could pose a future threat."
"No problem," Chen Sanshi said casually.
"There's another thing we must not overlook."
The monk ran his fingers across the string of prayer beads in his hand, pacing the length of the decrepit temple hall. "We've accounted for every force—but don't forget, there's still one more faction on Mount Ziwei."
"Holy Monk, do you mean…" Fan Tianfa asked, "the three thousand Black Armored Cavalry?"
"That isn't what worries me," Cui Congyi cut in. "Those three thousand Black Armored soldiers are young. Chen Sanshi may be good at warfare, but he's only at the Meridian-Connecting stage. Even if he wants to interfere, he probably can't."
"Perhaps," the monk replied, "but don't underestimate them. Those three thousand Black Armored soldiers are still a power to be reckoned with. And don't forget—among them is Deng Feng, who's reached Profound Manifestation Perfection. We can't afford any slip-ups."
"Why not just kill them first?" Fan Tianfa said coldly. "The Crown Prince stopped us before because he didn't want complications. But now that we're ready to act, it's best to remove the threat before we strike."
"Agreed!" said Cao Fan. "If we can't win them over, then we treat them as enemies."
"No."
Lü Ji suddenly spoke. "He is my junior brother."
"Big Brother?"
Cao Fan looked stunned. "It's not that I hold grudges—but that man is ruthless. If we don't strike first, I might end up like General Sha."
"He's still my junior brother," Lü Ji said flatly. "I gave our master my word—I'd look after my fellow disciples. No matter what, I won't harm his life."
Cao Fan fell silent.
"When the time comes, just find a way to lure my junior brother away," Lü Ji said calmly. "As for your personal grudge with him, once the plan succeeds, he'll become His Highness's subject. Even if he resents you, what can he do?"
"Then we'll do as you say, Big Brother."
Cao Fan appeared to agree outwardly, but his gaze shifted to Zhang Laizitou, the Scabby-Headed Knight. The latter met his eyes, and the two exchanged a brief, knowing nod.
Chen Sanshi cursed inwardly.
He hadn't planned to get tangled up in this mess.
But now, somehow, the Black Armored Cavalry had become a factor in their schemes too.
What surprised him even more was that his Senior Brother was actually protecting him in this situation.
Back then, during the selection trials, Lü Ji had leaked his spear techniques. Later, he'd even sent people to see whether Chen had truly inherited the master's teachings.
And now—he was shielding him?
'People are complicated,' Chen Sanshi thought grimly.
Still, it was clear that the bond among the senior brothers of the same sect ran deep. Under normal circumstances, they would never truly fight to the death.
Soon, the plan for the uprising was finalized in full detail.
"Everyone," said the black-robed monk, "success or failure rests on this single battle. If we prevail, each of you will be heroes of the Great Sheng Dynasty—founders of a new age! Whether this nation lasts a thousand years or ten thousand, its future will rest upon your shoulders!"
A follower of the Fragrant Fire God Sect stepped forward, carrying a jar of strong wine.
Everyone raised their cups and drank together.
After checking for poison, Chen Sanshi also took a sip.
"Seven days from now,"
the monk declared solemnly, "at the Mount Ziwei Palace—light the fire as the signal!"
With that, they began to disperse in small groups.
"Hero Zhang, stay a moment."
The black-robed monk called out as the blue-robed swordsman turned to leave.
"What is it, monk?"
Chen Sanshi turned slightly, one hand resting lazily on his waist.
"Amitabha."
The monk pressed his palms together. "I've heard from His Highness that Hero Zhang has attained remarkable insight into the incense divine arts. May I ask—what realm have you reached? This poor monk has hit a bottleneck and wishes to seek your guidance."
"Oh?"
Chen Sanshi's fingers brushed the hilt of his blade. He tilted his head, gaze cool and sharp, but said nothing.
At once, the monk chuckled and bowed slightly. "My mistake. I shouldn't have pried into a fellow cultivator's secrets. Please forgive this poor monk's offense."
Chen Sanshi snorted, turned, and strode out of the hall. Within moments, his figure vanished into the darkness of the night.
He knew perfectly well that the monk had been testing him.
And in times like this—the more one said, the easier it was to slip up.
Keeping silent was the wisest choice.
As for why they would let "Zhang Laizitou" take part in such an important matter even though they knew nothing of his true background—the reason was simple.
To the Crown Prince's faction and the Fragrant Fire God Sect, Zhang Laizitou was someone who already knew about their conspiracy.
Not only that, he was a mysterious expert of uncertain power.
In such circumstances, their only option was to pull him closer by any means necessary. Whether he truly helped or not didn't matter—so long as he didn't switch sides or expose them, that was already a victory.
This had nothing to do with trust.
In truth, trust wasn't even required.
After all, if Zhang Laizitou had wanted to leak their plan, they'd already be dead by now.
"There are still seven days left before it begins."
Chen Sanshi entered seclusion.
During these seven days, he aimed to cultivate the Sword Qi Technique to Major Achievement.
His martial realm also had to reach Meridian-Connecting Major Achievement.
In the chaos to come, even a bit more strength could mean a bit more chance at survival.
"Good spear technique!"
The next day, while Chen Sanshi was practicing the Five Tiger Soul-Breaking Spear in Fang Qingyun's courtyard, a familiar voice called out.
Like a mountain moving, his Senior Brother Lü Ji appeared—carrying a wine jar in one hand and food in the other—as he stepped into the courtyard.
"It's been half a year, and little brother, you're already about to reach Meridian-Connecting Major Achievement."
Lü Ji sighed with a smile. "At this rate, you'll break through to Profound Manifestation soon. Once we return to Liangzhou, you'll become a Battalion General in your own right. From then on, you'll stand equal with the rest of us on the battlefield."
"I'll still need to learn from you, Senior Brother."
Chen Sanshi planted the spear into the ground. "But I thought we were supposed to pick you up. Why did you come here alone, without a word?"
"Since when do martial men care about such formalities?"
Lü Ji set everything down on the stone table at the courtyard's center. "This wine helps nourish external force, and the meat—an exotic beast I hunted in the mountains on my way here. Go call Fourth and Sixth Brother; let's eat together."
"Well, if it isn't Big Brother himself,"
Wang Zhi said, pushing Fang Qingyun's chair out into the yard. "You've been quite the figure these past few years."
"We all thought you were dead."
Lü Ji popped open the wine jar and poured. "Turns out you were hiding away somewhere. And now, by coincidence, you've returned to Liangzhou alongside little brother. Fate really works in mysterious ways."
"Might as well have been dead."
Wang Zhi took a sip of the wine and grimaced. "Big Brother, you trying to kill me? This stuff'll kill anyone below the Meridian-Connecting stage!"
"I brought something else for you."
Lü Ji handed over another jug. "Medicinal wine for nourishing the organs. By the way, it can't be cured?"
"No."
Wang Zhi tore off a drumstick from a roasted bird. "This life of mine, I'll just follow our little brother around. Being a Hundred Commander suits me fine."
The brothers ate and drank heartily.
After a few rounds, talk turned to the upcoming Heaven-Sealing Ceremony and the assassination.
"Fourth Brother," Lü Ji said, raising a bowl of wine that looked tiny in his huge hand. With one tilt, he emptied it in a single sip. "What do you think?"
"What's there to think? Sit and watch," Fang Qingyun said indifferently. "The Cao family's dispute has nothing to do with us, their subjects."
"Hmm…"
Lü Ji frowned slightly. "Fourth Brother, have you ever thought—if we helped the right side, maybe we could resolve Liangzhou's crisis once and for all? Maybe we wouldn't have to keep scheming against those city officials anymore."
"If we pick the wrong side, we're doomed," Fang Qingyun said calmly. "And even if we pick right—it may not matter."
"I don't agree."
Lü Ji put down his cup. "If we pick right, we'll earn the right to make demands. Only by having leverage can we become stronger. And when we're strong enough, we brothers can finally carve our own path."
"What are you planning?"
Wang Zhi caught the tone. "Big Brother, I'm warning you—don't get involved in that mess."
"Haha, relax. I know what I'm doing."
Lü Ji rose slowly to his feet. "One day, when I stand in the court, no matter where you go, you'll be able to sleep soundly. I've got things to handle. You brothers, enjoy yourselves."
"Seriously?"
After Lü Ji left, Wang Zhi took a swig of the nourishing wine, instantly grimacing as his face twisted in pain. "Fourth, what's he thinking? Getting involved now—doesn't he fear ending up neck-deep in trouble?"
"Let him be."
Fang Qingyun exhaled softly. "Big Brother's always been a man of heavy thoughts. No stopping him now."
"This meat's really something,"
Wang Zhi said, chewing through a hunk of beast flesh. "Come on, Sanshi, eat this heart. You'll break through in two days if you do. The rest—I'll keep for myself."
He grabbed the meat and grinned, heading back into the house.
"Senior Brother," Chen Sanshi asked, "if the Crown Prince really rebels, how much chance does he have to win?"
"Hard to say," Fang Qingyun replied, though his eyes showed understanding. "The Crown Prince's position only allows him to rise, not fall. After yesterday's incident at Mount Ziwei, he surely won't sit still.
"But let's think—who could possibly match the emperor? The Seeking Immortals Tower, the Fragrant Fire God Sect, and maybe the Witch God Sect.
"Which one is backing the Crown Prince now, I don't know.
"Doesn't matter.
"By the way, little brother—after the Tiger Guards were transferred, your Black Armored Cavalry became one of the 'Imperial Guards'. If things turn chaotic, what's your plan? My advice…"
Chen Sanshi finished the sentence with him, almost at the same time: "Whoever wins, we follow."
"Hah! Then I said too much," Fang Qingyun chuckled, glancing toward Mount Ziwei. "Actually, if the Crown Prince wins, it'd be good for us. He needs the Eight Garrisons. But even that won't fix the root of the rot. Best to let fate decide."
If both sides died—it'd be ideal.
But neither said that aloud.
"Ahem…" Fang Qingyun stood. "You keep training. I'll go read the letters and check the reports from the grasslands. Once we return to Liangzhou, we'll need to prepare for the Northern Campaign against the tribes."
The Northern Campaign—
It had been years in the making.
With the expansion finished, it was nearly ready to begin.
Now that the Eastern Qing, Southern Xu, and Western Qi kingdoms had all suffered setbacks, the next two years would be the perfect time to strike.
If the campaign succeeded, the Great Sheng Dynasty's northern border would know peace for twenty to thirty years.
"Hiss—!"
Chen Sanshi bit into the heart of the strange beast. Though cold at first, it burned like fire once swallowed, writhing wildly through his belly before stabbing like blades through his gut.
He seized his spear immediately and began the final breakthrough.
Meridian-Connecting Major Achievement!
All Eight Extraordinary Meridians—opened!
He trained in seclusion for five full days.
By the sixth day, he finally began breaking the final barrier.
And now—
Inside Chen Sanshi's body, the great meridians were now fully open. The smaller meridians had also been expanded to over one hundred in total. Once he broke through the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, he would finally rid himself of dependence on qi and blood, giving rise to a purer form of internal force. Only by taking this step could he lay the foundation for transforming strength into external force in the future.
In truth, the entire Meridian-Connecting realm was merely a bridge leading toward the Profound Manifestation realm.
Once one entered Profound Manifestation, the difference between them and ordinary martial artists was like heaven and earth.
The Eight Extraordinary Meridians—Du, Ren, Chong, and the rest—each played a vital role in linking all the larger and smaller meridians within the body.
"'Gongsun connects the stomach, heart, and chest, Nei Guan unites the Yin Wei below;'"
"'Lin Qi joins the Gallbladder Meridian, Dai Vessel linked, Yang Wei meets at the outer gate.'"
Chen Sanshi silently recited the incantation in his heart.
With stance training, breathing techniques, and spear practice combined—supplemented by spiritual grain, precious medicines, and exotic beast meat—the layers of cultivation merged together, and he could feel the so-called Ren and Du Meridians slowly opening under the impact of his internal force.
But just as he approached the critical moment, his qi and blood suddenly went out of control. His internal force became impossible to guide.
The smooth flow he had maintained was gone—in just two or three breaths, his strength was completely drained.
Chen Sanshi clenched his teeth, using every ounce of remaining internal force to keep pushing forward.
Breathing method!
He suddenly realized that at this very stage, the breathing method had become even more important than stance training.
By using the breathing method, he could now directly sense the qi between heaven and earth.
It was chaotic qi!
Ordinary martial artists at this level could only rely on vague perception.
But he possessed the Qi Observation Technique.
Heaven and earth were filled with countless interwoven strands of qi.
The breathing method was about drawing that qi into one's body—using techniques unseen by mortal eyes—to refine and transform the flesh, breaking past physical limits.
However, not all qi was beneficial. Most of the chaotic qi was useless, even harmful. The more impure qi absorbed, the worse the cultivation outcome.
To open the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, one had to refine the breathing method—extracting only the pure qi, rejecting the waste, and mastering the art of using even chaos itself to one's advantage.
Once Chen Sanshi understood this, everything fell into place.
It was as if a boulder had been lifted from a dam—the internal force roared freely through his meridians without obstruction.
The Du Meridian, the Ren Meridian…
Finally, the Yangqiao Meridian.
And at last, all the meridians of the human body were unified into one seamless circuit.
With the rhythm of his breathing, pure internal force surged through him endlessly.
After reaching Meridian-Connecting Major Achievement, the body's qi and blood were liberated, all redirected into tempering the flesh. His five senses and explosive strength soared instantly.
In battle, he could now use the breathing method to replenish internal force—though slowly. In prolonged fights or encirclement, exhaustion could still occur, but qi and blood had now become his ultimate reserve.
Meridian-Connecting Major Achievement!
[Skill: Dragon Spear of Nation-Suppression · Meridian-Connecting (Major Achievement)]
[Progress: 0]
Effect: Hundred Forces as One, True Dragon Rampages — Master a hundred disciplines, unite them into one; internal force surges through the body like a raging true dragon, tearing through resistance and striking directly at the heart.
True Dragon Force!
From his past experience, this was the full form of the True Dragon Force at last.
"Tap."
Chen Sanshi picked up a pebble and flicked it with perfect control. It struck down a small, unknown bird from the sky.
He caught it, then injected a thread of internal force into its body.
"Chii—chii—!"
The bird let out a sharp screech before dying instantly.
Its organs had been shredded to mush.
After achieving Major Achievement, Chen Sanshi's True Dragon Force evolved—it wasn't just a matter of impact anymore. Once it entered an opponent's body, it could linger, wreaking havoc from within.
Even a graze could be deadly if untreated—the rampaging internal force could tear into vital organs.
With this True Dragon Force, even facing a general at the Profound Manifestation entry stage, Chen Sanshi felt no fear. He could fight openly and hold his own.
Beyond that, his Sword Qi Technique was also on the verge of Major Achievement.
And with the jade pendant he'd tricked out of Cao Fan, he felt well-prepared for the chaos soon to come.
Speaking of the jade pendant—
In anyone else's hands, it wouldn't be that useful.
After all, it only stored one's own power for release, like a fragile backup battery—short-lived and unreliable.
That was why Cao Fan could give it away so casually, and why he himself had pawned it to "Zhang Laizitou" without hesitation.
But Chen Sanshi had the Immortal Treasure Strange Flame.
He didn't yet understand the exact cultivation levels of the Immortal Dao, but the strength of that flame far exceeded the Sword Qi Technique. Even ordinary cultivators of the Dao wouldn't be able to withstand it.
It was a true killing weapon.
The only pity—it could only be used once.
Still, since he'd gotten it for free, using it to trade for whatever immortal fortune lay beneath the deep pool was more than worth it.
Two days remained before the great upheaval.
Though he claimed to be in seclusion, most of his cultivation was done at night. During the day, Chen Sanshi patrolled Mount Ziwei.
As dawn began to break, he didn't bother sleeping—he simply grabbed his spear and stepped out.
Mount Ziwei was under strict guard.
Every few hundred paces, squads of armored soldiers patrolled.
Li Gong had vanished completely—no trace left behind.
The Crown Prince was still under confinement.
Meanwhile, the Prince of Qin and the Prince of Qi continued submitting memorials accusing the Crown Prince of framing the late Sixth Prince for rebellion and calling for his release.
"Lord Chen."
A young eunuch appeared without a sound. "His Majesty summons you for audience."
"Summons me?"
Chen Sanshi nodded calmly. "Then please, lead the way."
Inside the Golden Palace, Emperor Longqing sat cross-legged on a prayer mat.
"Your Majesty."
"No need for formality," the emperor interrupted. "Sit."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Chen Sanshi bowed and took a seat.
"You're not afraid?"
Emperor Longqing looked at him. "That day on the mountain—the ones who tried to kill me were all experts beyond Profound Manifestation. And you… you stood in their way. Were you not afraid to die?"
"To tell the truth…"
Chen Sanshi replied calmly, "The attack came too suddenly, Your Majesty. This humble official had no idea what realm those assassins were from. I only knew that protecting Your Majesty was my duty as a military officer."
"Good,"
Emperor Longqing nodded, a rare trace of nostalgia flickering in his eyes. "You're a loyal subject—just like Sun Xiangzong was in his youth. That year, it was assassins as well. If not for Sun Xiangzong taking that blade for me, I'd have been nothing but dust by now."
"Tell me," the emperor continued, "who do you think sent the assassins?"
"Your Majesty,"
Chen Sanshi replied tactfully, "I truly don't know. If I had to name suspects, there are too many to count."
"Ah, the human heart is hard to read."
Emperor Longqing didn't press further. He turned toward the window, gazing at the mountains outside his chamber. "I've seen too many people, too many things in this life. And even now, I still don't understand—why do people change? I've never treated anyone unjustly, yet they're never satisfied. Always opposing me. Always forcing me."
Chen Sanshi stayed silent, unsure what the emperor's sudden emotional outburst was meant to achieve.
"It's been seventy years."
The emperor's voice grew frail, his tone steeped in age. "Seventy years ago, when I first ascended the throne, the court was full of corrupt ministers, the borders teemed with enemies. I had only Sun Xiangzong and a few loyal brothers brought from my princely manor. The Great Sheng Dynasty stood on the brink of collapse—one wrong step and the entire empire would've fallen apart.
"It was I who launched the New Reforms to sweep away the rot.
"It was I who raised troops and nourished generals to pacify the four corners.
"It was I who turned back the tide, bringing about the Longqing Revival and a flourishing era.
"For thirty years, I worked day and night for stability.
"But in exchange, illness took hold of me. After checking my pulse, the Imperial Physician secretly told the Empress that I wouldn't live more than two years.
"That was when I finally realized—my whole life had passed just like that.
"I didn't even have time to enjoy the peaceful age I'd built with my own hands. I couldn't even walk the lands I'd united.
"To survive, I had no choice but to seek the Dao and cultivate immortality. Since then, I've spent most of my life in seclusion.
"I only wanted to live—so I could continue protecting the Cao family's throne. Tell me, Chen Sanshi… was I wrong?"
The Great Sheng Dynasty had indeed been near ruin seventy years ago.
The turmoil of that era far exceeded today's.
It was Emperor Longqing who, upon taking the throne, reversed the decay and forcefully brought forth twenty years of prosperity.
In a world where martial might reigned supreme, he was a scholar—one with almost no talent for cultivation. Yet at that time, the court was dominated by two regent Martial Saints and one grand minister who had served three reigns. For such a man to seize control and cleanse the government within just a few years spoke of unmatched cunning and power.
But all of it had changed the moment he began his Daoist cultivation.
"Now, everything is calm again."
Emperor Longqing's eyes dimmed. "I no longer need to shut myself away day and night. But times have changed, and so have the people around me.
"They've become strangers I can't even recognize."
As he spoke, his frailty vanished, replaced by an invisible majesty that filled the hall.
"Chen Sanshi," he said, his voice turning sharp as steel, "will you change too?"
After a long, suffocating pause, his tone softened again. "Forget it. You don't need to answer. I already know what's in your heart. Let's speak instead of your rewards."
"The Four Crossings of Hongze, pacifying Mingzhou, the Ten Thousand Soldiers Avoid the White Robe in Laizhou, and the three thousand who broke one hundred thousand at Hulao Pass—each of these is a heavenly merit."
"Tell me, what do you want as your reward? Whatever you ask for, I will grant it."
"I haven't thought about it yet, Your Majesty," Chen Sanshi said respectfully.
He knew rewards would include precious medicines, gold, and rank. But if there was something he truly wanted, it would be the emperor's immortal cultivation method.
"Very well, then I'll decide for you."
Emperor Longqing closed his eyes. "Today, let this be a conversation between ruler and subject. When you return to Liangzhou, lead your troops well. Work with your master to wipe out the northern tribes completely."
"Now go."
"As Your Majesty commands."
Chen Sanshi bowed deeply and took his leave.
By the time he stepped out of the Golden Palace, dusk had fallen. After handing over his duties to the night guards, he returned home carrying his spear—only to find a eunuch-like man waiting at his door.
"Well, Lord Chen!"
The man grinned obsequiously. "You still haven't settled the silver you owe our Yunxiu Pavilion from last time."
"Silver?"
Chen Sanshi immediately understood—the Seeking Immortals Tower wanted to meet.
He went up to the top floor, where he soon came face to face with Liao Shizhong—or rather, Eunuch Lao.
"Lord Chen!"
Eunuch Lao greeted him with a smile. "I bring excellent news today."
"Oh?"
Chen Sanshi tested the waters. "Could it be…"
"Indeed!"
Eunuch Lao nodded. "The relic of the Founding Emperor has been found. Within the next few days, we plan to retrieve it. If Lord Chen is interested, you're welcome to join us."
"So easily found?" Chen Sanshi asked. "Does the eunuch require my assistance?"
"All we need is your support," Eunuch Lao said. "Once we obtain the immortal treasure, the Seeking Immortals Tower is willing to share it equally with you."
"Is that so? Then I must thank you, Eunuch."
Chen Sanshi smiled politely, but inwardly, his mind turned cold.
The Seeking Immortals Tower, suddenly so generous?
Sharing clues—and even treasures—for free?
There was no such thing as a free favor in this world.
Chen Sanshi glanced subtly toward the painting on the wall and quickly pieced together what was going on. He didn't say a word, only gave a polite nod and agreed on the surface before taking his leave.
As he passed by the next room, he confirmed what he had already suspected.
No mistake.
Someone was eavesdropping from the adjoining box.
Through the thin wall, Chen Sanshi sensed two intertwining streams of familiar qi.
Both their spiritual and martial auras were identical to that person's—
The Twelfth Prince, Cao Zhi.
"So, he's with the Seeking Immortals Tower."
"That explains everything."
That revelation tied all the loose ends together. It finally made sense where Cao Zhi's cultivation came from—and how he managed to control Li Gong, forcing him to serve.
On the surface, Cao Zhi's strongest backing in the court came from his mother's family and his Martial Saint uncle, Changsun Xusheng. But even that wasn't enough to pull off an assassination of such scale.
Only the Seeking Immortals Tower could have snatched Li Gong right under Meng Quji's nose, released him to assassinate, and then rescued him again under the eyes of multiple Martial Saints.
It seemed this Mount Ziwei ceremony for imperial investiture was doomed to chaos.
Even if the Crown Prince and Prince of Qin didn't plan to fight to the death, this Twelfth Prince would be fanning the flames until the whole empire burned.
Still, Chen Sanshi wondered—what exactly was the connection between Cao Zhi and the Seeking Immortals Tower?
They claimed to only "seek immortal traces" and never meddle in worldly affairs.
Yet, all immortal relics now surrounded the emperor himself—how could they possibly stay uninvolved?
"What's Cao Zhi's game? Dragging me into this mess for what?"
"Does he really mean to 'gift' me some immortal fortune as his so-called big brother?"
Maybe.
But there would definitely be a price.
Chen Sanshi wasn't about to jump into their trap.
Let them scheme all they wanted—whatever happened would involve only "Zhang Laizitou," not Chen Sanshi.
"Young Master!"
Eunuch Lao entered the next room and bowed. "Everything is arranged as you ordered. Once he joins us, he'll be tied to us like a grasshopper on the same rope. From then on, he'll serve Your Highness and the Seeking Immortals Tower alike."
"My dear big brother isn't that stupid."
Cao Zhi bit into a pastry, smirking. "He's sharp—too sharp."
"Oh?"
Eunuch Lao asked, "Then Your Highness believes he might not go? What should we do?"
"If it works, it works. If not, let it be."
Cao Zhi popped the rest of the pastry into his mouth. "Get ready. If my Fourth and Eighth Brothers don't make a move soon, we'll help them start the fire ourselves. Once every hundred years comes a ceremony like this—naturally, it should be lively.
"When they're too busy fighting, we'll head straight for the Deep Pool and make our move.
"This is our only chance to seize the Founding Emperor's relic. We must succeed!"
Back at his residence, Chen Sanshi sat cross-legged, one hand holding the black spiritual pearl, the other forming seals. He drew the violet incense qi through his spiritual root into his body.
Lacking the proper method, he couldn't refine the incense qi to store it in his dantian. Instead, it flowed through his meridians, circulating in a special pattern to transform into spell force.
A buzzing sound filled the air—
A small violet sword flickered in and out of existence.
Each time it reformed, it grew visibly sharper, longer, stronger. After countless repetitions—hundreds, even thousands of times—the spiritual pearl was almost drained of its stored incense.
At last, a panel appeared before his eyes.
[Technique: Sword Qi Technique · Major Achievement (Limit-Break Available)]
[Progress: 0/0]
Effect: …
Ten Thousand Swords Descend from Heaven — Hide swords within the body, unleash them when the moment comes. Ten Thousand Swords Descend from Heaven!
Until now, the Sword Qi Technique's biggest weakness was that it could only fire one shot at a time, making it nearly impossible to face multiple enemies.
But with this new ability, that limitation was gone—though it required enormous amounts of incense qi to prepare.
[Spell: Ten Thousand Swords Descend · Tier 1]
[Progress: 0/1000]
Effect: Ten swords strike at once. Ten swords!
Chen Sanshi immediately began drawing more incense qi from the spiritual pearl.
Unfortunately, the incense was exhausted again before long.
He only managed to form five sword qi before draining it dry—but that was enough.
With five Sword Qi attacks and his Immortal Treasure Strange Flame, even being surrounded by enemies, he could still retreat safely.
The timing was perfect.
That very night—the uprising would begin.
In the Ziwei Palace—
"Fourth Brother! Bad news!"
The Prince of Qi burst into the hall, clutching a sealed letter, his face pale.
"Eighth Brother, slow down," said the Prince of Qin, rising from his seat. "What's happened?"
"I just received this secret message!"
The Prince of Qi held up the parchment. "Our eldest brother plans to kill us—within the next two days!"
"Is the information reliable?"
"Completely. The informant is one of my own spies. His reports have always been accurate before!"
"Then that means Li Gong has returned?"
The Prince of Qin's eyes widened in shock. "There are guards all over this mountain—what are they doing, drinking tea?"
"This… what should we do now?"
Prince Qi spoke in panic. "We don't even know where Li Gong is hiding! We don't have any Martial Saints by our side to protect us. Why don't we go hide in Father's palace instead? We can take this secret letter with us and tell him everything!"
"There's no proof. Father won't listen."
Prince Qin took a deep breath to steady himself, his tone cold and analytical. "You know Father's nature—he's suspicious by heart. If we act too rashly, he'll think we're trying to sow discord. In fact…" He narrowed his eyes. "He probably already does."
"Fourth Brother…"
Prince Qi's face was pale, his voice trembling. "Then what should we do? Or should we bring General Meng here to help us?"
"No."
Prince Qin's expression hardened, eyes sharp as blades. "If he shows no mercy, don't blame me for being ruthless."
"Oh?"
Prince Qi lowered his voice. "Fourth Brother… are you saying…? Isn't that too risky?"
"The Crown Prince has long been plagued by illness. Recently he was struck by the aftermath of that assassination attempt. Now he's been stripped of his regency. With these two blows together, his rage flares, his sickness worsens—and he dies from a sudden attack. Isn't that perfectly reasonable?"
Prince Qin's voice grew colder. "The guards watching him—the Golden Crow Guards—are our people. We'll summon a few imperial physicians. Before anyone realizes, everything will be done. Otherwise, if he's cornered, he might do something desperate."
"Alright," Prince Qi gritted his teeth. "We'll do it your way."
"Eighth Brother," Prince Qin's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Once this is over, you and I will share the world together."
In the Crown Prince's residence, the doors were tightly shut.
Outside and within, armored Golden Crow Guards patrolled in perfect formation. They were said to be protecting him, but in truth—they were keeping watch.
The Crown Prince leaned on his cane, standing in the courtyard, gazing up at the bright night sky. A cool wind brushed by, and he was seized by a violent coughing fit.
"Cough! Cough, cough…"
"Your Highness, please drink your medicine!"
The old eunuch—his only remaining servant—hurried out, holding a steaming bowl of black herbal soup. "You must take care of your health, my lord."
The Crown Prince ignored him and asked softly, "Is everything prepared?"
"Rest assured, Your Highness," the eunuch replied respectfully. "Master Yao has made all arrangements. Surely you can trust his work. And now, inside and out, more than half of the people here are ours. Once the action begins, the momentum will be unstoppable. It will all be over before dawn.
"Your Highness bears the burden of one capital and thirty-six provinces. You mustn't fall ill. Please, drink your medicine."
"Give it here."
The Crown Prince's trembling hand reached out to take the bowl.
"Sigh…"
The old eunuch watched with sorrow. "Your Highness's illness is strange indeed. After all these years and so many precious medicines, why has it not improved?"
But before he could finish—
Clatter! Clatter!
A noise came suddenly from outside the chamber.
The eunuch froze, glancing toward the sound. "Could it be they've begun ahead of schedule?"
"No…"
The Crown Prince's eyes sharpened. "It's not Yao and the others!"
With a heavy thud, the doors to the bedchamber swung open.
Seven or eight men strode into the courtyard.
At their head—
A broad-shouldered, heavyset man. The Fourth Prince, Qin Wang.
Beside him stood the long-bearded Eighth Prince, Qi Wang.
Following them were three imperial physicians and two attendants.
"Fourth Brother, Eighth Brother," the Crown Prince said, gripping his cane for support. "Why are you here?"
"Of course, to visit our dear elder brother," Qin Wang said with a falsely warm smile. "We heard your condition has worsened. So we brought Imperial Physician She and the others to examine you—and even brought a rare medicine said to cure all ills."
"Your Highnesses," the old eunuch stepped forward, blocking the path, "His Highness the Crown Prince just took his medicine. For you to enter unannounced—without any notice—it's most improper!"
"Impudent wretch!"
Prince Qi barked, his tone sharp as a whip. "We're here to visit our own brother! Since when do we need permission? Who are you to speak to us this way?"
"You… you two…"
The old eunuch's face darkened. He could sense something was wrong. Qi surged from his body as he warned, "If the two princes don't leave at once, don't blame this servant for being rude!"
Boom!
At that very moment, the "imperial physicians" standing behind Qin Wang and Qi Wang suddenly struck.
Among them, one revealed the cultivation of the Profound Manifestation realm!
Before the old eunuch could react, he was subdued and forced to the ground. They pried open his mouth and poured a strange black liquid down his throat.
"Physician She!"
The Crown Prince pointed a shaking finger at them. "You… how dare you!"
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Prince Qin's laughter echoed coldly. "Elder Brother, do you really think your illness just came from fate? All these years—why do you think it never healed, but only worsened?"
"Fourth Brother… Eighth Brother…"
The Crown Prince's voice trembled. "We may not share the same mother, but we are still Father's sons! How could you be so vicious?"
"Elder Brother," Qin Wang said with false tenderness, "you've worked too hard. It's time you rest—forever."
He turned to the men behind him. "What are you waiting for? Help His Highness take his medicine."