"Catch the assassins!"
Mount Ziwei.
At the mountain gate, Chen Sanshi, who was leading the patrol outside the perimeter, suddenly heard shouts erupting from all directions.
"Catch the assassins!"
"Clatter, clatter—"
"Boom!"
A figure fell from the sky.
"General Meng?"
Chen Sanshi feigned confusion. "What's going on?"
"There are assassins, and quite a few of them!"
Meng Quji's face was grim. "I'll go ahead to pursue. General Chen, take your men through the small paths. You must intercept them on the official road twenty li ahead!"
"Understood."
Chen Sanshi saluted. "Black Armored Army, hunt down the assassins!"
The Black Armored Army was in charge of outer perimeter defense.
The Golden Crow Guards, who were responsible for the palace, would never leave Mount Ziwei easily. Logically speaking, if anything happened outside, it would indeed fall under the Black Armored Army's jurisdiction.
But Chen Sanshi knew better.
There were no assassins at all.
This was simply the start of a mutiny, and this order was meant to send his troops away from the palace.
"Deng Feng," Chen Sanshi ordered quietly, "the terrain here is complicated. Tell the brothers to form small squads and search separately. If you find anything, signal with a whistling arrow."
"Yes, sir!"
Soon, the Black Armored Army dispersed in all directions.
Taking advantage of the confusion, Chen Sanshi vanished into the darkness, changing his appearance with the Art of Disguise, transforming into the scabby-headed Zhang Laizitou. Moving with practiced ease, he passed through the mountain gate and returned to the upper slopes of Mount Ziwei, heading straight for the imperial palace complex.
The Ziwei Palace.
At the Gate of Resting Moon.
Through this gate, one could reach the Cloud Palace, where the emperor rested at night.
At the gate stood Deputy Commander Zhu Jianliang of the Golden Crow Guard, leaning against the wall with one hand on his sword hilt, eyes closed, half-dozing, his mind wandering to thoughts of his wife and children waiting for him back in the capital.
"Clack, clack!"
The sound of armor clashing echoed nearby.
A squad of Golden Crow Guards approached swiftly.
"Old Pan?"
Zhu Jianliang opened his eyes and smiled. "Old Pan, what brings you here? It's not your shift yet, is it?"
"Today I'm covering for you," said Pan Cheng. "Tomorrow I've got personal matters to handle—you can cover my shift then."
"Oh?"
Zhu Jianliang didn't agree immediately. "Brother Pan, times are tense lately. It's risky to switch guard duties without approval. If something happens, neither of us can explain it."
"It's fine," Pan Cheng said more politely. "I've already reported to Commander Jiang. If you don't believe me, you can ask him yourself."
"Alright then."
Zhu Jianliang yawned and waved his men to follow. "We'll go grab a drink, then."
But as he passed by the group, something suddenly felt wrong.
"Old Pan?"
Zhu Jianliang's hand quietly went to his sword. "Why are so many of these faces unfamiliar? There weren't any new recruits in the Golden Crow Guard assigned to Mount Ziwei this time."
"Don't ask too much," Pan Cheng muttered with a frown. "They're all brothers who've lived through life and death together. Just let it pass—I really have business tomorrow."
"What kind of business? A victory feast, maybe?!"
"Clang—"
Before Pan Cheng could react, Zhu Jianliang drew his sword in a flash, steel gleaming as it shot toward his throat.
But just then, one of the disguised guards erupted with violet mist, wrapping his entire body like spiritual armor. With bare hands, he caught Zhu Jianliang's full-strength strike!
"This…"
Zhu Jianliang's eyes widened. "Demonic arts?!"
"Puchi—"
In that instant of shock, Pan Cheng's dagger drove into his chest.
"Brother," he whispered, "I wanted to spare you. Sorry."
"Gh—ghk…"
Zhu Jianliang's eyes stayed wide open as he fell with a heavy crash—dead, still unresigned.
But the commotion had already broken the silence.
Nearby, hundreds of Golden Crow Guards reacted instantly, shouting, "Assassins! Assassins!"
"Boom—"
Flames burst forth from the palace compound.
At the Gate of Resting Moon, chaos reigned as thousands of Golden Crow Guards gathered.
"How dare you!"
"Pan Cheng, what are you doing?! Are you a traitor too?!"
Pan Cheng raised his voice, shouting righteously, "His Majesty has grown old and muddle-headed, surrounded by treacherous ministers who deceive him! Our Great Sheng Dynasty lies in ruin. We act under Heaven's will—to cleanse the emperor's side!"
"You're rebelling?!"
"Who's your instigator?!"
No answer came.
Vice Commander Yuchi Lingjie of the Golden Crow Guard barked furiously, "Men! Arrest them all!"
"General!"
"Bad news!"
A subordinate came running, pale and breathless.
"The Eastern Garrison Army—"
"The Eastern Garrison has rebelled!"
"What?!"
Yuchi Lingjie's eyes widened like copper bells. "Rebelled?! How many?!"
"I don't know! It's too dark—we can't see! But they're everywhere!"
"Report—!"
"General!" another soldier shouted. "We just received word—eight thousand troops are marching this way! General Meng Quji moved out twelve thousand men an hour ago, and the remaining eight thousand are charging straight for Ziwei Palace!"
"Meng Quji?!"
Yuchi Lingjie roared, "That damned turtle of a general—how dare he?!"
A calm voice answered from the shadows.
"Meng has always acted cautiously," said Meng Quji as he stepped into the firelight, spear in hand, "but never hesitates when the time comes. Take them all down."
The entire Ziwei Palace erupted into battle.
There were only three thousand Golden Crow Guards in total, divided among the four palace gates—and now, each gate was besieged.
"Step aside!"
Meng Quji's deep voice boomed across the palace. "We're all brothers here. Meng doesn't wish to harm you. If you surrender quietly, by dawn, all will return to normal."
"Meng Quji!"
Yuchi Lingjie pointed his twin maces at him, cursing. "Do you even know what you're doing?!"
"Rebelling, that's all."
Meng Quji's voice was cold and steady. "General Yuchi, surrender."
"To hell with you!"
Yuchi Lingjie swung his maces. "Brothers, kill them all!"
Battle exploded instantly.
"Stop! Stop at once!"
From the darkness, a figure in crimson robes came rushing up the slope—Yan Maoxing, who lived at the mountain's base, somehow having heard the news in time to intervene.
Several followers of the Incense God Sect immediately moved to attack, but Meng Quji stopped them.
"Meng Quji!"
Yan Maoxing strode forward, his red robe fluttering, shouting angrily, "Have you gone mad?!"
"Meng the General isn't mad!"
Another man in crimson stepped out—Minister of Military Strategy Gao Bo. "General Meng is raising the banner of justice!"
"Gao Bo, so it really is you!" Yan Maoxing stomped the ground furiously. "I knew you'd rebel one day—but I never thought… I never thought Meng Quji would side with you!"
"Meng Er'gou!"
He jabbed a finger at Meng Quji. "Have you forgotten? If not for my father, you would never have become the Martial Champion! Even the name Meng Quji—my father gave it to you!"
"Quji, Quji…"
Meng Quji repeated the name softly, then said, "When Lord Yan gave me that name, it meant 'to purge the sickness of the court.' But now… you are that sickness. So what I do tonight—my conscience is clear."
He turned his head slightly. "Commander Jiang, come out. I know you've been watching."
A sharp, metallic scraping sound filled the air.
Dragging a long saber behind him, Commander of the Golden Crow Guards, Martial Saint Jiang Yuanbo, walked slowly out of the shadows. He hadn't even raised his blade yet, but wherever he passed, several soldiers of the Eastern Garrison dropped dead instantly, without a sound.
"Boom!"
The long spear and long saber clashed, echoing like the tolling of heavenly bells.
The battle between two Martial Saints had begun.
"Lord Yan!"
Gao Bo rolled up his sleeves, grinning. "This old man still remembers a trick or two!"
"Bang! Bang!"
He threw out two heavy punches, killing Yan Maoxing's attendants instantly.
Now chaos consumed the courtyard—two Martial Saints locked in fierce combat, the Eastern Garrison clashing wildly with the Golden Crow Guards.
Yan Maoxing's last bodyguards had already fallen.
Panic washed over his face. "Barbarians! Gentlemen debate with words, not fists! What do you intend to do?!"
"Stop right there!"
Through the chaos, several figures slipped past the melee, heading straight for the imperial sleeping quarters.
Among them, disguised as the scabby-headed knight, Chen Sanshi appeared before Cao Fan.
"Master Zhang!"
Cao Fan's eyes lit up. "They've started early! Let's use the chaos to kill Chen Sanshi, shall we?"
Chen Sanshi looked at him with faint amusement. "You're that eager to kill him?"
"Of course!"
Cao Fan gritted his teeth. "Chen Sanshi and I cannot coexist! Master Zhang, didn't you promise me you'd help?"
"I keep my promises," Chen Sanshi replied calmly, raising a brow. "But before that… there's something more important. I've found the location of the Founding Emperor's relic. If we don't take it tonight, we'll never have another chance."
"You found it?!"
Cao Fan was stunned.
They had been searching Mount Ziwei for an entire month with no results—yet this mysterious "Hero Zhang" claimed to have found it just like that?
"Indeed."
Chen Sanshi nodded slightly. "Think carefully, boy. Which matters more?"
Cao Fan fell silent, lost in thought.
Tonight would decide everything.
If they succeeded, they would rise forever.
If they failed, not a single member of his father's bloodline would survive.
But if they could seize the Founding Emperor's relic, perhaps it could turn the tide—and save his father's life.
As for Chen Sanshi…
He could kill him after everything was over.
"Master Zhang," Cao Fan finally said, voice firm, "we'll take the treasure first, then head to the sleeping palace to assist my father. After that, we'll kill Chen Sanshi together."
"Excellent."
Chen Sanshi gave a faint smile. "I see you've got some courage after all."
"Thank you for the praise, Master Zhang."
Having faced such turmoil in one night, Cao Fan had grown more cautious and humble. "Tonight, I'll be counting on you."
He thought it wise to please this man—if they could work together now, that alliance might serve him well in the future.
Thinking back on it all—
He had grown up pampered in the imperial palace, blessed with outstanding talent, born as the Cao family's eldest grandson. Everyone called him "His Highness the Heir," always bowing before him. That arrogance had blinded him.
Back then, competing with Chen Sanshi in Liangzhou had been childish beyond words.
If he hadn't been so intent on picking fights, even if they couldn't be friends, at least he wouldn't have made such an enemy.
He had grown up now.
And though late, it wasn't too late to mend his mistakes.
Once Chen Sanshi was dead—his greatest threat gone—he would make sure to treat capable men with respect from then on.
"How many men will you bring?" Chen Sanshi asked.
He wasn't asking for no reason.
First, without a Cao family descendant, the relic might not be retrievable.
Second, Cao Zhi and the Seeking Immortals Tower were surely moving too.
Going alone against that sect was dangerous—it was better to stir up chaos and let everyone clash. That would actually make things safer.
And besides, his sworn "younger brother," Cao Zhi, was trying to lure him into a trap.
Who knew what kind of trick waited inside?
"These men will follow me."
Cao Fan gestured behind him.
Standing there were Yunxiaozi, Lingxuzi, and Cui Congyi, along with seven or eight disciples from the Incense God Sect.
"That'll do."
Chen Sanshi waved his hand. "No time to waste—let's move out now."
He took the lead, and the dozen men followed behind.
Soon, they arrived at the deep pool behind the mountain.
The members of the Seeking Immortals Tower were already there.
At their head stood Eunuch Lao, though he was now disguised and masked. The others also covered their faces, their identities impossible to tell.
"Master Zhang?!"
Eunuch Lao's sharp voice rang out. "What are you doing here?"
"Naturally—I've come for what's ours."
Chen Sanshi glanced around, counting quickly.
There were more than ten from the Seeking Immortals Tower.
He sneered. "Fellow Daoist, this immortal cave was discovered by me. What's with this posture? Planning to keep it all for yourselves?"
"Hehe…"
Eunuch Lao quickly denied it. "How could that be? I only delayed entering the water because I was waiting for you, Fellow Daoist. If you hadn't arrived soon, I was planning to send someone to fetch you. However…" His tone turned wary. "Why have you brought so many people here? What's your intention?"
"This is His Highness, the royal grandson—the Crown Heir."
Chen Sanshi introduced calmly, though he knew the man already understood. "According to my judgment, without the presence of a royal-blooded descendant, the Founding Emperor relic cannot be taken. Therefore, I invited him to assist."
"Senior," Cao Fan spoke up coldly, "what lies below belongs to my Cao ancestors. Don't you think your actions here are rather improper?"
At once, Cui Congyi, Yunxiaozi, and the others behind him raised their guard, ready to draw their weapons.
"Oh?"
Eunuch Lao chuckled darkly. "So that's how it is, Your Highness? Are you planning to fight us?"
Chen Sanshi stepped in before things escalated. "The entrance to the secret chamber has a stone gate. This Fellow Daoist is the only one who can open it. Time is short. My advice to all of you—don't waste it bickering here."
"Heh."
Cao Fan's gaze flickered, then he sighed. "Senior, don't misunderstand. Since everyone here plays a necessary part, then let's cooperate and be friends."
"Ah, His Highness is indeed magnanimous."
Eunuch Lao nodded slowly but pressed further. "However… with so many people going down together, wouldn't that be a bit unwise?"
All eyes turned to the scabby-headed Zhang Laizitou—Chen Sanshi—waiting for his decision.
"Here's what we'll do."
Chen Sanshi cleared his throat and raised his chin. "I, Fellow Daoist Liao, and His Highness Cao Fan will go down together—three people in total. The rest of you stay here and stand guard. That way everyone's assured of safety, and if anything goes wrong, there'll be help above."
"No problem with that," Eunuch Lao said cheerfully. "Fellow Daoist and I have shared life and death before. If it weren't for you last time, I'd already be dead down there. I trust you completely."
"Your Highness…"
Eunuch Feng and the others looked uneasy.
To them, both Zhang Laizitou and the Seeking Immortals Tower were complete unknowns. Their cooperation stemmed entirely from fear of his power and uncertainty about his strength.
They didn't even realize this scabby-headed man was from the Seeking Immortals Tower.
"No need to worry."
Cao Fan made up his mind. "I'll go with them. General Cui, stay here and wait for our return."
"And what about the spoils?" Eunuch Lao asked with a sly smile. "If they can be divided, we'll divide them. If not, we'll share their benefits equally. Agreed?"
"Then what are we waiting for?"
Chen Sanshi gestured forward. "Let's go."
He motioned for the other two to enter first, then followed at a measured pace, stepping deeper and deeper into the water until the darkness swallowed them whole.
"His Highness has truly changed," Eunuch Feng murmured, staring into the black pool. "If this were before, he'd never have compromised like that. Those relics belong to the Founding Emperor—how can they be shared with outsiders?"
"His decision was right," Cui Congyi said gravely. "But it's only a temporary measure. The current situation doesn't allow us to waste time here, and we still don't know these people's true origins or their strength. For now, we must wait for them to bring the relic out. In the meantime, Eunuch Feng—go summon General Fan immediately. The Founding Emperor relic is too important to fall into foreign hands."
"I'll go at once."
Eunuch Feng disappeared into the dark forest.
"Blessed be the Infinite Celestial Sovereign!"
Yunxiaozi clasped his hands and chanted solemnly. "After tonight, His Highness will surely undergo a great transformation. In time, he will become a wise and glorious ruler."
At the lakeside, the two factions—the Seeking Immortals Tower and the Incense God Sect—now faced each other in tense silence.
Inside the secret chamber, before the stone gate, a deep rumbling shook the ground.
"Rumble—"
Eunuch Lao repeated his old trick, successfully unlocking the mechanism. One by one, torches in the passageway flared to life, illuminating the same eerie scene as before.
Neither he nor Chen Sanshi entered immediately.
They stood waiting at the threshold, patient as ever. Only after the time it took to brew a cup of tea did they finally step in side by side.
Soon, they reached the wide corridor—and once again saw the wooden effigies of Cao Xie that had nearly killed them last time.
The effigies depicting Cao Xie as the horse slave and sect disciple lay shattered and scattered across the floor, reduced to rotting timber. But the other three statues—from the era of conquest, from his time as the seeker of immortality, and from his ascension as emperor—still stood upright, restored to their original positions.
"Fo… Founding Emperor?!"
Cao Fan, entering for the first time, froze in shock. The statues, the inscriptions, the oppressive air—all struck him dumb with awe.
But when his gaze fell upon the final statue—and the decapitated head at its feet—his expression turned to horror.
"This… what is this?! Who dares show such disrespect to our ancestor of the Cao family?!"
He stopped himself mid-sentence.
By now, he'd guessed the truth—Zhang Laizitou and the others had already been here. They must've failed to take the relic and dragged him along to try again.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Cao Fan straightened his robe and knelt properly before the statue, bowing three times until his forehead struck the stone floor. "Ancestor, this unworthy grandson disturbs your rest. Please forgive my trespass."
After performing the ritual, he carefully lifted the stone-carved head and placed it back upon the dragon throne.
"Gentlemen," he said, rising to his feet, "let's move on."
They advanced about a hundred steps deeper and once again came upon a familiar sight—a stone platform.
"The Dragon Abyss Sword!"
Cao Fan's eyes widened. "That's the divine blade that once shattered two thousand suits of armor in a single battle! And that wooden box beside it… that must be the immortal fate the Founding Emperor left for his descendants. Hm? Why aren't you two coming?"
He turned to look back—only to see Zhang Laizitou and Eunuch Lao standing at a distance, unmoving.
Chen Sanshi said evenly, "Your ancestor's statues attack anyone who approaches. Try and see if you can retrieve it—but be careful."
"Buzz—"
As his words fell, the Dragon Abyss Sword began to tremble violently.
Waves of invisible mystic qi surged forth, washing over the chamber like rain—then seeped into the three statues.
The wooden effigies began to move.
They lived!
All three turned toward Cao Fan simultaneously.
"Founding Emperor Ancestor!"
Cao Fan's voice shook. "I am of your bloodline, not some thief coveting your legacy! Please see the truth, Ancestor!"
But no matter what he said, the wooden statues did not stop.
One—depicting Cao Xie as the Warring General—had already raised its wooden sword high, striking straight down toward him.
"Dodge!"
Chen Sanshi's Rice-Sprout Blade swung before anyone noticed, clashing against the wooden sword. The instant the two weapons met, his blade almost shattered under the impact. Fortunately, Eunuch Lao didn't stand idly by—his palm, wrapped in gang qi, thrust forward to help block the blow. Together, they barely held it off.
Without a word, both men simultaneously cast their techniques.
A streak of Sword Qi Technique shot out, followed by a blade of frost formed from condensed cold energy.
The twin attacks exploded upon impact, forcing the General Cao Xie statue to stagger backward. A wide gash burst open across its wooden chest—but it didn't break. After freezing briefly, the statue lurched back toward them, unrelenting.
"This wood carving… it's unnatural!"
Chen Sanshi's sharp eyes noticed faint, glowing runes carved along the surface of the statue—runes similar to those on the jade pendant Cao Fan carried. He wondered where Emperor Founding Emperor had obtained such intricate power.
It was impossible to judge these statues using ordinary martial body stages. Their strength couldn't be measured by mortal cultivation levels.
And with each passing moment, the statues seemed to grow stronger—one after another, more troublesome than the last.
Seeing the remaining two statues closing in, Eunuch Lao continued casting spells while shouting, "Fellow Daoist! What do we do now? Should we withdraw and plan another day?"
"No."
Chen Sanshi's refusal was firm.
'Tonight's chaos is the best chance we'll ever have. If we retreat now, it'll only become harder later.'
"Boy!" he barked. "Give me your hand. Let's try something."
"Clang—"
The Rice-Sprout Blade flashed, cutting a deep gash into Cao Fan's palm.
Chen Sanshi thought to himself, Since Emperor Cao Xie left this place for his descendants, surely he wouldn't attack his own bloodline. But the statues aren't alive—they don't recognize kin. Blood might be the key.
If it still didn't work, he'd know there was another method—and they'd have to leave it for now.
The General Cao Xie statue, the one they had just repelled, came charging again. Chen Sanshi and Eunuch Lao joined forces to block. At the moment Cao Fan's blood touched the statue's body—
The result was instant.
The wooden effigy began to crumble visibly. First, the sword dropped from its hand. Then, its arms, legs, and finally its head broke apart, collapsing into a pile of rotten wood within just three breaths.
"Crack—"
Confirming that it worked, Chen Sanshi didn't hesitate—he slashed Cao Fan several more times, widening the wounds so blood would spray more freely. If even the General statue had been that strong, the ones representing his ascension and the immortal-seeking eras must be even stronger.
There was no need to risk close combat.
Fresh blood splattered outward, coating the two remaining statues. The crimson drops sizzled faintly—and then the statues disintegrated, collapsing into dust and woodchips.
"Truly brilliant, Fellow Daoist!" Eunuch Lao exclaimed. "Come, let's claim the treasure!"
The three advanced carefully, step by step.
Though the distance was barely a hundred steps, they took nearly the time of a full tea's brew to cross.
Luckily, no more traps appeared. They reached the stone platform safely.
A sharp hum echoed.
The Dragon Abyss Sword blazed with dazzling light, vibrating fiercely, while the black box beside it sat in eerie stillness.
"Cao Family Heir," Eunuch Lao ordered coldly, "go fetch the box—and open it."
"Understood."
Cao Fan obeyed.
He didn't dare touch it directly. Instead, he used the Azure Dragon Crescent Blade to nudge it forward.
The black box was small, about the size of a dinner plate.
After careful inspection, it appeared ordinary. The copper lock was something any commoner could afford. With a gentle tap of his blade, Cao Fan broke the lock open.
"Creak—"
Inside the box lay three items:
1. A jade token.
2. A bound book.
3. A letter without an envelope.
"Take it out and see."
Cao Fan held his breath, reaching in with bloodstained fingers to pull out the letter. Nothing happened—no trap, no curse. He sighed in relief and unfolded it.
The words written inside were as follows:
"I, who once proclaimed myself immortal, cannot at the end abandon the empire I built through decades of hardship, nor my own blood and descendants. Therefore, I leave behind this dried-up cave paradise.
Within this box lies the chance to seek immortality.
In mortal martial practice, it is said: 'The master guides you to the door; cultivation is up to you.' The path to immortality is the same.
What I can leave you are only these three things—
The key to the Immortal Realm, the method to seek the Dao, and half an empire.
Travel southeast, across the sea, until you reach the ends of the earth. There lies the gateway to the Immortal Realm—great opportunity, but great peril. Remember this well.
Lastly, may my Cao family's empire, the Great Sheng Dynasty, endure for ten thousand generations, eternal and unending."
After reading, silence fell.
All three men stood still, their minds racing to digest the message.
A cave paradise beneath the lake—so it was true. It really was a blessed land of Founding Emperor, though now depleted.
"Depleted"… did that mean the spiritual qi was gone?
Had there once been true qi here?
Or did "depleted" mean something else entirely?
The key points were clear:
The key to the Immortal Realm, the method of cultivation, and half the empire.
The first two must refer to the jade token and the book. The third—"half an empire"—must mean the Dragon Abyss Sword itself.
And that final clue—southeast across the sea, at the world's edge, lies the Immortal Realm—
It wasn't just a legend.
"Cough, cough."
Eunuch Lao cleared his throat. "Gentlemen, it seems what's in the box can't really be divided evenly. We'll have to share it together."
"Snap."
Chen Sanshi shut the lid. "In that case, let's take it outside first and discuss it there."
"This sword…"
Cao Fan's eyes burned with longing. "Shall I try to pull it out?"
"Buzz!"
As they spoke, the Dragon Abyss Sword's trembling grew stronger, its radiance brighter, as if the weapon were about to awaken.
Chen Sanshi's Mystic Pearl in his robes resonated in response.
But just like before, whenever he tried to connect with it, he could feel the sword was already linked—to someone else.
And that person wasn't Cao Fan.
If not for his Qi Observation Technique, Chen Sanshi would never have let a Cao family descendant near it. The risk was too high—who knew what destructive power the sword might unleash once drawn?
But now he was certain—
The one bonded to the Dragon Abyss Sword was not Cao Fan.
"You go ahead and try," Eunuch Lao said smoothly, though secretly gathering qi in his palm, ready to strike the moment an opportunity arose.
With permission granted, Cao Fan leapt onto the stone platform. Taking a deep breath, he gripped the sword's hilt with both hands. His qi and blood surged together, veins bulging along his arms and neck. But the Dragon Abyss Sword didn't move an inch. Instead, an invisible force exploded outward, blasting him several feet away.
He crashed to the ground and scrambled up awkwardly. "The two of you… no use. I can't pull it out."
"Let me try!"
Eunuch Lao hesitated for a moment—turning his back to others always made him uneasy—but the temptation before him was too great.
Anyone could see it.
The value of the Dragon Abyss Sword was in no way inferior to the treasures inside the black box.
Spiritual qi flared around him.
Chen Sanshi couldn't tell exactly what spell Eunuch Lao was casting, only that it looked complicated and dangerous.
After a long struggle, the old eunuch nearly hurt himself. In the end, he had to retreat, panting heavily.
"Fellow Daoist?" he asked, his tone uncertain. "Would you like to give it a try?"
"No."
Chen Sanshi shook his head. Even without touching it, his Qi Observation Technique told him the truth—this sword couldn't be controlled by ordinary strength.
Securing the box's contents was already an achievement; the sword was a different matter entirely.
Then suddenly, his expression changed.
A dozen thoughts flashed through his mind, connecting the recent chaos, the relics, the hidden signs. His gaze snapped back to the Dragon Abyss Sword, which was now trembling more violently than ever.
Something clicked in his mind—
"Not good!"
"Run! Now!"
His shout echoed like thunder.
"Fellow Daoist," Eunuch Lao said warily, narrowing his eyes, "then who should hold onto the box?"
"Give it to Master Zhang!" Cao Fan quickly suggested. "He's the most suitable person."
To them, Zhang Laizitou—Chen Sanshi—was a neutral party. He wasn't tied to any sect or noble family.
"Very well," Eunuch Lao agreed. "Fellow Daoist, please take it."
Chen Sanshi grabbed the box without hesitation.
The three of them ran at full speed, climbing out of the cave and surfacing from the dark pool.
On the shore, the two waiting factions—the Incense God Sect and the Seeking Immortals Tower—finally saw them return and rushed forward.
"How did it go?!" Cui Congyi demanded. "Did you get Founding Emperor's treasure?"
"Yes."
Cao Fan nodded faintly.
"Fellow Daoist!" Eunuch Lao called out loudly. "Now that the treasure is retrieved, shouldn't we follow our agreement and share it here?"
Chen Sanshi nodded.
But even as he did, his sharp senses caught the subtle flicker of eye contact between the members of the Seeking Immortals Tower. Their qi began to stir—secretly preparing for battle.
A chill ran down his spine. His blood boiled with anger.
He truly intended to share.
But clearly, they didn't.
"Boom!"
A burst of Sword Qi Technique exploded from his hand, faster than lightning, cutting down the first man who tried to attack.
"Fellow Daoist, what are you doing?!" Eunuch Lao shouted, feigning outrage. "You dare kill and rob us?!"
His voice rang false. Even as he spoke, his fingers formed rapid seals. A wave of icy air surged forward—Ice Blades flashing toward Chen Sanshi.
Another burst of Sword Qi Technique met the ice head-on. The two forces collided, canceling each other out with a shockwave that split the earth beneath them.
"I thought you were more capable!" Eunuch Lao sneered, nearly slipping into his old habit of speech. "Turns out you're nothing special! Kill him! Kill them all—including Cao Fan!"
"Ha! I knew you schemers had no good intentions!"
Yunxiaozi and the others erupted with purple qi, forming shimmering armor over their bodies as they charged forward.
Cao Fan's face turned pale. He hadn't even broken through to the Meridian-Connecting stage yet—he couldn't intervene at all.
"Bang!"
Chen Sanshi stomped the ground, leaping back toward the dense forest.
Eunuch Lao barked an order, leading four of his subordinates to pursue.
"Clang!"
The Rice-Sprout Blade flashed once, slicing through the night. One of the Seeking Immortals Tower disciples fell instantly, his body splitting apart before hitting the ground.
True spiritual qi was rare—not everyone could wield immortal arts.
Of the five pursuers, only two had strong spiritual qi—their auras marking them as high-ranking members of the Tower.
"Don't be afraid!" Eunuch Lao shouted to his companion. "He's struck twice before me, but he's only shown one attack spell. He's bluffing! Together, we can kill him!"
Both men cast their spells—one summoned ice blades, while the other formed hand seals, conjuring two chains of black iron that whipped through the air toward Chen Sanshi from tens of steps away, leaving him no room to dodge.
Chen Sanshi sighed.
Once, he'd even saved this eunuch's life. Now that act of mercy was being used against him.
"Enough."
"I never should've trusted you for even a breath."
In a blur, a jade pendant rose into the air before him, glowing with searing crimson light—like molten iron in the darkness.
It burst open.
A wave of Strange Flame erupted outward, forming the head of a fiery dragon. In an instant, it spat several fireballs, each the size of a human head.
"What?!"
Eunuch Lao's eyes went wide in horror.
Before he could react, his spells—his ice and his chains—evaporated upon contact with the flames, vanishing like smoke.
The fireballs struck.
"Boom! Boom! Boom—"
The two high-ranking members of the Seeking Immortals Tower were engulfed completely. The instant the fire touched them, their bodies combusted like dry straw, burning to ash within two breaths. The night wind carried their remains into the soil, merging with earth and trees alike.
At that moment, Martial Saint Fan Tianfa arrived with two elders from the Incense God Sect.
"Boom! Boom!"
Chen Sanshi didn't hesitate. He released every last bit of the Strange Flame stored within the pendant—launching two more fireballs that incinerated several more members of the Seeking Immortals Tower.
The survivors—barely two or three—fled into the darkness, disappearing without a trace.
"This…"
Cao Fan, Fan Tianfa, and the others stood frozen, utterly stunned by the carnage before them.
"Master Zhang!"
"Truly the power of an immortal…"
Cao Fan stood dumbfounded, his face pale with awe. Even Fan Tianfa, a Martial Saint, looked uneasy. He stayed more than a hundred steps away, unwilling to draw closer.
Without a word, Chen Sanshi quietly gathered the shattered pieces of the damaged jade pendant and tucked them away.
The thing was fragile—far too fragile. The Strange Flame was simply too fierce for the jade to contain.
Even if he had stopped earlier, the pendant was already nine out of ten likely to shatter.
So instead of wasting time, Chen Sanshi had decided to unleash all of it at once. It served two purposes—to wipe out the traitors and to intimidate the Incense God Sect, ensuring no one else thought about turning on him.
If that hadn't worked, he would've burned through every last Sword Qi Technique he had left, then fled under cover of the chaos.
But clearly, it worked perfectly.
After witnessing the Strange Flame, everyone's eyes filled with reverence and fear.
"The items will be kept by me," Chen Sanshi said calmly. He slipped the book and jade token from the black box into his robes, then looked around. "Any objections?"
"None," Fan Tianfa replied at once. "Master Zhang, please safeguard them for now. The urgent matter is to move on to the Ziwei Palace. The Holy Monk and his men should be reaching the inner hall soon. We can't waste another breath."
"Move out!"
The group—Martial Saints, generals, and the Incense God Sect's followers—rushed toward the direction of Ziwei Palace.
Chen Sanshi followed quietly at first.
Then, as they neared the palace gates, he subtly activated his Breath Concealment Technique. His aura vanished completely. Moments later, he turned down a side path—and disappeared into the darkness.
He wasn't foolish.
Every one of those people planned to kill "Chen Sanshi" after dawn.
Why would he risk his life helping them?
Besides, the reason he'd hurried to leave the cave wasn't only to avoid them.
He had realized something.
The balance of this long, bloody night—the very scale that would decide victory and defeat—had already begun to tip.
"Deng Feng!"
He summoned the Black Armored Army soldiers still searching the mountain. "Gather all brothers! We return to Ziwei Mountain at once!"
At Ziwei Palace, the black-robed monk strode side by side with Lu Ji, heading straight for the emperor's sleeping hall, the Hall of Supreme Truth.
Behind them followed several high-ranking Incense God Sect leaders, along with a hundred Tiger Guard elites who had secretly remained behind.
Along the way, anyone who dared to block their path was slaughtered instantly.
When they neared the inner palace, the black-robed monk halted.
Fan Tianfa and the rest of the rebel faction caught up shortly after—military officers, eunuchs, Tiger Guards, Golden Crow Guards, and even a few aged ministers who had hidden their loyalties until now.
Some had acted openly, others from the shadows. But tonight, all revealed themselves.
They were betting everything on this moment—to end it all in one decisive strike.
"Where is Changsun Xusheng?" the black-robed monk asked, fingering his prayer beads. "And the experts of the Embroidered Guard—why haven't they appeared?"
"Holy Monk," Fan Tianfa replied, "the Embroidered Guard doesn't guard the sleeping quarters. Most of them are still hunting Li Gong in the city. By my estimation, they'll arrive within half an hour."
"Amitabha," the monk intoned softly. "Then we must make haste."
"Wait!"
Cao Fan suddenly interrupted. "Where's Master Zhang?"
Everyone turned in surprise.
"He was just here!"
They looked around—but the man was gone.
"Damn it! We've been tricked!" Fan Tianfa roared. "He's taken the Founding Emperor relics! He's not planning to help us at all!"
"Amitabha," murmured the black-robed monk, his expression utterly calm. "Let him go. I never expected him to assist us anyway."
He lowered his gaze slightly. "That Zhang Laizitou's strength runs deep and unfathomable. As long as he doesn't stand against us, that's already the best outcome. As for the Founding Emperor relics—once this is over, I'll mobilize the entire sect to track him down. We'll find him sooner or later. For now, focus on the task before us. Begin."
"Crack."
Two eunuchs on night duty fell where they stood.
No one else stood in their way.
The black-robed monk gestured for the others to advance. He stepped forward and gently pushed open the great redwood doors.
"Creak—"
Inside the hall, candles burned through the night, bathing the vast chamber in golden warmth.
As the doors opened, the cold night wind swept in, causing the candlelight to flicker and sway.
In the center of the hall sat an elderly emperor, robed in Daoist attire, cross-legged on a meditation cushion. His eyes were closed, his breathing even—so calm that it seemed he was no longer part of this world.
Even as the crowd of rebels entered, he gave no reaction at all.
"Amitabha. This humble monk greets Your Majesty," said the black-robed monk, bowing deeply.
The others followed, dropping to their knees in unison.
"Your servants pay respects to the Emperor!"
Then silence fell.
The entire palace was still.
"Your Majesty," said the monk softly, his voice echoing through the chamber, "this humble monk knows you can hear me."
His chant-like voice rolled through the hall like a bell, calm and haunting.
"Yesterday the blossoms covered every branch in red.
Today the petals fall, leaving the trees bare.
The spring's full splendor fades in a single night wind.
What rises and falls beyond this mortal world—who can truly measure?
A hundred years of glory and decay,
All pass before one's eyes… like a fleeting dream."
When the poem ended, the Emperor Longqing slowly opened his eyes.
Before him stood ranks of armored soldiers and blades wet with blood. Yet his face remained tranquil as still water.
When he finally spoke, his tone was calm, unshaken, as if he were merely conversing in court as usual.
"My beloved ministers," he said, "coming to see me so late at night—what pressing matter brings you here?"