Of course, regardless of which rumor it was, the people who discussed such things were already dead, having become fertilizer for the Divine Wood.
Yongning Celestial Palace was not heavily guarded. All told, there were only twenty-seven palace maids and servants of the Martial Artist realm. After becoming the Divine Wood's Beloved, they had no need for food, drink, or sleep, which naturally simplified many matters. Furthermore, the two who resided here—the Divine Emperor and the National Preceptor—were both Grandmasters, unmatched in all the world. They required no other guards. Even the Imperial Guard only patrolled New Southern Celestial Capital beneath the tree, so most of their contingent had been dismissed, leaving only a handful of guards with special duties.
