Suspicion

When Pei Zi Yun looked up, he noticed that his Prestige level had already reached the fourth level and sighed, "I’ve finally reached that stage."

Stretching out a hand, he tapped it. All of a sudden, the skies and the ground that he was standing on started to transform. He then understood that he had entered into his Yin Master form once again. Everywhere around him was filled with thick, white spiritual energy, as it was being absorbed unceasingly by his Yin Master.

Pei Zi Yun shut his eyes, as his Yin Master started to condense all the energy. He only regained his senses a long time later. When he next looked at the screen, he saw the numbers again.

"Yin Master: Fourth Stage (1.5% Completed)

"We should have our meal before leaving the mountains!"

After he had cultivated top the fourth stage of Yin Master, he hesitated no longer and wanted to return. He realized that his Plum Blossom was especially sensitive, and could help him to discover the Immortal Dragon Veins. What would happen then?"

Right at this point, the system interfaced flashed once again.

"Mission: Help Ye Su’er open the Gates of Heaven, Discover the Primordial Dragon Veins (Incomplete)"

Pei Zi Yun froze, as he became suspicious.

The system had never given missions that were unrelated. What had Ye Su’er’s opening the Gates of Heaven have anything to do with discovering the Primordial Dragon Veins?

Ying Prefecture

As the boat inched closer to shore, the sky already started to turn dark. There several lanterns hung along the streets near the pier, as the boat crew were very busy with the sails, they lowered the anchor and the platform.

Pei Zi Yun looked at the color of the sky and spoke, "It’s about to rain and spring rain is as rare as raw oil. It’s been hard on everyone; thus, everyone shall get a tael of silver."

The boat crew thanked Pei Zi Yun profusely as he led Official Qiao Du from the boat onto the docks. Drops of rain started to descend. When Qiao Du looked up, he saw that there were very few people along the docks. Some distance away, the restaurant buzzed with laughter. He then spoke, "This is much livelier than back on the islands."

"With sea trade flourishing, it’s very different from Golden Island, where stray boats seldom dock to trade. In fact, this port has one of the most trade throughout the entire nation, with 300,000 taels of silver worth just last year!" Pei Zi Yun then hailed an oxcart.

Right at this point, someone greeted the officiall and hinted to him to move aside so that they could have a private conversation. Pei Zi Yun saw that an oxcart had arrived and thus stepped up first. He wanted to head towards Fu Mansion. All of a sudden, the official returned and whispered several words to him.

"What? King Lu has fallen ill? The Emperor is visiting him?" Pei Zi Yun was startled.

According to the original owner’s memories, nothing like this ever happened. He pondered for some time as he looked at the official, "What is he down with?"

The official pondered for a moment before he replied, "The great officials of the Imperial Court discussed the possibility of impeaching King Lu. It was just a couple of officials who did this. However, for some strange reason, when a statement was released, it wasn’t about impeaching King Lu. Instead, it became something about wanting King Lu dead. When King Lu found out about this, he fell gravely ill, and thus the Emperor decided to pay him a visit."

"Do you have more details about this?" Pei Zi Yun asked.

"According to my sources, King Lu started sobbing. He said hundreds of officials wanted his life, and that he didn’t have much time left. There’s no more news or details on this matter." The official replied.

Pei Zi Yun didn’t reply, but leaned against the side of his carriage and fell deep into thought. This was a good plan, to lure an opponent into a false sense of security by appearing weak. He has an advisor with him, but who could it be?

In the previous life, Xie Cheng Dong appeared right around this time, and managed to overcome the entire world. Could it be Xie Cheng Dong?

Pei Zi Yun fell deep into silence before he exhaled after a long time. He hoped that the Crown Prince didn’t make any mistakes and give King Lu an occasion to rejoice. However, he had the Grand Princess and the Imperial Concubine to guide him. Hopefully he wouldn’t make any foolish mistakes. Pei Zi Yun then decided to forget about the matter and head to True Element Sect. Soon after, he would have to go to the edge of Ying Prefecture and find out more about the Dragon Veins and obtain them.

King Lu’s Palace

The sky looked rather overcast as it snowed slightly. A eunuch and a doctor stepped forward along with several imperial guards close behind. Once they entered the room, the strong stench of medicine could be detected. After they scanned their surroundings, they found King Lu lying on the bed. He looked extremely frail, skinny, and his face was exceptionally pale. It looked like he had a lot on his mind, as he shut his eyes tightly, and his brows were knitted as if he was concentrating on something.

A woman picked up a spoon and was about to feed him some medication. When a group of people entered, the woman told King Lu, whose eyes were shut, "Husband, the palace has sent some people over."

"Oh, help me up." King Lu opened his eyes and spoke weakly.

The eunuch smiled, "King Lu should lie down. The Emperor has been thinking about you, and thus sent this humble servant along with a doctor to ask about your health and take your pulse."

King Lu struggled to sit up as he exhaled deeply and nodded his head, "Ai, my Emperor Father is gracious. It’s such a pity that my body is failing, and I shan’t be able to share my father’s burden for much longer."

"King Lu should rest and recuperate, and in doing so, will help to alleviate your father’s burden." The doctor then sat by his side and measured his pulse.

Eunuch Liao of King Lu’s Palace stood nervously by the side and held his breath in fear.

The doctor revealed a grave expression for some time as he fell into silence. Several moments later, his brows started to relax before he gently placed King Lu’s wrist down and stood up. The eunuch from the Emperor’s Palace watched on by the side before asking the doctor, "How is King Lu’s health?"

"Eunuch Li, the last time I measure His Majesty’s pulse, his heartbeat was irregular, and it seemed like his health was frail. Today, it has improved considerably."

Hearing the doctor say this, the eunuch spoke, "Your Highness, Your Highness…"

King Lu wanted to speak, but started coughing once again, "Cough cough, eunuch… The imperial edict…"

"Yes, Your Highness. His Majesty told me to inform Your Highness that you should recuperate well and not to worry about other matters." Eunuch Li told King Lu.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. This son of yours…" As King Lu heard the instructions from the Emperor, he hurried flipped himself off the bed and wanted to bow, but the eunuch held a hand up, "Your Highness, His Majesty included in his instructions that you are seriously ill and should dispense with all ceremonies."

"Many thanks Father Emperor!" King Lu wanted to open his mouth to speak, but was overcome by another violent bout of coughs. The doctor looked at him and frowned.

"Your Highness, please exempt yourself from any activities that would incite great sorrows or great joy, for those would impede in your recovery. Your health is of utmost important." The doctor added. The profession of healing was not taken lightly at all.

Eunuch Li nodded his head, "Men, give the medication we brought from the palace to King Lu."

Several Imperial Guards carried trays over.

"Your Highness, this was given by His Majesty. Please look after yourself and refrain from strenuous activities."

"Father Emperor, this son of yours… Cough cough… Thanks…" King Lu was about to thank the Emperor but was once again halted by the eunuch, "Your Highness, please don’t stand on ceremony any longer and rest. I will report your condition to His Majesty."

Hearing these words, the eunuch standing beside King Lu, eunuch Liao, had a glint of excitement in his eyes. Seeing that the Emperor’s eunuch had departed, he too left along with him.

Eunuch Liao revealed a smile on his face, "A little token of appreciation, please don’t bother thanking me."

Eunuch Li looked around before placing the thick wad of cash into his pockets. With a smiling face he spoke, "Don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong. The Emperor is just worried about King Lu, and thus sent me here to find out about his health. I was also told to disperse the army standing guard here."

As he spoke, he walked over to the general. Soon after, a command was shouted out and the sound of horse hooves and armor clanking could be heard. The troops standing outside King Lu’s mansion marched away and scattered.

"Cough cough" Within the room, King Lu started coughing once again, sounding extremely uncomfortable.

"All of you, leave us." Eunuch Liao returned to the room and chased everyone else around. The room then became extremely silent.

"Mister Xie, everyone has gone, you can come out now!" King Lu’s voice rang out, and Xie Cheng Dong came out from within the room and bowed deeply, "Congratulations King Lu, the troops have been dispersed. The worst is over."

Eunuch Liao was filled with smiles a well, "Yes, King Lu, it’s finally over."

"Cough cough" King Lu started coughing again. Seeing him this way, the eunuch hurriedly grabbed a blanket and placed it over him, "It’s been hard on King Lu."

"Cough cough" It’s fine. I didn’t expect such a day to ever arrive as well." King Lu sighed. This sickness wasn’t fake as well. If not, how could they trick the doctor? "Mister Xie, all this is your hard work."

King Lu was exhausted, and his face was pale, "According to the reports, our men managed to get within the Crown Prince’s inner circle. Once again, we’ve spies within the Crown Prince’s group of people."

"That’s correct King Lu. Although they’re only in the outer circle, we would have many more pieces of information which are invaluable." Eunuch Liao then spoke, "Mister Xie is truly wise and far sighted."

"I don’t dare to claim credit. It’s truly because of King Lu’s fortunes that the Emperor would have a change of heart." Xie Cheng Dong bowed, "I can see that King Lu’s morbid energy has scattered, and his fortunes are changing once again. There’s hope for the future."

"King Lu should rest well now, in order for you to recover."

"Of course, Liao Ban, can you prepare something for me to eat. I haven’t had anything to eat in a long time and I am rather hungry." King Lu spoke.

"I will see to it immediately." Eunuch Liao spoke as he turned around and retrieved a bowl of porridge.

As soon as King Lu finished his bowl of porridge, he fell asleep. The Eunuch Liao and Xie Cheng Dong then left his room.

Xie Cheng Dong walked along the pavement and passed by the artificial mountains and pond. All of a sudden, he halted, as if recalling something. He then spoke, "The person who harmed King Lu, must be Pei Zi Yun. Since King Lu isn’t in the best of health, I didn’t tell him earlier for it would enrage him."

Eunuch Liao paused as well, "Why do you say so?"

"The Crown Prince’s fortunes had been dwindling for a long time. Although he’s finally produced an heir, a lake isn’t frozen from a single cold night. In order for the Crown Prince to recover from his earlier setbacks it is extremely difficult. I’ve examined our past failures, and managed to detect the Crown Prince’s trace in some of our misfortunes. For example, the assassination attempt during the Lantern Festival and King Lu being fined was also because of the Crown Prince."

"His methods are extremely smart and crafty. All his moves were well planned out and perfectly executed. He managed to persuade the Emperor that he was a magnanimous person and thus touched his heart."

"However, with my recent plan, there aren’t many ways to counter it. Crown Prince wouldn’t be able to respond properly. Even as we speak, there’s no movement within the Crown Prince’s Palace. This proves that the Crown Prince wasn’t the person who planned all this."

"I’ve checked up on Pei Zi Yun, and realized that when we suffered two continuous setbacks, Pei Zi Yun happened to be in the capital city as well. Seeing that the Crown Prince’s standard of planning and craftiness has increased tremendously, I’m certain that Pei Zi Yun is his master strategist."

Eunuch Liao revealed a terrifying look of anger, "What you’re trying to say, is that the past few setbacks were planned by him? I shall not spare any expense and have him killed. If not, the hate would fester in my heart."

"How do you intend to kill him? His martial arts are superb, and you’ve seen it for yourself firsthand. The most important thing to do now would be to use King Lu’s poor health and frailty to move away from the capital city. If we send men to kill anyone right now and the Crown Prince or Emperor manages to trace this action back to King Lu, all this will be in vain, for we will no longer be perceived as weak." Xie Cheng Dong replied.

"Damn it. Do we let him escape just like that?" Eunuch Liao clenched his fist, his face was filled with anger. He recalled how King Lu had been extremely powerful and had unlimited authority. Just because of several ploys, he had been reduced to such a pitiful state.

"Of course, we won’t let him off just like that." Xie Cheng Dong laughed. "He isn’t in the capital city now, which is a good thing. We have to do something about their relationship, so that he won’t be able to link up with the Crown Prince."

"This way, the Crown Prince’s reaction to our actions would be much slower. We can then move away from the city and regain our strength."

"What you’re trying to say, is that if Pei Zi Yun was around, he would try and prevent King Lu from moving out of the city?" Eunuch Liao asked, his eyes revealed a fearsome expression, "What should we do? I shall do it right away!"

Eunuch Liao looked towards King Lu’s room as he spoke.

Xie Cheng Dong laughed, "We have to find some trouble with them. We cannot do it directly, but find some trouble with his allies, so that he has to rescue them, and thus cannot be with the Crown Prince."

"True Element Sect is his ally, and they are in An Jie Prefecture. Do you know of any King Lu’s men there?"

When Eunuch Liao heard this, he hesitated before replying, "Yes, the magistrate of An Jie Prefecture used to support King Lu. Now that the Crown Prince regained his strength, he might not respond to us any longer."

"We’re not trying to harm the Crown Prince. We’re just attacking True Element Sect and cause some difficulties for those Daoists. The magistrate would not risk offending King Lu for such a small matter."

"Alright, I shall arrange for it." Eunuch Liao thought to himself and nodded his head.