The alchemist Zuo Qiu beside City Lord Ashima was one of the world’s greatest secrets?
Truly, no more than five people knew of him?
This fantastical opening immediately focused Princess Zhiyan’s full attention.
Zhi Ning said, “Zuo Qiu is actually merely one of this person’s countless aliases. He styles himself as a disciple of the Dragon Emperor, and is now eight hundred years old.”
Had it been anyone else, they would have cried out in alarm at this moment.
Princess Zhiyan’s beautiful eyes narrowed, for the longest lifespan of any human in this world had never exceeded one hundred and fifty years.
Moreover, they were all exclusively members of the Divine Dragon Temple.
Yet this Zuo Qiu was actually eight hundred years old! If this were true, it would be a truly earth, shattering secret.
Zhi Ning continued, “From the moment he was born, he firmly believed that His Majesty the Dragon Emperor had not died, and his entire life was spent following the traces of the Dragon Emperor. But by the time he made even slight discoveries, he was already ancient and decrepit. So in order to extend his life, he actually created an entirely new cultivation method, known as Daoist arts. Thus, he also became the progenitor of Daoism.”
Had Soren been present, he would have been utterly astonished.
Because he had completely determined that this person Zuo Qiu was a charlatan and fraud. What progenitor of Daoism, what eight hundred years of life, all of it was false.
He had never imagined that all of it was actually true.
Zhi Ning added, “Moreover, he was also the first person to truly discover and confirm that the Dragon Emperor had not died.”
The moment these words were spoken, Princess Zhiyan already felt an immense danger.
The matter of the Dragon Emperor not being dead was something people had been speculating about for thousands of years. But Zuo Qiu had truly discovered and confirmed the truth that the Dragon Emperor had not died.
This was the highest secret of this world. The Divine Dragon Temple would not allow anyone who knew this secret to remain alive in this world.
Zhi Ning said, “After confirming this matter, Zuo Qiu spent the remainder of his life doing the same thing, which was searching for and saving the Dragon Emperor. Then, he died…”
“Died?” Zhiyan said in surprise.
“Yes, died!” Zhi Ning said, “The Divine Dragon Temple absolutely would not allow such a person to remain alive in this world. After decades of pursuit, they finally found this Zuo Qiu, and burned him alive. They burned him in an absolute energy isolation chamber, and then completely shattered his soul, dispersing it to nothingness!”
After speaking, Princess Zhiyan remained silent.
If all of this were true, then this Zuo Qiu was indeed a world, class secret.
But how could Zhi Ning know of such a secret?
Whether it was him, Zhi Ning, or Princess Zhiyan, they were merely peripheral figures in the Divine Dragon Temple.
Even someone of Ji Xiuning’s level could not touch this secret.
Zhi Ning said, “You may wonder, how could I know of a secret of this level, correct?”
Princess Zhiyan nodded.
Zhi Ning said, “Zuo Qiu once lived incognito in the Yan Empire for a period, even rising to become the Imperial Tutor. At that time, his name was Tianchi!”
Imperial Tutor Tianchi!
Several decades ago, this was a figure who shook the entire world, a person of immortal, like stature.
Countless royal nobles wished to meet him and receive his enlightenment.
Zhi Ning said, “The current ruler of the Yan Empire was weak and sickly from childhood. After being treated by Imperial Tutor Tianchi, not only did his health improve, but he became nearly impervious to all illness. Over eight years ago, Ji Min fell gravely ill, lying in bed for over a month in a coma. The Yan Emperor was at his wit’s end, and thus said how wonderful it would be if Zuo Qiu were still here, as he would certainly be able to cure Ji Min’s illness.”
Zhi Ning added, “Watching his son about to die, in grief and confusion, the Yan Emperor told his queen about this miracle of Zuo Qiu’s, confessing why he had cut short Zuo Qiu’s life. Afterwards, he felt he had leaked the world’s greatest secret, so with his wife’s consent, he found his daughter Ji Xiuning to erase the queen’s memory of this matter.”
Princess Zhiyan said, “Ji Xiuning was also less than twenty years old at that time.”
“Yes.” Zhi Ning said, “She is the true genius, the treasure of the Divine Dragon Temple. Unlike us, who are merely scraps on the edges of the Divine Dragon Temple.”
Princess Zhiyan pursed her lips and smiled, with a hint of mockery.
Zhi Ning said, “And what the Yan Emperor did not expect was that his son, Prince Ji Min, despite being in a coma the entire time, had heard everything clearly. Over a month later, Ji Min’s illness mysteriously recovered. Then, one day in order to please me, he told me this secret. But after telling me, he himself became terribly frightened, making me promise absolutely never to speak of it, or there would be catastrophic disaster.”
This fool Ji Min had been infatuated with Zhi Ning since childhood. In order to please her, he had even told her a world, class secret of life, and, death importance.
Princess Zhiyan said, “Zuo Qiu was likely betrayed by the Yan Emperor, which is why he was captured by the Divine Dragon Temple. Otherwise, he could probably have continued living incognito.”
Zhi Ning curled her lip and said, “That’s exactly it. Haven’t you noticed how close the Yan Empire and the Divine Dragon Temple have been these past few decades, as if sharing the same trousers. Unlike our Nulang Kingdom, which is treated worse than a concubine before the Divine Dragon Temple.”
Princess Zhiyan said, “So that means Zuo Qiu is dead.”
Zhi Ning said, “Yes, he is dead, and deader than dead.”
Princess Zhiyan said, “Besides you and Ji Min accidentally learning of it, those who truly know Zuo Qiu’s secret and know he is dead are only a few of the Divine Dragon Temple’s Sky High Priests, and the Yan Emperor.”
Zhi Ning said, “Ji Min and I don’t count. Those who truly know Zuo Qiu and know he is dead number no more than five.”
Then the question arose, since Zuo Qiu was already dead, who was that Zuo Qiu beside the Rouran City Lord?
Who was this fake Zuo Qiu? He had stayed by Ashima’s side for several years now, what was his purpose?
Princess Zhiyan tightly furrowed her brows!
She vaguely sensed that there was a heaven, defying scheme at Rouran City.
And Soren, it seemed, had inadvertently stumbled into it.
Though City Lord Ashima of Rouran was a dominant figure among the human kingdoms these past few decades, his weight was not sufficient to support such a heaven, defying scheme.
It required a fake Zuo Qiu to lurk by his side.
Logically speaking, Ashima’s weight was insufficient to support a fake Zuo Qiu.
“Thank you for telling me. I will keep my promise.” Princess Zhiyan said, “Take good care of yourself. I bid you farewell.”
Immediately after, her ears perked up, and she said in a low voice, “Someone is coming.”
After quite a while, footsteps finally sounded outside, along with Prince Ji Min’s timid voice, “Um, Zhi Ning… you, could you just let me take one look?”
Zhi Ning frowned and said, “You’ve gained a whole circle of fat, and your belly is big too. What’s there to see?”
Ji Min said, “I inquired about it. You were not willing, you were raped by that Soren. So you are not at fault, and you have not betrayed our relationship. Rest assured, I will certainly avenge you. I am begging grandmother, begging father, begging mother, begging them to let me marry you. Rest assured, after your child is born, I will treat it as my own.”
By the end, Ji Min’s voice seemed as if he were about to cry.
Zhi Ning speechlessly rolled her eyes.
Regarding this matter, she had already told Ji Min countless times.
On the surface she had been raped, but in reality she had been extremely willing. Had he ever seen a raped woman climb on top of the man instead? And peak in trembling ecstasy seven or eight times over several hours?
But it was useless. This idiot Ji Min was completely immersed in his own world. He deeply believed that Zhi Ning had been forced, that she was the victim, and because of low self, esteem, repeatedly rejected his love.
“Scram…” In the end, all of Zhi Ning’s helplessness transformed into a great shout.
Princess Zhiyan was also startled!
Zhi Ning’s voice was normally so delicate and soft. Such a crude shout sounded completely like something a two, hundred, jin middle, aged robust woman would produce.
“I will not give up. I will come again.” Ji Min said bravely, then left.
Zhi Ning lowered her head speechlessly and said, “Completely impossible to communicate with this monkey.”
Monkey was Ji Min’s nickname, given by Zhi Ning.
Because he was often bouncing about energetically, and easily startled.
Zhiyan said, “But he truly loves you.”
Zhi Ning stuck out her tongue, making a vomiting expression, then asked, “Have you and Soren slept together?”
Hearing this question, Zhiyan was startled, and shook her head.
“Why not, didn’t you let him?” Zhi Ning asked.
“He wouldn’t.” Zhiyan said.
Zhi Ning asked, “Then do you like him?”
“I do.” Zhiyan said.
Zhi Ning shook her head and said, “Zhiyan, stop pretending. You will not fall in love with anyone. You are born lacking in emotion. No matter how hard you try, you cannot become an ordinary woman, you woman who doesn’t even have menstruation.”
Zhi Ning’s words were truly vicious.
Zhiyan said, “I have it now.”
Zhi Ning was startled, then shook her head and said, “Then you still cannot become a true woman. In your mind, there has never been emotion from beginning to end. I grew up with you. No one in this world understands you better than I.”
Princess Zhiyan smiled noncommittally.
Zhi Ning continued, “You and Ji Xiuning are two extremes. You are utterly emotionless, while Ji Xiuning is utterly all, loving. But fundamentally you two are the same. In this lifetime, neither of you will truly have a man, nor will you love any man.”
“What about you?” Princess Zhiyan asked.
Zhi Ning lowered her head and said, “I have loved. There will be no more in the future, because I have concentrated all my love upon my future child.”
Princess Zhiyan said, “If in the future fate plays tricks, is there any possibility you could return to Soren’s side?”
Zhi Ning shook her head and said, “Impossible. He used my feelings, even used my child. This is unforgivable!”
“Farewell.” Zhiyan said, then her figure directly vanished before Zhi Ning’s eyes.
…
Within Luanyang City.
In the room, there were only Tu Lingduo and Zhili.
“Your Highness, I beg you, I am unwilling to marry Tu Liyang.” Tu Lingduo, lying on the bed, pleaded bitterly.
Zhili said, “Tu Liyang does not despise your paralysis, does not despise your inability to bear children, and is willing to marry a bride paralysed in bed. This is something that moves heaven and earth.”
Tu Lingduo said, “But, but I can stand up, and I can bear children. When Yan Mo threw me down then, it was only a fracture of my leg bones. I did not want to marry Tu Liyang, so I gritted my teeth and had someone break my spine. My nerves are intact. Once these fractures heal, I can stand up, I can be perfectly fine.”
Zhili’s eyes narrowed.
This woman, she is truly ruthless to herself. In order not to marry Tu Liyang, she would inflict such cruelty upon herself.
Zhili said, “You do not wish to marry Tu Liyang. Who do you wish to marry?”
Tu Lingduo said, “I will marry no one. I will take a husband into the Tu Ling family.”
Zhili said, “You wish to become the master of the Tu Ling family?”
Tu Lingduo’s gaze dodged and she said, “I do not think that.”
Zhili said, “But, the future master of the Tu Ling family is Tu Lingchen.”
Tu Lingduo said, “Your Highness, please believe me. Soren absolutely could not have released Tu Lingchen so easily. He must have done something to him. I understand that demon Soren too well. Tu Lingchen already has problems. He is no longer suitable to become the heir of the Tu Ling family.”
Zhili said, “What problems does Tu Lingchen have?”
Tu Lingduo said, “I do not yet know, but once my body recovers, I will certainly find out. As long as you support me, I… I can become your secret lover in the future. After taking a puppet husband into the family, the son I bear with you can become the future master of the Tu Ling family. My body is fine, I can stand up, and I can bear children and raise daughters.”
Zhili’s gaze contracted. Looking at Tu Lingduo’s beautiful face, he vaguely felt as if he were seeing a venomous snake flicking its tongue.
“If I am not mistaken, the one you love should be Soren.” Zhili said.
Tu Lingduo said mockingly, “Love? That is merely the boring trick of foolish women like Gui Qinshao. Which clear, headed woman would place love in her eyes.”
Zhili said, “These words are not wrong.”
Tu Lingduo’s beautiful eyes flashed, and she said, “Your Highness, I have another lethal weapon to present to you.”
Zhili said, “Please speak.”
Tu Lingduo said, “Soren’s fiancee Yan Nail possesses evil energy that opposes the Divine Dragon! In Tianye City, I poisoned her with the Black Ice Manor’s lethal poison, but she destroyed the only antidote given by Tu Lingchen, and chose to let Soren save her. What did Soren use to save her?”
Zhili said, “The evil energy of anti, Divine Dragon faith that you speak of?”
Tu Lingduo said, “Yes, previously I had no evidence. But not long ago, Tu Lingchen told Yan Nail of his death, making her go mad wanting to perish together with him. Her body was stabbed many times by Tu Lingchen, which should have resulted in blood flowing freely and wounds crisscrossing. Yet merely moments later, the wounds actually healed and the blood actually stopped flowing. Without doubt, this is the evil energy of anti, Divine Dragon faith.”
Zhili’s gaze turned cold and he said, “Why did Tu Lingchen not tell me of this matter?”
Tu Lingduo said, “Because he still has lingering feelings for Yan Nail, so in this matter he betrayed his loyalty to you.”
Zhili’s face twitched repeatedly.
Tu Lingduo said, “You go find Fang Qingshu, have him bring the Divine Dragon Temple’s punishers to capture Yan Nail and take her to the Tribunal, and use any means necessary to investigate thoroughly. If this evil energy was given by Soren, then Soren will also be directly dragged into it, and directly executed by the Divine Dragon Temple!”
Zhili’s gaze blazed brilliantly.
During this period, because the King was already on his last breath, in imminent peril, he was unwilling to create complications, so he temporarily ceased hostilities with Soren, only waiting for the King to breathe his last so he could directly succeed to the throne.
But if he could strike a fatal blow and kill Soren, he would not mind.
“You are certain?” Zhili asked.
“I am certain.” Tu Lingduo smiled.
Zhili reached out and pinched her chin, saying, “Your suggestion, I can consider favourably.”
“At your command, my King.” Tu Lingduo smiled charmingly, “At that time, Yan Nail need not be executed. Whether you use her yourself, or gift her to Prince Ashiluo, she would be an absolutely superb item.”
…
Three days later!
At the Divine Dragon Temple Tribunal of Zhi Capital, Fang Qingshu led five Tribunal adjudicators, riding Temple black horses, in an unprecedented formation, heading towards Tianshui City.
The last time they captured Yan Nail and Soren, they had only dispatched two adjudicators. This time, they had dispatched no less than five.
Following closely behind were also several hundred Temple warriors.
In a grand and mighty procession, they headed towards Tianshui City.
This time, Fang Qingshu was determined to capture Soren and Yan Nail in one fell swoop.
And at the same time, Princess Zhiyan in the royal capital Zhi Capital, released dozens of flying falcons, sending secret letters to Tianshui City, and to Rouran City!
And at this time, Ashiluo had already passed through the royal capital Zhi Capital, heading towards Luanyang City.
…
Even more simultaneously, Zuo Qiu, who was one of this world’s top secrets, actually left Ashima’s relic castle, heading towards Rouran City!
A heaven, shaking scheme, violently unfolding!