Chapter 1846: His Majesty (II)

Yang Ruiyi appeared entirely unconcerned. He simply smiled at Lin Chensheng. "You have emerged from seclusion just when I need you… I must trouble you to make a journey north."

Lin Chensheng nodded. Yang Ruiyi drew him aside and exchanged a few quiet words with him. Then, he produced a pitch-black command token and placed it in Lin Chengsheng’s hand before seeing the three of them out.

As though something had only just occurred to him, the Grand General asked casually, "There is a Master Dingyang in Lacquer Marsh who has close ties to your Dao lineage…"

Lin Chensheng hastily replied, "Those ties were forged by our predecessors, and so much time has passed… I should return and make some inquiries. It would be best to meet him."

Yang Ruiyi nodded with a smile and watched the three depart. Only then did his smile fade. He turned and made his way deeper into the palace.

The interior of the palace was devoid of any human warmth, with a bitter cold and faint shadows cast across the floor. Yang Ruiyi knelt humbly and paid his respects softly. "Your majesty, someone from Xiukui Dao has arrived."

The Emperor of Great Song stood in the hall, holding a bronze hairpin that was almost eight centimeters long as he quietly teased the bird in the cage before him.

After a long while, he said, "Houfu had integrity."

The Great Xiukui Temple's allegiance seemed to bring the emperor little joy. Instead, Daoist Master Houfu's death had stirred something within him, bringing another man to mind.

"Is Ling Mei attempting to cross the Purple Mansion Threshold?"

Yang Ruiyi's expression grew somber. He nodded. "Yes… He has been at it for some time. What happened back then spurred him on as well. In truth… had the Cheng Family not kept holding him back and withholding that Fate Divine Ability, someone of his talent should already have crossed the Purple Mansion Threshold."

The Song Emperor offered no comment, asking instead, "What he cultivates now is…"

Yang Ruiyi replied, "He originally cultivated Dui Metal. Without its Fate Divine Ability, [Position Follows Trust], he naturally sought to make up for it with Geng Metal, using [The Present Displaces the Past]. Dui Metal is already inclined toward shifts, so this is hardly an inferior choice."

Yang Zhuo took a step forward, his thoughts already elsewhere, and said evenly, "The Cheng Family has no further use for him, so they are letting him cultivate. The present course of the world accords precisely with his Fate Divine Ability. He will most likely succeed. Once he crosses the Purple Mansion Threshold, changes will come to the old capital."

The Cheng Family's territory had once been the capital of Yue State, hence the emperor's choice of words. Beside him, Yang Ruiyi nodded and replied, "His fate also accords with his divine ability. I will certainly seize this opportunity…"

Before he could finish, the Song Emperor interrupted him with a gesture, his expression stern. "Ling Mei is an heir to Sword Gate. Great Song will not disturb him. But does the Cheng Family deserve to call itself Sword Gate? For Ling Mei's sake, we will spare them some dignity for now. Once this matter is settled, Wanyu Sword Gate must also obey Song's commands."

Yang Ruiyi hastily nodded. "That Daoist Master of the Cheng Family has always claimed both the prestige and the benefits. When there are gains to share, he emerges from seclusion. When responsibility must be borne, he withdraws from the world… With Cheng Gao dead, there is no one left to step forward…"

Yang Zhuo glanced at him. Yang Ruiyi immediately fell silent and stood beside him without another word.

Clink…

As Yang Zhuo tapped the hairpin against the cage, clear metallic clinks echoed through the hall. The bird in the cage awakened and stared sleepily at the bronze hairpin in his hand.

Hurried footsteps soon sounded, and several people entered the hall. A little boy came trotting in and bowed before him, calling in a childish voice, "Father!"

Only at that call did a trace of warmth enter Yang Zhuo's cold, inhuman eyes. He looked down at the boy and smiled. "Jiao'er."

The boy was his third son, Yang Jiao. The cold imperial palace seemed to warm at once, gaining a touch of life. Even Yang Ruiyi smiled, watching the boy with fond satisfaction.

Yang Zhuo's harem was small, and Yang Jiao was his only child born after he became emperor. Though still young, the boy was exceptionally bright!

But Yang Ruiyi knew more. The prince was now studying the ancient Dao inheritance [Grand Rite Profound Truth Art]. He had embarked upon the [Spiritual Cultivation Dao], rather than the [Purple Mansion and Golden Core Dao]!

Moreover, Yang Jiao's talent was so extraordinary that it had once caused a stir in the Underworld…

If True Essence attains the Dao… this prince will have more than a brilliant future. Even a Surplus Position may be within reach!

That changed the significance entirely. Even the Underworld's judiciary would certainly welcome another True Monarch!

To Yang Ruiyi, this third prince was more than a junior who could bring prosperity to the Yang Family. He might well become one of the great figures he would someday serve!

"Greetings, grand general!"

The prince paid his respects to both men, then happily took a stone bird from his sleeve. Holding it in his palm, he said, "Father, look!"

The little bird was carved with lifelike precision. Its two tail feathers, black claws, red eyes, and blue-green beak made it the very image of [Tanzhen][1], the caged bird beside Yang Zhuo!

"Well done."

The Song Emperor examined it in interest and offered his praise. Yet the little prince looked somewhat disappointed and said quietly, "But it cannot move like yours, father."

Yang Zhuo chuckled softly. With a light flick of his bronze hairpin, he opened the cage door, casually lifted out the spirit sparrow, and offered it to the child.

The spirit sparrow's eyes were bright and alert. It made no attempt to fly away, merely observing the little prince quietly.

Yang Jiao gazed at it with delight but did not take it. Clasping his hands, he replied, "But [Tanzhen] is your favorite, father…"

Yang Zhuo smiled and shook his head. He picked up the stone bird and gently breathed upon it.

At once, wings fluttered and a white shape flickered into motion. The bird, carved from ordinary jade, had actually come alive! It hopped about with lively movements, then settled its footing and stood quietly on his finger.

The Song Emperor placed the bird on his finger into the cage, then patted his son's shoulder and said, "Go and play!"

His eyes full of admiration, Yang Jiao thanked him and skipped away.

An entourage swept out with the prince, leaving Yang Ruiyi staring with slightly widened eyes.

[Tanzhen] was a congratulatory gift the Underworld's judiciary had found for Yang Zhuo. It was rare and precious, with exceptional qualities of its own. Small as it appeared inside its cage, an ordinary Purple Mansion Realm cultivator would struggle to subdue it if it emerged and manifested its true form. It also belonged to the True Essence Dao, which excelled above all at exposing disguises and falsehood!

Yet the man before him had brought about this transformation with a mere breath. The suppressed divine ability and the surging great void both proclaimed that the bird now in the cage was real!

How far have his majesty's mystics advanced… A reincarnation of Tianwu Metallic Essence brought about through the efforts of the entire Underworld… He truly stands far above those children of destiny…

He remained silent for a long time. At last, someone approached before the hall and bowed. "Your majesty… the King of Wei has arrived at the Orthodox Nature Palace!"

1. Spirit beast of the True Essence Dao. ☜