Chapter 556: Appeasement

Although it was late at night, the depths of the Imperial Palace were filled with wind and clouds.

No one would have thought that at this time, the Emperor in the Yongchang Palace would suddenly issue a decree to stop the morning court for three days, have officials stay at home, and even forbid them from leaving the capital without a decree. Moreover, at this moment, the Emperor also summoned all the Embroidered Uniform Guards. The appearance of these two actions made everyone smell the scent of a coming storm.

But no one could guess what it was for.

Only King Xin understood a little in his heart.

"King Xin, His Majesty has an order for you to enter the Yongchang Palace to see the Emperor."

The Golden-Eyed Guard Wang Ning appeared on the steps again, staring at King Xin with her pale golden eyes, her face expressionless.

"This son obeys the order."

King Xin shivered, then responded, and only then did he slowly stand up from the ground.

He felt his hands and feet were cold, his body floating, as if his soul were about to drift away.

Looking at the brightly lit Yongchang Palace, King Xin's expression changed. He felt that if he walked in today, he would likely not be able to come out. Perhaps he would be executed on the spot for the crime of patricide and rebellion after stepping into the Yongchang Palace, or perhaps he would be given a cup of poisonous wine and die on the spot, or perhaps he would disappear without a trace, and from then on, there wouldn't be a single trace of King Xin in the world?

"King Xin, don't delay the time." The Golden-Eyed Guard Wang Ning reminded him in a low voice.

King Xin suddenly came to his senses, took a deep breath, and said: "This King's heart and mind were lost just now. Apologies."

He couldn't care about wild thoughts anymore and immediately stepped onto these white marble steps.

At this moment, King Xin felt that these white marble steps didn't seem that long, and were even a bit short. If he could keep walking like this, perhaps it wouldn't be a bad thing. Why face such earth-shattering major events?

But as he walked, his pace became increasingly firm.

Perhaps he had resigned himself to fate, perhaps he knew he couldn't escape, so he became somewhat ready to die for his cause.

"King Xin, please follow me."

The Golden-Eyed Guard Wang Ning gestured and led King Xin toward the great palace.

"Yongchang Palace."

King Xin looked up slightly at this great palace. He remembered that this palace was built under his supervision when he was a Prince.

And the two characters 'Yongchang' were taken from the meaning of 'Received from Heaven, May You Live Forever and Prosper'.

Arriving at the entrance of the great palace, King Xin was stopped by two other Golden-Eyed Guards. He also knew the reason, raised his hands, and let the Golden-Eyed Guards search his body to ensure there were no hidden weapons, poisons, or even unknown accessories... Even if he were a Prince, it was no exception.

After the search, King Xin was allowed to pass.

As the two stepped into the great palace.

Inside the bright and empty palace, the clear footsteps of the two echoed on the gold bricks. Looking left and right, he saw sandalwood smoke curling, relief carvings of auspicious beasts, and a magnificent style. On the main seat, there was a high platform, on which was placed a dragon chair carved from gold. Beside the dragon chair lay a black-furred, gold-striped tiger.

That was a monster that had attained the Dao, titled Black Mountain Lord by the current Emperor, possessing extraordinary strength.

"This son greets the Imperial Father."

King Xin walked forward two steps, knelt down immediately, not daring to peek at the dragon chair on the high platform, paying close attention to his manners, and bowed.

"Rise, Rui'er." A low and powerful voice echoed in the great palace.

"Thank you, Imperial Father."

King Xin stood up at this moment. He glanced sideways, but only saw the Black Mountain Lord lying beside the dragon chair, and didn't see the father sitting on it.

At this moment, a man wearing black-gold robes, tall and burly, walked out slowly from the direction of the rear palace. Just by appearing, the surrounding air seemed to condense instantly. Imperial Qi filled the air, making people's hearts shrink involuntarily. Before seeing the person, one felt as if a true dragon was constantly approaching.

That kind of gap in life level was truly enough to make people tremble.

This feeling was exactly the same as that Daoist Tai Yi.

King Xin's heart tightened, and he couldn't help but take a few deep breaths, fearing he wouldn't be able to breathe and would faint directly.

"Rui'er, that letter, you saw it?" The current Emperor asked.

"This son saw it. I saw that Daoist write it with my own eyes. However, this son's knowledge is shallow, and I don't recognize the characters on it." King Xin felt his scalp tingling, but he still answered honestly.

"You saw that person?" The Emperor asked again.

King Xin replied: "I saw him."

"Tell me about it." The Emperor's voice softened slightly at this moment, and then his figure slowly walked toward the high platform.

King Xin thought for a moment and said: "Tonight at the Xu hour, this son was still hosting guests in the Yaoxing Tower in the Wang Mansion in Xinzhou City, wanting to imitate predecessors in seeking immortals and asking about the Dao. Halfway through the banquet, this son failed to seek the method, so I blurted out a poem that the Imperial Father had once chanted: 'How much sorrow can one have? Just like a river of spring water flowing east.' As soon as the sentence was finished, a Daoist suddenly appeared outside the window of the Yaoxing Tower."

"That Daoist called himself Tai Yi, stepped on a red auspicious cloud, like an immortal..."

He didn't hide anything and told everything he had seen and heard today one by one.

At this moment, the Emperor sitting on the dragon chair looked calm, listening quietly to King Xin's narration without interrupting.

Soon.

King Xin finished speaking about this matter, and then he didn't speak anymore, just standing in place, bowing his head slightly, not moving at all.

"So, is that Daoist Tai Yi in the capital now?" After a long while, the Emperor spoke.

"Returning to the Imperial Father, Daoist Tai Yi is in the capital." King Xin said. "Where are the Embroidered Uniform Guards?" Suddenly, the Emperor shouted.

Immediately.

Outside the great palace, Embroidered Uniform Guards appeared abruptly. They held the precious swords at their waists and knelt on one knee, all silent, waiting only for the Emperor's order.

"Is there any news about Daoist Tai Yi?" The Emperor inquired.

"Returning to Your Majesty, the subordinate received a secret report from Thousand-Household Liu Liu Lingyun of the capital's Embroidered Uniform Guards. Daoist Tai Yi is on a flower boat on Xiang Lake." The Embroidered Uniform Guard who spoke was one of the Commanders of the Embroidered Uniform Guards, named Lu Bin. He was a sturdy middle-aged man. Although his appearance was ordinary, his eyes were like torches, glowing brightly in the night.

He said: "Find Daoist Tai Yi and invite him into the Imperial Palace. I want to see him. Lu Bin, you go personally. I permit you to walk the Imperial Road."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Commander Lu Bin took the order, then led a team of Embroidered Uniform Guards and left rapidly.

Their figures were fast, more agile than leopards. In just a moment, they had disappeared without a trace, their figures seemingly thoroughly blending into the darkness. Before long, they had left the Imperial Palace, and horses had been prepared. When they appeared, they had already mounted the horses, followed the Imperial Road, and headed straight for the capital.

"Listen clearly, His Majesty wants to invite Daoist Tai Yi into the palace. Be clever and don't mess up the errand. In addition, remember that Daoist Tai Yi's strength is extremely terrifying. The Thousand-Households who were responsible for watching him before didn't even have a chance to take action and were all injured. You should weigh your own weight." Commander Lu Bin shouted in a low voice, then charged out on horseback. Although he lowered his voice, the Embroidered Uniform Guards were all sharp-eared and sharp-eyed, and they immediately understood.

【Note: Repetitive filler phrase.】

The Embroidered Uniform Guards followed immediately.

They were permitted by imperial power to charge straight down the Imperial Road.

Just by appearing, they shocked many people.

There had never been a precedent of Embroidered Uniform Guards walking the Imperial Road, because the Embroidered Uniform Guards were secret guards, usually acting secretly, and rarely acted with such great fanfare.

And as the Embroidered Uniform Guards left.

Inside the Yongchang Palace.

The Emperor stared fixedly at King Xin, and he opened his mouth coldly at this moment: "Rui'er, you must still be hiding something from your Imperial Father. That Daoist Tai Yi will be entering the Imperial Palace soon. Do you intend to say it now, or say it later?"

As soon as these words were spoken, King Xin felt his heart jump with fear. He gritted his teeth and knelt down: "Imperial Father, Daoist Tai Yi once said that he is not a person of this world, and asserted that the author of 'Yu Meiren' is also the same. This son feels that this Daoist is spreading rumors to shake the foundation of the country. This son risks death to remonstrate, hoping that the Imperial Father will exterminate this demonic Daoist to prevent accidents."

As he spoke, he kowtowed heavily to the ground.

This was the only way he could think of: kill Daoist Tai Yi, and then treat it as if this matter had never happened, everything like yesterday.

King Xin had already prepared to be killed on the spot after saying this. But even if he died, he couldn't be a confused ghost. At least he had to determine whether this matter was true or false.

However, the Emperor on the dragon chair didn't get angry, remaining calm, and only said slowly: "That Daoist Tai Yi is right. He is not a person of this world, but a cultivator who crossed worlds. That is why he has the ability to ride the clouds and mist, and the technique to call the wind and summon the rain. However, this matter is nothing. For thousands of years, through various dynasties, talented people have emerged one after another. It's hard to guarantee that some of them aren't cross-worlders."

"Imperial Father..." King Xin raised his head in shock, looking at the Emperor on the dragon chair.

His father's attitude exceeded his expectations. Not only was he very calm, but he also very casually acknowledged this matter.

At this moment, the Emperor walked down from the high platform slowly, his golden vertical pupils staring into the distance like dragon eyes: "Rui'er, I know what you are fearing in your heart, and I know you have many complaints. When I first ascended the throne, you were a Prince not yet of age, and I titled you King Xin, sending you far away from the capital. Do you know why?"

"This son does not know." King Xin shivered slightly and replied.

He said: "How many gods do you think there are in this world?"

King Xin said: "Villages have land gods, mountains have mountain gods, rivers have river lords, clans have ancestral halls... The incense fire gods of the world are as numerous as ox hair. Some are appointed by the imperial court, some are wild monsters who built their own temples, but more are left over from past dynasties. Some can still be managed, while others have occupied mountains and become kings, making them hard to manage."

"Not bad. You have such insight, and I am very gratified."

The Emperor stood with his hands behind his back, his dragon eyes like torches, as if patrolling the world: "There are indeed too many incense fire gods. Rui'er, do you think this world is my world, or the world of the incense fire gods? Can my decree truly mobilize the ghosts and gods of the world? The Four Nation-Protecting Divine Generals have experienced twelve dynasties. Do you think they put me in their eyes? In my opinion, there are too many gods and ghosts in this world. It is time for a change. Breaking mountains and destroying temples starts today."

Instantly, King Xin broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing this. Only the Imperial Father dared to say such things. Among the Marquises of the world, who dared to discuss such matters?

One must know that three feet above one's head, there are gods.

If this were spread out, I fear that gods would enter his dreams at night to detain his soul.

"Rui'er, you are my bloodline, extremely clever. What I am doing in this life, if it fails, will definitely be liquidated. Titling you King Xin and letting you stay far away from the capital is the only way I could think of to preserve you." He sighed faintly, then looked at King Xin.

"If I didn't have such earth-shattering ambitions, what a good father and son we would be. Why would we be suspicious of each other today? Rui'er, do you know why I titled you King Xin?"

"This son does not know." At this moment, King Xin was already in tears, sobbing secretly.

He said: "One who can keep his word is 'Xin' (Trust)."

"Imperial Father."

King Xin couldn't hold back anymore, knelt down, and wailed.

He felt that he had misunderstood his father. His father didn't value him less, but had planned far ahead, wanting to compete with the incense fire gods for the world, fearing he would be implicated, so he sent him away from the capital.

Not only did he not understand, but he also indulged in pleasure every day, sought immortals and asked about the Dao, and gave up on himself. He was truly stupid.

The Emperor walked to his side and patted his shoulder: "The Crown Prince is sickly; you should encourage him."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 557 =====

(End of chapter)