Chapter 227: Everyone Gathers

In the stillness of the night, Chen Yi He lay on his back with his hands behind his head. Because of last night's sudden incident, he was fortunate to rest a day, fortunate to enjoy this leisurely day, and at the same time he pondered many things.

It turned out death was only a step away from him, in what he thought was the safest place. The enemy came silently, left silently, gained nothing, and it was purely accidental.

Chen Yi He ultimately asked nothing of the King of Loulan here, not even offering to lend his body a few more times. In fact, he had no say over the possession of his body, for the King of Loulan would take what he wanted without needing to ask his opinion.

Over the past two months, Chen Yi He not only practiced the Classic of Longevity but also studied the martial arts classics of various schools, synthesizing the essence of a hundred schools to improve his own self‑created sword technique. As for the name of this sword style, he had not yet decided what to call it. Yet its power is beyond doubt—it could even defeat a Dragon King in that state!

Chen Yi He did not know whether, in the remaining month, he could break through to the level of the Sevenfold Heaven; since he was the key, he had to play a key role.

"Cultivate the Classic of Longevity well—what exactly is so extraordinary about it?" Chen Yi He pondered the King of Loulan's words in his heart.

Chen Yi He felt embarrassed; given that the King of Loulan resided inside his body, could he even go to the bathroom or think anything without the King knowing?

……

The sound of hooves shattered the silent night; to the ears, it was like a meteor streaking through the darkness, piercing every eardrum.

"Giddy‑up!"

"Giddy‑up giddy‑up giddy‑up!"

"Whoa!"

"Whoa…" two groups came from opposite directions and met outside the capital's city walls.

"Long time no see!" Yan Shan Hai clasped his fist toward the opposite side, while Linghu Leng beside him also performed a salute.

"Long time no see!" Duan Sheng also returned the salute with clasped fists; the person beside him was the Western Desert Sword Devil. He sighed, "I never thought we'd meet again!" Actually such sentiment should have come from Yan Shan Hai's mouth, for they had truly endured hardships, whereas Duan Sheng and the Western Desert Sword Devil had merely gone on a journey.

"Indeed!"

"Where are the tiger and leopard?" Duan Sheng only then noticed that one person was missing from Yan Shan Hai's side.

Yan Shan Hai shook his head and let out a deep sigh, "Ah…"

Duan Sheng noticed that after just over a month apart, Yan Shan Hai's hair had turned completely white.

"He sacrificed himself to save us." Yan Shan Hai said in a low voice.

"What a pity."

"This isn't the place to talk; let's hurry to the Sutra Pavilion and explain in detail later." The Western Desert Sword Devil urged the other three.

For some reason, these four felt the night wind unusually chilly, even a hint of cold yin; for cultivators of their level, they should not be affected by external winds.

"Let's go!"

The people in the Sutra Pavilion, hearing the commotion, rushed downstairs to await the return of Yan Shan Hai, Linghu Leng, Duan Sheng, and the Western Desert Sword Devil.

Chen Yi He broke free of his thoughts, rose from the bed, and stood downstairs.

"It's been a long time, I've missed you dearly!" The Imperial Elder Ancestor personally came out to receive them, his presence absolutely imposing.

"Everyone, are you all well?" Yan Shan Hai urgently swept his gaze over the crowd, fearful someone was missing; upon seeing no one absent, he relaxed and said, "All present, very good, very good!"

Upon seeing Shangguan Yunyi, Yan Shan Hai's fluttering heart steadied a third: "The Sword King is here too—looks like you've done a great job!" These words were meant for Duan Sheng and the Western Desert Sword Devil, saying their mission had been completed successfully.

"Where are the tiger and leopard?" Seeing a familiar figure missing from the crowd, Chen Yi He asked directly.

Yan Shan Hai fell silent, as if choosing his words.

"Let's talk inside; I'll prepare tea!" Nun Shang Rong, hoping to ease the atmosphere, hurriedly gestured for the returnees to enter the Sutra Pavilion.

Thus everyone sat in a circle.

Chen Yi He, Shangguan Yunyi, the Imperial Elder Ancestor, Yan Shan Hai, Great Master Le Bei, Zhou Ke, Linghu Shang, Duan Sheng, the Western Desert Sword Devil, Hong Liang, Ye Wuming, Situ Qing, and Nun Shang Rong—thirteen in all—sat at a large square table, three on each side. Nun Shang Rong stood to one side, not because her strength or status was lacking, but because she felt weary from sitting too long.

Afterward, Yan Shan Hai briefly recounted their ordeal to everyone.

"Damn it, Zhang Huayu is practically trying to kick us when we're down—do we dying benefit him in any way?" Hong Liang slammed the table, furious.

Great Master Le Bei said to Yan Shan Hai, "Damn it, they've really moved against you!"

"How?"

"He sent Lei Bai with the Embroidered Uniform Guard to attack the Shaolin Temple; if it weren't for my monastic brother's intervention, we might have perished as well." Great Master Le Bei said.

"This eunuch! Is he trying to make us all die with him?" Duan Sheng, hearing Yan Shan Hai and Great Master Le Bei, flared with anger; while they strove to secure opportunities for all people, Eunuch Zhang kept stirring trouble.

"Is he not afraid of death?" Chen Yi He suddenly asked the crowd.

"Exactly, he doesn't fear death—I see no sign of fear in him at all!" the Western Desert Sword Devil also said.

"Everything has its oddities; someone like Zhang Huayu, who has struggled to gain status and power, wouldn't just watch himself die." The Imperial Elder Ancestor said, "Unless he already has a way to contend with Heavenly Dao, or can preserve his own life!"

"Regardless, we have already persuaded Dongfang Wuji." Yan Shan Hai announced his achievement: "He is a man of many schemes, but now gravely wounded, he shouldn't be able to pull any tricks."

"Our lineup has finally been strengthened; from now on it's up to you—we can only cheer you on." Nun Shang Rong, standing aside, said.

"Dongfang Wuji's strength should be enough to face one of Heavenly Dao's individuals; even without Zhang Huayu, we ought to have a fighting chance!" Hong Liang said, "Indeed, then it's up to you."

"Dongfang Wuji…" the Imperial Elder Ancestor murmured, "Dongfang Wuji… Zhang Huayu…"

"Do you think Zhang Huayu might have some plot, from the time he summoned us to attack the Dongfang Clan?" Hong Liang asked the crowd.

"It seems the most urgent matter now is to find Zhang Huayu!" Chen Yi He looked toward Zhou Ke.

Zhou Ke shook his head and said, "The elite troops of the Prince's mansion have all been dispatched; I, the Prince, have been monitoring closely, but there is no news whatsoever."

"Where on earth is he hiding!" Chen Yi He exclaimed angrily, feeling that they were like a bunch of fools being played around by Eunuch Zhang.