Chapter 66: Come Die, Has the Emperor Died on Zhongnan Mountain?

Tonight’s events are over; you don’t need to show up for the fasting ceremony in three days. After that, you may begin your focused cultivation.

Your will is firm, but the Dao path is not achieved in a single day—it requires unwavering persistence.

As you prepared to return to your cultivation site, you made your decision…

1. Return to the Living Dead Tomb.

2. Stay where you are.

3. Climb the mountain.

As the light curtain on the cauldron flowed, it projected three choices.

Yu Ke was momentarily stunned—returning to cultivation had triggered an option.

Every choice has been critical; every time he recalled them, they came at pivotal moments.

This time, returning to cultivation triggered an option.

Could there be danger?

Yu Ke remembered Tuoba Hongyan’s warning: “Walk off Zhongnan Mountain alive!”

Could a Grand Master truly be hiding on Zhongnan Mountain?

In this world, a Grand Master is a transcendent being!

“Damn, killers have come to my door.”

Yu Ke stared at the three options, silently pondering.

1. Return to the Living Dead Tomb.

If it truly relates to him, the Living Dead Tomb is where he often stays—it might have become the “crime scene.”

Damn!

First option eliminated.

2. Stay where you are.

It seems like a good option, but carries hidden risks.

After all, he is alone now.

3. Climb the mountain.

The summit of Zhongnan Mountain is currently the safest place—heavily guarded by troops and protected by several True Persons, including his master Liu Jinchan.

But it is also more dangerous.

“The safest place is also the most dangerous.”

If a Grand Master climbed the mountain, it wasn’t for Lu Chen—it must be for the Emperor of Daqing.

Risk is fifty-fifty.

The second and third options left him torn.

Yu Ke ultimately decided: choose 3. Climb the mountain.

Both options carried similar risks, but the third offered an escape route.

Staying put, with Lu Chen’s current skill, against an unknown Grand Master…

Would mean certain death.

As you made your choice…

【You began climbing the mountain, taking in the rare moonlight along the way.】

…

…

In the Daoist pavilion atop the mountain.

Huang Dao struggled weakly to rise, his Confucian robe soaked in splotches of blood, horrifying to behold.

He stared at Xie Mu!

A faint, forced smile tugged at his lips—but as he opened his mouth, bright red blood spilled out, terrifying to see.

“You’ve saved me again!”

Xie Mu heard this and felt numb all over.

He sighed inwardly: this ghost won’t leave him alone!

Ma Bao’s face was filled with fury and resentment.

He had been just one step away from eliminating Huang Dao, this thorn in his side.

Now, all his efforts had been undone.

Huang Dao’s gaze sharpened as he fixed it on Ma Bao, extending one finger. Thin strands of spiritual energy curled around its tip, like tiny silver snakes writhing.

He spoke slowly, his voice weak yet absolute: “Where is the Emperor?”

“I ask only once.”

The spiritual energy in Huang Dao’s hand gathered thicker.

Ma Bao said nothing, sneered, and closed his eyes.

Seeing this, Xie Mu quickly spoke: “Spare him. He… is a man of loyalty and righteousness.”

Huang Dao turned his gaze to Xie Mu.

Xie Mu’s heart tightened; he dared not look again.

“Fine. I’ll spare his life. Help me over there—I’ll find him myself.”

Ma Bao’s eyes widened in panic—without Lu Yu, no one on Zhongnan Mountain could stop Huang Dao.

Xie Mu sighed, helplessly supporting the frail Huang Dao.

He was curious, though.

Why was this demon so obsessed with killing the Emperor?

But now, Xie Mu had no time for such thoughts!

He had been swept into a colossal storm—and could not escape.

Damn it!

That night at the tavern, he should’ve found a few sweet little girls, chatted about poetry, wine, ideals, martial arts, and settled the matter in bed.

Then he wouldn’t have met Huang Dao.

…

…

A white-robed monk with a sinister aura in his brow.

He stepped through the moonlight, walking slowly toward the Living Dead Tomb on Zhongnan Mountain.

Ku Mu had inquired extensively—he knew Lu Chen often secluded himself here.

“Hmph. A decent place to live.”

His eyes were dark, hiding boundless rage and hatred.

Bao Shu was his only disciple, his sole living blood relative.

Bao Shu had come to aid Beifeng—and died without reason.

Back then!

Had he not sensed the revival of spiritual energy and rushed to break through his realm, he would’ve descended to avenge his disciple.

Allowing Lu Chen to roam free for ten years.

Too lenient by far.

Too bad!

Daqing and Beifeng were far apart, and Lu Chen’s reputation was great.

Otherwise, Ku Mu would’ve taken him back to Great Snow Mountain, locked him up, and let his male-loving disciples torment him endlessly—neither life nor death within reach, like a pig or dog.

Ku Mu was merely puzzled.

His disciple had been a True Person—how could he have died so inexplicably?

But!

Though True Persons were strong, they could not stand against ten thousand soldiers.

A True Person was no match for three hundred armored troops.

On the battlefield of a great war, even a Grand Master could not alter the outcome.

When two armies lined up, even a Grand Master would be worn down and killed.

Unless one surpassed the Grand Master and opened the Gate of Primordial Nature.

Ku Mu couldn’t help thinking of the mysterious Demon Master Huang Dao he had just encountered.

This Demon Master was enigmatic, erratic, and impossible to predict.

He felt certain Huang Dao had come to slay the Dragon for some hidden, unspeakable purpose.

He needed to resolve Lu Chen quickly, then ascend the summit to investigate.

Just then!

A whistling wind tore through the air from behind, interrupting his thoughts.

Ku Mu turned.

He saw!

A figure hurtled toward him at an incomprehensible speed.

Seeing this, Ku Mu’s eyes narrowed.

The man wore a Daoist robe, clearly a priest of the Three Truths Sect.

And this aura!

“Master of the Grand Cultivation realm.”

When did Masters of the Grand Cultivation realm become so common? Tonight, Mount Zhongnan has seen two.

Clearly, this man came with ill intent.

“No, how is this possible!”

Ku Mu exclaimed in shock—how could it be so fast!

That shadow seemed to have noticed him and suddenly accelerated further.

It had already left a straight, brilliant white trail.

In three or four breaths, the shadow was within arm’s reach.

Ku Mu felt a gale blast against his face; the Daoist’s robe billowed in the wind, his beard and hair flying.

A pair of fists grew larger in his vision.

A roar echoed at his ear: “Die!”

…

…

【You are walking toward the mountain summit when you encounter your master, Liu Jinchan.】

【His face radiated joy, clearly because His Majesty had personally come to Mount Zhongnan, and he was the sole attendant.】

【His Majesty praised him highly and promised to build a Three Truths Sect temple in the capital, with all expenses covered by the imperial treasury.】

【Spreading the teachings of the Three Ones was his lifelong dream.】

【His Majesty now needed rest, accompanied by concubines from the inner palace; Liu Jinchan descended from the summit.】

【Over these past years, as the Three Truths Sect flourished, he often wondered if the Ancestors had manifested their spirit—he smiled constantly.】

【When Liu Jinchan looked at you, a flicker of confusion passed through his eyes—given your nature, you should have long returned to the Living Dead Tomb to continue your cultivation.】

【You told Liu Jinchan your suspicion: a Master of the Grand Cultivation realm might be on Mount Zhongnan tonight, and peace would not be found.】

【Upon hearing this, Liu Jinchan’s expression turned grim.】

【If His Majesty dies on Mount Zhongnan, disaster will follow!】

【Considering only Lu Yu is currently a Master of the Grand Cultivation realm on the mountain, my master and I decided to immediately seek him out.】

【You suspect Lu Yu may be in the Living Dead Tomb.】

【When the mountain grows too lively, Lu Yu retreats to the tomb for solitude.】

【Tonight, Mount Zhongnan is unusually bustling.】

(End of Chapter)