Chapter 437: Unfathomable Place

~18 min read 3,542 words

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.

It was the day of the Empress's birthday celebration.

As the Eternal Count, Luosen's family rode in a hovercar of utmost luxury and precision, drifting along Yueliangcheng's Silver Moon Avenue all the way to the Eternal Palace at the avenue's end.

That day's Silver Moon Avenue was extremely bustling, with thousands of Eternal Nobles all coming to attend the Empress's birthday celebration.

Adding the trusted retainers who followed the nobles to the banquet, celebrities from all sectors of the city, and ordinary civilians lining the avenue to join the fun, Silver Moon Avenue was nearly blocked solid, as if the entire population of Yueliangcheng had shown up.

Fortunately, all hovercars were guided by Zhu Liye, so the avenue was not completely gridlocked; it merely moved forward at a very slow pace.

Luosen sat in the hovercar's main seat, his expression languid and indifferent, seeming unable to muster interest in anything: "The residents of Yueliangcheng are still too many; their chatter gives me a headache."

This appearance was no different from his usual countenance as Count; the family in the car sensed nothing amiss.

The Countess smiled and said, "Dear, it's lively because there are many people; otherwise it would be too desolate."

The only unmarried daughter, Patelisxia, leaned against the window, her gaze scanning the crowd outside with interest, and suddenly shouted:

"Father, Mother, quickly look over there—the Empress has come out of the palace~~ This is quite remarkable."

Luosen turned his gaze and saw a wide hoverplatform slowly rising from the direction of the palace, on which stood a 'giant' at least ten meters tall.

Looking closely, one could see that it was an intentionally magnified light-shadow, precisely the likeness of Empress Aigedelin.

Compared to the shy demeanor she once showed in the mortal realm, Empress Aigedelin now wore a robe of radiant imperial regalia, held the Eternal Sceptre, and bore a stern yet indifferent mien, as if she were a deity governing the fates of all life.

At a glance, Luosen's heart stirred slightly, giving rise to a notion he had overlooked due to preconception.

"Aigedelin is a 23-ring Eternal Powerhouse, already able to sense the existence of Source Essence; she is also Zhu Liye's highest authority holder and possesses many powerful True Divine Artifacts, including the astonishingly effective Truth Gem."

"If anyone in the Eternal Empire could obtain true divine power, the most likely would be a 23-ring Eternal Powerhouse, and the Eternal Empire has only three such Powerhouses in total, with the Empress being the highest-ranking among them."

"If we set aside her prior experiences in the mortal realm and rely solely on known information, this Eternal Empress seems the prime suspect behind the scenes."

But a problem then arose.

"But she is already Empress, an Eternal Powerhouse—what could she want to do that she cannot? It seems utterly unnecessary to destroy the Empire."

It gave the absurd feeling of an emperor rebelling to overthrow his own throne.

Unable to fathom it, I continued to hide in the shadows and observe.

At this moment, the Eternal Empress began a speech, her voice transmitted directly by Zhu Liye into the souls of every Yueliangcheng resident.

"Citizens of Yueliangcheng, today marks my 409th birthday anniversary; I am somewhat glad, for although the Empire has endured myriad trials, we still manage to live well."

"But I feel more sorrow."

"Under my rule, the Eternal Empire's glory has faded; the earth is scarred, and countless citizens wail amidst the ruins."

"I know many deliberately ignore the earth's devastation, only wishing to live well themselves. But I must say, without the earth's support, Yueliangcheng will surely one day fall from the sky."

"I believe that day will not be far off."

"With good luck, perhaps a thousand years later; with bad luck, possibly less than a hundred years."

"For the sake of our own fate and that of the Empire, we must make a change!"

Inside the hovercar, Luosen gave a 'cold' evaluation: "The Empress is again threatening the people with an impossible future."

Patelisxia whispered, "Father, what if the Empress is speaking the truth?"

Luosen gave a 'cold laugh': "Yueliangcheng's power consumption is extremely low, and the city stores enough Eternal Essence to sustain it for a million years. As long as we don't cause chaos, Yueliangcheng can remain afloat for at least five hundred thousand years."

"That's five hundred thousand years—who among us could see what happens after that? What relevance do events five hundred thousand years hence have to us?"

Patelisxia clearly disagreed, about to retort, but Luosen gave her a 'glare': "I know you youngsters love to meddle, but as long as I live, I will certainly manage you."

Patelisxia pouted and said nothing.

Meanwhile, the Empress's impromptu speech caused the citizens of Yueliangcheng to buzz with discussion.

Some agreed, some disagreed, some openly opposed, and some felt it was none of their business.

All manner of responses ensued.

The Empress did not stop her speech, continuing: "My people, some news has long been concealed; today I must announce it to you."

Having said that, the Empress's expression grew stern, her tone heavy and solemn.

Most of the listeners also pricked up their ears.

"We have always believed that life cannot possess power beyond the 23rd ring, nor can it enter the Solar Law Ring's capability; but today I say, that conclusion is wrong—wrong to an absurd degree!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's faces showed shock.

Patelisxia could not hold back again: "Father, what does this mean?"

Luosen gave a cold snort: "She's just playing at mysticism!"

The Empress's voice continued to be transmitted.

"You will surely ask why; certainly some will not believe my words, thinking I am lying."

"But I have already found much ironclad evidence; I have even personally contacted transcendent powerhouses beyond the 23rd ring."

As she spoke, the Empress suddenly raised her hand; light flickered before her palm, revealing an image whose protagonist was none other than Luosen walking in the mortal realm:

"Look at this person—Zhu Liye finds no imperial mark on him, indicating he is an outsider."

"At first glance, he seems to have nothing special."

"But I must tell you, when he is willing, Zhu Liye can see him."

"When he is unwilling—"

A flash of light in the image, Luosen vanished from sight, yet had slipped into an underground secret chamber.

"Zhu Liye, no matter how she searches, cannot find his presence." "We all know Zhu Liye constantly monitors every inch of imperial space without fail—whether it's ten-thousand-meter-deep underground or a million-li-high sky, nothing escapes her eyes."

"Now, she nevertheless cannot locate this living person's existence, which suffices to show that this person possesses power surpassing the 23rd ring."

This startled not only Patelisxia but even the Countess, who couldn't help but say, "Dear, the Empress seems to have truly discovered something extraordinary."

Luosen gave a 'forced' reply: "The image can be faked; this is easily done."

Upon hearing this, Patelisxia finally could not hold back.

Father, images can be faked, but a faked image cannot fool everyone.

Translation: "Father, images can be faked, but a faked image cannot possibly deceive everyone."

We need to keep quotes? The Chinese includes quotation marks 「」. We should keep them? The instruction: translate faithfully, keep punctuation? Usually we keep the quotation marks as they are part of the text. We'll keep the Chinese quotation marks? Better to convert to English quotes? The instruction didn't specify; but we should keep the same punctuation style? Usually we keep the original punctuation, but we are translating to English, so we should use English quotation marks. However, the Chinese uses 「」 which are Chinese quotation marks. In English translation, we would normally use "" or "". The instruction didn't say to convert, but to translate faithfully, we should convey the meaning, not necessarily keep the exact punctuation marks. However, they said "Never skip, summarise, or merge paragraphs. Preserve every paragraph break." They didn't mention punctuation. I think we can use English double quotes. We'll use double quotes.

Thus: "Father, images can be faked, but a faked image cannot possibly deceive everyone."

We need to output 【61】 then translation.

If you carefully examine the image presented by the Empress, you should know that it is absolutely the original image provided by Zhuliye, because there is no trace of any alteration.

If you carefully examine the image presented by the Empress, you should know that this is absolutely the original image provided by Zhuliye, because there is absolutely no trace of any alteration.

Translation: "Anyone who carefully examines the image presented by the Empress should know that this is absolutely the original image provided by Juliet, because there is no trace of any alteration to be found."

If you carefully examine the image presented by the Empress, you should know that this is absolutely the original image provided by Zhuliye, because there is absolutely no trace of any alteration.

Thus translation: "Anyone who carefully examines the image presented by the Empress should know that this is absolutely the original image provided by Zhuliye, because there is no trace of any alteration to be found."

Luosen (furiously): "Shut up!"

Thus: Luosen (furiously): "Shut up!"

I won't!

Patelixia pouted and argued: "Father, I just can't understand what's wrong with rebuilding the Empire? Don't you think this little Yueliangcheng is terribly dull and boring?"

Patelixia pouted and argued: "I don't believe it!"

Father, I just can't understand what's wrong with rebuilding the Empire? Don't you think this little Yueliangcheng is terribly dull and boring?

Thus full line: Patelixia pouted and argued: "Father, I just can't understand what's wrong with rebuilding the Empire? Don't you think this little Yueliangcheng is terribly dull and boring?"

Luosen then, following the Count's memory, suppressed his anger and growled low: "What do you know?"

Once the Empire revives, the Empress will seek to regain complete control over Zhuliye. Given what our family has done over the past three hundred years, the day control is restored will be the day our eternal title ends.

The Empress said to Zhuliye, "What are your thoughts on the Eternal title and the Empire?"

Thus: "Once the Empire revives, the Empress will surely find a way to regain complete control over Zhuliye. Given what our family has done over the past three hundred years, the day that control is restored will be the day our Eternal title ends."

By then, our whole family will die!

Translation: "By then, our whole family will die!"

Those words shocked the two women so much that their faces turned pale, and they couldn't speak for a long time.

Translation: "Those words shocked the two women so much their faces turned deathly pale, and they couldn't speak for a good while."

The two women looked at each other.

Luosen took a deep breath and said softly: "So, to keep the good days going, we must maintain the current state."

Translation: "Luosen took a deep breath and said softly: "So, to keep the present good days continuing, we must maintain the current state.""

While speaking, he overturned his previous speculation about the Empress in his mind.

Translation: "As he spoke, he overturned his earlier speculation about the Empress in his mind."

Because his gaze had penetrated the shielding of the Imperial Palace's outer wall, he saw the Empress's true form.

Translation: "Because his gaze had already penetrated the cover of the Imperial Palace's outer wall, he saw the Empress's true form."

He stood by the outer wall of the Imperial Palace.

Just as before when seen in the mortal realm, it was still only 23-ring magical power, and aside from carrying a large batch of naturally formed true divine artifacts on his person, no trace of power exceeding the 23rd ring was detected.

The detection showed only 23-ring magical power, with no trace of power exceeding the 23rd ring.

Thus: "Just as before when seen in the mortal realm, it was still only 23-ring magical power, and aside from carrying a large batch of naturally formed true divine artifacts on his person, no trace of power exceeding the 23rd ring was detected."

Of course, there is another possibility.

Translation: "Of course, there is another possibility."

That is, this Empress actually possesses a divine power level higher than my own, and her skill in controlling divine power far surpasses mine, and she uses these skills to perfectly conceal her true divine power.

We need to keep "divine power". Good.

This could also exist.

Translation: "This could also exist."

Because this anguished Empress commands vast resources of the Eternal Empire, she can also call upon the Empire's magical geniuses to serve her, and she made contact with a true god of another world several hundred years earlier than I did.

This anguished Empress is actually a magical genius of the Eternal Empire and a true god from another world.

Thus: "Because this anguished Empress commands vast resources of the Eternal Empire, she can also summon the Empire's magical geniuses to serve her, and she made contact with a true god from another world several hundred years earlier than I did."

Given the other party's peak magical talent that enabled them to reach the 23rd ring in just over 400 years, it is not impossible that they have secretly raised their own divine power to an inconceivable level.

Given the other party's peak magical talent that allowed them to advance to the 23rd ring in just over 400 years, it is not impossible that they have secretly raised their own divine power to an inconceivable level.

If this possibility actually occurs, then Aigedelin would be the strongest in this realm! Luosen outwardly still disguises himself as Eternal Count Gangtejin, but his mind never stops racing, quickly considering every possibility.

If this possibility truly comes to pass, then Aigedelin would be the strongest in this realm! Luosen outwardly still disguised himself as Eternal Count Gangtejin, but his mind never stopped racing, quickly turning over every possibility.

Just as he was thinking, the hovercar carrying the Count's family arrived before the Imperial Palace gate; a little further ahead, less than a hundred meters, and they would enter the Eternal Imperial Palace.

Looking at the supremely grand and luxurious Imperial Palace gate ahead, Luosen suddenly felt a vague sense of impending danger.

Translation: "Gazing at the magnificently extreme, luxuriously extreme Imperial Palace gate ahead, Luosen's heart suddenly produced a vague sense of impending danger."

It seemed that beyond that gate lay not endless splendor, but an unknown world of extreme darkness and depth.

Translation: "It seemed that beyond that gate was not endless splendor, but an unknown world of extreme darkness and depth."

He immediately realized that, regardless of whether Aigedelin had any issues, the Eternal Imperial Palace was a dragon's pool and tiger's den.

He immediately understood that, regardless of whether Aigedelin had any problems, the Eternal Imperial Palace was a dragon's pool and tiger's den.

Once inside, it is highly likely that events far beyond his expectations, and beyond the limits of his power, would occur.

Translation: "Once inside, it was highly likely that something would occur far beyond his expectations, and far beyond the limits of his power."

"To go or not to go?!"

He thought to himself, "To go or not to go?!"

Thus: '"To go or not to go?!"'

In an instant of decision, Luosen resolutely chose to abandon the investigation.

Translation: "In an instant's decision, Luosen decisively chose to abandon the investigation."

Since traces of an immeasurable power's existence have already been found, insisting on stepping in would be no different from a foolish beast caught in a trap. Thinking this, Luosen prepared to retreat.

To avoid alerting any lurking dark powers, he intended to slip away quietly.

Translation: "To avoid startling the powerful beings lurking in the darkness, he intended to walk away quietly."

"Dear, my stomach suddenly feels a bit uncomfortable; I'm going to the rear cabin to relieve myself."

The hovercar is very spacious, with many compartments, and its functions are fully equipped, naturally including a washroom for personal hygiene.

Translation: "The hovercar was very spacious, with many compartments; all kinds of functions were complete, naturally including a washroom for personal hygiene."

Upon entering the washroom, Luosen had a thought and, using the Word Follows Law technique, directly created a Count's body, then placed the Count's soul directly into it.

Of course, with his careful manipulation, the Count would feel nothing unusual.

Translation: "Of course, under his careful manipulation, the Count would feel nothing unusual."

During the operation, Luosen suddenly recalled the teleportation key that Aigedelin had left for him before her departure.

That key leads directly to the teleportation chamber in the Imperial Palace rear garden.

He also recalled the Empress's bashful words before she left.

At the time, he thought it cute, assuming he had won the Empress's favor.

Translation: "At the time, he thought it cute, only believing he had won the Empress's favor."

But now he felt waves of palpitations, as if dancing with the god of death.

Translation: "But now he felt waves of palpitations, as if dancing with the god of death."

If his will were not steadfast and he slipped up, actually teleporting into the Imperial Palace would be no different from a fish that has taken the bait.

If his will were not firm, and he slipped up and truly teleported into the Imperial Palace, he would be no different from a fish that has taken the bait.

"After becoming a true god, considering oneself invincible in this realm, one's mindset gradually grows arrogant, underestimating the world's strong, and actually nearly stepping into a trap."

After much self-reflection, Luosen also completed all of this.

Translation: "After a round of self-reflection, Luosen also finished doing all of this."

He then quietly left the hovercar and hid among the roadside onlookers.

Upon reaching the roadside, he raised his head and looked back at the sky, where a stream of hovercars queued to enter the Imperial Palace gate; his heart gave a slight jolt, and he saw a very vague time illusion.

He saw that, in the near future, these splendid hovercars would again line up and drift out from the Imperial Palace gate.

Translation: "He saw that, in the near future, these splendid hovercars would again line up and float out from inside the Imperial Palace gate."

But unlike when entering, each hovercar's passenger cabin was completely empty, with not a single passenger.

Translation: "But unlike when entering, each hovercar's passenger cabin was completely empty, not a single passenger in sight."

Where had the passengers gone? Were they alive or dead?

Translation: "Where had the passengers gone? Were they alive or dead?"

Utterly unknown.

Translation: "Utterly unknown."

Luosen had originally intended to retreat directly.

Translation: "Luosen had originally intended to retreat directly."

But after seeing that illusion, he decided to linger as an ordinary Yueliangcheng citizen outside the Imperial Palace, to see what would happen next.

(End of Chapter)

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