Chapter 497: The Turbulent Imperial Palace

Gao Shulu.

The Forget-Worry Person.

The only peerless expert to have walked the Edo in the true posture of a Heavenly Human.

The so-called Wang First Grade Sijing of the contemporary Edo is, at its root, entirely derived from the insights of this person four hundred years ago; it was also this person who included the Vajra Realm in the ranks of experts, intentionally or unintentionally bringing the foreign Buddhism—which had been completely suppressed by the Confucian Dao—to the forefront.

At the same time, it was also this person who stirred up an unprecedented catastrophe in the Edo.

During the ten years of Gao Shulu's prime, he traveled across the land, killing whenever the mood struck him; he turned the Edo into a bloodbath, and no one dared to call themselves an expert.

Among the experts who died at Gao Shulu's hands, there were two Sword Immortals alone; the Daoist sects of the world gathered eighty-one True Men, and despite their desperate alliance to form a Suppressing Demon Great Array, they were still slaughtered to the last by Gao Shulu, who left behind the words, "I am originally a Human Immortal, what demon is there to suppress?" before wandering off in a Carefree manner.

Precisely because so many experts died at this person's hands, many sects had their lineages severed, an impact that continues to this day.

The Human Cat of the current dynasty, who is cruel and fond of killing experts, learned his ways from this person. It is only a pity that in both martial arts and spirit, he is a hundred and eight thousand miles short.

Gao Shulu eventually crossed paths with an unknown young Daoist; that battle was of such immense momentum that even now, some remain convinced that only the battle between Murong Tonghuang and Wang Xianzhi at Wudi City could compare to it.

It was also in this battle that Gao Shulu voluntarily allowed himself to be affixed with a Mountain Opening Talisman, falling into a deep slumber; for four hundred years he neither drank nor ate, neither inhaled nor exhaled, like an insect hibernating for four hundred years, yet his body showed not the slightest sign of atrophy, his skin smooth and bright as jade, faintly giving one the illusion of being made of jade.

Later, Gao Shulu was obtained by the Liyang Zhao Family.

Naturally, he became a trump card for the Liyang Dynasty, specifically used to deal with supreme martial artists like Wang Xianzhi and Murong Tonghuang.

Unexpectedly, this was learned by the Book Flipper Huang Longshi, who told Wang Xianzhi.

And Wang Xianzhi, in order to defeat Murong Tonghuang, sought the Dao from the Forget-Worry Heavenly Human of four hundred years ago in hopes of advancing further, which led to the current situation.

At this moment, Wang Xianzhi stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at Gao Shulu from above.

Gao Shulu lay quietly in the Bronze Coffin, his expression calm, yet he gave off a terrifying feeling that any movement of his could overturn the heavens and the earth.

The World's Second sighed in his heart.

Even though this Forget-Worry Heavenly Human's cultivation might not be below his own, four hundred years had passed; without eating, drinking, or breathing, his physical shell actually showed signs of decay, supported only by a single breath of intent. Once awakened, this breath of intent would quickly dissipate, and he would likely not live for long.

"I, Wang Xianzhi, may not respect the people of the world, but I cannot fail to respect the guide of the world's Martial Dao. As for whether you wish to wake up, that is up to you."

Wang Xianzhi did not remove the Mountain Opening Talisman from the Forget-Worry Heavenly Human's body; he merely released his Qi completely, standing tall like a God. At this moment, he seemed to have transformed into an eternal, indestructible sun, radiating infinite light and heat, making everything in the universe appear small and insignificant.

At the same time, a majestic fighting intent rose up, filling the entire Bronze Hall, as if transforming the quiet, ancient Bronze Hall into an endless, bloody ancient battlefield.

"He is indeed worthy of being Wang Xianzhi, who has been invincible in the world for sixty years; he is truly extraordinary." The young eunuch sighed slightly in his heart; he was as old as the nation, having existed for over two hundred years, and had long since ranked among the Gods, returning to simplicity, his physical body perfectly Ruyi with heaven and earth.

If one were to speak of the complexity of methods, it was definitely not something Wang Xianzhi could compare to.

But if they were to truly fight to the death, he did not have much confidence that he could defeat this brute.

As for Wang Xianzhi's current actions, the young eunuch naturally understood them clearly; he was demonstrating his own supreme cultivation.

This level of cultivation was something even Lv Zu of eight hundred years ago could have fought against.

If the Forget-Worry Heavenly Human harbored fighting intent, he would naturally awaken.

Conversely, he would continue to fall into slumber.

Whether he decided to wake up and enter the world four hundred years later was entirely up to a single thought from Gao Shulu.

Time passed bit by bit.

"A great dream of a thousand autumns, the Forget-Worry Person does not forget worry."

Suddenly, the Forget-Worry Person in the coffin opened his eyes, slowly sat up, and stretched, his majestic Qi venting out as if a God or Demon had awakened from the ancient past.

His head of black hair rose without wind, and a pair of deep, world-weary eyes looked at Wang Xianzhi, a trace of fighting intent appearing on his handsome face. With a faint smile, he threw a punch.

An immeasurable fist intent immediately permeated the entire Bronze Hall; it was a seemingly simple punch, yet it possessed a terrifying power that seemed capable of sinking mountains and parting the seas.

Wang Xianzhi was not the least bit surprised; as his sleeves fluttered, one palm pierced through space, carrying palm force like a pouring heavenly river, entwined with lightning and thunder, and collided with the Forget-Worry Heavenly Human's fist.

Boom!

The Bronze Coffin exploded, turning into countless fragments that shot out in all directions.

Visible ripples spread from the collision of fist and palm, pushing outward in all directions; the chains used to secure the Bronze Coffin snapped instantly, and the indestructible Bronze Hall began to crack with countless fissures, teetering on the verge of collapse.

Even the eunuch who was as old as the nation could not help but raise his hand to block it.

Gao Shulu stepped into the void and yawned; the golden, glowing Talismans on his body slowly fell away and vanished into smoke—there were probably sixteen, seventeen, or eighteen seals in total.

"How many years have passed now?"

The Forget-Worry Heavenly Human had not spoken for a long time, his voice hoarse.

"Four hundred years; this is the Central Plains four hundred years later." Wang Xianzhi smiled calmly and cupped his hands: "Wang Xianzhi of Wudi City, greetings."

Speaking of which, in terms of seniority alone, few experts in the world could match Wang Laoguai. But of the other two people in this Bronze Hall, one was as old as the nation and the other came from four hundred years ago, so this old brute could only be considered a junior.

"Above the Wang First Grade Sijing are Immortals; with your cultivation, I fear Immortals are like chickens or dogs to you. Back then, I sought a defeat but could not find one, yet now, upon waking, I encounter an opponent I can fight with all my strength; this is truly a joyous and congratulatory occasion." The Forget-Worry Person's hair moved without wind, his entire body exuding a temperament that transcended mortals, his fighting intent boiling like volcanic magma.

"It is only a pity that I am the World's Second, still far from being the current number one in the world."

Wang Xianzhi smiled inscrutably: "Forget-Worry Person, four hundred years ago you were invincible in the world; do you dare to fight the invincible person of today?"

"I could ask for nothing more."

Imperial Palace.

Outside Wuying Hall.

Nearly a thousand civil and military officials waited patiently on the Baiyu Square outside the hall.

Today, not only was the Crown Prince to be named, but new Imperial Princes were to be enfeoffed as kings, so it was different from the past; they had to wait for the Emperor, Empress, and Imperial Princes to enter the hall before they could enter.

Xu Weixiong, wearing a Red Chi at her waist, was also among them.

Standing beside Xu Weixiong was a Feudatory King, none other than the Jiaodong King, Zhao Sui.

This man had a very good relationship with Xu Weixiong's father, Xu Xiao; precisely because of this, he was squeezed out by the Imperial Court, and although he was a Feudatory King, his life was not very pleasant.

The Jiaodong King, Zhao Sui, looked toward the south: "This naming of the Crown Prince and enfeoffment of Imperial Princes is a rare major event for the Imperial Court in the last decade; we must guard against Cao Zhangqing of Western Chu coming to the Capital to stir up trouble. I wonder if that World's Second from Wudi City will be guarding one of the Eighteen Gates."

"I fear not." Xu Weixiong shook her head.

Zhao Sui smiled and glanced at Xu Weixiong again: "The Murong pair have also arrived; I wonder if they will come to observe the ceremony today?"

Xu Weixiong smiled and said, "If Cao Zhangqing comes, Mr. Murong will likely come too; he likes to watch the excitement, though he will mostly likely just stand by as a spectator."

"I truly admire Mr. Murong's peerless demeanor; my little niece has a deep connection with him, so you must introduce us sometime," Zhao Sui said with a smile.

"Mr. Murong is like a divine dragon that shows its head but never its tail, and Uncle Zhao, you are getting involved with a wanted criminal of the Imperial Court—aren't you afraid that person will find an excuse to deal with you?" Xu Weixiong said with a smile.

But after these words were spoken, both of them laughed, drawing sidelong glances from the crowd.

Zhao Sui knew this topic could not be discussed further, so he looked toward the city gate: "The ancestors of the Wu Family Sword Tomb will bring eight hundred swords to guard one of the gates, and the other city gates are also guarded by many experts; I wonder if they can stop A'cao Guanzi."

As soon as the words fell, a roar of noise exploded.

Nearly a thousand civil and military officials looked toward the sound and saw nearly a thousand flying swords rising from the ground at a certain city gate along the central Imperial Road, vast and magnificent.

A figure in green robes broke through the sword formation, walking with ease, ignoring the flying swords chasing behind.

Furthermore, a young woman of peerless grace rode a sword, passing straight through the Eighteen Gates, and hovered a sword above everyone's heads.

Xu Weixiong's eyes flickered.

"Hmph, Xu Fengnian is certainly willing to pay a heavy price for a woman."

She naturally recognized the sword the woman was riding; the sword was named Daliang Longque.

Twenty-Three years ago, it had entered the Imperial Palace and fought its way out again. But the sword's owner was left with a lingering illness and passed away after giving birth to the fourth son, Xu Longxiang.

Cao Zhangqing swept to the outside of the city gate, leaped onto the gate tower, stood beside the sword-riding woman, and said in a clear voice, "Cao Zhangqing of Western Chu, here to observe the ceremony at Taian City with Princess Jiang Si."

It is said that things do not happen more than three times.

This Cao Guanzi of Western Chu had already come to the Imperial Palace for the fourth time, though this time there was an extra woman by his side.

The Liyang Emperor, who had been slow to appear, finally stepped out of the great hall. Unexpectedly, this Emperor of the Zhao Family was not enraged, but instead laughed loudly and said, "Cao, what a fine 'Western Chu observing the ceremony at Taian City.' Since my Liyang Dynasty has had a white-robed monk hang the Huanghe at the Moral Sect, and now has you, Cao, passing through the Eighteen Gates to break into the city, it is naturally a fortunate event for our dynasty."

A heroic emperor of a generation should have such a spirit to swallow the world.

Cao Zhangqing said, "I await the return gift."

The civil and military officials all showed signs of rage, cursing Cao Guanzi for not knowing what was good for him.

Yet they dared not act rashly; the reputation of that green-robed Confucian Sage was not just empty talk. One careless move and they might have to sacrifice their lives for the country.

"Gu Jiantang will return the first gift."

Gu Jiantang, the world's number one blade user, strode out, gave a light shout, and drew his long blade; the blade light roared toward Cao Zhangqing like a thunderclap.

"Zhao Danping returns the second gift."

The immortal-looking Zhao Danping, dressed in yellow and purple Daoist robes, looking ethereal, unleashed nine peach wood swords affixed with Peach Talismans. With nine flying swords, his very first move was the immortal method of the Daoist school to Ask for Longevity through the Profound.

Cao Zhangqing sneered, pressing his hands toward the blade light and the flying swords respectively.

And so, the originally solemn Baiyu Square became a scene of flashing blades and swords; you return a gift, I unleash a sword—a lively battle indeed.

Even the civil and military officials who had seen the world were dazzled and mesmerized.

Dressed in black, the world-renowned Murong Shuang Kui stepped on a wisp of breeze, drifted into the Imperial City, stepped onto the roof ridge of the Wuying Hall, and sat down.

A wisp of clear light fell upon him.

Truly, his appearance was like clouds and moonlight, his grace natural and heaven-sent.

Watching the lively scene in the square, Yu Liancheng took out a wine flask, lay back halfway, propped his cheek with his hand, and chuckled, "Such a good show, it deserves three large cups of wine."

Having said that, he tilted his head back and gulped down several mouthfuls of wine.

Boom!

On the west side, there was another loud noise.

Dozens of Imperial Guards were sent flying like cannonballs.

A Forget-Worry Person with a refined appearance and a scarlet vertical mark on his forehead like a third eye drifted in and said in a slow, rhythmic voice, "I have heard that Murong Wudi is peerless in the world; Gao Shulu of the Forget-Worry People requests a battle."