Chapter 56: Come, let Us see, do you dare or do you not!

Beigan Dynasty, capital city Wentian.

In the deepest part of the Imperial City, an old eunuch with crane-white hair and a youthful complexion walked with measured steps, passing through layers of high walls.

Everyone who saw him stopped what they were doing and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Eunuch Su!"

"Mm."

With his head held high and a faint nod, he continued to walk proudly forward.

Until he stopped before a door that appeared ordinary.

His breathing was steady, showing no signs that he had run all the way here after receiving the news, and he knocked on the door lightly.

"Your Majesty, General Shi Anqi has sent back news."

The room was silent; the figure hunched over the desk did not rise, still earnestly studying something.

The old eunuch was not surprised by this at all, feeling not a hint of impatience, and stood quietly by the door waiting.

"It is His Majesty's old habit."

After a good while, the figure inside the room finally moved, and a steady, low voice came from within:

"Eunuch Su, why are you standing outside the door? Why not come in and speak."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Eunuch Su did not decline; he first had the guards at the door withdraw, then pushed the door open and entered directly.

Facing the noble figure draped in yellow robes, he prostrated himself on the ground and said in a clear voice:

"That this old servant can see Your Majesty in such good health is truly this old servant's great fortune!"

Beiganhuangdi Li Long turned around and smiled at Eunuch Su:

"Mm, get up. Didn't I exempt you from such grand formalities long ago?"

Rising with agile movements, Eunuch Su smiled kindly:

"That simply will not do, Your Majesty."

"When the First Emperor was still the Crown Prince, this old servant was already serving you in the Eastern Palace. So many years have passed, and this old servant has long been unable to break the habit."

Shaking his head helplessly, Beiganhuangdi Li Long waved his hand, signaling him to say no more:

"Even if you can't break it, you must. In this world, what is there that cannot be changed? If you kneel again next time, don't blame me for docking your salary."

"This old servant obeys the decree."

Lowering his head with a chuckle, Eunuch Su showed no sign of repentance at all.

"Alright, tell me the news Brother Shi sent. How is the situation?"

Speaking of official business, Eunuch Su restrained his smile and relayed the message:

"General Shi says the Disha Sect has been completely wiped out, and only a few disciples of the Divine Path Sect were injured."

"The Peak Master of Luoyue Peak is suspected to be the cultivator who had Fallen into Demon and destroyed the Disha Sect three hundred years ago; she is currently in a special state and seems capable of controlling her emotions."

"Contrary to the intelligence, the Peak Master of Lieyang Peak did not betray them."

"Although the Divine Path Bell has not appeared, its presence can be felt; it has not been lost again."

"Sect Leader Sikong Yu has not appeared; his condition seems similar to the rumors, yet there are some discrepancies, and he has other methods of interfering with the outside world."

After finishing the list of news, Eunuch Su stood quietly by the desk.

Tap, tap, tap...

Fingers tapped lightly on the desktop; Eunuch Su knew this was a common habit of Li Long when thinking, so he held his breath and did not dare to make the slightest sound.

Finally, after a while, Li Long nodded slowly and said with an unreadable expression:

"This result is somewhat unexpected."

Eunuch Su chimed in at the right moment, asking as if puzzled:

"Why does Your Majesty say that?"

As a Grand Eunuch who had spent his whole life studying the art of imperial governance, such a situation could not stump him.

Knowing that Li Long needed an opening, he asked as if confused:

"Did you not already know that those people from the Disha Sect could never accomplish anything? Why would you feel surprised now?"

Regardless of what Li Long had been considering before, after Eunuch Su said this, it became a case of the Emperor having predicted everything like a god, having guessed the current situation long ago.

But this time, Eunuch Su was overthinking; Li Long did not need this stepping stone.

"It is both, I suppose."

"On one hand, the Disha Sect was even more pathetic than I imagined; they didn't even manage to stir up a ripple."

"On the other hand, the foundation of the Divine Path Sect is deeper than I thought; they didn't even reveal a single trump card."

Blinking, Eunuch Su truly did not understand this time and asked curiously:

"Your Majesty, please forgive this old servant's dullness, but didn't the Divine Path Sect expose a cultivator who had Fallen into Demon? Does that not count as an exposure?"

Hmph!

Li Long let out a hmph and said:

"I have known about that Peak Master Jing for a long time. Sikong Yu personally guaranteed it to me back then; if she went out and caused chaos, he would suppress her himself."

"Otherwise, why would I let a Demon run loose in my Beigan territory?"

Eunuch Su suddenly realized and exclaimed in admiration:

"Your Majesty is wise!"

He did not care how Li Long had negotiated with Sikong Yu; in any case, expressing amazement was enough.

Everything the Emperor says is correct!

After enjoying the praise for a moment, Li Long continued to ask, "Besides that, is there any other news?"

"There is, but it is somewhat disrespectful."

Raising an eyebrow, Li Long became interested:

"Speak boldly! I would like to hear what this disrespectful remark is."

Eunuch Su hesitated for a moment, then spoke directly:

"Sikong Yu also had General Shi bring you a message... 'The Divine Path Sect has noted this matter, and will certainly repay it in the future.'"

Li Long, who had been indifferent all along, was actually overjoyed upon hearing these somewhat disrespectful words, clapping his hands and laughing.

"Hahahaha! Good, good, good!"

"Sikong Yu, you fellow, hahaha! Have you finally decided to bow your head?"

After laughing loudly to himself for a long time, Li Long did not explain to Eunuch Su, but lowered his head to write an imperial edict.

"Eunuch Su, convey my decree: cast Imperial Concubine Ran into the Cold Palace, and then send little twelve and little thirteen to the Divine Path Sect."

Eunuch Su:?

"Your, Your Majesty! Why must you cast Imperial Concubine Ran into the Cold Palace!"

Didn't you just flip her name tablet three times recently!

How is it that today she is being cast into the Cold Palace?

And you want to send Imperial Concubine Ran's children to the Divine Path Sect?

Huh?

For anyone else, asking this would be a great disrespect, but Eunuch Su was a veteran of three reigns and had served him for many years, so Li Long did not mind.

"Hahaha, I told you to convey it, so just do it; why so many questions?"

"Sikong Yu has finally relented with such difficulty, how could I let this opportunity slip?"

"By having the prince and princess enter the Divine Path Sect, my sincerity is surely sufficient; now it depends on how Sikong Yu responds."

"Imperial Concubine Ran is merely an excuse so that outsiders think she has fallen out of favor, lest the Empress nag and ask questions again; I find it annoying!"

He waved his hand, signaling for Eunuch Su to withdraw, then suddenly coughed twice and said:

"Ahem!"

"Also, the weather has been too hot lately; I am going to live in the Cold Palace for a few days."

"Yes, cast me into the Cold Palace as well."

Eunuch Su:???

Is that what the 'cold' in Cold Palace means?

And my Emperor, you are a dignified Heaven Realm cultivator, are you really afraid of the heat?

Although he had many things he wanted to ask, having served in the palace his whole life, he understood when to keep his mouth shut.

"Ah... yes, this old servant will go make arrangements."

Forget it.

Everything the Emperor does is right!

There must be his own plan!

And after Eunuch Su left, Li Long looked at another secret letter on the desk and shook his head with a wry smile:

"You Divine Path Sect, you have finally produced another anomaly capable of normal communication."

This wretched sect finally has someone who can understand human speech...

"But you have made me wait so bitterly."

Thinking of the figure described in the letter, the corners of Li Long's mouth gradually rose.

"A Dao God of the Eight-Tailed Heavenly Fox... will they be another Luoyue Shangren in the future?"

Thinking of that woman who had gone missing three hundred years ago, Li Long's eyes appeared exceptionally profound.

"Hehe, I am very much looking forward to it."

With a half-smile on his face, he thought for a long time, then Li Long thought of the edict he had just issued and laughed triumphantly.

"Don't you like being a Foster Father to others? Good, I will send the prince and princess to you!"

"I would like to see if you dare to be this cheap brother to me."