With the Shaolin incident still fresh in his mind, Meng Qi knew that facing a powerhouse of this level, one must not lie without the corresponding strength. Thus, he embraced the principle of telling only the truth, though not necessarily the whole truth, and roughly recounted his experiences in the martial arts world after leaving Shaolin. For instance, he described the events of aiding the Zeng Xian Sect in reclaiming the Celestial Marvelous Stone from the Three Mountains and Four Rivers, ending his tale just before acquiring the inheritance of “Shenxiao Jiulie,” deliberately omitting what followed.
The Emperor and Chief Constable Simashi listened quietly, occasionally interjecting with a question, like elderly men listening to stories from their descendants.
After about half a watch, Meng Qi reached the events that happened after he arrived in the capital city, including repelling the Luo Cult, rescuing Gu Changqing, and barely surviving under the Nine Heavens Thunder God Blade.
“The martial world is full of wonders, thrilling and perilous. It’s truly not easy for you to attain such strength,” the Emperor remarked with admiration.
His expression appeared somewhat weary, as if, after a day’s governance and listening to a half watch of heart-stopping tales, he had exhausted his energy.
This was certainly not the normal state of an external landscape cultivator. Could he be suffering from a grave illness… Meng Qi mused again while thanking the Emperor for the compliment.
Seeing the Emperor’s condition, Simashi refrained from further questioning and signaled a eunuch from the shadows to bring the silver thread and silver insignia for the Emperor to personally bestow upon Meng Qi.
After the formalities, Meng Qi left the Chief Constable’s office, guided by “Purple Roc Divine Hunter” Liu Shengming, to select treasures or martial arts manuals.
Inside the office, the Emperor suddenly leaned back on the chair, closed his eyes, and appeared extremely tired.
Then, in a slightly distant tone, he spoke: “What do you think?”
“He didn’t show the usual excitement, enthusiasm, or nervousness other constables display when meeting the Emperor…,” the one who answered was not Simashi; a figure emerged from behind the screen.
This person wore a long azure robe embroidered with dragon patterns, his eyebrows and beard white, his aura profound, as if carrying the dust of countless years: “…he has a wild streak but is still honest, not lying.”
“Prince Qi’s insight is as sharp as ever,” Simashi replied blandly.
If Meng Qi were present, he would likely be shocked, for “Prince Qi” was none other than Zhao Wu Yan, a royal powerhouse of extremely high seniority!
Within this small room were two individuals who had reached the threshold of the Law Body, while many of the top martial arts sects and elite families across the land had only reached the Ninth Heaven as their peak!
“Then proceed as planned. I’d like to see what tricks they can pull off…” The Emperor tapped the armrest of his soft chair.
…
After passing through layers of formations and numerous mechanisms, Meng Qi finally entered the treasure vault of the Six Gates, seeing many martial arts manuals, medicinal pills, and numerous precious weapons!
At that moment, Meng Qi was dazzled, his mind filled with only one thought: how many merits must this be worth!
“What are you planning to choose?” Liu Shengming maintained his ever-present smile, like the Laughing Buddha in a temple.
Meng Qi had already made his decision without hesitation: “A protective treasure.”
Given his current cultivation level, external landscape techniques weren’t essential, nor were precious weapons. He had to choose between spiritual medicinal pills and treasures of the external landscape.
The threat from the Nine Heavens Thunder God ultimately led Meng Qi to decide on the latter.
The Nine Heavens Thunder God’s previous attack might have been a task, venting anger on behalf of the Big Dipper Star Lord and others. However, after their battle, things had changed!
He had the opportunity to comprehend the “Overlord’s Absolute Blade.” Even if he didn’t obtain the inheritance of “Shenxiao Jiulie,” he wouldn’t be unfamiliar with it. Coupled with the relationship between the Five Generations of Xuan Nu and the Overlord, the Su Nu Sect was undoubtedly the faction most knowledgeable about “Shenxiao Jiulie.” Therefore, the likelihood of the Nine Heavens Thunder God failing to recognize the “Celestial Thunder Five Thunder Strike” was minuscule.
In that case, he would likely go all out!
In their previous battle, the Nine Heavens Thunder God had not used Law Body techniques or treasures. Meng Qi believed it wasn’t because he didn’t have them, but merely for venting anger, it wasn’t worth paying such a high price. Since his primary cultivation technique was the “Purple Thunder Seven Strikes,” if he wanted to exchange or obtain Law Body techniques, naturally he would prioritize the complete set’s eighth and ninth strikes. However, without the Thunder God Body, these two Law Body techniques would consume lifespan, which could only be compensated by the currently very rare longevity pills or by spending an exorbitant amount of merits to have the Six Paths assist (non-external force-induced aging and lifespan reduction are not covered by Six Paths’ healing, falling instead under the category of reversing aging and rejuvenation exchanges).
Therefore, if the Nine Heavens Thunder God attacked again, under the current heightened vigilance in the capital, Meng Qi suspected he would use treasures.
If it were a type like the Immortal Binding Rope, he would capture Meng Qi to interrogate him about the inheritance. If it were an offensive type, he would directly eliminate this Thunder God disciple to prevent any threat to his status within the Su Nu Sect.
“A good choice,” Liu Shengming chuckled, as if he would respond this way no matter what Meng Qi chose.
Inside the room specifically storing protective treasures, Meng Qi selected a celestial talisman called the “Jiu Shu Avoidance Talisman,” capable of condensing qi into a body to help the wearer ward off a major calamity. Of course, if the calamity exceeded its capacity, it could only mitigate part of it. According to the description, it could block calamities below the Fourth Heaven.
Looking at the talisman in his palm, yellow and withered like rotten wood, Meng Qi solemnly put it on his chest.
…
When Meng Qi left the Six Gates headquarters, the sky had turned dark, with only a distant line of red fire remaining.
As soon as he returned to the Divine Might Marquis’s mansion, Meng Qi saw Su Li, Su Yue, Su Zi Yue, and others ready to depart. Even Ke Weilan, who had been avoiding him for the past two days, was among them, his gaze still cold but lacking the previous madness.
“The Jade family from the Southern Province has traveled far to visit us. Your father has arranged a banquet at the villa. If you have nothing else to do, you can come along,” Su Li said gently, without any forcefulness.
“Alright,” Meng Qi replied. He was currently craving food, and it didn’t matter much where he ate. If it turned out to be a matchmaking event, could they really force him to marry?
Su Zi Yue immediately became excited, winking and making faces at Meng Qi, though it was unclear what she meant.
The Su family’s villa was located by the river outside the city walls, with flowing water in front and a small green hill behind, cooled by a gentle breeze, making it an excellent place for receiving guests.
“Zihua, although this place is within the city, it’s somewhat remote. I’m afraid the Jade family might not know the way, so you should go to Vermilion Bird Avenue to meet them,” Su Li instructed Su Zihua upon arriving at the villa.
He had already sent servants to guide the Jade family from their residence, but upon further thought, it seemed insufficiently respectful.
Before Su Zihua could reply, Su Zi Yue, visibly excited, spoke up: “Father, why don’t you let me go too? That way, Lady Jade won’t be without someone to talk to.”
“Hmm,” Su Li pondered for a moment and then agreed to Su Zi Yue’s request.
Su Zi Yue seemed almost ready to jump for joy as she turned to Meng Qi: “Second Brother, Second Brother, come with us too?”
“You all are enough. Why make it so troublesome?” Meng Qi, usually lazy about certain things, preferred to lie down rather than sit, and to sit rather than stand.
Su Zi Yue winked and moved closer to Meng Qi, not minding that her father, a powerhouse of the external landscape, would surely hear her: “Second Brother, I heard from Sister Liu that Lady Jade is a celestial beauty, peerless in grace, a rare beauty in the world. She isn’t delicate and weak but has traveled the martial world for years, gaining rich experiences and broad knowledge. How can such an extraordinary woman not be seen as soon as possible?”
This young girl, who had never ventured far from home, greatly admired such women.
Meng Qi smiled wryly: “Brother has seen many extraordinary women before.”
“I know, I know. Sister Ruan is the most beautiful in Jiangdong, and her zither playing is like that of a celestial being…” Su Zi Yue wore a teasing expression. “But Lady Jade really admires you. Don’t you want to meet her?”
Meng Qi’s eyes widened slightly. Had rumors already spread about his frequent visits to the Langya Marquis’s mansion over the past two days?
“Since the young lady from the Jade family admires you so much, why not go and meet her?” Su Li added persuasively upon hearing this.
Meng Qi, who enjoyed showing off in public, knew that if a woman admired him like this, he couldn’t help but feel a bit smug and curious. Thus, he readily agreed.
Just before leaving, he casually asked: “Father, is our family on good terms with the Jade family for generations?”
If that were the case, why hadn’t Su Zi Yue known Jade Longzi previously?
Su Li smiled: “We aren’t old friends. A few years ago, I just happened to help them once. Now they’ve come to personally express their gratitude, and we mustn’t be impolite.”
Meng Qi nodded, asking no more, vaguely sensing that Su Li’s smile seemed a bit strained.
After leaving the villa, they walked along the riverside path for a while before the three siblings turned into a quiet, shaded grove.
In the bustling capital filled with people, this place was filled with birdsong, seemingly deserted, prompting one to marvel at the aristocratic families’ control over resources.
The sound of a carriage approached from ahead. Su Zi Yue clapped her hands in slight frustration: “The Jade family has arrived. We came out too late.”
“It’s fine. We can start guiding them from here,” Meng Qi consoled her with a smile.
Su Zihua remained his usual quiet self, walking silently ahead.
As they turned past a dense grove of trees, a procession came into view, servants numerous, surrounding seven or eight carriages.
“Is that Uncle Jade ahead?” Su Zihua called out loudly.
“Yes, the Divine Might Marquis is too courteous,” a hoary voice came from the first carriage. The curtain lifted, revealing an old man in brocade robes, gaunt in appearance, rolling two walnuts in his hand.
He glanced at the three: “Are you Zihua, Ziyuan, and Zi Yue?”
After Meng Qi and the others confirmed their identities, the curtain of the second carriage lifted, revealing a face of exquisite beauty. There was no doubt about her beauty, but she fell far short of Meng Qi’s image of a peerless beauty.
“Li Shuyu was just fooling the little girl…” Meng Qi, who had seen true beauties, shook his head inwardly.
Su Zi Yue also felt a bit disappointed but maintained her etiquette, stepping forward with a smile: “Sister Jade.”
Beside Jade Longzi was a maid, dressed in plain green, of ordinary appearance but with clever eyes.
Something about her seemed strangely familiar… Meng Qi furrowed his brow.
Suddenly, his peripheral vision caught sight of someone, and his frown deepened.
From the left front of the procession, within the quiet grove, a refined Taoist priest slowly emerged, seemingly intending to cross the road.
He wore a fan-shaped cloud cap, a water-harmonizing robe, a silk sash at his waist, and straw sandals on his feet, exuding a refined and otherworldly demeanor, yet his aura seemed ordinary, seemingly only at the Open Heaven stage.
This image was too familiar, causing Meng Qi to momentarily freeze.
Qingyuan Miaodao Zhenjun?!
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