Qin, Xianyang.
The city walls, forged from Divine Iron, glead under the Great Sun as its light settled neatly into the cracks between the bricks.
The city guards posted a new wanted notice on the wall, and many passing citizens gathered around to take a closer look.
"This is..." a citizen said, shocked and uncertain. "Isn’t this Lord Yan? Why is he wanted too? Could Lord Yan be one of those anomalies too??"
Instantly, the crowd at the city gate was in an uproar, their mood turning to righteous indignation. This Lord Yan was a good man! He had just beco the Xianyang Prefect and had already enacted many policies that benefited the people!
Seeing the crowd clamoring and cursing, a city gate guard imdiately explained in a low voice:
"This is an edict from the North Pole Celestial Court to hunt down these people... Of course, we’re just putting on a show. It’s only a formality!"
The furious crowd cald down a bit. An auntie carrying a vegetable basket muttered:
"The Celestial Court... Tsk! My family’s teachings say that those Immortals and gods are no good. Back in the old days, Saint Lu even held an Immortal accountable for his cris!"
Soone nodded in agreent, pointing at the four or five portraits on the wall and saying:
"These must be the people that damned Celestial Court wants to catch, right? They must all be good people! After all, Lord Yan is one of them!"
The crowd loudly agreed.
Yan Huang, wearing a straw raincoat and a conical hat, his face hidden in shadow, stared at the four or five portraits on the wall for a long mont. He let out a soft sigh and walked into the city without a word.
After a series of twists and turns, he walked into a simple courtyard. Wang Zhiyao waved.
"Elder Yan!"
The four or five people in the courtyard also rose and bowed to Yan Huang.
Upon closer inspection, most of these four or five people were, shockingly, the very ones on the wanted posters, whom the North Pole Celestial Court had ordered to be apprehended.
Yan Huang took off his conical hat and said in a grave voice:
"It’s basically confird now. The North Pole Celestial Court must have captured soone else from the Current World, and he identified all of us."
After a pause, he added:
"Because the people he identified were all quite famous in the Current World... Chen Shu, for example, hasn’t been targeted yet."
The others exchanged glances, and then it dawned on them. It seed that was indeed the case.
Yan Huang and Li Yutong were obvious targets. One was the chairman of Longque Technology in the Current World, and the other was the Federation’s Speaker.
Among the remaining four, Wang Zhiyao, Zhang Jifeng, and Lu Chongtong were also famous prodigies...
Only Chen Shu, who was unknown in the Current World and recognized by no one but his acquaintances, had also not been targeted by an edict from the North Pole Celestial Court!
Just then, an elderly man in his twilight years walked out slowly from the inner room. All six of them, including Yan Huang and Li Yutong, bowed to him.
"Mr. Zhang!"
Zhang Liang motioned with his hand and said peacefully:
"I’ve said it before, there’s no need for such formalities... You all need to be more careful recently. The First Emperor has been invited to the Celestial Court for the Peach of Immortality Banquet. I suspect the North Pole Celestial Court might take this opportunity to send Celestial Soldiers to the Lower Realm."
"They wouldn’t, would they?"
Yan Huang’s expression hardened.
"Celestial Soldiers and Generals aren’t allowed to enter Xianyang."
"What if they do?" Zhang Liang shook his head. "Besides, even if the Celestial Soldiers and Generals truly cannot enter Xianyang, with the First Emperor gone, I’m afraid soone in the imperial court will make a move."
"Mr. Zhang, you an...?" Li Yutong’s expression flickered.
Zhang Liang coughed softly and stroked his long beard.
"Actually, I disagree with what Yan Huang just said. I’m afraid it’s not that soone was captured, but rather that soone ’inford’ on you to the North Pole Celestial Court."
Everyone’s expression changed drastically.
Zhang Liang continued:
"Yan Huang had only just beco the Xianyang Prefect when the North Pole Celestial Court imdiately issued an edict for his capture. Yet for the more than twenty years he served as the Xianyang Captain, nothing happened. I’m afraid this new appointnt has infringed upon the interests of certain people in the imperial court, and that person also happens to know that you all co from the ’future’."
Yan Huang’s expression darkened as he mused:
’But if it’s as you say, doesn’t that an soone in the court has sided with the North Pole Celestial Court??’
"Indeed." Zhang Liang nodded. "The Profound Yellow Emperor has been missing for over thirty years, and the Immortals and Buddhas across the heavens are growing restless. For the First Emperor to be invited to the Peach of Immortality Banquet... I’m afraid it’s not a good thing."
He sat down in a chair.
"And I just received news that Liu Bang and Xiang Yu also escaped from prison on the very sa day the First Emperor went to the Celestial Court."
Everyone’s expression changed again.
Zhang Liang’s gaze was profound.
"According to what you’ve said, Liu Bang and Xiang Yu overthrew the Qin Dynasty, and they are indeed shrouded in Tribulation Qi. Their escape this ti must have been orchestrated by Immortal Gods from behind the scenes, with a high-ranking official in the court as their inside man..."
He paused, then let out a slow, heavy breath.
"Speaking of which, are you certain that in the original history, I really assisted Liu Bang? And that I t a peaceful end??"
"That’s right!" The group snapped back to their senses and nodded in unison.
A look of confusion appeared on Zhang Liang’s face.
"But Liu Bang’s actions show no sign of any grand ambition... Before he was captured, how was he any different from a common thug? And I’m supposed to assist him?"
He kept another thought to himself. ’In my previous life, I was trapped for a hundred thousand years before starting over. In the life before that, I was beheaded by Duke Huan of Qi. Neither had ended well. This life is also one of tribulation, so how could I possibly et a peaceful end?’
Yan Huang began to pace back and forth, saying as he walked:
"If it’s truly as you say, and soone in the court has defected to the North Pole Celestial Court, then we just need to wait for His Majesty the First Emperor to return. If we ask him directly who it was that told him about the future history, we might find our answer!"
"Perhaps." Zhang Liang stood up and said calmly, "I still suggest we flee Xianyang first. We could go to the location of that Immortal you ntioned."
"You an..."
A flicker of understanding passed through the group. They had learned a few days ago that the Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain had also arrived in this era.
Li Yutong pondered for a mont before speaking slowly:
"It’s not a bad idea. That Celestial Master disappeared after fighting a battle with the Celestial Soldiers and Generals, but I suspect he must have gone to..."
He and Yan Huang looked at each other and said in unison:
"Dragon Tiger Mountain!"
"Dragon Tiger Mountain?" Zhang Liang asked curiously. "What is this place? How co I’ve never heard of it?"
"Of course you haven’t. The mountain was only nad that in a later ti. The na ca later, but the mountain itself should have always existed."
Yan Huang spoke with a smile:
"Although the geography of this era is completely different from later tis and countless tis vaster, so of the Ancient Divine Mountains are still around. We can probably figure out the current location of Dragon Tiger Mountain by calculating its position relative to Taishan."
"There’s no ti to lose." Zhang Liang made the decision. "Then let’s go find Dragon Tiger Mountain first."
The group nodded, then they all put on their conical hats. With Zhang Liang and Yan Huang in the lead, Wang Zhiyao, Zhang Jifeng, Lu Chongtong, and Chen Shu in the middle, and Li Yutong bringing up the rear, they fled from Xianyang together.
Many Grand Grade masters in Xianyang actually sensed them leaving, but they all turned a blind eye, pretending not to have seen anything.
Only in a certain residence, a Grand Grade master opened his eyes. After a cold sneer, he morized the direction in which the group had fled. He imdiately wrote a ssage and had a Divine Bird carry it in its beak, flying toward the North Pole.
The Grand Grade master glanced sideways at the Future Person beside him and said indifferently:
"To this day, the Celestial Court hasn’t caught a single one of these ’Transmigrators’ you speak of. You will continue to recall, continue to identify. If you can’t point out anyone new..."
The middle-aged man’s expression turned bitter.
"My lord, it’s been nearly thirty years. I really don’t rember very clearly anymore. I only recall those who were famous in the Current World..."
The Grand Grade master lowered his eyelids.
"No matter. If you can’t answer, I’ll just hand you over to the North Pole Celestial Court."
The middle-aged man’s expression changed again. Just as he was about to say sothing, he suddenly heard the cry of a Phoenix resounding throughout Xianyang.
The Grand Grade master in the Profound Robe and the middle-aged man subconsciously turned to look.
They saw a True Phoenix speeding across the horizon, pulling an Emperor Chariot. It was accompanied by visions of Qingyun and auspicious ons, an array of deep colors, rippling celestial light, and a rain of treasured radiance.
On either side were five hundred Celestial Soldiers holding ceremonial regalia. They spun Brocade and Silk Treasure Umbrellas, from which cascaded streams of divine charm like curtains, all accompanied by the thunderous roar of chariot wheels that shook the heavens!
Yan Huang’s group, who had just left Xianyang, were all startled when they saw this scene. Zhang Liang exclaid in a low voice:
"Just as I predicted! A True Phoenix pulling a chariot, Celestial Soldiers as an honor guard... A great Immortal God has descended to capture you all! Go, quickly!"
They fled in a frenzy.
「anwhile, in Xianyang City.」
"That is..." The Grand Grade master in the Profound Robe was shocked. "What incredible pomp and circumstance. Which Emperor from the Celestial Court has personally descended to the mortal world??"
As he muttered to himself, throughout the great Xianyang City, one Grand Grade master after another shot up into the clouds, their treasured light and brilliant radiance bursting forth.
More than a dozen Grand Grade masters ford a line, and then thirteen True Dragons soared into the sky—all of them also at the Grand Grade level—and together they shielded Xianyang City behind them!
"May I ask the Upper Immortal, for what purpose have you co?"
Duke Mu of Qin, who had remained in Xianyang City to oversee the situation, called out, his expression utterly grave. The other Grand Grade masters, including the Wu’an Monarch, Lü Buwei, and Li Si, also took up battle stances, ready for a fight.
As the Emperor Chariot drew near, a laugh rang out.
"What, you don’t recognize anymore?"
Amidst the laughter, the Grand Grade masters peered through the visions of Qingyun and auspicious ons and saw the person seated on the Emperor Chariot. It was a young man wearing a simple, ancient-looking Bronze Mask.
"Su... Supre Emperor Profound Yellow??"
The expressions of all the ministers changed, and they all bowed. The True Dragons also shuddered and prostrated themselves.
These court ministers were now all aware of the details of the Taishan incident from over thirty years ago. They all knew that it was this very Emperor, who had been missing for thirty years, who had once extinguished an ancient Great Buddha with a re wave of his hand!
Furthermore, it was said that he had also accepted an immortal post in the Celestial Court and had been personally enfeoffed as a regional Emperor by the legendary Celestial Court itself!
The Emperor Chariot ca to a slow stop. Lu Xuan stepped out from within, his ancient, dark robes fluttering loudly in the high-altitude astral winds. He said calmly:
"Where is Zheng’Er?"
The Grand Grade masters exchanged glances. Duke Mu of Qin studied this Emperor who had been missing for thirty years for a long mont, then cupped his fists and said:
"In response to the Emperor, Zheng’Er accepted the Celestial Court’s invitation and went to attend the Peach of Immortality Banquet yesterday."
"The Peach of Immortality Banquet?"
Lu Xuan was surprised, while Nezha, who was standing to the side, listlessly explained:
"It’s a grand event the Celestial Court holds once every ten thousand years, hosted by the Queen Mother of the West in Jade Pool. Renowned and promising Immortal Gods from all corners of the heavens are invited to partake in the Peaches of Immortality, drink Immortal Wine, and watch the Celestial Maidens dance."
He looked completely dejected, which was understandable. Having been stopped by Emperor Fengdu and forced to wait in the Underworld for a full thirty-two years—stuck there for thirty-two years—anyone would look the sa.
Lu Xuan frowned.
"The Peach of Immortality Banquet invites Immortal Gods. Why would they invite Zheng’Er?"
The court ministers cautiously sized up the Emperor. The group of Grand Grade masters were all dressed in Profound Robes. Zhao Gao stepped forward and said respectfully:
"Replying to the Emperor, as for the actions of Immortal Gods, how could we mortals... possibly know?"
Lu Xuan frowned and nodded, feeling that sothing wasn’t right. He then asked about the events of the last thirty years but didn’t receive any significant answers.
For the past thirty-so years, the First Emperor had been diligent and conscientious. There had been no major conflicts between the Human World and the heavens, and the common people lived in peace and prosperity.
Then Duke Mu of Qin seed to recall sothing. He first continued to eye this "Uncle Zhong" of Zheng’Er’s, who had appeared out of nowhere, with suspicion for a mont.
Over the years, he had often asked Zheng’Er about the origins of this so-called "Uncle Zhong," but Zheng’Er would only ever smile without saying a word...
After so thought, Duke Mu of Qin added:
"It’s just that a few days ago, the North Pole Celestial Court issued several consecutive edicts, demanding that Celestial Soldiers and Generals enter Xianyang to apprehend so people. Zheng’Er refused, but later personally issued the wanted notices..."
"Enter Xianyang to arrest people?" Lu Xuan found this strange and asked, "Arrest who?"
"I don’t know the specifics." Duke Mu of Qin shook his head, an incredulous look on his face. "However, there are rumors that they are all Future People, and the Xianyang Prefect, Yan Huang, is among them..."
Lu Xuan’s expression suddenly darkened, and Nezha, who had been looking listless, widened his eyes.
After a mont of contemplation, Lu Xuan said calmly:
"How interesting. Where are those people now?"
"I do not know," Duke Mu of Qin answered bluntly.
Lu Xuan glanced at him but didn’t press the matter. Instead, he smiled and asked, looking to the side:
"Nezha, am I qualified to attend this Peach of Immortality Banquet?"
"You hold a First Grade immortal post and are an Emperor. Naturally, you are qualified. It’s just that since you didn’t receive an invitation..."
Nezha hesitated for a mont before saying:
"It was because you had been missing for thirty years at the ti."
"So I can’t go without an invitation?"
Lu Xuan turned and returned to the Emperor Chariot, his voice indifferent.
"I shall make a trip to the Celestial Court... Speaking of which, I believe I still have an Emperor’s Palace in the Central Celestial Court."
With that, he didn’t bother speaking further with the ministers. He commanded the Emperor Chariot and sped off in the direction of the Celestial Court.
Leaving the crowd of Grand Grade masters to stare at each other in bewildernt.
(Another Chapter is coming soon)
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