Chapter 257 - 60: Shocking Upheaval in the Imperial City! Is the Old Emperor About to Emerge from Seclusion? (Part 3)

Moreover, Lv Lan only said that among those released prisoners, one is a Grandmaster, but the others, even if they’re not Grandmasters, are still Innate and Postnatal cultivators.

Just as difficult to handle.

"What a coincidence, huh?"

Right after I left, Purgatory gets broken into, and the City Defense Army is slaughtered.

What’s next? An assassination attempt on the emperor?

Besides, it’s impossible that all these things just coincidentally happened together for no reason.

Lv Lan didn’t reply.

Instead, she thought of a rumor she’d heard in the Imperial City not long ago.

"What’s wrong?"

Seeming to notice Lv Lan’s change in expression, Ye Liuyun asked curiously.

After a moment’s thought, Lv Lan spoke softly to Ye Liuyun.

"You weren’t in the Imperial City then, so you don’t know—many people heard it, a dragon’s roar coming from deep within the palace, but the Eunuch Lord immediately seemed to get some kind of command."

"He stepped out right away to lock down the news and forbade anyone from discussing the matter!"

"But."

At this point.

Lv Lan leaned toward Ye Liuyun, her voice even softer.

"But quite a few people say, it’s a sign that the old emperor is about to break through and emerge!"

"... ... ..."

The old emperor is about to break through?

Doesn’t that also mean the old emperor’s going to become a Land Immortal?

No wonder. Someone’s getting antsy, probably trying to stir up trouble at this very moment.

Looks like.

Not everyone is hoping the old emperor successfully breaks through to Land Immortal.

"So that’s how it is!"

Linking all the news together, Ye Liuyun suddenly had some clarity.

"Liuyun, His Majesty’s meaning is, he hopes you’ll return to the Imperial City with me as soon as possible. His Majesty really needs you!"

When she said this.

Lv Lan’s tone was genuinely earnest.

Earlier, Yan Shuzhu had also been working hard to win over some court officials, and those people had begun to show signs of switching allegiance to Yan Shuzhu.

But.

After that dragon’s roar, those people immediately returned to pledging loyalty to the old emperor.

When Yan Shuzhu tried to recruit them, it was like they simply didn’t see him—their eyes more resolute than ever.

No helping it; if the old emperor really breaks through, and they still choose to support Yan Shuzhu, isn’t that courting death? Those folks are expert fence-sitters.

Wherever the wind blows, that’s where they lean.

Lv Lan must be worried Ye Liuyun will make that same choice.

After all, once the old emperor returns, he’ll be a Land Immortal. Who dares cross a Land Immortal head-on?

"Relax!"

Seeing Lv Lan somewhat anxious, Ye Liuyun suddenly grinned.

"If it comes to a critical moment, I’ll run for my life!"

Kidding—my own life is the most important.

Expect me to fight to the death for someone else? Not a chance.

"But that’s only if things really get desperate!"

At least for now, it’s not yet a life-or-death situation.

"You rascal!"

Hearing the first part, Lv Lan’s face froze. Then Ye Liuyun finished his sentence, and she couldn’t help but shake her head, laughing.

To be able to say that—typical Ye Liuyun.

"Hahaha!"

Seeing Lv Lan’s reaction, Ye Liuyun let out two hearty laughs.

Then, he looked at the others gathered nearby.

"All Embroidered Uniform Guard, listen up!"

With a single command.

Every Embroidered Uniform Guard in the courtyard stood with solemn expressions, all facing Ye Liuyun.

"Pack up—we’re heading back to Great Qian!"

"As you command, sir!"

At that, everyone went to their rooms in the tavern to start packing.

Going from Xihe back to Great Qian, even traveling through the night, would still take some time, so food supplies had to be prepared first.

Even Shi Sheng had no objections at this point.

He liked Chai Hong, but Shi Sheng knew damn well what’s important and what’s not.

"Sir, I’d like to say goodbye to someone!"

After a moment’s hesitation, Shi Sheng came up to Ye Liuyun and said quietly.

"You’ve got half an hour."

"Thank you, sir!"

Hearing Ye Liuyun’s reply, Shi Sheng nodded gratefully.

Then hurried off at once.

Afraid he’d waste even a bit of time.

"Great!"

Seeing Ye Liuyun like this, Lv Lan smiled with relief.

With Ye Liuyun around, His Majesty’s pressure should ease up quite a bit.

... ... ...

Ye Liuyun had someone deliver a farewell letter to Jin Hezhi, Emperor of Xihe.

After all, this was someone else’s turf; leaving without a word would be rude.

Shi Sheng returned quickly.

Seeing his lips, looking as if marks had been left from cupping therapy—apparently, the farewell had both of them all emotional.

Over a hundred Embroidered Uniform Guard left the Imperial City together.

Plenty of Xihe locals came over out of curiosity, but seeing the group heading out of the city, nobody said anything more.

Outside the Imperial City, Dong Xian led over a thousand soldiers. After calling everyone together, they finally departed from Xihe’s Imperial City.

The next day.

Ye Liuyun’s group was already far away.

Shu Daiman, the National Preceptor, finally changed back into his black robe and returned to the palace.

Jin Hezhi, head bent over memorials,

Looked up, surprised to see Shu Daiman arriving.

"Did something happen to you, National Preceptor?"

Since becoming National Preceptor, Shu Daiman had never spent a night away from the palace.

Jin Hezhi thought something must have come up.

"Nothing."

Shu Daiman merely shook his head faintly.

"Just gained some insight, that’s all."

No lie—something about Ye Liuyun’s words yesterday had left Shu Daiman with some unexpected realizations.

After all these years as National Preceptor,

Shu Daiman felt like he’d been trapped in the palace all along.

So yesterday, he just got carried away,

And lingered a bit longer outside the palace.

"I see."

... ... ... ... ... ... ...