Chapter 1397: 682: Sacrifice to Heaven, Begin! (Part 2)

Capítulo 1397: Chapter 682: Sacrifice to Heaven, Begin! (Part 2)

But he still did it.

Not only because he had to, but also because… he had confidence.

Without some confidence, would he dare to do so?

“So?”

Chen Yuan’s gaze slightly focused:

“So, now entering the Capital is fine.”

Ling Xu Daoist nodded slightly, saying no more, but his evaluation of Chen Yuan in his heart rose a bit. He didn’t go so far as to kneel and bow, but he felt that this youngster not only had exceptional Martial Arts talent, unmatched in the world.

His temperament was not lacking either.

“Rustle…”

The two were chatting leisurely when a figure in white slowly appeared from around the corner, eyes calm.

“How is it?”

Chen Yuan’s gaze shifted.

Jiang He slowly shook his head:

“Not there.”

Neither at Shuanghe Temple nor at the Marshal’s Mansion was there any trace of Li Hongshuang.

“It seems that it will only be during the Festival of Heaven.”

Chen Yuan sighed.

His trip to the Capital was not for leisure; part of it was to take Li Hongshuang away. He hadn’t intended to openly snatch a woman.

If he could take her away earlier, even if a commotion arose before the Festival of Heaven, what then?

Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Li Hongshuang had already been taken away without a whisper, clearly due to Li Kuangxiu’s methods.

He didn’t want to cause any disturbances before the Festival that would displease the Emperor.

“Hmm.”

“Let’s go, to Qingyun Temple.”

Chen Yuan’s steps didn’t halt.

Aside from coming early to take Li Hongshuang away, another reason was because of the old Tianxu Daoist.

Apart from their previous farewell meeting, they had not contacted each other, and this time was when he needed to take action.

He had already gathered strength and forged alliances.

He had the qualifications to have this guy invest more.

Simply put, it was like diluting shares before a company went public. If he didn’t want them diluted, he’d have to risk everything and fully commit.

A mere favor from Biyou Palace wasn’t enough to put Chen Yuan at ease.

Ling Xu’s expression remained calm as he followed closely. Even though he didn’t know why they were going to Qingyun Temple, he followed anyway. Jiang He did the same, walking by his side.

Three True Monarchs, and not just ordinary Yang Gods.

This power was enough to cause a commotion in the Capital, and enough to fight their way out.

Plus, with the hidden Demon Monk Moluo, to be honest, this was where Chen Yuan’s confidence to roam the Capital without disguising himself came from.

The three moved quickly, arriving near Qingyun Temple in a short time.

The Capital was bustling, and by noon it would be time for the Festival of Heaven. Now, the citizens and some influential officials were naturally getting ready.

Simply put, they were there to be counted.

On a deeper level, these civil and military officials, along with the Nobles, needed to witness the Emperor offering sacrifices to Heaven firsthand.

Of course, part of them wanted to see how the event would unfold today.

During the Festival of Heaven, a conflict was highly likely, as many people had already agreed. Nobody wanted to miss such a grand scene.

In front of Qingyun Temple, little Daoist children were sweeping the autumn leaves and washing the street with clean water, which many citizens were also doing at the moment.

The three soon arrived at the entrance.

Without any notification, the old Tianxu Daoist gradually appeared from afar, no longer looking as lazy as before. Now, he had his hair tied up and wore a purple Daoist robe.

The horsetail whisk in his hand complemented his image as an ethereal and reclusive sage.

He looked at Chen Yuan, and Chen Yuan looked at him in return.

“Daoist.”

“Marquis.”

“Do you remember what was said before?”

“I remember.”

The old Tianxu Daoist recalled the scene from their last meeting, bowing:

“This humble Daoist awaits the Marquis’s return.”

“Fight alongside me.”

“Good.”

Tianxu Daoist smiled faintly.

A group of three became a group of four, their figures somewhat hazy, moving among the crowd, yet unnoticed. Suddenly, during the journey of a convoy, Chen Yuan furrowed his brows and looked over.

…

Since early morning, Jingtai’s princes and princesses, the disciples of the Sima Clan, were all mobilizing, and as the eldest Princess, Pingyang was no exception.

Her gaze remained calm, as she followed the orders of the Sima Clan elders to get ready, changing into a formal long dress, with light makeup as she boarded the sedan chair.

Her heart remained unsettled, yet like a pine tree, she forcibly suppressed all her thoughts, sitting alone inside the sedan.

In front of her were the carriages of the princes and concubines.

As she passed by Zhang Mansion, she didn’t stop, nor did she when passing Duke Wu’an Mansion, but at that moment, it was as if she had a feeling.

She lifted the curtain of the sedan and saw the man her younger brother and mother had mentioned in unusual tones.

Princess Pingyang and Chen Yuan’s gazes met for an instant, both their eyes very calm, like strangers with no exchange of looks.

Lowering the curtain, Princess Pingyang closed her eyes.

…

…

The entire Capital was in full mobilization, concubines, princes, noble families, the Forbidden Army; yet, despite such large-scale activity, no one panicked, because there had already been teachings from the elders of the noble families before.

They were just going to watch the ceremony and shout long live.

Nothing more.

The Emperor’s Imperial Guard had already started moving. At this moment, the Imperial City was very empty. If a commotion were to be raised, it would be a perfect opportunity.

Unfortunately, no one showed themselves.

After all, if a commotion were raised, who would it be for?

Yet, very few knew that the Emperor had not gone to Purple Gold Mountain because… the time had not come.

Usually, time flowed quickly, often passing several hours unknowingly, but today, the Festival of Heaven seemed to make time pass so slowly for many.

“Slow? I find it no different from usual,”

At the top of the Stargazing Tower, Jingtai, wearing a bright yellow dragon robe and a nine-bead crown, turned his gaze to Cao Zhengxian and said.

“It is this old servant who feels impatient.”

Cao Zhengxian bowed with a smile.

Somehow, he felt quite relaxed today. Previously, the Emperor’s face was gloomy, exuding a murderous aura, but now he seemed… kind.

No, kind is not suitable for referring to an emperor.

Tolerant might be more appropriate.

Since Jingtai’s ascension, he had always served by his side, witnessing this Emperor’s half life, not a wise ruler, but not a foolish one either.

Calling him a guardian ruler might be more fitting.

After all, apart from the recent years, he hadn’t made any major moves.

Hmm….

To be precise, there were no major moves on the surface.

As for behind the scenes, Cao Zhengxian dared not think much, for it was already quite evident.

“Where are Gu Gong and Li Gong?”

“They have stepped aside and are waiting at Purple Gold Mountain.”

“And Uncle?”

“Also there.”

“What about the army?”

“Three hundred thousand elite Forbidden Army have already arrayed at Purple Gold Mountain. This time, if anyone tries to cause trouble, they will surely die without a burial place!”

“Hehe, not necessarily.”

Jingtai had never placed his hopes on the Forbidden Army.

Though they might unleash some power, compared to the many Jianghu experts, they were still lacking.

No need to think much, how could the world’s several great Immortal Sects not come to join the fun?

The Xiang Family, the Taoist Divine Palace, such existences, how could they not come to intervene, no… how could they not come to deliver a heavy blow to the court, further pushing the world into chaos?

“Lord Cao.”

“This old servant is here.”

“You should go too, and await at Purple Gold Mountain.”

“Yes, this old servant takes his leave.”

With that, he slowly retreated.

After he left, Jingtai’s gaze also turned towards the east, speaking softly:

“How many experts does the Bodhisattva think will take action this time?”

Beside Jingtai, a golden-furred monkey draped in a Kasaya, with a compassionate look on its face, slowly shook its head:

“I do not know.”

“What does the Daoist think?”

On the other side, an old man dressed in a Daoist robe also slowly appeared, smiling gently:

“There should be quite a few.”

“Hehe, hearing a Daoist’s words is like hearing a Daoist’s words.”

Thus, another hour passed, the sun now high, and Jingtai slowly stood up:

“Let’s go. The Festival of Heaven ceremony should begin.”

“I hope everything goes smoothly.”

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