Full-Level Fierce Person
Chapter 606 - 331 Heavenly Master

Chapter 606: 331 Heavenly Master

"The waters run deep!"

Fang Zhixing sighed softly in his heart.

This Buddhist convention was teeming with undercurrents, with various forces intricately intertwined.

As they spoke, the Five-Colored Auspicious Cloud gradually slowed down and gently descended.

Looking out, the Ancient Imperial City was also divided into the Inner City and the Outer City, each meticulously arranged.

The Five-Colored Auspicious Cloud headed straight for the bustling Inner City, skimming over clusters of buildings.

At the heart of the Inner City lay a massive Emperor’s Palace—Yuan Ye Palace!

This grand palace, majestic in style, was prominently situated on the site of the previous dynasty’s imperial palace.

The Five-Colored Auspicious Cloud came to rest outside the palace’s main gate.

Jing Xuan stepped forward, negotiated with the guards, and was soon granted entry.

The group entered the palace without issue.

Shortly after, they arrived at a vast square.

On this square, Buddhist monks were collaborating to construct a water and land Dharma assembly ground.

But part of it was not yet finished.

Many bare-chested monks were busily at work, each soaked in sweat.

"The grand event will be held in two days; let’s go to the guest rooms in the other courtyard to rest for now," Jing Xuan said, without pausing in his steps, bypassing the Dharma assembly ground.

Soon, they passed through an archway into a garden villa.

The air was thick with the fragrance of flowers, delightfully refreshing.

The villa was expansive, with pavilions and terraces scattered throughout the vast garden.

Accommodations were swiftly arranged.

Jing Xuan and some others were assigned to a larger loft.

Fang Zhixing and a few others settled into a two-story loft.

This loft housed two eunuchs and four palace maids to serve them.

Fang Zhixing took a seat and summoned the eunuchs and palace maids, asking, "Is there a Dragon Chair in the palace?"

The eunuchs and palace maids exchanged glances, somewhat puzzled.

Because there was only one Dragon Chair, specifically referring to the throne in Jinluan Hall.

Certainly, the Emperor would not carry that Dragon Chair wherever he went.

Any chair the Emperor sat upon was also referred to as a precious throne or golden seat.

A eunuch replied cautiously, "The Dragon Chair is over in the Imperial City. The palace here has a Deer Antler Chair that the Emperor once sat upon."

Fang Zhixing pondered for a moment, then asked, "Where is that Deer Antler Chair located?"

After some thought, the eunuch answered, "The Deer Antler Chair has always been kept in Yufu Palace."

At that moment, a palace maid by the eunuch’s side suddenly mentioned, "Now that Prince Chu Guan is staying in Cuiwei Palace, it’s likely the Deer Antler Chair has been moved there."

Prince Chu Guan was one of the four prominent princes, revered in status, and he too had the right to sit on the golden seat.

Understanding dawned on Fang Zhixing, who then inquired, "Have you heard of ’Hot Spring Palace’?"

The eunuch replied, "There is a Hot Spring Palace within the Imperial Palace, which is where the Emperor bathes."

Fang Zhixing asked, "And there’s none within this palace?"

The eunuch shook his head, "Here we have a natural Flowing Spring, the water quality is excellent, so there is no need to build another Hot Spring Palace."

Fang Zhixing quickly grasped the situation.

It seemed he might truly need to make a trip to the Imperial Palace!

Afterward, Fang Zhixing took out some Reward Money and scattered it among the eunuchs and palace maids, dismissing them.

"What’s the matter, you want to go try sitting on that Deer Antler Chair?"

Xigou approached Fang Zhixing, squatted in front of him, and asked telepathically.

Fang Zhixing mused, "Requirement 7 specifically demands sitting on a Dragon Chair, not a Deer Antler Chair. I wonder if it could exploit a loophole."

Xigou pondered, "Well, the Deer Antler Chair is also one the Emperor has sat on, and it might count as a Dragon Chair. But even so, how would you take the Deer Antler Chair from Prince Chu Guan’s possession?"

Fang Zhixing responded, "Nothing is impossible for a willing heart. Prince Chu Guan can’t always have the Deer Antler Chair with him. When he leaves Cuiwei Palace, I’ll sneak in and have a seat undetected."

Xigou understood and nodded, "Okay, I’ll help you scout out the way."

With that, he shook himself and created a Shadow Clone that ran out.

Fang Zhixing waited patiently.

But before he could get comfortable, a eunuch came running outside, exclaiming, "May I ask if the great Taiyi Sect’s Lian Sheng is here?"

Lian Sheng opened the door, answering, "I am he, what is it?"

The eunuch declared, "Scholar Yang Baiqi from the Hanlin Academy invites you over for tea."

Lian Sheng oh’d, excited, and with a smile said, "I didn’t expect Mr. Yang to be here as well; he is the Emperor’s confidant and the accomplished pupil of the prime minister, a hope of Confucianism shouldered by one!"

"This way, please."

The eunuch nodded and bowed, leading Lian Sheng away.

Before long, another eunuch came running.

"Is Mr. An Baopu present?" he called.

Fang Zhixing opened the door, answering, "That would be me."

The eunuch announced, "Several esteemed members of Heavenly Master Sect have invited you over to sit with them."

Fang Zhixing’s eyebrows rose slightly as he nodded, "Alright."

He then called over Lian Yue and Lian Quan, asking them to accompany him.

The eunuch hesitated as if wanting to say more but ultimately refrained.

Guided by the eunuch, the trio walked through a garden and toward the opposite loft.

As they were walking, a young Taoist in a white robe suddenly approached, blocking their path.

"Which of you is a Fellow Daoist of the Five Elements Sect?"

The young Taoist looked snobbish, puffing his chest out with an air of arrogance.

Fang Zhixing glanced at him, nodded respectfully, and said indifferently, "I am An Baopu from the Five Elements Sect. And you are?"

The young Taoist casually greeted him with a palm and fist and replied haughtily, "Heavenly Master Sect’s Pingyangzi!"

Fang Zhixing responded blandly, "Do you need something from me?"

Pingyangzi stood with his hands behind his back, sneered, and said, "What, is the Five Elements Sect so lacking in members that they sent only you?"

"How insolent!"

Lian Yue seemed to have long harbored resentment towards the Heavenly Master Sect and indignantly said, "Pingyangzi, who are you looking down on?"

Pingyangzi glanced at Lian Yue with a contemptuous expression, chuckled dismissively, and said, "If Lian Ge was here in person, perhaps she’d be qualified to speak to me like that. What’s a Shadow Clone like you? Who gave you the audacity to speak up?"