Peace Order
Chapter 360 - 156: The Elixir of Immortality, The Battle That Captivates the World_3

Chapter 360: Chapter 156: The Elixir of Immortality, The Battle That Captivates the World_3

It was the struggle in the palace.

Having just slain the evil Emperor while wearing a sword, his heart had lost interest in dealing with the harem.

His expression gentle, he said, "Very well."

He sent away two female officials, holding his sword and looking at the palace. He suddenly understood the heart of his famous brother. During the times when the Regent’s power shook the world, he saw the old, limping wolf lying on the roof watching the sunset, arms cushioning his head, basking in the sunlight.

He didn’t bother with the court, nor did he meet with his ministers; he simply watched the sun slowly set.

Emperor Chen, holding his sword, spoke softly,

"Second brother... Wan Li."

"This position, it really is lonely.

"I am having some regrets now.

"But I cannot turn back."

When he stepped out, the Ritual Eunuch inquired about how to deal with the Qilin Palace under the night’s sky. Ultimately, Emperor Chen, exhausted from dealing with his son’s death, tracking down clues, examining the corpse, palace intrigues, conflicts between the Emperor and his ministers, Ying Country, Central State, and alchemists.

From Hou Zhongyu to this three-hundred-year-old alchemist.

Exhausted, Emperor Chen waved his sleeve and said, "...Close it off for now, and no other alchemists may enter."

"Let the Qilin Palace remain vacant for now."

"Later, I will make a decision."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

In the Qilin Pavilion, the ears of the Fire Qilin twitched slightly.

It seemed a streak of golden light flashed in the eyes of the Qilin.

The alchemists and Taoists had been dismissed, meaning—

Only the basic Imperial Guard remained in the Qilin Palace?

Opportunity had arrived.

Waiting for the grand ritual, there were only a few days left. The Qilin closed its eyes, and the golden-red Qilin Fire flowed slowly. The chains binding it had long become mere formalities, able to be shattered in an instant.

Only a few days left until the grand ritual when that young man would appear...

The Qilin Fire flowed.

...

The next day, as the sun rose, the Emperor awoke. Seeing the world outside, he soon regained his usual demeanor—deep and cold. Yesterday’s sentimental feelings, like ripples on water, all dispersed.

He began to regret.

Regretting why he had slayed with one sword the Taoist who claimed they could achieve immortality!

He should have kept him alive; why burn all those scrolls?

Emperor Chen, looking at his reflection in the mirror, gripping his own wrist, said, "Is the young me still ’alive’ inside this body? I know too well that if I struggle for too long, I will inevitably succumb to temptation and pursue the Elixir of Immortality."

"So I burned his scrolls and killed his disciples to prevent any future regrets."

"A position like that of the Emperor, once one sits down, one does not think to step down. It is exhausting but never tiring. How does loneliness matter? In this whole world, no one is qualified to stand beside me. That’s what it is to be an emperor!"

He walked out composedly again, ready to face a day in the life of an emperor. The final battle before the grand festival was crucial, said to bring joy to the people, hence many spectators crowded the multistory buildings on both sides, which were all sold out.

Li Guanyi, dressed in a brand-new battle robe, wore a simple armor underneath.

After a moment’s thought, he tied the young lady’s red hair ribbon around his left arm and, holding the Battle Halberd in his right hand, approached. Upon seeing him, the crowd started cheering, not only the common folk from the Central Plains and the knights from Jiangnan, but also the Martial World’s people applauded for him.

Li Guanyi, extending his hand in response, was quite at ease.

As he passed by, his pupils slightly constricted, his gaze shifted looking towards a direction among the crowd of Martial World people, there was a tall monk wearing a hat, holding a Mixed Iron Zen Stick in one hand, barefoot, chanting scriptures.

Was that—

Yan Xuanji?!

The fierce general who had left Chen Country and entered the Buddhist Sect’s Martial World? He had mixed in?

In a flash, Li Guanyi thought of General Yue’s matter. Had he not viewed the portraits last night, and if the second level of "Jiangnan Misty Rain Twelve Layers" did not have ways to disguise one’s Charm and Temperament, he would have had difficulty recognizing him, for this monk no longer carried any murderous aura, only a rich Buddhist presence.

But that one Mixed Iron Zen Staff was still as formidable as the old combined steel mystical weapon long stick.

The tall monk blended into the crowd, and the throng of people surged.

In the blink of an eye, Yan Xuanji had disappeared.

And Li Guanyi was surrounded by people, proceeding towards the direction of the stage.

Li Guanyi took his gaze back, looking at the stage where Yuwen Hua was already prepared. Their eyes met, and Yuwen Hua grinned.

Li Guanyi lifted his Battle Halberd and stepped onto the stage leisurely.

The crowd of Martial World guests, commoners, and members of aristocratic families cheered. Realizing Yan Xuanji’s presence, Li Guanyi knew that the grand ritual was about to start—Ying Country, Chen Country, and Turkic court strife; Martial World people wanting to rescue General Yue, and him aiming to capture the Qilin, escaping after the grand festival.

There were also the Empress and the noble concubine, the Emperor’s illegitimate son, the Prince of Ying and Prince Jiang Guang.

The vortex was massive, nearly impossible to escape from.

The strategies of the Breaking Army were steadily progressing, and with no one guarding the Qilin Palace, the world was in chaos.

Li Guanyi stepped onto the stage.

The youth lifted his Battle Halberd, then hesitated slightly.

Li Guanyi’s gaze unconsciously glanced at the high platform, where an old man had joined.

Strange—

Li Guanyi frowned slightly.

He felt something was calling him.

What was it?

And in that moment, within the Sword Box, the Chi Xiao Sword subtly emitted a ray of light.