Chapter 1800 - 904: Chen Yuanlu (2)

Everyone is aware of the current situation, so they didn’t bother with pleasantries.

The wheels rolled over the bluestone road, creating a rhythmic sound.

Passing through the peaceful lanes near Chongwen Gate, they gradually entered more bustling streets.

Though it was early, the streets were already lively.

People selling breakfast from shoulder poles, carrying tools to work, and driving mule carts to deliver vegetables intertwined in a busy scene under the gradually brightening morning light.

But Li Yan’s brows furrowed slightly.

Ever since he stayed at that residence last night, he vaguely sensed several indistinct gazes lurking in the shadows. As the carriage moved, not only did those gazes not decrease, but as they approached the inner city, they became more numerous and intense.

Those eyes hidden behind rooftops and mingled with the crowd appeared cautious and wary.

Chen Wenxian noticed Li Yan’s expression and sighed softly. He lifted the corner of the carriage curtain to glance at the street scene outside. "Young Hero Li, did you notice it?"

He spoke in a low voice, "Since last night, there have been no fewer than five groups watching this carriage."

Li Yan acknowledged softly, not responding further.

Chen Wenxian lowered the curtain, his face showing deeper concern. "For now, it’s fine. His Majesty’s coffin is still in the palace, the national funeral is not over, anyone with intentions wouldn’t dare act rashly."

"The real fear is... after the funeral. If the new emperor still can’t ascend, some might not be able to hold back."

The carriage continued forward. As they passed Chessboard Street, Li Yan saw a group of city patrol soldiers escorting several disheveled, ragged men, whose mouths were cursing, faintly hearing words like "daring to steal coal," "break their legs."

Further away, in the direction where the Flint Wheel Car tracks extended, a rumbling sound was already audible.

About two sticks of incense later, the carriage turned into an even more tranquil street.

The road was wider, paved with bluestones, meticulously cleaned without a speck of dust.

On both sides were tall walls topped with black tiles, occasionally some branches protruded, meticulously trimmed pines and cypresses. Few pedestrians, only night watchmen in uniform and occasionally low-level officials walking briskly.

The air was filled with a heavy, nearly suffocating silence.

They arrived at the Eastern Palace.

Not the imagined grandeur palace, but rather a large-scale, imposing residence complex. The vermilion door was shut tight, the beast-head copper rings were cold, and eight guards stood before the door, holding their swords firmly, their armor clean and their eyes sharp like hawks.

Chen Wenxian showed his waist badge, whispered a few words with the guard leader, and only then did the heavy side door slowly open a crack.

The carriage couldn’t enter, the three disembarked to walk.

Passing through the door, inside was a spacious plaza, the ground paved with large bluestones, moss growing in the cracks. In the distance stood majestic halls, the eaves and architrave prominently silhouetted, appearing exceptionally heavy under the gloomy sky.

The air was suffused with a faint fragrance of sandalwood incense mixed with the scent of medicine.

Chen Wenxian led the two and did not head to the main hall but instead circled around the corridor, passing several moon gate doors to a quieter warm pavilion.

Two eunuchs guarded the pavilion, their faces pale, eyes filled with tension and fatigue.

Upon seeing Chen Wenxian, they slightly bowed and silently pushed open the pavilion door.

The warm pavilion was dimly lit, windows were tightly shut, only a few palace lanterns were illuminated.

A strong scent of medicine rushed forth, mixed with the smell of charcoal fire and a faint, elusive scent of bodily decay. Crown Prince Xiao Jingheng was half-reclined on the couch, covered in a brocade blanket.

Under the dim yellow light, his complexion appeared unhealthy waxen, eye sockets deeply sunken, cheekbones protruding, more emaciated and haggard compared to when Li Yan last saw him.

Only his eyes strove to open wider upon seeing Li Yan and the others, a flicker of light passing through.

"Young Hero Li, Daoist Wang... cough cough... you’re here." The Crown Prince’s voice was hoarse and weak, coughing lightly after speaking half a sentence, the attending eunuch promptly handed over warm water.

"Greetings to the Crown Prince." Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan saluted, their faces solemn.

They were fairly acquainted, having been spirited in Guangzhou City, but now, meeting again, things had taken such a turn.

The Crown Prince waved his hand, indicating no need for formalities, and after catching a few breaths, he barely stabilized.

"In this state... making you laugh."

He tugged at the corners of his mouth, attempting a smile, yet only forming a bitter arc, "The nation faces difficulties, yet I am afflicted by illness, truly... failing the late emperor, failing the realm."

After a few simple exchanges of pleasantries, Li Yan got straight to the point, calmly and directly: "Your Highness, Chen Changshi mentioned that there might be a chance to remedy Your Highness’s illness. What do we need to do?"

The Crown Prince’s eyes seemed to flicker slightly upon hearing this.

He looked towards Chen Wenxian, who was standing by his side, and nodded slightly.

Chen Wenxian understood, walked to the side of a plain screen inside the Warm Pavilion, and said in a low voice: "Grandmaster Chen, please."

Footsteps sounded, steady, even, neither hurried nor slow.

A person stepped out from behind the screen.

Li Yan’s heart skipped a beat upon seeing this. There was someone hidden behind there, and he hadn’t noticed at all.

This must be an extraordinary master!

The newcomer was tall, half a head higher than ordinary people, with broad shoulders and a thick back, exuding a sense of stability as firm as a mountain just by standing there.

He wore a simple gray cotton robe, slightly faded but extremely clean.

His face was square-shaped, slightly dark-skinned, with three long, graying whiskers meticulously groomed under his chin.

The most striking were his eyes: calm and deep, devoid of any sharpness when looking at people, yet possessing a composure that won others’ respect, as if the sky could fall and he would remain unperturbed.

Li Yan felt a stir in his heart.

The Crown Prince had just mentioned Grandmaster Chen.

He had naturally heard of the Ten Grandmasters, among whom was the leader of the Changxing Sect, Chen Yuanlu. Rumors said he was well-versed in the principles of Tai Chi Boxing, integrating them with various weapons like sabers, spears, swords, and halberds. His disciples mostly operated in the Capital, kept a low profile, and stayed out of factional conflicts.

Today was the first time he saw him in person.

Chen Yuanlu walked up to the chaise, first giving a slight bow to the Crown Prince, then turning to nod calmly at Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan, his movements smooth and natural, devoid of any worldly air. "Young Hero Li, I’ve heard much about you."

His voice was calm, righteous, and mellow.

The Crown Prince took a breath and introduced: "Grandmaster Chen heard of my illness and came to visit. My condition... Grandmaster Chen may have a good method."

Chen Yuanlu took over the conversation, without exchanging pleasantries, speaking directly: "Your Highness’s ailment stems from an innate deficiency and excessive postnatal depletion, severely damaging the primordial energy, like a lamp running out of oil. Ordinary decoctions and acupuncture merely prolong the wick, unable to replenish the oil."

His gaze swept over Li Yan, "The external talk of inviting experts for ’revitalization’ is merely a ruse to mislead. The truly feasible solution lies in finding the purest spiritual objects in the world, using external forces for a forced cleansing and fortification, then supplementing with secret techniques to guide and possibly make up the loss, reversing the vitality."

Li Yan asked: "Senior Chen’s methods are naturally remarkable. What kind of spiritual objects are needed?"

Chen Yuanlu spoke slowly: "Not comparable to ordinary ginseng or Lingzhi. It must be a rare treasure born of the earth’s fortune, with a nature that is neutral and harmonious, capable of harmonizing Yin and Yang, nourishing the essence."

"Such spiritual objects are rare to come across, and their records are ephemeral."

He paused slightly, his gaze becoming serious. "To my knowledge, under the Capital City, where the Dragon Vein coils, has been developed by successive emperors, hiding mysteries. Perhaps... within that Secret Realm unreachable to ordinary people, there might be remnants."

"Secret Realm?"

Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan exchanged a glance, then spoke: "Senior Chen, are you referring to the ’Nine Gates Yin Ruins’?"

This place, of course, he knew.

The Capital was originally the Great Capital of the Golden Tent Wolf Country. When the Lang Country fell, those remnants left, setting the Capital on fire and leaving some arrangements. After the Great Xuan’s several suppressions, the accumulation of Yin Sha Qi turned it into a Secret Realm.

Strange events often occurred there: ghost markets like ruins, and illusions of the previous dynasty.

Because the Inner City of the Capital had nine gates, its entrance lies within these nine gates, hence called the "Nine Gates Yin Ruins."

They had once thwarted the Pantao Conference’s plot and eliminated the Jianmu master Zhao Qingxu there.

Not only that, but Li Yan knew that deep in the "Nine Gates Yin Ruins," there were more secrets, connecting back to Ancient Times. It was just that they left in a hurry back then and had no time to explore further.

This Chen Yuanlu, being a grandmaster, suddenly mentioned the Nine Gates Yin Ruins. Could it really be just to extend the Crown Prince’s life?

Thinking of this, Li Yan spoke without any change in expression: "Does Senior have a specific target?"

Chen Yuanlu slowly raised his head, speaking calmly:

"We are to find... the true Flat Peach!"