Chapter 580 - 346: The Three Religions Take Disciples, Inheritance of the Fate Grid?

On that day, purple qi came from the east, a Divine Phoenix heralding good fortune.

Everyone in the entire Capital City saw it as clear as day.

The news of the birth of the Great Yan Dynasty’s eldest daughter not only caused a sensation throughout Great Yan, but also drew the attention of the surrounding kingdoms.

For the next several days, well-wishers arrived in a continuous stream.

There were visitors from Shengjing Academy and the Taoist Sect, and even envoys from smaller kingdoms came bearing gifts and blessings.

On this day.

After the morning court session ended, Lu Mingyuan changed into his informal robes, descended the towering steps, and immediately hurried toward the Harem, eager to see his daughter.

A one-armed, middle-aged Sword Cultivator had long been waiting for him in a rear hall.

A smile graced Lu Mingyuan’s face when he saw the man. "Left Tributor, not out drinking today? To what do I owe the pleasure of you waiting for me here?"

Immortal Zuo Ren’s Cultivation was considered first-class, even among the legendary Sword Immortals of history.

Aside from the Great Sword Immortals of the Ascension Realm—the Fourteenth Realm—no other Sword Cultivator could withstand a single one of his moves.

In the entire Central Plains World, the number of Sword Cultivators who could break through to the Ascension Realm could be counted on one hand.

Every last one of them was stationed to guard the border passes.

Immortal Zuo Ren gave a faint smile at the Emperor’s words, then took a step to his left, revealing a young boy in linen clothes with a Sword Box on his back.

"Of course, I came on business."

"And this is..."

"His name is Lü Feng. He’s from Qingping Town, by the Northern Great Wall. Seems he’s a relative of that rascal Zhao Xuanwu," Immortal Zuo Ren answered for the boy.

"Qingping Town..." Lu Mingyuan repeated the name, a long-forgotten sense of familiarity washing over him.

Memories of his third life began to replay in his mind.

’How has his master’s health been lately?’

Lu Mingyuan snapped out of his reverie after a moment and asked with a smile.

Counting the days, he realized it had been quite a long time since he had last seen Zhao Xuanwu.

After all, the man was a permanent Defender stationed at the Great Wall; it was impossible for him to be away for long.

"Your Majesty, Uncle Zhao seems to be doing all right, but he drinks every day. He leaves early and comes back late, so I’m not sure if his body can handle it."

Lü Feng had followed the Left Tributor all the way here, taking in many new sights along the journey. Now, standing inside the Great Yan Imperial Palace, he couldn’t help but feel a little nervous.

The Emperor.

His mother had told him that the Emperor was the master of this land—the wealthiest and most powerful man in the world.

Lü Feng vaguely recalled Li Yuanxi from Huangshi Street in Qingping Town. His father was a mere Transportation Commissioner for the state and county, yet he always acted so high and mighty.

So one could only imagine the stature of the man before him now.

’This handsome young man in the golden Dragon Robe is almost too good-looking,’ Lü Feng thought. ’I wonder how many girls are in love with him. And he seems so friendly, just like a big brother from next door.’

Meanwhile, Lu Mingyuan was also carefully sizing up the boy named Lü Feng.

Lü Feng looked to be in his early teens, an age of youthful vigor.

His skin was slightly tanned, and his eyes were exceptionally clear, holding an indescribable purity.

It was the kind of purity that comes from isolation, from having no contact with the outside world.

He looked somewhat frail, but his frame was strong and his breathing steady—excellent material for the Martial Dao. The Sword Box on his back wasn’t excessively heavy, but it wasn’t light, either. The fact that he could carry it all this way proved he was in good physical condition.

He was, by all appearances, an uncut gem.

Lu Mingyuan’s eyes shifted slightly as he asked curiously, "Did he ask you to bring me a message?"

"Yes. He told me to find a certain person and ask him to be my master," Lü Feng said cautiously.

"Who?"

"A fellow by the name of Lu Mingyuan," Lü Feng replied earnestly.

The moment the words left his mouth, Immortal Zuo Ren broke into a relaxed smile. The nearby Black Armored Imperial Guard, however, all wore the strangest expressions. They looked like they were desperately trying not to laugh in front of the Emperor, and were finding it incredibly difficult to keep straight faces.

Hearing this, Lu Mingyuan glanced at the snickering Immortal Zuo Ren and raised an eyebrow. "Left Tributor, you didn’t tell him anything?"

Immortal Zuo Ren answered honestly, "Not a thing. I figured I would let Your Majesty explain it all himself."

Lu Mingyuan ignored him and turned back to Lü Feng. "Let me ask you something," he said, a curious look on his face. "On your way here, did you never inquire about this person’s origins or identity?"

Lü Feng thought back. "I did ask. But people either said they didn’t know, or they’d avoid the question and hurry away."

"Fair enough."

Lu Mingyuan nodded, then looked the boy square in the eye, his expression dead serious.

"Then allow me to tell you now. I am Lu Mingyuan."

Hearing this, Lü Feng felt his mind start to buzz.

The Emperor who had just been speaking to him so kindly... had now, in the blink of an eye, become his master?

’So the relative Uncle Zhao mentioned... was actually the Emperor of Great Yan? The Emperor is my relative?’

For a moment, he could hardly believe it.

"Greetings, Master."

Lü Feng’s reaction was swift, however. In the blink of an eye, he dropped to his knees with a THUD and addressed him as Master.

"Now, can you tell me what else your Uncle Zhao said?"

Lü Feng gave a slight nod. "Uncle Zhao said his own journey on the Martial Dao had reached its limit for this lifetime, so he didn’t intend to take me as his disciple. But he said that if I came to find you, I would be given a much better opportunity."

Lu Mingyuan asked, "Why do you want to practice the martial arts?"

A long time had passed.

This time, it was his turn to ask someone else that question.

Lü Feng’s gaze was resolute. "Because I want to avenge my mother."

At this answer, Lu Mingyuan fell silent.

’Zhao Xuanwu didn’t take him as a disciple, wanting me to personally train the boy instead. In a way, he must be afraid of dying on the Great Wall one day, leaving the child with no relatives left in the world.’

’Lü Feng’s only remaining relative is likely Zhao Xuanwu.’

’At the same time, he was worried the boy would spend his entire life cooped up in that small town.’

For some reason, when Lu Mingyuan looked at Lü Feng, he saw a reflection of himself from his third life.

"Good. You have ambition," Lu Mingyuan praised.

"Once you’ve resolved to do something, you must see it through to the end."