Chapter 504 - 443: Seeing the Emperor Again

Chapter 504: Chapter 443: Seeing the Emperor Again

As long as the trade continues, perhaps they wouldn’t even need beast bones in the end, and conflict between the two sides would cease. Of course, that all depended on the Cao Bang’s business acumen.

Big Beard sighed softly. "Bai, we shouldn’t meet again."

Bai Yuan frowned slightly. "Sir, why is that?"

He’d noticed on this trip to the Northern Plains that Big Beard seemed to be deliberately avoiding him.

Big Beard said, "That Yuan fellow was truly formidable. While he was alive, he established a rule with all the powerful experts of the Northern Plains: no one was to interfere in Xuan Yang’s affairs unless the Xuan Yang Court fell."

...

Bai Yuan hadn’t expected Mr. Yuan to have set such a rule.

’No wonder,’ Bai Yuan thought. ’Xuan Yang is in chaos, surrounded by powerful enemies on three sides, yet the Demon Sect—the very group that should be making a move—has chosen to lie low.’

’As for why Mr. Yuan did so... perhaps he was the only one who knew.’

Big Beard said, "This time is an exception. It can’t happen again."

Bai Yuan cupped his fist. "Thank you, Sir."

Big Beard’s attitude alone revealed how profound Mr. Yuan’s influence on the Northern Plains had been. Even a wild and unruly character like Big Beard was still abiding by the rules after Mr. Yuan’s death.

’Of course, Mr. Yuan must have left behind some contingency that keeps Big Beard and the Demon Sect in check. Otherwise, someone would have surely made a move long ago.’

Big Beard had never been one for formalities. He said, a little impatiently, "Go on, go on. After you lot are done with your dog-eat-dog business, I’ll come find you for a spar if I’m in the mood."

"Alright."

Bai Yuan laughed heartily.

Big Beard grinned and clapped Bai Yuan on the shoulder. "Of all the Profound People, I only like you and Dong. That Yuan fellow thought highly of you. Go on."

Bai Yuan nodded seriously, gave Big Beard a respectful bow, and turned to leave.

As Big Beard watched Bai Yuan leave, a flicker of anticipation crossed his eyes.

’It’s been a long time since I’ve met a young man who could surprise me every single time.’

...

With the beast bones from Big Beard, the Cao Bang quickly arranged for a merchant caravan to enter the Northern Plains.

Everything went as smoothly as expected.

A foreseeable tide of silver coins would soon be pouring into Bai Yuan’s pockets, instantly solving the majority of his military funding problems.

「One day.」

Li Huan approached Bai Yuan with a grave expression. "Ah Yuan, the Celestial Profound Sect has made its move, just as you predicted."

Bai Yuan’s expression tensed. "Tell me."

"Ximo launched a night raid against the Zhenxi Army, and the Celestial Profound Sect attacked the Northern Garrison Army on almost the same day. Fortunately, thanks to your warning, neither army suffered major casualties. They’re now locked in a fierce battle."

"Understood."

He had already told his Master, Xu Dingchun, and Old Dong about the Celestial Profound Sect allying with Ximo.

With those two holding down the fort, there was no need to be overly concerned.

’If my predictions are correct, the Third Prince will soon make a move against the Eldest Prince. That’s when the real chaos will begin. This is merely the prelude.’

Li Huan asked, "Should we dispatch our troops?"

Bai Yuan shook his head. "No rush."

Since the Zhenxi Army and the Northern Garrison Army were already prepared, their strength should be more than enough to tie down Ximo and the Celestial Profound Sect for the time being. The crucial factor was still the outcome of the conflict between Li Wei and Li Kang.

Rushing to send troops now would likely have no effect on the overall situation. It was better to wait and see how things developed.

...

"Sister Fang, what is it?"

While Bai Yuan was waiting for news of the war in the Central Plains, Fang Wan came to find him.

Fang Wan said, "Brother Bai, I think I’ve sensed the Divine Mansion."

Hearing Fang Wan’s words, Bai Yuan’s expression grew serious.

"Where is it?"

Due to her master’s teachings, Fang Wan also knew of the Divine Mansion’s existence and had been searching for it. Bai Yuan had already obtained two parts of the Divine Mansion; if he could just get the third, he would have a complete Divine Palace Profound Soldier.

His strength would surely soar once again.

Fang Wan murmured thoughtfully, "I can’t be certain yet, but something carrying the aura of the Divine Mansion is approaching us."

Bai Yuan’s brow furrowed.

’That’s even stranger.’

Just as Bai Yuan was about to speak, a servant’s angry shouting came from outside the door. "You think someone like you can see my master? Get lost! Get lost! Get lost!"

Bai Yuan’s eyes lit up. He and Fang Wan turned to look toward the courtyard gate at almost the exact same moment.

"Could it be him?"

The servant was about to continue his tirade when he suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned his head and saw Bai Yuan and Fang Wan standing right behind him.

"Ma... Master."

The servant was flustered.

Bai Yuan’s gaze went past the servant and landed on the person at the entrance.

He was dressed in a sheepskin jacket, looked incredibly old, and was filthy from head to toe, no different from a beggar on the street.

The servant explained, "Master, this man says he’s from the Capital City."

With his sharp hearing, Bai Yuan had of course already overheard the conversation between the servant and the man. He glanced at Fang Wan and saw her nod at him.

Only then did Bai Yuan speak. "And who might you be?"

’Since Fang Wan is certain, then it’s almost guaranteed that this person before me holds the last part of the Divine Mansion.’

The old beggar spoke in a raspy voice, "Bai Yuan, I’ve finally found you."

Hearing the old beggar’s voice, Bai Yuan first frowned, then a look of understanding dawned in his eyes. "Your Majesty?"

Hearing those two words, both Fang Wan and the servant wore looks of shock.

At almost the same instant, Yue Xiaobai, who had been inside, appeared at his side, staring intently at the old beggar before the gate.

The old beggar gave a self-deprecating laugh. "To think there’s still someone in this world who can recognize me."

Fang Wan blurted out, "You’re Emperor Yuanding?"

But she immediately realized her mistake. The rumor circulating was that Emperor Li Chengyuan had died in the upheaval. Yet now, it seemed that wasn’t the case.

Yue Xiaobai said, "So you really didn’t die."

Bai Yuan, however, had known this all along. He just hadn’t expected that Li Chengyuan, the man Li Wei had been searching high and low for, would appear on his own doorstep.

"Your Majesty, please come in."

’All things considered, Emperor Li Chengyuan had treated him quite well. Even if there was some suspicion, it was merely the balancing act of an emperor, not directed solely at him. In fact, compared to other officials, his treatment had been very good.’

If it weren’t for Li Chengyuan’s strong support, he would never have risen to the position of Jiedu Envoy so quickly.

The old beggar, Li Chengyuan, walked with great difficulty, his body trembling. It took him a long while to enter the main hall of the Bai Mansion and sit down.

"Your Majesty, you should take the main seat."

Li Chengyuan waved his hand dismissively. "I’m just a useless wreck. There’s no need for such formalities."

Bai Yuan looked at Li Chengyuan intently, sighing in his heart.

’Li Chengyuan, who once possessed power rivaling the gods, was now a complete and utter mortal, his martial skills entirely gone. He probably had three years to live, at most.’

Seeing Li Chengyuan’s miserable state, one could only imagine how grievous the injuries he must have sustained in that great battle were, even if he didn’t die.

Under the gazes of Bai Yuan, Yue Xiaobai, and Fang Wan, Li Chengyuan slowly took an object from within his robes.

It was a Jade Seal, translucent and radiant.

Bai Yuan stared at the eight words on the Jade Seal—"Receive Heaven’s Mandate; have long life and eternal reign"—and his heart nearly skipped a beat.

’The Heirloom Seal of the Realm really is in Li Chengyuan’s hands!’

This Jade Seal represented the supreme authority in the mortal world, something that had driven countless people to madness.

Those eight words, in particular, seemed to possess an infinite magic, making it impossible for anyone to look away.

Even Yue Xiaobai, a man who cared little for fame or fortune, found his breath quickening as he looked at those eight words.

Few people in the world ever had the chance to see the Heirloom Seal of the Realm up close.

Li Chengyuan’s trembling hands lifted a teacup. He took a sip, the sweet taste of the tea soothing his throat. "Bai Yuan, if you are willing to promise me one thing, I will give this Jade Seal to you."

!!!

The moment Li Chengyuan’s words left his mouth, Yue Xiaobai and Fang Wan stared in utter disbelief.

Bai Yuan, however, was surprisingly calm. "Your Majesty, why choose me?"

Li Chengyuan chuckled dryly.

But there was no hint of a sinister plot or confident scheme in his laugh—only self-deprecation and helplessness.

"Because I have no other choice."

...

Bai Yuan fell silent.

"What do you want me to do?"

As he said this, Yue Xiaobai and Fang Wan, standing to the side, both pricked up their ears. They too were desperate to know what Li Chengyuan wanted from Bai Yuan that he would even offer the Heirloom Seal of the Realm as a gift.