Chapter 376 - 136: A Chilling Surprise for the Blood Immortal Sect: Could It Be Jiang Lan?

As the Southern Hunting drill drew near, streaks of Divine Rainbows could be seen descending daily among the mountain ranges outside the Imperial Capital, followed by massive and ancient warships.

Generals from all quarters led their vast armies back, setting up camp in various locations. Their sheer presence was astonishing.

The Imperial Capital itself was more bustling than ever. Crowds flowed like a tide, and figures filled every corner. The number of cultivators and other beings coming and going far surpassed any time before.

On the wide avenues, squads of soldiers in dark bronze armor could be seen at all times. CLATTER! CLATTER! Their iron plates collided as they patrolled by, tasked with maintaining order during this period.

A grim and solemn atmosphere of high alert settled over the city during the Southern Hunting drill. No one dared to break the rules within the Imperial Capital. Even the typically aloof and unrestrained Immortal Sect Lineages obeyed the regulations, remaining in their designated encampments each day, not daring to cause any trouble.

Inside Chengming Hall, after receiving some important guests from Xiling Province, Emperor Xia wearily rubbed the bridge of her nose. She then picked up several letters from the documents on her desk and began to leaf through them.

"How have things been at the Four Forbidden Halls these past few days?" she asked, seemingly at random.

"To Your Majesty," Spring Orchid replied respectfully, "the Four Forbidden Halls are all heavily guarded. The Northern Expedition General, the Dragon Rider General, the Guardian General, and the Left and Right Captains of the Captain’s Mansion have all dispatched numerous experts to stand guard from the shadows. The watch is layered, with a post every ten steps and a sentry every five. It is impenetrable."

The Four Forbidden Halls, located deep within the Imperial Palace, were Changsheng Hall, Nixian Hall, Zhao Hua Hall, and Dust Landing Hall.

Each Forbidden Hall held an extraordinary significance and was covered in a dense web of Array Pattern Restrictions. They housed many precious items belonging to the Royal Family. The depths of Zhao Hua Hall even connected to the national treasury, where countless priceless treasures and Divine Objects were kept.

Emperor Xia gave a slight nod. After learning of the Blood Immortal Sect’s plot for the National Treasure Dragon-Suppressing Seal, she had acted according to the decision made with Jiang Lan, dispatching heavy troops to guard the Four Forbidden Halls.

The National Treasure Dragon-Suppressing Seal was enshrined within one of those Forbidden Halls.

The reason she had dispatched heavy troops to guard all four Forbidden Halls, aside from sowing confusion and misleading outsiders, was to use this as an opportunity to purge her own ranks.

In each of the Four Forbidden Halls, she had placed a decoy resembling a Dao Artifact, each filled with National Fortune Dragon Qi. Unless the information was leaked beforehand, it would be impossible for the Blood Immortal Sect to use their Secret Techniques or Exotic Treasures to determine which hall truly held the National Treasure Dragon-Suppressing Seal.

This would also weaken and divide the main force the Blood Immortal Sect dispatched to seize the National Treasure.

Most importantly, it would help her determine which of her subordinates could truly be trusted.

The Northern Expedition General, Xiao Ye, was the eldest son of Prince Zhenbei, Xiao He.

The Dragon Rider General, Xiao Wang, was Xiao He’s second son.

These two men were responsible for guarding Changsheng Hall.

The Guardian General, on the other hand, was a general Emperor Xia had personally promoted through the ranks from the military barracks. He had no powerful Noble Families or Clans backing him and was uninvolved in factional disputes.

Having led troops in battle for years in the barren borderlands, he possessed both courage and cunning. He had been recalled to the Imperial Capital by Emperor Xia for this occasion and tasked with guarding Nixian Hall.

As for the Right Captain of the Captain’s Mansion, that was Situ Ying, the son of Duke Zhongguo. He was considered one of Emperor Xia’s confidants and was responsible for guarding Zhao Hua Hall.

The Left Captain of the Captain’s Mansion, a man named Chongwu, hailed from the lineage of Emperor Xia’s maternal uncle, Prince Chong’an. He too could be considered one of her current confidants and was in charge of guarding Dust Landing Hall.

These generals were all profoundly powerful. As veterans of countless battles, it would be difficult for a cultivator of the same realm to last more than a few rounds against any of them. Logically, Emperor Xia should have felt completely at ease entrusting them with the task of guarding the Four Forbidden Halls.

But... for the Blood Immortal Sect to take such an enormous risk to seize Great Xia’s National Treasure Dragon-Suppressing Seal during the Southern Hunting drill, they had to have an ace up their sleeve.

That was why a faint sense of unease lingered in Emperor Xia’s heart.

As she was lost in thought, a eunuch came forward to announce, "Your Majesty, Duke Zhongguo requests an audience."

"Admit him," Emperor Xia said coolly, setting down the letter in her hand.

Soon, an octogenarian with a gentle, scholarly face, dressed in a tall hat and wide sash, walked in, led by a eunuch. His robes were embroidered with patterns of red luan birds and other auspicious beasts. Bearing the golden seal and purple sash of high office, denoting his role as supervisor of all officials, he was none other than Duke Zhongguo.

"This old minister greets Your Majesty." Duke Zhongguo stopped in the middle of the hall and gave a slight bow.

Emperor Xia looked at him and nodded. Understanding the cue, the assembled maids and eunuchs all tactfully withdrew.

"Regarding the matter of guarding the National Treasure, I must ask you to trouble yourself, Duke Zhongguo."

"The Blood Immortal Sect has grown truly rampant. In plotting for the National Treasure, they show absolutely no regard for our Great Xia. This Southern Hunting drill is of paramount importance to Great Xia; we cannot afford even the slightest mishap."

Emperor Xia spoke with respect for this elder statesman who had served two reigns. When she was young, it had been Duke Zhongguo who had stood up for her in the imperial court, getting her out of predicaments on many occasions.

Duke Zhongguo cupped his hands. "Your Majesty, please rest assured. Although this old minister is aged, now that you have entrusted me with such a grave responsibility, I will certainly not disappoint your great expectations."

"As for my son, Ying, I have already instructed him. I guarantee there will be no mistakes on his part."

Emperor Xia gave a slight nod.

She had summoned each of them—Prince Zhenbei, Xiao He; Prince Chong’an; and now Duke Zhongguo—individually to inform them about the task of guarding the Four Forbidden Halls.

Her story to each was identical: the hall *their* family was assigned to guard was the one that housed the true National Treasure, while the other halls were merely decoys. She warned them not to be careless and, at the same time, not to reveal this to anyone.

She intended to use this opportunity to set a trap, lay her bait, and wipe out the agents of the Blood Immortal Sect in one fell swoop.

Of course, only she knew the true location of the National Treasure Dragon-Suppressing Seal.