Chapter 428: Nie Fancheng
Zhong Shan's army entered Li Huo Holy Capital, causing what was perhaps the most sensational event in the history of the Da Li Heavenly Dynasty.
The streets were empty, as millions gathered to witness Zhong Shan's army. The noise and commotion were unprecedented, and no one had ever received such a grand reception. Of course, the motivations behind this reception were far from pure.
The belief in the Elixir of Immortality wasn't widespread in the Da Li Heavenly Dynasty, but those who came to the capital believed in it. This meant that at least fifty million visitors in Li Huo Holy Capital believed in the Elixir. Human belief is contagious; once a majority believes, the skeptics start to believe as well.
Thus, Zhong Shan became a focal point, gathering the hopes and desires of countless people in Li Huo Holy Capital.
Throughout the journey, many attempted to act, but under the meticulous calculations of Shao Fei, each attempt was thwarted.
Finally, they arrived at the so-called Nanming Tribute Palace.
The Nanming Tribute Palace was uniquely constructed, resembling a massive flaming lotus on the outside, with an interior shrouded in red light. It was enormous and adjacent to the imperial palace.
"Duke Zhong, please," Shao Fei invited.
Zhong Shan entered the palace, finding it spacious, larger than his own Eastern Duke's residence in the Da Luo Heavenly Dynasty.
"Duke Zhong, you may rest here while awaiting an audience with the emperor. As for security, rest assured, the Nanming Tribute Palace is one of the most fortified places in Li Huo Holy Capital. Only those of the Emperor Extreme realm could even attempt to breach it, and even they would find it challenging," Shao Fei said with a smile.
"Thank you," Zhong Shan replied.
Shao Fei then took his leave.
"Shui Wuhen, arrange for the troops to rest!" Zhong Shan ordered.
"Yes!" Shui Wuhen immediately complied.
Zhong Shan, accompanied by Mr. Corpse and others, ascended to the floating island.
"Your Majesty, there are millions outside watching us. You haven't even proven the Elixir of Immortality is real, and already so many people are hopeful. If you 'prove' its existence, won't these people go mad?" Lin Xiao marveled.
Zhong Shan smiled, clearly pleased with the results.
"Your Majesty, do you still intend to 'prove' it?" Lin Xiao asked again.
"Of course! Otherwise, how can its value be realized?" Zhong Shan replied with a smile.
"Prove it? Have you thought about the consequences? How will you deal with the aftermath?" Mr. Corpse asked with concern.
"Aftermath? Haha! It must be proven. There are still too few people in Li Huo Holy Capital!" Zhong Shan took a deep breath.
"Too few?" This was too crazy. Even Mr. Corpse, who had witnessed countless grand events, felt uneasy about Zhong Shan's bold plan.
In the Da Li Heavenly Dynasty, in a palace within Li Huo Holy Capital:
Tian Ling'er stood with a small red sparrow perched on her shoulder, looking at Nie Qingqing.
"Auntie, Little Auntie, Sister, please tell me what's going on. Why is Li Huo Holy Capital so lively today? Take me to see!" Tian Ling'er shook Nie Qingqing's arm.
Tian Ling'er, having been granted the title of Ling'er Princess, was supposed to address Nie Qingqing, who was also a princess, as her equal by heavenly law. However, due to their close relationship, Tian Ling'er used three different titles for Nie Qingqing.
Nie Qingqing looked troubled, unable to respond to Tian Ling'er.
Zhong Shan? It was indeed Zhong Shan. After having someone retrieve the portrait of the Da Luo Heavenly Dynasty envoy, it turned out to be that Zhong Shan! Nascent Soul Stage Six? How could it be? That pitiful root bone, so extremely lacking in talent, had reached Nascent Soul Stage Six in just a few decades?
Back then, she had vehemently opposed his relationship with Tian Ling'er and had made Zhong Shan swear an impossible oath—that he would only be allowed to see Tian Ling'er again once he reached the Nascent Soul stage.
He had done it? How could he have done it?
Nie Qingqing looked at Tian Ling'er with a mix of love and frustration.
"Auntie, Little Auntie, Sister! Just tell me!" Tian Ling'er pleaded.
Taking a deep breath, Nie Qingqing sighed bitterly, "Ling'er, just call me Sister."
"Really call you Sister? Wouldn't that make you seem too young?" Tian Ling'er pondered aloud.
Hearing this, Nie Qingqing nearly lost her temper. "Just call me Sister!"
Women are very sensitive about their age.
"Alright, alright. So, Sister, can you tell me now?" Tian Ling'er shook Nie Qingqing's arm again.
"Someone has come to Li Huo Holy Capital," Nie Qingqing said, taking a deep breath.
"Who? Why is it so lively?" Tian Ling'er asked.
"Zhong Shan," Nie Qingqing replied, watching Tian Ling'er closely.
"Zhong Shan? Who is Zhong Shan?" Tian Ling'er asked, puzzled.
"Do you really not remember?" Nie Qingqing pressed.
"Should I know him?" Tian Ling'er asked, still confused.
Nie Qingqing studied Tian Ling'er for a moment, a complex expression crossing her face. "He will come here in a few days."
"Huh? Come here? Is he your friend?" Tian Ling'er asked curiously.
Giving Tian Ling'er a strange look, Nie Qingqing shook her head and sighed, "You'll see him in a few days."
In the Da Li Heavenly Dynasty, at the residence of Marquis Xiaoyao:
Marquis Xiaoyao, the same Nie Kuang who had been humiliated by Zhong Shan and forced to kneel before Bei Qingsi, was sitting in a palace, looking at a kneeling man before him.
"Is it really Zhong Shan?" Marquis Xiaoyao's face twisted with cold fury.
"Yes, Marquis. Without a doubt, this is his image," the kneeling man said, producing a memory crystal.
Marquis Xiaoyao grabbed the crystal and examined it closely. The more he looked, the more furious he became.
"Hahaha, he's delivering himself to death. Duke Zhong? Zhong Shan? The Elixir of Immortality? Hmph, the humiliation I suffered will be repaid a hundred, no, a thousandfold," Marquis Xiaoyao laughed maniacally.
He slammed his palm on the table before him.
"Boom~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"
The massive jade table shattered into pieces, displaying the full extent of Marquis Xiaoyao's rage.
Outside the Nanming Tribute Palace, despite the presence of guards, a large crowd had gathered. The black mass of people was intimidating, but no one dared to rush in. Such was the majesty of a heavenly dynasty; under the might of the emperor, none dared to act recklessly.
While outsiders hoped for the Elixir of Immortality, Zhong Shan, the supposed possessor of the elixir, was no longer in the palace. He had been invited to the imperial palace by a powerful old eunuch.
Zhong Shan had been conversing with several people when the old eunuch, dressed in purple, suddenly appeared out of thin air, holding a horsetail whisk and bowing respectfully to Zhong Shan.
"By the emperor's decree, I invite Duke Zhong to enter the palace," the eunuch said.
The surrounding people frowned slightly. The eunuch's arrival had been so quiet and sudden.
"Very well," Zhong Shan nodded.
With a step, the old eunuch took Zhong Shan away, and in just a moment, they arrived at the imperial palace.
The grand hall of the Da Li Heavenly Dynasty was built over a sun spring, with molten lava flowing beneath. A gigantic floating island in the shape of a flaming lotus connected to a staircase leading to the edge of the lava pit. The other end of the staircase connected to the island.
The old eunuch led Zhong Shan directly to the floating island.
Li Huo Sacred Palace
The massive palace on the floating island was reminiscent of the Taigu Sacred Palace in the Da Luo Heavenly Dynasty, exuding an aura of boundless majesty.
"Enter. The emperor is waiting inside," the old eunuch said.
"Alright."
Zhong Shan stepped into the Li Huo Sacred Palace. Upon entering, his heart tightened. The floor inside the palace was transparent, giving the illusion of walking on air with a direct view of the rolling magma below, seemingly bottomless. Yet, the solid feeling underfoot assured Zhong Shan that there was indeed a floor, even if it was invisible.
"Boom~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"
The massive doors of the palace closed behind him with a thunderous sound. Much like his solitary audience with Gu Shentong in the past, Zhong Shan found himself alone in the Li Huo Sacred Palace with only one figure seated high above.
The Da Li Emperor, Nie Fancheng, sat on his throne, wearing a red jade flat-topped crown and a white silk cloud robe. His youthful appearance was complemented by a pair of neatly trimmed mustaches, enhancing his masculine aura. His eyes radiated a soul-piercing intensity, exuding supreme authority as if he were the master of this world.
"Da Luo Heavenly Dynasty, Assistant Minister of Rites, Duke of the East, Zhong Shan, pays respects to the Da Li Emperor," Zhong Shan saluted.
"Duke Zhong? The Elixir of Immortality? Hmph, do you know why I summoned you alone?" Nie Fancheng's voice was full of authority.
Why? Zhong Shan knew well enough—it was all about the Elixir of Immortality.
"I do not know. However, I did wish for a private audience with Your Majesty to present something from my emperor," Zhong Shan replied promptly.
"Oh?" Nie Fancheng raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
With a swift movement, Zhong Shan produced the items given to him by Gu Shentong—a jade slip sealed with a restriction and an ordinary bamboo flute.
The bamboo flute had no magical aura, appearing as a simple, dried-out piece of yellowed bamboo.
Initially, Nie Fancheng regarded Zhong Shan with a faint smile, but upon seeing the bamboo flute, his entire demeanor changed. He stood up abruptly, his expression filled with tenderness as he gazed at the flute. Then, his eyes turned icy, and the temperature in the hall plummeted.
"Boom~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"
A tremendous clap of thunder resounded above Li Huo Sacred City, startling the citizens. Outside the palace, the old eunuch looked up at the sky, then back at the closed doors of the hall with a puzzled expression.
What kind of ability does this Zhong Shan possess to provoke the emperor, who hasn't lost his temper in a thousand years, the moment he enters?