Chapter 89: If Lu Ping’an Comes—To See or Not to See

"Has the Qi-Concentrating Pill been completed?" Lu Fan's eyes sparkled with anticipation."Sister Ning, let's head downstairs," Lu Fan said."Alright," Ning Zhao replied, equally curious. Ni Yu had elevated two strands of spiritual energy merely by consuming the semi-finished pill; now that the final product had emerged… what would happen? For the warriors of the Great Zhou Dynasty, there existed no miraculous elixirs capable of enhancing cultivation—these pills were revolutionary.

They descended from the Jade White Pavilion, pushing the wheelchair."Master, the pills are ready!" Ni Yu's flushed, excited face beamed.Jing Yue was equally stunned; a single cauldron had truly produced the legendary elixirs."Indeed," Lu Fan smiled approvingly, praising Ni Yu before shifting his gaze back to the black cauldron.

A misty vapor swirled forth, exuding a persistent, alluring fragrance. Each pill gleamed with a crystalline glaze, as if coated in sugar.Lu Fan beckoned, and the Qi-Concentrating Pills rose swiftly from the pot, strung like a Buddhist rosary, forming a perfect circle."Twelve in total—twelve from one batch is quite commendable," he marveled.With a flick of his finger, a pill floated gently into his palm.

In Lu Fan's mind echoed the teachings from the Qi-Concentrating Pill Refinement Manual:"Pills are graded into nine tiers, each bearing pill markings. The highest-grade pill can sustain nine marks. The Qi-Concentrating Pill is merely first grade; the finest can carry only three marks."He spoke deliberately, "The pills you've refined bear no markings—they're inferior and require much improvement."Lu Fan regarded Ni Yu with a steady gaze.Ni Yu composed herself, lips pressed, nodding silently."Send Yiyue over."

Yiyue approached gracefully from afar; though her foxlike features showed signs of weariness, there was an undeniable excitement beneath it."Master," Yiyue bowed respectfully."I promised that if you could sense the Qi, I would teach you the true immortal techniques…""Since Master has promised, he shall not break his word." Lu Fan leaned lazily in his wheelchair, speaking calmly.

At his words, Yiyue trembled with excitement. Lu Fan waved his hand, two Qi-Concentrating Pills hovered in his palm. With a snap of his fingers, a wisp of spiritual energy enveloped the pills and floated toward Yiyue.She lifted her head as if undergoing a baptism, clarity washing over her. Verses filled her mind—not profound scriptures, but the Kṣitigarbha Sutra, just like Ning Zhao.Yiyue carefully stored the two pills, then knelt, her eyes moist."Thank you, Master…"Lu Fan nodded."Ni Yu, these pills are your creation. Keep two for my father; distribute the rest as you see fit…""Sister Ning, you should keep some for your cultivation—break through the Embodied Veil Realm sooner."With that, Lu Fan maneuvered his wheelchair up to the Jade White Pavilion's second floor.

Ni Yu clenched the remaining nine pills, her cheeks flushed."The Qi-Concentrating Pills accelerate spiritual energy condensation, facilitating its entry into the body—remarkably beneficial to those cultivating at the Qi Pill Realm." She handed two to Ning Zhao: "Sister Ning, you take these two."Then, she looked toward the distant floating figure on the lake, beckoning Nie Changqing. She knew his story from Nie Shuang and understood his need to bolster his strength for his southern journey to rescue Nie Shuang's mother. Two pills were given to him.

"What about me?" Jing Yue, carrying his Huangli wooden sword case, watched the pills being handed out, feeling left out as only four remained."Here, the last four we'll split," Ni Yu said."Originally fifty-fifty—two for you, two for me…""But since you laughed loudest when I farted earlier, I'm deducting one pill from you. That leaves you with only one pill. Cherish it."Ni Yu solemnly handed a single pill to Jing Yue.Jing Yue blinked in disbelief.

Meanwhile, Lu Changkong clad in armor, arrived at the island in the lake. Ni Yu joyfully pressed two pills into his hands. Lu Changkong was momentarily stunned; understanding these were pills to aid Qi refinement, he regarded Ni Yu with a curious glance—this girl could indeed concoct pills? He pocketed them and ascended to the Jade White Pavilion's second floor.

On the terrace, Lu Fan leaned against the railing, gazing thoughtfully at the rippling lake. The sound of Lu Changkong's footsteps brought him back to reality."Father," Lu Fan greeted.

Lu Changkong's face bore a tender smile, gazing at his son clad in white, unparalleled in grace—his expression slightly dazed.Lu Fan seemed to anticipate his father's query. With a casual wave, he set up the spirit-pressure chessboard; the black and white pieces rested on either side."Father, shall we play a game?" Lu Fan chuckled softly.

Lu Changkong did not refuse. The two engaged in a match as a gentle breeze brushed their faces, father and son immersed in their game. The setting sun cast a narrow glow over Beiluo Lake.

After a long silence, Lu Changkong conceded, "I cannot best you today—I shall not continue."Then his expression grew serious."Fan'er, if one day the Great Zhou Imperial Capital falls, replaced by a new dynasty, what will become of Beiluo's Jade White Pavilion?"

Lu Fan showed no surprise, gathering the pieces."Father, you need not obsess over this.""What of the Great Zhou? What of the new dynasty?""If they do not dare invade Jade White Pavilion, that's fine. But if they do…""Then, naturally…" Lu Fan's voice was calm, "They shall be annihilated."

Lu Changkong was momentarily stunned. Is this the unshakable confidence of cultivators? He gave a bitter smile and left the island.

On the terrace, Lu Fan toyed with a chess piece, watching Lu Changkong's boat fade into the distance, then raised a bronze wine cup for a slow sip.His temple hair fluttered in the wind.

In Yuanchi City, atop the ramparts, Mo Beike stood with his hands behind his back, flanked by Dantai Xuan and Mo Ju. They had been stationed there all day.

Mo Beike hesitated to act; Dantai Xuan knew he awaited news. Outside Yuanchi City, Jiang Li commanded a massive army. Jiang Li was the Great Zhou's martial soul, a warrior heirloom akin to an anchor—so long as he was present, Great Zhou's elite soldiers would unleash tremendous power.

Despite Dantai Xuan's superior numbers, he dared not rashly attack."Juzi," Dantai Xuan frowned, "I do not favor the Mo family either. Though not a noble house, the Mo clan is more fearsome than ordinary aristocracy."Dantai Xuan himself hailed from a noble house and knew well that cooperating with such a great house was akin to bargaining with a tiger.

"Seems failure is certain." Mo Beike's hoarse voice conveyed grim resolve.

From afar, one horseman galloped ahead of the Great Zhou forces to the city walls. Soon, a sentry carrying a bloodied wooden box climbed the ramparts."Report!""The enemy envoy brought a wooden box, designated to be opened by Master Mo Beike." The sentry knelt, presenting the box.

Mo Beike's wrinkled face betrayed no emotion. He approached slowly and lifted the lid.His expression remained unchanged as he quickly closed the box.

Dantai Xuan's gaze hardened. What was inside that box? What secret did Jiang Li deliver that caused such solemn secrecy? Mo Ju and Dantai Xuan shared the same curiosity.

Mo Ju took the box from the sentry and opened it. The heavy stench of blood overwhelmed them.Upon seeing the contents, his face turned pale, hands trembling. The lid slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground.Inside lay the severed head of Mo Shougui, twisted in agony and defiance.

Night fell. At the imperial capital's Purple-Gold Palace, lights blazed.

Yuwen Xiu sat high on the dragon throne, reviewing dispatches from the front, an expression of excitement breaking across his face."General Jiang Li truly lives up to being the Great Zhou's martial soul."

Reports indicated that Dantai Xuan's northern command held firm, even showing signs of withdrawal since Jiang Li's arrival. This rare good news lifted Yuwen Xiu's spirits, long weighed down by setbacks. Indeed, the Imperial Advisor's methods bore fruit.

Watching the courtiers whispering beside him, Yuwen Xiu grew restless.

In the imperial library, flickering candlelight cast uncertain shadows.An elderly man in a flowing robe rocked gently in a chair, moonlight illuminating his gaunt features."Master, the front reports good news—the northern forces hold position," Mo Tianyu reported with hands clasped.

The practicing Kong Nanfei opened his eyes slowly. The drowsy master's eyelids cracked open slightly, his hoarse voice lingering in the library."Hold position?""Jiang Li must know his weaknesses; he wouldn't give Mo Beike any openings…""Failing to exploit Jiang Li's weakness means Mo Beike must resort to desperate measures. This is only the beginning of true turmoil. More fearsome than swords or guns. May His Majesty remain unshaken." The master spoke softly.

Mo Tianyu paused, contemplating the master's words and what desperate ploy Mo Beike might unleash."Tianyu, stand outside the library—no visitors from now on… especially not His Majesty."

As Mo Tianyu pondered, the master spoke again."No visitors?""If Lu Ping'an comes, Master… will you see him or not?"

The atmosphere turned awkward. The master fixed Mo Tianyu with a gaze so piercing it unnerved him.Mo Tianyu slunk away, leaving the library.

Kong Nanfei watched the old master bathed in cold moonlight, curiosity stirring."Master, what is Mo Beike's secret weapon that makes you avoid seeing His Majesty?"

Under the moonlight, the master stared blankly at the silver disk above, then smiled as if awakening."A rumor repeated thrice becomes truth—nothing is more terrifying than whispered lies."

Deep into the night, a pure white dove spread its wings from Yuanchi City, soaring toward the Great Zhou imperial capital.

A single rumor, whispered through the darkness, swept through the capital like a storm."The late Great Zhou Emperor Yuwen Tuo was slain by Jiang Li through Kong Nanfei's betrayal…""Mo Beike has hidden the truth; now the Great Zhou faces collapse from within."

A chilling breeze swept through the Purple-Gold Palace…The wheels of fate turned inexorably.