Four hours later, within the imperial library…
"Is that what the Grand Commander said?"
The Emperor of Zhou frowned as he looked down.
"I dare not lie!"
Zhen Guardian Commander Zhu Jian, who had the right to personally meet with the emperor, did not wait for the next morning.
He immediately informed the emperor and waited outside the imperial city.
As expected, upon hearing that it was related to the Grand Commander Guardian, the emperor immediately summoned him.
"Chaoen, what do you think?"
The Emperor of Zhou curled his fingers and tapped rhythmically on the desk.
His face did not show any obvious displeasure, but just a hint of doubt in his eyes.
Since the Grand Commander had come out of closed door cultivation, why was he unwilling to meet with him in person?
With a bow, the old eunuch who stayed by the emperor's side like a shadow asked in a hoarse voice, "The Grand Commander might be contemplating on the secrets of martial arts. He might not want to meet others in fear of distractions at the critical stage of breaking through the barrier to the Human Immortal Stage."
The Emperor of Zhou nodded lightly, seemingly agreeing with that theory.
He knew the Innate Grandmasters were in tune with the heavens.
They could vaguely sense the ever-elusive 'heaven's will'.
Because of that, they would occasionally act strangely.
"It's good news for the Zhou Kingdom as long as the Grand Commander is alive."
The Emperor of Zhou sighed. He looked at the memorials to the throne from various provinces and found it difficult to hide the worried look on his face.
He would occasionally imagine if the world did not have so many martial arts experts, would he be an honorable emperor remembered by future generations?
Would the Zhou Kingdom's fortune remain for millennia to come, holding its power forever?
"The Taiji Pure Yang Coffin…"
Zhen Guardian Commander Zhu Jian said quietly with his head lowered.
"Zhao'er has already been delayed for such a long time, a little longer won't matter." The Emperor of Zhou waved.
He was still rational enough to prioritize between an Innate Grandmaster's breakthrough and his son's foundation establishment.
"Moreover, Zhao'er's talent is average. I've never expected him to be like the Great Ancestor to reach the eighth Mortal Stage of Spiritual Transformation."
The Emperor of Zhou had a regretful look in his eyes.
He was not blessed with any talent for martial arts.
Ever since his ascension to the throne, he was preoccupied with governance and neglected his martial arts.
Even when he had access to various resources, he was only at the fourth Mortal Stage of Circulation.
Thinking back, the Great Ancestor used to rely on his great martial arts cultivation and personally led his personal army into the Yuanmeng Empire's troops, taking down their generals and commanders.
Just how glorious it was!
Unfortunately, he had to choose between his cultivation stage and the rights to the throne in the end.
"Your Majesty, I think the phenomenon of the Sun and Moon sharing the same sky with the vast expanse must be due to the Grand Commander"
Chaoen smiled with his eyes hidden behind the wrinkles on his face and said, "Only an Innate Grandmaster can hide from my Heaven Vision Technique, and only the Grand Commander can utilize the Imperial Dragon Qi."
The emperor of Zhou nodded slowly, agreeing with Chaoen's speculation.
The heavy burden in his heart finally went away.
"Zhu Jian, you've talked to the Grand Commander personally using the communication token."
The Emperor of Zhou with white in his side locks put on an aged demeanor.
He looked straight at the Zhen Guardian Commander of the Black Dragon Altar who stood with his hands by his side and asked, "During that time, did you notice anything suspicious?"
The Grand Commander had lived too long, and disappeared for an extended time.
Few people in the Zhou Kingdom had seen his true face.
Only a few paintings were passed down.
Now that he suddenly made an appearance, others would surely be suspicious.
"Your Majesty. Ji Liang and Jiang Gong tried to test him."
Zhu Jian had a pained smile on his face.
He recalled the Grand Commander crossing through space with his martial will using that strand of Qi flow from the communication token.
For some time, he did not know how to describe it with words.
"How did it turn out?" The Emperor of Zhou asked.
Testing an Innate Grandmaster must have cost them dearly.
"Ji Liang was immediately suppressed by the Grand Commander's martial will and landed on his knees. All his true Qi had been burnt through and he suffered rather serious injuries," Zhu Jian replied honestly.
"As for Jiang Gong, he acted smartly and did not suffer much."
The Emperor of Zhou's expression turned slightly cold and asked, "Was the martial arts the Grand Commander used the Sacred Heavenly Scriptures?"
Zhu Jian nodded and said, "Form the martial will manifested, it was indeed the Sacred Heavenly Scriptures."
The emperor let out a sigh of relief, then mumbled quietly, "That's good."
Under the heavens, only the Grand Commander Guardian could suppress the four Guardian Commanders of Black Dragon Altar and execute the Sacred Heavenly Scriptures at the same time.
Up to that moment, the Emperor of Zhou finally was able to relax.
He waved his hand, indicating for Zhu Jian to leave.
"Your Majesty, you can finally relax and not worry about an invasion from the Imperial Preceptor of the Yuanmeng Empire."
Chen Chaoen opened a sandalwood box and took a small piece of priceless Agarwood incense that could calm one's heart.
"We can't be blindly optimistic."
The Emperor of Zhou shook his head with a tired expression on his face.
"Phags-pa is currently oppressing the world and at his peak. His martial arts cultivation had long surpassed his master, Master Zhizhu!
"The Grand Commander is near the end of his lifespan. His Qi must be weakening. Even if he came out of closed door cultivation today, he might not be the match of that Vajrayana monk before he breaks through the barrier to the Human Immortal Stage."
Chen Chaoen chuckled, then comforted, "At the level of an Innate Grandmaster, fame and fortune are nothing in their eyes.
"They only want to move forward to refine the perfect body and live on for five centuries.
"Phags-pa's willingness to be the Yuanmeng Empire's Imperial Preceptor and unite the various divisions of the plains is for the millennium-old heritage of the Great Boundless Sect and…to support the birth of a barbarian king to take over the Divine Continent!
"Your Majesty, in the past millennium, the empires of the plains had never managed to invade the Divine Continent and usurp its sovereignty.
"If Phags-pa manages to pull that off, relying on his spiritual will and the support from the fate of the world, he would surely break through the barrier to the Human Immortal Stage in one go!
"However, how would such a great feat be done so easily?
"If Phags-pa dares to let the barbarians of the plains enter the Central Plain, he would surely cause the Six Sacred Grounds to retaliate together. He wouldn't dare!"
Hearing Chen Chaoen's explanation, the Emperor of Zhou finally relaxed a little.
"Perhaps I'm old. The older I get, the more I worry, the more I fear death."
The Emperor of Zhou threw aside a memorandum detailing the rebellion in Yi Province and said while shaking his head, "In the past, even if I had to consult my ministers for an entire day and go through paperwork for an entire night, I wouldn't feel tired.
"But now, I can't do it anymore. I'm feeling drained."
Chen Chaoen's expression turned into one of shock as he exclaimed, "Your Majesty's health is at its prime. You mustn't say such things!"
The Emperor of Zhou pointed at the shocked old eunuch and laughed, "What need is there to keep the formalities between us?"
After that, he seemed to have realized that he had been overly pessimistic.
With a change of tone, he added, "Half a month later, the Yuanmeng ambassador will bring their envoy into the capital. With the Grand Commander behind our backs, I'll feel a lot more at ease."
Chen Chaoen nodded, but his heart thought about how they just used the last communication token without finding out the location of the Grand Commander's closed door cultivation.
Even if the Yuanmeng ambassador's envoy showed any disrespect or picked a fight, how would they contact the Grand Commander to have him take action?
However, looking at the emperor's complexion, the eunuch in charge of the Ceremonial Directorate could only quietly suppress his thoughts.
…
Ergune River banks, Yuanmeng Plains…
Between heaven and earth, there was a black torrent cutting through the lands.
A rare sight of a sea of flags fluttering in the wind, creating a mighty phenomenon.
Looking into the distance, one could see a huge white army banner made with fur symbolizing unrivaled authority raised high.
Taichiud Khan, the ruler of this plain, sat atop a horse quietly as though waiting for something.
Several minutes later, a powerfully built man approached them walking across the water.
That person had a horrible appearance, thick strong arms with green and black tattoos.
Looking carefully, the tattoos were of two scary-looking pythons.
Between the bulging muscles, they appeared alive, as though picking a prey to swallow.
"Is the King of Yakshas the one leading this envoy to the Zhou Kingdom?" Taichiud Khan's gaze remained firm and unchanged, asking in a firm voice.
He recognized the intimidating man. That person was Moro, King of Yakshas from the Great Boundless Palace's Eight Divisions.
"Your mighty Khan, there's another person!"
The huge man-made a long whistle and walked through the roiling river alone without any signs of exhaustion.
The length of his breath and his levity skills were awe-inspiring.
"Who's that?" Taichiud Khan asked.
"I am Gandharva of the Eight Divisions, paying my respects to the Khan."
A gentle and melodious drifted over.
Atop the water's surface, a slender and charming figure appeared.
She wore a red Tibetan monk robe and had a Buddhist crown over her head. Her body was also adorned with several keyuras, gemstones, and other trinkets.
Her hands gently plucked her zither and played a tune.
The army organized itself and the chariots got into formation.
The appearance of the stunningly beautiful and outstanding musician immediately dispersed some of the killing intent in the atmosphere.
Although Taichiud Khan was in his forties, had an intimidating presence and the air of a lord, his gaze could not help but waver a little.
"Did the Living Buddha only send you both?"
Upon smelling the undetectable scent given off by Gandharva, Taichiud Khan almost felt his lust stir and fall to her charms.
He quickly looked away and barely resisted his urges, keeping his composure.
Gandharva was a heavenly musician worshipped by people.
In terms of appearance and physical beauty, she was definitely among the best in the world.
"That's enough."
Moro, the King of Yakshas' voice rolled out like thunder, echoing within the vicinity.
"We won't sully the name of the Great Boundless Palace, nor would we bring shame to the Khan!
"Those in the Zhou Kingdom are naturally weak and cowardly. They will eventually submit themselves before the iron boots of the men of the plains!"
Taichiud Khan nodded slowly, then looked skyward and said, "Under the watchful eye of the Eternal Heaven, the chariots of the Yuanmeng Empire will definitely win all our battles, take over the Central Plain, and rule over the Divine Continent!"