Facing Zhou Ruoxi’s proposal, Zhou Ruolin’s expression remained hesitant, unable to make up his mind.
Seeing this, Zhou Ruoxi hurriedly added,
“To ensure absolute safety, every person privy to the core secrets of this matter—including the chosen Imperial Secret Guards—must swear a Heart Demon Oath. This will guarantee that no information is leaked from within.”
Zhou Ruolin remained silent for a moment.
The only sounds in the hall were the rhythmic tapping of his finger against the armrest and the occasional soft crackle of the lamp wicks.
His gaze swept back and forth between Lu Li and Zhou Ruoxi.
Finally, he clenched his fist, a look of determination flashing in his eyes.
“Fine! We shall proceed according to the plan of Immortal Lu and the Regent!”
Zhou Ruolin stood up abruptly, his imperial decisiveness fully on display.
“The Regent shall have full authority over this matter, with Immortal Lu assisting. Any manpower or resources required are hereby granted. We must ensure every arrangement is in place before the Secret Realm opens!”
He looked at Lu Li, his tone solemn.
“Immortal Lu, once again, I owe it to your foresight. Once this matter is concluded, I will surely reward you handsomely!”
Lu Li bowed humbly.
“Your Majesty is too kind. To eliminate demons and defend the Dao is simply my duty.”
Zhou Ruolin’s decision revitalized the heavy atmosphere within the Yangxin Hall, yet the specific details of the execution still needed to be finalized.
He sat back down on the Dragon Throne, his eyes falling on Lu Li with an inquiring look.
“Immortal Lu, now that the plan is set, the matter of uniting the various sects is of paramount importance and must be handled with extreme caution. In your opinion, which sect besides the Xuling Sect is capable of taking on this responsibility? They must possess great strength, maintain a firm stance, and be able to keep a secret.”
Lu Li seemed to have prepared for this.
Without hesitation, he cupped his hands and replied,
“Replying to Your Majesty, I believe the Heavenly Sword Sect is the best choice.”
“The Heavenly Sword Sect?”
Zhou Ruolin nodded slightly.
The Heavenly Sword Sect was one of the leaders of the Righteous Path; their strength was unquestionable, and their reputation was excellent.
It was indeed an ideal choice.
“And the reason?”
Lu Li spoke calmly and logically.
“First, the Heavenly Sword Sect is the sacred land for sword cultivators. Their disciples possess extraordinary combat power, especially in breaking through defenses and slaying evil—making them the perfect counter to the bizarre methods of the Yin Corpse Sect. Second, the Heavenly Sword Sect has always taken the slaying of demons and the protection of commoners as its mission. Their stance is completely aligned with ours, and there is no possibility of them colluding with the Demonic Path. Third, and most importantly…”
He paused and looked at Zhou Ruolin, his tone becoming a bit more emphatic.
“According to my understanding, the Heavenly Sword Sect itself has been secretly investigating the Yin Corpse Sect! Specifically, they are investigating the Yin Corpse Sect’s crimes of desecrating the remains of cultivators across the North Region! This has touched a nerve with the Heavenly Sword Sect, and they share a deep-seated hatred with the Yin Corpse Sect. Having them investigate the Yin Corpse Sect’s actions in the Secret Realm would be perfectly justified and highly motivated. They will certainly not handle this half-heartedly.”
This information clearly moved Zhou Ruolin, and a glint of understanding and approval flashed in his eyes.
Utilizing the old grudge between the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Yin Corpse Sect would indeed ensure they put in their best effort.
Furthermore, as the leader of the Righteous Path in the North Region, it was impossible for the Heavenly Sword Sect to collude with the Yin Corpse Sect.
Seeing the reaction, Lu Li struck while the iron was hot and reported Feng Lingshuang’s previous contributions to Zhou Ruolin.
“Furthermore, the one who assisted the Regent and me in investigating the case and provided significant help was Jian Mingzi, the leader of the Heavenly Sword Sect’s team for the Imperial Secret Realm Trial. Though this youth is young, his cultivation in the Sword Dao is exquisite, and his mind is meticulous. More importantly, he possesses a heart full of righteous Qi and has contributed much to this investigation. I believe that if we are to interface with the Heavenly Sword Sect and coordinate actions within the Secret Realm, this person would be an excellent bridge.”
Finally, he threw out a piece of information that Zhou Ruolin could not ignore.
“Coincidentally, Daoist Jian Mingzi is currently waiting for news outside the palace gates. If Your Majesty wishes to personally understand the Heavenly Sword Sect’s attitude or test his capabilities, you might as well summon him for questioning.”
“Oh? He is outside the palace?”
Zhou Ruolin was somewhat surprised.
He then turned his gaze toward the Regent, who had been standing silently.
“Royal Brother, you investigated the case alongside Jian Mingzi. What is your impression of this person? Is what Immortal Lu says true?”
Zhou Ruoxi had been listening quietly, her gaze behind the Ghost Face flickering slightly when Lu Li mentioned ‘Jian Mingzi.’
Seeing her brother’s inquiry, she took a step forward.
Her voice, filtered through the mask, sounded calm and objective.
“Replying to Royal Brother, Immortal Lu speaks the truth. Daoist Jian Mingzi is indeed a master of the Sword Dao. I have personally witnessed his skill; his swordsmanship is profound, having already grasped the essence of the Sword Dao, making him a standout among his peers. Even more rare is his noble character and clear sense of right and wrong. He possesses a sincere heart for justice and is by no means an ordinary person. Regarding the investigation of the Yin Corpse Sect, he shares our goals and has provided crucial assistance.”
Zhou Ruoxi spoke with great pride, as if Jian Mingzi was a senior she deeply admired.
After hearing her praise Feng Lingshuang, Lu Li couldn’t help but feel a bit curious.
‘Hm? Hasn’t this Regent only met the Heavenly Sword Sect’s Jian Mingzi a few times? Why did she say so many good things about Jian Mingzi in front of the Jin Emperor just now? It’s as if she’s introducing her closest friend to him. Could it be that those two have some prior history?’
While Lu Li was thinking this, Zhou Ruoxi’s mind was also filled with doubt.
As the chess player who had personally drawn her Master and Senior Sister from her former life to the Kingdom of Jin, she naturally knew Jian Mingzi’s true identity!
Therefore, back at the prince’s manor, she had already felt suspicious of the intimate interaction between Lu Li and Feng Lingshuang.
‘Wait… So, Senior Sister… how did she end up getting involved with Master? In this life, Senior Sister didn’t go to the Xuling Sect to become a disciple at all. Instead, she was sent to the Heavenly Sword Sect by that little Junior Sister, Gu Qingying’s schemes. She became the closing disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect’s leader, holding a prestigious status and focusing on her sword. She and Master Lu Li, who is far away at Duanqing Peak in the Xuling Sect, should have been two parallel lines that never intersect!’
Based on the intelligence she possessed, this life’s Feng Lingshuang should not know Master at all!
But why was Master involved with her?
And they even seemed quite familiar with one another.
‘Could it be… that Senior Sister… is also a deeply hidden Reincarnator?’
This bold guess made Zhou Ruoxi’s heart skip a beat.
After all, if that wasn’t the case, it was truly difficult to explain why Feng Lingshuang, who should have been a stranger to Master in this life, would have such close interactions with him…
‘However… looking at Master’s attitude, he doesn’t seem to know that Jian Mingzi is Feng Lingshuang.’
Zhou Ruoxi carefully recalled Lu Li’s words and actions.
From beginning to end, Lu Li had referred to the other as ‘Daoist Jian Mingzi.’
While his tone was appreciative, he maintained an appropriate distance, acting entirely like a senior treating a capable junior of the same path.
There was none of the hidden, natural familiarity and concern he would show when facing his First Disciple from his former life.
Furthermore, during their conversation, Lu Li did not treat Jian Mingzi as a woman.
Clearly, he was deceived by her disguise and deliberately concealed aura.
‘Hm… Thinking about it this way, Master likely doesn’t know Feng Lingshuang’s true identity. And… he and Feng Lingshuang probably only met recently, perhaps just befriending each other during the Dharma Assembly or the Lantern Festival.’
Even his mention of Feng Lingshuang to his Royal Brother was likely just out of a senior’s desire to promote a junior, feeling that this Heavenly Sword Sect youth he had just met was a promising person with a righteous heart.
After all, Master had always been that kind of person…
‘But… if there’s no problem on Master’s side, could there be a problem on Feng Lingshuang’s side? Is it possible that Feng Lingshuang is also a Reincarnator, but she hid it so well that she fooled us all? Did she only go to the Heavenly Sword Sect because it was convenient?’
While Zhou Ruoxi was lost in thought, Zhou Ruolin, having heard Lu Li’s recommendation and Zhou Ruoxi’s confirmation, no longer hesitated.
He immediately gave the order, saying,
“Since both Immortal Lu and my Royal Brother think so highly of this Jian Mingzi, then I shall trouble Immortal Lu to invite him in for a talk.”
Lu Li nodded slightly.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
***
The palace walls were towering, casting shadows that cut the square in front of the palace gates into alternating sections of light and dark.
The night wind blew through the tall gatehouse, bringing the blurred silhouette of distant mountains and the faint scent of lanterns from deep within the palace.
Feng Lingshuang stood alone in this emptiness and silence, her figure as upright as a pine tree, yet exuding an indescribable sense of loneliness.
She had been waiting here for a long time.
The gold-armored guards standing watch nearby were like clay statues, unmoving.
Their breathing was nearly inaudible, adding to the solemn and oppressive atmosphere.
Time seemed to stretch, each breath becoming exceptionally clear.
Along with the slow passage of time, Feng Lingshuang’s heart shifted from its initial calmness to a faint, barely perceptible anxiety.
Involuntarily, she cast her gaze again and again toward the closed, vermilion-painted palace gates—the symbol of the highest center of power in the Kingdom of Jin.
The white silk of her Veiled Hat swayed gently with her slight movements, mirroring the restlessness of her heart.
‘Master has been inside for a long time… Why hasn’t he come out yet?’
‘Is he having a pleasant conversation with the Emperor? Or… has he encountered some difficult problem?’
Various guesses flashed through her mind like flickering shadows, causing her fingers hidden in her sleeves to twitch unconsciously.
She found herself unable to maintain the clarity and emptiness she usually possessed when cultivating her Sword Heart.
All her thoughts would involuntarily wrap around that figure she had only recently met, yet felt as if he were already engraved into her soul.
This uncontrollable concern and worry was both foreign and intense to her.
She felt like a young bird forced to leave the nest; even though it already possessed the ability to soar through the sky, it would still instinctively search for and cling to that original warmth.
Or like a small animal briefly abandoned in a strange place; even though it knew its master would return, it still couldn’t help but prick up its ears, catching every possible scent in the wind that might belong to its master, its heart full of the unease of being forgotten or left behind.
She even began to regret why she hadn’t insisted on entering with Master just now.
At least… she would know what he was doing and if he was well.
Just as these chaotic thoughts were about to overwhelm her—
Creeaaaak…
The heavy and long sound of a door hinge turning broke the dead silence before the palace gates.
The thick, vermilion gates in front of her slowly opened inward, revealing a gap.
Feng Lingshuang looked up almost instantly.
Her gaze beneath the Veiled Hat was drawn to the crack of light as if pulled by an invisible thread!
Her entire aura froze in that instant, all distracting thoughts cleared away, leaving only total focus.
Following that, a figure in green robes stepped calmly out from within.
The glow of the palace lanterns outlined his familiar silhouette.
The night wind brushed several strands of hair across his forehead, bringing a faint, refreshing scent that belonged uniquely to him.
Ah!
It was Master!
It was Lu Li!
The moment she saw that figure, Feng Lingshuang felt her heart, which had been hanging in suspense for so long, snap back into place.
An indescribable warm current surged through her limbs, dispelling all anxiety and unease.
Her eyes hidden beneath the hat brightened uncontrollably, like stars suddenly lit in the night sky, shimmering with pure and brilliant light.
It was a near-instinctive reaction—the immense joy and peace of finally seeing the person she had been waiting for after a long wait.
She instinctively took a small step forward, seemingly wanting to greet him, but she immediately restrained this slightly inappropriate move and forced her feet to stop.
However, her slightly leaning body and the burning gaze fixed firmly on Lu Li—which could be felt even through the white silk—revealed the urgent concern in her heart.
At this moment, where was the cold and arrogant Jian Mingzi, the elite disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect?
She was more like a loyal yet slightly aggrieved large animal that had finally seen its master return home.
She had sharpened all her senses, all her attention focused on that one figure, waiting for him to approach, waiting for a comforting touch that might fall upon her head.
Lu Li clearly saw her as well.
He approached with steady steps, a hint of relaxation on his face after finishing his business, along with a touch of apology for making her wait so long.
“Daoist Jian Mingzi, sorry to keep you waiting.”
Lu Li stood still before her, his tone gentle.
“I was discussing important matters with His Majesty just now, which took some time.”
His voice was like a warm breeze brushing past Feng Lingshuang’s ears, causing her cheeks beneath the hat to flush slightly.
She hurriedly reined in her overly exposed emotions and lowered her head slightly in a gesture of respect.
Her voice through the white silk was carefully maintained to be calm, yet it was still a few degrees softer than usual.
“Immortal Lu is being too formal. I did not wait long. I wonder, for what purpose did His Majesty summon you?”
As she asked, she couldn’t help but secretly lift her gaze, greedily tracing the features so close at hand through the thin silk.
The fatigue between his brows, the gentle curve of the corners of his mouth, the slight movement of his Adam’s apple when he spoke… every detail made her heart tremble slightly.
Lu Li did not notice her subtle scrutiny and simply said,
“It concerns the Yin Corpse Sect case. His Majesty has decided to investigate thoroughly. Additionally, His Majesty has high praise for you. Having heard that you contributed greatly to this incident, he has specifically summoned you, wanting to meet such a talented youth of the Heavenly Sword Sect.”
‘The Emperor wants to see me?’
Feng Lingshuang’s heart stirred.
She was surprised, but more than that, she felt a sense of joy at being recognized.
Only… this joy stemmed more from the fact that Lu Li was the one standing before her.
“Indeed.”
Lu Li nodded and stepped aside, making a gesture of invitation.
“Daoist Jian Mingzi, please come with me. His Majesty and the Regent are waiting in the Yangxin Hall.”
“Yes, thank you for leading the way, Immortal Lu.”
Feng Lingshuang suppressed the ripples in her heart and took a deep breath, trying to make her steps look steady and composed.
Following half a step behind Lu Li, she once again walked toward the palace gates that symbolized the power of the empire.
However, her gaze could never completely move away from the green-robed back ahead of her.
The breeze he stirred while walking and the scent when he occasionally turned his head to whisper to her were like the finest silk threads, wrapping around her senses.
‘As long as I can follow you… anywhere is fine.’
This thought surfaced without warning, carrying a sense of dependence and satisfaction that startled even her.