The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS
Chapter 543 - 39: Meeting at the Imperial Garden (Part 2)

Chapter 543: Chapter 39: Meeting at the Imperial Garden (Part 2)

"Who exactly are you?"

After entering the room, Xuan Shang stared intently at Qing Yu, his aura brooding but unexpressed, firmly locking on this white-haired Taoist who had appeared from nowhere.

"Have you not already guessed, Daoist brother Xuan Shang?" Qing Yu revealed a cryptic smile, he said.

"You’re Qing Yu? No, that’s impossible..."

Xuan Shang actually hoped that this person really was Qing Yu, but his rational mind told him that such a thing should be impossible.

Even if Qing Yu had started his cultivation after being sent to Beicang Mountain, he shouldn’t have reached the True Pill Realm. If the True Pill Realm were so easy to achieve, ninety percent of the martial artists in the world would feel the urge to kill.

Yet, emotionally, Xuan Shang felt that it could be true. If it were true, that would be wonderful.

Xuan Shang silently shook his head, cutting off these hesitations and uncertainties, he said, "Regardless of your true identity, as long as the information you’ve provided is accurate, I will help you deal with Xuan Chen."

Xuan Shang’s gaze was dark and resolute. In the forest, he had already made a decision, no matter what the true intentions of the other party were, at least for now, they shared the same goal in confronting Xuan Chen.

When goals align, cooperation is a necessary matter.

"After returning to the Zhenwu Sect, I will test Xuanfeng to see whether he truly conceals an Image Stone. As long as this is true, our cooperation can continue."

Although Xuan Shang had his suspicions about Qing Yu’s identity, he had yet to truly believe him. In this world, changing one’s appearance was not a rare occurrence, merely adopting a face similar to Qing Yu’s was enough to produce the current effect.

Therefore, Xuan Shang still doubted Qing Yu’s identity and could only confirm the situation with Xuanfeng before proceeding.

"That would be good," Qing Yu nodded in agreement.

There was no need to rush matters concerning Xuan Chen. It was enough if Xuan Shang could help verify the presence of the Image Stone with Xuanfeng. If Xuanfeng had destroyed the Image Stone, then the following matters would become very troublesome.

"Then I look forward to the success of Daoist brother."

Qing Yu turned and left.

The next day.

Xuanzhen and Xuan Shang, along with their disciples, left Tianzhen Temple and returned to Zhenwu Sect.

Qing Yu also rode the White Phoenix back to Northern Zhou.

Two months had passed since Feng Jiu’s ascension and the order to construct the Heavenly Giant Statue. With the aid of numerous martial artists, the progress of the construction far exceeded expectations.

Now, this legendary statue, destined to become a symbol of Northern Zhou’s national fortune, was already more than halfway complete.

As Qing Yu rode the White Phoenix across the sky, he saw that the exterior of the statue had been fully completed. Standing sixty-six zhang tall within the Imperial Palace, even the upper half of the statue was visible from outside the Imperial City.

"It seems that, at most in a month, the final arrangements can be made on the statue," Qing Yu thought, gazing at the bustling figures around the statue and nodding in satisfaction.

The statue could significantly enhance Qing Yu’s cultivation speed, its importance undeniable, and the rapidity of its construction spoke to the importance of power.

Without the decree from the Emperor of Northern Zhou, Feng Jiu, relying solely on Qing Yu would have been impossible, not in three months, perhaps not even in thirteen.

In the Imperial Garden of the Imperial Palace, pavilions and terraces remained as ever, green pines and emerald cypresses still stood, yet many of the usual strollers in the gardens were absent, leaving it considerably quieter.

"Oh, my once brothers, I loathed their power struggles, their disregard for brotherhood, but now that they’re gone, I find myself strangely missing them," Little Princess Feng Chuhan’s face was filled with melancholy, her words a mix of sighs and sorrow.

"Han’er, this isn’t like you. If our lively and adorable princess is without her smile, the Imperial Garden loses all its luster," the dignified and graceful Empress consoled her in a soft voice.

The current Empress of Northern Zhou, the former Si Family’s young miss Si Qingwei, wore a Dragon and Phoenix Pearl Crown and a Golden Phoenix Dress. Compared to before, she exuded less purity but more grandeur and elegance.

Yet when the Little Princess glanced at Si Qingwei’s attire, her eyes occasionally flashed with disgust and sorrow.

Her revulsion was not towards her close friend from the boudoir, but the identity represented by that attire. The luxurious garments signified the wife of that man, the Empress of Northern Zhou. And that man, her Ninth Brother, was now the person she despised the most.

"As long as that man remains, I will struggle to smile for even a day," Feng Chuhan spoke with hatred.

"Don’t talk like that, he is also your brother," Si Qingwei advised.

"Do you not hate him then? He tore you and the Eighth Prince apart, forcing you to marry him," Feng Chuhan retorted.

Hearing this, Si Qingwei’s brow furrowed slightly, with a faint trace of worry on her lovely, fair countenance.

Hate him? Perhaps not to that extent. But certainly, there was resentment.

Although Si Qingwei also had a favorable impression of Feng Jiu, she still favored the gentle and modest Feng Qiwu, and not the seemingly calm yet ambitiously ruthless Feng Jiu.

Seeing Si Qingwei’s expression, Feng Chuhan felt she found a confidante for her woes, "For the sake of the throne, thirteen princes have perished, all but one. The Eighth Prince survived but has since secluded himself at the Mountain River Academy, forbidden from entering the Imperial Palace.

Even the Empress Dowager has been placed under house arrest by that man, watched by countless eyes, denying mother and son their meetings. All of this is his scheme, and I wish he would die!"

"Don’t speak rashly," Si Qingwei swiftly covered Feng Chuhan’s mouth, "Do you not value your life?"

While Feng Chuhan muffled her protests, seeing Si Qingwei’s stern look made her unconsciously soften and cease her struggles.

"The esteemed Empress has misspoken. His Majesty is a benevolent and righteous sovereign; how could he ever raise a hand against his own sister?"

The sudden words caught the two women off guard, flooding their hearts with shock and fear that could not be contained.

If their words reached the ears of that cold and ruthless Emperor, although they might not face death as Si Qingwei had said, the days ahead would be difficult. Certainly, they could not avoid being watched.

While Feng Chuhan was relatively safe, thanks to the backing of Feng Mingxiao, Si Qingwei’s situation was more problematic...

Still, as the Empress, Si Qingwei had her composure. She forcefully suppressed her panic and turned to admonish, "Who’s there? How dare you eavesdrop on the conversation between the Empress and the Fourteenth Princess in the Imperial Garden!"

Laying down a stern accusation, the voice was male; for a man to eavesdrop on the Empress and a Princess, particularly in the Imperial Garden, did he have a death wish?

Feng Chuhan looked on with anger in her eyes too.

As their gaze shifted, the figure that came into view was a white-haired, transcendentally refined Taoist. With a smile, he bowed, "Director of Qintian Observatory, Zheng Qing Yu, greets the Empress and Princess."