Great Zhou Martial Immortal

Chapter 24 The Scroll of Heavenly Crafts

Lu Chenyuan raised an eyebrow and said, "Are you warning me?"

Yuan Qingshuang said, "I'm reminding you."

Lu Chenyuan: "Do I look like a fool to you?"

Yuan Qingshuang: "It doesn't seem so, but throughout history, not all those who do foolish things are fools."

Lu Chenyuan: "Then what constitutes a stupid thing?"

Yuan Qingshuang: "To harm Her Highness the Princess is the biggest folly!"

"hehe."

Lu Chenyuan's expression was strange as he stared directly at her: "Do you think a lowly male concubine at the second realm could possibly harm Her Highness the Princess? Don't you think you're overestimating me?"

Yuan Qingshuang sensed something was off about his tone and was about to speak.

Lu Chenyuan continued, "She used me as a shield, causing me to get beaten twice, each time more severely than the last. But she also gave me an official position and saved my life with miraculous medicine. When I woke up, it was late at night, and I was still lying in her bed... What this means is crystal clear. Even if this matter is dropped, I still have the treasure she gave me, and I'm preparing to use it to cultivate and improve my cultivation... It's one thing for you to think highly of me, but to suspect that I want to harm her? Do you really think I'm such a clueless idiot?!"

This is a top-tier client!
Who would cut off their own source of income?

Lao Tzu's techniques and resources are all in her hands.

I'm trying so hard to please this beautiful and rich woman, and she actually accused me of trying to harm her!
You insulted my character, and you insulted my intelligence!
Tolerable or unbearable!
"..."

Yuan Qingshuang was stunned for a while before she reacted, her expression strange.

Ordinary people defend themselves by swearing oaths and vowing loyalty, saying they would go through fire and water without hesitation. But this Lord Lu is different; he leans towards being clever or foolish, only considering gains and losses, which makes him sound more convincing.

Yuan Qingshuang felt relieved. Her wide sleeves fell down, and she raised her right hand to her chest, pressing her left hand down. With a slight bend at her waist, she performed a standard bow to Lu Chenyuan: "It was Qingshuang who was presumptuous. I have presumed upon your honor, and I beg your forgiveness, Lord Lu."

"I'm not a gentleman."

Lu Chenyuan said calmly, "As long as Steward Yuan doesn't treat me like a fool, that's no different from insulting me... You and the princess seem to have a deep sisterly bond. Let's get back to the main topic."

Yuan Qingshuang nodded apologetically, and the two continued walking forward.

“What Pei Jiulang and Ashina Yan are plotting is the ‘Tiangong Scroll’.”

"An artifact of a hidden immortal?"

“That’s right. As I mentioned before, the Hidden Immortal Gu Yunsheng is well-versed in the classics of the three religions and the essence of the hundred schools of thought. He helped Emperor Taizong unify the world and establish his rule in the Central Plains. He is known as the ‘True Immortal on Earth,’ ‘Sage of the Three Religions,’ and ‘Master of the Hundred Schools of Thought.’ What he knows is far more than just martial arts, and what he created is not just the ‘Gold-Swallowing Treasure Scroll.’”

Yuan Qingshuang looked up at the starry sky, her face filled with deep reverence: "The 'Taiyi Jade Palace Chapter' that Her Highness the Princess cultivated was tailor-made for Princess Pingyang Zhao by him, and the royal secret martial art 'Twelve Mountains and Rivers Seal' was also improved by him from the Li family's unique skills. Every move he makes has a huge impact on the world, every word he utters can stir people's hearts, every plant and tree he cultivates has become a rare treasure, and even the spirit pets by his side have become the king of all beasts that shakes the world!"

I go……

Is it so fierce?

Lu Chenyuan clicked his tongue in surprise, feeling a strange sense of déjà vu. Could this be a senior?

Looking at the music box, it looks a bit like...

But it seems only one music box has a slightly modern feel to it...

At the very least, as a time traveler, shouldn't you first popularize black stockings to benefit future generations?

Furthermore, someone of such exceptional talent and brilliance should have no shortage of female companions, but he's a bit too proper...

No, it should be said that it is transcendent.

Aside from martial arts, he had negligible influence on the course of history and disregarded it. Princess Pingyang Zhao, however, remained unmarried throughout her life, which may have been related to him. Other than that, his influence was minimal.

It's one thing if the court intentionally concealed things after someone became famous, but their deeds before their rise to power are also unknown.

That's a bit strange.

He didn't seem like a time traveler, but rather like an ascetic monk and defender of morality who was determined to save the common people. So after helping Emperor Taizong unify the country and achieving fame and success, he disappeared without a trace, just like the story of Zhang Liang in the early Han Dynasty.

"No wonder they wanted to keep it a secret."

Lu Chenyuan understood: "The [Yuanrong Divine Crossbow] he created can be used to assassinate the emperor, and the mechanical tiger dragon he created can be used to go into the sea. Such a divine person, if there is any movement of his in the martial arts world, it will probably stir up a bloody storm."

Yuan Qingshuang nodded, smiling wryly, "The court has been trying its best to conceal it, but... this started from the time the late emperor ascended the throne. It wasn't like this during the reign of Emperor Taizong. In fact, the Hidden Immortal even set up a teaching platform by the Qujiang Pool in Chang'an, spreading his teachings throughout the world. Most importantly, he not only enlightened the people of the Central Plains, but also those from the Western Regions, the Turks, Japan, Miao territory, Persia, the Abbasid Caliphate... At that time, all nations came to pay tribute, so..."

Qujiang Pool is a gathering place for literati and poets; there are just too many people there!

Yuan Qingshuang sighed deeply and helplessly rubbed her forehead.

Lu Chenyuan's eye twitched. Good heavens, this is not an ascetic monk, this is simply Guanyin Bodhisattva, saving people from suffering!
Lu Chenyuan asked in surprise, "Didn't His Majesty Emperor Taizong stop it?"

Yuan Qingshuang was even more powerless: "The Qujiang Grand Gathering was convened by order of His Majesty... He even personally sent in those foreign barbarians..."

"……Hahaha."

Lu Chenyuan couldn't help but laugh, "It's Emperor Taizong's work. 'A king sees the whole world as one family, and all within his domain are his children.' This magnanimity is truly... astounding!"

"Yes."

Although Yuan Qingshuang was quite troubled by these potential problems, she also greatly admired Emperor Taizong's actions.

Only a supremely confident and powerful ruler could accomplish such a magnificent feat, encompassing the entire world!
Yuan Qingshuang continued, "After the Qujiang Grand Gathering, the Hidden Immortal bid farewell to the court and traveled far and wide, seemingly searching for something, perhaps to forge a magical artifact. In any case, he continued his previous methods of transmitting the Dharma, not being stingy with his techniques. However, he may have had a premonition, so instead of causing unrest in the martial world, he changed his overt teachings to covert transmission, sealing away his supernatural powers and techniques for those with the right affinity. This 'Heavenly Craft Scroll' is one of the ten supernatural powers in the 'Hidden Immortal's Secret Records,' namely, the 'Divine Mechanism Technique.'"

Lu Chenyuan exclaimed in surprise, "The Hidden Immortal Records? There are nine other works of the same level?"

Yuan Qingshuang nodded.

Lu Chenyuan pressed further, "What kind?"

Yuan Qingshuang shook her head: "The Hidden Immortal is actually more like Emperor Taizong's bodyguard. He only protects Emperor Taizong. He passed on his magic to General Yuchi and the eight hundred soldiers, and presented the technique of forging Xuanjia armor, all for the purpose of protecting him. Apart from that, he has revealed very few abilities. After he left the court in the third year of Zhenguan, he only corresponded with Princess Pingyang Zhao. The royal family may know more about the magic he has sealed away, which is beyond my knowledge."

As far as I know, only three sects have revealed their names so far. One of them cannot be discussed privately, and the other two commanders are currently searching for it. The second is the "Heavenly Craft Scroll," which he uses most frequently. The third is the method of absorbing internal energy—which has now entered the Western Regions Demonic Sect and become its signature technique, the "Radiant Sun Demonic Art." As for the others, I am not aware of them.

Lu Chenyuan was puzzled: "The Demonic Sect? How could such divine skills and treasures have fallen into the hands of the Demonic Sect?"

Yuan Qingshuang was silent for a moment: "Don't underestimate the people of the world..."

Understood.

Lu Chenyuan thought to himself, "If even something like this can be lost, it seems that not only the imperial court is no longer virtuous, but the martial arts world is too."

No wonder even a treasure like the "Tiangong Scroll" was first discovered by the Turks.

Each generation is worse than the last!
"So it seems that the place where the Heavenly Crafts Scroll was sealed was discovered by Pei Jiulang, and then fell into the hands of the Turks..."

"That's how it is. Therefore, Ashina Yan must never be allowed to return to Yinshan!"

"understood."

Lu Chenyuan nodded: "However, this is not something I can do alone. I can't take all the credit for myself. I'm afraid I'll have to ask the Kite Guards for help, and I might even have to trouble Steward Yuan to lend a hand." Yuan Qingshuang asked in confusion: "Why? Ashina Yan is only at the third realm, and she can't use Yinshan internal energy or shamanic techniques. Her delegation is no different from Hongxiao's. Lord Lu is underestimating yourself."

"I thought so at first too."

Lu Chenyuan suddenly stopped, then took a half step back, slowly raised his palms from his waist, his fingertips drooping as if trying to catch the moon, and suddenly burst out with dazzling golden light. Several strands of golden energy swirled around his body, and then he pushed his palms out, emitting a trembling buzz.

This move doesn't seem very powerful.

Yuan Qingshuang's expression changed drastically, and she immediately asked, "Where did Lord Lu learn this trick from?"

"This is a move used by Hongxiao."

Lu Chenyuan could tell from her expression that something was wrong: "She used water-based internal energy. With a single palm strike, she unleashed three layers of hidden force, even capable of drawing upon the primordial energy of heaven and earth to transform it into a dragon. Her lineage is no less than that of the Wang family of Taiyuan! The Turks clearly planned this all along. They know the functions of the [Zhou Tian Xing Dou Grand Array] and the [Buddha Kingdom in the Palm]. I'm afraid that apart from Ashina Yan being the true successor of Yinshan, the other inside agents and members of the delegation all possess other lineages..."

Yuan Qingshuang's expression changed slightly: "In that case..."

Lu Chenyuan: "In this case, if they really succeed, as long as Ashina Yan cripples his martial arts and dissipates all his internal energy, he can easily take away the 'Heavenly Craft Scroll' with his inside man! With a population of two million in the capital, finding someone among them would be like looking for a needle in a haystack!"

"hiss!"

Yuan Qingshuang gasped: "She's a decoy the Turks gave us!"

"Yes."

Lu Chenyuan said, "As long as the great formation doesn't move, everyone will assume she's still in the capital. But if she really takes drastic measures, cuts off her own future, and cripples her martial arts, then the others won't be a problem at all. She can come and go as she pleases... The Witch God Sect sent her to assassinate the emperor, which shows both their trust in her and that they're using her as a pawn... Since she's already a pawn, why bother crippling her martial arts?"

Yuan Qingshuang's face instantly darkened.

Something is wrong!

Pei Jiulang is a descendant of Pei Ji, from a branch of the Pei clan of Hedong. Although the family has declined, they have amassed wealth over the past decade, and presumably have cultivated a considerable force to help him capture the mechanical masters. He might not be unable to persuade the Four Realms, so why would he share this divine skill with the Turks? But if the Turks absorb his power, then who will Ashina Yan rely on? Ashina Bolu is imprisoned, yet she dares to stay in the capital. Could it be that this is not simply overestimating her abilities, but rather that she has other plans?

Lu Chenyuan's words hit the nail on the head!
"No wonder the princess asked me to assist him..."

Yuan Qingshuang was secretly alarmed. Could it be that the princess had also noticed something was wrong?

Seeing the change in her expression, Lu Chenyuan smiled and said, "There's no need to rush. Qiu Shenji is worried about being killed once the rabbit is caught, so he's eager to make a contribution and is desperately trying to prove his worth to the Martial Emperor. He'd love to dig three feet into the ground to capture the villain. No matter how strong her backup plan is, she can't withstand the Jinwu Guard General. She doesn't dare to show her face now and can't escape for the time being... I just didn't expect that the Turks would have such strong Central Plains martial arts... What kind of palm technique is this?"

"The Palm of Surging Azure Waves..."

Yuan Qingshuang understood this principle as well. After sorting out her thoughts, she breathed a sigh of relief: "This skill was created by Liu Wuzhou, a hero at the end of the Sui Dynasty. Liu Wuzhou once allied with the Turks and invaded the Central Plains. The Turkic Shibi Khan conferred upon him the title of 'Dingyang Khan.' The two were birds of a feather, so his skills naturally flowed into the Turkic territory... There are quite a few people like him. Dou Jiande, the overlord of Hebei, and Liang Shidu, who controlled Shuofang, both allied with the Turks and practiced top-tier inheritances. We really need to be careful."

Lu Chenyuan nodded.

As they spoke, the two arrived in front of the Lingni Palace.

Suddenly, a golden light flashed inside the hall, and a lithe figure burst through the door like lightning, rushing straight towards Lu Chenyuan.

"Ow!"

This time, Lu Chenyuan neither dodged nor avoided, letting the golden figure knock him to the ground.

The massive body of the golden lion pressed down on him from the waist down, its moist nose sniffing anxiously at his neck and chest, its golden beast eyes gleaming with worry in the moonlight.

"OK OK……"

Lu Chenyuan couldn't help but chuckle, reaching out to rub its fluffy head, the touch warm and soft: "I'm fine, thanks to you for taking that sword for me. If the sword energy had directly entered my body, I'd probably be bedridden for ten days or half a month..."

Upon hearing this, Jin Ni made a low gurgling sound in its throat, its gaze fixed on the palm print under the man's clothes on his chest.

"I won't show it to you."

Lu Chenyuan laughed, "The palm strike has been removed, only the bruises remain, don't worry. It's too late today, I still need to use my internal energy to heal my injuries, so the zither music I promised you will be played tomorrow... By the way, I'll stay here tonight, so don't kick me out."

The golden lion tilted its head and thought for a moment, then suddenly grabbed his collar and dragged him into the hall, its tail held high, swinging in a joyful arc under the moonlight.

"..."

Even though Yuan Qingshuang was used to Lu Chenyuan's occasional big moves, she still found this scene somewhat unbelievable.

It's only been a day! How did these two become so inseparable? Is this a testament to true love in times of trouble? Where did the little princess from the old princess's mansion go? She's so easy to talk to now!

Zen Master Yunhe walked out of the side hall and guest room, glanced at Lu Chenyuan, and nodded: "To be able to dispel the palm force and completely restore the internal organs and meridians in such a short time, Your Highness must have used top-grade spiritual medicine."

“A Grade 3 [Holy Spirit Pill]…”

Yuan Qingshuang looked helpless and whispered, "This was left behind by the Medicine King when he retired... It's such a waste!"

Zen Master Yunhe smiled and said, "Didn't the steward stop it?"

Yuan Qingshuang shook her head: "If Lord Lu really suffers any misfortune, given the princess's temperament, I'm afraid her retaliation will be even more extreme! If she loses favor because of this, it would be a loss that outweighs the gain. Of course, I have no objection, but it's a bit of a pity that such a miraculous medicine that can bring the dead back to life and heal the wounded is being wasted at this time."

Empress Wu had already killed two of her own sons, so killing one more daughter wouldn't be a big deal.

Family ties mean nothing to her.

In the matter of Empress Wu's ascension to the throne, the princess's role was indeed not as significant as that of Prince Wei. In particular, she deliberately avoided massacring the Li family. Wu Chengsi, on the other hand, created auspicious omens and public opinion before Empress Wu became emperor. At the same time, he strongly advised her to "eliminate the descendants of the Tang family and execute ministers who do not support him." For this purpose, he was willing to act as a henchman and instigated Zhou Xing and Lai Junchen to massacre the Li imperial family, resulting in the near extermination of the Li family.

At the same time, he fabricated charges and murdered many highly respected civil and military officials, such as Li Xiaoyi and Wei Fangzhi, who did not submit to Empress Wu, thus paving the way for Empress Wu to become emperor.

When Empress Wu ascended the throne, Wu Chengsi made an immense contribution!

If Empress Wu were to pass the throne to a member of the Wu family, Wu Chengsi would undoubtedly be the first choice for crown prince.

This is the source of his confidence to take action against Lu Chenyuan. In some ways, this nephew is more considerate than his daughter. At least in the current situation of a newly enthroned emperor and an unstable court, Wu Chengsi is a more useful political tool!

She needs him to maintain the situation, so she can't afford to embarrass him too much.

Yuan Qingshuang was worried that if the princess revealed her dissatisfaction with the Wu clan, the Wu emperor would blame her. The princess was not the type to swallow her anger; if she confronted the Wu emperor, she would only end up losing favor.

But somehow, the princess said something that turned the situation around...

so far so good……

Zen Master Yunhe clasped his hands in a gesture of respect: "Good people are naturally blessed by Heaven."

"hope so."

Yuan Qingshuang smiled and returned the greeting, saying, "Then I will trouble you to look after Lord Lu. If he has any problems with his cultivation, I hope you will not hesitate to give me your guidance."

Zen Master Yunhe: "I will do my best."

Yuan Qingshuang bowed gracefully and said, "In that case, Qingshuang will take her leave now."

Zen Master Yunhe watched her leave, then looked back at the Lingni Hall. Lu Chenyuan, holding the Thunder Hammer, had already begun to absorb the golden energy...

(End of this chapter)