I was a mineral prospector in Chengdu, who transmigrated into the body of a mortal sword immortal.

When Li Bai opened his eyes, the sky outside the window was still a deep, inky blue.

Before the bell of Qingwei Temple had rung, a faint commotion could be heard from the direction of Chang'an City in the distance—the sound of a massive army gathering, the rumble of carriages and horses rolling over the bluestone road, and the suppressed voices of countless people, all mixed into a low and continuous hum, surging towards Zhongnan Mountain like a tide.

He stood up and stretched his limbs.

After a night of recuperation, his true energy had recovered to 70%. This level wasn't enough to sustain a major battle, but it should be sufficient for executing the core parts of the plan—activating the altar, creating chaos, and making a brief approach. More importantly, his mind had reached an unprecedented state of focus; all distractions had been stripped away, leaving only a clear map, a definite path, and a goal that had to be achieved.

He changed into the clothes that had been prepared beforehand.

This was a set of dark blue, low-ranking civil official's attire. The fabric was rough, the style ordinary, and there were slight signs of wear on the cuffs and collar. Duan Qiniang had spent three days "borrowing" it from the residence of an official who was about to be transferred to another post, using her connections in Pingkangfang. The clothes still retained a faint smell of camphor wood chests, mixed with the musty smell of old fabric.

Li Bai wrapped the Qinglian Sword in layers of coarse cloth and carried it on his back. From the outside, it looked like an ordinary scroll or book. The Xiling Divine Kingdom Jade Talisman was tucked close to his chest; he could feel its warm touch even through his clothes. Finally, he checked the items in his arms: three meticulously drawn maps (a map of Chang'an's geological veins, a route map, and a map of safe points in Shu), two bottles of emergency pills (Qi-restoring pills and hemostatic powder), a small bag of broken silver and copper coins, and a visiting card from He Zhizhang's residence.

The calling card was delivered yesterday evening.

A stranger knocked on the door of Qingwei Temple, handed over an ordinary wooden box, and left without saying a word. Li Bai opened the box; inside was only this calling card—the paper was the finest Xuanzhou tribute paper, with gold foil embossed on the edges, and on it, written in neat regular script, were the words "Li Twelve, attendant of the He family," with He Zhizhang's personal seal stamped below. There was no accompanying letter, no message, only this thin piece of paper.

Li Bai carefully put away the name card, then pushed open the door and went out.

In the courtyard outside the side room, the morning mist had not yet dissipated; the air was damp and chilly, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees. The Taoist temple was quiet; the Taoist priests were still performing their morning prayers. He walked along the corridor to the back courtyard, climbed over the low wall, and embarked on the mountain path leading to Chang'an.

***

As dawn broke on the horizon, Li Bai was already standing outside Chang'an.

The sight before him made him catch his breath slightly.

The square outside Xingqing Palace was packed with people.

This is not an exaggeration, but a literal description of a "sea of ​​people"—from Danfeng Gate Street in front of the palace to the walls on both sides, it was densely packed with people. Civil and military officials, dressed in various colored court robes, stood in rows according to their rank; the scarlet, blue, green, and black robes formed a colorful patchwork in the morning light. The carriages of imperial relatives and nobles were parked on the special passage, one after another, ornately decorated carriages with curtains hanging low, occasionally a maid would lift a corner to reveal the hem of a luxurious garment underneath. Foreign delegations gathered on the other side; high-nosed, deep-eyed Hu people, dark-skinned Nanzhao people, and strangely dressed Western Region people, each speaking different languages, conversed in hushed tones with the help of interpreters.

The most attention-grabbing element is the military.

Imperial guards stood in formation along both sides of all the passageways, one every three steps. They wore gleaming armor, phoenix-winged helmets, carried long halberds, and had swords at their waists, standing as straight as pines. Sunlight shone on their armor, reflecting a cold, metallic sheen. Further away, every ten steps along the palace walls, a banner stood, yellow, red, and blue fluttering in the morning breeze, the dragon, phoenix, and qilin patterns on the banners clearly visible.

A complex smell filled the air.

The sandalwood scent of burning incense wafted from the palace gates, mingling with the smell of leather and rust from the soldiers. The stench of horse manure, the sandalwood scent of officials' perfumed clothes, the sour smell of the crowd's sweat, and the earthy smell rising from the morning dew on the cobblestone path—all these aromas intertwined to create a solemn and oppressive atmosphere unique to a grand ceremony.

The noise was even more chaotic.

The humming of officials talking in hushed tones, the clanging of armor as soldiers lined up, the occasional snorting of horses, the loud shouts of ceremonial officials, the distant sounds of musicians tuning their instruments... countless sounds merged into a deep rumble, crashing against the eardrums like a tidal wave.

Li Bai took a deep breath and blended into the crowd.

He walked with his head down along the side path reserved for officials and their entourage. This path was relatively less crowded, mostly with servants, clerks, and low-ranking officials from various residences, all dressed in similar blue robes to his. Everyone was in a hurry, carrying gift boxes, document cases, or other items, their faces showing a tense yet respectful expression.

The first checkpoint is just ahead.

Ten Imperial Guard soldiers guarded the entrance to the passage, while two civil officials sat behind a table, checking name cards and identities one by one. The procession moved slowly, with each person being carefully questioned and their belongings being searched.

Li Bai gripped the name card in his arms tightly.

When it was his turn, a stern-faced civil official looked up and asked, "Which household are you from?"

"To Lord He Zhizhang's residence," Li Bai said calmly, handing over his visiting card.

The civil official took the visiting card and carefully examined the paper, handwriting, and seal. His fingers traced He Zhizhang's personal seal for a moment before he looked up at Li Bai. Li Bai kept his head down, but he could feel the other man's gaze linger on his face for a moment.

"Li Twelve?" the civil official asked.

"Yes, I am Lord He's newly recruited clerk, responsible for taking notes at today's ceremony," Li Bai replied, following his prepared statement.

"A written record?" The civil servant frowned. "Doesn't Lord He have a dedicated scribe?"

"The clerk suddenly fell ill yesterday, and I have temporarily filled in," Li Bai said in a steady voice. "Lord He said that today's ceremony is of great importance and cannot be neglected in any way."

The civil official glanced at him a few more times, then waved his hand: "Open the bundle and inspect it."

Li Bai untied the cloth bundle from his back and placed it on the table. A soldier stepped forward and roughly untied the knot—revealing the outline of a "painting scroll," along with several blank sheets of paper, writing brush, ink, and inkstone. The soldier picked up the scroll, weighed it in his hand, and squeezed it to make sure no weapons were concealed before putting it back.

"Go on." The civil official returned the name card to him and made a mark on the register.

Li Bai slung his cloth bag back over his shoulder and bowed his head as he passed through the checkpoint.

He could feel the scrutinizing gaze behind him linger for a few more moments before moving on to the next person.

It was a close call, but no real danger.

***

Once inside the Xingqing Palace grounds, the scene before you becomes even more magnificent.

The palace walls, three zhang high, gleamed brightly in the morning light, their vermilion surfaces reflecting a golden glow. The palace gates stood wide open, above which hung a massive plaque bearing five gilded characters: "Qinzheng Zhengben Lou" (勤政政本楼), written with vigorous strokes and an imposing presence. Inside the gates was a wide imperial road paved with smooth bluestone slabs, flanked by stone sculptures of auspicious beasts—Qilin, Tianlu, and Bixie—each over a meter tall, exquisitely carved, and exuding a majestic air.

At the end of the Imperial Road lies the main venue for today's ceremony—the square in front of the Qinzhengwu Building.

The square was rectangular, measuring a hundred zhang on each side, paved with white marble, smooth as a mirror. In the center of the square stood a three-zhang-high wooden platform, its surface covered with a red carpet, and bright yellow curtains embroidered with nine dragons playing with a pearl hung around it. Directly in front of the platform were the dragon throne and the imperial desk—the emperor's seat. On either side were seating areas for officials and foreign envoys, complete with couches and small tables.

What caught Li Bai's attention even more was the layout of the square.

The platform was located at the northern end of the square, backed by the Qinzhengwuben Building. The viewing area was to the south, the musicians and honor guard to the east, and a relatively open area to the west—close to the palace walls, beyond which lay the Xuandu Temple. According to the plan, that would be his rendezvous point.

But at that moment, soldiers were also guarding that area.

Four imperial guards stood in the shadows beneath the palace walls, not as densely packed as on the main passageway, but enough to block any path attempting to approach the walls.

Li Bai mingled in the procession of He Zhizhang's residence, moving slowly forward with the flow of people. He Zhizhang himself had already gone to the area reserved for high-ranking officials, while his entourage was guided to a designated waiting area—a row of temporary sheds located on the western edge of the square. Dozens of servants from various residences had already gathered in the sheds; some were tidying up items, others were talking in hushed tones, and the air was thick with a tense yet excited atmosphere.

Li Bai found a corner to sit down and placed the cloth bag on his lap.

He closed his eyes, seemingly resting, but actually sensing his surroundings.

True energy flowed slowly through his meridians, extending his senses outward. Within a three-zhang radius, everyone's breathing, heartbeat, and footsteps were clearly discernible. To the left, two servants were discussing which important figures they would meet today; to the right, an old clerk was repeatedly checking the gift list; and at the entrance of the shed ahead, two Imperial Guards were talking in hushed tones about the changing of the guard time.

Time passes little by little.

At the beginning of the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), bells and drums sounded in unison.

A deep, resonant bell rang from the depths of the palace, striking nine times in succession, each sound causing the air to tremble slightly. The drums followed, their rhythm steady and powerful, like the heartbeat of a giant. All conversation in the square ceased instantly; tens of thousands stood in silent utter silence.

The ceremony is about to begin.

Li Bai opened his eyes and stood up.

He walked to the door of the shed and said to the soldier guarding it, "Sir, I urgently need to relieve myself, but I don't know where the latrine is."

The soldier glanced at him and pointed towards the west palace wall: "Walk along the base of the wall, go past that side gate, and turn right. Hurry back, the ceremony is about to begin, don't wander off."

"Thank you, sir."

Li Bai bowed and quickly walked out of the shed.

He walked along the base of the palace wall, his pace unhurried, like a servant truly needing to relieve himself. The shadows at the base of the wall were deep; the morning sun had not yet reached them. The bluestone path was damp, covered with a thin layer of moss. The air was filled with the damp smell of earth, mixed with the faint scent of lime from the palace wall paint.

After walking about twenty steps, he turned the corner.

Before him lay a narrow alleyway, flanked by towering palace walls. The alley was no more than five feet wide and dimly lit. He was far from the main thoroughfare; the sounds from the square were inaudible, only the echoes of his own footsteps reverberating through the alley.

Li Bai stopped and listened intently.

After confirming that no one was around, he took a deep breath and circulated his true energy.

His cultivation at the Foundation Establishment stage erupted in full force.

His body became as light as a feather. With a light touch of his toes on the wall, he leaped more than ten feet into the air. His fingers gripped the gaps in the brickwork, and with another burst of strength, he leaped another twenty feet. After three such leaps, he had already scaled the three-foot-high palace wall.

The top of the wall was about three feet wide and paved with flat square bricks. Li Bai crouched down, like a gecko, clinging to the wall, only his eyes showing as he observed.

Inside the walls lies the rear garden area of ​​Xingqing Palace.

Artificial hills, ponds, pavilions, and towers are scattered in a well-organized manner, with lush trees and abundant flowers. This place is more than a hundred feet away from the square, and only the faint sound of drums and music can be heard from there. There are also patrolling soldiers in the garden, but their density is much lower than in the front courtyard—two imperial guards are slowly walking along the path, still more than thirty feet away from where Li Bai is hiding.

Li Bai was calculating the time.

As soon as the two soldiers walked behind the artificial hill and their view was blocked, he jumped down.

It landed silently.

He landed behind a thicket of bushes, the softness of the fallen leaves and soil cushioning the impact. The branches and leaves brushed against his cheeks, bringing a slight sting and the characteristic fresh scent of plants. He crouched down, peering through the gaps in the foliage.

The two soldiers had already walked away, their figures disappearing on the other side of the artificial hill.

Li Bai stood up and began to move quickly.

His movements were fully unleashed, no longer the gait of a frail scholar, but the lightness skill of a Shu Mountain sword immortal. Every step he took landed precisely in the shadows, in the grass, behind the artificial hill, avoiding any path that could be seen. True energy flowed through the meridians of his legs, making him as fast as a ghost, yet silent.

As he walked through a bamboo grove, the rustling of bamboo leaves in the morning breeze masked his footsteps. The fresh scent of bamboo filled the air, and dewdrops clung to the bamboo stalks, glistening in the sunlight.

Circling around a pond, withered lotus leaves floated on the surface, their yellowed edges curled and emitting a faint smell of decay. Several koi swam in the water, their red scales appearing and disappearing in the murky turbidity.

He climbed over a low wall, the top of which was covered with thick moss, damp and cold. Li Bai dug his fingers into the cracks between the bricks, crushing the moss and releasing a green sap that clung to his fingertips.

His target was clear—the rendezvous point on the west side of the square, near the palace wall.

According to the map, there should be a relatively secluded corner: the palace wall is recessed inwards, forming a small blind spot, with a dense clump of holly trees providing cover in front. From that position, one can observe the situation in the square without being easily spotted, and more importantly—it's the closest point to the Xuandu Temple in a straight line, only thirty zhang away.

Once he gets there, he can wait.

Waiting for the ceremony to reach its climax, waiting for Yang Yuhuan to ascend the high platform, waiting for that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Then, activate the altar, create chaos, and approach in the confusion.

The plan was crystal clear in my mind.

***

As they passed through a group of artificial hills, Li Bai suddenly stopped.

He hid behind a huge Taihu rock and held his breath.

A group of people were walking along the path ahead.

They weren't soldiers, but palace maids and eunuchs. Six palace maids, dressed in pale pink palace gowns, carried incense burners, whisks, and brocade boxes, walking with their heads bowed and small steps. Two eunuchs followed behind, dressed in dark purple eunuch robes, with ivory tokens at their waists, their expressions solemn. In the middle of the procession was a small sedan chair carried by two men, its curtains drawn low, obscuring the people inside.

But Li Bai could sense the presence of the person inside the sedan chair.

It was a very special aura—feminine and reserved, yet carrying an undeniable air of authority. More importantly, there was a faint sense of familiarity about it, as if I had felt it somewhere before.

The sedan chair passed by the path in front of the artificial hill, no more than three zhang away from where Li Bai was hiding.

The wind lifted a corner of the sedan curtain.

Li Bai saw the profile of the person in the sedan chair.

It was an old and sinister face, with loose skin and deep eye bags, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. He wore a dark purple eunuch's robe, with a crane pattern embroidered on the chest—the symbol of the highest rank among eunuchs.

Gao Lishi.

Li Bai's heart skipped a beat.

What was Emperor Xuanzong's most trusted eunuch doing in the back garden instead of serving by the emperor's side?

The sedan chair quickly drove away and disappeared at the end of another path.

Li Bai waited for a while, and only continued forward after confirming that there was no one else around.

But that one glance had weighed heavily on his mind.

The appearance of Gao Lishi meant that the level of security today was likely higher than he had anticipated. This chief eunuch was in charge of palace security and was extremely sensitive to any anomalies.

We must be more careful.

***

They traveled for another quarter of an hour.

The palace walls were already in sight.

Li Bai hid behind a pillar of a pavilion, observing the terrain ahead.

This is the rendezvous point marked on the map—the palace wall is recessed inwards by about five feet, forming a shallow niche. In front of the niche grows a dense clump of holly trees, their thick canopies and intertwined branches enough to obscure a person's figure. Looking outwards from the niche, one can see a corner of the square through the gaps in the trees; although the view is limited, it is enough to observe the movements on the high platform.

More importantly, it is only a wall away from Xuandu Temple.

Li Bai could even vaguely sense the faint spiritual energy fluctuations emanating from the bronze altar deep underground outside the wall—the result of his days of repairs. The altar was already in a "waiting to be activated" state, just waiting for the jade talisman to summon it.

He took a deep breath, ready to rush over.

The distance from the pavilion to the niche is about ten zhang. In between is an open meadow with no cover. You must rush across within three breaths and then hide in the holly bushes.

one two three--

Li Bai made a move.

His body shot out like an arrow, his true energy surging wildly through the meridians of his legs, pushing his speed to its limit. Shallow indentations were left beneath his feet on the grass, blades of grass whipped up by the air currents and dancing in the air. The wind whistled in his ears, carrying the fresh scent of crushed grass.

Three feet, five feet, eight feet——

Just as he was about to reach the niche, a chill suddenly rose up his spine.

That is a martial artist's instinctive perception of danger.

Li Bai's heart clenched, and the hairs on his body stood on end. He abruptly stopped his forward momentum, his feet carving two deep furrows in the grass, sending mud and grass clippings flying. Then, he whirled around—

In the distance, on a pavilion behind the Qinzheng government office building.

At the upturned corner of the three-tiered eaves, a blurry black figure stood silently.

The distance was too great to see his face clearly, only an outline—the man was tall, broad-shouldered and burly, dressed in a dark, close-fitting outfit, with what appeared to be a long sword at his waist. He stood atop the highest point of the eaves, the morning breeze rustling the hem of his clothes.

But what made Li Bai uneasy was not his position, but his gaze.

Although they were more than a hundred feet apart, Li Bai could clearly feel that gaze fixed on him. It was cold, sharp, and full of scrutiny, like a blade scraping against his skin.

What's even more terrifying is the aura emanating from that person.

It was an aura familiar to Li Bai—sharp, domineering, and full of killing intent, exactly the same as the aura of that master swordsman by the Qujiang Pool that night.

The dark figure stood on the eaves for three breaths.

Then, he moved.

Instead of rushing over, he turned around, leaped, and disappeared into the shadows on the other side of the attic.

But Li Bai knew that he was being watched.