Immortality: Starting with a grave, I'm invincible when burying corpses.

After the two had walked away, the flower-arranging old woman and Commander Shangzhang exchanged a glance.

"I know a nice tavern, ma'am, would you like to go for a drink or two sometime?"

"Let's go together."

"Young people these days are too impetuous. They always think about those grand principles in books that can't be taken seriously, and they think they're so capable. Sooner or later they'll suffer a great loss."

"Why do you say that, Commander? They are just a bunch of juniors. How can they understand the ways of the world if they don't suffer setbacks and get hurt?"

"That's true... To be honest, we were like that back then too. Who hasn't had their moments of high spirits?"

On the other side, Mu An followed behind Lin Li, watching her lead him to an elevator that looked somewhat like a regular elevator. Just as he was about to step inside, he suddenly stopped.

"Miss Lin, His Highness did not invite me for tea, did he?"

Standing in front of the elevator maintained by an array, Lin Li paused slightly as she was about to step inside, then turned to look at Mu An.

"That's right, I lied to you, but since Lord Mu has come along, he must have already made his choice."

"Where does Miss Lin plan to take me?"

"The view from the thirty-third floor of Lingxiao Pavilion is beautiful, and it's also the princess's favorite place. I was thinking of taking you, Lord Mu, to see it."

Mu An nodded noncommittally and followed Lin Li into the elevator.

The space inside the ladder is quite large. Although it is called an elevator, it is more like a room, decorated in a simple style, full of greenery, and blooming with many flowers of varieties that Mu An could not recognize.

Two rattan chairs were placed in the center of the flowers, and a small table made of jade was placed in the middle.

Several sachets hung from the vines, emitting a calming aroma.

Beneath their feet lay an intricate array, now glowing faintly, providing the power for the entire room to rise and fall.

The ascent was slow but very stable; you couldn't feel anything while standing inside.

After a while, the door opened again. Mu An followed Lin Li without saying a word and walked into a small pavilion.

"Please have a seat, Lord Mu. I'll make you a cup of tea. If you're bored, you can wander around and enjoy the night view of Yongning County."

Thank you.

Mu An did not get up; he sat in the pavilion, gazing at the distant scenery.

The pavilion itself is an excellent viewpoint.

At a height of over 300 meters, it's just right—not too high, not too low—allowing you to have a panoramic view of the entire city.

The thick darkness of night enveloped the world like a curtain, and looking up at the sky on a cloudy night inevitably brought a sense of oppression.

But when you lower your gaze and look down at the earth, you will see millions of lights connected together, with light and shadow intertwined, giving people a sense of disorientation.

If you squint your eyes, the light will scatter and bend, further intensifying this feeling of temporal and spatial dislocation.

Sitting in the pavilion, Mu An could see people on the street, in groups of three or five, seemingly families traveling together, carrying lanterns.

Further away, a large number of lanterns were linked together, illuminating an area.

Yes, today is a festival of the Great Qi Dynasty, called the Cold Lantern Festival.

Large cities like Yongning County would hold temple fairs, and on this night, families would gather together with lanterns to participate in the celebrations, creating a lively atmosphere.

A transparent barrier covered the sky above Lingxiao Pavilion. Although it was late autumn, there was not a trace of coldness in the air at a height of hundreds of feet.

The breeze blowing in was cool and refreshing, making people feel quite comfortable.

Before long, Lin Li came over with a teacup. Seeing that Mu An was admiring the night view, she slowed her pace, poured two cups of tea, and placed several plates of pastries in the center of the stone table.

"It's beautiful and bustling."

Upon hearing Mu An's voice, Lin Li's lips curled up slightly, and she made an inviting gesture.

"If you have the chance, Your Excellency can go to the capital to take a look. Yongning County is just a small town after all, and it cannot compare to the prosperity of the capital. What you can see from the Star-Picking Platform is the true prosperity of the world."

Mu An nodded noncommittally and accepted the teacup with both hands.

He had seen far more magnificent night scenes, truly dazzling and prosperous, capable of turning night into day, but that didn't stop him from still finding the nights in Yongning County beautiful.

Splendor and prosperity are beautiful, but tranquility and serenity are also beautiful.

He took a sip of tea and got straight to the point.

"Miss Lin, is there something you need from me?"

Lin Li did not speak immediately, but stood up and bowed to Mu An.

"Princess, you are straightforward and sometimes speak without thinking. You did not mean to belittle Lord Mu, so please do not take offense."

Seeing Lin Li bent over at a ninety-degree angle, Mu An quickly helped her up and gently shook his head.

"Miss Lin, there's no need for that. Her Highness is naturally straightforward, and I can understand that."

Lin Li, who had sat down again, looked much more serious. She looked at Mu An and said something completely unrelated.

"You will never regret your choice today. Supporting the princess is definitely the best decision you've ever made."

Mu An didn't understand the hidden meaning in her words, nor did he intend to risk his life for Princess Yongning, but he still spoke up.

"My cultivation has reached this point entirely thanks to Your Highness's trust, and I will naturally be loyal to Your Highness. Miss Lin, are you acting this way today because Commander Shangzhang and the Flower Arrangement Martial Saint have ulterior motives?"

Seeing Mu An's directness, Lin Li had no doubts.

Before the Qishan incident, she had suspected Mu An of being a sycophantic and attention-seeking person, but after the incident, she realized that he was a genuine person of character, with a heart full of loyalty and righteousness.

Lin Li sighed and picked up her teacup: "There's no need to worry about that. Commander Shang Zhang and Granny Hua are both loyal to the princess and wouldn't do anything to betray her."

"If that's the case, why should Miss Lin worry?"

Lin Li took a deep breath, her brows furrowed, looking somewhat tired.

"Because they are loyal not only to the princess, but also to His Majesty, and His Highness needs a strong man who is truly loyal to her."

Mu An's pupils contracted slightly; Lin Li's words confirmed some of his suspicions.

"Does Miss Lin mean that His Majesty is not truly seriously ill?"

Lin Li sighed deeply, stood up, and walked to the railing.

To Mu An, her voice sounded somewhat sad, carrying a faint trace of sorrow.

"Perhaps it is, perhaps it isn't. In any case, the princess will be safe, but the things she wants to do and the people she cares about may not be the same."

Even if His Majesty is faking his illness, even if we lose to the other princes' forces, it doesn't matter. Only the Third Prince and the men we brought will die.

As long as you stay by His Highness's side, none of you will be in trouble. Even a Celestial Martial Saint like yourself, sir, is unlikely to be harmed.

The strange words puzzled Mu An. No matter how much the emperor loved his daughter, he could not allow her to be so unruly.

If the emperor who holds absolute power is not seriously ill, wouldn't the current plan be a joke?

With just a word from the emperor, all factions in the capital would become enemies.

Besides the painting master, who can escape?

If that's really the case, he'll leave tonight and will never die with these people.

Clinging to a last glimmer of hope, Mu An asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Lin Li looked at him, raised her hand above her head, and looked at the night sky through her fingers. After a while, she realized that no moonlight was shining through the gaps between her fingers.

It's cloudy tonight.

Disappointed, she lowered her hand and asked in a somewhat proud tone.

"Do you know who the princess invited to oversee Xuanwu Gate?"

"Who is it?"

"The greatest under heaven—the Taoist master Li Xuan."

The voice didn't stop. Seeing Mu An's shocked expression, Lin Li smiled and spoke in a reminiscing tone.

"Please remember what I'm about to say, Lord Mu, and never tell anyone else..."