Volume 14, Chapter 902 – The Lost Imperial Weapon

“Grandfather, actually, your grandson has an even better plan. My end is near, and I fear I won’t be able to serve the Immortal Alliance any longer. But if we can locate and seize control of the Fang Clan’s ancestors in the Celestial Realm, then turn that Fang Yuan into the Immortal Alliance’s Tianjizi, that would be far more valuable than simply killing them.”

After thinking for a moment, Lu Hong offered his suggestion.

“What are you thinking? A wretch who defiled the Celestials—how could he be allowed to live?”

Lu Wei’s tone was clearly displeased. “As for what you said about the Tianjizi role, you needn’t worry. The Lu Clan still has plenty of people in the lower realms. We’ll soon find a new Tianjizi.”

“That’s good then. I’ll carry it out accordingly.”

Lu Hong exhaled slightly in relief.

After ending the Soul Resonance, Lu Hong relayed all the information he had obtained to Yin Wan.

Yin Wan didn’t delay and immediately summoned the upper echelon of the Immortal Alliance for a council meeting.

“Although we’ve already pinned down the general location of those evil spirits, we haven’t been granted the right to use Assimilation Power. Without it, we still can’t do a thing. Does anyone here have any alternative solutions?”

Yin Wan scanned the group of elders and stewards below him.

All the high-ranking officials wore troubled expressions. No one could propose a useful idea. After all, spatial laws were not so easily bypassed.

“Alliance Leader, if we want to eradicate those specters, the only way is to borrow Assimilation Power. There’s no other choice.”

“Exactly. We must ask the Grand Elder to keep pleading with those above. Time is running out.”

“Didn’t that Tianjizi prophesize that June 18th, nineteen years from now, would bring a great catastrophe to the Celestial Realm? This could very well be connected. We can’t take it lightly.”

“No way, are you saying the Celestials might strike against us? Even if we failed the mission, it shouldn’t warrant such punishment, should it?”

The group below grew increasingly panicked as they spoke.

“Shut your filthy mouths!”

Yin Wan roared in fury, his face twisted in anger. “You dare, as high-ranking members of the Immortal Alliance, to slander the Celestials? Are you tired of living?”

The upper echelons trembled in fear and dared not utter another word.

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“I will beg the Grand Elder to continue appealing to the higher-ups. As for all of you. Watch your mouths. If anyone dares to spread rumors again, this Alliance Leader will make sure they never open their mouths again.”

Yin Wan issued a stern warning.

Next, Yin Wan sent an order to Yan Yi, who was far away in the Fengming Immortal Kingdom, commanding him to find out everything about Fang Yuan’s ancestors in the Celestial Realm so they could be uprooted entirely.

“Fang Yuan, Fang Yuan… I had planned to spare your dog life. But since it’s come to this, don’t blame this elder for being ruthless.”

A cruel smile surfaced on Yan Yi’s face.

“Father, should we kill him now?”

His daughter Yan Ying asked from the side.

“No rush. We still need him to publicly refute the so-called ‘calamity’ in the Immortal Realm. Once that’s done, we’ll arrest him immediately and pry open his mouth to find out exactly which ancestors of his are in the Celestial Realm.”

Yan Yi ordered.

“Yes, Father.”

Yan Ying accepted the command respectfully.

“Forget it. I don’t want to waste time. Have someone fetch a zombie. We’ll just use it to absorb his blood and read his memories. That’s far easier and more reliable than forcing his mouth open.”

After some thought, Yan Yi changed his mind.

“Father is wise!”

Yan Ying’s expression filled with admiration.

“By the way, how’s the Imperial Weapon refining going?”

Yan Yi changed the topic.

“To report truthfully, Father, that bow is made of a unique material. It’s not something that can be refined in a short time.”

Yan Ying’s expression turned slightly unnatural.

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“You’d better hurry. The Fengming Immortal Kingdom is one of the six great Immortal Kingdoms of the Immortal Realm. You know full well how important the throne is. I made you the acting Empress without prior approval. Once we return, people will start gossiping. If you want to secure your seat, strength is what matters most. Once you refine that Imperial Weapon, their mouths will shut on their own.”

Yan Yi urged sincerely.

“Daughter won’t let you down, Father.”

Yan Ying quickly promised.

“They’re not just planning to kill Fang Yuan, they also want to uproot his ancestors in the Celestial Realm?”

Qi Huang had used the Shadow-Retaining Mirror to observe everything clearly, and a trace of shock surfaced on her face.

“It’s within expectations,” An Xuan immediately guessed the gist. “Fang Yuan insulted the Celestials, a grave offense. If just clearing things up were enough to be let off, who would still hold the Heavenly Dao or Celestials in reverence?”

“Does the Immortal Alliance not know who Fang Yuan’s ancestors in the Celestial Realm are?” Cheng Hongling asked curiously.

“Of course not. Aside from the Immortal Alliance’s Tianjizi, all other Tianjizi are illegal existences in the Celestial Realm. No one dares to reveal their ancestors lightly. Otherwise, they’ll be wiped out entirely by the Celestials.”

An Xuan confirmed.

“Why is it like this?” Qi Huang’s curiosity grew.

“Because fate cannot be casually revealed. Think about it, if you gave an order and it was known by people in the lower realm before even leaving your doorstep, would you be happy? As for why the Immortal Alliance’s Tianjizi is legitimate, that’s because the Celestials need someone to deliver messages into the Immortal Realm.”

An Xuan patiently explained.

“I see.”

Qi Huang suddenly understood.

“What do you plan to do next?” Cheng Hongling asked directly.

“First, we must retrieve the Imperial Weapon as soon as possible. If that woman manages to refine it, we’ll have a powerful new enemy on our hands. Second, we have to inform Fang Yuan of the situation. I don’t want him actually clearing anything up for the Celestials. Only once both sides turn hostile will we have the justification to intervene. Third, we must inform the Empress. She’s a useful ally and has strong public support.”

After a moment’s thought, Qi Huang outlined her plan efficiently, then looked toward An Xuan. “Fourth, since they’re looking for a zombie, I’ll trouble you to deliver one personally. This way, we can ensure Fang Yuan’s safety, and also use the chance to read his memory. Once we figure out who his ancestors are, we’ll have leverage, and he won’t be able to refuse to cooperate.”

“You are truly brilliant, Young Mistress!”

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An Xuan praised her immediately.

Qi Huang didn’t waste time. She began monitoring Yan Ying with Divine Sense.

Yan Ying didn’t dare delay. After returning to her residence, she took out the Imperial Weapon to begin refining it. But something strange happened this time, just as she placed the Fengxiang bow in front of her, whoosh , it disappeared.

Yan Ying stood frozen for a long moment before coming back to her senses. She looked around in shock but couldn’t find a trace of Fengxiang. Her expression darkened dramatically, and she quickly unleashed her Divine Sense to search the surrounding area… but found absolutely nothing.

“How is this possible?”

Yan Ying was dumbfounded. She was an immortal, after all. How could someone brazenly steal her possession and leave not even the faintest trace?

“This is outrageous!”

Yan Ying sprang to her feet in shock and fury. Whoever dared to steal from her so openly clearly had no regard for her at all.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. With a shing , she drew her sword. But looking around, there was no one to take her anger out on. Her sword drawn, her gaze swept in all directions, yet her heart was lost.

“What do I do now? The Imperial Weapon is gone… how am I supposed to explain this to Father?”

Moments later, Yan Ying slumped down in despair.

Elsewhere, Qi Huang had already stashed the Fengxiang Bow into her spatial ring the moment she got her hands on it. That was why Yan Ying’s search yielded nothing.

“Alright, now we can return the Fengxiang Bow to its rightful owner.”

Qi Huang stood up and left the inn with the other two women.

Soon, they arrived at the entrance of a secluded courtyard in the northern part of the Imperial Capital. This was the current residence of the Empress of Fengming.

“Please inform the Empress that we have an urgent matter to discuss.”

Qi Huang politely knocked on the door and explained herself to the gate guard.

“Who are you? Our Empress doesn’t just meet anyone.”

The gate guard’s tone was far from friendly.

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“We are…”

Qi Huang was momentarily at a loss for how to explain.

“What’s the point of all this nonsense? We’re here to help, not to beg.”

Cheng Hongling snapped impatiently, then used her movement technique to vanish on the spot.

Qi Huang and An Xuan quickly followed. Qi Huang realized she was indeed being too polite. Things were urgent now; who had time for etiquette?

Moments later, the three women stood before the Empress.

At that moment, the Empress of Fengming was in the courtyard feeding fish, enjoying a leisurely retirement.

“The three of you show up uninvited, don’t you think that’s rather rude?”

The Empress didn’t even look back as she spoke, but the servants beside her glared sharply, on high alert.

“Apologies, I’ve always had a helpful nature. When I pick something up, I just can’t wait to return it to its rightful owner.”

Qi Huang replied with a playful smile.

“Picked up something? Are you saying you picked up… something of mine? What is it?”

The Empress responded offhandedly.

“This item should be yours, correct?”

With a thought, Qi Huang summoned the Fengxiang Bow into view.

“Heavens! It’s the Imperial Weapon, Fengxiang Bow!”

The surrounding servants gasped in shock.

The Empress’s body trembled slightly. She slowly turned her head, eyes fixed on Fengxiang. After a long pause, her voice trembled as she asked, “You… you said you picked up this bow?”