Chapter 204 The Sixth Day of Entering a Rebirth Novel

Chapter 204: Day Six: Transmigrating into a Rebirth Novel

The Old Emperor was not wearing his dragon robe, but rather a loose Daoist robe, reclining on his side on a couch draped in soft satin.

His complexion was even more unnaturally flushed than during the last palace banquet, as if blood and qi were surging upward, and the dark circles under his eyes were more pronounced, like ink stains—clearly, he had not slept well again the previous night due to a "restless spirit."

In his hands, he was carefully holding an "auspicious omen" recently presented by the local authorities—a strangely shaped stone that naturally resembled a human figure—studying it with rapt attention.

"The National Teacher is here."

The Emperor lifted his slightly puffy eyelids, and upon seeing An Yi, his voice was weary but also held a hint of relief: "Any new progress in the alchemy chamber? Or some insight from stargazing last night?"

The several sorcerers standing to the side, also dressed in Daoist robes, all fixed their gazes on An Yi, each with a different expression.

Their gazes held a hint of barely perceptible... scrutiny and underlying jealousy.

An Yi gave a slight bow, his broad sleeves flowing like rippling water.

His expression was calm, showing no sign of currying favor, and he came straight to the point: "Your Majesty, last night I sat quietly in the observatory, sensing the celestial intent, and observed an unusual alignment of the stars."

He paused, his voice clear and resonant, distinctly audible in the quiet hall: "The omen of Mars guarding the heart has not fully taken shape, and the inauspicious sign is not yet apparent. However, among the seven mansions of the Southern Vermilion Bird, the starlight is generally dim, especially in the divisions of Well and Ghost Mansions, where a faint red aura lingers without dispersing, the light being obscure and dull. This is... a sign of great drought."

"A great drought?" Upon hearing this, the Emperor immediately frowned deeply, the momentary relaxation vanishing from his face.

He reluctantly set down the stone he regarded as an auspicious omen, leaned forward slightly, speaking with urgency and a hint of barely concealed fear: "National Teacher, are you sure about this? Where will the drought occur? How severe will it be?"

Natural disasters, especially widespread ones, have always been seen as warnings from heaven to a ruler, concerning the stability of the nation and directly undermining his prestige as a "sage ruler." He could not afford to take this lightly.

He even unconsciously started wondering if he had done something wrong recently, provoking heaven's displeasure and incurring punishment.

"According to the stars and my sensing of celestial and earthly qi,"

An Yi’s gaze was calm and unwavering, yet his tone carried certainty: "The calamity is indicated across several circuits in Yongzhou, affecting a vast area. I fear it will be a great drought not seen in decades. If precautions are not taken early, by the turn of summer and autumn this year, the land will be scorched for a thousand li around, and there will be no harvest at all. Then millions of refugees will rise up, likely causing popular unrest and shaking the empire's very foundation."

A few faint, suppressed gasps echoed in the hall.

The attending eunuchs and palace maids lowered their heads even further, wishing they could shrink into the cracks in the floor, not daring to breathe.

Meanwhile, the several Daoist-robed sorcerers exchanged glances, their eyes flashing with undisguised suspicion and disbelief.

A great drought? Celestial warning? He says it as if it were true!

Hogwash!

They all knew each other well—everyone was just making a living in front of His Majesty by putting on a show of mysticism and reading his thoughts. This so-called stargazing and celestial perception were mostly forced fabrications.

To secure favor, this National Teacher really dares to say anything!

A drought unseen in decades? He's boasting so hard he might hurt himself!

The Emperor’s face turned extremely grave, his brows tightly knit together, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the edge of the couch.

He pondered for a moment, then looked at An Yi with a mix of seeking confirmation and a last shred of desperate hope, speaking hesitantly: "National Teacher, this matter... how certain are you? The theories of celestial omens are deep and mysterious; what if..."

He feared both that the calamity was real and would shake the state, and that it might be a false alarm, wasting resources and hurting his reputation as a "wise ruler."

But deep down, he already believed it.

An Yi met the Emperor’s doubtful gaze. His clear eyes showed no flicker of retreat or flattery—only a reassuring calm and absolute certainty, as if what he said was the truth.

"Your Majesty,"

His voice remained peaceful: "Celestial warnings are manifestations of heaven’s will. I cannot fabricate them. Though I am not talented, I have gained some insight into the way of the stars, and I dare not speak lightly of such matters concerning the nation’s welfare and people’s lives."

He slightly emphasized his tone, sweeping his gaze over the hall, then resting it on the Emperor:

"This omen is perilous, concerning the lives of countless common people and the stability of the realm. Better to believe it and prepare than to assume it's not real."

"Planning early and responding proactively can mitigate part of the disaster, or at least greatly reduce the damage. This is to respond to heaven’s intent, to avert calamity through warning, and also to reassure the people below, demonstrating Your Majesty’s benevolent and people-loving heart—a perfect opportunity."

The Emperor was fully convinced.

Or rather, his reliance on and superstition toward the National Teacher overpowered that faint trace of doubt.

He leaned back on the soft couch, his hand unconsciously gripping the armrest, knuckles whitening from force, clearly engaged in a fierce internal struggle.

He worried that if the disaster actually occurred, it would severely shake the state’s foundation, harm his image as a "sage ruler," and even more, he feared that dealing with this would distract him from his top priority: pursuing immortality.

Reading his expression, An Yi wanted to sigh.

Truly a "wise emperor"!

"Your Majesty..."

He spoke again at the right moment, his voice like clear spring water: "The way of heaven is unpredictable; when it sends down a calamity, it always leaves a thread of survival. To foresee the heavenly design in advance is precisely that thread of survival granted by heaven."

He guided the Emperor’s thoughts toward a solution: "If Your Majesty can take precautions before the rain, even if the drought ultimately proves less severe than I have said, these measures will still be wise preparation, demonstrating Your Majesty’s foresight and love for the people. It won't harm your sage virtue but will add luster."

"If the drought is indeed as severe as the stars indicate, then these preparations will be an immeasurable merit of saving countless lives. Heaven has a love for life and will appreciate Your Majesty’s benevolence. Perhaps it will also benefit Your Majesty’s devoted pursuit of the Daoist path, aiding your journey toward immortality."

The words "merit" subtly linked to the Emperor’s unrelenting pursuit of "longevity," hitting precisely the deepest, most sensitive spot in the Old Emperor's heart.

Indeed, after hearing this, the Emperor’s furrowed brow visibly relaxed, and a flicker of interest shone in his eyes.

He sought immortality and naturally believed that accumulating merit helped one's path to it.

If he could take this opportunity to accumulate the immense merit of saving countless people, perhaps he could truly move heaven to aid him in refining his elixir and achieving ascension.

"What the National Teacher says is very reasonable." The Emperor slowly nodded. "This matter shall be handled according to your suggestion. I will make arrangements for early preparation, carried out discreetly to avoid unnecessary panic."

He looked at An Yi, his tone showing reliance: "As for the coordination and implementation of specific matters... I will assign capable people to take charge. Since you have foreseen the celestial pattern, please take extra care and assist from the side. If there are any unusual developments or new heavenly revelations, report to me in the palace at any time."

"Your servant accepts the decree." An Yi bowed slightly, calmly accepting this task.

His goal had been achieved.

The several sorcerers looked at An Yi as if he were a brave warrior.

Spreading such a huge lie and making such a big fuss—doesn't he want to live?!

Didn’t he realize that if he didn’t want to be the National Teacher, they would gladly take his place!

[3]. Sima Qian, *Records of the Grand Historian: Hereditary House of Song Weizi*

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[4]. Fang Xuanling, Li Chunfeng, Tang, *Book of Jin: Treatise on Astronomy*