At Last Revealed

Three months later, Guanzhong, Chang'an.

The Han had the Eastern and Western Han; capitals, too, had the Eastern and Western Capitals.

The Eastern Capital was Luoyang, and the Western Capital was Chang'an.

After the Sui received Heaven's Mandate and saw Chang'an lying in ruins, it built a new city, named it Daxing, and made it the National Capital.

In the Thirteenth Year of Daye, Duke of Tang Li Yuan raised troops in Taiyuan, attacked into Guanzhong, and seized Chang'an in one stroke.

The Li Clan was one of the Four Great Clans. Though Emperor Yang Guang of Sui had regarded it with suspicion and it had remained apart from the imperial court, it had forged broad connections with the Guanlong Nobility and local influential families, winning the hearts of the Guanlong great houses.

Thus, once it raised its army, supporters answered from within and without. It entered Guanzhong, took Chang'an, installed Yang You, occupied the Imperial Palace, and without wasting so much as a breath, became the overlord of one region.

Guanzhong was a land of abundance, famed as A Thousand Miles of Golden City and the Land of Abundance.

After the Li Clan took control of Guanzhong and gained the support of the Guanlong great houses, its strength expanded rapidly. It was now the foremost among the heroes of the realm.

Its foundations were secure, the aura of kingship was gradually emerging, and it already possessed an Imperial Aura.

Therefore, in the Fourteenth Year of Daye, when Emperor Yang Guang of Sui was murdered by Yuwen Huaji and died in Jiangdu, Li Yuan accepted Yang You's abdication, ascended the throne, named the era Founding Era, and established Li Tang. For a time, its prestige was unmatched and its glory boundless.

Yet over these past three months, much of that glory had been diminished.

Within Chang'an City, troops and armor stood in severe array. Squad after squad of soldiers patrolled back and forth within and beyond the city, while the Forbidden Palace had a guard every ten paces and a sentry every five, sealed tight against even a drop of water.

Yet even this could not contain the chaos in Chang'an. Conflicts still broke out from time to time within and outside the city. The city guards ran themselves ragged, while the people were gripped by fear.

All because of...

"These people of Jianghu are truly audacious beyond measure. They do not place our Li Tang in their eyes at all."

Upon the city wall, amid the gathered generals, Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji stood in splendid armor, watching the chaos within and outside the city caused by all manner of Jianghu disputes. Their fury knew no bounds.

Ever since Golden Jade Full Hall spread the news that Duke Yang's Treasury lay hidden in Chang'an, the martial world had immediately erupted. Every major sect and Rogue Cultivator who had the time and could get away rushed to Chang'an.

Why?

There was no why. Joining the excitement was the instinctive nature of Jianghu folk.

Some came to make a name for themselves, some for gold and treasures, some for Martial Arts Manuals, and some for a beauty's smile...

In short, everything Jianghu folk pursued could be attained by "joining the excitement."

Thus, whether it was a martial assembly or the emergence of some treasure, every occasion drew a great crowd of Jianghu people. Whether the news was true or false did not matter; as long as there was excitement, people would gather.

The appearance of Duke Yang's Treasury was naturally no exception. As soon as the news spread, winds and clouds converged. The martial world, renowned sects, and Rogue Heroes all gathered in Chang'an.

Where there were many people, there was much trouble, much less when those arriving were all unruly, unconstrained martial world people and Children of Jianghu.

They might not dare challenge Li Tang's authority, but that did not mean they would refrain from causing trouble in Chang'an. They were all Children of Jianghu; once their tempers flared, who cared about Li Tang? Draw the blade and hack first. At worst, run after the killing was done.

Thus, Chang'an's public order had plummeted in recent days. Not only had it terrified the people, even Li Tang itself felt its foundations were unstable. It had no choice but to recall experts from within the clan, along with elite Imperial Guards.

Only then did it barely suppress the situation.

But it was merely suppression on the surface. The hidden dangers had not vanished; instead, they grew fiercer by the day.

Elsewhere, Li Shimin stood beside Li Xiuning, likewise watching the situation in Chang'an coldly. Yet unlike Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji, they did not rage in helpless fury.

"With a flipped hand, he gathers clouds; with another, he overturns rain. That Martial King truly possesses heaven-reaching methods. He puts us to shame."

Li Shimin pressed one hand against the city wall and looked down upon Chang'an's streets, his brows deeply furrowed.

"His methods are indeed formidable, but Second Brother need not belittle himself."

Li Xiuning shook her head and consoled him. "Our Li Tang has the people's hearts and will surely become lord of the realm. That man acts against the course of things; in the end, he will be nothing but withered bones in a grave!"

Though she held no feather fan lightly swaying, her beautiful eyes and wisdom still carried the bearing of Zhuge as she commanded the nation. "Therefore, Second Brother need not throw himself into disorder and fall into his calculations. As the mantis stalks the cicada, the oriole waits behind. So long as we claim the final fruits, what do temporary gains and losses matter?"

"Third Sister is right. I had become fixated."

After Li Xiuning's consolation, Li Shimin felt much better. He turned his gaze toward outside Chang'an and muttered, "Duke Yang's Treasury and the He Clan Jade Bi—obtain either one, and one may gain the realm. Is this rumor true or false?"

"It is true, and it is false."

Li Xiuning shook her head and said calmly, "If a single jade bi or a single treasury could decide who ruled the realm, how could there still be such strife in the world? All I can say is that these two treasures can enhance one's strength and become immense aid in seizing the realm. That is all."

"Indeed."

Li Shimin nodded and said in a deep voice, "Though they cannot truly decide who owns the realm, they can greatly increase one's strength. If Duke Yang's Treasury truly lies in Chang'an, it must belong to our Li Tang."

"Hopefully."

Li Xiuning did not jump to conclusions. "Big Brother, Fourth Brother, and our men have searched every inch within and outside Chang'an, yet found no trace of that treasury. Whether this is true or false remains open to question. Perhaps it is a deception fabricated by the Martial King at the cost of his own reputation to achieve his ends."

"That is possible, but it may not necessarily be false."

Li Shimin shook his head. "I heard that Duke Yang's Treasury was built by Yang Su's friend, the greatest master craftsman under heaven, Lu Miazi. Its mechanisms are exceedingly ingenious, so it would naturally be difficult to find. Either it is buried underground, or hidden in..."

As he spoke, Li Shimin's pupils contracted. Li Xiuning too awoke with a start.

"Underwater?"

"Underground?"

"The place where the two connect!"

"That must be where the treasury's mechanisms lie!"

Both were exceptionally intelligent. With a flash of insight, they understood the key to it all.

Li Shimin was greatly excited and immediately prepared to act. "I will send men at once to seal off and search every waterway within and outside Chang'an. Duke Yang's Treasury's mechanisms must be among them."

"No!"

Li Xiuning caught hold of him. "Though Duke Yang's Treasury is important, the true key lies with that Martial King. He has clearly used Duke Yang's Treasury as bait so that, while the mantis stalks the cicada, he may be the oriole behind. We cannot fall into his scheme and serve as his vanguard. We should Watch Coldly, wait as the oriole behind, and take him down."

This Female Zhuge said in a deep voice as she analyzed, "Looking across the realm, the only ones worthy of being called heroic lords are this man and our Li Tang. All others are Mud Chickens and Clay Dogs, not worth mentioning. So long as we kill him in Chang'an this time, no one in the realm will remain who can obstruct Li Tang's great cause. Compared to that, what is a mere treasury?"

"This..."

Li Shimin froze, then came to his senses and slapped his forehead. "It was this brother who became fixated. I nearly fell into that man's scheme. Thanks to Third Sister's guidance, I will gather my personal guards at once. If those experts fail to kill him, we will press forward with the army and unleash a Ten Thousand Arrows Volley. Whatever the cost, we will leave that man in Chang'an forever."

As he spoke, he seized Li Xiuning's hand. "But moving the army like this will inevitably come to Imperial Father's attention, and Big Brother and Fourth Brother may well interfere. So I ask Third Sister to enter the palace and inform Imperial Father of the crucial details. Do not let this delay Li Tang's great cause."

"Rest easy, Second Brother. Your little sister will enter the palace at once!"

"Good!"

At the same time, Yue Ma Bridge, Qu River—two young men arrived side by side.

Chang'an was said to have Eight Scenic Views, and Qu River's Yue Ma Bridge was one of them, situated over Qu River beyond Chang'an City.

As one of the Eight Scenic Views, in former days it would surely have been filled with scholars and poets lingering in delight.

But Chang'an was now in turmoil, and no one dared wander about carelessly. Thus, there were not many pedestrians upon Yue Ma Bridge.

The two young men came side by side to the middle of the bridge. They exchanged a glance, said no more, and leaped straight down.

Splash!!

The two plunged into the water together and vanished in an instant, leaving the bystanders dumbfounded.

"What is going on?"

"Did someone jump into the river?"

"Such fine young lads—why couldn't they think things through?"

As the crowd marveled, they suddenly saw someone treading upon the water and flying through the air from afar. She was a woman of graceful bearing and peerless beauty.

Zhu Yuyan flew over, but seeing no sign of the two men, she immediately turned to the others. Her icy gaze held the power of Soul Snatching. "Did you see two lads traveling together?"

"Uh..."

"They just jumped into the water."

"Hmm?"

Zhu Yuyan's gaze sharpened as she looked beneath the bridge.

Just then...

Rumble rumble rumble!

A strange disturbance erupted, followed by violent tremors that even reached Chang'an City, making it rumble and shake.

From the distant range of steep, overlapping mountains came another deafening crash, while dust and smoke billowed forth.

"Hmm!?"

Zhu Yuyan's gaze narrowed. Following the sound, she immediately saw an opening revealed after a mountain rock shifted aside.

"Over there!!"

Seeing this, Zhu Yuyan could no longer spare a thought for the two in the water. She drove her true essence, soared into the air, and shot toward the mountains.

Such a disturbance also drew the attention of every force within and outside the city.

"Over there!"

"Duke Yang's Treasury has appeared!"

"Hurry and go!"

"The chance to get rich is here!"

"The Evil Emperor's Sarira will surely be mine!"

In an instant, Chang'an City and its surroundings erupted. Countless Martial Artists rushed out of the city and surged toward Duke Yang's Treasury.

Among them were many top experts at the Spirit Condensation Dao Integration realm, flying through the air at extreme speed.

"Yin Queen Zhu Yuyan!"

"Demonic Marshal Zhao Deyan!"

"Heavenly Lord Xi Ying!"

"That is... Yuwen Shang?"

"The Yuwen Clan is already in such a state, and he still has time to get away?"

"Dugu Feng has come too!"

"Is that the Affectionate Young Master Hou Xibai?"

"If that brat is here, Shi Zhixuan should have arrived too, right?"

"Cihang Jingzhai's troop of beauties has arrived too."

"Why is there still no sign of the Jingnian Zen Sect?"

"..."

Like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each displaying their divine powers, every major faction charged into Duke Yang's Treasury. Only Li Tang, as the host, held its position without moving.

Of course, some Jianghu people who lacked the strength and chose to preserve themselves wisely remained outside as spectators, commanding the nation from afar.

Thus, who knew how much time passed.

Within the mountain forest...

"Move aside!"

A figure flew out. She was a barefoot woman in white, seductive without losing her wicked charm.

Using silk ribbons as weapons, she moved as though performing an illusory Heavenly Demon Dance, driving back several people entangling her in the blink of an eye.

But after those few came more, all chasing relentlessly.

"Demoness, do not flee!"

"Leave the Evil Emperor's Sarira behind!"

Several women in white flew out with swords in hand. Their righteous aura concealed Zen intent; they were experts of Cihang Jingzhai.

Behind them came a ghostly figure flying out of Duke Yang's Treasury, pursuing the fleeing woman directly.

The group chased and tangled with one another, and in the blink of an eye rushed out of the mountains to the banks of Qu River.

"Damn it!"

Wanwan gritted her teeth. She had pushed the Heavenly Demon Dance to its limit, yet still could not shake off her pursuers. After all, this was Cihang Jingzhai's deep foundation—each and every one was an expert with Spirit Condensation Dao Integration strength, and they cultivated Buddhist teachings deeply, wholly unaffected by the Heavenly Demon Dance's bewitching illusions.

What was she to do?

Just as Wanwan considered retreating...

"Demoness, halt!"

Several more figures flew over. All were monks in white robes and kasayas.

"Jingnian Zen Sect!"

"You shameless bald donkeys...!"

Seeing that they had even planted an ambush, Wanwan finally could not restrain herself from cursing aloud.

But the newcomers ignored her and moved to surround and kill her.

At that moment...

"Do not panic, Niece. Uncle Bian is here."

With a frivolous laugh, another expert appeared and entered the battlefield, blocking an expert from the Jingnian Zen Sect.

"Hahaha, with such excitement, how could I be absent?"

On the other side, a round, plump figure leaped forth, likewise blocking a Jingnian Zen Sect member.

"The Sacred Sarira is mine and mine alone!"

"Bald donkey, die!"

Demonic Sect experts appeared one after another, intercepting the Jingnian Zen Sect's ambushers.

Wanwan was surrounded by them, yet she did not feel the slightest bit safer. She knew full well that these fellow sect members and elders were even more like jackals, wolves, tigers, and leopards than Cihang Jingzhai and the Jingnian Zen Sect, harboring no good intentions.

But she had no choice. The encirclement had now formed. Carrying the Evil Emperor's Sarira, she was the focus of everyone's attention. If she tried to break out, the crowd would surely attack her together. There was no need to say what her fate would be.

With so many Spirit Condensation Dao Integration experts, the foundations of both the black and white paths, the Buddhist and Demonic Sects, all laid bare—looking across the realm, who could escape safely?

The Three Grandmasters? The Evil King? The Heavenly Blade?

She truly should not have accepted this scalding hot potato!

What now?

Just as Wanwan's thoughts were in turmoil and she stood at a loss...

A hand... extended before her.

"!!!!!!"

Wanwan's pupils shrank. She suddenly looked up and saw that, at some unknown moment, someone had appeared before her.

It was...

A young man, his stance tall and straight, poised like an abyssal pavilion and lofty mountain. In plain blue robes, he seemed like a heavenly being—at one moment Within reach, at the next Far away.

He clearly stood right there, yet she could not sense his aura in the least. He was as soundless and traceless as a reflection in a mirror or moon in water, yet at the same time possessed such an intense sense of presence that no one could possibly overlook him.

It was like... this sky, this earth, this Sun, Moon, and Stars, this Universe, vast and boundless. Though visible to the eye, their full expanse could not be seen; though one did not know how vast heaven and earth were, one still felt one's own smallness.

Unity of Heaven and Man!

Grandmaster Realm!

"..."

"..."

Awakened from her instant terror, Wanwan stared at his excessively young face and the hand he held out to her. She fell silent for a moment, then tremblingly took out a yellow jade crystal still carrying a young maiden's delicate fragrance and handed it over with immense difficulty.

At this moment, the righteous and demonic factions, Buddhist and Demonic Sect experts locked in a Difficult to distinguish, Deathmatch struggle, also noticed the upheaval in the arena. After a moment of horrified shock, both sides immediately separated, forming an encircling ring as they stared uncertainly at the man in the center.