The Famous Figure from History Was Actually...

After sorting through what he had gained, Chen Qing reined in his surging inner breath and made a quick calculation. A look of surprise crossed his face as he turned to Lu Feng and Yin Lin'er. "I spent three days on that insight! Has the Empress made her move yet?"

"No word of any movement," Lu Feng said with a sigh. "The Emperor Lord ascended in a blaze of glory, his merit immeasurable, and rained down a golden shower of creation. In Yujing City, from princes and nobles to peddlers and laborers, who wouldn't seize the moment when heaven and earth resonated to comprehend its mysteries?"

Yin Lin'er chimed in, "The streets have been peaceful these past few days. Even the usually arrogant Sky Patrol Guard have stayed behind closed doors! I heard there's been a vortex of spiritual energy over the Sixth Prince's residence day and night. He must be comprehending the Dao Rhyme the Emperor Lord left behind."

"It seems they have no time to concern themselves with anything else for now, but..." Chen Qing continued, "with the Immortal Emperor's ascension, the plans we had in place are no longer viable. And the rain of creation has stopped."

Lu Feng sighed and nodded. "That's right. The lingering effects of the ascension have kept everyone quiet these past two or three days, but things won't stay peaceful in the days ahead. We have to find another way to locate the Red Vein Stone, and we can't delay!"

"Alchemy is certainly important, but if the Empress takes power, I'm afraid even refining the Great Pill will be useless." Chen Qing's gaze swept over the distant, towering palace halls. "Still, while the Immortal Emperor was here, the Empress had to rely on the Emperor Lord's authority. Now that he has ascended, what is the foundation of her power? The Sixth Prince covets the throne, but is the seat of the Celestial Emperor truly his by right?"

Lu Feng was taken aback, then said, "How could the Emperor Lord have failed to make arrangements before ascending?" Suddenly, he seemed to understand. "I see. The Great Dao transcends the mortal world, and mortal power is but fleeting clouds. Now that he has ascended to immortality, why would he concern himself with the disputes here?"

Chen Qing gave a slight nod. Spiritual light flowed through his Niwan Palace, reflecting the Immortal Emperor's final glance as he severed his ties to the mortal world. He couldn't help wondering: If I were in his place, what would I choose?

But he quickly shook his head. That moment was still far beyond his reach.

"Are you thinking of leveraging someone else's power?" Lu Feng considered it for a while, then shook his head with a bitter smile. "With our meager cultivation, we don't even qualify to be pieces on the board! Besides, people in Yujing City are so hard to read now. Who can we trust?"

Then his expression turned solemn, and he urged Chen Qing earnestly, "Young friend Chen, the best course for now is to keep a low profile! You may have fortune on your side, but your foundation is still shallow. Take an old man's advice: avoid the spotlight for now. How could people like us get involved in something like that? I'll take you out of the city right away. With your talent..."

"No matter how great my talent is, how can I stand against the Immortal Dynasty?" Chen Qing stared out the window, his gaze deep. "Leaving the city would be easy, but have you thought about this, Elder Lü? If the Sixth Prince ascends the throne, a single edict could leave us nowhere to hide. The Empress has spent years building her power within the Immortal Dynasty. How long could we keep running? This isn't the best course. It's drinking poison to quench our thirst!"

This body of his was merely a dream-born incarnation; in truth, he had no fear of death.

Besides, Chen Qing saw things clearly: Elder Lü's advice seemed prudent, but he didn't know there was another player hiding in the shadows—the mysterious Mystic Bright Layman. The Sixth Prince and the Empress might well be going to all this trouble just to make a wedding robe for someone else!

This secret foreknowledge was the key to breaking the deadlock. He just needed to carefully plan his next move.

At that thought, a glimmer of light flickered in his Sea of Consciousness. Figures from the past swept through Chen Qing's mind like scenes in a revolving lantern.

Suddenly, one figure came into focus—

Fine robes and elegant finery, with a hint of carefree mischief between his brows.

"Have you already made up your mind?" Lu Feng's empty eye sockets "stared" at Chen Qing, but he warned him, "The other factions are no saints, either. Contacting them rashly could mean jumping from one pit of fire into another!"

Instead of answering, Chen Qing asked, "Elder Lü, you've lived in Yujing for years. Do you know Young Marquis Lu, Lu Qiyuan? Does he have a residence in the city?"

"Lu Qiyuan?" Lu Feng looked astonished. "He's a notorious wastrel! Relying on his father, the Marquis of the East Sea's reputation, he runs wild throughout Yujing. He usually stays at Moon Embracing Villa, the Marquis of the East Sea's property in Yujing. It's in Golden Scale District, and it's quite imposing."

Chen Qing was startled. "The Marquis of the East Sea?"

Lu Feng nodded. "The Marquis of the East Sea commands a thousand miles of coastline and is richer than a nation. His fleet of Sea-Calming Warships inspires awe throughout Dongling."

A few scattered passages about the Marquis of the East Sea from Immortal Dynasty Anecdotes flashed through Chen Qing's mind—

[The Marquis of the East Sea's 'Coral Palace' was built upon ten thousand acres of coral, with crystal halls rising above it and songs and revelry every night. He carved artificial hills from thousand-year-old black ice and drew a flowing spring to cascade over them, while spirit fish darted through the waters...]

He was a figure who embodied the Immortal Dynasty's extravagant excesses after the Immortal Emperor's ascension!

Had he already met the future Marquis of the East Sea?

He wondered whether the "Marquis of the East Sea" in Immortal Dynasty Anecdotes was Lu Qiyuan himself or one of his descendants.

"But he's so famous, and his father wields considerable power. That gives us a better chance."

"You want to ask him for help?" Lu Feng furrowed his brows. "He was once interested in the Princess, but the situation is treacherous now. He's also known for changing sides with the wind. He behaves recklessly and has a terrible reputation. The risk is too great!"

Chen Qing didn't explain what he had in mind. He only said, "Right now, we're trapped in the Qin Hut, cut off from news. What are we, if not blind and deaf? The Empress and the Sixth Prince loom over us like dark clouds, and the storm could break at any moment. Rather than sit here waiting for lightning to strike, we should actively seek out a hint of the wind's direction."

Lu Feng fell silent. After a long while, his hoarse voice rang out, tinged with resolve. "Very well! Either way, we're gambling with our lives. What do you plan to do? Moon Embracing Villa may not be a dragon's lair or a tiger's den, but it's heavily guarded, and Lu Qiyuan must have experts by his side. There's no way we can force our way in."

"Force our way in?" Chen Qing chuckled. "That would be the worst possible plan. I want him to invite me in of his own accord. But leaving the residence this time might draw some people's attention, so we should prepare to relocate."

"Invite you in?" Lu Feng was stunned.

Golden Scale District, Moon Embracing Villa.

Chen Qing stopped and looked up.

The three-zhang-high gates towered before him, carved entirely from ten-thousand-year-old fragrant rosewood. Two suanni sculpted from deep-sea blue crystal sat on either side, their eyes set with luminous pearls that glimmered with a ghostly light.

A purple jade plaque hung above the gates, the words "Moon Embracing Villa" written in silver hooks and iron strokes. The sound of waves seemed to issue from it.

"Stop! This is the Marquis's residence. Keep moving!"

The guards at the gate wore fish-scale soft armor and carried themselves like seasoned fighters. Seeing Chen Qing stop to look, they immediately barked at him, hands already resting on the water-splitting daggers at their waists.

Chen Qing said nothing. He flipped his hand and displayed a crimson token: the Crimson Fire Token Young Marquis Lu had given him after hearing his plan to pacify the people and absolve their crimes.

Bzz—

The token's red markings flared, and the moisture in the air instantly vaporized!

The two guards turned deathly pale!

"The Crimson Fire Token?!" They immediately dropped all pretense of arrogance. "Please forgive us, honored guest! We were blind! Please, follow me!" One of them bent so low he was practically crawling as he led Chen Qing inside.

Beyond the gate, the view opened up in a sudden sweep!

The entire courtyard had been built around a Spirit Pool. Emerald waves rippled, rare spirit fish darted between the corals, and a warm-jade Rainbow Bridge arched across the water.

"What a sight! Compared to this, even Bai Shaoyou looks downright modest." Chen Qing stepped onto the Rainbow Bridge. Its surface was warm and smooth, a gentle heat seeping into the soles of his feet. "This taste for extravagance must run in the family."

On either side of the Rainbow Bridge, Golden Scale Dragon Carp leaped from the water, blowing bubbles in every color of the rainbow.

The guard leading him didn't dare breathe too loudly, and escorted Chen Qing to a white-jade terrace.

On the terrace, Lu Qiyuan lounged on a soft couch, while gauzy-robed maids knelt at his sides. Some massaged his legs; others peeled glistening spirit fruit for him.

"Reporting to the young master! An honored guest bearing the Crimson Fire Token requests an audience!" the guard called out from outside the terrace.

Lu Qiyuan had his eyes closed, enjoying the maids' gentle massage. At the report, he abruptly opened them. When he saw who had arrived, he leaped down barefoot and laughed as he strode forward. "Hahaha! Chen Xu! I knew it was you! I knew you'd come!"

His voice rang with hearty confidence. "The Holy Emperor has ascended, and the Princess is at the end of her rope. You should have joined the rightful lord long ago! Coming to me was the right choice! With your abilities and my influence, there's nowhere in all of Yujing we can't go! Wealth and glory, a long life and immortality—they're ours for the taking!"