Bloodline (Two-in-One)

Zhao Yunheng had not lied in the slightest. All he wanted was for Song Tonghai to lower his head.

As long as Song Tonghai opened his mouth, Zhao Yunheng had ways to ensure the Song Family's peace. At worst, he could send them to the Imperial Capital and still preserve their lives.

Seeing that he did not seem to be feigning it, the Son of Heaven gave a slight nod. "Good. Put away those thoughts of yours and stop interfering in the Song Family's affairs. There are many hidden truths involved. Do not invite disaster upon yourself."

"Imperial Brother, could you enlighten me?" Zhao Yunheng grew somewhat curious.

"Five years ago, I received a Message from Fourteenth Imperial Granduncle, saying that the Song Family bloodline might be unusual. He ordered me to secretly investigate every Song family within the neighboring states."

The Son of Heaven paused, then said gravely, "Three thousand years ago, there was once a Song Heavenly Lord who passed through the True Immortal Gate. His ancestral home lay less than a million li from our Great Zhou."

"I examined much information. In the surrounding countries, there are Song families everywhere—some stretching back a thousand years, others established for less than a century. Yet they share one astonishing common trait: nearly every one of their clans has produced an Immortal Seed."

"The Song Family might be descendants of a Heavenly Lord?" Zhao Yunheng's expression changed drastically.

If the Song Family truly were descendants of a Heavenly Lord, that would be far too astonishing.

An Immortal Sect was merely a group of people cultivating immortality, while a Heavenly Lord was a true immortal!

Tempered by Heaven and Earth, with Immortal Bones throughout their body, their breath could become clouds and summon rain. With a flick of their fingers, they could create a supreme paradise of caves and blessed lands. Compared to them, so-called Immortal Sects were not worth mentioning at all.

"Even if they are not descendants of a Heavenly Lord, they likely share the same origin. This matter is top secret and must not be spread."

The Son of Heaven shook his head slightly. "You need not think too much about it. Even if they are descendants of a Heavenly Lord, that Heavenly Lord has long since left this world. Fourteenth Imperial Granduncle is tracing the roots of this bloodline for another purpose. Do not involve yourself in it."

"Song Lingqing possesses top-grade Immortal Bones. News of it has already spread throughout the nearby nations. Far more than one or two people have their eyes on her. Her situation is even more perilous. Whether she can live to take part in the grand competition remains uncertain. Just wait and watch."

"I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Imperial Brother."

Cold sweat faintly seeped from Zhao Yunheng's forehead. He had only vaguely sensed that the Song Family bloodline was somewhat extraordinary. He had never expected it to be extraordinary to such a degree.

"Go. I have already arranged for Li Mingzhou to handle Luofeng City. Return to your fief in a few days."

The Son of Heaven waved a hand, turned around, and stepped into the shadows of the hall. In an instant, he vanished without a trace.

Zhao Yunheng stood there blankly for a moment, rubbed his face, then slowly walked out of the side hall, deep in thought.

"Father King, you..."

Seeing the vivid red handprint on Zhao Yunheng's face, Zhao Jichang, who had been waiting outside, panicked for a moment.

"It is nothing. Enjoy yourself in the Imperial Capital for a few days. After some time, Father King will take you back to our fief."

Zhao Yunheng came back to his senses and said slowly, "You need not keep thinking about Song Lingxue. Father King will find you another marriage."

"As for marriage, I do not care that much."

Zhao Jichang shook his head, his concern impossible to hide. "Is your face really all right? Should we call an imperial physician to take a look?"

In that short time, Zhao Yunheng's face had already swollen like a steamed bun. Five finger marks stood out clearly amid bloodshot redness and swelling.

Imperial Uncle's hand was really heavy...

"My heart is dead. There is no love left."

Zhao Yunheng clasped his hands behind his back and walked toward the palace gates, beginning to calculate once more.

After hearing of Song Heavenly Lord, he felt an even greater urgency to find a marriage for Zhao Jichang.

There was more than one Song family in Great Zhou. He remembered several wealthy Song households in the Imperial Capital alone. He could look through them one by one; surely there would be a suitable match.

After all, they shared a surname with a Heavenly Lord. Even if he merely married someone surnamed Song, he should be able to bask in a little Immortal Qi. If that did not work, he could simply marry several more.

As for whether it would succeed, that was a matter for later.

Luofeng City, City Lord's Manor.

The Great Sun sank westward. The cold rose, and the bone-piercing wind began to howl once more.

Inside the main hall.

Chu Zheng sat by the table, poured himself a cup of tea, and sighed inwardly.

"Boy, go out and ask around. What kind of man is Li Mingzhou? Even the Son of Heaven showed me some respect when he was young. Once an opportunity like this is missed, it will never come again."

Li Mingzhou, clad in crimson armor, stood not far away. His expression was solemn, his voice deep and powerful.

"What sort of person has Li Mingzhou not seen? If I had not seen that your Innate Talent was exceptional and that you possessed Innate Divine Strength, and felt unwilling to see you buried in the countryside, I would never have given you this opportunity."

When his words ended and Chu Zheng remained silent, Li Mingzhou grew somewhat anxious.

"Are you truly unwilling to take me as your master? Let me tell you, I have no sons. If you become my disciple, everything I possess will be yours in the future, including the post of Vermillion Bird Divine Guard Commander. I can even help you contend for it before His Majesty."

Even then, Chu Zheng did not speak. He only felt helpless.

Li Mingzhou's reaction was entirely due to the Celestial Phenomenon brought about by the Dragon Tiger Body. Chu Zheng's physique had gradually become different from that of an ordinary person: a dragon's waist and tiger's back, tendons like powerful bows and bones like steel. Li Mingzhou's eye was exceedingly sharp, and he had seen through it.

After examining Chu Zheng's bones and finding no trace of internal cultivation within him, Li Mingzhou had been overjoyed and insisted on taking him as a disciple.

Naturally, Chu Zheng could not agree. Taking a master was no trifling matter. "A master for one day, a father for life" was not an empty phrase.

Li Mingzhou's strength was passable, but he was far from qualified to be Chu Zheng's master.

On the road of cultivation, the accomplished became the master, regardless of age.

With the Qi Cultivation Method in hand, Chu Zheng had enough confidence that after another month, he would not even need both hands to defeat Li Mingzhou.

In terms of strength, Li Mingzhou did not measure up. In terms of knowledge and insight, he might not surpass Chu Zheng by much either.

With such gaps between them, how could Li Mingzhou become his master?

Seeing Chu Zheng drink tea as though nothing had happened, Li Mingzhou finally could not hold back. He forced a relaxed smile.

"Hehe, I have seen plenty of young people like you. You think that with a little talent, you are bound to rise above the rest someday. But walking the martial world is not so simple. I do not truly wish to take you as a disciple either. I merely find it a pity."

Before he had even finished, he could not help adding, "Are you truly unwilling to take me as your master?"

"Each person has his own aspirations. Commander, please do not take offense." Chu Zheng slowly shook his head, gradually piecing together some information in his mind.

Li Mingzhou was a Special Envoy of the court. To a certain extent, he could already represent the emperor's attitude.

If he had come to kill, Li Mingzhou would never have adopted this attitude.

The Vermillion Bird Divine Guard had arrived with great fanfare, but it seemed more like a performance for the world to see.

Perhaps the court did not truly wish to interfere in this matter either, but with the eyes of the world upon it, they had no choice but to come.

There were hidden truths here that he did not yet know.

Just as Chu Zheng's mind wandered, Li Mingzhou suddenly raised a hand. He flipped his palm and pressed it toward the empty space outside the hall.

That simple press suddenly revealed an indescribable trajectory in Chu Zheng's eyes, and in an instant, he was absorbed by it.

Boom!

With one palm strike, a bluestone screen wall over ten zhang away and nearly three chi thick collapsed with a thunderous crash. Dust flew everywhere, revealing the gate it had concealed behind it.

"This is a Free Hand technique I obtained by chance from a Stone Wall in my early years. In this world, I should be the only one who knows it."

Li Mingzhou slowly withdrew his hand, suppressing his slightly hurried breathing.

"How about it? Take me as your master, and I will teach it to you."

Chu Zheng had no attention left to hear what he was saying. His mind was entirely occupied by the Panel's notification.

Xuantian Seal Third Form (Fifth Order/Incomplete): Created by the hand of a Deity, a masterpiece gathering the culmination of Martial Dao. It contains nine forms in total. Lacking corroboration, it is extremely difficult for you to repair.

Currently Repairable: Xuantian Seal Third Form (0/30000)

Fifth Order!

What did Fifth Order mean? It was an entire major realm stronger than the complete Dragon Tiger Body, only one tier below the Grand Cycle Qi Circulation Compendium—and this was merely one form of it!

Chu Zheng brought up the Panel. After inspecting it, his expression changed once more.

Name: Chu Zheng

Cultivation: Zero Order

Cultivation Method: Grand Cycle Qi Circulation Compendium (Sixth Order/Incomplete), Dragon Tiger Body (Fourth Order/Incomplete)...

Divine Ability: Xuantian Seal Third Form (Fifth Order/Incomplete)

Restorer: Zero Order (357/1000)

Remaining Repairs Today: 0

Currently Repairable: Xuantian Seal Third Form (0/30000), Grand Cycle Qi Circulation Compendium Upper Chapter (0/1000), Dragon Tiger Body Upper Chapter (75/100)

A new category had appeared on the original Panel. The Xuantian Seal was not a Cultivation Method, but a Divine Ability that could amplify Combat Power.

Chu Zheng came back to himself and asked with a trace of nervousness, "May I ask, Commander, where is that Stone Wall?"

A single form alone had reached Fifth Order. If he could obtain that Stone Wall, he might be able to acquire the complete Xuantian Seal technique.

At last seeing a change in Chu Zheng's expression, Li Mingzhou could not help feeling pleased with himself. He said casually, "Only one corner of that Stone Wall remained to begin with. After making a rubbing of it, I threw it into the bottom of the sea."

Crack—

Upon hearing this, veins instantly bulged across Chu Zheng's forehead. He clenched his fist instinctively, and a crisp crack burst from between his knuckles.

A moment later, he released his hand somewhat weakly. The people of this world held no reverence for their predecessors. Naturally, they cared even less about protecting the relics left behind by antiquity.

From Li Mingzhou's perspective, there was nothing wrong with what he had done. To prevent later generations from seeing it, destroying the Stone Wall was the best choice.

"It is already late. If there is nothing else, I ask that Commander allow me to leave."

With a quiet sigh, Chu Zheng bade farewell and did not mention the Xuantian Seal again.

Li Mingzhou still possessed the remaining rubbing of the Stone Wall. If Chu Zheng asked, Li Mingzhou presumably would not refuse.

But Chu Zheng could not give Li Mingzhou what he wanted, so he might as well pretend the matter had never happened.

Obtaining the Xuantian Seal Third Form had already made this trip worthwhile. One could not be too greedy, or backlash would follow. Contentment brought lasting joy.

Li Mingzhou's gaze was complicated. He said nothing more, turned his back, and waved a hand to signal Chu Zheng to leave.

"Thank you for your guidance today, Commander."

Chu Zheng offered his thanks and slowly departed from the City Lord's Manor.

When he reached the entrance, Song Tonghai, Song Lingxue, and Song Yun were all waiting below the steps. Seeing him emerge safely, all three breathed a sigh of relief.

Snow gradually began to fall through the air, like fine down drifting in dance. The sky was silver-gray, dim and without light.

The group stepped through the snow and slowly headed toward Song Manor.

Walking beside Song Lingxue, Song Yun opened the oiled-paper umbrella in his hand and held it above Song Lingxue's head.

Song Lingxue casually took it and held it over Chu Zheng's head instead. She asked softly, "What happened inside just now? Why was there such a commotion?"

Chu Zheng answered briefly, "Li Mingzhou intended to take me as his disciple. I politely declined, so he deliberately displayed his methods to cow me."

"So that was it." Song Lingxue understood. Rising onto her toes, she lifted the umbrella higher. "Did he mention Yuan Xingcai?"

"No."

Chu Zheng shook his head slightly and directly voiced his guess. "The court's visit likely was not meant to capture the murderer. It was more to preserve its reputation."

"Really?" Song Lingxue was slightly surprised. "How did you know?"

"Read more books, and you will naturally know."

Thinking of that Stone Wall, Chu Zheng could not help sighing again. "What we are experiencing now must have been experienced in similar ways by those before us. The cart ahead overturns; the cart behind takes warning."

Song Yun followed at Song Lingxue's side with a blank expression. The falling snow gradually dampened his shoulders and dusted his head white.

After Chu Zheng left, Li Mingzhou's expression gradually returned to calm, though several traces of desolation appeared between his brows.

A hero in his twilight years—the weight of time was too heavy, pressing a man until he could not straighten his back. Even though he looked vigorous and was in the prime of his strength, he was already nearing a hundred years old.

Finding a successor worthy of passing down one's mantle was truly too difficult.

The world knew that the path to the Dao had no gate and that every step forward was arduous, yet they did not know that for a famous master to find a disciple was equally as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Chu Zheng was too young, and his Innate Talent was powerful. His future achievements would undoubtedly far surpass Li Mingzhou's. He might even explore that legendary road of the Martial Immortal.

If one could enter an Immortal Sect, who would not wish to cultivate immortality? Cultivating Martial Dao was merely a helpless choice. But if one lacked a bone, one was fated to have no affinity with immortality.

Entering an Immortal Sect through Martial Dao was, in the end, only a legend.

A Vermillion Bird Divine Guard hurried into the main hall and placed a detailed list before Li Mingzhou.

"Commander, these are the account books found in the Secret Chamber of Yuan Xingcai's room. In addition, there were seventy-three thousand two hundred and sixteen taels of gold, five hundred and ninety-six thousand three hundred and twenty-seven taels of silver, various jewels, one five-hundred-year Aged Herb, thirty-four hundred-year Aged Herbs..."

The list went on for the time it took to drink a cup of tea. Countless rare treasures of every kind were included.

"He is richer than I am. He truly deserved to die."

Glancing at the list, Li Mingzhou cursed under his breath. The Vermillion Bird Divine Guard beside him showed no reaction at all, clearly accustomed to it.

"Are there records in the account books of Song Tonghai offering bribes?"

"Yes. Around a dozen entries, totaling more than twenty thousand taels of silver."

A cold gleam flashed through Li Mingzhou's eyes. He poured himself a cup of tea, drained it in one gulp, then said slowly,

"Draft a memorial and report to His Majesty that, after investigation, Yuan Xingcai had embezzled and accepted countless bribes during his lifetime, inciting public resentment. The recovered illicit wealth is: seventy thousand taels of gold, five hundred thousand taels of silver, and various jewels. Do not write the rest. Divide it among the brothers."

"Yes."

At night, just after midnight.

Chu Zheng sat cross-legged, preparing to circulate his cultivation, while the events of the past two days continued to replay in his mind.

Suddenly, a flash of lightning crossed his thoughts. Chu Zheng abruptly opened his eyes, his pupils widening slightly.

The court's attitude was enough to show that the people who had attacked Song Manor that night had nothing to do with the court.

That left only the Hidden Immortal Sect.

Rustle, rustle—

As he pondered, a faint sound suddenly rang out in the room. Chu Zheng raised his head, drew the Iron Mace from beside the bed, and narrowed his eyes. Dust sifted down from the gaps between the roof tiles.

There were people on the roof—far more than one...