Hundred Schools Aura, Grand Confucians Gather!

"Hm?"

The moment Li Kun said, "Your days are numbered," even Qiu Yan's composure was shaken, and he immediately moved to speak.

But Li Kun waved a hand, stopping him, then said, "Qiu Qing, there is no need for surprise, nor need to say more. I have verified this matter through many channels; there can be no mistake. I know your cultivation is profound, but some things cannot be offset by divine powers alone..."

At this, he shook his head and sighed, speaking in a rather helpless tone. "When Yama King decrees a man must die at the third watch, who would dare keep him until the fifth?"

"Yama King?" Qiu Yan's heart stirred. He sent out his perception, shrouding Li Kun's body, seeking to probe a little deeper. But the instant his perception touched the emperor's robes, a vast and surging force erupted, knocking Qiu Yan's perception back!

Even in that instant of contact and envelopment, all Qiu Yan sensed was a hazy expanse, as though a man were walking through a foggy day. Deep within the mist, he could only vaguely glimpse a touch of bright yellow radiance and catch a faint pulse of Dragon Qi.

Across from him, Li Kun noticed nothing. After that sigh, his spirits seemed somewhat low, but he quickly collected himself again. A bitter smile appeared on his face as he continued, "Not many know this news. Even my Empress and Imperial Mother do not know. Moreover, my condition was not caused by some ordinary illness. Even among the imperial physicians, few can see the underlying signs. The handful who do know have all been placed under a gag order by me."

At these words, Qiu Yan withdrew his perception. He knew the emperor could not have revealed such a secret to him