More than one residence guard stood outside. The nearest was the man who had just delivered the alchemical scripture. He immediately pushed open the door and asked, "What are your orders, Your Highness?"
"Take all the pills in the medicine storehouse to the alchemy chamber. I am going to refine pills!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Several courtyards away from Su Ziji, beyond a moon gate leading into the garden and a stretch of covered walkway, stood a courtyard beside the water. Willow tendrils brushed the breeze, and the emerald ripples offered a refreshing coolness-a fine place to stay in summer. In its small study, Hui Dao was absorbed in playing chess against himself. Somehow, he gave even this solitary game a sense of urgency, keeping the Taoist attendant's eyes riveted to the board.
An oriole trilled. Hui Dao seemed lost in thought, holding a black piece between his fingers as he stared into space. Suddenly, he asked, "You have been studying the Heavenly Secret Arts for some time now. Have you sensed anything?"
Though still a Taoist attendant, the youth had reached adulthood. Following Hui Dao all these years, he had learned a great deal.
The very fact that Hui Dao had accepted him as an attendant meant he possessed some talent and insight. Even so, after studying the Heavenly Secret Arts until now, he had only just crossed the threshold into true proficiency.
"Do you mean right now?"
The attendant hesitated, then closed his eyes to sense his surroundings. "Prince Dai is a person of exalted destiny, beyond my scrutiny. But Prince Dai's Residence seems shrouded in an aura of calamity. Could this be the Divine Shrine's backlash?"
"What else?"
"Also..." The attendant weighed his words. "There seems to be an aura of calamity in the inner quarters as well,