Han Shiyong was no ordinary man, after all. Once the thunderstorm stopped, the pain and fear left him unable to rest, and he raced toward the Capital City with all his strength.
Using Divine Movement until dawn, he actually reached the Capital City in a single night. Such exertion would probably have killed any other sorcerer outright-even Qi Zhongbin in his youth, before he entered the Immortal Dao.
After returning to the Capital City and the Celestial Feather Temple within the imperial city, Han Shiyong rested just long enough to ease his exhaustion, then immediately bathed, changed his clothes, and sent word to the palace requesting an audience with the emperor.
Naturally, the crown prince received the news at once as well. Unlike the crown prince, who was already up, the emperor was still asleep. Dawn came early in summer, and there was still some time before the Court Assembly convened. Besides, he might not attend at all.
But when he heard that the State Preceptor had returned, the emperor was overjoyed and got out of bed with unusual speed.
Outside the court hall, the crown prince hurried over and spotted Han Shiyong in his Crane-Standing Robe at once.
While the other ministers waiting to attend court rested indoors, Han Shiyong, the State Preceptor, stood alone outside the Golden Hall, straight-backed, solemn, and serene, resting with his eyes closed.
After returning to the imperial city, and especially after entering the palace, Han Shiyong felt considerably more at ease. He now sensed that his perception was stronger than before. Feeling the palace's complex currents of destiny actually served as a kind of white noise, shutting out his unease.
Suddenly, Han Shiyong opened his eyes. Looking toward one side of the Golden Hall, he saw a man striding over with a sword