In the Imperial Palace, the emperor, who had fainted earlier, had already awakened. This was hardly surprising, though. His collapse had been brought on by fright and mental strain, so it had only been a matter of time before he came around.
The Imperial Physicians breathed a sigh of relief when the emperor woke, but many others felt their hearts tighten.
Sure enough, the emperor first asked whether the Old Celestial Master and Daoist Yan had been found. Upon receiving a negative answer, he immediately summoned Sima Xiao and several other Directorate of Celestial Observations officials.
Heavenly thunder had rolled, violent winds and rain had swept through, and a Divine Being had descended to purge the demons. Yet quite a few Mages had emerged unscathed, and the emperor wanted to know whether any masters remained.
Now the emperor sat up in bed. Everyone kneeling before him was an official of the Directorate of Celestial Observations. Although his body was still weak, he was clearly somewhat agitated.
"Sima Xiao, tell me: how many of those Mages were demons, and how many masters remain? Surely there must be at least one? Was Immortal Gao a demon too?"
Sima Xiao was drenched in sweat, but at that moment, he hesitated before speaking. His Majesty still refused to give up. What would happen if he answered that all the Mages were gone?
"I am asking you a question! Cough, cough, cough, cough, cough, cough..."
The emperor roared, then felt an irritation in his throat and began coughing violently.
"Your Majesty!" "Imperial Physician! Imperial Physician!"
The emperor looked to his side and waved a hand, making the Imperial Physician who had been about to rush forward stop in his tracks. The medicinal effects of the Second Elixir Pill he had taken earlier still lingered, leaving