Nangong Ye returned to the secret base by the Fengyi River, washed away the wind and frost covering him, then changed back into his black-and-white Daoist robe. With a jade crown atop his head and the Sword Case on his back, he once again became a female sword immortal untouched by the smoke and fire of the mortal world, and went alone to the Directorate of Celestial Observation.
Emperor Qian had died, the Crown Prince had met with disaster, and the position of heir had changed hands. In any dynasty, these were major events that could shake the foundations of the nation. Though the Directorate of Celestial Observation did not involve itself in court affairs, it bore primary responsibility and was now thoroughly overwhelmed. Figures could be seen hurrying about everywhere outside the Eight Directions Illumination Tower, and occasionally, even the Cinnabar Cauldron Sect Leader arriving from elsewhere could be spotted.
Not wanting to cause a commotion, Nangong Ye slipped through a side entrance into the Eight Directions Illumination Tower and reached the Star-Watching Observatory on the top floor. Looking up, he saw Sect Leader Lu Wuzhen standing alone inside, gazing into the azure sky, his thoughts unknown.
"Senior Brother Lu."
Lu Wuzhen lowered his gaze, his expression gentle.
"Has Senior Qixia gone back into seclusion?"
"Xie Jinhuan escorted my master into the deep mountains. I wasn't there."
As Nangong Ye spoke, he was still somewhat puzzled about the precise relationship between Xie Jinhuan and his master. He had asked the day before yesterday, but his master had kept it a closely guarded secret. With his assumed identity to maintain, he could hardly ask Xie Jinhuan either. Now he asked:
"Senior Brother Lu, do you know exactly what connections Xie Jinhuan has with my master and Ye Sheng?"
Lu Wuzhen