Chapter 133: Mishap In The Deification Imperial Decree, Ji Qing Sneaks Into The Imperial Palace At Night!
“Boom.”
A person’s reputation precedes them.
Perhaps the officials in the Imperial Court do not know the words “Astonishing Swan Saber.”
But any Martial Artist who knows a little about Jianghu information will know the meaning behind the words “Astonishing Swan Saber”!
Not long ago, Ling Xiao Pavilion removed “Astonishing Swan Saber” from the Jianghu Ranking.
There was only one reason.
Grandmasters Do Not Enter Rankings!
The entire Jianghu has spread the word.
“Astonishing Swan Saber” has condensed Saber Intent, already comparable to a Grandmaster!
“Could it be Mister Ji, the ‘Astonishing Swan Saber’?”
“Black clothes, a conical hat, a long saber… Although he doesn’t have that signature white hair, it does match the description of the ‘Astonishing Swan Saber’ in the rumors.”
“‘Mister Wen’ said it himself, so it must be true, it must be Mister Ji, the ‘Astonishing Swan Saber’… No, he should be called ‘Grandmaster Ji’ now!”
Even the Second-Rank Martial Artists who had blocked Zhang Qing earlier had pale faces and were trembling slightly.
Their eyes showed a trace of disbelief.
How could they have imagined that the person before them was the famous “Astonishing Swan Saber” Ji Qing?
And they had actually tried to stop a Grandmaster?
Ji Qing looked at Wen Qiu calmly and said, “You recognize me?”
“I do! In Jianghu, who wouldn’t recognize Mister Ji? Black clothes, a conical hat, a long saber, and a terrifying ice-elemental power. Besides Mister Ji, who else possesses such divine might?”
Wen Qiu’s words were full of flattery.
If it were anyone else, they might have thought Wen Qiu was an obsequious scoundrel.
But at this moment, no one thought that.
After all, they knew “Mister Wen” and knew that “Mister Wen” was a proud person with his own Pride.
Yet, even the proud “Mister Wen” could only speak with his head bowed at this moment.
He was afraid of enraging “Astonishing Swan Saber” Ji Qing.
Seeing the man before him, who was as gentle as jade and as refined as a young master, Ji Qing’s mind conjured a name.
“I recognize you too. One of the Ten Great Swordsmen of the world, ‘Gentleman Sword’ Wen Qiu!”
“Rumor has it that ‘Gentleman Sword’ disappeared decades ago, and no one has seen him. I didn’t expect him to be hiding in Shangdu.”
“What, Mister Wen, are you trying to stop me?”
Ji Qing’s eyes narrowed slightly.
With just a glance, “Gentleman Sword” Wen Qiu felt like he was facing a formidable enemy, a sense of extreme danger lingering in his heart.
Although he was “one of the Ten Great Swordsmen of the world,” what about Ji Qing?
He was once First on the Saber Ranking!
Standing at the top, overlooking all Saber Users!
Now, having comprehended Saber Intent, he was comparable to a Grandmaster.
Facing Ji Qing, Wen Qiu had no chance of winning.
“I wouldn’t dare! If Mister Ji wishes to kill someone, no one can stop him.”
“However, I believe there might be some misunderstanding? Elder Zhang has always been in the Imperial Court and has no ties to Jianghu. How did he offend Mister Ji?”
“Even if Mister Ji must kill, please give us a reason.”
Wen Qiu maintained a humble stance.
“Indeed, even if I die, I wish to die with understanding!”
Zhang Qing also spoke.
He was worthy of being a Junior Grand Secretary, a high-ranking official of the Imperial Court.
Even when facing a life-or-death crisis, he appeared calm on the surface.
Ji Qing smiled.
Looking at the humble “Gentleman Sword” Wen Qiu before him.
And the court official Zhang Qing, who seemed ready to face death.
As well as the Second-Rank Martial Artist guards, who were trembling all over as if they had lost all fighting spirit.
Ji Qing’s smile widened!
He finally understood what “Reputation” in Jianghu meant.
Now, the mere three words “Astonishing Swan Saber” had crushed everyone’s will to fight.
What about power?
What about connections?
What about social graces?
What use were they?
Isn’t Jianghu all about fighting and killing, but also about human relationships?
But when you possess absolute martial power, you can become an army of one, with Great Power concentrated within you!
No rules can bind you.
Ji Qing laughed freely.
Everyone found it baffling, but no one dared to ask.
Even the officials who had been so self-important were silent now.
Ji Qing stopped and looked at Zhang Qing, saying indifferently, “When did I say I wanted to kill Elder Zhang? You all have misunderstood me. I have come today merely to ask Elder Zhang for a favor.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire Hall fell silent.
A favor?
Is this how one asks for a favor?
Many people were stunned.
They had thought that Ji Qing was here to unleash a massacre today, with the sole purpose of killing Zhang Qing.
Perhaps it was a personal grudge.
Perhaps someone had hired Ji Qing to kill Zhang Qing.
But they never expected that Ji Qing had only come to ask Zhang Qing for a favor?
Even “Gentleman Sword” Wen Qiu was filled with astonishment.
“Hoo…”
Zhang Qing, however, let out a sigh of relief.
It was good that he wasn’t here to kill him.
As for helping?
If he could do it, he would help Ji Qing.
Moreover, receiving help from a great expert like Ji Qing was a favor in itself.
This was a good thing!
“Mister Ji, please tell me, what do you need this humble one to help with?”
“I only wish for Lord Zhang to help me request an imperial decree to officially appoint the Yunmeng Goddess as the Water God of the Yunmeng River! This matter should not be difficult for Elder Zhang, right?”
Ji Qing stated his objective.
“Appoint a Water God?”
Zhang Qing looked at Ji Qing with a strange expression.
That’s it?
For Zhang Qing, this was a trivial matter, as insignificant as a sesame seed.
Appointing a Water God simply required an imperial decree from the Emperor.
It required no gold or silver.
It was merely a title.
What was so difficult about that?
If not for the fact that bestowing divinity required the Emperor’s personal decree, Zhang Qing could have handled it himself.
But even requesting the Emperor’s decree only involved going through some procedures, and it would certainly be obtained within ten days to half a month.
“Mister Ji, this matter is not difficult. Tomorrow morning, when I attend court, I will petition His Majesty to appoint the ‘Yunmeng Goddess’ as the Water God of the Yunmeng River!”
“However, various procedures may take a few days, but the process will be completed within ten days to half a month at most.”
Zhang Qing immediately agreed.
This was indeed not a difficult matter.
“Good, then I will impose on Elder’s residence for a few days.”
Ji Qing intended to stay at Zhang’s manor.
This was to personally “supervise” Zhang Qing.
If this matter was not handled properly, the consequences were unpredictable.
Zhang Qing’s expression stiffened but quickly returned to normal.
“It’s no trouble, Mister Ji is welcome to stay at the manor for as long as he wishes.”
“Today is my banquet, why don’t you take a seat, Mister Ji?”
Zhang Qing invited Ji Qing to sit.
Ji Qing nodded and didn’t stand on ceremony, finding an empty seat and sitting down.
“Gentleman Sword” Wen Qiu sat next to Ji Qing, accompanying him.
“Lord Chen, please also take a seat.”
Zhang Qing said to Chen Yi.
Chen Yi was slightly taken aback.
Could this immense disaster have a turn for the better?
“Thank you, Elder.”
Chen Yi immediately got up, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and sat down.
Then the banquet began.
Dancing girls came to perform, and for a while, there was fine wine and exquisite food, with everyone chatting and laughing, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
The banquet ended, and everyone dispersed.
Ji Qing was then taken to a guest room to rest.
Zhang Qing remained seated, and Chen Yi did not leave, instead keeping his head bowed.
“Lord Chen, tell me about this ‘Mister Ji’ properly.”
“Elder, this ‘Mister Ji’ escorted my father’s family here. This subordinate had no idea who he was…”
Chen Yi recounted everything he knew about “Ji Qing” without the slightest concealment.
“Mister Wen, what are your thoughts?”
Zhang Qing asked.
Wen Qiu shook his head and said, “Lord Zhang, you are not a person of Jianghu and do not know the prestige of ‘Astonishing Swan Saber’ Ji Qing. He is currently the most renowned Top Expert in Jianghu, and even Ling Xiao Pavilion compares him to a Grandmaster.”
“You should understand the weight of a Grandmaster, Lord Zhang. Fortunately, Ji Qing only wants you to handle a small matter. You just need to handle it well, and absolutely do not have any other thoughts!”
Wen Qiu naturally knew what Zhang Qing was thinking.
As a Grand Secretary, Zhang Qing was accustomed to being high and mighty.
This was the first time he had been “threatened.”
Zhang Qing outwardly complied, but what about inwardly?
He was likely holding a grudge.
He had other thoughts.
But Wen Qiu advised Zhang Qing not to act out.
He had to swallow this bitter pill, even if he couldn’t.
Top Experts like Ji Qing were someone even Zhang Qing, as the current Junior Grand Secretary, could not afford to offend.
After a long while, Zhang Qing finally sighed, “Fine, I understand. Tomorrow I will petition His Majesty to issue a decree for deification.”
Zhang Qing trusted Wen Qiu implicitly.
Especially when Wen Qiu mentioned the word “Grandmaster.”
Zhang Qing, as Junior Grand Secretary, naturally knew many secrets of the Great Shang Imperial Court.
For example, the true pillar of support for the Great Shang Imperial Family was not the Emperor, but the Grandmaster Realm Old Ancestor hidden deep within the Imperial Palace!
A single Grandmaster was a pillar of support!
He might look down on people of Jianghu, but he would never dare disrespect a Grandmaster!
The next day, Junior Grand Secretary Zhang Qing presented a memorial, requesting the Emperor to issue a decree appointing the “Yunmeng Goddess” as the Water God of the Yunmeng River.
This puzzled many in the Imperial Court.
The world was in chaos, yet the Junior Grand Secretary was petitioning for deification?
However, the Emperor still gave face to the Junior Grand Secretary and immediately issued the decree.
In the afternoon, Zhang Qing returned to his manor.
He immediately invited Ji Qing over.
Zhang Qing said with a smile, “Mister Ji, His Majesty has already issued the decree. In another two days, once everything is prepared, officials should be sent to proclaim the decree of deification. At that time, Mister Ji can also accompany them.”
Ji Qing’s face showed a smile.
As long as one found the right person, such a complicated matter was actually quite simple.
“Then I thank Lord Zhang.”
Ji Qing then turned and left.
Time passed day by day.
Ji Qing waited patiently.
As long as the Imperial Court officials went to issue the decree, he could follow them and leave Shangdu.
The waters in Shangdu are too deep, and Ji Qing doesn’t want to cause too much of a stir for now.
However, five days have passed.
Ji Qing surprisingly didn’t wait for the imperial decree of “Deification.”
This is not right.
One day, Zhang Qing invited Ji Qing over again.
Ji Qing met Zhang Qing.
And Wen Qiu was also beside Zhang Qing.
“Lord Zhang, why hasn’t the Deification imperial decree been issued yet?”
Ji Qing asked.
Zhang Qing’s expression was a bit grim, and he then said, “Mister Ji, regarding the Deification decree, His Majesty has actually issued it, but it was intercepted before it could leave the palace.”
“The imperial decree was intercepted before it left the palace? Who can intercept an Emperor’s imperial decree?”
Ji Qing had some basic common sense.
Who would dare to intercept an Emperor’s imperial decree?
“Mister Ji, I am also investigating this matter, and it took some effort to find out the exact news. It is said that the one who intercepted His Majesty’s imperial decree is that Imperial Ancestor in the palace! Only an Imperial Ancestor can intercept His Majesty’s imperial decree…”
“Imperial Ancestor?”
Ji Qing’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Zhang Qing explained from the side, “Mister Ji, the Imperial Ancestor resides in the Imperial Palace and is the stabilizing force of the Imperial Family! Many years ago, he was already a Grandmaster…”
“Why would the Imperial Ancestor intercept the Emperor’s imperial decree?”
“This… I can’t find out much useful information either. It is said that this was a direct order from the Imperial Ancestor to intercept the imperial decree. As for the reason, I’m afraid only the Imperial Ancestor knows.”
Ji Qing frowned.
An imperial decree that was perfectly fine had encountered a problem and was intercepted by the Imperial Ancestor?
And the other party was a Grandmaster!
This was indeed a bit troublesome.
“Mister Wen, how many Grandmasters does the Imperial Family have?”
Ji Qing asked.
“The Imperial Family has a deep Foundation and has had many Spiritual Objects in the past. It’s hard to say how many Grandmasters there are. On the surface, there is only one, but I suspect there should be at least two, perhaps even three!”
Wen Qiu replied.
Ji Qing’s frown deepened.
This matter was indeed difficult to handle.
Without the imperial decree, Yunmeng Goddess would not be recognized by the Great Shang Imperial Court, and then Yunmeng Goddess would not be able to condense Divine Power to cultivate Spiritual Objects with all her might.
Without the Five Elements Spiritual Objects, although Ji Qing could still use Spirit Stones to be promoted to Grandmaster.
But he would only be promoted to an ordinary Grandmaster.
How could that compare to a Grandmaster promoted through the Innate Five Elements Destruction Scripture?
There is a difference between Grandmasters!
“Never mind, I’ll find out when I enter the Imperial Palace tonight.”
Ji Qing made up his mind.
Guessing here and there was meaningless.
He would go directly to ask the Imperial Ancestor.
As for the dangers of the Imperial Palace?
Ji Qing wasn’t that afraid.
Among Grandmasters, it wasn’t to the point where they would fight to the death upon meeting.
Moreover, he had Saber Intent.
So what if they were Grandmasters?
If it was truly impossible, he could still leave the Imperial Palace safely.
“Mister Ji entering the Imperial Palace at night?”
Wen Qiu and Zhang Qing’s expressions changed.
They were truly worried that Ji Qing would go and attempt to “assassinate the king and slay the emperor.”
After all, Ji Qing had that kind of Strength.
But whether it succeeded or failed, if Ji Qing did it, they would be in big trouble.
It would definitely implicate them.
Ji Qing glanced at the two of them and immediately guessed what they were thinking.
Therefore, he said calmly, “I am only going to the Imperial Palace to ask the Imperial Ancestor why he intercepted the imperial decree. I will not do anything else, so you can rest assured.”
The two looked at each other.
Their hearts were filled with bitterness.
And they could not stop Ji Qing from doing whatever he intended to do.
They could only pray that Ji Qing would not cause too much trouble in the Imperial Palace.
As night fell, Ji Qing quietly left the Zhang residence and headed towards the Imperial Palace.
Soon, Ji Qing approached the Imperial Palace.
“Mister Ji, that terrifying feeling has appeared again…”
The Spirit of the Tool “Ling Ling”‘s voice entered Ji Qing’s ears.
However, Ji Qing did not feel any powerful aura.
“Let’s go.”
Ji Qing turned into a shadow and infiltrated the Imperial Palace.
The Imperial Palace was vast.
Ji Qing was not very familiar with the Imperial Palace.
He also didn’t know where the Imperial Ancestor was.
However, it didn’t matter.
He just needed to know where the Emperor was.
If he found the Emperor, the Imperial Ancestor would naturally appear.
…
Recently, the Emperor had just held a selection of consorts, and the new “Consort Liang” resided in Jingxiu Palace.
This “Consort Liang” was as beautiful as a flower, causing the Emperor to stay in Jingxiu Palace for several consecutive days.
Other consorts even complained to the Empress, saying that Consort Liang was favored exclusively.
However, since the Emperor favored Consort Liang, the Empress could do nothing.
On this day, the Emperor went to Jingxiu Palace again.
Consort Liang had already made all the preparations to welcome His Majesty.
“Your humble concubine pays respects to Your Majesty.”
“Consort Liang, there is no need for formalities, please rise.”
The Emperor took Consort Liang’s hand and sat down.
The Emperor was not in a hurry, and the two of them chatted for a while.
Although Emperor Yongchang had ascended the throne for sixteen years, the world was in chaos, and people were in panic, putting immense pressure on him.
Despite his painstaking efforts every day, the situation in the Imperial Court continued to decline, which made the Emperor even more worried.
Only with Consort Liang could the Emperor feel no pressure and completely relax.
This was also why the Emperor doted on Consort Liang.
“Your Majesty, you have worked hard all day, you should rest early.”
Consort Liang said softly, her eyes holding a myriad of enchantments.
The Emperor naturally understood Consort Liang’s meaning and a smile appeared on his face.
“Alright, then let’s rest early.”
Thus, the Emperor took Consort Liang’s hand and prepared to rest.
Suddenly, the door was pushed open.
A gust of cold air blew into the room.
The previously warm room suddenly turned cold.
Even the Emperor shivered.
“Who dares to enter without my command? Get out!”
The Emperor was enraged.
In the past, if the Emperor got angry, people would immediately beg for mercy.
But now?
The door remained open.
It was incredibly quiet outside, without a sound.
This was not normal!
“Guards…”
The Emperor immediately shouted.
Unfortunately, it was as quiet as ever outside.
The eunuchs, palace maids, and even guards of yesteryear seemed to have vanished, with no response.
“Your Majesty…”
Consort Liang immediately grabbed the Emperor’s arm.
She looked very frightened.
There were still some palace maids and eunuchs in the palace.
The Emperor immediately ordered, “Go out and see.”
The eunuchs and palace maids looked at each other, but they dared not disobey the Emperor’s command.
So they cautiously approached the Great Door.
“Crack.”
Suddenly, frost appeared on the ground.
It instantly froze several eunuchs and palace maids.
But they were not dead.
Instead, their eyes widened, but they dared not make any sound.
Then, a figure walked in.
Step by step, they slowly came before the Emperor.
“Guards, quickly, guards, protect His Majesty!”
The Emperor’s voice trembled.
He had never seen the person before him.
Black clothes, a Conical Hat, and a Long Saber.
His face was quite handsome and young.
But there was a terrifying aura about him.
Even the Emperor, when looked at by the other party, felt as if he had been heavily struck.
It was as if his entire body had been “cut” countless times by sharp blades.
The Emperor, being well-traveled, naturally knew that this was a demeanor possessed only by Top Experts.
Could it be an assassin?
“No need to call out, there’s no one outside anymore.”
Ji Qing looked up at the Emperor.
He also happened to see the concubine tightly gripping the Emperor’s arm.
The Emperor was just a skinny old man, nothing special to look at.
As for Consort Liang, she was beautiful, delicate, and pitiable.
Moreover, since it was in the sleeping quarters, she was wearing less, revealing large areas of fair skin.
Now that the door was open and the cold air blew in, Consort Liang felt ice-cold all over, her body trembling slightly, whether from the cold or fear.
“Who… who are you? Daring to trespass into the harem is a capital offense!”
The Emperor summoned his courage and asked loudly.
In all these years, no one had dared to trespass into the palace, let alone come before him.
This was the first time!
Ji Qing looked at the Emperor.
He was somewhat disappointed.
This was just an ordinary person who didn’t even know Martial Arts.
As for Consort Liang, she was beautiful, but there was nothing special about her either.
Ji Qing couldn’t be bothered to speak.
He just sat down by himself.
“Don’t speak, don’t move, and nothing will happen.”
“Otherwise…”
Ji Qing’s gaze was as cold as a knife, causing both the Emperor and Consort Liang to tremble.
Ji Qing then closed his eyes.
He was waiting!
Waiting for the Imperial Family’s true “sea-stabilizing needle” to arrive!
