We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?

Chapter 605: The Ten Thousand Swords Sect, I Am the Rule!

At the front hall of the imperial palace, Vermilion Bird Army Commander Xi Shanfeng sat in the duty room, drinking wine and eating roast duck.

To Xi Shanfengʼs mind, nothing could possibly happen within the imperial palace.

So-called night duty was, in truth, nothing more than sleeping in a different location and just as Xi Shanfeng, having eaten and drunk his fill, prepared to go to sleep.

Suddenly, Xi Shanfeng felt a searing heat within his own robes.

Xi Shanfeng hurriedly drew out the talisman he kept close to his chest, and saw that talisman burst instantly into flame, dissolving into ash.

”Not good! The Chancellor!”

Xi Shanfengʼs heart lurched, sensing something terribly wrong.

This talisman was linked to the one the Chancellor carried on his own person.

Should the Chancellor ever find himself in danger, he would ignite his own talisman, and the one Xi Shanfeng carried would, naturally, respond in kind but hadnʼt the Chancellor gone to the palace for a banquet?

What danger could possibly threaten him there?

”Wait! Could it be!”

Suddenly, as though understanding something, Xi Shanfengʼs drunkenness vanished at once.

He hurriedly donned his helmet, striding out of the barracks.

”Someone, come!” Xi Shanfeng shouted loudly.

”General, whatʼs happened?” a deputy commander hurried forward to ask.

”Assemble every soldier of the Vermilion Bird Army! Advance through Vermilion Bird Gate!”

”Huh?!” The deputy commander started in alarm. ”Advance through Vermilion Bird Gate? But General, beyond Vermilion Bird Gate lies the harem itself!”

The Vermilion Bird Armyʼs deputy commander, hearing Xi Shanfengʼs words, began to wonder whether his own commanding officer had gone mad.

Assemble the Vermilion Bird Army and march into the harem?

His Majesty was, at this very moment, within the harem. What could this possibly mean?

Could this be an attempt to force the emperorʼs hand?

”I know!” Xi Shanfeng seized the deputy commander by the collar, his tone urgent beyond measure. ”At this very moment, the Chancellor is attending a banquet with His Majesty, and the Chancellorʼs life is in danger. You and I are both the Chancellorʼs men. If something happens to the Chancellor, do you think either of us could possibly escape the consequences?”

With these words, Xi Shanfeng shoved the deputy commander forward with considerable force.

”Notify every soldier at once. Tell them His Majestyʼs life is in danger, and that we must march to his aid immediately. Go, now!”

”Yes, yes, understood, this humble officer will go at once!”

The deputy commander hurried to his feet, beating the drums to assemble the Vermilion Bird Armyʼs soldiers.

Hearing the drums, most had no idea what was happening but drums sounding in the dead of night could only mean something significant.

In less than half an incense stickʼs time, the Vermilion Bird Armyʼs soldiers had all assembled.

”Brothers! This general has received secret word from within the palace that assassins have targeted His Majesty tonight. The situation is urgent, and I need all of you to follow me to protect His Majesty!” Standing in the courtyard, Xi Shanfeng raised his long sword, shouting to his soldiers. ”All troops, heed my command! Through Vermilion Bird Gate, straight for Qingyue Pavilion!”

”Yes!” The entire army shouted in unison, charging toward Vermilion Bird Gate but at that very moment, Yue Qianzhi, leading two thousand soldiers of the Right Feathered Forest Army, poured out from Vermilion Bird Gate, blocking the path of the Vermilion Bird Army.

The Vermilion Bird Armyʼs soldiers could not help but freeze, uncertain what was happening.

Why would the Right Feathered Forest Army be emerging from Vermilion Bird Gate?

”My, my, my, quite the impressive show of force.” Yue Qianzhi, clad in armor, stepped forward, stroking his beard. ”I wonder what General Xi means, assembling his troops so eagerly in the dead of night, marching straight toward Vermilion Bird Gate. What exactly are you up to?”

As he spoke, Yue Qianzhiʼs voice grew louder, his eyes blazing with fury as he glared at Xi Shanfeng, his tone carrying a thunderous rebuke, “Could it be that General Xi intends to commit treason?!”

”Yue Qianzhi! Watch your slanderous tongue!”

Struck at the heart of the matter, Xi Shanfengʼs own heart skipped a beat, yet he still pointed a finger accusingly at Yue Qianzhi, cursing loudly.

”His Majesty currently faces an assassination attempt, and we march to save him! Yet you emerge from Vermilion Bird Gate, blocking our path. Could it be that youʼre in league with the assassins? I say it is you who intends treason!”

”This general, commit treason? Ha ha ha ha!”

Yue Qianzhi laughed heartily toward the sky, his laughter striking deep into the heart of every soldier present.

”Xi Shanfeng, coming from that mouth of yours, donʼt you find that laughable yourself?”

”Throughout this entire court, who doesnʼt know that you are Yan Shanʼaoʼs lapdog? At this very moment, we are working to root out the treacherous, and yet you rush frantically toward Qingyue Pavilion! Who exactly is committing treason here?”

The moment Yue Qianzhiʼs words fell, the soldiers of the Vermilion Bird Army exchanged uncertain glances with one another.

”Thatʼs absolute nonsense!” Xi Shanfeng shouted. ”A thief crying ʼstop thiefʼ! Do you think my soldiers can be so easily deceived by you?!”

”All troops, heed my command! Right Feathered Forest Army Commander Yue Qianzhi has conspired with the demon race to harm His Majesty! Whoever slays this traitor shall be credited with the greatest merit! Attack!”

Xi Shanfeng, wielding his spear, led the Vermilion Bird Armyʼs soldiers, charging at Yue Qianzhi.

The other Vermilion Bird Army soldiers, naturally trusting their own commander, believed that Yue Qianzhi truly was a traitor, and charged forward together as well but before long, Zhang Haishen, leading the Left Feathered Forest Army, struck from the rear.

Seeing Zhang Haishen, Xi Shanfengʼs heart leapt with joy, after all, the man was one of the Chancellorʼs own, surely coming to his aid but who could have known that Zhang Haishen would immediately shout, “Vermilion Bird Army Commander Xi Shanfeng attempts treason! Soldiers of the Left Feathered Forest Army! Join me in eliminating this traitorous rebel!”

Hearing Zhang Haishenʼs words, Xi Shanfeng nearly coughed up blood in shock.

”Zhang Haishen, what exactly are you doing?!” Xi Shanfeng shouted.

He had never imagined, not for a moment, that Zhang Haishen would actually betray him!

”Attack!”

Zhang Haishen paid Xi Shanfeng no mind at all, personally charging at the very front of the assault, fighting with remarkable ferocity.

In truth, Zhang Haishen knew well that he was not the same kind of thoroughly loyal official as Yue Qianzhi or Wang Can had been.

He had simply, midway through, abandoned darkness for the light.

Which meant that, for the moment, he still held a certain value but once Yan Shanʼao was dead?

The court would surely undergo a purge!

Having once belonged to the Yan faction himself, this matter could be considered either significant or trivial, depending on how one looked at it and the position of Minister of War, promised by His Majesty, was not necessarily guaranteed to materialize either.

And so he had to fight with everything he had! He had to support His Majesty without reservation!

From now on, he would be His Majestyʼs most devoted dog!

Whatever His Majesty asked of him, he would do! He would never harbor divided loyalties! Not even the slightest hesitation!

”Xi Shanfeng! Your life is mine!”

Zhang Haishen, wielding his long blade, leapt into the air, striking fiercely down toward Xi Shanfeng!

Today, he would take Xi Shanfengʼs head, as the finest possible proof of his loyalty!

…

Blue Cloud Gate.

Left Divine Might Army Commander Yuan Xia was leading his soldiers on patrol through the palaceʼs front hall.

”Halt!”

As they walked, Yuan Xia suddenly stopped, extending a hand to signal the soldiers behind him to halt as well.

”Whoʼs there!” Yuan Xia demanded, his right hand resting on the hilt of the saber at his waist, calling out toward the darkness ahead, as though ready to draw his blade at any moment.

Within the darkness of night, Zeng Qiang stepped forward, a wine jug in his hand, which he shook toward Yuan Xia, his manner relaxed and at ease, “What, Commander Yuan, still out on patrol? If I remember correctly, isnʼt it Commander Xiʼs turn for night duty today?”

Seeing that it was Zeng Qiang, Yuan Xiaʼs wariness eased somewhat, “Itʼs nothing much. Commander Xi always likes to drink, and the Chancellor was a bit worried he might simply fall asleep in the duty room again, so he sent me to help out.”

”But never mind me, what brings Commander Zeng to the palace? What, did the Chancellor have you come for duty as well?” Yuan Xia asked, gazing at Zeng Qiang.

”Not quite.” Zeng Qiang said with a smile, stepping forward, taking a swig of wine. ”I donʼt have a wife, and visiting the brothels doesnʼt hold much appeal to me either. Couldnʼt sleep in the dead of night, so I thought Iʼd wander over to the front hall.”

”How about it?” Zeng Qiang extended the wine jug toward Yuan Xia. ”Care for a sip, Commander Yuan? Fine sanglo wine, only found in the Western Regions. Took me quite a bit of effort to get my hands on a bottle.”

Yuan Xia glanced at Zeng Qiang, and did not refuse, reaching out to take the jug but at that very moment, a flash of blade-light, reflecting the moonlight, tore through the darkness, slicing toward Yuan Xiaʼs throat.

At the same time, within the Chancellorʼs residence.

A Golden Core realm cultivator suddenly opened his eyes.

He drew out the talisman kept close to his chest, and saw it quickly burn to ash.

The Golden Core realm cultivator, named He Sui, narrowed his eyes, striding quickly out of his chamber.

At the same time, three other Golden Core realm cultivators within the residence were already standing outside his door.

He Sui looked at his three colleagues, his brow furrowing, “Yan Shanʼao has run into trouble. We must hurry to the palace at once, or matters may turn dire indeed.”

”Heh heh heh, that fellow Yan Shanʼao, wasnʼt he supposed to be having dinner and drinks with the Zhou emperor tonight, imparting some cultivation wisdom to him? What, did a single meal end up being the death of him?” said an elderly Golden Core realm woman named Xu Yan.

”Who knows? Perhaps the fellow walked into an ambush. Though, heʼs a Dragon Gate realm cultivator, who within the palace could possibly ambush him? Not to mention he modified the palaceʼs formation array himself, so it has no effect on him at all.” said another gap-toothed old man, his tone carrying a note of mockery.

”Amitabha.” A bald monk pressed his hands together, murmuring the Buddhaʼs name. ”Regardless, weʼd best hurry to the palace. Should Yan Shanʼao die, that would be a considerable loss for us as well. Without Yan Shanʼaoʼs help squeezing resources from the Zhou Kingdom, who knows when we might otherwise break through into the Golden Core realm.”

”Well said.” He Sui nodded. ”Then let us hurry, fellow cultivators, and not delay any further.”

With these words, He Sui transformed into a streak of light, flying ahead toward the palace, the other Golden Core realm cultivators following close behind.

Each of them carried jade tokens of passage granted by Yan Shanʼao, rendering the palaceʼs formation array entirely useless against them, and they entered the imperial palace with ease.

However, they had not traveled far within the palace before they found themselves forced to a halt.

A woman, her face veiled in thin gauze, stood before them, holding a long sword.

The fierce sword-qi coiling around her could not help but strike fear into the hearts of any who beheld it.

”Might this one be that disciple of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, serving as Great Zhouʼs National Preceptor?” He Sui stepped forward, asking politely.

Jiang Qingyi did not answer, only a single cold word escaping from beneath her veil, “Leave.”

He Suiʼs eyes narrowed, killing intent already surfacing, feeling that this little girl was far too presumptuous, far too arrogant for her own good.

”Little girl, donʼt think that just because you have the Ten Thousand Swords Sect backing you, we wonʼt dare deal with you. Setting aside that your own sectʼs rules forbid interference in dynastic affairs, even if you die here, we can fabricate a hundred excuses to give the Ten Thousand Swords Sect!” the old woman Xu Yan stepped forward, sneering.

To Xu Yanʼs mind, this little National Preceptor was merely a Golden Core realm cultivator.

Though sword cultivators possessed offensive power exceeding that of cultivators at the same level.

She herself was no pushover either!

Not to mention that there were four of them on this side. Surely they had nothing to fear from this little girl?

”Rules? Heh heh.”

Jiang Qingyi gave a cold laugh, taking a single step forward, vanishing instantly from where she stood.

”Old Xu!”

One of the Golden Core realm cultivators shouted in alarm but Xu Yan had no chance to react at all.

The moment she had turned her head, she felt the world spinning violently around her.

Xu Yanʼs head rolled from her neck, falling straight to the ground.

Jiang Qingyiʼs cloud-patterned embroidered shoe pressed down upon Xu Yanʼs severed head, gazing at the three remaining cultivators, as insignificant to her as mere ants, “The Ten Thousand Swords Sect, I am the rule!”

…

Within the Great Zhou Imperial Palace, Ning Xue Palace.

Yan Ruxue sat within the courtyard, raising her lovely head, gazing at the moon and the countless stars scattered across the night sky.

For some reason, tonightʼs bright, clear moon seemed unusually radiant.

”Miss, itʼs already so late. Letʼs return inside to rest.” The maid Xiao Chun came out, carrying a cloak, draping it over her mistressʼs shoulders.

”Itʼs fine, Iʼm not tired.” Yan Ruxue shook her head. ”Xiao Chun, you go on to sleep. I want to take a walk outside.”

”Then, miss, this servant will accompany you.” Xiao Chun said.

”No need.” Yan Ruxue smiled gently. ”Iʼll be back shortly. Rest well.”

With these words, Yan Ruxue rose, hands folded before her, walking leisurely out of Ning Xue Palace.

Xiao Chun still felt uneasy, wanting to follow along but Yan Ruxue, without turning around, waved a hand toward her.

Seeing this, Xiao Chun could only stand where she was, biting her lip lightly, watching her mistress walk farther and farther away and just as Yan Ruxue stepped out of Ning Xue Palace, she saw Qin Siyao standing not far off.

Beneath the moonlight, the two of them gazed at one another.

A night breeze passed through, stirring their cascading hair, rustling their skirts.

Their palace robes clung to their figures, their graceful silhouettes beneath the moonlight all the more enchanting.

”So late, and sister still isnʼt asleep?” Qin Siyao smiled faintly.

”And isnʼt little sister awake as well?” Yan Ruxue descended the steps, asking gently. ”Since neither of us can sleep, shall we walk together?”

”Of course.”

Qin Siyao nodded, walking side by side with Yan Ruxue through the palace grounds.

”Is sister worried about His Majesty?” Qin Siyao tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, glancing at Yan Ruxue beside her.

”Isnʼt little sister worried as well?” Yan Ruxue asked in return.

”I trust His Majesty.” Qin Siyao smiled gently. ”Though His Majesty is only at the Cave Mansion realm, dealing with a single Yan Shanʼao should pose no problem at all.”

”Easy enough to say, and yet little sister Siyao is walking straight toward Qingyue Pavilion.” Yan Ruxue, too, glanced at Qin Siyao, her long lashes fluttering gently, as though scattering the moonlight cast down upon them.

”Look whoʼs talking. Isnʼt sister walking there together with me as well?” Qin Siyaoʼs eyes curved into a smile.

Though the two of them appeared harmonious enough on the surface, each, in truth, carried her own private thoughts and just as the two of them walked toward Qingyue Pavilion.

Suddenly, a beam of sword-light shot straight upward, vanishing into the clouds above.

It came from the direction of Qingyue Pavilion.