Chapter 43
The upcoming arrival of Master Zunfa prompted the officials of Youzhou to make considerable preparations.
After all, Chen Zun is now a favorite of the emperor. A single word of praise from him in front of the emperor can elevate a seventh-rank official to the fourth rank.
If someone of such stature comes to Youzhou, shouldn't we treat them with the utmost respect?
Everything was normal at the Sixth Prince's residence.
However, Li Yuan was receiving more and more letters.
“Tomorrow, Chen Zun will enter the city.” Li Yuan looked at the sky not far away and suddenly spoke.
"Chao Sheng, have you figured out Chen Zun's true purpose for this trip?"
He claimed to be exorcising demons, but everyone could see that he had ulterior motives.
Wen Chaosheng said softly, "Chen Zun's journey here signifies a shift in his destiny star, a major turning point in his life."
"Even if it is his great fortune, it is not a good thing for the court and His Majesty."
Chen Zun's destiny star has gradually been shrouded in evil energy, and it even seems to be intensifying.
It seems his visit to Youzhou this time was not well-intentioned.
"Your Highness, the Third Prince, you must be extra careful when welcoming the Venerable Master of the Dharma tomorrow," Wen Chaosheng reminded Li Yuan.
*
The gates of Youzhou City were wide open, and a team of a hundred people moved slowly.
City dwellers who usually stay at home came out today to see the excitement.
In Youzhou City, the streets were deserted as everyone was gone.
At the very front of the procession entering the city was a lion-headed sedan chair with eight auspicious symbols. Exquisite gauze worth a fortune hung around the chair, and a figure could be vaguely seen in the center.
Li Yuan was in the very center of the reception team.
Upon seeing Chen Zun's grand entrance, a hint of impatience flashed in his handsome eyes.
Only after Chen Zun stepped down from the lion-headed, eight-treasure sedan chair did Li Yuan regain his composure and walk over.
"Revered Celestial Master, it's been a long time."
"Your Highness, I last saw your valiant figure at the Mid-Autumn Festival court banquet. It is truly fate that I can meet you in Youzhou today."
Chen Zun, though only in his early thirties, already had a full head of white hair, his eyes gleaming, and he wore a Taoist robe of profound magic. If this were the first time you saw him...
They would definitely think he had a certain air of otherworldly grace.
The two exchanged a few pleasantries with the officials who had crowded around them before heading to the welcoming banquet.
As night fell, the crowd dispersed.
*
Chen Zun stepped out of the room and into the luxuriously decorated courtyard.
His residence in Youzhou was next to the Sixth Prince's residence.
As night deepened, Chen Zun took out a jade bead that glowed with green light from his pocket. The closer he got to the Sixth Prince's residence, the stronger the light became.
Chen Zun gripped the jade bead tightly.
He obtained this bead by chance.
When a bead shines, it signifies a great opportunity.
Over the past few years, he has relied on the opportunities and guidance given to him by the jade bead to gradually climb to his current position.
Who would have thought that a while ago...
One night, the jade bead suddenly began to move and then shone brightly.
Chen Zun immediately checked and found that the location the jade bead pointed to was Youzhou.
But the unexpected turn of events took Chen Zun by surprise!
It was actually... a predestined connection with the gods...
A destiny to become an immortal!
A person's life is but a mere hundred years.
Even emperors, who held the throne and possessed unlimited power and wealth, spent their entire lives seeking the art of immortality.
Become an immortal!
Become an immortal!
If one could become an immortal, all the things in the mortal world would be nothing but fleeting clouds.
After witnessing this opportunity, Chen Zun was so excited that he couldn't sleep for several days.
Suppressing his excitement, he pondered the situation several times before reporting to the emperor that there were demons causing trouble in Youzhou, thus obtaining an excuse to leave the palace.
Today, near the Sixth Prince's residence, this jade bead has once again acted strangely!
It seems that the path to immortality lies within the Sixth Prince's residence!
Chen Zun put away the jade bead, his narrow eyes fixed on the Sixth Prince's residence separated by a wall, its darkness unfathomable.
*
The next day, he visited the Sixth Prince's residence, saying he wanted to pay his respects to Li Ziqing and Li Yuan.
Li Yuan was somewhat surprised when he heard the news, since the two of them had just met at the banquet yesterday.
Why isn't he busy exorcising evil spirits?
What brings you to the Sixth Prince's residence?
Li Yuan could only assume that Li Ziqing hadn't attended the welcoming banquet yesterday, and that Chen Zun was simply visiting Li Ziqing again today.
But Chen Zun came for several days in a row.
Even today.
“Master Chen, didn’t you come to Youzhou because of the severe drought in Wenzhou?” Li Yuan finally spoke up.
"Indeed, it was for this matter." Upon hearing Li Yuan's words, Chen Zun immediately withdrew his gaze, which had been constantly wandering around.
"Then why haven't you gone looking for demons these past few days?"
Originally, Li Yuan wanted to see what he would do next, but now that he comes to the Sixth Prince's residence every day, Li Yuan is suspicious and follows him around all day.
Chen Zun cursed under his breath:
Isn't it all for the sake of achieving immortality?!
However, his expression remained calm: "I am a newcomer to Youzhou. When I first arrived, I saw that Youzhou was filled with demonic energy. Tracing its source, it seemed to be in the Sixth Prince's residence."
"At home?!"
Li Yuan questioned why he hadn't discovered any demonic activity during his many days in the mansion.
"Your Highness, so I have been planning to observe the Sixth Prince's residence for the past few days."
Li Yuan didn't say anything after hearing his answer.
Suddenly, it occurred to him that Li Ziqing had been acting strangely these past few days. He had only received Chen Zun on the first day, but had been ill and staying out of the house for the next few days.
The two strolled through several more courtyards until they reached the vicinity of Li Ziqing's courtyard.
Chen Zun suddenly felt the jade bead in his arms tremble once again.
"Your Highness, what is that courtyard?" Chen Zun tried his best not to sound too excited, but Li Yuan still caught on.
Li Yuan wanted to see what he had discovered, so he summoned the servants who were following behind him.
“Your Highness, Lord Chen, this courtyard is the residence of my Sixth Prince,” the servant replied.
"Sixth Prince, are you still feeling better?"
As Chen Zun spoke, he quickly walked to the door, seemingly wanting to go inside.
"Why don't you go and inform His Highness the Sixth Prince that I've come to visit him?" Chen Zun's heart pounded.
A predestined fate!
A destiny of immortality is right before your eyes!
Upon hearing the sound, the servant went to inform them.
A short while later, Li Ziqing appeared, wearing a jade-colored outer robe. His features were exceptionally handsome, though slightly pale.
Standing there, he resembled a traditional Chinese ink painting of mountains and rivers.
"Sixth Prince." Chen Zun bowed, his eyes secretly glancing towards the courtyard behind Li Ziqing.
“Master Chen, I was unwell today and did not go to the front hall.”
"If there is any oversight, please feel free to point it out."
There was nothing wrong with Li Ziqing's words.
Li Yuan just watched from the sidelines, curious about what tricks Chen Zun was up to.
"I am not being negligent at all. I was just visiting the area and came to say hello to Your Highness."
Chen Zun then said, "But from what I see, Your Highness appears quite exhausted. Has something unusual happened? I can offer some assistance to Your Highness."
"Thank you for your concern, Celestial Master Chen. There is nothing wrong with my health."
The refusal was quite obvious.
Chen Zun did not give up; he gave a warning.
The path to immortality lies in Li Ziqing's courtyard!
Right before our eyes,
How could you miss it?!
Instead, he spoke in a somewhat sinister tone: "His Majesty is very concerned about His Highness's health. Before I left the palace, His Majesty instructed me to take a good look at whether His Highness is in good health."
"Please allow this humble Taoist priest to enter the courtyard."
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