Chapter 1522: Three of the Eight Treasures

The news was too sudden and too shocking. Feng Ruonan and Shang Shuqing were both stunned, almost unable to believe it.

How could that possibly be?

Nanzhou was no longer the small territory of a few commanderies and counties it had once been. Information was easier to obtain now, but the affairs involved had also become far more consequential. The two women had gradually stopped involving themselves in politics, while Shang Chaozong had also begun deliberately keeping many matters from them.

If something happened inside Nanzhou Prefectural Capital or within Nanzhou's own territory, the two might hear something about it.

But as for movements all the way in Yanjing, they truly knew very little.

More importantly, Nanzhou had not intervened in the capital this time. Neither woman had noticed Shang Chaozong making any move in that direction.

So how had he suddenly become Regent of Great Yan?

Feng Ruonan was filled with doubt and disbelief. She scolded, "You wretched girl, what nonsense are you spouting?"

The maid waved her hands excitedly. "Princess Consort, I'm not talking nonsense! Grand Marshal Shang Yongzhong came personally to deliver the edict. I heard he even brought the state-protecting divine artifact and gave it to His Highness. His Highness has already ordered the news proclaimed throughout the army. It isn't a secret anymore. Word has spread everywhere!"

He had even handed over the state-protecting divine artifact?

The two women were badly startled.

If Shang Chaozong now held the state-protecting divine artifact, then what did the title of Regent even matter? If Shang Jianxiong had surrendered that as well, then he had effectively surrendered imperial authority itself.

Neither woman had any mind left for arranging the new residence. They hurried away to find Shang Chaozong and verify the matter.

Shang Chaozong was not there. He had gone out, and Lan Ruoting was absent from the residence as well. But they did confirm the truth from Meng Shanming.

It was real. Shang Jianxiong had lost all authority over the State of Yan and had been placed under house arrest. The Three Great Sects of Yan had turned to supporting the Prince.

This time Feng Ruonan was truly stupefied, delight and shock mingling together.

It felt like a dream. Without the slightest preparation, she had suddenly become the Princess Consort of Great Yan's Regent.

Without the slightest preparation, she had become the highest-ranking woman in the State of Yan.

Back when she had carried a spear onto horseback and fought in one small corner of the realm, how could she ever have imagined a day like this?

It had come too suddenly. It truly felt like a dream.

And she could already sense what would come next. Some things were obvious enough.

Shang Jianxiong had become nothing but an ornament. The next step for her husband would probably be to become Emperor of Yan.

And she, inevitably, would become Empress of Yan.

Her son, in all likelihood, would become the future Crown Prince of Yan.

Empress?

She was actually going to become Empress of Yan?

Old memories passed before her one after another, vivid as yesterday. Even now, she found the thought unbelievable.

Shang Shuqing could see that her sister-in-law had completely lost all interest in anything else for the moment, so she took her leave.

She wandered through the courtyards of the princely residence, from time to time looking toward the Maolu compound.

If she had not known that Niu Youdao was still alive, perhaps she too would have had no idea what was happening.

But because she did know, she more or less understood.

Her elder brother's power was not enough to dictate a great upheaval in Yanjing. Obtaining Zijin Cave's help might have been possible, but winning the complete support of all Three Great Sects of Yan was another matter entirely.

No matter how she thought about it, there was only one Master Dao who possessed that kind of ability.

She wanted very much to go see Niu Youdao now.

Yet she did not dare disturb him casually, and she also knew that the fact he was still alive could not be exposed lightly.

Day after day and night after night, she endured the feeling of having him so close at hand and yet being unable to meet him...

Inside the secret chamber, Yun Ji arrived and placed an ancient bronze mirror in front of Niu Youdao.

After the meeting time and place had been arranged, the Shang Mirror had finally been retrieved. Zhuge Chi had made the trip and brought it back.

There had been no concern that Zhuge Chi would simply take it and flee. He was already aboard their ship now. He knew what they were doing and understood even more clearly what their objective was.

Even where Hai Wuji was concerned, Zhuge Chi's attitude had become much calmer.

Put another way, if they succeeded, then not only would Zhuge Chi himself be safe, Hai Wuji would be safe as well. Neither man would need to keep hiding afterward. Hai Wuji might even have some hope of restoring his state.

For that reason, Zhuge Chi now supported their side wholeheartedly and served them with all his strength.

Niu Youdao was reading an intelligence report. He glanced at the mirror, put down the message, and picked up the bronze mirror to turn it over in his hands.

Yun Ji said, "I don't know whether it's genuine."

Niu Youdao gave a soft grunt. "I'll verify it."

Yun Ji continued, "Outside, Grand Marshal Shang Yongzhong personally delivered the court's edict appointing the Regent. He also brought Yan's state-protecting divine artifact, the Immortal-Subduing Staff. The larger situation in Yan is settled."

Niu Youdao continued turning the bronze mirror in his hands. "Mm. I know. Tell the Prince that things like state-protecting divine artifacts won't be needed for their old purpose much longer. Go ask him for the Immortal-Subduing Staff. Tell him I need it for something."

Yun Ji nodded slightly and turned to leave. When she reached the doorway, she suddenly looked back and added, "Hongniang has emerged from seclusion. She's beside herself with happiness and is wandering around outside."

"That's good news." Niu Youdao smiled.

Yun Ji smiled as well, then left.

Once there were no outsiders present, a series of clicks suddenly sounded from the ancient bronze mirror in Niu Youdao's hands. The nine flowers carved in relief upon its surface sprang up.

There was no mistake.

It was genuine.

Niu Youdao shook his head slightly and remembered Dong Guo Haoran placing this object in his hands on his deathbed.

In the blink of an eye, so many years had already passed.

He felt a trace of emotion.

He did not know how long he had sat there thinking before he suddenly heard footsteps approaching outside. Niu Youdao quickly restored the ancient bronze mirror to its ordinary appearance.

A familiar figure appeared in the doorway, a round fan swaying in one hand as she sashayed her way inside.

Who else could it be but Guan Fangyi?

Her complexion and bearing were visibly different from before. She seemed somewhat younger, her face luminous and full of vitality.

Niu Youdao smiled. "Looks like you broke through."

Guan Fangyi's expression was smug. She turned sideways and planted herself on the edge of his desk, fanning herself with an air of supreme arrogance.

"I'm not the woman I used to be. You'd better watch how you talk to me from now on, or don't blame me for being impolite."

"Really?" Niu Youdao said. "I have a pile of people around me stronger than you. Never mind the others. Take Monkey. Monkey's strength is enough to subdue the Holy Rakshasa. How do you compare with Yuan Se? Could you take a single slash from his blade?"

The corner of Guan Fangyi's mouth twitched. She snorted. "Do you think I'd be stupid enough to stand there waiting for him to strike?"

Niu Youdao said, "Believe it or not, Yun Ji could probably deal with you too."

Guan Fangyi looked thoroughly disgusted. "All you know how to do is call other people for help. What kind of ability is that?"

Niu Youdao had no intention of bickering with her. He reminded her, "A great upheaval is close at hand. That day may arrive sooner than any of us expect. Stop wandering around everywhere. Use the time to consolidate your new realm."

"Yes, yes, I know." Guan Fangyi answered irritably.

Her gaze happened to fall on his hand. She froze, then suddenly reached out and snatched the mirror away. After turning it over for a quick inspection, she said in surprise, "Is this the Shang Mirror?"

Niu Youdao nodded.

Guan Fangyi found that strange. "Wasn't it in Xiaoyue Pavilion's hands? They gave it back to you?"

"Mm." Niu Youdao nodded again.

Guan Fangyi examined it from every angle for a while, feeling rather wistful. Back when Niu Youdao had given this object to Yucang, she had objected. She could still vaguely remember what Niu Youdao had said at the time.

She had never expected that it truly would return.

"Why would Xiaoyue Pavilion give it back to you? What happened?"

Niu Youdao clearly did not want to say much about it. "Nothing."

Guan Fangyi raised an eyebrow slightly. She knew something must have happened, but with this man's mouth, if he did not want to talk, there was no point asking and irritating herself.

Clang. She tossed the Shang Mirror onto the table, turned, and walked out.

In the tunnel leading away from the chamber, she ran into Yun Ji carrying a long case. Guan Fangyi immediately stopped her.

"Sister Yun, while I was in seclusion, did something happen to Xiaoyue Pavilion?"

Yun Ji answered as though it were the most natural thing in the world. "Xiaoyue Pavilion has already been destroyed."

"Destroyed?" Guan Fangyi stared. "What happened?"

"What else could have happened? That one did it..." Yun Ji tilted her chin toward the far end of the tunnel and then explained what had happened.

After hearing the story, Guan Fangyi fell silent.

She remembered the scene years ago upon the sea, of a certain man holding a certain woman in his arms at the bow of a ship.

With a soft sigh, she murmured, "More than six thousand cultivator lives... Black Peony did not die for nothing. She can close her eyes in peace now."

"Black Peony?" Yun Ji did not understand.

Guan Fangyi smiled bitterly. "You know Black Peony died at Xiaoyue Pavilion's hands. That was the reason Xiaoyue Pavilion brought destruction upon its own gates."

She shook her head and walked away.

Yun Ji remained silent for a moment, then continued onward. She reached the secret chamber, set the long case down in front of Niu Youdao, and opened it.

Niu Youdao reached inside and drew out the staff. He turned it over in his hands and muttered, "Immortal-Subduing Staff!"

Of the Eight State-Protecting Divine Artifacts, three were now in his hands.

The locations of the remaining five were already clear.

The Heaven-Swallowing Ring should be in Wu Chang's possession. The Mountains and Rivers Cauldron was in the State of Han. The Heaven-Measuring Ruler was in the State of Jin. Qi's Spirit-Calming Pearl had now fallen into Jin's hands as well. The Void-Breaking Sword was in the State of Song.

Now that Niu Youdao knew the purpose of all eight so-called divine artifacts, and with Monkey at his side, obtaining the Heaven-Swallowing Ring and the Mountains and Rivers Cauldron no longer mattered.

He only needed to obtain the Heaven-Measuring Ruler, the Spirit-Calming Pearl, and the Void-Breaking Sword...

At the Inspector's residence in Beizhou, incense smoke curled through a quiet chamber.

Shao Dengyun stood silently before a portrait of Prince Ning hanging on the wall.

After gazing at it for a long while, he lowered his eyes to the message in his hand announcing that Shang Chaozong had become Regent of Great Yan.

Then he placed the message into a brazier and set it alight.

...

At Tianyu Sect, beside a mountain stream, Feng Lingbo was sowing seeds in a vegetable plot while Peng Yulan watered the soil.

A figure drifted down and landed on the ridge between the fields.

It was Peng Youzai, Sect Leader of Tianyu Sect.

Seeing him arrive, the husband and wife, both now visibly aged, immediately put down what they were holding and came over to pay their respects.

Peng Youzai waved a hand, signaling that there was no need for ceremony. He drew a message from his sleeve and handed it to the couple.

"Take a look."

Neither knew what could be important enough for the Sect Leader to come personally. They immediately leaned together to read it.

Afterward, Feng Lingbo looked up in astonishment. "Regent of Great Yan? Shang Jianxiong has been placed under house arrest, and Shang Chaozong has seized power?"

Peng Youzai nodded. "I don't know what method Shang Chaozong used, but somehow he persuaded Zijin Cave to give up the extra interests it had taken and divide them equally with Xiaoyao Palace and Lingjian Mountain. That is the word I've heard. Now even Yan's state-protecting divine artifact has fallen into Shang Chaozong's hands. In short, Shang Jianxiong has no hope of turning the situation around. Shang Chaozong proclaiming himself emperor is probably only a matter of time."

He paused, then continued, "Which means your daughter, my granddaughter Ruonan, will sooner or later become Empress of Yan."

Peng Yulan murmured to herself, "Empress of Yan?"

She found it difficult to believe.

That rough, coarse daughter of hers, the girl she had once worried might never marry at all—or at least might never marry into a good household—was actually going to become an empress who would stand as mother of an entire state.

Even Peng Yulan, her own mother, found it incredible.

Peng Youzai stroked his beard. "She is already Princess Consort to the Regent of Great Yan. Once Shang Chaozong proclaims himself emperor, Ruonan's position as empress will not be going anywhere. Shang Chaozong cannot simply establish some other woman instead. It would violate proper rites, and Meng Shanming and Lan Ruoting would never agree to it. On top of that, Ruonan is the mother of Shang Chaozong's legitimate eldest son. A mother's standing rises through her son. Ruonan becoming empress is essentially settled beyond doubt."

Feng Lingbo gave a bitter smile. "Who would have thought that girl had the fate to become mother of the realm?"

[End of Chapter 1522]