Chapter 426 - 179: Divine Level Technique, Meeting Emperor Longjing

Chapter 426: Chapter 179: Divine Level Technique, Meeting Emperor Longjing

"Your Majesty, Lord Fang has arrived," Li Lianying announced with a bow before the hall.

"Come in," Emperor Longjing’s voice called out.

Fang Xing immediately strode into Taiji Hall.

"Your subject, Fang Xing, greets Your Majesty!"

Stepping into Taiji Hall, Fang Xing came forward and bowed with clasped hands.

Emperor Longjing looked at him with a warm, friendly smile.

"Fang, no need for such formalities. I’ve summoned you today for a casual chat."

Fang Xing maintained his respectful posture.

’That’s what he says, but nothing involving the Emperor is ever truly casual.’

’To take it casually would be to court disaster.’

"To be in Your Majesty’s presence is a great honor for this subject," Fang Xing said, bowing again.

"The weather is lovely today. Fang, why don’t you accompany me for a walk in the Imperial Garden?"

Emperor Longjing said, looking at him.

"It would be my greatest honor!"

Fang Xing bowed.

Emperor Longjing smiled and led the way out of Taiji Hall. The National Preceptor followed closely by his side, with Fang Xing bringing up the rear.

Though the National Preceptor hadn’t uttered a single word, Fang Xing couldn’t shake the feeling that the man’s eyes were seeing right through him.

It felt as if no secret could remain hidden under his scrutinizing gaze.

Though it was just a feeling.

But in the presence of the unfathomable Great Jing National Preceptor, Fang Xing remained constantly on edge.

One was the Emperor of Great Jing, the other was the Great Jing National Preceptor, and both were titans at the level of Celestial Martial Saint. He didn’t dare let his guard down for a single moment.

...

「Imperial City, Imperial Garden.」

Fang Xing soon followed Emperor Longjing into the Imperial Garden. Once they reached a pavilion inside, the Emperor stopped and took a seat.

The National Preceptor, who stood beside him, also sat down.

"Please, sit, Fang. Don’t be so formal," Emperor Longjing said with a smile.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Fang Xing bowed before taking a seat, but his body remained ramrod straight, every muscle taut.

Although Emperor Longjing appeared friendly, as a powerhouse of the Celestial Human Realm and one whose fate was intertwined with the nation, his invisible aura of pressure was enough to intimidate anyone.

This intangible pressure assaulted both the Primordial Spirit and the Flesh Body.

His mind was stretched taut, like the string of a fully drawn bow.

The Chief Eunuch, Li Lianying, brought out three Jade Cups and a teapot, pouring a cup of hot tea for each of the three men.

Emperor Longjing raised his cup, took a sip, and looked at Fang Xing. "Fang, I’ve heard a bit about your accomplishments. Your contributions to quelling the demon scourge in Qing Province were immense."

"You praise me too highly, Your Majesty. It was all due to Lord Hong’s capable leadership. I merely handled some minor details and dare not claim the credit,"

Fang Xing replied.

Emperor Longjing couldn’t help but smile. "So modest, Fang. But facts are facts. The Court will not forget your contributions to pacifying Qing Province."

Fang Xing bowed with clasped hands. "Your Majesty is too generous. As a citizen of Great Jing and the Qing Province Demon Suppression Envoy appointed by Lord Hong, I was only doing my duty."

Emperor Longjing nodded with a smile and took another sip of tea. "I am gratified to see such dedication, Fang. When the chaos in the Southern Border is pacified, I am certain you will have a part in that success as well."

"I will do my utmost to slay Demons and Monsters and protect the region."

...

Throughout the conversation, Fang Xing’s nerves remained stretched to their limit.

He felt that conversing with the Lord of Great Jing was no less taxing than fighting a great battle.

However, aside from matters concerning Demons and Monsters, they didn’t discuss anything else of note.

What did surprise Fang Xing was that the Great Jing National Preceptor remained completely silent the entire time, never uttering a single word.

His eyes, however, were fixed on Fang Xing for most of the conversation, which only amplified the pressure he felt.

After they had chatted for over an hour, Emperor Longjing finally gave Fang Xing leave to depart.

In the Imperial Garden, Emperor Longjing watched Fang Xing’s retreating figure before turning to the National Preceptor.

"Well?"

"Your Majesty, my assessment remains the same."

"Yes. In fact, it seems to have progressed even further,"

the National Preceptor replied.

"Even further!" Emperor Longjing stared at the National Preceptor, a gleam of light appearing in his pupils.

The National Preceptor nodded.

"Compared to the last time I saw him, his destiny and connection to the Celestial Secret are far more profound. If he continues to grow, he may reach an entirely new peak."

"A new peak..."

Emperor Longjing murmured, turning the Jade Cup in his hand. He looked at the National Preceptor. "Are you saying he has a chance to take that final step?"

The National Preceptor considered this for a moment. "There is currently a ten percent chance. But everything will depend on future developments."

"And if I were to lend him a hand? Could that hasten the process?" Emperor Longjing asked, looking at the National Preceptor.

"Your Majesty, that could be counterproductive,"

the National Preceptor said.

Emperor Longjing frowned. "Why?"

With a grave expression, the National Preceptor looked at Emperor Longjing. "Destiny and the Celestial Secret are bound by causality. If Your Majesty provides aid, he will be forced to shoulder a massive karmic debt. The weight of this causality would trigger changes—changes his current strength cannot possibly withstand. The resulting disruption could lead to his complete and utter downfall."

"I see..."

Emperor Longjing nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on the spot where Fang Xing had vanished from sight. "Then it seems I can only wait."

"Your Majesty, the future is full of infinite possibilities," the National Preceptor said. "One can only glimpse fragments of the Celestial Secret; nothing is set in stone. Change and growth are intertwined, and the path ahead contains many variables."

Emperor Longjing nodded lightly. "Mm, that makes sense. It seems I was getting ahead of myself."

"Your Majesty, I have been observing the celestial phenomena. Great Wei will soon experience a major upheaval. When that happens, its influence on Great Jing will be greatly diminished."

"Oh?"

Emperor Longjing looked at him, raising an eyebrow. "And what are the chances of that?"

"A certainty," the National Preceptor replied.

Hearing this, Emperor Longjing’s brow relaxed, and a smile spread across his face. "Then I shall eagerly await it."

"Your Majesty will see the results within a year," the National Preceptor said with a smile.

At these words, the smile on Emperor Longjing’s face grew even wider.

...

Fang Xing let out a long sigh of relief as he left the Imperial City.

Despite his level of Cultivation and strength, a seemingly ordinary conversation had left him drenched in sweat.

’I need to avoid this place as much as possible. It’s too suffocating.’

Fang Xing glanced back toward the depths of the Imperial City, then turned and walked away.