Chapter 142: Your Highness Has Three Lives, While Anle Can Only Afford to Lose Once
Anle sat inside the captured light skiff. Although the naval forces of Yuan-Mongol were mediocre at best, the warships they constructed were far from substandard.
The river waves lapped gently against the vessel, causing only a slight, rhythmic rocking that was entirely devoid of any discomfort.
Inside the cabin, quiet had settled. Zhao Huangting leaned against the wooden bulkhead, his brows slightly furrowed as he gazed at Anle. Naturally, he was troubled by the wisps of deathly aura lingering between Anle’s brows.
Though Zhao Huangting had lost his cultivation base, his discernment remained intact. He could clearly see that the price Anle had paid to slay Tong Guan was by no means small.
Even though that victory was momentous enough to shake the past and present, becoming a brilliant stroke in the trajectory of Anle’s life, Zhao Huangting believed Anle must not let success inflate his ego.
"Lad An, can you conjure that Blood Bodhisattva manifestation once more?" Zhao Huangting leaned against the cabin wall and asked.
Anle looked toward the old man and shook his head, replying, "A trump card of that caliber is essentially gone once it's used."
The [Blood Bodhisattva] fruit of dao was indeed no longer usable, retaining only its ability to borrow soul momentum.
While the boost in power granted by borrowing soul momentum was substantial, it could at most elevate Anle by one realm during a clash; dreaming of slaying a ninth-realm powerhouse with it was sheer fantasy.
Borrowing soul momentum required paying a price, and being plagued by a deathly aura was hardly a blessing.
If not for the suppressing pure energy autonomously fed back by the Fearless Heart fruit of dao, the condition of the spiritual space within Anle’s niwan palace would likely have been catastrophic.
Moreover, the mysterious skeleton deep beneath the Canglang River seemed to have been stirred by the act of borrowing soul momentum. The overwhelming oppression it radiated for that single instant left Anle with lingering fear, vivid in his mind to this very day.
What manner of entity was that skeleton at the bottom of the Canglang River?
Was it the great evil of the Canglang River that Zhao Huangting had once spoken of?
Yet Anle felt that the great evil of the river bore little relation to that skeleton. As for the specific reasons, Anle could not be bothered to guess.
Hearing Anle’s reply, Zhao Huangting nodded slightly. "Therefore, you must steady your state of mind. Do not assume that because you have slain a ninth-realm expert, you are truly a match for the ninth realm."
Anle smiled. "Senior, rest assured, I know my limits..."
"However, cutting down that eunuch Tong Guan was truly gratifying."
Zhao Huangting paused for a moment, then could not help but chuckle along with him.
He had to admit...
It was indeed immensely gratifying.
After the laughter faded, Zhao Huangting let out a soft sigh. As a favored confidant of the Zhao dynasty's emperor, Tong Guan had met such a tragic end today, his corpse sinking into the Canglang River, leaving no remains behind...
Had he sunk into any other river, there would still be a chance to dredge his remains.
Yet sinking into the Canglang River... even ninth-realm cultivators dared not descend to salvage a body, lest they fail to retrieve the corpse and instead forfeit their own lives.
For a ninth-realm expert to die in such a wretched manner was enough to evoke a quiet sigh of sorrow.
"You killed Tong Guan... This matter will soon shake the entire realm, and Lin'an will undoubtedly learn of it. Do you still intend to go to Lin'an?"
Zhao Huangting asked, "Or perhaps go to the Sword Pool Palace instead?"
尽管安乐很有把握，但赵黄庭还是觉得去临安太危险了，世人怕是谁都想不到，安乐会带着他赵黄庭，重新回归临安。
Anle gazed at the river waves continuously parting before them, his expression calm and gentle. "We go to Lin'an. I promised to bring Senior home, and I will naturally fulfill it. A gentleman values his word; once spoken, it must be done."
Zhao Huangting’s expression softened further, and he offered no more objections.
The journey to Lin'an was not only to return him to the Imperial Ancestral Temple; Anle also aimed to fulfill the final condition for challenging the top three of the Lesser Sage Rankings, thereby earning an audience with the Sage Master.
Inside the cabin, silence fell once more.
With no obstacles in their path, and guarded by Li Youan, they reached the southern bank of the Canglang River without further incident.
Li Youan had yet to withdraw his starlight, for his Flying Tiger Army was still clashing with the Yuan-Mongol grand army on the northern bank of the river. Since the battle had begun, he, as the commander-in-chief, naturally had to return to the fray.
Such fierce combat was rare, serving as an invaluable opportunity to temper his troops.
"You are heading to Lin'an?"
As the skiff docked and Anle and Zhao Huangting stepped out of the cabin, Li Youan narrowed his eyes and asked.
Even in Li Youan’s tone, a hint of doubt was discernible.
"Senior has lived in Lin'an for five hundred years. The Imperial Ancestral Temple is where Senior's heart rests; it is his home. I intend to take Senior home. Furthermore, I happen to be entering Lin'an to challenge the Lesser Sage Rankings, reach the top three, and complete the final condition for an audience with the Sage Master. Besides, isn't the Seventh Mountain opening soon? In any case, I have to make a trip to Lin'an."
Anle smiled as he stated his reasons.
Li Youan fell into a brief trance.
Hearing the word "home," a flash of lingering emotion appeared in his eyes. He looked at Zhao Huangting with deep reverence.
Though the Zhao imperial clan was vast, the only ones who truly commanded his respect were the Old Imperial Uncle and the founding emperor of the Zhao dynasty.
Zhao Huangting had walked out of Lin'an to challenge the Yuan-Mongol Emperor, prepared even to leave no bones behind. Yet he never imagined he would be forcibly rescued from the Yuan-Mongol capital by Anle, crossing the Canglang River to return to the southern bank.
This was something Li Youan had truly not anticipated, nor had Zhao Huangting himself. For when Zhao Huangting challenged the Yuan-Mongol Emperor, the only person truly capable of whisking him away would perhaps have been the Sage Master of the Holy Mountain.
Given the terrifying might of the Yuan-Mongol Emperor, coupled with the countless powerhouses entrenched in the Yuan-Mongol capital, even paragons like Li Youan or a Sixth Mountain Master harbored no certainty of pulling Zhao Huangting out alive; at best, they could exhaust all efforts to salvage his corpse.
Yet, what these peerless ninth-realm experts could not achieve, Anle had accomplished.
To be able to send Zhao Huangting home now was naturally a wonderful thing.
"Falling leaves return to their roots... After all, the Great Zhao Dynasty has migrated south for five hundred years. For the Old Imperial Uncle, the Imperial Ancestral Temple is the true resting place. Perhaps the Old Imperial Uncle will even have the chance to be buried in the Great Zhao Imperial Tombs."
Li Youan said softly.
With Zhao Huangting's status... he should indeed have the opportunity to enter the Imperial Tombs atop Phoenix Mountain.
"The Imperial Tombs? This old man cares nothing for them. I guarded the Imperial Ancestral Temple for five hundred years, and I harbor a certain fondness for the lingering scent of incense there."
Zhao Huangting said indifferently.
"However, since Anle has just slain Tong Guan... once the Emperor of the Zhao family receives word, he likely will not let you enter Lin'an Prefecture so easily..."
Li Youan furrowed his brow.
"This old man is at death's door; if I return to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to draw my last breath, would that unfilial wretch truly dare to bar my way?"
"He still cares about a shred of face, doesn't he?"
Zhao Huangting leaned against Anle's shoulder and let out a cold chuckle.
Anle merely smiled, casting his gaze toward the distance where a carriage was gradually fading from view.
On that carriage, Anle had spotted the familiar Second Prince, Zhao Pei, and the two had even locked eyes for a moment.
Li Youan naturally noticed the vanishing carriage as well; inside that carriage lingered the aura of the Prince of Jiangling—which he loathed—alongside the aura of the Second Prince, Zhao Pei.
Following Zhao Xianyou's withdrawal from the Lesser Sage Rankings, the top spot on the list... had fallen to Zhao Pei.
One of the three conditions for an audience with the Sage Master was to rank at least in the top three of the Lesser Sage Rankings.
Vaguely, Li Youan seemed to understand Anle's objective.
Did he intend to rely on his qualification for an audience with the Sage Master to step into Lin'an Prefecture unharmed?
If he genuinely secured the opportunity for an audience with the Sage Master, Anle's entry into Lin'an Prefecture would indeed be... grand enough to swagger openly.
No matter how displeased the Zhao Emperor felt, no matter how deeply he loathed Anle, he would never dare to take action against him. For the Zhao Emperor would never permit himself to commit an act that defied and offended the Holy Mountain.
Knowing that the Yuan-Mongol Emperor had broken through to the tenth realm, the Zhao Emperor had immediately chosen to migrate south. How could he possess the gall to strike at Anle, who held the qualifications to converse with the Sage Master, and thereby incur the wrath of the Holy Mountain?
Anle hoisted Zhao Huangting onto his back and smiled, saying, "General Youan, rest assured, I have everything under control."
Merely climbing into the top three was not entirely foolproof; Anle believed he needed to claim the very summit of the Lesser Sage Rankings. Only then would it be the safest route, earning him the undisputed qualification to converse with the Sage Master.
And the easiest way to reach the top of the rankings was, naturally, to strike down the current number one.
Thus, if Anle wished to climb the rankings, there was another method: forcing Second Prince Zhao Pei to come and kill him.
Once he defeated his opponent by defying the adverse momentum, he would naturally ascend to the number one spot on the Lesser Sage Rankings.
As for whether Second Prince Zhao Pei would violate the rules of the Lesser Sage Rankings...
What did that have to do with Anle?
Would Second Prince Zhao Pei be unable to resist making a move? Anle figured he most likely would. After all, the deathly aura between his own brows was no facade; plagued by deathly aura, his condition appeared at its worst, yet his invincible momentum had undergone a metamorphosis, blooming with a golden glow...
He believed Zhao Pei would not let slip such an opportunity.
Regardless of whether Zhao Pei made a move or not, Anle had to make this trip to Lin'an.
Carrying Zhao Huangting on his back, with the Returning Swallow sword case slung across his waist, Anle waved farewell to Li Youan, then—under the watchful gazes of countless powerful minds—step by step, walked away into the distance.
Surrounded by brilliant starlight, Li Youan gazed deeply at the youth and the old man disappearing into the curtain of rain.
A smile of relief curved the corners of his lips.
With a single step, he walked upon the river waves once more, returning to the northern front of the Canglang River.
Elsewhere, the spiritual perceptions of numerous powerhouses observed the direction of Anle's departure, filled with varying degrees of confusion and astonishment.
Because...
They discovered that with Zhao Huangting on his back, the direction Anle was heading... was not the Sword Pool Palace in Shu.
Judging by that trajectory... he was going to Lin'an!
Many were utterly bewildered.
Having just slain Tong Guan, the favored confidant of the Zhao Emperor, rather than returning to the Sword Pool Palace to weather the storm, he was marching straight toward Lin'an?
Knowing the mountain was infested with tigers, he chose to walk right into the tiger's den?!
Having killed Tong Guan, he was going to flaunt it right in front of the Zhao Emperor?
Numerous experts were baffled, for they were unaware that Anle had rescued Zhao Huangting before the gates of the Yuan-Mongol capital, a feat judged as fulfilling the third condition for an audience with the Sage Master. They did not know that Anle was now merely half a step away from speaking with the Sage Master.
More than anything, they saw the extremely aged Zhao Huangting on Anle's back—his cultivation completely lost, having reached the end of his lifespan—and fell silent, lost in contemplation.
Perhaps Anle simply wished for the old man to return to his roots in the final moments of his life.
However, to swagger toward Lin'an in such an open manner was... somewhat reckless and unwise.
Having just slain the Zhao Emperor's favorite, did he truly expect to rely on the identity of the Old Imperial Uncle to melt the heart of that emperor and secure safe passage?
The Sixth Mountain Master had yet to cross the Canglang River to return to the southern bank. The ninth-realm experts who had chased them all the way from the Yuan-Mongol capital had actually turned back to block him. Now that Anle’s safety was no longer a concern, he naturally had to... teach those ninth-realm experts from the Yuan-Mongol capital a lesson.
Of course, there was another issue: if those few ninth-realm experts rushing in from the capital were to meddle in the grand battles of the Ye Family Army or the Flying Tiger Army, the consequences would be severe.
Naturally, the Sixth Mountain Master could not simply walk away at will.
On the other side, Wan Jieliu took advantage of the fact that Anle and Zhao Huangting had drawn the attention of the powerhouses to quietly cross the Canglang River.
As the river waters churned, Wan Jieliu stood upon the southern bank of the Canglang River, feeling as though a lifetime had passed.
He had never imagined this northern expedition would be so... exhilarating.
He had witnessed the grand spectacle of Zhao Huangting challenging the Yuan-Mongol Emperor, seeing the Yuan Emperor bleed, and even watching Anle unleash the First Emperor's will contained within the bamboo sword *Qingshan*, bringing that legendary emperor of ten thousand years ago back into the mortal world...
Wan Jieliu felt his journey had been entirely worthwhile.
Though the trip had been fraught with danger, his heart felt buoyant and carefree.
However, his elation did not last long before it dawned on him: Anle was carrying Zhao Huangting, and instead of returning to the Sword Pool Palace, they were heading toward Lin'an Prefecture.
Why were they running to Lin'an?
……
……
Anle could not see the carriage behind him because the distance was too great, but he believed Second Prince Zhao Pei was undoubtedly staring at him from within that vehicle, perhaps gripped by intense hesitation over whether to strike.
As for whether Second Prince Zhao Pei would make a move, Anle cared little.
Strike or not, Anle was determined to go to Lin'an. If Zhao Pei chose not to strike, while regrettable, it posed no major issue; after delivering the Old Imperial Uncle to Lin'an, Anle would immediately set out to challenge the cultivators ranked ahead of him on the Lesser Sage Rankings, pushing all the way into the top three to complete the final condition.
Therefore, come what may, Anle had already arranged his fallback options.
The rain gradually tapered off and ceased.
Anle’s vital energy surged as he carried Zhao Huangting on his back, galloping onward at great speed, hurtling toward Lin'an Prefecture.
Of course, he also deliberately manifested the exceptionally dense deathly aura between his brows, continuing to dangle a temptation before Second Prince Zhao Pei.
After covering a stretch of road, Anle would pause to rest, projecting the impression of someone who had suffered severe injuries.
During these intervals of rest, he finally found the leisure to observe the wisp of Gilded Years Qi he had extracted from the Yuan-Mongol Emperor.
Anle was genuinely curious about what kind of fruit of dao this wisp of Gilded Years Qi—obtained at such painstaking cost from the Yuan-Mongol Emperor—might condense.
After all, the Yuan-Mongol Emperor was the number one person in the world...
Anle figured the fruit of dao condensed from his essence should undoubtedly be extraordinary.
Without a moment's hesitation, Anle shifted his consciousness.
The golden incense stick burned in spirals, and the flowing golden smoke rippled like pebbles dropped into a lake, distorting the scene before his eyes.
……
……
The deliberately crafted ashen complexion Anle wore, combined with the aura of weakened vitality he projected, stirred the thoughts of Second Prince Zhao Pei, who was trailing closely behind him.
"Is he truly injured?"
A lavish carriage sped along the imperial road, tailing at a distance behind Anle, who was pressing forward toward Lin'an with his vital energy manifesting and Zhao Huangting carried upon his back.
Inside the carriage, Second Prince Zhao Pei looked toward the Prince of Jiangling and asked.
The Prince of Jiangling sipped a cup of wine as crimson as blood, a thoughtful expression resting on his refined face.
"He is most likely injured. To slay a ninth-realm expert from the fifth realm, even with external assistance, is no easy feat. Such a battle record, shaking the past and present, demands a heavy price..."
"A wisp of deathly aura has sprouted within Anle’s niwan palace—that is the price. Such deathly aura is exceptionally difficult to grind away, and it acts as a cruel torment to any cultivator."
The Prince of Jiangling said softly.
"There is a fearless quality within Anle’s heart; he refuses to bow his head or bend his waist, a gentleman who honors his word. Only such a person can wield the Qingshan sword."
"He knows that Lin'an Prefecture is presently an abyss of hell for him, where going there might subject him to the ruthless encirclement of the Zhao Emperor."
"Yet, he still carries the Old Imperial Uncle toward Lin'an, wishing to let the old man return to his roots."
"And he must possess some measure of confidence; the Sixth Mountain Master personally crossed ten thousand miles into the Yuan-Mongol capital for him—perhaps... that is the source of his confidence in returning to Lin'an."
The Prince of Jiangling remarked.
Second Prince Zhao Pei gazed at the deep red wine poured for him by the Prince of Jiangling, the liquid rippling continuously.
"The invincible momentum upon him is evolving and growing ever more majestic. If I can inherit this invincible momentum and step into the sixth realm, paired with the Purple Qi Golden Lotus, my progress will undoubtedly soar by leaps and bounds! It will grant me immense leverage in the contention for the crown prince position."
The Second Prince raised his head and looked at the Prince of Jiangling.
After sipping his wine, the lips of the Prince of Jiangling appeared exceptionally crimson.
"If you wish to kill him and inherit his invincible momentum, now is the absolute best time. First of all, Anle is injured. If he were uninjured, killing him would be exceedingly difficult unless you completely discarded the Purple Qi Golden Lotus."
"Furthermore, the Sixth Mountain Master is still on the northern bank of the Canglang River and cannot provide sanctuary for Anle. Su Muzhe of the Sword Pool Palace has rushed over to provide support, but Uncle can hold him off for you. However, once the Sixth Mountain Master returns, you will utterly lose the chance to kill him; Uncle himself dares not contend with the Sixth Mountain Master."
"Lastly, if Anle recovers his cultivation base, he might... break through to the sixth realm. Once he enters the sixth realm, his invincible momentum... will be integrated into his cultivation base, and your aspirations will come to complete nothingness."
The Prince of Jiangling analyzed the situation point by point for Second Prince Zhao Pei.
"If he reaches Lin'an, the Sixth Mountain Master will surely arrive as well, placing him under the protection of the Holy Mountain. Dreaming of finding such an opportunity again would then be sheer fantasy."
"Therefore, Uncle’s suggestion to you is... make your move. Consider it a preliminary clash on the Lesser Sage Rankings."
"Rest assured, in a clash between you and Anle, if it is framed under the banner of the Lesser Sage Rankings, even if ninth-realm experts arrive, they will not easily interfere."
The Prince of Jiangling curved the corners of his lips, a strange light flickering in his eyes. He knew what kind of advice Second Prince Zhao Pei wanted to hear, so he offered precisely that advice.
Second Prince Zhao Pei took a deep breath and drained his cup of wine in a single gulp.
His eyes flickered with uncertainty.
He did not immediately make up his mind.
Yet he knew he could not hesitate for long, for every point the Prince of Jiangling mentioned was the truth!
Even so, Second Prince Zhao Pei stared fixedly at Anle, who was trudging forward through the wind and rain with the Old Imperial Uncle on his back.
It felt as though Anle were deliberately tempting him.
Deliberately tempting...
Zhao Pei narrowed his eyes, and abruptly made his decision. He stood up from the cabin, lifted the curtain, and stepped onto the carriage's footboard.
Li Qing川, the Celestial Master Manor adept who was driving the carriage, glanced at Zhao Pei.
"Your Highness, there is no harm in trying. After all, holding the Lesser Sage Token and possessing the Purple Qi Golden Lotus, Your Highness will not face mortal danger even if defeated. That Anle... could he possibly kill Your Highness three times?"
"And Your Highness only needs to kill Anle once to borrow the Purple Qi Golden Lotus and inherit his invincible momentum..."
Li Qing川 said with a smile. With those words, his figure blurred and he galloped off into the distance.
Over there, Wan Jieliu was rushing over; Li Qing川 had gone to intercept him.
Zhao Pei paid no heed to Li Qing川's movements, merely raising a hand to touch the gold dust between his brows, which represented the Purple Qi Golden Lotus—the cracks upon it were gradually healing.
The next instant, Zhao Pei hesitated no longer. Whether Anle was deliberately dangling bait or playing an empty-city bluff,
he would treat it as a clash on the Lesser Sage Rankings. In any case, Anle was bound to challenge him sooner or later; he would simply let this battle happen ahead of schedule.
Just as Li Qing川 had said, he possessed three lives and abundant confidence, whereas Anle... could only afford to lose once.
A smile touched the corners of his lips as Second Prince Zhao Pei’s figure drifted lightly out of the carriage, stepping as though walking on air, with clusters of golden lotuses blooming beneath his feet.
Step by step, he slowly advanced toward the spot where Anle and Zhao Huangting were resting.