Chapter 95: The Divine Infant’s Secret of Immortality
Xu Xiaoyan continued, “Remember I told you every demonic sect has its own principles? Do you know the ultimate goal of the Ghost Extreme Sect?”
Shi Hao asked, “What is it?”
Xu Xiaoyan said, “To open the gates of the underworld and transform the mortal world into a ghostly realm!”
Shi Hao frowned, “You’re joking, right?”
“Do I look like I’m joking?” She grabbed his arm, spun him around, and pushed him forward, “Whatever they’re planning, we can’t let them succeed. And be wary of the Ancestral Altar. This is where you have to sacrifice your body and charm. Now go!”
Shi Hao said, “Wait, what do you mean? I…”
He was pushed into the room before he could finish.
Yue Ya’er looked at them from the steps.
Xu Xiaoyan peeked out from behind Shi Hao and smiled, “We’ve discussed it. He’ll stay here and be your bodyguard.”
She patted Shi Hao’s shoulder, “Work hard and earn your keep!” She turned and left.
Shi Hao: “…” I’ve been sold.
A luxurious carriage moved through the streets. The Thunderclap Eighteen Riders, instead of riding their conspicuous Yingzhao mounts, were dressed in ordinary attire, riding horses, escorting the carriage.
Shi Hao sat inside with Yue Ya’er.
The carriage was spacious and comfortable, with hidden compartments containing wine, snacks, and even a small tea stove.
Yue Ya’er couldn’t brew tea herself and hadn’t brought a maidservant.
So, Shi Hao, acting as her personal attendant, brewed tea for her.
Yue Ya’er sat across from him, relaxed and languid like a sleepy kitten, her hands on the small table.
“Why are you hiding from Sister Yuejiao?” she asked, looking at him curiously, “And what’s your relationship with that Xiao Yan girl? You’re always with her, but you’re avoiding Sister Yuejiao and don’t want me to tell her you’re here?”
Shi Hao sat upright, rinsed the teacups with the first brew, and poured her a cup of tea.
He said, “It’s nothing. I have some things to take care of. Yuejiao is a devout Daoist cultivator. I don’t want to disturb her.”
Yue Ya’er pouted, “Hmph… suspicious.”
The carriage reached the northern part of Dàxīng City and stopped. A voice from outside said, “Miss, we’ve arrived.”
Shi Hao exited the carriage first and opened the curtain for her.
As Yue Ya’er stepped out, Shi Hao saw they were standing before a palace.
To the northeast, a hill rose like a dragon’s head – Dragon Head Mountain.
Dàxīng City, built before the Sheng Dynasty, during the short-lived Yang Dynasty, had been constructed by over one hundred thousand forced laborers.
Its layout corresponded to the six lines of the Qian trigram, with Dragon Head Mountain located at the fifth line, the position of the emperor, a symbol of imperial power. Therefore, no palaces were allowed to be built on the mountain itself.
This palace, however, was located on the side of Dragon Head Mountain, built by the current dynasty. Although technically still within the fifth line’s position, it was considered inauspicious. But the barbarian court wasn’t concerned with such superstitions.
Yue Ya’er led them into the palace, leaving the Thunderclap Eighteen Riders outside, and continued inwards with her personal guards.
Inside, maidservants bustled about.
“Oh, isn’t it little Sister Yue?” a young woman approached, her voice sweet and melodious, “I never see you around. What important task has Grandmother assigned you this time?”
Yue Ya’er smiled, “Sister Jinghui, alas, us commoners are always busy. I’m not very capable, so I just help Grandmother with whatever she needs.”
Shi Hao looked at the young woman. She wore a green dress, her figure tall and slender, her features plain. Although she spoke with a smile, it seemed forced and insincere.
As for Yue Ya’er, although claiming to be a “commoner” with “no skills,” her hands were on her hips, her demeanor smug, clearly showing off.
The woman glared at Yue Ya’er, her smile becoming even more strained, “I’ve only heard of important people being busy, not commoners. Little Sister Yue, you truly are Grandmother’s favorite. I heard you mobilized troops in the city last night, and no one dared to stop you. Heh, it’s good to be in favor.”
Yue Ya’er said, “Alas, while you ladies enjoy your leisure, us commoners are always working. I’m just a girl, running around in the middle of the night, mobilizing troops. And why? Because Grandmother keeps giving me tasks. I have no choice. You’re so lucky, Sister. Grandmother doesn’t even bother with you.”
The young woman’s smile turned into a frown. She snorted and turned away.
Yue Ya’er, having successfully provoked her, looked even more smug as she continued forward with Shi Hao.
A young woman in her twenties, carrying a large, two-handed sword on her back, her build tall and imposing, stood guard before the main hall, her expression impassive as she looked at Yue Ya’er.
Yue Ya’er, however, smiled brightly, “Sister Kelian, long time no see!” She ran over and grabbed the woman’s hand, “When did you arrive?”
The woman looked at Yue Ya’er, her expression still impassive, a small, forced smile appearing on her face, not out of dislike, but more like she was uncomfortable with such displays of affection. She whispered, “I just arrived with Master. Grandmother wants to see you.”
“I’ll be right there!” Yue Ya’er turned to Shi Hao, “Wait for me here.”
She skipped into the hall.
Shi Hao waited outside, looking at the woman with the large sword. She stood there like a sword herself, tall and unsmiling.
“Grandmother!” Yue Ya’er entered the inner hall and saw Grandmother Ba sitting cross-legged on a low platform, her short, plump figure motionless. She knelt on a cushion before her.
Grandmother Ba clasped her hands together and slowly opened her eyes, “Yue’er, I heard you used the Ancestral Altar’s authority to raid a brothel last night?”
Yue Ya’er said, “Someone complained? Grandmother, let me tell you, anyone who complains or intercedes on their behalf is guilty. Just arrest them all.”
Grandmother Ba said, “Men are all the same. What did you find?”
Yue Ya’er said, “We’re almost certain those demonic women were planted by the Leopard Gate, which is controlled by the Ghost Extreme Sect. Those spies, they call them ‘female ghosts’ in the Ghost Extreme Sect. And the Leopard Gate’s leader was killed last night. I don’t know who did it.”
“The Leopard Gate is practically finished. But I have intel that the Ghost Extreme Sect is planning something on Dragon Head Mountain during the next full moon.”
Grandmother Ba’s eyes slowly narrowed, “Impressive. You’ve done well, uncovering so much in such a short time. Hmm, the Ghost Extreme Sect… ha!”
Yue Ya’er asked, “What is it, Grandmother? Do you know about the Ghost Extreme Sect?”
Grandmother Ba said, “Over a hundred and fifty years ago, when I was about your age, I had some dealings with them. The Ghost Festival, Dragon Head Mountain, female ghosts… it all fits.”
Yue Ya’er asked, “What else do you need me to do, Grandmother?”
Grandmother Ba said, “Nothing else for now. Just eliminate the Leopard Gate. Use the Hao Dragon Banner I gave you to mobilize the city troops if necessary. And if the Ghost Extreme Sect has any other agents in the city, eliminate them as well. I doubt they’ll dare to cause any more trouble before the full moon.”
She looked at Yue Ya’er, “I heard you were attacked by an assassin yesterday. Why didn’t you report such an important matter to me?”
Yue Ya’er giggled, “I survived, didn’t I? It’s just a small matter. I didn’t want to disturb your cultivation.”
Grandmother Ba smiled, “That’s not a small matter! By the way, Kelian is waiting outside. Take her with you. Although you have the Thunderclap Eighteen Riders, they’re all men. It’s not convenient for them to be in your room. And there might be other assassins. Having her as your personal guard will be safer.”
Yue Ya’er smiled, “No need, I already have a bodyguard.”
Grandmother Ba looked up, “That young man who came with you? A bodyguard? A personal bodyguard?”
Yue Ya’er said, “Grandmother, please rest. Why are you using your Heavenly Eye on him?”
Grandmother Ba chuckled, “Very well. He seems to be a Daoist cultivator, his true energy restrained, yet his aura is strong. He should be adequate as your protector. But someone like him, a hidden dragon, is destined for greater things. Although it’s good to have him as your guard, don’t treat him like an ordinary servant.”
Yue Ya’er said, surprised, “Grandmother, you’ve never praised even my brother so highly. Isn’t that a bit much, just from a glance with your Heavenly Eye?”
Grandmother Ba said, “Although your brother is also destined for great things, he’s going against the current. His future is uncertain. Alas, in these times, I hope we can change our destiny, but I don’t know if the heavens will grant us, the royal clan, more time.”
“You may leave now. Be careful, and don’t be careless.”
Yue Ya’er smiled, “I understand, Grandmother.” She jumped up from the cushion and skipped out of the hall.
Grandmother Ba smiled. After Yue Ya’er left, she said, “Continue.”
A woman in black emerged from behind a screen and bowed before Grandmother Ba, “We’ve confirmed that Ming Yueshu has never practiced the Nascent Soul Technique.”
Grandmother Ba slowly closed her eyes, “She hasn’t practiced the Nascent Soul Technique, yet she maintains the appearance of a thirteen-year-old, seemingly immortal, earning her the nickname ‘Divine Infant.’ It seems our suspicions are correct.”
The woman in black said solemnly, “It’s the ‘South Pole Longevity,’ a supreme-grade divine crystal. Should we target her, Grandmother?”