Chapter 62: Following the Imperial Decree

He recalled their meeting at Little Garden Mountain.

Gu Yi had descended from the sky, single-handedly facing four swordsmen.

“Shule, everyone, I’ve known Gu Yi for a long time. We met at Little Garden Mountain. Someone even witnessed him walking out of the Four-Stone Dragon Gate Formation. There’s no way this could be faked, and I, Hexian, never lie. Even if Gu Yi did sneak into the Martial Arts Pavilion, as members of Luyang Academy, we must never offend an immortal of Little Garden Mountain.”

Even Gu Yi couldn’t help but laugh. What a pure-hearted girl—saying such things in this situation, who would believe her?

“Little Garden Mountain?”

“How could that be possible?”

“That must be a lie! Even His Majesty can’t enter the Four-Stone Dragon Gate Formation; how could someone at his level walk out of it?”

“Would an immortal from Little Garden Mountain meet a person like him?”

…

Shule had expected Hexian to say something significant, but this… was not it…

Truly, this innocent girl was being deceived by a smooth-talking man.

“Hexian, do you think the immortal of Little Garden Mountain would meet someone who sneaked into the Martial Arts Pavilion? Wouldn’t he be ashamed?”

Gu Yi had been enjoying the spectacle, but upon hearing this, he felt a bit perturbed.

What’s that supposed to mean? Trying to mess with me?

“But I’m telling the truth!”

“I don’t believe you.” Shule shook her head calmly. “Even if the immortal of Little Garden Mountain had a successor, it wouldn’t be him.”

“We don’t believe you either.”

…

“I believe.”

On the flower-strewn path, a middle-aged man with billowing beard, dressed in imperial robes, followed by a pale-faced eunuch, had appeared at some point and now approached.

Everyone present turned pale at the sight and immediately bowed. “Your Majesty!”

The Emperor?

Gu Yi’s mind went blank for a moment.

The Xu Emperor had arrived?

Good heavens, all his life he’d never even met a minor official, and now he was face-to-face with the Emperor himself?

Were the tales of the Three Palaces and Six Courts true?

Living in a vast palace, being the only man among scores of women and eunuchs—what sort of life was that?

Curiosity piqued, Gu Yi studied him closely. The Emperor’s eyes were long and almond-shaped, his hair grey despite middle age, the sockets shadowed, his complexion sallow, posture slouched, gait unsteady.

Were it not for his title, Gu Yi would have thought him in poor health.

But he was the Emperor, and Gu Yi couldn’t help but think he looked rather weak.

Who cares, he must be weak!

Yet, strangely, Gu Yi found himself envious.

“No need for formalities.” The Emperor folded his arms, his long golden sleeves immaculate. “You are all pillars of Xu, and with the Li army invading and the borders unstable, I know many of you have received orders from the Ministry of War. All I ask is that you fight bravely, defend our lands, and protect our people. Upon your triumphant return, I will personally welcome you home!”

“Luyang Academy will fight for Xu and for Your Majesty!”

The crowd shouted in unison, their voices ringing out with force.

Gu Yi felt somewhat out of place. Could he leave now? They could shout all they wanted.

But…

The Emperor glanced at him through the crowd, then approached slowly, steadying himself with a hand at his back, scrutinizing Gu Yi.

He noticed Gu Yi did not shrink from his gaze, which made his brow furrow.

Heh.

“Who was it just now…” The Emperor’s gaze swept the assembly, then beckoned. “Hexian, is it?”

“I am here.”

The young girl stepped forward obediently.

The Emperor praised her. “The Daoist Master has taught you well. You just said you met this young man at Little Garden Mountain, and that he walked out of the Four-Stone Dragon Gate Formation?”

“I dare not lie, Your Majesty. We encountered four swordsmen on the road. They even tried to abduct Gu Yi.”

Shule stepped forward. “Your Majesty, the matter of the immortal of Little Garden Mountain is of great import. There has never been any mention of a successor, nor has anyone entered the Four-Stone Dragon Gate Formation. This matter—”

“You all don’t believe it. I know.” The Emperor smiled at Gu Yi before all present. “But I believe, because I have met him.”

At these words, his narrow eyes swept the gathering with meaning.

Gu Yi: ????

What kind of nonsense is this?

Even if your status silences everyone, isn’t this a bit much?

Gu Yi said nothing, curious to see how this play would unfold.

“Your Majesty has met him?!” Shule truly could not believe it.

In her eyes, Gu Yi’s shamelessness was deeply rooted.

“If he truly emerged from the Four-Stone Dragon Gate Formation, then he has met the immortal of Little Garden Mountain?”

The Emperor replied, “If I say I have met him, then I have. Are you suggesting I would lie?”

“I dare not,” she answered, bowing her head.

“It sounds incredible, I know. But now we know the reason for Fan Ling’s defeat, don’t we? Luyang Academy is the foremost in the world. Who else but the immortal’s successor could have bested the chief of Luyang Academy?”

No one dared utter a word.

The Emperor narrowed his eyes and smiled, evidently satisfied.

“Well then, Gu Yi, come with me. Luyang Academy, I will personally take you out.”

What an honor.

Shule bit her lip.

Was this man truly so lucky? Accepted as a disciple by the immortal of Little Garden Mountain, and now escorted from Luyang Academy by the Emperor himself?

“I may leave?” Gu Yi was surprised as well.

He silently swore by the Yellow-shooting Chicken beside Hexian that he truly didn’t know the Emperor; if he were lying, let the chicken be cooked.

“You may! If I say you can, then you can!” The Emperor laughed heartily, seized his hand, and led him away—leaving many present nearly faint from shock.

…

“Senior Shule? Does… Gu Little Waist know His Majesty?”

Shule looked at Hexian, who was equally baffled. “…Perhaps His Majesty really has met him. The Emperor wouldn’t lie.”

Heh.

The Emperor is likely the greatest liar in the world.

At least, that’s what Gu Yi thought.

If he’d ever met me before, I’d let him have the Yellow-shooting Chicken for dinner!

…

The Emperor traveled with remarkable simplicity—just a pale-faced eunuch and himself.

“North Eunuch, clear the area.” The Emperor’s tone now lacked the previous warmth, replaced by authority and chill.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

With a flick of his horsetail whisk, a thin circular membrane swept out from beneath the eunuch’s feet, flashing across the grass. The outside world fell silent.

The wind stilled, clouds halted, and the man before him was no longer the kindly elder but someone whose narrow eyes seemed sharp and cold.

“Who are you?” the Emperor asked.

Gu Yi was bewildered. “Who am I? Your Majesty, you just said you’ve seen me before?”

“I deceived them.”

He admitted it so righteously—did he think he was me?

Gu Yi was curious. “But why did Your Majesty do this?”

The Emperor turned away, hands clasped behind his back.

“Hexian claims you walked out of the Four-Stone Formation. I do not know if it is true. Do you have an answer for me?”

“Your Majesty, I am but at the meditative stage. True or false, it changes nothing.”

Unexpectedly, the Emperor cared even less than he did.

“Indeed, so I do not care either,” the man said, his meaning unfathomable. “But I need it to be true: Hexian met you at Little Garden Mountain, you are the immortal’s successor, and I have confirmed it because I have seen you.”

Gu Yi recalled Chen Mingguang’s analysis of why the Emperor had issued the order to seal the mountain. Now it was clear that there was deeper meaning; it was certainly not just the Emperor admiring him.

“I see. Your Majesty wishes me to carry out an imperial boast—let everyone know that the immortal’s successor is right here in Luyang City.”

“Haha.” The Emperor couldn’t help but laugh, though he would never admit to issuing an edict to ‘boast’. “With such insight, it’s no wonder you left Qingshan speechless.”

Without another word, the Emperor stepped out of the membrane.

The North Eunuch lingered a moment, then coughed twice after the Emperor had gone.

“Ah, North Eunuch.” Gu Yi clasped his hands in greeting, smiling. In truth, he was quite curious about such beings…

“Young Master Gu, you are a man of both appearance and wit. All of Xu holds Little Garden Mountain in reverence, and its successor is naturally untouchable. This is a fine assignment. Henceforth, you need not worry about Luyang Academy, the Martial Arts Pavilion, or even the Imperial Palace. Just remember one thing: the immortal of Little Garden Mountain is always on Little Garden Mountain.”

Gu Yi had already grasped what was expected of him. He smiled faintly. “That may be so, but everyone is curious about Little Garden Mountain. If someone should ask me…”

“His Majesty has not asked. Who else has the right?”

Marvelous, truly marvelous.

Only, the North Eunuch’s words carried an even more sinister undertone.