I have Immortality In The Cultivation World

Chapter 588: Chapter 447 Rectifying the Source
 

“Indeed, there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world!”

Tang Mingyuan sighed helplessly, knowing that as long as one is alive, one cannot escape the entanglements of cause and effect.

Merely reciting a few poems, he caught the attention of Zhao Mu, who later sought him out for the Su family’s business interests and, for his own comfortable retirement, used Zhao Mu’s visiting card to obtain the privilege of offering tributes.

The privilege of offering tributes was managed by the Imperial Household Department, hence Tang Mingyuan found himself connected with Zhou Shilang from the Eastern Depot.

Zhou Shilang, with only the technique of ice-making at his disposal, sensed Tang Mingyuan’s great talent and ordered the supervising eunuch to provide many conveniences for him.

The Eastern Depot was so powerful that the small amount it leaked was enough for the Su family to quickly become one of the richest merchants in Jiangning!

Little did he expect that the changes within the court would backfire so swiftly.

“Who says the ancient ones were fools? By revealing just a hint of the extraordinary, I have gained the investment and alliance of princes and overseers. The shrewdness of their vision is beyond that of ordinary people!”

“Yet such a clever person lost in the court struggle…”

As Tang Mingyuan pondered this, he showed not a hint of defeat, but his eyes blazed with a strong will to fight.

The joy of contending with others is boundless!

“Your Highness, I am puzzled about something. How could His Majesty have suddenly passed away?”

In Tang Mingyuan’s opinion, the Orthodox Emperor was a wise and noble ruler, who had plans for reform even during his time in seclusion and managed to bide his time after ascending the throne, first conquering foreign tribes and expanding the territory.

Returning triumphant, he forced through a reassessment of landholdings and tax reforms.

According to Tang Mingyuan’s original predictions, the Orthodox Emperor could have extended Daqing’s peace for another century, but who knew… he would suddenly depart this world.

Such is the will of heaven, what can one do!

“The true cause of my father’s death, I am also unclear about. The Empress Dowager claims it was a violent illness, and indeed just before his death, he did announce that he was recuperating,” Zhao Mu said.

“Those close to my father who were considered part of his inner circle, like the Prince of Pingxi, turned against him. There definitely were other traitors around him. Just one cup of poisoned wine or a sleeve arrow is enough to take someone’s life!”

“If Your Highness can think of poisoned wine and hidden arrows, surely the late Emperor was on guard against them,” Tang Mingyuan said.

“Such as, poisoning would require collusion with the Imperial Kitchen, numerous taste-testing eunuchs, as well as attending Imperial Physicians. With so many people in the know, it would definitely be exposed.”

“The more ingenious the conspiracy, the more likely it is to go wrong. On the other hand, a simple and brutal assassination is hardest to guard against!”

Tang Mingyuan continued, “The one who killed the sovereign must have been a newcomer to the Emperor, attending by his side with high strength, and capable of a successful surprise attack, otherwise, it would be like me pointing a hand cannon at Eunuch Ma.”

Grandmasters guarding the Orthodox Emperor close at hand, an assassin wouldn’t even have the chance to pull the trigger!

“There are two Innate Grandmasters in the palace. Eunuch Wei supports the new policies and has frequently personally campaigned in support of them,” Zhao Mu said soberly.

“The other, Eunuch Hai, has long been secluded within the palace for cultivation, rarely appearing. Plus, there’s Eunuch Yuan from the Directorate of Ceremonial who attends closely and whose martial cultivation is also extraordinary.”

Tapping the table methodically, Tang Mingyuan pondered for a moment before saying, “Your Highness, keep a close eye on these three people, including their families and disciples. Whoever gains benefits is the regicidal culprit!”

Zhao Mu asked, “What then shall we do?”

“Naturally, we should reveal the regicide to the entire world and then join hands with the loyalists of the National Dynasty to strike like thunder, correcting the chaos!” Tang Mingyuan said.

“Isn’t that a bit hasty?”

Zhao Mu hesitated, “Moreover, with the Officials already recognizing the new sovereign, where can we find the loyalists of the National Dynasty?”

“The Empress Dowager and the Prince of Pingxi have usurped power and their foundation is not yet stable,” Tang Mingyuan said.

“There must be Officials in the court who are dissatisfied with the Empress Dowager acting as regent, and the imperial clan will not support a mentally ill prince’s accession to the throne. At the same time, the abolishment of the tax reforms has caused deep resentment among the people. It can be said that this is the best opportunity.”

“Once the Empress Dowager purges the court and replaces all the Officials with her own people, it will be difficult to set things right again. As for the loyalists of the National Dynasty… all the civil and military officials are loyal retainers. They will be loyal to whoever wins!”

“You make a compelling argument.”

Zhao Mu carefully pondered and realized the plan could indeed succeed, though the risks might be even greater. But if you aren’t even willing to take a gamble, how can you hope to win?

For the throne, it is worth staking one’s life.

Having made up his mind, he seriously said, “As you suggest, there remains just one difficulty: how to lead troops into the imperial palace?”

“The Prince of Pingxi controls the soldiers in the capital, making it difficult to bring a large force into the city. We can only form an elite force of masters to strike quickly and decisively,” Tang Mingyuan said.

Zhao Mu looked towards a eunuch at his side and asked, “Eunuch Xu, how many masters would it take to break through the defense of the palace guards?”

“Replying to Your Highness, no number of masters could break through.”

Eunuch Xu said, “I’m not boasting about myself, it’s simply that there are innumerable experts among the palace guards, and with some eunuchs arranged by Zhou Shilang, the Eastern Depot can sweep across the martial arts world!”

Tang Mingyuan asked doubtfully, “Why can the palace guards train so many experts en masse? In terms of heritage and talent, eunuchs cannot compare to the disciples of the sects.”

“The cultivation technique I practice is called the Epiphyllum Treasure Tome,” Eunuch Xu explained.

“With each circulation of the meridians, the True Qi obtained is ten times that of ordinary techniques, but it shortens one’s lifespan by several days. Overdoing it leads to premature aging.”

Zhao Mu was already aware of the Epiphyllum Treasure Tome and sighed, “Even if we find people to practice now, it would take at least three to five years to achieve anything. By then, the Empress Dowager would have already established her control over the court.”

“A solid fortress is always breached from the inside!”

Tang Mingyuan said, “Zhou Shilang built his career starting from the palace guards, and he must run it as tightly as a drum, with countless hidden agents. We just need to find Zhou Shilang and ally with him; the palace guards will crumble without a fight, and he could even aid Your Highness!”

Zhao Mu said, “I have thought about approaching Zhou Shilang too, but ever since the late Emperor passed, he disappeared. I don’t know how many have searched for him; not even a trace has been found.”

“Given Zhou Shilang’s vengeful nature, he must still be lying low in the capital, even plotting to assassinate the Prince of Pingxi and the Empress Dowager.”

Tang Mingyuan asked, “Does Your Highness have any merchants in the capital?”

Zhao Mu said, “There are still a few small trading houses, ostensibly unconnected with the royal house, which have escaped the Eastern Depot’s search.”

Taking paper and brush, Tang Mingyuan rapidly wrote a prescription, “This method can produce large quantities of Frost Sugar to become a contribution to the Imperial Household Department at an extremely low cost. Zhou Shilang will surely come calling himself.”

“Master truly is omnipotent!”

After looking over the prescription, Zhao Mu found that with the ubiquitous yellow mud water, he could transform brown sugar into frost sugar, multiplying its value by more than tenfold.

“Eunuch Xu, quickly pass this recipe to Wang Er and take it through the Minister of Works, Liu Shilang, to enter the Imperial Household Department.”

“Congratulations, Your Highness.”

Eunuch Xu carefully put away the recipe, smiling as he said, “If we could have Supervisor Tang’s assistance, the palace walls could be breached in a snap of the fingers, and our grand ambition is within reach!”

Tang Mingyuan inquired, “Just how powerful is Supervisor Zhou?”

Eunuch Xu replied, “According to the rumors from the palace, three Innate Grandmasters together could not defeat Supervisor Zhou alone, and could only engage in hit-and-run tactics!”

Tang Mingyuan exclaimed, “So overwhelmingly strong, wouldn’t that make him invincible in the world?”

Eunuch Xu, with a trace of pride, said, “Ever since Supervisor Zhou trod the martial world and killed the Sword God of the Battlefield, those in the jianghu shudder at the mention of the eunuchs, truly adding glory to us, the less physically complete!”

“Eunuch Xu, in my eyes, eunuchs are no less than any other men!”

Zhao Mu snorted coldly, “Prince of Pingxi rebelled, Empress Dowager rebelled, but only Supervisor Zhou fought to the very end. Historians always curse the eunuchs, advising emperors to stay away from castrates, but in my view, it is quite biased, since most rebels have been civil and military officials!”

The power of the eunuchs comes from the Emperor, and can be taken back with a single word.

Even if there appear cases where eunuchs manipulate the succession of thrones, they could not truly change the dynasty. Once they die, the imperial power still reverts to the Zhao family.

On hearing this, Eunuch Xu and the other eunuchs were moved to tears and knelt in gratitude.

“We are willing to die for Your Highness!”

Tang Mingyuan raised his eyebrows, knowing that for Zhao Mu to speak such words, there was already a sign of favoring the eunuchs, so he promptly changed the subject.

“How much do you know about the present Sacred Sovereign?”

“Emperor Longqing?”

Zhao Mu said, “The mother of my thirteenth brother was a palace maid. Our father, in a drunken stupor, graced her with his presence. She fell ill and died shortly after giving birth. My thirteenth brother was raised by the wet nurses in the palace, and he suffered from a mental illness since he was young. He couldn’t speak until six years of age, and even now at sixteen, he still can’t dress himself or eat properly!”

“Such a background, somehow makes one feel uneasy…”

Tang Mingyuan pressed on, “Has the illness of the brain been diagnosed by the Imperial Physician?”

“The Imperial Physician has treated him many times, but brain illness is not an ordinary disease. It can only be judged by speech and behavior, and it cannot be truly diagnosed.”

Zhao Mu frowned, “Master, could it be that you suspect my thirteenth brother is feigning stupidity? He was but a few years old!”

“Who can be certain?”

Tang Mingyuan said, “I’m just an ordinary person and could not prevail over someone who learned to play the fool from a young age, deceiving the former Empress Dowager and the Officials.”

Zhao Mu carefully recalled all his memories related to Emperor Longqing.

“I’ve heard the eunuchs discussing that my thirteenth brother often goes to Kunning Palace, begging for food from Mother Empress Dowager like a little dog. Because his speech is childish and amusing due to his illness, he often makes Mother Empress laugh…”

At this point, Zhao Mu suddenly gasped in shock.

Tang Mingyuan shrugged his shoulders, speaking with a sense of helplessness.

“Amusing indeed, the difficulty is hellish!”

…

In the sixth year of the Orthodox Era.

October.

Emperor Longqing ended his mourning period and officially ascended to the throne.

Suddenly, rumors circulated among the people that the new Emperor’s ascension was not legitimate and he would struggle to maintain the great governance.

Corresponding prophecies also emerged: “Supervisor Zhou is invincible under heaven, and whoever gains Supervisor Zhou shall gain the world!”

…

The Imperial Palace.

The East Gate.

In the midst of winter, a biting north wind blew fiercely.

Zhou Yi arrived early for duty, his body covered in a layer of white frost, constantly stamping his feet to beat the chill, appearing no different from any lowly martial eunuch.

At the same time, he performed the Breath Listening Technique, eavesdropping on the conversations of nearby eunuchs.

Most of them discussed how to curry favor with the newly promoted Head Supervisor of the Imperial Household Department, Eunuch Zhong, also known as Zhou Yi’s once foster son Xiao Zhongzi, now under the Empress Dowager’s command.

Another foster son, Xiao Xuzi, had become the second Head Supervisor of the Eastern Depot, with immense power and influence.

Whenever eunuchs discussed these two, they inevitably mentioned their common foster father, the mysteriously vanished Eunuch Yi.

“Have you heard? Outside, they’re all talking…”

“Whoever gets Supervisor Zhou gets the world, such grandeur. If I could get such recognition, I’d die without regrets!”

“Keep your voice down. Do you really want to die?”

“…”

Zhou Yi stood at the corner of the wall, listening to the varied discussions among the eunuchs, some admiring, respectful, others spitting venom, cursing.

He noted each one in his heart, planning to settle the scores one by one in the future.

“Slandering behind one’s back can get you killed, heeheehee…”