I have Immortality In The Cultivation World

Chapter 614: Chapter 452: Old Friends from the Sky Prison
 

“`

The ancient Gou family trench is located at the foot of Heavenly Pond.

Zhou Yi arrived at the entrance of the village, only to see a few broken walls and dilapidated columns, buried in snow and overgrown with weeds, looking as if it had been years since any smoke from human residences.

“Where are the people?”

Seeing this, he couldn’t help but wonder if he had been in secluded training for a hundred years and things had completely changed.

Zhou Yi circulated his True Qi and used his Qinggong to speed towards the southwest through the snow, covering a hundred li in just half an hour.

From afar came noisy shouts and curses, and with a leap, he landed on the treetops, as stable as Mount Tai despite the swaying branches, and looked towards the sound to see hundreds if not thousands of people.

Over a hundred soldiers were swinging their whips, cursing as they flogged the common people, urging them to work faster.

The commoners were wailing miserably, enduring hunger and cold, swinging their hoes and hammers to mine.

“The Northern Town Army?”

Zhou Yi recognized his old adversary’s attire at a glance, leapt through the air, and alighted beside an officer who was drinking and eating meat.

“Who’s there…”

Darkness fell before the officer’s eyes, and he cried out instinctively, feeling a chill on his neck. He looked down to see a blade formed of condensed True Qi and immediately turned pale, his limbs going weak.

“Sir, for what matter do you seek this lowly one?”

The surrounding soldiers gathered around in a clatter, but the officer quickly waved them away, signaling them to step back, lest the deputy use this opportunity to commit murder.

“What year is it now? And what month?”

Zhou Yi hadn’t spoken for many years, and his voice sounded a bit strange and muffled. Coupled with his long hair and a beard two to three chi long, wearing clothes that were nearly torn to shreds, he appeared every bit the wild man who had run out of the mountains.

The officer quickly replied, “It’s the sixteenth year of Jingtai, the twenty-second day of the tenth month.”

Sixteen years!

This seclusion had lasted longer than he had anticipated, but many martial techniques had been perfected, and his own strength had greatly increased. His enemies were getting on in years, just in time for him to kill them.

Zhou Yi then asked, “Do you know where the people of the ancient Gou family trench have moved to? And why has the Northern Town Army come here?”

“I’ve never heard of the ancient Gou family trench.”

The officer, growing increasingly certain that he was dealing with an extraordinary hermit, replied honestly, “Two years ago, the Princely Heir annihilated the Imperial Court’s army, and this area became his newly bestowed domain.”

Another soldier spoke up, “Sir, I am from Lean Mountain Village, not far from the Gou family trench. I heard that someone from the Gou family became a high official, and the whole family moved to the capital.”

“The capital…”

Zhou Yi’s gaze turned deep as he soared tens of feet into the air, disappearing from sight after a few bounds.

The officer, feeling his head still attached, called over the talkative soldier to ask about the Gou family village. The sudden appearance of a Grandmaster who could condense True Qi into form meant they must report to the manor.

The soldier recounted all the rumors he had heard, including mention of the Fisherman of Heavenly Pond.

“That Fisherman’s grave is still up in the mountains!”

…

“The Xie family’s patriarch is actually dead!”

Zhou Yi had traveled south from Heavenly Pond, passing through towns and cities, gathering information on major events that had occurred over the past sixteen years.

“But the Xie family is still around, what our family gave you, it can also take back!”

Ever since entering the service of the Inner Palace, Zhou Yi had learned to repay an eye for an eye. Even if the object of his revenge was dead, he would shift the debt to the Nine Clans of the deceased, and not a single bit could be spared.

Without such resolve, it would be difficult to intimidate the eunuchs under him!

Along the way, he inquired about the Martial Arts Grandmasters of that time, but they all hid well, providing him no useful information.

He finally arrived at the capital as the year drew to a close.

Zhou Yi didn’t try to contact the spies of the Eastern Depot; so many years had passed that even the most deeply buried informant might have changed loyalties. Instead, he took advantage of the night to slip into the imperial prison.

The hour of the rat.

When all was quiet, the on-duty jailer dozed off against the wall.

A shadow followed the corner of the wall and entered the imperial prison, a forbidden location for most masters, but mere child’s play for an Innate Grandmaster.

After a series of twists and turns, he arrived at the deepest part of the prison.

A specially constructed cell, split into an inner and outer room, with an inner room featuring an intricately carved sandalwood bed, silk drapes, and brocaded quilts, and the outer room equipped with bookshelves, a desk, and writing materials such as brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone.

Candles as thick as six arms burned brightly, illuminating the cell.

An old man with white hair sat at the desk, sometimes frowning in thought, other times writing and drawing on the paper.

Zhou Yi watched from the shadows for a moment, then slowly revealed himself, tapping on the bars and said, “Chancellor Tang, it’s time for dinner…”

He had intended to say it had been a long time since their last encounter, but for some reason, those were the words that came out.

“Hmm?”

Tang Mingyuan felt the voice was somewhat familiar. He looked up to see a strange-looking old man, and after observing closely for a moment, noticing his slightly raised little finger, he said in amazement.

“Could it be Supervisor Zhou?”

Zhou Yi said in a slightly mocking tone, “How has the mighty Chancellor Tang fallen to such a state? Who is the deity that has taken this revenge for us!”

“`

Tang Mingyuan said helplessly, “Can’t the governor guess it?”

“Hehehe…”

Zhou Yi chuckled strangely, “In the world, the one capable of such a feat must undoubtedly be Your Excellency Tang’s beloved disciple, the reigning Emperor Taichang!”

Two years ago, after the humiliating defeat of the northern expedition, the Imperial Court ceded territory and paid indemnities.

At that time, Tang Mingyuan was in charge of the court affairs and personally signed the peace treaty, later assuming all responsibility for it.

Having already offended nobles and scholars through reforms, they took the opportunity to fiercely counterattack, branding Tang Mingyuan as a greedy, negligent minister who had embezzled military provisions.

Emperor Taichang ordered the Eastern Depot to thoroughly investigate the Tang residence and indeed discovered a fortune in gold and silver, subsequently imprisoning him on charges of embezzlement.

Locked up in the imperial prison for two years now, he had not been executed according to the law but was instead treated with good food and drink.

Emperor Taichang claimed to remember the bond between teacher and student and was grateful for Chancellor Tang’s contributions to the National Dynasty; such a kind, filial emperor was greatly admired by the people of Daqing.

Zhou Yi heard about this on his way to the capital, and visiting the old friend was the first thing he did upon arrival.

He felt a mix of pride and sighs.

“That I’m still alive is already good enough.”

Tang Mingyuan sighed, “The northern expedition cost the lives of tens of thousands of Daqing’s young adults, and I bear a great deal of the responsibility. Now, whenever I close my eyes, it seems as if countless parents and children are cursing me in my ears!”

Zhou Yi pondered for a moment and then understood the crux of the matter.

After the Empress Dowager’s death and the inexperienced Emperor Taichang’s initial grasp of sovereign power, he was no match for Tang Mingyuan and lacked the ability to mobilize such a massive army for the northern expedition.

Therefore, it was Tang Mingyuan who actively assisted and supported the campaign, either out of guilt or indulgence, which ultimately led to the debacle at Snow Wolf Valley.

“The mercy of a woman!”

Zhou Yi spoke coldly, “I’ve told you long ago, you’re not the material for great deeds, and sure enough, you let a mere brat outmaneuver you.”

If the northern expedition had been victorious, the credit would go to Emperor Taichang, allowing him to get involved in military affairs.

If it failed, the blame would fall on Tang Mingyuan, weakening the power of the ministers and imperial in-laws, from which Emperor Taichang also gained substantially.

Zhou Yi, judging by his own standards, guessed that the subsequent cession of territory and payment of indemnities were also instigated by Emperor Taichang. A few million taels of silver weren’t much for the Imperial Court, and the area ceded wasn’t heavily populated; it was just the right excuse to completely ruin Tang Mingyuan.

Stripped of his military power after the northern campaign and his reputation in tatters among the common people, imprisonment became a simple matter for Emperor Taichang.

The intricate twists and turns were quickly sorted out by Zhou Yi, who developed a certain interest in Emperor Taichang.

Was it natural talent and fate that brought him to the throne, or would anyone who ascended to it learn the ways of struggle without a teacher?

“Governor, I have a favor to ask.”

Tang Mingyuan said, “If you have time, please visit the Inner Palace to see how Tongtong is truly living, and don’t let my daughter suffer because of me.”

Zhou Yi nodded and said, “I’ve met Tongtong a few times before and can barely be considered an elder. I promise.”

“Thank you.”

Tang Mingyuan didn’t mention how he had saved his life years ago, knowing the governor’s nature of seeking revenge rather than repaying kindness, but relieved that he generally kept his promises.

Curious, Zhou Yi asked, “If Tongtong is living well and loves her father, what will Master Tang do?”

Tang Mingyuan replied, “Then I’d die without regrets.”

Zhou Yi asked again, “What if she’s living a life worse than death?”

“…”

Tang Mingyuan’s expression remained as calm as still water, showing no change, but the rapid thumping of his heartbeat told Zhou Yi that he wasn’t as composed as he appeared.

Zhou Yi asked again, “Was it Emperor Taichang who had a hand in the Empress Dowager’s death?”

There were no rumors about the Empress Dowager’s death, but Zhou Yi, having seen enough of Inner Palace strife, could almost be certain it was related to Emperor Taichang, perhaps even carried out by the emperor himself.

Tang Mingyuan remained silent; he had a vague knowledge of the affair and had helped cover it up afterward.

“I thought you were just soft-hearted, but it turns out you’re worthless!”

Zhou Yi spat in contempt, now certain his guess was correct: “If the emperor dared move against his own mother, what would stop him from touching the mere queen? If Master Tang dies, it won’t be long before your daughter follows.”

“What ‘worried sick,’ what ‘caught a chill,’ or perhaps ‘fell into the water by accident;’ haven’t you heard enough of such tales from the palace, Master Tang?”

“He wouldn’t dare!”

Tang Mingyuan glared furiously, his whiskers bristling as he spoke in a deep voice, “His Majesty swore that once I returned power, he would ensure Tongtong’s life would be safe and joyous.”

“Master Tang, don’t deceive yourself; you should know better than anyone…”

Zhou Yi enunciated deliberately, “This is a struggle where only one of us can live!”

The imposing aura of Tang Mingyuan collapsed in an instant, as if he had aged decades in seconds. When he finally looked up after a long moment, he saw a few prison guards coming to patrol and Zhou Yi had disappeared.

“Yun’er, I promised you that I would protect Tongtong for a lifetime…”

Tang Mingyuan’s gaze fell, his usual warmth gone, replaced by a fierce and resolute expression. He got up, took a book from the shelf, and began to flip through it, pondering every page.

The cover bore several ancient seal characters: Immortal’s Longevity Scripture.

Tang Mingyuan cared little for power and wealth; he’d let Emperor Taichang take it all. After all, as a soul adrift from a foreign region, already once dead, how could he fear death again?

But the bottom line of a father, that was something no one should touch!