Chapter 1701: Execution

The two embraced silently. The setting sun outside cast their long, elongated shadows on the ground.

Gazing at their intertwined shadows on the ground, Yan Xuehen felt a momentary daze, wondering what she was truly thinking.

Just as she was about to summon the strength to push him away, Zu An suddenly lowered his head and lightly kissed her on the lips.

Yan Xuehen’s eyes widened instantly, whether from shame or anger, and a blush visibly spread upwards from her neck.

Before she could react explosively, Zu An released her, smiling and waving his hand. "With this loving kiss from Sister Yan, this journey is sure to be smooth sailing."

After speaking, he gave her no chance to retort and swiftly vanished into the distance.

Watching his "hasty retreat," a faint smile unexpectedly touched Yan Xuehen’s usually frosty face. "What a scoundrel!"

Meanwhile, Zu An was in high spirits after the recent encounter. He traveled quickly, feeling light on his feet as if riding on wind and fire wheels.

After several days of travel, he finally encountered the Emperor’s entourage near a small city.

The Emperor’s journey for the Fengshan sacrifice was truly grand, with the procession stretching for dozens of miles and numbering tens of thousands of people.

Zu An did not reveal himself rashly. He spotted several familiar figures among the vanguard and quietly sought them out during their encampment.

Qin Guangyuan, with his thick eyebrows and large eyes, and the handsome Qin Yongde, seemed to be responsible for the vanguard and escort duties in the army. Even Miss Murong, clad in military attire that complemented her tanned skin, was there, looking truly heroic and valiant.

The group was enthusiastically discussing marching and deployment strategies when they were startled by Zu An’s arrival.

However, after a long separation, and considering their familial connections, they quickly became cheerful. Murong Qinghe, in particular, was exceptionally happy to see him, perhaps due to her affection for Chu Youzhao. The only regret was that Chu Youzhao had not come along this time.

Zu An naturally understood why. Chu Youzhao was, after all, disguised as a man. While the Qin family’s protection in the capital allowed her to maintain the disguise, it would be difficult to conceal her true identity during a prolonged military campaign away from the city.

After some conversation, Zu An learned from them just how enormous the Emperor’s Fengshan procession was.

Except for the Empress, who was recuperating, almost all the top figures from the capital were accompanying the Emperor, and most were old acquaintances.

Prince Qi Zhao Jing was among the entourage, but Prince Qi’s heir, Zhao Zhi, did not accompany them, likely out of concern for being wiped out in one go.

Grand Councilor Pei Ming, who was Big Manman’s granduncle.

Right Minister of the Department of State Affairs Bi Qi, the Crown Princess’s father, whose brother Bi Ziang also accompanied them.

The Left Minister of the Department of State Affairs was originally Yu Xuanzhong, but he was dismissed from office due to the incidents involving Yu Nan and the Yu family from Yunzhong, so he was not present this time.

Grand Tutor Sang Hong did not come, remaining in the capital to handle state affairs. Zu An secretly felt it was a pity, as he had hoped to meet Sang Hong and inquire about Sang Qian’s recent situation, wondering how she was doing during her pregnancy.

Grand Mentor Meng Yi and Grand Secretary Lian Yu were also present.

Court Attendant Pei Zheng from the Department of the Palace Gate, Big Manman’s grandfather.

Court Attendant Dongfang Bai, whose wife, Zu An recalled Zhang Jie mentioning, was a former dynasty princess. Among the Nine Ministers, the Minister of Ceremonies Murong Tong, the Grand Judge Jiang Boyang, and the Minister of the Imperial Clan Zhen Xueyi had also come.

The Minister of Ceremonies’ duties included ensuring the Emperor’s safety, so his presence was expected.

It was a pity that Jiang Luofu did not come along.

Regarding Zhen Xueyi, Zu An also recalled Zhang Jie’s words: he too had deep ties to the previous dynasty, but his treatment in the current dynasty was vastly different from Dongfang Bai’s.

However, when he was imprisoned due to the scandal with Bi Linglong last time, Zhen Xueyi had secretly helped him. This favor needed to be remembered.

For the Emperor’s journey, safety was paramount. Prince Liang Zhao Yi served as the General of the Rear Army, bringing the elite central forces from the capital’s Six Great Battalions.

However, the respective colonels of the Six Great Battalions did not accompany them. Instead, they took another portion of their men to remain in the capital. Prince Qi’s heir, Zhao Zhi, was one of these colonels, specifically the Colonel of the Winged Army.

Additionally, General of Chariots and Cavalry Liu Guang and General of the Guards Liu Yao brought along forces from the Two Guards.

Zu An had previously interacted with both Zhao Yi and Liu Yao in Brightmoon City. Although he had thought their cultivation levels were high at the time, now he saw them as merely ordinary. Given their resources, their current cultivation could be described as remarkably mediocre.

Compared to the Six Great Battalions, the Two Guards had a more complete high-ranking presence. Left General of the Guards Lu He was the brother of Eunuch Lu, who attended the Empress. Right General of the Guards Guo Zhi, with whom Zu An had often interacted in the palace. And Tiger Vanguard Guerrilla General Zhao Yuan, a distant branch of the imperial family who also held the title of Prince of Guangling.

There were also various divisions such as the Tiger Vanguard, Feathered Forest, Imperial Cavalry, and Extraordinary Power. Speaking of which, Zu An himself was still a Lieutenant-General of the Feathered Forest and should have been among them.

Feeling that almost all the prominent figures in the capital had come out, Zu An couldn't help but wonder, "With all these high-ranking court officials away, aren't they worried about problems arising in the capital?"

Qin Guangyuan explained, "That's why the mid-level officials responsible for specific governmental affairs in each department remain in the capital. Furthermore, the Crown Princess is astute and capable, and the Eastern Palace has many talented individuals. Assisting the Crown Prince in overseeing state affairs won't be a major issue."

"I'm not worried about that," Zu An said, knowing Bi Linglong's capabilities. "My concern is that all the high-end combat power of the imperial court has left the capital. What if a demonic cult or rebel army causes trouble there?"

Murong Qinghe smiled. "Brother Zu, you may not know, but there are the Eight Dukes in the capital. Those old masters usually cultivate in seclusion in their residences. If anything truly happens, they certainly won't stand by."

Qin Yongde also explained, "The Eight Dukes are highly respected, and each possesses the cultivation of a Grand Master. Who would be so foolish as to cause trouble in the capital? However, strictly speaking, there are now only seven Dukes. And speaking of which, this is related to Brother Zu."

Zu An's heart stirred. "The Shi family?"

Qin Guangyuan nodded. "Precisely. The Shi family was also the newest of the Eight Great Families. Their patriarch still needed time to become a Grand Master, but unfortunately, you single-handedly destroyed their entire family, leaving them no further opportunity. That incident caused quite a shock among the prominent families in the capital."

Zu An felt a little dazed. He couldn't believe that the Shi family, whom he had provoked right after transmigrating into this world, was such a formidable power. It truly was a case of a newborn calf not fearing a tiger.

As for the so-called Eight Dukes, Zu An had long heard their names but rarely seen them. Now he realized they were similar to the Elder Council of the Demon Royal Court: they typically didn't appear in public unless there was a major upheaval.

Zu An seized an opportunity to ask about Consort Bai, but to his surprise, the others all looked bewildered:

"The Emperor did bring some concubines and palace maids on this trip, but Consort Bai is the Crown Prince's concubine, so she shouldn't be among them, right?"

Seeing their puzzled expressions, Zu An realized that only a handful of people in the palace likely knew about the relationship between Consort Bai and the Emperor. As for the officials outside, some might have suspected, but they would never mention it in front of their children.

After understanding the recent situation from them, he went directly to request an audience with Zhao Hao.

After all, Zhao Hao's cultivation was not to be underestimated; it would be disadvantageous if he were to sneak around and be discovered in the end.

Given his current status, requesting an audience with the Emperor was not difficult. Eunuch Wen soon emerged and led him to a colossal imperial tent, adorned with gold thread, agate, and jade pieces, so dazzling it nearly blinded him at a glance.

After the announcement, a faint voice from within said, "Come in."

Upon entering the tent, Zu An found that while the imperial tent appeared extremely luxurious from the outside, its interior was quite simply furnished.

Zhao Hao was meditating on a soft couch, with two pots of precious incense burning before him. The entire tent felt no less potent than the world's most auspicious cultivation grotto-heavens.

Evidently, the entire tent was enhanced by special runic arrays, and the incense likely contained numerous rare herbs and treasures to aid in cultivation and health preservation.

Hearing him enter, Zhao Hao did not even open his eyes. "Why have you come?"

Zu An replied, "The matter at Mount Zi has concluded. I thought I should report to Your Majesty, and not daring to disturb you again, I specifically made this trip."

Only then did Zhao Hao open his eyes. He recalled how Zu An had summoned him like a performing monkey a few days ago, and his face twitched imperceptibly. Hearing Zu An's words now, he felt somewhat mollified. "Good, you've improved."

Zu An then briefly recounted what had happened on Mount Zi, not concealing anything about Yun Jianyue. After all, so many people were on the mountain; even if he didn't mention it, Zhao Hao would eventually find out.

"That demoness Yun Jianyue is truly audacious. But the Taoist sect's people are also getting more incompetent, letting them reach the finals before discovering them," Zhao Hao snorted, clearly displeased.

Zu An replied, "The Taoist sect's decline merely proves that all the talented individuals have come to the imperial court. Your Majesty should be pleased."

Zhao Hao raised an eyebrow. "I haven't seen you for a while, and you've become quite the smooth talker."

"Your humble servant is merely speaking the truth," Zu An said, his demeanor flawless.

Zhao Hao nodded with satisfaction. "Were there any other unusual occurrences at Mount Zi?"

"No," Zu An hesitated for a moment, ultimately deciding not to mention Wang Wuxie. Firstly, there was no proof. Secondly, even if Wang Wuxie truly had problems, why should he warn Zhao Hao? He wasn't truly Zhao Hao's servant.

"You handled the Mount Zi matter well," Zhao Hao said, his expression softening. "Your return is timely; there's something I need you to take care of right now."

Zu An cursed inwardly, realizing Zhao Hao was immediately giving him a task upon his return. Nevertheless, he replied, "I will do my best."

"It's not that difficult," Zhao Hao said casually. "Just secretly execute a woman for me."