Chapter 235: The Death of the National Preceptor
"If that's the case, then I shall not trouble you further," said Shangguan Yuyang.
"In a little while, I will visit the mansion, and I will inform Jingyang King in advance," he added before leaving the chamber.
Shangguan Yuyang also rose from his seat. Due to the height difference, he looked up slightly at Gu Lan as he spoke.
Beneath the black robe and hood, his cold and proud countenance now revealed a hint of a smile, rare as the melting of ice by the sun.
Gu Lan chuckled softly, "Very well."
Shangguan Yuyang nodded and departed the elegant room without further delay.
The scent of tea lingered, yet Gu Lan did not immediately leave. He sat beside the seat and quietly summoned the Saint Dragon Clock to awaken the Chiyang Saint Sovereign.
Although he had discerned the identity of the Palace Master of the Yin God Palace through many subtle clues, in reality, he did not know much about Shangguan Yuyang.
Since Shangguan Yuyang knew the Chiyang Saint Sovereign and they were contemporaries, the Chiyang Saint Sovereign should know her as well. A few inquiries at this moment would provide him with a thorough understanding!
"What has awakened me?" The voice of the Chiyang Saint Sovereign rang out. He knew Gu Lan wouldn't call him unless it was urgent.
Gu Lan didn't mince words, "Do you know about the Yin God Palace in the Immortal Realm? Its Master is Shangguan Yuyang... Well, you should have sensed it; she was just here..."
...
In the Great Yu,
After the death of Wu Fan, his remnants, who were under the control of Jing Nation, completely withdrew from the Great Yu... Of course, there were not many left, and they were more like defeated dogs than remnants.
At the same time,
News also spread back to the Emperor Yu.
The Empress of Jing Nation broke through to the Saint Rank, and the national fortune rose, attracting the reverence of all nations!
In comparison, the Great Yu, which had been flourishing in recent years, had fallen behind significantly.
If Jing Nation were to rise in power, it would undoubtedly shake the Great Yu!
Emperor Yu was anxious and restless, unsure of how to respond.
At this moment, he once again thought of the National Preceptor.
Previously, the National Preceptor had been a backlash by the Heavenly Dao, his origin severely damaged, and he had been recuperating for most of the past half year, shutting himself away from visitors.
Originally, Emperor Yu didn't want to disturb him, but in the current situation, only by inviting the National Preceptor could he divine the national fortune.
Emperor Yu traveled lightly and straightforwardly to the Bamboo Observation where the National Preceptor resided.
It had been a long time since anyone had entered, and the atmosphere seemed somewhat desolate.
The door opened, and a maid came out to greet him.
Upon seeing Emperor Yu's arrival, she immediately knelt down.
Emperor Yu, now troubled, paid no attention to etiquette and waved her to rise, saying, "How is the National Preceptor now?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the National Preceptor... has been unwell for five days and has no appetite for food or drink."
"His vitality is weakening now, Your Majesty, it's better not to visit him lightly," the maid said with a worried expression, "Otherwise, I'm afraid... I dare not say more, it's all the National Preceptor's wishes..."
"What?"
"Why wasn't this matter reported to Us earlier?"
"You incompetent fool!"
Emperor Yu was furious.
The maid was frightened and quickly knelt down, trembling.
Emperor Yu's authority was not something a mere maid could withstand.
"Your Majesty, spare my life, it's true, it's true that the National Preceptor didn't allow the maid to report it!"
The maid pleaded in panic, "This servant was only following orders, begging Your Majesty for mercy! Please don't kill this servant!"
Emperor Yu's expression was cold, but at that moment, a weak voice came from the room.
"Has Your Majesty arrived? Please come in for a discussion."
Emperor Yu's attention was immediately drawn, recognizing the voice as that of the National Preceptor.
"Wait here!"
Emperor Yu sternly instructed before stepping into the room.
If the National Preceptor could speak, it meant his consciousness was still somewhat clear.
While he was conscious, he could inquire about the future of the Great Yu!
Entering the room where the National Preceptor lay,
As soon as he entered, a heavy scent of medicine wafted out. The nearby curtains and doors were all closed, making the room appear dim.
The National Preceptor lay on a bamboo bed in the bedroom, with an oil lamp lit at the end of the bed.
In the dim light, one could see the National Preceptor's cheeks were sunken, his skin clinging tightly to his bones as he lay slanted on the bamboo bed, his breath as faint as a thread.
Like the flickering oil lamp placed at the end of the bed, its flame flickered unsteadily.
"National Preceptor!"
"Why didn't you tell Us earlier?"
"I will spare no effort to find the best doctors for you, to save you!"
Emperor Yu approached, looking at the National Preceptor, both a teacher and a friend, feeling deeply distressed.
"Crackle!"
The flame of the oil lamp flickered twice, and the National Preceptor opened his eyes.
"Your Majesty."
"It's useless, I, as a minister, am entangled in karma and sins, and my lifespan has come to an end... This is the inevitable outcome that our Heavenly Secrets Sect can never escape from. Otherwise, Daoist Yunlong wouldn't have trained any successors."
"I knew Your Majesty would come, so I held on to my last breath to keep the lamp burning until now."
The National Preceptor struggled to sit up from the bamboo bed, and Emperor Yu took two steps forward to help him settle back down.
Even such a slight movement left the National Preceptor gasping for breath. Slowly, he opened his eyes, although his body seemed very frail, his gaze was remarkably bright.
He tightly grasped Emperor Yu's hand and said, "I have exhausted my strength, and my time is running short."
"Your Majesty, before my demise, I can divine the future of the Great Yu for one last time."
This action aligned perfectly with Emperor Yu's intentions. However, the last time the National Preceptor had divined the national fortune, he was a backlash by the forces of nature. Given his current condition, it was certain that this attempt would be fatal.
Perhaps sensing Emperor Yu's thoughts, the National Preceptor smiled and said, "This will be the last thing I do for Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty, please help me up and prepare the altar!" With these words, a surge of vigor suddenly emanated from the National Preceptor, and his stature became much more robust.
In his final moments, he burned the remaining shreds of his vitality, a last burst of brilliance!
Though Emperor Yu was deeply grieved, he was not one to be indecisive. The National Preceptor's actions aligned with his own intentions, so he did not interfere.
While the National Preceptor's life was undoubtedly important, since his fate was sealed, Emperor Yu would make decisions that benefited him.
With a wave of his hand, someone immediately ran out from outside.
After putting on his robe and tidying his hair, the National Preceptor stepped out of the room.
The altar had already been set up, with three thick incense sticks burning, forming smoke dragons floating in the air.
Emperor Yu released the National Preceptor's arm, and he could be seen stepping behind the altar, gesturing with his hands.
The smoke dragons floating above the incense sticks swayed along with the National Preceptor's movements, forming a circular pattern suspended above the altar.
With a light exclamation, the National Preceptor glared and pointed forward.
A burst of light emerged, surrounded by the three smoke dragons, revealing the great secrets!
The dazzling light disappeared in an instant, and the National Preceptor staggered back, spewing a mouthful of blood.
His once sharp eyes dimmed once again.
"National Preceptor!"
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Emperor Yu hurriedly came forward to support him. The disciples and palace attendants dared not approach.
Emperor Yu waved his hand to dismiss them all.
At this moment, the National Preceptor trembled as he raised his hand, forcefully saying, "Your Majesty, just now I saw through the secrets of heaven..."
"The celestial vision showed that besides the Golden Dragon of Jing Nation, there is a giant guarding it. This giant radiates brilliance and suppresses all evil qi!"
"The Golden Dragon is none other than the current Empress of Jing Nation."
"And that giant is a person besides the Empress... This person has a predestined affinity with her for three lifetimes..."
"You must never provoke him, otherwise... the thousand-year foundation of the Great Yu will be destroyed, and the imperial lineage will cease to exist, this is no jest!"
"Remember, remember!"
With his last breath, the National Preceptor made all the details clear.
The light from the oil lamp at the end of the bamboo bed flickered twice, then went out.
With the extinguishing of the life lamp, the National Preceptor passed away!
Emperor Yu felt heartbroken, but at this moment, he was more frightened than ever!
The Empress had already broken through to the Saint Rank, attracting congratulations from all nations. Yet, the person beside her, who held a stronger power than even her Golden Dragon destiny, how could such influence be resisted?
Who was this person?
Could it be...
With the National Preceptor's passing, Emperor Yu was shaken by the revelation of the celestial secrets.
Suddenly, he remembered the Tianji Pavilion, which had exploded earlier, revealing a secret altar dedicated to the Empress of Jing Nation!
Could this person be the husband of the Empress of Jing Nation?
At the thought, Emperor Yu was filled with immense shock. He had keenly felt the overwhelming power emanating from Gu Lan. It was simply unmatched!
The National Preceptor had foreseen this and specifically warned not to provoke the husband of the Empress.
Emperor Yu engraved it into his heart.
Having already lost two sons... he would never provoke such a formidable presence!