327 The Old Fellows in the Imperial Mausoleum
North of Heavenly Revelations City.
Location of the Imperial Mausoleum.
This was where they buried the deceased of the Xiao Clan imperial family. It was also where countless rare treasures were hidden, so a total of three thousand Imperial Army guards were stationed there. Their job was to prevent people from going in, but even more so, to prevent the people inside from coming out.
Inside, besides the deceased Xiao Clan imperial family, there were also the Mausoleum Guardians.
At their greatest numbers, there were eight of them. At the least, there was only one left. Presently, there were three.
The former Eunuch of Seal, Zhou Xin Gonggong, the former Eunuch of Sword, Zhuo Sen Gonggong, and the former Eunuch of Records, Zhuo Luo Gonggong. The most terrifying one passed away from illness four years ago, who was the former Grand Eunuch, Zhuo Qing Gonggong. Back then, he was the most powerful martial expert in the imperial palace and when he was younger, he followed Tai’An Emperor in all his expeditions across the land. He was obsessed with and mastered all martial skills that could fragment the heart and dissolve the bones. He was cruel and ruthless, sinister and wicked. Together with the Demonic Cult Sect Leader Ye Dingzhi, the Wrath Sword Immortal Yan Zhantian, and the Hidden River Umbrella Ghost, they were collectively known as the Four Great Evils under Heaven.
Since the founding of Beili, the fate of the country had been prosperous and flourishing, until the third generation. Because the Five Grand Eunuchs wielded too much power, compounded by the incompetent and muddleheaded monarch at the time, the court eunuchs caused a political upheaval. The imperial court was in chaos and the country was nearly destroyed. Finally, the fourth emperor of Beili, Tianhan Emperor, later known as the “Apogean Emperor”, emerged from the chaos. He purged the imperial court and the people below, reorganised the laws and discipline of the imperial court, and established a rule. Each reign would have one generation of Five Grand Eunuchs. After the death of the emperor, the former Five Grand Eunuchs would be responsible for entering the Imperial Mausoleum and guarding the tomb. Without an imperial edict, they were not allowed to leave the Imperial Mausoleum. Thus, the era of court eunuchs causing political chaos came to an end. During the previous reign of Tai’an Emperor, no matter how clear and loud Zhuo Qing Gonggong’s name and influence was both in and out of the imperial court, in the end, he could not avoid being sent to the Imperial Mausoleum to guard the tomb, where he met his end by dying of old age.
"You’ve lost this round again," Zhuo Xin Gonggong said with a smile as he placed a black stone on the chessboard.
Zhuo Sen Gonggong shook his head. "Who would have expected this. A dragon will always be a dragon, a worm will always be a worm. To think that the return of a beleaguered Prince can set off such a big storm."
"They couldn’t find him for so many years, I really thought he was dead," Zhuo Luo Gonggong said faintly from the side where he was watching the game.
"He won’t die. He’s Ji Ruofeng's disciple. Bai Xiao Hall has been helping him all these years. With their abilities, it’s not difficult for them to hide him from us." Zhuo Xin Gonggong picked up his black stones, one at a time. "But this is not the last game of chess. What can we do even if we win?"
"It was a mistake not to kill him back then." Zhuo Sen Gonggong kept his own stones, a cold expression on his face.
"We used Yan Zhantian as a feint, followed by shixiong personally taking action, and we still didn’t kill him. The depths of Ji Ruofeng's martial arts are really unfathomable," Zhuo Luo Gonggong said quietly. "He’s probably on par with Luo Qingyang and Baili Dongjun."
"Here we are, sitting in the Imperial Mausoleum playing chess while discussing the martial experts under Heaven." Zhuo Xin Gonggong stood up. "Sometimes, it really feels like we’re sitting in a well and looking at the sky."
"Shifu could be the sky, he’s just sitting in the well and looking inward. There’s no need to undervalue yourself," a gentle and flattering voice sounded. The three old eunuchs didn’t need to turn their heads to know it was that fatty who had arrived. Sure enough, as soon as the words were spoken, the Eunuch of Seal, Jin Yan Gonggong walked in propping up his potbelly and sweating all over his head.
Zhuo Xin Gonggong shook his head. "Jin Yan, that mouth of yours is getting more and more skilful everyday. Why have you been so diligent lately?"
"The Emperor is ill. Lately, all imperial court matters have been suspended. No memorials to submit, no imperial edicts to issue. It’s making this Eunuch of Seal almost redundant." Jin Yan laughed, as if the matter of the Emperor being seriously ill was something to be happy about.
"Enough dramatics. What news do you have?" Zhuo Sen Gonggong asked.
"Replying to Gonggong, Jin Yan is here today because there are indeed three major developments," Jin Yan Gonggong said respectfully.
Zhuo Xin Gonggong raised his eyebrows. "Oh? Three? Tell us the first one."
"Jin Yan has found that item," Jin Yan Gonggong said softly.
The three old eunuchs were shocked at the same time, and a murderous aura surged from them, scaring Jin Yan Gongong into cold sweat immediately. Zhuo Xin Gonggong lowered his voice, "Are you sure?"
Jin Yan Gonggong nodded. "I am sure."
"Have you brought it?" Zhuo Sen Gonggong asked.
Jin Yan Gonggong shook his sleeves slightly, and an object instantly rolled from his sleeve into Zhuo Xin Gonggong’s. "I have tested its authenticity, and have verified it is the genuine item. This item is extremely important. Please, shifu, protect it well."
"Good! Good!" Zhuo Xin Gonggong could not hide his excitement. "Very good!"
On the other side, Zhuo Luo Gonggong appeared the most composed and he continued to ask, "What about the second major development?"
"The second major development is that I’ve found that person." Jin Yan Gonggong smiled slightly.
The three old eunuchs glanced at each other, and they all saw the excitement in each other's eyes. "Are you sure?"
Jin Yan Gonggong shook his head and laughed. "My name is Jin Yan, so I naturally know the four words, speak prudently, act benevolently. What words can be said, what words cannot be said, Jin Yan is always clear about. Otherwise, with my martial arts far inferior to my four shixiong, how could I count myself amongst the current Five Grand Eunuchs?"
Zhuo Xin Gonggong laughed out loud and said, "No! You are better than Jin Xuan and the rest! Jin Xuan is shixiong’s disciple, but did not inherit shixiong’s boldness. But you! You have not failed this teacher!"
"Without shifu, Jin Yan would have died a long time ago." Jin Yan Gongong, who had the power to do anything in the imperial court, bowed his head and spoke with respect.
"Have your people already met with him?" Zhuo Sen Gonggong asked.
"Not yet. We’re awaiting shifu’s decree," Jin Yan Gonggong said.
Zhuo Xin Gonggong nodded. "Indeed. We must not act rashly when it comes to him. Go look for a person, he will help you."
"Who?" Jin Yan Gonggong asked.
Zhuo Xin reached out a finger and drew a few strokes on Jin Yan Gonggong’s palm, then he withdrew his hand. Jin Yan was shocked. "Ye… He’ll help me?"
"Yes. With him, this matter will become very troublesome. But now that shixiong is gone, we can’t do this on our own," Zhuo Xin said.
"This disciple understands." Jin Yan nodded.
"What about the third major development?" Zhuo Luo asked.
"The third major development is not like the previous two. It’s good news." Jin Yan's expression became solemn. "A lot of people have been pouring into Heavenly Revelations City recently."
"A storm is coming. The various factions will start gathering in Heavenly Revelations. That’s not unexpected."
"There are many people from Bai Xiao Hall."
"Could Ji Ruofeng really be alive?" Zhuo Xin Gonggong twitched his brows, and the chess pieces in his hand were reduced to powder.
Red Prince Residence.
Xiao Yu was lying on the couch, and a distinguished guest who couldn’t be seen was sitting inside the house drinking tea.
"Getting so much good news at the same time, do you think they will go crazy with joy?"
The distinguished guest said with a smile, "Don't underestimate them. Each of them is a terrible opponent."
"If that’s the case, won’t helping them like this be a dangerous move for us?"
"Your Highness wants to ascend to Heaven, and the road to Heaven has never been flat and even. Since you have made your choice, you must not regret any action you’ve taken."
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Spoilery notes:
Don’t read if you want to be kept in suspense regarding the various clues dropped in this chapter.
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Xiao Se’s injuries - a hint was dropped that the second person responsible for Xiao Se’s injuries was the old eunuchs’ shixiong, which is Zhuo Qing Gonggong.
Mysterious item - the very important item that Jin Yan found is the missing Dragon-Sealed Scroll from 21 years ago, twin to the one that Xiao Ruofeng destroyed when he declared Xiao Ruojin the Emperor.
Mysterious person - the person that Jin Yan found is Xiao Lingchen, son of Langya Prince. This is related to the aforementioned mysterious item, and the ally they need to support Xiao Lingchen is Ye Xiaoying, Langya Prince’s most loyal general.