Immortal Travel of Longevity

Tong Nianyi's pupils contracted at those words, but she quickly regained her composure and left without looking back.

She did not stop until she had exited the Imperial Palace.

Only then did she let out a heavy breath.

Her gaze was somewhat dazed as she looked back toward the palace gates.

His Majesty seemed to have changed.

That was all she could think.

After her shift ended, she did not return to the Tang Manor, heading to the Commandery Princess Manor instead.

"Nianyi?"

"Auntie Dong."

"Is Aunt Ruyi not here?"

"She went to find Lihua."

"I'll wait a bit, then..."

Noticing Tong Nianyi's unsettled expression, Dong Chiyu asked, "What is it? Did something happen?"

Tong Nianyi opened her mouth, then let out a soft sigh. "His Majesty has been acting strange lately."

"Oh? How so?"

"His Majesty... seems to be thinking about immortality."

Even Dong Chiyu froze at those words.

At that exact moment, Steward Bai happened to be bringing up tea. He froze upon hearing this, causing the tea in his hands to slosh over the edges and spill onto the tray.

The two women immediately turned their gazes to Steward Bai.

Steward Bai's heart jumped. Trembling slightly, he said, "This servant heard nothing."

Dong Chiyu felt a headache coming on. She waved a hand. "It's fine, Steward Bai. You may step down for now."

Tong Nianyi said, "Auntie Dong, this is no trivial matter. The fall of Great Jing is a lesson still vivid in our minds. I fear His Majesty might repeat those disastrous mistakes."

Dong Chiyu pondered for a moment before replying, "Emperor Shuncheng was also obsessed with Daoist magic in the past, yet he never neglected state affairs. He governed the realm quite well. Perhaps it won't be so bad."

Tong Nianyi fell silent for a moment, then shook her head. "Compared to the former emperor, His Majesty falls far short."

"I'm back!"

A voice rang out from the manor entrance.

"Blockhead, Blockhead, did you miss me?"

Ruyi swaggered into the main hall, then paused as she spotted Tong Nianyi. "Oh, Xiao Nianyi, what brings you here?"

Tong Nianyi said, "Aunt Ruyi."

"What were you two talking about?" Ruyi asked.

Tong Nianyi was just about to speak when Dong Chiyu cut her off. "Nothing much. Weren't we just waiting for you to come back to eat? Did you bring Lihua back?"

"Is that so?"

Ruyi sat down and gulped a mouthful of tea. "Hah, Lihua is having too much fun over there and forgot to come home. It said it has to look after its kittens and grandkittens, so it doesn't have time to come back."

"That sounds just like it," Dong Chiyu said with a laugh.

Tong Nianyi glanced at Auntie Dong. After thinking for a moment, she understood why she had been interrupted.

This matter truly could not be shared with Aunt Ruyi.

Given Aunt Ruyi's temperament, she might just grab her spear right now and storm the Imperial Palace to demand why His Majesty was seeking the path of immortality. With His Majesty's disposition, there would still be room for negotiation if approached properly; but if she disrespected him like that, they would most certainly have a falling out.

An emperor needed to save face, after all, and Aunt Ruyi's personality meant she probably wouldn't leave him any.

She couldn't tell Aunt Ruyi about this just yet.

After having dinner at the Commandery Princess Manor, Tong Nianyi returned to the Tang Manor. She was heavily burdened with worry the entire way back, simply because she did not know who to ask for help.

She certainly couldn't bring it up herself. As the Diarist of Daily Life, the very last thing she should do was try to divine the emperor's intentions—it was a massive taboo. If His Majesty flew into a rage, not only would she suffer, but she would also drag Uncle Tang down with her.

Tang Shijing noticed she was weighed down by her thoughts and asked her about it.

Tong Nianyi informed Tang Shijing of the matter, voicing her concerns along with it.

Tang Shijing said, "You are right. This is indeed not something either of us should bring up."

Tong Nianyi said, "But if His Majesty truly falls into the path of immortality, I fear the world really will face a Tribulation."

Tang Shijing pondered for a moment before saying, "Do not think about this matter anymore. I will find someone to handle it."

Tong Nianyi paused. "Is there a suitable candidate?"

"Sanyuan True Man is the most suitable, but he has already headed south to return to Quanshan. I found it surprising back then, but now I suppose the True Man might have had a premonition, which was why he left Shangjing City in such a hurry."

"However, there is still one other person right now who is qualified to persuade His Majesty. I just need to write a letter."

...

In the east of the Northern Region.

The Badger Demon oversaw the Demon Market, handling matters big and small submitted from its various districts. The Demon Market was growing increasingly prosperous, but the troubles were also mounting. It was not an easy position to hold; although he didn't need to do everything personally, it was a job that left no room for error.

"Ward Lord, a letter has arrived from the Mortal World."

A figure arrived at the front of the hall.

The Badger Demon paused upon hearing this. "A letter from the Human Sovereign?"

Zhao Lin shook his head. "It is a letter from the Imperial Court's Minister of Revenue, Tang Shijing."

"Tang Shijing?"

The Badger Demon thought for a moment. "A letter from the Tang Family?"

Zhao Lin handed the letter over.

The Badger Demon took out the letter and glanced at it.

Seeing the handwriting on it, he froze in surprise.

But he quickly calmed down, as if he was not actually surprised at all.

He set the letter down and fell deep into thought.

Zhao Lin stood to the side, refraining from asking what the letter contained. But seeing the Ward Lord rubbing his head like that, it was evident the matter was not simple.

After a long silence, the Badger Demon said, "I am taking a trip to Shangjing. I'll leave the affairs of the Demon Market to you for the time being."

Hearing this, Zhao Lin stared blankly. "Ward Lord, regarding this matter, how about letting..."

"Weren't you doing quite well before?"

"No..."

Zhao Lin opened his mouth again. "Ward Lord, ultimately, I am not of the Demon Race. There will inevitably be controversy."

The Badger Demon waved a hand. "That doesn't matter. Compared to the others, I trust you more."

Zhao Lin wanted to refuse, but was cut off by the Badger Demon: "Let's leave it at that."

With that, he dropped the matters at hand and walked straight out of the hall.

Zhao Lin had a look of utter bewilderment on his face. He truly did not want to take on this job.

...

Five days had passed since the letter was sent out.

In just those five days, the Badger Demon had already reached Shangjing.

He did not pay a visit to the Tang Manor, however. After all, this matter involved confronting the Human Sovereign. While he wasn't afraid, the Tang Manor might not fare so well, so it was better not to implicate them.

In the middle of the night.

Yan Nantian had already gone to sleep, but he was suddenly roused awake.

The head eunuch came to report that the Ward Lord of the Demon Market was waiting outside the palace gates, requesting an audience with His Majesty.

Yan Nantian felt a headache coming on. "Is there something that couldn't wait until tomorrow? Why must he come this late?"

Groggily snapping back to his senses, he muttered, "Why did he come?"

For the past ten years, the Demon Market had been completely peaceful, and he hadn't seen the demon who commanded it in quite a few years.

Before long, the Badger Demon was invited into the palace.

"It has been many years, yet the Ward Lord is still as radiant as ever."

"Your Majesty overpraises me."

"I wonder what matter brings the Ward Lord here so late into the night? What could have made the Ward Lord rush here in such a hurry?"

The Badger Demon didn't beat around the bush. Since he had asked, he spoke bluntly: "I heard that Your Majesty has been getting close to Daoists recently, inquiring about the path of immortality?"

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