Chapter 414 — The Storm Approaches

" Emperor Yanfeng started slightly and looked at Ling Yuxiu, who had fallen into some inexplicable state. Name Princess Xiu crown prince?

For this moment, he truly entertained the thought. "Let Yuxiu go and temper herself in the frontier army for a time. There are still rebel forces in the northern snow plains that have not been wholly wiped out; let her and Yushu each lead an army. " Emperor Yanfeng calmed within himself.

It was not unknown for a woman to be crown prince, only rarer than men; women divine-power wielders were, after all, numerous, and some sects were headed by women, so a woman emperor was not unheard of either, only fewer in number.

"If Xiu'er can do better than Yushu. .

. " Shen Mu and Ling Yuxiu each woke from their enlightenment.

In that comprehension just now they had grasped many mysteries concerning the primal spirit, truths of cultivation at the Six Harmonies realm.

Some could be written down and passed to others; some could only be grasped for oneself, understood in the heart but never put into words. "Xiu'er, Our injuries have healed nearly whole.

Come back to the capital with Us.

" Emperor Yanfeng's voice came to them. Ling Yuxiu answered, her gaze falling on Shen Mu, and said in a low voice, "Cowherd, will you come back to the capital with me?

We could cultivate the primal spirit in tandem there in the city. .

. " Shen Mu hesitated, then shook his head. "You go on ahead.

I must stay here and wait for Grandpa Tu to come back.

There are things I still have to ask him. " He handed Ling Yuxiu the completed men's portion of the Primal Spirit Guide and said, "Give this set of methods to Imperial Preceptor Jingping; he will spread it abroad. " Ling Yuxiu nodded, hesitated, and asked, "The Nine Dragons Emperor's Art as you improved it, may I pass it on to my imperial father?

" Shen Mu smiled. "It was your Ling family's to begin with. Pass it on as you please.

" Ling Yuxiu suddenly kissed him on the cheek and fled like a startled swallow.

Emperor Yanfeng shook his head, took her to bid farewell to the Empress Dowager, and said, "The officials who came with Us, We did not let them come here; they remain in Bazhou.

Best they never learn what happened in this mountain villa.

Mother, take good care of yourself.

" The Empress Dowager sighed and said gravely, "And you must take good care of yourself too.

What you and Imperial Preceptor Jingping mean to do is worse than a capital offense; you must be careful. Grown as you are, my heart still aches with worry for you.

" Emperor Yanfeng turned to go, and Ling Yuxiu followed him. "Imperial Father, the Nine Dragons Emperor's Art the Cowherd taught me is wholly unlike the one you passed to me. I want to teach it to you.

Would you like to learn?

" Emperor Yanfeng laughed heartily and shook his head. "Your young sweetheart may be brilliant beyond measure and possessed of uncommon skills, and this time he has joined you in a feat that startles the world, and We confess Ourself his inferior. But when it comes to the Nine Dragons Emperor's Art, your sweetheart falls far short. The art he learned was passed to him by Us in the first place.

" Ling Yuxiu said crossly, "Will you learn it or not?

" "Fine, fine. Let Us hear it.

" Ling Yuxiu imparted to him the Nine Dragons Emperor's Art as Shen Mu had taught it. Emperor Yanfeng's expression gradually grew grave; when she had finished, his face was ashen, and he said coldly, "He taught this to you?

" Ling Yuxiu felt the killing intent on him and could not help shuddering. "Imperial Father.

. .

" "The Jade Register of the Heavenly Emperor is on him!

" Emperor Yanfeng's imperial countenance shook with fury, and in his rage he laughed.

"This is an art comprehended from the Jade Register of the Heavenly Emperor! The treasure of Our Ling family has been on your sweetheart all along! We shall go at once.

. . " He was about to turn back and kill, but of a sudden he halted, gazing far off at the mountain villa white with mist.

He stood dazed a moment, shook his head, and said to the panic-stricken Ling Yuxiu, "Back to the capital. " Ling Yuxiu said hurriedly, "If the Jade Register of the Heavenly Emperor is with him, I will go and ask for it back.

Imperial Father, do not be angry. " Emperor Yanfeng shook his head. "We have looked upon that Jade Register a thousand times over and never comprehended a thing. The ancestors of the Ling family looked upon it more times than can be counted and never deciphered its mysteries.

The Ling family's throne was not bought with that Jade Register; there is no need to fall out with the Heavenly Sage Cult beyond repair over this matter.

" Ling Yuxiu stole a glance at his face.

Emperor Yanfeng's face was as still as deep water, unruffled, and she could not tell his true mind. "Xiu'er, on no account say that you and Our dear Shen created the Primal Spirit Guide.

This matter must not be spoken of to anyone.

" Emperor Yanfeng said in a low voice, "If it is spoken of, We cannot protect you.

" Ling Yuxiu started slightly and nodded in silence. In the mountain villa, Shen Mu examined the Blind Elder's eyes.

The wound on the old man's leg had healed, but his eyes were still bound with silk ribbon, and the dressing was changed from time to time. "Shen, about the creation of the Primal Spirit Guide, do not say it was your doing.

" The Blind Elder said suddenly, "Everyone in this villa who witnessed it must keep their mouths sealed; it must never get out.

Do you understand? " Shen Mu was puzzled. "Why? " The ribbon was unwound, and the Blind Elder slowly opened his eyes.

There was no luster in them at first, but little by little divine light surged within his dark pupils, and then layer upon layer of array patterns turned, folding ever inward, until a nine-layered heaven of unfathomable depth surfaced in his eyes. His tone was strangely calm: "The method has changed, the Dao has changed, and heaven has changed too.

When heaven changes, people die. Every grandmaster under heaven has sensed an extraordinary fluctuation.

The storm is coming.

.

. "