Chapter 530: Grandpa, Just Take Him In!

Chapter 530: Grandfather, Just Take Him In!

Within the military camp of Dingbo Prefecture.

The Prince of Dingyuan, clad in battle armor, held a yellowed book in his hands, reading it with lowered head.

Nearby, two chief eunuchs stood silently, holding their breath, not daring to make any move, afraid to disturb that divine-level weapon master.

The leader of the Blood Hand squinted his eyes, standing with a slightly more casual posture compared to the two chief eunuchs.

After about a hundred breaths, the Prince of Dingyuan set down the book.

"Ah Gui, how has Old Man Liu been lately?"

Old Man Liu, that is, the true ruler of the Liu family.

He wielded a divine artifact called Fusu, its life force inexhaustible, making him the hardest to kill among the seven gods of the Raksha Kingdom.

As for the Prince of Dingyuan, he ranked among the top three in offensive power among the seven gods and was most skilled in poisoning.

"He has been in seclusion, not appearing once this past month.

A few days ago, the severely wounded Qian Ran was sent to the Liu family, yet he never showed his face." The Blood Hand leader's voice was calm. Seeing that the Prince of Dingyuan did not respond, as if wanting him to continue, he added, "In my subordinate's estimation, Old Man Liu... must be deeply poisoned, which is why he dares not show himself, lest he reveal the truth of his poisoning."

The two chief eunuchs beside him quickly chimed in.

"Your Highness's poison arts are profound; in time, you will surely slay a god and shake the Azure Mountains!"

The Prince of Dingyuan smiled, his gaze deep and thoughtful: "Fusu is, after all, a divine artifact. I do not know its limits. Perhaps Old Man Liu is fishing?"

A divine-level weapon master could single-handedly slaughter ten thousand troops with ease.

If the two were to face off directly, they could shatter mountains and rivers.

The Prince of Dingyuan would not act without absolute certainty.

Driving a divine-level weapon master into a corner, allowing him to escape, would be a fatal threat to the Raksha Kingdom.

The Blood Hand leader lowered his brow and said, "Your Highness embodies the will of the royal court; the hearts of the people are with the throne. Your Highness represents the tide of destiny. In this Dingbo Prefecture, the Liu family's power will only wane. Your Highness need only wait patiently, and Old Man Liu will surely be defeated!"

Hearing this, the Prince of Dingyuan let out a faint sigh: "Do I not know this truth? But... His Majesty has left me little time. If within thirty years... Dingbo Prefecture has not changed hands, then the one to sit in command here... will no longer be me."

His term and tenure in Dingbo Prefecture had only thirty years left.

If he could not seize this achievement within his term, he would have to yield this monumental glory to another—how could he be willing?

At these words, the two chief eunuchs and the Blood Hand leader all lowered their heads, daring not to speak.

Just then, suddenly, a frantic voice came from outside the tent.

"Something terrible has happened!"

A chief eunuch of the Blood Hand rushed in hastily, not even announcing himself.

The Blood Hand leader's gaze sharpened, about to rebuke him with something like "What kind of behavior is this?"

But the Prince of Dingyuan's expression remained calm, with no sign of reproach in his eyes: "What has happened?"

"The Blood Cloud Bandits were wiped out last night at midnight!" The reporting Chief Eunuch Liu had a trace of panic in his eyes.

"The Blood Cloud Bandits wiped out? Did Old Man Liu strike?" The Prince of Dingyuan's eyes showed surprise.

But it was merely surprise.

"No..." Chief Eunuch Liu's eyes flickered with a hint of dread. "According to the intelligence received, it was a hundred-meter-tall blood-colored giant that annihilated the Blood Cloud Bandits!"

"A hundred-meter-tall blood-colored giant?" This time, the Prince of Dingyuan was genuinely astonished. "A spirit?"

"No." Chief Eunuch Liu's face darkened as he reported all the information he had obtained truthfully.

Upon hearing Chief Eunuch Liu's words, a flicker of fear passed through the Prince of Dingyuan's eyes, then sharpness emerged.

"Hmph, playing tricks and deceiving spirits. In this world... there are no more divine descents!" The Prince of Dingyuan exuded a terrifying aura.

Yet his voice still betrayed a trace of fear.

"This matter is suspicious. It must be... Old Man Liu's doing!" the Blood Hand leader quickly said.

According to Chief Eunuch Liu's description, killing all the Blood Cloud Bandits with two punches was no longer something a heavenly-level weapon master could achieve; it was at least divine-level weapon master.

Among the nearby divine-level weapon masters, who else could it be but Old Man Liu?

"Yes, it must be that Liu Sheng causing trouble!" the other chief eunuchs quickly added.

"He merely seeks to falsely claim the name of divine descent to sway the people's hearts and resist the court!"

The Prince of Dingyuan's gaze shifted repeatedly.

He recalled a message from the royal court some time ago.

The divine descent was awakening, with fragments said to have manifested divine signs in the Ning Kingdom.

Diwu Wei had been dispatched to the Ning Kingdom, but the outcome was still unknown.

He harbored hidden worries and finally spoke: "Report this matter... to His Majesty in writing."

Beside him, the Blood Hand leader saw the Prince of Dingyuan's concern and lowered his voice: "In that battle long ago, the divine descent fell. Even if it awakens... it likely cannot match even a tenth of its prime. Your Highness could crush it with a wave of your hand!"

The Prince of Dingyuan narrowed his eyes, recalling the scenes of the past, deep fear lurking in the depths of his gaze.

There was one thing he did not say: even a tenth... he would not be its match.

The divine descent... was the true god!

A single divine artifact had kept the royal court from raising its head!

He was troubled—if this was not Old Man Liu's scheme, but truly the divine descent... what then?

"I will go to the Blood Cloud Stronghold myself to see!" the Prince of Dingyuan declared.

That very day, he quietly disguised himself as a hunter and set out for the Blood Cloud Stronghold.

...

Dingbo Prefecture.

Liuye County.

Liu Chudong wore a lotus-leaf skirt, all green, like a dragonfly.

Li Fengzhi stood beside Liu Chudong, gazing at the Liu family manor, her face bearing a respectful expression.

After about a quarter of an hour, an old man with white hair and beard came out.

Seeing the arrival, Liu Chudong's face lit up with joy: "What did Grandfather say?"

Li Fengzhi was an elder of the Judgment Council. Originally intending to leave this morning, she had chosen to stay and pay a visit to Liu Sheng.

The old steward shook his head, a helpless look on his face: "The ancestor is in seclusion and will not see outsiders."

Speaking of this, the old steward felt a pang of helplessness.

This young lady truly... had no sense at all!

The situation in Dingbo Prefecture was already fraught with complexity, with the Prince of Dingyuan watching like a tiger.

And she directly led an elder of the rebel Judgment Council into the ancestral home.

Was she afraid the Prince of Dingyuan lacked grounds to act?

When Liu Chudong mentioned this, a flicker of disappointment passed through her eyes.

So it was true... Grandfather still refused to see them.

Li Fengzhi, hearing this, was also deeply disappointed.

The Judgment Council now, beset by internal strife and external threats, saw its living space steadily shrink.

Of the Seven Gods of Raksha, only Liu Sheng was someone the Council had a chance to win over.

If they could secure Liu Sheng's support, the Council's plight would be far more bearable.

Now, Liu Sheng would not even grant an audience—his stance was all too clear.

"Chudong, it's no matter." Li Fengzhi smiled, her expression kind.

Liu Chudong's heart grew even more troubled.

"Come, it's still early. You can see if that young man from the Ning Kingdom has returned, and ask him about matters there." Li Fengzhi returned the favor.

Seeing this, Liu Chudong's mind stirred again: "Brother Qi..."

But before she could finish, the old steward's voice suddenly rang out.

"The ancestor says you may enter."

Liu Chudong froze, then a look of wild joy spread across her face: "Has Grandfather changed his mind?"

Li Fengzhi was pleasantly surprised, though a hint of confusion mingled with her delight.

Why had Liu Sheng, the Divine Weapon Master, changed his mind?

She was somewhat puzzled.

Still, to be granted an audience with the Divine Weapon Master was a good thing. "Come, let us go see Grandfather." Liu Chudong was elated.

But when they reached the depths of the estate, Liu Chudong was stopped outside, and Li Fengzhi alone went to meet Liu Sheng.

She could only stand quietly outside, exchanging idle talk with Sister Qianran.

After about half an hour, Li Fengzhi emerged from the courtyard, a smile on her face—clearly, the conversation had been fruitful.

And indeed, it had been greatly rewarding.

For Liu Sheng had agreed to provide material support and to shelter the Judgment Council in Dingbo Prefecture.

But the Council would need to help the Liu family deal with Blood Hand.

For the Judgment Council, this was absolutely a good thing, a joyous thing.

"Chudong, your grandfather is calling for you inside." Li Fengzhi said happily, her tone even gentler.

Liu Chudong paused, then hurried into the courtyard.

Passing through a bamboo grove and a stream, she stopped at a pavilion.

The courtyard was vast, filled with the essence of wood—bamboo, trees, and flowers adorned it, and even in autumn, there was no sign of withering; everything was lush and green.

"Grandfather." Liu Chudong called out crisply, in good spirits.

In the pavilion sat an old man with white hair and a long beard, tied at the bottom as if with a knot, giving him a particularly benevolent air.

On the table lay a painting.

The ink was still wet, clearly just finished.

"Grandfather, what are you painting?" Liu Chudong leaned in, curiosity in her eyes as she looked at the picture.

"This painted monster... is quite majestic!" Liu Chudong offered her assessment.

She had some tact, after all.

The painting depicted a giant, seemingly a hundred meters tall, clad in blood-red armor, with murderous eyes—one might mistake it for a death god from hell.

But from her grandfather's brushwork, she could sense his admiration for this strange figure.

So naturally, she had to compliment him, sweet-talking a little.

"Heh, just a trifle." Liu Sheng said lightly, but the joy in his eyes was unmistakable.

Just moments ago, he had received news that the Blood Cloud Bandits had been wiped out.

Such news certainly called for a toast.

But when he learned the details, he felt one toast was not enough.

Especially after his conversation with Li Fengzhi, from whom he had gleaned more details about the Ning Kingdom.

In particular, the revival of Shenlin a few months ago seemed not to be a fantasy, but a reality.

Then... did that mean... Shenlin was truly reviving?

The one who had destroyed the Blood Cloud Bandits—was it the legendary... Shenlin?

If Shenlin were truly still alive, then the situation in Dingbo Prefecture would change.

He would no longer be slowly eroded by the royal family.

If there was anyone in this world who most wished for Shenlin's revival, besides the Judgment Council and the common folk who still remembered Shenlin, it was probably him.

"Grandfather is in a good mood today. Whatever wish you have, just say it." Liu Sheng spoke, his brow filled with delight.

Of course, there was an unspoken subtext: don't go too far.

Though his granddaughter was not the sharpest, she had a certain measure of tact.

Hearing this, Liu Chudong's eyes immediately darted: "Grandfather, don't you have no disciple? I've recently made a good friend—he's a wonderful person, very bright and clever. Would you take him as your apprentice?"

To change her grandfather's thoughts and direction, she alone was not enough.

So she decided to join forces with Qi Yuan to sway him.

Look, your granddaughter is of the Judgment, and your apprentice would be too—wouldn't you then support the Judgment?

Liu Sheng chuckled: "I'm old; I don't take disciples."

He naturally understood his granddaughter's intentions.

"Grandfather!" Liu Chudong was a little displeased.

"Taking a disciple is no small matter. If I were to hinder your friend, I couldn't bear that." Liu Sheng said. "He is an outsider now; if he became my disciple, he would be drawn into the fray—I fear it would implicate him."

Liu Chudong paused. She knew further pleading was useless; her grandfather would not take this apprentice.

"A pity. I think he has great talent. After all, he came from a small kingdom and managed to leave it to reach the Raksha Kingdom—that's no easy feat." Liu Chudong's voice carried a hint of sympathy.

The Ning Kingdom and the Raksha Kingdom were separated by a vast sea, the journey long and fraught with bandits and pirates.

Without some strength, it was very difficult to cross the sea and reach the Raksha Kingdom.

Hearing this, Liu Sheng raised an eyebrow, a sense of realization dawning: "Which small kingdom is he from?"

"The Ning Kingdom—the same kingdom Sister Qianran is from." Liu Chudong answered earnestly.

"What?" Liu Sheng's expression shifted, his body stiffening.

"Grandfather? Is something wrong with him?" Liu Chudong asked in surprise.

"No..." Liu Sheng shook his head, his gaze growing deep.

This period... he rushed from the Ning Kingdom to the Raksha Kingdom.

And upon arriving, the Blood Cloud Bandits were annihilated, and the Divine Arrival descended.

Was there a connection between these two events?

Or had he... by chance obtained a fragment of the Divine Arrival, bringing it to the Raksha Kingdom?

“Grandfather, if there’s something wrong with him, I’ll bring him to see you—one look and you’ll know.”

Seeing her grandfather’s grave expression, Liu Chudong spoke earnestly.

Though she trusted Brother Qi Yuan deeply, she still knew where to draw the line.

A Brother Qi she had only known for a few days was naturally less important than her grandfather, and she trusted her grandfather more.

“No need.” Liu Sheng shook his head, then, as if struck by a thought, said softly, “I have yet to visit the Judgment...”

“Grandfather, you know!” Liu Chudong covered her mouth, somewhat shocked.

“Fusu has a spirit that can sense those with crooked hearts, so I’ll take Fusu along to help you vet them, to see if there are any ill-intentioned ones within the Judgment.” Liu Sheng smiled, his gaze deep.

He was thinking of far more.

...

“A bit sleepy.”

Qi Yuan yawned, his face weary with a hint of pallor.

After all, he was merely a Heaven-rank Weapon Master.

Wiping out the Blood Cloud Bandits with such thunderous methods was impressive, but it had drained him immensely.

Still, to play the role of the Divine Arrival well, he had to be impressive, had to be domineering.

Now, his performance score for the Divine Arrival was steadily increasing, and he felt it was well worth it.

Once it reached a certain threshold, he would receive another boon from the Divine Arrival, and perhaps his strength would rise significantly.

“Young master, would you like a bun?” Chen Kangbao held out a bun with concern.

Qi Yuan shook his head. “I need to sleep. While I’m asleep, no one is to disturb me.”

With that, Qi Yuan returned to his room and collapsed onto the bed.

He didn’t even wash up.

Last night, he had not only destroyed the Blood Cloud Bandits’ headquarters but also razed their other strongholds, exhausting himself greatly.

He immediately fell asleep on the bed, breathing evenly.

On the bed, Xiao Jia pressed close to Qi Yuan, her cool sleeve linking with his hand. If Xiao Jia had a face, her expression right now would surely be one of utmost focus and tenderness.

(End of this chapter)