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Chapter 10: Could it be that what Qi Yuan said was true?
Chapter 10: Could it be that what Qi Yuan said was true?
Lady Qin would rather have Jin Li not be in that position.
But she knew she couldn't.
"You wolf-hearted traitor!" She glared at Sima Ting, her eyes filled with fury, "Conspiring with the Northern Khan Court, your crime deserves death!"
The Northern Khan Court and the Nam Chien Kingdom were sworn enemies.
Every autumn, the Northern Khan Court's cavalry would raid the borders of the Nam Chien Kingdom, pillaging their harvest.
Between the two nations, there was a deep-rooted enmity.
"This is the difference between me and you." Sima Ting declared, his head held high, "Between nations, there is only self-interest. It is the warriors who speak of grudges and honor."
"Lady Qin, I advise you to be reasonable and hand over the keys to the Imperial Treasury, or else..."
Sima Ting issued a threat.
As the late Grand General's primary wife, Lady Qin held the keys to the Imperial Treasury.
This key, when translated, could unlock the Celestial Seal and retrieve the Celestial Seal itself.
He had ambitions to usurp the throne, and only by obtaining the Celestial Seal could he legitimize his claim and secure the nation's fate.
"You won't get it."
Sima Ting stared at Lady Qin, saying no more.
After all, Lady Qin was the widow of the esteemed Grand General.
Currently, the Tian Qi Admiral at the front lines had been like a brother to the late General.
If Sima Ting killed Lady Qin, it would create complications.
But Lady Qin was the Empress's trusted confidant, so he had no choice but to strike, severely injuring her.
Thus, the Empress would be left without her trusted aide.
"Lady Qin, you'll have to deal with the consequences." Sima Ting said, "In three days, the Crown Prince of Nan Feng will arrive, and in ten days, the battle will commence. How will you respond?"
Sima Ting left after speaking, his sleeves fluttering.
Anger flashed in Lady Qin's eyes, only to be replaced by a desolate expression.
She was now severely injured, her very foundation damaged, making a quick recovery nearly impossible.
The upcoming battle could only end in defeat.
...
"Your Majesty, here are seven volumes, all documenting the Xuan Yuan Prohibition." The palace maid presented the books, placing them on the jade throne.
"Hmm." Jin Li nodded, taking one book to read carefully.
Today, after hearing Qi Yuan mention the Xuan Yuan Prohibition, she became intrigued.
Currently, Lady Qin was critically injured.
In ten days, the Crown Prince of Nan Feng would arrive at the Nam Chien Imperial City, and his Imperial Tutor would challenge Lady Qin to a duel.
If she lost, the Nam Chien Kingdom would lose face, and her own fate would be in jeopardy.
A decade ago, when Jin Li's father passed away and before her coronation, the Nam Chien Kingdom was in turmoil. Nan Feng amassed 200,000 troops at the border, seemingly poised to invade.
Chancellor Sima Ting traveled to the border, representing the Nam Chien Kingdom in negotiations with Nan Feng.
This set a trap for Jin Li.
If they lost this battle, she would have to marry the Crown Prince of Nan Feng.
How could a reigning Empress marry a foreign prince?
This was Sima Ting's trap.
A decade ago, before her coronation, Sima Ting's agreement with Nan Feng didn't seem too detrimental.
It was merely a princess exchanged for border peace.
Now, with Lady Qin severely injured, winning this battle required her recovery, giving her the strength to fight.
Among the Four Taboos, there were many Spirit Artifacts, perhaps even some with healing properties.
After reading only a few books, she discovered that the Xuan Yuan Prohibition contained several rare Spirit Herbs with various effects, including healing and longevity.
"Nine-Petal Brocade?" Jin Li's eyes lit up as she read.
According to ancient records, the Xuan Yuan Prohibition included the Nine-Petal Brocade Spirit Herb.
This herb, with its nine-petaled flowers, emitted nine distinct fragrances and was known as the Imperial Herb.
"If Lady Qin obtains this herb, not only will her injuries be healed, but she might even break through to the Imperial Rank!"
This information came from a top-tier powerhouse.
In a stroke of luck, the Supreme Emperor entered the Xuan Yuan Prohibition.
Initially, he spotted a Spirit Herb and intended to harvest it, only to be ambushed by the Demon Kings within.
Outnumbered, he escaped the Xuan Yuan Prohibition, but never found another opportunity to re-enter.
"So, there are likely many Demon Kings within the Xuan Yuan Prohibition?"
The Demon Emperor... remains a mystery."
Jin Li pondered.
If the Demon Emperor wasn't present, and they relied solely on the Demon Kings' perception, perhaps they could secretly infiltrate and gather the Spirit Herbs.
"Unfortunately, there's no record of how to enter the Xuan Yuan Prohibition."
Each of the Four Taboos presents its challenges.
But for the Xuan Yuan Prohibition, the greatest challenge is finding a way in.
"Could it be true, as Qi Yuan said, that one needs to carry a ladder to enter?"
The mention of Qi Yuan brought a smile to Jin Li's lips.
Of course, that was impossible.
This idea was too far-fetched or... completely illogical.
However, Qi Yuan had no reason to deceive her.
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Jin Li trusted Qi Yuan deeply.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have tasked her maids with gathering information about the Xuan Yuan Prohibition.
The next few books Jin Li read with utmost seriousness.
Unfortunately, none provided clues on entering the Xuan Yuan Prohibition.
Suddenly, she stumbled upon a record and couldn't help but read it aloud: "Xuan Yuan has a monster, with a tail like a pen, and it's called the Mad Quill. It's particularly cunning and enjoys turning into a pen at night to launch sneak attacks without honor."
This record was left by a Supreme Emperor.
Jin Li was taken aback.
Qi Yuan's words from earlier flashed before her eyes.
The Mad Quill, a treacherous beast, prefers to transform into a pen at night, disregarding martial ethics as it ambushes its prey.
"Is this the same vicious beast?" Jin Li's mind raced with possibilities.
"The Supreme Emperor who left this information was once a grand minister of the Nam Qian Kingdom.
These records have been kept in the library, never shared with the outside world.
How did Qi Yuan know about this?"
Could Qi Yuan be a member of the royal family?"
Jin Li's heart was in turmoil.
"Wait a minute!"
"He knows the name of that vicious beast, the Mad Quill. Could it be... that Qi Yuan has been to the Xuan Yuan Prohibition?"
Jin Li took out the Crystal Jade Tide and quickly sent a message.
"Qi Yuan, have you truly been to the Xuan Yuan Prohibition? Was it real, about carrying a ladder to enter?
I have an urgent matter... I need to go there once."
Although Qi Yuan is eccentric and often speaks nonsense, Jin Li was concerned he might take her message lightly.
She gambled her life on this.
Qi Yuan wouldn't joke about this.
However, after sending the message, Qi Yuan didn't reply.
"It's a pity the Yi Guan Prohibition is too far away; otherwise..." Jin Li sighed.
"Prepare, I will leave the palace tomorrow," she instructed.
Time was running out.
She decided to depart for the Xuan Yuan Prohibition the following day.
There was no other choice.
Staying in the imperial capital meant waiting for death.
But then, a thought struck her, and she continued her instructions: "Phoenix Guard, send a team to the Yi Guan Prohibition to investigate if there are any unusual occurrences."
Qi Yuan claimed to have been to the Yi Guan Prohibition.
If Qi Yuan is a powerhouse, the Yi Guan Prohibition would surely be in turmoil.
She dispatched the Phoenix Guard to gather information.
Meanwhile, inside the Yi Guan Prohibition, Qi Yuan carried a golden treasure sword, observing the bizarre creatures ahead with curiosity.
(End)
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