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Chapter 311: Choosing a New Emperor
Chapter 311: Choosing a New Emperor
The black-robed mage beside them was left dumbfounded by the conversation between the two.
He was well aware of the noble status of this gentleman, who, despite being merely a son-in-law, was part of the Wei family. This identity alone was enough to prompt his master, a hall official, to take action and save the man, which was why he dared to bring him to Plum Blossom Lane.
However, if his master had doubts and didn't want to save the man, that was one thing. But why was this old servant inexplicably talking about obtaining the position of county magistrate and becoming an official?
A minor position like county magistrate wasn't worth boasting about in front of his master.
Moreover, everyone knew what the court was like these days. Those in the know were well aware that even the government officials were keeping a low profile. So, what was the point of boasting about becoming a county magistrate?
But when his master heard these words, his expression became grave, which surprised the black-robed mage. Meeting his master's gaze, the old servant merely clenched his teeth and nodded slowly.
"Don't speak."
Just as the black-robed mage was feeling perplexed, the old man suddenly raised his hand and patted him on the shoulder. His expression grew even more somber, and just as he was about to speak, he suddenly looked up and glared at the young servant boy attending to them.
The boy hadn't seen the old man with such an expression in years, and he quickly exclaimed, "I understand!"
Turning around, he left the room and shouted at the servants outside to not lean against the door. Even those cooking in the small kitchen and sweeping the courtyard hurried out, all of them retreating to the gate and standing in the lane, waiting for someone inside the courtyard to call for them.
"So..."
Once everyone had left, the old man slowly turned his gaze towards the old servant and said in a low voice, "Li Yuan County isn't much, after all."
"Although malevolent spirits are causing trouble, those who should have commissions still have them. But if my memory serves me right, there's a Lotus Sect causing quite a stir in Li Yuan County, isn't there?"
"They're the ones who took advantage of the locust plague to deceive the people, seize the government office, and open the granary to distribute food, right?"
"..."
The old servant wasn't sure if what he was saying was good or bad, and his heart was already tense. But for the sake of his master, he still nodded.
The old man in Plum Blossom Lane stared at him intently, not allowing any falsehoods. In a low voice, he said, "Your master accepted the commission for Li Yuan County at this time, and it was arranged by the Wei family. So, is he going there to eliminate bandits, or..."
"To become someone's advisor?"
"..."
The old servant never expected that with just one sentence, this elderly man before him would guess so much. For a moment, he was so scared that cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
Seeing this, the old man in Plum Blossom Lane knew there was no need to ask further.
He nodded inwardly, for the answer was quite clear. If it was truly just about eliminating bandits to prevent chaos in the world, then the person sent should have been a skilled puppet, not an inexperienced old scholar like this.
He slowly nodded, finally speaking, "So, it's really starting?"
"Finally..."
"Choosing a new emperor?"
"..."
Just one sentence, but it felt like a thunderclap in the dark room, startling everyone to their core.
The old servant had initially blurted it out but now realized the gravity of the matter and dared not speak further.
The black-robed mage, who had been anxious, didn't understand what his master was talking about, but seeing his grave expression, he dared not ask. In his anxiety, he finally heard his master's words, which shocked him speechless, his heart skipping a beat.
The court had been neglecting its duties for many years, and everyone had grown accustomed to it.
The emperor's flaying was no longer a secret, and countless people whispered about it, even turning it into a strange tale that spread among the common folk.
But choosing a new emperor? At the very least, the black-robed mage couldn't fathom the magnitude of such an event.
"I don't know anything else."
The old servant stammered, struggling to say, "I only know that my master has an important mission this time and must take up his post. To be honest, if there was enough time, even asking the Wei family to find someone would be fine, but my master can't afford to wait that long..."
"Please, have the hall official save my master!"
"..."
"Don't say such things anymore."
The old man raised his hand, stopping him from kneeling, and his expression turned stern as he looked at the old servant. "Your master was possessed by a vengeful spirit as soon as he arrived? Wasn't he prepared?"
"..."
"He was prepared..."
The old servant anxiously explained, "For safety, we sent people ahead to check and confirm that there were no evil spirits in the well. Even so, to be extra cautious, we sealed it. But on the way, he was inexplicably possessed..."
Mr. Mei furrowed his brows and suddenly looked at his disciple. "What did that young hall official say?"
"She... she only said that the vengeful spirit seeking revenge was justified, and outsiders shouldn't interfere..."
"..."
"Outsiders shouldn't interfere..."
Mr. Mei repeated these words and then sighed deeply. "No wonder..."
"I didn't understand why that noble gentleman would bother with such a trivial matter."
"Hehe, it seems that although he's staying in Bright State, keeping a low profile and having no dealings with the people of Mingzhou City, he's actually well-informed about everything."
"The selection of an emperor is no small matter, and he must have noticed it by now. It's likely that he's making a statement by exaggerating a small incident..."
"..."
"So, my master's encounter with the malevolent spirit wasn't an accident. Someone intentionally targeted my master..."
The old gentleman's words were somewhat unclear, but the old servant suddenly understood, breaking into a cold sweat and turning pale. He hurriedly said, "Master, I've revealed so much, please..."
"Silence!"
The old gentleman suddenly reached out and stopped him. The servant froze, staring intently.
The old gentleman repeatedly clenched and unclenched his fist, as if enduring immense torment. After a long while, he made a decision, staring intently at the old servant and saying in a low voice, "Remember this, if this is that person's intention, no one can save your master."
The old servant was already terrified, his eyes wide, wanting to speak, but he was interrupted again.
The old gentleman lowered his voice, "But if you truly worry for your master's life and are willing to take the risk, there might still be a glimmer of hope..."
"I... I will!"
The old servant hastily knelt on the ground, repeatedly bowing.
Seeing the servant's unwavering loyalty, the old gentleman slightly furrowed his brows and made a decision. He quickly stood up and went to the carriage where the nobleman was sleeping.
He lifted the nobleman's eyelid, examined it, and then felt his pulse. After a while, he whispered to the servant, "Your master is plagued by a malevolent spirit. Each day he lingers, his blessing and life force diminish. But I can lend him an object to temporarily preserve him."
"However, I won't accept your family's silver. Consider it stolen from me."
"You must immediately ride at full speed to Pengjiaji, two hundred li away, to the Gouzi Camp in the southwestern Nan Mountain Gully."
"There, blindfold your eyes with black cloth and feel your way forward. Whenever you hear laughter nearby, turn towards the sound and walk in that direction. Make five turns, and if you survive, remove the blindfold."
"If you see a black temple, bow three times and kneel as you enter, praying to the deity. Clearly state your master's background and his upcoming assignment."
"If the deity speaks to you, your master will have a chance at survival."
"But if the deity asks for offerings, don't mention the sacrificial foods. Instead, tell it one thing that might move it."
"..."
"..."
The old gentleman's words were filled with peculiarities, but he spoke with such gravity that the old servant dared not ask further. He could only try his best to remember everything.
When the old gentleman finished speaking, the servant still had questions, but upon looking up, he saw the old gentleman had already returned to the inner hall, as if nothing had happened, and the door to the inner hall was closed.
The old servant paused for a moment before realizing what to do. He quickly stood up and went to the pawnshop, where he randomly grabbed a memorial tablet and quickly placed it in his master's hand.
Throughout this, even the shopkeeper seemed to ignore his actions, as if they were unseen.
Then, the old servant glared at the other servants, telling them to take care of the master, while he untied one of the horses from the carriage and quickly left. The sound of hooves faded into the distance as he exited the alley.
The mysterious atmosphere in the courtyard made everyone's hearts tremble, and no one dared to speak loudly. Only the black-robed mage hurried into the inner hall.
There, the old gentleman was kneeling on a prayer mat, bowing to several obscure idols above and whispering for a long time before carefully placing three incense sticks into the incense cauldron.
Only then did the mage ask anxiously, "Master, what is this about?"
"This nobleman is worth saving, but not because of his status or his connection to the Wei family."
Mr. Mei stood up from the prayer mat and slowly said, "However, it's not my place to save him, and you can't afford to either. In all of Bright State and its surroundings, the only one who might be able to save him is the deity enshrined in that black temple..."
The black-robed mage had guessed as much but was still unsure. He cautiously asked, "I recall you mentioning that the temple enshrines..."
The old gentleman from Plum Blossom Lane fell silent for a moment before speaking in a low voice, "The Five Sorrows Deity."
"The Five Sorrows Deity?"
Upon confirmation, the black-robed mage was startled, his heart trembling, his lips dry. He whispered, "How can we ask for help from such a vicious and unruly entity?"
"There's no other way."
The old gentleman from Plum Blossom Lane waved his hand, clearly more aware of the consequences of summoning this entity than his disciple. He sighed softly, "To save his life, this is the only method..."
"This scholar has changed his fate..."
(End of Chapter)
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