Chapter 291 : The Upheaval at the Celestial Master Residence
Chapter 291: The Upheaval at the Celestial Master Residence
The “Formless Treasure Garment” was a wisp of transparent gauze, light as nothing in the hand.
Chen Ming sat in the carriage, looking at the garment in his hand with a somewhat peculiar expression. The emperor had given him this treasure to conceal his real identity, essentially to give him a cover.
The problem was, his current identity was already just a cover.
Now he had to wear a cover over his cover... a cover’s cover...
Chen Ming activated the Controlling Artifact Art and quickly mastered the properties of this treasure. With this item, it wasn’t just about concealing one more identity—it could also save his life.
With a thought, the treasure garment adhered to his skin, quickly covering his entire body. When touched, it felt completely natural, without the slightest trace of anomaly.
It had completely merged with his skin, almost undetectable.
This was truly a rare treasure!
Then, Chen Ming reached for the Frost Chi Sword placed beside him and could sense the sword spirit slumbering within. It was an ice-attribute peerless divine weapon.
The cultivation method he could openly use now was also of the ice attribute. It was the foundational method practiced by Gu Xianyu. That couldn't be changed, so this Frost Chi Sword was extremely suitable for him.
Clearly, the emperor had put real thought into it, choosing such a perfectly matched divine weapon for him.
For him, this mission wouldn’t be difficult. Because within the Blood Demon Sect, he had an inside contact.
As the Demon Heir, Deng Ziyang would surely be very familiar with the Blood Demon Sect’s situation. Once in Jiangzhou, he only needed to find him, and the intelligence would naturally follow.
This trip could be considered a vacation.
If the opportunity arose, it would be best to find a time to visit Elysium Island and see what was going on with that “Sister Red.” If she could be saved, he would help her out in passing.
Back then, she had taught him Phoenix Dances Through Nine Heavens, a top-tier movement art. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that he had escaped certain death several times thanks to it.
This favor had to be repaid.
…
In a flash, two days had passed.
That morning, Chen Ming, dressed in fresh attire, took a carriage to the headquarters of the Six Doors Authority in the capital—to meet the current de facto head, the Hall Master of Reincarnation Hall.
Outside Six Doors stood a man in red robes, leading a group to greet him.
As soon as he arrived, they saluted in unison, “Respectfully welcoming the Prince of Linjiang.”
Chen Ming quickly replied, “Lords, you're overpraising me. In terms of rank, I’m still your subordinate.”
“Your Highness is the Prince of Linjiang personally conferred by His Majesty. It is only proper for us to salute you. Courtesy must not be neglected. Please, Your Highness.”
The man in red appeared to be in his forties or fifties, bearing a kindly smile.
Chen Ming asked, “How should I address you, my lord?”
“Humble official Shang Xiangrong.”
So he was Shang Xiangrong—the one specifically assigned to receive him. That couldn’t be a coincidence.
Chen Ming thought to himself, “Greetings to Lord Shang.”
“Allow this humble official to escort Your Highness inside to meet the Hall Master.”
Thus, Shang Xiangrong personally led him into the headquarters, enthusiastically introducing the layout and architecture along the way, while secretly transmitting a message: “Your Highness, all items His Majesty ordered have been delivered to your residence. All the documents are inside. They’re top secret, so please ensure they’re not leaked.”
“Thank you, Lord Shang.”
Unknowingly, they had completed the secret task handover.
Soon, they arrived at the Hall of Reincarnation.
Outside the hall, Shang Xiangrong stopped and said, “The Hall Master awaits Your Highness inside. Please enter.”
“Lord Shang won’t accompany me in?”
“Without the Hall Master’s summons, I may not enter. Please, Your Highness.”
Only then did Chen Ming step into the grand hall. Upon entering, he immediately sensed something unusual—it felt similar to the Celestial Prison, like a space isolated from the outside world.
“Prince of Linjiang, I regret not greeting you from afar—please forgive me.” A neutral voice rang out as a young-looking man walked over.
He wore black robes and a crown, moving with an ethereal aura, as if not quite existing in this space.
Facing such a prominent figure, Chen Ming remained respectful and bowed. “Greetings, Hall Master Hong.”
“No need for such formality, Your Highness. Your status is above mine—forget these empty courtesies. Come, have a seat.”
Inside the hall were two rows of seats.
The Hall Master of Reincarnation casually took one and sat down. “I’ve heard about you, Your Highness. Once just a Fifth Grade Constable, now risen to become the Prince of Linjiang—it’s truly remarkable. I was curious and thus invited you here.”
“If the Hall Master has any instructions, I will comply.”
“With your status, I found it difficult to assign a suitable position, so I invited you to discuss it.”
Chen Ming replied, “No need to worry about my title. Being the Prince of Linjiang is just a label. In terms of strength, I’m no more than a Third Grade Inspector.”
“That won’t do. A dignified Prince of Linjiang taking a Third Grade post—those aristocrats would drown me with their spit,” said the Hall Master, shaking his head.
Chen Ming found the reasoning quite valid.
He was now among the ranks of nobility. If he humbled himself to take a minor post in Six Doors, the nobility would be outraged.
The Hall Master continued, “Only a hall master would befit Your Highness’s identity. However, all six halls already have their masters—there’s simply no vacancy.”
Chen Ming was shocked. “Wasn’t it said that Six Doors only had two hall masters? Could the rumors be wrong?”
The Hall Master was momentarily surprised but quickly returned to normal. “It’s not exactly a secret. That statement is both true and false.”
“I ask the Hall Master to clarify.”
“Six Doors indeed has only two hall masters. But the other four halls’ master positions are not vacant either.”
“You mean... the other four hall masters aren’t part of Six Doors?”
“Correct.”
Receiving a direct answer, Chen Ming was stunned. “Why is that?”
The Hall Master patiently explained, “These six halls were originally established by the Demon Suppression Division of the previous dynasty. After the Founding Emperor unified the realm, he deemed the division too powerful and thus split it. Only two halls remained under Six Doors.”
“And the other four?”
“Two were placed within the Imperial Palace, one assigned to the Celestial Master Residence, and the last to the Heaven’s Path Alliance.”
So, the so-called great halls weren’t fixed palaces—perhaps treasures like the Nine Nether Tower.
Chen Ming said, “Thank you for the clarification.”
The Hall Master returned to the main topic. “After much thought, I believe the position of Red-Robed suits Your Highness best.”
What?
Chen Ming was startled. “I’m just a Second Grade. Isn’t it inappropriate to be a Red-Robed?”
“This has already been reported to His Majesty, and he approved. Rest assured, Your Highness. Even as a Red-Robed, you won’t be sent to govern a province. Stay in the capital and focus on your cultivation. No one will trouble you.”
In other words, he’d serve as a figurehead. Once he advanced to the Divine Repository Realm, he could then take on real duties.
“In that case, many thanks, Hall Master.”
Naturally, Chen Ming wouldn’t refuse such a favorable arrangement.
Red-Robed officers had high status and authority, with access to most of the Six Doors’ documents and cultivation manuals.
There were many benefits.
…
After leaving Six Doors, Chen Ming now held the identity of a Red-Robed Officer as well.
Next, he planned to visit the Celestial Master Residence to return the Purple Mansion Secret Volume.
The Celestial Master Residence was also in the inner city—not too far.
But upon arrival, he was turned away. The response was: “The Celestial Master Residence does not receive guests.”
In the end, he had to reveal his identity as the Prince of Linjiang to be granted entry.
“We were unaware of Your Highness’s visit and failed in our duties. Please forgive us.”
The one who greeted him was Liang Guangyu, the Seventh Junior Brother of the Celestial Master, with whom he had once crossed paths. Upon meeting, he immediately apologized.
Chen Ming said, “No need for such formality, Brother Liang. I still remember your kindness that day when you warned me inside the Tower of Merits.”
He naturally understood—the Celestial Master’s death was like the sky collapsing for the Celestial Master Residence. Chaos was to be expected.
Moreover, no news had leaked regarding the Celestial Master’s death, clearly indicating they didn’t plan to make it public yet.
Most likely, it involved internal strife.
Hearing his words, Liang Guangyu looked somewhat moved. “May I ask what business brings Your Highness here?”
“I came to see your Third Senior Brother.”
“You’ve come too late.” Liang Guangyu’s expression dimmed with sorrow. “Third Senior Brother... is no longer with us.”
“No longer? Don’t tell me…”
A bad feeling surged in Chen Ming’s heart.
“Third Senior Brother met with misfortune yesterday. He has passed away.”
As Liang Guangyu spoke, his eyes welled with tears.
Dead? That complicated things.
Who should he hand the Purple Mansion Secret Volume to now?
Chen Ming was troubled.
Wiping his tears, Liang Guangyu asked, “How did Your Highness come to know my Third Senior Brother? What business did you have with him?”
Chen Ming shook his head. “Since he’s gone, there’s no point discussing it. But... how did he die?”
“It was... an accident during cultivation. He passed in an instant,” Liang Guangyu replied, but his expression wasn’t quite natural.
Clearly, he wasn’t telling the truth.
Let it be.
It likely involved internal power struggles, and Chen Ming didn’t want to get involved. He decided to keep the Purple Mansion Secret Volume for now.
He would observe for a while—or wait until the Celestial Master Residence chose a new Celestial Master before returning it.
With that, Chen Ming took his leave.