Eternal Saber

The Great Xia Imperial Palace.

Xia Daozi’s face was grim as he hurried toward the sleeping quarters of the Grand Empress Dowager.

Before he realized it, he had already arrived.

Outside the quarters, there was a row of eunuchs patrolling. Standing at the door was Wei Jin, the Chief Eunuch of the harem.

From afar, Wei Jin saw Xia Daozi, slightly hunched over, he walked over slowly and said with a smile, "Lord Chancellor, you’ve come early. The Empress Dowager hasn’t woken up yet, there seems to be quite a commotion outside, has something happened?"

Xia Daozi thought, "Better that she hasn’t woken up, saves me the trouble of paying respects."

"Eunuch Wei, you’re not wrong, something did happen."

Xia Daozi said gravely, "My son, Crown Prince Yuan Xian, has been harmed!"

"Oh?"

Wei Jin raised an eyebrow, showing no sadness or anger, just a hint of surprise, and asked, "Who harmed the Crown Prince, and where?"

"In the Cyan Jade Tower in the Capital City!"

Xia Daozi recounted roughly what he had just witnessed and then clenched his fist and said, "Eunuch Wei, I know Yuan Xian has been secretly learning from you. Please, take charge and find the murderer!"

Wei Jin was non-committal, a peculiar expression flickered across his face but disappeared quickly.

After a moment’s pause, Wei Jin slowly said, "According to what the Lord Chancellor said, to be able to simultaneously kill Lin Mubai, Crown Prince Yuan Xian, Xiao Wuhen, and Liu Yingxiu without causing much commotion, this person must be a master."

"Uncle Wang said the same."

Xia Daozi said, "At first, I thought it was Chen Tang, after all, he had a grudge against Yuan Xian. But Uncle Wang just came down from Cang Mountain and said Chen Tang was over there causing a massacre in a Profound Celestial Sect’s magic altar. It’s impossible for him to be in the Capital City."

"Moreover, Chen Tang uses a sword, and the killer who murdered my son used a knife..."

Before Xia Daozi finished speaking, the door of a nearby side hall suddenly creaked open.

A man in simple robes walked out, his hair tied high with a few stray strands falling casually on his forehead. Standing tall like a pine tree, his eyes were deep as he walked over.

"What did you just say?"

The robed man said slowly, his tone carrying an air of superiority.

Xia Daozi was somewhat dazed and shook his head.

Just now, this man seemed to float over like a ghost, his feet hardly touching the ground.

"Perhaps the misfortune has made me weary, my eyes are playing tricks on me."

Xia Daozi thought to himself, sizing up the stranger.

This man looked unfamiliar, and it was hard to tell his exact age, appearing to be in his thirties, but the worldly wisdom in his eyes suggested he was much older.

More importantly, the way this man spoke made him very displeased!

Who was he?

A royal family member, the current Prime Minister, the Emperor’s uncle.

Who dared to speak to him like this?

Moreover, having just experienced the pain of losing a son, with no outlet for his anger, Xia Daozi, seeing this man showing such disrespect, couldn’t help but sneer, glancing sideways at the man, and asked harshly, "Who are you, do you not know the rules of the palace!"

"I’ll ask once more."

The robed man suddenly exuded an extremely dangerous aura, staring at Xia Daozi, his gaze piercing like lightning arcs flashing through his eyes!

Meeting those eyes for just a moment, Xia Daozi felt as if struck by lightning, his whole body numb, his heart nearly stopping!

"Wei, Wei, Wei..."

Xia Daozi, face full of fear, voice trembling, desperately turned to look at Wei Jin, seeking help.

He had the confidence earlier partly because of his status but also because Wei Jin was by his side.

Even if something went wrong, Wei Jin would surely step in to help him.

Yet at this moment, Wei Jin seemed oblivious to his plight, standing there with head bowed and hands folded.

"Enough."

Just then, an old voice came from the sleeping quarters of the Grand Empress Dowager.

The numbness in Xia Daozi’s body gradually faded.

The suffocating pressure he felt moments ago receded like a tide.

Xia Daozi felt as though he had just brushed past death’s door, drenched in sweat in that brief instant.

Struggling to support his body, taking deep breaths, his heart pounded wildly as he looked at the robed man in front of him, his eyes showing deep apprehension.

The grand doors of the sleeping quarters slowly opened, revealing a dim interior.

A moment later, a few figures slowly emerged. The Grand Empress Dowager Yu, now over ninety, was supported by several maidservants as she slowly approached the doorway.

"Greetings to the Grand Empress Dowager."

Everyone in the courtyard knelt down.

Including Wei Jin and Xia Daozi, as well.

She was the mother of Emperor Cheng, reigning over the deep palace, having witnessed countless storms and upheavals over a hundred years.

To survive to such an age in the deep palace speaks volumes of her abilities.

The robed man did not kneel but only slightly bowed.

Xia Daozi glanced at him secretly, feeling annoyed.

Even he had knelt, yet this man remained standing!

Who was this person?

To be so arrogant and disrespectful in front of the Grand Empress Dowager!

"Rise."

Grand Empress Dowager Yu, aged and white-haired, spoke faintly, "You are all juniors, no need for excessive courtesy."

"Daozi, what were you saying about Chen Tang causing a massacre in Cang Mountain?"

Grand Empress Dowager Yu inquired.

Xia Daozi felt a bit dissatisfied in his heart.

He didn’t care at all about the battle in Cang Mountain, it was just a casual remark; he only cared about avenging Yuan Xian.

Yet, besides him, it seemed no one cared about Yuan Xian, they seemed more concerned about what happened in Cang Mountain.

Of course, this thought was fleeting.

Xia Daozi obediently recounted all the events regarding the battle in Cang Mountain.

Grand Empress Dowager Yu showed no reaction.

The eyes of the robed man, however, grew even more icy.

After speaking, Xia Daozi finally couldn’t suppress his curiosity and tentatively asked, "Grand Empress Dowager, who is this, he was a bit disrespectful just now."

"This is my nephew."

Grand Empress Dowager Yu said, "He’s never been to the palace, doesn’t know the palace rules, Daozi, be more understanding."

"Oh, oh, so it’s all family, a misunderstanding then."

Xia Daozi chuckled awkwardly, but internally he thought, "Your nephew is quite ostentatious and recklessly bold, showing no regard, he nearly attacked me just now!"

Even now, recalling what had happened moments ago, he still felt a lingering fear.

For a moment, he truly felt he was going to die!

Moreover, he clearly saw just now, in the eyes of this nephew of the Empress Dowager, flashes of electrical light!

That was definitely not an illusion.

Grand Empress Dowager Yu said, "Wei Jin, accompany Daozi to Cyan Jade Tower to see if you can find any clues."

"Yes."

Wei Jin bowed in response.

Xia Daozi was pleased with this, eager to leave soon.

He had come here precisely to find Wei Jin.

Every time he stayed beside Grand Empress Dowager Yu, he felt uneasy.

Not to mention, there was also her eccentric nephew here.

Xia Daozi and Wei Jin bid farewell to Grand Empress Dowager Yu and left the place.