22: Chapter 22 The Tragic Little Prince's Nobleman 4
State Preceptor Xuanchen was the only light in Fifth Prince Qi Yuxuan's dark life.
His innate coldness, indifference, strangeness, and paranoia all faded away the moment he met him, hidden deep within, leaving only obedience, pitifulness, sensibility, purity, and harmlessness.
The cold and indifferent State Preceptor was the unapproachable snow and wind on the high mountain, and also the candle flame that still held warmth in the dim Nightclub.
There were so many bright and beautiful princes and princesses in the imperial palace, yet his master chose him at a single glance and brought him back to the State Preceptors Residence.
How lucky he must be to be favored by fate, and how lucky he was to be able to meet his master.
But perhaps all the good luck in his life was used up the moment he met his master.
At the age when a young man first becomes enlightened about love, he dreamed of his master, State Preceptor Xuanchen.
When he woke up, he covered his eyes with his arm, his lips parting and closing several times.
He madly and fervently adored his master, the teacher who imparted knowledge and taught him with great care.
Or perhaps, from the very first glance, from that embrace that carried the faint scent of sandalwood and made one feel warm, he had already fallen.
Mad palpitations, hidden love that could not be contained, throwing himself into the fire like a moth to a flame time and time again, begging with the utmost humbleness.
Fifth Prince Qi Yuxuan tried every means possible, but could only watch in despair as the person moved further and further away, viewing him as a wild beast and avoiding him like a venomous snake or scorpion.
Since Daoist Xuanchen did not love him and was so cruel and heartless, why should he continue to restrain himself? It would be better to follow his own heart and directly hold the person firmly in his hands; he had to obtain either his body or his heart.
Since he was already in the abyss of pain and despair, how could Daoist Xuanchen, as his master, be exempt? It would only be interesting if they were together!
The next day, at the first light of dawn, the morning light was faint.
Visible to the naked eye, a dense formation of fully equipped imperial guards, one in front and one behind, protected a luxurious carriage symbolizing imperial power and nobility in the middle, forming a long procession that seemed to have no beginning or end.
The carriage was pulled by six tall, jet-black steeds capable of traveling a thousand miles, moving steadily and majestically.
It had guardrails, a large waterproof canopy, and small, exquisite gold bells hanging all around.
The carriage body was primarily made of precious yellow rosewood, inlaid with various jewels and pearls. Under the morning light, it shone brilliantly and dazzlingly. The surface was carved with exquisite patterns featuring cloud and Dragon motifs. It was intricately carved and painted, a work of miraculous craftsmanship, even the flowers and grass were made of gold leaves.
Inside the double-door carriage, it was extremely spacious with luxurious furnishings. Curtains and screens hung at the windows, and on both sides, there were desks, tea tables, chairs, and drawers.
Several layers of gorgeous gauze curtains partitioned the interior, and in the back, a Luohan bed was placed, which was much wider than the normal size, resembling a small palace.
The young emperor inside the carriage seemed to be in a good mood, lazily half-leaning on the Luohan bed, his left leg bent at the knee, his right hand holding a scripture book and flipping through it. Beside him, if one looked closely, there was a thick stack of similar books.
No matter how many years passed, he still couldn't bring himself to read these head-spinning scriptures; they were truly boring and had nothing worth looking at. He didn't know why that person was so obsessed with this Dao.
Fifth Prince Qi Yuxuan thought this and smiled noncommittally. These books before him were rare editions he had collected over the past few years; for whom he collected them, it went without saying.
The procession moved quickly, and soon they were very far from the imperial capital, until it could no longer be seen.
...
The once peaceful and tranquil Sacred Sect was disrupted by an uninvited guest; the visitor was the emperor's Shadow Guard leader, Shadow Guard An Yi.
Acting under imperial orders, carrying various meticulously forged and flawless evidence, he directly met with the upper echelons of the Sacred Sect to convey the imperial will.
And he informed them that Your Majesty would soon lead the Imperial Guard to personally arrive at the Sacred Sect to hold them accountable for this matter.
For the past two years, the Sacred Sect had been plagued by various rumors, and its reputation had been declining day by day.
Now, being framed and having such a large accusation forced upon them, while the State Preceptor and the young emperor seemed to be at odds, it could be described as adding frost to snow.
The Sacred Sect's thousand-year foundation was, I fear, in danger!
Although those who cultivated the Dao had long viewed life and death with indifference, when it came to the Sacred Sect's Legacy and the safety of the Sect Disciples, they could not help but feel a bit worried.
"I do not know where the State Preceptor is. Could you please invite him here? Your Majesty has asked me to convey a message."
Shadow Guard An Yi's expression was plain, without any emotional fluctuations, his joy or anger not showing on his face.
"Even if you didn't say so, Leader, we would have sent someone to invite him. Such a big matter must naturally be told to Daoist Xuanchen, so we can ask him to discuss and decide on a plan."
The Sect Master raised his hand to summon his Disciple, whispered a few words, and the Disciple headed straight to the small courtyard behind the mountain.
At that time, Lu Zhan was, as usual, studying the Dao, occasionally picking up a brush to write and take notes, while Disciple Kong Yu stood by the side, attending to the ink and brush, occasionally leaning his head over to take a look.
A burst of chaotic footsteps came, disrupting the unique rhythm of the small courtyard.
The person who arrived bowed and offered a salute.
"Junior Martial Uncle Daoist Xuanchen, I am the Sect Master's Disciple. Master asked me to invite you to the main hall; there is a matter to discuss."
Lu Zhan raised his eyes and took a look at the young Disciple; he already had a premonition in his heart that this peaceful life was about to come to an end.
"Disciple Kong Yu, you read by yourself for a while; I will go to the main hall."
The handsome young man responded obediently.
"Understood, Master."
Lu Zhan nodded slightly, and then he and the young Disciple walked out of the courtyard, one after the other.
Along the way, the young Disciples they encountered all looked at Lu Zhan with respect and bowed in salute.
It was not the first time the people of the Sect had seen State Preceptor Xuanchen, but every time they saw him, they were still stunned by him, all sighing, "How can there be such a person in the world!"
Stepping into the main hall, the group of high-level officials and that Shadow Guard leader all looked over at the same time.
It was Shadow Guard An Yi's first time seeing this State Preceptor; observing his posture and looking at his bearing.
Even for an Shadow Guard like him who had been long trained, had long severed all emotions and desires, and only knew how to obey orders, he could not help but lose his composure; no wonder his master could not forget him, the depth of his obsession was shocking.
Lu Zhan raised his eyes, looked at the crowd, nodded slightly as a greeting, and parted his thin lips slightly.
"Sect Master, if you have something to say, please speak directly."
The Sacred Sect Sect Master simply and clearly recounted the matter again. After listening, Lu Zhan's expression did not change in the slightest, his emotions did not ripple at all; it was just a matter within his expectations!
"Sect Master, I understand the matter. Whatever words this leader has to convey, let's say them together!"
Lu Zhan turned his eyes to look at Shadow Guard An Yi, his tone indifferent.
"State Preceptor, there is no rush for this. Why don't you talk first? I will withdraw, and after you finish talking, I will come in again."
Shadow Guard An Yi scanned the high-level officials; although he spoke tactfully, the meaning was self-evident, and then he walked out of the hall door.
Lu Zhan already understood in his heart; it seemed that the words Fifth Prince Qi Yuxuan asked him to convey were not suitable to be spoken in front of outsiders, but he did not really care in his heart.