249: Chapter 249 Message from the Demons, Opportunity

The atmosphere at the dinner table returned to normal after a brief pause.

Eldest Brother Lin Xiu swirled the wine cup in his hand and asked, "Old Master Su, what exactly has happened?"

Su Yuanshan leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice, "Young Master Lin, the current Emperor... has awakened."

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the water pavilion suddenly tightened, as if the flowing air had frozen in that instant.

Eldest Brother Lin Xiu narrowed his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing in their depths. The awakening of an emperor who had been in a deep slumber for so long was by no means a trivial matter.

The political landscape of Great Wei was already surging with undercurrents because the Emperor had been obsessed with Cultivate and neglected state affairs.

The various princes were fighting openly and secretly, and the various aristocratic families were deeply intertwined, all laying plans in the shadows, attempting to get a share of the spoils in this reshuffling of power.

Now that this Emperor, who had ruled the world for decades and possessed unfathomable majesty, had suddenly awakened, the political climate of the capital was likely about to change completely.

The chess games plotted in the dark might all have to be restarted.

Su Yuanshan sighed, a look of deep worry appearing on his aged face, and continued, "The Emperor has not only awakened, but a few days ago, he bypassed the cabinet and issued a secret decree directly."

"After autumn this year, a grand hunting expedition will be held at the royal hunting grounds on the outskirts of the capital. All princes and princesses must accompany him and participate; there must be no mistakes."

"A hunting expedition?" Eldest Brother Lin Xiu frowned slightly.

Great Wei was currently in a precarious state, with the war in the northern border intensifying and the Yao barbarians restless.

In the local prefectures, refugees were everywhere, the starving were scattered across the fields, and public resentment was boiling.

At such a moment, to not appease the hearts of the people or reorganize military affairs in the imperial court, but instead to hold a grand royal hunting expedition with such fanfare—this action was certainly not something an ordinary emperor would do.

"Although the First Prince has a reputation for virtue and has always treated scholars with courtesy, winning the hearts of the pure-minded, his foundation is still shallow, and his wings in the imperial court have not yet fully developed."

Su Yuanshan looked at Eldest Brother Lin Xiu with sincere eyes, his tone filled with earnestness, "This autumn hunt is a hunting expedition in name, but in reality, it hides mysteries. His Highness needs assistance from all sides to prevent any unexpected events. I have shamelessly come this time to test the waters of the Lin Family on behalf of His Highness."

Eldest Brother Lin Xiu did not answer immediately, his mind racing as he keenly sensed the most abnormal aspect of this secret decree.

"Old Master Su, what exactly... is being hunted in this autumn hunt?"

Su Yuanshan shook his head with a bitter smile, "I do not know the full picture either. I only know that the imperial decree vaguely mentioned the words 'hunting Yao'."

"Hunting Yao?" Eldest Brother Lin Xiu's eyes sharpened, and the aura around him turned imperceptibly colder, causing the temperature inside the water pavilion to seem to drop slightly.

In the vital territory of the capital, under the feet of the Son of Heaven, the Dragon Qi was prosperous, and all evil was warded off.

Let alone a great Yao, even an ordinary Essence Spirit would never dare to approach the capital. Where would there be Yao to hunt?

If there really were Yao monsters daring to cause trouble in the outskirts of the capital, how could the Demon Suppression Division and the Directorate of Astronomy not notice?

Eldest Brother Lin Xiu lowered his eyes, his mind rapidly weighing the pros and cons.

As a top aristocratic family in the capital, the Lin Family had a deep foundation and had always remained neutral in the struggle for the throne, being impartial and loyal only to the imperial power.

However, the current situation was treacherous and unpredictable. With the Emperor awakened and the autumn hunt imminent, continuing to sit on the sidelines would likely make it difficult to protect oneself, and they might even become victims of the infighting.

A moment later, Eldest Brother Lin Xiu looked up, "The Lin Family will send additional elite members of our clan to assist the First Prince at that time."

Upon hearing this, Su Yuanshan's tense expression finally relaxed, and he let out a long sigh, standing up and bowing solemnly, "Thank you, Young Master Lin. If His Highness knows of this, he will surely be grateful for the Lin Family's noble righteousness."

With these words, it was equivalent to the Lin Family officially extending an olive branch to the First Prince in the struggle for the throne.

These few sentences exchanged in the water pavilion were enough to cause earth-shaking changes in the power structure of the entire capital.

Chen Ran sat quietly to the side, his posture as straight as a pine, his aura restrained, and he did not say a word throughout.

He was like an onlooker standing outside the matter, taking everything in without a change in expression.

...

The banquet dispersed, and the night was already deep. The sound of the watchtower in the distance drifted over, carrying a sense of chill.

The Lin Family was very tactful and did not send a large number of guards to accompany them, deliberately leaving space for Chen Ran to leave the residence together with the two from the Su Family.

The three of them strolled along the bustling long street of the capital.

Although it was late at night, the sides of the long street were still brightly lit, as if it were daytime.

The high-hanging red lanterns illuminated the bluestone road brightly.

The taverns and teahouses were bustling with noise, the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments were incessant, and the air was filled with the fragrance of rouge and wine and meat, weaving into a picture of a prosperous age.

This was the interior of the Great Wei capital; even if the world was in chaos, this place remained a gentle village of singing and dancing, as if completely isolated from the suffering of the outside world.

Chen Ran walked with his hands behind his back, his black robes fluttering slightly in the night wind, his steps composed.

His gaze swept over this scene of prosperous splendor, his expression cold and detached.

"Old Master Su." Chen Ran suddenly spoke, his voice sounding somewhat ethereal in the night wind, as if it came from a very distant place, "What do you think of the atmosphere of this capital?"

Su Yuanshan stopped, leaning on his cane, looking at the bustling long street in front of him, and sighed deeply.

"The people of the capital live in peace and contentment, and the prosperity is like brocade, just like an earthly paradise."

Su Yuanshan's voice was a bit hoarse, "However, when I left the capital some time ago, what I saw in the local prefectures was the starving scattered across the fields, refugees blocking the roads, and people exchanging children to eat, which was everywhere. That kind of tragedy was like a living hell."

Chen Ran turned his head and looked calmly at this great Confucian scholar.

"Wenxin Hall has always been aloof, taking the education of the world as its responsibility, and the Su Family is also a prestigious family that basically does not get involved in the struggles of the imperial court." Chen Ran's tone was flat, but it went straight to the core, "Why did you choose to completely lean towards the First Prince at this moment, Old Master Su?"

Su Yuanshan was silent for a long time before speaking, "The First Prince once pleaded for my reinstatement. This is a private favor. Although I am just an official, I know how to repay gratitude."

"Great Wei is now in a precarious state, with internal and external troubles, and is already riddled with holes. For the sake of that Dragon chair, the princes are fighting openly and secretly, disregarding the lives of the common people."

The night wind brushed through Su Yuanshan's graying temples, and he looked up at the deep and boundless night sky.

"When it rises, the people suffer; when it falls, the people suffer."

"I do not want to see the struggle for the throne plunge this world into a place of no return. The First Prince is benevolent. If he can ascend to the throne, perhaps he can leave a glimmer of hope for the people of this world. I am willing to risk this old body to fight for peace for the common people."

Chen Ran was silent.

No matter how the world collapses and how sinister human hearts are, there are always people willing to use their meager bodies to prop up the building that is about to fall.

However, is that so-called First Prince really as good as imagined?

The noise on the long street seemed to have faded, and the surrounding air became quiet.

Su Qinghe walked beside Chen Ran, wearing a white dress like snow, her temperament as cold and aloof as a Fairy from the Moon Palace, untainted by the mortal world.

She suddenly spoke softly, breaking the silence between them, "I heard that Brother Chen has become engaged to the daughter of the Lin Family?"

Chen Ran was slightly stunned, then slowly shook his head, "Not entirely."

Although Chen Ran did not state it clearly, he indirectly explained the situation. The rumor was not made up out of thin air.

Su Qinghe's footsteps paused. As early as a few months ago, when she first met Chen Ran, she had concluded that this person was definitely not someone who would remain in a pond.

But she did not expect that only a few months had passed, and upon meeting again, she would hear that he was about to marry the daughter of a top aristocratic family. It was hard not to feel a ripple in her heart, as if something precious was quietly drifting away.

Chen Ran did not stop walking, explaining, "I was just a bit lucky to have gained some appreciation from the Lin Family."

Su Qinghe stopped, turned around, and took a deep look at Chen Ran.

In those clear and deep eyes, the lights of ten thousand homes on the long street were reflected, as well as Chen Ran's handsome and cold face.

"To be able to be so valued by a top aristocratic family like the Lin Family at this age." Su Qinghe said softly, "Brother Chen, what you rely on is definitely not as simple as luck."

She was clear-minded and very intelligent, and she had long noticed the detached composure in Chen Ran.

That was definitely not a demeanor that an ordinary Martial Artist could have.

Chen Ran smiled noncommittally, his smile faint, like a spring breeze brushing over a lake, fleeting.

He neither admitted nor denied it.

His foundation was now unfathomable, and his strength had long transcended the scope of ordinary Martial Artists in this capital.

Except for Grandmaster, only Innate Realm Martial Artists still had the power to fight him.

The prosperity and turmoil of this world, the changes in power, and the solicitation of aristocratic families were, to him, nothing but passing clouds.

What he sought was only the supreme Peak of martial arts, to explore the end of the immortal Dao of longevity.

At the end of the long street, the three stopped and bowed to say goodbye.

"Brother Chen, it is late, rest early." Su Qinghe bowed slightly and said softly.

"Old Master Su, Miss Su, take care." Chen Ran returned the bow, his expression as usual.

Chen Ran stood quietly on the spot, watching the two board the carriage.

Accompanied by the rumbling sound of the wheels, the carriage gradually moved away and finally disappeared into the deep night.

...

A few days later, the morning light was faint.

The autumn wind rolled up the fallen leaves on the ground, carrying a bit of killing aura.

Chen Ran, in black martial attire, stepped into the gate of the Demon-Slaying Squad as usual.

As soon as he stepped into the front courtyard, he noticed that the atmosphere today was very different from the usual days.

On the drill grounds, dozens of warriors of the Demon-Slaying Squad were clad in armor and holding weapons, their expressions solemn.

Chen Ran's eyes narrowed slightly, and he walked through the corridor without changing his expression.

In the courtyard, Captain Xia An was standing with his hands behind his back.

Today, he had put on a set of dark red heavy armor for slaying Yao, and the long sword with heavy Evil Qi was hanging at his waist.

His usually steady face was now filled with gravity and sternness.

"Captain Xia An." Chen Ran stepped forward and bowed slightly.

Captain Xia An turned his head, his gaze sweeping over Chen Ran, he nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "You are here."

"The atmosphere in the division is unusual today; has some accident happened?" Chen Ran's tone was flat, going straight to the point.

Captain Xia An frowned tightly, looking towards the direction outside the capital, and said slowly, "Last night, an urgent report was received that there are suspected traces of Yao monsters in the Luoxia Mountain area, thirty miles west of the capital."

"And the number is not small; they have already injured several passing merchants and soldiers patrolling the mountains."

"In the vital territory of the capital, under the feet of the Son of Heaven, there are actually Yao monsters that dare to be so rampant?"

A strange look flashed in Chen Ran's eyes.

Thinking of what Su Yuanshan said a few days ago about the autumn hunting of Yao in the West Mountain, he felt faintly in his heart that there might be some intricate connection between the two.

Luoxia Mountain is not far from the West Mountain hunting grounds; could it be the same batch of Yao monsters?

"Yao Beast have been dormant for many years, and now they are frequently moving; they must have some ulterior motive." Captain Xia An snorted coldly.

"The higher-ups have issued a strict order that after confirming the location of those Yao Beast, they will order my Demon-Slaying Squad to leave the city immediately and must kill them all before the Yao monsters disturb the people of the capital."

Chen Ran's heart moved slightly when he heard this.

"Captain, I am willing to go with you." Chen Ran stepped forward.

Captain Xia An was slightly stunned when he heard this. He turned his head and looked at the young man in front of him again.

Chen Ran had only been in the Demon-Slaying Squad for a short time. Although he had shown good potential, he had never truly hunted Yao after all.

"Slaying Yao and eliminating demons is not a child's play." Captain Xia An's tone was rarely a bit stricter, "Those Yao monsters drink blood and eat raw meat, and are inherently cruel. If you are not careful, you will end up dead and your Dao will vanish. Do you know the danger involved?"

Chen Ran's expression was as usual, and he said slowly, "Flowers in a greenhouse can hardly withstand the wind and rain. If one does not experience life and death personally, how can one grow?"

Captain Xia An looked at Chen Ran's eyes, and couldn't help but feel a trace of admiration in his heart.

He pondered for a moment, and a thought flashed through his mind.

Perhaps the cruelty of this world ultimately needs to be experienced personally.

"Okay." Captain Xia An finally nodded, his tone filled with expectation and warning, "In a few days, you will accompany the team. But remember, when you arrive, do not act without authorization; obey all orders. If you encounter a great Yao that you cannot defeat, prioritize saving your life."

...

After sunset at dusk, Chen Ran left the Demon-Slaying Squad.

Since only the traces of Yao Beast were found and the specific location was not yet known, the Demon-Slaying Squad was just preparing at the last minute.

They had to wait for a few days before taking action.

So Chen Ran also had time to deal with his own affairs. He did not return to the independent residence arranged for him by the Lin Family.

Instead, like a ghost, he swept silently across the heavy rooftops.

His Lightwork had reached the Transcendent realm, Treading Snow Without a Trace, landing without a sound, as if merging into the night.

He detoured to the station of the Demon Suppression Division.

Outside the Demon Suppression Division, high walls stood tall, the defense was strict, and it exuded an aura of killing and coldness.

Under the cover of night, Chen Ran drove the perception of the Heavenly Net to the extreme.

The invisible Mental Energy spread out like water ripples, and the movement of the wind and grass within a hundred feet was all under his control.

The footsteps of patrolling guards, the breathing of secret sentries, and even the rustling of wind blowing through leaves were clearly reflected in his mind, all in perfect detail.

After half an hour, the heavenly book of prison suppression in his Sea of Consciousness suddenly turned.

A golden light from the depths of the prison flowed into the heavenly book.

[Guarding the prison for one day, reward one year of cultivation, whether to receive it now]

"No."

Chen Ran shook his head slightly and whispered in his heart.

His gaze focused on the panel in front of him, and a line of text appeared before his eyes.

[Accumulated cultivation: 350 years (15 years unreceived)]

After killing those three subordinates of Cao Yong, his cultivation had already met the requirements for Breakthrough.

As long as he received the previously accumulated cultivation, there was a high probability of successful Breakthrough.

However, for the sake of safety, he did not force a Breakthrough.

In these few days, he did not find a suitable opportunity to leave.

The Breakthrough to the Innate Realm would inevitably cause a great disturbance.

If he made a Breakthrough in the capital with his current strength, that movement would most likely stir up the capital.

And the trip of the Demon-Slaying Squad to slay Yao was a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity.

"It's time to find an opportunity to have a Breakthrough."

Chen Ran thought in his heart and whistled. The sound echoed in the night sky, and a black shadow that had been circling in the sky turned down sharply.

The black shadow finally stopped on Chen Ran's shoulder. It was a crow with shiny feathers, black all over, and it looked well-developed at a glance.

Chen Ran took out a bag of special bird food from his bosom and poured it into his palm.

The crow ate it very skillfully; obviously, this was not the first time this had happened.

Seeing this, Chen Ran took out a letter tube from his waist, tied it to the crow's foot, and said in a deep voice, "Deliver it to the old place."

The crow's scarlet eyes widened, it spread its wide, pitch-black wings, flapped them, and flew outward.

(Two-in-one chapter, I have been having serious writer's block recently, I will adjust well. I am not very satisfied with the writing of these chapters, and I may modify them later.)