158: Ghost

The next day, everything was ready. Lord Gao dismissed most of his servants and retainers, keeping only Gao Cai and four close associates, along with his family, intending to move to the Great Tang.

Meanwhile, Pigsy had rushed overnight to a certain place to retrieve the pan tao tree he mentioned.

Before leaving, Old Pig gave Tang Seng a mane hair from his nape, saying that if he held it between his left middle finger and thumb, he could speak to him at any time.

This made Tang Ku overjoyed. Although he had used some communication devices before, they generally didn't last long. This mane hair, however, seemed like a directional walkie-talkie. Although he could only speak to Pigsy, it could ignore distance limitations. Unless he entered some blessed lands with Formation protection, he could basically contact him anywhere, which was extremely convenient.

When the sun was high in the sky, after eating, Tang Ku had Brick transform into its largest state. He had Gao family and their gold, silver, and other necessary items get onto Brick's back. Tang Ku then sat at the very front, gently patting Brick's head. The fellow then soared proudly into the sky.

At first, the Gao family were startled, but once they were truly above the clouds, they finally relaxed.

Speaking of which, although this monster flew very high, it was incredibly stable, just like a modern airplane, even more comfortable than an airplane, without even the turbulence of takeoff.

Moreover, as a mount, Brick naturally had certain protective measures. A faint glow emanated from his body, enveloping everyone on his back, preventing the severe cold and lack of oxygen at high altitudes, allowing those on his back to breathe and move freely. Otherwise, even the high-altitude winds alone could blow these Mortals to their deaths!

Tang Ku looked at their comfortable expressions and suddenly thought, "Why not gather these Yao Beasts and create an airline company? Specifically to carry these Mortals around for travel? Hmm, this might actually have potential!"

Along the way, Lord Gao no longer had any attachments to Ü-Tsang. The old man was a pragmatist; although not a bad person, he now thought that having an Immortal Beast protecting them was better than guarding their land and living in constant fear. Moreover, he had long heard of the prosperity of the Great Tang and truly wanted to experience it.

As an Immortal Beast, there was no doubt about its flying speed, and they quickly arrived at Chang'an, the capital of the Great Tang.

Tang Ku and his companions' lodging was in Du Xin Domain. This residence was comparable to a ducal manor, and the space was quite large. Tang Ku's plan was to first settle them here. Later, when they acquired their own residences and properties, they could move out. Of course, household registration was also an issue; he would have to find a time to have Old Li arrange their household registration. They couldn't remain unregistered forever, could they?

However, as they entered the Chang'an area from the sky, Tang Ku felt a wave of unease. Looking down, he saw that within the golden radiance above Chang'an, there was a hidden trace of sorrowful clouds.

Indeed, faint gray mist was concealed within it. Although not very strong, it was undeniably present.

"Something is wrong..."

Tang Ku frowned slightly, then ordered Brick to descend through the clouds and land in Du Xin Domain.

"Master! You're finally back!"

Shi Jingmo was in the courtyard. Suddenly noticing a group of people disembarking from Brick's back, he asked in surprise, "These people are..."

"These are the family of your Second Senior Brother, Pigsy. Something happened in Ü-Tsang, and they were forced to leave their homeland..."

Tang Ku frowned slightly, "Where are the others? Why is your aura the only one in this courtyard?"

"They were summoned into the palace by Your Majesty!"

Shi Jingmo said in a deep voice, "Something happened. His Highness, the Crown Prince, was assassinated by a demon last night and almost died. The others were all summoned into the palace by Your Majesty to protect His Highness, the Crown Prince. I stayed here waiting for you. Your Majesty said that when you arrive, you need to go into the palace for a discussion!"

Tang Ku frowned slightly, thinking to himself, "This script is a bit off... Shouldn't Li Chengqian be jealous of Li Tai and arrange an assassination, ultimately losing his position as Crown Prince because of it? Haha, it seems that part of history has been completely changed!"

Tang Ku left Brick there to protect the Gao family and gave Lord Gao a few instructions, then followed Shi Jingmo into the Eastern Palace.

At this moment, the outside of the Eastern Palace was heavily guarded, and many familiar generals stood at the entrance with weapons in hand. Among them were famous generals of the Great Tang, such as Qin Shubao, Yuchi Gong, and Cheng Yaojin. There was also the youngest one, holding a halberd, who should be General Xue Rengui, the worthy minister from a dream. These men, seasoned in battle, stood at the entrance, exuding Killing Intent. Even demons and ghosts would retreat three paces.

Someone announced their arrival, and Li Shimin actually came out to greet them personally, his face full of worry. Seeing Tang Ku, he seemed to have found a savior, grabbing his sleeve and not letting go. As they walked inside, he briefly told Tang Ku what had happened.

Actually, the matter was very simple.

Under normal circumstances, Li Shimin would abdicate, today would be the Heaven Worship Ceremony, and tomorrow the enthronement. However, during today's Heaven Worship Ceremony, while envoys from various countries were observing, the moment Li Chengqian ascended the altar, a black smoke flew down from the altar, directly striking Li Chengqian's head. The Crown Prince then suddenly convulsed and fell to the ground, unconscious.

No one knew how a demon had entered the heavily guarded imperial palace, but it did, and easily incapacitated the Crown Prince.

Although there were many skilled individuals within the imperial palace, not many knew how to deal with demons. Li Chengqian's symptoms—a dark green face and twitching limbs—seemed like poisoning, but also like hysteria. Simple medicine simply couldn't save him.

"...It seems that the officials observing from various countries are all suspects, and... there are also..."

Tang Ku thought for a moment, then suddenly stopped speaking, looking at Li Shimin.

"I know who you're referring to..."

Li Shimin said with a bitter smile, "For tomorrow's enthronement, all the imperial princes have been monitored. They haven't made any moves!"

"Then we'll investigate this later; let's cure His Highness, the Crown Prince, first!"

Tang Ku saw Bull Demon King, Nezha, and the others all here. Even the dazed Ao Lie was present, with Wu Zhen feeding him candied hawthorn on the side.

Nezha said, "Holy Monk, please take a look at what's wrong with this fellow. We've tried many methods, but we can't cure him. We wonder if Buddha Dharma has a way."

Tang Ku nodded, looking at Li Chengqian on the sickbed, and suddenly frowned slightly: "This isn't a demonic presence... Is this ghost Qi?"

"Ghost Qi? Then isn't it perfectly countered by Buddha Dharma?"

Bull Demon King tilted his head, asking in confusion, "But... we also recognize this ghost Qi. Why didn't we notice anything unusual before?"

"Because ordinary ghost Qi is easy to recognize, but this ghost Qi from the underworld's Yin God is not so easy to distinguish! It just so happens that I've been through all Eighteen Levels of Hell, so I'm very familiar with this aura!"

Tang Ku narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a clear voice, "I wonder which Yin God it is; please come out and meet me, how about it?"