Nightfall

I Have Never Suspected

Wang Jinglue shook his head and said, “The empire has existed for a millennium, and the Academy has existed for just as long. If anything were to happen, it would have happened hundreds of years ago. They wouldn’t leave it just for our generation.”

Xu Shi said, “That’s because we only had a Headmaster of the Academy for the last millennium. Only he could have taught those students with abilities to shake the foundation of the Tang empire.”

Wang Jinglue thought of the young chubby lad in the Chang’an Local Government who could use the Natural Stream Magical Finger with ease. He lowered his head and fell silent.

Xu Shi said coldly, “Birth, aging, illness, and death are all parts of life that Haotian has arranged for humanity. If the Headmaster of the Academy didn’t die, we would not need to worry. However, if he does, we cannot entrust the safety of Chang’an and the empire in Ning Que’s hands. I don’t care what methods you all use, but you have to steal the array eye from him.”

Wang Jinglue kept silent. He Mingchi’s yellow oiled-paper umbrella had not stopped him from listening to the conversation and he had already known beforehand what the Imperial Center Administration had wanted from the little handmaiden.

“Why are you so persistent?” He could not help asking.

Xu Shi reminisced about the past with narrowed eyes. The deep wrinkles on his face were like grooves on the ground washed away by rain. He said hoarsely, “That’s because there once was a Crazy Ke from the Academy. I do not want the appearance of a Crazy Ning. Any crazy man could take the entire Tang empire down with them.”

With that, the old general started coughing. His painful coughs reverberated in the empty room like the sound of war drums on the battlefield. It was a long time before he finally straightened up with difficulty.

…

…

Emperor Li Zhongyi sitting on the couch, quietly looking at his brother, seriously listen to his explanation. Suddenly his brow furrowed painfully, and he hastily covered his lips with a handkerchief to his chest.

“I’m not sure why the old general was so angry. Even if it might be because of his close ties with Master Yan Se back then, it’s still rather odd. However, the Imperial Center Administration and the Southern Gate Temple approaching the little maidservant have nothing to do with Ning Que or the Academy. What is involved is too important, so it can’t be outside the palace.”

Prince Li Peiyan did not notice the look of pain on the emperor’s face. However, he felt slightly anxious when he did not receive any response from the couch after his explanation. He continued, “The maidservant was a little odd. There is something odd about the whole situation since the Divine Priest of Light has stayed in the Old Brush Pen Shop with her for so long.”

He raised his head and looked at His Majesty solemnly. “After a scolding from my royal brother, I have now repented. I understand the foundation of our Tang empire. I have answered to the West-Hill’s invitation to enter the palace and pass on the message, but I have other thoughts. The Divine Hall’s invitation to the maidservant to the Peach Mountain does not seem to bear any ill intent. According to the reports to the Imperial Center Administration, the Divine Hall intends for the little maidservant to inherit the place of the Divine Priest of Light. She is a citizen of Tang, and is also Ning Que’s handmaiden. It would be beneficial to the empire if she were to inherit the position of Great Divine Priest of Light in the future.”

“It depends on whether that rascal Ning Que is willing.”

The Emperor thought about it for a silent moment before shaking his head. He waved his hand, indicating for Li Peiyan to step out.