Chapter 107: Instant Execution【Please Subscribe!】

Such a shout left several people stunned. After all, they were on a mountaintop, exposed and without shelter—there was nowhere to hide. Zhou Yi quickly set the Fatty down in front of them and gestured.

The Fatty was no fool; his mind worked quickly. He knew Zhou Yi wanted him to build a fake hill.

He hurriedly pressed both hands to the ground and tossed small stones into the air. Though he lacked combat prowess, creating a makeshift, shoddy hill was within his capability—at least it wouldn’t look entirely out of place.

Soon, a circle of stones and earth formed a fake hill wall, enclosing the four of them. It reached the Fatty’s head height. The voices and footsteps grew nearer.

Zhou Yi patted his shoulder again. The four crouched down, hiding inside this hollow, chimney-like fake hill.

“Hahaha, you can’t catch me!”

“Second Princess, please spare your servant! My old arms and legs truly can’t run anymore. Look, even the kites on the mountaintop have lost their strings and must have drifted beyond the palace walls by now.”

The footsteps drew closer, and the Second Princess appeared to sit against the fake hill wall. The Fatty pointed subtly, then quickly covered his mouth.

“Oh, I thought I might find it—it was drawn by Mother…”

There was silence for a long moment.

The elderly eunuch attending her finally caught up and crouched beside the Second Princess, catching his breath as he tried to console her.

“Second Princess, don’t be sad. If the Empress Mother could see you now, she would surely worry. You’re tired too; let this old servant carry you back?”

A childish sigh followed, then the sound of clothes being smoothed.

“Let’s go back. I wonder if Father is still angry. His scolding of my elder brother last night was truly terrifying.”

The elderly eunuch seemed startled, quickly interrupting with a trembling voice.

“Your Highness, please watch your words. What’s said here should stay here. The Emperor has been irritable these past days. It’s best you stay out of sight. We shall keep the palace closed for rest. The Crown Prince has his supporters; you need not worry.”

Another sigh.

“Very well, we shall return to the palace for medicine!”

With that, the two—master and servant—stood and descended the mountain.

Once they were well out of sight, the Fatty kindly removed the stones and walls, restoring the scene to its original state.

Cheng Zhi observed their surroundings and realized that this hill was actually within the imperial palace grounds, somewhat different from the initial location Zhou Yi had planned.

“Sir, we’re now inside the palace. This place should be the Imperial Garden, not the mountain in the capital we originally intended.”

Sophia’s expression darkened as she quickly opened a map. Indeed, her chosen spot was off; the mountain in the capital was part of the same range but enclosed within the palace walls.

Zhou Yi waved dismissively, not overly concerned.

“No problem. Fatty and Cheng Zhi, wait here. Sophia and I will scout ahead, see if we can find the Emperor Liang and gather some information.”

The Fatty had no objections and nodded at Cheng Zhi. Sophia approached, reaching for Zhou Yi’s belt, but he quickly stopped her.

“I’ve practiced these past days—enough to make some leaps. Let’s go!”

Sophia was surprised but quickly followed as Zhou Yi sprang forward. They moved swiftly and silently, like great birds, rising and falling straight toward the densely packed palace halls.

The Fatty sighed.

“Hey, Big Orange, don’t you think we’re holding you back?”

Cheng Zhi agreed.

“Yes, the master’s progress is remarkable. I just wonder if we can learn this too.”

The Fatty patted the flesh on his belly, looking woeful.

“With all this fat, I’m like two of you combined. If I jump and fall, I’ll just hurt myself, but what if I land on someone? That’d be bad. You practice, and I’ll honestly wait for you to carry me.”

Cheng Zhi thought for a moment, ignoring the Fatty’s joke.

“I noticed Ye Qing and the others using some kind of talisman to jump like that. I’ll ask them later. If we can get those talismans, at least we won’t be a burden.”

The Fatty’s face was full of grievance. After a pause, he said:

“Enough of this useless talk. I’ll watch the rear, you look ahead. If you see anyone, warn me early so I can do a dirt escape. I should’ve hidden that earlier.”

…

On the rooftop of the Imperial Study.

Zhou Yi and Sophia lay flat along the eaves from where they could observe inside.

It was nearly noon. Zhou Yi thought the early court session should be over, but the loud quarrels had drawn them here from afar.

Emperor Liang, clad in yellow robes, sat above them. His expression was dark as he glared at the incessantly bickering ministers.

“Your Majesty, our Da Liang was founded through strength. Though Qingcheng Mountain is a sect, it made great contributions at the nation’s founding. Now rumors have spread throughout the capital that Your Majesty sent the Imperial Tutor to destroy Qingcheng Mountain using forbidden sorcery.

Such rumors are widespread. If they reach neighboring countries, whether true or not, it will be used against us. Although Wei is friendly with Da Liang, our alliance rests on jointly eradicating demons. This will make Da Liang the target of scorn.”

The speaker was a general clad in armor, no sword at his side, with gray-white hair and a solemn, worried expression.

Beside him, a civil official snorted and stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, General Cao is exaggerating. Rumors are just rumors. They say the Imperial Tutor perished along with the demons of Qingcheng Mountain. If the Imperial Tutor steps forward, he can dispel these rumors.”

General Cao snorted angrily, his fury reaching its peak.

“Step forward? Does the Imperial Tutor think the people are fools? The sect leader of Qingcheng Mountain is dead. How can the cultivators of neighboring countries not sense it? Chancellor He is truly ignorant—no better than a three-year-old!”

Chancellor He was so angry his beard bristled as he turned to argue with General Cao. The Emperor, however, was enraged. He grabbed a tea cup and hurled it downward.

*Crash!*

The cup shattered into fragments on the floor.

The disputing ministers fell silent, bowing respectfully, waiting for the Emperor’s next words.

“If there are rumors, so be it. The capital is abuzz, but I won’t slay all the people. I’ve ruled for ten years; the struggle between the three kingdoms is inevitable—it just needs an excuse.

Issue orders: strengthen border defenses with Wei and Chu. General Cao, deploy troops and arrange defenses. As for the Qingcheng Mountain clinic in the capital, Minister He, have it sealed. With Qingcheng Mountain gone, what use is the clinic?”

Both General Cao and Chancellor He were stunned, looking at the Emperor’s resolute demeanor with hesitation.

“Your Majesty, please reconsider. Now is not the time to suppress the Qingcheng clinic; these people are no different from ordinary citizens.

Many in the capital have been treated there. Any action could incite unrest here before there is any border disturbance!”

The other senior ministers all nodded and hastily bowed toward Emperor Liang.

“Minister He speaks wisely; I second that.”

“I second that!”

“I second that!”

“…”

The Emperor’s eyes bulged in fury. He suddenly stood, his finger trembling as he pointed at the assembly.

“Good, very good! These are my ministers—loyal, righteous, and patriotic. I am corrupt and incompetent, with no achievements. You’re forcing me to abdicate! Come then, if any of you have such thoughts, say it aloud—I’m listening!”

At his words, the entire court knelt, even the eunuchs and palace maids at the door.

Such reckless speech. Zhou Yi narrowed his eyes. An emperor who cannot face his own faults and resorts to tantrums at the slightest displeasure is unworthy of his position.

“Your Majesty, please reconsider. This humble minister only means the clinic should not be sealed.

You are the true Dragon Son of Heaven, blessed by the heavens. Yet the people need peace above all. Such actions bring turmoil to the court, unrest to the people, and disaster to the nation!”

Emperor Liang sneered, glancing at General Cao.

“Is that so? Then be thorough. From this moment, arrest all those who spread rumors or support Qingcheng Mountain. Anyone caught will be executed on the spot!

General Cao, spreading lies and opposing the sacred will is a capital crime. Where is Commander He of the Imperial Guards?”