Chapter 108: Resurrection [Please Vote!]-Prison Break Notes(Princess Xue’er)

At the command of Emperor Liang, a sword-bearing general burst into the imperial study and knelt on one knee.

“Your humble servant reports!”

Zhou Yi glanced at Sophia.

The emperor’s expression was no joke; a deadly resolve had taken hold.

What General Cao had just said was not wrong, nor was it excessive. From earlier information, it was clear this man held military power. If he were killed, the Liang Kingdom would be in grave danger.

Below, the ministers who had been arguing fiercely suddenly knelt in unison, pleading earnestly.

“Your Majesty, please reconsider!”

Even Chancellor He had lost his usual fiery demeanor.

“Your Majesty, arresting and imprisoning all those spreading rumors at this time will only sow panic among the people. The envoys from Wei and Chu have not yet left. If they learn of this, within three months, our borders will be imperiled.

We would face enemies on both east and west fronts, a predicament impossible to resolve. Even if Youming Mountain intervenes, it would be but a drop in the ocean. Our 500,000-strong army cannot withstand the million-strong forces of Wei and Chu. The nation would truly be on the brink of collapse!”

Emperor Liang snorted and waved his hand.

“Anyone who pleads will share the same punishment. Drag them out and imprison them in the celestial prison!”

The commander of the imperial guards had already ordered soldiers to seize General Cao, escorting him away. Imprisonment was better than immediate execution; at least there was time for something to be done.

Emperor Liang rose, no longer listening to the ministers’ protests, and strode out of the study. Sophia glanced at Zhou Yi, who pointed toward the emperor.

Others could arrive a little later. Given the earlier remarks, the emperor should not have resorted to such ruthless slaughter of innocents. Why was he so agitated now? Could it be due to the death of the Black-Robed National Tutor?

The officials in the study shook their heads and slowly dispersed, whispering among themselves. Sophia carefully observed them.

Zhou Yi leapt toward the direction the emperor had gone.

The pavilions and halls here were close together, surrounded by lush greenery. Despite it being winter, the temperature was mild, and the trees remained thick, concealing their movements perfectly.

Emperor Liang did not take a sedan chair but walked along the waterside pavilion to a hall guarded by palace guards. They held their breath, wary of possible hidden experts protecting the emperor.

Upon entering, several young eunuchs attempted to approach but were waved away. An elderly eunuch hurried to the emperor’s side.

“Your Majesty, it is time to take the elixir.”

The emperor looked thoughtfully into the distance, sighed softly, and sat on the cushioned couch, fingers gently stroking the embroidered cover.

“How many days has it been?”

The abrupt question left Zhou Yi confused.

Sophia had lifted a roof tile, and the two leaned closer, watching the surroundings while peering down.

The old eunuch served tea slowly and said,

“The National Tutor has been gone for eight days. The emissaries sent to Youming Mountain left five days ago but have yet to return with a reply. By rights, we should have received word by now. Even if they could not come back, the vulture messenger should have returned. Yet...”

After a long silence, Emperor Liang sighed deeply.

“It seems Ruoqing’s fate is grim. However, she once told me that if she fell, she would send word back to Youming Mountain, and someone would revive her. But why is there no news from Youming Mountain?”

The old eunuch lowered his eyes, as if unwilling or unable to respond.

Zhou Yi was stunned. These people actually possessed the secret to resurrecting the dead. The elder patriarch had called the Black-Robed National Tutor a living dead—this must be the secret art’s power.

But whether killing her inside the barrier meant true annihilation remained unknown.

The emperor sighed again. At that moment, Sophia nudged Zhou Yi, who turned to look in her direction. A massive vulture circled overhead.

Sophia’s hand trembled, and a large umbrella appeared, enveloping them both. Though mysterious, Zhou Yi guessed it was for concealment.

They held their breath and focused downward.

A piercing cry echoed over the palace.

The old eunuch stiffened and hurried outside. Seeing this, Emperor Liang jumped from the couch and followed, shedding all his former dignity.

The vulture landed. Emperor Liang and the eunuch approached it and found a bamboo tube tied to its leg, evidently holding something inside.

Zhou Yi narrowed his eyes and studied it carefully. This vulture must be the Black-Robed National Tutor’s mount, which had somehow escaped destruction. The realization sent a chill through Zhou Yi.

Sophia pressed close to Zhou Yi, sensing the change in him and understanding his concern.

Emperor Liang stroked the ugly creature’s head, which in his eyes seemed a charming embodiment, and quickly ordered nearby attendants:

“Prepare fresh beef and water. Bring it down to rest.”

Two young eunuchs bowed and struggled to carry the vulture away.

The emperor and old eunuch returned inside, repeatedly examining the letter before sighing and heavily sinking onto the couch.

“Alas, as expected! Ruoqing’s soul is incomplete; her master has collected part of it and is now attempting resurrection. I should never have allowed her to go. If Qingcheng Mountain must be destroyed, I could have sent troops—no need for her to do it personally.”

The old eunuch came close and handed over a tea cup.

“Though Qingcheng Mountain is not involved in court affairs, it was a place of merit founded two hundred years ago. If Your Majesty acts against it, it would be improper.

No matter what, it is good that the National Tutor may revive. As for the previous emperor, there is no need for concern; let them be. It will show Your Majesty’s magnanimity and ease border anxieties.”

Zhou Yi had assumed the old eunuch was uninvolved, but now he saw he was a loyalist of the National Tutor and Youming Mountain, always speaking in their defense.

Emperor Liang nodded, rose, and paced as he reread the letter.

“Prepare my departure. I will go to Youming Mountain. Summon the imperial physician to diagnose my pulse and say I need rest for a while. Leave court matters to Prince Wu, assisted by Chancellor He. As for General Cao... release him but punish him with a year’s service. Draw up the edict quickly.”

The old eunuch hesitated.

“Although Prince Wu is Your Majesty’s brother, if you are away for long, might...?”

Emperor Liang waved dismissively, confident.

“The Third Prince won’t. If he wanted the throne, he would not have recommended me to our father and personally led troops to suppress the Yue tribe. I trust him on this.”

The old eunuch said no more and left the hall.

Sophia looked at Zhou Yi, who pointed toward the imperial garden. They folded the umbrella and leapt toward the mountain.

At the summit, Fatty and Cheng Zhi quickly appeared.

“Boss, what’s the situation?”

Sophia briefly explained. Fatty’s eyes widened.

“Resurrected? That person was killed! How can they come back to life?”

Zhou Yi frowned, equally troubled. The old man had entrusted Qingcheng Mountain to him and died with the Black-Robed National Tutor to ensure their destruction.

“According to Emperor Liang, the letter says that although part of the National Tutor’s soul was found, it is incomplete. I don’t know this secret art, but it must not be easy to revive her.

Emperor Liang has left the capital, so affairs there can now proceed.”

Sophia was puzzled, having no experience with ancient times.

“What do you mean?”

Zhou Yi looked toward the Meridian Gate.

“Prince Wu was likely the most approved heir by Emperor Liang’s father. For unknown reasons, he did not inherit the throne. But now, with Emperor Liang’s situation, would Prince Wu stand by and watch Liang fall? Certainly not! We must find him, explain everything. He will understand what must be done, and then we can head straight to Youming Mountain!”

Fatty coughed, blinking.

“What if Prince Wu has no interest in the throne?”

Zhou Yi raised an eyebrow and snorted.

“Who can resist the lure of that position? Not wanting it then doesn’t mean he won’t want it now.”