Chapter Forty-Nine: Prince Chun, Li Hao!

He had never imagined that the moment he set foot in the Immortal-Seeking Manor, so many people would come looking for him. If there were not something strange about this, who would believe it?

Yang Nan thought it over from every angle, yet still could not understand what these people wanted from him. Could it be that the Pure King had nothing better to do than come by for a nostalgic chat?

Yang Nan sat quietly in the garden. Seeing the young master so composed, Yang Da and Yang Er felt a faint unfamiliarity in their hearts. It had been three or four years since they had last seen him. Their young master had not only grown from a mere boy into a young gentleman of rare grace, but had also acquired immortal arts so profound they were unfathomable. It was truly astonishing.

Before long, a neatly dressed young nobleman, escorted by the two men, strolled through the covered passage and into the rear garden. Seeing the wonder of flowers in full bloom and winding paths leading into secluded depths, his refined face also showed admiration.

What splendid scenery. Brother, you have already entered the mountains to cultivate the Dao, and yet I never imagined you would have such an exquisite garden at the foot of the mountain. Truly enough to make others green with envy.

The newcomer clasped his hands to Yang Nan, wearing a warm, gentle smile. Not only did he have the bearing of a man born to privilege, he had none of the haughtiness that so often came with it. His friendly, kindly expression was like sunlight, warm and comforting, and one glance was enough to inspire goodwill.

Yang Nan studied this noble youth, who was about his own age. Aside from the faint traces of the old emperor in those handsome features, where was the runny-nosed little child of years past in this Pure King?

"Little stick-in-the-mud?"

"Runny nose?"

The two men met each other's gaze and, almost at once, called out the childhood nicknames they had given one another. Then they both extended their hands and gripped each other, each trying to force the other down with sheer strength. Yet Yang Nan did not use his magical power, and his wrist strength was about equal to that of the Pure King. After a brief contest, they suddenly exchanged smiles and let go.

By now neither of them was the child they had once been, but this simple exchange instantly drew them much closer. With a smiling face, the Pure King, Li Hao, said, "Brother, these are Master Chang Wenzong and Master Jiang Wuzong. They are elders of the Profound Armament Sect, and like you they are cultivators of the Dao."

Yang Nan looked up and saw the two masters of the weapon sect. His heart trembled in secret. Their spiritual aura was exceedingly dense, their divine eyes bright as lightning. Between their brows lingered the sharp edge of a blade or spear, and spiritual radiance surged above their heads, where five lotus blossoms of light flickered in and out of sight. Their cultivation was vastly beyond his own.

"It is an honor beyond measure to receive the visit of two masters," Yang Nan said with a warm smile, clasping his hands as a fellow cultivator.

Having come to the foot of Mount Kunlun, the two masters did not dare to be presumptuous. They merely returned the gesture and said, "Fellow Daoist, there is no need for such ceremony. We are now only the Pure King's guards."

A pair of cultivation masters as bodyguards?

Yang Nan was astonished inwardly. The Pure King, after only a few years unseen, had seen his power swell to a degree beyond anything he could have imagined. This Pure King was indeed no simple man.

With a soft laugh, Yang Nan turned back to the prince, who wore no trace of airs, and said, "Brother Li, I do not care whether you are a prince or not. Do not blame me for being heartless, but if you have no business with me, then I will have you shown the door." By now, with his identity as a cultivator, Yang Nan naturally feared no prince or princess.

Even with two masters at his side, what did that amount to within the Kunlun Sect? Among the inner disciples alone, which one was not a master?

Across the world, masters were as numerous as the hairs on an ox. This was only the first true step upon the path of the Dao.

The Pure King, Li Hao, smiled faintly, seeming unsurprised by Yang Nan's reaction. Rising to his feet with his hands clasped behind his back, he said slowly, "Brother Yang, you and I have known each other since childhood. You should know at least something of my character. In today's world, the cultivation sects have all attached themselves to different princes. Only the Kunlun and Nether River sects disdain such things. In truth, not only can you help me seize the throne, you can help me govern the realm as well. You simply do not know it."

Kunlun Sect naturally had no need to contend for mortal power.

Yang Nan smiled freely. "Then I ask your Highness to enlighten me."

Li Hao stood tall and straight, pointing toward the direction of the capital as he said loudly, "The Grand Tutor is a veteran of three reigns, a pillar of the state. You hold the Scroll of the Sage Ancestors in your hands, and that makes you the inheritor of the Heart Sect of the Ru School's Three Sects. The Three Sects of the Ru School are the one to whom the whole world looks. With a single call from the heights, all under heaven respond in its wake. One-third of the empire's officials and scholars would heed your word. Tell me, do you not have the standing to influence the struggle for the throne?"

His eyes blazed with brilliance as he looked at Yang Nan with fervent intensity, as if he were only a hammer's strike away from knocking some sense into him.

Yang Nan was shocked. Only then did he realize that the scroll in his hands, the Scroll of the Sage Ancestors, had such a terrifying origin. What his old grandfather had left him was truly no ordinary source of "surprise."

Li Hao continued, "The Emperor's Vermilion Brush, the Splendid Inkstone, and this Scroll of the Sage Ancestors—any one of these holy objects, if placed in the hands of a Ru scholar of master level, could elevate him at once to grandmaster. If it were placed in the hands of a Ru grandmaster, it could instantly make him a sage among scholars. More importantly, they are tokens of the world's Ru orthodoxy. With a rightful heir like you holding such a scroll, what official or scholar under heaven would not take you as their head? You should know well the Grand Tutor's prestige.

"Brother, you and this Scroll of the Sage Ancestors are truly imperial treasures. Especially at a time of such peril, you represent the upright qi of all under heaven. So long as the Three Holy Relics are united, then whoever they support in ascending the throne will be a match even for the current Son of Heaven. Tell me, is this scroll frightening or is it not?"

Yang Nan had long since been stunned. He had never imagined that once the Scroll of the Sage Ancestors was joined with rightful standing, it would yield such a terrifying effect. What his grandfather had left him was not merely a protective artifact, but a weighty responsibility.

No wonder his uncles had wanted to kill him so badly. If they only wanted the title of duke, they already had wealth enough for ten lifetimes and no shortage of rank or honor. Why would they fight with their nephew over some ducal estate?

Only legitimacy and the Scroll of the Sage Ancestors were the most precious things in the world. With these two in hand, even an emperor would treat one with deference, and a lifetime of glory and wealth would never be in doubt.

His grandfather had arranged for him to take a wife, preserve the ancestral estate of Green Mound Mountain, and leave behind the Scroll of the Sage Ancestors—all to ensure that he had many routes of retreat.

The Marquis of Iron Fang, the scholars of Willow Poplar Academy, the students who had once studied under his grandfather, as well as this scroll of the Sage Ancestors and the sword of Black Flame—all of these were the most precious legacies left by a grand scholar of the Ru School to preserve his grandson's life.

So long as even one of them remained, Yang Nan would certainly not die. And if the Scroll of the Sage Ancestors were seized without legitimacy or standing, it would only arouse the fury of countless Ru scholars. Those uncles wanted both the scroll and rightful standing.

Having understood all this, Yang Nan felt a sour ache in his heart that he could not put into words. His grandfather rarely showed him tenderness, yet his love for him far exceeded that of any grandfather in this world...

After a long silence, Yang Nan finally let out a heavy sigh. "Brother Li, I understand what you mean. I am afraid your offer to help me also comes because of this scroll, is that not so?"

The Scroll of the Sage Ancestors was so important that the princes who coveted the throne would certainly not let it pass them by. It represented the hearts of the empire's officials. So Yang He, Yang Cheng, Yang Yi, and the others would surely not let him go.

Was not Li Hao's conduct itself proof of this? He had both the affection of childhood and the bold grace of present charity. If Yang Nan would not help him, then who would?

At this, Li Hao smiled and said, "Brother, since I have dared come to ask your help, one of the descendants of Masters Fang Yuan and Zuo Wang has already agreed to assist me. So long as Brother is willing to lend me your strength, the great matter can be accomplished."

A thought flashed through Yang Nan's mind, and he suddenly said, "Since you have come asking for my help, then I suppose it is also time for you to help me?"

What sort of man was the Pure King Li Hao?

Would he have come all the way to Seeking Immortals City for no reason?

Without offering him some immense favor, how could he possibly ask Yang Nan to produce the Scroll of the Sage Ancestors and help him ascend the throne for nothing?

Yang Nan understood this clearly. Li Hao nodded, making no attempt to conceal it, and said with a smile, "Brother, you are being pressured by your uncles. Have you never heard that one should beware in times of peace? If you were in Kunlun Mountain, they could do nothing to you. But now you are in the Manor of Seeking Immortals, in the mortal world, where currents run treacherous and hidden. Moreover, as far as I know, your maidservants have already fallen under their control. Brother, you must be careful. What is coming for you is not only several masters of the realm of cultivation, but also hidden collaborators from within the Kunlun Sect!"

He exhaled slowly and said, "Brother, you are in grave danger now. I fear your life may be in jeopardy at any moment."

"Butterfly has been taken by them?" Yang Nan's expression changed abruptly. He had thought the matter serious, but never imagined it had already reached such a point. No wonder the three women had gone and never returned...

A cold light flashed in Yang Nan's eyes as he said in a low voice, "Is it Li Yun? He actually dared to do this?" Shock and fury surged through him. Only now did he realize how arrogantly he had underestimated the situation. Was there truly no one in Seeking Immortals City who would dare make a move?

Perhaps not.

If Li Yun acted, it would surely be a killing blow. His carelessness could have disastrous consequences.

Li Hao smiled faintly. "Your struggle with Yang Cheng and the others over the Scroll of the Sage Ancestors and the title of duke is merely a family matter. He can safely sit back and watch; the affair will never reach him. So long as Seeking Immortals City is sealed off and all communication cut between inside and outside, you will have no choice but to fight for your life." Li Hao had already placed the most severe facts before him. He had come today precisely to help Yang Nan, and Yang Nan would not be allowed to refuse.

Yang Nan's features twisted, and then he threw back his head and laughed. "Excellent means! Truly excellent means! That Li Yun, that uncle of mine! If the danger is truly this great, then may I ask why Your Highness is still willing to take such a risk for me?"

By now he understood everything. From the moment his magical weapon was broken, Li Yun had been plotting every move. He had calculated that Yang Nan would surely come to Seeking Immortals City to exchange for materials and repair his divine weapon.