Chapter 102
Chapter 102: Heaven’s Secrets Pavilion
By the time Li Mu Sheng emerged from the underground Floating Boat City, the afternoon had already settled in.
He and Li Yuan Ling wandered briefly around his new mansion. Finding himself quite satisfied with the estate, Li Mu Sheng soon returned to the main headquarters of the Heavenly Brocade Guard.
On their way back, Li Yuan Ling appeared notably displeased. She seemed particularly bothered by Li Mu Sheng’s unclear relationship with the enchantress Han Mei Yan, sternly warning him:
“You’ve really taken in a demoness from the demonic path? You’d better be careful. If His Majesty finds out, he surely won’t forgive you.”
“Sworn younger sister, surely you don’t think I’m afraid of that Majesty?” Li Mu Sheng shot her a sidelong glance.
Li Yuan Ling opened her mouth, yet no words came forth.
She had witnessed firsthand Li Mu Sheng’s terrifying martial prowess. Even experts of the Heavenly Union Stage were as harmless as novices before him. Truthfully, if Li Mu Sheng decided to act without restraint, even Emperor Yuan Wu might struggle to handle him.
Thinking quickly, Li Yuan Ling’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she said, “If you’re looking for clues about the divine beast, the Fire Qilin, I might actually be able to help.”
Li Mu Sheng raised an eyebrow lightly. “Sworn younger sister, please don’t boast. Earlier, when I asked if you knew anything about the Qilin Blood, you kept quiet.”
Li Yuan Ling rolled her eyes dramatically. “That’s because you’re as stingy as an iron rooster—never losing a single feather! I helped you before, but you, my sworn elder brother, gave nothing in return. Why would I tell you anything?”
Li Mu Sheng’s eyelids twitched slightly. Narrowing his eyes at her, he said, “Don’t slander my reputation. I’m very generous. If you really help me find the divine beast Fire Qilin, your rewards won’t be lacking.”
Li Yuan Ling laughed lightly, but she stopped teasing him, adopting a mysterious expression instead. “I have a close sister. She knows everything beneath heaven, the past and the future. There’s hardly anything she can’t do. Moreover, she belongs to the famous Heaven’s Secrets Pavilion, renowned throughout the Martial World.”
“She was the one who told me about the divine object hidden in Floating Boat City. If anyone knows something about the divine beast Fire Qilin, it must be her.”
Li Mu Sheng’s eyes brightened thoughtfully as he stroked his chin. He had heard about Heaven’s Secrets Pavilion—a mysterious power within the Martial World of the Five Kingdoms, reputed for revealing the secrets of heaven. Any slight movement in the Martial World fell within their grasp. Their extensive network of spies produced the “Heaven’s Secrets List,” a record brimming with secrets and intrigues widely discussed among martial artists.
Considering all this, Li Mu Sheng started to believe Li Yuan Ling’s words might carry some weight.
“Well then,” he urged promptly, “why don’t you introduce me to this good sister of yours quickly?”
However, Li Yuan Ling suddenly narrowed her eyes playfully, waving her hand dismissively. “Don’t rush. She’s not in Shang Yang City right now. Wait till she returns, and I’ll arrange a meeting.”
Li Mu Sheng cast her a suspicious glance, suddenly feeling his sworn younger sister was once again becoming unreliable.
But Li Yuan Ling gave him a confident look, patting her chest boldly. “Relax. Eventually, you’ll understand. Those demonesses outside can’t be trusted. Only your sworn younger sister is truly reliable.”
She paused dramatically, fixing him with a firm gaze, “But remember, you must fulfill your promise. That reward is my bottom line.”
Li Mu Sheng lifted an eyebrow but slowly nodded nonetheless.
Indeed, his sworn younger sister carried some fortune. After all, she had significantly contributed to him obtaining the Qilin Blood. Perhaps she’d luck out again, unexpectedly finding clues to the divine beast Fire Qilin for him. Stranger things had happened.
…
The sun began to set, and darkness gradually embraced the skies.
When Li Mu Sheng finally returned to the Heavenly Brocade Guard headquarters, he encountered surprising news.
Secrets surrounding Consort Ji’s death had leaked from the tightly guarded Great Li Imperial Palace.
Word spread swiftly, and in less than half a day, even the guards of the Heavenly Brocade Guard discussed it quietly among themselves.
Li Mu Sheng hadn’t expected such a damaging incident to the imperial family’s reputation to escape the palace walls. Soon, all Shang Yang City would likely buzz with rumors—someone had infiltrated the palace and murdered a consort.
However, this matter hardly affected Li Mu Sheng, nor did he particularly care. Even if someone traced this incident back to him, he was unconcerned.
Shortly after Li Mu Sheng’s return to headquarters, Commander Fu Qi Wen, normally overwhelmed with tasks, arrived at his courtyard. Given their current shared peril of the Fallen God Peak mission, Fu Qi Wen spoke openly.
“Your Highness, earlier today, envoys from the Right Chancellor and the Third Prince delivered letters urging me to deploy the Heavenly Brocade Guard’s full strength to track down Consort Ji’s murderer.” Fu Qi Wen bowed respectfully.
“I’m sure Your Highness already knows about Consort Ji’s incident. Such news shakes the entire court. By right, as Commander of the Heavenly Brocade Guard, I must apprehend the culprit. However, Your Highness also knows our current state. With our focus entirely on Fallen God Peak, we truly have no resources to spare.”
Li Mu Sheng regarded him thoughtfully. “Lord Fu, you mean to ask me to handle pressure from the Right Chancellor and the Third Prince?”
Fu Qi Wen nodded earnestly. “Your Highness’s influence would hold them off temporarily, just two days until I settle affairs in the Imperial Capital.”
Li Mu Sheng considered briefly, then nodded. “No issue there. Destroying Fallen God Peak is our primary task. Nothing else matters right now.”
Yet he paused thoughtfully, shifting topics. “But tell me, Lord Fu, what do you think about Consort Ji’s assassination?”
Fu Qi Wen looked puzzled, raising his gaze to meet Li Mu Sheng’s. “What exactly does Your Highness mean by this?”
With a calm expression, Li Mu Sheng replied, “I’ve heard Consort Ji conspired with Marquis Cang Yuan’s mansion, murdering women as blood sacrifices for cultivating demonic arts. Shouldn’t someone like that deserve death?”
Fu Qi Wen’s expression shifted noticeably. He studied Li Mu Sheng intently. “May I ask where Your Highness heard this?”
“Naturally, from the Six Gates,” Li Mu Sheng answered smoothly.
Fu Qi Wen’s face flickered briefly before settling into a cautious expression. “I dare not comment on whether that is true or false, given it involves an imperial consort. But if true, according to Great Li’s laws, justice must indeed be served.”