Zhang Yuanqing stared at the golden pupils of the National Preceptor and said loudly, "In this time of crisis, I wish to seek the National Preceptor's protection, for the sake of the Southern Dynasty and its people."
His voice was loud enough to drown out the surrounding noise, clearly reaching the ears of the officials and commoners present.
Pairs of eyes turned towards the National Preceptor. Xie Lingxi, mixed in with the crowd, cried out in a crisp voice, "Please, National Preceptor, protect the people, the court, and His Majesty."
She didn't know why Yuan Shi-gege wanted to enter the dragon alone, but she knew that she only needed to unconditionally cooperate with Yuan Shi-gege.
Wang Beiwang, Hongjige, Xiaoyuan, and Palace Master Zhisha also cooperated unconditionally. Under the active rhythm of their teammates, the people began to echo.
Begging the National Preceptor to protect the fatuous emperor whom they usually gritted their teeth at the mere mention of.
The National Preceptor was silent for a long time before slowly saying, "Acceptable."
He transformed into a golden light and遁入了 Qinglou. Zhang Yuanqing smirked and looked at Zheng Wenhan, laughing, "Prime Minister Zheng, I will be handling government affairs in Tianji Tower. The internal investigation of spies in the Imperial City Division is entrusted to you. If you cannot find any spies colluding with the Northern Dynasty within three days, you will lose your head!"
He was conveying to Zheng Wenhan that he was employing a delaying tactic, meaning that the conflict between them was irreconcilable and would not end until one of them died.
But after all, rebellion was a great taboo. With the failure of this Heaven Worship Ceremony plan, Zheng Wenhan would definitely choose to prepare fully before making a move, if he wasn't forced to.
Zhang Yuanqing's choice not to touch the Imperial City Division, not to expose his rebellion, was to give Zheng Wenhan a way out, preventing him from rebelling directly.
Zheng Wenhan understood.
But he could only follow the steps down. In public, he suppressed his emotions and cupped his fist, saying, "This humble subject understands."
On the top floor of Tianji Tower, in the alchemy room, Zhang Yuanqing leaned on the railing, looking down at the people like ants. Small streams meandered along the streets, flowing in different directions.
In the square outside Tianji Tower, two hundred city defense troops and two hundred Imperial City Division troops were lined up. The former were the troops controlled by the Yang family, and the latter belonged to Zheng family on the surface.
Further away, on the main road connecting to the Imperial City, luxurious carriages were heading towards Tianji Tower. Some were the carriages of the cabinet officials, and some were palace eunuchs.
The former were there because the emperor had ordered that government affairs be handled in Tianji Tower, so the cabinet officials needed to assist in the office in Tianji Tower. The latter were there to serve Emperor.
Zhang Yuanqing withdrew his gaze and walked towards the outside of the alchemy room.
"Your Majesty, please wait." A middle-aged Daoist priest guarding the door of the alchemy room stopped him, guiding him cautiously with a blank expression.
"The National Preceptor has ordered that you can only rest in this room, not go out, and not move around in Tianji Tower."
Zhang Yuanqing scrutinized the middle-aged Daoist priest. His face was fair and beardless, his eyes were bright, he was full of vigor, and his cultivation was not shallow.
"I want to see the National Preceptor," he said.
"The National Preceptor is comprehending Heavenly Gong and will not see anyone." The middle-aged Daoist priest looked straight ahead, not changing his attitude because of his identity as emperor.
The Daoist priests in Tianji Tower all looked down on the emperor and despised imperial power.
Zhang Yuanqing inwardly curled his lips and said with a smile, "If I were to attack and kill you now, do you think the National Preceptor would stop me? Would he avenge you? Or do you think I can't kill you?"
When he said the last word, he used a Mental Strike. The sound was like grating noise, like a sharp steel needle.
The middle-aged Daoist priest's eyes went black, the veins on his forehead bulged, and his face twitched, but no blood flowed from his nostrils.
Level five, Holy sh*t~ If we really fought, it's hard to say who would win! Zhang Yuanqing was shocked but remained calm on the surface, maintaining a smiling and relaxed posture.
A few seconds later, the middle-aged Daoist priest recovered from his mental damage, looking at the fatuous emperor with more awe and surprise in his eyes, and said indifferently, "Since Your Majesty wants to see the National Preceptor, then I will pass on the message for you." He opened his mouth and spat out a Yin energy, and a white-clothed Blade Spirit servant floated away.
Zhang Yuanqing turned around and returned to the alchemy room, sat cross-legged on the futon, then drove the Spirit Servant to move a low table, a bucket, and charcoal from the corner, and began to boil water for tea.
When bubbles appeared at the bottom of the kettle, a golden light penetrated the wall and entered the alchemy room, transforming into an old Daoist priest with an immortal demeanor.
He came really fast, the water hasn't even boiled yet. Zhang Yuanqing scooped a spoonful of water from the bucket and washed the tea set.
His eyes were always on his hands, and he didn't look at the other person, even though the person sitting opposite the low table was a Ruler.
"Is Your Majesty not afraid that this poor Daoist will kill you?" The National Preceptor's expression was indifferent, and his tone was ethereal and detached, like a Taoist master who had cultivated to the realm of Supreme Oblivion.
Zhang Yuanqing used bamboo tongs to pick up the tea cup and drain the water. "If you could kill me, you would have done it years ago. Why bother spending so much effort? I only knew that you might have scruples and it was not convenient to kill me personally before, but today I understand the reason!"
"Understand what?" the National Preceptor asked lightly.
"I am the ruler of a country, protected by Dragon Qi. Killing me will cause you to suffer the Five衰 of Heaven and Man." Zhang Yuanqing's tone was also very calm, as if he was chatting with an elder. "So you want to use the Zheng family and Ya Furen to kill me."
The National Preceptor's expression was still cold. "I can still let the Zheng family kill you. There are many ways to kill you. There is no need for me to personally take action. Entering Tianji Tower does not mean you are safe."