Eternal Sword

Chapter 191 Coming Out
Yanzhou.

Murong Mansion.

The mansion was very lively that day because Murong Hou, who was working in the capital, had returned.

Murong Hou is the third son of the old patriarch Murong Daoye, and serves as the chief of the Xuanwu Division in the imperial palace.

"Third Young Master, why didn't you inform me of your return? My family hasn't made any preparations."

The old housekeeper of the Murong family, whose surname was Duan, welcomed Murong Hou and his party into the mansion and said with a smile, "The eldest and second young masters are in the governor's mansion. Someone has been sent to notify them. They will be back soon."

"It doesn't matter."

Murong Hou smiled slightly and said, "I came back on a whim this time. How are you, big brother and second brother?"

The eldest brother Murong You is Murong Daoye’s eldest son and the current head of the Murong family.

The second elder brother, Murong Kang, is the second son of Murong Daoye and is now the governor of Yanzhou.

"Okay, everything is fine."

Butler Duan nodded repeatedly and looked at the group of more than ten people behind Murong Hou, a hint of doubt flashed through his mind.

These people looked unfamiliar and were dressed simply, but their faces were stern and their eyes were alert. After entering the mansion, they looked around very cautiously.

Among them, several had bulging temples, obviously having cultivated to the fourth level.

These were not the personal guards who followed Murong Hou into the capital.

Among them was a man and a woman, who looked different from the others.

The woman had clear eyes and a smile on her face. She looked ordinary, but she exuded a gentle and friendly feeling. She seemed to have no knowledge of martial arts and her steps were unsteady.

The man was tall and handsome, with a calm demeanor and a deep gaze. He did not look around like the others.

Although he was only wearing cloth, there was a sense of nobility between his brows.

Steward Duan has been with the old patriarch since he was a child and knows countless people.

The woman didn't look like anything special, but the man seemed to be of some importance.

While Steward Duan was thinking, Murong Hou asked again: "How is my father's health? Is he okay?"

"The master is fine and in good health, but he occasionally misses the third young master."

Steward Duan said, "The master should be in seclusion in the inner courtyard at the moment. I will go and inform him right away. Third Young Master, please wait here for a moment."

Murong Hou nodded, then looked at the man in plain clothes behind him.

The man in plain clothes smiled but said nothing.

Deep in the inner courtyard of Murong Mansion.

Steward Duan walked quickly to a room and said softly, "Master, the Third Young Master has returned from the capital."

In the dark room, Murong Daoye sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, his body straight and upright, like an iron tower, motionless, as if he heard nothing.

suddenly!

Murong Daoye seemed to realize something. He suddenly opened his eyes, slightly tilted his head, and looked outside.

His gaze was as sharp as a torch, as if it could burn through walls and penetrate hundreds of feet!
"A distinguished guest has arrived."

Murong Daoye suddenly said, "Please ask them to come over."

"what?"

Butler Duan was stunned for a moment, pondered for a moment, and then walked towards the front hall.

At the same time, in a three-story restaurant hundreds of feet away from Murong Mansion, two women were sitting by the window with a few simple side dishes on the table.

The two of them tilted their heads and looked in the direction of Murong Mansion.

suddenly!

One of the women was struck by lightning, her whole body trembled, and she quickly averted her gaze, breathing slightly, with a trace of fear in the depths of her eyes.

"Si Jun, what's wrong?"

The woman opposite asked in a low voice.

This person is none other than Zong Zhulan, the commander-in-chief of the Suzaku Division.

The woman just now had willow-shaped eyebrows and phoenix eyes, and her snow-white skin was dotted with a few light spots, adding a different kind of beauty. She was none other than Suzaku Sijun!

"The old patriarch has discovered us."

Suzaku Sijun said softly.

"what?"

Zong Zhulan was shocked.

They were located several hundred feet away from Murong Mansion.

Did the two of them not make any unnecessary moves? They just glanced over there a few times and were discovered by Murong Daoye?

Zong Zhulan couldn't help but ask: "What is Murong Daoye's cultivation level? Could it be..."

"The four major clans all have masters, but they have hardly taken action over the years. No one knows what realm these people have reached."

Zhuque Sijun said in a concentrated voice: "This man from the Murong family was known as the God of War back then, the number one person below the Transformation Realm. After so many years, it is not impossible for him to enter the Transformation Realm."

Zong Zhulan nodded and said, "No wonder His Majesty came here in person to invite him out of retirement."

Zhuque Sijun remained silent.

Of course, the purpose of your Majesty's visit is not limited to this.

……

The front hall of Murong Mansion.

Steward Duan quickly returned to the place, glanced at Murong Hou, then looked at the couple behind him, coughed lightly, and said, "The old clan leader said that the distinguished guest should move to the inner courtyard."

The distinguished guest that Murong Daoye mentioned was definitely not Murong Hou.

The most likely ones are these two!
Murong Hou was slightly stunned.

Instead, the cloth-clothed man chuckled and said, "In that case, I'll have to trouble the housekeeper."

"Let's go."

After saying that, the man in plain clothes took the hand of the woman beside him and followed Butler Duan towards the inner courtyard of Murong Mansion.

The people around wanted to follow, but the man in plain clothes waved his hand, signaling them to stay where they were.

Not long after, the two men in plain clothes followed Butler Duan into the inner courtyard.

An old man who was eight feet tall and had a beard as long as a spear was already standing in the inner courtyard. In the pavilion next to him, there were tables and chairs with tea cups placed on them.

Seeing the cloth-clothed man, Murong Daoye walked slowly towards him, raised his hand slightly, and said, "Your Majesty has come to visit. I have been living in seclusion for many years and have not been able to come to greet you. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

This commoner is actually the current emperor of Qian Kingdom, Yuan Qingshan!

Yuan Qingshan smiled slightly and said, "Old Patriarch, you are too polite. You are a senior. I came here incognito without notifying you. I am a little abrupt. I hope you don't take it as an offense."

Even though he was the Son of Heaven, Yuan Qingshan was still polite and without any airs when facing the long-famous war god of Qian Kingdom.

"Who is this……"

Murong Daoye looked at the woman next to Yuan Qingshan and asked.

"This is my wife, Madam Du."

Yuan Qingshan said: "When I was wandering outside, I was lucky to have her accompany me for many years."

"Meet Mrs. Du."

Murong Daoye nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Du for a moment, as if thinking about something.

Yuan Qingshan has not yet appointed a queen since he ascended the throne.

Although he lived a secluded life, he had heard some rumors.

The three of them took their seats.

The tea leaves have already been put into the teacup.

Murong Daoye picked up the kettle on the table. Within a few breaths, a stream of hot air gushed out from the mouth of the kettle, accompanied by a humming sound.

The water in the pot is already boiling!

Yuan Qingshan's eyes lit up.

This skill, though seemingly ordinary, actually demonstrates Murong Daoye's profound inner strength.

Moreover, it can boil the water without damaging the pot at all, which shows the subtlety of this skill!

Murong Daoye poured boiling water into the teacup calmly.

A faint tea fragrance wafts out instantly.

"Your Majesty, why are you here in person?"

Murong Daoye pushed the brewed tea in front of Yuan Qingshan and asked calmly. Yuan Qingshan was quite surprised that the God of War was so direct and got straight to the point.

Yuan Qingshan paused for a moment, then said, "Over the years, the government has been corrupt, the people are seething with resentment; the golden bell has been destroyed, the earthen cauldrons are thundering, slanderers are rampant, and wise men are unknown, so that even a hero like the old patriarch has been covered in dust."

"Now Qian is facing internal and external troubles, and there is a lot of work to be done. I have just ascended the throne, and I need someone to help stabilize the government and deter the evildoers."

"I came here to ask the old patriarch to come out and help the country and save the people."

Upon hearing this, Murong Daoye remained calm and just looked at Yuan Qingshan quietly.

Yuan Qingshan did not avoid Murong Daoye's gaze and looked calm.

"Who are the villains that His Majesty is referring to?"

Murong Daoye asked.

Yuan Qingshan said: "They are everywhere in the temple. What we are lacking is a sharp sword with a cold light to kill these ghosts and monsters!"

Murong Daoye sighed and said, "As far as I know, the emperor has just reappointed the Grand Commandant. At my age, what can I do even if I come out of retirement?"

Yuan Qingshan said in a deep voice: "I want to establish the position of general. Only the old clan leader with his reputation and strength is qualified to hold this position."

Murong Daoye's heart moved, and he looked at Yuan Qingshan meaningfully.

This emperor is very calculating.

After the fall of the previous dynasty, many heroes competed for supremacy. The Murong family and the Yuwen family had fought each other many times and were as hostile as water and fire.

Although they both belonged to the Qian Kingdom later, the feud between the two clans still existed.

The emperor must have noticed something, so he wanted to ask me to come out and serve as the general.

In fact, Yuan Qingshan had already sensed the crisis when he realized that the Yuwen family was very close to the Xuantian Sect.

After much deliberation, he still chose Murong Daoye.

Firstly, Murong Daoye's coming out could take away some of the Taiwei's military power.

Secondly, in the Qian Kingdom, the only clans that have the strength and foundation to compete with the Yuwen family are the other three major clans, and the Murong family is one of them.

Due to the past grievances between the two families, it is impossible for them to join forces.

If it were the Changsun family or the Dugu family, they might end up making things worse and end up nurturing a tiger to harm themselves.

Once Murong Daoye becomes the general, he will definitely check and balance the Yuwen family.

More importantly, it was difficult for Murong Daoye to refuse this proposal.

Seeing that the Yuwen family took advantage of the Pingzhou rebellion to rise up and become the most prominent of the four major clans in the Qian Kingdom.

If the Murong family does not take any action, they will most likely be suppressed in the future.

With Yuwen Mao's cruelty and ruthlessness, it is possible that the Murong family will suffer a devastating disaster!
He believed that Murong Daoye was very clear about this.

What Yuan Qingshan needs to do is to give him a chance.

"I need to think about this matter. After all, I am a bit old and my mind is not very sharp."

Murong Daoye pondered for a moment and did not reply immediately. He said, "If Your Majesty has nothing else to do, you may stay in the mansion for a few days."

Yuan Qingshan seemed unmoved by Murong Daoye's words and said again, "In addition to the position of general, there is another position that I would like to ask the old clan leader to take up concurrently."

"Oh?"

Murong Daoye raised his brows slightly.

There are indeed some honorary positions in the imperial court.

It sounds like a high rank, but actually it has no real power and is just a decorative title.

These empty positions have no appeal to him.

Yuan Qingshan said in a deep voice: "I just said that the whole country of Qian needs a sharp sword to kill villains and monitor all officials."

"Isn't this Qinglongsi's responsibility?"

Murong Daoye asked back.

Yuan Qingshan smiled and said, "I want to set up another department besides the Four Symbols Department, called the Qilin Department. It will not only supervise all officials, but also the Four Symbols Department."

Although the Pingzhou rebellion was put down, he had noticed many anomalies throughout the process.

Among the Four Symbols Departments, the Azure Dragon Department might have a big problem!

Murong Daoye looked at Yuan Qingshan deeply.

When Yuan Qingshan first visited, he didn't take the young emperor seriously.

Different from the deceased Emperor Qian.

This young man had been wandering outside for many years. Although he returned to the capital, he ascended the throne after competition among various forces.

But in reality, this young emperor lacked reputation and strength, and was completely unable to control the government.

This boy is barely able to sit on the throne, but it is in a precarious situation.

The capital city is as deep as the sea. Not to mention this young man, even if he wants to enter the capital, he has to weigh the pros and cons.

This emperor had been away from home for more than ten years. When he first ascended the throne, he seemed to have noticed something unusual in the Four Symbols Department!
Therefore, this method was devised to check and balance the Four Symbols Department and clean up the temple.

It is rare for a prince with no foundation to achieve all these in such a short time.

It seems that suppressing the Pingzhou Rebellion was not a coincidence.

Yuan Qingshan said in a deep voice: "I would like to ask the old patriarch to take on the position of Sijun of the Qilin Division. Only someone as righteous and upright as the old patriarch can wield this sharp sword!"

Great righteousness?

Murong Daoye fell silent.

He can't bear these four words.

He always feels guilty towards one person.

Murong Daoye took a deep breath.

The general, and the Lord of the Qilin Division, which is above the Four Symbols Division.

Once he comes out, he will become one of the most powerful people in the capital!

The temptation is indeed too great.

He still did not rush to answer, and after a long pause, he asked, "Your Majesty, do you have anything else to say?"

"The old patriarch just said that his brain is not very smart. Now it seems that he is too modest."

Yuan Qingshan chuckled, then looked at the woman beside him, his eyes became much gentler, and said: "There is one more thing, which is a private matter of the junior, and I hope that the senior will agree to it."

When mentioning this matter, Yuan Qingshan changed the way he addressed people.

Consider yourself a junior.

"Don't dare to take it seriously."

Murong Daoye's expression straightened up and he said, "Your Majesty, please feel free to speak."

Yuan Qingshan said: "Ms. Du lost her parents when she was young and came from a humble background. I would like to ask you to adopt her as my adopted daughter."

"Ugh."

Murong Daoye sighed softly.

Before this, no matter what Yuan Qingshan said, his expression did not change much.

It was not until this moment that he sighed and looked at Yuan Qingshan with a complicated look.

In fact, he had already made a guess when he saw Yuan Qingshan bringing Du here.

But I didn’t expect that Yuan Qingshan would make this decision in the end.

Before this, he had heard some rumors about the capital.

The emperor encountered great obstacles when he wanted to establish a queen.

The reason is that Du was of humble origin and the gap between their statuses was too great.

A woman from the Dugu clan was recommended into the palace and was considered the best candidate for the queen.

However, the emperor never agreed.

In fact, this is a good opportunity for Yuan Qingshan!

Once Dugu was made queen, he established connections with the Dugu clan, which became a huge helper.

But now, Yuan Qingshan gave up the most advantageous option for himself, and brought Du to visit him, asking him to accept Du as his adopted daughter...

Being from the Murong clan, he could legitimately make Du his queen.

Murong Daoye had just looked at Yuan Qingshan with a different eye, but at this moment, he didn't know whether to say that this emperor was wise or confused.

Perhaps, the most important reason for the emperor's visit this time is this matter.

(End of this chapter)