In Emei, start by obtaining golden attributes.

Chapter 447 A Change in Circumstances, Trouble Originates at Emei

Zhu Houzhao did indeed value Gu Shaoan.

Gu Shaoan's talent and medical skills made Zhu Houzhao think highly of him.

However, Zhu Houzhao did not pay much attention to Gu Shaoan's strength after he entered the Celestial Realm.

But he never expected that Gu Shaoan, whose internal energy cultivation was only at the level of Condensing Yuan Qi, would actually have such a terrifying level of strength.

Even Zhu Qiyang, the top expert in the imperial court, was no match for Gu Shaoan.

Just as Zhu Houzhao was feeling a bit sentimental, the group entered the pavilion under the guidance of Abbess Wujue.

"Thank you for your trouble, Uncle-Master."

Gu Shaoan first stood up and thanked Abbess Wujue.

After the Abbess nodded to indicate that she was leaving, Gu Shaoan then gave Zhu Houzhao a slight nod.

"Please!"

In response to Gu Shaoan's words, Zhu Houzhao nodded and slowly sat down.

Compared to before, his sitting posture is less slouching.

Gu Shaoan was not surprised by this.

In the past, with the help of four experts at the Celestial Realm within the imperial court, he might have been able to put on an air of being the emperor when facing Gu Shaoan.

But now, two martial artists at the Celestial Realm have died at the hands of Gu Shaoan in the imperial court.

Based on the strength Gu Shaoan has demonstrated, even if Zhu Houzhao and the other Celestial Realm expert joined forces, they would not be a match for Gu Shaoan.

Given this difference in strength, the identities of the two sides naturally changed as well.

After a short while, Zhu Houzhao put down his teacup and took the initiative to speak: "The Prince of Zhen has an extraordinary status and strength in the palace. In addition, I have been in seclusion for the past few months, so I was not aware beforehand that the Prince of Zhen had impersonated me to go to the Emei Sect."

Faced with Zhu Houzhao's words that immediately shifted responsibility, Gu Shaoan chuckled lightly, remained silent, and quietly sipped his tea.

Taking in Gu Shaoan's reaction, Zhu Houzhao continued, "Strictly speaking, Zhu Qiyang and I are not from the same lineage. My lineage is the main lineage, while Zhu Qiyang's lineage is a branch lineage."

"Therefore, Zhu Qiyang has always been trying to elevate his own branch of the royal family to the throne. So in recent years, I have also tried my best to prevent news about you from reaching his ears."

"Even my previous seclusion after returning to the palace was to create the illusion that even after entering the Celestial Realm, I could only live a few more years. But I didn't expect someone to deliberately leak your information to Zhu Qiyang."

"Let Zhu Qiyang know that you have the ability to cure my premature aging."

Upon hearing this, Gu Shaoan paused, his hand still holding the teacup.

Who leaked it?

“Sunflower Ancestor, he has always been someone Zhu Qiyang planted by my side. It was only after this incident that I found out.”

"What about people?"

"He's dead. His body is at the foot of the mountain. If you want to see it, I'll have someone bring it up right away."

After putting down his teacup, Gu Shaoan asked, "Since people's hearts are not united, do you still dare to target Ba Shiba and Si Hanfei of the Great Yuan Kingdom?"

Zhu Houzhao calmly said, "Although there is internal strife, they are all members of the royal family after all. They know what is important and what is urgent. Eliminating Ba Shiba and Si Hanfei is entirely beneficial to the Great Wei Kingdom. As for Zhu Qiyang, it will still be of great benefit to his line of royal family to sit on the throne in the future, so there is no need to worry about this."

Listening to what Zhu Houzhao said, Gu Shaoan slowly said, "As members of the royal family, we still need to reason with them. No wonder it is said that 'the royal family has always been cold-hearted'."

Zhu Houzhao said calmly, "Feelings and trust are too extravagant and too uncontrollable for us imperial families. The safest way is to use 'profit' to drive them."

Finally, Zhu Houzhao shook his head and said, "However, Zhu Qiyang and Tu Baichuan both died at your hands. Now, the only Celestial Realm martial artists left in the court are me and General Wang from the Wang family, which has given the Great Yuan Kingdom an opportunity to take advantage of the situation."

Gu Shaoan narrowed his eyes and asked, "What do you mean?"

Zhu Houzhao said, "At the same time I received Zhu Qiyang's message, Bai Xiaosheng also received the message. Then, Bai Xiaosheng informed the Great Yuan Kingdom that only General Wang and I, two experts at the Celestial Realm, remained in the court."

Upon hearing this, Gu Shaoan knew perfectly well that Bai Xiaosheng was still determined to instigate a civil war between the two countries.

Over the years, although the Great Sui and Great Yuan Kingdoms did not support three Celestial Realm martial artists in the palace like the Great Wei Kingdom, the Great Yuan Kingdom's martial arts world and the imperial court were unified, and the imperial court was also able to mobilize Celestial Realm martial artists like Ba Shiba.

The situation in the Sui Dynasty was not much different. When Yang Jian was in power, he had a very high degree of control over the Sui Dynasty, and the four major clans all followed his lead.

When Yang Guang became emperor, although his influence over the four major clans decreased, the experts of the four major clans would not openly disobey Yang Guang's orders.

In summary, the strength of the Celestial Realm experts that the three kingdoms can mobilize is roughly the same, which is why the three kingdoms have been able to maintain the current balance.

However, with Meng Chixing and Pang Ban of the Demon Master Palace being lured to the Great Wei Kingdom and killed by Zhu Houzhao's scheme, the Great Yuan Kingdom lost Meng Chixing and thus fell into a disadvantageous position.

"Since the news of the deaths of Meng Chixing and Pang Ban was relayed back to the Great Yuan Kingdom last year, the Great Yuan Kingdom has increased its garrison on the border, which is enough to show the Great Yuan Kingdom's vigilance."

"But now the tables have turned, and it is our Great Wei Dynasty that is in decline. Do you think the Great Yuan Dynasty will give up such a great opportunity?"

Gu Shaoan didn't question whether the Great Yuan Kingdom would believe that there were truly only two Celestial Realm experts left in the imperial court. Since the news came from Bai Xiaosheng, given Bai Xiaosheng's abilities, Gu Shaoan believed that Bai Xiaosheng would definitely have a way to convince the Great Yuan Kingdom of the situation within the Great Wei Kingdom, thereby prompting them to send Ba Shiba and Si Hanfei, two Celestial Realm warriors, along with a group of top-tier experts who had reached the Qi Condensation Realm, to launch a proactive attack on the Great Wei Kingdom.

Gu Shaoan tapped his fingertip on the table twice and asked, "So you want to hire outside help?"

Zhu Houzhao nodded and said, "That's right! I want to join forces with you and General Wang to lead men to intercept them at Yixiantian, a narrow canyon that the Yuan Kingdom must pass through to enter the Wei Kingdom."

Gu Shaoan said calmly, "In the Great Wei Dynasty, Shaolin Temple is a large and powerful organization. Over the years, I simply do not believe that Shaolin Temple does not have one or two martial artists at the Celestial Realm. As the ruler of the court, your words are law. Even if you cannot summon Zhang Zhenren of the Wudang Sect, summoning a Celestial Realm expert from Shaolin Temple should not be difficult for you."

Zhu Houzhao remained calm.

"Before I set off from the capital to come here, Shangguan Jin Hong had already gone to Shaolin under my arrangement, and they also agreed to send two patriarchs of the Lesser Three Harmonies Celestial Realm."

"However, within the Great Yuan Dynasty, although Si Hanfei is a Lesser Three Harmony Heavenly Realm martial artist, his martial arts are unique. General Wang had fought against Si Hanfei on the battlefield before and admitted that he was no match for him. Ba Shiba is even a Greater Three Harmony Heavenly Realm martial artist, and his strength is only slightly inferior to Meng Chixing."

"Even if there are four of us on our side, the chances of winning if the two of them join forces are still no more than 40%. However, if we include Young Master Gu, the situation will be a little different."

Hearing these words, Gu Shaoan curled his lips into a cold smile, seemingly unconcerned.

"The deaths of Tu Baichuan and Zhu Qiyang can only be considered as their own fault, but with the events of Tu Baichuan and Zhu Qiyang preceding us, do you think I, Gu, would still help the imperial court?"

As if he had anticipated Gu Shaoan's reaction, Zhu Houzhao said in a deep voice, "Bai Xiaosheng has already left the Azure Dragon Society, but before he left, he left me a few words."

Under Gu Shaoan's gaze, Zhu Houzhao said, word by word, "The chaos between the two countries originated in Emei."

Upon hearing those eight words, Gu Shaoan seemed to realize something, and his eyes suddenly turned cold.

Noticing Gu Shaoan's expression, Zhu Houzhao said, "These eight words are clearly what Bai Xiaosheng wanted to leave for you through my words."

"Based on my understanding of Bai Xiaosheng, the fact that he left these eight words clearly indicates that the events in the Great Yuan Kingdom this time were aimed at you."

"Next, Bai Xiaosheng will probably spread the news far and wide, announcing the cause of death of Tu Baichuan and Zhu Qiyang in the imperial court."

At this moment, Gu Shaoan continued, "If the imperial court fails in its attempt to deal with Ba Shiba and Si Hanfei, Bai Xiaosheng will spread other rumors in the martial arts world, attributing the imperial court's failure to me and the Emei Sect."

Zhu Houzhao nodded first, then sighed and said, "So this scheme by Bai Xiaosheng is not only an open plot against you, but also an open plot against my Great Wei Kingdom and Great Yuan Kingdom."

"You and I have both been coerced by him with his overwhelming power and become his pawns without our knowledge. In terms of cunning and methods, Bai Xiaosheng is more experienced and decisive, and knows how to turn all unfavorable factors into factors that are favorable to him."

After a pause, Zhu Houzhao continued, "Bai Xiaosheng wants you to participate in this matter, and there is a high probability that he has a backup plan. So if you agree to follow us, there is a high possibility that you will encounter danger. If you agree to participate, you can call Zhang Zhenren to keep an eye on you in secret. Given your relationship with Wudang and Emei sects, as well as your help to Wudang sect in recent years, Zhang Zhenren should not refuse."

Gu Shaoan raised his eyes to look at Zhu Houzhao: "Your scheme is no less sophisticated than that of Bai Xiaosheng. You actually want to avoid paying any price and have me invite Master Zhang."

Zhu Houzhao said, "This is also the safest method at present. After all, Master Zhang's skill is profound, and he has now reached the level above the Celestial Realm. As long as Master Zhang is willing to make the trip, this matter will naturally be worry-free!"

Gu Shaoan tapped the cup unconsciously with his fingertips, his mind racing with thoughts.

After a long silence, Gu Shaoan asked, "Has the specific time been set?"

Zhu Houzhao responded, "The journey from the Great Wei Kingdom to the Great Yuan Kingdom is long. Even for a martial artist like Bai Xiaosheng, who has reached the Qi Condensation Realm, it would take at least three months to travel from the Great Wei Kingdom to the Great Yuan Kingdom to deliver the message and persuade the Great Yuan Kingdom. However, we cannot guarantee when the Great Yuan Kingdom will take action after receiving the message."

"So at the latest, we will have to set off in three months. The two masters of the Celestial Realm from Shaolin and General Wang have already set off for the border when I went to the Emei Sect."

"After we finish talking today, I will immediately set off for the border."

In response, Gu Shaoan said, "Tomorrow I will set off for the Wudang Sect, but not to invite Master Zhang to the Great Yuan Kingdom. Rather, I will ask Master Zhang to take charge of my Emei Sect."

"Once Master Zhang arrives, I, Gu, will also set off for the border."

Upon hearing Gu Shaoan's words, Zhu Houzhao's eyes flashed.

He immediately stood up, cupped his hands in thanks to Gu Shaoan, and said, "Thank you, Young Master Gu, for your understanding and righteousness."

After explaining how to contact the border and the meeting point, Zhu Houzhao got up to leave.

Just as Zhu Houzhao got up and stepped out of the pavilion, Gu Shaoan's voice suddenly rang out.

“Some things can be done once or twice, but not three times. I am not without temper. If the court oversteps its bounds again, then don’t blame me.”

Zhu Houzhao paused, then turned to look at Gu Shaoan and said, "After this incident, I can guarantee that as long as Young Master Gu remains in the Emei Sect, the imperial court will not overstep its bounds in any way towards the Emei Sect or Young Master Gu."

"After all, I am a person who values ​​my life. I still have premature aging disease. Just for that reason alone, I would not voluntarily risk my life."

Gu Shaoan said calmly, "I hope you will keep your word."

"nature!"

Zhu Houzhao nodded slightly in acknowledgment and then left with the two people behind him.

Only after the two's auras were completely out of their perception range did Zhang Sanfeng and Abbess Miejue use their lightness skills to leap out of the training forest.

However, neither of them looked as relaxed as usual.

Especially Abbess Miejue, whose face turned ashen.

(End of this chapter)