I Only Want to Lie Flat But Am Forced to Cultivate Immortality-Chapter 77 - 66: The Provincial Examination

"As for whose hands the Heirloom Seal of the Realm is in, where the Thousand Shadows Thief Saint resides, these mystifying matters are yet to be clarified. Perhaps one day, your descendants might uncover the truth..."

After leaving such an open-ended conclusion that sparked much imagination, Guo Dongyang took a break. The old tea patrons who enjoyed the tale rewarded him with tips, while those who were so engrossed they forgot to drink tea hurried to take a few sips.

Those who had drunk too much tea took this opportunity to visit the latrine to relieve themselves.

At a humble tea table below, Zhu Huai’an grew increasingly uneasy, wondering why he hadn’t heard the storyteller mention any ghosts, yet he felt a shiver run down his spine.

It was no surprise that Zhu Huai’an overthought things. After all, Guo Dongyang did not know enough and his storytelling lacked clarity.

Taking a look around the entire teahouse, it was likely that only those at this table had some inside knowledge about the whereabouts of the imperial seal.

Zhu Huai’an had grown up in the prince’s mansion and heard some stories as a child. He knew that Emperor Longping had once instructed his father to search for the seal.

This detail differed slightly from the commonly circulated version.

Folks only said that Prince Changting was searching for the Heirloom Seal of the Realm, but never mentioned that he did so under imperial orders.

In the end, the result was that Prince Changting found nothing, but nobody knew the truth of the matter.

As for Xu Qing, he also knew a bit of the affair. For instance, when performing last rites for Chen Xiaoyi of the Thousand Shadows Sect, he learned a secret from him: Pan Qianying was the Chief Eunuch in the palace, the one who used to follow the Emperor around daily. The Thousand Shadows Sect was founded before Pan Qianying was castrated.

Though Pan Qianying was no longer the sect leader, the Thousand Shadows Sect operated in the shadows as his eyes and ears, carrying out many covert operations on his behalf.

Given that the Thousand Shadows Thief Saint retired to the palace in his later years, where do you think the Heirloom Seal of the Realm would be?

Emperor Longping could not possibly be ignorant of the Chief Eunuch’s true identity.

His actions clearly harbored malicious intent, biding time until he could unleash his schemes. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

Zhu Huai’an evidently knew some details. After all, Prince Changting was no fool. Why would he abruptly abandon his investigation into the seal halfway if not for a significant reason?

Simply because following the clues led him to the very blade used to sever the melon...

The chubby boy pulled out a small handkerchief to wipe the fine sweat from his forehead. It was hard to tell if it was the crowded and stifling teahouse or the frightening story.

"Why are you sweating so much?"

"The tea is too hot!"

"Then why are your hands shaking?"

"The teacup is too hot!"

Seeing the chubby boy, who seemed suddenly ill, Xu Qing looked puzzled.

The eight famous sects of the martial world were just a prelude, an appetizer to tantalize the listeners. The ghost story had not even begun, yet why was he so jittery?

As they spoke, two people entered the teahouse. They appeared to be old acquaintances, though both were dressed in plain clothes, their demeanor exuded confidence and grace.

At this moment, the teahouse was packed with guests, and only the small table where Xu Qing and Zhu Huai’an sat had vacant seats.

The two elderly men, politely making their way through the crowd, came to greet Xu Qing and Zhu Huai’an with a respectful bow before asking to join them.

Xu Qing saw no issue, but Zhu Huai’an, with a wary look, shifted inward almost imperceptibly.

"Why are you squeezing towards me?" Xu Qing wondered what was going on with this chubby boy today, why he seemed so skittish.

Zhu Huai’an, looking serious, replied, "These two old men don’t look like good people. My tutors at home used to look just like this."

Hearing this, Xu Qing’s interest was piqued.

It is often said that the two most common forms of skill are horse recognition and recognizing people. Horse recognition is common, but finding those with true talent in recognizing people is rare.

When riding Xu Qing’s coattails, Guo Dongyang once told him that during the reign of Yong, no one was better at recognizing talent than the young Emperor Longping.

He removed treacherous ministers and dismissed incompetents, establishing a strong governmental framework, reforming the military, and empowering Prince Changting...

Simply having the audacity to entrust all military power to a single person, and then having the ability to retrieve that power peacefully, showcased the sharp insight of the young Emperor Longping.

Aside from Emperor Longping’s talent for recognizing and utilizing people, there was another famous figure in appraising horses, the current Crown Prince.

When the Crown Prince’s tutor was alive, he once remarked that the talent of horse appraisal, while remarkable on a small scale, was of little use on a grand scale.

Since then, the Crown Prince, who loved archery and horsemanship, gave up horse appraisal.

"Brother Zhu, you sound like someone skilled at recognizing people," Xu Qing said with a smile. "In that case, why not tell me what kind of person I am?"

"You?"

Zhu Huai’an replied cheerfully, "You are a seclusive master!"

Xu Qing raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

"Once, a young Taoist priest came to my home on his travels. He wore rough cloth garments but dared to treat my father as an equal," Zhu Huai’an said, scrutinizing Xu Qing with his small eyes. "You carry the same air, as if you are oblivious to societal status. Such a person is either a charlatan or a secluded master who cares not for worldly distinctions..."

Hearing this, Xu Qing was momentarily taken aback, then he re-evaluated the carefree prince in front of him. "I am no master. You flatter me. At most, I am just an ordinary person who wants a simple life."

"An incognito master, I understand!"

Zhu Huai’an quickly responded.

"Nonsense!" Xu Qing rolled his eyes. About to rebut, he was interrupted by a crisp sound from afar as Guo Dongyang prepared to continue his story.