Chapter 248: Lotus Master

Early morning in the Imperial City.

During the morning court session, Sima Kong indeed submitted a memorial to Emperor Jin, requesting that the Heavenly Works Spirit Cage be moved into the Imperial Palace for safekeeping. This proposal received unanimous agreement from all civil and military officials. After all, the Heavenly Works Spirit Cage could, to some extent, enhance Su Qianqiu's strength and uphold his legendary status. For the Autumn Teachings followers among the court officials, it was naturally crucial that nothing untoward happened to the Heavenly Works Spirit Cage.

Emperor Jin, being a shrewd man, naturally understood that the Su family's move was a classic "pulling the rug out from under him" strategy, completely cutting off any possibility of him sending someone to steal the Heavenly Works Spirit Cage. However, it made no difference to him. The recent theft of the Heavenly Works Spirit Cage had merely been an opportune moment he seized; Wen Wangji was not sent by him, nor would he have orchestrated such a plot.

Thus, during the court session, Emperor Jin immediately agreed, and the cage was moved into the imperial vault.

After court concluded, Emperor Jin went to the Imperial Study, where Gu Mo and Su Ziyou were already waiting quietly.

"Ministers Su and Gu, I apologize for the wait!" Emperor Jin greeted them with affable courtesy.

Su Ziyou bowed and replied, "We just arrived."

Su Ziyou's words were not mere politeness; Emperor Jin had calculated the timing to send envoys from the Imperial Reception Bureau to invite them, so they wouldn't have been kept waiting long.

Emperor Jin chuckled, "Ministers Su and Gu, would you be interested in seeing the legendary Heavenly Works Spirit Cage? To be honest, I've heard much about it but have never truly witnessed it myself. Legend has it that the Heavenly Works Spirit Cage is impervious to water and fire, impenetrable by blades or spears. Even when struck with full force by a master of internal cultivation, most of the *qi* is absorbed, converted into energy, and fed back to the wearer. Therefore, a cultivator wearing the Heavenly Works Spirit Cage can increase their cultivation speed tenfold!"

Gu Mo remarked, "Then wouldn't the Su family be brimming with masters?"

Emperor Jin smiled and shook his head slightly. "It's strange, but for all these years, the Su family hasn't produced a single formidable master. They say that Old Master Su alone has exhausted the martial fortunes of dozens of Su generations!"

"Given Su Qianqiu's martial arts realm, wouldn't it be easy for him to train a few martial arts masters?" Gu Mo wondered.

Emperor Jin shook his head. "Old Master Su rarely appears in public; he spends most of his years cultivating in seclusion on the mountains. Even the Su family is mostly forbidden from disturbing him there."

As they chatted, the group arrived at the imperial vault.

The imperial vault was heavily guarded, with many formidable experts, ensuring a high level of security.

Led by Emperor Jin, Gu Mo and Su Ziyou entered the deepest part of the underground palace.

The entire ceiling of the underground palace was inlaid with luminous pearls, casting a soft, silvery glow. The legendary Heavenly Works Spirit Cage had been taken out of its box and was suspended above a jade platform, appearing as if an entire peacock nebula had been condensed into a shimmering, ethereal robe.

The Heavenly Works Spirit Cage was woven from seven hundred and twenty peacock tail feathers, each shimmering with a different radiance. It comprised three layers: the outer layer of golden plumes glowed like nascent auroras, their tips sparkling with crystalline scales, emitting golden light with every subtle movement; the middle layer, made of indigo feathers, resembled deep-sea vortices, with blue light swirling between the barbs and faint clouds surging at the 'eyes' of the feathers; the innermost layer of snowy plumes was as delicate as cicada wings, their downy fibers holding colorful dewdrops that refracted iridescent light, as if woven from crushed rainbows, creating a cascade of vibrant hues and flowing brilliance.

Gu Mo's eyes were covered with a black cloth. Unlike ordinary people who would look directly, he was perceiving it with his spiritual will.

In his mind's eye, he seemed to see a colossal, exceptionally beautiful peacock circling in the air, its tail feathers lightly sweeping, leaving trails of multicolored light in the air. Amidst that flowing brilliance, he could faintly hear a delicate, clear sound, like a fragmented phoenix cry.

"Truly a masterpiece of divine craftsmanship!" Su Ziyou exclaimed, marveling at the Heavenly Works Spirit Cage. "Even without its extraordinary effects, its mere appearance would make it one of the world's foremost treasures."

Emperor Jin also sighed in admiration, "Such a treasure! Calling it a celestial garment would be no exaggeration!"

Gu Mo, however, pondered for a moment and said, "Hmm, it seems quite reasonable that Su Qianqiu almost single-handedly defended the nation's borders back then."

Emperor Jin asked, "Minister Gu, have you sensed the power of the Heavenly Works Spirit Cage?"

"No," Gu Mo replied. "It's too flashy. Think about it: on a battlefield, Su Qianqiu wearing such a conspicuous garment, shining brightly wherever he goes amidst the chaos—wouldn't he be a living target? Who else would they attack besides him?"

Emperor Jin was stunned.

Su Ziyou was also slightly taken aback, then chuckled, "You know, Brother Gu makes a surprisingly good point!"

Emperor Jin couldn't help but laugh, saying, "Minister Gu... you are truly extraordinary. As one among immortals, your observations and thoughts are indeed unlike those of common folk."

After a moment of silence, Emperor Jin suddenly looked at Gu Mo and asked, "Minister Gu, in today's world, at the level of individual power, you are the closest person to Old Master Su. From your perspective, do you think it is better for the imperial court if people like you are more like gods, or more like humans?"

Gu Mo asked, puzzled, "What do you mean, Your Majesty?"

Emperor Jin explained, "This is a question I once discussed with my imperial father. My imperial father believed that if a person possessing divine power maintained their complete divinity, it would never be beneficial for the state and the imperial court. This is because gods transcend, lacking concepts of nation or family, feeling only indifference. Therefore, he did everything he could to preserve a shred of humanity in Old Master Su.

However, I believe that gods are gods precisely because they are unburdened and detached from worldly affairs, having renounced their seven emotions and six desires. If a god retains their humanity, they are not a complete god, cannot attain the true Great Dao, and their divine nature will gradually diminish.

However, these are merely the views of my imperial father and myself. Both of us are mortals, capable only of pondering divine beings through mortal minds, so our conclusions are certainly flawed. Therefore, I wished to consult you, Minister Gu. After all, if there truly are gods in this world, you and Old Master Su are the closest to them!"

Hearing Emperor Jin's words, Su Ziyou also grew curious and looked towards Gu Mo.

However, Gu Mo shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, I cannot answer that question. Regarding individual martial prowess and the martial arts realm, I indeed consider myself among the world's top echelon. However, my life experience is too shallow. I am still at a level where my thoughts are swayed