Chapter 170: Three Divisions Consultation

If Zhang Xuan saw this scene, he would surely faint on the spot.

Lu Xun, the most renowned star teacher at Hongtian Academy, turned out to be the son of Lu Chen, a man with whom he had a peer-level relationship...

Perhaps knowing this was why Huang Yu hesitated, a look of indecision on his face.

Indeed. Your father treated him as an equal and wanted to foster a good relationship, yet you intended to kill his son... It would be strange if he weren't angry upon hearing this. Not exploding on the spot was already commendable.

“I’ll go find that scoundrel now and make him concede...”

After roaring, Master Lu Chen stood up, fuming, and was about to rush out.

Before he even left the room, Steward Cheng Bo hurriedly strode in.

“Master, His Majesty has sent a message...”

As soon as he entered, Cheng Bo spoke directly.

“A message?”

Lu Chen frowned, reaching out to take the yellow silk scroll held by the other man.

He had already sent word about taking people to the royal library tomorrow, and Emperor Shen Zhui had agreed. What could this message mean at this time?

Suppressing the impulse to discipline his unfilial son, he opened the yellow silk scroll casually. Upon reading it, his pupils involuntarily contracted.

“This...”

His face was filled with disbelief.

“What is it?”

Seeing his expression suddenly change, Master Yuan Yu looked over curiously.

He and Lu Chen had been friends for many years, and Lu Chen would not have changed color in such shock unless something truly monumental or deeply disturbing had occurred.

“Look...”

Master Lu Chen didn't explain, but simply handed over the yellow silk scroll.

Yuan Yu, full of curiosity, looked down. He couldn't help but take two steps back, his eyes wide: “This... this can’t be true, can it?”

“Emperor Shen Zhui personally wrote this yellow silk scroll and sent someone to deliver it; it must be true!” Master Lu Chen nodded, then turned to Cheng Bo: “A’Cheng, prepare the carriage immediately. I need to go out.”

“Yes, Master!” Knowing that such a command implied an urgent matter, Cheng Bo didn't dare waste words and quickly went to make preparations.

“Xiao Yu, Bai Xun, you two come with us too!” Lu Chen turned, then handed over the yellow silk scroll he held.

Huang Yu and Bai Xun were initially confused. After clearly reading the contents of the yellow silk scroll, their eyes lit up, and they too showed disbelief: “This... this...”

“Emperor Shen Zhui must be concerned about the Old Ancestor... To be honest, I've examined him too. It's not an illness; his life force is simply reaching its end. If he can't achieve another breakthrough, I'm afraid he won't live past this month.”

Master Yuan Yu couldn't help but say, thinking of the scroll's content.

“Indeed!” Lu Chen nodded, his face etched with worry.

The royal family had only one Old Ancestor, who guarded the dynasty and served as the final cornerstone of the Tianxuan Kingdom. It was because of him that the kingdom remained safe and unchallenged. Once he passed away... the entire Tianxuan Kingdom would likely find itself surrounded by enemies and shaken by turmoil.

Alas, even the most powerful individuals age, and life eventually comes to an end.

This Old Ancestor was no exception.

A few days ago, Emperor Shen Zhui had invited Master Yuan Yu to treat him. Unfortunately, though Yuan Yu's medical skills were superb, he couldn't prevent death, unless... the Old Ancestor could achieve another breakthrough and reach a higher realm.

But achieving that was incredibly difficult.

He hadn't achieved it when he was strong, and now in his twilight years, on the verge of his life force running out, how could he possibly accomplish it?

“I always thought, as the public announcement stated, that His Majesty went hunting. I never imagined he was doing this instead!” Lu Chen exclaimed, a look of astonishment in his eyes as he recalled something.

“Master, the carriage is ready.”

Just then, Cheng Bo approached.

“Let’s go!” Without another word, Lu Chen led the other three swiftly out.

Outside, it was already dark. Pedestrians on the streets had thinned out, and the carriage sped along, its speed undiminished.

Before long, they arrived before a majestic palace wall.

The Imperial Palace of the Tianxuan Kingdom!

The four dismounted from the carriage and looked towards the nearby guards: “Has His Majesty arrived?”

“Reporting to Master Lu, His Majesty has not arrived yet...” Recognizing Lu Chen, a guard hurried forward and respectfully replied.

“Since he hasn't arrived, we'll wait here. They are sure to pass this way.” Lu Chen nodded.

“Understood!” Master Yuan Yu and the others had no objection.

After waiting for about half an hour, a spacious and grand carriage slowly approached, surrounded by guards and cavalry. Its magnificent formation clearly indicated it was the royal carriage, reserved for the Emperor.

Whoosh!

The curtain of the royal carriage was pulled open, and a luxuriously dressed middle-aged man emerged.

“Greetings, Your Majesty!”

The surrounding soldiers knelt in large numbers, and even Lu Chen, Yuan Yu, and the others bowed slightly.

The most powerful person in the Tianxuan Kingdom, Emperor Shen Zhui!

“Teacher, Master Yuan Yu, you have all arrived...”

Emperor Shen Zhui smiled faintly, then turned and bowed to the royal carriage.

Rustle!

The curtain of the royal carriage was drawn open again, and an elderly man slowly stepped out.

Seeing this elder, Master Yuan Yu, Lu Chen, and the others wore solemn expressions. Huang Yu even stepped forward, his manner respectful: “Master Liu, you’ve arrived!”

“Mm!” The elder stroked his beard, nodding with a smile, then gestured to the royal carriage: “You two come out now; we’ve arrived.”

Rustle! Rustle!

The curtains opened again, and two more figures emerged. Both were around fifty years old, dressed in azure robes, and their gentle smiles exuded a sense of peace and serenity.

“Master Zhuang, Master Zheng!”

Upon seeing these two, Huang Yu and the others trembled slightly and collectively stepped forward.

Being called “Master” indicated that these three individuals were true Grandmasters.

Emperor Shen Zhui had actually managed to invite three Grandmasters at once; no wonder even Lu Chen found it hard to believe.

Huang Yu was a Grandmaster's apprentice, and the one she served was Master Liu, who emerged first. Bai Xun was a Grandmaster's student, and his teacher was Master Zhuang, who came out later.

Only because their respective teachers were present did Master Lu Chen allow them to come along.

Otherwise, when Grandmasters arrived, these younger individuals would not have been qualified to meet them.

“All right, stop chattering here; let’s go inside!” Master Liu said with a smile.

The group filed into the Imperial Palace.

“It is truly my honor, Shen, that all you Grandmasters could come to my Tianxuan Kingdom...”

Once the guests and host were seated, Emperor Shen Zhui spoke respectfully, not daring to put on airs.

“Your Majesty is too kind. My presence here isn't solely for your Old Ancestor. Firstly, I'm here to congratulate Elder Tian on his birthday, and secondly, Hongtian Academy has produced a promising talent, and I wish to see if I can take him as an apprentice.” Master Liu smiled.

“Master Liu must be referring to Teacher Lu Xun. His teaching is excellent, and he is very well-known throughout the Tianxuan Kingdom; I've heard much about him.”

Emperor Shen Zhui smiled and promptly introduced: “Speaking of his background, he is none other than Master Lu Chen's only son.”

“Lu Chen, a calligraphy and painting grandmaster of his generation, I've heard of him,” Master Liu said, smiling as he looked at Lu Chen.

“Master Liu, you flatter me...” Lu Chen quickly bowed.

He was a calligraphy and painting grandmaster, holding a high status, but compared to a true Grandmaster, there was still a certain gap. Hadn't he just seen His Majesty's respectful demeanor?

“Alright, let's dispense with the pleasantries. Please summon Shen Hong. We haven't seen him in many years, and this is a good opportunity for Master Zhuang, Master Zheng, and me to examine him together and see if we can find a solution,” Master Liu said, cutting to the chase after a brief exchange of greetings.

Shen Hong was the gravely ill Old Ancestor of the Tianxuan Kingdom's royal family.

Hearing this, Emperor Shen Zhui didn't hesitate. He gave a quick instruction to the eunuch by his side, who then hurried away.

It wasn't long before an elder, supported by the eunuch, walked over.

This elder's hair was completely white, his skin wrinkled, and his entire being was surrounded by a pall of death. He looked as though he might collapse at any moment and never rise again.

Even without a close examination, it was evident that he was at the brink of his life force running out.

If he couldn't achieve a breakthrough or find an effective solution, he truly wouldn't survive another month.

“This old man, Shen Hong, greets Master Liu, Master Zhuang, and Master Zheng.” The elder bowed.

“Please, don't be so formal. Let us examine you...”

Master Liu wasted no words. He circled Shen Hong, observing him, and his brows furrowed.

Following suit, the remaining two Grandmasters also looked over, observing carefully, and all remained silent.

“Do the three Masters have a solution?”

Seeing their expressions, Emperor Shen Zhui's heart sank, and he couldn't help but ask.

“Your Majesty, to be frank, Shen Hong's vitality has declined. Three years ago, I might have had a way for him to achieve a breakthrough, but now, with death energy surrounding him, there's absolutely nothing that can be done!”

Master Zhuang spoke first.

“I share the same opinion. He is old and frail. If he forces a breakthrough, I fear it won't only fail but will also lead to his demise,” Master Zheng also shook his head.

While Grandmasters could guide people to break through and advance to higher realms, there were limitations. Shen Hong, at this moment, was on the verge of his life force running out. Forcing a breakthrough would not only be unsuccessful but could also lead to his death.

“They are right!” Master Liu also shook his head: “Life and death are fated. Shen Hong has given his all for the Tianxuan Kingdom for so many years. If he truly cannot overcome this, it might also be a form of release.”

Grandmasters were accustomed to witnessing life and death and viewed such matters dispassionately. Although Shen Hong was an old friend, Master Liu didn't offer explicit comfort or try to avoid the truth.

“Very well!”

Emperor Shen Zhui's face showed disappointment.

He had initially believed that if Master Yuan Yu couldn't discern the issue, then consulting three Grandmasters would surely resolve the Old Ancestor's hidden problem. He never dreamed he would still receive this outcome.

“Actually, you shouldn't despair. While we are Grandmasters, we are only one-star. If Your Majesty could invite a two-star, or even higher-level Grandmaster, there might still be a solution...”

Master Liu comforted him.

“Two-star Grandmaster?”

Emperor Shen Zhui gave a bitter smile.

To invite these three one-star Grandmasters, he had already paid an immeasurable price. And they had only come because they were on their way to Elder Tian's birthday celebration; otherwise, inviting them would have been impossible.

In this situation, invite a two-star?

He probably wouldn't even get past their gate.

Even in a Conferred Kingdom, a two-star Grandmaster was a top-tier existence, treated with the highest honors by emperors. How could a mere emperor from an ordinary kingdom possibly invite one?

“Your Majesty, I have heard a piece of news that might be useful to you.”

Just as Emperor Shen Zhui felt all hope was lost, Master Yuan Yu, who was at his side, suddenly spoke.