The First Lackey Under The Empress

“Cough, cough,” Xu Zhenguan cleared her throat, seeing him starting to drift off, pulling Zhao Du'an back to attention.

Her voice was clear and cold as she said:

“As for the Dream Devouring Art, everyone here need not worry too much. With your wills, even if invaded, you can resist to some extent.

Moreover, casting this art requires close proximity. You all either possess extraordinary cultivation, or have magical artifacts for protection, with guards constantly by your side, supporting each other. As long as you are careful, it won't be difficult to resist.

After all, that demonic Daoist is not skilled in direct combat; head-on confrontation is his weakness. As for verbal bewitchment, that requires attention. Speak less with strangers.”

These were words of reassurance… Even if everyone present had methods to resist, the capital city had a population of millions, and there were so many officials in the bureaucracy. If mid- to low-level officials had problems, it would be very troublesome…

Zhao Du'an pondered, feeling that the Empress's arrangements were definitely not limited to these.

Sure enough, Xu Zhenguan continued:

“The Bewitching Demonic Daoist is extremely vindictive and has a high-profile style. Even when making enemies, he often only seeks out those he deems worthy opponents.

Therefore, We actually believe that since he has so openly announced his return, he will not hide and engage in petty, disruptive acts against the court.”

Yuan Li looked towards the last three people who had entered the hall, thoughtfully:

“Your Majesty means… if he returns for revenge, he may have already locked onto his targets?”

Xu Zhenguan nodded slightly, raising her eyes to look at the three, without saying a word.

But the meaning was already extremely clear.

Zhao Du'an was stunned, once again shifting his attention to them.

After quietly listening to the conversation between the monarch and her ministers, the three people, each with different identities, who had been abruptly summoned to this small court meeting, stood up and walked forward simultaneously.

The Thousand Bull Guard Deputy General had a sharp gaze.

The Alchemic Dao Divine Official from the Celestial Master's Mansion frowned deeply.

The thin, scholarly old Hanlin scholar seemed to have understood something.

Xu Zhenguan looked down at the three, solemnly saying:

“The three of you have old grudges with that Demonic Daoist. In Our view, the possibility of the Demonic Daoist returning to the capital to seek trouble with you is extremely high.

Therefore, We summoned you here, firstly to prepare you, and secondly, We will send experts to protect you secretly. If the Demonic Daoist appears, they will apprehend him.”

The three looked at each other, without any surprise, as if they had expected it.

The Forbidden Army Deputy General and the Hanlin Scholar bowed and expressed their gratitude, their expressions solemn.

As for the Divine Official with a blue alchemic furnace pattern embroidered on his chest, he looked arrogant, bowing and saying:

“Thank you for Your Majesty's concern, but it is unnecessary. If this humble Daoist is in the Celestial Master's Mansion, I doubt that Demonic Daoist would dare to step inside!

However, now that this person has returned, this humble Daoist hopes that he will come to my door. In the coming days, this humble Daoist will walk around outside the Celestial Master's Mansion more often. If I encounter this person, what harm is there in fighting him?

Life and death are predetermined. Heh heh, it is a great pity that I could not fight this demonic person in the past. Now that I have the opportunity to eliminate the demonic person, to eliminate demons and defend the Dao, this humble Daoist is duty-bound.”

He clearly had the air of not needing the court's protection and that he would handle it himself… No, old Divine Official, you don't understand at all. "Protection" is a euphemism; using you few as bait is the real plan… Zhao Du'an complained inwardly.

But he wasn't surprised either.

The Alchemic Dao Divine Officials had always been arrogant, and with Celestial Master Zhang backing them, they naturally had plenty of confidence.

Xu Zhenguan was not surprised either, nodding slightly, taking it as praise.

Then, she instructed the remaining officials of her faction to discreetly convey the matter after returning, to be vigilant with each other, to prevent anyone from being bewitched and causing trouble.

As for Ma Yan, he naturally took on the task of pursuing and arresting the Demonic Daoist.

The whole process was orderly. At the end, the small court meeting dispersed, and Zhao Du'an was singled out by the Empress to stay behind.

“Does Your Majesty have any instructions?” Zhao Du'an blinked his innocent eyes.

Xu Zhenguan looked at him for a while, and said:

“Although that Demonic Daoist has never met you and has no connection to you, this person is, after all, from Jian Wen's rebellious faction. His return this time may also involve meddling with the Kuangfu Society…”

The implication: Don't rule out the possibility of the Imperial Preceptor causing trouble for Zhao Du'an.

“This subject is a thorn in the side, a thorn in the flesh, of the rebellious faction. If I am really targeted, it will indeed be troublesome. If Your Majesty does not mind, this subject is willing to move into the palace during this period, so as not to be harmed by the Demonic Daoist!”

Zhao Du'an first frowned solemnly, then his eyes turned with sincere intent, revealing his true intention.

“……” Xu Zhenguan's eyelashes trembled, her chest heaving slightly. She turned away, saying unhappily:

“Get out.”

“Alright.”

Zhao Du'an followed suit, turning to leave.

Just as he was about to cross the threshold, he heard the Empress's clear and cold voice behind him:

“If you really encounter this person, you can try to meditate and enter the 'Six Chapters Sutra,' which can break this path.”

Eh, contemplating the paintings left by Old Xu also has this function… But I don't want to break the situation now; I kind of want to try the taste of devouring dreams… Zhao Du'an was surprised in his heart, raising a smile:

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

…

Walking out of the hall, Zhao Du'an strode out, arriving at the palace square, where he saw Ma Yan waiting for him.

“Let's go together.”

Ma Yan glanced at him, without asking what the Empress had kept him to say, turning and leading the way towards the Meridian Gate.

Zhao Du'an followed beside his cheap senior brother, his vision filled with the spacious square, and behind him were the hundreds of steps of white jade railings.

The autumn wind swept across the square, as if he could smell the bloody air of the coup that year.

“Senior brother, will that Demonic Daoist take the bait? I mean, will he risk causing trouble for those three people? Since this person was able to bewitch the late Emperor and thrive in the capital back then, he certainly isn't a foolish and reckless person, right?”

Zhao Du'an thought for a moment, probing indirectly.

Ma Yan didn't look at him, walking straight ahead with his eyes fixed, saying:

“That's because you don't understand this person enough. With this Demonic Daoist's temperament, it's not surprising that he would do such a daring thing. Heh heh, you should know, if this person didn't have enough guts, how would he have dared to swagger and deceive under the nose of the Celestial Master's Mansion in the capital with his evil Daoist identity back then?”

The key is that he even pretended to be successful… Zhao Du'an silently added in his heart.

In his opinion, many people probably guessed back then that this person was not cultivating some orthodox deity.

But this world is never clearly divided between black and white, good and evil.

The late Emperor could deliberately pretend to be confused in order to prolong his life, and others, out of consideration for the imperial family, could also pretend not to see it.

Zhao Du'an asked curiously: “So, what grudges do these three have with the Demonic Daoist?”

Ma Yan explained:

“Hanlin Scholar Kong is a very old-fashioned scholar. Back then, when the late Emperor appointed him as Imperial Preceptor, Hanlin Scholar Kong believed that this order did not respect etiquette and law, so he repeatedly wrote letters of opposition, incurring the Demonic Daoist's hostility. However, out of consideration for the Hanlin Academy's prestigious status, and with the support of Grand Tutor Dong and others behind him, the late Emperor only suppressed him slightly.”

“That Alchemic Dao Divine Official… well, is your family, surnamed Zhao. Divine Official Zhao publicly questioned the Imperial Preceptor as a Demonic Daoist back then, claiming that the techniques used were false… It caused a great uproar and was resented by that Demonic Daoist, but helplessly, with Celestial Master Zhang in charge, it ultimately came to nothing.”

Ah… he was the Divine Official who publicly debunked the fraud back then… Zhao Du'an suddenly understood.

Ma Yan continued: “As for the Thousand Bull Guard Deputy General… on the day of the coup, it was he who cut off the Demonic Daoist's head in the midst of the chaotic army.”

Zhao Du'an: …

Alright, that grudge is indeed very real.

Zhao Du'an blinked, curiously asking, "Then this person, back in the palace, was ultimately…"

Ma Yan glanced at him, understanding the hidden meaning, and sighed, explaining:

"The late Emperor's death shouldn't be directly related to him, after all, there were countless experts in the palace, they wouldn't have allowed him to do evil. As for whether it was indirectly related, it's hard to say, it's become a mystery.

However, there's a more important theory, His Majesty once suspected that the Second Prince, Jianwen, leading troops into the palace to attempt a coup, may have been incited by this person."

Ah… Zhao Du'an was stunned for a moment, then became puzzled.

The Empress had just clearly stated that Martial God Visualization could break through entering dreams, so it should have some resistance to bewitchment.

Even if it didn't, Xu Jianwen had cultivation back then, and besides, he had experts and magical artifacts all around him, there's no reason for a demonic Taoist to take advantage of a weakness.

However, that's indeed hard to say.

Perhaps only by capturing the former Imperial Advisor can the truth be known.

In every dynasty, involving the royal family always involves many secrets and conspiracy theories, Zhao Du'an had seen too much of it.

…

With heavy hearts, the two walked out of the Meridian Gate, and rode out of the Imperial City.

After all this trouble, it was already approaching noon when they came out. Ma Yan had to return to the yamen to arrange the investigation.

Seeing that it was "mealtime," Zhao Du'an didn't return with him, but decided to have a meal first.

The sky is big, the earth is big, but eating is the biggest.

Riding around for a while, he went to the most lively restaurant street in the capital, and Zhao Du'an entered a familiar restaurant with a hot pot sign.

Hot pot in the Great Yu Dynasty is the standard copper hot pot, only popular in autumn and winter.

Every year after the Mid-Autumn Festival, when the weather is cool enough, the copper pots in the various restaurants in the city will be set up.

Zhao Du'an stepped upstairs. Because he often came to drink with his colleagues, the restaurant waiter already knew this important figure and immediately welcomed him into a private room reserved for dignitaries.

Soon, a copper hot pot was lit with red-hot charcoal, and plates of freshly sliced mutton with side dishes filled the table.

"How does that saying go? Eating salted vegetables with tofu…"

Zhao Du'an declined the restaurant waiter's service, held the long chopsticks, personally immersed the vegetables and meat into the rolling milky white soup, and then held a piece of tender white tofu in his palm, sliced it into small pieces with a knife, and poured it into the pot.

Outside the window was the bustling street scene, the shouts of vendors, and the bustling crowd.

Upstairs was boiling water and a pot of warm wine.

Zhao Du'an finished cutting the tofu, picked up a salted peanut and threw it into his mouth, chewing silently.

He picked up a wine cup and took a sip, pondering the matter of the bewitching demonic Taoist.

Suddenly, there was a "knock, knock" sound on the door of the private room.

"Enter," Zhao Du'an said, thinking it was the waiter bringing dishes, but after the door opened, a plain-looking middle-aged man walked in.

"You've come to the wrong place," Zhao Du'an said.

This middle-aged man of medium build, ordinary appearance, wearing a melon-skin hat and a silk jacket, resembling a merchant, closed the door with his backhand.

Then he turned around and looked at Zhao Du'an as if confirming, and said, "Are you Eunuch Zhao of the White Horse Office?"

Zhao Du'an raised his eyebrows and said, "Who are you from?"

He habitually thought it was a servant from some important figure in the capital, perhaps also drinking in the restaurant, wanting to pay respects.

But not coming in person, only sending a servant, was a bit ignorant.

The middle-aged man seemed to smile when he heard this, and actually walked straight to the table, sat down in the empty seat opposite the hot pot, raised his hand to take off the melon-skin hat on his head, with a cordial and polite smile on his face.

Clearly a merchant, but his demeanor inexplicably reminded Zhao Du'an of the old European gentlemen in silk top hats and vests he had seen in British dramas in his previous life.

"I have long admired Eunuch Zhao's great name, please forgive my presumptuous visit."

The middle-aged man's bloodshot, yet strangely demonic eyes revealed a smile:

"The Great Yu Dynasty's Imperial Advisor, ordered me to say hello to you."

…

…

Zhaoyu Office.

Ma Yan rode alone, returning to the Governor's Hall.

After stepping in, he saw that only two Jisi were left, still waiting here, the rest had disappeared.

"Governor!"

The two hurriedly got up and saluted.

Ma Yan nodded, then frowned and said, "Where are the others?"

One person explained: "According to your instructions, they all went to investigate 'that person'."

Regarding the Imperial Advisor who had once wreaked havoc on the imperial court and returned with a bizarre resurrection, everyone seemed to not know what to call him.

Ma Yan nodded, and said without hope: "Any discoveries?"

"Not yet," the two said simultaneously.

Ma Yan was not surprised, although that demonic Taoist was bold and reckless, daring to harm the country with his evil ways, he was by no means stupid.

How could he leave obvious clues?

He was about to speak, ordering to gather people to discuss the follow-up, to deploy people to those that the Imperial Advisor might contact, and places he might visit, waiting for the rabbit to appear.

Suddenly, a figure hurriedly walked in from outside the hall.

"Governor, there's a discovery!"

Haitang said loudly, attracting everyone's attention.

Without waiting for inquiries, she quickly explained:

"The people on my side started with the origin of the paper used for that post, and found the shop selling this post, thereby tracking down a foreign Taoist wearing a cassock, who might be that person.

After that, they tracked him all the way to a clothing shop. Our people didn't alert him, and are secretly watching. They didn't see the cassock-wearing Taoist, but they found the clothing shop owner suspicious. He went out not long ago, and our people are secretly following him."

Ma Yan's eyes were sharp, without any hesitation, he immediately grabbed the long saber:

"Take me there! Immediately! Right now!"

…

…

"The Great Yu Dynasty's Imperial Advisor, ordered me to say hello to you."

Upstairs in the restaurant, in the private room.

The two sat facing each other, the copper hot pot on the table stirring up waves of heat.

Zhao Du'an's pupils suddenly contracted, the muscles under his clothes tensed, preparing for any attack.

The Great Yu Dynasty's Imperial Advisor?!

That bewitching demonic Taoist?

Zhao Du'an couldn't suppress the surprise that arose, accompanied by intense vigilance.

Zhenbao's surname isn't Xu, it should be Cao, right? I just said it, and the person arrived? It's really a jinx…

Oh, I'm also a jinx, it's a good thing it happened… Eh, she and I are both jinxes… We're the same…

Zhao Du'an forcibly cut off the inappropriate retort, his mind racing, but his face was calm, even deliberately revealing a sneer and disdain:

"Heh, the post was delivered this morning, and someone has already come to visit, truly impatient. Are you that demonic Taoist's subordinate? Or a rebel of the Kuangfu Society? Or both?"

He put down the wine cup in his hand and sneered:

"What rat in the gutter dares to face this official."

The middle-aged man's expression was as usual, polite:

"Why should Lord Zhao be angry, I am the current acting head of the Kuangfu Society's capital branch. Although this identity is not honorable, I think it also qualifies me to speak with you… Moreover, why doesn't Your Excellency listen to what I have to say first?"