Checking In for Sixty Years, From Puppet Emperor to Heavenly Emperor – Chapter 17

Ch 17: Flower Thief

Late at night, inside the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, Shangguan Rong was still busy with the reconstruction of the Purple Guard, figuring out where to gather enough manpower, and they had to be female, with a cultivation base of at least the Innate Fifth Level.

Zhou An was right, Shangguan Rong, if placed in modern Earth, would definitely be a proper career woman. Whether it was matters of the imperial palace or the imperial court, entrusting them to the Empress, Zhou Lingsha, Zhou Di, or Shangguan Yuchen would be far better than doing it himself.

As long as he could suppress these talented people, then delegating power to them would maximize their abilities, and in turn, make them more loyal to him.

Also, because he gave them all the power, he had time to leave the imperial palace and check in everywhere in Qian Capital, lighting up the Map of Mountains and Rivers. However, Qian Capital, as the capital of the Qianyuan Empire, was too large, and even with his lightness skill, it would take a long time.

Suddenly, the study window opened automatically, and the books on the desk were ruffled by the wind, the pages flipping quickly.

A palace maid immediately went over to close the window, but as soon as she approached the window, she fell silently to the ground.

Shangguan Rong frowned, put down the records of various departments, and four Purple Guards jumped out, drawing their swords to protect the Empress.

Now the Purple Guards’ attire was different. In just half a day, they had all changed into beautiful, combat-friendly dresses, wearing veils, adding a bit of hazy beauty, but all in purple.

In the imperial palace, besides gold, purple was the most noble color, but gold could only be used by the Emperor and Empress, hence the Purple Guards.

Plus, these were all well-trained martial artists, so their figures were naturally excellent, without an ounce of excess fat.

“Hehe, the imperial palace is indeed the imperial palace, these guards are all so beautiful, how can those courtesans in Qian Capital compare, it’s truly wonderful.”

Suddenly, a lewd laughter came from outside, and a fragrant breeze blew in. A handsome young man in white clothes appeared, a silver fan in his hand, his face full of joy.

“Intruding into the Empress’s palace, you will be killed without pardon.”

The four Purple Guards thrust out their swords, countless sword flowers enveloping the intruder, blocking all escape routes.

“As expected of the Purple Guards, such exquisite swordsmanship. If it were a contest of martial arts, this young master would really be no match. However, in the Jianghu, it’s not always the one with the highest martial arts who wins.”

As soon as the young man finished speaking, the approaching Purple Guards suddenly staggered, three of them falling directly to the ground, their bodies weak, unable to even get up.

One of them, originally Purple Four, used her sword to support her body, preventing herself from falling.

“Such profound internal force, I’m afraid you’re already at the Innate Eighth Level, but no matter how deep your power is, you’re useless in front of my Breathless Fall.” The man laughed loudly, opened his fan, walked up to Purple Four, and reached out to remove her veil, revealing an astonishingly beautiful face.

“Tsk tsk tsk, such a beauty, and yet only a guard, what a pity. You probably don’t know the joys of being a woman, today this young master will let you taste that flavor.”

The man was delighted, and Purple Four swung her palm, but her body lost balance and she fell to the ground.

Shangguan Rong remained unmoved, and asked in a cold voice: “Your Excellency breaks into the imperial palace at night, it’s not just for picking flowers, is it?”

“Hehe, the Empress is indeed different from those orioles and swallows outside. That’s right, I’ve come here to ask the Empress, do you know the whereabouts of the Sun Moon Universe Pearl?” The man smiled as he approached.

“This Palace has never heard of it, can you tell me what it is? Perhaps this Palace has seen it before.” Shangguan Rong asked.

“When your Founding Emperor took Qian Capital, he happened to encounter the birth of an Immortal Treasure. Originally, many Immortal Heroes coveted this treasure, but at that time, the Emperor’s army surrounded them. Even if the Immortal Heroes were eager, they didn’t dare to confront the Son of Heaven with the True Dragon Energy. Moreover, among the million-strong army, even if the Immortal Heroes had the ability to snatch it, they would create boundless karma, which would be equivalent to going against the heavens.

This is a great taboo for cultivators. Even the evil demon heads wouldn’t dare to do this, so they could only watch as the Qianyuan Emperor took the Immortal Treasure.

Later, many experts sneaked into the imperial palace, but unfortunately, it was always carried by the Qianyuan Emperor. He was an expert at the peak of the Houtian Tenth Level, so silently stealing it from him was naturally harder than ascending to heaven.

Attacking the True Destiny Son of Heaven, they didn’t dare to be stained with such great karma, so everyone was waiting for the Qianyuan Emperor to die.

Unfortunately, the Qianyuan Emperor disappeared, and the treasure also disappeared. Many Innate experts sneaked into the imperial palace but couldn’t find it, so this matter was dropped.” The man said without any hesitation.

Shangguan Rong was surprised, she didn’t expect the Qianyuan Empire to have such a treasure.

“Then Senior is an Immortal Hero? Not being able to entertain you properly is Shangguan Rong’s discourtesy. I’ll brew a pot of good tea for Senior, and let me think about where it might be in the imperial palace.” Shangguan Rong was dignified, without the slightest panic. She brought tea leaves and brewed tea on the tea table next to her.

The man was so captivated by Shangguan Rong’s demeanor that he forgot what he was doing, standing there foolishly watching.

As the first wisp of tea fragrance wafted up, the fan in the man’s hand fell to the ground, and he swallowed his saliva.

Shangguan Rong smiled charmingly, gently holding a teacup and placing it across the table, pouring tea and saying with a smile: “Senior, please taste it. I wonder if the mundane things of the palace can suit Senior’s taste.”

“This tea?” Although the man was shocked by Shangguan Rong’s beauty, he was still vigilant. After all, he was a master of poison himself, so he naturally guarded against others.

Shangguan Rong smiled, also picked up a cup of tea, and took a sip first.

Only then did the man sit down, pick up the tea, and take a small sip, his eyes filled with uncontrollable praise: “Good tea, Empress, you also have such good skills. Many say that the current Emperor is incompetent and muddle-headed, if it weren’t for his good fortune, he would be nothing more than a beggar outside.

It’s hateful that such a person actually has a wife like you, it’s truly hateful. Empress, why don’t you come with me? Why follow this incompetent and muddle-headed ruler? It’s too unfair to you.

Follow me, and I can keep you young forever. Although I can’t grant you immortality, living for three hundred years is definitely no problem, how about it?”

Seeing the man’s eyes full of anticipation and restraint, Shangguan Rong poured him more tea, and changed the subject: “Senior came to find the Sun Moon Universe Pearl because you saw the Great Ancestor Emperor appear today.

It shouldn’t be just Senior alone. I’ve always admired Immortal Heroes, can Senior tell me about them?”

“That’s right, the appearance of the Qianyuan Emperor, whether it’s true or false, will definitely spread quickly. This time we happened to be in Qian Capital, so we naturally had to strike first.

This thing is just a mundane treasure in your hands. Only in our hands can it unleash its due brilliance.

If the Empress can help me find this thing and hand it over to the Sect Leader, that would be a great achievement. The Sect Leader said that whoever gets it will receive a Sky-Rank Cultivation Method, and then there will be hope for Innate.” The man revealed a longing look, and when he thought of having both the beauty and the cultivation method in his hands, his joy was evident.

Shangguan Rong saw that Purple Four was quietly leaving through the window in the study. She smiled and continued to pour tea, saying: “Oh, who is the Sect Leader? Is he more powerful than Senior?”

“Hey, if he wasn’t much more powerful than me, how could he be the Sect Leader? Empress, how about it? Do you have any idea where it might be?” The man was a little impatient, but he forcibly restrained his impulse.

It was only because the beauty in front of him was so beautiful that he couldn’t bear to hurt her. Moreover, he felt that he was conquered by her demeanor and temperament, and he yearned to truly possess this woman, that he restrained his desires and said so much to her.

“From what Senior said, that thing should still be in the hands of the Great Ancestor Emperor. I don’t know where the Great Ancestor Emperor is hidden. If Senior isn’t in a hurry, you can wait. I also yearn for immortal cultivation, and I hope Senior can guide me.” Shangguan Rong said, bowing slightly.

Seeing Shangguan Rong’s jade-like skin at her neck and her elegant demeanor, the man’s breathing became a little rapid, and he forcibly restrained his impulse.

At this moment, a large number of footsteps came from outside, and the man suddenly woke up. Shangguan Rong immediately said: “Senior, don’t worry, it’s normal for the Purple Guards to come here, it’s their duty. Why don’t Senior come with me to the imperial treasury? With me here, no one will stop you.”

The man frowned, looked at the Empress, with some doubt and some struggle, and said hesitantly: “You’re stalling for time.”

“With Senior’s abilities, even if all the Purple Guards in the imperial palace appear now, they won’t be able to stop you. What concerns does Senior have?” Shangguan Rong’s calm demeanor made the man feel ashamed, he should be in the upper hand.

He gritted his teeth and said: “Alright, lead the way.”

Shangguan Rong put down the teacup, pushed open the door and went out. More than a dozen Purple Guards were standing outside. She immediately said: “Do not be rude, this is an Immortal Hero.”

The Purple Guards all made way, and the man followed the Empress out. Seeing these Purple Guards, although they were wearing veils, they were all beautiful as flowers, making him itch.

When they walked out of the palace, the night wind blew, causing him to shiver. He had been confused by the beauty of the Empress just now, but now he suddenly woke up, feeling that he was acting foolishly.

Looking at the beautiful woman beside him, his eyes once again revealed lewdness, but he still didn’t make a move.

He knew that the Empress didn’t know the whereabouts of that thing either. He planned to snatch her away when they were near the edge of the imperial palace. Although it was a pity about those Purple Guards, he would get the Empress first.

“Bold, daring to kidnap the Empress.” Just as they left the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, suddenly a person silently cut in between the two of them.

The Empress immediately retreated behind the newcomer and saluted, calling out: “Greetings, Great Ancestor.”