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In history, Huo Guang was Huo Qubing’s brother from a different mother. He lived through the Wu, Zhao, and Xuan dynasties, consolidated power in the court, and made meritorious contributions his entire life. A certain idiom regarding unease originated from him. It was said that Emperor Xuan followed Huo Guang as if there were thorns and brambles at his back. Two years after Huo Guang died, the Huo Clan was exterminated by Emperor Xuan. Huo Guang was number one in the Qilin Pavilion, and she alone did not write out her full name, merely calling herself “the Great Minister of War, Generallisimo, and Marquis of Bolu of the Huo Clan.”
The Star Names of Star World all had relations, but it was unclear whether or not this was a reason that Huo Guang placed so much importance on her True Name.
As Chen Mo pondered, he followed the others into the Rippling Water Hall.
In the hall were rows of tables arranged in a fan shape. The highest seat was luxurious, embedded completely with gems and surrounded by ten seats. Huo Guang, Zhang Anshi, and Zhao Chongguo walked among the seats.
Chen Mo sat cross-legged at Zhao Chongguo’s designated table. He looked around this enormous palace, the interior and exterior of which were decorated extravagantly. The outer beams and crossbeams were all covered in crystal, colored glass, and paintings. Above the throne was a jadeite qilin in the Temple in Heaven, and near the throne were six jade pillars carved with reliefs of qilin. From top to bottom, these were all connected into one. Blue light glowed, fully displaying an ethereal air.
The backrest of the throne was carved with dragons and adorned with red lacquer and a screen. To the left and right of the throne were a large incense table and a luduan1 incense table. In front of the throne was a cinnabar step, and it had four additional incense tables to its left and right. The incense tables had three incense sticks, filling the room with their scent.
Every gem, every incense stick, even every speck of dust in this hall was a valuable Spirit item. With Chen Mo’s eyesight, he could see that using these Spirit items for forging would simply be enormously beneficial. For them to surprisingly be treated as materials for a palace, only one of the Sixteen Star Marquis could have the spirit for such extravagance.
“What are you looking at?”
Qingyi leisurely knelt, her curves elegant.
“Just want to see what one of Star World’s Nine Palaces looked like.” Chen Mo curiously looked about.
“The others are all painstakingly cultivating the aura of the Star Leyline, yet you unexpectedly are curious about looks.” Qingyi’s jade hand traced along the table’s fine qilin glass cups as she took a small sip.
Only then did Chen Mo notice that after entering the hall and sitting down, the other cultivators all shut their eyes in meditation, placing all of their focus on harmonizing their breathing.
“The Star Leyline’s aura has longevity qi. Legend says that cultivating it can allow one to reach a lifespan of several millennia. Every Yuanshou, aside from seeking precious materials in the Western Fields, cultivators also come participate to cultivate this Star Leyline energy in the Longevity Palace.” Qingyi slowly explained.
Chen Mo nodded. However, he had the Star Manual Of Masters Gan And Shi. He basically did not need the Star Leyline.
“Did you cause the lake qilin’s fury outside a moment ago?” Qingyi softly asked.
“En.”
“This is not the time for you to be brash.” Qingyi wrinkled her brow, fearing Chen Mo would cause a commotion.
“If I can’t intimidate even a lake qilin, how do I go hunt a qilin.” Chen Mo had his own plans.
“Qilin Martial Empress Liu Hongyu is not an accommodating person. In front of her, you had best be a bit more quiet. Although we are hunting qilin in this ‘Yuanshou,’ the truth is that this is nevertheless a scheme of Liu Hongyu.” Qingyi warned.
Chen Mo raised his brow. It seemed that Qingyi was very knowledgeable about the Yuanshou.
“Could you elaborate?”
“The Qilin Martial Emperor and Son Of Heaven Liu Xiu have always been water and fire. Liu Xiu is known as the star of heaven’s consideration. The child of Heaven was always the subject of Liu Hongyu’s discontent. The Central Star Field has a law that the Star Marquis cannot stir disputes with one another, so Liu Hongyu uses the ‘Yuanshou’ to slowly clip the Son Of Heaven’s wings.”
“The Yuanshou clips the Son Of Heaven’s wings?” Chen Mo wa sa bit confused. Hunting qilin and the Yuanwu Star Kingdom were fundamentally separate matters. How could she clip her wings, could it be that the Yuanwu Star Kingdom’s Cloud Terrace Constellation officers had foolishly come to throw away their lives?
Qingyi jeered under her breath: “You were unaware of this, yes?”
“It is reported that Liu Xiu has very high charisma. The Yuanwu’s Star Generals are all very deferential to her. ‘Qilin’ are Holy Beasts bestowed by Heaven, and as she is the Son of Heaven, how can she bear to see Heaven’s Holy Beasts be treated as game?” Qingyi cast a sidelong glance: “So every Yuanshou, the Yuanwu Star Kingdom’s Star Generals all will infiltrate the Qilin Star Kingdom and enter the Western Fields to kill the qilin and return it to Heaven.”
“So there was this kind of story?”
Qingyi said: “The Central Star Field has mandated that Star Marquis may not attack one another, but they nevertheless do not care for fights arising from matters like this. The Cloud Terrace’s Twenty-eight Constellations were already outmatched.”
The Yuanshou, it turned out that this was a hunt for the Yuanwu Star Kingdom.
This Liu Che was incredibly vicious, as expected.
“Liu Xiu’s Star Marquis position is above Liu Che’s. From my perspective, her methods are far less formidable compared to Liu Che’s. Liu Che should be the one above her.” Qingyi gave her evaluation.
“Is that so? I saw that Huo Guang, Zhang Anshi and the others aren’t harmonious at all. They may not necessarily be able to achieve anything for Liu Che.”
“Although the Son Of Heaven does her utmost to stop her subordinates from participating in the Yuanshou, it was of no use. Inevitably, there will be a Star General willing to jump into scalding water for her.” A warm voice suddenly spoke out next to them.
The pair looked to see a young lady wearing rhinoceros armor and a mask. Her sitting posture was upright and straight, like a pine. She was of an upright and plainspoken beauty.
“By the time they are all dead, her Star Marquis position should have been rescinded.” Qingyi smiled: “This is fine, for it gives others a chance to obtain the Star Marquis.”
“Are you saying that Liu Xiu cannot intervene in the Qilin Hunt herself?” Chen Mo asked. Given Liu Xiu’s Realm, personally taking action should be very easy.
“Of course this cannot be. How can someone with the position of Star Marquis interfere in matters like this. If this came to be known, their reputation would suffer. Furthermore, Liu Che always participates in the Yuanshou. Even if Liu Xiu wanted to infiltrate the Qilin Hunt, that would not be easy.” Qingyi said.
Chen Mo nodded. He looked at Qingyi: “Then do you want to help Liu Xiu in this Yuanshou?”
“Me, help her?” Qingyi furrowed her brow, understanding his intentions.
The girl smiled profoundly, but she did not answer.
At this time, the other Qilin Pavilion Star Generals also entered the Rippling Water Hall, and the Qilin Cubs from the other Star Fields very quickly revealed themselves.
The “Western Fields Jiaba” was a very important activity in the Qilin Star Kingdom, but there were many casualties in the past. Thus, the Lords Of Heaven among the Qilin Cubs were not as numerous as Chen Mo had thought. Most of the Qilin Cubs were Universe Origin Three Boundaries cultivators, and many of the warriors wore masks or cloaks like Qingyi to conceal their identities.
“The Purple Firmaments Immortal Palace has also come? This truly is rare.” Qingyi’s tone was puzzled.
In Huo Guang’s area, Chen Mo spotted Su Mushuang of the Purple Firmaments Immortal Palace. The girl spotted him as well, but she merely smiled back.
“How do you know she is of the Purple Firmaments Immortal Palace?” Chen Mo asked, curious.
“The cultivators of the Purple Firmaments Immortal Palace all have a Purple Sand Mark on their foreheads. They cultivate Star Energy and are very special among the Ten Great Sects. Concealing their identities from us Star Generals is very difficult.” Qingyi stared at Su Mushuang.
Chen Mo did not mind. He had obtained half of the Sobbing Qilin Stone from Su Mushuang, so he currently had a better chance in the Qilin Hunt.
After another while, a herald called from outside the door: “The Martial Emperor has arrived!!”
Once the herald spoke, the hall suddenly fell deathly silent. From Huo Guang down to the last cultivator, everyone respectfully saluted.
The hall’s doors opened, and a woman languidly resting on a “Crimson Eyed Snow Walker” slowly entered the hall. Many officers followed closely behind her. These officers were various kinds of beautiful, some soldierly, some ice-cold, others unflustered. At a glance, it was clear they were Star Generals.
Even the lake qilin outside the door knelt.
However, what actually drew Chen Mo’s attention was the woman on the Crimson Eyed Snow Walker. That woman wore an elegant moon-white long skirt. Her jadeite hair spread over the Spirit Beast like a river. Her twinkling and bright phoenix eyes showed graceful indolence. Even though she reclined lazily on the Spirit Beast, her every smile and frown, her every word and gesture, even her breathing, contained an overbearing might.
The “power” contained in her body was sufficient to make a cultivator’s Primordial Spirit collapse from too many direct glances.
Chen Mo promptly lowered his gaze.
This Qilin Martial Emperor’s qi was too powerful. She was completely beyond compare to the average Heavenly Star.
As expected of one of the top-notch Star Marquis.
Qilin Martial Empress Liu Hongyu sate on the highest throne. The positions flanking the throne were for Nameless Sword Huo Guang and Qilin Minister Zhang Anshi. The eight seats below were for the other eight officers of the Qilin Pavilion while the third row was for the Weiyang Palace’s other Star Generals.
Their positions and ranks were made clear.
“We pay respects to the Martial Emperor. May the Martial Emperor have endless happiness and long life!”
Everyone said simultaneously, their voices echoing through the Weiyang Palace.
Liu Hongyu waved her hand, an expression of not desiring to speak.
Chen Mo noticed the Star Generals ranked in the third row had some who were surprisingly much more imposing than the Qilin Pavilion Officials. “This Liu Che is indeed hidden very deeply. Even though they are not Qilin Pavilion Star Generals, they cannot be looked down upon.” Qingyi said. “Zhao Ponu, Shangguan Jie, Lu Bode…Hm, that Jin Midi2 was surprisingly able to become an assistant to the Martial Empress?”
Qingyi stared at a woman, who had golden hair, green eyes, and some Western Regions facial features, sitting near the Martial Empress.
“Jin Midi?” Chen Mo was somewhat familiar with this name because his name was very unique. The ri character in Jin Midi’s name was actually pronounced mi. Chen Mo remembered that in history, he was a descendant of a Xiongnu prince, who was abnormally loyal and devoted to Emperor Wu of Han after being brought into the Han court. Reportedly, though his eldest son received Emperor Wu’s favor, the son’s behavior was imprudent, flirting with the emperor’s ladies in waiting. Jin Midi caught sight of this, and loathing his son’s improprieties, thereupon killed his own son, impressing Emperor Wu.
Chen Mo always felt that this Jin Midi definitely had a very deeply ingrained Stockholm Syndrome.
However, Jin Midi later also received Emperor Wu’s trust and could be said to be practically the same status as Huo Guang.
Given her background, Chen Mo felt that she should be ranked first in the Qilin Pavilion.
“Jin Midi, why are there eleven officials of the Qilin Pavilion? Has Su Qingjia not returned?” Liu Hongyu asked.
“Answering to the Martial Emperor. ‘Herder Wu Of Lake Baikal’ Su Wu3 is unable to return to the palace and begs the Martial Emperor’s understanding. Her Qilin Cub quota was replaced by a high official.” A woman stepped forward and answered.
“That truly is a pity. I wanted to enjoy how her martial arts have improved.” The Qilin martial Empress pursed her lips, somewhat regretful. “Never mind, begin the banquet.”
Music began playing, and the maids brought out fine food and drink.
The Qilin Martial Empress sat upon her throne and gazed at everyone in the hall. She noticed the rhinoceros armored woman: “Is that Wave Quelling Dragon King Ma Yuan?”
“Indeed.” Zhao Chongguo replied.
“Ma Yuan. Finally, someone who piques My interest has arrived.” Liu Hongyu smirked. She suddenly struck her palm: “How can we enjoy the banquet without heavenly music. Allow Me to give this Wave Quelling Dragon King the best melody.”
Chen Mo was in the middle of eating the food. All of the culinary delicacies in the Qilin Banquet were invaluable. He suddenly heard a soft guqin. This tune was mellow, heavenly, and ethereal, somewhat familiar. His chest flared with heat.
Chen Mo lifted his gaze.
The dancers parted, and a woman in the middle of the hall gracefully plucked her guqin strings.
The sounds came from her hands, which played her guzheng. Each note concealed a romantic beauty.
Upon seeing her, Chen Mo’s entire body froze solid.
The warmth in his heart became increasingly scalding.
The young lady’s playing moved through psace and time, returning to that scene from back then.
The girl playing the guqin.
She was.
Yu Xuanji.
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Chen Mo is being a blockhead, as usual. Did he think that he might be unable to intimidate the lake qilin? If not, then “can” and “should” are two very different things. It’s like wanting to duel a general and, for that sake, murdering a peasant. If he can’t even murder one peasant, amirite?
That’s sort of the point. If he’s unable to dominate this distant descendant of a qilin bloodline, then there’s no way his powers will spook an actual qilin. In this regard, Chen Mo is simply being cautious, after all, he is up against what is basically Heaven’s favorite son. As he is now, even I have serious doubts as to how he’ll fare against a real qilin.