Chapter 40: Rumors Arise (Part 2)

  This statement is unclear and confusing. Qin Xiaoling is naturally simple-minded and can't understand it, but Lin Qiulü has followed the Emperor for many years and immediately understood what was implied.

  Lin Qiulü knew that the emperor was diligent and decisive, with a strong sense of justice. He was a rare young and enlightened ruler. Especially during the war that year, he led his troops to a great victory, defeating the enemy's army of 400,000 with just 300,000 soldiers, earning him unparalleled prestige. It was also at that time that all the officials were in awe of him, and the country was at peace, but no one knew about this story.

  What Qin Yifan said was not wrong, at that time the emperor could not be wrong, once there was a mistake, he would have to take responsibility for this mistake, and there would be no absolute authority in the current imperial court. But since the emperor was not wrong, the one who was wrong must be someone else. Qin Yifan, who had trespassed into the forbidden area, became the scapegoat, and was an excellent candidate for a human sacrifice.

  It's fortunate that Qin Yifan is not a fool, and he immediately pleaded guilty and proactively left the army, using all his military achievements to atone for his crime. The Emperor was also kind and generous, pardoning Qin Yifan's death sentence, but he was dismissed from the army and could no longer be employed. That team of Imperial Guards who were charged into by Qin Yifan seemed to have been ambushed and annihilated later on, and several generals who knew about this incident at the time received large rewards, but the implication was clear.

  Lao Yao was then promoted and achieved great success in later battles, rising step by step to become a trusted minister of the emperor, holding the position of Grand General. Meanwhile, after Qin Yifan left the army, he returned to his hometown, and no one knew anything about him.

  It was probably at that time that Qin Yifan and the Emperor had a relationship, and after that incident, the Emperor also felt guilty towards Qin Yifan. In this case, it's not surprising that after learning of Qin Yifan's whereabouts, he would give Lin Qiulü to Qin Yifan.

  Lin Qiulü did not know that the Emperor had given Qin Yifan a jade pendant as if he were present, to make up for the grievance of Qin Yifan taking the blame to save the Emperor's face at the time.

  After Lin Qiulü's hint, Qin Xiaoling finally understood the ins and outs of things. However, she seemed to still be unaccustomed to speaking, and no one knew what she was thinking after understanding.

  While Lin Qiulü was still sighing about these past events of Qin Yifan and the Emperor, Qin Yifan suddenly thought of a question: "The Emperor hasn't practiced any martial arts skills, how could he have obtained that imperial seal with such an unusual aura?"

  This was a problem that Qin Yifan had been unable to figure out, holding it in his own hand, and even when Lin Qiulü held it, the seal did not show any unusual signs. But as soon as the Emperor took it, a strange phenomenon appeared. Of course, he was the Son of Heaven, but this was really too far-fetched.

  "The stimulation of the true imperial aura." Lin Qiulü replied calmly: "The seal of Yuan Qing Lao Dao was originally the rebellious golden dragon seal, and it would only have that strange appearance after refinement. However, since Your Majesty possesses the true imperial aura, you are naturally different from us."

  "What is the true imperial aura, I've never seen the emperor practice it before, how can it be so miraculous?" This time Qin Yifan became curious and asked a string of questions, not caring whether Lin Qiulü knew or not.

  It's okay, Lin Qiulü's school of thought has a part that relies on close-range absorption of the true imperial aura to cultivate, so it's relatively understandable: "Do you think the true imperial aura is for the emperor's cultivation? Who dares to defy heaven and teach the emperor the reverse heavenly technique? Aren't you afraid of being struck by lightning?"

  "Where did this true imperial aura of yours come from?" Since Your Majesty doesn't have any cultivation techniques, was it born with?

  "The true imperial aura, that is the current emperor's dominance over the four seas, with all under heaven submitting, countless people kneeling and worshiping, the sincere hearts of tens of thousands of millions of subjects gathering together to form the heavenly son's aura. Does this still need the emperor himself to cultivate?"

  Lin Qiulü also spoke of the true imperial aura with a face full of reverence: "Even if one wants to cultivate it, what kind of method can be used to cultivate this heavenly son's aura?"

  Lin Qiulü's explanation made Qin Yifan understand immediately. Moreover, by analogy, he soon understood why Lin Qiulü and his sect could quickly find the true Dragon Son.

  When the emperor governs with benevolence and the country is at peace, everyone's heart is drawn to him, and the true imperial aura is most flourishing. On the contrary, when the people are struggling to survive and complaints fill the streets, naturally no one will sing praises of the emperor's virtues or sincerely pay homage, and there will be no true imperial aura.

  The current emperor is in his prime, and with the remaining prestige of the great war, the four barbarians surrendered not long ago, and the world is greatly governed. Naturally, the emperor's aura is extremely strong, inspiring a golden dragon seal that is abundant. Only the emperor has this heavenly aura, while others can't even ask for it. No wonder heaven doesn't allow the emperor to have all three blessings of good fortune, longevity, and prosperity; if heaven itself is not complete, how can humans be perfect?

  When the three of them were resting, rumors in the capital had already spread to surrounding cities at a speed much faster than theirs, and became more and more exaggerated. It was as if Qin Yifan alone was like an immortal descending into the mortal world, killing the demons and monsters found by the envoy with ease, like falling flowers and flowing water.

  Nothing has changed, it's still the same two, only now they've become tokens of trust from the Emperor after a banquet. As long as you hold the token and present it to the Emperor, stating your request, you can obtain his approval.

  This rumor spread wildly among the people like a plague, and such a delightful thing was naturally spread far and wide. Especially in the Jianghu, many martial artists heard the rumor and couldn't contain their excitement. If the rumor is true, and the token doesn't recognize its owner, then whoever snatches this token will be able to ask for anything from the Emperor!

  As the protagonist, the three people, no, two people and a corpse, did not hear this rumor, still following their own plan and itinerary, set off towards the northwest. Along the way, Qin Yifan was thinking about Li's words, always feeling that something in the dark was beckoning to him, but he couldn't quite grasp it, just a little short, this feeling made Qin Yifan feel indescribably uncomfortable.

  It may be Qin Yifan's illusion, but since that day when he left the palace, after Qin Xiaoling returned the bead with the condensed evil spirit to Qin Yifan, Qin Xiaoling's behavior has been somewhat different. However, upon closer inspection, nothing unusual can be detected, so it hasn't been paid much attention to.

  After walking for several days, Qin Xiaoling seemed to have lost interest in accompanying the two on foot and often spent most of her time hiding underground. Without the conspicuous attire of a yin corpse, others wouldn't think they were the heroes who defeated the barbarian envoy at the capital's banquet.

  However, as they rested on the road, they could also hear the villagers or traveling merchants discussing their "exploits". Especially that emperor's unconditional promise, it was blown to be unparalleled in heaven and earth, shaking the ages, moving heaven and earth, with just one token in hand, nothing is impossible.

  Qin Yifan and Lin Qiulü both found it somewhat amusing. The emperor's promise was nothing more than that, indeed, limited wealth and glory might be easily obtained, the emperor being wealthy with all four seas at his disposal, not stingy with material rewards either, but it wasn't as magical as they said, simply having this one promise in hand could open up the sky and earth, revive the dead, the emperor was neither a good doctor nor some kind of extraordinary tonic, how could he possibly have such an effect?

  Although the two of them also have some experience in Jianghu, although not much, they can still hear that the rumors have reached what level now. If it's passed on like this, I really don't know how those Jianghu people who like to stir up trouble will imagine things. Although Qin Yifan is not afraid, he doesn't want to get into trouble for no reason either.

  I don't know where the rumor originated from, how could such a rumor spread out? Qin Yifan asked himself, apart from some struggles with those people in the capital and Lao Yao's mansion, he had not offended anyone in Tianchao. Could it be that these rumors were fabricated by those barbarian envoys after they lost the battle?

  Be careful anyway. Although I know it's a rumor, some people believe in it. If someone believes, there will be evil thoughts, and being careful is always right.

  Qin Xiaoling seems to be unwilling to appear in public now. I don't know why. Even Qin Yifan rarely sees her appearing within a day, which is very strange. Compared with her previous naive and lively personality, who likes to watch the excitement, the change is really too obvious and sudden, making people somewhat unacceptable and start worrying. Maybe safety doesn't need to be considered too much, as long as she doesn't encounter any powerful cultivators, but more worry is that she suddenly can't control herself, which would be a disaster.

  "What's wrong?" Qin Yifan couldn't help but ask when he saw Qin Xiaoling during their evening break, his concern finally pouring out.

  "My... head... hurts..." Qin Xiaoling still hadn't recovered her normal speaking speed, and her words were still disjointed and awkward: "...too... many... voices..." The black veil covered her entire body, and for the time being, Qin Yifan could only sense her suffering from her language. Even a thousand-year-old corpse couldn't bear this pain, let alone its intense degree.

  Qin Xiaoling seemed to be a stubborn girl before, enduring such things without making a sound. If Qin Yifan hadn't asked, no one would have known that something like this had happened to her.

  Lin Qiulü was also shocked, the thousand-year-old corpse actually felt pain, this is not a good thing? Is it that the protective array of the capital city is too powerful, causing Qin Xiaoling to forcibly enter the city and get injured, only to react now?

  However, faced with the millennium corpse, Qin Yifan and Lin Qiulü could only watch helplessly. No one had such experience, after all, it was a thousand-year-old corpse, its soul was sealed in its own body, this kind of evil magic, even Lin Qiulü had only heard of it, let alone understand it.

  Qin Xiaoling can still bear such suffering now, but who knows when it will be her limit? What to do at that time? Can't just let Qin Xiaoling suffer like this, can she? But if not letting go, what else can be done? Unable to bear it, Qin Yifan and Lin Qiulü also started to get headaches.