Chapter 754: Chapter 754: The Origin of the State Preceptor?

The sleeping palace was utterly silent, only the slightly hurried breathing could be heard.

Li Qingmu couldn’t believe it; the Ancestor Holy Emperor died at the hands of Tianxing Pavilion?

This Holy Emperor, in terms of generation, was his maternal grandfather!

"What about the previous Emperors? Were any assassinated by people from Tianxing Pavilion?"

"No." Rong Si gently shook her head, "The previous Tianxing Pavilion always kept a low profile, mentioned only occasionally in various records. None had ever seen them until the time of the Grand Ancestor Emperor, when news of Tianxing Pavilion started to come frequently."

"So, the root cause lies with the Grand Ancestor Emperor?"

Rong Si nodded, "You could say that, but now the Grand Ancestor Emperor has passed, and these matters can’t be investigated."

"Mother, this matter needs to be investigated. I have been inexplicably assassinated so many times; we need to find out the reason. Otherwise, I might not be so lucky next time and could be killed."

The last assassination at the forest site yielded no clues; Li Qingmu did not want to keep living with his head precariously suspended over his belt.

"There are few old ministers left from the Grand Ancestor Emperor’s era, and even if they were alive, few know the truth. Back then, the Grand Ancestor Emperor died suddenly!"

"Suddenly? Wasn’t it said he was killed by people from Tianxing Pavilion?"

"Yes, initially we thought he died because of a cultivation error leading to an inner deviation and sudden death. But later, we found a Silver Needle on his holy body. This Silver Needle was so thin it was almost undetectable. The place it pierced was precisely the vital gate used for cultivation!"

Silver Needle?

Li Qingmu immediately thought of Duanmu Nan!

His weapon was the Silver Needle usually used for healing and saving lives!

"Mother, why do you think this Silver Needle was used by Tianxing Pavilion? Could it be from Bailing Valley?"

"That Silver Needle bore a touch of cold, along with a kind of cold poison. The cold combined with the cold poison caused his vital energies to reverse, and hence he died due to an inner deviation. The Nanyang Bailing Valley, their cultivation techniques are fire-related, which is precisely opposite to Tianxing Pavilion."

Rong Si said, "The death of a nation’s Emperor must be thoroughly investigated. Without sufficient evidence, we won’t draw conclusions lightly."

Li Qingmu said, "If this is true, then our Rong Imperial Family and Tianxing Pavilion are indeed in a state of perpetual enmity. But the recent mooncake incident doesn’t seem like their doing."

"How can you be sure?" 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Mother, think about it. If it were truly Tianxing Pavilion, would they use such disgusting methods? Therefore, I believe this matter has nothing to do with Tianxing Pavilion!"

Rong Si considered it, finding her son’s argument not entirely unreasonable. If not Tianxing Pavilion, then who could it be?

Suddenly, Li Qingmu thought of someone and said, "Mother, how well do you know the State Preceptor?"

"You..."

Rong Si’s eyes widened in disbelief as she watched her son. He actually suspected the State Preceptor?

How could it be possible?

Since the time of the Grand Ancestor Emperor, the State Preceptor had been by his side; his martial arts and everything had been taught by the State Preceptor. He couldn’t possibly do such a thing!

Rong Si seriously stated, "Mu’er, the State Preceptor is both my mentor and yours. Once a teacher, always a father; you cannot harbor such thoughts again!"

Seeing Rong Si looking incredulous and even starting to admonish him, Li Qingmu realized it was too early to discuss the State Preceptor with her. Somehow, he felt there was something sinister about the State Preceptor.

It’s an instinct!

Similar to an affinity; some people chat pleasantly upon first meeting, which is an affinity.

Li Qingmu instinctively disliked the State Preceptor. Despite learning cultivation from him, Li Qingmu remained wary, fearing tricks from the other party.

For now, the State Preceptor’s matter cannot be discussed. To avoid arousing Rong Si’s suspicion, Li Qingmu continued discussing national affairs with her. Gradually, it reached the third hour of the night.

Li Qingmu returned to Changming Palace and lay down to rest. The next morning, he went again to Qianyang Palace.

His reason for visiting Qianyang Palace was simple: to check on the Little Emperor’s injuries and whether the servants there had bullied him.

Fortunately, the ones dispatched were astute; even if they saw no bright future for this Emperor, they at least accorded him some imperial dignity.

"All of you, leave!"

Li Qingmu dismissed the attendant palace servants and approached the bed of Little Emperor Rong Zhuo.

His foot was fixed with a wooden board, the medication had been changed, and a subtle medicinal scent floated in the palace. He furrowed his brows, appearing a bit pained.

Li Qingmu approached, and the Little Emperor gradually opened his eyes.

"Cousin, did you come to bring me food?"

"Yes!"

Saying this, he placed a food box by his bedside.

"Do you have the Zhima pills I mentioned last time?"

"Yes!"

"Thank you, Cousin!"

Struggling to support himself, Rong Zhuo was assisted by Li Qingmu.

"Feeling hungry? Your cousin brought some delicious food today, enjoy as you please."

"Thank you, Cousin!"

Opening the food box, Rong Zhuo saw his favorite dishes and pastries, feeling joyful, he hastily picked up some crisp biscuits to eat.

"Your Majesty, there’s a question I’d like to ask you!"

"Yes, Cousin, ask away!"

Munching on almond crisps, Rong Zhuo spoke indistinctly.

"How much do you know about State Preceptor You Su?"

As soon as Li Qingmu spoke, Rong Zhuo’s expression changed, and he almost dropped the biscuit he was holding.

"Cousin... you... why are you asking about this?"

"I’m just curious, want to ask about the origin of this State Preceptor? With such a high level of martial arts, casually teaching a few results in exceptional martial prowess. Such a person cannot possibly be ordinary."

This statement sounded flawless and even appeared to praise them, yet Rong Zhuo, a precocious child with great intelligence, quickly caught on to the meaning in Li Qingmu’s words.

This hinted that Li Qingmu was beginning to have opinions about the State Preceptor, or perhaps start to suspect him?

Logically, Rong Zhuo should now open up to Li Qingmu, sharing some information, yet Rong Zhuo did not.

He said, "The State Preceptor is indeed extraordinary, not just in martial arts but in governing skills. Daliang is fortunate to have such talent!"

Li Qingmu squinted; the Little Emperor’s words were telling him that this person is definitely no ordinary man and not to lightly provoke him!

Li Qingmu’s expression slightly changed.

Rong Zhuo’s reluctance to speak wasn’t due to absolute unwillingness but because some words should not be said lest it leads to utter ruin!

Though unsatisfied with the answers, at least the situation had found a new breakthrough. Li Qingmu then shared some jokes with Rong Zhuo before leaving.

Returning to the sleeping palace, Li Qingmu sat down to write official documents, review reports, with Chen Liu serving beside him.

"You may leave; I wish to quietly review the documents."

Li Qingmu spoke as he reviewed the documents.

Seeing Li Qingmu head down reviewing constantly with nothing else of note, Chen Liu quietly withdrew.

Once he left, Li Qingmu took several sheets of rice paper, folded them, and stashed them in his sleeve.

The Qianlong Palace had too many ears, some matters couldn’t be spoken aloud and this was the only way.