Chapter 539: The Secret Technique Lost for a Thousand Years
"Your Majesty may not be aware, but the East Shu Imperial Family is meticulous in their actions. When Elder Feng entered their palace, he was kept under confinement at all times, except when he was diagnosing their Empress Dowager. On one occasion, he accidentally triggered a mechanism in the Empress Dowager’s chambers and fell into a trap. He was stuck for a full four days before he managed to escape. It was during those four days that the Elder overheard this information. A few months ago, my father wrote to East Shu, and only then did their Empress Dowager release the Elder from the palace. A message has just arrived. My father’s letter instructs me to relay this information to Your Majesty at all costs."
The Beili Emperor placed great trust in the Medicine King’s sect. He fell silent again after hearing the report. ’If Sang Zhi’s eyes truly hold the map to Penglai,’ he thought, ’then East Shu will surely make a move during their visit.’
"Guards! Summon the Eighth Prince to the Imperial Study."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Mr. Li, inwardly shocked, hurried away.
Consort Yuan had just reached the entrance of the Imperial Study when she heard the Emperor urgently summon the Eighth Prince. She felt a surge of confusion.
"Your Highness." An imperial guard blocked her path.
"Inform the Emperor that I have business with him."
The imperial guard bowed, knocked on the door, and went inside.
A moment later, the imperial guard emerged and bowed. "Your Highness, please enter."
As Consort Yuan entered the Imperial Study, she immediately saw the Emperor’s expression—a mixture of excitement, shock, and hidden joy. ’He just ordered someone to fetch the Eighth Prince?’
’What about the Eighth Prince could possibly make the Emperor so happy?’
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
"My dear consort, you may rise."
"What has made Your Majesty so happy?" Consort Yuan asked as she approached, her gaze flicking past Yuan Yintang.
"Joyous news. Immensely joyous news."
"Oh? Could it be that my senior brother has caught the thief who stole my things?" Consort Yuan guessed.
"That matter is trivial. If this news is true, the Medicine King’s sect will have performed a great service. I shall reward you with countless treasures, many times more than what my dear consort lost," the Beili Emperor said, his voice filled with excitement.
"What exactly is it that has pleased Your Majesty so?"
"Your Highness, it is a message from Elder Feng regarding Penglai," Yuan Yintang said.
Joy flashed in Consort Yuan’s heart. "The immortal mountain from the legends?"
"Yes. The map to Penglai is hidden within the Eighth Prince’s eyes."
Consort Yuan froze, her expression turning to one of shock and panic. "The Eighth Prince’s eyes? How is that possible? How can something like a map be hidden in one’s eyes?"
"It is a secret technique, lost for a thousand years," Yuan Yintang said. "The Eighth Prince’s mother’s surname was Xuan. The direct line of the Xuan clan can only bear a single child in a lifetime. Regardless of whether the child is a boy or a girl, they are born unable to perceive any color. Their eyes are sealed by that thousand-year-old secret technique. This seal is passed down to the next generation through their offspring. East Shu only learned of this a year ago from a great master on his deathbed. After they found out, they began plotting to capture the Eighth Prince."
Consort Yuan’s expression turned grim, her fingers clenching tightly within her sleeves. ’How can this be? If it’s true... doesn’t that mean I’ve made a terrible mistake?’
Yuan Yintang paused before continuing, "At the last banquet hosted by the Princess of East Shu for the three kingdoms, it is highly probable she was attempting to seek help from Xi Yan. Her plans that day were disrupted by the young lady of the Xiang family. Fortunately, East Shu and Xi Yan did not reach an agreement. However, I do not believe East Shu will let this matter rest. Your Majesty, you must be extremely cautious of East Shu."
"Tomorrow, I will dispatch a letter to the East Shu border."
The Beili Emperor was well aware that if the existence of the map to Penglai were to be revealed, it would undoubtedly incite a war among the four kingdoms.
"How does Your Majesty intend to handle the Eighth Prince?"
"Tomorrow, I will place the Eighth Prince in confinement. As for how to obtain the map to Penglai, we must rely on the people of the Medicine King’s sect to find a way to break the seal," the Beili Emperor declared.