Chapter 92 National Preceptor
Thick clouds rolled over the sky, completely blocking out the sun.

The warmth of the afternoon had completely dissipated. In order to play with the maids, Zhu Youzhen only wore a long gown, which was convenient for fighting at any time. He may have felt that his clothes were fluttering and had a very elegant temperament, but now the warmth was gone. He stood on the left side of the main hall of the Buddha statue with a pale face. The wind from the hall poured into his crotch, making him shiver even more.

A group of attendants held his clothes and waited outside the hall trembling with fear, but did not dare to move at all.

There were two more dead bodies at the entrance of the palace. One was trying to add clothes to Zhu Youzhen, and the other was trying to take the opportunity to escape.

Xiao Yan stood in front of the Buddha statue with his hands behind his back. Behind the bronze mask, his eyes just looked at the word "Anle" on the Buddha statue indifferently. His fingers behind his back were tapping lightly from time to time.

Zhong Xiaokui stood on the other side with her head down. She was filled with evil spirit and even breathing too heavily was painful. She had to clench her hands tightly. Her nails pierced the skin on her palms, and a little blood seeped out to distract herself from the pain.

She was already well aware of the power of the mysterious man in front of her.

“You…”

After a long time, Zhu Youzhen finally couldn't stand the double torture of fear and cold. He first glanced at Zhong Xiaokui viciously, then looked at Xiao Yan's back and changed his words: "This... hero, I don't quite understand what you said before..."

"I think I have made myself clear." Xiao Yan turned around, brushed his clothes, and sat casually on the exquisite stool in front of the Buddha statue.

The corner of Zhu Youzhen's eyes twitched, and a hint of anger flashed across his face.

That was the throne he sat on, and no one else was allowed to touch it for even a moment!

However, due to the general situation, he could only compromise and try his best to show his dignity, pretending to be calm and said: "I really hope that my mother can come back to life, but the idea of ​​resurrection from the dead is so illusory, don't you think it's absurd?"

Xiao Yan did not answer immediately, but raised his eyes and stared at him.

In a moment, Zhu Youzhen felt frightened by the gaze of the eyes hidden behind the mask. Although he was extremely furious, he subconsciously restrained the majestic look on his face, and his calves, which had been trying to remain calm, began to tremble again.

"I wonder if King Jun has ever heard of the elixir of immortality." At this time, Xiao Yan's voice sounded slowly.

"Immortality elixir?" Zhu Youzhen was instantly shocked.

"During the Zhenguan period of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, there was a sorcerer named Yuan Tiangang who devoted his life to creating an elixir of immortality. After that, Yuan Tiangang remained immortal for a hundred years and achieved longevity. He was also worshipped by Emperor Taizong as a national teacher and served the Tang royal family exclusively. As far as I know, this elixir of immortality has the ability to bring the dead back to life."

"Isn't this a legend?" Zhu Youzhen considered himself a well-read man, and he had read history books. Although he was moved when he heard this, he immediately expressed his doubts and said, "If what you said is true, then if Yuan Tiangang has made the elixir of immortality, why hasn't Li Shimin lived until now? Moreover, if that sorcerer can live forever, why haven't I heard of his name?"

"It seems that you are not all about sensual pleasures." Xiao Yan sneered, then crossed his arms in front of his chest, not wanting to explain more, and said: "Prince Jun can explore the inside story by himself. What I want to know now is still the same question. Prince Jun, do you care about the resurrection of Concubine Zhang?"

His tone was still neither hurried nor slow, but it sounded particularly convincing.

Although Zhu Youzhen was angry, he was inexplicably agitated when he heard the words. His eyes seemed to bulge out from his skinny face. He would not allow anyone to doubt that he missed his mother. He said in a hoarse voice, "Of course I care!"

"Then don't ask any more questions." Xiao Yan smiled indifferently, then pointed at himself: "And I have a way to help you revive her."

"You can also make an elixir of immortality!?"

"Why not?" Xiao Yan sat on the stool, leaning forward, and said slowly: "In the past, Emperor Xizong and Emperor Zhaozong of the Tang Dynasty had a premonition that the world would be in chaos and the Li Tang Dynasty would be in danger, so they gathered the wealth accumulated by the Li Tang royal family for three hundred years and hid it somewhere in the world. They sealed it with a secret method for the descendants of the Li Tang Dynasty to use to revive the Tang Dynasty. The wealth in it can be said to be inexhaustible, and the secret recipe for the elixir of immortality is among them."

"Is this true?!" Although Zhu Youzhen was very greedy for pleasure, he was not just a fool, and he was slightly moved at this moment.

Xiao Yan smiled faintly and said, "This secret treasure is commonly known as the 'Longquan Treasure'. As the legitimate son of the Zhu family, Prince Jun should know about it. And this Lord Zhong should also know a lot of the inside story."

Zhu Youzhen's eyes were red, and he quickly turned to ask: "Zhong Xiaokui, is what he said true or not!?"

Zhong Xiaokui could not hide the pain caused by the evil spirit, her face was a little pale, but she did not dare to disobey Zhu Youzhen, so she gritted her teeth and replied: "Your Highness, there is indeed such a rumor. Four years ago, the story of the 'Longquan Treasure' was widely circulated in the martial arts world. It is said that the secret of this treasure is in a magic sword called 'Longquan'. Back then, the Hades stirred up a bloody storm in the martial arts world, and a big reason for this was to find this Longquan sword..."

“Is it true…?” Zhu Youzhen swallowed and became a little excited.

When he heard Xiao Yan's words, he only believed them three-quarters of the time. But when he heard Zhong Xiaokui say that the Underworld Emperor had actually made a big fuss about this matter, he believed it completely!

He knew that his brother, born to a stepmother, was always a person who would not do anything without profit. He was humble in front of Zhu Wen, but secretly he was extremely ambitious and shrewd. He had even tried to get the Longquan Sword, which showed that the treasure was not a lie! And judging from the secret recipe of the immortality drug, it was possible that it was indeed there!
Thinking about the latter, Zhu Youzhen's breathing became rapid. His face flushed. He looked at Xiao Yan and said, "Can you help me find the Longquan treasure?"

Then, he became suspicious again: "You are not the Dark Emperor's man, right?"

"Of course not."

"That damned Zhu Yougui controls the huge Xuanming Sect but he still couldn't snatch the Longquan Sword. How can you do that?"

Xiao Yan just smiled, and then said: "Just because I can kill people in this palace, and I can also make King Jun stand here calmly and talk to me."

Zhu Youzhen's face trembled, and murderous intent suddenly arose in his heart.

But he thought he was not the kind of fool who only knew how to enjoy himself. The guy in front of him made Zhong Xiaokui, the top master under his command, helpless, and taking his life was even easier. But after Xiao Yan came in, he did not hurt him, which made him inexplicably suspicious.

Could it be that the person in front of him wants to join him?
He rolled his eyes and said without refutation, "I am not a person without self-awareness. If you are really capable of finding the Longquan treasure, I will do my best to help you. Afterwards, I will not take any of the wealth in it. I will give it all to you. I only want the secret recipe of the immortality medicine."

After saying this, he became somewhat arrogant and said confidently: "Although my reputation in the Daliang Dynasty is not as loud as that of the Ghost King and the Underworld Emperor, I also have some power under the palace, and I am very favored by my father. Although I am not very interested in the throne, the country of Daliang will definitely be handed over to me in the future. Although you have committed such a disaster today, I appreciate you very much. If you follow me, I can let you replace Zhong Xiaokui in the future."

"In the future, even if you want to be crowned a general or a king, it will be a piece of cake. Even if it is the Xuanming Sect, I can reward you."

On the side, Zhong Xiaokui was a little confused.

She knew that Zhu Youzhen was a little too confident, but the mysterious masked man in front of her was so powerful that she couldn't even defend herself against him. How could she surrender to him?
In front of the Buddha statue, Xiao Yan crossed his fingers and leaned back, just staring at Zhu Youzhen motionlessly.

The latter was also confident that he had been extremely courteous and humble, and that he had not held grudges against the past. He was willing to use the assassin in front of him as his personal attendant, which was truly the behavior of a hero.

Of course, once he finds out where the Longquan treasure is, he will repay the humiliation he suffered today a hundredfold!
Unexpectedly, Xiao Yan suddenly sneered, and then laughed loudly.

"Prince Jun is really impressive."

Zhu Youzhen was secretly angry and asked, "Why is this happening to you, sir?!"

The next moment, Xiao Yan exerted a little force with his toes, and the ground suddenly cracked. A piece of gravel suddenly flew over and suddenly broke the golden crown on Zhu Youzhen's head.

With a clang, the golden crown fell to the ground along with some short hair. The eunuchs outside looked up and saw the crown trembling even more.

Zhu Youzhen's skinny face turned pale instantly, and for the first time he realized how close death was to him. Although he tried to remain calm, he subconsciously retreated several steps with weak legs.

Xiao Yan laughed emotionlessly and said, "King Jun, please don't fail to recognize the current situation. I can trade with you, but you can't trade with me."

"Whether Concubine Zhang can be resurrected with the immortality elixir is up to me to decide."

Zhu Youzhen took a few deep breaths, lowered his head to hide his cruel expression, and said in a deep voice: "According to your wishes, what are the conditions?"

"It's very simple. Prince Xujun needs to do a few things for me." But Xiao Yan didn't need Zhu Youzhen to answer, and continued: "I heard that your Zhu family emperor wants to attack the Jin Kingdom?"

The latter was surprised when he heard this, and then stared at him, "Are you Li Keyong's man?"

Xiao Yan said in a cold voice: "Don't ask too much, Prince Jun. If you really want to revive Concubine Zhang, you'd better think it through before answering. If you say something completely untrue, I have a way to tell." Zhu Youzhen's face changed. At this time, he really believed in the existence of the elixir of immortality, so he said in a deep voice: "You guessed wrong. Father actually wants to take Fengxiang. Li Keyong is a coward. He is not to be feared. On the other hand, Prince Qi Li Maozhen is too weak to be defeated. We can defeat him with one victory."

Unexpectedly, Xiao Yan didn't seem surprised. He just nodded slightly and said, "I need Prince Jun to say a few good words for me in front of the emperor. Now that Lulong is in civil strife, Daliang can abandon Qi State and take the opportunity to go north, first conquer Cangzhou, and then turn to take over Hebei."

"Civil strife in Lulong?" Zhu Youzhen's eyes rolled and he responded, "I can report this to my father, but I need you to provide more reliable information..."

Xiao Yan ignored him and continued, "Secondly, I heard that there is a general named Wang Yanzhang in Prince Jun's mansion. I hope Prince Jun can lend him to me."

"Wang Yanzhang?"

Zhu Youzhen thought about it and remembered that there seemed to be such a person, but he should be a young and strong general. At present, the main position in the Daliang court was still held by veterans such as Yang Shihou who had followed Zhu Wen in his early years, and they also served as the governors of various towns.

"You are just a warrior. What's wrong with me giving you a slave?"

Xiao Yan just laughed, and then said: "Third, Prince Jun can do his best to suppress Zhu Hanbin."

"Zhu Hanbin!?" It was only now that Zhu Youzhen finally came to his senses. The man in front of him was wearing a mask and pretending to be mysterious, but he seemed to be particularly familiar with the Daliang officialdom, and now he suddenly brought up Zhu Hanbin.

And just now, he asked Zhong Xiaokui to pass a message to Cui Yu, asking him to get close to Zhu Hanbin and win him over.

But with the immortality elixir and the threat of life and death in front of him, he was too lazy to think too much. With his hair disheveled, he stared at Xiao Yan: "That's all?"

"The last thing is to have Prince Jun send someone into the Daliang court."

"Who?"

"I."

Zhu Youzhen was suddenly horrified and tried to look, but he couldn't see what Xiao Yan's expression was. But at this moment, the bronze mask that couldn't be more ordinary became even more mysterious.

"who are you?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Yan disappeared from the stool and stood in front of Zhu Youzhen.

A hand was placed on Zhu Youzhen's shoulder, causing his shocked face to tremble instantly.

The next moment, a very convincing voice came from behind the mask.

"I can help you get everything you want."

"If Prince Jun is willing to trust me, I will be your Yuan Tiangang."

Zhu Youzhen's heart trembled, and he stared, only to see that the eyes behind the mask were also staring at him.

He pursed his lips and said subconsciously: "My lord, I believe you..."

"Hahaha."

Xiao Yan nodded with satisfaction, patted his shoulder heavily, and then walked out slowly with his hands behind his back.

On the side, Zhong Xiaokui hesitated for a moment, and without caring about Zhu Youzhen, he hurriedly followed him out.

In front of the Buddha statue in the main hall, Zhu Youzhen's hands were shaking, as if he felt an inexplicable emotion surging in his heart. He looked up at the Buddha statue and saw that it seemed to have turned into an extremely attractive, golden dragon throne.

"Your Highness..."

Outside the hall, seeing that the god of death had finally left, a group of attendants crawled in howling like ghosts and began to worry about Zhu Youzhen's safety.

…………

In Prince Jun's mansion, Zhong Xiaokui accompanied Xiao Yan, holding a token in his hand, and led him all the way out of the mansion.

During this period, she also retrieved the sword that was taken away by the guards of the palace for Xiao Yan.

It was not until the latter got on the mount that she turned pale and pleaded in a low voice: "The evil spirit in my body is really painful..."

On horseback, Xiao Yanxu covered his eyes, then raised his hand and grabbed the air, and a stream of Yin energy was recalled from Zhong Xiaokui's body.

The latter relaxed instantly, his face covered in sweat, but there was still fear in his red eyes.

But the next moment, a scabbard of a horizontal sword reached out and lifted her chin.

"Kid, I know your secret."

"?"

Zhong Xiaokui's eyes instantly showed alertness.

Xiao Yan laughed indifferently, his body standing straight without bending at all.

"Keep an eye on Zhu Youzhen for me. Maybe I know where your real master is."

Zhong Xiaokui's not-so-tall body trembled suddenly and his face turned pale.

She hadn't even come to her senses until Xiao Yan rode away on his horse.

……

After a long time, Zhong Xiaokui returned to the main hall of the Buddha statue in a daze.

Inside, Zhu Youzhen sat on a stool with disheveled hair. A group of eunuchs from the palace surrounded him, helping him put on his clothes and cursing at Xiao Yan.

She adjusted her expression and bowed.

"Your Highness, that thief has been taken away by this servant..."

"Thief?"

"No, no, no, he is my imperial teacher." Zhu Youzhen laughed hoarsely, raised his head, and his smile was extremely crazy among his messy hair, "Zhong Xiaokui, kill these slaves."

"Not a single word of today's news can be leaked!"

　I will update one chapter first. There are still 3,000 words. If I don't update it tonight, I will make up for it tomorrow.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)