novelaction Chapter 199 Taking the Cauldron
Chapter 199 Taking the Cauldron
An Lushan then feigned a sigh and slowly said, "I have heard that the Blood Drop Pavilion has not yet found their founding artifact, the Jade Void Seal, which is why I am worried! I have no good ideas at the moment!"
Zhu Song frowned, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes. "Does it mean I have to find the Jade Void Seal for them before they'll be motivated to restore their kingdom?"
"Of course not, but..."
An Lushan paused briefly, looking as if he didn't know how to start the conversation.
Seeing this, Zhu Song said, "Prince An, it's come to this point, just say what you have to say, don't beat around the bush."
An Lushan quickly clasped his hands in a fist and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was just afraid that this deduction was too far-fetched and might offend Your Majesty's ears."
Zhu Song waved his hand, "I forgive you, speak freely!"
An Lushan cleared his throat, his mind racing as he plotted how to seize the gilded cauldron step by step and ensure that Zhu Song would kill Zhuge Liang afterward.
"During my time in the Great Yuan Dynasty, I came into contact with an important figure in the Blood Drop Pavilion. This person was not only exceptionally shrewd but also incredibly capable. Although he was only at the Golden Core stage, the hidden talents of our Great Ming Dynasty were no match for him. I imagine he held a high position in the Blood Drop Pavilion!"
"Oh!"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Song's eyes flashed with surprise. He knew that the hidden talents were among the best in billions in terms of both combat strength and potential, and it was almost certain that they would break through to the Nascent Soul stage in the future.
This person was able to easily defeat the seed I had hidden away. Such potential is truly terrifying. If he breaks through to the Nascent Soul stage in the future, will we, the old Nascent Soul cultivators, still have anything to eat?
It's worth it!
Zhu Song slowly sat up straight, gesturing for An Lushan to continue.
Seeing that Zhu Song was indeed on the right track, An Lushan continued, "Your Majesty, this man is secretive and difficult to fathom. In our conversation, I discovered that he is very interested in the gilded tripod of our Great Ming Dynasty, and even directly expressed his desire to borrow it."
Zhu Song's expression hardened, and his brows furrowed slightly: "Absurd! The gilded cauldron is the founding artifact of our Great Ming Dynasty, of extraordinary significance. What exactly does he, a mere member of the Blood Drop Pavilion, intend to do by wanting to see our dynasty's artifact?"
An Lushan lowered his head slightly, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes: "I also find this matter strange. After repeated questioning, this fellow finally revealed that he has an ancient scroll in his possession, which records a mysterious connection between the five founding artifacts. Therefore, he wants to use the gilded cauldron to help them find the Jade Void Seal!"
Zhu Song stroked his chin, a sharp glint in his eyes: "Prince An, do you think this man's words are credible?"
"I believe it to be true!" An Lushan said with a confident expression.
Zhu Song raised an eyebrow. "How do you determine that?"
An Lushan respectfully clasped his hands in a fist and said earnestly, “Your Majesty, the importance of the Jade Void Seal to the Blood Drop Pavilion is beyond doubt. They have been secretly tracking it for thousands of years. If they didn’t have some basis, they probably wouldn’t have mentioned the ancient scroll so rashly. Therefore, I am certain that the matter of the scroll is very close to true!”
Ah!
Zhu Song nodded upon hearing this, then thought for a moment and said, "Although the gilded cauldron is of little use, it is absolutely impossible for it to be lent out!"
Upon hearing this, An Lushan remained unfazed. He narrowed his eyes slightly and said, word by word, "Your Majesty, perhaps a tremendous opportunity is right before us!"
Zhu Song frowned, a hint of doubt in his eyes, "What incredible opportunity?"
An Lushan paused, then lowered his voice and said, "In ancient times, the founding artifacts were all extraordinary objects, capable of suppressing and killing terrestrial immortals. Why are they now like ordinary objects? Logically, this should not be the case. Therefore, I deduce that this fragment may be able to unlock some secrets about the national artifacts!"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Song's eyes suddenly flashed with intense light, and his fingers slammed heavily on the dragon table: "You mean... the national treasure may be sealed by some kind of power, and this fragment might be able to restore the treasure to its former glory?"
Seeing this, An Lushan was secretly pleased, knowing that his words had successfully piqued Zhu Song's interest.
He nodded hastily and said, "Your Majesty is wise! If we can truly use this incomplete scroll to break the seal on the divine artifact and restore its former power, wouldn't our Great Ming Dynasty soar to new heights!"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Song abruptly stood up from the dragon throne, then slowly sat down again, shook his head, and said, "These national treasures have been studied by countless experts, yet none have been able to discern their mysteries! How can Prince An be so certain that he can unlock this secret with just a fragment?"
An Lushan remained calm and clasped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, although those masters are powerful, they do not have this fortune. Zhuge Liang's acquisition of this rare item may be due to the favor of Heaven, while my unintentional discovery of this secret is even more of a blessing for our Great Ming!"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Song was still somewhat skeptical, but it still stirred up a tremendous wave of emotions within him.
For thousands of years, the national treasure has only had a name that sounds impressive, but it is completely useless.
If he could unravel the mystery, he could even stand on equal footing with those ancient and powerful families, something he never dared to dream of before.
Zhu Song tried to calm the turmoil in his heart, his sharp eyes fixed on An Lushan.
“Prince An, this matter could be a big deal or a small deal. The ancient aristocratic families are not to be trifled with. Do you understand what I mean?”
Upon hearing this, An Lushan's eyes lit up. He knew how difficult it was for a Nascent Soul expert like Zhu Song to advance further. Even the slightest hope was enough to tempt him.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I have never mentioned this matter to anyone!"
Zhu Song nodded, staring at An Lushan with a scrutinizing gaze. After a long while, he slowly said, "Very good! So, Prince An's idea is that we should first borrow the gilded tripod to lure out the incomplete scroll?"
"That's right! Even if my deduction is wrong, it won't cause any loss to our Great Ming!"
An Lushan subtly wiped the sweat from his forehead and reiterated that this was merely his deduction.
This was just a lie he made up to trick people into giving him the gilded cauldron.
However, he had told Emperor Ming earlier that he was afraid his deductions were too far-fetched and might disturb the emperor's ears. But Zhu Song wanted to hear it, so there was nothing he could do!
Zhu Song frowned slightly, pacing back and forth in the hall, his mind in turmoil.
On the one hand, the gilded tripod is a symbol of the founding of the Ming Dynasty and has extraordinary significance, making its lending extremely risky; on the other hand, the temptation is truly astonishing!
After pondering for a long time, Zhu Song stopped and looked intently at An Lushan: "We shall do as Prince An says! However, after this matter is over, regardless of whether it is true or false, that Blood Drop Pavilion cultivator named Zhuge Liang must be killed!"
An Lushan was secretly delighted; this was exactly the result he wanted. He quickly clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is wise! Once the Blood Drop Pavilion is stabilized, I will make sure this person disappears without a trace!"
Zhu Song nodded slightly, then looked at An Lushan and said, "From now on, you can command the experts of the three major sects. Go and arrange the matter of the gilded cauldron! As for the Song and Tang kingdoms, you must immediately set about keeping them in check and make sure they don't let the Yuan Dynasty interfere!"
Upon hearing this, An Lushan's lips curled into a ruthless smile. After bidding farewell to Zhu Song, he left the palace...