Chapter 31: A High-Profile "Invitation," A Feeling of Utter Despair

Zhang Sanfeng was not being merely polite; he was genuinely grateful.

He was indeed only a hair's breadth away from the Celestial Realm. Yet, whether this distance was merely a step or an unbridgeable chasm, even Zhang Sanfeng himself could not be certain. It was not uncommon for those trapped in the Terrestrial Immortal Realm to claim they were on the verge of heaven, only to remain unable to take that final step for the rest of their lives.

Zhang Sanfeng was naturally no exception.

The goodwill of a Terrestrial Celestial could serve as a formidable trump card. How much more so the promise of Zhang Sanfeng, a martial arts legend on the verge of stepping into that very realm?

Zhu Jinzhen understood this well. He did not decline, merely smiling faintly: "Daoist Master, you are too kind! If not for your own peerless insight, even if I possessed heaven-reaching abilities, I would be unable to assist you."

"Now that you have the Celestial Realm in sight, it is truly a joyous and celebratory occasion."

"Haha, a shared joy indeed! This poor Daoist thanks you once again." Zhang Sanfeng laughed heartily. The issue of Zhang Wuji’s health had long been a lingering shadow over his heart, and at this moment, seven or eight parts of that heavy burden had instantly dissipated.

The Terrestrial Celestial Realm was known as that of living immortals, possessing unfathomable supernatural powers. Problems that the Terrestrial Immortal Realm could not resolve might no longer be insurmountable in the eyes of a Terrestrial Celestial. Even if the world’s most renowned physicians could not cure Zhang Wuji, once Zhang Sanfeng gained the wisdom of the Celestial Realm’s longevity, he might well be able to resolve the hidden dangers in Zhang Wuji’s body himself.

It was a double blessing; how could Zhang Sanfeng not be moved?

Having caught a glimpse of the mysteries of the Celestial Realm, Zhang Sanfeng was overjoyed. He consulted Zhu Jinzhen on many questions regarding the Terrestrial Celestial Realm, and Zhu Jinzhen answered fluently, explaining the profound intricacies and realizations of that realm one by one. For a time, Zhang Sanfeng was so engrossed that he forgot to leave.

...

While Zhu Jinzhen and Zhang Sanfeng discussed the mysteries of the Celestial Realm, within a residential dwelling inside Jiayu Pass:

Bang!

The courtyard gate was smashed open by force.

Zhu Wushi and Wan Sanchian, who were dining in the main hall, were both startled.

"This is bad!"

Zhu Wushi’s expression changed abruptly, and he prepared to flicker away. However, he suddenly realized that the courtyard was filled with uninvited guests.

"Qin Yiyan of the Tiance Mansion, by order of His Highness, invites the Divine Marquis to Tiance for a discussion."

Qin Yiyan, wielding twin maces in his right hand, led the Tiance soldiers in a grand, imposing formation straight toward the hall where Zhu Wushi sat. Zhu Wushi and the Four Ghosts of Western Hunan intended to resist, but before they could move, an overwhelming aura—like the collapsing of the heavens or the toppling of mountains—pressed down upon them with brutal force.

Zhu Wushi’s pupils constricted, and he gasped in horror: "Three Heaven-Image Grandmasters and a hundred Finger-Mystic Realm masters?"

"Pfft—what did the Divine Marquis say?" Wan Sanchian was so terrified that the soup in his mouth sprayed out.

The Four Ghosts of Western Hunan, who had already begun circulating their Phantom Divine Arts, instantly stood obediently to the side.

Qin Yiyan wore a mocking smile: "The Divine Marquis has sharp eyes."

"Prince Su, why do you invite me?" Zhu Wushi frowned, his heart churning like a stormy sea. He had told no one of his journey to Shaanxi and believed he had left no trail. He could not fathom how Zhu Jinzhen had tracked him down, nor why he had sent Qin Yiyan, the Deputy Commander of the Tiance Mansion, to bring him in with such fanfare.

Clang!

Qin Yiyan flicked his right hand, and the edge of his Dragon-Shattering Gold Maces pointed directly at the throat of the Iron-Gall Divine Marquis.

"This subordinate acts under orders to invite the Divine Marquis to a banquet!"

To hold a weapon to the throat of a court official was to hold them hostage; to point it at the tip of their nose was to 'invite' them with 'pomp and circumstance.'

"Hmph!"

After weighing the pros and cons, Zhu Wushi relaxed his tense body. He flicked his sleeves and stood up with a cold snort: "I have never seen such a way of inviting someone. Today has truly opened my eyes. When I return to the capital, I shall have to discuss this with His Majesty."

"Please!"

Qin Yiyan uttered the single word coldly. As for whether the Divine Marquis would report this to the court or discuss it with the Emperor, that was none of his concern. There was, however, a prerequisite for all of this: Zhu Wushi had to survive long enough to return to the capital.

"Divine Marquis!" Wan Sanchian called out with concern.

"Let’s go. Since Prince Su has personally sent someone, even if it is a trap, we have no choice but to go." Zhu Wushi’s expression was grim. He did not know how his tracks were exposed, nor why Zhu Jinzhen wanted to see him, but he knew he was out of options. This was Jiayu Pass—Prince Su’s territory. Even if he could shake off these three Heaven-Image Grandmasters and the hundred Finger-Mystic masters, he would likely never escape the pass.

However, Zhu Wushi was not overly worried about his own safety. No matter how arrogant Prince Su might be, he would never dare to openly murder a member of the imperial clan in broad daylight. He had at least that much confidence.

"Sigh!" Wan Sanchian sighed deeply. If even Zhu Wushi dared not resist, how could a mere merchant like him act out? He could only lower his head and obediently follow the Tiance Mansion soldiers.

A sneer tugged at the corner of Qin Yiyan’s mouth. To deal with them, did his Highness even need to set a trap? The Iron-Gall Divine Marquis might barely qualify, but that fat merchant certainly did not.

...

After the group had left, various spies who had been curious about the purpose of Qin Yiyan’s display also emerged.

"Zhu Wushi, the Iron-Gall Divine Marquis, the publicly recognized top expert of the Ming court and a true Heaven-Image Grandmaster—even if the enemy had three Heaven-Image masters, he should have at least put up a fight."

"One only fights back when there is hope. Without hope, it is just suicide."

"What do you mean?"

"Qin Yiyan has two Heaven-Image masters behind him, yes, but this is Jiayu Pass. Prince Su himself is in the Tiance Mansion. How far is that from here? If Zhu Wushi acts rashly, a far more terrifying thunderous suppression awaits him."

"It is quite possible that Prince Su might even act personally."

"That makes sense."

Those shadows lurking in the darkness came and went, formless and fleeting. Although they had not obtained any definitive information, witnessing Zhu Wushi being taken away with such fanfare by Prince Su’s men was worth the trip. They all hurried back to report.

...

Zhu Wushi, who had been 'invited' to the Tiance Mansion by Qin Yiyan, never dreamed of what he would hear. When he arrived at the mansion, Qin Yiyan went to report, and although they were separated by over a dozen zhang, a Heaven-Image Grandmaster could easily manipulate the surrounding atmosphere and borrow the power of nature. This distance was, in fact, quite close.

Thus, the conversation between the two people inside the room reached Zhu Wushi’s ears.

"Daoist Master Zhang? Could the person inside be Zhang Sanfeng?"

As he listened closely, Zhu Wushi discovered a terrifying reality. The martial arts legend from Wudang Mountain, Zhang Sanfeng, was on the verge of the Celestial Realm, and he claimed to be in debt to Prince Su, stating that he would go through fire and water if needed?

In that instant, Zhu Wushi felt a chill in his body. It was not the weather, but a coldness that pierced his soul, making him tremble.

Zhu Jinzhen already commanded a million brave soldiers and was the youngest Terrestrial Sword Immortal in the history of the Ming Dynasty; opposing him was already incredibly difficult. Now, with Zhang Sanfeng backing him, Zhu Wushi could not conceive of a way to topple the towering peak that was the Prince Su Mansion.

"Perhaps, perhaps that person inside is not the Daoist Master from Wudang."

"Perhaps it is merely a play directed by Prince Su to manipulate me!"

Zhu Wushi could only comfort himself with such thoughts. Otherwise, with the combination of Zhu Jinzhen and Zhang Sanfeng, his ambitions, his dream of the throne, and all his schemes would instantly be reduced to a pathetic joke.