Furthermore, the circumstances you encountered in the palace, and the areas where your perceptions were distorted, are an even greater weapon.
Senior Brother Lu shook his head, his face full of helplessness, looking as if he had been troubled by this matter for a long time.
"So, you knew all along about the demonic tricks in the palace, yet you kept quiet about it, allowing countless young noblemen to go in and die?"
Lingyan did not focus on the demon's abilities as he expected. Instead, she focused on the things he had deliberately concealed and glared at him angrily.
"Speaking of this matter, it was ordered by the Imperial Advisor..."
After being momentarily speechless, Senior Brother Lu quickly explained.
"Master?"
Chu Cheng asked in confusion.
"That's right. The Imperial Advisor knows best how to deal with this demon from his battle with it. The one who faces this demon must remain completely ignorant in order to avoid being distorted in his perception. Once he becomes aware of something, he will be unable to extricate himself."
Moreover, after the great battle, the demon was extremely weak, and we initially did not know where it had fled to. Now it seems that it arrived at Qingxi Taoist Temple and happened to encounter the Queen and her harem going there to worship, so it took the opportunity to possess her.
As the queen mother, she carries the nation's destiny. This substance, though invisible to us humans, is a great tonic for demons. This is why the queen has never died; only a living queen can become nourishment for demons.
The demons are weakened and not as difficult to deal with as before. Didn't you succeed?
Incidentally, although the Queen is still in a coma, her condition has improved considerably.
Although the underlying principle is unknown, this explanation is passable, albeit barely.
"That talented young man from a prominent family—"
Lingyan, however, was unwilling to let them off easily. Clearly, the older and more experienced were more likely to win, yet she insisted on losing so many young scions of noble families here.
"Because—the future imperial advisor should not perish in the royal palace."
Senior Brother Lu smiled slightly and dropped another bombshell.
"The future imperial advisor?"
Lingyan repeated it in a low voice.
"Senior Brother Lu, what exactly do you mean by that?"
Chu Cheng looked at him in disbelief, his eyes filled with panic.
“Junior brother, the Imperial Preceptor is already over a hundred years old. The lifespan of a person is no different from that of a silkworm or a fish; although it is not a case of being born in the morning and dying at dusk, there will always be a time when the oil runs out and the lamp dies out.”
Moreover, it was another fierce battle with that demon. Although he is currently in seclusion to heal his injuries, no one knows whether the Imperial Preceptor will be able to emerge from seclusion.
I didn't dare tell you before because I was afraid you wouldn't be able to accept this fact.
Senior Brother Lu looked at Chu Cheng with eyes full of worry and affection.
"No...no...Master has lived well for so long, he will definitely be fine this time."
Constantly denying this fact, Chu Cheng shook his head and repeated these words before rushing out of the main hall like a madman. He no longer had any energy left to receive any more information.
"It seems that Junior Brother needs some time alone. Now, I presume the two young masters understand what I mean?"
Senior Brother Lu did not stop Chu Cheng, letting him go alone, and then spoke to Ling Yan and Ling Ying.
"Are we now considered candidates for the position of Imperial Advisor?"
Ling Ying replied lazily, without sounding particularly happy.
"It was originally for the four of you, but it's a pity for Elder Gu. He must have been ambushed by that demon in the palace."
"And Miss Ling, the demon didn't harm you, which makes me suspect that it might have left some hidden trick—please don't take offense, that demon is cunning and treacherous, and we really must be wary."
Senior Brother Lu sighed deeply, openly and secretly doubting Ling Yan's current identity and excluding her. His apology was full of insincerity.
Without Gu Zhong and Ling Yan, only Chu Cheng and Ling Ying remained. However, Chu Cheng was restless and ran out of the palace in a frenzy. He had been one of those who had squeezed in at the last minute to enter the palace.
There has only ever been one true candidate for Imperial Advisor—Ling Ying!
But Ling Ying has never been to the capital before, so how can she expect the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion to provide full assistance?
—Unless Ling Ying is no longer Ling Ying.
Recalling Ling Ying's suddenly powerful magic, and the non-Ling family source power she vaguely sensed.
Unbeknownst to her, her cousin had been secretly switched with someone else.
Lingyan glanced at "Lingying" and then looked at Senior Brother Lu. They were still acting, and it was far from time to reveal their true intentions.
Chu Cheng is not in the palace now, leaving her alone.
If this "Ling Ying" is not the real Ling Ying, what is his true strength? Ling Yan has no idea.
But her intuition told her that this was a formidable enemy she could not possibly handle.
The best course of action now is to pretend you know nothing and continue the charade with them.
"It's alright. Senior Brother Lu's concerns are not unfounded."
"I thought Miss Ling wouldn't easily accept the Grand Preceptor's many suspicions—"
A smile bloomed on Senior Brother Lu's lips, radiating an air of complete control.
"How dare I question the Imperial Preceptor's Office?"
Ling Yan lowered her eyes, her entire body on high alert.
--------------------
Author's Note:
The villain started spouting a long explanation.
Thank you for the landmine! Hugs!
//Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 2022-04-10 23:19:45 and 2022-04-11 23:56:00!
Thank you to the little angel who threw the landmines: 2 Gourds;
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 130 Swordsman and Exorcist (Sixteen)
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One second, two seconds, three seconds...
The vast hall was silent and deathly still.
Lingyan placed her hand lightly on her waist, keeping an eye on the movements in the hall out of the corner of her eye, waiting for them to make their move so that she would still have a chance to react.
Even if it's difficult to fight back, we must fight to the death.
"That's good—Miss Ling, would you please stay at the manor for the next few days?"
Unexpectedly, Senior Brother Lu merely nodded slightly, speaking with an arrogant expression.
This was a question that left Lingyan no room to refuse.
But why—don't they take action?
Knowing full well that they might uncover their secrets, they remained so confidently behind, merely to hide themselves away.
Given their methods, they wouldn't be so soft-hearted.
"Everything is ready. Now we just need to find Gu Zhong—no, it should be that demon in human skin."
I have already reported this matter to the King. Whoever can eliminate this demon will be appointed as the next Grand Preceptor.
Senior Brother Lu turned to Ling Ying and said, almost explicitly.
"Guards! Prepare to issue the Demon-Chasing Order!"
He then loudly proclaimed his message to those outside the door.
The Demon-Chasing Order calls upon all demon hunters in the world to search for information about a certain demon and to exterminate it with all their might.
If Lingyan remembered correctly, very few demons could receive such treatment. Among the most ferocious and troublesome demons, only five or six had made it onto this list in the past hundred years.
Of course, no demon was able to escape.
But—on what grounds do they issue the Demon-Chasing Order?
The desolation and decay of the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion, the scheming ruler, the replaced "Ling Ying"—what conspiracy lies behind all this? How far are their stories from the truth?
"Miss Ling, the accommodations may not be very comfortable. Please bear with us for the next few days. Please come in."
After instructing her to arrange everything, Senior Brother Lu approached her, bowed, and appeared to be preparing to personally lead the way.
— Few people know about that place.
Lingyan pondered to herself, otherwise, why would the person in charge need to do everything personally?
"Lingyan, I believe you are a smart person."
Before leaving, Ling Ying called her name and left behind a farewell that was difficult to understand.
——
As night fell, the Imperial Preceptor's residence was once again under heavy security.
If anyone familiar with the Imperial Preceptor's residence were to notice, they would surely realize that the security measures are far greater than before.
The disciples guarding the gates were more alert and skilled than ever before; even the slightest sound of falling leaves could not escape their senses.
The number of disciples patrolling the zones has increased from one to three teams, and the firelight stays burning all night, illuminating every corner.
The patrolmen's lines of sight were divided and their tasks were assigned to ensure that any unusual activity at the Imperial Preceptor's residence was kept under close watch.
Their tense and prepared demeanor made it seem as if some highly skilled spy or thief would be infiltrating tonight.
"She really will come?"
On the highest pavilion in the mansion, two people were playing chess in the darkness.
"What that person said has never failed to come true."
One person answered.
"I hope so."