Chapter 4: Training Until the Body Resembles a Crane

When Xiao Mo’s consciousness detached from the *Book of a Hundred Lives*, it was already six o'clock the next morning.

In the *Book of a Hundred Lives*, Xiao Mo had spent nearly two months.

Although the flow of time within the *Book of a Hundred Lives* was 100 times faster than in reality, due to the book's protective mechanism, Xiao Mo quickly adapted back to the flow of the real world.

Moreover, while Xiao Mo experienced those lives within the book, his physical energy had also been restored.

However, what made Xiao Mo frown was that he had clearly been a Nascent Soul stage sword cultivator in the *Book of a Hundred Lives*, and he had clearly known the Grass-Character Sword Art.

But after waking up, Xiao Mo had forgotten all of it; no matter how hard he tried, he could not recall it.

Xiao Mo had been planning to practice the Grass-Character Sword Art in reality.

But now, it seemed that was impossible.

He would just have to see what the reward distribution was all about.

After finishing his breakfast, Xiao Mo continued to lie on the bed to rest.

Because Xiao Mo had not yet recovered from his illness, he did not need to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager, nor did he need to attend the morning court session.

In fact, in Xiao Mo’s view, attending the morning court was useless anyway; the court was mostly filled with Yan Shan'ao’s people.

He was already eighteen, yet the Empress Dowager was still ruling from behind the curtain—it was truly shameless.

After Wang Can was demoted and sent out of the capital, no one dared to provoke Yan Shan'ao anymore.

"Wei Xun," Xiao Mo called out.

"Your Majesty." Eunuch Wei hurriedly walked to Xiao Mo’s side.

"Go and bring over some Taoist classics. Then, tell the Prime Minister and the Empress Dowager that during the time I am away, the Zhou Kingdom will require their diligent care."

"Your Majesty, this is..."

Xiao Mo stood up and paced the bedchamber with his hands behind his back

"Refining my form to resemble a crane, beneath a thousand pines, two scrolls of scripture. I come to seek the Way, with nothing more to say; clouds in the blue sky, water in the vase."

Xiao Mo stopped and looked at Wei Xun: "From this day forward, I shall cultivate immortality!"

***

"Refining my form to resemble a crane, beneath a thousand pines, two scrolls of scripture. I come to seek the Way, with nothing more to say; clouds in the blue sky, water in the vase."

Yan Shan'ao recited the poem Xiao Mo had composed and couldn't help but nod: "His Majesty truly has a fine literary talent."

Wei Xun kept his head lowered, not daring to speak.

Just a moment ago, Wei Xun had arrived at the Lingxin Palace to convey the Emperor's message.

Empress Dowager Yan sat on her high throne, calmly sipping tea, as if none of this had anything to do with her.

Although Empress Dowager Yan was over forty, her beauty had not faded in the slightest; she even possessed a mature charm. In every gesture, she carried not only the majesty of an Empress Dowager but also a natural allure.

Yan Shan'ao turned his head to look at Wei Xun: "Is that really what His Majesty said?"

"Replying to the Prime Minister, yes. His Majesty said he wishes to cultivate immortality and asks that you and the Empress Dowager take extra care of the court's affairs."

"Since ancient times, emperors have been influenced by the fortune of the mountains and rivers; how could they possibly cultivate? Emperors who single-mindedly seek immortality never meet a good end."

Yan Shan'ao sighed.

"I will go and persuade His Majesty to pay more attention to state affairs."

Hearing Yan Shan'ao’s words, Wei Xun’s brow twitched, thinking to himself how this man could be even more shameless than he, a eunuch.

Do you want His Majesty to care about state affairs?

You are probably hoping that His Majesty spends all day cultivating immortality and ignores the affairs of the court.

"However, this poem is indeed excellent. Wei Xun, pass this poem down and let the ministers in the court appreciate His Majesty’s literary talent."

"Yes, Prime Minister."

Yan Shan'ao stood up, walked to Wei Xun’s side, and patted his shoulder: "If anything happens on His Majesty’s side, tell me immediately. There will be no shortage of rewards for you, but if you have other thoughts, you know what the outcome will be."

"Please rest assured, Prime Minister!" Wei Xun hurriedly knelt down. "This old servant has no disloyal intentions toward the Prime Minister and the Empress Dowager!"

Yan Shan'ao waved his hand: "Go. Later, a few palace maids will be sent into the palace; you take them to His Majesty."

"Yes, Prime Minister."

Wei Xun wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and left the Lingxin Palace, trembling.

After Wei Xun left, Yan Shan'ao turned around and looked at his sister with delight: "Sister, now that His Majesty is single-mindedly seeking immortality, what do you think?"

"Refining my form to resemble a crane, beneath a thousand pines, two scrolls of scripture. I come to seek the Way, with nothing more to say; clouds in the blue sky, water in the vase... Hehehehe."

Empress Dowager Yan laughed coldly.

"Our Emperor has never had any ambition, and he has always been cowardly; otherwise, we wouldn't have chosen him to be the heir.

Last time Wang Can went to see him, you demoted Wang Can. I’m afraid His Majesty was scared out of his wits, or he wouldn't have fallen ill from the shock.

Now it seems he has completely given up."

Empress Dowager Yan raised her eyes and looked at her younger brother: "You did well to have Wei Xun leak this poem. In the current court, how many people are still loyal to the Xiao family? Now that His Majesty is focused on cultivating immortality, what reason do they have to persist?"

"However, Xiao Mo can be considered to have saved his life."

A fierce glint flashed in Yan Shan'ao’s eyes.

"He owes his position today entirely to us. Who would have thought he would still meet with Wang Can! If he doesn't behave and stay sensible, hehehe... we can always choose another emperor!"

Empress Dowager Yan glanced at Wei Xun: "Better to avoid unnecessary trouble. As for Wang Can, find a way to get rid of him, but do it cleanly. Don't leave any evidence, understand? Censor officials are like dogs; they are best at biting."

"I know, sister." Yan Shan'ao nodded and sat back down to take a sip of wine. "In a remote, poverty-stricken place like Lingnan, it is far too easy to make someone 'die of illness'."

Empress Dowager Yan lay horizontally on the soft couch. Seeing this, a maid hurriedly stepped forward to gently knead the Empress Dowager’s legs and pound her shoulders. "By the way, how are things with the Myriad Sword Sect?"

"Elder Huang of the Myriad Sword Sect will come to our imperial capital in three months. I have already figured out this Elder Huang’s preferences. I have previously exchanged letters with him. As long as there are no accidents, we will be able to secure the Myriad Sword Sect as our backer."

Empress Dowager Yan nodded; she trusted her brother’s work.

"If we can board the Myriad Sword Sect’s ship and have them as our backing, everything will be much easier to handle. Whatever the Myriad Sword Sect requests, give it to them if possible.

Additionally, take Elder Huang to visit our Yan family more often. I know the Myriad Sword Sect is strict in its selection of disciples.

But if some disciples manage to catch Elder Huang’s eye, it would be of great benefit to our Yan family."

"Hahaha, if our Yan family’s descendants could become disciples of that Jiang Qingyi, then the entire Zhou Kingdom would truly be under our control. Those old fogies wouldn't even dare to curse us behind our backs. By then, sister, you might even become the first Empress of the Zhou Kingdom!"

Empress Dowager Yan glanced at her brother indifferently: "Sword Immortal Jiang has not taken a single disciple since she became famous. Don't think about such things; just do your own job well. Furthermore, it is about time to select a few women from the Yan family to enter the palace. The future Crown Prince must be from our Yan family."

Yan Shan'ao bowed: "Yes, sister."

(End of chapter)