Chapter 86: The Air is Dry and Stuffy

In this world, meteors were generally viewed as an ominous sign, also known as flying stars, disaster stars, or broom stars.

When Ye Liyan heard about watching a meteor shower, her beautiful azure eyes revealed great confusion.

She was certain in her heart that if her husband said they were going to watch a meteor shower, he must have his reasons.

Shen Yian had anticipated Ye Liyan’s confusion and patiently explained. In this world, he didn’t dare to be too absolute about some things, after all, that person in the Heavenly Gate Pavilion was not to be trifled with. His vague meaning was that when meteors appear, there could be both good and bad outcomes, all depending on heaven’s will.

For example, the famous dimensional protagonist and great mage Liu Xiu had once successfully summoned a meteorite to defeat the transmigrator Wang Mang.

However, the meteor shower Shen Yian spoke of was just a metaphor. He couldn’t actually predict when a meteor shower would occur by reading celestial signs.

“Whoosh…”

Shen Yian stood up and waved his hand, and a small mountain of peach wood swords appeared before them.

Ye Liyan lightly covered her mouth, her beautiful peach blossom eyes looking left and right, her dazed expression full of curiosity about where Shen Yian had hidden so many peach wood swords.

“Liyan, watch carefully. What follows will be very helpful for your path of the sword.”

Shen Yian held two fingers together like a sword in front of his chest, his gaze gentle yet mixed with a hint of stern sword intent.

“Yes, husband.”

Ye Liyan stood up and nodded very seriously.

Twenty-Eighth Heaven – Immeasurable.

Shen Yian turned around, his eyes already turned azure, his robes fluttering with the surge of his aura.

Their eyes met, and Ye Liyan’s beautiful eyes widened slightly. Such… such beautiful eyes, did she also possess such beautiful eyes?

Shen Yian said in a gentle tone: “Swords, rise.”

Nearly three thousand small peach wood swords simultaneously radiated a blue ethereal light, pointing towards the sky and hovering in mid-air.

“Go.”

With a light command, the nearly three thousand small peach wood swords converged into a blue pillar of light, shooting straight into the nine heavens, penetrating the sky and earth.

The end of the light pillar was like a slowly ascending firework. At the moment all the peach wood swords converged, they fully bloomed with their own brilliance and radiance.

One by one, the peach wood swords transformed into meteors, tearing through the thick clouds under the starry sky, sweeping over mountains and rivers, flying towards those they belonged to.

“This is Ye Beian! That day I borrowed a sword from you all! Today I returned the swords!”

On this night, the sword intent belonging to Shen Yian slashed through the night sky of Great Qing.

Ye Liyan tilted her snow-white swan-like neck, gazing at the sky in a daze. Her starry eyes shone brightly, with golden light swirling, and countless mysterious phenomena surrounded her body.

Shen Yian, returning to his usual harmless state, looked at Ye Liyan in surprise.

Has she entered a state of enlightenment again?

What others find difficult to achieve once in a lifetime seems as easy as drinking water and eating food for Ye Liyan. Her frequency was even higher than his. Indeed, comparisons can be truly frustrating.

And there’s that familiar feeling again.

Could it be that the flute sound from that day was the power of the Heavenly Eye at work?

Shen Yian silently drew out Long Yuan. He couldn’t disturb Ye Liyan now, but he was worried that the grand spectacle he just created might attract unwanted attention.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Shen Yian frowned and sent a message to Yin Hai coldly: “Stop them all. Tell them, those who cross the line will die!”

It’s truly a case of speaking of the devil and he shall appear.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Yin Hai accepted the order and vanished to carry it out.

“Husband…” 

Ye Liyan suddenly came to her senses and called softly.

“How do you feel?” Shen Yian was a bit surprised that it ended so quickly. He put away Long Yuan, quickly stepped forward to grasp Ye Liyan’s small hand, and asked with concern.

“Thanks to husband, Liyan has gained quite some insights just now.”

Ye Liyan’s face bore a sweet smile, looking as happy as a little cat that had just been praised.

“That’s good. It’s getting late, let’s head back.”

Shen Yian breathed a sigh of relief, not forgetting to send a message to Yin Hai: Job’s done!

On the other side, Yin Hai, who had received the message, paused. He had already half-drawn his sword, but after some thought, he fully unsheathed it.

“Boom!”

A thunderous sound erupted as a sword aura extending over several hundred meters suddenly slashed in front of a group of people and horses.

Amidst the chaos, Yin Hai’s hoarse and icy voice reached everyone’s ears.

“Those who cross the line will die!”

“Husband, what was that sound?”

Ye Liyan, hearing the boom, alertly reached for the jade flute at her waist.

“Probably just two bears fighting…” 

Shen Yian smiled as he lifted Ye Liyan into a princess carry.

Shen Yian’s masculine aura enveloped her, and Ye Liyan felt her body inexplicably soften. She nestled against his arms like a little bird, her small hand nervously clutching a bit of his clothes.

“Never mind their fight, let’s go home.”

Shen Yian chuckled, then jumped up on his toes. A whirlwind of energy swirled beneath his feet, quickly forming an invisible long sword. With a thought, the two transformed into a streak of light, flying towards the king’s mansion.

The process of returning the sword went smoothly. The only mistake was a slight accident when returning the sword to the old man.

After a busy day, Emperor Wu decided to work late in the imperial study. Unexpectedly, a peach wood sword flew straight towards him.

Zhao Hai, the chief eunuch who had served the previous emperor, had long reached the realm of unity between man and heaven in his martial arts. 

At first, he could hardly believe it – who would dare to assassinate His Majesty?!

The aura felt somewhat familiar, but there was no time to think further.

Before the peach wood sword could enter the palace, Zhao Hai acted. With one strike of his Returning to Origin Palm, he shattered the wooden sword to pieces.

At the moment the sword broke, a wave of sword intent belonging to Shen Yian burst forth.

Zhao Hai tried to stop it but was wounded by the sword intent that transcended heaven and earth. A large chunk of the palace wall was sliced off.

The imperial guards inside the palace, thinking assassins had attacked, poured out of their barracks like unleashed dogs. The moment to achieve merit (and get promoted and rich) had arrived!

Amidst his surprise, Emperor Wu heard Shen Yian’s voice in his ear.

After listening, Emperor Wu’s face darkened.

Zhao Hai stopped his bleeding hand and returned to the imperial study in a sorry state to beg forgiveness, only to learn it was all a misunderstanding. If he hadn’t interfered, nothing would have happened. He felt terrible.

“Zhao Hai, do you think it’s too much if I make him pay 100,000 taels of silver to repair the palace wall for tonight’s incident?” Emperor Wu asked with a stiff smile after dismissing all the guards.

“This old servant thinks… Your Majesty is wise,” Zhao Hai sighed inwardly as he bowed.

“Good, tomorrow I’ll summon him to the palace.”

“Your Majesty is wise.”

At the King of Chu’s mansion.

Just as Ye Liyan was helping him undress, Shen Yian suddenly shivered, a sense of foreboding rising from his heart.

A bad premonition?

That’s just superstition!

“Husband, are you feeling unwell?” Ye Liyan raised her small hand to Shen Yian’s forehead with concern.

“How could that be? Your husband’s physique, if not indestructible, is at least as strong as steel. How could I be unwell?”

“But husband, earlier…”

“Those were just excuses not to attend court.”

Shen Yian rubbed his nose tip embarrassedly.

“Husband is always like this. His Majesty might be displeased.”

Now married, Ye Liyan was naturally worried about all aspects of Shen Yian’s life.

Shen Yian couldn’t help but smile. If Ye Liyan truly knew the old man’s character, she definitely wouldn’t say this.

“Don’t worry, Father Emperor is quite different from what you imagine. Let’s rest early.”

A mischievous large hand reached for the sash at Ye Liyan’s waist.

“Husband…”

Ye Liyan’s eyes were full of shyness as she allowed Shen Yian to undress her.

It was the height of summer, the air dry and stuffy. Without a basin of water in the room, the air could easily become too dry, leaving one parched. Ye Liyan had been awakened by the dryness several times. Helpless, Shen Yian personally sprinkled some water in the room to moisten the air, and the two fell into peaceful sleep.