Chapter 468
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 0
Chapter Title: Senior Brother Zhao's Misfortune
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"Senior Brother Zhao, you're really unlucky."
In the interrogation chamber of the Capital Heaven Department, Lu Yang looked at Zhao Xuhe, who was strung up in the air, barely clinging to life after clearly having been beaten countless times, and let out a sigh.
Zhao Xuhe was truly a pitiable fellow.
After parting ways with Lu Yang, he'd been doing just fine in the Dao Court. But during a routine drill, he accidentally revealed that he was now cultivating the Nine Transformations Dragon Art.
And just like that, everything changed. The Capital Heaven Department nabbed him that very day, got approval, and then one expert after another took turns at him. They'd hit him with a barrage of memory restoration spells and bark, "Will you talk or not?" Zhao Xuhe hadn't even had time to react before they beat him senseless. They hadn't even asked him anything!
But he was a Primal Saint Sect disciple, after all.
Once he realized the Dao Court's goal was the Nine Transformations Dragon Art—and that they weren't just soul-searching him outright, seemingly wary of something—he clenched his teeth and held firm.
No matter how you restore my memories, I just can't remember.
He figured it out clear as day:
"If I spill it, I'm dead for sure! If I don't, they get nothing, and I might still have a shot—after all, only I know the Nine Transformations Dragon Art!"
Right then, the cell door creaked open.
Zhao Xuhe lifted his head and saw a young man with sharp, commanding features striding in. His aura surged like an endless sea, even more terrifying than Zhao Xuhe's own master.
But similar big shots had come by these past few days, so Zhao Xuhe took a deep breath and rasped weakly, "There's no point wasting your effort anymore. I won't say a thing. And I'm not afraid to tell you—apart from me, no one else has this true technique. If I die, it's gone forever!"
*So hurry up and offer me a position already.*
Zhao Xuhe's heart burned with anticipation. He keenly sensed this might be a crisis, but also an opportunity. After all, he could pledge loyalty to the Dao Court too!
They wanted his technique so badly.
If they couldn't get it, they'd surely turn around and recruit him instead. With the Dao Court's resources, he might even reach Foundation Establishment faster!
That thought made Zhao Xuhe even more resolute. Primal Saint Sect disciples never lacked the drive to climb the ladder. As long as there was hope for Foundation Establishment, he could endure any hardship. A little torture? That was nothing. Back in the sect, plenty would kill for a shot like this!
"You can all leave."
Lu Yang waved off the Capital Heaven Department enforcers who'd followed him in. Then he sat down right in front of the resolute-looking Zhao Xuhe.
In his sea of consciousness, the Xuan Du Blessed Land quivered faintly.
*Good, no one's watching.*
Lu Yang nodded in satisfaction. Under Zhao Xuhe's bewildered gaze, he didn't ask a single question. Instead, he pulled out a jade slip and started transcribing.
*The Nine Transformations Dragon Art? I know it!*
Not only that—he knew the even more advanced Ten Thousand Chariots Dragon-Riding Ascension Treasure Scroll! He could even jot down some cultivation tips and insights!
To Lu Yang, this was a massive merit falling right into his lap!
So he skipped the interrogation entirely, silently wrote out the technique, then used Marionette Control to make Zhao Xuhe sign and seal it.
Mission accomplished!
As for Zhao Xuhe? Lu Yang was a kind soul at heart—he couldn't bear to see the guy suffer any longer under torture. With swift mercy, he sent him on to the wheel of reincarnation.
Tianwu Hall.
The current Dao Court Sovereign, titled the Emperor Lord Nurturing All Things, era name Jia You, sat upon his dais, reviewing memorials from the various departments.
At that moment, Eunuch An hurried in.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Great news!"
"Oh? What is it?"
The Jia You Emperor opened his eyes, his mind turning in an instant to guess the eunuch's "great news." "Did that little dragon really cough up the technique?"
"Your Majesty sees all!"
Eunuch An quickly proclaimed, "All under heaven is in Your Majesty's grasp—Your heart shines brighter than sun and moon. Indeed, True Dragon Du Huan has earned merit."
"Bring it here."
At the Jia You Emperor's words, Eunuch An promptly presented the secret scroll "extracted" by Lu Yang. The emperor swept it with his divine sense, a satisfied smile crossing his face. With his cultivation, spotting the technique's authenticity was effortless. But more importantly:
*No karmic ties triggered!*
If they'd obtained the Nine Transformations Dragon Art via soul-searching, it would snag the web of karma and draw the Pure Land's attention—turning merit into demerit. But an "voluntary" confession from Zhao Xuhe? Different story.
There was some karmic ripple, sure, but even a Foundation Establishment cultivator could mask it easily, without alerting the Pure Land.
That realization made the Jia You Emperor all the more pleased.
With a thought, Lu Yang's records in the Immortal Nation Dao Laws appeared before him—including how he'd chosen Insight when claiming his salary.
The emperor wasn't surprised.
After all, while the Immortal Nation Dao Laws' boon meant little to officials reliant on their posts, it was a supreme treasure for self-cultivators.
Lu Yang's choice was right in line with expectations.
*Eager to digest the Wu Fire's Dao foundation?* The Jia You Emperor pondered, then chuckled lightly. *Why not help him along?*
"Proclaim my decree."
The Jia You Emperor spoke with golden words, calm and serene: "True Dragon Du Huan has rendered service to the nation. Reward: three units of salary."
In the Dao Court, one unit meant a century's worth—and salaries came once every hundred years. With one sentence, the Jia You Emperor granted Lu Yang a full three centuries' pay!
Almost simultaneously, Lu Yang in the Capital Heaven Department sensed it.
A ray of splendor descended from the Immortal Nation Dao Laws, delivering the emperor's edict while adding three salary claims to his official account.
"Thanks be to Your Majesty's boundless grace!"
Lu Yang didn't hesitate a beat. He stood tall on the spot, flicked his right hand, and with resolute expression, fervent tone, and resounding words, declared: "Loyal! Faithful!"
The Jia You Emperor withdrew his gaze in satisfaction.
At the same instant, Lu Yang saw the Book of a Hundred Lives panel light up—the golden talent Not Dwelling Beneath Others suddenly blazed to life.
*The talent's activated.*
[Not Dwelling Beneath Others: The more excellent you appear in your superior's eyes, the more they value you—the greater the boost when you betray them.]
Lu Yang understood at once. This talent igniting meant he'd truly caught the Jia You Emperor's eye. Betraying him now would yield the minimum boost. And he realized: it was a favorability gauge!
*The brighter the talent, the more the Jia You Emperor trusts me.*
*If it dims, he's wary—time to plot ahead. Who knew it had this use!*
As Lu Yang mulled it over—
A sudden warmth welled from his chest. He frowned and pulled out the source: a glowing scale.
*This is... the Dragon Lord's Scale!*
Lu Yang's heart stirred. Clearly, the Dragon Lord far across the seas had given it to Du Huan to monitor the True Dragon clan's situation in Jiangdong at any time.
And now, a message from the Dragon Lord.
*But... perfect timing!*
Lu Yang stayed calm. Under Cuckoo in the Magpie's Nest, he was indistinguishable from the real Dragon King Du Huan.
With that, he activated the scale.
At once, layers of white mist billowed from it, forming a bank of auspicious clouds. Then, a pair of golden eyes, huge as bronze bells, opened in the clouds.
"Hm?"
In the next breath, doubt flickered in those golden eyes.
In his mind, his dear grandson should be utterly dejected right now, full of grievances with nowhere to vent—maybe even harboring resentment toward him.
But reality?
What met his gaze was a dashing youth in official robes, sharp-featured and vigorous. No sign of setback—positively thriving!