Atlas of Heaven and Man.

Chapter 1423 Yunmeng Conceals a Secret

Prince Yong's expression shifted for a moment, then he slowly gripped the tiger tally, looked up, and said, "Father, it is not easy to leave the city at this time!"

"No need to leave the city."

Emperor Wen Guang said in a relaxed tone, "There is a secret crevice beneath the Green Lake in Yunmeng Garden. Once opened, one can go to Fenghou Ferry in Haixi Road, from where one can escape from Jiaorong Land and take a boat directly to the Western Continent."

Prince Yong's eyes widened. Green Lake was the largest lake in the palace gardens. He had been there countless times. When he was training his muscles and bones, he had even chased and wrestled with the white carp in the water. It could be said that he was very familiar with most of the lake area.

But I never expected that such a place would exist underground.

But he was still uneasy. With the tiger tally in hand, he seemed to have become bolder and dared to say some things.

“Father, please forgive my bluntness, but as far as I know, the kingdoms of the Western Continent are no longer what they used to be. They are extremely hostile to our imperial descendants. Even if we go to the lands where the Western Continent merges and find the Western Continent emperor, my Yuan family will still be living under someone else’s roof… I can’t bear to see Father suffer such injustice.”

The situation in the Western Continent is different now than before. In the old era, or more precisely, before the Great Alliance, due to geographical and technological barriers, even if there was some communication between the two continents, it was limited to some etiquette and commercial exchanges. There was almost no political influence, and military threats were not even mentioned.

Even though Xuanji martial artists can travel across continents, they focus more on the areas of integration.

After all, there had never been a continuous "period of change" back then, and no one knew when the "period of stagnation" would arrive. No one would go head-to-head with a rival of considerable size before they had exhausted their own resources.

Therefore, the Eastern Continent usually does not exterminate the royal descendants who have fled there.

But things are different now. Since the new era, almost all the countries in the world have been established by overthrowing the old imperial families. Although the Grand Alliance has collapsed, they still have deep connections with each other and have left behind many international agreements, including never taking in the old imperial family.

That means even if they leave the Great Shun territory, they're still not safe in the Western Lands. Besides, are they going to have to be subservient to others there? He absolutely refuses to do that; he'd rather die on the battlefield.

Emperor Wenguang looked at him and said, “Prince Yong, your words show that you are truly filial, unlike those who merely flatter me and appease me.”

Prince Yong said, "Father, I am only speaking from the heart."

At that moment, he felt his wrist lighten as Emperor Wen Guang released him and slowly sat back down.

Emperor Wenguang sat on the dragon throne and slowly said, "Prince Yong, I will tell you the truth: going west is just a smokescreen."

As early as the beginning of the dynasty, Emperor Taizu, mindful of the mistakes of previous dynasties, felt that no dynasty could last forever, and was already thinking about a way out.

During the reign of Emperor Taizong, a land of convergence was finally established in the far north, deep in the sea. A palace was built there, and a great secret repository was established. Now, more than two hundred years have passed, and there are now a million inhabitants, enough for my Yuan clan to temporarily reside there.

Prince Yong was even more surprised. He never expected that his Yuan clan would have such a way out.

Then he realized, so they were still in the land of fusion...

That makes things easier. The region is rich in resources and has an endless territory. If they are just changing locations instead of going to the Old Continent, the Pseudo-Dynasty will have no chance of tracking them down.

He hurriedly said, "It turns out that Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong had foresight, and Father Emperor also had profound plans. It was your humble and foolish son who was ignorant."

However, he vaguely sensed Emperor Wenguang's intention. Since it was decided during the reigns of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong, it was not a matter of the later generations' lack of virtue. They were simply following the laws of their ancestors, and their actions were beyond reproach.

Just thinking about it like that made me feel more at ease.

Emperor Wen Guang said, "The false dynasty's military strength is at its peak, and it is difficult to withstand their advance. They will surely arrive at the city gates tomorrow."

Youdu City is heavily fortified and can be held for several days. Tonight, I will order Prince Qiong to lead the way through a secret passage to Shipu Road. The enemy's troops will surely be lying in ambush there. My imperial chariot will carry your mother and you across the sea in a light carriage. You will be in charge of clearing the way, passing through the forbidden paths of the outer regions, and detouring around the western sea.

"General Yuchi is guarding the city. He is a loyal minister. I have promised him that he can hold out for three or four days before surrendering to the false dynasty. With this victory in a few days, you and I can easily reach the deep palace in the North Sea."

Upon hearing this, Prince Yong felt that the matter was indeed feasible, and that the emperor had entrusted him with the important task of guarding the imperial carriage, which showed that he trusted the emperor. He clasped his hands in a firm voice and said, "Your subject obeys the decree!"

Emperor Wen Guang said, "Go then, Prince Yong, do not disappoint me."

"Yes!"

Prince Yong was thrilled. He responded again, clasped his hands in a salute, and withdrew from the Changlun Pavilion.

Emperor Wenguang watched his figure disappear, then slowly leaned back in his chair, lost in thought. Only an old eunuch remained standing by the steps; he hadn't uttered a word the entire time, and now he was completely silent, his breathing barely audible, like a clay or wooden statue.

After a long pause, Emperor Wenguang suddenly asked, "Have you gone to Huining Temple to inquire?"

The old eunuch seemed to come alive at once.

"Your Majesty, I have inquired, and the Dharma Master said that they are only concerned with understanding Zen and worshipping the Zen Master. As for worldly affairs, Your Majesty shall decide, as they are not to concern themselves with them."

Emperor Wenguang said, "Oh, they won't interfere? Good, if they won't interfere, then so be it."

Seeing that the old eunuch had not retreated, he asked, "Is there anything else?"

"Your Majesty, the Grand Secretaries just submitted a memorial requesting an audience with you, saying they need to discuss defense matters for tomorrow and the future."

Emperor Wenguang said, "Tell the Grand Secretaries that I trust them with the affairs of state. Let them manage them and they don't need to ask me anymore. But they shouldn't overwork themselves, lest people say that the Yuan family is mistreating its officials." The old eunuch said, "This old servant has remembered."

"Also, have the ancestral priest inquire and investigate. Prince Qiong has always been in poor health. Did he bring back anything unclean from his long trip? If not, let him take charge of tomorrow night's northern hunt and make sure he handles things properly."

The old eunuch bowed and said, "This old servant obeys your command."

After everyone had retreated, Emperor Wenguang turned around and looked at the scroll that had been unfurled behind him. It depicted three thousand goddesses, three thousand immortals welcoming immortals, and a crane hovering at the top.

He leaned against the couch, his eyes fixed on the crane, seemingly engrossed in watching it.

At that moment, a slender, fair hand reached up and placed on his shoulder, gently massaging it.

At the same time, a soft, gentle voice whispered in my ear: "Your Majesty..."

Emperor Wen Guang took that hand and gently pulled, and a soft body naturally lay down in his arms.

This woman had jet-black hair, starry eyes, and red lips; her face was infinitely beautiful. However, from her ribs down, she had a slender snake body with scales as white as snow and a winding tail that disappeared behind the bed.

"Tengfei."

Emperor Wenguang treated the slender snake-like body as if it were nothing, his eyes still fixed on the crane above it, and said, "Go and ask the gods and demons if I can pass this test."

Consort Teng said softly, "Your Majesty's empire is under Your Majesty's control. How can any gods or demons from beyond the heavens interfere?"

Emperor Wen Guang grabbed her hand, narrowed his eyes, and said, "Really?"

Consort Teng said, "Your Majesty knows me, how could I dare to deceive Your Majesty?"

Emperor Wenguang chuckled, "Go, perform your best shadow dance for me."

Consort Teng smiled gently, "Your Majesty, please wait a moment." As she spoke, her snake body slid down the ground and retreated. After a while, amidst the flickering candlelight, a beautiful snake figure swayed behind the curtain, accompanied by the clattering of ornaments.

After leaving Yunmeng Garden, Prince Yong's mind was inevitably filled with various thoughts.

Because he had just heard Emperor Guang say that it seemed only he and the Empress would be traveling together this time, while the other princes would be leaving without them...

He was the sixteenth child, but now he only had four older brothers, most of whom either died young or were executed for treason.

Needless to say, Prince Qiong was disliked by Emperor Wenguang, and this time he was clearly being used as a pawn to be pushed out.

Of the remaining three, one went to Huining Temple to become a Zen monk, another spent his days indulging in debauchery and behaving erratically, repeatedly being reprimanded by Emperor Wenguang, and the last one...

He suddenly looked wary. That was Prince Lin, who shared the same bloodline as him, and had even obtained it earlier.

He had never met this elder brother before, and he even doubted whether such a person even existed.

On one occasion, he passed by Caixiang Palace and heard roaring sounds coming from there. At that time, his cultivation was still shallow, and he was so shocked that his lungs and internal organs were in pain. He vomited blood on the spot and it took him a few days to recover.

He later learned that it was the place where Prince Lin lived.

He heard from private sources that Prince Lin might have gone mad, driven himself insane by his training. Fearing he might harm people, the palace had hired a Xuan master from the Duanchen Sect to confine him there and prevent him from leaving.

However, there are also rumors that Prince Lin's cultivation method is special, and he receives guidance from gods and demons invited by Emperor Wenguang every day, so no one can get close to him before he succeeds.

Both of these arguments have some merit, so the only two who have a chance of succeeding to the throne are him and Prince Lin.

Although there are rumors that Yuan Congye may also be Emperor Wenguang's son, he was not allowed to inherit the throne and had already died on the front lines, so there was no further hindrance.

Emperor Wenguang has now handed over his retreat route and the power of the Imperial Guard to him. His intentions are self-evident. Although the country is in decline, Emperor Wenguang has told him that the Yuan family is not without resources.

If we can truly preserve the imperial elite and find the old palace in the North Sea, when external calamities arrive a few years later, we can lead the army to counterattack. At that time, rebuilding the country will not be difficult.

The more he thought about it, the faster he walked. Just then, he heard the muffled rumble of artillery fire outside and paused slightly. The sound was even closer than when he had heard it earlier that night.

Furthermore, it can be seen that the anchor towers in various parts of Youdu have lit up, and airships have begun to take off.

He took out his pocket watch and checked it. It was the last quarter of the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), and dawn would break in half an hour. Today, the army of the puppet dynasty, along with the puppet dynasty's general Xuanji, would likely be at the city gates.

He took a deep breath. Although he said he was not afraid to fight this man, when the sound of cannon fire rang out, he couldn't help but feel a little fear and doubt. He glanced to the north a few more times and then quickened his pace as he walked out of the palace.

……

……

(End of this chapter)