The princess only wants to survive, and the cold-faced king of hell begs for mercy

As night falls and the stars disappear, even the most astute guide cannot find any clues in this chaos. Trying to take shortcuts is like a blind man touching an elephant, unable to tell which is east and which is west, and can only wander blindly in this endless darkness.

When Meng Tai said this, it was like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake. Suddenly, everyone's heart was in their throat. The atmosphere suddenly became like a taut string, and a slight breeze could cause violent tremors.

The light and shadow of the torches danced on everyone's faces, reflecting solemn and anxious faces. Everyone's eyes flashed with anxiety and urgency, as if they were about to be swallowed up by this invisible pressure in the next moment.

At this critical moment, hurried footsteps were heard outside the hall, breaking the silence in the room.

Qi Chuan, the commander of the imperial guards, usually known for his composure, now hurried in from outside the palace with a rare flustered expression. His voice trembled with nervousness, "Your Majesty, Taoist Zhang Sheng, the elusive and powerful master, has suddenly appeared in the capital and is waiting outside the palace. He has sent word that he has an urgent matter requiring your presence. Your Majesty, please..."

Qi Chuan's words were like another stone dropped into a calm lake, stirring up even greater waves. Zhao Qiyan's brow furrowed as he heard this, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes. The name "Zhang Sheng Daoist" was like a shadow, quietly looming over his heart.

If this person hadn't orchestrated that thrilling incident, perhaps everything would be different today. That incident, like a sudden storm, not only upended the government and the country, but also left a scar deep in Zhao Qiyan's heart that would be difficult to heal.

Therefore, when Qi Chuan mentioned Taoist Zhang Sheng, Zhao Qi Yan subconsciously didn't want to see him. Deep in his heart, there was not only resistance, but also an indescribable fear and vigilance.

Yet, at this moment, faced with this sudden news, Zhao Qiyan knew he could no longer avoid it. Since Taoist Zhang Sheng had come all this way, it must be something serious. Whether it was a blessing or a curse, he had to face it personally and unravel this new mystery shrouding the capital.

Yu Ruyi bit her lower lip lightly, with a gleam of wisdom between her brows. She once again looked at Zhao Qiyan who was hesitant in front of her, secretly thinking about how to persuade the young emperor.

Finally, she gently parted her red lips, her voice carrying a subtle hint of determination and anticipation. "Your Majesty, I've heard of this Saint Zhang for his erudition and talent. He knows everything from astronomy to geography, as if everything in the world is within his grasp. Among us time travelers, he's long been hailed as a near-mythical figure. His wisdom and knowledge, even among us souls from another world, are enough to eclipse those self-proclaimed geniuses."

"Admittedly, he once stood by King Cheng, but that seems to have been just one move in his complex chess game. Rumor has it that Zhang Sheng never plays by the rules. He always appears silently like a ghost when the situation is at its most critical and people's hearts are at their most turbulent. With his extraordinary wisdom, he repeatedly turns the tide and saves the world. Every time he appears, it seems like a clever arrangement of fate, which makes people wonder if there is really anything in this world that he cannot predict."

At this point, Yu Ruyi's eyes grew unusually bright, as if she had caught sight of the brightest stars in the night sky. "And now, just as we are consumed with worry over rescuing the Empress, nearly sinking into the abyss of despair, this legendary wise man has unexpectedly arrived. How can one not think that perhaps his arrival is a turning point granted by Heaven, a crucial opportunity to rescue the Empress from this dire straits? Your Majesty, just think about it. If this is truly the case, how can we easily miss this chance to change our destiny?"

Her words were full of infectiousness, and every word was like a carefully crafted work of art, which not only touched Zhao Qiyan's heartstrings, but also made the air around them seem to freeze.

A complex expression flashed across Zhao Qiyan's eyes, a mixture of hesitation and a glimmer of hope. At this moment, he seemed to hear a voice deep within his heart, calling for an unprecedented adventure and attempt...

Zhao Qiyan nodded gently, his brows revealing an unquestionable determination. "Send the Saint Zhang here. I want to see with my own eyes whether this legendary wise man can, in this precarious time, turn the tide like a dragon entering the sea and save the Great Zhao from its precarious situation."

Qi Chuan obeyed the order and hurried out of the hall, as if every step was in sync with the beat of time. He left the hall eagerly but steadily. After a while, he was heard outside the door announcing loudly: "Saint Zhang, please come and see me!"

Zhang Sheng, this folk master who has always been known for his mysteriousness, still maintains his iconic outfit - a simple and unpretentious blue robe, with his sleeves swaying gently in the wind, as if even the air is filled with an atmosphere that transcends the world.

He slowly entered the imperial study, each step appearing unhurried yet imbued with immense strength. Reaching the center of the hall, he knelt without hesitation, prostrating himself before Zhao Qiyan in a gesture of near piety. His voice was clear and resolute: "I, Zhang Sheng, pay my respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live long, long, long, long."

Zhao Qiyan sat upright on the dragon throne, his golden robe gleaming in the candlelight. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, as if he could penetrate the deepest secrets of the human heart. He leaned forward slightly, his tone carrying a subtle urgency and authority. "You said you had an extremely urgent matter, one that concerns the safety of the nation. Just what kind of matter could it be that could compel such a senseless and detached person like you to be so anxious?"

Zhang Sheng slowly raised his head, his deep eyes gleaming with wisdom. He stared directly at Zhao Qiyan, his voice deep and powerful, each word carrying a weight of a thousand pounds: "Today, I, a humble commoner, have braved the hardships of traveling across mountains and rivers, all for the Empress. The Empress has been imprisoned recently, and the reason behind this is a terrifying conspiracy that could overthrow the government and shake the very foundations of the nation."

"Oh?" Zhao Qiyan's pupils shrank upon hearing this, and his voice deepened. The air instantly became filled with a tense atmosphere of impending storm. "Are you saying that the Queen's affairs aren't as simple as they appear?"

Zhang Sheng nodded, his expression solemn. "That's right, Your Majesty. The Empress's affairs are part of a larger web, with undercurrents surging within it. If the truth is not uncovered promptly, it will not only endanger the Empress's safety, but also plunge the Yu Kingdom into an abyss of no return."