As early as the first day of the eighth lunar month in November, a major event occurred in the Khitan: Empress Dowager died. Emperor Taizong of Liao sent messengers to inform the court of Later Tang and King Bao of Ren Huang.
Ren Huang Wang Bai was precisely the father of Emperor Taizong of Liao, Dongtan Wang Bei Li. He was called Ren Huang Wang because when Emperor Abo Macheng of Liao conquered the Bohai Kingdom, he was so happy that he gave the title to his eldest son, who had rendered great service.
It is worth mentioning here that the Empress Dowager refers to the mother of Emperor Taizong of Liao, Xiao Yan Mujin, and not to his wife, Empress Shu Lu Ping.
Xiao Yan Mujin was the grandmother of Emperor Taizong of Liao.
Therefore, the death of Empress Dowager caused a wave of grief to spread throughout the Khitan.
Emperor Taizong of Liao, who had always been diligent in governance, even made a precedent by closing the court and taking leave to mourn for twenty-seven days.
In ordinary people, mourning for twenty-seven months is common, which is generally referred to as three years. However, among the royal family, this is not the case.
In the royal family, a day is equivalent to a month, so only twenty-seven days are needed to observe mourning.
Emperor Taizong of Liao, even because of his mourning, overlooked the fact that the Tangut came to offer tribute.
However, today, even though Emperor Taizong of Liao is still in the mourning period, he has no choice but to step out and attend to matters.
Because Chen Yun brought his pupil Chang Er Shuai into the palace.
In the palace.
The mourning Emperor Taizong of Liao looked at Chen Yun with reverence, who was sitting on the chair, and Chang Er Shuai, standing behind him.
He asked in a warm tone, "I don't know what important business Chen Xian has to discuss with me today."
Chen Yun took a sip of the hot tea served by a eunuch and slowly put down the teacup, saying, "May I inquire if Your Majesty has received the news of the Emperor of Tang's demise?"
Emperor Taizong of Liao's face changed, and he was surprised, "The Emperor of Tang has died?"
Chen Yun immediately knew that Emperor Taizong of Liao had not received this news.
He smiled slightly and said, "Yes, if I haven't calculated incorrectly, the angels of Tang will come to deliver the news of the Emperor's demise no later than the day of the fourth lunar month of next year. What do you think of this?"
Emperor Taizong of Liao's eyes flashed a glimmer of determination, "We should launch a southern expedition!"
Chen Yun was very pleased with Emperor Taizong of Liao's decisiveness, and nodded slightly, "A southern expedition is a necessity. However, the situation in the Tang court is still unknown. In my opinion, it would be better to wait for the Tang envoys to arrive. Then Your Majesty could send a detachment to offer condolences and investigate the situation, and then we can act accordingly."
Chang Er Shuai stood there without speaking, just quietly listening.
To be honest, Chang Er Shuai couldn't help but wonder why Chen Yun, a southern man, was advising the Khitan emperor to launch a southern expedition.
Actually, Chang Er Shuai couldn't understand that Chen Yun was doing this to speed up the progress of history, so that he could lay the groundwork for Zhao Kuangyin to seize the throne.
If the court of Later Tang did not perish, with the slogan of carrying on the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty, it would be difficult for them to change their dynasty.
Chen Yun's preparations to head south were not just for condolences, but also to destabilize the court of Later Tang from within.
Upon hearing Chen Yun's words, Emperor Taizong of Liao immediately realized something.
He asked reverently, "Is it not that Chen Xian wishes to travel personally to the southern border?"
Chen Yun smiled and said, "That is exactly what I wish to do. I am willing to lead a detachment to investigate the situation in the Tang court, so that Your Majesty can make plans to seize the throne."
Emperor Taizong of Liao was overjoyed and hurriedly bowed deeply, "If that is the case, it is a great favor to have Chen Xian make the trip."
Chen Yun was just about to agree.
Suddenly, ripples appeared in the air in front of him. Then a skeleton appeared.
The skeleton instantly solidified into the form of a middle-aged man.
He smiled and looked at Chen Yun, "Your words are reasonable, Your Majesty. A delegation should be sent to the Tang court. The cultivator Xuanshen is willing to accompany Chen Xian to the Tang court to investigate the situation."
Chen Yun felt that the power of the person in front of him was far greater than his own. He rose and bowed to greet, "May I ask who you are?"
The middle-aged man said, "I am Naihe. Chen Xian does not need to be so polite."
It turned out to be Naihe, the first of the three successors of the Khitan.
As Chen Yun knew, among the ancestral spirits of the Khitan, Naihe's cultivation was second only to the two ancestors.
Now he felt that the other party was beyond measure.
Therefore, it could be deduced that this person was at least on par with the late stage of the Immortal realm, even up to the Earthly Immortal realm.
Chen Yun and the other party exchanged compliments courteously.
The first of the three successors, Naihe, had made an appearance. Emperor Taizong of Liao naturally could not refuse.
So, the plan was made: when the Tang court sent envoys to deliver condolences in the following year's intercalary month, Chen Yun and Naihe would lead a detachment to offer condolences and investigate the situation.
...
Two months had passed quickly.
Chen Yun practiced the second stage of the Chen Master's Inner Dan Technique every ninth, nineteenth, and twenty-ninth day of the month. With the increasing power of his Golden Dan and the accumulation of strength, he finally reached the early stage of Immortal realm, possessing genuine power that could rival Immortals.
On this day, the envoys from the Tang court came to offer condolences.
Emperor Taizong of Liao comforted the envoys.
Soon after, he immediately ordered someone to respectfully invite Chen Yun into the palace to discuss the matter of going south to offer condolences.
Chen Yun and Naihe were already well-prepared, so there was no need for further discussion.
On a selected day, Chen Yun and Naihe led a team of court cultivators, including Shixian Master Ciyin, Li Ming, and other two members of the three successors Waihe, Huohan, with about a dozen other cultivators and over eighty commoners. They carried mourning offerings and set off southward in a grand procession.
Since there were commoners in the group, they traveled at a moderate pace.
After traveling for about seven or eight days, they finally crossed Dai Prefecture and arrived in Heyang region.
Here, they had just obtained the necessary documents for passing through Heyang region.
The procession of Chen Yun, Naihe, and the other envoys quickly caught people's attention.
...
In the Heyang Nodefu.
Xie Wu Yang and Gou Teng Taoist were discussing Taoist teachings in the tranquil room.
Suddenly, the door to the room was urgently knocked on.
Following, the outside of the house echoed the voice of Xie Wu Yang after his reincarnation, "Father, uncle! Oh no! Oh no!"
Xie Wu Yang furrowed his brow and shouted out to the door, "Such a ruckus! Come in!"
The door creaked open, and Xie Wu Ming and Xie Lingxiang walked in one after the other.
Xie Wu Yang asked, "What is the commotion about?"
Gou Teng Taoist nodded and looked over, revealing a puzzled expression.
Xie Wu Ming's face looked a bit scared, "I just saw Chen Piao that thief!"
Upon hearing this, Xie Wu Yang and Gou Teng Taoist's faces changed dramatically.
The entire family of Yin Mountain sect and Xingyue Sea were all killed by Chen Yun.
Their grudge against Chen Yun is not something that can be solved in a day or two.
Now that they have heard that Chen Yun is nearby, they naturally grind their teeth in resentment.
Just as the two gritted their teeth for a moment, they couldn't help but sigh and say, "Oh, how painful it is."
In their minds, Chen Yun had not achieved enlightenment, so even if they knew that Chen Yun was nearby, it seemed impossible for them to take revenge.
But just as the two were feeling helpless, Xie Wu Ming said another astonishing piece of news, "It seems that Chen Piao has achieved enlightenment and become an Immortal!"
"Huh?" Xie Wu Yang suddenly turned to look, "Is it really so?"
Gou Teng Taoist also couldn't believe, "As I know, he has been practicing Dao only for about thirty or forty years and has achieved enlightenment so quickly? Are you sure you're not mistaken?"
"No mistake," Xie Wu Ming reported, "I heard someone address him as 'Chen Xianren' just now. If he had not achieved enlightenment and become an Immortal, he wouldn't deserve such a dignified title as 'Xianren'."
Xie Wu Yang and Gou Teng Taoist exchanged a glance, both of them seeing astonishment in each other's eyes.
Indeed, without achieving enlightenment and becoming an Immortal, one does not deserve the title of 'Xianren'.
And it's not that anyone who achieves enlightenment and becomes an Immortal can be called 'Xianren'.
Generally speaking, only Taoist cultivators who achieve enlightenment and become Immortals are called 'Xianren' after their name.
If Xie Wu Ming hadn't heard wrongly, Chen Yun had indeed achieved enlightenment and become an Immortal.
This young fellow has such amazing talent?
Xie Wu Yang and Gou Teng Taoist were both truly surprised by this inside.
However, after a moment of surprise, both of them couldn't help but let out a wild laugh.
"Hahaha! Hahahaha! Good! Very good!" Xie Wu Yang laughed maniacally, "Chen Piao, the little rascal has finally achieved enlightenment and become an Immortal. It has been such a long wait for me!"
Gou Teng Taoist displayed a fearsome smile and said, "Back then, he wiped out the entire family of Xingyue Sea. Since he had not achieved enlightenment and become an Immortal, I could only watch as my disciples were killed. Now it's finally time for revenge, I want him to die!"
Suddenly, Xie Lingxiao said, "Father, uncle, you might not be able to avenge yourselves now."
Xie Wu Yang's laughter stopped abruptly and he asked with confusion, "Why?"
Gou Teng Taoist also showed a perplexed look.
Xie Lingxiao said, "It seems that Chen Piao represents the Khitan to pay condolences to the late emperor in Luoyang. If you were to kill him in the city, it might provoke the Khitan into launching a retaliatory attack. By then, Heyang would not be able to withstand the rolling iron horses of the Khitan."
When she said this, the scene of Chen Yun's demise of Yin Wuji on that day couldn't help but come to her mind again, the majestic figure he displayed then, although over thirty years had passed, it still impressed her deeply in her heart.
Xie Wu Yang sneered coldly, "In Heyang City, my brother Gou Teng Taoist and I naturally cannot make a move on him, but as long as we keep it secret, how can the Khitan find out?"
Gou Teng Taoist nodded slightly, "Indeed, since they are there for condolences, they will not travel quickly. I and my elder brother can follow them discreetly. Once we reach a secluded place, we can join forces to eliminate him. No one will find out, and besides, if it were not for the secrecy, we wouldn't dare to lay a hand on him. Otherwise, if he becomes aware of it and calls his fellow disciples and brothers to help, we cannot stand against them."
Xie Wu Yang sighed, "We have only one chance to kill him, if we miss it, we may only have the opportunity during the Grand Gathering of Immortals. At that time, his elders, peers, and even those who have already transcended ordinary beings will all be present. It will be very difficult to kill him."
At the right moment, Xie Wu Ming spoke up, "I was reborn in this life. Chen Piao has not recognized me yet. Lingxiao seems to not know that we belong to the Yin Mountain sect, so there should be no defense. Father, uncle, this is a great opportunity for us to avenge ourselves and clear our grievances. We must not miss it."
Xie Wu Yang said, "That makes sense. You and Lingxiao go out first, and I will discuss with the others on how to proceed."
"Yes."
"Father, uncle, I'll take my leave."
Xie Wu Ming and Xie Lingxiao bowed and left the room, closing the door behind them.
Neither Xie Wu Ming nor Xie Wu Yang and Gou Teng Taoist paid attention to a fact. Xie Lingxiao's eyes were complex, as if he was boiling something inside.
(The end of this chapter)
