Zhu Xuanji had never expected Ning Zhuo's second letter to arrive so swiftly.
When he received the letter, his heart kept pounding, but he clung to hope, thinking it might just be a thank-you note.
Upon opening, he saw—
Respected Elder Brother Zhu Xuanji:
I write this letter presumptuously, driven by a situation of utmost urgency, compelling me to seek your aid.
Recently, I ventured into Myriad Demons Cave, where hidden mechanisms of significant import relate to demon chaos and even involve the Refining Void Great Power "Five Elements God Master".
I fear this may endanger our dynasty and stir unrest among thousands of people in Southern Bean Country; it must not be overlooked!
...
I entrust this letter to you today. Should there be considerable activity at Ten Thousand Medicine Sect, such as the sudden activation of the Mountain Suppressing Array or extraordinary phenomena, these are signs of my perilous plight. At that time, I earnestly request you, for the sake of the nation and its people, to promptly appear and provide assistance to resolve this crisis and ensure national security. This matter concerns the life and death of our society, and I hope you will respond with the utmost discretion and diligence.
This situation is urgent; I dare not say more but solemnly entrust this to you. Please scrutinize carefully.
Ning Zhuo bows deeply
Upon finishing the letter, Zhu Xuanji was greatly shocked.
What's going on? What's going on!
The previous letter was still about drinking wine and enjoying the serene moonlight; how did it suddenly turn to a dire situation needing national security intervention?
"Son of Destiny, this is the Son of Destiny!"
Zhu Xuanji was inclined to believe that Ning Zhuo's plea for help was genuine, though perhaps slightly exaggerated.
He acted immediately!
Although he was very unwilling to get involved with Ning Zhuo, dealing with matters concerning Southern Bean Country and national security, he could not sit idly by.
He urgently reported the situation to the monarch.
In less than two hours, he was summoned.
Zhu Xuanji, familiar with the way, reached the royal palace.
But at the grand hall's entrance, he was stopped by the guards.
"The monarch has decreed that you stay here and await orders," said the guard.
"What?" Zhu Xuanji was stunned, then immediately furious, "I have urgent matters to discuss directly with the monarch; this is no joking matter!"
"Xuanji, calm down." At that moment, an elderly man emerged from the grand hall.
He was robust, with white hair and beard, and his joints were thick; his spirit was lively, radiating a Nascent Soul Level aura.
Upon seeing the elder, Zhu Xuanji hastily bowed, "All's well, Prince."
The elder, named Zhu Zhu, was a close prince of the Zhu Royal Family, one of the pillar stones at Nascent Soul Level.
Zhu Zhu nodded slightly, telling Zhu Xuanji, "I won't hide it from you, Xuanji, the proposal for you to await orders outside the hall entrance was mine."
Zhu Xuanji: "Please tell me the reason, Prince, otherwise I won't accept this."
Zhu Zhu glared and transmitted mentally, "Won't accept? You'll still wait!"
"Humph, do you even understand your situation?"
"This grand hall was designed with a Mountain Suppressing Array. Standing outside, you won't disrupt the monarch's lifeforce. Once inside, within the same array—it's not so simple."
Zhu Xuanji's face immediately darkened.
Zhu Zhu snorted coldly, "Foolish boy, be aware of your situation! The Son of Destiny has repeatedly contacted you—Lava Fairy Palace, Mist Hidden Mountain, and now Myriad Demons Cave—"
"What does that tell you?"
"You've already become too deeply involved."
"Fear that in the future, such connections might only increase!"
"Fortunately, your own Qi Fortune is quite astonishing, able to withstand it."
Zhu Xuanji felt a sinking feeling, sadly transmitting, "Please, old prince, I can't hold out!"
Zhu Zhu glared, "Whether you can or not, you must endure. This is fate that you mustn't arbitrarily sever; otherwise, it could provoke severe backlash."
"Sigh, let things take their natural course then."
The bitterness on Zhu Xuanji's face deepened, "Old prince, why do I feel like my life won't be long now?"
Zhu Zhu looked solemn, "Also, when you speak in the future, don't rely on me; just bow from a distance when you see me, and don't come close."
After saying this, Zhu Zhu returned to the royal hall.
Zhu Xuanji had no choice but to communicate with the monarch through transmission.
The monarch informed him to take Ning Zhuo's plea for help very seriously. After all, he is the Son of Destiny. From now on, these letters for Zhu Xuanji would just be sent over.
This time with Ten Thousand Medicine Sect, they appointed you, Zhu Xuanji! Use the courier station for emergency teleportation, sparing no expense and move as quickly as possible to Ten Thousand Medicine Valley!
However, rest assured, the Royal Family will also send a Master of Nascent Soul Level to accompany you.
Just like that, without even seeing the monarch's face, Zhu Xuanji hurriedly left the capital.
He teleported repeatedly through the courier stations.
Midway, he met up with Nascent Soul Cultivator Shen Lingshu.
Non-stop, without a moment's rest, both continuously teleported, dizzy and nauseous, using their utmost speed to approach Ten Thousand Medicine Valley.
Standing on the mountain head, Zhu Xuanji saw the grand array of Ten Thousand Medicine Sect suddenly rise.
This scene matched the words of Ning Zhuo's letter.
At this point, Zhu Xuanji had no more hopes of luck.
"Senior Shen, I will go to negotiate directly, to save that brat. Please, Master, stay hidden nearby, ready to support covertly," said Zhu Xuanji.
Although he was only at Golden Core Cultivation, which was lower than that of the person beside him, this mission was decreed by the monarch, who determined that he was the leader.
After hearing this, Shen Lingshu slightly smiled, "No rush, Daoist Fellow Zhu, let me calculate for a moment."
Shen Lingshu appeared young, with a handsome face and bright eyes. He wore a light blue robe embroidered with mountains and clouds. His black hair was simply tied up with a wooden pin, carrying an ancient jade compass at his waist.
He was highly trusted by the Southern Bean King, or more accurately, by the Zhu Family
because he was not only skilled in one of the Hundred Cultivation Skills—fortune telling—but also a Zhu family son-in-law, belonging to the royal kin.