Chapter 89 - Spiritual Journey Part 2

"Alert Wraith and Little Hao. We will leave before dawn," Lu Shu ordered.

"Yes, Lord Shu," Bakura knelt on one knee and rushed out the tent.

"He doesn't like me, does he?" Rian asked as Lu Shu leaned over her as a bed appeared from his storage bag, Lu Shu putting Spook in it.

"We can deal with both of them tomorrow," Lu Shu grinned as he toyed with her clothes.

An hour later, Lu Shu walked out of the war tent and entered his personal tent, rinsing his body before entering the blood pool. Wraith and Bakura bowed as they saw their master. In a moment, Great General Meng Ce arrived.

"Greetings, Prince Lu Shu," Meng Ce said. "You summoned me?"

"Yes. I will leave the Tiger Army to you while leaving for my assassination. I trust you will handle the cover story while I recuperate here?" Lu Shu asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will do as you command," Meng Ce bowed.

"Keep an eye on Li Jiro. He owns a strange bead with what seems to be a vermillion head inside. It cannot be bond by blood, as he is a mage and cannot make a spirit reactor. During your travel to the Hyperion encampment, I want him to lose that bead among the chaos. I don't want him dead, just the bead," Lu Shu ordered.

"Understood. I will ensure no traces will be left behind," Meng Ce bowed and left as Lu Shu gestured to the exit.

"That takes care of that. Now, I want you two to be on full alert tomorrow. Our mission is to infiltrate to the lair, not force our way through," Lu Shu said as he gazed on his wraith puppets.

"It seems we will finally break away from the army," Spook said as it was worn on his finger once more. "As if to celebrate, you became a man."

"I admit I am unused to cooperating and leaving the fight to others, but are you mocking me right now?" Lu Shu laughed. "Is it true, what Rian said about temples?"

"Yes. Information about one in Giant's Chain? I cannot say for it is not in my database of memories of the Great Ancestor. However, I agree with the choice you made. You walk the path of spiritual cultivation. This spiritual journey is one you need, like a pilgrimage on Spirit Road. You must break through to the Archon Phoenix tier before the opening of the Pantheon of Devils," Spook answered. "Otherwise, you must trail behind those more powerful than you and watch them take all the treasures."

"Are you done making the Phoenix Rebirth pills?" Lu Shu asked.

"Yes, all nine have been made. You only need to reach the peak of the tenth stage and find a safe place to cultivate," Spook answered.

"Heh. Finally, I will be one step closer to reaching the Immortal Realms," Lu Shu said, lifting his hand up high as if to grab the very Heavens into his grasp.

When Great General Meng Ce told the lieutenant generals the plan, Lu Gong and Cao Wei received the news that the general and second prince would go on a secret mission to assassinate the magical beast leader. They would be under the temporary command of Great General Meng Ce while Lu Shu and Rian would sneak to the enemy stronghold to kill the beast. Li Jiro and Matsuda Ken exchanged gold coins as they learned that Rian and Lu Shu had a passionate night, thanking nearby soldiers who patrolled near the war tent.

Ivy Shao was the least pleased by the news, furious that Rian was able to get closer to Lu Shu. Her plan was to come and win his heart by following him to war. She did not expect Rian to come. Nor did she suspect that Rian would prove her usefulness before her. Rian's success even displayed that she knew Lu Shu more than her.

"I can't let that vixen get Lu Shu. When they return, I must prove my worth and his affection," Ivy grumbled as she was one of the few in the Tiger Army's encampment that slept restlessly after hearing the news.

"So his current choice is Hong Rian. How unexpected," the emperor said as he received the report from Meng Ce through magical mirrors, Meng Ce bowing on one knee on the other side. "He didn't impregnate her, did he?"

"I...can't possibly find that out, Imperial Majesty," Meng Ce answered uncomfortably. "I do not believe so as it is difficult for those who cultivate to bear children."

"Indeed. It took dozens of years for my wife's body to adapt and gain the ability to bear children. Such is the price of cultivation. So my son wishes to take hold of his own path. Good. I suspected nothing less. Keep me informed on the progress of the invasion of Giant's Chain," the emperor said.

"Yes, Imperial Majesty," Meng Ce said as the mirror's image of the emperor returned to reflect Meng Ce's own image.