CHAPTER 442 (1)

Under Lin Zhirui’s warning, Yan Canghai finally realized that the situation was far more severe than he had imagined.

He dared not delay any further and immediately composed an urgent secret letter in the most solemn tone possible.

Then, he dispatched the fastest falcon from his estate to deliver the letter.

Even so, a heavy sense of unease lingered in his heart.

He knew the royal family's pride all too well.

Particularly the elders within the clan—their arrogance was ingrained deep in their bones.

Because of this, he had no way to predict how the royal family would react upon receiving the letter.

His only hope now was that his message would make the elders see reason.

The falcon, specially trained for such missions, flew at extraordinary speed. In just one day, the letter had reached the royal capital.

It landed in a grand palace, where a clerk responsible for receiving correspondence noticed the royal family’s exclusive urgent seal on the envelope.

Not daring to delay, the clerk immediately sent the letter into the inner palace.

Before long, the letter was presented to an elderly man clad in a yellow robe adorned with dragon patterns.

“An urgent message of the highest priority from the royal family?”

The yellow-robed elder raised an eyebrow at the seal on the letter, showing a trace of surprise.

Only a few within the royal family had access to this level of authority.

Aside from the clan elders, it was reserved for the princes and kings.

“What urgent matter could this be?”

The elder broke the seal. As he read the salutation at the beginning, his expression froze.

“It’s from that unfilial son?”

But as he read further, his face darkened with anger.

By the time he finished, his fury erupted uncontrollably. With a loud bang, his palm slammed onto the desk before him, shattering it into splinters.

“Outrageous! This is beyond insolence!”

An immense aura burst forth from his body, reducing the surroundings to rubble.

This yellow-robed elder was evidently a formidable martial practitioner.

The commotion in the study immediately drew the attention of guards outside. Shadowy figures swiftly surrounded the area.

“It’s nothing. Stand down!”

After a long pause, the elder calmed himself, suppressing his aura and waving the guards away.

He picked up the letter again, rereading its contents with a stormy expression.

Though the letter enraged him, if its contents were true, the matter was indeed of grave importance.

Knowing his son’s character, while he may be reckless and carefree, he would never joke about such matters.

After a moment of silence, the elder suppressed his rage and carefully refolded the letter.

“Prepare my carriage!”

Half an hour later, the elder’s carriage arrived before a massive estate on the outskirts of the capital.

Dressed in a simple yellow robe, the elder alighted from the carriage.

Approaching the gate, he saw an elderly gatekeeper dozing in a reclining chair. Despite the gatekeeper's frail appearance, the elder greeted him respectfully, “Fu Bo, it has been a long time.”

The gatekeeper, far older and more weathered than the elder, had skin like ancient bark and sparse, white hair.

Opening his eyes and squinting for a moment, the old man broke into a toothy grin. “Ah, it’s little Songzi. You haven’t visited me in ages.”

The elder smiled apologetically. “State affairs keep me occupied, Fu Bo. Please forgive me for neglecting to visit.”

“Ah, yes, I almost forgot. You’re a ‘king’ now. But in my memory, you were just that little boy running around without a stitch on.”

The elder fell silent, caught between exasperation and resignation.

Though he had ruled Yan Kingdom for decades, this old gatekeeper never failed to remind him of his youthful antics.

Yet, he dared not show any disrespect.

Fu Bo had watched him grow up. Any impoliteness would provoke a scolding from the clan elders.

Even as the king of Yan Kingdom, he remained, first and foremost, a member of the Yan clan. Violating clan rules would result in punishment, regardless of his status.

Patiently, the elder listened as Fu Bo reminisced about the past.

Finally, when Fu Bo finished his anecdotes, the elder respectfully asked, “Fu Bo, is Tian Lao at home? I have urgent business and must see him.”

“You’re here for the old master? As it happens, he came out of seclusion two days ago. I’ll inform him of your arrival.”

The elderly gatekeeper, his spirits lifted after the conversation, entered the estate with surprising agility for his age.

The yellow-robed elder stood quietly, hands at his sides, waiting with utmost respect.

He knew Tian Lao’s capabilities and was certain the latter had already sensed his arrival.

Even so, he dared not show impatience and awaited the summons.

After some time, Fu Bo returned.

“All right, little Songzi, the old master will see you now.”

“Thank you, Fu Bo.”

The elder bowed respectfully before stepping into the estate.

The guards who had accompanied him remained outside, standing solemnly without uttering a word.

As the elder entered, a refreshing coolness greeted him, easing both body and mind.

His fatigue melted away, and he felt a newfound clarity.

Surprised, he paused and looked around.

He had visited this place countless times, always aware of its unusual atmosphere.

But today, the sensation was markedly different—merely breathing in the air made him feel years younger.

“Come in.”

As the elder marveled, a gentle voice beckoned from deeper within the estate.

He instinctively followed the voice, arriving at a serene courtyard.

There, he saw a figure.

When the elder recognized the person’s face, his eyes widened in shock.

“Tian Lao…”

“It is I,” the figure said with a calm nod.

The elder’s astonishment deepened.

Tian Lao’s appearance had changed significantly.

The last time they met, Tian Lao had appeared frailer and older than himself.

Now, his complexion was smooth and rosy, his posture upright. He looked like a man in his prime.

Were it not for the familiar voice and resemblance to his previous appearance, the elder might not have believed this was the same Tian Lao.