Xuanhuan: The Empress and I Swapped Bodies - Chapter 147

Naturally, although Yu Meiren was puzzled by this mission requirement, she didn’t hesitate in the slightest and carried it out immediately.

That very day, she summoned her disciple, Liu Shengsheng.

By this time, Liu Shengsheng’s swordsmanship had already reached a remarkably high level. While he hadn’t yet achieved the state of Myriad Swords Return to Origin, he far surpassed all his peers.

Within the Royal Academy, he was quite a well-known swordsman.

However, his goal was to become the Invincible Sword Immortal, so he didn’t flaunt his skills ostentatiously like other geniuses.

Only Yu Meiren knew that Liu Shengsheng possessed genuine talent in the Sword Dao, and his rate of improvement was unmatched by others.

Yu Meiren’s reason for seeking out Liu Shengsheng was very simple: she wanted to use his connection to get close to Ye Wushuang.

“Shengsheng, your master has a favor to ask of you!!”

“A favor? Master, what could you possibly need my help with?”

Liu Shengsheng was very curious upon hearing this. He was well aware that while his status wasn’t low, he held no real power, and his cultivation level was modest. Thus, there were very few things he could actually assist Yu Meiren with. He even felt there was practically nothing he could do for her.

However, after Yu Meiren explained, he began to understand.

“I’m very interested in the concept of Sword Fusion within the Myriad Swords Return to Origin technique. So, I’d like you to introduce me to Ye Wushuang. I wish to learn about Sword Fusion from him.”

“Ah! Ye Wushuang? But I’m not familiar with him at all; we’ve never even spoken! How can I introduce you? How about I arrange an introduction with my royal sister instead? Her mastery of Myriad Swords Return to Origin is even greater!”

“Besides… I have a way to convince my royal sister to teach you the secrets of Sword Fusion!!”

The method Liu Shengsheng referred to was, of course, the one involving whipping himself.

He had used this tactic before the Divine Dragon Empress several times now, and it had worked every single time.

Therefore, he believed that if he employed this method to plead with the Divine Dragon Empress, she would certainly agree to teach Yu Meiren the secrets of Sword Fusion.

The only downside was that this method was rather hard on him—it really hurt every time he had to whip himself.

If he didn’t hold Yu Meiren in such high esteem as his master, he probably wouldn’t be willing to resort to this approach.

Upon hearing Liu Shengsheng’s suggestion, Yu Meiren immediately waved her hands in refusal.

“No, no, there’s no need to trouble Her Majesty!!”

“Her Majesty’s realm is too profound. I haven’t reached that level yet, so even if she instructed me, I fear I would struggle to comprehend it!!”

“It would be much better to ask Ye Wushuang for guidance. I’d likely understand it more easily from him!!”

“Well… alright then!!”

Liu Shengsheng wasn’t actually familiar with Ye Wushuang—at least, in his own mind, they weren’t acquainted.

If anyone else had asked him, he would have flatly refused.

But since it was Yu Meiren making the request, he ultimately agreed.

However, even after agreeing, his expression remained troubled.

He then dawdled his way to Ye Wushuang’s residence, intending to seek him out, but he hesitated, too afraid to enter.

Finally, mustering up his courage to enter the place where Ye Wushuang was secluded in cultivation, Imperial Clan Elder Liu Ning appeared.

“Kid, what do you think you’re doing??”

“Clan… Clan Elder, sir!!”

The sight of Imperial Clan Elder Liu Ning gave Liu Shengsheng a real fright.

Liu Ning held immense authority within the Divine Dragon Imperial Family, and many regarded him with a mixture of respect and fear. While some might gossip about him behind his back, no one dared say a word to his face. Many felt like mice cornered by a cat in his presence, and Liu Shengsheng was no exception.

“Kid, why are you here??”

“I… It’s nothing much. I just have something I wanted to consult Ye Wushuang about!!”

“Consult Ye Wushuang? About what??”

“I… I wanted to ask Ye Wushuang to… to instruct me in cultivating Myriad Swords Return to Origin!!”

In front of Imperial Clan Elder Liu Ning, Liu Shengsheng didn’t dare mention that he was asking on Yu Meiren’s behalf. While there wouldn’t necessarily be anything wrong with naming her, he feared getting a stern lecture from the Clan Elder. So, he could only claim it was for his own benefit.

After all, as the Divine Dragon Empress’s younger brother, his status was different from others, so seeking personal instruction shouldn’t be an issue.

However, his words immediately displeased Imperial Clan Elder Liu Ning.

“Instruction in Myriad Swords Return to Origin? If you need instruction, go to Her Majesty! Didn’t she teach you before??”

“Right now, Ye Wushuang is in closed-door cultivation. He doesn’t have time to instruct you!!”

“Ah? He’s in seclusion? I… I’ll come another time to ask him then. I just thought that since his cultivation level is closer to mine, his guidance might be easier to follow!!”

“Get lost, he’s busy!! If you want this, go ask Her Majesty!”

Although Imperial Clan Elder Liu Ning was also fond of Liu Shengsheng, his affection was largely an extension of his regard for the Divine Dragon Empress. But now, even the Empress herself couldn’t compare to Ye Wushuang’s importance, let alone Liu Shengsheng. So, he directly shooed him away, not wanting him to disturb Ye Wushuang’s training.

Liu Ningxian also witnessed this scene. She briefly considered letting Liu Shengsheng stay, but after a moment’s hesitation, she decided against it. Relatively speaking, she too was unwilling to let Liu Shengsheng disturb Ye Wushuang.

Hearing Imperial Clan Elder Liu Ning’s firm stance, Liu Shengsheng felt very troubled. But under the Clan Elder’s stern gaze, his fear got the better of him. In the end, he chose to leave.

“Just as I thought, going through Ye Wushuang is impossible. I suppose I’ll just have to go and beg my royal sister after all!!”

“Once I get my royal sister to teach me the secrets of Sword Fusion, allowing me to quickly master it, I can then teach Master myself!”

“That way, I won’t have to ask that Ye Wushuang for anything!!”

Having made up his mind, Liu Shengsheng immediately put his plan into action.

He then fetched his essential props and appeared before the Divine Dragon Empress.

“Royal Sister, there’s something I want to ask of you!!”

“Hmm? What is it?”

The Divine Dragon Empress was a bit confused by Liu Shengsheng’s request. She didn’t understand why he had suddenly come to her, asking for a favor. However, in her heart, she wished to maintain a more amiable relationship with him now,Not as strict as before. So, she had already decided to grant his request if at all possible—even if he asked to learn a peerless technique, she was prepared to agree.

While she was mentally ready to acquiesce, Liu Shengsheng didn’t follow the script she expected.

“Royal Sister, you have to promise me first, then I’ll tell you what it is!”

“Mmm… You’d better tell me first.”

Liu Shengsheng had anticipated this response from the Empress. He hesitated for a moment, then resolutely picked up the whip and began lashing himself with it.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

The sharp cracks of the whip clearly reached the Divine Dragon Empress’s ears. The sight left her utterly stunned and wide-eyed.

This was her first time witnessing such a maneuver from Liu Shengsheng.