Chapter 716 - 376: Lin Yuan’s Lover
Chapter 716: Chapter 376: Lin Yuan’s Lover
Western Emperor Palace.
Phoenix Palace.
Empress’s sleeping quarters.
"Senior sister, after Ming Chou and Lan Yin left the Celestial Tao Fighting Arena, they disappeared for a while. Later, Ming Chou returned to Wind Snow Pavilion, and Lan Yin returned to Chang’an Palace."
"Our people found that the Emperor has also sent people to keep an eye on Ming Chou, Lan Yin, and... Ruo Mei."
The palace maid was reporting to Lin Yuan about the surveillance on Ming Chou and Lan Yin.
Lin Yuan leaned against the phoenix chair, her phoenix-like eyes slightly narrowed, her demeanor lazy, and she nodded slightly upon hearing:
"Keep watching, don’t mind the Emperor’s men. If he likes, he can take another ten consorts—no harm done, as he will be replaced after the Immortal Ascension Ceremony."
The palace maid paused and continued: "Zhou Qing has already returned to his home and hasn’t been out, senior sister. He seems to be... waiting for someone."
Lin Yuan opened her eyes, a tender expression appeared on her face: "Zhou is waiting for me."
At this time, the voice of another palace maid sounded outside: "The Emperor arrives."
The shadow of the palace maid disappeared, Lin Yuan’s eyes flashed with impatience, but soon returned to a dignified and serene state, she stood to greet:
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
Wu Zheng walked into the sleeping quarters, holding Lin Yuan’s hand, spoke worriedly:
"Empress, just now the eunuch reported that the Imperial Mausoleum suddenly collapsed, which is an ominous sign; I truly cannot remain at ease!"
Lin Yuan smiled and said: "It’s just an external matter, Your Majesty need not worry; your health is more important."
Wu Zheng embraced Lin Yuan’s waist and smiled: "You are right, Empress, thankfully I have you."
"Your Majesty..."
Wu Zheng held Lin Yuan and walked towards the Phoenix Bed; a flash of disgust briefly crossed Lin Yuan’s face as she circled Wu Zheng’s neck with her hands:
"You just took Consort Yun, yet you always come to me; aren’t you afraid Consort Yun will be hurt?"
Wu Zheng placed Lin Yuan on the bed, his eyes full of deep affection: "Even if all the consorts combined, they couldn’t compare to a single finger of the Empress; Empress, only you hold my heart!"
"Your Majesty."
The curtain was drawn, and the Phoenix Bed began to gently shake.
Outside Phoenix Palace, the palace maid sighed slightly and turned to leave.
Meanwhile, a secret door on the south side of the Western Emperor Palace.
A eunuch led several people dressed in black robes through the secret door into the palace; among them, one was shrouded in black poisonous mist, and another had a dragon head and human body.
The eunuch said to the two: "Sect Leader Xu, Sect Leader Yue, at this moment the Emperor has already occupied the Demon Queen; I must trouble you to hide in the Imperial Kitchen tonight. Tomorrow, I will lead you into Phoenix Palace; after the Immortal Ascension Ceremony ends, the Emperor will close the palace’s Guardian Array—you must succeed in one strike!"
The person with a dragon head and human body laughed eerily: "Inform the Western Emperor, as soon as the palace’s grand array closes, Lin Yuan will die!"
The person enveloped in poisonous mist asked: "How do we handle the seventh princess?"
The eunuch replied: "Capture her first, the Emperor will decide; also... has the Demon Queen’s lover been found?"
Xu Kongming answered: "His residence has been found. Tonight, I’ll send disciples from both sects to capture him."
"This is excellent news; I’m sure the Empress will be quite surprised."
...
Late night.
West Imperial City.
Mingyu Lane.
This area is far from the bustling city center; mostly ordinary people live here.
At this hour, the night was deep, and all the residential lights had been extinguished.
The alley was serene.
Only one small courtyard still had an oil lamp burning.
The dim yellow light shone through the window, casting on the empty alley, further emphasizing the tranquility.
Suddenly, a dignified figure in plain white clothing appeared slowly in the alley, looking toward the small courtyard.
A man followed her, respectfully murmuring:
"Master, there are several people around; they seem to be from the Demon Sect, and their target seems to be Zhou Qing as well."
Tantai Mingyue’s voice carried a chill: "Celestial Fall Sect, Red Cloud Mountain, within West Imperial City, someone dares to collude with the Demon Sect, quite bold."
"Master, what should we do?"
"Wait for now; if the Demon Sect also wants to capture Zhou Qing, then we will kill them all."
"Understood."
Tantai Mingyue and Wang Dan concealed themselves, and soon after, several cultivators clad in black robes silently entered the courtyard.
Half a burning incense stick later.
The courtyard remained quiet, as if those in black robes had been swallowed up.
"Master, something seems amiss?"
Wang Dan’s expression changed slightly: "My Divine Sense can’t penetrate that courtyard!"
Tantai Mingyue’s expression turned stern: "Follow me inside!"
"Yes!"
The two slowly advanced towards the quiet courtyard, their spiritual power surging secretly, fully alert.
Tantai Mingyue also used Divine Sense to probe the courtyard just moments ago, but found even her Divine Sense couldn’t enter it.
She is at Nascent Soul Peak, among the strongest in this world.
Apart from Immortal Flying Pavilion, there is no place she cannot scrutinize.
Yet, this courtyard before her defied inspection.
As they reached the gate, Tantai Mingyue took a deep breath, gripping the sword hilt.
Creak.
The simple wooden door swung open without wind, as if welcoming them.
"Master..."
Wang Dan spoke in a low voice: "This place feels eerie, perhaps disciple should enter first to investigate."
Tantai Mingyue shook her head: "You might not be able to handle it alone; we will enter together."
"Understood."
Master and disciple walked into the courtyard, looking towards the lamp-lit wooden house.
Tantai Mingyue spoke towards the wooden house: "Zhou Qing, show yourself."
No movement from within the house, only the flickering, dim oil lamp.
Tantai Mingyue drew her Long Sword, and Wang Dan summoned his Magical Artifact.
The pair approached the wooden house, and as before, the door creaked open.
Wang Dan jumped, retreating half a step, but saw his master’s calm demeanor; he felt ashamed and called loudly into the house:
"Who is pretending to be a ghost?!"
Silence in the house, Wang Dan peered inside, although the lamp was lit, it was engulfed in darkness.
The scene was extremely eerie, sending shivers down one’s spine.
"Senior Brother..."
Tantai Mingyue’s voice suddenly trembled, her Immortal Sword quivering in her grip.
"Master, what are you saying?"
Wang Dan was startled, then saw in the dark house, a figure slowly appearing at last.
This figure came to the doorway, but remained shrouded in darkness; with Wang Dan’s Second-Layer Nascent Soul cultivation, he couldn’t discern the appearance of the figure, just half a step away.
"Who are you?!"
The figure stepped forward, and Wang Dan felt as if the world had changed hue, the snow-covered sky turned black.
The pitch-black night morphed into blood-red!
Crack, crack, the surrounding space emitted unbearable cracking sounds.
One by one, space black holes appeared; within flowed burning magma, swiftly engulfing Wang Dan, reducing his flesh, bones, and soul to ashes.
"Ah!!!"
Wang Dan screamed in agony, his Magical Artifact shattered, bleeding from seven orifices, and collapsed to his knees.
All that had transpired was an illusion wrought by overwhelming pressure.
At this moment, nothing abnormal surrounded him, but Wang Dan’s entire meridians and Spirit Field had shattered.
With his eyes spewing blood, Wang Dan finally saw the person emerging from the house.
"Se-Sect Leader?"