Dark Legend 3

page views:1 Publication date:2023-06-11 09:38:17

*Dark Legends*

Category: Fantasy Magic

Author: Water Dance Red Maple

Volume 3: Turning Clouds and Rain
Chapter 1: The Ghost Ninja
A moonlit night with few stars.
A cool breeze, carrying the desolation of late autumn, swept through the palaces, flickering countless lanterns.
I was on my first night patrol since taking office, led by a commander of the Templar Knights, followed by a squad of golden-armored guards carrying torches.
Each Templar Knight stood guard at their post with high spirits; not even a mosquito could escape their vigilant eyes.
The Empire's First Army was not a name to be underestimated.
Although they hadn't fought on the battlefield for nearly ten years, no one dared doubt that these five thousand men were capable of defeating tens of thousands of troops.
The commander, named Murphy, led the way, quietly introducing me to the surroundings, giving me a preliminary understanding of the vast imperial palace.
Passing through a long corridor, Mo Feili pointed to the garden directly ahead and whispered, "Your Grace, this is the largest garden in the palace—Listening Snow Garden. His Majesty is currently summoning Duke Orio from the Western Frontier in the Fragrance Pavilion within the garden."
I stepped into Listening Snow Garden, and a delicate, elegant floral fragrance wafted into my nostrils, instantly refreshing my mind.
Pavilions, terraces, and exotic trees—the scenery here was no less magnificent than the Verdant Garden. Of course, from here, one could no longer overlook Water Mirror Lake, but the entire Xilan Continent.
The garden was quiet and serene, with only the clear chirping of various insects and the soft rustling of our boots on the muddy ground.
By the light of torches and moonlight, my gaze pierced through the slumbering treetops and fell upon the Fragrance Pavilion in the distance.
His Majesty Jiaxiu sat leisurely in the pavilion, a middle-aged man in full military attire sitting respectfully beside him.
Undeniably, His Majesty Jiaxiu was a diligent monarch, possessing energy far exceeding that of ordinary people—even the weight of the entire Monston could not break his upright spine.
I walked towards the Fragrance Pavilion. A palace attendant standing some distance away recognized me and immediately smiled, saying, "Duke Xiulan, are you on patrol tonight?"
I nodded, "His Majesty hasn't rested yet?"
The attendant smiled wryly, "His Majesty is currently meeting with Duke Orion and will later hear from Prince Ott about the plans for the birthday celebrations."
A night breeze blew, and the attendant shivered slightly, saying, "Winter is approaching, and this wind is a bit chilly."
My heart tightened, and a strange premonition suddenly arose.
It was a faint killing intent, a killing intent hidden in the wind.
But strangely, I couldn't sense the source of the killing intent at all, nor could I feel the presence of an assassin.
This didn't make sense. The dark energy within me was quickly awakened, and the tentacles of my senses extended to every corner of the darkness.
I trusted my intuition; there must be assassins nearby, and their target was undoubtedly His Majesty Jiaxiu in the pavilion.
But where were they hiding?
And how did they evade the heavy guards and infiltrate Tingxue Garden?
Suddenly, my eyes lit up, my hawk-like gaze fixed on the soft grass outside Wenxiang Pavilion.
My senses seemed to detect a turmoil and unease emanating from the earth, along with a strange restlessness.
So it was here, underground!
"Duke Xiulan, what's wrong?" The attendant noticed my unusual behavior and asked curiously.
I shoved him aside and said in a deep voice, "Get out of my way!"
"Duke, you can't go over there," the attendant said hastily as I strode towards Wenxiang Pavilion, "His Majesty is summoning Duke Orion; you cannot disturb him."
"Clang!"
Two long spears clashed in front of me, blocking my path.
A Templar Knight squad leader behind the attendant said respectfully, "I'm sorry, Duke. I cannot allow you to enter the pavilion without His Majesty's decree."
"Damn it," a cold glint flashed in my eyes, causing them to tremble involuntarily.
"Get out of my way!"
I hissed, brushing aside the long spear held before me. Suddenly
, a strange change occurred.
A chilling wind unexpectedly swept in, and the lanterns in the pavilion shook violently, as if they might go out at any moment.
Four inexplicably dark green, misty figures rose from the grass outside the pavilion, quickly coalescing into human form in the air.
Their bodies were only half the height of a normal person, their naked skin an eerie green, faintly shimmering with phosphorescence. Because their backs were to me, I couldn't see their faces, but the intense killing intent emanating from them made me extremely uncomfortable.
They were Ghost Clan ninjas.
Their origins and identities immediately flashed through my mind, as if long buried within me and only now being awakened.
The most terrifying assassins in legend, the most enigmatic Ghost Clan among the demons of the Xilan Continent.
"Whoosh—"
Four figures descended through the air without hesitation, rushing towards the pavilion like the wind.
"Assassins!"
I shouted sharply, while the golden-armored guards beside me were either unaware or stunned by the bizarre scene before them, at a loss for what to do.
Duke Orion was the first to awaken; he roared and leaped his massive body to shield His Majesty Jiaxiu.
Since his sword had been removed during the audience, he had no choice but to fight bare-handed in desperation.
"Boom—"
Duke Orion's iron fist, stirring up an incomparably powerful gale, slammed into the chest of the foremost ghost ninja.
Ghost ninjas, too, were unarmed; they never carried any weapons.
Only in this way could they move freely underground like fish.
"Bang!"
The ghost ninja's palms struck Duke Orion's iron fist simultaneously, the surging air extinguishing the four lanterns in the pavilion.
A layer of translucent, dark green icy mist suddenly appeared on Duke Orion's hand, forcing him to take a half-step back. A flash of red light appeared on his face, and the dark green icy mist was instantly dissolved by the powerful internal energy within him, his hand returning to normal.
The ghostly ninja's figure, however, drifted backward like a feather, letting out a sharp, eerie cry. His newly formed human form was shattered by Duke Orion's overwhelming, powerful fist force, resembling a humanoid green mist floating in the night.
But he quickly reformed, returning to his previous form in the air.
The other three ghostly ninjas, however, had already taken the opportunity to evade Duke Orion's attack, each spreading their ferocious ten fingers, their long, phosphorescent fingernails like daggers aimed at His Majesty Jiaxiu.
"Whoosh!"
A dazzling sword light shone in the Fragrance Pavilion, and the mysterious temple expert finally appeared at the most crucial moment.
A deep blue light flowed across his blade; it was none other than the legendary wind-elemental holy sword, "Blizzard"!
A spray of dark green blood erupted, and two ghostly ninjas screamed and retreated. Their right claws were instantly severed by the blizzard, transforming into a cloud of alluring icy mist.
However, one ghostly ninja managed to evade the temple's expert's interception. He was likely the strongest of the four, his sinister left claw less than half a meter from His Majesty Jiaxiu's face!
Strangely, His Majesty Jiaxiu showed no panic. His piercing gaze, sharp as a sword, fixed on the approaching ghostly ninja, yet he remained unmoved.
"Curse of Silence!"
Without time to think, a high-level dark magic spell shot out from my mind.
I had to protect His Majesty Jiaxiu.
If he died, I would lose my greatest support in the empire, something that absolutely could not happen before I held real power!
Just as the ghostly ninja's claw was about to touch His Majesty Jiaxiu's face, an almost imperceptible black light struck the ghostly ninja in the back.
His body suddenly exploded silently, the dark green mist helplessly dissipating in all directions, unable to coalesce again, instantly vanishing into the night.
My figure, however, moved like a swift eagle, already appearing behind the ghost ninja repelled by Duke Orion.
The ghost ninja was preparing to pounce on the Fragrance Pavilion again when he suddenly sensed the astonishing killing intent and immense dark energy emanating from my body behind him.
He turned around in terror mid-air, and for the first time, I saw the ghost ninja's face clearly.
They possessed complete facial features like humans, only much smaller, and without eyebrows or hair.
His eyes gleamed with an eerie dark green light, but now they reflected only horror.
My heart was as cold as ice, devoid of any pity or compassion, and I softly said to him, "Die."
The heart-wrenching dark energy traveled along my palm, penetrating his back and entering his body.
"Boom—"
His body exploded like the ghost ninja before, disappearing without a trace.
It wasn't that they lacked strength; judging from their skills, they were at least at the level of human red-clad knights.
However, the former hadn't expected me to use dark magic, while the latter was simply caught off guard by my sneak attack.
Caught off guard, they were easily dealt with by me.
This series of swift and decisive events would likely require thousands of words to describe in the writings of later historians, and even tens of thousands of words wouldn't be enough for a novelist to embellish.
Yet, at that time, from the appearance of the ghost assassins to my killing of two of them, the process took only a blink of an eye.
Everything happened and ended in the blink of an eye.
The remaining two ghost ninjas, their right arms severed, knew the situation was hopeless and quickly turned in mid-air, disappearing into the grass outside the pavilion.
"Stop them!"
Duke Orion leaped out of the Fragrance Pavilion and shouted.
The dense twang of bowstrings signaled the start of the first wave of attacks from the surrounding Templar Knights in their golden armor.
It wasn't that their strength or reaction was weak; it was simply that everyone gathered around the Fragrance Pavilion tonight was a master, far exceeding their comprehension.
But then, unbelievable things followed. Dozens of arrows pierced through the bodies of the ghost ninjas, as if striking thin air, unable to harm them in the slightest.
Ordinary physical attacks were useless against the ghost race.
Their bodies were completely different from humans, and also different from the other races of the Xilan Continent.
The golden-armored guards were dumbfounded, unsure of what to do next.
Two ghost ninjas' heads had already burrowed into the grass; if left unchecked, they could quickly escape using earth-遁 (earth-遁 is a technique used in martial arts to escape).
My mind raced, and I suddenly raised my hand and slammed my palm onto the grass.
This palm strike caused almost no reaction on the grass, not even the expected impact sound, but the dark energy within me surged forth like a tide, spreading outwards across the grass.
"Hurry!"
I shouted, and the two ghostly ninjas suddenly froze on the grass—their upper bodies were buried in the grass, but most of their torsos remained exposed, unable to move an inch.
I used the vast dark energy within me to create a small magical barrier on the grass, hardening the once soft mud into an iron-like solidity, imprisoning the two ghostly ninjas. The
surrounding crowd cheered.
The temple expert shot through the air, his whirlwind sword flashing across the night sky, instantly decapitating the two ghostly ninjas, who soon turned into dark green mist and vanished into nothingness.
Duke Orion said with some regret, "It's a pity we didn't leave a single survivor."
I slowly withdrew my right palm, regulating my slightly rapid breathing, and heard the temple expert ask with concern, "Duke Xiu Lan, are you alright?"
I shook my head at him. Although the time was short, creating a barrier within a radius of more than ten meters using my own dark energy was far more taxing than most people could imagine. If the Temple expert had hesitated even slightly, the Ghost Ninja might have broken free, as the opponent was no weakling.
"Your Majesty!"
Duke Orion called respectfully as Emperor Jiaxiu, surrounded by a group of golden-armored guards, calmly approached.
"Thank you, Pu'ao," Emperor Jiaxiu said in a deep voice to the Temple expert, whose name I only now learned.
Pu'ao bowed slightly, saying, "Your Majesty has been frightened."
Emperor Jiaxiu smiled and shook his head, turning his gaze to me and Duke Orion, saying, "Well done, Xiu Lan, Duke Orion."
Duke Orion quickly bowed his head, saying, "Your Majesty, I am willing to do my utmost to serve you!"
"Father!"
Prince Ote, who had heard the commotion, called out hurriedly from afar, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Emperor Jiaxiu replied calmly.
Ott approached His Majesty Jiaxiu, his face full of concern, and said, "I was waiting outside the garden for my father's summons when I heard the news of your assassination attempt, so I rushed here immediately. It's wonderful to see that my father is safe and sound."
His Majesty Jiaxiu calmly replied, "It was just a few assassins, nothing serious."
"Duke Xiulan," Ott's face immediately turned serious as he turned to me, and he interrogated me, "Were you on patrol tonight?"
"Yes, Your Highness," I replied indifferently, already knowing what he was about to say.
As expected, Prince Ote rebuked him sternly, "How could you cause such a mess on your first night patrol? You actually let a few assassins alert Father! If anything had happened, even ten Dukes of Xiulan wouldn't have been enough to atone for it."
Emperor Jiaxiu waved his hand, saying, "Ote, don't blame Duke Xiulan. Tonight's assassins were Ghost Clan ninjas. Even the tightest security couldn't stop them from infiltrating underground. Fortunately, they can't pass through hard materials like metal and marble; otherwise, it would have been a real problem if they had emerged from my bedroom in the middle of the night."
Prince Ote's expression changed, "Ghost ninjas? Why would they want to assassinate Father?"
Duke Orion scoffed, "The Ghost Clan is a branch of the Northern Alliance, and this operation must be orchestrated by them."
Otto asked doubtfully, "But what benefit would the Northern Alliance gain from assassinating Father?" He seemed to grasp the crux of the matter as soon as he finished speaking and quickly fell silent.
The others already understood the Northern Alliance's intentions—if His Majesty Jiaxiu were assassinated, a power struggle among the three princes for the throne would inevitably erupt, allowing the Northern Alliance, which had always coveted the Empire, to reap the benefits.
"John," His Majesty Jiaxiu instructed his attendant, "immediately convey my decree to Duke Oshuma, ordering him to strengthen security and checks on Temple City, leaving no stone unturned. Foreign envoys and dignitaries from all over the country who come to pay homage must be strictly protected; no mistakes can be tolerated." Attendant
John hurriedly obeyed and relayed His Majesty Jiaxiu's decree to Duke Oshuma, who was in charge of the capital's defenses.
"Father, should we search the palace to see if there are any remnants of the Ghost Clan ninjas?" Prince Ote asked.
"No need," Emperor Jiaxiu said, "Weren't you going to report to me about the celebration? Let's go back to the study to talk."
"Yes, Father!"
"Duke Xiulan," Emperor Jiaxiu suddenly called to me, "I'm going fishing by the lake tomorrow afternoon, you'll come with me."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I was slightly taken aback, and replied.
In the moonlight, Emperor Jiaxiu, surrounded and protected by his entourage, gradually walked away.
The garden returned to tranquility, a hazy mist gently shrouding the treetops, as if nothing had happened.
Chapter Two: A Rendezvous with a Beauty As
dawn broke, I returned to Diecui Garden.
As soon as I dismounted, Roy said mysteriously, "Master, a guest has been waiting for you in the living room for quite some time."
"Who is she?"
"She won't say, but she is very beautiful."
I was taken aback and walked into the living room.
"Xiu Lan!"
Fei Ya rushed into my arms like a blazing flame, exclaiming joyfully, "You're finally back! I can't sleep at night without you, it's all your fault."
"Someone wants to see me?" I asked, embracing her warm, soft body.
"It's her," Fei Ya said dismissively, "Coming to see a man before dawn, how shameless."
Following Fei Ya's gaze, I saw Canelli sitting in the living room.
"Duke Xiu Lan," Canelli rose and called to me.
"It's you?"
Canelli gave me a resentful look and said softly, "Since we parted at the Champagne Boat, I haven't seen you for many days. Unable to suppress my longing, I had no choice but to put aside my shame and come to visit."
Fei Ya exclaimed, "How can you say such a thing? You're shameless!"
Canelli's cheeks flushed, and she slowly lowered her head.
I was taken aback, not expecting her, with her cold exterior, to be so passionate and unrestrained.
But when I looked into her eyes, I noticed she was subtly avoiding my gaze. Was it shyness or fear?
I casually said, "Come with me."
Feiya immediately exclaimed, "Xiu Lan, I want to go too!"
I glanced at Feiya; this charming young girl could be quite jealous.
"You want to come with me? Do you know where I'm going?"
"No," Feiya trembled under my gaze, but stubbornly insisted, "But I'm going with you, no matter where."
I walked through the living room and coldly said, "I'm going to the bathhouse. You come with me."
Feiya froze, her face flushing red. Watching Canelli follow me into the back hall, she stomped her foot and said, "Follow me then, what's the big deal?"
Only Roy remained standing in the living room, watching my retreating figure with envy.
I entered the bathhouse. The maids had already prepared everything as I had instructed yesterday. Steaming hot bathwater filled the room with misty vapor.
Two maids were about to help me undress when Canelli blushed and whispered, "Duke Xiulan, let me serve you."
I nodded and dismissed the maids.
The door closed, leaving only the three of us in the large bathhouse. Canelli gently and meticulously removed my armor and sword, gradually revealing my strong and masculine body, and her breathing quickened.
Feiya stood to the side, initially staring blankly at Canelli, then gritted her teeth and said, "Does my man need you to serve him?"
She suppressed her barely concealed shyness and went behind me to remove my undergarments.
I stepped into the bath, immersing myself in the comforting hot water, a feeling of profound relaxation washing away all the fatigue of the previous night.
I looked at the two women by the pool and said, "What are you two standing there for? Come on down."
Kanelli's gaze swept over my strong, bare chest muscles above the water, her beautiful eyes gleaming with a breathtaking light. She obediently unbuttoned her clothes, revealing her stunningly beautiful body to me.
Her smooth, jade-like skin was now flushed with a faint blush, making her even more alluring, and my heart couldn't help but flutter.
Kanelli let out a soft moan, lifted her long, beautiful legs, and slowly stepped into the pool, only to be pulled into my arms and kissed passionately.
Our bodies pressed tightly together in the water, sparking a burst of passionate flames.
I kissed Kanelli until she was almost breathless before finally releasing her, satisfied. Looking up at Fia by the pool, I said, "If you don't want to come down and keep me company, you can leave now. I don't want anyone standing there watching me bathe."
Fia hesitated for a moment, then abruptly pulled off her thin nightgown, feigning nonchalance, and said, "Fine, I'll come down! I definitely won't lose to her!"
And so, in the warm water, the two women vied for my attention, each using their own tricks to please me. Fia, in particular, did many things she would normally be ashamed of, all to avoid losing to Kanelli. Kanelli's special training since childhood also broadened my horizons.
The water continued to heat up, and I finally possessed both of these incomparably beautiful young women, enjoying the most intense peak of human emotion.
Again and again, I pushed them to climax, and they responded passionately with all their might. It was as if they were engaged in a silent competition, neither Fia nor Canelli willing to give in first, secretly vying for dominance.
It seemed that even women were unwilling to easily admit defeat in this regard.
After what appeared to be an eternity, Fia finally collapsed, exhausted yet infinitely satisfied, lying on the edge of the pool, panting softly. Canelli, however, continued to struggle, moaning beneath me, passionately responding.
Finally, I poured all my intense desire into her fiery body. Canelli cried out hoarsely, releasing the overwhelming excitement and stimulation within her.
She collapsed into my arms like a soft ball of cotton, only able to gasp for breath, the glistening tears at the corners of her eyes—were they tears of satisfaction or steam?
I leaned close to her ear, gradually regaining my composure, and gently stroked her soft, boneless waist as I whispered, "Tell me, what do you want from me?"
Canelli's body trembled slightly, and she glanced at me with a chilling look, whispering, "How did you know I had something else to discuss with you?"
I said indifferently, "No need to ask why, just tell me."
She slowly lowered her head and said softly, "Don't stare at me like that, okay? Actually, I really missed you, otherwise I wouldn't have followed you here and done so many things I would never normally do."
She paused, then lowered her voice, "Miss Angie ordered me to come find you; she wants to see you immediately."
I was shocked. So Canelli was from the Heavenly Sect. But this wasn't surprising; Angie had once said that the Heavenly Sect's influence permeated every level of society, and a well-informed brothel like Xiangfang wouldn't be overlooked.
"What does she want with me?" I asked coldly.
"I don't know the specifics either," said Kanelli softly. "But Miss Angie said that if you tell her she's looking for you about Chago, the leader of the Black Flag Regiment, you'll definitely be interested."
"Chago?" I was speechless with shock. I took a slow breath and said, "He's not dead?"
Kanelli shook her head. "Miss said she's found Chago's trail."
"Where?"
"Miss didn't tell me."
I stood up from the pool and said in a deep voice, "Fine, take me to her now."
If Angie wasn't lying, and Chago truly wasn't dead, then I would not hesitate to pierce his heart with my sword.
I couldn't forget the nightmarish scene in the Gobi Desert; I would repay him in full.
"Xiu Lan, where are you going?" Fei Ya asked hurriedly upon hearing my words.
“You don’t need to worry about it,” I said impatiently. “Just stay home.”
Feiya’s eyes reddened, and she said, her voice trembling with tears, “You…you don’t like me anymore?”
I was taken aback and asked, “Why?”
Feiya gave Canelli a resentful look and whispered, “I just lost to her, so you—”
I sighed for some reason and said, “What are you thinking? I have important things to do right now, it’s none of your business.”
“Really?” Feiya’s eyes immediately brightened.
“I’m not in the mood to play games with you.”
Feiya stood up from the water with a smile, her breasts, glistening with water droplets, were no less impressive than An Ludi’s ample bosom. Under my care, she had grown remarkably; she was no longer the naive girl I first met, but exuded a captivating mature charm.
“Xiu Lan, let me help you get dressed,” she whispered sweetly in my ear, her warm little hands resting on my waist.
“Duke Xiu Lan, I never expected to see you again so soon.”
In Canelli’s boudoir, Angie sat leisurely in a chair by the window, enjoying the morning sunlight.
“Miss Angie, it seems you always have a unique way of inviting me. I wonder what method you will use next time?”
Angie smiled calmly. “It is my honor to make Duke Xiu Lan feel this way, but in order to avoid causing him unnecessary trouble, I have no choice.”
I snorted and said, “Tell me, where is Chago?”
“In a place you would never guess,” Angie said slowly. “If he hadn’t been so lonely and secretly ordered someone to hire prostitutes for him, probably no one would know he was still alive.”
“He’s really not dead?”
“Although he’s not dead, he looks terrible. At least he’s missing an arm.”
I took a deep breath. Although I remained outwardly calm, my mind was racing.
Chago wasn’t dead. He probably witnessed me unleashing the Dark Annihilation, so he naturally knew my true strength.
I never expected so many people to survive the Dark Annihilation. This wasn't due to the power of the ultimate dark magic, but rather because my dark energy was far from reaching its peak.
Even so, I was still confident I could kill Chago in a one-on-one situation.
"Where is he?"
"You really want to find him, even if you're not afraid it's a trap, Duke Xiu Lan?"
I coldly stared at Angie's unparalleled beauty and said in a deep voice, "I don't care why you're willing to tell me Chago's whereabouts, I just want to find him."
Angie calmly said, "I can hear the killing intent hidden in your tone. It seems you truly hate him to the bone. However, I must still remind you, Chago may not be scary, but provoking the people behind him might cause more trouble than you imagine."
I smiled slightly; the mastermind hiding behind the Black Flag Group was finally about to surface.
“Angis, I came for Chago, not to hear this boring nonsense.”
Angis wasn’t annoyed. She calmly rose and instructed Canelli, who was standing outside the door, “Canelli, lend me and Duke Xiulan your carriage. I need to accompany the Duke for a trip outside the city.”
With Canelli and her private carriage as cover, Angis and I successfully left the city. Although security had been tightened throughout the city recently, the soldiers guarding the gates only gave Canelli’s carriage a token glance.
What they saw, of course, was Canelli’s cold and aloof face, while Angis and I hid behind the carriage seats.
This was the first time I had been so close to Angis. She seemed uncomfortable being so close to a man, leaning back with difficulty. Unfortunately, the space behind the seat was too small, and her soft, full skin still occasionally rubbed against me with the bumps of the carriage.
A faint, alluring virgin fragrance wafted into my nostrils, and strands of her long hair brushed against my face, causing a slight tickle.
I noticed a blush gradually rising on her previously composed, cold, and alluring face; it seemed that even the sect leader of the Heavenly Sect was, after all, just a woman.
Of course, I wouldn't underestimate her, nor would I lower my guard. If she was truly using Chago to deceive and frame me, I would kill her without hesitation.
Although her beauty captivated me, I would never allow myself to be completely intoxicated.
Suddenly, I heard Canelli, sitting in the front chair, turn around and whisper, "Miss, Duke Xiulan, get ready, we're almost there."
Angie extended a long, slender, white finger and gently pressed it on the relief on the back of the chair. A beam of light pierced through the carriage, and a hidden door slowly opened in the side wall of the carriage beside me.
"Jump!"
Angie whispered. Without hesitation, I leaped out, rolling a few times in the roadside grass before standing up.
Angie rose from a short distance away, while Canelli's carriage continued slowly along the mountain road without stopping.
"Where is this place?" I asked, turning my head as I looked around at the lush, beautiful hills.
Angie calmly replied, "This is Mount Mosangsuo, twenty miles southwest of the Temple City. Prince Aden has a villa built on the mountaintop."
"Aden?" My pupils contracted, and the dark energy within me roared and surged angrily.
"I only just learned this through this matter. It seems that the real mastermind behind Chago is not Prince Mustin, but the always low-profile Aden. You know, I've always suspected that Prince Aden and Chago have a close connection with the Demonic Mountain Sect, but unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any flaws in Chago."
"Mountain Sect?" I couldn't help but whisper in surprise, "You mean Aden is also involved with the Mountain Sect?"
"Our struggle with the Mountain Sect and the Sea Sect even surpasses our hatred for the Temple, so no clue about these two sects escapes my notice. If we can confirm that Prince Aden is indeed closely connected with the Mountain Sect, our Heavenly Sect's situation will be even more dangerous."
I now understood why Angie was willing to provide Chago's whereabouts and even personally accompany me to infiltrate Prince Aden's villa.
Ultimately, she was using me to deal with the Mountain Sect.
As Anjis led me along a secluded path up the mountain, she whispered, "Chago has been hiding here for some time. He's been concealed in a secret chamber in the artificial hill of the Beppu Garden. However, perhaps he's become numb to it over time, and now he often sneaks out of the chamber. The Beppu is full of Prince Aden's confidants; if Chago hadn't been so lustful, probably no one would have known he was hiding here."
"Why didn't he kill that prostitute?" I asked, as such a thing would be normal for someone as ruthless as Chago.
Anjis coldly snorted, "The one he summoned was Wan Lianshan, one of the Eight Beauties of the Fragrant Boat. On one hand, Chago was completely captivated by her beauty; on the other hand, he feared that killing her would attract attention. Furthermore, he thought Wan Lianshan was just an ordinary prostitute and wouldn't recognize his identity, hence this oversight."
A disdainful sneer rose in my heart. Chago was ultimately no match for anyone; this alone was enough to show.
“We’re here,” Angie suddenly stopped and whispered, crouching down in the tall grass.
About two hundred meters ahead, a secluded and elegant villa stood quietly, its eaves peeking through the walls.
Using the vegetation as cover, we avoided the guards' gazes and quietly approached a secluded corner.
For most people, nighttime might be the most suitable time, but for experts like Angie and me, the difference between day and night was negligible.
“I’ll go in first,” Angie said. “It should be a courtyard of the villa, usually used to receive guests, but it’s empty now.”
I wasn’t surprised that she knew so much about the Aden Prince’s villa; obtaining a map of the villa wouldn’t be too difficult for the Heavenly Sect.
Angie’s body suddenly floated up like a cloud, her posture elegant and composed, yet with a hint of eeriness.
I knew this was the Heavenly Sect’s levitation magic, which even ordinary wizards could use. However, to move with such grace and without a sound, without even needing to chant a spell, was no easy feat.
She finally revealed her true strength to me for the first time.
As Angie's lithe figure disappeared over the wall, I nimbly vaulted over as well.
Inside was a quiet, deserted courtyard, now appearing exceptionally desolate.
Angie stood beside me and whispered, "After leaving this courtyard and passing through a row of servants' workshops, you'll reach Chago's garden. He should be hiding in his secret room during the day."
I remained silent, but a cold, murderous smile crept across my lips.
Chago, you were lucky enough to escape the Darkness of Annihilation last time, but this time you will not be so fortunate.
Even with the protection of the Prince of Aden behind you, nothing can stop my determination to kill you.
Chapter Three: The Truth Comes Out
Perhaps because they never expected anyone to dare infiltrate the manor during the day, the security at the manor wasn't as tight as we had imagined. Thanks to Angie's and my extraordinary intuition, we successfully bypassed the guards and entered the garden.
The only time Angie had to intervene was when she cast a dark magic illusion spell in front of a corridor, briefly stunning the two golden-armored guards standing there. As they felt a strange dizziness, Angie and I had already slipped past.
We crept unharmed to the foot of the artificial hill, concealing ourselves among the dense flowers and carefully searching the walls for mechanisms.
The garden was deserted; everyone seemed busy with their own affairs, with no time to rest and enjoy the scenery. Besides, with Prince Aden absent, how could ordinary servants and subordinates dare approach? It seemed Aden must have issued a similar order to prevent unauthorized entry into the garden to ensure Chago's whereabouts weren't revealed.
Angie observed for a moment, then gently pressed and twisted a protruding, reddish-brown rock, a faint sound emanating from the dark artificial hill cave.
“It’s here,” Angie whispered, her lithe body swiftly disappearing into the artificial cave. I followed without hesitation.
By the sunlight streaming in from outside, a narrow, hidden door could be vaguely seen along the edge of what had been the artificial cave wall, leading into a pitch-black, bottomless abyss.
“Luckily, Wanlian Shan vaguely remembered how Chago opened the hidden door, otherwise it would have been quite a hassle,” Angie said softly, cautiously stepping through the door.
Wanlian Shan must have explained the secret chamber to Angie, knowing that behind the hidden door was a long, narrow underground passage, so she wasn’t worried about being discovered by Chago inside, and quietly proceeded along the tunnel.
The hidden door closed automatically, completely cutting off the sunlight.
We silently descended the steps, and after turning a corner, a dim, yellow light appeared ahead—an oil lamp hanging from the ceiling.
Suddenly, the space opened up before us; this eerie, narrow passage revealed a hidden world beyond.
The first thing I saw was a spacious stone room, resembling the living room of an ordinary mansion. The decorations were simple yet elegant, reflecting the owner's meticulous craftsmanship.
Despite being inside for so long, I felt no difficulty breathing, suggesting a sophisticated ventilation system was in place; otherwise, there would be no need to burn oil lamps and waste the limited air.
There were three stone doors in the living room, two ajar, while the closed door emitted faint sounds of panting and moaning from a man and woman.
Chago was perhaps currently inside, enjoying his last moments of pleasure.
I approached the door, and Angie whispered beside me, "Don't rush to kill him. See if you can get any more information out of him."
I nodded and reached out to push the door, but it wouldn't budge.
"It's probably locked from the inside," Angie murmured. "Perhaps we should wait a while; he'll eventually come out."
I snorted. If it weren't for the need to avoid making too much noise, I would have unhesitatingly used my dark energy to shatter the stone door before me.
Angie and I waited silently in the living room, yet time seemed to pass by incredibly slowly. Remembering His Majesty Jiaxiu's invitation that afternoon, if Chago didn't open the door soon, I'd have no choice but to risk forcing my way
in. The stone house was silent, save for the excited cries and moans of Chago and the woman. Angie leaned nonchalantly against the rock wall beside the door, her exquisite face subtly revealing a chilling killing intent.
The mere fact that Chago had left her standing outside, listening to the lewd and decadent sounds, was enough to ignite Anji's murderous intent.
The Demonic Sect never needed a reason to kill; they always pursued acting on impulse, unbound by worldly conventions and ethics. They could kill simply because they were in a bad mood, let alone someone like the Heavenly Sect Master before them.
Suddenly, a thought struck me, and my gaze flashed towards the cave entrance.
Anji seemed to sense something as well, her expression shifting as she said, "Someone's here."
I nodded, my peripheral vision catching two slightly ajar stone doors beside me, and pointed.
Anji understood, gracefully pushing open the left door but quickly closing it again; clearly, it wasn't a suitable hiding place.
Without pausing, she pushed open the right door, glanced around, then turned and gave me a slight beckoning before entering first.
I quickly followed, gently closing the door behind me.
An oil lamp also shone from the ceiling inside the cave, and the large room was filled with food and various weapons and equipment.
Angie, hidden behind a row of wine barrels in the corner, whispered to me, "Come here."
I nimbly leaped over the barrels and hid beside her, then lowered the oilcloth covering them again, plunging the room into darkness, with only her delicate body pressed against me.
"There's a study next door; Aden's confidential documents should all be stored there, but we can't hide there."
I nodded approvingly. Angie indeed possessed remarkable intelligence—if the person who came was the Prince of Aden, he would likely have a secret meeting with Chago in the study later, and if we hid there, we would inevitably be discovered.
Footsteps sounded outside, very faint, but they couldn't escape our senses. From the frequency and weight of the footsteps, I could even tell that three people were entering.
Angie and I each suppressed our life signs, including our breathing, becoming as still as stone statues.
"Chago!"
A deep, hoarse voice rang out from outside. After a moment of silence, the sound of a stone door opening could be faintly heard, followed by Chago's surprised question: "Your Highness Aden, what brings you here?"
A strong killing intent surged within me, but I knew it was absolutely not the right time to act, so I could only endure it.
Aden snorted, seemingly noticing the woman in Chago's room, and said with barely concealed anger, "I told you not to solicit prostitutes outside, so you just slept with the maids from the other residence. If word gets out, we're all doomed, do you understand?"
Chago laughed awkwardly, "Your Highness, I was just so bored and wanted to have some fun."
Aden said coldly, "Pu Shika, take care of that woman for me. Be careful not to bleed; I don't want to soil this place."
From the next room came the woman's terrified screams and pleas, but they vanished instantly, clearly Pu Shika had already dealt with her.
And at the same time, Parkska's identity suddenly came to mind—the second-in-command of Duke Omatshu, the deputy commander of the Imperial Guard, the Marquis Parkska known as the "Bloodthirsty Wolf."
What were he and Prince Aden doing here? And who was the other person who hadn't spoken?
Chago clicked his tongue regretfully, "What a pity, such a pretty girl."
Prince Aden sneered, "Once our grand plan succeeds, even Princess Mirror Moon will be yours to enjoy. What is this woman?"
My heart skipped a beat, and I vaguely sensed that the "grand plan" they were plotting was far more complex than I had imagined.
The footsteps of the four people outside seemed to enter the study, but they didn't close the door—clearly, they had no idea there were other people inside.
Chago asked excitedly, "Is everything ready?"
Although their voices came from another room and were blocked by the stone door, I could still hear them clearly.
However, I dared not use my spiritual sense to sneak into the study to investigate, for fear of alerting the people inside.
It was because they were too confident in this secret room that they completely underestimated the possibility of others sneaking in, and thus remained completely unprepared. Otherwise, it's hard to say we wouldn't have been discovered.
Prince Aden sneered, "Last night, Duke Norwich's 20,000 elite cavalry arrived at Moonlit Peak south of the capital, ready to launch a full-scale attack as soon as Jiaxiu's 70th birthday celebration begins in six days. At that time, Marquis Parkska's men will control the south gate to receive the army into the city. Combined with the 20,000 Imperial Guards we already have, it's enough to capture Temple City overnight."
At this moment, an unfamiliar voice said, "My only worry is that if His Majesty Jiaxiu isn't dead by then, we might have to put in a lot more effort."
"Don't worry, Duke Norwich," Prince Aden said confidently, "Jiaxiu is doomed. He definitely won't survive that night."
"But what if that woman suddenly gets scared and backs out at the last minute?" Chago asked.
“Impossible. Her only way out is to obey my orders, and besides, she’s dreaming of becoming the Empress.”
The others laughed smugly. Duke Norwich said, “She’s too naive. How could a woman like her be worthy of His Highness?”
Chago laughed and said, “Duke, in a few days we will all be addressing Prince Aden as His Majesty.”
Aden also grinned menacingly, “Then why not let her be smug for a couple more days? I’m counting on her to frame Ott, who’s in charge of organizing the celebration.”
Parkska said, “Your Highness, I’m still a little worried about the Knights Templar. We might not be able to easily defeat them.”
"Rest assured, Omatshu will inevitably be by Gash's side during the celebrations. You'll have ample time to deal with the other admirals and then seize control of their forces. Norwich's army will arrive in the capital at nightfall to coordinate with your operation. If they encounter resistance, they will be ruthlessly killed. Although the Knights Templar are valiant, they are ultimately only five thousand strong, and their fighting strength will be greatly reduced in the chaos. You can then use the pretext of His Majesty's passing and eliminating the rebels to storm the palace, and you will surely succeed. Don't forget, the guards outside the palace that night were under Admiral Shona; he could cut off communication between the palace and the outside world. By the time those inside realize something is wrong, Gash will have already passed away."
"Your Highness's plan is indeed meticulous," the Duke of Norwich exclaimed, "I'm afraid His Majesty Gash will never understand what's going on until his death."
"This celebration is our best opportunity to strike, because not only have officials from all over come to the capital to offer their congratulations, but the four regional dukes and the commanders of the empire's major legions have also arrived. If we can control these people, the entire empire will be gained much more easily," Prince Aden said slowly. "Although the Temple is terrifying, I am absolutely confident in dealing with them, so you all need not worry. Now, what we need to do is carefully examine our plan, leaving no room for any flaws. At the same time, we must also consider all possible contingencies to avoid being caught off guard."
Then, the group spoke in hushed tones for a long time, discussing the details of the plan and various contingency measures.
Finally, Marquis Pushka and Duke Norwich took their leave, but Prince Aden stayed behind.
There was a moment of silence in the study next door, when suddenly Chago said emotionally, "Aden, I can't believe our dream is about to come true."
I was taken aback; Chago's address and tone towards Prince Aden had suddenly changed completely.
Aden sighed coldly, "I told you twenty years ago that we would definitely avenge our father and realize our dream."
No matter how calm I was, I was still taken aback by Aden's earth-shattering words.
Could it be that His Majesty Gahshu wasn't actually Prince Aden's father?
Aden and Chago were brothers, and who was their father?
"It's a pity our father can't see it," Chago said with a bitter smile. "Although I'm your half-brother, I understand the vast difference between us—not in status, but in talent and wisdom. If you hadn't spent so many years recognizing your enemy as your father and painstakingly plotting, we would never have been able to achieve our revenge."
Prince Aden said indifferently, "Thirty years. Ever since I learned the truth, I've dreamed of that day every single moment. If it weren't for the blood-written letter my mother secretly left before she died, I would have truly believed I was Gahshu's biological son. Hmph, he would never pass the throne to a son of unknown origin like me. Even if Ot is incompetent, he still has that brat Mustin to rely on. So, I had no choice but to strike first, not only to kill him but also to seize his empire."
"But are you really confident you can wipe out the empire? What if someone resists?" Chago asked with some doubt.
“Don’t forget, as soon as our operation succeeds, Duke Norwich’s army will march in from the south; and Kaulan of Biarell will lead his army west to occupy Duke Jinsha’s territory. With no leader in sight, they won’t be able to withstand my iron cavalry.”
Kaulan, a cold glint flashed in my eyes.
It seems the internal strife in Biarell was also a conspiracy orchestrated by Prince Aden, but he would never have imagined that this very scheme would lead to my rise to the position of Duke Xiulan.
Of course, this also confirms what Prince Mustin said, and the Black Flag Regiment’s attempt to ambush me now seems perfectly logical.
"Then what about the Temple? Are you really planning to use all the experts of your sect to fight the Temple?"
"How could I do something so foolish? The Temple is known as the guardian of the holy path of humanity, and that's no empty title. Even if all the experts of the Mountain Sect were to come out, they would still be no match for the Temple. So I will not reveal the strength of the Mountain Sect, but will only use a large army to besiege Water Mirror Lake and force the Temple to negotiate."
"Will they compromise?"
"They will," Prince Aden sneered. "Prince Ott and Prince Mustin died in the chaos of war. The only one they can support is me. As long as I promise to preserve some of their privileges, I'm not afraid that the Temple will not bow down."
Chago said excitedly, "If the Temple also has to bow down to you, what are we afraid of in the entire empire? Not only will Monston be ours, but the resurgence and unification of the Demonic Sect will be just around the corner!"
I couldn't help but sneer in the darkness. It seems that Prince Aden must be an extremely important figure in the Mountain Sect, or even the sect leader, otherwise Chago would not have said such a thing.
Prince Aden said, "Chago, once I become the Lord of Monston, I will definitely treat you well. Don't say we are half-brothers; just the hard work and tireless efforts you've put into our plans all these years are enough to earn you recognition."
Chago laughed and said, "I was just running errands. As long as you remember that you have a good-for-nothing brother like me, that's enough. Also, you absolutely must hand Xiu Lan over to me. I won't rest until I kill him myself."
"Don't worry, he can't escape," Prince Aden sneered. "Without Jia Xiu as his backer, he's at the mercy of others. I need to get back to the capital. You'll have to endure a few more days, and don't wander around."
I snorted heavily in my heart.
"I understand. I'll see you out."
"Take that maid's body with you and come out with me to dispose of her. I'll cover it up properly from the outside."
"Okay!"
The sound of Prince Aden and Chago's light footsteps could be heard outside until silence fell.
Angie and I carefully lifted the oilcloth and stood up from behind the wine barrel, each letting out a soft sigh of relief.
We hadn't expected that our pursuit of Chago would uncover such a shocking secret.
Prince Aden was the only person I hadn't directly encountered since arriving in the capital; compared to Otto and Mustin, he was indeed much more low-key. However, often the more unassuming someone appears, the more terrifying they are.
Angie and I exchanged a glance, finding unspoken understanding in each other's eyes, and quietly left the secret chamber, returning down the mountain.
Killing Chago was no longer the priority; I had to stop Prince Aden's conspiracy—just as he said, if His Majesty Jiaxiu were to meet with misfortune during the celebration, I would have no place in Monston's court.
As for Angie, she was clearly concerned with something else entirely. Perhaps for her and Tianzong, it didn't matter who became emperor, but it absolutely couldn't be someone from the Mountain Sect or the Sea Sect—otherwise, Tianzong's life would only become more difficult.
"Duke Xiu Lan, what do you intend to do?" Angie asked, gazing at me intently. The warm midday autumn sun shone on her slender, beautiful figure, yet a chilling mystery seemed to emanate from her very bones.
"What do you think?" I retorted indifferently.
She nodded to me and slowly said, "If the Duke needs it, the Heavenly Sect will do everything in its power to provide assistance in secret. If necessary, I can even enlist the help of two of our sect's protectors."
Based on shared interests, we formed an alliance at this moment.
Indeed, as the sect leader of the Heavenly Sect of the Demonic Path, Angie could not tolerate the Mountain Sect controlling the court of Monston. And her best option now was to cooperate with me.
I smiled slightly and said, "I hope we can cooperate smoothly, Sect Master Angie."
Angie said, "From now on, our communication will be handled by Canelli. She is one of the four Holy Maidens of our Heavenly Sect, and there will be no problem with her loyalty."
Canelli's beautiful and cold body suddenly appeared before my eyes, and I nodded, "Given her status, she should be the most reliable."
We discussed and exchanged some details, and seeing that it was almost afternoon, I hurriedly parted ways with her and headed to Water Mirror Lake.
A sudden court struggle was about to unfold, but my heart was not tense; instead, it was filled with excitement and calm.
Monston, I will make you live forever from blood and death.
Sooner or later, the continent of Xilan will also become my servant.
And the rebellion of the Prince of Aden was just an unintentional opening of a dark door for all of this—
Chapter Four: Recalling the Past.
The blue sky was like a mirror, and the clouds drifted by.
Under the clear sky, Mirror Lake was as tranquil and beautiful as ever. A gentle breeze rippled the surface, and the occasional waterbird added to its elegance.
Emperor Jiaxiu sat contentedly under a patch of shade, intently watching the buoy on the lake's surface.
I silently sat down beside him and took out my fishing gear.
"You're very late. This is the first time in all these years that I've waited this long for someone," Emperor Jiaxiu said calmly, his gaze fixed on the water. "However, I know someone like you would never forget your sense of time. You must have been delayed by something important, right?"
I glanced at the attendant not far behind me and smiled. "Indeed, something happened, and I think Your Majesty will be interested."
"Oh?" Emperor Jiaxiu glanced at me, immediately understanding my meaning. He gestured slightly behind him, and the attendant, receiving the signal, bowed and retreated to the golden-armored guards about twenty meters away.
"I found Chago, someone everyone thought was gone."
Jiaxiu's voice remained unchanged as he asked softly, "Where is he? Did you kill him?"
“No, because his life is more valuable than his death now,” I replied. “I found him in a secret chamber in Prince Aden’s residence, but Chago didn’t notice me.”
“Aden?”
His Majesty Jiaxiu’s eyes closed slightly, but a glint of unfathomable light shone through those cracks.
“What’s even more interesting is that I happened to overhear a private conversation between Prince Aden and Chago and others, which concerned His Majesty’s celebration in six days.”
I slowly recounted what I had overheard in the secret chamber, of course omitting the presence of Angie and a detail about Prince Aden’s background. I wouldn’t be foolish enough to flaunt these court scandals before His Majesty Jiaxiu, sowing unnecessary seeds of trouble for myself.
I only needed to reveal the key information to His Majesty Jiaxiu; he would naturally have ways to verify and investigate the rest.
His Majesty Jiaxiu listened silently, without interrupting once.
The sky was high and the clouds were light.
A gentle breeze was blowing.
His Majesty Jiaxiu’s expression was unusually calm, as if everything I had said was already within his expectations. However, I noticed his fishing line trembling slightly in the lake.
"I believe what you say is true, Xiu Lan."
"Oh?"
"In Monston, no one's actions escape my notice. Some think I'm old and frail, but I know more than anyone else." Emperor Jiaxiu said casually, "Aden underestimates his father. I can learn of even the slightest movement he makes if I so choose. Someone secretly informed me of his hiding 20,000 cavalry at Yingyue Peak, but I pretended not to know. As for his dealings with Kaolan, Pushka, and other high-ranking officials, I am equally aware. If he dares to make a single rash move, there will only be one fate, even if he is my own son!"
I didn't speak, nor was I surprised by his words—if Emperor Jiaxiu were completely unaware of Prince Aden's unusual activities, he wouldn't have been able to sit on the throne until now.
I just wondered, how much did he truly know about this matter?
After a long silence, His Majesty Jiaxiu slowly spoke, "I just didn't expect Aden to be so impatient, almost unwilling to wait a moment longer, actually wanting to kill me and take my place."
A cold smile appeared on his lips. "I wasn't wrong about him. He is indeed more ambitious and has more guts than Otto and Mustin. He truly deserves to be my son, Jiaxiu."
I couldn't help but recall the conversation between Chago and Aden. Could it be that His Majesty Jiaxiu was truly unaware of this?
"Your Majesty doesn't seem too surprised?"
A slight smile escaped His Majesty Jiaxiu's lips. "Having experienced too many surprises, nothing can surprise me now.
I'm just a little regretful, regretful for Aden. Of all the princes, he was actually the one I valued the most, but in the end, he still betrayed me, unwilling to wait until the day I left this world."
Aden was His Majesty Jiaxiu's most valued prince?
From His Majesty Jiaxiu's tone, I vaguely discerned his inner secrets—perhaps in his plan, the ultimate successor to the throne he had sat on for decades was not Prince Ote, who had the support of the Temple, nor Prince Mustin, who had wide connections and the best reputation, but rather Prince Aden, who was always taciturn and not favored by the people.
If Prince Aden understood this, would he still harbor thoughts of rebellion?
I didn't believe for a second that his rebellion was merely for revenge; otherwise, he would have had countless opportunities to assassinate His Majesty Jiaxiu.
That was clearly just a self-deceiving excuse.
I silently observed His Majesty Jiaxiu, and suddenly discovered something unprecedented in his expression.
Was it sadness and disappointment?
Was it melancholy and reminiscence?
For the first time, I suddenly felt that the His Majesty Jiaxiu before me was no longer the powerful and influential king, but just an old man, a lonely and solitary old man.
Kings are always lonely.
Yet he had not yet grown accustomed to this loneliness. I saw the emotions deep in his eyes, and I also saw his momentary vulnerability.
Even a powerful ruler like His Majesty Jiaxiu couldn't escape the shackles of human emotions. Strangely, however, I felt no disdain or contempt for him, only a pity.
This was the first time I'd felt such emotion—pity for someone.
Pity for a king who had dominated the continent of Xilan.
But this expression vanished in an instant, replaced by the familiar, resolute, and composed face.
He snorted softly, "Very well, let me settle things in six days. Too many years of peace have almost made me forget the taste of killing; now it's returning."
I watched him silently, as if I could smell blood.
This was a taste I liked.
Then he fell silent, continuing to fish intently, as if nothing had happened.
I also remained silent, not pressing him on how to deal with Prince Aden's rebellion.
I knew he was thinking, silently contemplating.
That afternoon, we fished until evening, undisturbed.
However, his fish basket remained empty—he hadn't caught a single big fish.
Perhaps he was waiting for an even bigger one. By the
time he returned to Diecui Garden, it was completely dark.
Duke Jinsha, who hadn't appeared for some time, arrived unexpectedly, naturally followed by Debo.
We sat down in the study, and Duke Jinsha spoke first, "I've come specifically to invite you to this banquet, Duke Xiulan."
I took the invitation and glanced at it, then said indifferently, "Are you hosting?"
Duke Jinsha replied, "It's a rare visit to the capital, so I must entertain some friends and acquaintances."
"You also invited Prince Ott, didn't you?"
Duke Jinsha looked at me with slight embarrassment, "I hope to use this opportunity to mediate between you and Prince Ott. Actually, there's nothing serious between you."
I snorted coldly, "My affairs don't require your concern, Duke. Instead, I want to tell you something else."
"What?"
I stared intently at Duke Jinsha and said in a deep voice, "The assassins who ambushed us on the road that night were Prince Ott's men. Aden and Mustin were merely scapegoats for Ott. His intentions are self-evident, Duke."
Duke Jinsha was shocked, "Impossible!"
I sneered, "I have no reason to lie to you. Believe it or not, it's up to you."
Duke Jinsha's expression shifted between light and shadow, and finally, he sighed deeply and slumped into his chair.
Debo asked doubtfully, "Impossible, His Highness Otto has no reason to do this."
I said irritably, "Why don't you think about who the only person who could benefit from assassinating Duke Jinsha is?"
Debo lowered his head in deep thought, then suddenly exclaimed "Ah!" and looked up at Duke Jinsha, clearly understanding the mystery.
Duke Jinsha's expression was calm as he slowly said, "Duke Xiulan, it's not that I don't believe what you say, but this matter is too complex, and I cannot make a conclusion now."
I sneered inwardly. His implication seemed to be that I was relying on hearsay and making wild guesses. But there was no need for me to argue with him; my goal had already been achieved—at least he wouldn't trust Prince Ote as unconditionally as before.
I said indifferently, "I won't attend the banquet tomorrow night to avoid causing any unpleasantness with Prince Ote and embarrassing you.
If you want to verify what I just said, you can try to get Shuget to talk; this plan was probably his idea."
Duke Jinsha seemed to believe me even more, nodding and saying, "I will remember your reminder. Thank you, Duke Xiulan."
"Furthermore, Chago didn't die in the Gobi Desert. He has now secretly arrived in the capital and is hiding in Prince Aden's villa outside the Temple City. I saw this with my own eyes this morning."
"What?" Debo exclaimed in surprise, "This guy is actually alive?"
I snorted and didn't speak.
Duke Jinsha, however, said with a grave expression, "You mean he's hiding in His Highness Aden's villa?"
In such a short time, I had told him two unbelievable pieces of news, so it's no wonder he looks so unwell now.
I replied, "This matter is currently extremely confidential; none of you should tell anyone, as it involves far more important secrets."
Debo murmured, "It seems that Chago is indeed Prince Aden's man, and he must be the one opposing us behind the scenes."
"Prince Aden—" Duke Jinsha suddenly sighed, slowly saying, "Do you know why I've always opposed Prince Aden inheriting the throne after His Majesty's death?"
Debo asked, puzzled, "Isn't it because Prince Ote is His Majesty's eldest son?"
Duke Jinsha smiled bitterly, "That's only a superficial reason. Prince Aden and Prince Mustin are different. Prince Mustin's mother was merely one of His Majesty's concubines, but Prince Aden and Prince Ote are both born to the Empress, of His Majesty's legitimate bloodline. Logically, it wouldn't be unreasonable for Prince Aden to inherit the throne, but this involves a royal secret buried for decades."
My heart skipped a beat. Did Duke Jinsha also know about Prince Aden's true parentage?
If that's the case, His Majesty Jiaxiu should be even more aware, so why did he seem completely oblivious this afternoon?
Moreover, if His Majesty Jiaxiu was certain that Aden wasn't his biological son, how could he have allowed him to sit on the throne for decades, even considering passing it on to him?
Unless, His Majesty Jiaxiu's words and expressions before me were all an act, but even that wouldn't escape my notice.
You see, the look in his eyes when he learned of Aden's plot to rebel and assassinate him was something that couldn't be faked.
Monston, a place more interesting than I imagined, seems to have exciting stories unfolding every day.
The royal family, the temple, the demonic sect, the four dukes of the realm, the Knights Templar, and the Black Flag Order—all these forces are intricately intertwined, maintaining a delicate balance, just as Elder Anderhat said.
Like a floating bridge on water.
But I have a premonition that this balance is incredibly fragile and will soon be broken.
Not by me, but by humanity's endless desires and ambitions.
And I, merely adding fuel to the fire, am simply fulfilling my destiny.
I said in a deep voice, "Is it about the background of Prince Aden?"
Duke Jinsha looked at me with surprise and said, "So you've heard about it too?"
I didn't answer, but asked, "Why does His Majesty Jiaxiu seem completely unaware of this?"
Duke Jinsha shook his head and said, "No, perhaps he knows better than any of us."
Debo asked curiously, "Duke Xiulan, Father, what are you two talking about? Why can't I understand a word?"
Duke Jinsha glanced subconsciously at the closed door, hesitated for a moment, and then said in a low voice, "This is a royal secret that no one in the empire has dared to mention for forty years, yet it constantly influences the choice of the future monarch of Monston. Fortunately, we are all family." "Now that I have this opportunity, I might as well tell you what I know, so that you won't accidentally get involved in this in the future."
He took a deep breath and lowered his voice, saying, "For forty years, ever since the day Prince Aden was born, a little-known story has been circulating in the palace. But no one can verify its truth, because those who knew about it at the time are all gone for various reasons. What I know is all hearsay."
He didn't recount the secret, but instead rambled on for a long time, which was quite meaningful—attributing all the secrets about Prince Aden's birth to hearsay, which could not be verified, so that even if what he said tonight got out, he could still clear himself of any involvement.
"Forty years ago, Queen Melia tragically passed away, leaving behind Prince Hamigan, who was only five years old; Prince Ott, who was three years old; and Prince Aden, who was just one month old. This event caused great grief to the Imperial court, as the Queen was known for her forgiveness and virtue, and was deeply loved by all her ministers. However, from some unknown time, a rumor began to circulate in the court like a plague."
"What rumor?" Debord's curiosity was further piqued, and he leaned halfway over Duke Jinsha to ask.
Duke Jinsha's voice was deep and powerful: "Queen Melia committed suicide because she fell in love with General Montoya, the Grand Master of the Knights Templar at the time, known as the Tiger of the Empire. General Montoya mysteriously disappeared nine months ago, and the Queen suspected that he had been secretly executed by His Majesty."
"What?!" Debord could not contain his inexplicable shock and exclaimed.
Duke Jinsha glared at him with displeasure and said, "What's your name? It's just a rumor."
Debo gasped and said, "Doesn't that mean His Highness Aden might be—"
He dared not finish his sentence, but Duke Jinsha and I both understood what he meant.
Such a thing would be unremarkable if it happened in the home of an ordinary commoner, but one of the parties involved was the Empress of the Empire, a beautiful woman who was revered by all, and the impact and consequences were unimaginable.
Duke Jinsha nodded and said, "It was from this time that rumors began to circulate that General Montoya and the Queen had been having an affair more than a year ago. One was the mistress of the palace, and the other was its highest guardian, which is why this affair was kept hidden for so long. But secrets can't stay hidden forever. His Majesty finally learned of the affair between Queen Melia and General Montoya, and in his fury, secretly executed Montoya and banished the Queen to the cold palace. The maids and guards who knew about it were all silenced to prevent the scandal from spreading. At that time, the Queen was already pregnant, but His Majesty couldn't determine whether the child was his or General Montoya's, thus leaving it a mystery."
"This child was the later Prince Aden?" Debord asked, his voice trembling slightly.
Duke Jinsha scoffed, "Now you should understand why I support Prince Otto. No matter what, he's definitely His Majesty and the Queen's legitimate bloodline, because General Montoya hadn't even entered the palace when Prince Otto was born."
Debo said, "That General Montoya has some nerve, daring to even set his sights on Queen Melia." His tone was ambiguous, whether it was envy and admiration or jealousy and hatred.
Duke Jinsha sighed, "It's said that Queen Melia and General Montoya were childhood sweethearts in their early years. General Montoya joined the Temple because of Queen Melia, and eventually, through scheming, became the Grand Master of the Knights Templar and entered the palace."
Debo couldn't help but sigh, "I never imagined General Montoya was such a devoted man. But His Majesty's actions are a bit heartless."
The Duke of Jinsha retorted, "What nonsense! These are just rumors. How can you believe them? Even if such things did happen, more than forty years have passed. Who can presume to judge the truth?"
Debo was quite unconvinced and was about to retort when he suddenly heard someone outside the window smile, "I never expected that the Duke of Jinsha would spread such rumors behind his back. Aren't you afraid His Majesty will find out?"
I was startled, already knowing who was outside the window.
Chapter Five: Sword Challenge Mountain Sect.
The moonlight outside the window was hazy, and the fragrance of flowers wafted in.
But there was no sign of her.
A cold glint flashed in Duke Jinsha's eyes. He focused his spiritual senses, searching the surroundings but finding nothing.
He coldly demanded, "Who goes there?" The person in the shadows chuckled softly, "Duke Xiulan, why don't you come out and see me?"
I snorted coldly and told Duke Jinsha and Debo, "It's alright, she's here to see me."
I leaped out of the window, and a beautiful figure in lake blue glimpsed and disappeared among the flowers.
My spiritual senses locked onto her, and my body glided across the garden outside the window like a giant eagle, chasing after the direction she disappeared in.
In an instant, two figures, one after the other, swiftly crossed the Diecui Garden, following the shaded mountain path to the edge of the grove at the foot of the mountain.
She suddenly stopped, smiled slightly, and turned around.
Princess Jingyue.
She stood gracefully in the night breeze, like a fairy gliding on water in a painting.
She made the night seem to lose its color.
"Princess Jingyue," I also stopped and stood a few meters away, speaking coldly.
She said calmly, "I apologize, I overheard your conversation by accident. But I had no intention of doing so, please forgive me, Duke Xiulan."
I snorted, "So even a princess can eavesdrop."
Princess Jingyue smiled, "Didn't Duke Xiulan do something similar this morning?"
A glint flashed in my eyes as I looked at her jade-like face, which was partially obscured by a light curtain.
She casually brushed back the hair that had been ruffled by the night breeze from her temple and said leisurely, "Duke Xiulan, don't you want to know more about Prince Aden and Chago's background? Why don't you accompany Jingyue somewhere first, and then I'll tell you slowly."
"Where to?"
she giggled, "Since when has Duke Xiulan started asking so many questions?"
I snorted and remained silent.
Princess Jingyue gracefully took a step forward and said, "I'm just going to visit an old friend, and I hope Duke Xiulan's presence will make him more polite."
My heart skipped a beat. Recalling what she had just said, could it be that His Majesty Jiaxiu and the Holy Temple had already begun to target Prince Aden?
Even as night fell, the Temple City remained bustling and vibrant, its streets teeming with people.
I walked silently beside her, yet I noticed everyone's gaze frequently drifting towards us.
We walked among the crowd like a pair of celestial beings, but who knew the incredibly subtle nature of our relationship?
Occasionally, she would stop to pick up trinkets from a roadside stall, her eyes sparkling with a beautiful light.
At that moment, she didn't resemble a pampered princess at all, but rather an ordinary girl next door.
"Uncle, how much is this?"
Princess Jingyue asked, picking up a small windmill made of colored paper.
The middle-aged vendor, flattered, replied, "If you like it, Miss, two copper coins will suffice."
Princess Jingyue smiled slightly, took out the money, and handed it to the vendor, then gently exhaled a fragrant breath towards the windmill.
The windmill's blades turned gracefully.
She gazed intently at the windmill, her expression utterly charming and endearing.
I, too, couldn't help but feel a flutter in my heart.
For the first time, a desire to possess this girl stirred within me.
She smiled sweetly at me and said, "When I was little, my favorite thing to play with was the windmill my father made by hand, much bigger than this."
For some reason, my heart felt as if it were immersed in a warm spring, sharing in her carefree and clear thoughts.
And, there was that faint trace of longing for her father.
Her delicate body trembled slightly, her eyes gazing at my face.
Neither of us spoke, yet suddenly we felt a wondrous connection between our souls.
The people on the street had all disappeared.
At that moment, I felt as if I were in a dream.
Suddenly, a chilling current rose from the depths of my heart, and I vaguely heard that hoarse voice shouting again: "Don't believe her, Xiu Lan. Don't be blinded by her beauty, she just wants to use you. If you fall in love with her, you will not be able to fulfill your destiny, you will not be able to obtain the eternal life you desire—"
Is that so?
I felt slightly bewildered. Her clear, innocent eyes met mine, yet another strange voice cried out in my heart,
"Who are you? Why don't you come out?" I shouted angrily in my mind.
"I am in your heart, I am your shadow, Xiu Lan."
"Come out!"
A murderous glint flashed in my eyes, and I blurted out a low shout.
No matter who it was, I couldn't tolerate such a ghostly voice following me.
"Believe me, Xiu Lan. Don't succumb, don't fall—"
"What's wrong?"
Princess Jingyue noticed my unusual behavior and asked with some surprise.
Her voice was gentle and calm, clearing my mind. I took a deep breath, calmed myself, and whispered, "Nothing, let's go."
She nodded and walked away beside me.
The voice stopped, as if it had fallen asleep again.
We walked out of the bustling street but turned into a quiet alley.
A familiar feeling welled up in my heart; I remembered that night when I met Prince Mustin's entourage at the other end of this alley.
"Duke Xiu Lan recognized this place?" Princess Jingyue said. "The old friend I'm visiting lives in the mansion we visited last time."
She walked up the steps to the side of the alley, knocked on the door knocker, and called out, "Excuse me, is anyone inside?"
The black lacquered gate of the mansion creaked open slowly, revealing a spacious courtyard that was completely empty.
Princess Jingyue turned back and smiled at me. "The master has opened the door; let's go in."
I followed her and stepped into the courtyard.
A chilling killing intent immediately wafted in with the wind, and the dark energy within me instantly awakened, roaring excitedly.
The bright moon hung in the sky, yet the courtyard was unusually dark.
There wasn't a sound, only the movement of the wind.
But I sensed dozens of hostile gazes silently watching us from the darkness, each emanating a sharp, icy killing intent.
It seems her friends aren't friendly to us.
However, I clearly remember that last time, besides Princess Jingyue, there was no one else in this courtyard.
Who are they, and why are they suddenly here?
Perhaps the mystery will soon be revealed.
Princess Jingyue, seemingly oblivious, strolled leisurely to the center of the courtyard and said in her melodious voice, "Jingyue has come to visit, but why is the host not here?"
A deep, aged voice echoed from the living room opposite the courtyard, "I am merely an ordinary, impoverished nobleman of Biarell. How dare I presume upon the personal presence of the Imperial Princess?"
I was startled; if the person inside hadn't spoken, even with my spiritual sense, I wouldn't have been able to detect his presence.
Princess Jingyue, however, seemed to have anticipated this, replying, "Don't blame Jingyue for being rude. One of the two great protectors of the Mountain Sect, the Mage Siwa, has graced the capital with his presence; how could I not pay my respects?"
So that's how it is.
His Majesty Jiaxiu has indeed begun his actions, and the first target to be eliminated is the Mountain Sect.
Although their numbers wouldn't be large, each of them was a powerful magic warrior, and if they were to cause trouble in the capital, they would be quite a headache.
Moreover, the Demonic Sect was the Holy Temple's mortal enemy, and Princess Jingyue's intervention would certainly not arouse Prince Aden's suspicion.
As for me, I was being dragged into this step by step.
The only uncertainty was whether this operation was Emperor Jiaxiu's decree, the Holy Temple's intention, or Princess Jingyue's own decision?
But faced with the Demonic Sect and Prince Aden's rebellion, these three were already intertwined.
An elderly man in black with white hair suddenly appeared at the living room door. He stood with his hands behind his back, coldly staring at Princess Jingyue. His entire body exuded an unparalleled domineering aura, yet it felt so natural and harmonious, as if he had merged with the darkness behind him. Stimulated by
his astonishing aura, my dark energy rapidly surged to its peak, and my robes fluttered slightly.
If it were someone less capable, simply standing before him without backing down would be an achievement; his overwhelming and unyielding aura was enough to make anyone lose their composure.
The Demon Master Siwa.
A legendary figure who swept through the Heavenly Sect fifty years ago. If it weren't for the Holy Temple Palace Master's personal intervention, perhaps the capital would have been turned upside down by him.
I never expected to encounter him here.
Perhaps this was Princess Jingyue's deliberate arrangement.
His withered, dark face was devoid of emotion as he coldly asked, "Why wasn't it your master who came?"
"Does Demon Master Siwa feel that speaking to Jingyue would be beneath your status?"
"Hmph, those from the Holy Temple are indeed all sharp-tongued. But don't be so smug. If I hadn't deliberately chosen to stay here, how would you have gotten your hands on me?"
His tone was calm, yet it exuded an arrogant and domineering air, as if he didn't take Princess Jingyue seriously at all.
"That's why the Temple sent me to pay my respects to you, Master Xiwa."
"The Temple is so kind; there's no need,"
Princess Jingyue smiled. "Master Xiwa, what brings you to the capital? Is there anything I can do to help?"
Master Xiwa sneered, "Why beat around the bush? Just state your purpose."
"His Majesty Jiaxiu's seventieth birthday is in a few days. I hope that during this time, Master Xiwa can restrain the people of the Mountain Sect from causing trouble, and the Temple will not bother us."
A glint flashed in Master Xiwa's deep brown eyes. Although his target was Princess Jingyue, I also felt the immense pressure and domineering aura emanating from his gaze.
Of course, I wouldn't back down in the slightest. Instead, I calmly returned Master Xiwa's gaze, my face displaying an indifferent expression.
"You dare threaten me?"
"Jingyue wouldn't dare," Princess Jingyue said calmly. "If the Demon Master agrees, Jingyue will clap her hands and leave immediately, as if nothing had happened."
"And if I don't agree?"
Princess Jingyue sighed softly. "Demon Master, please don't make things difficult for Jingyue. If the Demon Master is interested, Jingyue is willing to accompany the Demon Master for six days to tour the beautiful mountains and rivers near the capital. I even welcome the Demon Master to visit Temple Island."
Demon Master Siwa chuckled. "I'm afraid that once I go to Temple Island, I'll never be able to leave."
"Demon Master, you're overthinking it. Jingyue is willing to guarantee it with her life."
"To have the most beautiful woman in Monston as my companion is indeed a great pleasure in life, but I don't want to be seen as having succumbed to the Temple's seductive schemes. And the Temple, it wouldn't want to bear such a bad reputation either, would it?"
Princess Mirror Moon said with slight disappointment, "How could a sorcerer with such a magnanimous heart think such a thing? Let alone Mirror Moon, even you, the sorcerer, are you such a person?"
The sorcerer Siwa said indifferently, "You are not me, so how would you know my character and intentions? Enough said. If you want me to leave the Temple City, then bring it on."
The two exchanged words, each carrying a hidden meaning, no less than a fierce duel.
On the surface, Princess Mirror Moon seemed to be yielding at every turn, while the sorcerer Siwa was pressing forward step by step, but in my eyes, it was quite the opposite.
In just a few short sentences, Princess Mirror Moon, with her calm and collected demeanor, forced the sorcerer Siwa to make the first move, igniting the flames of war.
In fact, this was precisely Princess Mirror Moon's purpose.
If she had been aggressive from the start, it would have both provoked my dislike and affected her own state of mind.
It's important to understand that the Holy Path differs from the Demonic Path. Their mindset emphasizes tolerance and humility, a subtle yet powerful approach, aligning with the so-called Way of the King. Even the Sage Anderhet of that day exemplified this, while Qu Linan clearly fell short. That's why I have no fear of him.
Conversely, I was wary of the ever-composed Sage Anderhet, whose depths were unfathomable.
This Sage Siwa was, after all, inferior.
Seeing the negotiations break down, Princess Jingyue sighed softly, "Why does the Sage make things difficult for Jingyue? Is such a promise really that difficult for you?"
Sage Siwa chuckled, "You came here just to drive me away, didn't you? Draw your sword, let me see if Princess Jingyue, hailed as the most outstanding successor of the Holy Temple, is merely a name without substance?"
Suddenly, the surrounding air seemed to compress, becoming solid and heavy.
A tidal wave of murderous intent swept over us, making it almost suffocating.
The Siva Mage stood motionless, his wide robes billowing in the wind, his eyes blazing with a terrifying light.
I calmly retreated ten meters, standing before the courtyard gate.
The Siva Mage's expression shifted, his sharp gaze sweeping across my face like a chilling wind.
Within a ten-meter radius of the Siva Mage, one was completely enveloped by his murderous aura; ordinary people would struggle to even stand. Yet I retreated without hesitation, leaving him no choice but to look at me with newfound respect.
Of course, this was also because his focus was fixed on Princess Mirror Moon, greatly reducing the pressure on me; otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to remain so composed.
Princess Mirror Moon showed no surprise at my retreat; she seemed to have anticipated that I wouldn't willingly get involved in the conflict between the Holy Temple and the Demonic Sect, even the Mountain Sect.
Under the oppressive force of the Siva Mage's powerful murderous aura, she swayed gracefully in the wind like an elegant lily.
A sudden gust of wind arose.
The massive figure of the Siva Mage vanished as if evaporated into thin air
—the Mountain Sect's ultimate technique, "Shadow Concealment."
This single move was enough to leave countless masters of the Holy Path and Demonic Sects in awe, admitting their inferiority.
Princess Mirror Moon stood motionless, the wind whipping her hair as if it might be blown away at any moment.
Her clear, bright eyes were half-open, unfazed by the illusion before her, relying on her keen senses to lock onto the Siva Mage's aura in the darkness.
"Clang!"
The Siva Mage suddenly appeared behind Princess Mirror Moon, his right claw shrouded in a faint black mist, aiming for her back. Princess Mirror
Moon didn't turn her head, relying solely on her senses to raise her sword.
The water-elemental holy sword "Flowing Gold" suddenly emitted a pale golden light in the darkness, as dazzling as the waves of the sea at dusk.
Even the mighty Siva Mage dared not directly confront its edge, his figure spinning rapidly like a windmill, flashing to Princess Mirror Moon's right side.
Their movements were lightning-fast, so fast it was dazzling. The disciples of the Mountain Sect hidden in the shadows probably couldn't even make out their figures.
In an instant, they exchanged seven blows, each seemingly identical to the last.
"Pop!"
A muffled thud echoed through the air. The mountain-like figure of the Siva Mage was forced back seven steps, his footprints fading until they disappeared completely. Princess
Mirror Moon's graceful figure floated in the air, tracing an arc before landing lightly where she had initially stood.
"A disciple of the Holy Temple, your reputation is well-deserved," the Siva Mage said slowly, exhaling a breath of stale air. "To force me to retreat seven steps, you have every right to boast about your abilities on the Xilan Continent."
His voice was slightly breathless when he spoke the first sentence, but it returned to normal by the end.
Princess Jingyue humbly replied, "After all, the sorcerer is superior. If I hadn't relied on the power of the Holy Sword, I would have been humiliated."
The sorcerer Siwa calmly said, "We both know that with your potential, you'll surpass me in three years. It seems I have no choice but to accept it."
Others might not understand the meaning behind these words, but Princess Jingyue understood the hidden killing intent.
On one hand, the sorcerer Siwa revealed his intention to use a deadly move to eliminate future threats; on the other hand, he was implying to Princess Jingyue that she didn't need to fight now, and could challenge him again in three years when victory was assured, thereby weakening her fighting spirit.
Princess Jingyue smiled slightly and said, "You flatter me, Demon Master. Life is unpredictable, and things change rapidly. I dare not imagine what will happen in three years. I only ask that you yield a step tonight." Demon
Master Siwa laughed heartily and said, "Very well, as long as you can withstand this move, I'll immediately leave. How about it?"
Princess Jingyue seemed confident and smiled sweetly, "Since you so readily agree, Demon Master, how could I refuse?"
Chapter Six: Looking Down on the Demons
Dark clouds pressed against the moon, and a gust of wind whipped at her clothes.
The courtyard suddenly fell silent, with only the overwhelming killing intent swirling around.
For nearly fifty years, outstanding figures representing the Mountain Sect and the Holy Temple stood facing each other, forgetting everything else.
One move would decide victory or defeat, even life and glory.
For some reason, I suddenly felt a strong desire for Princess Jingyue to be the ultimate victor. Was it merely because of Chago and Aden, or something more?
I wondered why the three elders of the Holy Temple hadn't appeared?
Could it really be as the legends say, that these three old men haven't made a move in over forty years?
The Siva Mage suddenly murmured, his eyes gleaming with a mysterious, eerie blue light. His originally dark face was now covered by a thin layer of purple aura, faintly shimmering with dark light.
His body stood like a demon god, his disheveled hair dancing wildly in the wind, freed from the shackles of the night. His enormous hands slowly closed at his chest, and astonishing energy could be seen swirling and roaring around them. The
surrounding energy seemed to be drained away in that instant, rushing into his body like moths to a flame. His body seemed to be constantly swelling, his appearance utterly terrifying.
For the first time, a solemn expression appeared in Princess Mirror Moon's bright eyes. The golden holy sword in her hand resonated softly, like a dragon about to soar into the sky.
Her gaze was fixed on the Siva Mage, her exquisitely beautiful face shrouded in a holy light, inspiring awe and reverence.
Silence.
Though the wind howled, the air cracked, and the heavens and earth trembled, this moment was eerily silent.
So silent I could hear a grain of sand fall to the ground.
Suddenly, the Siva Demon Master unleashed a deafening roar, shaking the buildings and trembling the earth.
His body seemed motionless, yet he appeared before Princess Mirror Moon, his sinister gaze fixed on her clear, unwavering eyes.
"Clang!"
His palms exploded with a metallic sound, wreathed in a bewitching purple light as he slashed towards Princess Mirror Moon.
Clumsy and unrefined.
A seemingly simple and unchanging move, but to a master, it was exquisitely subtle. His ten fingers, each with its own unique form—straight, curved, contracted, extended—contained countless variations for future attacks. Combined with his unparalleled agility, he had silently cut off all of Princess Mirror Moon's escape routes.
The Demonic Sect's secret technique—"Netherworld Illusionary Soul Blade!"
Princess Mirror Moon's body suddenly spun like a top, her beautiful and alluring form disappearing into the gale.
"Clang,
clang, clang—" A barrage of metallic clanging sounds rang out incessantly as the two unparalleled masters unleashed their deadly attacks in a time almost imperceptible to ordinary people, engaging in a life-or-death struggle.
I could no longer see their figures clearly; it seemed even the Siva Mage and Princess Mirror Moon couldn't see each other's moves. The only thing they could rely on was their keen senses honed through years of arduous training, and their experience and judgment as masters.
Clusters of purple flames intermittently burst from the gale, pale golden sword light flickered in and out of existence, and the ground beneath their feet gradually cracked, the fissures becoming increasingly pronounced, emitting a constant cracking sound.
I slowly closed my eyes, immersing myself in this unprecedented duel.
Although I was outside, for a fleeting moment I felt as if I were there, as if every move they made was aimed at me—whether a surging, fierce attack or an impenetrable defense—all were reflected in my mind.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly between the two of them.
How long had it been?
A moment, or a century?
Finally, I heard the sorcerer Siwa groan, as if he had suffered a severe blow; but almost simultaneously, Princess Mirror Moon's soft moan reached my ears.
I opened my eyes and, amidst the chaotic clouds swirling with dust and murderous intent, saw them again.
The sorcerer Siwa had retreated to the stone steps at the entrance of the hall, his face pale, his eyes dimmed considerably. His body was slightly hunched, his chest heaving violently, his right hand pressed against his chest, a trickle of dark red blood gushing from between his fingers.
Princess Mirror Moon, like a lily about to wither in the cold wind, stood helplessly in place, a breathtaking streak of blood flowing from her beautiful, crimson lips.
Her veil was gone, fluttering wildly in the night wind, gradually disappearing from sight.
For the first time, I saw her complete, beautiful face.
An overwhelming sense of horror surged through me, my gaze fixed on her pale, lifeless face, unable to move an inch.
"Dark Moon!"
I groaned almost painfully, that indescribably beautiful face appearing in my mind more than once.
Familiar yet strange, yet it was precisely this peerless beauty.
Why was this happening?
Why did I suddenly think of the Demon Sword Dark Moon?
Why was her face the same melancholy girl that often appeared in my mind?
I reached out and supported her slender, boneless waist. She sighed softly, leaning against my chest, as if the battle had exhausted all her strength.
An unprecedented killing intent swirled in my heart, my thoughts now as cold as ice, my eyes fixed on the Siva Mage without a trace of emotion.
Holding the beauty in my arms, I suddenly felt a strange pity and pain.
"Don't worry, I'm just exhausted," she said weakly, seemingly understanding the thoughts deep within my gaze.
"Ugh—"
The Siva Mage finally couldn't hide it any longer, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
His face was contorted with rage, his venomous gaze fixed on Princess Jingyue.
"I've lost," he gasped. "I will leave the capital immediately as agreed, but I can't control the others."
A gust of wind swept through, and more than twenty mountain sect experts, hidden in the courtyard, silently surrounded us, forming a pincer attack.
Princess Jingyue smiled sweetly at me. "I knew he wouldn't keep his promise, but thankfully you're here."
She slowly closed her beautiful eyes, entering a state of complete absorption, yet a serene and captivating smile remained on her lips.
It was as if she trusted me implicitly, entrusting her life and death to me without reservation. A
surge of boundless pride welled up within me; a powerful urge to cherish and protect the beauty in my arms caused the dark energy within me to surge and reach its peak.
In the depths of my being, I suddenly sensed some unknown connection between us, as if she were inherently a part of me.
Dark Moon.
"Attack!"
the Siva Demon Master roared menacingly, and the twenty-odd mountain sect experts moved in response, rushing in from all sides.
A hint of contemptuous mockery flashed in my eyes—was it a mockery of human hypocrisy or their ignorance?
I stood proudly in place, one arm around Princess Mirror Moon's elegant and slender body, the other clenched into a fist.
Killing intent spread, the night deepened.
I raised my fist in this world of chaotic demons.
I belong to darkness, I admire the night, but I will not tolerate anyone defiling it with baseness.
The only solution is to grant them death, and from death seek the seeds of reincarnation.
"Boom—"
Dust flew, waves crashed against the shore.
A terrifying, earth-shattering dark energy surged from my fist, sweeping away filth and hypocrisy, cleansing greed and cowardice.
I solved the problem in my own way.
"Bang!"
Explosions rang out one after another, figures exploding in mid-air, returning to dust before they even had a chance to scream.
Faced with death and a sky full of blood, my heart grew calmer, completely merging into the carnage.
My smile deepened, so eerie and ruthless, yet filled with a terrifying magic.
Body after body lost its life, severed limbs tumbling and falling in the swirling sand, blood obscuring the last moonlight.
Although these people were all outstanding masters from the mountain sect, they were still a far cry from the Demon Master Siwa, thus destined to become prey.
My body began to move and weave, appearing and disappearing like a ghost in the crowd, each punch accompanied by the loss of a life.
Princess Mirror Moon lay peacefully and obediently in my arms; here, was the safest place in the world, and no one could harm her in the slightest!
People began to shrink back in fear, their previous arrogance instantly vanishing.
Yet, my heart was filled with an intense, exhilarating joy, emitting a mysterious and majestic roar.
Life, like fragile glass bottles, shattered one by one in my hands. The number of enemies before me dwindled until finally, someone cried out in terror, "Devil! He's a devil!"
The voice trailed off as he became the sixteenth body to fall.
I could no longer suppress my killing intent;
I could kill gods and demons alike.
A calmness that transcended rage made me like a demon from the underworld.
The remaining six were among the strongest, struggling against my relentless onslaught.
The Siva Mage's expression was grave—he had ultimately underestimated my strength.
Perhaps he had intended to use this respite to suppress the Wounded Ones before attacking me and Princess Mirror Moon, but now he understood that even uninjured, he might not have been able to secure a victory.
And now?
At that moment, the thunderous sound of hooves echoed outside the door; a large imperial patrol had finally arrived.
The Siva Mage knew his chance had been lost; his eyes flashed with venomous resentment, and he hissed, "Go!"
The six Mountain Sect experts, as if granted a pardon, hastily retreated, disappearing into the darkness.
But one burly man collapsed weakly at my feet.
"Duke Xiulan, enjoy your limited life while you can, the Mountain Sect will never let you go!"
The hoarse, deep voice of the Siva mage echoed through the night, though he remained hidden in the living room behind him.
I chuckled coldly, filled with disdain.
I heard Imperial soldiers outside shouting, "Open the door now, or we'll storm in!"
I tightened my grip on Princess Jingyue, my body soaring like an eagle, disappearing into the thick night.
On the ground, only a chaotic mess of corpses and broken pieces remained.
And the lingering stench of blood—
back at Diecui Garden, I didn't disturb anyone, quietly settling Princess Jingyue in a vacant guest room.
She was still immersed in meditation; her final attack had almost exhausted her strength, not much better off than my own after unleashing the Dark Annihilation.
Fortunately, she only needed quiet rest to gradually recover.
I sat down by the bed, gazing at her unparalleled beauty in the silvery moonlight.
This was a masterpiece of the gods, impossible for any painter to replicate; even in her slumber, her divine charm was captivating.
For the first time ever, I felt a pang of pity, as if regretting not having acted first to confront the mage Siwa.
What was wrong with me?
Strange thoughts raced through my mind, leaving me bewildered and unsure of what to think about.
I simply felt that sitting here in the darkness, gazing at her, undisturbed and free of fighting, was truly wonderful.
The murderous intent that had filled the air earlier had vanished without a trace; nothing could hold my attention anymore.
After what seemed like an eternity, she slowly opened her eyes, my reflection appearing in her clear, spring-like pupils.
"Xiu Lan, is this Diecui Garden?" she asked softly.
Neither of us noticed, or perhaps deliberately ignored, the change in address; we simply felt it was perfectly natural for her to call me by my name.
"Yes," I replied, "The sorcerer Siwa has escaped. To avoid trouble with the patrols, I brought you back to Diecui Garden first."
"Thank you." She smiled sweetly, a little color returning to her face.
"No need," I said calmly.
I do everything as I please, according to my whims, never caring about others' opinions or worldly judgment. Strangely, her gratitude stirred a faint joy within me.
I felt somewhat bewildered.
"Xiu Lan, I promised to tell you more about Prince Aden and Chago. Do you still want to hear it?"
"Go ahead," I said casually, not considering whether I needed to know more about these court secrets, but simply finding a rare peace in her presence.
“His Highness Aden is absolutely of royal blood, and he has absolutely no relation to General Montoya!” Her voice was soft, but her tone left no room for doubt.
"Oh?"
Princess Jingyue smiled wryly. "I know it's hard to verify, but it's a fact. His Majesty once specifically asked the Palace Master of the Holy Temple to use a divine artifact to identify Prince Aden's bloodline, and the result showed that he was of the same lineage as His Majesty. Unfortunately, such a result cannot be made public, otherwise it would implicate General Montoya."
"Then is Chago Montoya's son?"
"He should be General Montoya's illegitimate son. General Montoya never married, supposedly to wait for Queen Melia." Princess Jingyue said, "However, after the incident, the Holy Temple conducted extensive investigations and secretly pursued the matter, only to discover that General Montoya was already a senior figure in the Demonic Mountain Sect before joining the Holy Temple, and might even be the fifth-generation sect leader. In this way, his intentions in joining the Holy Temple and infiltrating the palace become even more unpredictable."
I wasn't too surprised; this was the only way to more reasonably explain the connection between Prince Aden and the Mountain Sect. I said indifferently, "For example, using Queen Melia to change the royal bloodline, making his son the heir to the empire without anyone noticing?"
"Unfortunately, his plan failed; Prince Aden is still His Majesty's flesh and blood."
"But Prince Aden doesn't see it that way."
"In fact, he knows his true parentage very well; he only did this to win over the Mountain Sect." Princess Jingyue said softly, "His Majesty has always admired him and hoped he could inherit the future throne. However, due to pressure from the Temple and his ministers, as well as the Mountain Sect's background, His Majesty has been unable to make a decision. On the other hand, His Majesty has repeatedly indulged Prince Aden's actions, finally creating the situation we see today."
"So you all knew about Prince Aden's Mountain Sect background all along?"
Princess Jingyue nodded slightly, "That's why the Temple completely gave up supporting Prince Aden. Otherwise, everyone knows that Prince Ote is far inferior in terms of talent alone."
I couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
The seemingly plausible reasons couldn't withstand any scrutiny.
Just because of the Holy War, the interests of the empire can be sacrificed to support an obedient but mediocre puppet.
The Holy Temple is nothing more than that.
Princess Jingyue seemed to understand my thoughts, sighing softly, "I suddenly regret dragging you into tonight's struggle. In any case, I hope you will be careful in the future; the capital has become the eye of the storm for all forces."
I said calmly, "You don't need to regret it. If it weren't for my own will, no one could move me even a step."
She gazed at me serenely, sighing slowly, "I don't know what power in this world can move you, make you submit, yet I absolutely believe that one day the Xilan Continent will change its course because of you. Should I be afraid, or eagerly anticipate? Perhaps I myself can no longer say for sure."
I smiled slightly, "Then, will you one day submit to me?"
She didn't answer, a fleeting tenderness flashing in her eyes.
It stirred my heart.
I was momentarily confused, unsure who would ultimately be the victor between us?
But I must continue on my path, and no one can hold me back.

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