【The Demon King】(Episodes 15-16 complete) Author: Laughter of a Coffin?

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[The Demon King] Episode 15 Chapter

1: Tilted Moon

A suffocatingly oppressive night, destined to bring joy to some and sorrow to others. A sudden upheaval struck Hangzhou. What seemed like a
settled matter was disrupted by an unexpected event, catching the entire Prince Ding's faction
off guard .

This change stemmed from
Yang Cun, a young man from the Yang family who had been away for many years and had returned less than a year prior.

Inside the Prince Ding's residence in the northeast, a guard reporting on the events in Hangzhou and the rumors of divine soldiers descending from the sky
held his breath in suspense after speaking. The entire study was filled
with an exceptionally cold and oppressive atmosphere.

Prince Ding, Zhao Yuanming, possessed a striking appearance, but was no longer young. A
dark cloud hung over his weathered, dignified face.

His hands, clasped behind his back, opened and closed, unable to suppress the rising anger within him. After a long silence,
a cold voice finally escaped his lips: "Is the Crown Prince already on his way back?"

"Yes."

Not daring to utter another word, the guard answered succinctly.

"Hmm."

Closing his eyes, it was clear Zhao Yuanming was struggling to suppress his anger. After a pause, he said
, "Leave!"

The guard dared not say another word, bowing and leaving as if granted a pardon. At the door, he encountered another person entering. Seeing their
heavy, sorrowful expression, he suddenly felt inexplicably uneasy.

Sure enough, not long after the newcomer entered, a deafening crash echoed from the study. It was Zhao Yuanming, in a fit of
rage had smashed the extremely precious rosewood desk

with his palm. "Truly a bunch of useless trash, so utterly worthless! All the effort I've put into you has been wasted!"

Such a disorganized roar was a first for this usually composed and wise prince.
The guard felt a chill run down his spine; he knew something was wrong. To provoke such a furious reaction from their own prince, it seemed that an uprising was imminent…

Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away in Tongzhou City, a different atmosphere prevailed. While still
tense , a sense of despondency permeated the air as well.

“Your Highness, no one is pursuing us. But Hangzhou is already… even Lord Bai…”

Zhao Qinyun, standing by the window, showed little change in expression upon hearing this report. Perhaps she had already
anticipated it. Lowering her eyes, her fingers twitched slightly, and she quietly withdrew.

A moment later, a woman dressed in a light-colored silk robe, over which draped a light, misty green gauze, gracefully approached. She placed her teacup
on the table without daring to make a sound. With

almond-shaped eyes and cherry lips, her beauty was exquisite. Only a faint layer of sorrow tinged her alabaster face.
Extremely subtle.

The woman gazed at the broad back of the man standing before her, who had his back to her, and sighed softly before stepping forward. She reached out
and wrapped her arms around the man's strong waist, pressing her cheek against the luxurious satin fabric of his robe.

Zhao Qinyun didn't move, as if no one had ever appeared on him.

"Young Master..."

the woman called softly, her delicate hand gently brushing against Zhao Qinyun's waist, pressing her tender body
even closer .

"..."

This time, Zhao Qinyun closed his eyes and didn't answer. Even the unique, surprisingly elastic feel of
the woman's didn't change his expression in the slightest.

"Young Master..."

the woman said coquettishly, seemingly unwilling to give up. Without pushing Zhao Qinyun away, she boldly
moved her fingers towards his closed robe, then slipped them inside. Rubbing against his undergarments, she said, "Young Master,
are you still thinking of her?"

Her soft, seductive voice, if listened to closely, carried a subtle hint of melancholy.

With a sharp "whoosh," Zhao Qinyun opened his eyes after hearing those words. His pupils were filled with endless
mockery.

"Woman, truly just a woman."

He sneered before turning around. He grabbed the woman's chin with a cruel movement, his smile laced with malice.

"What? Lan Yue was your sister, after all. You're so happy that she's dead? Do you think I, the young master
, would be heartbroken over a woman at a time like this? Hmm?"

His final snort wasn't loud, but rather quite indifferent. Yet, the woman's face turned deathly pale in an instant
. Her legs seemed weak, but Zhao Qinyun's grip on her chin forced her to stand.

"No…no. Young…young master, my sister is dead, and I…but, she actually…actually
…"

Her words were unclear, but she had to say them. At this moment, the sorrow in the woman's eyes was genuine, yet she managed to
suppress it completely.

Lan Yue's actions were tantamount to betrayal. If it weren't for the lingering affection the young master had shown her in the past,
she might have already... Knowing it was futile, Qingyue still dared to provoke Zhao Qinyun.

It was only out of pity for the deceased woman, only to know whether her death was truly worthwhile.

At this moment, she felt deep regret for her actions. It wasn't that she disliked him, but
this man before her had no heart at all!

"What? You've come to your senses?"

The fear in the woman's eyes was so vivid that Zhao Qinyun curled his lip in a cruel smile. A cold aura instantly
spread.

"What a slut! Since you're so obsessed with men, then this young master will grant your wish."

Without waiting for the woman to say anything more, he exerted force in his arm, grabbed her collar,
and lifted her up.

Her feet abruptly left the ground, her throat constricted, making it extremely difficult to breathe. Qingyue's face flushed red, but she dared not struggle. The next
moment , she was thrown onto the table.

The movement was somewhat rough, and her back ached from the impact. She didn't dare cry out in pain, her
eyes immediately meeting Zhao Qinyun's subtle gaze. A sense of foreboding washed over her, and she dared not act rashly again. She tried to get up and kneel, but Zhao Qinyun's large hand
pressed down on her shoulder, rendering her immobile.

Meanwhile, Zhao Qinyun's other hand reached under Qingyue's skirt, and with a sudden pull, a pair of alluring, straight
legs were exposed to the air.

Qingyue knew perfectly well what Zhao Qinyun intended to do. Even on the table, as long as she could gain the prince's favor...
Love is good, too. But Zhao Qinyun's gaze filled her with a terrified despair.

"No... Your Highness, please. I know I was wrong, I know... I
'll never dare to do it again, please forgive me..."

The pleading words escaped her lips as Qingyue, realizing what had happened, cried out in anguish. The
man before her suddenly transformed into a demon from hell; a single glance was enough to send shivers down one's spine.

"No?"

Raising an eyebrow, Zhao Qinyun scoffed coldly. Facing such a jade-like beauty, he showed no mercy. The smile on
his lips grew even more chilling.

"Didn't you seduce me first? Wasn't it just to gain my favor? Don't want it? Heh heh, do women
all like this kind of hypocrisy? Or are you trying to play the coy game?"

"It's all over. I have nothing left now, so why would I let you have any
improper thoughts?"

"..."

Zhao Qinyun's last words stunned Qingyue, who was still sobbing and trying to beg,
leaving her completely speechless.

All over? What...what does that mean?

"Rip!" With each movement of her hand, a perfectly intact garment was reduced to scattered, broken pieces. In no time
, the woman beneath her was stripped naked. Not even her undergarments or bra were left.

The sound of tearing fabric was incredibly grating. But to someone's ears, it was pure pleasure.

Everything was gone. All the painstaking planning of the past years had been in vain. Just because of
Yang Cun's unexpected appearance, everything...was gone.

Her skin, so delicate it seemed as if it had just been peeled, was perfectly contoured, her undulating figure
arousing the blood. Following the path down her beautiful breasts, the mysterious
valley was the desire of every normal man.

Her flawless, white body, her pitiful, tearful face... Such a beauty, to
be held beneath her, to be cherished, to be played with and ravaged—wouldn't that be a great pleasure in the world?

If Yang Cun were present, he certainly wouldn't waste this beautiful moment, indulging in his desires.

But the person present was Zhao Qinyun. Her obsessions were different; these beautiful sights that could make a man lose control
naturally didn't have the desired effect on him.

However, precisely because he was a man, his erection was perfectly natural.

He didn't even remove his clothes, only lifting the hem of his robe. He pulled down her underpants slightly, revealing a penis that was
much , and spread Qingyue's legs.

His fingers applied a bit too much pressure, leaving several red marks on her alabaster skin. Staring at
the slightly parted opening between her pink labia, Zhao Qinyun thrust his hips forward, plunging his monstrous member directly into Qingyue's lower
body.

His lips were tightly pressed together, all traces of his former refined elegance gone. The once impeccably dressed
, model young man was gone; he had transformed into a beast in human clothing.

At this moment, he was like a poisoned dagger, or a wild beast just unleashed. His discolored
pupils gleamed with a ferocious light; one wondered what the woman beneath him saw in Zhao Qinyun's eyes.

"Ah…it hurts so much…"

A particularly shrill scream rang out, echoing through the courtyard. Having served Zhao Qinyun
for many , Qingyue was naturally no longer a virgin.

However, this reckless and forceful thrusting, coupled with the fact that women
would often use herbal remedies to maintain vaginal tightness in order to please the men they served, meant that Zhao Qinyun's rather impressive
penis

The injury was to that sensitive, intimate place. To make matters worse, with Zhao Qinyun's violent
thrusting , Qingyue's suffering intensified.

"Your Highness...please, Your Highness, be gentle, be gentle, I...I can't take it..."

These wanton cries, meant to add spice to their intimate moments,
were accompanied by excruciating pain in her lower body, causing Qingyue's voice to become shrill and uncontrollable.

Naturally, this displeased Zhao Qinyun greatly. Frowning deeply, he said, "What are you yelling about?
Do you want everyone to know how lewd you are?"

As he spoke, he casually picked up a tattered cloth that had fallen onto the table and stuffed it tightly into Qingyue's mouth.

"Mmm...mmm..."

This time, Qingyue suffered terribly. The pain in her lower body, mixed with the frictional pleasure from the vigorous movements,
created a tingling, trembling sensation that couldn't be properly expressed through mere moans; it all gathered in her heart
.

Furthermore, Zhao Qinyun's rapid, precise, and forceful thrusts made it difficult for Qingyue's body to withstand
. The pain and pleasure intertwined, and the suppressed emotions of joy and sorrow prevented her from moving; she could only
whimper and sob to express how unbearable it was.

Zhao Qinyun, however, ignored her. He continued his actions. It was less like lovemaking and more like
a battle on a battlefield. The life or death of the woman beneath him seemed to be completely out of his consideration.

"Bang bang bang bang..."

The ambiguous sounds of flesh colliding echoed incessantly, mixed with the woman's sobs and the man's heavy breathing.
The man was fully clothed, the woman completely naked.

As if still not enough, Zhao Qinyun, panting, suddenly lifted Qingyue's legs, forcing her to bend her knees
, then pressed them to her chest, and then spread them apart, pressing them towards the table.

Thus, Qingyue's position became a pitiful M-shape.

Because Zhao Qinyun showed no mercy, the downward pressure was rather forceful. Even with her background as a dancer and her supple body,
Qingyue couldn't escape the strain of this movement. Soon, a shrill scream
escaped .

Zhao Qinyun's eyes changed. With a mixture of disgust, cruelty, and a hint of excited disdain, she sneered and cursed, "You slut
, you love to moan like that? Then I'll let you moan to

your heart's content." As she spoke, she ripped the rag from Qingyue's mouth.

Backlit, Zhao Qinyun's face, now slightly distorted, appeared to Qingyue like a demon.
His expression was ferocious. Having admired and looked up to this man for so long,
Qingyue was momentarily stunned by his sudden change in demeanor. Fear gripped her, her small mouth slightly open, unable to utter a sound.

Zhao Qinyun smiled coldly and withdrew from Qingyue's body. Without the support of her restraints, Qingyue
slid down . Her small mouth, finally free, opened to breathe in fresh air, trying to alleviate the
discomfort in her heart.

But how could Zhao Qinyun give her such comfort? Especially since seeing the person before her
inevitably reminded her of another similar face.

No one likes the feeling of betrayal. Especially a man of his status, so confident and aloof.
Embracing Qingyue was a blow to his dignity; if she hadn't died at the hands of the poisoned corpse, he
would have certainly whipped her corpse even in death. As for Yang Cun…

his eyes gradually darkened, becoming as deep as a ghost. He grabbed Qingyue's long hair, forcing her closer. Zhao
Qinyun gave Qingyue little chance to catch her breath. With a thrust of her hips, she forced her still-erect
, stiff member into her slightly parted lips, pale from the previous pain, without any tenderness or foreplay, penetrating all the way in.

"Ugh..."

The rough action, the lingering semen on her penis, the soft flesh of her throat—all these combined
to cause Qingyue, almost suffocating, to instinctively gag.

To Zhao Qinyun, however, it was a blatant sarcasm. Her eyes gleamed with a stormy light,
and she grinned coldly, saying, "What? You find me dirty? Perhaps you, like your shameless sister, have taken a liking
to Yang Cun and are eager to serve him and climb into his bed?"

If she couldn't grasp the implications of Zhao Qinyun's words at this point, she had wasted all her time by his side. Qingyue's
face immediately filled with fear, and she frantically shook her head in denial, desperately trying to explain. But with her mouth blocked, unable to speak,
and her head pinned down by Zhao Qinyun, she couldn't move, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Damn it..."

With Qingyue's struggles, the muscles in her throat contracted violently. It was precisely because of this stimulation
that the glans piercing her throat tightened forcefully, a familiar tingling sensation spreading from her tailbone throughout her body,
causing Zhao Qinyun to convulse. Then his urethral opening opened, and he could no longer hold back, ejaculating.

"..."

For Zhao Qinyun, this would be an utter disgrace to any man. After the pleasure of ejaculation subsided,
and the convulsions stopped, Zhao Qinyun looked at Qingyue with a gaze that wished he could strangle her.

"Cough cough..."

Thick, sticky fluid shot into Qingyue's mouth, even onto her bare chest. Caught off guard, Qingyue
choked and coughed repeatedly, and with her movements, more milky white liquid slid from the corners of her mouth,
looking extremely lewd.

Finally catching her breath, Qingyue met Zhao Qinyun's sinister eyes. A chill ran through her; she knew she
had likely angered her. She quickly and laboriously scraped the semen from her lips, licked it delicately with her tongue,
and swallowed it back down.

Her actions were as if she were savoring some rare delicacy. Her movements were
undeniably lewd.

"Truly a slut,"

Zhao Qinyun sneered. Her previously limp penis, stimulated by the erotic sight,
began to stir again.

It had only been a quarter of an hour, and a renewed erection was somewhat forced. Fortunately, he was powerful and
protected , so it wasn't a big deal. She grinned maliciously, "Look at your lewd face, you look like you need to be investigated.
I'll stab you to death."

With that, she lifted Qingyue up by her long hair and slammed her against the table without any tenderness.

It turns out that men who long maintain a facade of repressed passion can
instantly . Zhao Qinyun was undoubtedly such a man.

"Ugh...it hurts...Your Highness, please be gentle. This servant will serve you well..."

Thrown onto the hard table, Qingyue felt a sharp pain. Afraid of suffering again like before, she hurriedly tried to
appease him , hoping to make things easier. Her soft hand instinctively reached towards the man's clothes.

"Take your dirty hands away."

Zhao Qinyun frowned, his eyes filled with disdain. He pulled Qingyue's hand away from his clothes and twisted it sharply backward.

"Ah..."

A cracking sound was heard, and Qingyue's wrist went limp. Under Zhao Qinyun's cold gaze, the rest of her
scream was swallowed back. Qingyue bit her lower lip tightly, daring not to utter another sound.

Beneath her pearly white teeth, crimson blood gradually seeped out. Against her pale face, there was
an . Amidst this inexplicable pleasure, Zhao Qinyun's wild lust intensified.
He grabbed Qingyue's small ankle and forcefully pulled apart her legs.

After the torment and shock, the little bit of vaginal fluid that had just been produced by friction in Qingyue's vagina had long since
dried. Zhao Qinyun didn't care. He leaned forward, aimed his glans at the
tiny opening that looked only big enough for a finger, and thrust it in hard, all the way in.

"Uh..."

"Hiss..."

Two sounds rang out simultaneously. Qingyue trembled and dared not move again. She bit her lower lip tightly
, but more cold sweat appeared on her forehead. The sudden penetration into the dry, tight passage, the painful friction of their organs
, also assaulted Zhao Qinyun's senses.

This was nothing. Compared to the accompanying, soul-stirring pleasure, the pain was
negligible.

After a slight adjustment, Zhao Qinyun began thrusting. Every movement was fast and fierce, as if trying to
pierce Qingyue directly.

"Ugh..."

The violent pleasure resumed, and Qingyue still couldn't withstand the fierce movements.
After Zhao Qinyun thrust in hard again, she groaned. Because of her injured throat, her moans
were alluring yet slightly hoarse, giving them a unique charm.

"Ah...oh...ah..."

Under such rapid thrusting, it was truly difficult not to feel anything. Moreover,
Qingyue had been serving Zhao Qinyun for quite some time and was not a novice. So, as the sensations deepened...
A tingling, trembling sensation gradually rose in her lower abdomen, and she quickly entered the state.

In the heat of lovemaking, the body often speaks louder than the mouth. Zhao Qinyun's forceful taking had already made Qingyue's
lower body overflow with desire. Every time Zhao Qinyun took her, it was accompanied by a "plop" of lustful waves.

"Young Master...you...be gentle, go slower...you're going to kill me, I...can't take it...ah
...so good...you...you don't stop..."

The sobbing voice expressed her weak helplessness, Qingyue's fingers unconsciously clawing, finally she could only
grip the edge of the table tightly. The force was so great that even her knuckles turned white.

Her small head shook violently, her unclear mind making her words somewhat
contradictory .

"You slut, what do you mean you can't take it? I think you're clearly enjoying it. This cunt deserves to be fucked
to pieces."

Instead of slowing down, he increased the speed even more. With the vigorous thrusting, Zhao Qinyun's
breathing became somewhat erratic.

Looking down, he could clearly see his fiery red, veiny, monstrous penis rapidly thrusting in and out of her stretched-to-the-limit
vagina , while her swollen, engorged labia constantly released tender flesh and juices, their red
, delicate flesh glistening with desire. Some of the glistening, translucent fluids smeared at their point of contact, while others
dripped onto the ground.

"I'll make you die? That's a good suggestion. Today, I'll make you die beneath me."

The woman's dazed appearance only fueled his madness. Zhao Qinyun's mind
raced with frenzied thoughts, wishing he could tear the woman beneath him to pieces. But his self-control and instincts bound him,
leaving him nowhere to vent, only able to thrust even more violently into her enchanting flower.

A similar face, Lan Yue. A related person, Yang Cun. Now, he didn't even have the chance for a fair
duel; he could only tuck his tail between his legs and flee. A stray dog, all of this was Yang Cun… Yang Cun…
…

A pair of breasts swayed up and down with the impact. Zhao Qinyun watched, his eyes narrowing. He freed his large hand to support
Qingyue's back, making her arch her chest. He bent down slightly and swallowed one of her breasts. Then he placed it
between his lips and teeth, slowly and carefully biting it.

"Ah…it hurts…"

Qingyue trembled all over, resisting again amidst her confused and infatuated state. Zhao Qinyun's face darkened, already quite displeased.
He blocked Qingyue's mouth again, biting down hard on that tender breast.

"Ugh…"

Qingyue couldn't make a sound, her body convulsing violently before her pupils widened.

Zhao Qinyun stood up, blood at the corner of his lips. Satisfied with the clear teeth mark on her jade-like skin and
the bloodstains spreading around it, he wore a devilish smile and quickened his thrusting movements that had just slowed down.

"Hmm..."

With a heavy, muffled groan, Zhao Qinyun pulled out at the crucial
moment , ejaculating onto Qingyue's flat stomach.

Thick, viscous semen drenched Qingyue's slightly pinkish body, its musky scent
quickly filling the room.

In extreme pleasure, Zhao Qinyun gasped and convulsed, one large hand gripping Qingyue's erect,
trembling , kneading her now-swollen breasts roughly. The force was so strong it felt like he wanted to burst them.

Qingyue was in so much pain she almost cried out, but her mouth was gagged. Already
weakened by the ordeal, her legs gave way, and she slid to the floor. Her

once smooth, jade-like back, now bruised and bloodied from the hard table, was a stark and jarring
sight .

After sliding down, she collapsed to the ground, too weak even to remove the gag from her mouth.
Her eyes rolled back, whether from the pain of her injuries or from the lingering pleasure of Zhao Qinyun's intense assault, it was hard
to tell .

Releasing her grip, Zhao Qinyun no longer glanced at the half-dead Qingyue. Instead, she looked down at
the tiny speck of filth on her clothes, her brows furrowing. Just as she was about to turn away, a clear voice came from outside the door. "
Your Highness, a letter has arrived from the manor, requesting your immediate return. The Prince has important matters to discuss."

The guard who delivered the message had actually arrived earlier, but
dared not . Now that things had finally quieted down, he quickly reported back.

Even if he were to be beaten and scolded, he could only endure it; after all, it was a message from the Prince's manor. He knew it must
be extremely important, and delaying it would mean risking his life.

Strangely, Zhao Qinyun, who had just been awakened from her outburst, didn't seem angry. Amidst the guard's anxious
anticipation , a calm voice rang out.

"Hmm, go prepare, we're setting off now."

Was that same steady voice from the man who had just enjoyed the warmth and softness of a beautiful woman? The guard hesitated for a moment
, then quickly replied, "Yes."

It didn't take long for Zhao Qinyun to emerge, dressed. The door opened wide, and as
the guard looked at the prince he served, his gaze inevitably fell upon the still
naked figure lying on the cold floor.

Because the light was brighter, the purplish-red wounds appeared even more vivid.

The guard quickly looked away, knowing it was not something he should see. Only after watching Zhao Qinyun
walk several steps away without a care did he realize something was amiss.

"Your Highness, what about the lady?"

This concubine had always accompanied Zhao Qinyun, but judging from the prince's current state, it seemed he
had no intention of continuing to bring her along.

"Hmm, send two men to take her directly to the military camp. From this moment on, she is a military prostitute."

Zhao Qinyun's tone was calm, as if she were dealing with a mere kitten or puppy. The guard didn't even stop
.

The guard's expression stiffened slightly. A military prostitute? Those beastly
men, like wolves and tigers, utterly devoid of humanity towards women? And now, when all hope seemed lost?
A pity crept into his gaze as he looked at the woman.

But pity was all he could do. The guard could only bow his head and reply, "Yes."

The order reached the ears of the person inside the room, and her once beautiful face turned ashen, filled with
despair . She tried to struggle to do something, but it was all in vain…
Chapter Two: Second Uncle Yang Mingyu

Hangzhou had fallen, successfully entering Yang Cun's hands. In the midst of the crisis, Bai Yongwang only had time to send Zhao Qinyun
out , which could be considered a repayment to Prince Ding.

The guards who had come with Zhao Qinyun, initially numbering several hundred, had dwindled to about a hundred. They were
now ready to depart, waiting at the gate of Prince Ding's villa in Tongzhou.

Previously, on their northward journey, Prince Ding had moved with unstoppable momentum. So much so that no one doubted the change of the Great
Hua throne , no one doubted that Prince Ding, Zhao Yuanming, wouldn't take his place.

Even those officials who had secretly sided with Zhao Yuanming were secretly pleased, glad they had chosen the right side.

Unfortunately, this was all within a few days. Like a fleeting dream, the dream was
so beautiful that the sudden awakening was equally cruel and unbearable.

Following the rumors of Duke Jingguo Yang Cun's swift victory over Hangzhou with the help of heavenly troops, news quickly spread that Prince Ding had rebelled, plotting to murder
his father and seize the throne. The accusation that Heaven was angry and had sent down heavenly troops to punish him spread like wildfire
, even faster than the news of the old emperor's ascension to the throne.

The Imperial Tutor, who had previously posed no real threat, seemed to have undergone a complete transformation, and together with
the Yang family army of Prince Zhen, they utterly routed Prince Ding's once-powerful army.

The situation had dramatically reversed. From a wise prince who pleaded for the people and endured humiliation to a rebellious
traitor attempting to usurp the throne, Zhao Yuanming experienced it all in just a few days.

As for the source of the rumors… well, it goes without saying. Even the ancients knew the power of gossip,
let alone Yang Cun, a modern man who had witnessed the fickle nature of gossip in the entertainment industry.

Since the hearts of the people have always been the key to success, and since Zhao Yuanming liked to play this trick, Yang Cun wouldn't mind giving him
another one.

Greedy as Yang Cun was, of course, not interested in something for free. During the search of Zhao Qinyun and Bai Yongwang's residence,
many valuables were missing. Some said it was a theft, others said it was the work of the infamous Hangzhou thief, "The Empty
Hand ."

But who didn't know that "The Empty Hand" had long since reformed, reformed, and become
the steward of the Duke's mansion? The Duke's mansion was overflowing with gold and silver; would he really covet the small fortune of a prefect?

Besides, that Duke was a Duke who could summon heavenly soldiers.

Thus, the rumors were dispelled, and the theft became a nominal unsolved case in Shuntian Prefecture. Only a small group of people knew
that Yang Cun had actually made a fortune.

Meanwhile, Yang Cun, who had unintentionally gained widespread fame among the common people, was holed up in the Duke of Hangzhou's mansion.
His heart bursting with rage, yet he deliberately maintained a calm facade.

Now that the situation was largely settled, there was no need to worry about Prince Ding causing any more trouble.
Therefore, Yang Cun was exceptionally busy.

As the saying goes, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. He had been schemed against by Prince Ding and his son for so long;
how could he not collect some compensation for his mental anguish?

Yang Cun, chin in hand, gritted his teeth and calculated, knowing this was a highly technical task. If
he didn't do it well and it leaked out, the old emperor would definitely take his head.

When An Qiao entered, she saw Yang Cun looking at her, his eyes darting around as he calculated.

She couldn't help but smile and said, "The steward said that when Master is like this, he's usually thinking about
something very meaningful. I wonder what Master is thinking about now?"

As she spoke, she brought over a plate of pastries.

Yang Cun's expression flickered, and he snapped back to reality. Looking at An Qiao's increasingly mature figure, he chuckled
and pinched her pert buttocks, saying with a lewd laugh, "Of course, it's something meaningful. I'm just thinking about
what tricks Qiao Qiao and Ning Ning will play tonight."

An Qiao had been with Yang Cun for quite some time now. She was well
aware . Although she still blushed and felt shy from his
constant teasing, she had become quite used to it, a far cry from her initial panic.

Now, hearing Yang Cun utter more lewd words, she gave him a coquettish glare and said, "Master
, you should at least consider this carefully. If others hear this, I'll be drowned in a pig cage."

"Drowning in a pig cage? I'd like to see who dares!"

Yang Cun said, actually jumping up. Taking advantage of An Qiao's momentary lapse in attention, he pulled her into his arms,
his large hands kneading her now fuller, soft breasts.

"Qiao Qiao is my precious darling, I will protect her well, and no one will touch her."

While enjoying the increasingly intoxicating sensation under his hands, he moved his lips to An Qiao's neck. He even mischievously
flicked her increasingly plump nipples with his thumb, causing An Qiao to tremble.

"Come, let me kiss you."

"Mmm..."

The stimulation from her breasts made An Qiao moan. Her sensitive body went limp from Yang Cun's large hands
.

In broad daylight, this was... how could it be... She felt both ashamed and timid, and hurriedly pressed her small hands against
Yang Cun's gradually moving hand, panting, "Master, is Lord Yang outside the door... mmm... mmm
..."

Unfortunately, before she could fully express herself, Yang Cun silenced her with a kiss.

The intimate atmosphere in the room was suddenly interrupted by a sharp, teasing remark.

"I say, you were having a fling just two days ago, with two people, no less. Why are you already so impatient? As
a normal lower primate, do you really need to be so sexually unsatisfied?"

The romantic atmosphere froze instantly, accompanied by Yang Cun's angry shout and the sound of the door being flung open.

"Yanlong, you peeping tom, get the hell out of here…"

Amidst the flying sawdust, a small red figure darted out, bumping into the imposing Yang Tongbao at the door.

Then came the furious Yang Cun and
An Qiao, her face flushed, trying desperately to pull him away but failing.

It was obvious what had happened; after this period of contact, Yang Tongbao clearly knew…
Knowing that this Duke and women were always like that behind closed doors, Yang Tongbao

suddenly felt a headache coming on. He couldn't help but wonder if the legendary events of a few days ago were truly
a miracle created by this Duke.

Shaking his head and sighing, Yang Tongbao stopped Yang Cun in front of him, cupping his hands and saying, "My lord, news has arrived."

"Hmm?"

Yang Cun's expression turned serious. He stopped his several unseemly actions, straightened his clothes, waved his sleeves,
and became .

"Yes, Tongbao, come in. Qiaoqiao, serve tea."

Yang Tongbao was already quite used to this kind of change of expression. He only twitched the corner of his mouth and didn't
show any further surprise. ...

Half an hour later, Yang Tongbao watched Yang Cun opening and closing the teacup lid absentmindedly, unable to figure out
what his attitude was towards the news he had brought.

In fact, even he himself was surprised that such a change had occurred again? It seemed that this wasn't necessarily
a bad thing?

"Why did Prince Rong suddenly send troops, not to help Zhao Yuanming, but to join forces with the Imperial Tutor to attack him?"

Yang Cun pondered to himself, a strange smile playing on his lips.

"Yes,"

Yang Tongbao replied, his brows furrowed with deep confusion. He continued, "Prince Rong was always
wary of him, and ever since he brought back the heir, he's had people watching him closely. Who would have thought he'd
send people from Yingtian Prefecture to help the Yang family army at the crucial moment..."

"My lord, what do you think of this?"

"What else can I think?"

Yang Cun sneered. "He's clever, isn't he? His methods of changing sides and stabbing in the back are impressive. Even
Zhao Yuanming probably didn't have any suspicion of him, did he?"

"But..."

Yang Tongbao wanted to say something more, but suddenly gasped, staring at Yang Cun in disbelief. "Prince Rong's sudden
betrayal ... could it be that you, my lord..."

No wonder the lord showed no surprise upon hearing the news he brought. He remembered
meeting Prince Rong privately when they went to Tianjin. Could it be that back then...?

Yang Tongbao fell silent. A series of events had occurred. He had always thought Yang Cun was just observing,
doing nothing, but unexpectedly, he had already used underhanded tactics in the shadows? How cunning!

Yang Cun, however, remained indifferent, a glint in his eyes flashing before he suddenly asked, "Where is Zhao Qinyun
?"

"Huh?"

Yang Tongbao was taken aback, but quickly recovered, saying, "She's already arrived in Tongzhou, and probably left by now
."

"Hmm." Yang Cun lowered his head, toying with the lid of his cup, and said calmly, " Tell Long Chi about this news, and everything

about Zhao Qinyun ." 　　"What did you say, Your Excellency?" 　　Yang Tongbao was completely stunned, wondering if he had misheard. 　　"Yes." 　　A reply came from the shadows, and a figure flashed and disappeared in an instant. 　　"..." 　　Yang Tongbao suddenly realized that although he had done many things for Yang Cun, he had never truly understood Yang Cun. 　　"Is Your Excellency going to deal with the Prince of Ding's heir?" 　　Although he knew that no one else would hear him, Yang Tongbao still lowered his voice. 　　Yang Cun smiled strangely and said, "We can't just let the fire at Yipinlou when we went to Tianjin go like that we? We need to get some compensation." 　　In fact, Yipinlou was still the property of the Prince Ding's mansion, but it was a terrible mistake that the accident happened while their own people were staying there. 　　"Does Your Excellency believe that the Prince Ding and his men were responsible for the Yipinlou incident?" 　　Yang Tongbao frowned, his upright square face contorted with worry. 　　Perhaps Yang Tongbao had thought so before, but when Uncle Dong and the others were completely unharmed and happened to be saved by that Princess Longyue, he couldn't help but have doubts. 　　Could there really be such coincidences in this world? 　　"That's not important." 　　A devilish smile appeared on Yang Cun's jade-like face. He continued, "Zhao Qinyun has made me unhappy." 　　With so much unhappiness combined, how could he not do something about it? He could also give Longchi a , why not? 　　"My lord..." 　　Yang Tongbao's voice sounded somewhat mournful, looking at Yang Cun with hurt in his eyes. 　　"What's wrong?" 　　Yang Cun asked, suppressing a laugh. 　　Just as Yang Tongbao was about to say something, the door was suddenly pushed open with a "bang." 　　Upon seeing who it was, Yang Tongbao's face immediately darkened. He kicked Yang Cun, scolding, "How can you be the steward of this Duke's mansion with such a lack of manners?" 　　Actually, he wasn't really that angry, but the words he had just heard had really hurt him, and he needed to do something to vent his anger. 　　Yang San had become his punching bag. 　　"No...no..." 　　Yang San didn't even bother to utter a sound after being kicked by Yang Tongbao without any explanation. Let alone glare at Yang Tongbao. 　　He wouldn't dare to do that! Fortunately, Uncle Dong wasn't there, or he would have been thrown out of the mansion. 　　"Reporting to you, sir, it's not that I don't know the rules, it's...it's..." 　　Facing Yang San, who couldn't even speak clearly, Yang Tongbao really had a bad impression of him. He just couldn't understand why the Duke had to choose such an unpresentable person as the steward of the manor. 　　Feeling resentful, his glare was naturally sharp as if it contained a blade. 　　Yang San shivered, and since he couldn't just go somewhere safe, he could only grit his teeth and blurt out the reason for his reckless intrusion. 　　"It's the Second Master who's here. Uncle Dong is waiting for him at the gate. He sent me to invite you, sir." 　　"The Second Master?" 　　Yang Cun was taken aback, not yet having processed what this title meant.

Yang Tongbao, however, straightened his expression and, seeing Yang Cun's still slightly puzzled face, promptly explained, "Second
Grandfather Yang Mingyu! He is the Duke's second uncle..."

Logically, he wasn't qualified to address him by his given name, but he couldn't let the master of the Duke's mansion remain
confused , thus losing respect for his elders.

"Yes..."

Reminded by Yang Tongbao, Yang Cun immediately understood.

The Yang family ancestor, Yang Dingkun, fought for over twenty years in the founding war, his troops invincible, slaying
countless enemies. He was later granted the title of Prince of Zhen, becoming the first non-royal prince of the Great Hua, his fame so great that even three-year-old children in the Great
Hua knew his story! For the next century, the Yang family produced countless members, from the main branch to the illegitimate, and from martial artists—generation after generation producing outstanding individuals!
Among them were three Dukes, the last being Yang Cun's father in this life,
Yang Mingcheng, who died on the battlefield and was posthumously honored as Duke Jing!

This second uncle was the brother of his father, whom he had never met. He was the only remaining member of the Yang family branch in Jiangnan from his father
's generation . Because he was born out of wedlock, he had not yet been granted any title. But in the Yang family, he was a true
elder.

Uncle Dong had mentioned this before, but unfortunately, too many things happened later, and this second uncle never showed his face, so Yang Cun
naturally forgot about him. Now that the man was at his doorstep, and he was still holed up in his room, in these
etiquette-conscious families, if the man was easy to talk to, that would be fine, but if he was unreasonable, it would inevitably be annoying.

As for etiquette, just thinking about how respectful Yang Shu had been to him made Yang Cun's scalp tingle
.

But no matter what he thought, he quickly got up and went out to see this legendary second uncle.

At the main gate of the Duke's mansion, many people were standing. Wang Dong led the way, and everyone below maintained a silence that was extremely
disproportionate . Upon seeing Yang Cunxing approach, he hurriedly nodded and bowed, loudly announcing, "Young Master has arrived."

His voice was calm, showing none of the excitement he had displayed upon first meeting him. Yang Cunxing secretly wondered, "Could this
second uncle be a formidable person after all?"

This thought only flashed through his mind for a moment. Soon, Yang Cunxing's vision came into view of a
middle-aged man dressed in a dark purple brocade robe with subtle patterns. He appeared to be around forty or fifty years old, exuding an air of composure and giving off an impression of noble yet
understated elegance .

His appearance surprised Yang Cunxing for a moment. Fortunately, it was only for a split second. He quickly recovered,
stepped forward, and bowed deeply to the middle-aged man with utmost courtesy, saying, "Nephew
greets Uncle."

Because of his bow, everyone who had been standing also lowered their heads. As an illegitimate son without official rank
, this elder of the Yang family in Jiangnan, while dignified, lacked true nobility,
and therefore no one knelt down.

"Cun'er, no need for such formalities."

Yang Mingyu didn't let Yang Cun remain bent over for long. He quickly stepped forward and helped Yang
Cun up, saying, "Get up quickly."

Upon contact, Yang Cun knew that Yang Mingyu's cultivation was all external martial arts, and he hadn't yet formed his core. Without
any intention of being polite, he stood up, his eyes, so different from his previous warm tone, now held
a hint aloofness. He smiled gently, "You've come from afar, Uncle must be exhausted. Don't stay
here any longer, come with me back to the manor to rest."

"Okay."

Yang Mingyu didn't refuse, taking the first step. He held Yang Cun's hand tightly, not
letting go. This made Yang Cun feel quite embarrassed; this seemingly intimate gesture seemed somewhat impolite
, but he couldn't simply pull away. He could only swallow hard and let it be.

He hoped that no one would misunderstand because of this gesture. Upon entering, they
noticed Wang Dong staring at their hands with a strange, inexplicable expression.

The group filed in with them, and Wang Dong quickly directed them to their own tasks. The courtyard
soon returned to its previous tranquility. Yang Cun, following behind Yang Mingyu, smiled stiffly, eventually giving up the pretense altogether
. Neither of them uttered a word, and whether it was just Yang Cun's feeling or not, the atmosphere seemed a bit…
eerie.

The troops from the Zhenwang Army who had come to support Hangzhou had already returned, but the Zhou and Zhang families remained. Yan Ming
would be . Knowing these people were also important to him, Yang Cun didn't
refuse them out of politeness. Furthermore, Chen Qinglei had sent many people under the guise of congratulating him on moving into the Duke's mansion.
While Yang Cun's forces weren't yet incredibly powerful, they were more than capable of normal deployment.

Yang Cun understood the principle that one can't become fat overnight. Some things require a slow and steady approach; there's plenty of time.
Haste makes waste.

As for Yang Mingyu… Having seen the examples of himself and Yang Shu, Yang Cun had always believed that while the men of the Yang family
were said be born into military families and spent years in battle, their physical appearances were actually quite good. Even if their first ancestor
, Old Master Yang Dingkun, was indeed unattractive, after achieving great success, wouldn't he have found several beautiful wives?
Naturally, their children would inherit good looks.

Following this logic, in their generation, it wasn't easy to have an ordinary appearance. Just
like himself and Yang Shu. Judging from his own appearance, he figured his father, whom he had never met, must have been
quite handsome.

But aside from Yang Mingyu's composed aura, Yang Cun couldn't see
anything attractive about him. He had a rough, rugged air about him, like Uncle Dong and the others who were retainers in the Yang family.

Could it be that his second uncle's mother and that… umm…

"Ahem…"

He was getting carried away. Despite knowing full well that the middle-aged man walking ahead of him couldn't possibly have any
ability , Yang Cun still felt a little embarrassed that he had unconsciously started speculating about his grandfather's gossip, specifically the cuckolding
aspect. He coughed twice to cover it up, and seeing Yang Mingyu already entering the hall under Yang San's guidance, he hurriedly
followed.

Wang Dong didn't go with them. He and Yang Tongbao were alone. Although Yang Tongbao was also a member of the Yang family, he was
actually ties, there were still many inconveniences, and they needed to avoid suspicion where necessary.
Therefore, the task of training and disciplining that large group of people naturally fell to Wang Dong.

The old man, far from complaining of being tired, was in high spirits. He pulled Li Cheng along to help, looking several
years .

Upon entering the hall, Yang Cun naturally dared not be negligent. He invited Yang Mingyu to sit in the main seat and ordered An Ning to pour tea.
Yang Mingyu didn't say much, only glancing at An Ning with a stern look, which made
An Ning's small hand tremble.

Yang Cun sat at the lower end, wondering to himself. This seemed to be their first meeting, right? Why was he so cold?
Forget about being enthusiastic and excited, there wasn't even the most basic greeting. Such family? Looking at this
uncle , his impression of him was greatly diminished.

"After traveling all this way, Second Uncle must be tired. Why don't you rest for a while?"

The tone was questioning, but Yang Cun's meaning was clear.

Don't try to put on airs in front of me. If you want to act like an elder, get lost.

Having lived to Yang Mingyu's age, and with his upbringing in the prestigious Shenhou Courtyard, how could he not see Yang Cun's
dissatisfaction? A glint in his eyes flashed, but he didn't seem to care. He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and then slowly said, "No rush,
I have something to tell you first."

At this point, a sharp glint appeared in his eyes as he said, "I already know about what happened in Hangzhou,
and I've heard some of the rumors circulating among the people. My Yang family of Jiangnan has finally had a moment of triumph."

Rumors circulating among the common people? Saying I summoned heavenly troops? Yang Cun was taken aback and hurriedly said, "People's words are bound to
be exaggerated . Second Uncle, don't believe everything..."

Before he could continue his modesty, he sensed something was wrong. Looking up, he saw
a fleeting, mocking glint on Yang Mingyu's face.

Damn, so this was mockery, not genuine praise? He almost didn't react in time. He instinctively
wanted to swear, but thankfully he managed to hold back at the crucial moment.

Yang Mingyu snorted coldly and said, "It's true that popular opinion is the will of the people. But it doesn't necessarily
have to be done using the excuse of the Heavenly Soldiers. If..."

He stopped mid-sentence, staring intently at Yang Cun.

Yang Cun instantly understood Yang Mingyu's meaning. He even understood the deep-seated anxiety. He couldn't help but sneer, knowing that Yang Mingyu
wasn't necessarily worried about his own safety, but probably about the potential consequences for the entire Yang family. As for the excuse...
did he really think that everything in Hangzhou that day was something he had deliberately arranged?

Partly out of spite, Yang Cun recounted in detail how he had unintentionally obtained the Vajra Seal, met
Lin Guan who had become a member of the Vajra Seal, and the so-called Heavenly Soldiers, who were actually Golden Armored Rangers.
He didn't mention Yanlong, however.

His lips trembled, and he wore an expression of disbelief. It has to be said that seeing Yang Mingyu's expression gave Yang Cun
a psychological pleasure... a bit petty, but very satisfying.

"So, Cun'er, you're already the master of the Vajra Seal?"

Yang Mingyu was overjoyed. The Yang family's Zhenwang lineage produced a genius, Yang Shu.
Although not everyone knew about him keeping earth spirit slaves by his side, as a member of the Yang family, he knew. Being from the same Yang family, he could benefit from it.
However, he was ultimately not from his own lineage, which was somewhat regrettable. Unexpectedly, his elder brother's orphan had actually made up for this
regret!

"This... cough cough, not quite."

With the Vajra Seal, at most it was cooperation, mutual benefit. Yang Cun knew he didn't deserve the title of master.
This wasn't out of modesty.

Now that it was clear, Yang Mingyu's heart naturally changed again. His gaze towards Yang Cun became complicated
, and he tentatively asked, "Cun'er, have you thought about what the Emperor thinks about the matter of Prince Rong?"

"Hmm?"

Yang Cun was taken aback, indicating his confusion. Humbly, Yang Cun said, "That's precisely what I don't understand."

What he didn't understand was how Yang Mingyu knew about Prince Rong's affairs.

Perhaps sensing Yang Cun's confusion, Yang Mingyu explained directly before he could ask, "His Majesty
has been secretly monitoring Prince Rong for a long time; this is no secret. His Majesty
also ."

"If that's the case, then why?"

Yang Cun was puzzled. Knowing that Prince Rong was no good, and judging by the decisiveness shown in dealing with Prince Ding
, the old emperor wasn't a foolish ruler. So why choose to let Prince Rong go now? According to
news from the capital, Prince Rong led troops to suppress Prince Ding's rebellion, along with Prince Zhen, and the old emperor greatly
praised . As for the past, he didn't mention it.

According to reliable sources, even the matter of Prince Rong's heir being captured by members of the Demonic Sect while escorting supplies south hadn't been
inquired about.

"Cun'er, let me ask you. Now that Prince Ding has fallen, who holds the most power in the court?"

Yang Mingyu's eyes gleamed as he looked at Yang Cun's question.

"Naturally, it's..."

Yang Cun was about to blurt it out, but stopped under Yang Mingyu's gaze. His mind
raced.

He understood why the old emperor had spared Prince Rong. Even if Prince Rong hadn't participated
in would have been spared.

During the time when the Crown Prince was dead and the old emperor was seriously ill, all affairs of the court were jointly managed by the three princes.
Now that Prince Ding was in trouble, Prince Zhen was at the height of his power. Add to that the commotion he had caused in Hangzhou, and
the most powerful person in the court might not be Yang Shu, but it would certainly be the Yang family.

Power had slipped through their fingers simply because they were not of the same surname. This difference was likely to be permanent.
No emperor could tolerate it. Just thinking about how Zhu Yuanzhang treated his brothers-in-arms after he gained the throne sent
chills down Yang Cun's spine. Moreover, the current leaders of the two branches of the Yang family have little connection with the old emperor. Even if the Yang family is
truly loyal, the old emperor would still have to be wary.

Therefore, Prince Rong is unharmed…

“A subject is ultimately a subject, and can only be a subject.”

Looking at Yang Cun’s still somewhat immature face, Yang Mingyu uttered a rather profound statement.
After finishing, he picked up his teacup and drank, without offering any further explanation. The meaning was quite clear: if Yang Cun
didn’t understand this, there was no point in him saying more.

Yang Cun, however, understood. After all, this soul wasn’t the true age of this body, and having experienced
so much, he knew a bit about history; how could he not understand Yang Mingyu’s words? (The last sentence appears to be a fragment and doesn’t translate directly.)
The rumors of the Heavenly Soldiers were originally for Hangzhou. But to the Emperor, they would surely be interpreted differently.

If he could summon the Heavenly Soldiers, where would that leave the Emperor? Even if it was ultimately a misunderstanding, it wouldn't silence the public's
gossip !

"Yes, nephew understands. It was my recklessness that led me to this conclusion."

Yang Cun lowered his head, somewhat ashamed. Some of what Yang Mingyu said he had considered, while others he hadn't
. Now that he'd been enlightened, he felt a sense of lingering fear. Putting everything together, he realized that if his second uncle hadn't
reminded him, he wouldn't have restrained himself at all, simply assuming it was a special period.

Special circumstances call for special measures, but what would happen after the special measures were over? The old Emperor was willing to harm even his own son,
let alone Yang Cun. Even if they shared the same surname, he probably wouldn't have allowed him to become so powerful.
Although he had no such intention at all.

"Hmm, good that you understand."

Seeing that Yang Cun, at such a young age, could understand so quickly, Yang Mingyu's face showed approval. He quickly
composed himself, a hint of melancholy creeping over him, and said, "My elder brother has passed away, and you left home at a young age. Seeing you again now brings me great comfort.
Given your intelligence, I think my brother can rest in peace. Don't think I'm here to pressure you; it's just
that the situation is delicate, and you haven't considered things thoroughly enough, so I'm here to offer a word of advice..."

Was this a slap followed by a sweet treat? Yang Cun didn't delve into it
. He stood up and spoke earnestly to Yang Mingyu, "Second Uncle, please don't say that. It's fortunate that you reminded me of this matter early. Otherwise, the Yang
family of Jiangnan..."

Forget about restoring their former glory; even with the addition of the Prince of Zhen's lineage, their future would be
bleak .

"Early?"

Shaking his head and smiling bitterly, Yang Mingyu uttered another inexplicable remark: "I'm afraid it's not early."

Without giving Yang Cun a chance to ask further questions, he stood up and walked to face Yang Cun, carefully
scrutinizing his face. After a long silence, his eyes welled up with tears, and he said, "Cun'er truly resembles his elder brother remarkably
. I only hope that the Yang family's lineage as the Duke of Jiangnan can continue under your care..."

Yang Cun's expression stiffened.

He thought Yang Mingyu would say the phrase Yang Shu always used, "carry forward and flourish," but unexpectedly, he said "
continue." Was it really that dangerous? Frowning, Yang Cun asked his question, "Second Uncle,
will the Emperor really..."

After all, at this time, the Yang family had done everything in their power to protect his empire. If he were to turn against the Yang family
, it would be repaying kindness with enmity.

"Alright, Cun'er. You've been away from home for so many years, tell me about your experiences over the years."

Yang Mingyu changed the subject, no longer pursuing Yang Cun's questions. Yang Cun was helpless, and had no other choice.
He didn't really engage this still somewhat unfamiliar second uncle in a casual conversation, but instead asked him to rest.

Yang Cun had noticed Yang Mingyu's weariness from the long journey. Exhausted, yet still wanting
to say those things to him, could it really be...?

Yang Cun's doubts lasted only a day. By noon the next day, he understood why Yang Mingyu hadn't even
bothered with reminiscing and family ties, rushing to speak with him.

Because an imperial edict had arrived in the capital. Without any prior warning.

This meant that even Yang Shu didn't know about this edict. After

burning incense and washing his hands, Yang Cun knelt in the sunlit courtyard to receive the edict, feeling a chill run through him. Perhaps it was because he had left the capital
and hadn't seen the old emperor again, but Yang Cun had actually forgotten the powerful oppressive authority he had felt on that desolate mountain.

The emperor was indeed so terrifying! Even on the verge of death, he could still make people tremble.

The messenger was Jin Liang, who smiled obsequiously and kindly at Yang Cun. Yang Cun knelt respectfully to receive the edict, listening
to the words of praise and various rewards bestowed upon him.

"Duke Yang Cun of Jingguo, you bravely resolved the crisis in Jiangnan, and I am deeply gratified. I hereby bestow upon you the title of 'Honorable Duke of Jingguo
,' and grant you ten thousand taels of gold, precious jewels…"

For Yang Cun, the most important thing was to see how generous the old emperor would be and what kind of wealth he would bestow.
As for the title, that was secondary. Therefore, Yang
Cun, focused entirely on the gold and silver, did not notice that when Jin Liang read out the addition of the word "Honorable" before his title of Duke of Jingguo,
Yang Mingyu, kneeling beside him, showed a look of fear and apprehension.

Yang Cun didn't care. Only when he heard the last sentence, "He is to come to the capital soon to express his gratitude,"

did he mutter to himself: "It's just a few gifts; to you old emperor, it's
nothing . You expect me to personally go to the capital to express my gratitude? How stingy!"

"Congratulations, Your Excellency!"

With the imperial decree in hand, Yang Cun respectfully received the bright yellow brocade—a gift that would move many
to tears , treated like an ancestor. His movements were precise, leaving no room for criticism.
Jin Liang, also with both hands, handed over the rolled-up imperial decree, smiling as he spoke. His wrinkled face looked much more defined, instantly
reminding Yang Cun of the description of a face beaming like a chrysanthemum.

Inwardly amused, Yang Cun maintained a solemn and respectful demeanor, adding a touch of humility, "Thank you, Your Excellency .
Yang Cun will certainly not fail Your Majesty's will and will do his utmost to fulfill the duties of a subject."

He was extremely satisfied with his obedient appearance.

"Your Excellency's loyalty to the Emperor is something I understand, and the Emperor surely understands as well,"

Jin Liang smiled, even more harmless than when Yang Cun was feigning ignorance.

"..."

Yang Cun was speechless, almost unable to resist calling him "Master."

After receiving the decree, Jinliang didn't rush to leave. Instead, he brought his pale, beardless face close to Yang Cun, as if
they were close friends, and lowered his voice, saying, "My lord, the Emperor has sent me here with some confidential information to
tell you privately."

He was obsequious, a complete lackey. However, Yang Cun knew this was just a facade. He composed
himself , appearing very serious, and said, "Please come with me, sir."

In his heart, he thought, "The formalities are over; now comes the main course, isn't it?"

He then led Jinliang to the study.

Before entering, Yang Cun suspected there was something else going on, but he hadn't expected it to be so
thorny .

Chapter 3: Not One Let Go

The ornately carved beams and galleries, the magnificent mansion, the exquisite craftsmanship, the breathtaking scenery. Artificial hills and stone bridges, lakes
and groves, flowing streams, pavilions and waterside terraces—all these, coupled with the unhurried movements of servants and guards, create
an outwardly tranquil and peaceful scene.

But beneath the surface, a turbulent undercurrent of bloodshed and brutality—how many can truly see through it all?

A high-ranking official, adorned in brocade robes, could become a prisoner in the blink of an eye.

Such a sentiment, others may not share, but Bai Yongwang, the prefect of Hangzhou, understands all too well.

Night falls, and in the thick, indelible darkness, a deep unease permeates the air. The Hangzhou prison
holds many people. They may not necessarily bear wounds, but the wailing and howling of the prisoners is like a scene from hell.

In truth, this cannot be entirely blamed on them. Just days ago, most of them were officials of Hangzhou, adorned in
imperial robes , but now they are prisoners. All because they had chosen the wrong side.

The dim, filthy environment, the fear of the future, and the resentment had stripped them of their scholarly pride, causing them to cry out
in anguish . These grown men were wailing and screaming, a sight that was utterly disgusting. Some even
shouted as soon as the jailers approached, "I want to see the Duke! I have important matters to report..."

This was just a young man, whom they had seen at Zhao Qinyun's banquet a few months ago, and who had all looked down upon him.
Now , they all regretted their blindness.

Among these repulsive people, only one person, imprisoned alone, had not joined this
self- degrading group. Of course, he could not join. Simply because he was
Bai Yongwang, the former prefect of Hangzhou, a loyal supporter of Prince Ding.

"I also want to see the Duke! I also have important matters to report..."

"Me too! Me too!"

At this cry, many others echoed. The prison grew noisy. A jailer came over and banged on the bars,
yelling, "What's all the noise about? Quiet down!" "That's right," 　　another jailer chimed in, "

You gentlemen are already in a very good position. If it were an ordinary person, they would probably be
..." He deliberately left his words unfinished, leaving room for interpretation. 　　Sure enough, upon hearing this, the shouting men shuddered, and many fell silent. 　　As people from the officialdom, they were well aware of the dirty secrets. Once in this prison , whether male or female, they would inevitably have to endure the consequences. The jailer's unfinished sentence made many men involuntarily tighten their anuses, and for the sake of their rear ends, they retreated, wishing they could become invisible. 　　Of course, a few remained persistent, continuing to shout. 　　Annoyed, two jailers actually opened the door, spotted a handsome man, supposedly a scholar who had joined Bai Yongwang's faction, grabbed him, and took him away. The man struggled, but he was too weak. In the hands of the strong jailer, he was like a chick. 　　"You filthy bunch, don't you have a shred of shame? Why did you arrest me? A scholar can be killed but not humiliated, kill me if you dare..." 　　He struggled in vain, stubbornly cursing. 　　The jailer holding him grinned maliciously and said, "Shame? I'll show you what shame is. Killing you, with your delicate skin, would be a waste." 　　The onlookers shuddered... 　　The man was dragged away and disappeared around the corner. Soon his fierce curses echoed. But what truly shook everyone was the extremely shrill scream that followed. It penetrated deep into their hearts, like a nail driven into their most vulnerable nerves. 　　Finally... silence. Apart from the man's continuous screams, the prisoners remained silent. Even the few who were unwilling to accept their fate consciously shut their mouths... 　　An hour later, the man was brought back. Unable to walk, he was dragged by two men. He wasn't unconscious, but his pupils were dilated, and his mind was practically broken. He was thrown back into the cell, face down in the dust, and didn't get up . The only obvious sign was that his underpants beneath his outer robe were torn, with congealed dark red stains on his buttocks and thighs. 　　It was blood; what had happened was self-evident… 　　After the lock clicked shut, the jailer gave a mocking glance at everyone, and only after he left did someone sigh. Everyone knew in their hearts that this man was probably finished… 　　Throughout the entire process, only one pair of eyes remained exceptionally calm. They fiercely mocked those who were ready to turn , without uttering a word. 　　Want to see Yang Cun? Bai Yongwang sneered. One by one, so eager to sell him out? Truly a bunch of cowards. The contempt in his eyes was naked. He snorted coldly and closed his eyes. 　　After all, it was prison life. Even though he still carried some of his former power, he looked quite disheveled now… 　　At midnight, everyone was drowsy. But there was an unusual smell in the air. Bai Yongwang suddenly opened his eyes and saw several people in his cell. 　　They were dressed in black, their faces covered with black cloth, and there were no markings on their clothes. A hint of joy flashed in Bai Yongwang's eyes. He thought to himself: Could these be the people sent by Prince Ding to rescue me? 　　Just as he thought this, one of the men, who seemed to be the leader, spoke up. His tone was respectful as he said, “My lord, please come with us.” 　　“Alright.” 　　No one wants to die. It would be foolish not to seize a chance to live. Bai Yongwang was no exception. He was just an ordinary person after all. If he could live, he would fight for it. He readily agreed and extended his shackled hands. 　　“My lord, please.” 　　The other man didn't see his movement, or perhaps he didn't notice. He just kept pulling him along. 　　Bai Yongwang suddenly became alert, stopped in his tracks, and said in a deep voice, "Who are you? What do you want?" 　　The man in black turned around, his eyes sinister. His voice was calm: "We're here to take you out, sir." 　　"Take me out?" 　　Why not rescue me? Bai Yongwang frowned, his eyes filled with suspicion, and said, "I don't care if I die, but the young master is already on his way back. Shouldn't you go and meet him first?" 　　The men in black exchanged glances, their usually emotionless eyes now revealing an even more eerie light. The leader said, "Someone has already gone to the young master's side. In fact, he can't go back anyway."

Bai Yongwang's legs went weak, and he almost knelt down. He raised his head, his gaze turning fierce, and said, "You...you
've actually come to take my life, haven't you?"

Without any surprise, the man in black nodded, "We're just following orders."

A sense of desolation spread through him, and Bai Yongwang lowered his head. As if addressing the man in black, or perhaps muttering
to himself, he said, "This is for the best. His Highness Prince Ding still doesn't believe me. He gave me this life, even if...no
,"

a thought flashed through his mind, and Bai Yongwang quickly retreated.

"You're not Prince Ding's men, you're the Emperor's..."

Even a tiger wouldn't eat its cub; no matter how ruthless Prince Ding was, he would never be so cruel as to kill his own son. So the people before him were
...Bai Yongwang wanted to say, but the man in black didn't give him the chance. His arm rose, and the knife fell.

"My lord, may you rest in peace."

A trail of blood drew a perfect arc in the air, its vibrant color
adding . At the same time, a gash appeared in Bai Yongwang's throat, flesh and blood flying everywhere.

The knife was ruthless and precise; that name, or rather, the title, was stuck in Bai Yongwang's throat
, never to be uttered again. His

body, like a corpse, crashed to the ground. Without looking at the person lying there convulsing, unable to utter a sound
, several men in black sheathed their knives, separating the head, its eyes wide open in death, from the body. They took out
black cloths they carried, wrapped them up, and nimbly slipped out of the prison. Their eerie movements didn't alert anyone.

From beginning to end, only a pair of eyes, half-closed and never open in the darkness, witnessed
everything.

Bai Yongwang, the former prefect of Hangzhou, was dead, dead in the Hangzhou prison. His death was suspicious; his head had been removed,
but no one knew who had done it. For a time, the other prisoners were filled with dread.
Only one person, however, carried a hint of smug satisfaction.

He could finally live, that was wonderful. Sending his two beautiful wives out had had some effect.
Having witnessed Bai Yongwang's death and completed the prison surveillance task assigned to him by the Duke, he
could atone for his sins. He would no longer covet any glory or honor for his family; he would simply take his beautiful wives
and hide far away, find a secluded place, and enjoy his wealth and luxury.

Thinking this way, Chen Zhiping suddenly realized that life could still be quite beautiful...

Outside Tongzhou City.

Perhaps because of the hasty escape, a bit like a stray dog,
Zhao Qinyun, lying on his horse, felt a deep unease from the moment he left the city gate. He had a feeling something bad was going to happen. Fearing pursuers, he dared not
rest, galloping for dozens of miles before stopping to rest by a river.

And his unease ended at that moment.

"Your Highness, at this pace, if we ride at full speed, we can return in less than ten days. Then..."

The guard who had been serving Zhao Qinyun stepped forward and said, while also cautiously considering the upcoming route,
"We originally planned to travel by water, which is safer. What do you think, Your Highness?"

Since the Hangzhou incident, Zhao Qinyun's temperament had become
somewhat replaced by unpredictable moods. Therefore, all the hundred or so guards on this trip were extremely cautious.

After the guard finished speaking, there was no reply for a long time. He raised his head slightly in surprise and found that Zhao Qinyun's face
was pale.

The guard suddenly felt uneasy and stammered, "Your Highness, what's wrong?"

He had long guessed that they wouldn't leave so easily, but he never expected that
the person he would ultimately fall into his hands would be him. Zhao Qinyun gritted her teeth and sneered, waving her hand irritably and coldly asking, "
Have you smelled anything?"

"Huh?"

Everyone was startled. They hadn't noticed until Zhao Qinyun pointed it out… Now that she had spoken… they all sniffed,
looking in all directions , preventing any danger from getting close to Zhao Qinyun.

A strange, eerie wind swirled in from somewhere and quickly disappeared, bringing with it a faint,
indistinct scent.

For these people, that was enough. Most of them smelled it, and their expressions changed,
not much better than Zhao Qinyun's.

It was the smell of corpses, not faint, indicating a considerable number. They couldn't smell it before, but now they could faintly
detect it. This meant those corpses were moving.

Moving corpses? These people had followed Zhao Qinyun for quite some time; how could they not know about
the existence ? Thinking of those terrifying creatures that felt nothing, even these seven-foot-tall men gradually
paled.

Fighting a human is one thing, at worst it's mutual destruction, a fight to the death. But those poisoned corpses—just
thinking about them makes one want to vomit their guts out.

"Your Highness, should we leave now?"

Facing poisoned corpses at this rate of fleeing for their lives is definitely not a rational move. Leaving is the best option.
Forget about resting; everyone prepared, waiting for Zhao Qinyun's order to escape this terrifying
atmosphere.

Seeing the fear etched on their otherwise resolute eyes, Zhao Qinyun forced a smile and said, "
It's too late ..."

"How can that be? We have horses, we can..."

Everyone knows that poisoned corpses can ride horses, and they're not very fast.
But the guard who stepped forward to speak stopped mid-sentence.

The stench of corpses grew stronger, coming from all directions. Although no one present wanted
to admit it , the fact remained. That is, they... were surrounded by the drug-infused corpses...

"Gulp."

Recalling the cruelty of the drug-infused corpses, someone swallowed hard. And this seemed to have an
effect, with many people's Adam's apples bobbing up and down.

Anger stained Zhao Qinyun's eyes, filled with a violent and bloodthirsty ruthlessness, her eyes turning red.

Without any warning, a pure black sedan chair floated lightly in the wind. The curtains fluttered slightly,
obscuring the view. But a faint melody drifted from within. At the same time,
the chilling sound of hard bones being forcibly moved echoed all around.

The air was thick with a nauseating, foul odor, so strong that many people's faces turned ashen. However, compared to the terrifying creatures
about to appear, this was nothing.

Zhao Qinyun felt she had never been so angry before. Her eyes were fixed on the sedan chair, as if she wanted to pulverize
it.

"Longchi, it seems that keeping your life is indeed a future problem. Today, I will personally send you to your death."

No one answered, except for the continuous, eerie music, only the echo of Zhao Qinyun's words. It spread far and wide
, over and over again, until it completely fell. Zhao Qinyun was furious and leaped into the air. Already possessing the strength of a fifth-level cultivator, she now
attacked without holding back.

Deep blue light enveloped her as she headed towards the pure black sedan chair. Her overwhelming anger transformed into
a raging wind, causing sand and stones to fly, making it impossible for people to open their eyes.

"Long Chi, I won't care about your tricks. Haven't you always wanted revenge? Now, I'll send you to join
your mother."

He spoke coldly, his words as venomous as a serpent beneath his gleaming white teeth.

The sedan chair remained motionless.

Zhao Qinyun, already possessing considerable strength, showed no restraint, coldly smiling as she unleashed a palm strike.

A loud explosion followed, and the sedan chair was sent flying into the air. With a crack, it was torn apart by true energy. Amidst
the billowing dust, no one could immediately see what was inside the sedan chair, but Zhao Qinyun's men all
breathed a sigh of relief.

No one regretted or doubted that Long Chi was still alive after such an attack. No one would have thought that someone as domineering as Zhao
Qinyun couldn't handle a mere Long Chi.

What was a medicinal corpse? Without its controller, it was nothing more than a pile of dead bodies.

But no one had considered whether Long Chi was truly inside the sedan chair.

As the dust settled, visibility gradually improved. Along with Zhao Qinyun,
the smiles , froze.

Inside the torn sedan chair, there were no screams, and not a trace of blood. Instead, a
ceramic jar tumbled to the ground, miraculously remaining intact despite Zhao Qinyun's attacks.

The jar's color was unsettling and ominous; the repeated impacts had loosened its lid, and a thin
wisp of smoke seeped out. As if possessed by a spirit, it coalesced and converged, all moving towards Zhao Qinyun.

This scene didn't evoke fear, but rather a sense of unease, like swallowing a fly
. Why this was happening, no one knew.

Zhao Qinyun didn't move, only sneered. He was protected by true qi; even if Long Chi himself came, he couldn't do anything to him
, let alone some mere wisp of smoke.

Soon, the smoke was drawn in, clinging to the protective aura of true qi around Zhao Qinyun, and then, to his
astonishment , gradually seeped into it.

"This is impossible! How could this be..."

This protective layer couldn't even withstand a normal attack, so how did a little bit of smoke get in?
This world is truly... Zhao Qinyun sensed something was wrong and hurriedly focused his mind and held his breath. But it was too late. His
true energy was still there, limp and stagnant in his dantian, unable to be activated again.

"Hehehehe, Zhao Qinyun, this was specially prepared for you. One life for one life, the grudge between my Long family and your Dingwang
Mansion will end today."

A strange, churning laugh came from afar. Before Zhao Qinyun fell from mid-air, he saw
Long Chi standing behind a large group of medicinal corpses. Dressed in black, his face, with its distinct lines, was filled with frenzied hatred.

Large swaths of imagined colors floated before his eyes. For the first time in his life, Zhao Qinyun felt the sensation of death.
The air began to stir, and screams echoed in his ears. His personal guard stepped forward, anxiously saying
something, but he could no longer hear him. Zhao Qinyun rose abruptly, her steps faltering as she suddenly lost the support of her inner energy.

Drawing the sword she always carried, she walked step by step towards the rampaging corpses. Through the
gaps in the path, she gazed at the Dragon Pool where it had been, her lifeless pupils filled with a ruthless desire to perish

together with the corpses. The nauseating stench of corpses and blood mingled and intertwined. Beneath her eyes lay a
horrific hell on earth. Whether it was the headless corpses or the guards torn to pieces by them
, all had tainted this land…

In times of war, slaughter always comes too easily…

Yang Cun stood quietly in the courtyard, looking up at the sky. The three women carrying tea dared not approach him.

It wasn't that he was bored and wanted to gaze sadly at the sky, but rather that a heavy weight weighed on his heart, making it hard for him
to breathe.

"My lord, the Emperor has decreed that it is time for you to open
the secret edict he bestowed upon you before your departure for Hangzhou."

"The Emperor also said he hopes that when you go to the capital to express your gratitude, you will have completed the matters in the secret edict
."

These were Jinliang's exact words. He spoke to Yang Cun after entering the study. His expression was solemn and stern, completely
unlike his amiable demeanor in front of outsiders.

"Yes,"

Yang Cun readily agreed, almost swearing a solemn oath, saying, "Please, Your Excellency,
convey . I will certainly not fail His Majesty's trust."

But in his heart, he thought that these were merely empty words of hope. Everyone knew this was an imperial edict
; failure to fulfill it could mean losing one's head.

"This servant understands."

Yang Cun's words made Jinliang smile broadly once again. But suddenly, Yang Cun felt a strong urge to sing
Jay Chou 's "Chrysanthemum Terrace" to suit the occasion.

If it weren't for the eunuch Jinliang's reminder, Yang Cun would have almost forgotten the old emperor's true purpose in so generously allowing
him to come to Hangzhou. The secret edict on Gushan Island before his departure, the old emperor's imposing face—he wanted him
to find something called "Hunyuan"?

But what the hell was this "Hunyuan"? Was it something to eat, or something else entirely? He had absolutely
no clue. Damn it, how was he supposed to find it? The moment he saw those two words, Yang Cun felt inexplicably
uneasy. It was a completely subconscious feeling, inexplicable.

"Master..."

Yang San hurried over, and seeing Yang Cun's displeased gaze, quickly lowered his head and said, "Lord Chen wishes to see you."

Accustomed to his usual casualness, Yang San hadn't felt much fear towards Yang Cun. But now, because of a...
His eyes, he no longer dared to harbor any frivolous thoughts, and became properly obedient.

"Hmm? Lord Chen?"

Yang Cun raised an eyebrow. Which Lord Chen? Was he worth Yang San making a personal trip for?

Taking advantage of Yang Cun's lowered head and inability to see, Yang San curled his lip. You've even
played with both of his wives, and you still don't know who he is? This cuckold is so shameless, it's really...

Of course, Yang San didn't dare to say this now. He only said, "It's Lord
Chen Zhiping !"

He nodded slightly, his tone serious, his expression truly solemn. The level of acting was 100%.

"Oh,"

Yang Cun finally remembered. Of course, it wasn't that Chen Zhiping, but those two bed goddesses. He couldn't help but
smirk lewdly and said, "Let him in."

Yang San sighed, thinking that he must have seen wrong before. How could his master have such
a solemn and dignified expression? It must be an illusion. Only this sleazy appearance is his true nature! "Yes."

He responded and turned to fetch someone.

"Wait,"

Yang Cun spoke, his brows slightly furrowed, his tone somewhat grave, "Something happened in the prison?"

Yang San was surprised, and honestly replied, "Bai Yongwang is dead, his head has been taken."

Yang Cun's expression flickered, and he waved his hand, "Go."

At the same time, the several men in black who had successfully completed their mission and were rushing towards the capital with Bai Yongwang's head
did not stop . They flew away from Hangzhou. Because it was too conspicuous, they did not take the official road.

It was afternoon, but fortunately the heat was not too intense, so traveling was not a problem at all.

Of course, for the men in black, even if there was a problem, it was not a problem.

The next city was only a few dozen meters away. Instead of taking the waterway, they took the land route. The men in black planned not to
enter the city and to hurry on their way. Otherwise, it would not be a good thing if Bai Yongwang's head was lost. Even if they kept it chilled,
it would not be foolproof.

The young men appeared abruptly in their sight. Ragged clothes, carrying swords or knives
, they looked

utterly unrefined, like deserters from a war zone. The leader of the men in black thought this. He didn't want to cause any more trouble,
but the men were blocking the path and showed no sign of moving.

"Get out of the way! I'm talking to you!"

one of the men in black shouted, wanting to get on his way.

The men blocking the path turned to look at him. The one at the front had a prominent
scar . He smirked mockingly.

"Hiss..."

The men in black were all startled and pulled on their reins.

The chilling atmosphere came suddenly; before they could react, they were enveloped in a flurry of swordplay.

The royal guards were naturally skilled. They might not necessarily lose to these mysterious, beggar-like figures.
But frustratingly, these mysterious figures' fighting style was not only completely unpredictable but also incredibly bizarre. By the time
the leader of the men in black realized the danger, several of his men had already fallen.

A gleaming broadsword was pressed against his neck. His eyes met those of
the scarred man, who was inches away.

"Brother, is there some misunderstanding?"

the man in black asked in a low voice, pondering how to escape. He was also puzzled by this inexplicable ambush
.

"My master asked me to tell you something,"

the mysterious man grinned, his gleaming white teeth appearing menacing in the sunlight. The hideous scar, combined with
the bloodstains on his face, actually sent a chill down the spine of even the ruthless man in black.

"Dare to attack his men, impersonate others to set fires—no matter whose orders you received, you shouldn't
be able to leave unscathed without paying a price..."

With a swift movement, the blade fell. It was the same action as when Bai Yongwang was killed in the prison.
As , the black-clad leader's pupils dilated infinitely, only his unseeing eyes expressing his
final confusion.

Why did he always feel that their mission to take Bai Yongwang's head was
a trap ? They had indeed killed those unrelated people at Yipinlou, but the fire... they really hadn't started it
.

"Boss, what do we do with them now?"

Facing several decapitated corpses, one of them approached
the scarred-face man who had just wiped his blood-stained knife clean on the black-clad leader's clothes.

"Is that even a question? Burn them all, then collect the ashes, and tell them, build a latrine."

Sheathing his knife, the scarred-face man's excited expression was no different from someone who had just left a brothel.

"..."

The man who asked the question shrugged, realizing he had done something foolish...

The existence of the powerful Chen family in Jiangnan was no secret. The deeds of Chen Qinglei, the patriarch of the Chen family, a powerful figure in Jiangsu and Zhejiang,
were even more widely known.

Especially the story of his string of daughters, finally having a son in his old age, only to be bitten by a poisoned corpse
, circulated widely in the city.

Some said it was retribution, others said it was deserved. But regardless, it didn't stop Chen Qinglei from continuing
to lord it over Hangzhou.

The fact that the Chen family was secretly training assassins was known to everyone, including not only the sons-in-law of the Chen family
.

Because he saved the infant son and ensured the continuation of the Chen family bloodline, Chen Qinglei secretly gave
Yang Cun a large gift. Everything else was fine, but Yang Cun truly "accepted" this. He had Wang Dong find a group of
young men and send them to the Chen family…

Even Yang Tongbao didn't know about this…

Chapter Four: Hunyuan

Chen Zhiping walked anxiously, recounting everything he had seen in the prison to Yang Cun, his heart constantly
in his throat. He didn't know what this young duke meant, would he just
let him go? Besides the two women at home, he truly had no other options.

Especially after she had spoken for a long time and still hadn't heard a sound or uttered a word from Yang Cun
, her already anxious heart became even more anxious.

"Your...Lord?"

Even his calls were hesitant, as if Yang Cun were a fragile, delicate person,
easily shattered by a louder voice.

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

Yang Cun paused, then quickly snapped back to reality, revealing a harsh truth:
he had been daydreaming the whole time.

"What did you just say?"

"..."

Chen Zhiping's lips twitched, not daring to offer any objection, and he repeated what he had just said.

This time, Yang Cun listened. After Chen Zhiping finished, he yawned and said, "Finished?"

Chen Zhiping was taken aback and replied, "Yes, Your Excellency, it's finished."

Before coming, he had thought he had performed a great service. He hadn't expected Yang Cun to be so nonchalant . Could it be that his dream of survival was about to be shattered? He immediately wanted to slap himself
hard . 　　Why did he have to get involved with the Prince of Ding's heir when he could be a perfectly good official? This is the consequence of insatiable greed… 　　“Hmm, you can leave now!” 　　Yang Cun waved his hand, looking somewhat impatient. As for Chen Zhiping’s conflicted mindset… pshaw , he’s not exactly a beautiful woman, Yang Cun asked himself, and he really had no interest in studying that constipated face. 　　“Yes, yes.” 　　He’s just letting him go? Chen Zhiping was stunned, then panicked. He knelt down with a “thud” and began kowtowing repeatedly. Tears and snot streamed down his face, making Yang Cun feel quite disgusted. 　　“Your Excellency, please have mercy! This sinful subject knows he was wrong and will never dare to do it again. This sinful subject will follow Your Excellency’s lead from now on… This sinful subject… no, this humble subject, this humble subject is willing to give up everything, including his family, to serve Your Excellency in the Duke’s Mansion, to be your slave. I just beg Your Excellency to spare this humble subject’s life…” 　　As he spoke, he didn’t even stop kowtowing. His forehead quickly turned red, as if it would break open at any moment. But Chen Zhiping couldn't care less about that. He trembled slightly as he reached out to grab Yang Cun's robe, but Yang San seized the opportunity and stomped down hard. 　　"Hiss..." 　　Chen Zhiping's face turned red with pain, but he dared not cry out. 　　"With their families too?" 　　Yang Cun found this question intriguing. He put the food in his mouth and chewed on it, and the image of those two beauties in bed naturally surfaced . 　　If he took them in, wouldn't he be able to enjoy himself whenever he wanted ? Yang Cun's smile turned lewd, and a warm current surged down his lower abdomen. His penis was also stirring, showing signs of awakening. 　　"Yes, yes, with their families too." 　　After all, having lived for so many years, how could Chen Zhiping not see through Yang Cun's intentions? He hurriedly assured him. Even if it meant selling his wife, in his eyes, it was nothing. It would have 　　been better if he hadn't mentioned it, because now that he had, Yang Cun had a different perspective. Those two beauties were indeed beauties, and it was nice to have a . But the idea of bringing them into his household was something he hadn't really considered. Even the finest delicacies become tiresome if eaten too often, let alone the women in his household. 　　Besides, his second uncle, Yang Mingyu, was still alive, and he didn't know what kind of person he was. If he acted recklessly, it wouldn't be good. Considering the heartfelt advice Yang Mingyu had given him earlier, he decided to remain calm. 　　"No need. Since they are family members, Lord Chen can keep them himself." 　　Yang Cun's expression turned serious, and Yang San watched helplessly as the lewd and obscene behavior from before quickly disappeared. Yang Cun, reverting to his serious demeanor, said, "Lord Chen, rest assured. Since I promised, I will not kill you. However, it is true that you made a mistake, so I will demote you to county magistrate for now, and then we'll see how you perform." 　　"..." 　　These few words, spoken so casually, were like a slap in the face to Chen Zhiping, sending him from hell to heaven. He stood there stunned, mouth agape, unable to utter a word. 　　Before coming here, he had only thought that staying alive would be a blessing; he hadn't even dared to ! But it seemed that the Duke meant he could still remain an official? Although only as a minor county magistrate. 　　That wasn't the point. In his anxiety these past few days, he no longer cared about his official rank; he just wanted to live! Did the Duke's words imply that he wouldn't die? His long-cherished wish had been fulfilled, a surprise that caught him completely off guard. 　　"What? You're still not convinced?" 　　Seeing Chen Zhiping's dazed expression, Yang Cun deliberately darkened his face, becoming authoritative and threatening. 　　Chen Zhiping was stunned into action, repeatedly kowtowing, tears streaming down his face. He looked at Yang Cun as if he were his ancestor. 　　"This sinful subject is not unconvinced! This sinful subject thanks Your Highness! This sinful subject will serve Your Highness faithfully from now on. This sinful subject will go to Puan Temple to offer Your Highness a longevity tablet..." 　　"Alright, go. I'm tired." 　　Yang Cun yawned at the opportune moment, quickly dismissing Chen Zhiping before he could finish his apology. 　　"Your Highness, this sinful subject..." 　　Chen Zhiping was about to say something when Yang San unceremoniously dragged him away. When Yang San returned, Yang Cun looked refreshed, showing no signs of fatigue. 　　"Master, this servant doesn't understand. Why keep such a spineless coward? Could it be that he really ..." 　　has taken a fancy to someone else's woman? If it were true, he could just snatch it. Why go through all this trouble? 　　Yang Cun stood up and slapped Yang San hard on the forehead, saying, "What do you know? From now until dinner time, you handle whatever you need to do, and don't bother me." 　　With that, he left, leaving Yang San alone, conflicted. 　　As for Chen Zhiping, it really had nothing to do with women. Yang Cun just felt it was time to cultivate some of his own strength. He wasn't afraid of being a spineless coward; there were things that required a spineless coward to do. A person with weaknesses is easier to control, isn't he? 　　However, the fire he had just ignited was growing stronger and stronger; he needed to find those two sisters to put it out quickly. Holding it in wasn't his style...

Yang Cun had originally planned to leave during dinner. However, the increasingly mature An sisters
were too alluring, and Yang Cun inadvertently became immersed in their gentle embrace, forgetting the world around him. In the end, he even
dragged Li Caiyu, who had come in to deliver tea, into bed with him. Three women served one husband, and Yang Cun was thoroughly indulged.

The sounds of lewdness emanating from Yang Cun's bedroom throughout the entire night made Yang San blush with embarrassment.
Yang Mingyu came by once during this time, his face darkening, clearly not enough to break Yang San's heart.

In the morning, Yang Cun came out refreshed and called for water to be brought for washing and dressing. After he left,
the maids who had been brought into the manor later discovered that the three women who had slept with Yang Cun the night before were all unable to get out of bed.
Let alone walk...

Yang San was also unable to get out of bed.

Don't misunderstand, he hadn't participated in the passion of the night before; he had simply been beaten. Last night, Yang Tongbao
brought back some news in the middle of the night, but Yang San stubbornly prevented him from seeing Yang Cun. So Wang Dong, who already harbored many
grievances took action… and thus, Yang San became known as "Pighead San" (

a derogatory term for Yang San, implying he was foolish). Naturally, these minor incidents didn't affect anything significant. As soon as Yang Cun left the courtyard, a not-so-
small piece of news awaited him.

"My lord, Prince Ding's heir, Zhao Qinyun, has been murdered." Murdered

? The manner of his death was utterly gruesome! If Yang Tongbao hadn't personally led men to verify it overnight, he himself wouldn't have believed that a dignified Five-Dan master would end up in such a miserable state. 　　"Hmm? So fast?" 　　Yang Cun was quite surprised, but not by Zhao Qinyun's death, but by the timing. 　　Yang Tongbao's lips twitched. Did the lord have to be so obvious? If he hadn't been present when Yang Cun gave the order that day , he would never have imagined that this matter would have anything to do with Yang Cun. 　　"It was quite fast," 　　Yang Tongbao gritted his teeth and agreed, "This subordinate went to see for himself, and it is undoubtedly Zhao Qinyun who is dead." 　　Following a master with such an unconventional mindset, Yang Tongbao had a rare moment of enlightenment, wondering if this was also the Duke was concerned about? So he quickly added to prove that Zhao Qinyun was really dead. 　　After all, she was a person of some importance, and she didn't die on the battlefield but died in the mouth of a poisoned corpse. No matter how you think about it, this way of dying felt incredibly aggrieved. 　　"What? You saw the corpse with your own eyes? There is still a corpse? Why wasn't it ground to ashes?" 　　"..." 　　Now Yang Tongbao truly understood that his thinking was on a completely different level from Yang Cun's. This was not something that could be changed by trying to please him. The body was indeed seen, but the gruesome state... broken limbs, only the head intact. Yang Tongbao wasn't sure if using the word " body " was appropriate. 　　However, the following news... 　　seeing Yang Cun's regretful shake of his head, Yang Tongbao's heart sank slightly. After thinking for a moment, he decided to tell the whole story , continuing, "There are many other murdered corpses nearby, including the body of Miao Jiang Longchi..." 　　"What..." 　　Yang Cun exclaimed, frozen. 　　This time, Yang Tongbao simply repeated what he wanted to report, guessing that Yang Cun's mood wouldn't necessarily improve after hearing it. 　　"The Prince of Ding was ambushed and killed on his way to the Northeast. I personally went to investigate. Besides the guards, there were many murdered corpses at the scene. None of them survived. Not far from there, at the bottom of a cliff, the body of the wanted criminal, Miao Jiang Longchi, was also found." 　　Longchi was dead? That was Yang Cun's first thought. And Yang Cun's second thought was, why did he die? 　　But why not? Longchi once said that his purpose in life was revenge. Now that his great revenge has been achieved, he should... be able to rest in peace, right? 　　"I understand, you can go and rest now!" 　　The man who was full of energy just a moment ago was now like a wilted eggplant. Yang Tongbao felt a vague unease and said, "My lord, you don't mean to say that Longchi... he's a wanted criminal of the court." 　　"I know." 　　Yang Cun's tone was already impatient. Yang Tongbao knew better and quietly left. He 　　was far from being a true friend of Longchi. So, feelings that wouldn't appear in Yang Cun's mind. But just hearing the news of his death still made his heart feel heavy. From the initial mutual exploitation to the later ambiguous friendship, and that tacit understanding, all of these became reasons for his current distress. 　　He couldn't even help him collect his body. 　　In fact, Yang Cun understood that someone like Longchi wouldn't care about such things at all. Besides, he was destined to be just a passerby in his own words... Damn, when did I become so poetic? This isn't my style. The sudden sadness made Yang Cun a little irritable, so he temporarily put aside his thoughts and got up to find Yang Mingyu. 　　He had only taken two steps when his gloomy face suddenly turned sinister, as if he were talking to himself, " How did things go?" 　　The person who came out was Yanlong. The child in red clothes, with an excited expression, looked very arrogant. 　　"It's all done, I didn't even have to lift a finger. Those guys are alright, not useless." 　　"That's good." 　　Yang Cun nodded, his face showing a stern and cold demeanor that he had never shown to anyone else. 　　"Tell them not to rest, to find a way to sneak into the Prince Ding's mansion and have a good 'visit'. You go with them too , don't let them get burned." 　　After all, these people were his bargaining chips, and it would hurt to lose them so easily. 　　"Alright, I'll do it, just you wait and see!" 　　Yanlong always seemed to thrive on chaos. 　　Only after Yanlong's figure disappeared did Yang Cun exhale a breath of stale air. Zhao Qinyun was gone, but that didn't mean his father could rest easy. It wasn't just about helping Long Chi vent his anger; more importantly , after being treated like a pushover for so long, it was time to rise up and do something to prove that he, too, had a temper.

Hearing from Yang San that the old master had come by last night, then left without a word, his face dark with
anger, Yang Cun figured the commotion in the room last night must have greatly displeased him. Therefore, Yang Cun decided it was best to apologize first.
After all, he was an elder of the Yang family; to bring Gao Lianxin back, he would have to get past him.

Mentioning Lianxin, Yang Cun felt a pang of melancholy. Things had been far too complicated lately, and he hadn't visited her since
returning . He hoped she wouldn't think of him as a good-for-nothing!
Long Chi was dead; he wondered how she and Grandma Liu were doing.

Thinking of this, he decided that once he found news of this "Hun Yuan," he would definitely go see him
and comfort the beauty!

Lost in thought, he arrived outside Yang Mingyu's courtyard. Taking a deep breath, bracing himself for ridicule
, Yang Cun stepped inside and saw Yang Mingyu sitting alone under a tree in the courtyard, playing chess.

Alone, playing against himself?

Yang Cun remained silent, bowed respectfully, and said, "Nephew greets Second Uncle."

Yang Mingyu's gaze remained fixed on the chessboard, not looking at Yang Cun. He only gave a faint "Hmm" to Yang Cun. 　　Yang Cun, on the other hand, stood there, unsure whether to stay or leave, utterly embarrassed. Hesitating for a moment, just as he was about to take his leave, Yang

Mingyu spoke. 　　"Finally up? Although you are still young, you should still take care of your health. The pleasures of women are the grave of heroes. The men of the Yang family should all set their sights on the future. Being obsessed with women is nothing but a sign of a lack of ambition." 　　His words were stern, yet his tone was flat and emotionless. Yang Cun rolled his eyes. 　　What "the pleasures of women are the grave of heroes"? Do I want to be like that? What do you mean, the men of the Yang family must be like Yang Shu, always wearing a stern face, wasting their handsome looks? 　　Pshaw, only a fool would do that! What are fame and fortune? They're all just fleeting clouds. I, Yang Cun, really like being a wanderer, so what? Without beautiful women, without gentle warmth and soft touches, can one even live a normal life? 　　All of this is just what I think in my heart. On the surface, Yang Cun wasn't particularly humble, but he still obediently replied, "Yes." 　　Whether it was his good attitude in admitting his mistake or something else, Yang Mingyu's expression finally softened a bit. He looked at Yang Cun, nodded, and said, "Cun'er, you're still young. You'll have plenty of opportunities to make a name for yourself in the future. What's a great man to worry about without a wife? As long as you..." 　　He went on and on, making Yang Cun drowsy. He never expected that Yang Mingyu would be like an old woman, going on and on, almost like Tang Sanzang! It was truly a pity for his ears. 　　Seeing Yang Cun obediently listening to him and nodding to show that he had been taught, Yang Mingyu's expression immediately became kinder, and he spoke even more enthusiastically. Little did he know, Yang Cun hadn't heard a thing, completely ignoring everything. 　　In this feudal society, one couldn't afford to offend the elders. For the first time, Yang Cun felt that his carefree days had been heaven! It was just a shame Zhao Qinyun hadn't interfered, ruining his dream of being a carefree playboy. 　　Without women, how could he be like Yang Shu, obsessed with the Yang family's reputation? Just thinking about it sent chills down . 　　He absolutely wouldn't let that happen! Even if his second uncle came, it would be the same! At worst… 　　Just as he was thinking about what he could do, he heard Yang Mingyu's voice, emphasizing, "Is it not allowed?" 　　Yang Cun froze, realizing that Yang Mingyu had already shut his mouth and was staring at him intently. 　　Not allowed? What wasn't allowed? What wasn't allowed? Oh no, he'd been so lost in thought that he hadn't heard a word Yang Mingyu had asked him! After a moment's hesitation, and recalling Yang Mingyu's earlier admonition, Yang Cun tentatively adopted a serious expression, saying, "What Second Uncle said is absolutely right. It's all because I was young and impetuous, and didn't understand..." 　　As soon as he finished speaking stopped himself 　　, wondering if he had misunderstood something. Yang San, with his pig-like face, couldn't bear to watch any longer and quietly reminded him, "Master, Second Master is asking you , after the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree came to the study that day, did he say anything else?" 　　"...Cough cough..." 　　Yang Cun broke out in a cold sweat, feigning a cough to cover his embarrassment. Looking over, he saw that Yang Mingyu's face had indeed darkened. 　　No one can maintain a good mood . Yang Mingyu wasn't stupid; he naturally noticed Yang Cun's distraction. 　　"Second Uncle, it's not that... I just feel that what you said makes so much sense. I'm overwhelmed with emotion and feel incredibly ashamed. I couldn't help but drift off into reflection. Please... don't be angry." 　　Actually, Yang Mingyu wasn't exactly a fierce and intimidating figure. Although he did have a somewhat intimidating appearance , he wasn't necessarily afraid of Yang Cun. It was just that he felt it was best to explain himself to Yang Cun, considering that Yang Cun was still an elder of the Yang . 　　"Never mind," 　　Yang Mingyu waved his hand, not dwelling on the matter regardless of whether Yang Cun was telling the truth or not. He continued , "After receiving the imperial decree that day, didn't Jinliang go to the study with you in private? Did His Majesty issue any other decrees?" 　　This was also Yang Mingyu's suspicion. The imperial decree only mentioned the reward for Yang Cun and didn't mention anything else , which surprised him. Moreover… 　　“Cun’er, do you know what the word ‘尊尚’ means?” 　　Mentioning Jinliang’s words spoken in the study away from everyone, Yang Cun’s face darkened. He clearly remembered Jinliang saying this matter must not be leaked, otherwise… it would be tantamount to disobeying an imperial decree. Now Yang Mingyu was asking again… 　　Yang Mingyu, adept at reading people, saw Yang Cun’s troubled expression and guessed the gist, saying bluntly, “ Since you can’t say, then don’t. Just pretend I didn’t ask.” 　　As for the next question… Yang Cun really didn’t know what it meant. It was just two words, wasn’t it? Could it be some kind of extraordinary favor , like when the old emperor bestowed upon him a Pixiu-patterned official robe and he was still confused ? 　　No need to answer anymore; Yang Cun’s expression said it all. Yang Mingyu shook his head, offering no further explanation.

He explained, "Cun'er, you must learn to be more low-key in the future. Adding the title 'Respected' before 'Duke of Jingguo'
is an honor that even the old master never received. You could say you've reached the pinnacle of a minister's position."

"If you achieve further great merit, the Emperor will reward you..."

Yang Mingyu stopped the conversation, glancing at Yang Cun several times, hesitant to speak.

Yang Cun, however, remembered a dark joke he'd once heard. It was about an emperor who greatly favored a minister
, showering him with rewards. Until one day, the emperor realized that besides his own throne, there was nothing else he could possibly bestow upon
the minister
. The only remaining reward was a length of white silk. "What can I do but kill the minister? Surely I can't just give away my own throne?

That kind of generosity wouldn't make me an emperor! Even if the two men in the story were having an affair, it's
impossible!

" With nothing left to reward... Yang Cun suddenly felt a headache coming on. He never considered himself careless; in fact,
he was often extra careful. Yet, he hadn't expected it to be so complicated. It was practically
a soap opera! His head was spinning.

Being low-key was indeed a magic bullet. But this meant his desire to bring glory to the Yang family…
Life was full of contradictions.

"Thank you for the reminder, Uncle. I… understand."

Yang Cun's words were rather bitter. It seemed that ever since his uncle arrived, he had been reminding
him of some very important things that he had overlooked. Otherwise, he might have ended up dying
without even knowing how.

"Hmm, alright. Good that you understand. Cun'er is a clever person, and I shouldn't say anything more. Since some things
can only be known to you, I won't force you. Just remember, be careful in everything. I know you're busy
, so I won't keep you any longer. You can go now!"

Having said that, Yang Mingyu turned his gaze away from Yang Cun and continued playing chess, placing his piece.

"..."

Yang Cun was speechless and could only withdraw. He took two steps back, then turned back to look at Yang Mingyu, who was engrossed
in waved to Yang San and whispered, "Go outside and keep watch. Don't let anyone get close."

Although Yang San usually seemed unreliable, he was very dependable in crucial moments. Seeing
Yang Cun's seriousness, Yang Cun knew that he and the Second Master must have something important to discuss. He replied with a "Yes" and withdrew. He then gestured
, and several people immediately surrounded the courtyard from the shadows. Not only could they not hear what was being said, but even a fly
couldn't get out.

"Second Uncle, Jinliang did have something to say to me in the study that day..."

Yang Cun stepped forward again. Seeing that Yang Mingyu had stopped playing chess and was looking at him, he recounted
the secret meeting on Gushan Mountain when the old emperor formally summoned him, the secret edict, and Jinliang's statement a few days ago that it was time to open the secret edict
. He even explained the contents of the secret edict in detail.

Aside from Yang Mingyu, Yang Cun hadn't told anyone about this. He figured that since Yang Mingyu could
analyze the situation so thoroughly, perhaps he could offer some advice—better than just racking his brains alone
.

After Yang Cun finished speaking, a long silence fell over the courtyard. It was so quiet you could even hear the
falling leaves . A quarter of an hour later, Yang Mingyu picked up the teacup on the table, not minding the cold tea,
and drank several mouthfuls before putting it down and speaking.

"Hun Yuan?"

Yang Mingyu frowned, saying, "What is that? I've never mentioned it before. Is this really what the Emperor ordered
you to find?"

Yang Cun had risked telling Yang Mingyu this, hoping that his extensive knowledge might allow him to know
what it was. Unfortunately, it seemed… He slowly shook his head, saying, "Nephew doesn't know what it is either. I thought perhaps
Second Uncle would know…"

Yang Mingyu's face was grave. If it were anything else, it wouldn't matter, but this concerned the Emperor's secret decree, and
couldn't be taken lightly.

"Cun'er, what are your plans now?"

With the day of going to the capital drawing ever closer, if they couldn't find the item, wouldn't that give the emperor an
opportunity to punish them? Thinking of this, he couldn't help but worry.

"I don't know yet."

Yang Cun was quite frank, forcing a relaxed smile, saying, "As long as this thing exists, I think
I can definitely find it."

He had even encountered and possessed things like the Vajra Seal and the Fire Spirit; what else was
impossible ?

"In that case, you'd better take care of yourself. If you encounter any difficulties, come find me immediately."

Besides this, Yang Mingyu knew there was nothing else he could do. He had to pretend not to know, and if
the emperor out Yang Cun had leaked the secret, it would be another troublesome matter.

However, the question they both thought of, but tacitly didn't voice, was: did this so-called "
Hun Yuan" truly exist?

Stepping out of his second uncle's courtyard, Yang Cun's smile faded.
How was he supposed to find something no one knew about? This was a real headache!

Chapter Five: Testing

the Waters The fine weather contrasted sharply with his mood. After a night of passion, he woke up to
such annoyance. Yang Cun had a soft couch moved to the courtyard, where he lay comfortably, watching the clouds drift by,
but his brow remained furrowed.

For several days, Yang Cun remained in this state. His miserable, melancholic look was exactly the kind of
melancholy women loved. Except for the An sisters and Li Caiyu, all the maids brought into the manor had unknowingly
been captivated, their hearts fluttering with desire, wishing they could win Yang Cun's favor and become his
concubines.

It was only because Yang Cun was currently troubled that he hadn't done countless outrageous things.

He used to think that without affection between men and women, those things were utterly tasteless. But after living in this
era for so long, he had been influenced quite a bit, able to easily get a woman into bed and
dominate her.

This shouldn't be a good habit; he wondered if it would cause kidney problems?

Hunyuan Hunyuan, something no one knows, not even what it's used for—how do you find it?
So many women, yet no heart for a single encounter—what a cruel thing!

When Li Caiyu arrived, she saw Yang Cun, a stark
contrast . Her heart skipped a beat. She gently massaged his temples,
softly asking, "Master, what's wrong? Did you not sleep well last night? Are you tired?"

Li Caiyu's heart was filled with tenderness, her gaze gentle and loving in a direction Yang Cun couldn't see.

Yang Cun, however, didn't notice anything amiss. Li Caiyu's arrival, on the other hand, made him think of something.
He reached out and took her hand, pulling her to sit on his lap.

Li Caiyu, flustered, was torn between obeying and resisting. "Master, you…don't do this. We're still
in the courtyard, people are coming and going; it wouldn't be good if they saw us."

Especially with Yang Mingyu also present.

But that wasn't the most important thing. In truth, Li Caiyu had always known that Yang Cun had never truly trusted
her. Especially after she indirectly brought Yanlong to him, he remained suspicious of her.
Therefore, compared to the An sisters, Yang Cun was extremely cold towards her. Li Caiyu even wondered if she could withstand being

locked up, interrogated, and tortured by Yang Cun one day 　　. Indeed, her approach to Yang Cun was not simple; it was even a conspiracy. But she had no choice , especially after realizing she had harbored inappropriate thoughts. 　　On the contrary, Yang Cun didn't harm her; he didn't even subject her to the cruelty she had imagined, not even a simple interrogation . This didn't bring her any relief; instead, it added to her guilt. 　　Yang Cun, of course, was unaware of these thoughts. Thinking Li Caiyu was simply shy, Yang Cun smiled , pulled her onto his lap, and said, "It's alright, with Yang San guarding the door, no one will come in." 　　Trying to appear harmless, Yang Cun half-sat up, one hand on Li Caiyu's perfect, tender breasts, gently kneading them through her clothes. 　　"Ah...Master, you..." 　　Li Caiyu cried out, trying to grab Yang Cun's hand. Yang Cun seized the opportunity to pull her head down and kiss her delicate lips. 　　"Mmm..." 　　Li Caiyu could only stammer. Taking advantage of her cries, Yang Cun's nimble tongue plunged deep into her cherry lips, teasing her delicate tongue with its tip. 　　At the same time, his hands were not idle; one arm held Li Caiyu's waist to prevent her from falling, while the other moved down , lifting her skirt and stroking her most sensitive area. Then, through the thin underpants, he heavily draped his hand over the cleft of her flesh. 　　"Mmm..." 　　Li Caiyu groaned, her body slightly weak. She looked both pleasure and fear. Her hands, which had been pressing against Yang Cun's chest, were also somewhat powerless. 　　These messages were successfully conveyed to Yang Cun through their lips. 　　Yang Cun chuckled inwardly. He had only touched Li Caiyu twice. Last night, plus their first time. He hadn't expected her to be so sensitive. If she were properly trained, she would definitely be a top-tier beauty, no less than the two beauties of the Chen family. Although her appearance was not as striking, her alluring nature was the most captivating. 　　His thoughts raced, and his lips continued their work. He sucked in the fragrant saliva from Li Caiyu's mouth, like nectar, and even drew out the air and strength stored in her lungs, swallowing it into his own stomach. His fingers found the location of her clitoris and pressed it firmly. 　　"Mmm..." 　　Li Caiyu writhed as if startled. Unable to escape, as Yang Cun increased his force, a warm current flowed down her abdomen , causing her to arch her back in a burning sensation. 　　She's aroused already? A barely perceptible smile played on Yang Cun's eyes. 　　He'd worked so hard last night, yet he hadn't satisfied this woman. It seemed his judgment was right; this woman was quite resilient. Sensing Li Caiyu's arousal, Yang Cun simply released her lips, moving to her ear . He lingered on her delicate earlobe for a while, then his tongue probed deep into her ear canal. 　　"Mmm... Your Excellency, please don't... It itches, it itches so much..." 　　How could Li Caiyu's fragile nerves withstand such teasing? Her pleading moans were tinged with tears, a mixture of fear and a strange longing. Her lower abdomen burned with an unsettling heat . 　　And it wasn't just itching; it was the effect of Yang Cun's tongue. The large hand that was wreaking havoc on her lower body was the most deadly. 　　The sensation was indescribable. Even through her underpants, the stimulation was more intense than direct contact. The extreme aching from exhaustion, the tingling sensation from every fingertip movement, brought an indescribable numbness. Even more shameful was that she couldn't control her unbearably empty body; those wanton fluids flowed out, soaking her underpants. 　　"Ah...My lord, this servant...this servant is so uncomfortable..." 　　The lord must have touched her. Just thinking about this made Li Caiyu wish she could disappear into the ground. Realizing how lewd her murmurs were, Li Caiyu blushed crimson, biting her lower lip tightly, daring not to utter another sound. 　　As for why Yang Cun was suddenly so passionate towards her, she simply didn't have the energy to . 　　Such wanton and seductive behavior—if any man saw it and didn't become aroused, Yang Cun would have to wonder if he had a terminal illness. So, amidst Li Caiyu's seemingly cat-like moans, the second brother proudly raised his head. 　　He wished he could tear off these cumbersome clothes right now, pin this woman down, and thrust into her fiercely to his heart's content; to hold back like this was inhumane. 　　Even Yang Cun's hands began to tighten. 　　But in the end, he restrained himself. A last shred of reason told Yang Cun that his efforts to seduce Li Caiyu weren't for stripping her naked and manipulating her, but for something important. 　　He swallowed hard, silently reciting a calming mantra. 　　A Taoist reciting a calming mantra? Don't doubt it, this was personally taught by the old Taoist priest! 　　After repeating this three times, the burning lust in his heart finally subsided temporarily. Although he was very unwilling...

The second son also weakened and lowered his head.

Li Caiyu, who was intimately close to Yang Cun, naturally sensed this change immediately.
She had almost no doubt that the Duke, with his previous impatience, might have committed such a
shameful . But only a few breaths had passed, and suddenly…

Trying to steady her breathing, the blush on Li Caiyu's face hadn't faded before
she looked at Yang Cun with questioning eyes. She initially thought he was suddenly unwell, but when she looked into his deep eyes
, she was startled.

Such clarity—where was there even a trace of lust? Just like everything before, it was all just her
wishful thinking . In that instant, she remembered the question she had overlooked in her previous infatuation.

Why was the Duke… suddenly so passionate towards her?

"Is there something troubling you, Duke?"

she asked, but her heart was filled with bitterness. She wasn't unaware of Yang Cun's intentions, but she
could only helplessly accept it. There's a saying: "Heaven's cruelty can be mended, but self-inflicted cruelty is inescapable." Her impure motives in approaching
Yang Cun resulted in his ulterior motives; this, perhaps, was retribution?

"Yes, indeed!"

Yang Cun responded, feigning to press his forehead, saying, "I've been puzzled by something lately, and I just can't figure it out.
It's really troubling me!"

"Then…"

Li Caiyu turned her head away, concealing her expression, trying her best to appear natural, and advised, "Have
n't you asked someone else, sir?"

"Ask someone else?"

Yang Cun twitched his lips, looking quite distressed, and shook his head, saying, "If only someone knew, the problem
is no one knows!"

"Then, is it about cultivation? If so, why don't you ask Huo Ling, sir?"

Because Yanlong had been with Yang Cun in the Duke's mansion, even if they couldn't
see it all the time, those around Yang Cun still knew of its existence.

"Fire Spirit?"

Yang Cun was completely stunned. How could he not have thought of this? But what was this "Primordial Chaos"
thing? Could it be related to cultivation? He looked at Li Caiyu with a probing gaze, but she stood up abruptly without bowing her head
, saying only, "Master, are you tired? This servant will go and make you something to eat."

After saying that, she turned and left without waiting for Yang Cun's consent. Her figure seemed to be fleeing in panic.
Yang Cun squinted and watched for a long time, then he understood.

After going around in circles, it turned out that Li Caiyu was the old emperor's person. He had always thought she was also Zhao Qinyun's person!
But, bringing Yanlong to him was just to make him work harder? He was just an outsider,
while Yanlong was one of the Five Spirits!

Yang Cun found that after discovering Li Caiyu's background, he felt not relieved, but even more depressed.
Questions popped up one after another, like a hundred thousand whys. Yet, he couldn't explain it, it was truly...
Squinting at Li Caiyu's retreating figure, his palm gleamed with light.

With just a flick of his finger, Li Caiyu, who had played the role of the traitor, would be dead. But...
Yang Cun shook his head and withdrew his palm.

It wasn't womanly compassion, but so far, Li Caiyu hadn't done anything to harm him.
If he discovered any wrongdoing in the future, he would definitely cripple her first.

Shaking his head, extinguishing the budding thoughts, Yang Cun called out in a deep voice, "Yanlong, come out.
You heard what I just said, didn't you? Do you need me to repeat it again?"

Three steps away from Yang Cun, the seemingly ordinary air suddenly began to distort. If
someone unaware of the situation saw this, they would probably scream and shout, thinking it was a supernatural event.

Yang Cun remained calm as ever, not even blinking.

In a few breaths, everything returned to normal. Only, a child in red clothes appeared on the ground.

"Are you kidding me? They were having so much fun, why did you call me back? This is
incredibly immoral, you know? Those clients are in real danger without me here!"

A delicate, boyish face, yet with a roaring expression. This Yanlong was simply a jarring contrast to
the harmonious beauty of the scene.

"Huh? What did you say? I didn't hear you clearly. Yanlong, whose father are you?"

Yang Cun raised an eyebrow, his tone threatening.

Yanlong choked, rolling his eyes, and said, "That's just a catchphrase, you don't have to take that
seriously, do you?"

"Enough nonsense."

Yang Cun was straightforward. He was anxious to know the physical structure and whereabouts of that Hunyuan.

"I really don't know."

Yanlong refused readily, a sly glint in his eyes. He pursed his lips, and seeing Yang Cun about to get angry,
added, "But I can give you a hint, you might want to ask that bastard in the Vajra Seal."

The bastard in the Vajra Seal? Yang Cun hesitated for a moment, then said, "Guardian Lin?"

"Hmm."

Yanlong nodded, a fawning smile on his face. "Can I go back now? The Prince Ding's mansion is
bustling . Such a good thing won't come again if you miss it!"

"..."

Yang Cun was speechless, then flew into a rage. "Yanlong, do you dare say you've been in the Northeast all this time without coming back? This is my last
warning. If you dare to listen to my orders again, I'll seal you away!"

"Don't get excited."

Yanlong's roguish manner was exactly like Yang Cun's. He complained with a grin, "I only heard
it a few days ago when you were playing the three women and one husband game. Besides, if you hadn't done those filthy things,
how would I have heard it? I need to protect your safety, so
I can't ..."

"Get out!"

A loud shout startled countless birds.

The world of the Vajra Seal had not been entered for a long time. Guardian Lin
had also not been seen since the night of the Hangzhou mutiny.

Time means nothing to this unchanging space, which seems to have been written into eternity. This
is still how Yang Cun remembers it—a despairing yellow expanse, unchanged.

Perhaps even a hundred years or so later, as long as the Vajra Seal remains, it will never change? Yang Cun
stepped onto the soft golden sand, immersing himself in that despair, and clearly felt the Vajra Seal's unusual movement.

There was no restlessness, no repulsion. It wasn't any of the emotions he usually felt, just a fluctuation. It was as if
it was merely an indication of his presence.

Naturally, nothing was visible on the surface.

The original golden hall had been restored, and the golden-armored soldiers around him walked back and forth, completely
ignoring . The Vajra Seal was still the same as when he first entered. It seemed that what had changed was never the seal,
but Yang Cun himself.

Lin Guan should be in the hall, right? Yang Cun guessed, and began to walk. A voice sounded behind him.

"Is the Duke looking for me?"

Lin Guan appeared silently, his metallic face expressionless. At first glance, he was icy cold.

Yang Cun turned around, not surprised at all. Nodding, Yang Cun replied decisively, "Yes."

Lin Guan was now part of the Vajra Seal, and knowing he had entered so quietly, he wasn't
particularly curious.

"What is it?"

Lin Guan's words were concise. His metallic eyebrows rose, a simple gesture that didn't convey any
emotion .

"Yes,"

Yang Cun answered firmly, cutting to the chase, "Have you ever heard of an
object called 'Hun Yuan'?"

Since Yan Long had told him to ask Lin Guan, perhaps he really knew. Otherwise, Yang Cun felt like
a headless fly. With the day of his journey to the capital approaching, he didn't have much time to slowly inquire.

"Hmm? You're looking for Hun Yuan?"

Judging from Lin Guan's current appearance, his face was unreadable. However
, Yang Cun detected a glimmer of hope in his tone.

"You know Hun Yuan?"

After all this trouble, the one who actually knew was here. If he had known earlier, what would he have been worried about? Although never formally
acknowledged,
Yang Cun felt there was no reason not to recognize Lin Guan as a brother, given Lin Guan's unwavering support, from silently protecting him to later commanding the Golden Armored Soldiers to aid him in Hangzhou.

While their initial encounter wasn't pleasant, their subsequent comradeship was still a
memorable experience.

Lin Guan lowered his head slightly, seemingly deep in thought. He didn't waste much time, quickly raising his head
and revealing news Yang Cun had never expected.

"My master has passed away, leaving behind two relics coveted by the world. One is the Vajra Seal, which you already know.
The other is the Hunyuan."

"..."

Lin Guan's master was naturally the Imperial Preceptor Zhang Baocheng. The Hunyuan was also one of the relics of the legendary, all-powerful Imperial Preceptor
? And on par with the Vajra Seal? The unease Yang Cun felt upon first seeing the words "Hunyuan" intensified
.

"What exactly is this Hunyuan? What is its purpose?"

The Vajra Seal—every cultivator knows it's one of the Five Elements, Metal. So what about Hunyuan?
Besides , what else could the old emperor possibly covet? After all, Yanlong was very likely
brought to him by Li Caiyu under the old emperor's orders. Even the spirits of the Five Elements look down on someone… this Hunyuan… Yang
Cun felt it was no ordinary object. Looking at Lin Guan, his expression was more serious than ever before.

Lin Guan continued to lower his head, pondering for a long time before raising the metal head again, his tone somewhat
bewildered , saying, "I don't know either."

"…Damn."

This was the answer after all his anticipation? Yang Cun blurted out a curse, his face
clouded with worry, saying, "So, finding this thing is quite a fantastical matter?" How can he find

something he knows nothing about, something even Lin Guan, the Imperial Preceptor's personal
disciple , doesn't know anything about? Yang Cun was now almost certain that this was probably a scheme deliberately devised by the old
emperor to find fault.

Lin Guan remained expressionless, looking at Yang Cun, ignoring his initial interjection,
his metallic lips moving as he said, "That's not necessarily true."

"How so?"

Yang Cun suddenly felt a glimmer of light in the darkness.

"It doesn't matter that no one knows; what matters is finding it."

"Isn't that obvious?"

Yang Cun couldn't help but retort with Lin Guan's words. The problem now was precisely how to find it
. If he could find it himself, would he be so frustrated?

"I haven't finished yet."

Lin Guan looked at Yang Cun, a hint of helplessness faintly visible on his expressionless face.

"Alright, go ahead."

Since there were no more clues to use, it wouldn't hurt to hear what Lin Guan had to say. Besides, Yang Cun really didn't think
Lin Guan would be so bored as to chat with him for no reason.

I don't know how he was before, but now, ever since Lin Guan officially integrated into the Vajra Seal, Yang Cun
increasingly feels that he really only has a few more independent thoughts than those golden-armored soldiers; outwardly,
you can never tell anything.

Seeing Yang Cun leaning weakly against a rock, Lin Guan understood that he didn't have any hope for his words.
However, none of this mattered to him; he was only focused on helping Yang Cun solve his problem, so
he skipped the initial preamble and went straight to the point.

"Now that we know it's Master's keepsake, it'll be easier to find.
Didn't you hear something about Master's keepsake being stolen, sir?"

A thunderbolt struck Yang Cun's head. After realizing what had happened, Yang Cun wanted to slap himself twice.

"Damn it, how come I didn't think of that?"

When the Imperial Preceptor's keepsake was stolen, although a few people were caught, they all knew that the real mastermind
was still at large. Since it's so important, there's reason to believe that this Hunyuan must also be
among the treasures yet to be recovered. The key figure in this case has been here all along!

Xiao Jiu, and you haven't even remembered him yet? Really… what are you still agonizing over? Just…
"Go ask, the results will definitely be better. Besides, it's time now.

" "I understand. Thanks, I'll come see you another day, I'm leaving now."

With a leap, Yang Cun disappeared in a flash, vanishing from the world of the Vajra Seal. Leaving the forest guard
standing there, shaking his head to himself: "Why is he so unsteady?"

After thinking for a moment, he frowned again and muttered to himself, "Aren't we one? Why does he need to come see me
specifically ?"

The world of despair was completely silent. There wasn't even a single echo, let alone an answer. The forest guard looked around , identified a direction, and slowly paced back and forth. His behavior was no different
from those mindless golden-armored soldiers.

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