They're Here!

On the terrace, Chen Qing was savoring spirit wine when a flicker of spiritual light in his Niwan Palace suddenly flashed, and a sense of alarm arose in his heart!

With a thought, his newly comprehended "Qi Harmonizes with Heaven and Earth" interacted with the surrounding aura, detecting the chilling killing intent approaching from beyond the high walls!

"They're here!" Chen Qing's heart tightened, but he wasn't surprised. "I can't linger here."

Just then, Lu Qiyuan turned from the hall door with a hearty laugh, "Fellow Daoist Chen..."

"The young marquis's hospitality is deeply appreciated, and I am grateful," Chen Qing cupped his hands. "It's getting late, I dare not impose further and will take my leave now."

Lu Qiyuan's smile froze, and he quickly stepped forward, trying to persuade him, "Why the rush! Won't you have another drink? I've already sent someone to look for that Red Vein Stone, and we'll have news soon! Besides, the generous gifts I prepared for you haven't yet..."

His words were earnest, his gaze open and sincere, the intention to recruit him evident and without pretense.

Chen Qing's steps didn't falter, and he slightly turned his head upon hearing this, "I appreciate the young marquis's kindness, but I understand. This drink, we shall share another day."

"Chen Xu!" Lu Qiyuan saw his resolve to leave and raised his voice, a hint of unwillingness in it. "I truly admire you! Princess Xiyao is already at her wit's end and can barely protect herself! Once the Empress's decree is issued, she'll be beyond redemption! Stay at the marquis's mansion, and you'll have wealth, status, cultivation methods, and resources at your disposal!"

"Farewell."

Chen Qing said no more. With a light step, his figure, like a clear breeze and flowing clouds, swept across the Rainbow Bridge and disappeared into the depths of the corridor, avoiding the direction of the malicious lock-on.

Lu Qiyuan gazed at the empty corridor, his face full of regret. "Such a talent, unable to be used by me, is truly a pity! No, he said we'd drink another day, perhaps there's still a hint of willingness to submit. I'll try harder, and maybe I can win him over." He suddenly flicked his sleeve and said in a deep voice towards the shadows, "Send two people to escort him! If he encounters danger, they may act as appropriate!"

"Yes!"

A low response came from the shadows.

"Boom--"

The regret on Lu Qiyuan's face hadn't yet faded.

A Crimson Gold Talisman, like a meteor from beyond the heavens, smashed down!

The talisman unfolded, transforming into a hundred-zhang sky curtain--

"By order of the Empress, this area is sealed for investigation!"

A palm-sized Red Jade Seal, shaped like a Phoenix Beak, pressed down!

"Crack!"

The spirit pool in the courtyard instantly froze over, the Rainbow Bridge shattered, and the Golden Scale Dragon Carp fell stiffly!

The entire villa plunged into an ice cave!

Guests, servants, and guards passing by were all immobilized by an irresistible, immense power!

"By the Empress's imperial decree!"

A woman's voice descended from the heavens, devoid of any emotion--

"Lu Qiyuan, the heir of the Marquis of the East Sea, has presumptuously investigated the palace, disturbed the Jade Capital, his actions are overreaching, and his intentions are treacherous! Effective immediately, the Moon Embracing Villa is sealed! All personnel are to be expelled at once! Those who disobey will be treated as traitors and their souls annihilated!"

The sound waves rolled, like heavenly law, shaking the entire villa!

Before the voice had even finished, the Red Jade Phoenix Beak Seal rotated slightly!

"Plop! Plop!"

All the guests, servants, regardless of their cultivation level or status, were violently thrown out of the courtyard by an invisible hand, in utter disarray, with cries of misery everywhere!

Lu Qiyuan stood frozen, his face turning from red to green, then from green to white, finally settling into a terrifying shade of ashen blue! His knuckles cracked as he clenched them, his blood churning, yet he couldn't move an inch!

A woman, dressed in Cloud Pattern Palace Attire and with a veil covering her face, hovered in the air. The cold light in her eyes was like a sword as she looked down at Lu Qiyuan, "Young Marquis Lu, the Empress has spoken: The Marquis of the East Sea has raised a good son! This is a small punishment today. I hope you will conduct yourself wisely and not bring ruin upon yourself, nor implicate the Marquis's mansion's eight-hundred-year foundation!"

Every word was a stab to the heart!

Lu Qiyuan's eyes turned bloodshot, and the surrounding water vapor exploded. The Deep Sea Phantom behind him churned with raging waves. If Zhou Renjing hadn't firmly gripped his wrist, he would have almost summoned his Natal Magic Treasure!

The woman swept a cold glance over the devastated courtyard, let out a cold laugh, and transformed into a wisp of black smoke, disappearing instantly along with the Red Jade Seal and the talisman.

The confinement was lifted, and a deathly silence fell upon the courtyard.

"Bang!"

Lu Qiyuan shook off Zhou Renjing's hand, his chest heaving violently. "Presumptuously investigated the palace? Was that what I ordered just now? It was merely to check some things, why such a severe punishment? Sealing my villa and publicly humiliating me!"

Zhou Renjing's eyes were filled with deep worry. "Brother Lu, this matter is far from simple. The Empress has just taken power and needs to establish her authority! The Marquis of the East Sea's mansion is too prominent, and you've unfortunately run right into the line of fire, becoming the chicken to warn the monkeys!"

"Am I the chicken to be slaughtered?!" Lu Qiyuan was stunned for a moment, then suddenly looked up. "Brother Zhou! I was investigating something, and it led to the Empress? Are the Red Vein Stones and Spiritual Bones related to palace secrets?"

He paused, his brow furrowed. "Could this be a trap deliberately set for me by Chen Xu?"

Zhou Renjing slowly shook his head. "Even with Chen Xu's intelligence, it's difficult to fathom the Empress's intentions. Moreover, although he asked about the Red Vein Stone, the investigation was your initiative. This can only be said to be a coincidence, a tribulation that was bound to happen."

"Coincidence is merely the manifestation of destiny!" Lu Qiyuan rubbed his temples irritably. "So, what now? Should I let the villa remain sealed and scurry back to the Marquis's mansion with my tail between my legs?"

"For now, we must avoid the direct confrontation and act with discretion, lest you give them further cause." Zhou Renjing said gravely, "Send a trusted confidant back to the East Sea immediately to inform the Marquis, and ask him to find a way to mediate in the court."

"Keep a low profile? Lie low?" Lu Qiyuan suddenly sneered. "To be publicly slapped in the face and hide like a stray dog? Waiting for my father to grovel and seek favors?"

He kicked over the jade table in front of him, scattering spirit fruits and delicacies all over the ground!

Lu Qiyuan stared at the mess of spirit fruits and jade liquid, his knuckles cracking. He took a deep breath, and the ashen blue on his face gradually faded. "You're right, confronting them now would be like hitting a rock with an egg, inviting humiliation."

Zhou Renjing felt a slight sense of relief and was about to offer more advice.

Lu Qiyuan, however, raised his hand to stop him. "The Empress used me to establish her authority, killing the chicken to warn the monkeys, I accept that! But she can humiliate me, and I might not be able to make her taste some unpleasantness as well!"

He stopped, his gaze turning toward Qingwu别院.

"Chen Xu and Princess Xiyao are the thorns the Empress most wants to remove! The more eager she is to crush them, the more I'll ensure they live! The longer they live, the more the Empress will feel like a thorn in her throat!"

Zhou Renjing's eyes narrowed. "Brother Lu means..."

Lu Qiyuan spoke slowly, "On the surface, the Marquis of the East Sea household admits defeat! If the side manor is sealed, so be it. I will close my doors to guests from now on, live in seclusion, and focus on my studies to build my reputation!"

He paused, then changed his tone. "In secret, send people to keep a close watch on Qingwu Villa. I want to know their every move! Also, Chen Xu—if he needs anything, as long as his identity isn't exposed, do your best to satisfy him! Pills, Talismans, intelligence—if he dares to ask, and if I have it!"

"Brother Lu!" Zhou Renjing was shaken. "This is like snatching chestnuts from the fire! One wrong move..."

"Don't you want to save the Princess too?" Lu Qiyuan interrupted, causing the latter to falter. "You handle this. We won't directly save them ourselves, we'll just give them a push, send a gust of wind! Let them catch their breath a little longer, make the Empress uncomfortable for another moment! Let this thorn dig in deeper—that's what I call reciprocity!"

Clearly, he didn't hold out much hope that Chen Qing and the others could turn the tide.

Zhou Renjing was silent for a long time, then finally bowed deeply. "Brother Lu's forbearance and decisiveness are admirable! I will not fail your trust!"

The twilight deepened.

Chen Qing walked slowly down the long street. Spiritual light flickered within his Niwan Palace. Under the Qi Harmonizes with Heaven and Earth, within a radius of ten feet, the dripping eaves, the breathing of passersby, even the subtle life force of the moss on the walls, were all reflected in his mind like a lake.

His vital energy formed a net, casting its reflection in all directions.

Thirty feet away, two figures with seemingly light footsteps but solid vital energy; through the gaps of the teahouse window, a cold glint flashed; in the shadows of the alley entrance, a hidden figure lay in wait...

Those who come to capture me now must have very high cultivation. They won't allow any surprises. I wonder if Elder Lü is ready on his end, and if my two magical treasures can hold out for a while. Most importantly, in Moon Embracing Villa, was everything as I hoped...

Chen Qing showed no panic. The Bronze Wine Goblet and the Ninth-grade Green Lotus Platform in his sleeves were already poised for action!

In the distance, Lu Feng, who had long been hidden in a concealed spot, picked up his Jiaowei Qin, but sighed inwardly, "This move is truly a gamble of immense weight!"

A few steps later, Chen Qing reached the middle section of the long street.

This area was the most open, with high walls on both sides.

"Take him down!"

Amidst a short, sharp shout!

Shadows leaped down from the high walls on both sides like ghosts!

Crossbow bolts whizzed through the air in the alley, several dark lights aimed directly at Chen Qing's vital acupoints!

Furthermore, a cold divine sense, like that of a venomous snake, instantly locked onto him!

The kill formation was activated in the blink of an eye!

A fierce glint flashed in Chen Qing's eyes. The Supreme Harmony Qi surged, and he was about to unleash his protective treasure!

At this critical moment—

"Tap."

A very light, very steady footstep suddenly sounded at the end of the long street.

As light as a passerby stepping on a puddle.

But the moment this sound rang out!

This space, this world, seemed to be "torn" from the scroll painting of Yujing City by an invisible hand! It instantly twisted, blurred, and faded!

The leaping shadows froze in mid-air, like insects trapped in amber; the whistling crossbow bolts hung suspended three feet in front of Chen Qing, the arrowheads still humming and trembling; the cold divine sense, as if it had crashed into an invisible barrier, let out a piercing shriek and instantly dissipated!

The footsteps continued.

Chen Qing's hair stood on end!

The potentially fatal assault from moments ago had been completely erased by this effortless step!

The cultivator's power was beyond his comprehension!

He suppressed the storm in his heart and looked intently.

At the end of the long street, a tall figure slowly walked over.

The person had a handsome and gentle face, with a scholarly air between his brows and eyes. He wore a Moon White Cloth Robe, unstained by dust.

He stopped about ten feet from Chen Qing, his gaze falling peacefully upon him.

"Your Excellency is..."

Chen Qing's Supreme Harmony Qi churned wildly within him. The starlight and sea splendor on his Destiny Talisman flickered. The Ninth-grade Green Lotus Platform remained poised in his sleeve, but his voice strove to remain calm.

The man smiled slightly and said, "Aren't you looking for me?"

"Looking for you?" Chen Qing echoed the question, but inwardly, he let out a sigh of relief.

His gamble had paid off!

Indeed, once history was set, it would eventually take shape.

Since it was an open-book exam, one could guess some of the thoughts of a great divine-power user.

The man's gaze fell upon the point of spiritual light in Chen Qing's Niwan Palace. His eyes moved slightly, and then he said, "You mentioned my name, and thus I sensed you."

Taking a deep breath, Chen Qing slowly uttered the name.

"Seventh Prince, Xu Qingfeng..."

The second update is here! Newcomers, please give your readers plenty of support! Recommend! Collect! Come and check in daily for updates