King Zhennan Rebels

After agreeing to Yao Qingyin's request, Ye Jing rose and departed.

The cold wind howled, biting to the bone. The Mystic Bird Guards perched on the eaves had no idea that under the pitch-black night, Ye Jing was quietly slipping into the Ye Manor compound.

He pushed the Breath Concealment Art to its limit; even if he stood right behind these Mystic Bird Guards, they would struggle to sense him.

A great battle had shaken the entire Imperial Capital.

All the Night Watchers in the capital were jolted from their dreams, spending the night searching door to door for the Black Robe Guest's whereabouts.

But Ye Jing, the instigator, returned to the Ye Manor, went to bed, and soon fell into a deep sleep.

Inside the Purple Gold Pavilion, it remained as silent as ever, like a secluded prison.

After a long while, a hoarse, aged voice came from behind the curtain: "Minister Gao, your concerns have some merit. The matter of the Innate Dao Body is of great importance."

"This person's movements are indeed suspicious. I never imagined such a Peerless Powerhouse could be hiding right in the Imperial Capital."

"How has Ouyang Qingtian been running things as the Night Watch Commander? A Peerless Powerhouse right under his nose, and he hasn't noticed for so long."

"If this man hadn't revealed himself to save that girl from the Medicine Manor, the Night Watch would have been kept in the dark forever!"

The Imperial Capital was a vital stronghold of Great Li. Any Grandmaster or above who wished to stay in the capital had to be registered with the Night Watch.

Such beings were too powerful; if left unchecked, they could cause massive chaos among the capital's citizens.

Take today, for instance—this mysterious swordsman only acted to rescue the Medicine Manor girl and harmed no innocents. Otherwise, for miles around the Great Li Heavenly Prison, few would have survived.

"Minister Gao, Minister Wei, pass on my decree: have Ouyang Qingtian spare no effort in capturing the Black Robe Guest. That Innate Dao Body is of utmost importance—it cannot be lost."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The two accepted the order. As they were about to leave, Eunuch Gao turned back and asked, "Imperial Lord, what about the Medicine Manor girl? She's the only one who can open that Secret Realm."

"Even if we find the Innate Dao Body now, the Grand Void Li Clan Ancient Clan will reward us with two Pine Crane Pills. But that Secret Realm is rich in resources—there are even several Immortal Herbs inside! Wouldn't it be a pity to give it up?"

A hearty laugh came from behind the curtain: "Hahaha, Minister Gao, don't worry. The Sword Sect Master's threat hangs over my head like a sword on a beam."

"I know that forcing that Medicine Manor girl to reveal the Secret Realm's location is unlikely."

"So I've already planted a means on her. I know exactly where she is right now."

"Rest assured, when the Heaven and Earth Cataclysm comes, and she opens the Secret Realm, we'll be the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. We'll seize all its resources."

"Your Majesty is wise. We are in awe."

Hearing the Imperial Lord's explanation, the two set aside their worries, offered a few flattering words, and left to deliver the orders.

On the Imperial Capital's streets, panic reigned. The overbearing Night Watch barged into people's homes, turning them upside down, then moved on to the next, repeating the cycle.

Last night's incident had stirred up too much trouble. The Night Watch Commander was furious, determined to drag the Black Robe Guest out.

Ye Jing walked along the road to the Hanlin Academy, silently watching the rampaging Night Watch, a flicker of killing intent in his eyes.

But now, he could barely protect himself. Every moment, every word and action, was monitored by hidden eyes.

Yao Qingyin was locked in the Heavenly Prison, but wasn't he trapped in an invisible cage himself?

Still, in half a month, the Sixth Heaven and Earth Cataclysm would arrive. Then, with the Secret Realm Yao Xingchen had stumbled upon, his strength would surely leap to a new level.

He now possessed several peerless techniques, his power far exceeding his current realm. Once he broke through to the Peak of Humanity, perhaps only the Sword Sect Master and other Peerless Powerhouses in all of Great Li could match him.

He might not be invincible in Great Li, but his life would be secure.

At least he wouldn't be like today—watched from the shadows at every turn, constrained, afraid to reveal his strength and put himself at risk.

Entering the Hanlin Academy, the officials were discussing last night's events at the Great Li Heavenly Prison.

A thin, cheerful-looking Hanlin official was animatedly explaining to the crowd gathered around him.

"Did you hear? Last night, a Peerless Powerhouse broke into the Heavenly Prison and rescued a prisoner."

"Old Song, stop spinning tales! The Great Li Heavenly Prison has stood for a thousand years, holding countless prisoners, many of noble birth. No one has ever broken in and taken one away."

"Yeah, Old Song, we know you're well-informed, but at least make it believable. Everyone knows that in the Imperial Capital, aside from the palace, the Heavenly Prison has the tightest security."

"Right, I heard that in the Great Li Heavenly Prison, there are nearly two Great Grandmasters, each said to be no weaker than those on the Great Grandmaster Ranking."

Hearing Old Song's words, three men who lived in the outskirts questioned him.

These three lived far from the Heavenly Prison, so they hadn't noticed anything unusual last night.

"Old Wang, Old Li, Old Zhang, Old Song wasn't lying just now."

A portly Hanlin official in a crimson cloud-bird robe picked up the thread: "You know I live near the Heavenly Prison. You have no idea how brutal the battle was above it last night."

"Thunder filled the night sky, Sword Qi crisscrossed everywhere. The shockwaves from those two Peerless Powerhouses sent the tiles on nearby houses flying."

"Honestly, I've gained some real experience today. Seeing such a battle between Peerless Powerhouses—when I'm gone, I can brag to my descendants."

"Yeah, I saw how strong that Black Robe Guest was too."

Another official who had witnessed the battle last night chimed in: "You don't know this, but that Black Robe Guest carved a chasm into the Imperial Capital with a single sword strike."

"Go take a look near the Great Li Heavenly Prison. There's a bottomless, massive crack, smooth and straight as a cliff."

"Yes, who knows what kind of figure is locked up in that Heavenly Prison, to make such a strong expert take such a huge risk to lend a hand."

An official sighed.

"Everyone, I do know a bit about this matter."

Another scholarly-looking official from the Hanlin Academy stepped forward to explain.

"I once had a brief encounter with Yao Qingyin, the legitimate daughter of Medicine Manor. Yesterday, that Black Robe Guest took a woman from the Great Li Heavenly Prison—it was none other than Yao Qingyin, the remnant of Medicine Manor who colluded with the Demon Sect over a month ago."

Ignoring the idle chatter of these Hanlin Academy officials, Ye Jing was about to head straight to his workplace when a certain official's words made him stop in his tracks.

"Alright, enough. The Medicine Manor affair is taboo, far beyond the Black Robe Guest's matter. Right now, the Night Watch Division is scouring the entire Imperial Capital for him."

"Although our Hanlin Academy isn't within the scope of the search, if we're unlucky enough to be overheard by those Night Watch Enforcers, we'll still get a beating."

"Besides, the Imperial Capital has been very unsettled lately. You'd all better focus on staying alive!"

An official surnamed Liu scolded the gathered Hanlin Academy officials who were chatting idly.

"Old Liu, you're making a mountain out of a molehill. Great Li doesn't punish people for their words. We're colleagues who've worked together for years—just chatting casually won't cost us our lives."

"That's right, Old Liu. It's broad daylight—don't scare us like that!"

Some officials voiced their displeasure at Liu's warnings, complaining.

Official Liu glanced at everyone present, then looked around, gesturing for them to huddle together before lowering his voice.

"You don't know this, but that Hu Jie from our Hanlin Academy has joined forces with King Zhennan to rebel."

"Rebel! Old Liu, you can't just say things like that."

An official's face turned pale, clearly shaken.

"Who's talking nonsense? I have a distant relative who works as a groom in King Zhennan's household. He wrote to me, telling me to pack my valuables early."

"It's not just rebellion! They've already broken through dozens of cities. The Great Li Imperial Family has suppressed the news, so that's why you don't know!"

That Official Liu kept his voice low, afraid of being overheard, but Ye Jing was already a Great Grandmaster with exceptionally sharp hearing. Even though he was over ten meters away from Liu, he still caught every word clearly.

Hu Jie had already joined forces with King Zhennan! Broken through dozens of cities!

This news truly surprised Ye Jing, but it was fine. Though he didn't know King Zhennan's character or conduct, Hu Jie was his close friend.

This man had a pure heart. The current Great Li was already a land where the people could barely survive. If this man could take its place, perhaps it would be a blessing for the common folk.