The Chu Dynasty, deep within the imperial palace, Zichen Hall.
The hall blazed with candlelight, yet it could not dispel the bone-chilling cold in the air. Chu Emperor Xiang Guang sat on the dragon throne, his knuckles white from gripping it so tightly. On the rosewood table before him, a celadon teacup had been crushed to dust. Tea dripped over the edge, staining the golden-brick floor below.
Zhen Xu's death was like a thorn driven deep into Xiang Guang's heart. The Secret Agent Bureau had been left leaderless, while Qin De's Eastern Suppressing Prince Mansion grew ever more powerful. All signs convinced him that Qin De had something to do with Zhen Xu's death. Yet the more certain he became, the more troublesome the matter seemed. Qin De had spent decades consolidating his hold over the Three Prefectures of the Eastern Region. His foundations ran deep, and without absolute certainty, a rash move would only alert him.
"Summon the Tyrant Dragon Army commander, Yi Yan."
Xiang Guang's voice was low and hoarse, filled with unquestionable authority. The palace attendant outside the hall didn't dare delay for a moment. He bowed and withdrew, and a short while later, a figure clad in dark iron armor strode into the hall.
The newcomer was Yi Yan, commander of the Tyrant Dragon Army. He stood tall and straight as a pine, his face stern, his entire bearing steeped in the blood-soaked menace of years on the battlefield. Unlike the Secret Agent Bureau, which handled intelligence gathering, the Tyrant Dragon Army was the most secretive and deadly blade in Xiang Guang's hand. It answered directly to the imperial clan and existed to eliminate any threat to the royal rule. Its members were all elite soldiers chosen from the Chu Dynasty's million-strong army, each with a cultivation level of at least Xiantian.
"Your subject, Yi Yan, pays his respects to Your Majesty." Yi Yan knelt on one knee, his voice ringing with strength.
"Rise." Xiang Guang waved a hand, his gaze fixed on Yi Yan. "Zhen Xu is dead, and Qin De's influence is growing. We can delay no longer. I summoned you today for a top-secret mission that you must carry out yourself."
Yi Yan rose and stood with his head bowed. "Please give your orders, Your Majesty. I will risk my life to carry them out."
Xiang Guang rose from the dragon throne and walked slowly over to Yi Yan. He took a finely crafted rosewood box from inside his robe. The box opened to reveal black brocade lining and a palm-sized jade fragment etched with mysterious patterns. It was one of the Three Heaven-Reaching Charts.
"This is a fragment of the Heaven-Reaching Chart, which I've kept for many years." Xiang Guang lowered his voice. "I received a secret report that Zhu San, the wealthiest man on the Hidden Dragon Continent, recently sent his men to hunt a Xiantian-level saber-toothed tiger in the Great Wilderness. This tiger is no ordinary beast. It has sixteen sword-like spikes on its back, each incredibly sharp and as powerful as a high-grade mortal weapon. Its claws can also be used directly as weapons."
A flicker of interest crossed Yi Yan's eyes. He had spent years in the army and knew how valuable the materials of Xiantian demon beasts were. The saber-toothed tiger's unusual spikes made it especially precious. If they could bring back every part of it, they would have enough to equip an elite force of the highest caliber.
"Zhu San's business spans the continent, and his power is immense. Though his headquarters are in the Ming Dynasty, the city where he plans to secretly divide these saber-toothed tiger materials lies within the Three Prefectures of the Eastern Region." Xiang Guang's gaze suddenly sharpened. "I want you to use this fragment of the Heaven-Reaching Chart to obtain all the materials from the tiger."
At this, Xiang Guang's voice grew heavier. He enunciated each word: "Especially those sixteen spikes. Not a single one can be missing!"
Yi Yan's heart tightened, and he bowed hurriedly. "I understand!"
"Listen carefully," Xiang Guang continued. "Zhu San is a cautious man, and he's preparing to secretly transport these materials back to the Ming Dynasty in separate shipments. You must make no noise on this trip. Complete the deal before he divides up the materials."
He paused, as if recalling something, then added, "This mission is extremely dangerous. The Three Prefectures of the Eastern Region are Qin De's territory, and he may notice something amiss. I'm ordering you to take your father, Yi Qingyu, with you."
Surprise flashed in Yi Yan's eyes, but he quickly nodded. "I obey!"
Yi Qingyu was Yi Yan's father and a former guardian general of the Chu Dynasty. Though retired, he had reached the peak of the Xiantian realm and possessed extraordinary martial skill. He had also fought Qin De several times and knew the Qin Family's strength inside out. His presence would give the mission an extra layer of security.
"Your Majesty, Zhu San is wealthier than a nation. Why would he trade such precious demon beast materials for a fragment of the Heaven-Reaching Chart?" Yi Yan couldn't help asking what had been troubling him.
A cold smile curled Xiang Guang's lips. "Zhu San may seem to care only about money, but he's actually ambitious. He must know the legends surrounding the Heaven-Reaching Chart. He thinks this fragment will let him glimpse the path to the heavens, but he doesn't realize that all three charts are needed. By itself, a single fragment is nothing but a worthless piece of junk."
He handed the box to Yi Yan. "The sooner this is done, the better. Go prepare at once, take your father, and head secretly to the Three Prefectures of the Eastern Region. Remember: this mission must succeed. If Qin De intercepts the deal, or if you lose even one of those sixteen spikes, you'll answer for it with your head!"
"I will not fail in my mission!"
Yi Yan took the rosewood box in both hands and carefully tucked it inside his robe. After bowing once more, he turned and strode out of Zichen Hall.
Watching Yi Yan's departing figure, Xiang Guang slowly walked to the window and gazed out at the dark night. A sinister glint flickered in his eyes.
"Qin De, let's see if you can meddle in my affairs this time."
He knew that this deal was not only about obtaining the saber-toothed tiger's materials; it was also a test. If Qin De truly interfered, Xiang Guang would have sufficient grounds to disturb the old ancestor, Xiang Yang, who had been in seclusion for many years.
Meanwhile, Yi Yan had left the imperial palace and was galloping through the streets of the capital. He touched the rosewood box inside his robe, his heart heavy. He knew this mission would be harder than any he had ever undertaken.
The Three Prefectures of the Eastern Region were Qin De's territory. He had to make a deal there with the wealthiest man on the Hidden Dragon Continent while avoiding Qin De's notice. The difficulty was obvious.
"Father, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to come out of retirement again."
Yi Yan murmured to himself as he rode toward Yi Mansion outside the city. His figure gradually vanished into the night, leaving only the dark iron armor glinting coldly in the moonlight.