I am the Nine-Five Supreme!

"Although we must be on guard, there is no need to be fearful."

Zhu Youwen shook his head, clearly not feeling much trepidation toward Zhu Youning.

His greatest concern remained that man—the Underworld Emperor, Zhu Yougui!

"Zhu Youning's threat is not particularly significant. While he wields great power, his personal strength is limited. However, if he were to collude with my dear elder brother, that would be troublesome."

At the mention of his elder brother, Zhu Yougui, Zhu Youwen gnashed his teeth.

"Zhu Yougui has been at the Great Heavenly Rank for nearly a decade. If This Seat wishes to defeat him decisively, I fear I must enter seclusion for rigorous training."

Having said this, Zhu Youwen turned to Zhong Xiaokui and said, "This Seat originally intended for you to go undercover beside Zhu Youzhen. Now that Zhu Youzhen is dead, the plan must change. You must go undercover beside Zhu Youning and monitor his movements at all times. Prevent him from colluding with Zhu Yougui; once you detect any unusual activity, report it immediately!"

"Understood!"

Zhong Xiaokui lowered her head and cupped her fists, then asked with concern, "But if this subordinate goes undercover beside Prince An, won't there be no one left beside the Ghost King?"

Zhu Youwen had already begun to meditate with his eyes closed and replied offhandedly, "Do not worry. This Seat still has those two pieces of trash, Black and White Impermanence. Although their martial arts are not high, they are still useful!"

Just as Zhu Youwen prepared to enter seclusion, Zhu Yougui had already concluded his own and traveled early from the Xuanming Cult to Bian Prefecture.

That day, Zhu Yougui waited outside Jiaolan Hall early, entering as soon as the palace gates opened.

At this moment, an old eunuch appeared among the crowd, reminding the officials to return to their respective posts as His Majesty would not be holding court today.

Zhu Yougui was not surprised by this, as it was the norm for Zhu Wen to ignore state affairs. If Zhu Wen were to suddenly become diligent, that would be the real surprise.

Helpless, Zhu Yougui had no choice but to exchange a few pleasantries with the old eunuch and then ask for his help, claiming he had a secret matter to discuss in a private audience and requesting the eunuch to inform the Emperor.

The old eunuch was quite efficient!

Before long, he emerged from Jiaolan Hall and summoned Zhu Yougui for an audience.

Finally, inside Jiaolan Hall, Zhu Yougui saw Zhu Wen, along with his wife, Zhang Zhenniang.

"Your son pays respects to Imperial Father! May you live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!"

Zhu Yougui wore the mask of a loyal subject, dropping to one knee the moment he saw Zhu Wen.

"Rise."

Zhu Yougui scrambled up from the ground. He dared not look up or glance around, maintaining the perfect image of a dutiful son.

"Son, why have you left your post at the Xuanming Cult to come to Bian Prefecture?"

Zhu Wen spoke then. His voice was high-pitched and his speech rapid, clearly betraying his impatience.

Zhu Yougui bowed and said, "Your son simply missed Imperial Father, which is why I came to pay my respects."

"Hmm."

Zhu Wen nodded without much expression, merely adding, "Son, if there is nothing else, you should return to the Xuanming Cult. Your wife here is enough to fulfill the duties of filial piety; the Xuanming Cult has many affairs that require your presence."

Zhu Wen's words clearly signaled his desire to drive him away, causing Zhu Yougui to frown.

What kind of father drives his son away the moment they meet?

He stole a glance at Zhu Wen and noticed that Zhu Wen was not looking at him; instead, Zhang Zhenniang, who was peeling grapes to feed Zhu Wen, was signaling to him with her eyes.

Zhu Yougui could read Zhang Zhenniang's gaze: Zhu Wen was on the verge of anger, and he should leave at once.

But Zhu Yougui could not leave. Otherwise, why had he come here? To be scolded?

At this moment, Zhu Wen chewed a grape and glanced sideways at Zhang Zhenniang, seemingly speaking to her while intending for Zhu Yougui to hear.

"Son, this wife of yours is truly excellent. Since she entered the palace, she has been by my side day and night, serving me with the utmost care. I am extremely satisfied with her!"

As he spoke, Zhu Wen pulled Zhang Zhenniang into his arms, his actions entirely unreserved. Zhang Zhenniang pushed gently against Zhu Wen's chest, seemingly acting coy, her face flushing with shyness.

Zhu Yougui watched this scene unfold. His heart burned with rage, yet he did not let it show on his face, instead wearing a sincere smile.

"Being able to serve Imperial Father is her duty."

Zhu Wen glanced at Zhu Yougui and said in a tone that sounded like he was speaking from the heart, "Son, because you practiced the Nine Nether Profound Heaven Divine Skill, you were born with a strange affliction. Though you are nearing forty, you remain a dwarf and cannot even be intimate with women. Although you are married, it is merely self-deception. To let such a beauty waste away in an empty chamber—I truly could not bear to see such a treasure go to waste, so I took her in your stead. You aren't unhappy about that, are you?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yougui immediately shook his head.

"How could you say that, Imperial Father? Your son is away on official business year-round and cannot stay by your side to fulfill my filial duties, which often fills me with self-reproach. That she can stay by your side can be considered her fulfilling my filial heart on my behalf."

"Hmm."

Zhu Yougui's attitude was extremely respectful as he spoke, which pleased Zhu Wen greatly, and he burst into loud laughter.

But just as he was laughing, Zhu Yougui suddenly shifted the tone of the conversation. "Your son came to Bian Prefecture this time just to see Imperial Father. Now that I see you are well, I shall return to the Xuanming Cult. However, I inadvertently heard of a matter that may be detrimental to you."

"Oh?" Zhu Wen became interested upon hearing this and asked, "What matter?"

Zhu Yougui paused, then continued, "Your son heard that Third Brother—"

Before Zhu Yougui could finish, a loud "clatter" echoed as Zhu Wen slammed his palm onto the wine table, sending the wine cup crashing to the floor.

Zhang Zhenniang's face turned pale with fear. Having stayed by Zhu Wen's side for so long, she knew that whenever her husband, Zhu Yougui, came for an audience, Zhu Wen would inevitably fly into a rage.

"Do not speak of this again!" Zhu Wen roared.

Zhu Yougui endured it, patiently saying, "Your son was not going to speak of Third Brother, but rather that I find Brother Ning to be somewhat abnormal."

Having reached this point, the purpose of Zhu Yougui's words was already crystal clear.

Zhu Wen immediately asked, "What are you trying to say?"

"Third Brother's absurd actions were extremely secretive, yet Zhu Youning was able to investigate the ins and outs with perfect clarity. Father Emperor, this son believes that Zhu Youning may have secretly cultivated an organization specialized in gathering intelligence. Furthermore, when he reorganized the Longxiang Army—"

"Shut up!"

Before Zhu Yougui could finish, he was cut off by Zhu Wen's thunderous roar.

Hearing Zhu Wen's voice, Zhu Yougui tactfully clamped his mouth shut. Regardless, he had already said his piece; it was impossible for Zhu Wen not to understand his implication.

The two, ruler and subject, father and son, remained silent for a long time. Zhu Wen let out a long sigh and said, "Since matters have already reached this point, let them be for now. My son, if you have nothing else, then you may withdraw!"

Zhu Yougui was not disappointed upon hearing this. Although Zhu Wen did not say he would settle accounts with Zhu Youning immediately, the seed of that thought had already been planted in Zhu Wen's mind.

"Then this son shall take his leave."

After Zhu Yougui departed, an expression of intense fury immediately appeared on Zhu Wen's face.

"Hmph!" Zhu Wen's mood was foul, yet he did not flip tables or smash cups. He merely remarked, "The entire court of civil and military officials, the princes and ministers, and even my own sons—are they all plotting for their own private gain?"

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."

Zhang Zhenniang spoke softly from the side, "However, this concubine also feels that what His Highness said is not without reason."

Zhu Wen immediately shot a glance at Zhang Zhenniang and said coldly, "What? Do you have those thoughts as well?"

Zhang Zhenniang gave a sheepish laugh, "How could that be? This humble woman is but a weak female; naturally, I follow only your lead, Your Majesty."

Only then did Zhu Wen's expression soften slightly. He muttered to himself, "I have indeed given him too much, but I simply refuse to grant this rebellious son his wish! I shall do as I please! I am the one who holds the supreme position!"