His words were full of concern, but his eyes held an amused knowingness, as if he were enjoying the sight of her forcing herself to stay calm.
Tang Yuehua's hand tightened slightly inside her sleeve, but her expression remained composed. "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Yuehua is perfectly well."
"Good to hear." Ye Yang nodded, then abruptly changed the subject. His tone was casual, but his words concealed a sharp edge. "By the way, the Ministry of Justice recently submitted a report. It seems there have been some new leads in that case involving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
Tang Yuehua's heart skipped a beat. She raised her eyes to look at him.
Ye Yang savored the fleeting tension in her eyes and spoke unhurriedly. "They say that although the traces left at the scene were deliberately cleaned up, a peculiar kind of Soul Power remained—cold and sinister, unlike anything commonly seen in Heaven Dou."
"It seems like... the sort of method commonly used by Soul Master organizations that specialize in stealthy ambushes and assassinations."
He paused, then looked meaningfully at Tang Yuehua. "Madam, you're well-traveled and knowledgeable. Have you heard of any forces on the continent that specialize in such shady dealings?"
Tang Yuehua felt a chill run down her back. The Crown Prince seemed to be asking a question, but it felt more like a hint or a probe. Did he know something? Or was he trying to lead her down a certain line of thought?
Steadying herself, she replied cautiously, "Yuehua has long lived here in the Pavilion, concerned only with refinement and the arts. I know little of the forces in the martial world. In a matter of such importance, the officials of the Ministry of Justice will surely investigate thoroughly."
"Madam is too modest." Ye Yang stepped closer, narrowing the distance between them. His voice dropped until only the two of them could hear.
"The Clear Sky Sect may have withdrawn from the world, but surely its intelligence network hasn't fallen into disuse. As the sect master's younger sister, have you truly... not heard a single thing?"
His breath drew near, bringing with it an invisible pressure. Tang Yuehua could almost feel the scrutiny and coercion in his gaze.
He was forcing her to take a stand, forcing her or the Clear Sky Sect to show some inclination in this matter.
She resisted the urge to step back, her nails digging deep into her palm. Her voice remained steady. "Your Highness, Yuehua left the sect many years ago and has devoted herself to Moonlight Pavilion, taking no interest in outside affairs."
"Matters of the sect are even less something a mere woman like Yuehua can interfere in. If Your Highness has questions, perhaps you could... ask my elder brother directly." She gently turned the question back on him, while making clear that she was no longer part of the sect's inner circle.
Ye Yang stared at her for a moment, then suddenly laughed aloud, and the pressure vanished. "Madam is certainly cautious. I was only asking offhand. There's no need to be nervous."
He stepped back, returning to his gentle demeanor. "It's getting late. I shouldn't stay any longer. Get some rest, Madam. And while you're teaching Ke'er, take care of your health as well."
With that, he gave Tang Yuehua a meaningful look and turned to leave. The guard followed like a shadow.
Only after his figure had completely disappeared into the twilight did Tang Yuehua slowly unclench her hand. Her palm was already slick and cold.
Every word the Crown Prince had spoken today had carried a hidden edge. Mentioning the case's new leads was a warning; asking about the Clear Sky Sect was a probe; and that final "take care of your health" was a threat.
He was telling her that both she and the Clear Sky Sect behind her were under his watch.
She looked toward the East Palace. Its lanterns had just been lit, yet it seemed as though a Ferocious Beast lurked there, ready to bare its fangs at any moment. In this deep palace, she was like a bird caught in a net, while the one holding it patiently drew in the strands.
Instead of returning to his quarters, he dismissed his guards and climbed alone to the palace observatory.
Night descended, and the stars began to emerge. He stood by the railing, his robes stirred by the evening breeze. Only when no one was watching did his gentle eyes reveal the deep darkness and calculation lurking within.
"Xue Xing..." he murmured, tapping his fingers lightly against the cold stone railing. "After being frightened, will he lash out in desperation, or lie low for the time being?"
He wasn't worried that Xue Xing could discover the true identity of that night's "Emperor Hero." The Zen Seal had stilled time and space, and the Emperor Colt had crossed a thousand miles in an instant. Not the slightest trace of Soul Power had been left at the scene—everything about it was beyond this world's understanding.
Xue Xing would only grow suspicious, turning his suspicions toward the Soul Douluos or even Titled Douluos with old grudges against him, or wondering whether the imperial family had secretly cultivated some unknown force.
"Though Tang Yuehua..." Ye Yang gazed toward Moonlight Pavilion, the corners of his mouth lifting. "She's more composed than I expected."
Though she had been nervous during today's test in the garden, she had handled herself with grace, leaving no opening.
That composure wasn't an act. It was the result of years of cultivation and a tempered spirit. All the more reason to want to tear away that elegant, unruffled facade and see what kind of turmoil lay beneath.
"The Clear Sky Sect..." A glint flickered in Ye Yang's eyes. Though Tang Yuehua claimed to have left the sect, how could blood ties be severed so easily?
The Clear Sky Sect must know she had entered the palace. How would Tang Xiao, the hidden Clear Sky Douluo, regard his younger sister being "invited" into the palace? Would he watch and wait, or take action?
He needed a chess piece who could restrain Xue Xing, stir up the Clear Sky Sect, and divert attention from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect case. Tang Yuehua was the perfect choice.
"But I can't rush things." Ye Yang withdrew his gaze. "Only a slow boil brings out the truth."
He turned and descended from the observatory, his figure disappearing into the East Palace's deep night. The palace lanterns stretched his shadow long, like a lurking dark beast.
Beneath that same starry sky, Qian Renxue leaned against an ancient tree and gazed at the outline of the towering city walls in the distance. After days on the road, she was travel-worn and dusty, but her eyes remained as sharp as ever.
She had changed into coarse cloth clothes and altered her appearance, concealing her striking features until she looked like an ordinary young wandering Soul Master.
Her Soul Power flowed steadily through her body, and her control over the Emperor War Dragon Martial Soul grew more practiced by the day. But the faint tremors that occasionally came from deep within that Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring remained like a sword hanging over her heart.
"Suotuo City?" she murmured to herself.
She needed an identity, one that was reasonable and unlikely to invite suspicion. A student at a Soul Master Academy? A noble's servant? Or... joining some faction?
Prince Xue Xing's residence, secret chamber.
Candlelight flickered, illuminating Xue Xing's face, haggard and twisted from days of terror. Three trusted advisers stood before him, their heads bowed and their breath held, daring not look into the bloodshot eyes of the prince.
"Investigate! Keep investigating!" Xue Xing growled, his voice hoarse. "Every guard and servant in the residence that night, even the kitchen suppliers—verify every record of everyone who came and went!
"And secretly investigate every Soul Sage or higher in Heaven Dou City, especially those who have a grudge against me. Find out where they were that night!"
"Your Highness," one adviser ventured nervously, "the Ministry of Justice has already pressed us for the third time today to provide records of everyone who has come and gone from the residence recently, especially the movements of our Soul Master retainers."
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is applying heavy pressure, and His Majesty is truly furious. If we keep delaying..."
"Give them the records!" Xue Xing waved his hand irritably. "Send over some that don't matter! Remember, erase every trace connected to those five people. Not a single thing can be left behind!"
He panted heavily, fear and hatred mingling in his eyes. "And what about the Crown Prince? Has anything unusual happened at the East Palace lately?"
Before you continue