Walking on Thin Ice

His words were filled with concern, yet his eyes held a playful, all-knowing glint, as if he were savoring the sight of her forced composure.

Tang Yuehua's hand tightened slightly within her sleeve, though her expression remained serene. "I appreciate Your Highness's concern, but everything is as usual at the Moonlight Pavilion."

"As usual is good." Ye Yang nodded, then suddenly shifted the topic, his tone casual yet laced with hidden barbs. "By the way, the Ministry of Justice submitted a report recently. It seems there are some new leads regarding the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect case."

Tang Yuehua's heart skipped a beat, and she raised her eyes to look at him.

Ye Yang savored the fleeting tension in her gaze and continued unhurriedly, "It is said that although the traces left at the scene were deliberately cleaned, there was a residual aura of a peculiar Soul Power—chilling and sinister, not of a style common to Heaven Dou."

"It rather resembles the methods favored by certain organizations that specialize in stealth and assassination."

He paused, looking at Tang Yuehua with profound meaning. "My Lady is well-traveled; have you ever heard of any factions on the continent that specialize in such underhanded dealings?"

A chill ran down Tang Yuehua's spine. The Crown Prince's words sounded like an inquiry, but felt more like a hint or a probe. Did he know something? Or was he trying to guide her train of thought?

She steadied her mind and replied cautiously, "I have lived in the Pavilion for a long time, concerned only with elegance and art, and know little of the underworld factions. As for such grave matters, the officials of the Ministry of Justice will surely discern the truth."

"My Lady is too modest." Ye Yang took a step forward, closing the distance, his voice dropping to a level only the two of them could hear.

"The Clear Sky Sect remains in seclusion, but their intelligence network surely hasn't withered. As the sister of the Sect Master, have you truly... not heard a single whisper?"

His presence loomed, carrying 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 their hand in this matter.

She suppressed the urge to retreat, her nails digging deep into her palms, her voice remaining steady. "Your Highness, I left the sect many years ago to devote myself to the Moonlight Pavilion, and I do not concern myself with external affairs."

"Sect matters are certainly not for a woman like me to interfere with. If Your Highness has questions, perhaps you could... ask my brother directly." She gently deflected the question, while simultaneously clarifying that she was no longer part of the sect's core.

Ye Yang stared at her for a moment, then suddenly let out a hearty laugh, the pressure instantly vanishing. "My Lady is indeed cautious. I was merely asking in passing; there is no need for you to be nervous."

He stepped back, returning to his gentle, refined persona. "It is getting late, and I should not overstay my welcome. Please rest well, My Lady. While teaching Ke'er, do take care of your own health."

With that, he cast a meaningful look at Tang Yuehua and turned to leave. The guard followed him like a shadow.

Not until his figure had completely vanished into the twilight did Tang Yuehua slowly unclench her hands, her palms cold and damp.

Every word the Crown Prince spoke today was a blade. Mentioning the case was a warning, asking about the Clear Sky Sect was a probe, and that final remark about her health was a threat.

He was telling her that she, and the Clear Sky Sect behind her, were under his watchful eye.

She looked toward the East Palace, where the palace lanterns were just being lit, yet it felt as if a beast lay in wait, ready to bare its fangs at any moment. Within this deep palace, she was like a bird caught in a net, and the one holding the strings was patiently drawing them tight.

He dismissed his guards and ascended the palace's stargazing platform alone.

Night fell, and the stars began to emerge. He stood by the railing, the night breeze stirring his robes. Only when no one was watching did his gentle eyes reveal a depth as dark and calculating as a bottomless pool.

"Xue Xing..." he murmured the name, his fingertips tapping lightly against the cold stone railing. "After the shock, will you act like a cornered dog, or will you lie in wait?"

He was not worried that Prince Xue Xing could discover the true identity of the "Emperor Hero" from that night. The Zen Seal that froze time and space, the Emperor Colt that traveled a thousand miles in an instant—the scene had left no trace of Soul Power behind. Everything was beyond the comprehension of this world.

Xue Xing would only grow paranoid, turning his suspicions toward the Soul Douluos or even Titled Douluos with whom he had old grudges, or suspecting that the Imperial family had secretly cultivated an unknown force.

"As for Tang Yuehua..." Ye Yang looked toward the Moonlight Pavilion, his lips curling upward. "She is more composed than I expected."

During the probe in the garden today, she had been nervous, yet her responses were impeccable and watertight.

That composure was not a facade, but the result of years of cultivation and tempering of her character. The more she acted this way, the more he wanted to tear away that elegant, calm exterior to see what kind of turbulence lay beneath.

"The Clear Sky Sect..." Ye Yang's eyes flickered. Although Tang Yuehua claimed to have left the sect, how could the ties of blood be so easily severed?

She had entered the palace; the Clear Sky Sect must be aware of it. How would that reclusive Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Xiao, view his sister being "invited" into the palace? Would he watch and wait, or would he take action?

He needed a pawn—one that could keep Xue Xing in check, stir up the Clear Sky Sect, and divert attention away from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect case. Tang Yuehua was the perfect candidate.

"However, I must not be too hasty." Ye Yang withdrew his gaze. "Only by boiling the frog in warm water will the true results appear."

He turned and walked down the stargazing platform, his figure merging into the deep night of the East Palace. The palace lanterns stretched his shadow, making him look like a lurking beast.

Under the same starry sky, Qian Renxue leaned against an ancient tree, gazing at the silhouette of the towering city walls in the distance. After days of travel, she was covered in dust, but her eyes remained as sharp as ever.

She had changed into coarse cloth garments and applied some makeup to her face, masking her overly striking features so she looked like an ordinary young wandering Soul Master.

The Soul Power within her flowed steadily, and her control over the Emperor War Dragon martial soul was becoming increasingly proficient. Yet, the faint, occasional throbbing from deep within that hundred-thousand-year soul ring remained like a sword hanging over her heart.

"Suotuo City?" she whispered to herself.

She needed an identity—a reasonable one that would not easily invite suspicion. A student of a Soul Master Academy? A noble's attendant? Or perhaps... joining a faction?

Prince Xue Xing's residence, secret chamber.

The candlelight flickered, illuminating Xue Xing's face, which was haggard and twisted from days of terror. Three of his trusted aides stood before him, all bowing their heads and holding their breath, not daring to look at the bloodshot eyes of the Prince.

"Investigate! Investigate again!" Xue Xing roared, his voice hoarse. "Check every guard, servant, and even the kitchen staff in the residence that night! Verify every entry and exit record for me!"

"Also, secretly screen every Soul Master above the Soul Saint level in Heaven Dou City, especially those who have a grudge against me. See what their whereabouts were that night!"

"Your Highness," one aide said, biting the bullet, "the Ministry of Justice... they have urged us for the third time today, demanding that the residence cooperate by providing recent visitor records, especially the movements of our Soul Master guests."

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is applying heavy pressure, and His Majesty is truly furious. If we delay any longer..."

"Give it to them!" Xue Xing waved his hand irritably. "Pick some irrelevant records and send them over! Remember, all traces related to those five people must be wiped clean—not a single shred can remain!"

He panted heavily, fear and resentment intertwined in his eyes. "And what of the Crown Prince... has there been any unusual movement from the East Palace lately?"