The black shadow rushed to the palace's northern gate—the Xuanwu Gate—at incredible speed!
After arriving at the Xuanwu Gate, the shadow gradually dispersed, revealing his figure. It was Xue Chen, the Shadow Douluo at Xu Tianran's side.
Xu Tianran had sent him to monitor the situation at the Purple Radiance Prince's Manor. The moment Xu Tianchen and Deputy Chief Steward Guo left together, he was to return to the Xuanwu Gate and report to Xu Tianran.
Xue Chen directly found Xu Tianran, who was currently sitting in a chair atop the palace wall with his eyes closed in quiet repose.
His fingers tapped against the armrest, the sound of "tap, tap, tap" echoing through the tranquil surroundings.
"Your Highness, Deputy Chief Steward Guo has already brought Xu Tianchen this way."
Xue Chen walked to Xu Tianran's side and spoke in a lowered voice.
Upon hearing Xue Chen's words, Xu Tianran opened his eyes. A glint flashed through them, and the corners of his lips rose slightly. Things had begun proceeding according to his plan. It was time to prepare for what came next.
"Good."
Xu Tianran rose from his chair, climbed down from the palace wall, and entered a small room nearby.
He told Xue Chen to stand guard outside and not open the door or enter no matter what happened. The helpers Xu Tianran had invited were inside the room.
Xu Tianran entered. Two people in black robes, their entire bodies wrapped from head to toe, were seated on either side of a table. Xu Tianran approached them and respectfully bowed.
"Seniors."
"What? Is it time?"
The black-robed figure seated on the left spoke, but it was impossible to tell whether the voice belonged to a man or a woman, young or old. It sounded like a jumble of