Princess Xuan Yi

Liu Xian immediately raised an orchid finger and waved it rapidly through the air, refusing. "Impossible. Do you know? Ever since your prison break was exposed yesterday, your Li Family has been transferred away overnight. Without an imperial decree, forget seeing them—no one can even find them. How am I supposed to save anyone?" As he spoke, he kept his voice extremely low, tinged with urgency, his brow faintly furrowed.

Li Chen Zhou pondered briefly, then asked, "What is the situation at court now?" He was deeply worried about the state of affairs.

Liu Xian glanced at Li Chen Zhou and slowly sat upright, his right hand supporting his left elbow while the index finger and thumb of his left hand gently pinched his chin. "I do have a bit of news here, but does the Young Duke intend to freeload?" A hint of cunning flashed through his eyes.

Knowing what Liu Xian wanted, Li Chen Zhou said, "Stop dreaming. You want to trade one piece of news for the latter half of the Dark Yin Sword Canon? Don't even think about it. Tell me, and in exchange, I'll tell you a secret." He weighed the pros and cons of the deal in his heart.

Liu Xian's interest was piqued, and his eyes narrowed slightly. "Oh?"

Li Chen Zhou urged, "You go first."

Knowing that the latter half was out of reach today, Liu Xian lightly brushed his sleeve and said, "I received word that Grand Secretary Chen has already obtained some evidence and is working to clear the Li Family's name. If nothing goes wrong, there should be news in three days."

Joy appeared on Li Chen Zhou's face. "That is good news." A surge of joy and hope rose within him.

Liu Xian gave a cold laugh, drawing it out long and low with a chill in it. He lightly tapped the table with his handkerchief. "Young Duke, you're happy too soon. Breaking out of the Ministry of Justice Prison, releasing a major imperial criminal without an edict, causing severe losses to the Black Armor Army—there is no escaping these crimes."

Li Chen Zhou did not take those matters to heart. Instead, he said to Liu Xian, "Since Eunuch Liu has told me, I'll tell Eunuch Liu something as well. Prince Jin is going to rebel, and it will be tonight." His expression was grave, his tone certain.

"What?" Li Chen Zhou's words clearly shook Liu Xian badly. His eyes widened, and the handkerchief in his hand fell to the floor without his noticing.

"Is that true? This is no small matter. If even half a sentence is false, do you know the consequences?" Liu Xian grabbed Li Chen Zhou's arm.

Li Chen Zhou smiled. "I wasn't sure just now, but after hearing Eunuch Liu's news, I am sure."

Liu Xian was puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Li Chen Zhou lowered his voice, speaking with confidence. "It's simple. Duke Zhen's Estate is about to be cleared of its charges. Once my father, Li Qing Shan, is restored to his position, Prince Jin will lose his best chance to rebel. So tonight is his best time to act."

After saying that, Li Chen Zhou rose and straightened his clothes. "I've told Eunuch Liu what needed to be told. As for how Eunuch Liu can earn himself a great merit in this affair, that will depend on Eunuch Liu." He felt the exhilaration of a scheme succeeding.

Liu Xian fell silent and paced back and forth through the room. After a long while, he stopped and looked at Li Chen Zhou. "I will investigate this in secret. If it is as you say, I will owe you a favor."

Li Chen Zhou merely smiled without speaking and left the tavern.

Having learned that his family was safe, the weight hanging over Li Chen Zhou's heart finally settled, and he was filled with relief.

"Ding... Congratulations, Host, for completing the investigation into the Net of Heaven conspiracy. Reward: one random Heaven-tier movement martial skill."

"Ding... Beginning draw. Congratulations, Host, for obtaining the Heaven-tier movement martial skill... Lingxiao Phantom Step."

"Ding... Would you like to fuse it?"

"Fuse."

The true qi surging through his meridians suddenly stagnated. Li Chen Zhou was startled to discover that his shadow had actually detached from his body, dancing out seven afterimages beneath the moonlight.

Every blue brick stepped upon by an afterimage bloomed with frost-like cracks. When he lifted his foot, purple mist rose from those cracks and carried his body aloft.

"Ding... Prince Jin has moved his rebellion forward. The system has issued a mission: prevent Prince Jin's rebellion from succeeding. Reward upon completion: one random martial skill or cultivation technique."

The system prompt abruptly rang in Li Chen Zhou's mind, instantly putting him on edge.

Noon was approaching. As Li Chen Zhou turned around, he reverted to the assassin's original appearance.

When he returned to Jubao Trading Company, everyone had already assembled. The shopkeeper's expression was grave as his gaze swept over them one by one. He said in a deep voice, "We move tonight at the hour of the Rooster. The rest of you will infiltrate the various gate towers. Once Prince Jin's men arrive, kill the guards and open the city gates."

At this point, the shopkeeper's gaze fell on Li Chen Zhou. "You. Your lightness skill is not bad. Infiltrate the imperial palace, break through Xuan Virtue Gate, and once inside, support Prince Jin's forces from the side at the critical moment."

Li Chen Zhou was inwardly startled, but his expression remained calm as he gave a slight nod to show that he accepted the order.

He secretly considered it. Since Prince Jin was rebelling, he had to enter the palace anyway. With the attitude that if Prince Jin succeeded, he would give the emperor another stab, and if Prince Jin failed, he would give Prince Jin another stab, he had no choice but to go.

The group gathered together and waited in silence. At last, the hour of the Rooster arrived. Night was black as ink, shrouding the entire Capital City.

Like a black phantom, Li Chen Zhou was the first to race toward the imperial palace.

After entering Tai Xuan Gate, he found a place and activated Thousand Faces.

In an instant, his face, build, and even temperament underwent an earthshaking transformation. With a single change, he became an utterly ordinary young eunuch.

Li Chen Zhou cautiously blended into the imperial palace. He had intended to silently make his way toward the emperor's residence, but the moment he stepped into a secluded corridor, he collided headlong with Princess Xuan Yi, who wore magnificent robes and had a pretty face, though her expression was haughty and spoiled.

"You little eunuch, don't you watch where you're walking?" The princess's almond eyes widened in fury. Raising her hand, she was about to slap Li Chen Zhou.

Li Chen Zhou instinctively sidestepped. That dodge only infuriated the princess further. Her willow brows shot up as she glared at him and shrieked, "Oh? You dare dodge? Someone, take him to the side hall and teach him a proper lesson!"

To avoid alerting the enemy, Li Chen Zhou allowed himself to be escorted away from his original route by a cluster of palace maids and eunuchs.

The Li Family had produced military generals for generations. Though Li Chen Zhou had crossed into this world, the original owner's memories contained impressions of the appearances of these princes and princesses.

Inside the side hall, the princess circled Li Chen Zhou several times. The longer she looked, the more something seemed wrong. Suspicion appeared on her face as she demanded, "You little eunuch, why do you look so unfamiliar? Could you be an impostor?" As she spoke, she suddenly reached out and yanked off Li Chen Zhou's hat, revealing his male topknot.

"You really are a fake!" the princess cried out, her eyes round with shock. Just as she was about to shout, Li Chen Zhou moved swiftly and stepped forward, covering her mouth.

"Princess, do not make a sound!" He tore off his disguise, revealing his true face, and said urgently, "I am the Li Family's eldest son, Li Chen Zhou. Prince Jin is plotting rebellion, and time is pressing. I infiltrated the palace to protect His Majesty!"

The princess's eyes widened, her face filled with shock and disbelief.

"Li Chen Zhou... it's you? Aren't you... in..." Yet Princess Xuan Yi cried out inwardly, This is Li Chen Zhou, who nearly became my consort?