The sun was already high when Zhu Youxiao left morning court and returned to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to attend to state affairs.
Conditions in Ming had been poor these past few years. Disaster followed disaster, and many commoners had been forced to leave their homes to survive, wandering into other regions and becoming refugees.
Memorials reporting disasters and requesting relief funds had piled up, but Ming's treasury was empty. Zhu Youxiao had no solution for the moment and could only prioritize relief for the worst-hit regions.
After a while, Zhu Youxiao put down the memorial in his hand and rubbed his brow in frustration.
As emperor, he could not ignore his people's suffering, but he also feared that officials below him were deceiving him with false reports. His planned tour outside the palace was therefore not merely a chance to clear his mind. He also wanted to see whether conditions were truly so dire.
At that thought, Zhu Youxiao looked at the young eunuch waiting beside him and asked, "How are the preparations for my tour coming along?"
The young eunuch hurried forward and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, the carriages and treasure ships along the route are ready, and the Ministry of War has nearly finished arranging security. Only the Ministry of Rites is still discussing the ceremonial procession."
Zhu Youxiao frowned. "I am only going on a tour. There is no need for an extravagant procession that might disturb the common people. Tell the Ministry of Rites to stop discussing it. I need no ceremonial escort."
A faint flicker passed through the young eunuch's eyes. He bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."
Zhu Youxiao nodded, then continued, "Oh, have the West Depot's men departed?"
The young eunuch clasped his hands. "Word just arrived from outside the palace. Eunuch Yu of the West Depot left the capital with his men this morning. The Embroidered Uniform Guard accompanied him."
"The Embroidered Uniform Guard..."
Zhu Youxiao narrowed his eyes slightly. Naturally, he had heard about the West Depot's movements over the past few days.
But Cao Zhengchun had guessed correctly. This had been done with his tacit approval.
The two Depots and the Embroidered Uniform Guard were all blades in his hand, but the Guard's performance over the years had disappointed him. Under the East Depot's command, however, their efficiency had greatly improved.
Thus, he had turned a blind eye to the East Depot's covert interference and control over the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
The same held true now.
If the West Depot could wrest control of the Embroidered Uniform Guard from the East Depot, that merely proved the East Depot's incompetence. He would not favor either side.
He had established the West Depot precisely to counterbalance the East Depot.
If the East Depot had the ability, it could find a way to seize control of the Embroidered Uniform Guard again. Naturally, it must not break the rules, or it would be testing the limits of his patience.
Besides, Yu Huatian was going to compete for the Great White Upper Kingdom's treasure. There was nothing unreasonable about taking more men.
So long as Yu Huatian successfully brought the treasure back, he would pursue the matter no further.
"Yu Huatian, I hope you will not disappoint me..."
Zhu Youxiao looked northwest, his eyes flickering.
A moment later, he withdrew his gaze and asked mildly, "Nothing important has happened in the palace these past few days, has it?"
"Nothing major, Your Majesty, though I did hear that several palace maids have disappeared from Cining Palace."
Zhu Youxiao frowned. "How is that anything important?"
The young eunuch hesitated before answering, "The servants are saying that those maids had affairs with guards and were secretly executed by Consort Wan."
Zhu Youxiao paused briefly, then said flatly, "Find out who is wagging their tongue and make them shut their mouth."
A few dead palace maids. How was that a major matter?
With so many people in the palace, a few died every month. It was nothing unusual.
But the mention of palace maids suddenly reminded Zhu Youxiao that he seemed to have gotten drunk some days ago and bedded a fairly attractive maid. State affairs had kept him busy afterward, and he had put it out of his mind.
Now that he thought of it, could that maid be carrying an imperial child?
He had been on the throne for so many years without a child, and Zhu Youxiao remained deeply concerned about the matter.
If that maid really was carrying his child, he would not mind appointing another noble consort.
But he soon shook his head and put the thought aside.
He had only bedded her once. How could she have happened to conceive so easily?
South of the city, at Dragon Guard Mountain Villa.
Inside the great hall, Zhu Wushi sat upright on the throne above, dressed in a black-and-gold python robe, his bearing imposing.
Three figures stood below him. Two were Duan Tianya and Guihai Yidao.
The last appeared to be a handsome young gentleman holding a folding fan, with bound hair and a crown, as elegant as fine jade.
This was Shangguan Haitang, master of Number One Manor and Dragon Guard Mountain Villa's third secret agent, the First Rank of the Mysterious Division.
Shangguan Haitang always presented herself to the outside world as a man. What outsiders did not know was that she was actually a woman and had dressed as a man all these years.
Shangguan Haitang clasped her hands and bowed to Zhu Wushi on the throne. "Greetings, Foster Father. May I ask why you summoned me back so urgently?"
Looking at the three below him, Zhu Wushi wasted no words. "I have received word that a treasure will emerge in the northwestern desert within the next few days. His Majesty has ordered me to assist the West Depot in bringing it back."
All three grew solemn at his words.
Shangguan Haitang clasped her hands. "Foster Father, is this the treasure everyone in the martial world has been talking about lately, left behind when the Great White Upper Kingdom fell three hundred years ago?"
"Indeed. That is the one!"
Zhu Wushi nodded. "I hear that many people from the martial world have rushed to the northwestern desert to join the excitement. Even several major Demonic Cults may have emerged. This news is very likely true!"
The three nodded.
Duan Tianya asked, "Foster Father, what would you have us do?"
Zhu Wushi said gravely, "Disasters plague our Ming, and the common people struggle to survive. This is precisely when we need money. I want you to follow the West Depot to the desert in secret and successfully bring back the treasure!"
"Yes, Foster Father!"
The three clasped their hands solemnly.
Zhu Wushi looked at Duan Tianya and Guihai Yidao and continued, "Tianya, Yidao, I know you have had a dispute with Yu Huatian. But this treasure is a matter of grave importance, and other nations may even intervene. At a time like this, you must not act on personal feelings!"
Duan Tianya clasped his hands. "Rest assured, Foster Father. I can distinguish between a private grudge and duty to our nation!"
"Good. I was not wrong about you."
Zhu Wushi nodded in satisfaction. "Go. Be careful on the road."
"Yes, Foster Father!"
The three bowed again, then turned and left.
Zhu Wushi did not rise. He remained seated on the throne, gazing silently at the empty hall, his thoughts unreadable.
The autumn wind blew bleakly, and fine rain pattered down as though it would never end, showing no sign of stopping.
Few pedestrians were on the streets. Many stood beneath the eaves on either side, sheltering from the rain.
A restaurant along the street was likewise crowded with martial artists, who sheltered there, warmed their wine, and talked expansively.
"I hear a treasure has emerged in the northwestern desert, drawing plenty of people from the martial world. They say experts from other nations have come too. Aren't any of you going to join the excitement?"
"How could people like us covet that treasure? I hear all the major martial sects have sent people. With our paltry, three-legged-cat skills, we'd probably die without even knowing how it happened."
"Exactly! I hear it isn't just the major martial sects. Several great Demonic Gates have emerged too. Ren Tianxing, leader of the Demonic Cult, and Dongfang Bubai, leader of the Sun Moon Holy Cult, headed to Dragon Gate three days ago and killed plenty of people from the major sects!"
"That's right, I heard it too. Apparently, even Heavenly Venerable and Black Stone, those two assassin organizations that have become notorious lately, have appeared in the desert!"
"Why are assassin organizations joining a fight over treasure?"
"Are you stupid? They say this treasure was left behind when the Great White Upper Kingdom fell three hundred years ago, and it rivals a nation's wealth. Even a little of it would keep them living extravagantly for ages. Isn't that faster than killing people?"
"That's true..."
By a window, a young man in white robes sat at a table, listening to the martial artists' discussion without saying a word, quietly drinking his wine.
The young man was strikingly handsome, with a faintly feminine cast to his features. Yet his innate nobility and authority could not be concealed, and his dignified bearing carried an unapproachable coldness.
Across from him, a man with a ponytail tore into a roast chicken without a shred of decorum, occasionally lifting his cup for a hearty gulp of wine. An Imperial Guard Saber, much longer than an ordinary sword or saber, stood beside the table.
Beside them sat a bluish-faced man in plain cloth clothes, carrying a double-headed spear on his back, wrapped in canvas.
One glance at this trio made it clear they were not to be trifled with, so no fool dared approach and disturb them.
"The orthodox sects, the Demonic Gate, assassin organizations..."
Listening to the martial artists' discussion, Yu Huatian narrowed his eyes, a trace of gravity flashing in their depths.
He had underestimated how strongly this treasure would draw the martial world.
Many renowned sects had sent people, and even the two great demonic sects, the Demon Cult and the Sun Moon Holy Cult, had joined the excitement.
It seemed this mission would be far more difficult than he had imagined...
"Where are Ma Jinliang and the others?"
After pondering for a moment, Yu Huatian turned to Zhao Tong beside him and asked.
After leaving the capital, Yu Huatian had decided to split their forces in two and operate in secret to avoid drawing attention.
Ma Jinliang had taken the experts from the West Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard ahead to the desert to lie in wait and await orders.
Yu Huatian had set out separately with Ding Xiu and Zhao Tong, gathering intelligence along the way to determine exactly who their enemies would be.
From the look of things now, enemies were everywhere!
"Reporting to the superintendent, the chief officer sent word yesterday. They traveled by water and have reached Dragon Gate. They are awaiting you at Dragon Gate Pass!"
Zhao Tong stepped forward and spoke quietly.
Yu Huatian nodded and instructed, "Have him contact the garrison at Dragon Gate and prepare to deploy troops in advance. This time, we may need the army to keep things under control."
"Yes, Superintendent."
Yu Huatian glanced at Ding Xiu, who was entirely absorbed in eating and cared nothing for appearances. His mouth twitched, and he shook his head. "Eat first. Once we're done, we'll set off as soon as possible. The weather has been changeable lately. The desert's Black Storm may arrive early."
Zhao Tong nodded, then found a stool, sat down, and began eating too.
Tap, tap-
Just then, another series of footsteps came from outside, followed by a loud, arrogant voice from downstairs. "Innkeeper, bring me your best dishes and strongest wine! And be quick about it!"
Many frowned slightly at that brazen tone and turned toward the stairs, wanting to see who was making such a spectacle of himself.
Soon, a man in fine clothes strode upstairs with a Crooked-Hilt Short Saber in hand. His features were reasonably handsome, but a persistent air of frivolity and roguishness clung to his brow.
Two people followed him, a man and a woman. The man was a handsome youth in his twenties, holding a sheathed longsword, with something of a carefree swordsman's bearing.
The woman, however, was a young nun. She was lovely and endearing, but the worry on her face stirred pity at a glance.
This odd group immediately drew many gazes and startled expressions.
The man in front paid no attention to the looks. He strode to an empty table by the window and sat down, slamming his short saber onto the tabletop. Sweeping his gaze over the astonished faces around him, he glared and barked, "What are you staring at? Never seen a man as handsome as me? Keep looking and I'll gouge your eyes out!"
His arrogance immediately stirred everyone's anger. Many looked indignant, and some even slapped their tables and rose.
Seeing things turn ugly, the young swordsman beside him hurriedly urged, "Brother Tian, when traveling, it's better to keep a low profile. Please don't provoke everyone."
"Brother Tian? Is he Tian Boguang, the 'Lone Traveler of Ten Thousand Miles'?!"
Someone in the crowd heard how the young man addressed him and, putting that together with his attire, immediately guessed his identity and cried out in surprise.
At those words, many faces changed in alarm.
Tian Boguang, the "Lone Traveler of Ten Thousand Miles," had earned some renown in the martial world for his lightness skill and saber techniques. He was a first-rate expert, but his obsession with women had led him to ruin many respectable young women, leaving him with a poor reputation.
"Tian Boguang? Isn't he that notorious rapist?"
"Shh! Watch your tongue! Tian Boguang isn't someone to provoke. I heard that last month, 'Four Eyebrows' Lu Xiaofeng came after him after hearing of his crimes, and he still escaped!"
"Hiss... He escaped from Lu Xiaofeng? Is Tian Boguang's martial prowess really that impressive?"
"Who knows? However he escaped Lu Xiaofeng's pursuit, the fact that he got away means he's already beyond anyone we can afford to offend."
The crowd murmured quietly, their eyes filled with wariness as they looked at Tian Boguang. Their earlier anger promptly vanished.
Tian Boguang might only be at the first-rate Acquired realm, but that already counted as some renown in the martial world. As for Innate or Grandmaster experts, how could one encounter them so easily?
Tian Boguang also heard the crowd's discussion. He glanced at the first man to recognize him and said smugly, "You've got a decent eye, recognizing who I am."
Everyone inwardly scorned how he took pride in what should have brought him shame, but none dared say anything more. They all turned and sat back down.
When roaming the martial world, it was best to stay out of others' affairs. After all, not everyone was Lu Xiaofeng, with friends to help wherever he went.
Seeing this, Tian Boguang grew bored. He turned back, propped his chin on his hand, and studied the young nun opposite him with a grin.
Unsettled by his gaze, the young nun quickly lowered her head, her face full of fear and unease.
The young swordsman hurriedly stepped in front of her. "Brother Tian, you promised me you wouldn't touch Junior Sister Yilin until you had thoroughly defeated me."
Tian Boguang waved impatiently. "I know. I keep my word. Linghu Chong, whatever method you use, if you can beat me, I'll release this little nun. If you lose, stop meddling in my business."
"Linghu Chong? He's Linghu Chong of Mount Hua?!"
Everyone was startled again and turned their gazes toward the young swordsman.
"Isn't the Mount Hua Sect a prestigious orthodox sect? Why is he mixed up with Tian Boguang?"
"Who knows! Those prestigious orthodox sects are all fishing for fame. Yue Buqun himself is a hypocrite!"
"Exactly. That little nun seems to be from the Mount Heng Sect. Linghu Chong and Tian Boguang probably saw how pretty she was and decided to prey on her."
"Pah! Prestigious orthodox sect, my foot. So this is the sort of disciple Yue Buqun raises!"
"That poor little nun..."
The crowd discussed it in low voices, their gazes toward the young swordsman now tinged with contempt.
Linghu Chong's expression changed slightly at their words. He wanted to explain that he had only wagered with Tian Boguang and played along with him to save Yilin, but for the moment, he did not know how.
Elsewhere, Yu Huatian and his two companions had been watching coldly throughout. Now they knew the identities of Tian Boguang and his companions.
Yu Huatian continued eating quietly, his expression unchanged, but Zhao Tong instinctively reached for the double-headed spear on his back.
Tian Boguang, the notorious rapist, was on record at all the major government offices.
Even Ding Xiu stopped eating. A trace of killing intent surfaced in his eyes as he said coldly, "The people I hate most in this life are those rapists who ruin others' innocence!"
As he spoke, he reached for the Imperial Guard Saber standing beside the table.
"Don't meddle."
Yu Huatian raised his eyelids slightly and said mildly, "We are operating in secret. We cannot let anyone know we are heading to the desert too. There will be time to kill Tian Boguang later."
Ding Xiu frowned slightly. Though unwilling to let this rapist go, he had to obey Yu Huatian's orders. He could only suppress his killing intent for now and sit back down.
But sometimes, even when you did not seek trouble, trouble came knocking of its own accord.
Tian Boguang seemed bored waiting for the waiter to bring the food. Linghu Chong had stopped him from teasing Yilin, leaving him to glance around without much interest.
When he noticed the equally strange trio at the corner table, his eyes suddenly lit up. He raised his brows at Yu Huatian and called, "Hey, pretty boy! How did you turn out even prettier than this little nun? Are you even a man?"
Whoosh!
Yu Huatian's eating motion paused slightly.
Zhao Tong and Ding Xiu's expressions changed drastically. Naturally, they knew that Yu Huatian's body was incomplete, and being asked whether he was a man was his greatest taboo.
"Insolence!"
Zhao Tong snapped coldly, took the spear from his back, and was about to strike.
Yu Huatian waved a hand slightly and raised his head to look at the frivolous Tian Boguang opposite him. A chill flashed in his eyes as he said mildly, "Couldn't you just eat your meal? Why did you have to run that foul mouth of yours?"
Though his voice was calm, everyone heard the icy killing intent within it, and many shuddered involuntarily.
Tian Boguang's expression also shifted slightly as he sensed something was wrong. But with so many people watching, if a single remark from some boy of unknown origins frightened him off, where would that leave his pride?
Suppressing his unease, he slapped the table and sprang to his feet, snorting coldly. "So what if I insult you? Pretty boys like you are what I despise most. I bet you live off women-"
Whoosh-
Before he could finish, Tian Boguang shuddered and abruptly fell silent.
Puzzled, everyone turned to look, and their expressions changed drastically.
At some point, a chopstick had pierced Tian Boguang's forehead. Crimson blood slowly trickled down his cheeks.
Tian Boguang's eyes widened as he stared fixedly at the white-clad figure opposite him, disbelief filling his gaze. His mouth opened, trying to speak, but before he could utter a single word, his body toppled heavily backward.
Thud-
[Fortune from Tian Boguang +1000.]
An uproar erupted!
As Tian Boguang's body hit the floor, the crowd burst into an uproar, staring in horror at the white-clad figure in the corner.
Tian Boguang had been a first-rate Acquired Realm martial artist, with formidable saber skills and lightness techniques. Even the renowned Lu Xiaofeng had been unable to catch him, yet this man had killed him with a single chopstick!
That meant this man's strength had to surpass Tian Boguang's. He was undoubtedly an Innate Realm expert!
But who could such a young Innate Realm expert possibly be?
"People in the martial world always say its affairs should be settled within it. Yet if someone like this was allowed to live so long, the martial world really is full of useless trash."
Yu Huatian glanced at Tian Boguang's corpse, his expression indifferent as he spoke flatly.
Everyone snapped out of their shock. Looking at Tian Boguang's corpse on the floor, his eyes still open in death, Linghu Chong instinctively took two steps back, his expression dazed. "Brother Tian?"
Then he turned toward Yu Huatian and frowned. "Brother Tian merely made one remark about you, yet you killed him so ruthlessly. Doesn't that violate the code of chivalry?"
"Chivalry?"
Yu Huatian glanced at him and said flatly, "A rapist actually deserves such staunch defense from Mount Hua's senior disciple? Is that the code of chivalry Mount Hua follows?"
Linghu Chong's expression shifted slightly, and he could find nothing to say.
The killing intent in Yu Huatian's eyes did not diminish. "Tian Boguang violated countless innocent women. Death was no more than he deserved. But the Mount Hua Sect raised a disciple like you, someone who keeps chivalry on his lips all day yet cannot tell right from wrong and even befriends a rapist. It deserves death as well!"
"And you deserve death even more!"
As his words fell, Yu Huatian swept his sleeve, sending the remaining chopstick flying.
Linghu Chong's expression changed drastically, and he immediately tried to dodge. But even a first-rate expert like Tian Boguang had been unable to evade the attack. How could he possibly escape Yu Huatian's strike with his paltry third-rate Acquired Realm skills?
Whoosh-
All anyone heard was something cutting through the air before Linghu Chong followed in Tian Boguang's footsteps. A chopstick protruded from the center of his brow, only half its length exposed. He stood frozen in place for a moment, then crashed to the floor, his life extinguished.
"Senior Brother Linghu..."
The young nun Yilin turned pale with fright. She immediately rose to support Linghu Chong's corpse, staring blankly, at a loss for what to do.
[Fortune from Linghu Chong +8848.]
Hearing the system notification in his mind, Yu Huatian's gaze finally changed a little. He had not expected the fortune plundered from Linghu Chong to be even greater than what he had taken from Zhao Huaian earlier.
It was a pleasant surprise.
Gathering his thoughts, Yu Huatian glanced at the two corpses on the floor and Yilin's small face, pale with terror. His appetite gone, he stood up. "Let's go."
With that, he headed downstairs.
Zhao Tong immediately followed. Ding Xiu cast a reluctant glance at the table laden with food and wine, but finally shook his head and rose with a sigh. Before leaving, he tore off a chicken leg and ate it as he walked.
A clamor erupted-
Once Yu Huatian and his two companions had left, the previously deathly silent restaurant erupted into commotion.
"Who was that man? He even dared to kill a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect!"
"Didn't you hear what he said? He doesn't even think anything of Yue Buqun. What could a mere Mount Hua Sect matter to him?"
"Exactly! He's already an Innate Realm expert at such a young age. He must come from some major sect. Why would he fear retaliation from the Mount Hua Sect?"
"Hmph! After raising a disciple like that, Yue Buqun would still dare take revenge? The Mount Hua Sect's reputation will probably stink to high heaven soon!"
"That's right! This Linghu Chong deserved far worse than death..."
(End of chapter)
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