Imperial City, Jingyuan Hall.
The palace doors were tightly shut, and the array isolated the flow of energy between the inside and outside.
The eldest prince, Ling Chengyuan, sat behind a long table, his fingers slowly tapping the armrest. The cup of spiritual tea in front of him had long since gone cold.
An elderly man in a gray robe stood in the hall.
This man is named Zhao Yuangeng, one of the five retainers of the Great Qian Imperial Family. Divine Sea Realm Seventh Level. Apart from a few core members of the royal family, no one knows that he has secretly sided with the eldest prince.
Zhao Yuangeng said in a low voice, "Your Highness, news just came from the Blood Baleful Intent Tower that the ambush has failed again. The princess has already left the Black Wind Mountain Range, and Shen Qianyue is still alive. At their pace, they should be able to return to the capital today."
Ling Chengyuan's fingers, which were tapping on the armrest, stopped.
The atmosphere inside the hall immediately became oppressive.
"Failed again?"
Ling Chengyuan slowly raised his head, his face showing no anger, but his eyes were terrifyingly gloomy.
"The 500,000 mid-grade spirit stones that this hall paid to get them to help could be explained by insufficient preparation in the previous ambushes, but this time they were so confident, claiming that as long as the target did not have the protection of a ninth-level Divine Sea Realm expert, there would be no way for him to survive."
"Now that Ling Xueyao is unharmed and Shen Qianyue has returned alive, is this how they do things for money?"
Zhao Yuangeng did not respond.
For fifty years, the Blood Baleful Intent Tower has remained hidden, and its strength has remained a mystery to all. Even Zhao Yuangeng, as a royal retainer, only knew that the Golden-Faced Assassins were all at the Late Divine Sea Realm, and the Purple-Faced Deputy Tower Master rarely showed his face.
Such a powerful force should be avoided if possible.
Ling Chengyuan was also aware of this.
Despite his many grievances, he dared not actually question the Blood Baleful Intent Tower.
Those people dared to kill even the strongest members of the seven major sects, so they might not take a prince who hasn't even secured his position seriously.
Suppressing his anger, Ling Chengyuan asked in a deep voice, "Has Blood Baleful Intent Tower explained the reasons for its failure?"
Zhao Yuangeng replied, "They only said that an accident occurred in the Black Wind Mountain Range. First, Shen Qianyue stopped one of the Golden Masks, and the other was killed by the princess's trump card during the chase. In addition, she seems to have a young man with her, who is said to be Chu Yunfei, the one who caused a commotion in Qingyang City before."
"The trump card?"
Ling Chengyuan frowned.
"Could it be a life-saving measure left to her by her father?"
"Possibly." Zhao Yuangeng's gaze darkened slightly. " The Blood Baleful Intent Tower is extremely dissatisfied with our failure to provide this information, but they don't seem to intend to pursue the matter further, only saying they will look for another opportunity later."
Ling Chengyuan leaned back in his seat, his mind racing.
I thought this imperial sister was incredibly lucky to be alive.
Unexpectedly, his father, the emperor, had already made preparations.
Ling Xueyao returned to the city alive.
This is not good news for him.
Despite Blood Baleful Intent Tower's repeated attacks, his father remained completely unresponsive, which actually put his mind at ease.
Ling Zhantian's most beloved child was Ling Xueyao.
If the Emperor had merely gone into seclusion, he wouldn't have stood by and watched Ling Xueyao be repeatedly ambushed and killed.
The palace and its surroundings would not be so peaceful.
The only explanation is that the Emperor is no longer able to concern himself with matters outside the court.
The news from the Heavenly Sword Sect is true.
Ling Zhantian had been poisoned and was already in a coma.
Thinking of this, Ling Chengyuan's anger dissipated by most, and a slight smile even appeared on his lips.
Zhao Yuangeng observed the change in his expression and sighed inwardly.
This eldest prince was usually kind and gentle, and rarely got angry even when facing palace servants. But Zhao Yuangeng knew that his gentleness was just for show.
A person who would pay a fortune to save their own sister's life just to confirm a piece of information is colder than anyone else at heart.
Ling Chengyuan picked up the cold tea and took a sip.
"Venerable Zhao, how did the Heavenly Sword Sect know that Father Emperor was poisoned? This matter was kept from us for many years, yet they, being far away in the sect, were able to obtain the news in advance."
"Could that poison be related to the Heavenly Sword Sect?"
Zhao Yuangeng shook his head.
"It's unlikely. His Majesty is at the Divine Sea Realm Ninth Level, and he has Shen Qianyue and others protecting him. Although that elder in the forbidden area hasn't shown himself for many years, he's still alive. If the Heavenly Sword Sect were to poison him themselves, once the traces are revealed, it would invite the royal family's retaliation at any cost."
Their response was simple: the information has its own source, but they wouldn't disclose the specific channel.
A flicker of displeasure crossed Ling Chengyuan's eyes.
"If they were unwilling to disclose it, why did they send the information to me in the first place? They couldn't possibly just be looking for internal strife within the royal family."
After a moment's hesitation, Zhao Yuangeng said, " The Heavenly Sword Sect wishes to cooperate with Your Highness."
Ling Chengyuan narrowed his eyes.
What kind of cooperation?
They didn't say it explicitly.
Zhao Yuangeng took out a communication jade talisman and placed it on the long table. "One month from now, the triennial sect competition will be held in the imperial city. The people from the Heavenly Sword Sect said they will send someone to meet with Your Highness in person at that time."
"Sect Grand Competition..."
Ling Chengyuan picked up the jade talisman and gently stroked its surface with his fingertips.
Every three years, the seven major sects and the Great Qian Imperial Family would send their younger generations to spar with each other. Ostensibly, it was an exchange, but in reality, it was related to the reputation of both sides.
After a century-long agreement, the royal family and the seven princes were placed on equal footing.
Each sect competition attracts the attention of the entire Eastern Continent.
The Heavenly Sword Sect's choice to contact him at that time clearly indicated that they had planned it in advance.
Ling Chengyuan did not agree immediately.
The Heavenly Sword Sect proactively delivered news of the Emperor's poisoning and was willing to support him at a crucial moment; their ulterior motives must be substantial.
But he had no right to refuse.
Once the news of his father's coma is made public, he and the second prince will inevitably clash. If he can get the support of the Heavenly Sword Sect in secret, he will be able to gain an absolute advantage.
Zhao Yuangeng could tell that he was already tempted, and continued, "Of the five royal retainers, Yan and I support Your Highness, Sun Meng stands with the Second Prince, and the third has not yet expressed his opinion. Shen Qianyue has followed the Eldest Princess for many years and will not change his stance in the short term."
"As long as the Heavenly Sword Sect is willing to secretly assist, the Second Prince will not be able to cause any trouble. Even if the news of His Majesty's situation spreads, no one will be able to compete with His Highness. As for that elder in the forbidden area, he never gets involved in royal disputes."
Ling Chengyuan put the jade talisman into his sleeve, and his gentle smile returned to his face.
"My second brother has admired martial arts since childhood and has an impulsive personality. He is indeed not a cause for concern. If he behaves himself, I can still give him a place to stay in the future. If he insists on fighting for it, then don't blame me for being ruthless."
Zhao Yuangeng offered no comment, only asking in a low voice, "Should we send someone to keep an eye on the Third Prince?"
Upon hearing the name of the Third Prince, Ling Chengxuan, Ling Chengyuan chuckled softly.
"He spends his days in places of song and dance, and apart from a group of dancers, he doesn't even have a decent retainer in his mansion. I heard some time ago that he was collecting ancient zithers, and spent 100,000 spirit stones on a single incomplete piece."
"Keeping an eye on someone like that is a waste of manpower."
Zhao Yuangeng's eyes flickered slightly.
He also knew very little about the Third Prince.
Ling Chengxuan never interfered in the struggle for royal resources, nor did he try to win over any of the princes. When the princes gathered together, he would sit in a corner and drink wine, occasionally writing a few poems to add to the merriment.
No matter how you look at it, he doesn't seem to have any ambition to compete for the position.
Since Your Highness has made your judgment, I will say no more.
Zhao Yuangeng turned around and took two steps, then stopped.
"There is one more thing. Now that the princess has returned, she may personally go to see His Majesty. The Blood Baleful Intent Tower has failed multiple times and is unlikely to make any rash moves in the near future. Your Highness would be best off not to take any action as well."
Ling Chengyuan said calmly, "I understand. Her return alive is perfect for continuing to cover up my father's condition. As long as she pretends everything is normal, the outside world won't easily suspect anything."
"As for Chu Yunfei, let's have him investigated first."
"A former disciple of the Azure Mystic Sect, who could make Ling Xueyao risk going to Qingyang City again, and who could even have Ling Xueyao protect him as her consort, this person probably has many secrets hidden within him."
Zhao Yuangeng nodded slightly and quickly left Jingyuan Hall.
After the palace doors closed, Ling Chengyuan sat alone in the shadows, his gaze fixed on the depths of the palace.
He had waited too long.
Once he was certain that his father would never wake up again, he could finally act with complete freedom.
As for what the Heavenly Sword Sect wants, we can discuss that during the sect competition.
At the same time, at the east gate of the imperial city.
Three figures descended from the sky.
Chu Yunfei put away the Wind-Riding Talisman and looked up at the city before him.
The city wall, tens of feet high, extends to both sides, its surface engraved with defensive array patterns. On the city tower, a large spirit crossbow stands every hundred feet, its heavy pressure enveloping the entire city gate area.
Cultivators came and went in an endless stream.
Spirit beast carriages, flying magical artifacts, and various sect costumes appeared interspersed, including many experts at the Heavenly Origin Realm.
Compared to this place, Qingyang City can indeed only be considered a small border town.
"This is the imperial city?"
Chu Yunfei's gaze swept over the two characters "Great Qian" above the city gate. There was no fear in his eyes, but rather a hint of interest.
Ling Xueyao put her veil back on, concealing her face.
"Flying is forbidden within the Imperial City. Once inside, do not wander around. Many people here recognize me; if you travel with me, the news will spread quickly."
Chu Yunfei laughed and said, "When Your Highness publicly declared me the prince consort in the Cangwu Mountain Range, you didn't even think of hiding it."
Ling Xueyao's eyes turned slightly cold.
"If I hadn't used my royal status to protect you back then, Mo Yuan would have already made his move. The title of imperial consort was just a temporary measure; you'd better not take it seriously."
"So it was just a temporary measure after all." Chu Yunfei sighed deliberately. "I thought Her Highness the Princess had already fallen for me, what a disappointment."
" Chu Yunfei, if you still want to enter the palace smoothly, you'd better watch your mouth."
Ling Xueyao's ears flushed slightly, but her pace quickened a bit.
Shen Qianyue followed behind the two, a rare smile appearing on his pale face.
He could tell that although Ling Xueyao was always scolding Chu Yunfei, her attitude was very different from before.
The three entered the imperial city with the royal tokens and, without lingering in the outer city, went directly to the palace in a royal spirit beast carriage.
Before sunset, they finally arrived at the entrance to the inner palace.
The guards on both sides of the palace gate bowed respectfully upon seeing Ling Xueyao. Just as the person responsible for verifying her identity was about to let her pass, a powerful and oppressive aura suddenly pressed down from the end of the palace path.
Chu Yunfei stopped and looked up.
A tall young man in a crimson-gold robe walked towards them with an old man with gray hair, their faces showing no concealment of anger.
Ling Xueyao's eyes also turned cold.
"Second Imperial Brother, what are you trying to do, bringing Attendant Sun here?"
Ling Chenglie ignored her question and pointed at Chu Yunfei.
"How dare anyone of unknown identity set foot in this sacred imperial palace?"