67: Re-entering Tai'an City

Arriving at the Prince's Mansion, the Princess, wrapped in a light red cloak, stood in the courtyard. The cold wind at night was still a bit chilly, and the Princess reached out her fingers to pull her cloak tighter.

The Prince's Mansion was filled with people, holding torches and carefully searching for traces of the intruder, unaware that the person they were looking for was standing right there.

Beside the Princess was another woman, tall and slender, dressed in a plain long robe, gazing worriedly at the crowd. A tear mole beneath her left eye made her look particularly delicate.

Xu Sanyan recognized this person; it was Consort Huan, the birth mother of Fifth Young Master.

Seeing him, the Princess finally felt a little relieved. She had heard that her son-in-law was quite skilled in martial arts, and having him by her side would provide a layer of security.

"Greetings, Princess, greetings, Consort Huan," Xu Sanyan cupped his hands.

Consort Huan looked him over, and couldn't help but think of her missing son again. Grief welled up, and her eyes reddened slightly.

Seeing her like this, the Princess immediately understood. The two could be said to be in the same boat, as her own daughter was also missing without a trace.

Xu Sanyan watched the two women comfort each other, unsure what to say, and could only stand by, watching the soldiers and servants scurrying around like headless flies.

After a while, the Princess's emotions calmed down somewhat. She leaned closer to Xu Sanyan and said, "I got news from the butler that the Prince has already led his army to surround the Imperial City."

"That fast?"

Xu Sanyan was slightly surprised. The last news was that the two armies were in a standoff, but now it was already nearing an end.

The Princess nodded, "I heard that the defending generals along the way all surrendered at the sight of our forces, opening the city gates wide to welcome Prince Rui into the city, so there was basically no resistance."

Xu Sanyan slowly nodded. For the city's defending generals, it made no difference who became emperor; they were all members of the Yang Family anyway.

Time passed bit by bit, but no trace of the intruder was found. Consort Huan returned to her room first, and the Princess also kept yawning.

Finally, a guest room was arranged for Xu Sanyan, and he stayed in the Prince's Mansion for one night.

The next day at noon, Xu Sanyan went to the Cui Family to retrieve the precious medicine. The Head of the Cui Family had been waiting for a long time. On the table was a wooden box containing exactly fifty plants.

"Not bad," Xu Sanyan nodded with satisfaction.

The Head of the Cui Family forced a smile and dared not take credit. "I only ask Young Master Xu not to mind my son's transgression."

"Haha..."

Xu Sanyan magnanimously waved his hand, "If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten."

The two chatted and laughed for a moment, then Xu Sanyan got up to leave, showing no sign of their previous unpleasantness.

Walking out of the Cui Mansion, Xu Sanyan narrowed his eyes, pondering what means to use to eliminate the Cui Family.

Then he hurried back home and swallowed the fifty precious medicines. The 'Qi' on his panel reached one hundred and five points, and the plus sign next to his Realm had already appeared.

Xu Sanyan smiled. He had probably plundered most of the precious medicines within Xiang City. Even if there were some left, there weren't many, not enough for him to stay here and linger.

Moreover, his Cultivation Technique could only be Cultivated to Foundation Establishment Completion, and he needed to go to Central Continent as soon as possible to find subsequent Cultivation Techniques.

Xu Sanyan was not in a hurry to Breakthrough; he decided to save the 'Qi' for now. He planned to return to Dafeng Town first to retrieve and refine that Blood Demon.

"Someone!"

"Master," the voice of a servant came from outside the door.

"Prepare two fast horses, and pack dry food and water."

"Yes."

Xu Sanyan was ready to depart immediately.

...

Five days later.

Outside the Imperial City, in the military tent, Prince Rui sat at the head, while two middle-aged men in Taoist robes sat below, meditating with their eyes closed. The two looked very similar, even their beards below their jaws were identical, except one wore a blue Taoist robe and the other a Black-robed Taoist.

Just then, a person walked into the tent, knelt on one knee and said,

"Reporting to the Prince, news has come from Xiang City that an intruder secretly visited the Prince's Mansion at night, sweeping away all the precious medicines in the inner treasury, and Mr. Zhu unfortunately perished."

Prince Rui frowned slightly, "Only took the precious medicines?"

The personal guard said, "Responding to the Prince, that's what the letter says."

Prince Rui waved his hand, signaling the personal guard to withdraw, and a smile appeared on his lips. He already knew who had done it.

The Black-robed Taoist opened his eyes and asked, "Why is the Prince laughing?"

Prince Rui shook his head, not elaborating. His son-in-law harbored a great secret.

He had sent people to Taian City to investigate. When Xu Sanyan first entered the city, he was only at the Inner Qi Realm, but in a short time, he had already Broken through to the Heavenly Human Realm. If it was just based on talent, he didn't believe it; there must be an unknown secret hidden.

Moreover, when Xu Sanyan was in Taian City, he had strenuously collected precious medicines, and he continued to do so after coming to Xiang City.

For people of their Realm, precious medicines basically had no effect anymore, but he still tirelessly collected them. He felt there must be something amiss here.

Prince Rui picked up the teacup on the table and took a light sip. The most crucial thing now was to break through the Imperial City and Foundation Establishment as soon as possible. Xu Sanyan's matter could wait for now.

"Go invite Fairy Lan Yue over," Prince Rui said towards outside the tent.

"Yes."

...

Xu Sanyan, with two horses for himself, traveled day and night, finally arriving in Taian City on the morning of the seventh day.

Stepping into the city gate and looking at the familiar streets, Xu Sanyan let out a long sigh of relief, secretly deciding in his heart that once his Cultivation was successful in the future, he must learn a technique of aerial flight, where one somersault could cover a hundred and eight thousand miles.

Taian City was unchanged from when he left. The common people were still poor. Xu Sanyan decided to rest here for a day, and also to visit the Chieftain's Wife.

Arriving at the Wu Mansion, he knocked on the door. A moment later, a man's voice came from inside, "Who is it?"

As the door slowly opened, Xu Sanyan looked at the person inside, a smile appearing on his lips, "You rascal, you're still here?"

This person was none other than Big Yellow Tooth.

"Oh, Fourth Master? You're back?"

Big Yellow Tooth's face was filled with excitement. He then quickly stepped forward to take the horse's reins. "Why didn't you let us know you were coming back in advance? I could have arranged a banquet to welcome you."

Xu Sanyan stepped inside, "Just passing by, came to take a look. How has the city been recently?"

"Hey, same as ever. Ever since those few gangs of the Ginseng Society were eliminated by you, the White Horse Gang has become the sole dominant force. Now, Xuan Hong is truly impressive; I heard even the county magistrate has to defer to him."

Xu Sanyan nodded. The White Horse Gang was Prince Rui's property, and now that Prince Rui's power was great, the White Horse Gang naturally prospered.

Just then, a voluptuous woman emerged from around the corner, her face beaming with joy, "Fourth Master, you're back?"

Xu Sanyan looked sideways; it was indeed the Chieftain's Wife, only now her figure was even fuller, to the point where her chest seemed almost bursting out.

"How has Madam been recently?"

Xu Sanyan smiled. He still missed the Chieftain's Wife quite a bit, mainly because her skills were truly superb, making one linger and forget to return.

"You leaving like that, I've missed you to death, my lord," the Chieftain's Wife swayed her large buttocks and came forward, throwing herself into Xu Sanyan's embrace.

"Where did you miss me?" Xu Sanyan asked suggestively.

The Chieftain's Wife glanced at Big Yellow Tooth, her face shy, "Oh, I missed you everywhere..."