Chapter 43 Traitor of the Hehuan Sect

I don't know how much time had passed before Ye Fan was pushed out of the room.

He stood alone in the corridor, grinning foolishly, and casually opened a nearby room.

At that moment, Murong Wan was so mortified she wished the ground would swallow her up. Like an ostrich, she buried herself under the blanket, truly wanting to find a crack to crawl into.

She couldn't believe she had actually done what Ye Fan suggested. By the time she realized it, everything was too late.

Overwhelmed with embarrassment, Murong Wan didn't rest well the entire night.

In contrast, Ye Fan had released all his pent-up pressure. The relief and satisfaction he felt were beyond words.

When the two met the next day, the lingering flush on Murong Wan's face hadn't yet faded. She wished she could cleave Ye Fan in two with her sword.

'Let's go quickly. If we delay any longer, the Sect mission will fail.'

For the next few days, Murong Wan absolutely refused to stay at any inns.

She kept dragging Ye Fan along on their journey, clearly unable to let go of what had happened that night.

Fortunately, given their cultivation Realms, going without sleep and rest was no major issue. They soon arrived at the destination indicated by the intelligence.

Zhongshan Kingdom was merely a small border nation on the South Continent, with a total population of barely a million.

Only a handful of small cultivation Families were stationed there, and there wasn't even a single Foundation Establishment Realm powerhouse present.

That Joyous Union Sect defector was practically invincible after fleeing to such a place.

If he hadn't acted so wantonly, openly occupying the imperial palace for debauchery, the Joyous Union Sect would have had a much harder time tracking him down.

...

Murong Wan's sword cleaved through the ten-zhang-tall palace gates. This power far surpassing that of Mortals scared the soldiers so witless they fled in panic, scattering like birds and beasts without a single thought of resistance.

'The intelligence said the defector had occupied the palace and declared himself king. It seems that was indeed correct,' Murong Wan said with a frown.

All along their path, the soldiers they saw were demoralized and disorganized, every one wearing an expression of fear and anxiety, clearly under immense pressure.

'Strange, why can't we see a single palace maid?'

'Hmph.'

Ye Fan was taken aback, a bitter smile appearing on his face, and directly said Murong Wan had misunderstood.

Logically speaking, no Mortal imperial city, regardless of size, could be without palace maids.

Yet as the two ventured deeper into the palace, all they saw were eunuchs or soldiers, not a single trace of a palace maid. This was clearly abnormal.

'Could it be...'

Ye Fan seemed to suddenly understand something, his expression turning somewhat odd.

Hearing faint, creaking sounds coming from the great hall ahead, Murong Wan was about to charge in with her sword, but Ye Fan stopped her.

'Wan'er, perhaps I should go first.'

'Why?' Murong Wan asked, frowning.

'The scene inside... you might not like it,' Ye Fan said helplessly.

Murong Wan didn't grasp his meaning and instinctively pushed the door open. The result was exactly as Ye Fan had anticipated.

Debauchery in the broad daylight of the imperial hall. Over a hundred beautiful palace maids gathered from across Zhongshan Kingdom lay strewn about on the floor.

A robust man sat half-naked on the imperial throne, with two young, attractive women even prostrate at his feet.

Their attire was noticeably more luxurious than that of the palace maids. It seemed they were either princesses or imperial consorts of Zhongshan Kingdom.

Yet they wore expressions of infatuation, eagerly tugging at the man's trouser leg as if awaiting their master's favor.

This licentious scene made Murong Wan snap, her face flushing red with anger. The Profound Frost Sword in her hand was instantly unsheathed!

'Die, you lecherous scoundrel!'

Murong Wan's furious roar sent a chill down the other's spine, nearly causing his 'brother' to wilt on the spot.

But when he saw the newcomer was actually a stunning beauty, he was momentarily stunned, then broke into a lecherous grin, his entire being radiating intense excitement.

'Hahaha! The heavens truly treat Old Luo well.'

'I've long grown tired of these common powders and rouges. I was just wondering where to find some top-grade goods, and here one delivers herself right to my doorstep.'

'Silence! You Joyous Union Sect defector! Today, I shall execute you to uphold our Sect's laws!' Murong Wan sternly rebuked.

The moment the words 'Joyous Union Sect' were uttered, Luo Ruhai's body visibly trembled, his face draining of color in fright.

But when he saw only two people had come, he couldn't help but burst into wild laughter, tears almost streaming from his eyes.

'Those old fogies in the Joyous Union Sect are growing more and more useless. To think they'd only send two juniors like you to your deaths.'

'But this is fine too. After I kill that waste over there, I'll have plenty of time to enjoy myself with you. I promise to make you experience bliss like never before.'

Luo Ruhai's face was full of lewd expression as he stood up, kicking away the women at his feet.

Although it was just a casual kick, it was not something a Mortal could withstand. One woman nearly lost consciousness on the spot.

Before Murong Wan could erupt in anger, the injured woman actually crawled back towards Luo Ruhai.

Even though severely wounded and spitting blood, her face still wore that infatuated expression, seemingly completely unconcerned about her injuries. It was clear she was under the influence of some Evil Path Divine Ability.

In fact, it wasn't just this imperial daughter. Every palace maid in the main hall had fallen victim to Luo Ruhai's methods, long reduced to soulless puppets for him to ravage at will.

They would only become lifeless corpses the day he drained them of all their Yin essence.

'See? This is the correct way to use the Yin Yang Secret Manual. You'll soon become one of them.'

'If it weren't for those stubborn old fools clinging to their so-called Righteous Path reputation, our Joyous Union Sect would have long been the number one Sect among the Southwest nations!'

Luo Ruhai's mockery completely enraged Murong Wan. The spiritual light from the Profound Frost Sword in her hand surged, and the temperature in the entire hall plummeted abruptly, as if they had instantly entered the depths of winter.

'Ye Fan, you save the people. I'll deal with him!'

Without another word, Murong Wan charged at Luo Ruhai with her sword. She initially believed she could easily suppress or even defeat him, but the result took her by surprise.

Luo Ruhai's strength was far from the eighth level of the Qi Refining Realm as the intelligence suggested. He was at least at the ninth level, possibly even the Great Perfection.

As they fought, Murong Wan not only couldn't achieve a swift victory but even showed signs of being slightly suppressed.

'No... it's not the Great Perfection of the Qi Refining Realm... He is...'

Murong Wan's pupils contracted sharply, and she instinctively retreated.

'Didn't expect that, did you, great beauty? Did you really think Old Luo only had these meager tricks to rely on after defecting from the Joyous Union Sect all these years and still remaining unscathed?!'

'Today, I'll let you witness Luo Ruhai's true strength!'

As his words fell, Luo Ruhai's Aura surged layer by layer. A terrifying power erupted from his entire body, causing the entire hall to tremble.

He casually swung a blade, whipping up violent spiritual power. A dozens-of-meters-long Protective Aura instantly split the great hall in two.

If Murong Wan hadn't sensed something amiss and retreated several steps earlier, this single move would have left her either dead or severely wounded.

'Foundation Establishment Realm! He's actually at the Foundation Establishment Realm!'

Murong Wan's face turned grim. Ye Fan also couldn't help but frown. The development of the situation was somewhat beyond his expectations.

'Was the intelligence wrong?!'

Logically, for a mission of this level, even if there were discrepancies in the intelligence, they shouldn't be this outrageous.

Ye Fan found it hard to believe this error was due to Sect negligence. A more plausible explanation was glaringly obvious.

'It seems I've been set up,' Ye Fan thought, his expression darkening.