52: Chapter 52 Xia Jin Makes Her Move, Heading to Fenglin Palace at Night

"Bang!!!"

A sound like metal clashing rang out.

The Fenglin Grand Enshrined, who had taken the initiative to attack, felt as if his palm had struck a mountain of ore!

A powerful counter-shock force suddenly surged back through his arm!

"Crack, crack-crack—"

Clear sounds of bones fracturing exploded one after another; in an instant, every inch of bone in his entire right arm shattered!

"Too weak," Xia Jin finally spoke.

He raised his right hand and casually pointed his index finger forward, aiming remotely at the Grand Enshrined's forehead from a distance.

"Puff."

Following a soft, muffled sound,

A flicker of terror flashed in the Fenglin Grand Enshrined's eyes before the light in them quickly faded. His body swayed and then fell straight backward.

Xia Jin's gaze fell upon the injured Eunuch Wei, and he couldn't help but frown. "You're injured?"

Only then did Eunuch Wei snap back to his senses. He hurriedly knelt on one knee, his voice still trembling with excitement. "Rest assured, Master, this servant only has some superficial wounds; it's no trouble! This servant is incompetent; the plan was obstructed, and I even required Master to personally intervene and save me. It is truly..."

"This matter has nothing to do with you, there is no need for self-blame!" Xia Jin turned around and looked toward the capital of the Fenglin Kingdom. "This Prince has already dealt with the five thousand Red-Clad Iron Cavalry of the Yuehua Dynasty. It's time to clean things up here in Fenglin as well."

"What?" Hearing Xia Jin's words, Eunuch Wei subconsciously nodded at first, but then he suddenly reacted, looking completely dazed. "Master! You... you mean... the five thousand Red-Clad Iron Cavalry of the Yuehua Dynasty... have... have all been dealt with?!"

That was five thousand Red-Clad Iron Cavalry!

The sharp blade of the Yuehua Dynasty that awed the Eastern Region!

Seeing Eunuch Wei's dumbfounded expression, Xia Jin gave him a light, exasperated tap on the forehead. "What? Do you think this Prince would lie to you?"

"I wouldn't dare! This servant would never dare!" Eunuch Wei clutched his forehead, his eyes flickering repeatedly, still unable to quite believe it.

"Enough, less nonsense. Since this Prince has come, accompany me into the palace. I also wish to see for myself what kind of person this Princess Royal of Fenglin is, to be favored by a power like the Xuanyin Valley of the Central Region and even manage to bring in reinforcements from the Yuehua Dynasty."

"Yes! Master, then this servant shall lead the way for you!" Eunuch Wei's spirits lifted, and he immediately bowed in response.

Xia Jin shook his head and reached out to grab Eunuch Wei's shoulder.

Eunuch Wei only felt his vision go dark, and in the next moment, the scenery below streaked past at high speed.

"I... am I flying?"

Fenglin Imperial Palace, the Moon-Embracing Terrace in the back garden.

The Fenglin Emperor, Jiang Qianjue, sat in the main seat with a rare, relaxed smile on his face.

Beside him, a woman dressed in moon-white palace attire with a cold, elegant aura was particularly eye-catching; she was the Princess Royal of Fenglin—Princess Jiang Rou.

Seated below were several exceptionally beautiful concubines, each looking at Princess Jiang Rou with a hint of a flattering smile.

"The crisis at the border was resolved so swiftly, all thanks to Rou'er's efforts!" Jiang Qianjue took a sip of the fine wine in his cup and looked at his daughter beside him, his eyes full of pride.

"Had you not timely invited the Red-Clad Iron Cavalry of the Yuehua Dynasty, my Fenglin Kingdom might have faced the danger of collapse this time. Truly, you are my precious daughter!"

Hearing Jiang Qianjue's words, the concubines below didn't dare show any jealousy even if their hearts were filled with it. They all chimed in, "Indeed, having the Princess Royal is truly the blessing of our Fenglin Kingdom!"

"Your Majesty's fortune is as vast as the heavens to have such a Qilin-like child as the Princess Royal to assist you."

Princess Jiang Rou listened quietly, her cold face showing no change, but a glint of wisdom that didn't match her appearance flashed deep in her eyes.

She looked at Jiang Qianjue but shook her head. "Imperial Father, things are not that simple."

"Oh?" Jiang Qianjue set down his wine cup, his brow furrowing slightly. "Why do you say that, Rou'er? The Dayuan border army has been crushed and even forced by the Red-Clad Iron Cavalry to retreat into Tianwan City... could there still be some unforeseen change?"

Princess Jiang Rou nodded. "It's hard to say about changes, but there is definitely a problem! Imperial Father, think about it. For so many years, although Dayuan and our Fenglin Kingdom have had occasional friction, we have generally been at peace! Why would they suddenly mobilize fifty thousand border troops to invade our Fenglin borders? That is the first point."

She paused and continued, "Secondly, I have also received news that around the time the Dayuan border army mobilized, their country's strongest Sect, the Qingyun Sect, offended some unknown power and was... wiped out overnight."

"What? The Qingyun Sect was wiped out?" Jiang Qianjue's eyes suddenly narrowed, and the concubines were even more shocked.

The Qingyun Sect held a transcendent status and immense influence in Dayuan; its sudden destruction was simply unimaginable.

Jiang Qianjue's face darkened. "Rou'er, do you mean... these two matters are connected? That... someone else is pulling the strings behind the scenes?"

Princess Jiang Rou was silent for a moment before giving Jiang Qianjue a firm look. "I suspect that is indeed the case. Moreover, the goal of the person behind the scenes is likely to make Fenglin and Dayuan fight like the snipe and the clam, so that both suffer, and then... they can reap the benefits as the fisherman."

"Simply outrageous!?" Jiang Qianjue couldn't help but clench his fists, feeling a chill run down his spine.

"Rou'er, according to your speculation, who exactly could this mastermind be?"

Princess Jiang Rou pointed toward the northeast. "I suspect... perhaps, it is Great Xia."

"Great Xia?" Jiang Qianjue was stunned for a moment, then shook his head. "Impossible! Rou'er, could you have guessed wrong? In terms of national power, although Great Xia is slightly superior to my Fenglin and Dayuan, it is only to a limited extent. Annexing either country would require a massive price. Having their Origin Qi severely depleted, how would they deal with other predatory neighbors? That is a path to self-destruction; the Emperor of Xia would not be so unwise."

"His Majesty is right. Your Highness, ever since that New Emperor ascended the throne in Great Xia, there have been no expansionist moves. Furthermore, Great Xia's internal affairs are not yet stable; how could they have the spare energy to scheme against our Fenglin?" One of the concubines nodded in agreement with Jiang Qianjue.

"Imperial Father, everyone, perhaps... you underestimate that Emperor of Xia too much. Or rather, you underestimate the one behind him, the one known as the 'Emperor of the Underworld,' Prince Jin."

"This person has immense ambition, and his martial talent is... unfathomable. Back then, to help the Emperor of Xia ascend the throne, he dared to intercept and kill that Great Grandmaster of the Sword with just one person and one sword! Is there anything he wouldn't do?"

Just as she finished speaking, a voice rang out from above, clearly reaching the ears of everyone present: "Continue. This Prince also wishes to hear the Princess Royal of Fenglin's evaluation of me."

The moment the voice rang out, all the surrounding Fenglin guards acted as if facing a great enemy. Jiang Qianjue stood up abruptly, his expression changing drastically as his gaze locked onto the figure above.

The concubines on the side were also scared pale, crying out in alarm.

Only Princess Jiang Rou, after a slight tremor of her delicate frame, quickly regained her composure.

She looked up and saw two figures slowly descending from above under the moonlight.

The leader was dressed in a black dragon robe, his deep eyes calmly looking down at the scene below.

Great Xia's 'Emperor of the Underworld,' Xia Jin!!

Princess Jiang Rou took a deep breath, suppressing the surprise in her heart.

"Your Highness Prince Jin, to personally visit my Fenglin Imperial Palace... Jiang Rou has failed to welcome you properly. I hope you will not take offense!"