121: Chapter 121 Could it really be a prince?

Deep within the Imperial Palace, in a side hall.

Though situated in a secluded area, it was lavishly decorated and resplendent.

Palace attendants bustled back and forth with hurried steps.

This was the residence of Consort Xuan.

After seeing her son, Xiao Yu, off, she dismissed all her attendants and stood alone by the window, gazing blankly at the old flowering tree in the courtyard.

The news of Ye Dingzhi leading the Demonic Cult on an eastern campaign had long reached her ears, but her heart churned endlessly, unable to determine how she should face it.

"Junior Sister!"

A deep voice suddenly rang out.

Consort Xuan's body stiffened. She slowly turned around to see a man standing there holding a sword.

He wore a green robe with unbound hair, his expression carrying a hint of aloofness mixed with unrestrained ease—it was her Senior Brother, Luo Qingyang, the City Lord of Mu Liang City.

"Why are you here? If someone discovers you, it will be very detrimental to you!"

Hearing the worry in her tone, Luo Qingyang felt a slight warmth in his heart.

"Ye Dingzhi has already broken through several cities and is unstoppable. The Northern Li defense line is in grave danger.

I came today to take you away from the Imperial Palace.

Wherever you go, I will accompany you."

Consort Xuan lowered her head and remained silent, merely shaking her head gently.

"Why won't you come?" Luo Qingyang pressed.

She raised her eyes to look out the window, her gaze distant, as if holding a thousand unspoken words, but ultimately she remained silent.

The two stood facing each other without speaking, only the wind rustling through the courtyard.

Luo Qingyang's cultivation was not beneath that of State Preceptor Qi Tianchen; infiltrating the palace was like walking through an empty Realm to him.

At this moment, Emperor Mingde was in the Imperial Study listening to the report from State Preceptor Qi Tianchen.

"Lei Mengsha isn't dead?"

The Emperor's eyes were filled with shock.

"Indeed.

General Lei claimed this move was a feigned death to lure the enemy, drawing the Southern Solitude army deep inside. Now the battle situation is settled, the Southern Solitude forces are routed, and the King of Langya can return victorious soon."

"Good! Excellent!"

Emperor Mingde's face instantly lit up with joy. How could he possibly bother investigating the truth?

The triumphant return of the army was equivalent to sending charcoal in snowy weather for Northern Li.

Moreover, he had always trusted the King of Langya's ability to command troops.

Qi Tianchen stood to one side, wisely keeping silent.

For now, it was better to pretend that Lei Mengsha was genuinely gravely injured but alive.

He also knew this matter could not be concealed for long.

But delaying it by a day was a day gained.

It would be best to wait until that Mr. Su left Tianqi, or have Lei Mengsha personally leave the city.

Otherwise, he feared further complications would arise, with unpredictable disasters.

As he was pondering, Emperor Mingde suddenly called out, "Someone!"

A guard quickly entered.

"Immediately issue an order to the King's Brother, command him to swiftly bring the Langya Army back to the capital to guard the Imperial City!"

"As you command!"

After the guard left, Qi Tianchen also bowed and requested leave.

Emperor Mingde sat upright on the Dragon Throne, the smile not yet fading from his face.

Meanwhile, within the city of Tianqi, undercurrents were already surging.

News was quietly reaching the hands of every figure holding power.

When the rumor of Lei Mengsha's demise first spread, many people were already planning to seize a piece of the pie.

But immediately after, a mysterious expert appeared out of nowhere, instantly shattering all lingering hopes.

The Five Grand Eunuchs, united with State Preceptor Qi Tianchen, were all top experts in Northern Li. Even the combined force of the six could not stop that person's advance.

Just how powerful was this individual?

However, not long after, news arrived again—Lei Mengsha was not dead.

The focus in Tianqi City once again centered on this upheaval.

But before everyone could sort out the threads, another shocking piece of news swept through:

The Demonic Cult army, upon reaching the foot of Qingcheng Mountain, was blocked outside the mountain by Zhao Yuzhen, who was only eighteen years old, with a single sword.

An entire iron-blooded division was forced to detour fifty miles to avoid his sharp edge.

The might of one person actually managed to suppress thousands of troops.

Instantly, everyone's gaze shifted once more toward the taciturn Su Rui deep within the Lei Residence.

A peerless expert was enough to turn the tide of the battle.

"With such a variable now introduced, the situation in Tianqi is likely to become turbulent," said a Young Master dressed in fine robes, with delicate features, lightly fanning himself, his tone full of hidden meaning.

This person was Shangguan Haitang, the first secret agent of the Xuan character rank from the Dragon Guard Manor, her true appearance concealed by men's attire.

"My Godfather anticipated this long ago.

Even without this person, the situation in Northern Li is shrouded in mist, with too many variables.

Judging solely by Jianghu strength, they are far superior to our Great Ming!"

Duan Tianya shook his head slightly, his expression grave.

The two were sent by the Iron Gallant Divine Marquis to infiltrate Northern Li and secretly monitor the progress of the war.

On the surface, this was Northern Li's internal affair, but if Heaven Beyond Heaven from beyond the borders succeeded, the Central Plains nations would inevitably fall into turmoil.

Intelligence matters could not afford any loss.

"That is indeed true.

But I did not expect Northern Li to hide so many experts.

Do you know? That State Preceptor Qi Tianchen has already half-stepped into the Realm beyond the borders, yet he was still no match!"

Shangguan Haitang sighed.

Northern Li truly possessed a flourishing martial tradition, with experts like clouds.

"There's no need to belittle ourselves.

Does our Great Ming lack talents? The City Lord of White Cloud, Ye Gucheng, the Divine Sword Manor's Xie Xiaofeng, who isn't a leading figure of this era? Not to mention the True Master Zhang on Wudang Mountain at the border junction of the three kingdoms..."

Duan Tianya replied calmly.

"That is true as well."

Shangguan Haitang nodded slightly.

Since their own cultivation had not reached the Peak, even as secret agents, they found it difficult to truly discern the gap above the Carefree Realm.

"For now, caution is paramount.

Recently, various factions have gathered in Tianqi. I fear many forces are here to probe Northern Li's true strength. We must not expose our identities."

"Naturally, I understand."

Shangguan Haitang nodded in agreement.

...

"What do you think?"

A cold voice sounded. The speaker's face was slashed diagonally by a hideous sword scar, a shocking sight.

He held two strangely shaped long swords in his hands, one black and one white, exuding an oppressive Evil Qi.

It was the Net of Heaven's Heaven-rank assassin—Black and White Profound Blade.

"I am not his match."

The reply came from a woman clad in fish-scale soft armor, her tone low.

"I know what I am asking you."

Black and White Profound Blade's expression remained unchanged, but his voice carried a chilling coldness.

Jing Ni was silent for a moment before slowly nodding: "It should be him.

The one the Prefect ordered us to investigate—the master of the Nameless Martial Arts School in Snow Moon City.

However, the war in Northern Li is pressing now. It's not too late to investigate after the dust settles."

She was extremely clear-headed.

The target was within Tianqi City. Logically, they could start investigating immediately and report back upon completion of the mission.

But when Su Rui first arrived, his Aura was too terrifying; they had no confidence whatsoever.

If they acted rashly, exposing their whereabouts in the treacherous Tianqi City, they might never return.

The Five Grand Eunuchs, who were severely injured by a single move previously, were enough to make them hesitant to interfere easily.

Black and White Profound Blade listened, remained silent for a moment, then turned and left.

In a quiet small courtyard, the atmosphere was slightly tense.

"If you want to seek death, go by yourself. Our sisters won't accompany you to throw your life away!"

A lightly dressed, alluring woman glared at the masked man opposite her and snorted.

"This time, we are acting under Your Majesty's orders. You are skilled in these types of missions."

The other party's tone was calm.

"We received the Empress's decree, not the Emperor's command.

Besides, Shi Yao, your beauty is not inferior. Why don't you go into battle yourself?"

Fanyin Tian and Miaocheng Tian refused to back down.

Facing an expert of that level, a slight mistake could result in Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering.

This mission was only to gather intelligence; as for life-risking matters, they would absolutely not participate.

"The Empress? Heh... It seems the one behind you wishes to emulate that Empress from the Great Zhou Dynasty back then?"

"Shi Yao, you don't need to throw mud on us.

Phantom Sound Workshop and your Untouchables walk separate paths. It's best if there is little interaction between us!"

Before the woman finished speaking, she turned and left, clearly unwilling to waste any more breath.

Watching the two retreating figures, Shi Yao slowly removed her mask, revealing a face so beautiful it was almost demonic.

"It seems accomplishing the task assigned by the Marshal of the Unruly will require considerable effort."

In her mind flashed the instructions Yuan Tiangang gave her before leaving—to investigate the peerless expert who suddenly appeared in Snow Moon City.

Now, this person was very likely in Tianqi City. It was just that his Aura was too astonishing earlier, so she deliberately provoked them, hoping to use the hands of the two Saintesses from Phantom Sound Workshop to test the waters.

Unfortunately, those two were not fools; they saw through her intentions at a glance and immediately withdrew.

At this moment, outside the Lei Residence gate, four guards were frowning while driving away a richly dressed young child.

"Go away, go away! Where did this little brat come from? Don't obstruct the way here!"

"I won't go! I want to see the expert! I want to take him as my Master!"

The child's voice was clear and showed no fear.

"Child, where are your parents? Who brought you here?"

The four looked at each other, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

"My Father the Emperor lives in the Imperial Palace. My mother... I don't have a mother."

As soon as these words left his mouth, the four guards froze instantly, and the observers hidden in the shadows also changed expressions.

Father the Emperor?

Could he really be a Prince?

But why would a dignified Prince appear here alone?

After pondering for a moment, everyone quietly concealed their figures.

As for the guards at the gate, they dared not show any more negligence—if the identity was genuine, who would dare to stop a royal carriage?

Meanwhile, Lei Mengsha was feeling extremely troubled.

Su Rui's words from earlier had exploded in his heart like a thunderclap.

Having experienced a brush with death, he had grown indifferent to many things.

Now, the most important things in his heart were his family—his wife, daughter, and son.

As for the position of General, it was only because he and Xiao Ruofeng were like sworn brothers.

"Forget it. Once this Demonic Cult matter is settled, I will request resignation from His Majesty and retreat to seclusion," he murmured.

Li Xinyue, standing nearby, trembled upon hearing this.

"Husband, are you telling the truth?"

"Yes. I finally understand now that you all are the most important ties I have in this life."

Outside the room, Su Rui listened silently. His Divine Thought swept over the scene of the two embracing, causing him to get goosebumps.

They were already old, yet still this clingy?

Just as he was thinking, he suddenly sensed someone approaching and coughed lightly as a warning.

The two inside hurriedly separated and adjusted their clothes.

Not long after, the guard who had witnessed Lei Mengsha collapse that day led a little boy inside.

Su Rui's gaze narrowed slightly, feeling a bit surprised.

[Xiao Chuhe: Five years and three months old; Aptitude: Ninety-nine; Evaluation: Exceptionally gifted, superior physique, extraordinary Comprehension Ability. Only his temperament is stubborn; suitable for instruction under a famous master.]

Seeing this scene, Su Rui's expression instantly became subtle.

The child named Xiao Chuhe was brought into the courtyard and looked up to see Su Rui standing in the distance.

With just one glance, that figure was deeply imprinted on his young heart—ethereal, otherworldly.

"In the future, I also want to become someone like that."

A thought surfaced without any warning.

"General, Madam, this Young Master has come to seek an audience."

The guard had originally intended to say 'Prince,' but remembering that the identity had not yet been verified, he changed his wording.