“Where’s the Imperial Edict?”
“It’s with me. The others who knew about it are gone.”
Geng Zhi wiped the fresh blood from his palm, his actions decisive.
“Sealing off the information was the right move. Not a word of this must leak out, at least until after the Shengyu Festival.”
Yun Liu rubbed his forehead, originally wanting to stay uninvolved, manipulating Ling Tong and the elites from afar into their own ruin.
But with Jing Yan, that cheap father-in-law, suddenly dying, it caught him off guard, leaving the Prince Consort no chance to defy the edict.
With Jing Yan dead, the Imperial Edict became nothing but scrap paper, only making Jing Tan’er a target for all.
Geng Zhi clenched his fists, direct as ever. At least now he knew who the true master was.
He cupped his hands and asked,
“What should this subordinate do to help Her Highness the Princess Royal—no, Her Majesty the Empress? Mister, please instruct me!”
“If you trust me, then do nothing. Just guard the fake princess as if she were real, like I do. That’s the greatest help you can give her. Leave the fake to me.”
Yun Liu turned and walked away.
“Ah?”
Geng Zhi stood dumbfounded, unable to understand for a long time.
He was at least a peak Golden Core body cultivator, after all.
Even if he lacked extraordinary skills, commanding fifty thousand Imperial Guards meant he could still protect the Empress from any ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator.
So why did he seem like an idiot in the Prince Consort’s eyes?
Yun Liu had just returned to Qin Cha’s side when he heard Lu’er rushing over, shouting, “This is bad! Her Highness the Princess Royal is missing!”
“What are you yelling about? Aren’t I right here?”
“Jing Tan’er” glared at Lu’er, while Nini added helplessly,
“There’s only a Wood Puppet in the bed, emitting decoy spiritual energy.”
“It’s the other one. The other one’s gone!”
“That’s what Commander Geng was talking about too.”
Yun Liu glanced at the Demonic Woman Ling Tong, hinting at something.
“Jing Tan’er” raised her nose in disdain.
“Now do you see who’s real and who’s fake? The impostor fled in fear of guilt. One surprise test and she ran!”
“Ah? Ran just like that? How boring!”
Ji Shiyu held her head in frustration, mourning the loss of a comrade to share the bill.
“But how did she slip away? Neither Geng Zhi nor I noticed anyone leaving the Qunfang Courtyard.”
Qin Yao shook her head, doubtful. Losing a ticking time bomb hiding nearby was ultimately a good thing.
Disciples of the Divine Radiance Sect had little concept of the Dust World, nor did they think things were so complicated.
With the counterfeit resolved, they would simply return to the Sect after the Shengyu Festival.
“Sunset Clouds Halt!”
Xiao Xinran shouted, her red clouds surging, Sword Qi blazing.
Ji Shiyu used the Seven Star Steps, not bothering to counter with the Sword Scripture of Zhuiyun, but instead joked with a smile,
“Calling out your move’s name is so embarrassing, isn’t it?”
“Mind your own business!”
The two clashed in a whirlwind of bickering, neither unleashing the Flame God nor the Xuantian Nine Transformations.
For now, Ji Shiyu had the slight upper hand, but Xiao Xinran’s rapid growth amazed everyone—even the chicken.
With the second semester starting, the Yanding Sword Contest and Training Journey concluded, marking the end of the first year of cultivation at Divine Radiance Sect.
Just thinking of Ao Tian gave Yun Liu a headache.
Whether he could monopolize the Child of Destiny of East Pole Province would depend on the Three-Year Promise.
At that time, Xiao Xinran would fight to the death to renew the pact, and even if Shiyu took on the Flame Princess form, she might only manage a draw at best.
No way.
Only victory is acceptable—not defeat!
It was already enough pressure dealing with Qin Cha alone, but now Jing Tan also appeared out of nowhere…
Qin Xing was guiding several junior sisters in sword practice in the courtyard, while Yun Liu watched from afar, gradually understanding.
“Died with a smile… I see.”
Jing Tan’er had brought the news of the ruler’s death to Madam Jing Rui, cleverly using it to prove her identity as a decoy.
She had no idea her malicious aunt had become Yun Liu’s Divine Soul Prisoner, obedient to his every word.
For Jing Yan, the hardest thing to accept was probably becoming a burden to Jing Tan’er.
Seeing his daughter grow into adulthood left him with no regrets, except that he never saw Tan’er marry.
At this moment, Yun Liu couldn’t imagine how painful it was for the girl who fled overnight.
From the moment Jing Yan departed, the heavy responsibility of the Zhu Sacred Royalty fell onto Jing Tan’er’s young shoulders.
“You don’t seem to smile much, do you?”
Ling Tong had somehow crept up beside him, smiling as she sized up the white-robed youth.
She had no interest in childish fights and hadn’t realized her future greatest enemy stood right before her—the golden-haired girl flourishing with two strands of Qi Luck.
Yun Liu curled his lips, mouthing words nonchalantly.
His voice was startling.
Ling Tong’s expression shifted, alarmed.
“Dead? How could that be!”
Yun Liu flicked his hand, revealing an object in his palm, his gaze mocking.
“King’s Seal!”
Ling Tong’s eyes flashed, exhaling in relief.
She reached out, but Yun Liu withdrew it again.
“Even now, does Holy Son not trust me? I’m almost yours already!”
Ling Tong giggled softly, raising her estimation of this still-immature youth once more.
It wasn’t wrong—news of the ruler’s marriage decree had already been leaked by Yun Liu to the fake princess, hinting at coercion.
Yet this little Demonic Woman showed no fear, destined for entanglement with the Bright Sovereign Holy Son and the Saintess of the Night Black across generations.
“Better safe than sorry. Wouldn’t you agree, Ling Banner Master? In terms of true strength, I’m nowhere near your level.”
“Holy Son jests. How could this subordinate betray or be ungrateful? Serving you is Tong’er’s honor. Besides, to form a contract with Holy Son is hardly a loss for me. If the Saintess gets jealous in the future, I hope Holy Son will be gentle.”
Speaking of that seductive villainess, Yun Liu felt a little wary, determined to make sure Ling Tong never returned to spread chaos.
“I too have long admired the Saintess. I only hope to soon cultivate the Bright Sovereign’s body and aid her.”
“If Holy Son achieves further merit, it will prove the Holy Master judged rightly. One day, you’ll be renowned across the Eight Banners, a perfect match with the Saintess—a union made in heaven.”
Even Ling Tong felt nauseous at her own words, sticking out her tongue as her cheeks reddened.
The two exchanged a look and laughed, their mutual flattery resembling a pair of scheming partners.
“Now that the King’s Seal is in hand, Jing Tan’er has no reason to remain. It would be best to eliminate her, lest further complications arise.”
“There’s no need for that.”
Ling Tong smiled seductively.
“What, reluctant? I suppose so. Who wouldn’t be moved by such a beautiful and devoted princess?”
“Where do you think Jing Tan’er escaped to? Last night I planted the Enchanting Heart Seduction—she now obeys my every word, handing over both the King’s Seal and her father’s will. It’s the perfect way for Jing Rui to legitimately take the throne, allowing my Holy Church to control most of East Pole Province.”
Yun Liu laughed coldly, directly taking credit for Jing Yan’s death, painting a fervent vision of a future ruled by Demon Lairs.
Suddenly, he realized he was rather suited to playing the villain.
“Uh!”
Ling Tong gasped in shock, immediately grasping his intention.
Yun Liu wanted to support a fake princess in the eyes of the rebels, commanding the Four Territories Vassals.
Naturally, he couldn’t remain in East Pole Province, making puppets all the more useful.
He hadn’t expected this little brat to be so far-sighted, coldly exploiting even a woman who loved him, extracting every bit of value.
The Holy Master had chosen a truly exceptional Bright Sovereign.
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