Chapter 48: Pawns of the Dynasty
As the long night retreated from the skies above Wudu, surrendering the horizon to the first gray light of dawn, a somber, deafening toll shattered the silence.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The Sacred Bell within the Imperial Palace thundered. Once, twice... seven times. The reverberations shook the capital, causing cultivators and commoners alike to look toward the forbidden walls in shock.
In the Junlin Dynasty, seven knells signaled the fall of a titan.
Before the echoes had even faded, speculation ran wild. Who had fallen? The answer leaked from the palace gates like a plague, sending a tremor of fear through the entire Imperial City.
"Did you hear? The Third Prince and his Consort... both butchered in the palace last night!"
"Keep your voice down! Is this some kind of sick joke?"
"I wish it were. They say the Third Prince was beheaded, and the Consort had her throat slit. The killer was ruthless."
"That's not all—the Scripture Pavilion was ransacked. Cleaned out!"
"Heavens! Who has the gall to declare war on the Imperial Dynasty like this?"
"Rumor has it... it was the Demonic Cult."
"It must be. Only those madmen would dare."
While the streets of Wudu boiled with panic and rumor, the atmosphere inside the Imperial Palace was suffocating. The high officials and dignitaries, usually so vocal in the court, kept their mouths shut. A heavy silence hung over the halls; no one dared to speak of the night's atrocities.
Weiyang Palace, The Empress's Chambers.
Mu Lingxi, the Empress of Junlin and former Saintess of the Yin Yang Sect, stood by the window. Her hands were clasped behind her back, her posture rigid. She wore a regal purple crown and a flowing black dress embroidered with phoenixes, but her exquisitely beautiful face was etched with cold fury.
"Who... was that person?"
Mu Lingxi furrowed her brows, muttering to herself with rare apprehension.
Last night, an assassin had targeted her directly. The attacker was terrifyingly strong and knew her background intimately, forcing her to give chase. She had pursued the assailant all the way to the Xuanming Mountain Range, intent on silencing them.
But the moment she caught up, the figure vanished into thin air—dissipating like smoke.
It was a diversion.
Upon returning to Wudu, she realized she wasn't the only one fooled. The Ten Great Divine Generals of Junlin had also been lured away. The mastermind had manipulated them all using mere shadows.
One person, wielding a dozen shadow clones, had played the entire Junlin Imperial Palace like a fiddle. In all her years of cultivation, Mu Lingxi had never witnessed such a technique.
"Could it be... her?"
A name surfaced in Mu Lingxi's mind, causing her expression to darken.
"If it is her, this complicates everything."
She took a deep breath, massaging her temples to soothe her rising headache. Just then, the heavy doors of Weiyang Palace creaked open.
A graceful figure drifted into the bedchamber. It was Mu Li.
Today, Mu Li wore a simple, elegant white dress. Her face, usually cold and untouched by mortal concerns, looked pale and exhausted. On the column of her fair neck, a stark red bruise—a mark of passion—stood out vividly against her skin.
"Master," Mu Li called out softly.
Mu Lingxi turned, her sharp gaze immediately locking onto the mark on her disciple's neck. As a master of the Yin Yang arts, she instantly sensed the change in Mu Li's aura; her disciple had lost her Primordial Yin.
The tension in Mu Lingxi's shoulders evaporated. She let out a long breath and nodded, a twisted smile forming on her lips.
"Not bad."
"It seems your great plan last night was a success."
"Mm," Mu Li hummed, lowering her head as a flush rose on her cheeks.
The memories of the previous night were still chaotic in her mind—like a delicate flower battered by a sudden, violent storm. It was wild, disorienting, and unforgettable. But amidst the confusion, she could feel the faint, spiritual tether connecting her to Ning Ye.
"At least there is some good news amidst this mess," Mu Lingxi said, stepping forward to gently stroke Mu Li's hair.
She was now certain that the chaos in the palace was orchestrated by Jun Qianyue, and that the theft of the Scripture Pavilion was Ning Ye's doing. But the anxiety faded. If Ning Ye had taken her disciple's Primordial Yin, he was now afflicted with the Yin Yang Sect's specific Love Poison.
From this day forward, he would be bound to Mu Li. He would become the sharpest blade she could drive into Jun Qianyue's heart.
"Master... what is the next step?" Mu Li asked in a low voice.
Mu Lingxi paused, her eyes narrowing as she formulated the next phase of her scheme.
"It is simple," she declared. "This Seat will use Ning Ye to chip away at Jun Qianyue's foundation. We will force her to destroy herself, step by step."
"And the first step," Mu Lingxi's voice turned icy, "is to have Ning Ye kill Jun Qianyue's loyal dog."
Jun Qianyue's dog?
Mu Li frowned, confused for a moment before realization struck her. Her eyes widened.
"Master... surely you don't mean the Second Prince?"
"Exactly."
Mu Lingxi's smile widened, cruel and calculating.
The Second Prince was the most powerful man in the dynasty, and utterly infatuated with Jun Qianyue. He was her financial backer, her shield, and her sword. Even after the annihilation of the Xiao Family, he had personally consolidated their military power and held it in reserve for Jun Qianyue.
If the Second Prince died, it would be like severing Jun Qianyue's arms.
More importantly, his death would give the Imperial Family a legitimate cause to mobilize the full might of the Dynasty against the Jun Family. It was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity.
"Li'er, find an opportunity," Mu Lingxi commanded. "Have Ning Ye complete this task for the Yin Yang Sect."
"Remember, you are now his only antidote. He is afflicted with the Love Poison; he cannot defy you. He is our most crucial chess piece."
Mu Lingxi's tone turned playful, almost teasing. "Hold onto him tight. Do not let him slip through your fingers."
Mu Li lowered her eyelids to hide the complex emotions swirling in her gaze—helplessness, resignation, and a flicker of something else.
"Understood, Master."
She turned and walked away, her white dress trailing like a ghost.
Shence Military Prefecture.
At the top of the Shence Tower, the afternoon sun cast long, lazy shadows. Jun Qianyue reclined comfortably in a lounge chair, enjoying the summer breeze.
Her maid, Qianye, stood by her side, brewing tea and gently fanning her mistress. The aroma of tea leaves diffused through the air, painting a picture of tranquility that belied the storm brewing in the city.
"Young Miss," Qianye whispered softly. "The Second Prince is about to arrive in Wudu."
"Mm."
Jun Qianyue hummed an indifferent acknowledgement, her eyes still closed. "Once he arrives, the plan truly begins."
Qianye took a deep breath, her hand trembling slightly as she poured the tea. She looked at her mistress with a mix of awe and trepidation.
"Young Miss... so many years have passed. Are we... finally going to take that step?"
"Haha."
A breathtakingly beautiful smile bloomed on Jun Qianyue's lips. She opened her eyes, looking toward the West Courtyard where Ning Ye resided.
"In a few more days," she murmured, her voice carrying a profound weight. "This chess game in Wudu will finally come to an end."
"How wonderful..."
"Ning Ye, oh Ning Ye... I must admit, you truly are a gift from the Heavens to This Young Lady."
Her eyes terrified and captivated at once.
"Your appearance has saved me so much time. If all goes well... This Young Lady's Seal will soon be broken."
Dear Readers,
I have an important favor to ask of you today. If you've been enjoying the story, please consider switching to Patreon to support me directly.
By joining, you will instantly unlock 20 chapters and gain access to a total of 50 to 55 chapters every month.
To be honest with you, I am currently in deep financial trouble, and your support would mean the world to me during this difficult time. Furthermore, if I can get more members, I plan to add even more new fanfics by the end of this week!
Please consider supporting me on Patreon so I can continue creating content for you.
Thank you for your help
patreon.com/Alex_Cruise