Capital City, Third Prince’s Residence.
Smash!
A fine white jade teacup shattered violently against the ground, fragments scattering in all directions.
“Luo Qing is dead?!” Lu Feng’s face turned ashen, his eyes blazing with shock and fury. He was Luo Qing’s true master—the Third Prince of the Great Qian Empire.
“What happened?! Wasn’t he sent to deal with that useless trash? How did he end up dead himself?! Who did it?!” His voice thundered, his chest heaving with rage.
The refined man beside him bowed slightly and said, “Your Highness, please calm your anger. According to the final message from our people, Luo Qing did go to deal with Chu Feng last night. To ensure success, he even brought Bai Ying, ranked seventh on the Great Qian Wanted List. However… all of them died. Not a single one survived, including Bai Ying.”
“Even Bai Ying is dead?” Lu Feng’s brows knotted tightly, disbelief flickering across his face. “A Grandmaster Realm expert famous for years… gone without a trace?”
He began pacing, his expression shifting darkly.
“Our people in the Northern Suppression King’s Manor have been watching closely. That brat only has a maid by his side. Where would he get such an expert?”
The refined man shook his head slightly, equally perplexed. “Reporting to Your Highness, the matter is indeed strange. Our people confirmed repeatedly—no experts entered or left the manor last night.”
Lu Feng pressed his temples, irritation building. “What about Tian Nan Marquis Manor?”
“The Tian Nan Marquis heard the news and was so overwhelmed that he coughed up blood and fainted. Fortunately, his life is not in danger.”
“Damn Chu Feng!” Lu Feng slammed his fist onto the table, his teeth grinding. “How is his life so damn tough? Even this couldn’t kill him!”
A sharp gleam flashed in the refined man’s eyes. “Your Highness, there is another piece of news. Tomorrow, the Eastern Palace will host a birthday banquet for the Crown Princess. The Crown Prince… has specifically invited Chu Feng.”
Lu Feng froze, then a cold light burst from his eyes. “My dear second brother is trying to win over the Northern Suppression King’s Manor!”
“Exactly,” the refined man replied calmly. “Although the manor has suffered a great blow, it is far from finished. Once Chu Feng’s marriage alliance with the Xiao Ducal Manor is confirmed, the two great military families will unite. Their combined strength cannot be underestimated. If the Crown Prince wants to secure his position, he will never miss such an opportunity.”
He paused, a faint, meaningful smile appearing on his lips. “However… this may also be our chance. If used well, tomorrow’s banquet could achieve two goals with one move.”
Lu Feng’s interest was piqued. “Oh? Speak.”
The refined man stepped closer and whispered into his ear.
As Lu Feng listened, the gloom on his face vanished, replaced by a cold, sinister smile. “Good. We’ll do it this way.”
…
Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the Royal City Division.
The great hall was suffocatingly tense.
Tian Ming, the Commander of the Royal City Division, sat at the head seat, his face as cold as ice. His sharp gaze swept across the four Deputy Commanders standing below. Originally there had been five—but Jiang Feng had already died not long ago.
“The heir apparent of Tian Nan Marquis Manor was beheaded in the capital, his head hung at the manor gate. This is a disgrace to our Royal City Division!”
His voice was not loud, yet every word struck like icy spikes.
“If we cannot find the culprit and give an explanation to the Tian Nan Marquis and the higher authorities, then not only I, but all of you will lose the uniforms you wear!”
A Deputy Commander stepped forward.
“Commander, after investigating through the night, we have identified a prime suspect.” This chapter was copied from novelping.com without permission.
“Who?” Tian Ming’s eyelids lifted slightly.
“Chu Feng of the Northern Suppression King’s Manor.”
The moment those words fell, the air in the hall seemed to freeze.
Tian Ming narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp as lightning. “Jiang Shan, are you certain?”
“I am certain,” Jiang Shan replied in a steady voice, though a trace of hidden hatred flickered in his eyes. “First, two days ago, Chu Feng killed four noble youths at Snow Moon Tower. Investigation shows those four were acting under Luo Qing’s orders. Chu Feng has sufficient motive.”
“Second, last night Luo Qing mobilized the forces of Tian Nan Marquis Manor to clear an entire street. That street happens to be the only route leading to the Northern Suppression King’s Manor. Time, place, motive—all match perfectly.”
His reasoning was clear, his tone firm.
Tian Ming tapped the armrest lightly, a steady rhythm echoing in the hall as his gaze flickered.
After a moment, he said, “Since there is suspicion, find an opportunity to bring him in for questioning. However, the Northern Suppression King’s Manor is no ordinary place. Before taking action, gather more solid evidence. This must become an ironclad case—one that even Chu Tianyuan cannot refute. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Commander!”
Jiang Shan bowed deeply. At an angle no one could see, a cruel smile spread across his lips.
Little brother… your revenge will soon be avenged.
…
Night fell. Northern Suppression King’s Manor.
Boom!
A terrifying aura erupted from Chu Feng’s room. Violent waves of energy spread outward like ripples, instantly reducing every table, chair, and furnishing in the room to dust.
In the next instant, Chu Feng’s eyes snapped open. A sharp gleam flashed and vanished as he exhaled a long breath.
“Finally… I’ve broken through to the Innate Realm.”
He stood slowly, clenching his fists. The surging true energy within his body flowed endlessly, filling him with a sense of power he had never felt before.
With the massive resources obtained from Misty Rain Pavilion last night, he had not only shattered his limits and stepped into the Innate Realm but had directly reached the mid-stage of the Innate Realm.
Three days.
In just three days, he had gone from an ordinary man incapable of even restraining a chicken to a powerful Innate Realm Martial Artist.
Such speed was enough to shock anyone.
He pushed the door open. Uncle Fu happened to be approaching, holding a gilded invitation.
“Heir Apparent Chu, this was delivered from the Eastern Palace earlier today. You are invited to attend the Crown Princess’s birthday banquet tomorrow.”
“The Crown Princess’s birthday banquet?” Chu Feng took the invitation, his expression turning slightly strange. Unbidden, the memory of that night surfaced in his mind—the intimate, intoxicating moment he had shared with the noble Crown Princess.
That kind of thing… once was enough. There must not be a second time.
“Alright, I understand.” He put away the invitation casually.
At that moment, another servant hurried over. “Heir Apparent Chu, someone calling himself Wang Pangzi is outside asking to see you.”
“Oh?” Chu Feng raised an eyebrow and headed toward the gate.
At the entrance, Wang Pangzi was standing on tiptoe, peering inside. The moment he saw Chu Feng, his face lit up as he hurried over.
“Brother Chu! I finally found you! I heard Snow Moon Tower has brought in some new dancers. Their figures, their movements… tsk tsk, absolutely breathtaking. Want to go take a look?”
“Sure. I’ve got nothing better to do anyway.” Chu Feng nodded.
Soon, the two of them strolled leisurely toward Snow Moon Tower.
…
Meanwhile, at the southern gate of the capital.
A group of dust-covered cavalry rode into the city. At the front was a figure clad in bright red armor, heroic and striking—it was Xiao Nihuang.
Her armor was stained with dust, and faint dark bloodstains had yet to dry. A sharp, cold edge lingered between her brows.
“Finally back in the capital!” The female guard captain in green armor behind her let out a long breath.
Before her words even settled, a group approached quickly from ahead and bowed in unison. “Welcome back, Young Lady!”
They were the retainers of the Xiao Ducal Manor.
Xiao Nihuang dismounted and asked, “How is Grandfather?”
“Reporting to Young Lady, the Duke is in good health and is waiting for your return at the manor,” the lead retainer replied respectfully.
She nodded, then asked, “Chu Feng… where is he now?”
The retainer hesitated. “This…”
Xiao Nihuang frowned slightly. “What is it?”
“According to our scouts, Heir Apparent Chu… is currently on his way to Snow Moon Tower.”
The moment those words fell, the green-armored female guard behind her exploded in anger.
“What?! That bastard!” she snapped furiously. “General! You rushed thousands of kilometers from the border for this marriage, faced three assassination attempts along the way, and nearly lost your life—and he still has the leisure to visit brothels?! What does he think of you?!”
The air around them turned instantly cold.
Xiao Nihuang’s expression remained calm, but a chilling frost gathered deep within her beautiful phoenix eyes.
“We’re not returning to the manor.”
She suddenly spoke, mounting her horse in one smooth motion, her voice as cold as ice.
“To Snow Moon Tower!”