The emperor, enraged by the spirit dragon’s erratic behavior that nearly harmed Lin’an Princess, ordered the creature back to its pond. He immediately declared a citywide curfew and instructed Wei Yuan to strengthen security measures.
At home, Xu Pingzhi and Xu Xinnian teased Xu Qi’an about serving two masters, claiming he was stretched too thin. Xu Xinnian asked which princess he preferred. Xu Qi’an admitted that Lin’an, though not the brightest, was lively, innocent, and fiercely loyal in critical moments. On the other hand, the Eldest Princess was brilliant, shrewd, and exceptionally courageous, making her an invaluable ally for future success. Hearing this, Xu Pingzhi eagerly asked Xu Qi’an to recommend him to the Eldest Princess, but Xu Qi’an ignored him and began practicing his martial arts.
A Disturbance at the Earl’s Mansion
Xu Qi’an’s jade mirror alerted him to a private message from Member No. 4 of the Tian Ti Hui, who wanted to discuss Hengyuan’s whereabouts and whether Hengyuan possessed an artifact that could obscure one’s aura. The group decided to investigate the Earl of Pingyuan’s mansion, which had recently been raided but still appeared lively with music and dancing.
While observing from the rooftop, Xu Qi’an and his companions saw a mysterious figure wearing a bamboo hat enter the mansion. The intruder, displaying extraordinary martial skills, swiftly dispatched the guards and killed the Earl’s eldest son. The scene was shocking, and despite their best efforts, Xu Qi’an and the Tian Ti Hui members were no match for the assassin. After unleashing his deadly one-blade strike, Xu Qi’an signaled his companions to retreat while he covered their escape.
Back at Wei Yuan’s headquarters, Xu Qi’an identified the attacker from a portrait. The man was Henghui, who had eloped with Princess Pingyang. Wei Yuan deduced that Henghui had likely stolen the aura-concealing artifact and was connected to the Sangbo incident.
Lin’an Visits Pingyang’s Mother
Meanwhile, Lin’an visited Pingyang’s grieving mother, who still resided in her family’s estate, holding out hope that her daughter would return one day. To comfort her aunt, Lin’an fabricated a story that Pingyang was living peacefully in Persia, enjoying its beautiful scenery. The lie brought temporary solace, but when her aunt expressed a desire to visit Persia, Lin’an quickly changed the subject, claiming Pingyang might move to another place by the time they arrived.
Tensions in the Court
The escalating cases, including the massacre at the Earl of Pingyuan’s mansion, infuriated the emperor. He berated his ministers for their incompetence, accusing them of collecting salaries without fulfilling their duties. Turning to Wei Yuan, the emperor demanded an update on the investigations. Wei Yuan assured him he could only disclose the findings in private.
After dismissing the ministers, including Minister of War Zhang Feng, the emperor held a confidential discussion with Wei Yuan. Outside, the disgruntled ministers speculated about the secretive meeting. Wei Yuan emerged with an enigmatic comment, hinting that the investigation was nearing its conclusion. Hearing this, Zhang Feng panicked. Back at his residence, he hastily packed valuables and attempted to flee with his son but was intercepted at the city gates.
The Trap is Set
From a high vantage point, Wei Yuan sipped tea with Xu Qi’an as they received news of Zhang Feng’s capture. Wei Yuan expressed satisfaction, stating that guilt inevitably reveals itself, allowing them to trace the connections back to Henghui.
At the same time, Henghui appeared at Zhang Feng’s mansion, using his sinister technique to drain the lifeblood of three individuals in mere moments. However, as he reached the courtyard, Henghui unknowingly stepped into a formation set by Sitianjian’s fourth-grade array master, Yang Qianhuan.
Henghui sneered, dismissing the formation as incapable of restraining him. As he prepared to strike, elite fighters, including Golden Gong Jiang Jinluo and Yang Yan, surrounded him. A fierce battle was inevitable, setting the stage for a climactic confrontation.
