Volume 5, Chapter 295 – The Assassin Finally Arrives

“Your Majesty, according to our informants, the Empress’s wet nurse recently left the palace. Several other consorts also had experts from their retinues depart one after another.”

Inside the Imperial Study, Chief Steward Zhong bowed respectfully as he reported to Emperor Lin Tu.

“Heh. It seems they can no longer sit still.”

Lin Tu smirked mockingly before asking, “What about Consort Jin?”

“Consort Jin has remained relatively well-behaved. However, today she summoned the Sixth Princess back to the palace. I suspect this is also related to the selection of the Imperial Consort. After all, as cultivators progress, they require astronomical amounts of resources. No one wants another royal descendant competing with their own daughter for favor.”

Chief Steward Zhong analyzed meticulously.

“Indeed.”

Lin Tu nodded in agreement.

“Your Majesty, this old servant dares to suggest, perhaps you should dispatch a few experts to protect that Imperial Consort. If she is killed again, it would reflect poorly on Your Majesty’s dignity.”

Chief Steward Zhong spoke cautiously.

“Who said I haven’t sent anyone? They should have already arrived at the Honghua Sect by now.”

Lin Tu’s lips curled slightly.

“Your Majesty is wise!”

Chief Steward Zhong bowed deeply in admiration, though a trace of worry flickered across his face.

“Your Majesty, the lives of others are of little consequence, but if the Sixth Princess also attempts to kill Qi Huang… Should we secretly instruct the guards not to harm her?”

“No need. Strictly speaking, anyone who goes there now is guilty of treason. The fact that I am not pursuing the matter is already an act of mercy. If she dies, it is only what she deserves.”

Lin Tu’s expression remained cold.

Chief Steward Zhong hesitated but ultimately withdrew respectfully.

Meanwhile, in the Consort’s residence, Consort Jin was engaged in a leisurely conversation with her daughter, Lin Ran.

Though Lin Ran was the Sixth Princess of the dynasty, her extraordinary talent in cultivation had led to her being sent to the Poyun Peak at a young age. She rarely stayed in the palace, so mother and daughter had much to catch up on.

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“Little Ran, it’s been over half a year since we last met. Have you missed your mother?”

Consort Jin held her daughter’s hand affectionately.

“Of course.”

Lin Ran’s sharp, delicate features softened slightly.

“If you missed me, why didn’t you visit more often? Look at your hands, they’ve grown rough again. Cultivation is important, but don’t push yourself too hard.”

Consort Jin stroked her daughter’s hands with concern.

“I know.”

Lin Ran pressed her lips together, seemingly not one for many words, and cut straight to the point.

“Mother, I heard Father has appointed a cultivator’s doppelgänger as an Imperial Consort. Is that true?”

“Yes. Alas, that is precisely why I summoned you back.”

Consort Jin sighed.

“Who Father chooses as his Imperial Consorts is his own affair. It has nothing to do with us, nor does it concern me.”

Lin Ran made her stance clear.

“My dear daughter, do you know Cheng Hongling of the Honghua Sect? That girl reached the Incarnation Realm at sixteen, seven or eight years earlier than you. The strength of her bloodline is simply astonishing. This Imperial Consort is her doppelgänger. Once she enters the palace and bears a child, your father’s attention will shift away from you. The resources you receive will dwindle. Do you understand the implications?”

Consort Jin spoke earnestly.

“Then what do you suggest, Mother?”

Lin Ran frowned.

“My meaning is simple. For the sake of your future, perhaps we should eliminate this threat before it takes root.”

Consort Jin clenched her teeth.

“You’re suggesting we kill Qi Huang? That’s treason!”

Lin Ran warned.

“Little Ran, we’re not the only ones who want her dead. If we work together discreetly, we can ensure this matter is handled without a trace.”

Consort Jin whispered.

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After a brief hesitation, Lin Ran shook her head firmly.

“No, Mother. I won’t do it. No matter how strong her bloodline is, cultivation isn’t solely determined by lineage. If I act now, it would only prove my lack of confidence.”

“Are you certain? There’s no turning back once she enters the palace. Killing her then will be far more difficult.”

Consort Jin pressed gravely.

“Mother, to be honest, news of Father appointing an Imperial Consort has already spread to Poyun Peak. My fellow disciples are mocking me behind my back, saying Father no longer trusts me.”

Lin Ran took a deep breath.

“Those wretched fools! No wonder you’ve been so sullen since your return.”

Consort Jin cursed angrily.

“Precisely. If Qi Huang dies now, everyone will assume I acted out of insecurity, especially since I returned to visit you. If that happens, the stains of Father’s distrust and my ‘inferior’ bloodline will never wash away.”

Lin Ran gritted her teeth slightly.

“Then what do you propose?”

Consort Jin asked, puzzled.

“Her true body is still in the cultivation world, isn’t it? At the next Evergreen Conference, if she crosses paths with me, I’ll prove to Father and the world whose bloodline is truly superior. If she can’t even reach me, how can she be called a genius?”

Lin Ran’s gaze sharpened like a blade.

“Since you’ve made up your mind, I shall respect your decision.”

Consort Jin sighed helplessly. Her daughter was exceptional in every way, except for her overwhelming pride.

Qi Huang had been keeping watch outside the Honghua Sect for two days when a contingent of soldiers appeared within the range of her divine sense.

“Why soldiers?”

Qi Huang was puzzled. Even if someone wanted her dead, they wouldn’t be foolish enough to send troops in official uniforms, that would be suicide.

“Could the Emperor have sent them to protect me?”

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The soldiers’ conversation soon confirmed her suspicion.

“We’re approaching the Honghua Sect. Remember this, before the first day of next month, the appointed Imperial Consort  must not come to harm. Otherwise, not only will we die, but our families will suffer as well. Understood?”

The middle-aged general at the forefront spoke sternly. He appeared to be in his forties, towering and powerfully built, with sharp, chiseled features and a sun-bronzed complexion that exuded masculine vigor.

“Yes, General Zhang!”

Hundreds of soldiers answered in unison.

“Who goes there? Spying on others is quite impolite, don’t you think?”

At that moment, General Zhang’s eyes narrowed as he turned his gaze toward Qi Huang’s direction.

‘Such sharp perception!’

Qi Huang was stunned. Despite not releasing his divine sense, he had detected her observation purely through heightened instincts, a testament to his terrifying strength, likely equivalent to a cultivator in the Incarnation Realm.

Before she could react, General Zhang launched a counterattack.

His pupils contracted, transforming his piercing gaze into tangible killing intent that radiated outward like the quills of a porcupine.

Qi Huang’s breath hitched. Even though her capacity for fear had been minimized by Cheng Ling’s influence, she still felt a sliver of its effect.

‘Damn, that killing intent is almost on par with the Zombie Crown Prince’s! Good thing I’m not the same as before, or I’d have made a fool of myself.’

She marveled inwardly.

“Hmm?”

General Zhang frowned when his killing intent failed to elicit a reaction.

To avoid further misunderstandings, Qi Huang retracted her divine sense and switched to observing through the Shadow-Retaining Mirror, a tool whose advantage lay in its undetectability.

General Zhang relaxed slightly before leading his troops up the mountain.

About half an hour later, General Zhang and his men arrived at the Honghua Sect’s entrance. Without preamble, he demanded to see Sect Leader Qin Quan.

Qin Quan hurried out upon hearing of the military presence. Even cultivators preferred to avoid provoking the imperial court, let alone a minor sect like the Honghua Sect.

General Zhang introduced himself as Zhang Bao, Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards, and stated that he had been dispatched by imperial decree to ensure the Imperial Consort’s safety.

Qin Quan’s tension eased, and he invited General Zhang inside to rest.

Though Zhang Bao accepted the hospitality, he immediately requested a tour of the sect’s layout, particularly Qi Huang’s residence, to better organize security.

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Qi Huang did not interfere. After all, a mere martial artist stood no chance of seeing through her doppelgänger.

Once familiar with the sect’s layout, General Zhang deployed half his guards to secure the Cheng family courtyard while the other half assisted the sect’s disciples in sweeping for potential threats.

“Wow, Uncle, you’re so thorough that I feel redundant!”

Qi Huang sighed inwardly. She had planned to put on a show, but with security this tight, any would-be assassins would think twice.

General Zhang’s meticulousness stemmed from his awareness of the mission’s danger. He dared not let his guard down for even a moment.

As night deepened and the Honghua Sect fell into silence, most of its members drifted into slumber—except for the Imperial Guards, who remained vigilant.

Qi Huang felt a pang of gratitude. Though they were merely following orders, they were still risking their lives for her sake.

“Lieutenant Jiang, you know what happened to the last Imperial Consort His Majesty appointed, and the fate of those assigned to protect her. If you want to see your families again, make sure the men stay sharp.”

General Zhang reminded his deputy.

“Don’t worry, General. Every man here is an elite guard. There will be no oversights.”

Lieutenant Jiang assured him.

Somewhat reassured, General Zhang let out a slow breath, just as his Thousand-Mile Communication Tube vibrated.

It was a message from his family.

“Husband… You must come back alive. The children and I are waiting for you.”

His wife’s voice trembled with tears.

“Don’t worry. I will return.”

General Zhang forced a promise before cutting the connection. He then turned his gaze toward the imperial capital, whispering under his breath:

“My love… If I do not return, our parents and children are in your hands. I will repay you in the next life.”

“Don’t worry, Uncle. With me here, you’ll definitely make it back to them.”

Qi Huang silently cheered him on, just as a fast-moving figure appeared at the edge of her divine sense.

“Finally. I was starting to get impatient.”

A faint smile curled on Qi Huang’s lips.