Chapter 178 - 177: Catch the Chicks

Chapter 178: Chapter 177: Catch the Chicks

When Xia Wuyang appeared in the Sleeping Palace, he arrived just in time to see Elder Saint Heart conjuring a giant palm of Qi Blood, preparing to land a fatal blow on Yun Liyue.

He struck without a moment’s hesitation, unleashing a cultivation base on par with the Super Grade Perfection realm. He channeled his vast Qi Blood, executing an improved version of the Dragon Tiger Fist.

Clad in a pair of High Level Mortal Fist Gloves, his punch surpassed Top Level Mortal Techniques and Arts. He effortlessly blocked Elder Saint Heart’s fatal strike, sending her flying.

"Super Grade Perfection!"

Elder Saint Heart’s cry was filled with disbelief. She stared at Xia Wuyang, who stood protectively in front of Yun Liyue, and was speechless for a long moment.

Xia Wuyang stood masked, having already altered his voice and aura. That, combined with his disguise, a cloak, and a spiritual shield... made it virtually impossible for anyone to discover his true identity.

He spoke coldly, his voice carrying an overwhelming aura that left Elder Saint Heart struggling to breathe. "When did the Xuan Nu Palace become so shameless? Deceiving, robbing, murdering, and burning... you have no bottom line."

"So you’re the one who’s been pulling the strings?" Elder Saint Heart’s expression flickered as she stared fixedly at Xia Wuyang. "Who exactly are you? Why are you interfering in the affairs of the Xuan Nu Palace? Do you not fear the wrath of our entire Sect?"

Xia Wuyang laughed. "The Xuan Nu Palace is nothing to me. Kneel."

He took a step forward, and his terrifying aura, on par with the Super Grade Perfection realm, became almost tangible as it bore down mercilessly upon Elder Saint Heart.

This aura was infused with the presence of Extraordinary Spiritual Power, making it even more terrifying than that of a true Super Grade Perfection practitioner and leaving Elder Saint Heart utterly powerless to resist.

It was a taste of her own medicine; just as she had suppressed Yun Liyue, Xia Wuyang was now suppressing her.

"This is not over! Even if you are a Super Grade Celestial Human, you shouldn’t humiliate the Xuan Nu Palace like this." A trace of fear had entered Elder Saint Heart’s voice as she turned to flee.

In the face of absolute power, she knew she was no match for Xia Wuyang. Naturally, she had to run.

"HUMMM..."

But the moment she turned, a strange humming sound reached her ears. Before she could even process what was happening, her surroundings had completely changed.

’This is bad—an Illusion Technique!’

The thought had barely surfaced in her mind before everything went black.

Xia Wuyang effortlessly seized her by the neck, her life and death now completely at his mercy.

’This old bat is despicable, but she’s still got some charm,’ Xia Wuyang mused. ’She looks like a beautiful woman in her thirties or forties, and could even pass for a great beauty. If I tossed her in a brothel, she might even earn the title of top Courtesan.’

Holding Elder Saint Heart as if she were a chick, Xia Wuyang turned to face Yun Liyue. The moment their eyes met, he clearly felt her delicate body tremble, as if she had sensed something.

’But I’ve even changed my eyes. There’s no way she’ll recognize me.’

Indeed, Yun Liyue quickly seemed to realize something. A look of confusion appeared in her bright eyes as she gave Xia Wuyang a graceful bow. "Thank you for saving me, Senior. Might I ask for your name?"

"My name is not important. You only need to know that I, too, hold a grudge against the Xuan Nu Palace," Xia Wuyang said in a deep voice, avoiding her gaze.

Still unwilling to let it go, Yun Liyue couldn’t help but ask, "Senior... do you have any connection to the Crown Prince?"

The question was cleverly phrased. She didn’t ask if he was one of the Crown Prince’s men, but rather if he was connected to him in any way.

A thought stirred in Xia Wuyang’s mind. Activating his Soul Enchantment Technique, he probed her surface thoughts. ’I didn’t expect Mo Qianqiu and Yan Jiuge to be suspicious as well.’

’Then again, after everything I’ve done, how could they not be suspicious?’ His initial impulse to deny any connection suddenly faded.

After a moment’s hesitation, he took out a specially-made Jade Pendant, which contained a wisp of his Extraordinary Spiritual Power. "Elder Qing Yin was once kind to me. The Crown Prince’s Mansion helped her greatly in the past, so you could say we have a slight connection. If you run into danger in the future, you can activate this Jade Pendant. I am currently in White Jade City and can come quickly."

After handing the Jade Talisman to Yun Liyue, Xia Wuyang flickered and vanished before she could say another word, taking Elder Saint Heart with him. He left Yun Liyue standing alone in the courtyard, her mind a whirlwind of doubts.

Clutching the warm, smooth Jade Pendant in her hand, a complex look flickered in Yun Liyue’s beautiful eyes.

Although she couldn’t detect any familiar trace on this mysterious person, for some reason, he gave her an unreal feeling. It was as if everything he presented to her was hidden behind a thick veil.

His voice, his build, his gaze, his aura... all of it seemed illusory. Yet, upon closer inspection, it all seemed so real—so real she couldn’t distinguish truth from fabrication.

’It can’t be the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince couldn’t possibly have this kind of power. But I can’t identify who from the Crown Prince’s Mansion it might be. Could it really be as he said—that he’s an acquaintance of my master and is helping me because she once showed him kindness?’

’As for why he helped Mo Qianqiu and Yan Jiuge, that must also be because the Crown Prince’s Mansion helped Master. By extension, his goodwill included them as well.’

’But just based on that connection, he killed the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, crippled the Tenth Princess Xia Xizhi, and even gave a High Level Mortal Treasure to Yan Jiuge. Does my master really have that much clout, enough for a Super Grade Perfection Celestial Human to go to such lengths?’

’But if that’s not the reason, then who else could have done all this?’

’Don’t tell me he’s Master’s lover?’

’No matter how she racked her brain, she couldn’t figure out who this person was. Even if the Crown Prince did have such power, given their decades of estrangement, it seemed unlikely he would go to such lengths—unless the Crown Prince had a sudden, profound change of heart.’

’But it’s impossible for the Crown Prince to have such power and influence. Otherwise, why would he continue to languish in obscurity? If he were protected by a Super Grade Perfection Celestial Human, how many of the other Princes and Princesses in the palace would be a match for him? Would he still need to endure all this mockery?’

’Just who is he?’ She couldn’t come up with an answer.

In a secret chamber belonging to one of the princesses near Lizheng Hall, Xia Wuyang had brought Elder Saint Heart.

Elder Saint Heart knelt before Xia Wuyang, her eyes glazed over. Under the control of the Soul Enchantment Technique, the Second Elder of the Xuan Nu Palace was like a marionette, completely at his disposal. He could do anything to her, and he could make her do anything he wanted.

As the Illusion took effect, Elder Saint Heart obediently began to divulge all the dirty secrets the Xuan Nu Palace had accumulated over the years, one by one.

"The Palace Master, Bing Qing Fairy, built a Handsome Men Pavilion deep in the mountains near the Xuan Nu Palace, where she keeps three hundred seventy-two male concubines. There are four other similar places, known as the Four Great Harems. Bing Qing Fairy often goes to these Handsome Men Pavilions at night to seek her pleasure."

Elder Saint Heart continued in a monotone, "Among these handsome men are no small number of direct heirs and successors from major Noble Families and Sects, all of whom were abducted. Palace Master Bing Qing Fairy may seem as pure as jade, like a flower on a high mountain, but in reality, she has a preference for naive young boys. She even fought me for a man once."