Immortal of the Nine Realms

Entering the emperor's residence required approval. Not just anyone could enter without permission, so a massive group of imperial guards stood watch outside at the entrance and the surrounding area. Yan Beihan was one of them.

When Yan Beihan saw Fang Chen, he immediately stepped aside sensibly. He respectfully bowed and waited until Fang Chen entered the courtyard before standing upright again.

One of the commanders of the imperial guards shot Yan Beihan a strange look. "Commander... Duke Fang is really unruly, isn’t he? His Majesty hasn't said he wants to see him, but he just barges in like this? If we let him in, will we be...”

"Hush. There are things you don't understand," whispered Yan Beihan. "We must tread carefully these days."

Since the day Xiao Shence and others were sentenced to death, Yan Beihan no longer was able to approach the Hall of Supreme Harmony. However, he had after all been in the palace for many years and had built a few connections of his own, so he wasn’t completely in the dark. He knew a little bit about the situation, so he didn't dare to stop Fang Chen. No, actually, even if he didn't know anything, he still wouldn't dare to stop Fang Chen....

Inside the emperor’s residence.

The emperor's sleeping quarters were large, but it was empty at the moment. The large, still room had a certain eerie air to it.

"What a spacious courtyard... Won’t one feel lonely in such a huge place?” commented Li Daoye, smirking.

"The emperor's harem has three thousand beauties." Fang Chen dropped a casual remark and began to search for clues around.

After more than a dozen breaths, he found a hidden compartment in the room. Fang Chen opened it easily. He found a folded up paper inside, which he grabbed and opened.

To Fang Chen,

Peeking from the side, a strange expression appeared on Li Daoye’s face. "Is this addressed to you?" he asked, finding it absurd. "This guy... He even predicted that you would come here into his room? He was even certain that you’d be able to find this hidden compartment?”

Wouldn’t that mean that he already made plans to escape ages ago?

Li Daoye couldn't help but suck in a cold breath. He couldn’t help but feel that if such a person were to become a cultivator, he’d truly be like a dragon entering the ocean. The more scheming someone was in the world of cultivation, the more likely they were to survive and come up on top!

The content of the letter was very brief. It read:

Fang Chen, by the time you open this letter, I would have already left with the empress to a distant place. To think that this majestic emperor was forced into such a situation by a single subject of his. I don’t know whether I should laugh or cry about it. There are some things that I know, and you know. Let’s just keep them a secret to prevent disaster from befalling Grand Xia. As long as you treat the imperial family well, I will do the same to the empress. This is my promise to you. We shall meet again in the future.

"Xia Xuanji... This asshole is actually threatening you with your aunt!” Li Daoye sneered. "He’s such a scumbag."

Fang Chen put away the letter and looked at Li Daoye. "You know divination. Can you find them?"

“I am skilled in divination, not in tracking people! The world is so vast. How can I possibly find them? I'm just a cultivator, not a deity...." Li Daoye shook his head. "But I have to say, if the guy really wants to hide, you probably won't be able to find him any time soon."

But all of a sudden, Li Daoye's eyes lit up, and he exclaimed. "Oh, I have a way! It is rumored that there exists a kind of curse that can affect an entire clan through blood connection. As long as you use this curse, even if you can't find Xia Xuanji, you can curse him to death!" He paused slightly, then muttered, "However... it will also affect those related to him by blood. This is a bit troublesome...."

Fang Chen shook his head slightly. "Nope. No can do." Even if he knew the curse and had the ability to cast it, he wouldn’t. After all, Xia Ji was related to Xia Xuanji.

"Well, I have no other way. But you needn’t worry. He wouldn’t dare harm the empress anyway. He needs her alive so he can keep you from toppling the imperial family, so the empress’s safety is basically guaranteed," analyzed Li Daoye.

Fang Chen remained silent for a few breaths, then nodded slightly in the end. Things have already escalated to this point. Since he couldn’t effectively resolve the matter right now, he could only take it one step at a time.

As the two turned to leave the emperor’s quarters, they chanced upon a group of imperial concubines, followed by their respective sons and daughters—the princes and princesses.

"We pay our respects to you, Duke Fang!"

The consorts quickly bowed in salute. The princes and princesses beside them also bowed one after the other. They were all young, ranging from six or seven to eleven or twelve years old, with the oldest being around fifteen or sixteen. They were the ones who failed the spirit test the other day.

In the past, they wouldn't have needed to bow to Fang Chen, but now that he was the Duke of Grand Xia, they had to. They didn't know what had happened in the Hall of Supreme Harmony that caused the Grand Xia Emperor to abdicate, but they knew that more than ten officials, including Xiao Shence, were slain in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Even the crown prince was executed....

It was obvious to them that the matter was somehow related to Fang Chen. That’s why, when they saw Fang Chen, their hearts had almost leapt out of their chest. They were frightened. They didn’t dare offend him in the slightest!

"No need for excessive courtesy," said Fang Chen with a faint smile.

One of the concubines’ eyes flashed a hint of brilliance. She smiled and said, "Look, the day is still early, Duke Fang. Would you be willing to take a short visit to the Qi Awakening Palace? Prince Xia Li here admires you the most, and he very much wishes to seek guidance from you in martial arts.”

"Duke Fang, please!" begged Xia Li hurriedly, his eyes filled with hope.

He was ranked fourth among the princes. He was only fifteen or sixteen years old. His mother was originally a commoner, a point that had shaved a fair deal of Xia Li’s chances at becoming the crown prince.

“This bitch...” muttered one of the concubines.

Annoyance filled the hearts of the other concubines. This woman’s intentions couldn’t be more clear!

Anyone who’d be able to gain Fang Chen’s support would be able to benefit greatly. He was a godly existence that even those immortals had to address respectfully!

Li Daoye’s eyes stung with jealousy. "Damn it, this guy is really good at getting the ladies..." He cursed Fang Chen under his breath.

"Let's not," declined Fang Chen with a smile. "I still have some matters to attend to. We'll talk about it when I have time."

The other concubines reached out with their own invitations, but Fang Chen turned them all down, which had caused them to turn disappointed.

Suddenly, a mournful and sorrowful voice rang from behind them. "Fang Chen!” the voice cried. “Why were you so heartless? Xia Yu should have gone to cultivate in the Heavenly Southern Sect. He would no longer have been a hindrance to you! He couldn't compete with you for power. Why don't you let him go? Why, why, why?"

The consorts quickly turned to look, only to see Consort Hua standing in a daze. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her cheeks sunken, and her lifeless eyes as she stared fixedly at Fang Chen.

"It's that crazy woman..." The expressions of the other consorts turned complicated. The rumors of Consort Hua going insane had been spreading wildly these days. She beat her maids and eunuchs repeatedly as she shouted Fang Chen’s name many times, telling him to go and die. In the end, she chased away all of her eunuchs and palace maids. They dared not approach her at the moment.

The death of Xia Yu was indeed a pity. If he had not died, he might have been able to become an Immortal Master in the future. However, while it may be a little regretful, many of the consorts were mostly relieved. If Xia Yu had not died, Consort Hua would’ve enjoyed a terrifying status in the palace. Her arrogant and domineering temperament would have been even more unbearable. At that time, their lives would truly become miserable.

"She doesn't seem aware of the situation," whispered Li Daoye.

Fang Chen looked at Consort Hua and nodded slowly.

At this moment, Eunuch You suddenly arrived with a large group of eunuchs flanking him. He ordered his subordinates to forcibly take Consort Hua away, and he quickly apologized.

"Duke Fang, my subordinates failed to keep a proper lookout and have offended you. Please, forgive us.”

"Keep an eye on her from now on, but don't mistreat here," said Fang Chen calmly as he left.

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