Chapter 270 - 250: Suspicion
Princess Mingyu held Chen Ming’s hand and led him to her residence in the backyard. Today was a private banquet, which made them appear even closer. It seemed she already considered him a friend.
"Since you became the Sect Leader of Golden Jade Hall, there hasn’t been any news from you. Yingxue has been worried about you. But after her last incident, the Jiang Family sent people to protect her closely, unlike before when she could go wherever she wanted. So, she asked me for help."
Princess Mingyu explained, "Yesterday, I couldn’t see you at Golden Jade Hall, and I was quite worried, thinking something might have happened to you. Now that I see you’re safe and sound, I’m relieved."
Chen Ming felt a warmth in his heart, it turned out to be that little girl, Jiang Yingxue.
His smile became more genuine, "I appreciate the trouble you went through, Princess. I truly feel guilty. I’ll write a letter tomorrow and send someone to deliver it to Yingxue, so she won’t worry."
As they talked, they entered the courtyard and sat down. The maids quickly served various dishes, snacks, and fruits.
Princess Mingyu advised, "Golden Jade Hall has now become a place of dispute. Since sister has left, perhaps it would be better to leave, avoiding any trouble."
"Thank you for the reminder, Princess. However, I have reasons I cannot leave. Once things are handled, I won’t linger."
Chen Ming hadn’t forgotten the Third Elder who was skilled in cursed assassination techniques. If he didn’t get rid of this person, he wouldn’t be able to leave peacefully.
Princess Mingyu smiled, "It seems sister already has a plan, and it was presumptuous of me to speak. I’ll punish myself with a drink."
Saying that, she picked up the wine cup in front of her and drank it all.
Out of courtesy, Chen Ming also drank a cup. The wine was smooth and warm, quickly spreading heat throughout his body. He couldn’t help but praise, "Good wine!"
This wine contained spiritual energy, likely some kind of spiritual wine. However, with his current cultivation, it barely enhanced him.
Just as the two were chatting, a man’s voice suddenly came from outside, "To dare stop even this Crown Prince, are you tired of living? Move aside, I want to see my sister."
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, please forgive us, the Princess is currently entertaining esteemed guests—"
"Esteemed guests? Then I must see them, get out of my way."
Upon hearing this, Princess Mingyu’s brow furrowed with a touch of anger. She said to Chen Ming somewhat helplessly, "Forgive me, sister, this is my brother, quite the mischievous one."
Chen Ming said, "The Crown Prince seems to be a man of character—"
Before he finished his sentence, the Crown Prince barged in. He was still a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy, wearing a black robe with a dragon pattern embroidered with gold thread.
As soon as the boy entered the courtyard, he stared straight at Chen Ming, saying happily, "Sister indeed has a beauty here today. Let me have a look, not only beautiful but with unique charm—"
"Jingyang!"
Princess Mingyu’s face turned frosty, her voice carrying anger, "This is the Sect Leader of Golden Jade Hall, show some respect."
The Crown Prince named Jingyang shrank his neck at first, evidently somewhat afraid of his sister, but he still retorted, "A mere Golden Jade Hall is nothing? Even those with Celestial Human Realm backing, I, the Crown Prince, don’t take seriously."
Princess Mingyu said coldly, "It seems I haven’t disciplined you enough. Bring out the family law!"
The Crown Prince, realizing the situation was unfavorable, ran off, shouting, "You’re going to hit me over a wild woman, I’ll definitely report to Grandma..."
Soon, he had run far, and his voice was no longer audible.
Princess Mingyu’s anger disappeared from her face, and she sighed, "My brother is already fifteen years old, and next year will inherit the title of Sea Suppression King, yet he’s still so unruly. I truly don’t know what to do..."
Chen Ming comforted, "The Crown Prince is still young, with time he’ll naturally mature."
Previously, he had inquired about this sibling pair with Jiang Yingxue. They were true siblings, both of royal lineage, adopted from the Sea Suppression King’s younger brother.
Apparently, the siblings were quite favored in the palace, which is how they had the opportunity to be adopted into the Sea Suppression King’s branch.
In his view, the Crown Prince was just a bit rebellious, fifteen was the prime age for rebellion during adolescence, wasn’t it?
However, the things the Crown Prince said, what did he mean by that?
Speaking of his sister like that, it seemed somewhat peculiar.
"It’s getting late, I should be heading back."
After such an incident, Chen Ming lost interest and stood to bid farewell.
Princess Mingyu suggested, "Why not stay here tonight, sister."
"That would still be inconvenient."
Chen Ming thought, with the Second Elder missing, if he didn’t return overnight, Sun Chuxian might suspect he had run away, and perhaps the Third Elder would resort to cursed assassination techniques.
He had no desire to experience the power of that mysterious cursed assassination technique.
...
Back at Golden Jade Hall, in the same study room.
Sun Chuxian was reading a secret letter. Before finishing, despite his deep scheming, a hint of joy appeared in his eyes.
This letter was sent by his grandson from Paradise Island, saying his master was ready and would arrive in Jiangzhou City soon. A place should be prepared in advance.
"Finally, the day has come!"
At that moment, Sun Chuxian felt a sense of relief.
The spot had long been prepared, waiting for that person to arrive. As long as he successfully broke through to the Divine Treasure Realm, everything he’d done would be worthwhile.
Then, even if that girl surnamed Yuan unexpectedly died, what could the Jiang Family do?
As he pondered this, an uneasy feeling suddenly arose, why hadn’t the Second Elder reported back yet?
"Someone come."
He summoned an outsider and asked, "Has the Second Elder returned?"
"He has not returned."
"Notify me as soon as he returns."
After dismissing the person, the ominous feeling grew stronger in Sun Chuxian’s heart, and he suddenly thought, "This is bad!"
All along, the Second Elder had been obedient, capable of executing assigned tasks accurately. Hence, Sun Chuxian had become complacent about him.
The Second Elder hadn’t returned by now, fearing he harbored ulterior motives.
"What is he planning?"
Taiyue Sword!
Sun Chuxian instantly had an answer in his heart.
Killing to seize the sword achieves two goals at once.
Once Yuan Ziyi is dead, the Jiang Family will never let it rest. They will use this as a reason to pressure the Golden Jade Hall and take a substantial bite out of it.
"Damn it, ruining my grand plan!"
A strong killing intent surged in Sun Chuxian’s heart as he finally grew truly angry, "Do you really think I can’t kill you?"
"Someone, bring the Third Elder here."
How could he dare keep the Second Elder by his side without a backup plan?
"Yes."
Just as the person outside left, someone else came to report, "First Elder, the Sect Leader has returned."
"..."
Sun Chuxian was dumbfounded, thinking he misheard, "What did you say?"
The subordinate outside said, "The Sect Leader has returned. However, she came back alone, saying she was attacked by unknown individuals on the road, and everyone else was killed in action. She specifically asked me to report to you, hoping you would properly bury these people and compensate their families."
"Was the Sect Leader...injured?"
"She doesn’t appear to be injured."
"I understand. Proceed as the Sect Leader instructed."
"Yes."
Sun Chuxian, however, felt a bit uncertain.
What is going on?
The Second Elder hasn’t returned for a long time, yet the Sect Leader returned unharmed.
What could have gone wrong?
Could it be that the Second Elder escaped?
Or was it that the Jiang Family had secretly dispatched experts to protect Yuan Ziyi, killing the Second Elder?
Or perhaps there was always a powerful guardian by Yuan Ziyi’s side...
Sun Chuxian considered countless possibilities in his mind, but never once thought of the possibility that the Second Elder might have been killed by Yuan Ziyi.
The idea never even occurred to him.
In his understanding, Second Grade is just Second Grade. Even if one wields an Unparalleled Divine Weapon, how could they contend with a First Grade?
As for the Blood Demon Sect’s First Grade, legitimate First Grade experts don’t regard such demonic sects seriously.
The only truly terrifying aspect of the Blood Demon Sect is that one Demon Venerable. As long as the Demon Venerable hasn’t awakened, the rest aren’t worth fearing. They are merely bullies relying on their realm, and being slain by others stronger than their rank is no new thing.
...
"First Elder, you summoned me late at night, what’s the urgent matter?"
The Third Elder arrived promptly upon being informed and presented herself as extremely respectful before Sun Chuxian, assuming the posture of a subordinate.
Sun Chuxian was also very gentle in his attitude towards her, "There’s no need for such formalities, Third Elder. I summoned you this time to have you ascertain a matter."
"What is it? Please instruct me, First Elder."
"The Second Elder went out to take care of something but hasn’t returned yet. I’d like you to confirm his life or death status."
"That’s easy."
The Third Elder took out a black bowl from her bosom, muttering incantations as a chilling ghostly aura emanated from it, dropping the room’s temperature to an icy point.
She bit her finger and let a drop of blood drip into it, then took down a small bag hanging from her waist.
Her waistband was covered with over a dozen small bags, tied meticulously and fully.
The Third Elder took a strand of hair from the bag, placed it into the black bowl, and muttered incantations again, her eyes lighting up with a deep and concentrated black glow.
Moments later, with a bang, the ghostly aura in the black bowl dissipated, her eyes’ black glow faded, and she let out a long breath, a new wrinkle quietly appearing on her wrinkle-ridden face.
She said gravely, "The Second Elder is already dead."
He’s actually dead!
The First Elder’s eyes narrowed slightly, "Can you know who killed him?"
The Third Elder shook her head and sighed, "My cultivation is shallow, I can only determine life or death."
"Thank you for your efforts, Third Elder."
The First Elder took out a porcelain bottle from his bosom and handed it over.
After receiving it, the Third Elder said, "If there’s nothing else, I shall take my leave."
"Please do not disclose the news of the Second Elder’s death."
"I understand."
Then, the Third Elder left.
The First Elder stared deeply out the window.
He murmured, "Still underestimated you."
No matter how the Second Elder died, it’s inevitably connected to the new Sect Leader. There must be a very formidable expert by her side who could kill the Second Elder on the spot.
Generally speaking, in a battle between First Grade experts, even if one can’t win, one can always escape.
This means that the expert beside the Sect Leader is at least at the Peak of First Grade.
Afraid, they are also eyeing the slot for the Golden Jade Hall!
"However, since they have already shown signs, they are nothing to fear!"