Chapter 411: Chapter 172: Turning the tide, both secured! Empress: Jiang Yuchan, did you sleep with Chen Mo?
Prince Yu Mansion.
Inside the study, the bookshelf slid to the sides, revealing a complex array etched into the wall. A faint blue glow flashed, and the wall rippled like a water curtain.
Chu Heng stepped out slowly from the secret chamber, his hands stained with dark red blood, his eyes bloodshot, making his face look even paler.
"Your Highness."
The old steward waiting outside handed over a handkerchief.
Chu Heng took it, wiped his hands, and asked, "Is there any movement from Ling Yishan?"
The old steward shook his head and said, "Just the same as before, reclusive and uninterested in worldly affairs, even after Ling Ningzhi was attacked, there was no reaction. It seems he knows he doesn’t have much time left and won’t act easily."
Chu Heng’s eyebrows slightly furrowed, and he said, "What’s the deal with that You Ji? Being a Grandmaster, could she have just vanished without a trace?"
The old steward replied, "We haven’t found her yet. Liuyun Inn has replaced its leading performer; perhaps she met an ill fate."
Chu Heng looked serious, sitting on a chair, his fingers tapping the armrest.
"The Demon Clan’s repeated failures show they’re not reliable. We must find our own way."
"As long as we obtain the Eightfold Exorcism Array map, along with the remaining Red Sand I have, we might stand a chance..."
To obtain the array map, Ling Yishan must first be eliminated.
Even with his grave injuries, he’s still one of the strongest in Jiu Zhou, not easily shaken.
I had hoped to use Ling Ningzhi as a breakthrough, yet not only did I fail, but also lost an Immortal Material... finding such a chance again will be tough.
"Has there been any movement from Chen Mo lately?" Chu Heng asked.
The old steward said, "This is the second thing I must report to Your Highness: the Fire Department Thousand Households, Bai Lingchuan, is dead."
?!
Hearing this, Chu Heng’s expression froze, frowning, "That old fellow had little time left, but not so soon. What happened?"
"According to news from the palace, Bai Lingchuan, to extend his life, colluded with the Seventh Heavenly Demon to plot against Chen Mo, but was instead refined by the Blood Demon..." the old steward succinctly explained.
"Seventh Heavenly Demon?!"
A trace of astonishment flashed in Chu Heng’s eyes.
He had naturally heard of the "Blood Demon," who wreaked havoc in the Southern Border for decades, killing countless, with unfathomable strength.
Unexpectedly, Bai Lingchuan, an Imperial Official, would conspire with such a fiend!
"When did those two form a grudge with Chen Mo?" Chu Heng was puzzled, but then a delighted smile spread across his face, "In a way, it saves us some effort."
Chen Mo had repeatedly thwarted his plans and had even physically confronted him in the Imperial Music Bureau, making their conflict irreconcilable.
He was looking for an opportunity to eliminate this stumbling block but didn’t expect someone else to be more eager!
This is probably the only good news I’ve heard lately!
Seeing Chu Heng’s excitement, the old steward shook his head and continued, "Ahem, Chen Mo is not dead and returned to the capital yesterday. He even dined and stayed at the palace... as for the Blood Demon, he is already dead."
"..."
Chu Heng’s smile froze on his face.
"That Blood Demon, who terrorized for years, at least a Grandmaster at the start, and couldn’t handle a Fifth Grade Martial Artist even with Bai Lingchuan? What a joke!"
"Are you sure there’s no mistake in the information?"
The old steward shook his head, "Though it’s unclear what transpired at the Southern Border, this is likely accurate. Two parties are already making a fuss over the Fire Department Thousand Households post."
Chu Heng’s throat moved, feeling somewhat dazed.
So, Chen Mo went to the Southern Border, not only safe but also achieved great merit?
"Cough, cough, no need for Your Highness to overly worry. Chen Mo is still young, his rapid advancement is against convention, he’ll likely need to wait years," the old steward consoled.
However, Chu Heng knew better.
Chen Mo, having consecutively killed the Tenth and Seventh Heavenly Demon and solved several major cases, his entry into Qilin Pavilion is practically guaranteed!
The Empress favors him greatly; this day won’t be long!
"Could this young man indeed hold grand fortune? Surviving dangers repeatedly, progressing in power beyond reason, and his official career thriving; this is unreasonable..."
Considering the Demon Clan’s excessive focus on Chen Mo and the favor of the Imperial Consort and Empress...
A hypothesis flashed in Chu Heng’s mind but seemed too unbelievable to accept.
After all, such a thing is too shocking.
"Once Chen Mo enters Qilin Pavilion, dealing with him will be difficult."
"Ling Ningzhi seems close to him, if I could achieve both simultaneously... but this is too risky, and must be done cleanly..."
Chu Heng fell into deep thought.
The old steward stood silently beside him, recalling LV Bojun’s words from that day.
Between the princely heir and Chen Mo, who is the angler, and who is the big fish?
...
...
East of the city, Ming’an Street.
Ling Ningzhi stood before the gates of Chen Mansion in a Moon White Daoist Robe, immaculate, looking at the grand household, slightly hesitant.
Chen Mo had been severely injured and exhausted Qi-Blood healing her, making her uneasy... Yet recalling the absurd incident on the Flying Boat, her mind was tumultuous, unsure how to face Chen Mo.
"First sharing a bed with Master, then adding Consort Yu later..."
"It’s just..."
Ling Ningzhi’s cheeks flushed red.
While she wavered, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind:
"Qingxuan?"
Ling Ningzhi turned to see a sedan chair slowly descending, and He Yuzhi lifting the curtain to step down.
"Aunt." Ling Ningzhi nodded in greeting.
He Yuzhi smiled and said, "It’s been some time since you last came. Why stand at the door? Come in."