The Snake Demon had colluded with Marquis Jingzhong’s men, setting an ambush in the Cyan Mountain Hunting Ground.
Having killed the Snake Demon, how could Lu Bai possibly let the beast’s master go?
What’s more, he had previously detected a trace of the Corpse Refining Sect’s aura on Mo Yuanting.
If Mo Yuanting was connected to the Corpse Refining Sect, then his hostility toward Lu Bai wasn’t just because of Marquis Jingzhong.
The Corpse Refining Sect had suffered a major setback at Lu Bai’s hands before.
Once in Jing State, and once in the Longling Mountain Range—both times, their losses were devastating.
"You’re courting death!"
Mo Yuanting’s gaze turned frigid, his expression twisting with savage malevolence.
A single disagreement, and the two were already at daggers drawn.
If not for the fact that they were in the Capital City Government Office, they would have likely come to blows already.
’As expected of the Black Hand Yama. To act so menacingly on an occasion like this.’
’Two Dukes are present, yet he’s completely unrestrained. Doesn’t he know fear?’
’No wonder he dared to kill the grandson of a First-Grade Marquis.’
Everyone exchanged glances, secretly clicking their tongues in astonishment.
It wasn’t just them; even the two Dukes present frowned privately upon seeing Lu Bai’s aggressive, murderous intent.
"This boy doesn’t know when to back down. He’s going too far."
The Duke of Jing glanced at Mo Tang, signaling for her to try and talk some sense into him.
The Duke of Zhong, however, was still smiling. He thought to himself, ’This boy truly has no worldly attachments. He’s audacious enough to pierce the heavens, willing to do anything. And an eighteen-year-old True Master Martial Dao at that. Once he fully develops, I fear no one will be able to control him...’
’Heh, such talent. What a pity.’
Just as the scene reached a stalemate, the urgent sound of hooves suddenly echoed from outside the Government Office—distant at first, then growing closer, heavy, powerful, and perfectly synchronized.
Immediately after, the main doors burst open.
No one came in to announce the arrival.
All the constables in the Government Office seemed frozen, unable to move.
The sunlight was cut off as a squad of dark figures filed in.
The crowd in the hall turned to look, their expressions varied.
The Dragon Guard, the Royal Palace Guard!
Twenty men, not one of them spoke, not one glanced around. Their gazes were fixed straight ahead.
Reaching the entrance of the main hall, they split to stand on either side, their movements uncannily synchronized.
From the back, a man of immense build, his armor looking as if it had grown onto his body, walked forward. His expression was stern and emotionless.
Upon entering the hall, the man bowed to the Duke of Jing and the Duke of Zhong, his voice deep. "Shen Du, Captain of the Dragon Guard’s White Tiger Sect, greets Duke Jing and Duke Zhong."
The Duke of Zhong asked with a smile, "What’s this? Has the matter here alarmed even Duke Wei?"
"My apologies, Your Graces," Shen Du said. "I am here on the orders of King Wu, with his written edict, to bring this man to the palace."
Shen Du pulled a written edict from his sleeve and presented it to the Duke of Jing and the Duke of Zhong.
The Duke of Zhong did not reach out to take it, simply smiling. "Since it is an edict from His Highness, we naturally have nothing to say."
As he spoke, he cast a seemingly unintentional glance toward Mo Yuanting.
Mo Yuanting suddenly let out a cold sneer. "This man is a bloodthirsty, lawless killer. Just now, with two Dukes of your Wu Dynasty present, he dared to openly threaten to kill me. Is the Wu Dynasty going to brazenly protect him?
If word of this gets out, I’m afraid it won’t reflect well on the Wu Dynasty’s reputation."
Shen Du said, "Whatever grudge you have, you can settle it at the Golden Platform Martial Arts Discussion. In the Wu Dynasty, when reasoning fails, the martial arts platform is where the truth is revealed."
Mo Yuanting stared at Lu Bai and slowly asked, "Do you dare to participate in the Golden Platform Martial Arts Discussion?"
The Golden Platform Martial Arts Discussion, an event watched by all.
’If I could kill Lu Bai with my own hands on the Golden Platform, it would be so much more satisfying!’
Lu Bai said, "See you on the Golden Platform."
"Heh heh, I’ll let you live a few more days!"
Mo Yuanting gave a strange laugh, staring at Lu Bai with profound meaning as he enunciated each word, "Lu Bai, you are a dead man!"
The Duke of Zhong smiled without a word.
’When the time comes, it won’t just be Lu Bai who dies.’
Since he couldn’t act against him now, this war of words was meaningless. Lu Bai had Luo Qing leave with Mo Tang, then turned to Shen Du, cupped his fist and said, "Lord Shen, let’s go."
Shen Du nodded and led Lu Bai away.
Lu Bai followed the troop of Dragon Guard, galloping toward the Royal Palace.
Upon arriving before the Royal Palace, they dismounted and proceeded on foot.
’This Lord Shen... could he be one of Brother Chen’s men?’
’Did Brother Chen forget to give me some kind of contact phrase?’
Lu Bai’s imagination ran wild as he mused, ’Or perhaps Brother Chen is close to someone in the palace and managed to get an edict from King Wu?’
"Lord Shen, is it King Wu who wishes to see me this time?" Lu Bai asked tentatively.
Shen Du remained expressionless, just walking on in silence.
"Then is it Duke Wei who has summoned me?"
Lu Bai chuckled to ease the awkwardness. "Speaking of which, I haven’t seen Duke Wei in half a year. I’m sure the old man is hale and hearty, eating whatever he pleases..."
The corner of Shen Du’s mouth twitched.
’What kind of nonsense is he spouting?’
’Besides, although Duke Wei is old, he is in the Returning Void Realm. He looks very young. How could he be considered an old man?’
’If Duke Wei heard him say that, he’d definitely smash his head in. Hmph!’
Lu Bai tried asking a few more roundabout questions, but Shen Du remained completely silent.
’Can’t get a single piece of information out of him.’
’Oh well. I’ll just take things as they come.’
As they ventured deeper into the Royal Palace, Lu Bai was looking around when he suddenly made a soft sound of surprise.
’This place looks a little familiar.’
Before long, Shen Du led Lu Bai to the front of a courtyard.
Above it were written the words "Qingxin Garden."
The last time he was in the Capital City, he had been placed under house arrest here.
This could be considered a trip down memory lane, a bona fide "second entry into the palace."
"Go on in."
Having delivered Lu Bai to his destination, Shen Du finally spoke.
Lu Bai blinked and asked, "If I go in, can I come back out?"
"Not for the next few days. Just stay put in there!"
Shen Du’s tone was unfriendly.
But Lu Bai heard the meaning between the lines.
’Looks like they plan to keep me here until the day of the Golden Platform Martial Arts Discussion, then set me free.’
’What kind of move is this?’
Lu Bai couldn’t quite figure it out.
Inside Qingxin Garden, all the necessities for life—food, clothing, and utilities—were still provided. Nothing was lacking.
’It’s only for a few days anyway, so staying here is no big deal.’
Lu Bai, ever one to adapt, settled into Qingxin Garden.
At night, he cultivated the Piercing Fire Chapter until midnight before disrobing and going to sleep.
It wasn’t that he was being careless; rather, deep within the Royal Palace, no matter how powerful Marquis Jingzhong was, his reach couldn’t extend this far.
「The next morning.」
Lu Bai rose early. After an hour of practicing his Cultivation Technique, he drilled his Swordsmanship and Fist Technique in the courtyard. By the time he was done, he was ravenous.
’Why hasn’t anyone brought food?’ Lu Bai grumbled to himself.
Just then, the courtyard gate was pushed open.
A Palace Maid walked toward Lu Bai, carrying a jade platter with both hands. On it was an assortment of food—pastries, sweets, tea, fruits, and dried meats. The aroma was fragrant and the variety was rich.
Without waiting for the Palace Maid to set down the platter, Lu Bai stepped forward, grabbed two pastries, and stuffed them into his mouth, eating without any regard for his image.
The Palace Maid had originally kept her head bowed, holding the jade platter slightly raised in front of her.
But now, she tilted her head up slightly, sneaking a peek at the person before her.
With food in both hands, Lu Bai ate with great relish, thoroughly enjoying himself.
Noticing the Palace Maid’s gaze, he instinctively glanced back at her and couldn’t help but be taken aback, a feeling of stunned admiration welling up inside him.