Chapter 263: Serving the Night

Chapter 263: Serving the Night

"What's the deal with the Divine Sword Palace?" Ning Qiancheng asked in confusion.

Ning Xiaochuan then repeated the discussion he had earlier with the Jian Pavilion Marquis, saying, "The establishment of the Divine Sword Palace is already on the agenda. Within a year, it will begin to take shape. Now, we can start laying the groundwork for the pastures that will belong to the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. Second Uncle, you’ve been stationed at the border for years, so you should know best where the large pastures are located."

Ning Qiancheng asked, "What do you mean?"

Ning Xiaochuan replied, "If we try to slowly cultivate pastures, it would take over a century to achieve any significant scale. We don’t have that kind of time—we must develop as quickly as possible. The Jian Pavilion Marquis House has ample wealth and resources, so we should acquire large pastures outright."

"Leave this matter to me. I’ve already thought of an excellent location for the pastures. With sufficient funds, I’m confident that within three years, I can establish the largest pasture territory in the Yulan Empire," Ning Qiancheng declared with great assurance.

Ning Xiaochuan was overjoyed. Entrusting this task to Ning Qiancheng, who commanded an army of millions, would undoubtedly yield twice the results with half the effort.

Ning Xiaochuan said, "Once the exact location of the pasture territory is finalized, I’ll immediately sell off the other assets of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House and invest heavily in purchasing Mystic Beasts to transport there. If the Jian Pavilion Marquis House is to establish pasture lands, we must aim for dominance—monopolizing the Mystic Beast market and controlling 'war steeds' and 'transportation' would be equivalent to seizing the lifeline of the entire Yulan Empire."

The Jian Pavilion Marquis laughed and said, "Qiancheng, this time, our Jian Pavilion Marquis House is going all out. No matter how much funding is needed, report it to me directly. The thousand-year savings of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House are your solid backing. Acquiring all the border pastures is worth any cost. If anyone refuses to sell, send the military to negotiate with them—use both soft and hard tactics, by any means necessary. I refuse to believe they won’t yield."

Next, Ning Xiaochuan and Ning Qiancheng discussed the specifics of the operation, spending the entire morning finalizing the general plan.

Clad in battle armor, Ning Qiancheng left the Jian Pavilion Marquis House and returned to the border to lead his troops.

Meanwhile, Ning Xiaochuan retrieved the Pill Formula for the "Great Earth Solemnity Pill" from the Jian Pavilion Marquis House and departed as well.

Upon returning to the Jade Viewing Tower, Ning Xiaochuan immediately wrote a letter and handed it to Xie Mengyao, instructing her to deliver it to the Ghost Manor.

The general content of the letter was: Tianchenzi was to escort the "forging masters" and "forging equipment" to the specified location in the letter and hand them over to the representatives of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House.

Ning Xiaochuan planned to begin establishing a forging sanctuary for the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. This matter was urgent and had to be started immediately.

Situ Fengwu trailed timidly behind Ning Xiaochuan, her lips trembling as if she wanted to speak but hesitated.

"Speak your mind," Ning Xiaochuan said, holding the Pill Formula for the Great Earth Solemnity Pill and studying the alchemical methods recorded on it.

Suddenly, Situ Fengwu knelt before Ning Xiaochuan, her pearly teeth biting her red lips as her beautiful eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "Manor Lord, I beg you to help me feed the Gu worm. I don’t want to endure the torment of the Gu worm’s torment. Please, spare me this once!"

Ning Xiaochuan continued examining the Pill Formula, analyzing its medicinal properties, and said indifferently, "Your Gu worm’s poison won’t flare up until tomorrow. We’ll talk about it then."

Situ Fengwu's beauty was striking, her skin as delicate as rouge-infused cheese, with long black hair cascading to the ground, exuding an indescribable noble elegance. She pleaded, "Manor Lord, I swear I will never betray Ghost Manor again, never again. I beg you to help me nurture the Gu worm. I don’t want to wait until tomorrow..."

Having endured the torment of the Gu worm's agony—a pain so unbearable it made death seem preferable—Situ Fengwu couldn’t bear the thought of suffering it again.

Ning Xiaochuan finally set down the Pill Formula and glanced at Situ Fengwu kneeling on the ground.

A woman of such noble beauty, prostrating herself before a man, was indeed a sight that could soften even the hardest heart.

Ning Xiaochuan gently stroked Situ Fengwu’s face, her skin fair and tender, smooth as silk beneath his fingers. "You should understand," he said, "that mistakes must be punished. Given what you’ve done today, I could have you executed—no, to be precise, there are fates worse than death."

Situ Fengwu trembled uncontrollably, her jade-like legs beneath her skirt weakening as she nearly collapsed to the floor.

Ning Xiaochuan continued, "But I believe you wouldn’t throw away your future or gamble with your life. Am I right?"

"Never... absolutely never."

Ning Xiaochuan’s expression turned serious. "If you can help me accomplish one great task, not only will I spare you punishment, but I might even pave the way for you and the Crown Prince to soar together as a pair, becoming the envy of all as the Crown Princess."

"What task?" Hope flickered in Situ Fengwu’s eyes.

Ning Xiaochuan said, "We’ve captured many skilled forging masters from the Situ Family. If I were to approach them, they’d never submit willingly or forge for me. But if you were to step forward, I believe they’d trust you far more. Isn’t that right?"

Situ Fengwu stared intently at Ning Xiaochuan, hesitation churning in her heart.

She knew full well that Ning Xiaochuan was using her—this was the only reason he hadn’t killed her yet.

Ning Xiaochuan added, "The Jian Pavilion Marquis House intends to establish the Divine Sword Palace, a forging sanctuary. I’m certain you understand its creation and the operation of a vast forging system far better than I do. Will you help me build the Divine Sword Palace?"

"I... I promised His Highness the Crown Prince... I would help him establish a forging base... I..." Situ Fengwu stammered.

Ning Xiaochuan’s gaze turned icy as he seized her chin. "Situ Fengwu, I’m not negotiating with you. If you defy me, I’ll ensure you never become the Crown Princess." His eyes drifted downward, catching a glimpse of the half-exposed, snow-soft peaks of her bosom, and he smirked with a wicked air. "Do you believe me?"

Situ Fengwu’s heart fluttered wildly, and she nodded fervently. "I believe! I will obey the Manor Lord’s every command. Fengwu dares not defy you in the slightest."

Satisfied, Ning Xiaochuan released her chin.

Inwardly, he sighed. Playing the villain is exhausting, but without this act, no one would be intimidated.

Ning Xiaochuan had no desire to be a villain, yet he had no choice. Having chosen this path, he could only walk it to the bitter end.

That evening, Xie Mengyao returned to the Jade Viewing Tower with Tianchenzi’s letter in hand.

Ning Xiaochuan opened the letter, which read: "The forging masters and equipment of the Situ Family are the wealth of Ghost Manor, earned through the lives of its people. If the Manor Lord hands them over to the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, the manor's members may revolt. We urge the Manor Lord to think twice before acting."

After reading the contents, Ning Xiaochuan remained calm, placing the letter on the table with a smile. "What a Tianchenzi. It seems he still doesn’t regard me as the true Manor Lord. Clearly, Ghost Manor isn’t truly under my control."

Xie Mengyao gave a charming smile and gracefully approached, pouring tea for Ning Xiaochuan. "The Manor Lord misunderstands. My master is merely concerned that this decision might provoke unrest among Ghost Manor’s people. He doesn’t intend to defy your will."

Ning Xiaochuan glanced at her. "So, you already knew the contents of this letter?"

Xie Mengyao’s heart skipped a beat, and she immediately knelt. "This… My master personally told me. He worries about internal stability, fearing dissent. After all, Ghost Manor has grown too quickly, and loyalty remains fragile."

Ning Xiaochuan crooked a finger. "Mengyao, come here."

After a brief hesitation, Xie Mengyao stepped forward, her crystal-clear eyes soft and alluring. "What does the Manor Lord command?"

Ning Xiaochuan said, "Your master sent you to my side intending for you to become my woman, correct?"

A faint blush colored her jade-white cheeks as she averted her gaze slightly. "If the Manor Lord desires, Mengyao is yours at any time."

"And if I demand your service tonight?"

Ning Xiaochuan studied her eyes, taking in her bewitching beauty—her full Jade Peaks, slender waist, and curvaceous figure. Even without bedding her, he could already tell she was the kind of temptress who could drive men to madness.

Standing nearby, Situ Fengwu flushed crimson, inwardly cursing the shameless pair.

Xie Mengyao showed no embarrassment, as if she had long awaited this moment. "I shall go prepare myself with a bath and fresh robes."

As Xie Mengyao departed, Ning Xiaochuan watched her retreating figure with a faint smirk before returning his attention to studying the Pill Formula for the Great Earth Solemnity Pill.

Situ Fengwu grew increasingly restless, dreading the indecent scene that would soon unfold. "Manor Lord, may I… take my leave?"

"Leave? Stay and enjoy the show," Ning Xiaochuan replied.

As a noble lady raised on etiquette and propriety, Situ Fengwu couldn’t bear such vulgarity. Her face burned with humiliation, wishing she could vanish into the ground.

"Young Master Chuan is truly wicked, forcing me to witness such depravity. Does he… have designs on me as well?"

Her unease deepened, convinced Ning Xiaochuan’s motives for keeping her here were anything but pure.

Ignoring her dark suspicions, Ning Xiaochuan fully released his spiritual senses, attuning himself to the Profound Qi fluctuations in the surrounding world.

Suddenly, a hidden murderous intent emanated from above.

Ning Xiaochuan seemed to have anticipated it long ago. Above his head, a three-foot-long Profound Qi Battle Sword materialized. With a single thrust, it dragged a dazzling sword light, piercing straight through the roof above.

"Boom!"

The entire room was shattered by the immense Sword Qi, the walls reduced to splinters as tiles rained down.

From the darkness came a sound of surprise.

A slender black figure spun once in the air, unfurling a pair of Ice-Fire Twin Wings on her back. She soared upward, hovering ten meters above the ground, looking down at Ning Xiaochuan below.

Clad entirely in a black robe, she wielded a Dragon Scale Black Sword in her hand, her face concealed behind a Golden Mask. The Ice-Fire Twin Wings stretched from her back as powerful demonic energy swirled around her body—like a peerless demoness.