Chapter 284: Another Ghost

Chapter 284: Another Ghost

Ning Xin'er stood on the steps, watching as Ning Xiaochuan descended. Her bright eyes lit up with joy, and she rushed forward, saying, "Brother, the Master of the Martial Palace has left the palace!"

Ning Xiaochuan nodded. "I know. Who has taken over the Emperor's Martial Palace now?"

"The Spiritual Void Venerable," Ning Xin'er replied.

"It's her?"

Ning Xiaochuan was slightly surprised but then nodded again. Given the Spiritual Void Venerable's talent, she certainly had the strength to take over the Emperor's Martial Palace. However, she was still too young and might not be able to fully control it.

Who took over the Emperor's Martial Palace wasn’t of great interest to Ning Xiaochuan. He asked, "What about Princess Qianxi?"

"She left the Emperor's Martial Palace five days ago, just half a day after the Master of the Martial Palace departed," Ning Xin'er said.

This was within Ning Xiaochuan's expectations. The departure of the Master of the Martial Palace would inevitably trigger major changes.

For the Golden Roc Prince's Manor, this was a perfect opportunity. It was possible that the Great Golden Roc King might challenge the Jade Emperor ahead of schedule.

The situation in the Imperial City must have undergone earth-shattering changes as well.

"Xin'er, I have two things for you." Ning Xiaochuan took out two small white jade bottles.

The bottles were wreathed in wisps of freezing mist. Even without opening them, one could sense the Profound Qi emanating from within.

If someone else had given her these, Ning Xin'er wouldn’t have accepted them so easily. But since it was her brother, she naturally didn’t hold back.

She took the two delicate jade bottles and cradled them in her palms, her heart overflowing with sweetness. "Brother, what’s inside?"

"The left bottle contains Nine-Colored Profound Water, about 500 drops. It’s enough for you to cultivate to the Ninth Level of the Transcendent Realm."

Ning Xiaochuan continued, "The right bottle holds a Jade Beauty Pill. After taking it, your beauty will remain eternal, forever young and lovely—always my little Xin'er."

Ning Xin'er was astonished. She had never heard of a Mystic Pill that could preserve one’s youth indefinitely.

If anyone else had said this, she would have thought it a lie. But coming from Ning Xiaochuan, she believed it without question.

Though she longed to take the Jade Beauty Pill, she hesitated for a long time before handing the bottle back to Ning Xiaochuan. Blinking her eyes, she said, "Brother, I think it would be better if you gave this Jade Beauty Pill to Sister Qianxi. She’s truly wonderful and beautiful, and I can tell she genuinely likes you."

Ning Xiaochuan didn’t take the bottle back. Instead, he smiled. "Did she bribe you?"

"No! Xin'er will always be your good little sister. But if anyone wants to be my sister-in-law, they’ll have to pass my test first." Ning Xin'er pursed her lips, her sweet smile carrying an indescribable girlish charm.

Ning Xiaochuan said, "You take this Jade Beauty Pill. I still have three more—I can give her one."

"So, you’re saying you’ll personally deliver a Jade Beauty Pill to Sister Qianxi?" Ning Xin'er asked with a playful grin.

"Mm."

Ning Xiaochuan descended the stone steps and headed toward Emperor's City.

"What does 'hmm' mean? Brother, are you going or not? If you're too shy, Xin'er can help you deliver it." Ning Xin'er caught up to Ning Xiaochuan, clinging to his arm like a graceful little kangaroo hanging onto him. Little Red and Little Black also followed closely behind.

Ning Xiaochuan arrived outside the Law Enforcement Hall. The two guards stationed there naturally recognized him and were startled to see him show up voluntarily, their hearts trembling with fear. One of the guards asked respectfully, "Minor Marquis, what brings you to the Law Enforcement Hall?"

"Tell your Law Enforcement Team captain, Han Fu, to come out and see me," Ning Xiaochuan said.

"Y-yes, Minor Marquis. Please wait a moment. I’ll fetch the captain right away."

The guard hurried into the Law Enforcement Hall, inwardly panicking. This living ancestor had come in person—it seemed the entire Law Enforcement Team was about to face disaster.

Ning Xiaochuan sighed inwardly. Only Martial Path cultivation was true strength. Only with sufficient Martial Path prowess could one earn respect.

In a place like the Emperor's Martial Palace, every student had a formidable background—young masters of sects, heirs of marquis houses, princes and princesses of royal families, even imperial princes and princesses were not uncommon.

If you were merely the heir of a marquis house without strong Martial Path influence, you were nothing—just asking to be bullied. Everyone had powerful backing—who feared whom? Beating you up was a given.

Only by strengthening oneself could one truly defend one’s dignity.

When Han Fu heard the guard’s report, he let out a long sigh. "I knew it wouldn’t end so easily. Let’s go see what he wants."

"Captain Han, how have you been lately?"

Ning Xiaochuan had already entered the Law Enforcement Hall and stood at its center.

Han Fu immediately rose to his feet, his expression darkening. "Ning Xiaochuan, what do you want?"

"To discuss business with Captain Han."

"Business?" Han Fu frowned.

Ning Xiaochuan continued, "Does Captain Han really want to spend his whole life as the Law Enforcement captain of the Emperor's Martial Palace? Don’t you want to do something else?"

Han Fu was no fool and quickly grasped Ning Xiaochuan’s meaning. So, he wants to recruit me.

Once he understood Ning Xiaochuan’s intent, Han Fu finally relaxed and sat back down, sneering. "You want to make me a retainer of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House? Hmph, do you know Princess Lanfei once promised to ennoble me as a marquis in the future, and I still refused her?"

Ning Xiaochuan’s gaze turned icy as an overwhelming aura surged from within him. "Do you think I’m begging you? Today, you have only two choices: first, submit to me; second, die."

Since becoming the Manor Lord of Ghost Manor, Ning Xiaochuan had learned one truth: to intimidate the ruthless, you must be even more ruthless.

Han Fu, proud and highly skilled, retorted, "Ning Xiaochuan, do you really think you can kill me? If I want to leave, no one can stop me."

"Oh? Then try." Ning Xiaochuan stood casually in the Law Enforcement Hall, not giving Han Fu the slightest regard.

Han Fu did not flee. Instead, he seized this perfect opportunity, transforming into a crimson Blazing Flame with lightning speed, his fingers striking toward Ning Xiaochuan's heart.

Boom! Boom!

Han Fu, at the Seventh Level of the Transcendent Realm, channeled all his strength to unleash seven palm strikes, like seven fiery clouds.

Boom!

Ning Xiaochuan threw a single punch, colliding with Han Fu's palm and shattering the flames enveloping his arm.

Crack!

The sound of breaking bones echoed.

Han Fu let out a muffled groan as his body was sent flying backward, smashing through a table in the Law Enforcement Hall before crashing to the ground.

Just eight days ago, Han Fu had been strong enough to contend with Ning Xiaochuan. But now, he couldn’t even withstand a single move from him.

This was the result of Ning Xiaochuan’s eight days of cultivation in the White Cloud Cave Heaven.

"Your strength is too weak. It seems there’s no need to subdue you anymore." Ning Xiaochuan condensed a Profound Qi Sword and strode toward Han Fu.

The Sword Qi pulsed with a sharp clang.

Han Fu’s heart was filled with utter shock. He had attacked with his full power, yet he couldn’t even match Ning Xiaochuan’s casual strike. How had his cultivation improved so rapidly?

He was only eighteen!

Swish!

The Profound Qi Sword swept forward, stopping just at Han Fu’s neck.

"Wait—I’m willing to submit!" Han Fu broke into a cold sweat, staring at the blade before him, his heart nearly stopping.

Ning Xiaochuan absolutely dared to kill him.

That was beyond doubt.

Ning Xiaochuan said, "You yield so easily?"

Han Fu swallowed hard. "The Minor Marquis is a true dragon among men. To possess such formidable Martial Path cultivation at such a young age—you are destined to become a supreme ruler of heaven and earth. Serving the Minor Marquis would be my greatest honor."

"Hmph. As expected of Captain Han—quite the silver tongue. Get up."

Ning Xiaochuan retracted the Profound Qi Sword and patted Han Fu’s shoulder. "I’m recruiting you not to make you a retainer of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, but to help me establish the Law Enforcement Hall of the Ghost Manor."

"The Ghost Manor? You… you… are Young Master Chuan!" Han Fu was stunned once more, finally realizing that his defeat at Ning Xiaochuan’s hands was no accident.

The Law Enforcement Team soldier standing in the hall was also shocked, his gaze darting between Ning Xiaochuan and Han Fu.

He turned and bolted for the exit, desperate to spread this earth-shattering secret.

Han Fu’s eyes turned cold. A Sword Qi flickered from his fingertip, piercing through the soldier’s skull.

Before the man could even reach the door, he collapsed with a thud, dead before he hit the ground.

Ning Xiaochuan nodded. Someone as ruthless as Han Fu was perfect for the Ghost Manor. With him leading the Law Enforcement Hall, he might be able to keep the evil members of the Ghost Manor somewhat in check.

Boom!

Ning Xiaochuan walked out of the Law Enforcement Hall and casually unleashed a wave of Flames, engulfing the entire building in a raging inferno.

Han Fu, now clad in a black robe that concealed his face, followed behind him.

As Ning Xiaochuan watched the roaring blaze, he said, "From this moment on, Han Fu is dead. You are now a ghost. Your new identity is the Hall Master of the Ghost Manor’s Law Enforcement Hall."

"I understand," the black-robed individual following Ning Xiaochuan said respectfully.

Ning Xiaochuan swaggered out of the Law Enforcement Hall unopposed, as everyone was too busy putting out the fire.

The martial artists of the Law Enforcement Team spent half an hour extinguishing the flames, only to discover a charred corpse amidst the ruins.

Soon after, news spread—Ning Xiaochuan had forcibly stormed the Law Enforcement Hall, killed its captain Han Fu, and reduced the entire building to ashes.

The report sent shockwaves throughout the Emperor's Martial Palace. Everyone witnessed Ning Xiaochuan's overwhelming dominance, a clear warning to all who dared oppose him—those who stood against him would meet a grim fate.