Chapter 341: Yu Ningsheng Enters the Marquis House

Chapter 341: Yu Ningsheng Enters the Marquis House

The zither's melody was vast and ethereal, soothing to the ears.

The beauty was like jade, her spirit transcendent and immortal.

The entire world seemed to grow utterly silent, as if nothing remained but Ning Xiaochuan, Yu Ningsheng, and the music—everything else had vanished.

After a long while, the music ceased.

Yu Ningsheng's phoenix-like eyes lingered on the zither strings as she spoke softly, her voice like flowing water: "The Lifeless Dao Leader and the Asura Dao Leader have personally come to the Imperial City, bringing with them a great number of experts. Their target is the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. I only learned of this after returning to the Imperial City."

Ning Xiaochuan opened his eyes. "The Lifeless Dao Leader is coming for me, isn’t he?"

Ning Xiaochuan had killed the Lifeless Dao Leader’s son and daughter-in-law, thoroughly provoking the Lifeless Dao. It was only natural that the Lifeless Dao Leader hated him to the bone.

As for the Asura Dao Leader, he too held a deep grudge against the Jian Pavilion Marquis House.

Thirteen years ago, the Asura Dao Leader had lost a leg to the Jian Pavilion Marquis, and he had nursed his hatred ever since, waiting for the day of vengeance.

With the leaders of these two great demonic factions personally arriving in the Imperial City—even if they had yet to make a full appearance—dozens of martial cultivators from the Jian Pavilion Marquis House had already fallen to the hands of the Demon Sect.

The Demon Sect’s target was clearly the Jian Pavilion Marquis House.

This matter had long since stirred up a storm in the city. Many believed that the Demon Sect’s resurgence was no small affair. Since they had chosen to make the Jian Pavilion Marquis House their first target, a major confrontation was inevitable.

If the Jian Pavilion Marquis House failed to withstand the Demon Sect’s assault, it could very well be wiped out overnight.

Yu Ningsheng said, "To the Demon Sect Martial Artists, you are now a fugitive. Anyone who captures you will be richly rewarded. But the Lifeless Dao Leader doesn’t just want revenge—he also desires the 'Northern Abyss Divine Art' in your possession."

"The Lifeless Dao Leader’s target is you, not the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. That’s precisely why he hasn’t acted yet—he’s waiting for you to appear."

Ning Xiaochuan narrowed his eyes. "Thank you for the warning. I’ll take my leave now."

Yu Ningsheng gently pressed her lips together. "Xiaochuan, you know better than I do how powerful the Demon Sect is. With the Lifeless Dao Leader and the Asura Dao Leader joining forces, the Jian Pavilion Marquis House stands no chance. I hope you’ll stay at the Jade Viewing Tower for the next few days and avoid returning to the Marquis House."

"You want me to stand by and do nothing while the Jian Pavilion Marquis House is in danger?" Ning Xiaochuan said.

Yu Ningsheng replied, "I’m afraid... something might happen to you."

"The Old Marquis has shown me great kindness. I can’t just watch him bear the burden alone." Ning Xiaochuan turned to leave, his eyes filled with resolve.

Yu Ningsheng suddenly stood up. "You promised to refine the Life Pills for me. Does that promise still stand?"

Ning Xiaochuan halted abruptly. "It does."

Yu Ningsheng knew Ning Xiaochuan was a man of his word, so she used this promise to bind him, to keep him here.

Refining eleven stalks of Three-Leaved Life Grass into Life Pills would take even an Advanced Heart Nurturer half a month.

If she could keep Ning Xiaochuan here for that long, the situation in the Imperial City was bound to change.

But she underestimated Ning Xiaochuan.

In just a single night, he refined all eleven stalks of Three-Leaved Life Grass into Life Pills and placed them in her hands.

"You..." Yu Ningsheng clenched her pearly teeth tightly, letting out a deep sigh.

She knew she couldn’t possibly keep Ning Xiaochuan. Once he made up his mind, no one could change it.

Ning Xiaochuan also fixed her with a deep gaze and said, "If we ever become enemies in the future, we must cherish each other. Small Red Dragon, let’s go!"

After arriving at the Jade Viewing Tower, the Small Red Dragon had been playing with Xiao Ling'er.

Though it was their first meeting, they grew close quickly, soon immersed in joyous play.

Xiao Ling'er, barefoot with her soft, pale little feet, cradled the Small Red Dragon in her arms, her large eyes blinking incessantly as she said, "Daddy, why do you have to leave again? Can’t you stay and play with Xiao Ling'er?"

Ning Xiaochuan gently pinched Xiao Ling'er’s cheek and smiled. "Would Xiao Ling'er like to come with Daddy?"

"Mm! Xiao Ling'er wants to!" She nodded vigorously. "But Mommy has to come with us too."

Ning Xiaochuan glanced at Yu Ningsheng standing in the distance and shook his head. "No, Xiao Ling'er’s mommy can’t come with us."

"Who says she can’t? If the Minor Marquis welcomes me, Ningsheng would be happy to visit the Jian Pavilion Marquis House." Yu Ningsheng stepped forward, extending a slender jade hand to take Xiao Ling'er’s, her voice gentle. "Xiao Ling'er, do you think Daddy will let Mommy come with you?"

"Of course he will!" Xiao Ling'er exclaimed excitedly.

The Small Red Dragon, perched on Xiao Ling'er’s neck, also nodded vigorously.

Ning Xiaochuan was slightly taken aback, not expecting Yu Ningsheng to make such a decision.

But then he understood—her heart’s intention.

Since she couldn’t keep him, she would follow him, if only to ease her worries.

"If the Imperial City’s top beauty is willing to visit the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, I naturally welcome her with open arms." Ning Xiaochuan sighed inwardly. Well, now the Imperial City will surely be buzzing with rumors again.

...

It was already noon the next day.

A luxurious carriage departed from the Jade Viewing Tower, heading toward the Jian Pavilion Marquis House.

Ning Xiaochuan sat outside the carriage, driving with a faint bitter smile on his face. He felt helpless yet strangely at peace—this might be the first time he was truly bringing a woman back to the Marquis House.

The last time, though he had brought Duanmu Linger along, he had only regarded her as a cousin, so it hadn’t bothered him, nor had he feared gossip.

As they drew closer to the Jian Pavilion Marquis House...

A crowd had gathered ahead on the street, blocking the road, forcing Ning Xiaochuan to halt the carriage.

"The Crown Prince’s attendants came to propose marriage but were thrown out. The Jian Pavilion Marquis’s second daughter is truly formidable—she doesn’t even spare the Crown Prince any courtesy."

A martial artist carrying a bronze battle sword sneered, "Everyone knows the Jian Pavilion Marquis’s second daughter is one of the Imperial City’s rare beauties. What’s more, she’s the younger sister of the Imperial City’s top genius, Ning Xiaochuan. Naturally, there’s no shortage of suitors vying for her hand."

"But I’ve heard the Jian Pavilion Marquis House has recently run into major trouble—apparently, they’ve offended the Demon Sect. Every day, several corpses are delivered to the Marquis House’s gates. All direct descendants of the Marquis House have been recalled, and the gates have been shut for half a month. The number of patrolling soldiers around the estate has quadrupled or quintupled. It seems the Jian Pavilion Marquis House is in for a rough time."

"The Crown Prince has seized this opportunity to take advantage of the situation. If he were truly sincere about marrying the Second Young Lady, he would have come in person to propose. Sending a mere servant to do the job—what kind of nonsense is this?"

...

A eunuch dressed in blue palace attire was flung out of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House's main gate, landing in a dazed heap, his mouth bloody as he screeched in a shrill voice, "Ning Xin'er, don’t be so ungrateful! Our Crown Prince taking you as his consort is an honor for you and a glory for the Jian Pavilion Marquis House! Don’t throw away the face we’ve given you!"

"Get lost!"

Ning Xin'er, clad in plain white robes, stepped out of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, her gaze icy. "If anyone from the Crown Prince's Palace dares to set foot in the Jian Pavilion Marquis House again, I’ll feed every last one of you to Little Black!"

Beside her crouched a black little tiger, no larger than a lazy house cat, its eyes gleaming green as it snarled at the Crown Prince's Palace servants and guards.

The men from the Crown Prince's Palace knew all too well how fearsome Little Black was and hastily retreated.

"Ning Xin'er, just you wait! The day will come when you regret this!" sneered a guard captain from the Crown Prince's Palace. "The Demon Sect’s experts have already arrived in the Imperial City. It won’t be long before the Jian Pavilion Marquis House is reduced to ashes!"

"What bold words!"

Ning Xiaochuan drove his luxurious carriage through the crowd before stepping down, his cold gaze fixed on the Crown Prince's men. "Go back and tell your Crown Prince that the Demon Sect won’t lay a finger on the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. And if he wants to marry my sister, he’ll have to get my approval first."

"Ning... Ning Xiaochuan!"

"Heavens! Ning Xiaochuan has returned!"

...

The men from the Crown Prince's Palace were stunned into silence at the sight of Ning Xiaochuan, not daring to utter another word of defiance.

"Scram!"

With a single palm strike, Ning Xiaochuan unleashed a massive palm imprint spanning tens of meters, sending dozens of the Crown Prince's martial artists flying.

The Crown Prince's men scrambled to their feet and fled in panic.

"Brother, you’re finally back!" Ning Xin'er cried out joyfully, throwing herself into Ning Xiaochuan’s arms. Only in her brother’s embrace did she feel truly safe.

The martial artists gathered outside the Jian Pavilion Marquis House had come for the spectacle but never expected to witness the legendary Imperial City's Top Genius, Ning Xiaochuan, in person—a rare sight indeed.

Ning Xin'er was no longer the little girl she once was. Now graceful and stunningly beautiful, her face was etched with worry as she said, "Brother, the Demon Sect has been causing trouble nonstop lately. Over forty of our Marquis House’s martial artists have been killed, their corpses delivered right to our doorstep..."

Ning Xiaochuan cut her off. "Let’s discuss this inside the Marquis House."

Ning Xin'er obediently nodded.

At that moment, Yu Ningsheng and Xiao Ling'er descended from the luxurious carriage, a faint fragrance wafting around them as Profound Qi swirled about their figures, drawing the gazes of many martial artists.

Yu Ningsheng was dressed simply in a white silk gown, her long hair cascading down her back, tied loosely at the waist with a pale blue ribbon, flowing like a waterfall.

Even with her face veiled, her peerless beauty was impossible to conceal.

"Is that... Heavens, it’s Jade Viewing Tower’s Lady Ningsheng!"

"What? It's Lady Ningsheng!"

"Absolutely correct. I once caught a glimpse of Lady Ningsheng from afar."

...

Yu Ningsheng's appearance caused a massive uproar, leaving everyone in awe.

She seemed as if she belonged to an entirely different world. Under normal circumstances, even spending a fortune might not grant one the chance to see her. Like a celestial maiden from the Heavenly Palace high above the nine heavens, her name was widely known, yet her presence remained elusive...