Chapter 342: Sensation

Chapter 342: Sensation

Yu Ningsheng's appearance outside the Jian Pavilion Marquis House naturally caused a massive stir.

Ning Xin'er's eyes darted back and forth, now fixed on Ning Xiaochuan, now on Yu Ningsheng, as she whispered, "Brother, this is..."

Ning Xiaochuan said, "Go instruct the servants to prepare an elegant guest room. Miss Ningsheng will be staying at the Marquis House for a while."

"If the Old Marquis finds out, he might... he might..." Ning Xin'er blinked furiously at Ning Xiaochuan.

"I'll explain it to the Old Marquis myself. Why are you still standing there? Hurry up!"

"Ah? Oh!"

Ning Xin'er kept glancing back at Yu Ningsheng as she walked away, clearly still processing the situation. She couldn't help but marvel at her brother's audacity—daring to openly bring a brothel woman into the Marquis House. He was definitely going to get an earful from the Old Marquis.

Ning Xiaochuan led Yu Ningsheng and Xiao Ling'er up the steps, about to enter the main gate of the Marquis House.

Xiao Ling'er, holding Yu Ningsheng's hand, piped up in her childish voice, "Mother, this house is so big! Are we going to live here from now on?"

Outside, the martial artists who had been curious about Xiao Ling'er's identity froze in shock. So Ning Xiaochuan and Yu Ningsheng already had a child together?

This was explosive news, enough to shake the entire Imperial City.

Many of the martial artists quietly retreated, preparing to report the events at the Jian Pavilion Marquis House to their respective masters.

Golden Roc Prince's Manor.

Yu Qianqian was reviewing documents when she received the report from her subordinate. She immediately set the papers aside and exclaimed joyfully, "Ning Xiaochuan is finally back? Prepare the carriage—we're heading to the Jian Pavilion Marquis House."

"Your Highness..." The servant kneeling on the ground hesitated, his words trailing off.

"Is there something else?" Yu Qianqian was in high spirits, her bright eyes and pearly teeth gleaming with a radiant smile.

The servant said cautiously, "I heard... I heard that Ning Xiaochuan also brought Yu Ningsheng back to the Jian Pavilion Marquis House."

Yu Qianqian's smile vanished instantly, her delicate eyebrows arching slightly. "The Jian Pavilion Marquis House is a hereditary noble estate. Ning Xiaochuan is its heir. Would the Old Marquis really allow him to openly bring a brothel woman into the Marquis House?"

Her heart soured with irritation. She clenched her pearly teeth, biting her lip hard, her fingers curling like claws.

The servant ventured carefully, "Rumors say Ning Xiaochuan and Yu Ningsheng's relationship has already gone beyond the ordinary. They even have a child together, whom they brought back to the Marquis House. Right now, many in the Imperial City are saying that Ning Xiaochuan's return is a direct challenge to the Old Marquis. Even if the Old Marquis disagrees, he has no choice but to accept it."

Yu Qianqian slumped into her chair, pouting. "That can't be! The Jian Pavilion Marquis House is already dealing with internal and external troubles. Someone as steady as Ning Xiaochuan wouldn't do something so outrageous!"

"Your Highness, will you still go to the Jian Pavilion Marquis House?"

Yu Qianqian shook her head, then nodded. "Yes. I've heard the Imperial City's top beauty is as stunning as a celestial maiden descending to earth. She usually keeps to herself, and even catching a glimpse of her is harder than reaching the heavens. Now that she's staying temporarily at the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, this is the perfect opportunity for me to pay her a visit."

"This subordinate will arrange the carriage immediately," the servant said.

"Wait a moment."

Yu Qianqian gently pursed her crimson lips, her eyes gleaming with intelligence as she said, "I will ride my father's Eight Dragon Elephant Carriage to the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. Select eight hundred guards, thirty-two servants, and thirty-two maidservants to accompany me. Once the arrangements are made, have them wait outside. I need to prepare myself first."

"Your Highness, isn't this too extravagant?" The servant sighed inwardly. This was the standard for a marquis's procession. Was the princess really just paying a visit with such grandeur?

"The first impression matters," Yu Qianqian replied after a moment's thought.

Ning Xiaochuan's return to the Imperial City had indeed caused quite a stir. The news spread to all the Marquis Houses and even reached the imperial palace, creating a greater uproar than the return of a marquis would have.

At the Crown Prince's Palace, the Crown Prince and the Cloud Marquis were playing chess when a general in armor hurried in to report the events at the Jian Pavilion Marquis House.

Slap!

The Crown Prince swept the chess pieces off the board, his face dark with fury. "How dare they! Offering to make her the Crown Princess was a favor to the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, yet she had the audacity to drive my servants away! Even beating a dog requires considering its master!"

The general sneered, "Ning Xin'er wouldn't dare act so boldly on her own. Someone must be backing her, which is why she dares to disregard Your Highness."

"The Jian Pavilion Marquis should be preoccupied with the Demon Sect. How could he spare time for such trivial matters?" The Crown Prince's expression was sinister, his fingers clenched tightly as he recalled Ning Xin'er's breathtaking beauty. How wonderful it would be to have her in his bed.

"It's not the Jian Pavilion Marquis. It's Ning Xiaochuan," the general said.

The Cloud Marquis narrowed his eyes. "Ning Xiaochuan! He's back in the Imperial City?"

"I saw him return to the Jian Pavilion Marquis House with my own eyes," the general confirmed.

The Cloud Marquis had sent Mu Honglai to kill Ning Xiaochuan, believing Mu Honglai's cultivation would ensure Ning Xiaochuan's demise. Yet, even Mu Honglai had failed!

The Crown Prince scoffed. "It's just Ning Xiaochuan. Surely the illustrious Cloud Marquis isn't intimidated by such a minor figure?"

To the Crown Prince, Ning Xiaochuan's talent, though notable, was insignificant for a mere youth.

The Cloud Marquis's gaze deepened as he shook his head. "It's not that simple. Ning Xiaochuan is not to be underestimated. Don't forget he holds the Imperial Authority Token, which allows him to challenge even the Emperor."

"Hmph! The Imperial Authority Token is just a piece of metal. If the Master of the Martial Palace were still here, people might hesitate. But now that he's left the empire, how much power can that token really wield?" The Crown Prince smirked mockingly.

A flicker of disdain passed through the Cloud Marquis's eyes at the Crown Prince's ignorance, though he kept it to himself, merely smiling faintly.

The general added, "There's one more thing. Ning Xiaochuan has brought Yu Ningsheng from the Jade Viewing Tower to the Jian Pavilion Marquis House."

"Oh?" Both the Cloud Marquis and the Crown Prince were taken aback.

"Ning Xiaochuan doesn't seem like a fool, so why is he acting dumber than one? Haha! At this critical moment when the Jian Pavilion Marquis House faces life and death, he actually has the leisure to toy with a lowly prostitute. He’s practically digging his own grave!" said the Crown Prince.

The Cloud Marquis's expression turned grave as well. "This is abnormal, utterly abnormal! This doesn’t seem like Ning Xiaochuan’s usual style. That boy isn’t this frivolous."

"What are you saying, Marquis?" The Crown Prince fixed his gaze on the Cloud Marquis.

The Cloud Marquis smiled. "I was thinking, since Ning Xiaochuan wants to play with fire and burn himself, why not lend him a hand? Yu Ningsheng is the descendant of a convicted traitor, and the Emperor decreed that she should remain a prostitute for life. Yet now, Ning Xiaochuan has openly brought her back to the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. This is nothing short of spitting in the Emperor’s face! Someone must denounce him for this."

"Exactly. I’ll go to the palace right now and seek an audience with Father. Once we deal with Ning Xiaochuan, Ning Xin'er will be ours for the taking! Haha!" The Crown Prince immediately stood up and strode out of the courtyard.

The Cloud Marquis remained seated by the chessboard, a faint smirk playing on his lips as his eyes gradually darkened.

……

…………

Upon returning to the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, Ning Xiaochuan immediately sensed the heavy atmosphere. Patrols of soldiers were everywhere, and many of the house’s disciples who had been training abroad had already returned. No one wore a smile.

"The Demon Sect is advancing fiercely. Can the Jian Pavilion Marquis House even hold them off?"

"I heard even Elder Ning Que of the second generation died horribly at the hands of Demon Sect experts—slashed seventy-five times before he was hacked to death."

"If only the Second Master could lead the army back in time, he could surely resolve the crisis. But distant water can’t quench a nearby fire."

……

Three maidservants whispered among themselves but immediately fell silent upon seeing Ning Xiaochuan, kneeling by the roadside.

Ning Xiaochuan headed straight for the Old Marquis’s study. Stopping outside the door, he announced, "Grandson requests an audience with the Marquis."

At that moment, the Heaven and Earth Profound Qi inside the study surged violently. A crimson wave of Martial Path Origin Qi burst forth, roaring like a monstrous beast, condensing into a massive palm imprint over 10 meters long.

"Roar!"

The palm imprint pressed down toward Ning Xiaochuan.

Unfazed, Ning Xiaochuan stood his ground calmly. His robes fluttered without wind as dozens of purple lightning bolts gathered around his body, converging onto his arms.

"Boom!"

Ning Xiaochuan thrust his palms forward, his fingers sharp as blades, piercing through the colossal palm imprint and shattering it.

His body was sent flying back 9 meters, but he remained unharmed, the lightning on his arms slowly dissipating.

A sound of surprise came from inside the study, and then the door swung open.

A surge of crimson Origin Qi rushed out, and the Old Marquis appeared at the doorway, scrutinizing Ning Xiaochuan before bursting into hearty laughter. "Earthly Venerable Realm. Excellent! The Jian Pavilion Marquis House finally has a worthy successor."

Ji Bo followed him out, wearing a kindly smile. "The Jian Pavilion Marquis House has finally produced its third Martial Venerable."

Ning Xiaochuan asked, "I heard the Demon Sect is planning to attack the Jian Pavilion Marquis House?"

The Old Marquis's expression turned grave as he nodded and said, "Unless all the Demon Sect experts converge on the Imperial City, it would be impossible to shake the foundation of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. The Jian Pavilion Marquis House has endured for a thousand years—what storms have we not weathered? We won’t collapse so easily. Originally, with your second uncle leading troops at the border, I was somewhat isolated and would have struggled to handle things alone. But now that you’ve reached the Earthly Venerable Realm, you can be of great help to me."

Ning Xiaochuan asked, "How does the Marquis plan to respond?"

"The enemy lurks in the shadows while we stand in the light. For now, we can only remain vigilant and prepared. If the Demon Sect’s experts dare to come, I’ll ensure they never leave," the Old Marquis declared.

The Jian Pavilion Marquis House has stood unshaken for a millennium, its foundations deeply rooted. No matter how fierce the storms, it has always endured. Though it appears to be just a residence, the ancestors of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House have cultivated this land for a thousand years, transforming it into an impregnable fortress—dense with formations and riddled with traps, far from the tranquil surface it presents.

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