Chapter 183: Return to the Marquis House

Chapter 183: Return to the Marquis House

"Ning Xiaochuan left the Emperor's Ruins this morning."

In the Law Enforcement Hall, a Law Enforcement Team member clad in armor, with a broad-backed saber hanging at his waist, knelt on one knee as he reported to Han Fu, who sat above.

Han Fu's gaze was icy as he stood up, his fingers cracking audibly as he clenched them. "Ning Xiaochuan's Northern Abyss Divine Art is the world's most extraordinary technique. If I could obtain it, I would become the world's foremost expert within ten years."

The warrior kneeling on the ground was Han Fu's confidant, Sun Haixing, the fourth-ranked member of the Law Enforcement Team.

Sun Haixing said, "Inside the Emperor's Ruins, that mysterious woman protects him, so no one dares to touch him. But outside, he’s nothing. Should I capture him and force him to reveal the cultivation method of the Northern Abyss Divine Art?"

Han Fu's expression darkened. "Do you think the Jian Pavilion Marquis House is just for show? Outside the Emperor's Ruins, they could kill you in an instant if they wished."

Sun Haixing's face paled slightly, and he dared not speak further.

Han Fu continued, "Ning Xiaochuan’s departure from the Emperor's Ruins isn’t so simple. I heard he’s investigating the decade-old case. He’s got quite the nerve, daring to meddle in that affair. He must not fear being crushed to pieces."

"The decade-old case..." Sun Haixing murmured.

"Don’t concern yourself with the decade-old case. It’s best you don’t know anything about it," Han Fu said coldly. "Given my special status, leaving Emperor's City would surely draw attention. This task must be handled by you. Move before the Cloud Marquis House does."

"The Cloud Marquis House also wants the Northern Abyss Divine Art?" Sun Haixing was slightly surprised.

Han Fu sneered. "In this world, who wouldn’t want the Northern Abyss Divine Art?"

"I understand. I’ll take men to pursue Ning Xiaochuan immediately."

A ruthless glint flashed in Sun Haixing’s eyes before he withdrew.

As he reached the door, Han Fu’s cold voice echoed from the hall. "If you obtain the Northern Abyss Divine Art, you wouldn’t hide it and cultivate it yourself, would you?"

Sun Haixing’s heart lurched violently at these words, but he forced a smile. "How could I have such talent? A divine art of this level can only be mastered by someone like you, Captain."

Han Fu gave a cold laugh and said no more.

Having already passed the Seventh Level of the Heavenly Bridge, Ning Xiaochuan could now freely enter and exit the Emperor's Ruins.

Upon returning to the Imperial City, he immediately headed for the Jian Pavilion Marquis House.

His return caused quite a stir. Servants, guards, maids, and stewards poured out to welcome him, kneeling in rows. Among them were many martial artists from the marquis house’s collateral branches.

"Look, look! It’s really Ning Xiaochuan! I heard he defeated Ming Yang and became this year’s Champion of the Emperor's Martial Palace!"

"He’s brought great honor to the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. I heard the Old Marquis is immensely proud of him, boasting about him whenever he meets with nobles. It’s truly a matter of great prestige."

"I heard he even rang the Heavenly Bell, shaking the entire world!"

"Rumor has it he received guidance from a master surnamed Zhuang, who not only cured his Congenital Ailment but also taught him a supreme divine art. That’s why he’s achieved so much today."

The noblewomen and young ladies of the marquis house hid behind rockeries or pillars, whispering among themselves as they watched Ning Xiaochuan enter the Jian Pavilion Marquis House from a distance. They recounted the legendary tales of Ning Xiaochuan from the past year.

Now nearly eighteen years old, Ning Xiaochuan carried himself with an imposing aura, his handsome features and dignified bearing making him the very image of a dashing young man. Naturally, he had captivated the hearts of his cousins and younger sisters in the marquis house, leaving them utterly infatuated, like lovesick fools.

This would have been unthinkable just two years ago.

Ning Xiaochuan first went to see the Old Marquis.

The Old Marquis sat in his study, a small bronze cauldron placed on the table, wisps of fragrant smoke curling from it. Though the old man was already over eighty, his spirit remained vigorous. When Ning Xiaochuan entered, the Old Marquis merely glanced at him lightly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Ninth Level of the Divine Body Realm."

The Old Marquis was inwardly startled, but having lived to such an age, he had long mastered the art of concealing his emotions. Not a trace of surprise showed on his face.

Ning Xiaochuan clasped his fists and bowed respectfully. "I want to know the truth about what happened ten years ago. Why did my parents die in the ancestral hall of the marquis house?"

The Old Marquis seemed to have long anticipated this day. He fixed Ning Xiaochuan with a deep stare before setting down the scroll in his hand. "Even if you hadn’t come to ask me, I had already decided that the moment you emerged from the Emperor's Martial Palace would be the time to tell you the truth."

"Ten years ago, your father, Ning Qianyi, led an army of 700,000 to attack the Demon Sect’s headquarters, vowing to eradicate them. However, because of your mother’s influence, your father secretly leaked the army’s deployment and movements to the Demon Sect, resulting in the complete annihilation of the 700,000 troops."

"By all rights, the entire Jian Pavilion Marquis House should have been executed for this crime. But His Majesty, in his mercy, only ordered the execution of your father and mother, sparing the rest of the marquis house from punishment."

Ning Xiaochuan shook his head. "No, that’s not the truth. I want to know the real truth."

"This is the truth," the Old Marquis growled, his tiger-like eyes flashing as an overwhelming Martial Venerable aura erupted from his body, seeking to intimidate Ning Xiaochuan.

The truth hidden behind this matter was far too significant, and the Old Marquis did not want Ning Xiaochuan to continue investigating. Doing so would only bring him harm and ruin his bright future. Thus, he sought to deter him with sheer force.

Yet Ning Xiaochuan also unleashed a Martial Venerable’s aura, standing firm against the Old Marquis. "If you won’t tell me the truth, then I’ll have to find it out myself."

Clenching his fists, Ning Xiaochuan turned and strode out of the study.

A deeper astonishment flickered in the Old Marquis’s eyes. He hadn’t expected Ning Xiaochuan to possess such formidable essence, energy, and spirit, remaining so composed under his pressure. What incredible fortune had this young man encountered?

In the end, he could only sigh deeply, knowing he could not stop Ning Xiaochuan.

Outside, a sharp voice rang out. "Royal Decree has arrived!"

The Old Marquis frowned slightly and stepped out of the room to see eight eunuchs from the palace entering the courtyard.

At the forefront stood a eunuch dressed in dark blue court robes, his eyebrows snow-white, his face deeply wrinkled, and his cheekbones slightly prominent. Holding a golden Royal Decree in his hand, he gave the Old Marquis a gentle, ingratiating smile.

All the servants and family members of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House knelt on the ground, and even the distant towers and halls were filled with kneeling figures.

Before imperial authority, no one dared to remain standing.

Of course, nobles were exempt from kneeling, but they still had to bow in respect.

"Who are you? Why do you refuse to kneel? Do you not know that seeing the Royal Decree is akin to seeing the Emperor himself?" A eunuch with formidable martial arts skills glared at Ning Xiaochuan with malice, white Profound Qi gathering between his fingers.

Ning Xiaochuan did not kneel. Instead, he stood with his hands behind his back and said indifferently, "I kneel to no one."

"Audacious! You dare to scorn imperial authority and disregard the Emperor? This is a capital offense! Guards, drag him away and beat him to death!" The eunuch holding the Royal Decree was well aware of Ning Xiaochuan's background, but he was still furious.

Even if you were the Crown Prince, you must kneel before the Royal Decree—no exceptions!

"Boom!"

An elderly eunuch in his fifties surged forward with a chilling aura, his palm enveloped in Profound Qi as he struck toward Ning Xiaochuan's neck.

Ning Xiaochuan swiftly retrieved the Imperial Authority Token, nearly pressing it against the old eunuch's face.

Upon seeing the token in Ning Xiaochuan's hand, the old eunuch's already pale face turned even whiter. Trembling, he immediately dropped to his knees.

Apart from the eunuch holding the Royal Decree, all the other eunuchs knelt in unison.

This was no joke—the Imperial Authority Token was unique in the world, possessing the power to depose an emperor and representing the ultimate imperial authority.

The eunuch holding the Royal Decree also paled in shock. The Imperial Authority Token had always been in the hands of the Master of the Martial Palace—how had it ended up with Ning Xiaochuan?

If someone claimed Ning Xiaochuan had stolen it from the Master of the Martial Palace, not a single soul in the world would believe it. That left only one explanation—the Master of the Martial Palace had personally entrusted it to him.

This was an extremely alarming signal.

Once this news spread, it would undoubtedly trigger a massive upheaval in the Imperial City.

The eunuch holding the Royal Decree glanced at the decree in his hand and finally understood something. He declared, "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The case of Ning Qianyi from ten years ago is riddled with doubts. Today, We command the Dragon Elephant Divine Martial Battalion to thoroughly reinvestigate the case. Marquis, receive the decree. The Emperor has long harbored doubts about the events of a decade ago. Now, with this order to reopen the investigation, it is clear how highly the Emperor regards your Jian Pavilion Marquis House."

The Old Marquis frowned slightly, his heart filled with suspicion. The incident had been buried for over a decade, and the Jade Emperor would never willingly reopen the case. Who possessed such immense influence to force the Jade Emperor's hand?

"Thank you for His Majesty's grace."

The Old Marquis accepted the decree, his gaze briefly flickering toward Ning Xiaochuan before settling on the Imperial Authority Token in his hand. Instantly, everything became clear.

Ning Xiaochuan felt a surge of joy. The Master of the Martial Palace truly lived up to his reputation—his promise had been fulfilled so swiftly.

The Imperial City was the most prosperous place in the Yulan Empire and the most densely populated by martial artists. With its lantern-lit streets, noble mansions, martial halls, gambling dens, and pleasure houses, it remained the liveliest place in the world even at night.

The streets were bustling with martial artists from all corners of the land, including princes and princesses from distant kingdoms thousands of miles away.

This was a place of dreams, yet also one of harsh reality.

Ning Xiaochuan walked alone on the ancient streets, pondering where to begin his investigation. Unconsciously, he found himself outside the Jade Viewing Tower. A mesmerizing melody of a zither reached his ears, deeply captivating him. He stopped in his tracks and gazed toward the tower.

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