Chapter 187: Chaotic Situation

Chapter 187: Chaotic Situation

"There is always someone better, and no one can claim to be the undisputed top genius." Ning Xiaochuan still harbored some aversion to the title of "Imperial City's Top Genius," feeling it had been deliberately thrust upon him to stir up trouble.

Having understood the situation, Ning Xiaochuan was not one to press an advantage relentlessly. He decided to let the matter drop and wanted nothing to do with the Demon Sect.

Thus, he prepared to leave immediately.

The White-Haired Elder, a senior figure in the Heavenly Annihilation Dao named Han Yue, called out, "Young Master Ning, please wait. This old man wishes to discuss something with you."

Ning Xiaochuan was far too shrewd not to guess his intentions.

"Unnecessary. The Jian Pavilion Marquis House will never involve itself in your Demon Sect's internal conflicts." Riding atop the Tai Sui beast, Ning Xiaochuan crashed through the manor gates and departed without looking back.

A Martial Artist from the Heavenly Annihilation Dao within the manor remarked, "This Ning Xiaochuan is utterly ungrateful. We shouldn’t have let him walk out that gate."

Elder Han Yue shot him a cold glare. "We’re only three days' journey from the Imperial City, still within the Jian Pavilion Marquis House’s sphere of influence. If we could pull Ning Xiaochuan to our side and leverage the Marquis House’s power, our chances of helping the Ninth Lady seize the Heavenly Annihilation Dao leadership would increase significantly. Yifan, when you and Dahai went to the Imperial City this time, did you meet Xuan Chenzi of the Dark Emperor City?"

Ji Yifan bowed slightly to Elder Han Yue. "Reporting to the Elder, we did not meet Xuan Chenzi himself—only his chief disciple. Isn’t that too arrogant? Though the Dark Emperor City is powerful and gathers many experts, they are still just concentrated in the Imperial City..."

Elder Han Yue waved his hand dismissively. "Never underestimate the Dark Emperor City or Xuan Chenzi. After Tianchenzi died at the hands of the Cloud Marquis Yue Wuyang, Xuan Chenzi has quietly risen to become the second-in-command of the Dark Emperor City, inheriting Tianchenzi’s former authority. But since he only sent his chief disciple to negotiate, it means he won’t lend us his aid. Another dead end. Sigh."

"Though that path is closed, we’ve connected with another faction—or rather, they sought us out," Ji Yifan said.

"Oh?"

Elder Han Yue’s expression turned grave. "Which faction?"

"Ghost Manor," Ji Yifan replied.

"Ghost Manor? What minor faction is that? I’ve never heard of it. It likely won’t be of much help in White Dragon City’s current situation." With decades of experience, Elder Han Yue was familiar with every notable sect, martial house, and family, yet Ghost Manor was entirely unknown to him.

Ji Yifan explained, "I’d never heard of it either until I inquired with our informants in the Imperial City. The name Ghost Manor only began circulating there about a year ago. Yet in that short time, they’ve accomplished several earth-shattering feats."

"At the beginning of this year, the Marquis of Western Town suddenly died in his residence. Overnight, the entire manor was exterminated, with thousands perishing in flames. This incident shocked the Imperial City, and rumors claim it was the work of the Ghost Manor."

"Six months ago, the Golden Seal Dynasty sent twelve ships of tribute to the Jade Emperor, including Mystic Stones, Mystic Pills, Green Gold, and beautiful women. But as soon as these twelve ships entered the moat, before they could even dock, all the goods were stolen, leaving only empty vessels behind. Again, whispers point to the Ghost Manor."

"With so many major incidents occurring in succession, the entire Imperial City now knows of the Ghost Manor’s existence—yet no one knows where it is located. They are like true phantoms, unseen and untouchable, yet capable of emerging at any moment to claim lives."

"The Jade Emperor personally ordered the extermination of the Ghost Manor, but after a full month of searching, the Royal Secret Agents not only failed to locate it—they all ended up dead. On one occasion, their corpses were even delivered to the palace gates, piled high across three carts."

"The Ghost Manor’s rise has been as swift as a myth. And the fact that they dare snatch prey from under the shadow of the Dark Emperor City proves they must have formidable backing."

Hearing Ji Yifan’s words, Elder Han Yue grew solemn. 'The Imperial City’s power dynamics are complex, with feudal lords and vassal kings gathered in force. For the Ghost Manor to rise so quickly, there must be a mighty figure pulling the strings behind them. By the way, who is the master of the Ghost Manor?'"

"Rumors say the master of the Ghost Manor is called 'Young Master Chuan,' now a figure bold enough to challenge even the Necropolis Lord. Yet no one has ever seen him, making him the most enigmatic figure of all. This time, the Ghost Manor has sent its second-in-command to White Dragon City—one known to all as the 'Ghost Envoy,'" Ji Yifan replied.

"'Ghost Envoy'... When he arrives in White Dragon City, I will personally receive him and see what capabilities the Ghost Manor truly possesses. If they can assist the Ninth Lady in seizing leadership of the Heavenly Annihilation Dao, then there may be further opportunities for cooperation in the future," Elder Han Yue remarked coolly.

Compared to the Heavenly Annihilation Dao, which has thrived for over a millennium with deep-rooted influence, the Ghost Manor still carries too little weight. Thus, Elder Han Yue did not take the matter too seriously.

By the time Ning Xiaochuan and Yu Ningsheng returned to the inn, night had fully fallen, and White Dragon City was shrouded in an air of grim tension.

"I’ve decided to leave White Dragon City tomorrow and head for the Demon Sect’s stronghold—Nine Death Cliff," Ning Xiaochuan declared, then studied Yu Ningsheng’s expression before adding, "The Demon Sect’s headquarters is perilous beyond measure. Those who dare venture there face near-certain death."

Yu Ningsheng’s eyes remained clear and bright. "If you aren’t afraid of a nine-in-ten chance of death, neither am I. Rest assured, my martial prowess is no weaker than yours. If you refuse to let me accompany you, I’ll go alone to investigate."

With that, she closed her door.

"So she has such a resolute side to her," Ning Xiaochuan thought to himself.

In the dead of night, the once bustling streets had fallen silent, devoid of any pedestrians.

"Clatter, clatter."

The sound of iron hooves shattered the tranquility of White Dragon City, shaking the ground and disturbing the peaceful dreams of many. From the ancient buildings lining the street, the cries of children could be heard.

A total of twelve Dragon Elephants thundered through the street, their steps causing the earth to tremble as if mountains were shaking. The Dragon Elephants let out roars as loud as dragon cries, audible even from dozens of kilometers away.

The twelve Dragon Elephant Divine Warriors halted in perfect unison outside the inn where Ning Xiaochuan was staying. Each warrior radiated sharp, rainbow-like auras. Not just an inn—even if tens of thousands of troops stood in their way, they would be swept aside effortlessly.

"Boom!"

Ji Hanxing slammed her Dragon Elephant Halberd Spear into the ground, causing the pavement to crack. "Ning Xiaochuan, come out and face your death!"

Every Martial Artist in the inn was startled, halting their cultivation and rushing to the windows to peer through the gaps.

At the sight of the row of Dragon Elephant Divine Warriors standing in the street, they trembled in fear.

Heavens! This was a squad of Dragon Elephant Divine Warriors, capable of annihilating an army of fifty thousand. Why had they gathered outside this inn?

If they charged, it would take no more than a minute for every Martial Artist in the inn to be wiped out.

Ning Xiaochuan also ceased his cultivation, descending the stairs and pushing open the inn's door. Standing on the steps, he looked up at Ji Hanxing seated atop her Dragon Elephant and said, "Why do I run into you everywhere?"

Ji Hanxing replied coldly, "Ning Xiaochuan, you have unlawfully taken the criminal Yu Ningsheng, defied imperial authority, and disregarded the law of the land. You have committed a heinous crime. Will you surrender willingly, or must I force you?"

Though there was some camaraderie between Ji Hanxing and Ning Xiaochuan, she was not one to let personal ties cloud her judgment—she only cared about right and wrong.

Ning Xiaochuan hadn’t expected her to come for this reason.

Yu Ningsheng, wrapped in a moon-white robe with a veil over her face, stepped out of the inn as well. Her ethereal grace carried a beauty that seemed otherworldly.

Ji Hanxing’s eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of her. No wonder Ning Xiaochuan had been willing to defy everything to redeem her—she was indeed a rare beauty. Few men in the world could see her and remain unmoved.

Yu Ningsheng gave Ji Hanxing a slight bow and said calmly, "This matter has nothing to do with Ning Xiaochuan. I left the Imperial City of my own will. I do not intend to flee the Jade Viewing Tower—once I settle some affairs, I will naturally return."

Ji Hanxing replied, "That is not for you to decide. Since His Majesty decreed that you remain a prostitute slave for life, leaving the Jade Viewing Tower is an act of defiance—a capital offense. Men, take Yu Ningsheng’s head."

"Who dares try today?"

Ning Xiaochuan immediately stepped in front of Yu Ningsheng, producing the Imperial Authority Token and holding it between his fingers.

At the sight of the token, all twelve Dragon Elephant Divine Warriors, including Ji Hanxing, immediately dismounted and knelt on one knee in unison.

Ning Xiaochuan put away the Imperial Authority Token and said, "The Master of the Martial Palace has temporarily entrusted me with the Imperial Authority Token, so I am now acting with imperial authority. Yu Ningsheng and I are investigating the decade-old case, not defying imperial orders. I hope the Dragon Elephant Divine Martial Battalion understands this. You may now withdraw."

Ji Hanxing stood up, the clatter of her armor ringing out as she mounted her dragon elephant and lifted the Dragon Elephant Halberd Spear. "Ning Xiaochuan, the decade-old case will be handled by the Dragon Elephant Divine Martial Battalion. If your father and her father were truly wronged, I, Ji Hanxing, swear to deliver them justice."

Ning Xiaochuan replied, "You’d better think carefully before saying that. You should know that the one who accused my father and Yu Ningsheng’s father of being traitors to the court was none other than your mentor, the Cloud Marquis."

Ji Hanxing shot Ning Xiaochuan a cold glare and said, "Let me repeat myself—even if the Cloud Marquis truly wronged your father, I would personally arrest him and throw him into the imperial prison."

With that, Ji Hanxing led the martial artists of the Dragon Elephant Divine Martial Battalion away. They did not leave White Dragon City immediately but instead stationed themselves in the city’s military camp.