Chapter 54: Hidden Dragons and Crouching Tigers

Chapter 54: Hidden Dragons and Crouching Tigers

That night, the Great Golden Roc King, whose might shook the world, and the Western Mu Consort began discussing the matter!

The Great Golden Roc King was hailed as the "First King of the Yulan Empire," standing above all other nobles save for one, his status transcendent among the marquises and princes.

Even a mere general under the Great Golden Roc King could rival an ordinary Marquis in rank, and in terms of influence within the imperial court, even the reigning emperor paled slightly in comparison.

The Great Golden Roc King stood with his hands clasped behind his back in the grand hall, his body radiating a Dragon-Tiger Aura, a Flame Divine Ring hovering behind him, exuding an air of overwhelming dominance. He spoke solemnly, "The emperor’s wariness toward our Golden Roc Prince’s Manor grows deeper by the day. Recent news from the palace suggests His Majesty has adopted Tai Chu Wen Hua’s 'Feudatory Reduction Policy' and intends to strip the noble houses of their power—starting with military authority."

The Western Mu Consort said, "The influence of the noble houses has developed over centuries, growing so vast that it now rivals imperial authority. The emperor’s desire to suppress them is nothing new. But the power of the nobility is deeply entrenched. If His Majesty insists on reducing their privileges, he will only provoke resistance and retaliation."

Boom!

Outside the hall, wind and rain raged, lightning splitting the sky.

The Great Golden Roc King declared, "Now, all the noble houses look to our Golden Roc Prince’s Manor for leadership. If we yield, so will the rest."

"And if we resist?" the Western Mu Consort asked.

"We cannot openly oppose the emperor—that would be treason." Though he spoke the word "treason," not a trace of fear showed on his face. Instead, a hint of amusement played at his lips. "We need the right opportunity."

"Isn’t this the opportunity?"

The Western Mu Consort continued, "In terms of military influence, if our Golden Roc Prince’s Manor claims first place, only the Jian Pavilion Marquis House dares claim second. If our two houses were to unite... Just by sending such a signal, the emperor would surely understand the consequences of pushing forward with the 'Feudatory Reduction Policy.'"

A faint smile curled the Great Golden Roc King’s lips. "I suspect this is precisely the outcome the Jian Pavilion Marquis hopes for." His expression then turned grave. "Is it true that Ning Xiaochuan possesses the Seven Orifices Divine Demon Heart Palace?"

"Grandmaster Huo himself confirmed it. There can be no doubt," the Western Mu Consort replied.

"What talent!"

The Western Mu Consort pressed, "Then this matter..."

"Patience."

The Great Golden Roc King sighed, his gaze fixed on the torrential rain outside. "Ning Qiancheng of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House has crushed the Tianji Dynasty, securing a monumental victory for the Yulan Empire. In a few days, he will return to the capital to receive imperial honors. The emperor will undoubtedly seize that moment to announce the 'Feudatory Reduction Policy.' That is when we will propose the marriage between Qianqian and Xiaochuan—using the court session as our stage to challenge the emperor’s decree."

The Western Mu Consort frowned slightly, uneasy at the thought of intertwining her daughter’s marriage with political machinations. It felt deeply unfair to her.

The Great Golden Roc King naturally noticed the displeasure in the Western Mu Consort's eyes and chuckled, "Since Qianqian and Xiaochuan are mutually fond of each other, we should naturally do our utmost to bring them together. With Xiaochuan's talent and the support of our Golden Roc Prince's Manor and the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, his future titles of Marquis and King are practically guaranteed. This would be an excellent match for Qianqian."

The Western Mu Consort nodded lightly and said, "Should we discuss this matter with the Jian Pavilion Marquis in advance?"

"No need!"

The Great Golden Roc King smiled meaningfully. "I believe that old fellow is already aware of the Emperor's intention to weaken the feudal lords, and he’s surely the first target for the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. Right now, he must be racking his brains for a solution. In a few days, during the court session, I’ll present this grand gift to him!"

……

Meanwhile, Ning Xiaochuan, who was frantically refining Blood Toad Pills inside Haitang Manor, had no idea that his name had already gained fame in the Golden Roc Prince's Manor—nor that a marriage that would shake the entire Yulan Empire was about to descend upon him.

For twelve consecutive days, Ning Xiaochuan had been refining Blood Toad Pills.

He produced three more batches, twelve pills per batch, totaling thirty-six.

Adding the initial twelve he had refined earlier, he now possessed forty-eight Blood Toad Pills, along with six Semi-finished Pills.

Producing so many Intermediate Elixirs in just half a month was something unimaginable for any other Intermediate Heart Nurturer. Naturally, Ning Xiaochuan was in high spirits. Selling these Intermediate Elixirs would undoubtedly fetch him a massive fortune, enough to repay Yu Ningsheng’s debt and free her from her obligations.

There were still four days left before the Emperor's Martial Palace began its recruitment.

Ning Xiaochuan wasn’t in a hurry to auction the Blood Toad Pills—the closer it got to the recruitment date, the higher their price would soar.

With time to spare, Ning Xiaochuan decided to seek out Murong Wushuang to treat his grandfather.

This was something Ning Xiaochuan had promised earlier, but due to time constraints and the need to focus on refining the Intermediate Elixirs, he had postponed it.

Murong Wushuang’s home wasn’t far from Haitang Manor, just over 5 kilometers away, within its jurisdiction.

The moment Ning Xiaochuan stepped out of Haitang Manor, he encountered Ji Hanxing. For over ten days, she had remained stationed outside, practically becoming the manor’s guardian deity.

Ning Xiaochuan sighed. "Why are you still here?"

Ji Hanxing didn’t answer. She had been meditating on a high stone platform, but as soon as she saw Ning Xiaochuan leave, she immediately picked up her Dragon Elephant Halberd Spear and followed.

Ning Xiaochuan ignored her, letting her trail behind.

From a distance, he heard two people arguing in a narrow alley.

Lin Sanzhi held a kitchen knife and shouted, "Gou Sheng, return my chicken! I raised it for three years, waiting for it to lay eggs. Don’t force me to slaughter your pig!"

Murong Wushuang sat on the doorstep, holding a bowl of thin porridge. "Your chicken went missing—what does that have to do with my pig? If you want justice, find the thief who stole it. You’ve been causing a ruckus at my door for two months. If you’re not tired of it, I am!"

Lin Sanzhi cursed loudly, "Damn it, it was you who stole my family's chicken!"

"Which eye of yours saw that?" Murong Wushuang retorted.

Lin Sanzhi snapped, "Both of my eyes saw it!"

"Aren’t both of your eyes blind?" Murong Wushuang shot back.

Lin Sanzhi: "..."

Ning Xiaochuan approached leisurely from a distance and chuckled, "What enthusiasm, practicing your voices so early in the morning."

Upon seeing Ning Xiaochuan, Murong Wushuang was overjoyed, instantly forgetting his quarrel with Lin Sanzhi. He eagerly invited Ning Xiaochuan inside.

Lin Sanzhi frowned slightly and followed them into Murong Wushuang’s home, his tone grave as he asked, "Gou Sheng, why are you bringing an outsider into the house?"

"I invited a Heart Nurturer to treat my grandfather. None of your damn business! Hey, hey, why are you coming in? I’m not that close with you!" Murong Wushuang was ready to argue again.

Though Lin Sanzhi was completely blind, he seemed to perceive Ning Xiaochuan clearly. His face showed no surprise, only wariness as he asked, "You’re a Heart Nurturer?"

Ning Xiaochuan nodded.

Murong Wushuang grew impatient. "Enough with this old man’s nonsense. Come on, Brother Chuan, I’ll take you to see my grandfather."

After reaching the Divine Body Realm, Ning Xiaochuan’s Heart Spirit Perception had sharpened. He faintly sensed that this elderly man was no ordinary person—there was an unfathomable power flowing within his body.

However, compared to those elders who had cultivated for decades or even centuries, Ning Xiaochuan’s cultivation was still too weak. He couldn’t fully discern the depths of the old man’s strength.

Following behind Murong Wushuang, Ning Xiaochuan grew more cautious.

Inside the dimly lit hut, a frail elderly man lay on a low bed, his sparse white hair nearly gone.

Murong Wushuang quickly placed a stool by the bed and gestured for Ning Xiaochuan to sit, whispering, "Grandfather, I’ve brought a Heart Nurturer to treat you."

Lin Sanzhi also entered, seemingly able to sense the old man’s suffering. His face twisted in pain, though the dim light kept Ning Xiaochuan and Murong Wushuang from noticing.

Ning Xiaochuan pressed his fingers against the old man’s wrist, channeling his Martial Arts Profound Qi outward to probe the meridians. But before it could penetrate, an overwhelming force rebounded, nearly shattering Ning Xiaochuan’s fingers.

It was like punching an iron wall—instead of breaking through, the impact injured him instead.

Had Ning Xiaochuan not reached the First Level of the Divine Body Realm, that backlash alone might have severely wounded him!

This...

Ning Xiaochuan’s expression shifted slightly as he stared at the bedridden elder in shock. This was no feeble old man—he was a master harboring immense Martial Arts Profound Qi!

Murong Wushuang asked, "Brother Chuan, how is it?"

Ning Xiaochuan replied solemnly, "Both of you, step outside for a moment. I’d like to speak with this senior alone."

Murong Wushuang and Lin Sanzhi withdrew, closing the door behind them.

Ning Xiaochuan's nine strands of Martial Arts Profound Qi surged out from his body, converging into a massive Profound Qi Sphere that enveloped both himself and the elderly man on the bed. He spoke respectfully, "Senior, it seems you are not ill but rather have had all your meridians severed. Your Profound Qi has been sealed outside your Martial Arts Heart Palace, rendering you unable to control the energy within your body. This has led to paralysis, physical deterioration, and even the inability to walk."

This method was exceedingly cruel—shattering all the meridians in a person's body and sealing their Martial Arts Profound Qi within those broken pathways, effectively crippling the elderly man's cultivation. Moreover, he endured daily torment as the trapped Profound Qi violently clashed against his body.

An ordinary person would have long perished under such conditions. However, this elderly man's past cultivation was unfathomably profound, and his physique transcended the mundane. Even with all his meridians severed and sealed, he still clung to life. Yet for him, survival was nothing but immense suffering.

Upon hearing Ning Xiaochuan's words, Murong Hua slowly opened his aged eyes, his pupils filled with profound shock. His voice was hoarse as he spoke, "You... you merely checked my pulse and discerned the state of my body? Just who are you?" Over the years, many Primary Heart Nurturers had attempted to treat him, but even when they used their Profound Qi to probe his condition, they detected nothing. Only Ning Xiaochuan's Martial Arts Profound Qi, which countered the force sealing him, managed to uncover the "root of his ailment."

This place truly hid dragons and crouched tigers—Ning Xiaochuan had already encountered two elders with peerless cultivation. What kind of place was this? And who were these people? He couldn't shake the feeling that he had stumbled into a place he shouldn't have, perhaps even uncovering a world-shaking secret.