At the epicenter of the blast wave, arrows permeated through the air. The whole scene looked ridiculous.
…
At the gates of the guesthouses in the Eastern Palace.
Ping Yang, Yan Xiu, Nangong Mu and Wen Dabao stared at the brilliance in the distance. They could guess what was happening.
"Young Master Fang seems to be… surrounded?!" Wen Dabao broke out in cold sweat. He did not know what happened in the study, but surely it wasn't something good.
So much activity was taking place.
It had been fifteen minutes since the fire started, and in this period, there were rising infernos and deafening blasts. It was impossible to not shake up Yan Capital.
"It seems that he is surrounded." Nangong Mu spoke, he nodded as he looked at the glowing light from afar.
"What now? Should we save Young Master Fang?" Wen Dabao asked in response.
"If he had been spotted, we must not go." Nangong Mu shook his head. The situation had developed beyond his imagination.
And most importantly, the person being caught was Fang Zhengzhi, and it was the crown prince's study which was burnt. How could he possibly save him?
If it was Ping Yang who had been caught, and it wasn't the crown prince's study being burnt, then it could possibly simply be viewed as her innocent playfulness and only reprimanded by the emperor.
But now…
How to save?
"We're not saving him?! Then what shall we do?" Wen Dabao said, still dazed in bewilderment.
"Let's get out first!" Ping Yang said. Her crystal-clear eyes suddenly calmed.
As though she had not been drinking.
"Get out?" Wen Dabao froze.
"Yes, it is too happening. People may rush in, so we cannot stay here. Let's get out of here and slowly think of a solution. Yan Xiu, what do you think?" Ping Yang said, looking at Yan Xiu in anticipation.
"Yes." Yan Xiu nodded in agreement.
Wen Dabao was surprised at Yan Xiu's nod. He had expected Yan Xiu to stop her, but Yan Xiu didn't disagree.
Naturally, he could not persist further.
"Let's go then." Wen Dabao looked at his surroundings guiltily. After all, he really did not wish to be apprehended. Burning the crown prince's study wasn't simply punishable by just a beating.
If he was convicted as an accomplice, his father would also be implicated due to the enormity of the crime.
"Great!" Nangong Mu said as no one else had differing opinions. He led the team out of guesthouses, his cold expression seemed remarkably cautious.
Ping Yang, Yan Xiu and Wen Dabao quickly followed.
…
As Ping Yang had guessed, Yan Capital became a complete mess. Although it was deep in the night, the activity in the Eastern Palace had woke everyone from their sleep.
Windows were opened as many stared at the inferno and the brilliant white light. Everyone was astonished.
"The Eastern Palace is on fire?!"
"How is this possible? And that place seems to be…"
"Oh my god, what is happening?"
Discussions in Yan Capital ebbed and flowed. No one could believe their eyes. The Eastern Palace was on fire? And it was even at the position of the study. It was simply impossible.
The imperial officials were startled too.
"Get me to the Eastern Palace, now!"
"Yes, my lord!"
Almost every official in their respective residents said something like that. They rushed out of their residences, some on carriages, some on horses, while some walked. But all were headed for the Eastern Palace.
But in King Duan's residence…
A guard kneeled in front of Lin Xinjue, his hand held an opened letter. It had just a few words, but its contents…
Even Lin Xinjue was shocked.
"Third Brother's study was set on fire?! And this person had not left? Who dared to do such a thing? Are you sure of this?" Surprised, Lin Xinjue asked the guard.
"Certainly. This person had first burnt a pavilion, then set the study on fire when the crown prince was away." The guard replied.
"This is interesting. Prepare a horse, I'm going to see Third Brother!" Lin Xinjue smiled.
As a dignified crown prince, he had his study burnt. Such a rare opportunity to witness his expressions.
"Yes!" The guard acknowledged.
…
When the officials approached the crown prince's residence, the blast wave had already died down. The arrows had also stopped.
A huge depression appeared on the ground, and within it kneeled the three guests in their luxurious clothing.
But…
Now their clothes were shattered in a mess. Shreds of cloth hung on their arms as they were pierced by the arrows. Their hair was also messy, and their bodies had many wounds. On their hands, legs, and backs, black charred skin mixed with their oozing red blood.
It was a sorry sight.
Their faces looked grave.
Because near them stood a figure dressed in a tight black suit, standing quietly with his hands behind him. His clothes hadn't the slightest mess.
There was a deafening silence.
Everyone had their eyes fixed on the masked man. No one moved, the guards did not pull on their bowstrings. Because it was obvious that the three guards had lost. Even though they had outnumbered their opponent by three to one, they were absolutely crushed.
"How did this happen?!"
"Who exactly is this man? How is he so powerful?"
"Three of them were of the Rebirth State! And one of them is even at the intermediate Rebirth State! They were so utterly defeated even when they had joined forces, yet the masked man still didn't have a tear in his shirt."
No one could believe this outcome.
It was truly unbelievable. In the Yan Capital, how many people could do this? And among them, who weren't of high status?
Lin Tianrong was also dazed.
When he ordered the guards to shoot the arrows, indeed he could tell that the three guests weren't the masked man's match. But he totally did not expect for them to be defeated by such a huge margin.
Three guests with the Rebirth State had lost!
Lin Tianrong clenched his fists so tightly it turned white. He stared at the masked man's veiled face. He could tell, from a slight show of skin, that the masked man wasn't old.
A powerful man who could defeat three guests with Rebirth State?
And yet wasn't old?
The emperor counts as one, but would the emperor burn his study? Impossible. And then there was also King Liqin. But he was old, so he was out of the question.
How about Xing Yuanguo?
No.
Xing Yuanguo was on the older side. Furthermore, considering his capabilities, although he could defeat the three Rebirth State guests, it would not have been this easy.
And most importantly…
The masked man's techniques were terrifyingly peculiar.
Could it be Hua Fei?!
Lin Tianrong thought of her. With Hua Wei's capabilities, she would have no problem defeating them.
But why would Hua Fei do this to him? And besides, this person was a man. Could she have posed as a man? Unlikely.
Who else?
Chi Hou? Impossible too.
Names flashed in his mind. But one by one he dismissed them until one caught his attention.
"Could it really be him?!" Lin Tianrong thought of this person. He was very young yet was mysteriously powerful. Most importantly, he was not from the Great Xia Dynasty.
No!
He wouldn't do this!
Lin Tianrong dismissed once again.
He wanted to continue thinking, but at this moment the masked man moved. With his hands behind him, he walked towards the three guests.
"Who are you?"
"With your status, why did you come to wreak havoc in the Eastern Palace?"
"What are you trying to do?"
The three guests stepped back as they saw the masked man approaching, their faces petrified.
"What am I trying to do? Actually, I'm not trying to do anything. I just wanted to see if His Highness was sleeping well." The masked man smiled as he said in a deep voice.
"If he was sleeping well?" The three guests fretted, but they quickly snapped back.
"Don't come any closer!"
"Even if I die here, I will not allow you to get any closer to His Highness!"
"Don't think of going there, unless we have died!"
The three guests looked at the approaching masked man. Their expressions changed. Biting their lips, they did not retreat further. Instead, they stood in front of him.
Lin Tianrong was shocked.
Since the beginning, he had only thought of killing the masked man, not whether the masked man would kill him.
Because this was the Eastern Palace, the most heavily guarded residence in Yan Capital.
This place had the strongest guards, the best bows and arrows, the three Rebirth State guests and a guest with the peak of Supernatural State boosting its security.
How would there be any danger?
But now…
Lin Tianrong took a step back. As he stared at the masked man, his first thought was: if the masked man were to attack him, how would he react?
"Protect His Highness!"
"Quick, block him, don't let him come any closer!"
The guards behind Lin Tianrong snapped back into reality. All of them shouted as they moved in front of Lin Tianrong.
But this angered Lin Tianrong.
Because the guards had formed such a tight barrier that he couldn't see the masked man. Only innumerable sets of armors moving in front of him.
And it felt awkward to be surrounded.
As the crown prince in the Eastern Palace of the Great Xia Dynasty, he was surrounded by guards in his own residence. If such word had gotten out, he would lose every inch of his face.
But even so, he did not stop the guards from surrounding him.
"Your Highness, please leave now. I'll stop him at all costs!" A guard said with much loyalty, raising his arm against Lin Tianrong's face.
But Lin Tianrong's face was darker than ever.
He wanted so badly to give this guard a kick, but he did not do it. He only took note of this arm, the arm which was attached to this guard's body… for now.
Helter-skelter.
Since the masked man's response, the situation had changed. The crown prince was surrounded, and everyone was on high alert.
Suddenly, a sharp voice rang from far away.
"The emperor has arrived!"
Then, its echoes got nearer and nearer.
"The emperor has arrived!"
"The emperor has arrived!"
"…"
Lin Tianrong fretted again, then he looked to the back. It didn't take long for him to notice a crowd, among which, were officials in court attire of various colors, the generals in their shiny armor, and even the Royal Guards in their golden armor.
And walking in front of them was none other than Emperor Lin Mubai.
His golden imperial robe shone in the night. And his face had a sternness that would make one shudder in fear.
Behind the emperor was a person dressed in a silver robe.
King Duan, Lin Xinjue.
But unlike Emperor Lin Mubai, Lin Xinjue had the hint of a smile, almost one of mockery.
"Sixth Brother, you have indeed come at the right time!" Lin Tianrong squinted a little as he shot an icy gleam toward Lin Xinjue.
Of course, he knew that Lin Xinjue would arrive here.
But now he didn't bother maintaining his grace as the crown prince as he let the guards push him to the back.
Change
At the epicenter of the blast wave, arrows permeated through the air. The whole scene looked ridiculous.
…
At the gates of the guesthouses in the Eastern Palace.
Ping Yang, Yan Xiu, Nangong Mu and Wen Dabao stared at the brilliance in the distance. They could guess what was happening.
"Young Master Fang seems to be… surrounded?!" Wen Dabao broke out in cold sweat. He did not know what happened in the study, but surely it wasn't something good.
So much activity was taking place.
It had been fifteen minutes since the fire started, and in this period, there were rising infernos and deafening blasts. It was impossible to not shake up Yan Capital.
"It seems that he is surrounded." Nangong Mu spoke, he nodded as he looked at the glowing light from afar.
"What now? Should we save Young Master Fang?" Wen Dabao asked in response.
"If he had been spotted, we must not go." Nangong Mu shook his head. The situation had developed beyond his imagination.
And most importantly, the person being caught was Fang Zhengzhi, and it was the crown prince's study which was burnt. How could he possibly save him?
If it was Ping Yang who had been caught, and it wasn't the crown prince's study being burnt, then it could possibly simply be viewed as her innocent playfulness and only reprimanded by the emperor.
But now…
How to save?
"We're not saving him?! Then what shall we do?" Wen Dabao said, still dazed in bewilderment.
"Let's get out first!" Ping Yang said. Her crystal-clear eyes suddenly calmed.
As though she had not been drinking.
"Get out?" Wen Dabao froze.
"Yes, it is too happening. People may rush in, so we cannot stay here. Let's get out of here and slowly think of a solution. Yan Xiu, what do you think?" Ping Yang said, looking at Yan Xiu in anticipation.
"Yes." Yan Xiu nodded in agreement.
Wen Dabao was surprised at Yan Xiu's nod. He had expected Yan Xiu to stop her, but Yan Xiu didn't disagree.
Naturally, he could not persist further.
"Let's go then." Wen Dabao looked at his surroundings guiltily. After all, he really did not wish to be apprehended. Burning the crown prince's study wasn't simply punishable by just a beating.
If he was convicted as an accomplice, his father would also be implicated due to the enormity of the crime.
"Great!" Nangong Mu said as no one else had differing opinions. He led the team out of guesthouses, his cold expression seemed remarkably cautious.
Ping Yang, Yan Xiu and Wen Dabao quickly followed.
…
As Ping Yang had guessed, Yan Capital became a complete mess. Although it was deep in the night, the activity in the Eastern Palace had woke everyone from their sleep.
Windows were opened as many stared at the inferno and the brilliant white light. Everyone was astonished.
"The Eastern Palace is on fire?!"
"How is this possible? And that place seems to be…"
"Oh my god, what is happening?"
Discussions in Yan Capital ebbed and flowed. No one could believe their eyes. The Eastern Palace was on fire? And it was even at the position of the study. It was simply impossible.
The imperial officials were startled too.
"Get me to the Eastern Palace, now!"
"Yes, my lord!"
Almost every official in their respective residents said something like that. They rushed out of their residences, some on carriages, some on horses, while some walked. But all were headed for the Eastern Palace.
But in King Duan's residence…
A guard kneeled in front of Lin Xinjue, his hand held an opened letter. It had just a few words, but its contents…
Even Lin Xinjue was shocked.
"Third Brother's study was set on fire?! And this person had not left? Who dared to do such a thing? Are you sure of this?" Surprised, Lin Xinjue asked the guard.
"Certainly. This person had first burnt a pavilion, then set the study on fire when the crown prince was away." The guard replied.
"This is interesting. Prepare a horse, I'm going to see Third Brother!" Lin Xinjue smiled.
As a dignified crown prince, he had his study burnt. Such a rare opportunity to witness his expressions.
"Yes!" The guard acknowledged.
…
When the officials approached the crown prince's residence, the blast wave had already died down. The arrows had also stopped.
A huge depression appeared on the ground, and within it kneeled the three guests in their luxurious clothing.
But…
Now their clothes were shattered in a mess. Shreds of cloth hung on their arms as they were pierced by the arrows. Their hair was also messy, and their bodies had many wounds. On their hands, legs, and backs, black charred skin mixed with their oozing red blood.
It was a sorry sight.
Their faces looked grave.
Because near them stood a figure dressed in a tight black suit, standing quietly with his hands behind him. His clothes hadn't the slightest mess.
There was a deafening silence.
Everyone had their eyes fixed on the masked man. No one moved, the guards did not pull on their bowstrings. Because it was obvious that the three guards had lost. Even though they had outnumbered their opponent by three to one, they were absolutely crushed.
"How did this happen?!"
"Who exactly is this man? How is he so powerful?"
"Three of them were of the Rebirth State! And one of them is even at the intermediate Rebirth State! They were so utterly defeated even when they had joined forces, yet the masked man still didn't have a tear in his shirt."
No one could believe this outcome.
It was truly unbelievable. In the Yan Capital, how many people could do this? And among them, who weren't of high status?
Lin Tianrong was also dazed.
When he ordered the guards to shoot the arrows, indeed he could tell that the three guests weren't the masked man's match. But he totally did not expect for them to be defeated by such a huge margin.
Three guests with the Rebirth State had lost!
Lin Tianrong clenched his fists so tightly it turned white. He stared at the masked man's veiled face. He could tell, from a slight show of skin, that the masked man wasn't old.
A powerful man who could defeat three guests with Rebirth State?
And yet wasn't old?
The emperor counts as one, but would the emperor burn his study? Impossible. And then there was also King Liqin. But he was old, so he was out of the question.
How about Xing Yuanguo?
No.
Xing Yuanguo was on the older side. Furthermore, considering his capabilities, although he could defeat the three Rebirth State guests, it would not have been this easy.
And most importantly…
The masked man's techniques were terrifyingly peculiar.
Could it be Hua Fei?!
Lin Tianrong thought of her. With Hua Wei's capabilities, she would have no problem defeating them.
But why would Hua Fei do this to him? And besides, this person was a man. Could she have posed as a man? Unlikely.
Who else?
Chi Hou? Impossible too.
Names flashed in his mind. But one by one he dismissed them until one caught his attention.
"Could it really be him?!" Lin Tianrong thought of this person. He was very young yet was mysteriously powerful. Most importantly, he was not from the Great Xia Dynasty.
No!
He wouldn't do this!
Lin Tianrong dismissed once again.
He wanted to continue thinking, but at this moment the masked man moved. With his hands behind him, he walked towards the three guests.
"Who are you?"
"With your status, why did you come to wreak havoc in the Eastern Palace?"
"What are you trying to do?"
The three guests stepped back as they saw the masked man approaching, their faces petrified.
"What am I trying to do? Actually, I'm not trying to do anything. I just wanted to see if His Highness was sleeping well." The masked man smiled as he said in a deep voice.
"If he was sleeping well?" The three guests fretted, but they quickly snapped back.
"Don't come any closer!"
"Even if I die here, I will not allow you to get any closer to His Highness!"
"Don't think of going there, unless we have died!"
The three guests looked at the approaching masked man. Their expressions changed. Biting their lips, they did not retreat further. Instead, they stood in front of him.
Lin Tianrong was shocked.
Since the beginning, he had only thought of killing the masked man, not whether the masked man would kill him.
Because this was the Eastern Palace, the most heavily guarded residence in Yan Capital.
This place had the strongest guards, the best bows and arrows, the three Rebirth State guests and a guest with the peak of Supernatural State boosting its security.
How would there be any danger?
But now…
Lin Tianrong took a step back. As he stared at the masked man, his first thought was: if the masked man were to attack him, how would he react?
"Protect His Highness!"
"Quick, block him, don't let him come any closer!"
The guards behind Lin Tianrong snapped back into reality. All of them shouted as they moved in front of Lin Tianrong.
But this angered Lin Tianrong.
Because the guards had formed such a tight barrier that he couldn't see the masked man. Only innumerable sets of armors moving in front of him.
And it felt awkward to be surrounded.
As the crown prince in the Eastern Palace of the Great Xia Dynasty, he was surrounded by guards in his own residence. If such word had gotten out, he would lose every inch of his face.
But even so, he did not stop the guards from surrounding him.
"Your Highness, please leave now. I'll stop him at all costs!" A guard said with much loyalty, raising his arm against Lin Tianrong's face.
But Lin Tianrong's face was darker than ever.
He wanted so badly to give this guard a kick, but he did not do it. He only took note of this arm, the arm which was attached to this guard's body… for now.
Helter-skelter.
Since the masked man's response, the situation had changed. The crown prince was surrounded, and everyone was on high alert.
Suddenly, a sharp voice rang from far away.
"The emperor has arrived!"
Then, its echoes got nearer and nearer.
"The emperor has arrived!"
"The emperor has arrived!"
"…"
Lin Tianrong fretted again, then he looked to the back. It didn't take long for him to notice a crowd, among which, were officials in court attire of various colors, the generals in their shiny armor, and even the Royal Guards in their golden armor.
And walking in front of them was none other than Emperor Lin Mubai.
His golden imperial robe shone in the night. And his face had a sternness that would make one shudder in fear.
Behind the emperor was a person dressed in a silver robe.
King Duan, Lin Xinjue.
But unlike Emperor Lin Mubai, Lin Xinjue had the hint of a smile, almost one of mockery.
"Sixth Brother, you have indeed come at the right time!" Lin Tianrong squinted a little as he shot an icy gleam toward Lin Xinjue.
Of course, he knew that Lin Xinjue would arrive here.
But now he didn't bother maintaining his grace as the crown prince as he let the guards push him to the back.