Chapter Sixty-Four: Yun Chuxue's Night Meeting with Luoyang

On the same night, in the Imperial Palace of the Empire, King Luoyang stood by the window of the tallest tower in West Cloud City, gazing down at the bustling streets below, sighing as if burdened with heavy thoughts.

"Old man, why do you look so troubled? Tomorrow is your birthday," Yun Chuxue remarked, sitting casually on the table with her legs crossed.

Luoyang wasn't surprised; he seemed quite accustomed to it. He responded lightly, "You're here. Your arrival has stirred up quite a commotion."

"Not bad," Yun Chuxue replied, getting up and walking over to Luoyang's side. "But what about you, Old Lu? It's been years, and you seem weathered."

"Hehe," Luoyang chuckled lightly. "You've managed to evade all the guards and come here. Surely, it's not just to see me."

"No surprises there. I came today to tell you that I killed your deceased son," Yun Chuxue said candidly, but Luoyang remained calm. "You killed him. What's your reason?"

"I won't beat around the bush. Today, I wanted to inform you that all your sons are secretly practicing evil arts. I thought I'd seek your opinion."

Upon hearing Yun Chuxue's words, Luoyang wasn't shocked; instead, he responded with a deep sense of understanding. "You're just realizing this? I've known for a long time. Their ambitions are too great now; a throne alone can't satisfy them."

"I can help you."

These few words warmed Luoyang's cold heart a little. "Yun Chuxue, I know you're formidable, but is it really worth it to overthrow my regime?"

"Joking aside, I, Yun Chuxue, never consider whether something is worth it or not."

Yun Chuxue spoke straightforwardly, and Luoyang chuckled, "You're still as wild and unrestrained as before, like a little wild dog."

Yun Chuxue responded with a smile, "Consider it my birthday gift to you. Between us, there's no need for restraint."

"Hahaha."

The next day, the birthday banquet was held in the grand hall of the palace. Yun Chuxue sat in the second seat on the left-hand side. People who saw the veiled woman in white assumed she held great authority, as she was accompanied by a guard. They were curious about Yun Chuxue's identity because she was alone.

The guests who came to celebrate were not many, just some small forces near the West Cloud Empire. Behind Tang Ruoyu was her guard, Yuke, who served as Yu Shi's guard in the Ling Division. He was Yu Shi's most trusted person.

When Yuzi Xi saw Yun Chuxue here, she said coquettishly to Tang Ruoyu, "Sister, that person over there is the sister who gave me food yesterday. I want to go over."

Tang Ruoyu looked at Yuke behind her. Yuke nodded, and Tang Ruoyu turned back to gently say, "Okay, go ahead."

"Hmm." Yuzi Xi smiled and sat next to Yun Chuxue. Yun Chuxue was surprised because she hadn't noticed Tang Ruoyu sitting next to her just now.

"Xixi, what are you doing here?" Yun Chuxue asked softly.

"I'm here to wish Sister a happy birthday."

"Sister?"

"Yeah." Yuzi Xi turned her head and pointed to Tang Ruoyu. Yun Chuxue followed her gaze to Tang Ruoyu. Now, behind her was Yuke. Tang Ruoyu nodded and saluted, and Yun Chuxue returned the gesture.

"Thank you for yesterday," Tang Ruoyu said gratefully.

"I just happened to pass by. It was nothing," Yun Chuxue responded with a smile.

At this moment, Luoyang sat in the middle of the grand hall and said loudly, "Thank you all for coming to the banquet. Please, enjoy the feast."

"Here, let's toast to the king."

"Cheers, cheers."

Everyone raised their glasses and drank.

After Yun Chuxue put down her glass, Yuzi Xi's small hand reached out to take the glass and drink. Yun Chuxue stopped her with her hand. "Xixi, you can't drink alcohol, okay? Children shouldn't drink."

"Oh, I'll listen to Sister."

"Here, let Sister feed you some pastries."

"Okay." Yuzi Xi smiled happily.

Tang Ruoyu discussed with Yuke behind her, "Yuke, did you notice that Xixi listens very obediently to this stranger?"

"Should I investigate her?"

"You can, but don't alert the enemy. It's not a wise decision to provoke someone against the Ling Division."

"Okay." After saying that, Yuke went out and returned shortly.

While drinking, Tang Ruoyu occasionally glanced at Yuzi Xi and Yun Chuxue, feeling worried about the identity of this "stranger." If she was the one who tried to assassinate Su Xue'er back then, it would be dangerous.

Soon after, Yuke whispered to Tang Ruoyu, "Ruoyu, this person is from the palace, a relative of King Luoyang."

"In that case, I can rest assured."

After the banquet, in the grand hall of the palace, Yu Xun came to Yun Chuxue's side and complimented, "Madam, His Majesty wishes to see you."

"Okay, I'll come over later."

After Yu Xun left, he walked over to Tang Ruoyu and Yuke. "Yuke, Elder Rong, would you like to stay longer? I haven't properly entertained you yet."

Facing Yu Xun's kindness, both of them hesitated to refuse. However, Yuzi Xi cheerfully exclaimed, "I want to stay. I want to accompany Sister."

Yuke and Tang Ruoyu hesitated, but Yun Chuxue said, "Are you two afraid that Xixi might be harmed and unable to fulfill Yushixi's orders?"

Tang Ruoyu looked at the unfamiliar woman in front of her, daring to address Yu Shi by name directly. Her expression turned serious, and even Yuke and Yu Xun widened their eyes.

Yuzi Xi still stuck to Yun Chuxue. Yun Chuxue squatted down and patted her head gently, saying softly, "Xixi, Sister has to go attend to some matters. Will you go with Sister Ruoyu for now? I'll come to see you tomorrow."

Yuzi Xi pouted, showing a million reluctances and unhappiness. "Fine."

After that, Tang Ruoyu and Yuke led Yuzi Xi away. Yuzi Xi glanced back from time to time, reluctant to leave, as if Yun Chuxue was her closest person, and being with her made her very happy.

After Yuzi Xi left, Yun Chuxue's face turned cold. "What does Old Lu want with me?"

"The king said you'll know when you get there."

Yun Chuxue snorted. "Always beating around the bush. Lead the way."

"Okay."

After arriving at the palace study, Yu Xun left, leaving Yun Chuxue and Luoyang alone. Seeing Luoyang furrowing his brows, Yun Chuxue asked, "What's wrong, Old Lu?"

Yun Chuxue casually took a seat, and Luoyang sighed, saying, "My 'good sons' are becoming restless. I reckon it'll be within a month or two."

"Bang!" Yun Chuxue slapped the table excitedly. "Isn't this good news? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

Shocked by Yun Chuxue's sudden action, Luoyang stared blankly at her.

"Rest assured, Old Lu. All your sons are members of the Demon Cult. There must be someone behind them orchestrating this. Once I find the mastermind, I can take them all down."

After pondering for a while, Luoyang still didn't understand what Yun Chuxue meant. "If you lay hands on them, it will only alert the mastermind. They won't show up. Do you have any other plans?"

"I do. The mastermind is in Luoyang City. Because Luoyang City is the capital, it's dark under the lamp. You naturally can't find them. But I know the location. Tonight, I'll investigate one by one. I'll tell you the answer tomorrow."

Yun Chuxue's words seemed natural, which relieved Luoyang.

At night, dressed in black, Yun Chuxue quietly began her investigation in the largest gambling house in Luoyang City, following the instructions on the map.

Initially, she found nothing, but the map indicated that this was the place. Just when Yun Chuxue was puzzled, she saw a familiar figure.

"Shen Yueru, what is she doing here?"

With curiosity, Yun Chuxue quietly followed Shen Yueru. To avoid being discovered, she followed stealthily.

In the backyard of the gambling house, Shen Yueru looked around and, finding no one, opened a secret passage under a tree, sneaking in alone.

With curiosity, Yun Chuxue followed suit. Inside, the lights were bright, and the surroundings were neatly built with stone blocks. After walking for a while, Yun Chuxue hadn't found anyone. Just when she was about to give up, she suddenly heard Shen Yueru's scream.

Yun Chuxue followed the sound and approached a stone window. Looking inside, she couldn't help but marvel at the magnificent decorations, filled with various dazzling jewels. However, there were only Shen Yueru and a young man inside. Yun Chuxue recognized the young man; he was Tang Xiaotian, the Grand Marshal of the Empire, who had just attempted to assault Shen Yueru, causing her scream.

Tang Xiaotian grinned and looked at Shen Yueru with an eager gaze, while Shen Yueru kept her distance from him.

"Messenger Tang, without your agreement, I can't do it," Shen Yueru hugged herself, cautious.

Tang Xiaotian, indifferent, said, "It's just Yun Chuxue. After I use dark arts, my strength will surpass the later stage of the Spiritual God realm. What's she to me? I don't even care. As long as you serve me for one night, I'll kill her, no matter what it takes."

"..." Shen Yueru pursed her lips, hesitant to agree, but reluctant. She whispered softly, "Can you give me one more condition..."

"Shen Yueru, don't push it," Tang Xiaotian scolded angrily, then thought for a moment. "Okay, tell me."

"After you've wiped out the Ling Division, can you spare Yun Ziqi?" Shen Yueru's voice was very soft, but it contained deep affection.

Tang Xiaotian sneered, "Okay, as long as you serve me for one night, I promise you."

"...Alright..."

Yun Chuxue understood. Tang Xiaotian was the envoy of the Demon Cult on this side of the West Cloud Empire. Each empire had one, and they were seeds of destruction for the empire. Yun Chuxue couldn't help but sigh at the depth of this scheme.

Just as Yun Chuxue was about to leave, she heard footsteps. She quickly hid in an empty box nearby. Inside the box, Yun Chuxue smelled a strong scent of perfume, covering her mouth and nose.

"General, the princes collectively sent a letter."

At this moment, Tang Xiaotian was in the middle of undressing Shen Yueru, looking very impatient. "You take it first. I'll come to you tomorrow."

"Yes."

Thinking he had left, Yun Chuxue was about to get up, but she saw him standing outside the door through a crack in the box, which made her very headache. She could only crouch in the box and wait for them to leave tomorrow.