Qingxuan Enters the Palace! Yun Shuyao Is Shocked: He Actually Saved Him!

"Then how did he get the information out of them?"

"I'm not sure, Your Majesty. But I heard that this Xiao Qinzi even figured out that the explosives were hidden inside the stone pillars of the Lantern Bridge."

The Empress fell silent for a moment, then spoke in a low voice.

"If that's true, he's quite a talent. Why would someone like that end up with my sister? He should be serving my Great Yan nation."

"Pass my decree: Xiao Qinzi is to be rewarded for locating the explosives. He is to receive five hundred taels of silver and a manual of a Xuan-grade cultivation technique. Let him choose one himself at the Tianyi Academy."

"Understood!"

—

The Graveyard of the Nameless, Eastern outskirts of Great Yan.

Most corpses dumped here were either nameless drifters or transmigrators.

The howls of wandering souls echoed through the desolate air, thick with yin energy—so much so that even cultivators rarely dared approach.

Yet here stood Yun Shuyao with her disciples, Qingxuan and Ma Qiang.

"Master," Ma Qiang whispered, "I just asked around. It seems no bodies have been delivered from the East Gate tonight."

"Not yet doesn't mean not at all. We'll wait."

Qingxuan, dressed in a plain green robe and clutching a black-metal blade, stood stoically.

Despite the eerie moans and ghostly shadows around them, she remained unfazed.

"Master," she said, walking over to Yun Shuyao.

"It's not that I don't trust Qin Ming, but getting Uncle Mu out is just... too difficult. The Demon Suppression Tower is crawling with elite guards."

Ma Qiang added, "Yeah, and he's one of them now. Why would he risk his life to save us?"

"What nonsense!" Yun Shuyao scolded.

Her usual gentle face was laced with rare anger.

"Ma Qiang, it's bad enough your junior sister keeps calling him 'Qin Ming' like some outsider. But you, as the eldest disciple?

Has he ever forgotten his roots? Didn't he save you all in the Spirit Realm?

He may be a military officer now, but he's still my disciple. That bond doesn't change with time."

"I'm not doubting his character, Master. It's just... it's nearly impossible to rescue someone from that place!"

Her brow furrowed.

He wasn't wrong. The Demon Suppression Tower was one of the strongest fortresses in Great Yan, built up over a century by the Princess herself.

Its guards—ruthless, powerful, and fanatically anti-transmigrator—would never allow a prisoner to escape alive.

Just then, Qingxuan tapped her shoulder.

"Master, a few guards are coming."

Sure enough, through the falling snow, several Demon Suppression Guards approached with a corpse cart.

They didn't go far into the graveyard—just dumped three bodies onto the hill and hurried away, spooked by the ghostly wails.

Yun Shuyao stayed put, waiting thirty breaths before rushing forward to inspect the bodies.

The first was the Taoist Tan—riddled with wounds, missing a right arm, and throat slashed.

She recognized the jagged edge immediately—it was the mark of Qin Ming's poison-blade.

He killed the Taoist? Her disciple really had skills!

"Master! It's Uncle Mu!"

She rushed to Mu Sizhe, checking his pulse—nothing. No breath either. His forehead was ice cold.

"Master, he's already dead..."

But Yun Shuyao wasn't convinced.

Channeling her Sword Heart technique, she extended her spiritual senses into his meridians—

And there it was: a faint flow of energy.

Not dead. Fake death state!

"Quick, help him up!"

White sword energy formed in both her palms.

After a few breaths, she unleashed two powerful strikes onto his back—

PA! PA!

Mu Sizhe coughed up a mouthful of black blood—"Pfft—!"

And then… gasped for air.

Qingxuan and Ma Qiang were stunned.

Yun Shuyao was overwhelmed with relief.

"Master... you actually saved him!"

"Master, my junior brother is incredible! He saved someone from the Demon Suppression Tower!"

Even Qingxuan, always calm and stoic, looked truly impressed.

Mu Sizhe opened his eyes, joy flooding his face.

"Senior Sister… Qingxuan… Ma Qiang… I finally see you all again."

"Uncle, how do you feel?"

"I feel great. Ever since Qin Ming came to the Tower, he'd sneak in food, water, even medicine. I recovered quickly.

But I never imagined... he'd actually rescue me today!"

Mu Sizhe turned to Yun Shuyao, visibly moved.

"Senior Sister, choosing him as your disciple was a brilliant decision."

Her heart swelled with pride.

What master didn't want to see their student succeed?

As they descended the mountain, a crimson message bird swooped toward them.

Yun Shuyao extended a hand, and the bird dropped a bamboo scroll before flying off.

"It must be the background check I asked the Five Elements Alliance to do on Xiao Qinzi."

She unrolled it and read:

"Xiao Qinzi: From Xuetao Village, West Prefecture, Cold Night City.Family died of illness and famine.Came to Fluorite City with two others.One, a servant named Xiao Liu, is now deceased.The other, Tang Wei, works as a servant at the gate of Tianyi Academy."

"Tianyi Academy?"

Mu Sizhe immediately snatched the scroll.

"If Tang Wei is there, then Qin Ming is in serious danger!"

"What do you mean?" Yun Shuyao asked.

"He told me during my imprisonment that he was acting on orders from the Empress herself. Judging by what just happened, he must've succeeded.

But when the Empress rewards someone, she usually sends them to Tianyi Academy to collect a technique or martial skill.

Which means Qin Ming will be heading there soon."

Yun Shuyao's face filled with anxiety.

"If he's returning to report his success, then yes—he'll be summoned to Tianyi Academy shortly."

She bit her red lip.

"Qingxuan, Ma Qiang—take your uncle back. I'll go to the palace myself."

"No!" Qingxuan grabbed her.

"Master, you're still poisoned by that Seven-Venom Snake spell from the Taoist, and you were injured by the Princess. It's too dangerous!"

"But Qin Ming must be warned!"

Qingxuan flicked her braid over her shoulder and said stubbornly—

"I'll go!"