NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 22:
Chapter 22: Approaching Crisis
[Even though the Sword Casting Bureau is in the capital, it’s probably extremely dangerous inside…]
[I still don’t feel strong enough.]
Liu Ruyan heard Zhao Wujian’s inner voice and coldly snorted. So he was heading to the Sword Casting Bureau?
Her junior brother and senior sister would definitely go too—to fight over the Heaven Sword.
It would be perfect if Zhao Wujian died at their hands.
That would be justice for her!
She wiped the moisture from the corner of her lips and glared at Zhao Wujian with a sharp gaze.
“What’s with that look?” Zhao Wujian noticed immediately.
Liu Ruyan turned her head away, avoiding his eyes. “What’s it to you?”
[If I’m not strong enough, I’ve got to train harder. And the best way to train is still using Liu Ruyan.]
Zhao Wujian stepped forward and grabbed Liu Ruyan’s snow-white leg.
His fingers were filled with inner force—the raw and fierce power of the True Yang Heart Technique.
His fingers enlarged in her terrified eyes…
…
Time flowed like water, quietly slipping past Zhao Wujian’s fingertips.
Two hours later.
Zhao Wujian walked out of the dungeon, having absorbed more of the Dragon-Nourishing Sacred Physique’s energy, when a voice sounded outside the door.
“Greetings, Your Highness. Young Master Zhao is currently bathing. Please wait a moment, Princess.”
“What? I’m his future wife—what’s wrong with me watching him bathe? Zhao Wujian!”
Li Yunrui barged through the gates of the Northern Guardian Prince’s Residence like it was her own home, heading straight for Zhao Wujian’s bedroom.
Today, she wore a flowing pink-and-white gown, looking sweet and radiant. As she rushed forward, her long, slender legs occasionally peeked out.
[Why is this woman here to bother me again? Well… those legs really are long and white.]
[Hmm. Nice figure too. Probably quite fun to play with.]
[Since that bastard Long Zhan keeps provoking me, maybe I really should take Li Yunrui for myself.]
Zhao Wujian glanced at her.
He had no real fate with Li Yunrui—it was only because she refused to break off the engagement.
Li Yunrui heard Zhao Wujian’s thoughts. This scoundrel! All desire, no guts.
She also noticed his clothes were still neat.
He bathed that fast? What a waste.
Li Yunrui got straight to the point:
“Zhao Wujian, I’m going to the Sword Casting Bureau with you. You must take me.”
“This trip will be extremely dangerous, Princess. Please don’t be reckless,” Zhao Wujian replied, clearly unwilling.
[What would I take you for? Do you even know martial arts?]
[You’re just deadweight.]
“You…”
Li Yunrui frowned.
“Zhao Wujian, do you think I’m useless?”
“I never said that.”
“You did! Don’t think just because I’m not breaking off the engagement, you can treat me however you like! I’m a princess—Father’s most beloved daughter!”
Zhao Wujian raised his hands.
[Is refusing to break off the engagement supposed to be a favor?]
[If it weren’t for you clinging on, that idiot Long Zhan wouldn’t want to kill me every time he sees me.]
All her recent frustrations surged in Li Yunrui’s chest.
When Zhao Wujian was accused of releasing Chiba Rizhao to commit murder, she begged the Emperor every day to spare him.
When he uncovered the truth, she immediately fought for him to receive a reward.
When the Emperor refused, she punished Long Zhan and the others in his place, just to help Zhao Wujian save face.
And in return, he gave her this attitude?
Jerk!
Li Yunrui’s eyes filled with tears and then spilled over.
“I’m never speaking to you again, Zhao Wujian!”
After storming out of the Northern Guardian Prince’s Residence, Li Yunrui fled in tears.
Two groups of spies, hiding in the shadows, saw this and exchanged puzzled glances before rushing off to report to their respective masters.
Zhao Wujian watched all of this unfold.
He had long known that the residence was being watched.
This whole scene had been an act—for the spies.
He had to keep his distance from Li Yunrui, or risk becoming a direct target of the Emperor.
At least until his father returned.
As for explaining to Li Yunrui? He couldn’t.
When she finally saw her father’s true nature, maybe she would understand.
…
In the Imperial Study.
Li Zaiyuan received the intelligence report.
“Your Majesty, the men watching the Northern Guardian Prince’s Residence reported that the Seventh Princess asked Young Master Zhao to take her to the Sword Casting Bureau. But Young Master Zhao adhered to your orders and insisted on going alone. He refused to let the princess accompany him.”
Li Zaiyuan grunted coldly.
“Zhao Wujian knows his place… Yunrui is unharmed?”
“No harm done. The Princess is in the imperial garden, ordering the servants to whip an ancient tree while calling it Zhao Wujian. Then she started laughing while she whipped it,” Chief Eunuch Chen replied with a smile.
“Your Majesty…”
Chen Zhenghua hesitated. After all, he’d taken quite a bit of money from the Seventh Princess. Still, he summoned his courage and said,
“The Northern Guardian Prince’s Residence doesn’t have many soldiers. With some assigned to watch the Hansang emissaries, wouldn’t it be wise to send more men to protect Young Master Zhao on his Sword Casting Bureau mission—to help him fulfill your command?”
“No need.”
Li Zaiyuan waved it off casually.
Chen Zhenghua’s heart tightened. He wisely said no more.
It was clear—the Emperor didn’t care whether Zhao Wujian lived or died.
In fact, this Sword Casting Bureau mission…
might just be a death trap.
…
Princess Li Zhaohua’s Residence.
Upon learning that Zhao Wujian had been ordered to investigate the Sword Casting Bureau, Li Zhaohua immediately understood:
The Emperor did not favor Zhao Wujian.
That meant she couldn’t approach Zhao Wujian for now, lest she draw the Emperor’s suspicion.
Luckily, she had plenty of other pawns.
“Xiaolan, send word—summon Imperial Cavalry Commander Long Zhan.”
When Long Zhan heard that the Princess wanted to see him, he hurried over.
“Commander Long pays respects to Your Highness,” he said respectfully.
“Rise,” Li Zhaohua replied coldly, glancing at him.
“I need you to go… to the back alley of the Sword Casting Bureau.”