Chapter 91

Tang Yan struggled to follow behind Ren Tiancang, weak and unsteady, his steps faltering as he occasionally leaned against an ancient tree to catch his breath: "Why did you appear in Juxiang City?"

"Passed by." Ren Tiancang's face was pale, his jet-black hair casually flowing, appearing sinister and cold under the moonlight. No wonder Ade's face turned so ugly when he saw him.

"Why did you appear here?" Tang Yan had mostly been speculating when he threatened Tang Qian. Since Ren Tiancang had saved him in Juxiang City, he should have followed, and it was impossible for him to wander around outside while the Spirit王府 was furious.

"I happened to meet them halfway and followed them."

"Thank you for saving me again."

"I just don't want the Ghostly Blue Fire to change hands so quickly again."

"Regardless, you've saved me three times. I hope to have the chance to repay you in the future."

"Don't thank me, I won't take you out of the Illusion Forest."

Tang Yan slowly stopped, his withered and pale face covered in cold sweat: "You're letting us fend for ourselves?"

Ren Tiancang ignored him. He had only passed by and didn't want to see them die, but he had his own matters to attend to and couldn't stay here any longer. Moreover, this time helping was already an exception; he wasn't a savior and didn't need to save them all the way.

Just as Tang Yan was about to speak, he felt a sudden darkness and fell to the ground with a thud. His essence and lifespan had been severely depleted, and the slight blood energy granted by the blood doll couldn't support his aging body.

This time, Tang Yan was unconscious for five days before he gradually showed signs of waking up. Under the slow operation of the Immortal Derivation Technique, his injuries and meridians gradually began to heal, and his spiritual energy was slightly replenished.

During these five days, the chaos in Juxiang City affected the entire Northern Wasteland, even alarming the royal family.

The tragic death of Zhou Linglu completely enraged Zhou Lingwang. With a single command, the scattered palace retainers and guards were recalled within two days. The border Falcon Army Corps gathered on a large scale, and three special forces units left their bases, moving toward the Illusion Forest.

The Tang family in Juxiang City quickly became the focus of the Northern Wasteland. Taking advantage of their weakened state, some hostile families began to secretly stir up trouble, hoping to take this opportunity to bring down the Tang family. However, given Tang Yanshan's reputation and the Tang family's strategy of consolidating their forces to protect the clan, no one dared to act rashly without a clear stance from the Spirit王府.

Zhou Lingwang never expected the situation to escalate so much and had no time to deal with the Tang family. He concentrated all his forces to search for Tang Yan and offered a million gold coins as a reward, spreading the news throughout the empire. This caused a huge stir, and many mercenary forces were eager to act, but considering that Tang Yan was still protected by the three butchers, about 80% of the mercenaries didn't have the courage to provoke him.

In the imperial capital, the majestic and grand imperial palace.

"For a mere Martial Master, he turned Juxiang City upside down. What does Zhou Yi want? Ridiculous!!" The emperor put down the jade tablet and coldly snorted, his presence commanding respect.

The imperial advisor put down the intelligence report, his expression slightly strange: "Strange, Zhou Yi is usually calm and steady. Why did he go to such lengths to kill a child?! He is a noble prince of the empire, not an ignorant young master. Without a reasonable reason, how can he explain it to others?!"

"Tang Yanshan has a significant influence in the Northern Wasteland, known as the spear of the Northern Domain, with the strength to challenge a Second Rank Martial Venerable. Why did Zhou Yi target him? Or his most beloved grandson?!"

"The most important point is, why was Zhou Yi's eldest daughter imprisoned by the Tang family?! Tang Yanshan is an old hand in the empire and should know the crime of privately imprisoning a princess, but he did it anyway!"

A series of questions were raised, making the atmosphere in the study slightly strange.

The emperor's eyes were sharp as he re-examined the jade tablet that had been transmitted over a thousand miles: "What do you mean, Advisor?"

"Tang Yanshan, though crazy, is not reckless. Zhou Yi is usually steady and never impulsive. What kind of hatred could make them turn against each other and take such crazy and absurd actions? There are two key factors: one is Zhou Linglu, and the other is Tang Yanshan's grandson, Tang Yan!" The advisor, though old, was wise and strategic, with extraordinary insight from serving three emperors.

The emperor stood up, his face cold and stern, his every move exuding a heavy aura of authority: "There must be some secret. Zhou Yi has been in the Northern Wasteland for over a decade, controlling the Falcon Army Corps and befriending most of the noble families. His actions have been somewhat excessive, but in matters concerning the big picture, he has always been proper and never made major mistakes.

Why did he put himself in such a difficult position this time, making the Spirit王府 the focus and laughingstock of the empire? Regardless of the final outcome, just for a child, he used Venerables and Martial Kings, causing chaos in Juxiang City and offending Tang Yanshan. There must be many secrets behind this."

"I have reminded Your Majesty many times that Zhou Yi is ambitious. His series of compromises in the struggle for the throne were just a means to an end. Volunteering to guard the Northern Wasteland was also a way to rest and recuperate. Your Majesty should be more aware of his actions in the Northern Wasteland over the years, which have far exceeded the authority of a prince. Now that this incident has occurred, I have a feeling that it is a harbinger of something."

"The empire has four outer domains, and the Northern Wasteland is just one of them. Besides the four outer domains, there is the Central Plains, which can rival two outer domains. A small Northern Wasteland, how much turmoil can it cause? Considering his support over the years, giving him the Northern Wasteland is not a big deal!"

"Your Majesty is kind and merciful, unwilling to see internal strife within the royal family, which I understand. However, I still insist on my judgment. Zhou Yi probably did not expect such a huge wave from this incident, pushing the Spirit王府 to the forefront and exposing his ongoing plans.

Does Your Majesty remember the abduction incident in the Illusion Forest last year? A group of mysterious people forcibly abducted nearly a hundred children about to receive baptism. This incident was very strange. As the person in charge of the Northern Wasteland, why didn't Zhou Yi thoroughly investigate it? Instead, he casually covered it up and did not report it to the empire!

And Tang Yan, Du Yang, and Ailinda in this Juxiang City incident are among the survivors from that time, and they were designated as deceased by Zhou Yi. Is there any connection?"

The emperor's brows furrowed. After the advisor mentioned this, there were indeed many suspicious points. He was very clear about the intelligence regarding the Northern Wasteland over the years, but he had never considered it a major threat. After all, no matter how strong the Northern Wasteland was, it couldn't challenge the empire! Zhou Yi could be a peaceful duke, but if he had other ideas... it would be like a dreamer's talk.

"Your Majesty may still not take it seriously, so I will say one more thing!" The advisor stood up, a trace of worry flashing on his aged face: "Behind Zhou Yi... there might be a special force!"

"Hmm?" The emperor's expression changed, his imposing aura shaking the study.

"This is just my speculation, without solid evidence. However, I have been observing Zhou Yi for many years. He has always been low-key until recent years when he started to act more strangely. According to informants, the Spirit王府 often has strangers coming and going, mostly at night."

"A special force? What force! Daring to defy the empire?!"

"Better to be cautious. Perhaps we are overthinking it, but if Zhou Yi has any plans, they won't be small. From another perspective, this possible special force must be very powerful, powerful enough to assist Zhou Yi in challenging the royal family!"

The emperor of the Great Zhou Empire was silent, his star-like eyes flashing with sharpness, cold and fierce!

The advisor continued: "I suggest we secretly find the escaped Tang Yan. This child may know something. From today, closely monitor the Northern Wasteland, and include the main family forces of the other three outer domains and the Central Plains in the surveillance. If we are to investigate, we should do it thoroughly! Also, be fully prepared to deal with any unexpected situations!"

"Agreed!!" The emperor of the Great Zhou Empire waved his hand, and a golden rune formed in the air, dispersing like flowing light into certain special parts of the palace. At the same time, the imperial secret agents all sprang into action!

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