Chapter 377 - 136: A Surprise for the Blood Immortal Sect, Hair-Raising, Could It Be Jiang Lan?

This was all a diversion, deliberately letting people know she had moved the National Treasure. But as for where it was actually placed, only she truly knew.

Although the procedure for using the National Treasure Dragon-Suppressing Seal was very complicated, no one could be sure if Emperor Xia had secretly bypassed those steps and moved it...

After all, it was a matter of expediency given the circumstances.

This blend of truth and deception served as a better diversion. Even if the Blood Immortal Sect had used various means to bribe palace maids and eunuchs, pinpointing the National Treasure Dragon-Suppressing Seal’s location and identifying its powerful guardians within the Imperial Palace, they would now be forced to devise a new plan.

Of course, after this, the Blood Immortal Sect would surely try to investigate the four Forbidden Halls. In doing so, they would inevitably have to contact people like Prince Zhenbei and Duke Zhongguo. When a problem arose at one of the halls, she could then follow the clues to uncover the traitors and inside agents, seizing the opportunity to purge them from her ranks.

This plan also carried a great risk, because the National Treasure Dragon-Suppressing Seal was indeed enshrined in one of the four Forbidden Halls.

If there were no traitors or inside agents, then all four palaces should be attacked simultaneously...

Not long after Duke Zhongguo withdrew, a handsome, middle-aged man wearing a Five-Clawed Python Robe entered the great hall. He had a square face, a broad forehead, thick eyebrows, and large eyes, exuding an utterly martial air.

Upon closer inspection, one would discover that his eyes and brows bore a faint resemblance to Emperor Xia’s, and he carried a kingly air.

The newcomer was Prince Chong’an, whose name was Chongzheng. He was also, nominally, Emperor Xia’s maternal uncle.

Emperor Xia’s attitude toward Prince Chong’an was noticeably warmer. She had a handmaiden offer him a seat before informing him of some of her plans. Of course, she remained just as guarded, careful not to reveal too much about her true machinations.

"Your Majesty, rest assured. Chongwu has been on the verge of breaking through to the Seventh Realm recently. To ensure he can successfully guard Dust Landing Hall, I will give him the Seven-Star Dragon-Slaying Saber..." Chongzheng said with a serious expression, cupping his hands.

The Seven-Star Dragon-Slaying Saber was a gift from the former emperor, an incomparably precious high-grade Dao Artifact. It contained nine Dao Marks and could also mobilize and gather Dragon Energy. When unleashed, it possessed the power to execute dragons and slay flood dragons.

...

「Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion.」

Inside the pavilion, a table was laden with a sumptuous banquet, its aroma tantalizing. Numerous handmaidens stood in attendance nearby.

Prince Zhenbei, Xiao He, beamed with satisfaction as he drank and talked with his three sons. His slightly bronzed face was now even more flushed, a clear sign he was in high spirits.

His eldest son, Xiao Ye, looked very much like him, with a broad forehead and a square face. He was a full head taller than Xiao Teng.

Even at the dinner table, he still wore bronze-colored armor, with a belt that coiled like a vicious snake, exuding a menacing aura.

His second son, Xiao Wang, was equally fierce-looking. He projected an aura of lean formidability as imposing as a mountain, possessed a menacing, wolf-like gaze, and carried the might of thunder. His arms and torso were several sizes larger than an ordinary man’s.

In contrast, the third son, Xiao Teng, was a head shorter than his two older brothers. His face was much more delicate, with regular, fair features. To an outsider, it would be impossible to imagine the three were blood brothers.

It was no wonder that over the years, many people suspected whether Xiao Teng was truly Prince Zhenbei, Xiao He’s, biological son. After all, his appearance wasn’t the least bit similar...

In response to this, Xiao He would explain at first, but eventually, he lost all inclination to do so, seemingly unconcerned about the various speculations and discussions.

The two older brothers, however, doted on their youngest brother, Xiao Teng, and did not look down on or distance themselves from him because of the many rumors.

For all these years, the two of them had been guarding the borderlands and rarely returned to the Imperial Capital. They spent more time apart than together.

It was Emperor Xia who had personally ordered the two of them recalled for the Southern Hunting exercise, allowing the father and his three sons to finally reunite.

Xiao Teng’s injuries from Qianyuan Prefecture had already healed considerably. Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion had no shortage of all sorts of Celestial and Earthly Treasures, not to mention the Imperial Physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau that His Majesty Emperor Xia had personally summoned to treat him.

Xiao Teng’s broken legs had been set shortly after he left Qianyuan Prefecture. He was able to get up and walk in less than half a day, and now he seemed to have made a full recovery.

"That Jiang Lan is indeed excessively arrogant. Even though I’m stationed at the border, I’ve heard all sorts of news about him over the years, stirring up so much trouble in the Imperial Capital that he’s become universally despised. If the Prime Minister wasn’t protecting him, people who couldn’t stand it anymore would have taken revenge for his actions long ago..."

"Third Brother, don’t be too discouraged. Your cultivation and strength far surpass that Jiang Lan’s. He only managed to beat you in Qianyuan Prefecture because he has a good family background and many experts under his command." Xiao Ye gulped down a mouthful of wine, set down his cup, and comforted Xiao Teng.

"Eldest Brother is right, but Jiang Lan has humiliated me many times. Sooner or later, I will have my revenge on him. The hatred in my heart will not be quelled until I break both his legs and grind his bones to dust." Xiao Teng’s eyes filled with cold hatred.

"The Prime Minister’s Mansion is immensely powerful and influential. Right now, getting revenge on Jiang Lan is almost impossible for you. Unless the Prime Minister’s Mansion falls one day and he loses his backer. But by then, you probably won’t even get a turn. Who knows how many people hate him to their very core."

"Just from this incident at Qianyuan Prefecture, how many young nobles did he offend?" Xiao Wang, who was beside them, reached out, patted Xiao Teng’s shoulder, and sighed.