Volume 1, Chapter 22: The Approaching Crisis

[The Sword Casting Bureau is located right here in the capital, yet its inner depths are fraught with unfathomable danger...]
[I still feel my strength is insufficient.]

Hearing Zhao Wujiang’s inner thoughts, Liu Ruyan let out a cold snort. So, Zhao Wujiang intended to go to the Sword Casting Bureau. Her fellow disciples would certainly also be heading there to contend for the Heavenly Sword. It would be best if Zhao Wujiang died at their hands! That would settle the score for her!

Liu Ruyan wiped the water droplets from the corners of her mouth, casting a sharp, sidelong glance at Zhao Wujiang.

"What is that look for?" Zhao Wujiang asked, his perception keen.

Liu Ruyan’s gaze flickered, and she turned her head away. "None of your business!"

[If my strength is not enough, I must strive to improve. And the best way to improve is through Liu Ruyan.]

Zhao Wujiang stepped forward and grabbed her slender, snow-white leg. He channeled his inner energy into his fingers, the distinct, rigid power of the True Yang Heart Sutra gathering at his fingertips. Under Liu Ruyan's terrified gaze, his fingers rapidly pressed down!

...

Time flowed like water, slipping silently from Zhao Wujiang's fingertips.

Two hours later, Zhao Wujiang left the dungeon. As he absorbed the power of the Dragon-Nurturing Sacred Body, a commotion arose outside the door.

"Greetings, Your Highness. The Heir Apparent is currently bathing. I humbly ask for your patience."

"What? I am his betrothed; am I not allowed to see him bathe? Zhao Wujiang!"

As soon as Li Yunrui entered the Prince’s Mansion, she treated it like her own home, charging straight toward Zhao Wujiang’s bedroom. She was dressed in a pink and white gown that day, looking charming and delightful. As she ran, her long, jade-like legs flashed in and out of sight.

[Why is this woman bothering me again? Though, those legs are truly long and fair.]
[Hmm, her figure isn't bad either; she would probably be quite fun to handle.]
[That idiot Long Zhan is always acting like he has a death wish in front of me. Actually, it might not be a bad idea to win over Li Yunrui.]

Zhao Wujiang glanced at her. There was originally no fate between him and Li Yunrui; it was entirely due to her refusal to call off the engagement.

Li Yunrui heard his inner thoughts. This man—he had the heart of a thief but lacked the nerve to act on it. She noticed his clothes were still intact. He finished bathing so quickly? What a pity.

Li Yunrui got straight to the point.

"Zhao Wujiang, I want to go to the Sword Casting Bureau with you. You must take me."

"This journey will be extremely perilous. Your Highness, please conduct yourself with decorum," Zhao Wujiang said, looking speechless.

[Why would I take you? Do you even know martial arts?]
[A total burden.]

"You..." Li Yunrui’s delicate brows furrowed. "Zhao Wujiang, do you think I’m useless?"

"I never said that."

"You did! Don’t think that just because I haven't called off our engagement, you can bully me as you please. I am a princess, the daughter my father loves most!"

Zhao Wujiang spread his hands.

[Is not calling off the engagement some grand favor?]
[If it weren't for you, that idiot Long Zhan wouldn't look like he wants to kill me every time he sees me.]

All the grievances Li Yunrui had endured these past few days welled up in her heart. When she heard Zhao Wujiang was accused of abetting the crimes of Chiba Nichiteru, she had pleaded with her father every day. When she learned he had uncovered the truth, she immediately fought for his rewards. When she realized her father refused to reward him, she punished Long Zhan and the others first to vent his anger. And yet, all she got in return was his indifference?

You heartless scoundrel!

Li Yunrui’s eyes welled with tears, and the next moment, she burst into sobs. "I’m never talking to you again, Zhao Wujiang!"

After Li Yunrui ran out of the Zhenbei Prince’s Mansion, the two groups hiding in the shadows monitoring the estate saw this scene with suspicion and immediately returned to report to their respective masters.

Zhao Wujiang observed this, having known all along that he was being watched. Everything he just did was merely for the benefit of those in the dark. He had to keep his distance from Li Yunrui to avoid being targeted by the Emperor. He needed to hold out until his father returned. As for Li Yunrui, he couldn't explain; perhaps she would understand once she discovered her father’s true nature.

...

Inside the Imperial Study.

Li Zaiyuan received the report.

"Your Majesty, those monitoring the mansion heard the Seventh Princess wanting to accompany the Heir Apparent to the Sword Casting Bureau. The Heir Apparent strictly followed your orders, intending to go alone and refusing to take the Princess..."

Li Zaiyuan gave a cold snort. "Zhao Wujiang is at least sensible... Is Yunrui alright?"

"She is fine, Your Highness. In the Imperial Garden, the Princess ordered her servants to whip an ancient tree, claiming it was Zhao Wujiang, and she started laughing as she did it." Eunuch Chen replied with a smile.

"Your Majesty..." Chen Zhenghua hesitated. Having accepted a significant amount of money from the Seventh Princess, he still braced himself to suggest, "The Zhenbei Prince’s Mansion has few guards, and they have been preoccupied with watching the Hansang envoys. Should we add more men to escort the Heir Apparent to the Sword Casting Bureau to assist in completing your mission?"

"No need." Li Zaiyuan dismissed the idea with a wave of his hand.

Chen Zhenghua felt his heart tighten. He wisely stopped speaking, lest the Emperor notice something amiss. He could tell the Emperor did not care about Zhao Wujiang’s life at all. In fact, this matter at the Sword Casting Bureau might be a trap for Zhao Wujiang... a death trap!

...

At the Grand Princess’s mansion.

Upon learning that Zhao Wujiang had been sent to handle the Sword Casting Bureau, Li Zhaohua understood that the Emperor held no favor for him. She decided not to seek him out for the time being, to avoid the Emperor thinking she was acting against him. Fortunately, she had plenty of other pawns.

"Xiao Lan, pass on my order: summon Long Zhan, commander of the Brave Cavalry Camp, to see me."

When Long Zhan learned the Grand Princess wanted to see him, he rushed to her mansion in a panic.

"Subordinate Long Zhan pays his respects to Her Highness, the Grand Princess." Long Zhan’s expression was deferential.

"Rise." Li Zhaohua glanced at him, her tone icy. "I have a task for you: go to the back alley of the Sword Casting Bureau."