In the Murong Residence, after Murong Ying asked such a question, Jiang Xuan calmly replied:
“The name of that Empire is the Divine Martial Dynasty, and it’s located right at the heart of the Dragon Spring Continent.
Only when you reach the realm of a Martial Ancestor can you have the qualifications to head toward the center of the continent.”
After his words fell on deaf ears, Jiang Xuan left without looking back, and Murong Ying was left there, dumbfounded—no resistance.
In her mind, she felt he could see through her level in one glance, which meant his power towered above hers significantly.
The reason she didn’t put up resistance when being brought here by him was simply because of the love she harbored for him.
Her beloved man was too kind; even though she was so weak, he was willing to believe in her and wait for her. This action truly touched the softest part of her heart.
Murong Ying chose to let go, but this letting go wasn’t an abandonment of Jiang Xuan—it was a compromise due to her own weakness.
Unknown to Jiang Xuan, Murong Ying slyly planted a clue.
She left a whiff of her scent on his hand as a sort of ownership claim.
This scent was powerful enough to cover a vast area. As long as Jiang Xuan appeared within a thousand miles of her presence in the future, she would sense it.
Feeling quite uneasy inside, despite outwardly never looking back, Jiang Xuan feared his act might be exposed.
If his bluff was called, not only would he not escape, but he might also be completely exposed.
Fortunately, he successfully duped Murong Ying; everything unfolded according to his plan.
As for the information about the Empire he provided earlier, all of it was true.
Jiang Xuan never visited the center of the continent. The news on the Divine Martial Dynasty was actually gathered by the Xuantian Pavilion’s vice-pavilion master.
The vice-pavilion master had advised Jiang Xuan that unless one reached the realm of a Martial Ancestor, they shouldn’t even think about setting foot in the Divine Martial Dynasty.
Due to the high chance of weak martial artists getting captured and mined for spirit stones and having no hope of ever escaping, the Divine Martial Dynasty was marked off the map.
All members of the Xuantian Pavilion were explicitly told not to travel there.
Jiang Xuan’s musings brought him back to the present. After leaving the Murong Residence, he returned to the old, worn-down courtyard.
He then sneakily used a hidden underground tunnel to return to the Jiang Family compound.
Exhausted from the day, all Jiang Xuan wanted to do was get cleaned up and sleep.
Little did he know, a storm was about to hit the center of his world.
In Xia Residence,
Xia Xiao Yu slowly dressed herself, her intention being that today, she was going to meet Jiang Xuan at the Nangong residence.
She plans to talk with him once more, armed only with recording crystals that she has rehearsed her questions a multitude of times.
Each practice session produced strange noises coming from her room, causing Xia Xiao Yu to become flushed.
In a mumbling voice, she confessed, “Brother Xuan, I’m going to snatch you away from that bad woman. I’ll win him over for sure!”
On another side, at the top of the Tianxiang Pavilion,
Leng Wu Shuang was muttering in her dreams:
“My emperor, you smell so good! Are you still shy? No worries, I’ve been through this before, it’s familiar territory now.
Come on, lay your hands on me and allow me to teach you.”
Just as she was mid-sentence, she abruptly opened her eyes realizing the room was empty.
“Jiang Xuan was just hugging me earlier, telling me to treat him gently… that was a dream! He took advantage of my first good nap in ages and ran away!”
At that moment, she noticed her physical ailments had vanished, including symptoms from overexerting to reach the realm of a Martial Emperor.
“Good Emperor, you’re so considerate, yet you don’t want me, playing hide and seek with me instead. Since you care so much, I’ll confine you to my side forever. I’ll make our dream into reality!
It would make it all complete if you’d ask me for affection!”
Catching her breath, Leng Wu Shuang summoned her guards and Mu Yun Xue.
“You worthless lot, how could you miss my Emperor’s escape?”
Hearing this, both their faces turned panicked.
Mu Yun Xue responded first, “Lady Empress, perhaps we got something mixed up…. My general and I didn’t want to disturb you during your time with His Majesty.
We stood guard at the back door while my general stood at the front, yet Emperor still vanished.”
Shi Yin nodded her agreement.
“Your Imperial Highness, what Mu Pavilion Head said is correct. All routes out of the Tianxiang Pavilion were under watch, so how could he possibly disappear out of thin air?
Or maybe this means… could it be that, could our Emperor be a hidden powerhouse?”
Upon hearing their responses, Leng Wu Shuang frowned, immediately dismissing the idea.
“No, not possible. Our Emperor is merely a weakling, albeit skilled in disguise. It was easy for him to fool you two.”
“Don’t worry, I confirmed his identity as Jiang Xuan from the Jiang Family. He’s just an idle young master.
For now, you two relax. Tomorrow, I am heading to the Great Jiang Imperial City to meet the empress. I’ve made my choice, and I won’t permit any other women around.”
Inside Murong Manor,
Meditating Murong Ying sensed something, stopping her spiritual training.
With a leap, she landed atop the roof, focusing intently in a particular direction.
She murmured to herself,
“What on earth is happening? That scent I left on him is still lingering in the Imperial City.
From the general location I detected, Xuan should be in the Jiang family compound.
Why would he head for the Jiang family when he was supposed to return to the Divine Martial Dynasty?”
Suddenly, her eyes darkened.
“If I must uncover the truth, I’ll have to visit Jiang Manor personally.”
In the Grand Hall of Nangong Family compound,
Nangong Li was seated in stately splendor. Years seemed to not mark her at all.
To her right and left stood Nangong Liu Yun and Nangong Xin Wan.
“Mother, Xin Wan is practicing to achieve the rank of a Martial King. Perhaps I should tell her the family secrets now,” Nangong Liu Yun suggested.
Nangong Li sighed, then shook her head.
“Not yet Xin Wan. Some knowledge only comes with reaching the realm of Martial Emperor. What you understand now is useless.”
Her daughter instantly became angry.
“Mother, you always favor Sis. You hide things from me more every day. Why does she get to know and I don’t? Am I not your daughter?”
“It’s because your sister is already a pinnacle Ninth Rank Martial Emperor. She has the power to know these things. You do not.
I know about your secret cultivation, and I haven’t told anyone, Xin Wan. But since you ask, I will give you some information.
Our family isn’t from Great Jiang Dynasty. We’re from the Divine Martial Dynasty.
And the secrets I withheld are linked to our birth father. Once you grow stronger, I’ll tell you everything. For now, focus on cultivation.”
Xin Wan staggered slightly, then retreated.
The information was too much to take in at once.
After she left, Nangong Li looked at Li Liu Yun.
“Why did you independently request the female emperor to settle your marriage?”
“I understand your concerns, mother, but my mind is set. I refuse any interference.”
“I hope you don’t repeat my mistakes… I only wished to prevent you from suffering.”
Nangong Li pondered, finally nodding.
“Understood, tomorrow I’ll visit Jian Family.”
The Master of Xuantian Pavilion,
a mysterious veiled woman sat atop the main seat plucking petals off a flower.
“He likes me,” she mused.
“He doesn’t like me,”
Repeatedly, until the last petal slipped from her grip, dropping to the floor.
She was Xiao Hongxin the vice-pavilion leader.
Unlike the absentee master Jiang Xuan, XiaoHongxin busied herself managing affairs.
While Jiang Xuan remained a figurehead providing only spirit stones.
The rest believed him to be a legendary powerhouse.
Xiao Hongxin silently devoted herself to Jiang Xuan, remaining loyal and keeping his true self hidden.
As she thought, she clenched a fist.
“Months since I’ve seen him. I recruited trusty powerhouses for the Pavilion. I wonder if he’ll reward me. Oh, I wish to hold onto his leg!”
Suddenly a flustered figure burst into the hall.
Xiao Hongxin hardened her gaze, iciness freezing her tone.
“How dare you disturb me? Unless you have a convincing explanation, I will not forgive.”
The intruder scrambled onto their knees in response.
“Vice Pavilion Leader, you asked us to report anything of significance related to the Jiang family in Grand Jiang City. We received crucial information and came immediately to inform you.”
“Speak,” she demanded.
“We learned the famous beauty of Jiang Family, rumored to be a rare sight once every thousand years, has been betrothed. Soon they’ll marry, and the bride is Nangong family’s heiress.”
“She’s been seen publically, even holding hands in the streets,”
Xiao Hongxin: “???”
Hearing this news, her happy facade crumbled into anger.
She rose with a crackle, the chair disintegrating beneath her wrathful grip.
“Instruct all those past Martial Soul stage in Xuantian Pavilion to gather in Grand Jiang City. Mobilize everyone! Await my word!”
“Yes, Vice Pavilion Leader!”
Seeing her agitation, the messenger hurried.
Leaving the hall avoided getting caught in her crossfire.
In the empty chamber,
Xiao Hongxin bit back rage, the mask hiding a bloodthirsty grin.
“I worked hard to develop this Pavilion for him.
Betraying my trust, he cavorted while I was gone.
Very well, Grandmaster. I planned to win you back with action, but now I see. I’ll see how you handle this situation!”
