# Chapter 1: Demon Empress Frost North Snow (1) (Bonus Chapter)
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The air after the rain was incredibly refreshing.
The island, though not large, was bursting with lush vegetation, looking vibrant and dazzling after being washed clean all night by the rain.
Most fishermen only had enough dried rations to last a day at most, and despite the Fairy of the Flowerless Palace’s assurance, they were still anxious, occasionally gazing out at the sea, hoping for the arrival of a large fleet.
At this moment, only the innocent children were playfully chasing each other. When they finally tire out, they laugh and pick leaves to s*ck on the water droplets left on them.
The tranquil morning was filled with life thanks to the joyful cries of the children, and everything seemed to be shifting in a good direction.
But little did the hopeful fishermen know that the rescue fleet they were longing for was just an empty promise made by Ren Dan!
Thinking about the despair they would feel when they learned the truth made Bai Tao unable to hold back. With a “whoosh,” she drew out her long kn*fe, gritting her teeth as she said, “Ren Dan, what exactly are you planning!”
The skinny woman immediately took a step back, while several female swordswomen beside her shielded her.
Ren Dan calmly said, “I can tell you a little more. Not only do the fishermen have no ships, but the vessels of the Flowerless Palace have also completely vanished in this storm.”
Bai Tao tightened her grip on the hilt of her kn*fe. “Do you want to completely ruin the thousand-year foundation of the Flowerless Palace?”
Ren Dan smiled. “If Second Palace Master wishes to know the truth, perhaps you should leave with me to another place.”
She glanced at Luo Ying, Lin Nan, and the others standing beside Bai Tao. “As for you three, if you’re interested, you can come with us, too.”
Luo Ying coldly chuckled, “You don’t want to k*ll us this time?”
“I was worried you would disturb the Second Palace Master’s sanity… But now that the Second Palace Master is awake, there’s no need to target you.”
Ren Dan turned around. “Of course, you can stay here. Knowing too much isn’t always a good thing.”
“How could we refuse your good intentions, Chief Ren? Since that’s the case, let us see what kind of bizarre rituals require so many humans to serve as sacrifices!”
Lin Nan had a knack for surprising everyone with her comments, and it always left Ren Dan taken aback.
But she quickly regained her composure, shrugging her shoulders. “This gentleman indeed has some insight. Perhaps the Great Palace Master will be pleased to meet you.”
The fatty beside her suddenly shuddered, his face filled with disbelief. “The Great Palace Master? She… she isn’t dead already, is she?”
Ren Dan glanced at the fatty, smiling. “Duan Xiaomei, though I wanted to say your new hairstyle is ugly, I’ll tell you— the Great Palace Master is only in a state of feigned d*ath.”
“Ha! Ren Dan, do you think revealing secrets to others is thrilling? I’m really worried I might just carve you up right now!” Bai Tao seethed.
Ren Dan waved her hand. “Why does the Second Palace Master push so hard? I’ll be on my way, and I promise I won’t delay your reunion with the Great Palace Master.”
Under Ren Dan’s lead, Lin Nan and the others mounted their flying swords and followed closely behind her, soaring over the island and into the expansive sea ahead.
At this point, while they felt they were getting closer to the truth, the mysteries shrouding their hearts only multiplied.
Since the Great Palace Master wasn’t dead, what was her reason for feigning d*ath?
What was she avoiding?
For Ren Dan to casually mention something so secretive in front of them was almost like she wasn’t worried about them causing a stir at all.
Could it be…
They were also sacrifices?
Perhaps because they, like those fishermen, would ultimately meet their doom, Ren Dan felt no qualms.
This time, as the fishermen saw the disciples of the Flowerless Palace flying overhead, only a few elderly folks bowed in respect out of habit, while more of the able-bodied young men looked at them with suspicious eyes.
Seeing this, Ren Dan couldn’t help but sneer.
“Humans are like this; no matter how many benefits you give them, what good does it do? Just one disappointment, and they forget everything, assuming the worst about our intentions. Sometimes, it’s even better to have a dog— at least they listen.”
“Shut up! Is this what you call the legacy of kindness left by the Flowerless Palace over the centuries? If you’re that opportunistic, you shouldn’t have joined the Flowerless Palace in the first place! And no fisherman can d*e! Anyone who wants to harm them has to get through me, Bai Tao!”
Ren Dan fell silent.
But who could really miss the disdain lurking in her heart?
The rising sun cast shimmering reflections across the surface of the sea.
At a glance, the entire ocean looked like it was covered with a layer of glowing gold. Staring at it too long could even make one feel dizzy.
But soon, a palace appearing in the middle of the ocean caught everyone’s eye.
Its shape was ancient and worn.
Who knows how many years it had endured wind and rain, and the erosion of seawater? Dozens of stone pillars, resembling towering giants, supported the palace, their surfaces pitted and crumbling in places. While they still barely held up the heavy stones overhead, there was an ever-present worry that it could collapse at any moment.
The four, having never seen a palace like this, were dumbstruck.
They never expected to find a grand and majestic square palace amid the boundless ocean.
Ren Dan proudly pointed at the palace as if to say, “Country bumpkins, we’ve arrived.”
Ah, perhaps she had only seen this palace a couple of hours earlier than them and was now pretending to be unfazed, trying to assert her existence in front of them.
Lin Nan smirked silently.
Clearly, this palace must be the ultimate goal that everyone of the Flowerless Palace was desperately trying to reach in these waters.
The four followed Ren Dan into the palace.
Perhaps because of last night’s heavy rain, the rough stone floor was covered in puddles deep enough to reach their ankles, making their steps feel like wading through shallow waters.
Ren Dan patiently led everyone to the end of the corridor, where a great door stood wide open. A broad stone staircase led down into the depths below.
Without the torches illuminating the path, they might not have even guessed where the staircase ended.
“Second Palace Master, after you.”
Now that they were this far, there was no reason to retreat.
Bai Tao stepped onto the staircase first, followed closely by Luo Ying, then the fatty, and finally Lin Nan bringing up the rear.
After walking a few steps, he turned around and saw that Ren Dan was also following them closely.
“What’s wrong? Worried it’s a trap?”
Ren Dan caught his glance and asked with a hint of sarcasm.
Lin Nan replied calmly, “There’s no trap this lavish in the world. I suspect below is a larger underground palace; this is just an entrance.”
Ren Dan coldly laughed. “I truly hope your calm demeanor collapses at some point, and I’d get to witness your embarrassing face.”
Lin Nan retorted, “You will never get that chance.”
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ps: bl**d is gushing from my mouth after four more! Please support! Please vote!
