A few days later.
Baihua Tower.
That morning, when the usual tide of visitors surged toward the famed Baihua tower, they were met with a rare sight—the grand doors of the tower shut tight. A freshly hung signboard dangled from the ornate archway, inscribed in elegant calligraphy: "Closed for Renovation – Preparations for the Oiran Conference Underway."
Such announcements weren't unusual. Part of what made Baihua tower the most frequented and lively destination in all of Yancheng was its habit of constant reinvention—frequent renovations, new entertainment, and, of course, the arrival of fresh beauties that delighted the patrons with each change.
Naturally, this closure sparked excitement more than frustration. Every renovation in the past had brought about surprises—more opulence, more allure, and new courtesans who could turn the heads of nobles and commoners alike. This time, too, the guests murmured with anticipation, speculating what wonders Baihua tower would unveil at the upcoming Oiran Conference in half a month.
But behind the facade of renovations, the truth was far more dangerous and deep to say openly.
This so-called "renovation" was merely a smokescreen—for the guests from the Blood Moon Tower had arrived.
…
Atop the upper floors of Baihua Tower, in the most secluded attic, a man cloaked in black and wearing a bamboo hat stood silently beside the lattice window. His gaze stretched far into the distance, locked onto the looming silhouette of the Northern Prince's Palace under the clouded sky.
Wang Qingci lounged leisurely on a beauty couch beside him. Her two slender legs were elegantly crossed, and her soft weight pressed the cushioned seat into a delicate concave curve.
Liu Yuan stood nearby, his eyes dark and solemn. He cupped his fist slightly and spoke in a low voice.
"Thank you, Miss Wang, for giving me the opportunity to exact this revenge personally."
In Liu Yuan's estimation, if the Misty Rain Pavilion had truly wanted to assassinate the Northern King, they could have done it long ago. With their vast resources and hidden experts, it was not unthinkable.
But they hadn't.
Instead, they delayed—until the Blood Moon Tower had arrived in Yancheng. Only then did they begin making serious plans to eliminate the Northern King. This delay, intentional or not, had provided Liu Yuan the perfect opportunity.
Wang Qingci offered a gentle smile.
"Master Liu, I did not delay for your sake alone. I waited to ensure this operation would be flawless—without the slightest risk of failure."
Liu Yuan nodded. "Regardless of your motives, objectively speaking, you have indeed granted me this chance."
Right now, his heart seethed with burning hatred. The image of his brother Liu Tong's charred corpse refused to fade from his mind. Though it was likely the mysterious expert in the Northern Palace who had done the deed, Liu Yuan directed all his rage at the Northern King.
It was simple. He couldn't defeat that shadowy master—not yet. And Liu Tong had died because of the assassination attempt on the Northern King. In Liu Yuan's eyes, the prince was responsible, whether directly or indirectly.
Since he couldn't reach the true killer, then he would settle for taking the head of the King himself.
At first, Liu Yuan had believed the mission to be beneath him. Killing a useless prince like the Northern King? A trivial task. He had even sent Liu Tong in his place.
But then... his brother had returned as a lifeless, burnt husk.
Now, Liu Yuan wouldn't be satisfied until he personally drove a blade through the Northern King's throat.
Wang Qingci's voice broke his vengeful reverie.
"Master Liu, are you planning to strike tonight?"
Liu Yuan's jaw clenched. "Yes. I can't wait to take the Northern King's head and offer it to my brother's soul."
Wang Qingci nodded gracefully. "Very well. Misty Rain Pavilion will fully cooperate with Blood Moon Tower tonight. Should you need anything, simply say the word."
After a pause, Liu Yuan asked cautiously, "Miss Wang, I must confirm again… are you absolutely sure that the mysterious expert who was protecting the Northern King has left the palace?"
Wang Qingci chuckled softly, her expression confident. "I've personally visited the palace several times under various pretexts. According to all the information I've gathered, that expert has indeed returned to the Chu Clan."
Liu Yuan exhaled, the tension in his shoulders easing. "That's good to hear."
Wang Qingci continued with an amused glint in her eyes. "Even if our intel from Misty Rain Pavilion happens to be false, you don't need to worry too much."
"After all… even if that mysterious master shows up again, with your strength, it shouldn't be difficult to hold him off."
"And while you're keeping him busy," she added with a coy smile, "we'll take care of the Northern King."
Liu Yuan mulled it over. Indeed, her logic was sound.
This time, they were deploying five ninth-grade experts and one half-step grandmaster. Excluding the mysterious master, the only other notable expert in the palace was Chu Yuqin, who was herself just a ninth-grade cultivator.
One ninth-grade alone could not hold off six of their level.
The Northern King would die tonight.
Even if that mysterious master returned, it would already be too late.
Just then, Wang Qingci unfolded a parchment and spread it out on the table.
"This is a detailed layout of the Northern Prince's Mansion. When the operation begins tonight, our Misty Rain Pavilion forces will storm the rear court to block all possible escape routes. As for the frontal assault, we leave that to Blood Moon Tower. What do you think, Master Liu?"
"If you have a different plan, feel free to share."
Liu Yuan studied the map for a moment before nodding.
"Your plan is sound. Let's proceed with it."
"However…" His gaze narrowed. "If Chu Yuqin gets in my way, I'd appreciate it if Miss Wang could delay her for a while. I must be the one to take the Northern King's head."
He couldn't entrust this vengeance to anyone else—not even fellow ninth-grade warriors. Only by his own hands would his brother's soul be appeased.
Wang Qingci smiled gently. "That's not a problem."
With that, she rose from the couch and began to gather her things.
"Then let us each prepare for the night."
…
That very moment.
Inside the Northern Palace.
Lu Chen, too, had received word from Wang Qingci regarding the arrival of Blood Moon Tower. Without delay, he began mobilizing his forces, preparing a trap within the palace grounds.
He personally oversaw the deployment of troops and the distribution of twenty grenades—more than sufficient to deal with Liu Yuan's men.
But the plan wasn't to use the grenades immediately.
They would wait until the enemies had walked directly into their ambush. Only then would the arrows rain down.
Caught off guard and under fire from all directions, even third- or fourth-grade martial artists would fall under the volley. The grenades were reserved for the more formidable enemies—the five ninth-grade masters and the Blood Moon Tower's deputy leader.
To ensure the safety of Mu Zixuan and the other two concubines—all of whom were pregnant—Lu Chen had already moved them into a secret passage deep within the palace.
Everything was in place.
Now, all that remained was for night to fall.
…
Night came with a howling wind.
There were no stars tonight, no moon to light the sky. The heavens were smothered by dark, roiling clouds that seemed ready to collapse upon the earth.
In this eerie gloom, the Northern Prince's Mansion stood deathly still. No voices. No footsteps. Only the cold wind🍃 screaming through the empty corridors.
Time passed.
Then—movement.
A group of black-clad figures slipped through the main gates, their steps silent, their presence like shadows in the night no normal man could see it.
Liu Yuan led the charge, his face tight with suppressed fury. But as they advanced into the palace, a strange sensation crept over him.
Not a single person could be seen.
No sentries. No patrolling guards. No servants fleeing for their lives.
It was too quiet.
Liu Yuan's instincts, honed through years of assassination and bloodshed, stirred with unease.
Something was wrong.
The Northern Prince's Mansion was enormous. It should be impossible for it to be this empty. Even if Lu Chen had sensed danger and escaped, some loyal guards should still remain to buy him more time.
Could it be… he fled?
Liu Yuan's brows furrowed.
The thought that Lu Chen might have received advance warning was plausible. But that the prince would dare stay and fight, setting a trap, never crossed Liu Yuan's mind.
Why would it?
They had brought five ninth-grade experts and a half-step grandmaster. Against such overwhelming force, what fool would choose to stay?
No one. Not unless they had a death wish.
If Lu Chen had any sense at all, he would have run far away by now.
Liu Yuan's expression darkened.
If the Northern King truly had fled, then the task wouldn't be so simple after all. It would take time, effort, and more resources to hunt him down. And the officials in the capital were growing impatient. He himself had no desire to waste more time.
Grinding his teeth, Liu Yuan turned to his men.
"Search every corner of this place! Even if you have to dig three feet into the ground, find me that cowardly King of the North!"
﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌
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