Chapter 52 Swords Drawn and Bows Bent

Li Xuan slowly stood up and dusted the dirt off his clothes, leaving Xiaoning's footprints untouched. He forced a flattering smile and asked, "Are you satisfied now?"

Deep down, Xiaoning knew that Li Xuan would not surrender so easily. Back in the Misty Shadow Mountains, he had already given her quite a surprise. His current submissive attitude was undoubtedly just a way of biding his time.

With an expression as cold as frost, Xiaoning said, "An assassin's nature is to treat human lives as mere grass. Don't think I don't know what you're plotting. I just want to tell you that killing you is as easy as crushing an ant."

Internally, Li Xuan was already cursing the past eighteen generations of Xiaoning's ancestors, but on the surface, he beamed with smiles and curried favor. "As long as you're satisfied! Remember to look for me next time! My badge number is 88!"

Inside, Li Xuan muttered curses: *Dare to trouble me? I'll shove a dead rat down your throat and disgust you to death!*

Xiaoning's face darkened. Her delicate hand grabbed Li Xuan by the collar, and she rebuked angrily, "What did you say?"

Displaying the shameless attitude of a seasoned rogue, Li Xuan replied, "I'm an escort, what society calls a kept man, commonly known as a freeloader. The women I've served might not number a thousand, but there are at least eight hundred. Remember—Number 88!"

Having suffered such humiliation, Li Xuan did not fly into a rage the way Wang Teng had made him do before.

Xiaoning was the fiftieth-ranked assassin on the Dark Night Imperial Roll; if she were truly provoked, the entire outer stellar domain would suffer.

Facing such an absolutely formidable organization, Li Xuan had no choice but to endure, yet he had no intention of letting Xiaoning gloat too easily. While she insulted him, she would also have to swallow her own disgust.

True to his expectations, Xiaoning's expression changed drastically. Her chest heaved with anger, and she raised a delicate palm high, preparing to teach Li Xuan a lesson.

Li Xuan promptly offered his right cheek and said, "Come on, the skin on this side is thicker. Help me loosen up!"

Suppressing the surging fury in her heart, Xiaoning waved her hand and said, "Do you think I'll fall for your tricks and just slaughter you like this? I told you I would torture you slowly until you go mad, letting the world know the existence of the Dark Night Imperial Roll!"

Extremely domineering, Xiaoning glared at him with resentment and snapped, "Get lost!"

Feeling somewhat resentful inside, Li Xuan retreated to a safe distance, then instantly triggered a pre-set source rune. At the same time, the source rune killing array activated, sending a dazzling beam of source light soaring into the sky. Concurrently, Li Xuan drew back the Sun-Devouring Bow and loosed a fierce arrow straight toward the epicenter of the bursting source light.

Not daring to linger, Li Xuan dashed directly into the imperial city, heading straight for the forbidden grounds of the palace.

"Damn brat, if I'm in a bad mood one of these days, I'll castrate you! Even after being humiliated like that, he's still so unruly!"

Xiaoning's skin, originally crystal-clear and flawless like jade, was now bruised black and blue, with even some parts scorched; she had no choice but to waste her source energy to heal them.

"My Lady, are you alright?"

A young maid, her face half-concealed by a gauze veil, inquired cautiously, "That brat is indeed slippery. This humble servant could sense a stubborn arrogance flowing through his bones—the stronger the opposition, the stronger he becomes."

Xiaoning berated her loudly, "Impudent! Are you saying this lady cannot tame that wild horse?"

Lowering her head, the maid did not even dare to breathe heavily.

Clenching her dainty fists, Xiaoning threatened fiercely, "When you fall into my hands again, I'll show you how I'll deal with you! Since you dare to plan on playing the field as a master player, I'll let you witness the methods of a true master player!"

With an icy tone, Xiaoning ordered, "Infiltrate the imperial city and closely monitor Li Xuan's every move. If he dares to entangle himself with other women, you may handle it at your discretion, but do not harm him. Also, instruct the assassins to give him a little excitement from time to time!"

The maid vanished instantly from the spot, quietly slipping into the imperial city.

The Forbidden Palace of the Holy Moon Imperial Court!

With a flustered expression, Li Xuan rushed headlong into the palace. Stopped by the guards, just as he was about to resort to force, he was spotted by Old Liu passing by. "Blind dogs, you don't even recognize a high official of the imperial court! Someone take them away and give each of them fifty heavy board strikes!"

Although Li Xuan was betrothed to Gong Jinglin, he was not yet a ruler of the imperial court, so calling him "Your Majesty" would be an act of treason. As the husband-to-be of the future empress, he was naturally addressed as an imperial official, signifying a status second only to the emperor and above millions.

Waving his hand, Li Xuan said, "Old Liu, there's no need to make a mountain out of a molehill. It was my fault for not explaining clearly. Now, announce to the future empress that Li Xuan requests an audience!"

With a shrill voice, Old Liu replied, "You flatter this old slave too much. The Crown Princess instructed that whenever you arrive, no announcement is needed—you may enter and exit at any time!"

Led by Old Liu, Li Xuan arrived at the Council Study.

At this moment, it was the administrative hour following the morning court session, where various regency councilors and imperial heads discussed matters of national defense and state affairs.

Li Xuan's arrival instantly charged the solemn atmosphere with the tension of a drawn sword.

"Audacious slave, bringing any stray cat or dog in here! Guards, drag him out of the Meridian Gate and behead him!"

Prince Regent Gong Ao blazed with fury, shouting at the top of his lungs.

Abruptly, imperial guards clad in golden armor rushed in, pinning Old Liu's arms behind his back. Li Xuan shouted at the top of his lungs, "Wait!"

With tiger-like eyes glaring in rage, Prince Regent Gong Ao bellowed, "Take that ignorant brat down as well!"

The imperial guards immediately swarmed forward, but the sound of a phoenix cry echoed through the Council Study: "Impudent! All of you, back down immediately!"

Gong Jinglin wore the sacred phoenix robes, her phoenix eyes carrying immense majesty, yet the imperial guards did not back down; instead, they looked toward Prince Regent Gong Ao.

Gong Ao spouted outrageous nonsense: "Preposterous! An ignorant nobody dares to barge into our imperial Council Study. Drag him out and administer severe punishment to make him confess the mastermind behind him!"

The imperial guards moved instantly, preparing to capture Li Xuan.

Li Xuan roared, "Audacious! This is a restricted ground of the imperial court; how dare you commit insubordination? Are you trying to have your entire clan executed?"

Right then, Li Xuan pulled the Sun-Devouring Bow from his Qi reservoir and declared, "Whoever dares to take another step forward, I'll slaughter him immediately!"

By now, Li Xuan had grown quite familiar with controlling the Sun-Devouring Bow. In an instant, the aura of the Profound Entry Realm burst forth, black obsidian heavenly thunder rumbled, and the roar of a dragon reverberated.

While subduing the guards, Li Xuan turned his gaze to Gong Ao and said, "I have long heard of the Prince Regent's great reputation; seeing you in person truly lives up to the legend!"

Just as Gong Ao was about to make a mountain out of a molehill, Gong Jinglin's oriole-like voice rang out: "Li Xuan, come and sit by my side!"

However, Li Xuan shook his head and said, "Who was it just now that called me a stray cat or dog? Let me tell you, I am the official husband of Gong Jinglin, personally appointed by the late emperor. Entering the palace is no different from returning home—guards, get out of my sight!"

The imperial guards hesitated for a moment. Li Xuan aimed the Sun-Devouring Bow directly at them and shouted, "While I was away, you dared to bully my Lin'er. Today, I'll wipe all of you out!"

Li Xuan exerted force in his arms, pulling the bowstring taut. The aura of the Profound Entry Realm erupted like a torrential flood.

While the captain of the imperial guards was momentarily stunned, someone took the lead and retreated outside. Once the retreat started, the imperial guards quickly vanished from the Council Study.

"Old Liu, you are the person the new empress trusts most. Why are you not serving by her side?"

Li Xuan questioned Old Liu, his eyes fixed firmly on Prince Regent Gong Ao all the while.

Lifting his gaze toward Gong Jinglin, Old Liu immediately bowed and stepped to her side to wait upon her.

Li Xuan continued his interrogation: "Tell me, which bastard was it just now who called me a stray cat or dog?"

In a flash, the atmosphere throughout the entire Council Study became tense and explosive once more.

Yet, holding the Sun-Devouring Bow, Li Xuan kept his eyes locked on Prince Regent Gong Ao, beads of sweat the size of soybeans rolling down his temples.

At the same time, Gong Ao was also breaking out in a cold sweat. Having spent his entire life hunting eagles, he never expected to have his own eyes pecked out by an eagle today.

The current atmosphere was even more prone to accidental ignition than before.

The various councilors cast uneasy glances toward Gong Ao.

Gong Ao's Adam's apple bobbed nervously up and down, because he was not yet fully prepared. Once the conspiracy was exposed prematurely, he would become a sinner through the ages.

Boasting of his immense contributions, Gong Ao let out an angry roar: "This prince commands a million troops—"

Without even thinking, Li Xuan interrupted, "So you want to rebel!"

With his true intentions exposed, Gong Ao's face turned red with anxiety as he wanted to explain, but he was interrupted by Li Xuan once again: "And so you intended to threaten my Lin'er!"

Seizing the opportunity, Li Xuan pulled Gong Jinglin into his arms, scooping her up in a bridal embrace, and said, "Lin'er, this is a return gift I brought for you, named the 'Sun-Devouring Bow'. Even a weakling like me can use it to unleash the power of the Profound Entry Realm; with your cultivation, you will surely make it shine brilliantly!"

Gong Jinglin's face flushed with shyness, her heart pounding like a startled deer, yet she followed the method Li Xuan had taught her, slowly drawing back the bowstring of the Sun-Devouring Bow. Just as Li Xuan had said, her source energy climbed steadily, rapidly reaching the peak of the Profound Entry Realm. If she continued to channel her source energy, it would undoubtedly erupt with the power of the Spirit-Connecting Realm.

It seemed Li Xuan had not been exaggerating.

Feeling the power that was about to break through into the Spirit-Connecting Realm, Gong Ao finally reined himself in and said, "Crown Princess, this humble minister and the councilors are here to discuss state affairs. Please have the idle people withdraw for now."

Smoothing the stray hairs behind her ear, Gong Jinglin shot Li Xuan a sideways glance and said, "Put me down!"

Gong Jinglin then addressed the room: "Imperial Uncle, Li Xuan is an imperial official of the court, and as my husband, he is not an outsider. Furthermore, Old Liu is a servant who watched me grow up; he is no outsider either."

Prince Regent Gong Ao looked as though he was about to fly into a rage again, but Gong Jinglin seized the opportune moment and said, "Imperial Uncle, let us end here for today; we shall discuss matters again tomorrow!"

Hearing this, Gong Ao bowed and said, "Very well!"

Li Xuan wanted to put Gong Ao's arrogance in check, but Gong Jinglin stopped him. Once the councilors had completely departed, she slumped back onto the dragon throne, her eyelids fluttering shut.

Gong Jinglin's snow-white chest heaved rapidly as if she had suffered a great grievance.

Weeping softly, Old Liu asked, "Your Majesty, should this old slave go brew a cup of ginseng tea for you?"

Waving her delicate hand, Gong Jinglin said, "No need. Old Liu, step outside for a moment; I wish to be alone."

Hearing this, Li Xuan prepared to leave as well, but his hand was tightly grasped by Gong Jinglin's jade-white palm. "Can't you stay and accompany me?" she asked.

A faint smile touched Li Xuan's lips, and he replied, "Alright."

Li Xuan shared a feeling of shared adversity. At this moment, Gong Jinglin was far too frail and needed someone to keep her company.

After Old Liu went out, Gong Jinglin leaned against Li Xuan's shoulder and wept bitterly, pouring out all the grievances hidden in her heart in a flood of tears.

Wiping the tears from Gong Jinglin's face, Li Xuan said, "Don't grieve anymore. Am I not here keeping you company?"

Breaking into a smile through her tears, Gong Jinglin said, "You really are a brat who fears neither heaven nor earth. Do you know how tense it was just now? If Imperial Uncle had made a move, even I wouldn't have been able to protect you!"

The mere thought of it made Gong Jinglin shudder with lingering fear.

With a gentle smile, Li Xuan reasoned, "If the Prince Regent had made complete preparations, he would definitely have made a move today. But before he is fully prepared, he won't take any rash actions—it would only be verbal intimidation and coercion."

Of course Li Xuan had been afraid too, but he possessed a divine source artifact—the Sun-Devouring Bow. Just as he claimed, the Sun-Devouring Bow possessed terrifying might, which was what managed to bluff the crafty old Prince Regent.

As for those councilors who ate from the bowl while eyeing what was in the pot, they were mere weathercocks, swaying with the wind.

Li Xuan said, "The Purple-Gold Divine Dragon Tendew that Crown Princess gifted me is now returned intact, as a return gift for the Li family's betrothal gifts."

With a smile in her phoenix eyes, Gong Jinglin asked, "Was it truly a dowry gift meant for me?"

Nodding, Li Xuan replied, "The etiquette of returning a peach for a plum must still be observed, right? You've been exhausted all morning; would you like to have some food and rest?"

With a wry smile, Gong Jinglin remarked, "I never took you for someone so considerate. Yet, this princess has entrusted her whole life to the wrong person."

How Li Xuan wished he could spend more time accompanying Gong Jinglin. Previously, he had no idea how difficult things were for her, but now that he understood, what could he do? Wasn't he himself deeply entangled in his own inescapable doom?

"Let's go!"

Nodding her chin, Gong Jinglin led Li Xuan into the back garden.