Chapter 81

The flames vanished.

Not far away, the Han Wang widened his eyes, staring at this scene, bewildered. "This..."

He had yet to recover from the shock of Yan Lingji surrendering without a fight; perhaps he had never imagined such a scene could occur, mostly because the two combatants, Su Xuan and Yan Lingji, had behaved far too... harmoniously.

Seeing the flames disappear, the Imperial Guards who had previously been forced back by the fire regained their senses, realizing that Mr. Su had likely subdued this strange woman.

Although they did not understand exactly how Mr. Su had subdued her, they had only heard him utter the word "Seal," and all the flames had vanished.

This scene was far too mysterious; it was truly baffling.

However, perhaps this was just Mr. Su—an existence we could never hope to understand.

They stepped forward one after another, heads held high, morale surging, spears in hand, surrounding Yan Lingji. Had one not seen them retreating in terror just moments before, they would truly have looked like a formidable army.

A faint voice suddenly sounded from beside Su Xuan, "Mr. Su, she..."

It was the Han Wang, who, seeing the Imperial Guards surrounding Yan Lingji and the eerie flames gone, had gathered the courage to approach, accompanied by Ji Wuye and the others. However, he still kept a distance from Su Xuan; after all, he had witnessed the woman's methods earlier and was genuinely afraid that she might suddenly release a fire to burn him.

Su Xuan turned his head to look at the Han Wang, revealing a gentle smile that gave the other a feeling of a spring breeze, putting his heart at ease. "She has already surrendered."

"Surrendered?" The Han Wang was stunned. It wasn't that he hadn't considered this possibility—in fact, he had thought of it when he saw the flames vanish and Yan Lingji offer no resistance—but he had dismissed the idea as too bizarre.

Yet, this most unlikely thought was, in fact, the truth.

No matter how grotesque or strange the result, the Han Wang soon accepted it. He said sternly, "Throw her into the dungeon; I will interrogate her myself."

The matter of the Red-Eyed Dragon Snake had always been like a fishbone stuck in the Han Wang's throat, making him incredibly wary.

Yan Lingji was a subordinate of Tian Ze, and the Han Wang wanted to learn more about Tian Ze from her.

"Wait..." Just as the Imperial Guards were about to bind Yan Lingji, Su Xuan spoke again.

"Mr. Su?" The Han Wang looked at Su Xuan, his attitude appearing very gentle.

After all, if not for Su Xuan, this enchantress who had broken into the palace in the dead of night could never have been captured.

In both reason and sentiment, he had to hear what Mr. Su had to say.

"What I want to say is that although I have temporarily sealed her ability to use sorcery, this technique cannot last too long. If Your Majesty intends to interrogate her personally, please take extra precautions."

"I..." The Han Wang was about to say "I understand," but recalling how Yan Lingji had roamed unimpeded through the palace hall earlier, the words died on his lips.

Earlier in the palace hall, Yan Lingji had been so rampant that even the Grand General Ji Wuye could do nothing against her.

If she were simply locked in the dungeon, who knew if the dungeon could hold this enchantress?

What if she broke free during the interrogation and launched a sudden attack? What would he do then?

The Han Wang couldn't help but size up Su Xuan again.

Under the moonlight, Su Xuan's features were increasingly handsome, and beside him, Yan Lingji's hair moved with the night breeze, beautiful and moving.

The Han Wang immediately had an idea.

It wasn't that the Han Wang had any crooked intentions; rather, he had thought of a foolproof measure.

"Men, send this enchantress to Mr. Su's place!"

As the Han Wang issued the order, he explained to Su Xuan, "Mr. Su, this enchantress has extraordinary means; only a high-level expert like you can suppress her. Please, Mr. Su, help me keep an eye on this enchantress!"

Fearing Su Xuan might refuse, he hurriedly promised him many benefits.

The implication was: if you help me keep an eye on this enchantress, I will definitely not treat you poorly.

Listening to the Han Wang, Su Xuan couldn't help but mutter to himself.

He hadn't expected the Han Wang to make such a decision. Honestly, he had only been giving the King a reminder, but since the King had said so, he could only agree happily.

It was fortunate the Han Wang hadn't ordered Yan Lingji to be sent to his bed.

With the Han Wang's order, the farce of the night was, barely, brought to a close.

Su Xuan followed the Imperial Guards as they escorted Yan Lingji to his residence.

The other ministers stayed a while longer with the Han Wang on the plaza before the palace hall, blowing in the cold wind, before eventually dispersing.

Before leaving, the Han Wang urged Ji Wuye repeatedly to capture the Baiyue rebels.

This was the third time he had urged Ji Wuye within a single day.

It was mainly because the events of this night had truly frightened him.

When he was holding court in the palace hall, that enchantress had broken in so wantonly, roaming unimpeded. If she attacked him while he was sleeping in his bedchamber, who could save him?

The Han Wang suddenly realized that the palace was no longer safe.

For him at this moment, the only way to put his heart at ease was to have all those Baiyue rebels who caused the chaos captured and brought to justice.

Thick fog filled the wilderness; high above, the bright moon hung, casting its snowy light, as if the ground were covered in a layer of white frost.

An old tree swayed gently in the night breeze, a few withered yellow leaves fluttering down, spinning in the air.

Footsteps sounded.

Under the tree, a tall, burly figure slowly turned his head, and then, only a flash of red was seen.

Red clothes like blood, white hair like snow.

The master of the Snow-Clad Castle, the Blood-Clad Marquis!

Seeing this great enemy who had defeated him years ago and thrown him into that death row, Tian Ze's pupils contracted slightly, but he ultimately chose not to strike immediately.

Not only because the gu in his body restrained him, but also because his ability to escape from that death row this time was entirely due to the person before him releasing him.

"Are you still waiting for Yan Lingji's return?"

Bai Yifei's voice was calm, carrying a unique charm.

Tian Ze did not answer Bai Yifei's words.

Bai Yifei continued, "I have an unfortunate piece of news for you: she is not coming back."

"She broke into the palace with your message; at first, she was indeed unimpeded, bringing deep fear to the Han Wang, but after leaving, she encountered someone, and now, she has become a prisoner!"

"Who?" Tian Ze finally spoke.

He was certain that the person before him had not gone to the palace tonight.

He knew Yan Lingji's strength well; ordinary people could not capture her. Could it be that the strongest warrior of Han, Ji Wuye, had made a move?

"Su Xuan!"