Chapter 55: The Wang Ting Emissary

“So, have you finished today’s training?”

Pinching Li Si’s soft little cheek, Li Chen feigned a stern expression.

“I’ve already strengthened two meridians—I’m exhausted.”

The cultivation task Li Chen assigned her was very simple—though that was only true for her.

Added to her high talent, strengthening two meridians daily was truly effortless.

The rest of her time was spent playing or clinging to Li Chen.

Li Chen, still somewhat responsible, carefully inspected her meridians to check for errors.

This was a crucial moment for laying foundations; she couldn’t rush just because she was lazy.

Otherwise, when activating the Meridian Technique later, her meridians could be damaged—or even rupture.

After thoroughly examining her entire body, he sensed a faintly chaotic energy flowing through Li Si’s meridians, and only then did he relax.

He estimated that in a few more days, Li Si could begin the Awakening Ceremony.

At that point, she would enter the Mid-Stage of Meridian Awakening and continue completing the system’s tasks.

The deadline was sixty days—likely to give people time to prepare.

Wild secret realms not only provided cultivation resources but also served as trials, enhancing a cultivator’s combat ability.

Under equal conditions, those with rich combat experience usually held greater advantages.

“Brother, I want to go back for a while.”

Li Si had originally lived outside the palace; now that she wanted to move back in, she first needed to retrieve her personal belongings.

“Fine, I’ll go with you.”

“Yay!”

Li Chen was rather indulgent toward this younger sister.

Since he had nothing important to do in the afternoon, a short outing wouldn’t hurt.

Meanwhile, near the residence of the Emperor’s Ninth Princess, a number of figures had been lying in wait for days.

Ever since Li Chen had broken ties with the Wang Ting emissaries, Altai and Atade had plotted to kidnap the Ninth Princess.

But after waiting several days, the Ninth Princess had not returned to her mansion since entering the palace.

Altai, still burdened with other duties, departed first, returning to the Northern Wang Ting.

His younger brother Atade continued to wait with his men.

The escape route had already been planned; once they captured the Ninth Princess, they could reach Wang Ting in the shortest time possible.

At that point, the Khan would not punish them—he would surely reward them handsomely.

Today, Atade finally got his chance: according to spies at the palace gate, the Ninth Princess’s carriage had finally left the palace.

Atade’s heart surged with excitement—he’d finally waited long enough!

He’d heard the Ninth Princess was a beauty beyond compare, and he longed to see her for himself.

Thinking of this, a wicked thought stirred in his mind.

She was, after all, a woman the Khan had specifically demanded; he couldn’t act recklessly—but a little advantage, he dared to take.

As he carefully observed the streets near the palace, a woman suddenly blocked his path.

Her skin was pale, her face oval and finely featured, beautiful beyond measure.

A beauty Atade rarely encountered—and most importantly, she radiated fierce martial spirit.

In the past, Atade would have approached her immediately.

But now, seeing her official uniform and the squad of constables beside her, he froze in place, utterly bewildered.

“According to public reports, you several have been loitering in this area. Come with me to the government office for investigation!”

Lin Yue’e gripped the hilt of her waist sword with one hand, her expression stern.

She was a recent graduate of the Xinhuo Combat Academy, and due to her outstanding performance and her connection to Li Chen, Minister Yan Hai had recommended her for a post in the Imperial Capital’s government office.

Lin Yue’e’s strength was formidable, so she was appointed as Chief Constable.

Her official rank was modest—merely the captain of a local security squad. The Ninth Princess’s mansion happened to lie within her jurisdiction.

Upon receiving the public report, she naturally led her team to investigate.

People loitering like this in the capital were usually casing locations for theft.

The area under Lin Yue’e’s control housed many imperial relatives and high-ranking nobles; valuable items were abundant, and she could not afford the slightest negligence.

Atade was now utterly stunned—he had planned meticulously, yet never anticipated this turn.

I’ve been lying low here for days without being noticed—why today, of all days, did someone report me?

No, it was precisely because he’d been lying low for days that nearby civilians grew suspicious and reported him.

Atade, a man of the Northern Wang Ting, knew that if captured, he’d have no good explanation.

Just as he shifted his gaze, trying to slip away, a sharp longsword was already pressed against his neck, its blade gleaming with cold light.

Lin Yue’e’s sword draw was so swift it startled even Atade.

He hadn’t expected a mere constable of the Tian Ce Dynasty to possess such strength.

!

Atade’s strength matched Liu Hao’s—both were Peak Void-Breaking.

Lin Yue’e had activated her meridians; her aura was also Peak Void-Breaking, and with other constables nearby, Atade wasn’t certain he could escape quickly.

If he got pinned down and other experts arrived, he’d be utterly defenseless.

So he decided to bide his time—the capture of the Ninth Princess could wait.

Thus, Atade and his two subordinates were arrested, while the others not caught went into hiding, preparing to rescue Atade.

Moments after Lin Yue’e and her team departed, Li Chen and Li Si’s carriage passed through the area.

Atade should count himself lucky he’d been arrested beforehand—otherwise, he’d have faced Li Chen.

Given Li Chen’s nature, if he’d dared to lay a hand on Li Si, interrogation wouldn’t have been the end of it.

Inside the district government office, no matter how Lin Yue’e questioned him, Atade claimed he was merely strolling. “If you think I’m plotting something, prove it!”

Moreover, Atade’s attitude was openly hostile; emboldened by his status as an emissary, he even put his feet on the table during interrogation.

He wouldn’t dare do such a thing before the court, facing Li Chen and the ministers.

But this was merely a lowly government office—he truly didn’t care.

His other subordinates had already left; soon enough, diplomatic pressure would mount.

As long as no evidence was produced, Lin Yue’e would not only have to release him but also apologize.

He wanted to see how this proud, cold beauty would bow her head in apology.

Atade’s face was filled with mocking amusement.

I can’t punish your emperor—but can’t I punish you?

Of course, Atade didn’t yet know that this morning, Li Chen had already agreed to the northern campaign—only the news hadn’t been officially announced.

When the news broke, Atade would no longer be an emissary.

After interrogating him all afternoon, Lin Yue’e was thoroughly furious.

She’d only just started her job and had already encountered countless frustrations.

Her jurisdiction housed many imperial clan members and noble families; their power was immense—even the Viceroy and Chief Constable had to bow and scrape.

One bold princeling had even harassed her repeatedly because of her beauty.

Lin Yue’e had no choice—she was newly appointed and couldn’t afford to offend these powerful figures; she had to endure everything.

Finally catching a “petty thief,” she thought she’d at least earn some performance points to repay Li Chen’s mentorship.

But this “petty thief” turned out to be a Wang Ting emissary—and now he was threatening her: if she didn’t handle this properly, diplomatic pressure would follow.

The veteran constable beside her advised Lin Yue’e to simply apologize to Atade and let him go.

But Lin Yue’e felt she’d done nothing wrong—she’d followed all regulations. Why was this happening?

Stepping out of the jail, Lin Yue’e sighed—this was just too hard.

Yet she didn’t give up. She believed that if Atade was truly an emissary, he wouldn’t have loitered in that spot for days without cause—he must be plotting something.

Thinking this, Lin Yue’e decided to return to the place where she’d arrested Atade.

(End of Chapter)