Chapter 69: Did a Peak Peak Abyss Realm Cultivator Just Die Like That?

In the Chu family, Chu Ruoyan indeed had a maid, so her mother simply needed to choose another one.

Though called a maid, she might actually be Chu Ruoyan’s cousin, seeking to secure a position.

As long as her background was verified, she could be selected to enter the palace.

But Chu Ruoyan’s mother surely chose a loyal maid, fearing that if Chu Ruoyan’s position beside Li Chen was still unstable, those cousins might steal her favor—something that would be a major problem.

After paying respects to the Empress Dowager, Chu Ruoyan’s mother received a summons and entered the palace with two maids.

Upon entering the imperial palace gates, they were all filled with fear and unease.

As members of a second-rate aristocratic family, they had never had the qualification to enter the palace.

Now things were different—they were imperial relatives.

Even the palace maids and eunuchs treated them with exceptional courtesy.

Chu Ruoyan’s mother, ever astute, made generous offerings to everyone.

When she saw Chu Ruoyan returning from the Empress Dowager’s chambers, she was overjoyed.

Her daughter, dressed in elegant palace attire and radiating an exquisite aura, truly looked like an imperial consort.

Pah! Pah!

My daughter is an imperial consort!

Chu Ruoyan’s mother had come not only to visit her daughter but also to deliver her husband’s request.

Namely, the Chu family’s “Housewarming Banquet” the day after tomorrow, and they invited Li Chen to attend.

“Actually, you don’t need to worry about your father. If you have time, come back; if not, stay in the palace, rest well, and take good care of His Majesty. Don’t keep thinking of running out—that would be disgraceful.”

Chu Ruoyan’s mother understood this well—she merely wanted Li Chen to think her daughter was sensible, not some unruly girl.

“Mother, I understand.”

Chu Ruoyan also understood her father—he had spent his entire life bowing in the capital, and now, for the first time, he could stand tall and wanted to show off. It was only natural.

If Li Chen had time, she would seek his permission.

If Li Chen was unavailable, she wouldn’t mention it—within the palace, one must know the rules, especially near Li Chen, one must be sensible.

Next, Chu Ruoyan took her mother and the two maids on a tour of her chambers.

A senior palace maid followed closely behind; after Chu Ruoyan had inspected everything, she would order the renovations to be done according to her wishes.

Even without renovations yet, the grandeur of the palace had already left them awestruck.

Chu Ruoyan had spent some time in the palace and was slowly adapting.

Her mother and the two maids were utterly dazzled.

Any single ornament here, if taken out, would be worth a fortune.

Even the floor tiles were no ordinary items.

When Chu Ruoyan asked for her mother’s opinion, her mother dared not offer any—she let her daughter decide for herself.

After touring for a while, her mother asked: “Where is His Majesty now? Should we go to pay our respects?”

Chu Ruoyan smiled and replied: “Mother, His Majesty is probably in court now, holding morning audience.”

Indeed, at this moment, Li Chen was dozing off in court.

There was nothing important today—just routine reports from ministers.

And updates on various construction projects.

Regarding state affairs, Li Chen was growing increasingly adept.

No one had ever taught him, so he simply acted according to his mood.

Whatever he felt like doing, he did.

At this moment, Li Chen’s system issued a prompt.

【Detected: Abnormal spatial fluctuations in the southern district of the capital. An outdoor secret realm has opened. Please complete the task within the allotted time.】Li Chen thought for a moment—Li Sining had already cultivated her ten main meridians; it was time to grant her some resources.

The resources provided by the system were truly top-tier treasures of the age.

Not only were they perfectly matched, they would directly propel her to the peak of the Sage realm.

One more max-level alt meant one more layer of safety.

Originally, Li Chen had planned to take Li Sining along—outdoor secret realms offered valuable combat experience.

In battles at the same level, the one with more combat experience usually held a decisive advantage.

But the problem was, Li Chen himself had very little combat experience—he relied entirely on level superiority.

He didn’t think level superiority was wrong: you’ve trained for decades as a Qi Opening cultivator, yet I obliterate you from eight hundred meters away as a Sage realm cultivator—you still can’t do a thing.

Taking Li Sining along would be troublesome—he’d have to look after her.

Better to go alone, clear it solo, and go through the basic procedures he’d never experienced.

Li Chen was now like a max-level main account completing a beginner’s quest.

!

Those fierce beginner bosses would soon face an even fiercer presence.

He had been daydreaming—morning court was nearly over.

At that moment, Pang Jin, the newly appointed Minister of Justice, stepped forward: “Your Majesty, Minister Pang Jin has a memorial to submit.”

Seeing Li Chen lazily raise a hand, Pang Jin nodded slightly and spoke with steady, powerful tone: “Your Majesty, regarding the case of the Crown Prince’s death, I have made new progress today.”

He paused, scanning the court, then continued: “When the Crown Prince tragically passed away, his bodyguard Fan Kui—a peak Peak Abyss realm cultivator, famously known as the Capital’s Fastest Blade—”

“After the Crown Prince’s death, Fan Kui vanished mysteriously. Many suspected his disappearance was deeply connected to the case, but unfortunately, Fan Kui remained missing, leaving the investigation shrouded in confusion.”

Here, Pang Jin laid out the background for Li Chen.

Many ministers already knew this information, but Li Chen might not.

Li Chen had never paid attention to this matter before—Pang Jin’s explanation was considerate of his ignorance.

Then Pang Jin continued: “But this morning, my subordinates in the Ministry of Justice reported that Fan Kui was found dead in his own home. More shockingly, the manner of his death matched the Crown Prince’s exactly—both bore a blue mark on the chest, their life force entirely extinguished.”

A wave of uproar erupted in the court.

What? A peak Peak Abyss realm cultivator died so silently?

Even an ordinary Sage realm cultivator couldn’t easily kill Fan Kui.

Let alone another Peak Abyss realm cultivator—Fan Kui wasn’t afraid of anyone like that.

This man was long-established, a trusted bodyguard of the Crown Prince—not some ordinary figure.

The known Sage realm cultivators in and around the capital could be counted on one hand—who could have done it?

If there had been a fight, there would have been violent fluctuations. To kill a master like Fan Kui, even a powerful Sage realm cultivator would have to strain their meridians to the limit.

And the capital was filled with experts—someone would surely have sensed something and reported it.

Yet Fan Kui’s death was too bizarre, too eerie.

Especially the former “loyalists” of the Crown Prince, who urgently demanded Pang Jin uncover the truth to honor the Crown Prince’s spirit.

After listening to Pang Jin’s report, Li Chen nodded slightly and ordered: “Progress is good. Continue your investigation. I trust you—and I trust the Ministry of Justice.”

Pang Jin bowed deeply and declared loudly: “Your servant obeys! I shall not fail Your Majesty’s trust!”

With that, the morning court ended.

Li Chen returned as usual to the Imperial Study to review memorials.

At this moment, Eunuch Cui arrived with Pang Jin.

Pang Jin stepped before Li Chen, kowtowed, and said: “Your Majesty, I have a secret report!”

(End of Chapter)