Chapter 713: Wuxia: Even Rivals Can Become Lovers 47

Of course, Jin Chen didn't dare.

He secretly pulled Mu Huaizhi aside and complained at length, but he eventually accepted the fact that his father was so lazy he wished to abdicate tomorrow.

Even though they had temporarily accepted working with the Nine Abyss, some die-hard orthodox factions remained highly vigilant, always imagining that the Nine Abyss would betray them at any moment.

At noon, Jin Chen led the younger generation willing to follow him into action.

Using the Gu worm puppets of the Earth Evil Palace as a compass, they found that his forward direction pointed toward the Capital City.

The group followed on horseback, their expressions growing increasingly solemn.

The Capital City lies under the emperor's feet, and the Earth Evil Palace is under the Crown Prince's protection, so they might even clash with the imperial court.

This is the last thing martial artists want to encounter.

After traveling nearly a day, the stiff-moving puppet that Jin Chen was leading finally came to a stop.

It was a hill.

Once they crossed this hill, they would reach the main street of the Capital City.

Jiang Chu reminded Jin Chen, 'This hill is often visited by imperial nobles for hunting; ordinary people cannot enter, and the Earth Evil Palace has placed its stronghold here, likely as a precaution.'

After all, as long as the Crown Prince protects it, no one would dare trespass on this hill.

Aside from the seven chosen by the Nine Abyss, the younger generation were all handpicked by Jin Chen—over ten of them, each the elite of their sects—and someone immediately suggested, 'Why not just storm in?'

Before anyone could answer, someone beside him chuckled, 'If we alarm the imperial guards, we'll end up fighting more than just the Earth Evil Palace.'

Jin Chen and Mu Huaizhi shared a horse; hearing this, Jin Chen raised an eyebrow and asked Jiang Chu, 'I recall you have some status in the Capital City—can you get us in?'

Jiang Chu's face flushed with embarrassment. 'No.'

He lowered his gaze and indeed saw Sang Ning snort coldly, muttering sarcastic yin-yang remarks.

'What legitimate business could he have in the Capital City? He just runs the biggest brothel, calling it an intelligence organization—everyone knows he's lecherous.'

Jiang Chu immediately protested, 'This lecherousness is not that lecherousness! I merely suffer from a fear of ugly people!'

Jin Chen: '……'

He rubbed the tip of his nose and muttered softly, 'Why not look for that Second Prince? I don't know whether, after all these years, he's forgotten that incident.'

Mu Huaizhi immediately became alert.

'What Second Prince? Are you close with him?'

Jin Chen smiled and ruffled his hair, 'You know him too, though you probably don't remember.'

Mu Huaizhi frowned in confusion.

Fu Zhiyuan glanced far ahead and shouted, 'Someone's coming! And they've brought people with them!'

Everyone grew alert and grabbed their weapons.

'Giddyap!'

A youth in indigo robes galloped up on horseback; upon seeing Jin Chen and Mu Huaizhi sharing a horse, his whole face darkened.

'Greetings, Second Prince.'

Jiang Chu bowed, his face instantly breaking into a fox‑like smile, 'Second Prince, are you here today to lend a hand?'

The Second Prince nodded at him, 'Sect Leader Jin once helped me, and since the Earth Evil Palace matter involves the Crown Prince, I ought to assist.'

Moreover, the Earth Evil Palace's main stronghold lies within this hunting ground; if the emperor had encountered it while hunting that day, it would have been dangerous.

He glanced at Jin Chen again, his expression somewhat strange, 'You're quite formidable.'

Jin Chen naturally knew what he meant, gave an embarrassed laugh, 'Long time no see, Second Prince—you're still in excellent health.'

Such hollow pleasantries.

The Second Prince nearly rolled his eyes.

This guy was laughing at how, as a child, he'd been terrified by a bloody head and come down with a three‑day fever! Surely that's it!

'Alright, follow me—I'll take you into the hunting grounds.'

He had his subordinates hand the token to everyone, 'If imperial soldiers stop you, say you're newly recruited troops of the Prince's mansion—don't give yourselves away.'

'And… this… ghostly thing also needs to be hidden.'

The Second Prince pointed at the followers who were neither human nor ghost.

Jin Chen thought it over; those on either side already knew this hill, so later they would just probe it with divine sense.

'Ghost Fiend, dispose of it.'

'Yes.'

——

Hilltop.

The sentries blocking the road saw the Second Prince approaching, hurried forward to greet him, and then glanced at his imposing retinue behind him, unable to help but feel doubtful.

'Forgive my boldness, Your Highness, but who are these people behind you…?'

'These are newly recruited palace troops I've brought here to test their mettle.'

The Second Prince put on airs, gave them a cold look, and said, 'Still not letting us through?'

The personal guards immediately shouted, 'Are you trying to block His Highness's road?'

'No dare, Your Highness, please proceed.'

The soldiers moved the barrier aside, bowed respectfully, and let them pass.

'Quick, go secretly report to the Crown Prince.'

Seeing the group already inside, the soldier hurriedly told those nearby,

'Those people are clearly martial artists—how could they be palace troops? They must be after the Crown Prince's secret.'

Having entered the mountains, Jin Chen spurred his horse forward, narrowed his eyes, and his divine sense instantly blanketed the entire Shan Lin.

Then he suddenly opened his eyes, reined in his horse, and his gaze showed surprise.

Stop.

He reached his hand backward.

Jiang Zhu, take the Nine Abyss people to intercept from the east by circling, fire signal flares so that Alliance Leader Fu and the others can directly rush in later.

The rest follow me to the lair.

They actually already knew in advance and were preparing to flee.

It seems the one in yellow is dead, yet that myriad-silk mother gu could still know in advance.

Good.

Jiang Zhu didn't ask how he knew, and immediately led the people across Shan Lin by circling.

When Jin Chen's group finally found the underground lair, they clearly felt it was damp and dark inside, and a strange, surging force seethed wildly.

Jade Hilt Dragon was drawn, and Mu Huaizhi closely followed Jin Chen's side, feeling that this force was extremely dangerous.

The others also drew their weapons.

Your Highness, we should go out; having them here is enough.

The personal guards were very worried; if Your Highness came to harm, the Empress and the Emperor would surely kill them to assign blame!

It's fine; I also want to see what my good older brother is secretly up to.

As they went deeper, the crowd finally saw the source of that force.

In the center of the cavern lay a circular bed made of many skeletons.

The man sitting cross-legged on the bed was of indeterminate age; clearly he had extremely aged skin and pale white hair, yet his eyes were like a child's, and his red lips looked as if stained with blood.

He wore a disordered black robe all over, with faint black qi condensing into substance around him, looking utterly eerie.

Jin Chen hissed, lowered his head and complained to Mu Huaizhi, 'This person simply looks like a mix of male and female, young and old.'

Mu Huaizhi: '......'

He was simply amazed at Jin Chen's talent for snarky remarks anytime, anywhere.

'Shut up.' he whispered.

Kekekeke....

That man suddenly turned his head, stared intently at the crowd, his gaze sweeping over each person one by one, then lingered on Fu Zhiyuan.

Dear child, long time no see, you actually came over on your own.

Since you've come, then offer a sacrifice to your father!

He looked mad, as his head turned, the withered skin pulled on his veins, as if it would burst open any second.