[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world":3,"chapter-the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-191":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Phoenix Returns to Rule the World",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2353315,4602,"Chapter 191: Missing in Life, Missing in Death","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-191",191,"\u003Cp>Jun Zijin looked at the flying eagle before her, her eyes icy and filled with faint traces of killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Instruct the guards: at the Hour of the Rat tonight, leave a deliberate gap in the eastern courtyard wall. Make it look natural; do not let anyone suspect a thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flying Eagle accepted the order and left. A wicked smile curled the corners of Jun Zijin's mouth. Jun Zhihao, you burned me with fire; today, I shall return the favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The night was like ink, thickly enveloping the Jun estate. The moonlight was obscured by heavy clouds, and all around was deathly silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just past the Hour of the Rat, Jun Zhihao moved with agile steps, sneaking outside the Jun estate under the cover of night, his eyes fixed tightly on the guards outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin stood before the window, her expression cold and stern, yet her eyes held a sharpness that saw through everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash appeared before her; Flying Eagle manifested:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master, the fish has taken the bait.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin raised her hand in a light wave and whispered instructions to Flying Eagle beside her:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Proceed according to the plan. Leave a gap during the shift change and let him in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flying Eagle acknowledged the order and vanished silently into the darkness to carry out the mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Jun Zhihao waited for his opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hunched his waist, crept toward the eastern courtyard wall, leaped upward, and landed easily on top of the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this \"heaven-sent opportunity,\" he laughed triumphantly in his heart, believing heaven was helping him seek revenge against Jun Zijin. Without hesitation, he jumped down from the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, what awaited him was not solid ground, but a large vat filled with oil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a dull \"thud,\" Jun Zhihao plunged into the oil vat, splashing a large spray of oil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost at the same moment, Flying Eagle flicked a fire starter toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zhihao let out a \"No!\" before he could even finish the word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only a \"boom\" was heard as flames surged instantly, illuminating the entire courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zhihao was instantly swallowed by the raging fire. He rolled desperately in the sea of flames, trying to extinguish the fire on his body, but it was all in vain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the oil-soaked clothes caught fire, the blaze became like a wild horse without reins, wrapping him tightly. His skin sizzled in the high heat, emitting a pungent, charred stench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In but a moment, Jun Zhihao was burned until not even dregs remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin stood quietly to the side, her eyes icy as she watched it all, her face showing not the slightest ripple of emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had never actively harmed anyone, yet people kept pressing her step by step, wanting her life time and time again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding guards also wore calm expressions; those who court their own destruction cannot be saved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over at the Jun residence, Jun Zhidie had not seen Jun Zhihao return. She waited and waited, her heart growing increasingly uneasy. A night passed, and she still did not see Jun Zhihao return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zhengyuan and his wife also could not find their son early in the morning; they searched everywhere but found nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zhihao had suddenly vanished without a trace. Jun Zhengyuan and his wife asked everyone, and all said they did not know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jun residence was in total chaos; Jun Zhihao could neither be seen alive nor his corpse found dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zhengyuan’s brows were knitted into a \"chuan\" character, the wrinkles on his forehead becoming increasingly prominent. He had only this one son; if something untoward happened to him... he dared not imagine it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zhengyuan paced back and forth, the \"rustling\" sound of his soles rubbing against the floor sounding particularly harsh in the silent room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Li was covered in tear stains, her eyes red and swollen like overripe peaches. Her voice carried a sobbing tone as she continuously ordered the retainers to search again carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a maid said she remembered seeing the Young Lady and the Young Master talking together last night, and she had not seen the Young Master since.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Li grabbed the maid beside her and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is what you say true? Quickly, call Die'er here for me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, Jun Zhidie, who had been hiding in her room in constant fear, was brought to the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as she entered, she felt the oppressive atmosphere in the room, and her legs trembled slightly of their own accord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Li rushed forward in a few steps, her hands gripping Jun Zhidie’s arms tightly, her fingernails nearly embedding into the flesh:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Die'er, where is your brother? Someone saw you with him last night; where was the last place you saw him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zhidie was so frightened by this sudden interrogation that her face turned pale and her lips trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If her parents knew that Jun Zhihao had gone to cause trouble for Jun Zijin at her instigation, only to never return...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her parents would likely skin her alive. No, she absolutely could not say it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one with a guilty conscience can never remain calm and composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She forced a look of composure, yet her eyes darted around, not daring to look Lady Li in the eye, and she stammered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"M-Mother, I... I don't know either. After I parted ways with Brother, I didn't see him again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zhengyuan scanned her face twice, snorted coldly, and stepped forward, his gaze like a torch, staring fixedly at Jun Zhidie:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know something? You had best tell the truth; don't try to play dumb with me here!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zhidie’s heartbeat accelerated rapidly; she could hear the \"thump-thump\" of her own heart, and fine beads of sweat broke out on her forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She subconsciously lowered her head, her hands twisting her hemline involuntarily:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"R-really, I really don't know. Last night we just chatted casually, and then we each went our own way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her like this, Lady Li’s suspicions grew even deeper. She flung off Jun Zhidie’s arm, stepped back, and looked her up and down:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You girl, you’re usually quite clever. Why are you stuttering today, and why are your eyes darting around? Are you hiding something from us? What exactly happened to Zhihao? If you dare to lie, see how I deal with you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zhidie gritted her teeth, steeled her heart, and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mother, your daughter truly does not know Brother's whereabouts. Last night, I only heard Brother say he seemed to want to go find Jun Zijin; after that, your daughter does not know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did you say?\" Lady Li let out a shrill cry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of all people, why did Zhihao have to go find her?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That girl was wicked; if her son really went to find her, he would surely meet a bad end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zhengyuan and Lady Li, leading a group of retainers, charged aggressively to the front of the Jun estate. Lady Li shrieked at the top of her lungs:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jun Zijin, come out here! Hand over my son!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Li’s voice was sharp, piercing the originally tranquil morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The estate gate slowly opened. Jun Zijin, in a plain-colored silk dress, walked out unhurriedly, her face wearing an expression of perfectly measured confusion:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So it is Lady Li from the Jun residence. What is the matter? Coming to the gate of my Jun estate to make a scene early in the morning—what kind of decorum is this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Li stood with hands on her hips and cursed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop playing dumb! Zhidie said Zhihao went to find you last night. Where is he now? Did you harm him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin narrowed her eyes slightly, her face showing not the slightest emotion:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This Princess has no friendship with your son and has no time to see him. Lady Li, without proof or evidence, I suggest you watch your words.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Li’s eyes turned red. Wanting to say more, she stepped forward and poked her finger toward Jun Zijin’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guazi stepped forward and gave a fierce push.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who doesn't know what kind of creature your son is? I heard he even committed such beastly acts with his own sister. For Lady Li to speak this way, are you trying to ruin my master's reputation?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1382,"2026-06-21T03:35:39.629Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","38aa40a4e355da4cbf3d0ec739457388285dcc18e3a18d27f82e613beccbadad","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-192","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-190",224,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-cover.jpg"]