Chapter 409

"Lord Chuan Ying, if this old servant's guess is correct, Xie Tiao has likely fled into the Ming Palace…"

Wei Lianxiang pointed toward the brightly lit Ming Palace and spoke slowly.

"Old man, are you trying to fool me?"

Chuan Ying frowned suspiciously—how could Xie Tiao have fled into the Ming Palace?

Isn't the Demon Gate wanted as outlaws throughout the Great Tang Realm?

"My lord, the 'Heavenly Demon' Cang Qu has secretly accepted Empress Wu Zetian's recruitment and become the Great Tang's Chief Imperial Guardian."

When Wei Lianxiang said the word "Chief," he glanced at Chuan Ying.

Chuan Ying felt his face grow warm—he too had once held the title of Chief Imperial Guardian.

But it was no honorable thing; better not mention it!

"How could that be? Even if the 'Heavenly Demon' Cang Qu's strength falls short of the major Dragon Heads, he is no ordinary man."

"What qualifications or conditions could the Great Tang possibly offer to recruit such a supreme expert?"

Privately, Chuan Ying and other martial world figures could not help but speculate about the Nine Provinces Heavenly Dao Combat Power Top List.

The number one spot, without question, belonged to the one who had never needed to strike a second move.

The Nine Provinces' number one forbidden expert—the Qinglong Society's Great Dragon Head, Ximen Wudi.

This was nearly universally accepted by all martial experts!

After him, rankings varied somewhat.

But in most people's minds, Cang Qu, the founder of the Demon Gate lineage, certainly deserved a place among the top ten!

Now, one of the top ten experts has been recruited by the Great Tang?

By what means?

Wu Zetian's beauty?

"Er! Though this humble servant does not know the reason, the 'Heavenly Demon' Cang Qu has indeed joined the Great Tang."

Such secrets were certainly not within Wei Lianxiang's knowledge.

As he spoke, Wei Lianxiang gave Chuan Ying a peculiar look.

Although Chuan Ying's cultivation had now advanced to the early stage of the Mythical Realm,

this was still the Great Tang Imperial Palace—the Ming Palace—where not only was there a master like the 'Heavenly Demon' Cang Qu,

but countless lesser experts filled its halls!

Now, alone and unaccompanied, could Chuan Ying really dare demand Xie Tiao from Empress Wu Zetian?

But if he did not, then the Qinglong Society's rules…

Just as he expected Chuan Ying to hesitate and ponder further, Chuan Ying picked up his sword and blade, strode forward with head held high, and headed toward the Ming Palace.

"Th-this-this…"

Wei Lianxiang stood dumbfounded.

He had expected Chuan Ying to go—but not like this!

This was outright contempt for the Great Tang!

"Who goes there…"

On open ground, a master like Chuan Ying moved with blinding speed.

In an instant, he entered the Ming Palace's security perimeter.

Upon the palace walls, guards immediately raised lanterns to illuminate him, and countless arrows locked onto Chuan Ying.

"Halt! This is the Great Tang's Ming Palace! Advance no further—"

Before the words were finished, Chuan Ying had already floated onto the wall, gazing into the depths of the Ming Palace.

After a brief glance, he identified the largest, brightest palace, and shouted loudly,

"Qinglong Society's Chuan Ying seeks audience with Your Majesty Wu Zetian!"

"How dare you!"

"Insolent!"

Countless palace guards turned pale and immediately prepared to attack Chuan Ying.

Fortunately, a junior commander heard the words "Qinglong Society."

"You idiots, stop right there!"

"Huh? Commander?"

All palace guards exchanged bewildered glances, unsure why the commander had erupted.

"Idiots, this man is from the Qinglong Society…"

The junior commander felt a chill run down his spine.

Long ago, the Great Tang had sent the Bu Liang Ren to strike at the Qinglong Society's peripheral force, the Yihua Palace, for the Ming Jade Technique.

In retaliation, the Qinglong Society nearly wiped out the Bu Liang Ren entirely.

They even nearly replaced every civil and military official in the Great Tang court.

Even after such brutality, Empress Wu Zetian had merely smashed some objects and cursed a few times—then said nothing more.

Now, Chuan Ying had openly declared himself—a true Qinglong Society emissary.

Do you dare provoke him?

You may be tired of life, but I'm not!

"No, no, no! These matters are beyond our handling!"

The junior commander scolded his men, then turned to Chuan Ying with a smile,

"Lord Chuan, please come inside…"

"Mmm…"

Chuan Ying felt utterly exhilarated.

Even when I was chief guardian of the great Sui Empire, I never received such treatment in the Great Ming Palace, did I?

The name Qinglong Society really does work!

Overflowing with pride, Chuan Ying soared through the air toward that palace.

As he drew nearer, he saw a female official accompanied by several experts approaching him.

"Your servant, Shangguan Wan, greets Lord Chuan Ying…"

The woman was none other than Wu Zetian's personal attendant.

Wu Zetian had naturally heard Chuan Ying's arrogance, yet she dared not show anger or speak out.

But she could not ignore the name of the Qinglong Society.

If Chuan Ying merely called out like that and she went out,

then what dignity would her imperial throne have left?

Thus, the compromise was for Shangguan Wan to come out and receive him.

"Oh!"

Chuan Ying made no comment—he knew well the odds of Wu Zetian appearing in person were slim.

He had no intention of driving Wu Zetian to outright enmity, so he had just used an honorific.

"My lord, you are a man of great affairs—what brings you to the Great Ming Palace?"

Shangguan Wan asked immediately.

"Nothing much! I chased Xie Tiao all the way here to the Great Ming Palace."

"The Great Dragon Chief ordered me to bring Xie Tiao back—please, Your Majesty, grant me this favor."

"Xie Tiao?"

Shangguan Wan looked utterly stunned.

"My lord, have you made a mistake? Xie Tiao is the Demon Gate's Evil Emperor—he is at odds with the Tang court."

How could he dare come into the Great Ming Palace?

247- Are you still planning to run?

"Bullshit…"

Chuan Ying had anticipated that Tang officials would deny it, yet he had no proof.

"My lord…"

Shangguan Wan was also flustered by Chuan Ying's crude remark.