Chapter 103 None-flower Dus (1/2)
t
”Heartless Palace!”
The name shook everyone's hearts. The unique Illusive-Immortal Incense from Heartless Palace was different from an ordinary Illusive-Immortal Incense. Once you inhaled it, you would not be able to exert your True Energy for several hours, no matter how highly cultivated you were.
Suddenly, sword radiances streaked out. The 12 ravishing dancers had reverted to their original attires. The company cried in alarm, ”They are really from the Heartless Palace! Really from Heartless Palace!” For a brief moment, everyone felt an imminent disaster about to descend on their heads. Although the Heartless Palace did not belong to the Devil's Practice, they had no contact with the other sects. Their eccentric temperament meant that their every disciple would kill at the drop of a hat.
Finally, they realized when they had been poisoned. The wine was laced with the incense, the scent from the dancers' bodies as well. The poison would take effect the moment Chu Lingjiao chanted the incantation.
Xiao Chen took out his Fuxi Zither string and glanced at the countless soldiers outside the hall. ”Make them all retreat! I don't want a bloodbath today!” As he spoke, he placed a fingertip on the C Major string. Rays of golden rays surged out at once.
Xuanyue got up. ”Han Chen! Are you going to betray the Zhou State? You should know that numerous Zhou cultivators will come after you even if you managed to leave today!”
The crowd heard her and their bodies trembled. Was she trying to throw everyone into the fiery pit? If Han Chen decided to kill them, what should they do?
Xiao Chen sneered coldly. ”Thank you for reminding me, Princess Xuanyue.” And he aimed the Jade Zither at all the Sect Leaders in the hall. Everyone instantly began to panic. Although they were the heads of their sects, their lives were now hanging on a thread.
”Han Chen! What are you doing? We haven't offended you, have we? If you kill us today, don't expect another day of peace!”
”Young Master Han, stop at once! The Yongshang Sect will never go against you!”
”Neither will the Wind Resisting School... ”
Xiao Chen smiled faintly and slowly released the zither string. Suddenly, he aimed his clutching fingers at the head of the hall. Xuanyue was instantly drawn to him by a seemingly irresistible force.
The company in the hall all exhaled a cold breath. Princess Xuanyue was not only alive but quite far away. Yet he could still draw her to him with such practiced skill. This man's prowess was truly unfathomable.
”Princess Xuanyue, I happen to have something to inquire of you. Why don't you leave with me?”
Xuanyue struggled helplessly and recalled that cultivated, gentle man at dusk the other day. Now, he had completely changed. She glared at him. ”Han Chen! You have disappointed me greatly!”
Yu Wenmu said hatefully, ”You'd better release my sister, now! Or I will kill you another day... ”
Before he had finished his words, Xiao Chen focused his sight and started to pluck a zither string lightly at him. A mighty force gushed out, overturning all the fruit plates and wine goblets in the hall. Yu Wenmu crashed brutally on the wall. Even Yu Wenji and his Empress almost toppled over.
Xuanyue's face turned pale. ”I will leave with you! Don't hurt them!”
Xiao Chen did not answer her. Carrying the Fuxi Zither in his arms, he strode out. When they had retreated to the door, Luo Shangyan took out a brocade box from her robes. It was the Core-forming Pill that Yu Wenmu had given her the other day. She left the box on the floor and retreated out of the hall without a word.
When they saw the group leave, nearly a thousand imperial guards move forward in array. Although Xuanyue had been taken hostage, she was still calm. She shouted to the troops gathering in the square. ”Everyone, stay behind and protect His Majesty and the Sect Leaders! Don't come after us!”
The troops did not dare disobey. They retreated to the sides, allowing them to pass. Once outside, they retreated westward to the city suburbs. A few from the palace trailed them from a distance. The inhabitants of the city did not know what had happened. They recognized Xiao Chen as the great warrior from the Immortals League Competition. Why was he holding the princess hostage? Curious busybodies followed them from afar.
Once outside the city, Xuanyue asked coldly, ”Where are you taking me?”
Xiao Chen eyed the surroundings warily. ”Naturally, we would like Your Highness to bring us out of the country. And I have one more thing to inquire of you.”
”Han Chen, you still have a chance if you turn back now. But if you insist on betraying the Zhou State... ”
Before she had finished, an old but vigorous voice rang out from the distant horizon. ”Young man, it's best to head back to the shore. Don't be too stubborn... ” Once the voice descended, a sword radiance landed 30 meters away from the company. An old man with white beard and bony, Immortal-like demeanor appeared.
Xuanyue's face beamed with joy. ”Senior Liku!”
The night before, the Zhou Emperor had sent men on the swiftest Flying-cloud Stone to fetch him from the Nanzhan Subcontinent. Decades ago, when the Zhou and Qing States were still one, this man was their State Counselor. After the split, he did not stay but left for the Nanzhan Subcontinent to start a new sect. He immersed himself in cultivation and took on the Taoist name of Liku.
Xiao Chen realized that he was in trouble. This man's cultivation must be near to the Nascent Soul Realm. Facing someone like him, he knew that even the Fuxi Zither could not move him one bit. He could only use Xuanyue to save his skin. He clutched her throat and said coldly, ”I don't care who you are! Get away at once! Or I will be merciless!”
By now, Yu Wenji and the others had arrived at the distant city gate. They saw that Perfected Immortal Liku had finally arrived. Yu Wenji shouted, ”State Counselor! Save my daughter, quick!”