14 Scheming for the Destruction of Mystic Essence (2/2)

Her earlier screech had punctured the silent night, and everyone in the Mystic Essence Manor had heard it and reacted differently.

Gaze abstruse, Qi Xunyi thought hard about all possible calculations, plans, and situations, but spared no time to take pity on his cousin's plight.

Resting both hands on the windowsill, Zong stared into the void-like darkness before him. Yet, his eyes weren't vacant – his mind was still in the present moment, taking in the view of the night frost and pondering over the obscure fate of all life forms.

Upon hearing Pei Yuan's screech, he extended his hand out, seemingly to wave away whatever mist that was blocking his vision.

Strangely, there was no pity in his eyes as well.

On a faraway mountain peak sat a man in loose clothes, leisurely leaning against a big rock and playing with an oddly-shaped mirror while overlooking the Mystic Essence Manor.

Lord Yuan Bao squatted on his knee, letting the wind ruffle his snow-white fur. He, too, had his attention fixed on the same direction, quietly observing sheet of darkness in front.

His gaze was grave, and his posture was tense. He had already accompanied his owner for half an hour.

He spotted nothing, however.

Turning his head, Yuan Zhaoxu looked reluctantly at his pet, who was posing very deliberately, before getting up.

His movement left Lord Yuan Bao tumbling clumsily onto the ground, revealing all four feet and a pink belly.

”What a fool,” Yuan Zhaoxu commented.

As Lord Yuan Bao lay sprawled out on the ground, all ready to bawl, his owner added, ”Qi Xunyi, I mean.”

The fragmented pieces of Lord Yuan Bao's heart were instantly whole again.

Fast footsteps sounded from behind as a gust of wind blew over, causing the tree leaves to rustle. A crisp, female voice rang, ”Aha! That screech had an impressively high decibel. A soprano for sure.”

An umber-black shadow flashed forward to push Yuan Zhaoxu aside before plopping down. Rubbing her knee and baring her teeth, Meng Fuyao growled, ”That fellow's so powerful. It took me all I had to escape. The adrenaline was so high that I felt nothing after bumping into a tree. It's starting to hurt quite a bit now that I'm finally resting.”

After some time she continued, ”Where's he from? Seems formidable, the people from Pei Family.”

Yuan Zhaoxu fed Lord Yuan Bao some fruits, successfully diverting his attention away from the fact that he had just been bullied. As Yuan Bao waited happily for the next mouthful, Yuan Zhaoxu responded irrelevantly, ”You're complaining so much in hope that I'd personally give you a massage?” In replying to her question, he had delayed feeding Yuan Bao, which caused the latter to throw an irritated glare at Meng Fuyao.

Not shrinking, Meng Fuyao returned his glare with her eyes wide open. ”You'd better rub his tummy instead. He's suffering from indigestion, it seems, and that's not good.”

Yuan Bao hissed at Meng Fuyao but was ignored. Laughing and wiping his hands with a cloth, Yuan Zhaoxu spoke, ”The royal family.”

Meng Fuyao narrowed her eyes in thought. In a lower voice, she repeated, ”Royal family?”

Light was flowing in his eyes as he questioned, ”Regretting?”

She raised a brow and pursed her lips. ”I only regret not piercing the sword right through her body.”

Noticing her glowing complexion and the flickering light in her eyes, he asked, ”Do you know whose room you were in earlier?”

”Who?”

”Taiyuan's third prince, Qi Xunyi,” he answered with a mysterious smile. ”Also one of the seven sons of the whole of the five Region Continent, Prince Yi.”

”Prince Yi? 'An apricot flower moistened by the misty drizzle; three thousand beauties dancing under the dazzling stars'? That truly absurd prince that's known to possess the greatest literary talent and to have achieved the biggest accomplishments?”

Meng Fuyao was stupefied. She thought back to the snake-like ambush and the storm-like sword ray.

Eyeing her, Yuan Zhaoxu added, ”Looks like it's a good thing that I hadn't shared his identity with you earlier. You might not have been able to flee if you had known.”

”Rubbish!” Meng Fuyao rolled her eyes. ”Do you think good looks are enough to weaken my knees?”

Yuan Zhaoxu leaned over in a serious manner and patted Yuan Bao's little head. ”Don't you think so, Lord Yuan Bao?”

”Squeak, squeak!” Yuan Bao agreed enthusiastically.

Meng Fuyao flew into a rage. ”If I really were a pervert, you'd be the first victi-” she trailed off, eyes widening in shock and hurriedly covering her mouth.

Yuan Zhaoxu had a keen sense of hearing, unfortunately, and he lifted a brow at her. ”Eh?”

Meng Fuyao sprung up and shouted, ”I'll get going!”

She sprinted with all her might, but she could vaguely hear a low laughter ringing close to her ears.

”Been my wish all along.”

Just as both had expected, things took a turn the next day.

Logically speaking, Qi Xunyi should have brought the matter up to Lin Xuanyuan first, so that they could come up with strategies. Instead, he pondered over it for the whole day and had sent people to investigate certain affairs. He had also engaged with some disciples within the sect before finally dropping Lin Xuanyuan a visit at night.

As for the discussion that went on between them, no one knew. Members only heard Master Lin raging while Qi Xunyi simply smiled and gave orders. The former had been suspected of colluding with Yun Family to harm Princess Pei Yuan, and thus was sent to Yanjing for interrogation. A massive pool of soldiers had been dispatched to watch all sect members. Since everyone was still a suspect, none was allowed to leave the manor.