In the dead of night.
The Wang family residence.
Wang Ba Dan and a few maidservants had just finished a little game and were feeling a bit tired, preparing to rest.
Before he could lie down, his father called him away.
Thus, he was groggily led into a secret chamber.
Upon seeing the people inside the chamber, Wang Ba Dan instantly sobered up.
It was several high-ranking officials from the court!
"Father, are we going to..." Wang Ba Dan seemed to have realized something and asked with confusion.
"Don't speak, go and sit over there." His father pointed to an empty seat and instructed him.
Wang Ba Dan dared not say more and obediently went to sit down.
"My lords, everyone is present." Wang Ba Dan's father bowed to the void.
The next moment, space distorted.
A cloaked figure suddenly appeared before everyone.
Wang Ba Dan's heart sank.
He had seen this person before!
Shortly after Zhu Pi Gu died, this mysterious cloaked figure had come to his home.
It was from that time onwards that his father had confined him.
He had asked his father who this mysterious person was back then, but his father refused to say and almost beat him.
Could it be that he was also involved in this?
"How are your preparations?" the cloaked man asked indifferently after appearing.
"Replying to my lord, the troops have been deployed." Wang Ba Dan's father quickly replied, "We can surround the imperial palace by noon tomorrow!"
"Well done." The cloaked man nodded. "Remember, after noon tomorrow, no one must be allowed to enter or leave the imperial palace!"
"My lord..." Wang Ba Dan's father voiced his concerns, "Although each of our families has some cultivator retainers, their strength is far inferior to the cultivators who serve the imperial palace..."
"Indeed, my lord." Zhu Pi Gu's father also spoke up, "Moreover, the imperial palace has Liang Fei Fan. With our meager forces, I'm afraid..."
"And it seems the imperial family has some shady dealings with that newly arrived Ziyun Sect..."
"Yes, I heard that the Ten Great Sects were annihilated by an expert from within the Ziyun Sect..."
"We don't know the Ziyun Sect's background. If the Ziyun Sect interferes, then..."
...
The other ministers were clearly also very worried.
"Your task is only to surround the imperial palace." The cloaked man said lightly. "My people will handle the rest."
"But..."
Someone seemed to want to say more, but upon seeing the cloaked man's cold gaze, they promptly shut their mouths.
"Don't worry, I've assessed the situation of that old scoundrel Liang Fei Fan." The cloaked man explained, perhaps to reassure them. "That old scoundrel can barely take care of himself now, so he's not a threat!"
"As for this Ziyun Sect..." At this point, the cloaked man paused. "If they interfere, I don't mind dealing with them as well!"
After the cloaked man finished speaking, no one dared to utter a sound.
"Alright, let's all extend your hands." As the cloaked man spoke, he took out a small, strangely shaped bone knife.
The bone knife easily cut through the palms of everyone, and blood flowed from their hands.
Except for Wang Ba Dan, everyone else trembled in fear.
Previously, this mysterious person had given them such a strange bone knife and ordered them to cut the palms of their subordinates.
They clearly remembered that the soldiers' blood at that time had transformed into bizarre patterns and entered their bodies.
As expected.
The blood from their palms did not flow onto the table but transformed into the same strange patterns as before, disappearing into their own bodies.
Instantly, an icy sensation enveloped them...
When they looked at the cloaked man again, they couldn't help but feel an urge to prostrate themselves in worship.
It was a feeling of genuine submission...
As if with a single thought, he could decide their fate...
After all this, the cloaked man disappeared again.
Only the people in the room were left exchanging bewildered glances.
The Imperial Palace.
Upon confirming that the curse had been completely removed, Liang De Kuai and the Empress were ecstatic!
They reminisced about the past while rejoicing that the heavy burden that had weighed on their hearts for years had finally disappeared.
This should have been a joyous occasion.
However, for some reason, Liang De Kuai felt an incessant twitching in both his eyelids.
...
The next day.
Around ten in the morning.
Looking at the lively Liang Ru Jing before him, Ye Fan seemed to be experiencing a brief system overload...
He was naturally happy that Liang Ru Jing was fine, but the suddenness of the change was a bit overwhelming...
[Hmph!]
[No need to doubt... It was this system... that resolved it!]
The system's boastful voice echoed in Ye Fan's mind, its tone even a little haughty.
However, its voice was intermittent, seemingly struggling.
Ye Fan ignored it and started chatting with Liang Ru Jing.
Through Liang Ru Jing's explanation, he finally understood what had happened.
Liang Ru Jing had come on behalf of Liang De Kuai to invite Ye Fan.
Ye Fan had saved the entire Liang family, so they naturally wanted to express their gratitude.
If nothing else, inviting Ye Fan for a meal was the least they could do, right?
And so, Ye Fan boarded Liang Ru Jing's small flying boat and headed straight for the imperial palace.
During the journey, Liang De Kuai's family expressed their gratitude to Ye Fan in various ways, making Ye Fan feel a little embarrassed.
At the same time, Ye Fan felt a sense of doubt.
It seemed that what had happened before was merely a coincidence?
Liang Ru Jing's situation didn't seem to be a trap set by the system for him?
If only the system could read Ye Fan's thoughts.
Otherwise, if the system could hear his current thoughts, it would probably cry its heart out...
And it would be a cry filled with immense grievance and heartbreak...
Thinking again, Ye Fan became vigilant once more.
No...
Perhaps the previous events were indeed coincidental, but it was not impossible that this damned system was plotting something!
It might be trying to make him feel grateful, or to awaken his desire for power!
In short, it still holds true!
This damned system is here to harm me!
I must never let my guard down!
I must remain highly vigilant at all times!
...
Overall, the meal was a pleasant one, with a very harmonious atmosphere.
By the time they finished eating, it was already noon.
Just as Liang De Kuai was about to say something, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the hall.
"You all stay here, I'll go and see." After giving instructions, Liang De Kuai left.
The moment Liang De Kuai stepped out of the great hall, a guard ran up.
"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!" The guard said with a panicked expression. "The Minister of War and the Minister of Revenue, among others, have surrounded the imperial palace with their armies!"
Liang De Kuai's heart sank!
These fellows had truly rebelled!
And it was even earlier than he had anticipated!
He hadn't even noticed such a large-scale deployment of troops...
If nothing unexpected happened, his informants had likely been compromised...
Just as Liang De Kuai was about to make arrangements, several figures flew over from within the palace.