"You can whip and whip if you want, no one will stop you."
Ye Luan shoved him away forcefully and walked out.
Xiao Chi Zhan's eyes were blood-red and terrifying, the cold, sharp pupils flickering with clusters of faint flames, striking a chilling fear into the heart.
He desperately suppressed his temper, turned back, and grabbed her wrist.
"Where are you going?"
Ye Luan didn't want to pay him any mind, and struggled with all her might.
Xiao Chi Zhan did not loosen his grip, but seeing the red marks suddenly appear on her wrist, he unconsciously softened his strength.
Taking advantage of this opening, she swiftly pulled her hand free and strode out the door.
Xiao Chi Zhan's expression was grim as he followed.
But as soon as he stepped out, he saw the guards waiting by the door.
"Your Highness, the Prime Minister has something to discuss with you."
Xiao Chi Zhan stopped. "What is it?"
"Xie Bei Han has successfully ascended the throne."
After the death of the Northern Qi former emperor, the palace descended into chaos. The army advanced into Yan Jing City, and the Northern Army King's men washed the entire imperial palace with blood. The Fourth Prince and his faction of rebels were all killed before Xuan Wu Gate.
Prince You refused to submit and made a scene before the funeral tablet, but was stabbed to death by Crown Prince Xie Bei Han with a single blow. His methods were ruthless, and all civil and military officials were terrified, daring not to disobey.
However, a nation cannot be without a ruler for a single day. After the former emperor's posthumous edict was read, the new emperor ascended the throne before the funeral tablet, ushering in a new master for the land of Northern Qi.
"However, our scouts have discovered that before the coronation ceremony was held, he quietly left Yan Jing, leaving a puppet to administer the government in his stead."
After the former emperor's death and the period of national mourning, the ceremony could then be held.
Xiao Chi Zhan let out a scoff. "Not content to be his emperor, he's asking for death!"
The guard continued, "There is also another matter. The Northern Army King has received a secret order and has gone to Southern Xinjiang. There is a fear of unforeseen changes, so the Prime Minister has sent me to invite Your Highness to discuss matters concerning Southern Xinjiang."
"Xue Ren."
Hearing his name called, Xue Ren immediately stepped forward from behind and said respectfully, "Your Highness."
"Send someone to watch her."
"Yes."
Xiao Chi Zhan turned and left.
After Ye Luan returned from buying medicinal herbs, she found the aura of hidden guards all around the small courtyard.
She glanced at the medicinal herbs in her hand, said nothing, and slammed the door shut, entering the room.
She spent the entire afternoon refining medicinal herbs in the room, her back aching from exhaustion.
When she was done, she took out the brocade box locked in the cabinet. Just as she was about to open the mechanism to examine it, she heard voices from outside.
"Miss, it's getting late. Have something to eat."
It was Long San's voice.
Ye Luan pursed her lips, put the items back, and opened the door.
Long San was holding two very large food boxes. Seeing her emerge, he quickly said, "All bought from Zui Xiang Lou. These are your favorite dishes."
Ye Luan did not want to make things difficult for them and smiled, "Come in."
After Long San had arranged the food for her, he respectfully withdrew.
After eating, Ye Luan washed up. Just as she was about to get into bed, she suddenly heard several light footsteps outside.
She startled, quickly put on her clothes, and drew her saber.
In the courtyard, the sounds of fighting suddenly erupted.
More than a dozen black-clad figures suddenly burst in, all highly skilled in martial arts. The hidden guards concealed in the courtyard immediately revealed themselves and engaged them.
Although their martial arts were not ordinary, the Dragon Scale Guards were not to be trifled with, and the fighting was fierce.
Long San recognized the fighting style of these individuals and immediately released a smoke bomb, which exploded in the air with a loud bang.
Ye Luan peered through the window at the scene in the courtyard, her lips pursed slightly.
Who was coming for her?!
"Are you Ye Luan?!"
Suddenly, a black silhouette flashed by and appeared before her.
Ye Luan was startled and quickly retreated.
Such speed!
She gripped her saber tightly and looked up, seeing a woman in black walk in gracefully, her face covered with a black cloth, revealing only a pair of exceptionally beautiful eyes.
"Who are you?!"
The woman let out a light laugh. "The one who will take you away."
As she spoke, the woman moved like a phantom, and the razor-thin blade at her fingertips bloomed like a lotus, spreading outwards. Ye Luan's pupils contracted, and she immediately leaped into the air, dodging the attack.
But the attacker's speed was truly astounding. With a *ding*, the blade grazed, sparks flying.
Ye Luan immediately sheathed her saber and leaped over the table.
The sword wind suddenly attacked, and she watched in surprise at the woman's peculiar movements.
"You are not from Da Liang?!"
The woman chuckled.
"Miss Ye, I will not harm you. Someone wishes to see you. Come with me obediently, lest I accidentally injure you."
Ye Luan was unwilling to go with her. She rapidly sheathed her saber, shook it violently, and several hidden weapons flew out from her sleeves, aimed directly at the approaching figure.
The latter dodged by bending low, grasped the short blade, and slashed back.
With a *click*, the black-clad woman's long sleeves flew out, coiling around her from all directions.
A sharp killing intent, mingled with a cold wind, swept through.
Ye Luan's robes fluttered as she gracefully leaped, flying out from her sleeves.
The woman sneered, immediately retracted her sleeves, and pursued.
"Miss, are you alright?"
The courtyard was filled with corpses and blood.
Long San broke free from the encirclement and leaped towards her.
"I'm fine, hurry up and go."
But the woman's martial arts were too formidable. In a flash, she had engaged them.
Ye Luan watched as Long San intercepted the woman, and just as she was about to go forward to help, another man suddenly flew towards her, darting from the branches of the trees and pouncing down.
The cold wind was sharp and whistling.
She immediately raised her saber to block, but the man seemed to have no intention of killing her. He swiftly circled behind her.
"Miss, please accompany us."
A rough hand suddenly grasped her arm.
Ye Luan immediately lifted her leg in a sweeping motion, her saber aimed directly at his face.
As the man dodged aside, Ye Luan noticed his left hand and narrowed her eyes, a cold smirk on her lips.
"Someone with severed fingers can still be an assassin. From which sect do you hail, sir?"
The man remained silent. His figure flickered and he flew past, leaping behind her.
Ye Luan immediately turned her saber behind her to block. A cold glint flashed, and the sharp *clash* of sabers was extremely jarring.
The clear moonlight scattered across the ground, casting a faint silver glow in the empty courtyard.
Sabers, shouts, falling bodies, everywhere were crisscrossed by cold killing intent, the glint of weapons, and a bloody storm.
Imperial Palace Military Affairs Office.
Xiao Chi Zhan sat on the dragon throne, with two rows of military ministers standing below, all discussing the battle situation in Southern Xinjiang.
Liu Rong Ruo was sitting in the chair on the right, drinking tea. Upon hearing them mention the Saintess, he raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Before Xie Bei Han convened the court, Southern Xinjiang and Northern Qi were like fire and water. But since his ascension, he has colluded with that demon woman from Southern Xinjiang. His sudden attack on Ling Nan this time is certainly the intention of Northern Qi."
"Indeed. These Northern Qi curs are afraid of Da Liang contending with them, and disrupting our borders. Their hearts are truly wicked."
"However, the new emperor of Northern Qi has just ascended the throne and is facing internal strife. He won't have much capacity to attack Da Liang--"
Before he could finish speaking, a minister interrupted directly.
"The new emperor is that Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace. He led expeditions with great success in his youth. I have crossed swords with him. He is cruel and decisive, and favors risky maneuvers. Perhaps he intends to seize the opportunity while other countries are complacent to expand his territory and bolster his reign."