"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 f.u.xi 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 f.u.xi 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 pa.s.s. 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 Compet.i.tion. 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 sh.o.r.e. 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 f.u.xi 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!"
Liku nodded slightly at him and turned around. He said to Xiao Chen, "Young friend, since you are a citizen of the Zhou State, how can you be rude to your sovereign? Release Princess Xuanyue at once."
Xiao Chen did not wish to get into an argument. He shouted, "I want you to go away! Once I am safe, I will naturally release Her Highness... " Before he had finished these words, his arm started to feel numb. Xuanyue had jabbed a finger at him on the sly.
Xiao Chen was shocked. When did she force the Illusive-Immortal Incense out of her body? He cried out, "Grab her!" It was too late. Xuanyue had wrenched herself free and had streaked away like a sword radiance. She landed beside Liku and saluted him with a bow. "We are sorry to make Your Eminence come out of your retreat."
Xiao Chen understood that he was in serious trouble. Xuanyue was not incapable at all. She could force the Illusive-Immortal Incense out of her body using mystic arts. Since he no longer had a hostage, he took out the f.u.xi Zither string.
Liku focused his gaze on the half-illusionary, half-substantial Jade Zither in his arms. He asked, "Is this the zither crafted by the Archean Emperor f.u.xi, which possesses his divine prowess? It had ended up in the mortal world after the war between the Immortals and the Devils. Are you holding the C Major string in your hand?"
Xiao Chen heard him explain the f.u.xi Zither"s origins and was even more stunned. By his side, Chu Lingjiao was also knitting her brows. She blamed him for what he did days before. Why else would the Zhou State invite this man over? She did not know what to do.
Liku nodded again. "If you don"t answer me, I take it that I am correct. This zither string belongs to the Zhou State. You"d better return it to its owner."
Xiao Chen"s heart sank. Unless he woke to find it all a nightmare, he could never hold on to the zither string. If this man took away his zither string, he would not kill him. He would still remember Xiao Chen"s meritorious service in the last few days. Yet to kill him now would be as easy as turning a palm.
He had finally located this zither string. How could he let him have it now? Just when he was at a loss, someone in the distance started humming a tune. "A blade of flower, a blade of dust, a night shower of flowers leaving no dust... "
As each word descended, the voice seemed to creep a little closer. With the final word "dust", a man in white appeared in the air.
This man"s countenance seemed carved out of jade and it was as pretty as a picture. He was a most handsome man of the mortal world. His complexion was as fair as a maiden"s. In his hand was a feather fan with ornamental flowers, as he descended slowly from mid-air. The moment he landed, all the dust on the ground dispersed away.
Xiao Chen was astounded. Was this man the No. 7 Cultivator None-flower Dust? He could not discern his cultivation at all. Was he here for the zither string?
Liku gave an expression of slight surprise. Then, he smiled. "Oh? Is this young None-flower? We haven"t met for ten years. How are you?"
In the distance, the crowds bustled with excitement. Numerous girls gave a scream at the city gate. Was this the most handsome and graceful man in the world, None-flower Dust?
None-flower Dust smiled faintly and looked at him. His voice was tender as a girl"s. "Oh? Perfected Immortal Liku? Look, it has been ten years. You still look so old and I, so young... "
Liku glanced at Xuanyue by his side and ordered her to return to the city at once. Then, he smiled again at None-flower Dust. "You are right. Unfortunately, I have something I need to attend to. Why don"t we reminisce again another day?" His body shifted as he streaked toward Xiao Chen.
A white shadow flashed. None-flower Dust had blocked Liku"s path. He waved the feather fan in his hand gently, smiling nonchalantly. "How can you leave just like that? We have scarcely met. After all, our last fight ten years ago ended in a draw. Why don"t we continue today?"
All these took place in the blink of an eye. Xiao Chen had not even seen what had happened. None-flower Dust stood rooted to the ground. The figure which had blocked Liku"s path was a double.
Chu Lingjiao tugged at his robe sleeve, whispering, "Now"s the best time to go!"
Liku saw that Xiao Chen was about to leave. He yelled out in a deep voice, "We"d better choose another day to reminisce!" His body whizzed and he edged near Xiao Chen. He was about to extend his hand to grab the Jade Zither, when another white shadow stopped him. Yet None-flower Dust seemed still rooted to the spot.
He could conjure up two separate doubles so quickly, one after the other. Xiao Chen was astonished. How high was his cultivation, really? He could not dwell on this question. Chu Lingjiao pulled him away as they dashed into the forest.
Behind them, Liku had been detained by None-flower Dust. He could not come after them for the time being. Together with Luo Shangyan and the 12 Heartless Palace disciples, they continued running for 10 kilometers. Xiao Chen had kept his Jade Zither into the Divine Vessel. When he turned back to look, he could no longer see Liku and None-flower Dust. Another girl in red blouse had come after them. It was Liu Fenghuang.
Liu Fenghuang stared at the two and said in a soft voice, "Junior Brother Han... Senior Sister Chu..." Chu Lingjiao smiled quietly. "Little Fenghuang, are you still addressing me as Senior Sister?"
Xiao Chen spoke. "Go and wait for me over there. I have something to say to her. I will be there shortly." Chu Lingjiao smiled indifferently. "Hurry up. That None-flower Dust might not be a match for Liku." She glanced at Luo Shangyan. "Let"s go together, Miss Luo."
Xiao Chen knew that she had made Luo Shangyan accompany her because she feared that he would run off with the zither. He said to Luo Shangyan, "You go too, Senior Sister Luo. I shall be there shortly."
The others left. Xiao Chen stared at Liu Fenghuang. "I"m sorry I deceived you. My motive all along was the divine zither. I know you won"t believe me, but this divine zither was once my companion many years ago."
Liu Fenghuang choked back tears. "Junior Brother Han, come back with me. My father won"t blame you... " Xiao Chen sighed. "My surname isn"t Han but Xiao. My real name is Xiao Chen." Then, he took out the dragon pill from the Divine Vessel and handed it to her. "You"d better return this dragon pill to Sect Leader Liu... "
Liu Fenghuang"s eyes were full of tears. She continued to choke. "Junior Brother Han... "
Xiao Chen sighed. "Be careful in the future. Don"t trust another person too easily... " He turned to go after these words. After walking 15 meters away, he turned back his head and discovered that she was still standing at the same spot. He said again, "I am going to Jade Qing Sect in the Qing Province. You can look me up if something is up."
This time, he no longer stopped. He pushed himself forward on his tiptoes. He believed that Liu Fenghuang would not reveal his whereabouts to anyone.