Chapter 329, Today, This National Master Can Also
Tianlang City.
Nowadays, Tianlang City is quite different from when Young Master Sang first arrived.
The ancient city aesthetic still lingers, but now there’s an added sense of heaviness and oppression. The streets are sparsely populated, and those who are out and about mostly seem hurried, lacking the leisurely pace that Young Master Sang experienced upon arrival.
Everywhere he looks, he sees the Tianlang Wei patrolling back and forth, each with an unfriendly demeanor, a chilling atmosphere spreading through the streets.
Young Master Sang has taken it all in on his way.
He walks to the perimeter of the imperial city, where the Tianlang Wei have formed a blockade, preventing any civilians from coming near. He even senses several Crossing Tribulation Stage cultivators among the military formation.
However, none of the Tianlang Wei dare to step into the imperial city.
Because in the air, a fragile-looking eunuch in a yellow robe is hovering above the imperial city.
Grand Overseer Qin Xiuyuan.
This elderly eunuch, who is solely loyal to the Emperor, has been responsible for the Emperor’s safety since before the sixth generation of the Holy Kingdom.
Now, just his presence sitting in the imperial city is enough to intimidate all the surrounding Tianlang Wei not to cross a single step.
Young Master Sang senses around him and doesn’t detect the presence of another cultivation of the Great Ascension Stage. After some thought, he decides not to disturb Qin Xiuyuan in the air and directly activates his mask mode to conceal his presence and slip into the imperial city.
Inside the palace, there are hardly any maidens around, nor can he spot any civil or military officials. The great hall is empty and desolate, with only a few eunuchs hurrying past occasionally.
Young Master Sang makes his way to the inner palace and finally spots Huo Ningxue and Huo Ming in the pavilion of the rear garden.
Huo Ningxue’s expression isn’t as panicked as Young Master Sang imagined. Her eyes are remarkably calm, gently reassuring her brother Huo Ming next to her. Her composed demeanor might have overwhelmed anyone else, but Young Master Sang, who knows her well, sees through it.
Huo Ming, too, shows an unexpected calmness for his age, quietly reading a book beside his sister.
When Huo Ningxue catches sight of Young Master Sang materializing nearby, a flash of surprise crosses her beautiful eyes, but she quickly regains her composure.
“National Master, you’ve finally appeared.”
“I apologize for arriving late for your protection, Your Majesty.”
“Are you really here to protect me?”
Young Master Sang slowly lifts his head to glance at Huo Ningxue.
Huo Ningxue simply gazes at him, her pale golden eyes showing no sadness or joy, betraying no emotion.
She patiently waits for his response.
As if waiting for her own fate.
After a moment of silence, Young Master Sang asks, “What would you do if I said I wasn’t?”
“I would drink the medicine with Mingming.”
Only then does Young Master Sang notice two bowls of medicine placed on the stone table in the pavilion.
In that instant, he seems to understand her choice.
She may not be the brightest.
But she doesn’t seem as foolish as he thought.
She realizes that if she falls into the hands of the Third Prince, her and her brother’s fate could be worse than death.
“I already know the National Master’s true identity,” Huo Ningxue suddenly states.
“Oh?”
“The banner raised by the Third Prince and General Xu indicates that I am deceived by the Demon Cultivators, which made me aware that your true identity is actually the head of the Punishment Department who has clashed with me several times.”
She calmly continues, “I never expected that someone from the Demon Cult, who clashed with me in the past, would end up being the closest person to me.”
“What a pity.”
Young Master Sang quietly watches her.
He thought that after discovering the truth, Huo Ningxue would be disappointed in him, perhaps even angry and sad about the lies he had told.
But in her eyes, he sees nothing.
She still looks at him the same way, only calmness and a hint of bitterness reflected in her gaze.
“Your Majesty… don’t you hate that I deceived you?”
“I don’t hate it.”
Huo Ningxue lowers her beautiful eyes slightly, softly saying, “I’m just a bit scared.”
“After this truth is revealed, will you… not want to be my National Master anymore?”
Young Master Sang’s heart skips a beat.
What to say?
Perhaps her overly innocent nature makes him feel a strange sense of pity.
Or maybe his previous guilt over misleading Huo Ningxue prevents him from standing idly by while this naive girl stays alone in the imperial city.
Finally, he sighs and ruffles his hair.
“Well, since I’ve been found out, I won’t pretend anymore.”
He confidently walks over to Huo Ningxue, plops down beside Huo Ming, messes up the little prince’s hair, and casually says:
“That’s right, my true identity is actually the head of the Punishment Department from the Demon Cult, Young Master Sang.”
“I’m the one who caused you trouble while you were dealing with Floating Splendor Commerce.”
“Although our Demon Cult has had a bit of friction and grievances with your Holy Kingdom, I, the honored head, am magnanimous enough to forgive.”
“By now, you should realize that sitting here and waiting for death is no different. Grand Eunuch Qin can only protect you siblings for a moment, not for a lifetime. If you continue to be trapped in the palace, letting the Tianlang Wei and the Third Prince make moves in the Holy Kingdom, soon enough, when the officials yield and the people pledge their loyalty, Grand Eunuch Qin alone won’t stop the Third Prince from ascending the throne.”
“Your lives are currently in my hands.”
“Right?” He smiles widely at Huo Ningxue.
Huo Ningxue remains silent.
She’s encountered this type of situation before.
Just like when Li Shanyan found her starving in the stable.
She actually has no choice on her own; she can only go with the flow.
But as long as there’s a chance to protect her brother.
Huo Ningxue is willing to do anything.
“I know, I’m a silly sister.”
She slowly lowers her head, saying, “But even so, I still want to keep my brother safe.”
“Please National Master, save our lives. I’ll pay any price.”
“… Any price?”
Young Master Sang feigns an evil smile, cackling, “Do you know that those who usually say such things tend to be asked for outrageous things?”
“I don’t care.”
Huo Ningxue seems blissfully unaware, her clear eyes still looking at him: “I trust the National Master.”
I trust the National Master.
Like last time.
This time, Huo Ningxue unwaveringly states those words again.
Even though she already knows he’s a fraud.
Seeing Huo Ningxue’s clear and beautiful eyes, Young Master Sang gradually loses interest, curling his lips: “Tsk, boring.”
“… How can there really be a silly girl so innocent in this world?”
Innocent to the point that just looking into her eyes fills him with guilt.
“Fine.”
“This job, I, the National Master, will take it on.”
Young Master Sang slowly walks up to Huo Ningxue, grinning as he messes up her hair: “Considering how hard it is for you to get out of bed without me, I’ll be magnanimous and save you once.”
“Back then, Li Shanyan was able to help you ascend to the throne.”
“Today, I, the National Master, can do the same.”
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