Chapter 33: Turbulence
When the news reached them, the elders of the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion were equally shocked.
None of them had expected that Shen Yanzhou would vanish overnight.
Although this outcome suited their secret wishes, at this moment, they dared not show the slightest trace of it on their faces.
“We are also investigating the matter. Please, General, quell your anger…” Zhou Yang bowed his head low.
“At present, it seems that the people from the Nether Sect made their move. If we wish to rescue Heir Shen, the Demon Suppression King himself will have to go.
The Hidden Moon Mountain and the Forest of No Return—most likely, the Nether Sect will have already laid their ambushes in advance…” Gu Ruoxi spoke as she handed over a slip of paper.
“Jingxiao is guarding the southern border, fending off the demon hordes. How could he possibly leave his post so easily?”
“Zhou’er is the only heir of our mansion. Should anything happen to him, I will never forgive you. This is clearly a dereliction of duty on the part of your Chilin Guards.” Shen Zhigao’s expression grew darker still, his fury almost uncontrollable.
Zhou Yang gave a bitter smile, unable to refute him.
Indeed, such a grave incident occurring during their routine patrol was a failure on their part.
“First, surround the Yuxian Pavilion and investigate every room one by one. Since the Nether Sect managed to poison the wine, they must have planted spies within the establishment. See if we can trace their whereabouts through those spies…” Gu Ruoxi ordered.
“If he was abducted last night, then by now he must have already been taken out of the city. Tracking them down will be as difficult as ascending the heavens.”
Chu Dao sighed, his brows furrowing deeply.
A case of such magnitude, if not handled properly, would have dire repercussions.
The entire capital’s Chilin Guards, patrol guards, and watchmen would all likely be implicated.
Today, it was the Heir of the Demon Suppression King who had been taken.
Tomorrow, could it be the young master of some other noble house?
——
Soon, the news that Shen Yanzhou, the heir of the Demon Suppression King, had been abducted by the Nether Sect from the Yuxian Pavilion the previous night spread throughout the entire capital, causing an uproar.
Some clapped their hands in delight, believing that the Nether Sect had rid the world of a scourge—a deed worthy of celebration.
Others were shocked and fearful; if even the heir of the Demon Suppression King was unsafe, then the infiltration of the Nether Sect was far too deep.
Still more were filled with unease.
After all, the Demon Suppression King had only this one son.
Should anything happen to him, who could say what impulsive actions the king might take?
That very day, from grand mansions to bustling streets, from tea houses to taverns, all of the capital was abuzz with discussion of the event.
Even in the depths of the imperial palace, Emperor Mingde—who had long refrained from interfering in state affairs—summoned his chief attendant to inquire about the matter.
Soon after, he issued an imperial order: the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion must be given an explanation.
No matter the cost, the heir of the Demon Suppression King, Shen Yanzhou, must be brought safely back to the capital.
The Chilin Guards and the patrol forces spent the entire day conducting searches at every market and street corner.
The strongholds of various immortal sects and Daoist lineages within the capital were all inspected one by one.
Informants and spies of every faction broke into cold sweats in fear.
For a time, the entire capital was gripped by tension, the air thick with unease.
“How come I haven’t received any word of this? Which branch did this?”
“Could it be that after Tianji Studio’s base was destroyed, the headquarters launched this operation as retaliation—to show their strength?”
“To pull off such a swift, grand move… The Holy Sect’s might remains as formidable as ever.”
In a riverside courtyard within the capital, an old man in white robes sat in a meditation chamber, shock flashing across his face before it turned into wild delight.
Across from him, a green-eyed young woman looked doubtful.
If this was truly the work of the Holy Sect, why had there been no message sent to their side?
Something about this matter made her feel as if the blame had been suddenly thrust upon them.
Still, to see the capital thrown into such a frenzy—soldiers on edge, paranoia spreading everywhere—it was quite satisfying.
This was exactly the sort of chaos that fit their style.
Even if it was a false accusation… so be it.
——
At the end of Vermilion Bird Street, within the Dragon-Tiger Institute, the students were in an uproar.
“Wonderful! That wastrel finally got his retribution! Heaven’s cycle of karma never fails.”
“The Nether Sect has committed evil for years, but this time they’ve done a good deed!”
“Careful what you say, careful! Such talk is dangerous—it could be seen as destabilizing the capital…”
Many students were gossiping, most with glee on their faces, while only a handful of noble-born disciples frowned, troubled by an unease they couldn’t name.
“Brother Qi! Brother Qi! Great news!”
On the second floor of the library, Qi Haoran was seated at a desk, reading an ancient text, when he heard his friend Liu Zi’an’s excited voice.
Moments later, he saw Liu Zi’an hurrying up the spiral staircase toward him.
“What is it, Brother Zi’an?” Qi Haoran asked in surprise, gesturing for him to lower his voice.
“That wastrel finally got what he deserved.”
Liu Zi’an sat down beside him, his face alight with schadenfreude, and recounted the day’s explosive news that had shaken the capital.
“Truly unexpected.”
Qi Haoran was stunned after hearing it.
Then, a sudden thought flashed across his mind: if Shen Yanzhou were to die outside the capital, wouldn’t Zhao Qingchan be freed from her engagement to the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion?
He knew such a thought was improper, contrary to all the teachings of the sages he had studied, yet once it surfaced, it spread uncontrollably.
Yes—if that infuriating man were to die outside the capital, wouldn’t that be a cause for universal joy?
In the inner courtyard of the Dragon-Tiger Institute, beneath a hibiscus tree in full bloom, Zhao Qingchan frowned deeply as a maidservant whispered in her ear.
“Was the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion so lax in protecting their heir?”
She was filled with doubt.
After her conversation with Shen Yanzhou that day, she had faintly sensed there was more to him than met the eye.
Her intuition told her that his words carried hidden meaning, his mind harboring quiet wisdom.
Yet only a few days later, he had been abducted by the Nether Sect?
——
At the Wu Residence, Wu Ruyue paced back and forth in the courtyard, her brows knitted.
Naturally, she too had heard the news of Shen Yanzhou’s abduction.
“Master Shen had long foreseen that the Nether Sect would target him. His entry into the game was to use himself as bait.”
“With the slightest misstep, he would be utterly destroyed—body and soul alike.”
She gently caressed the jade communication talisman Shen Yanzhou had handed her when they last met.
The current situation was unfolding exactly as he had predicted.
It was as if he had foreseen every step long ago and had even warned her in advance.
At first, Wu Ruyue had been skeptical, not believing that the Nether Sect would dare to act so boldly.
“Master Shen not only hid his brilliance and defiled his own name but also foresaw the future like a prophet. Such courage and foresight truly command admiration.”
A feeling of inexpressible respect arose in her heart.
She dared not delay.
After tidying up briefly, she donned her soft armor, took up her red-tasseled spear, and prepared to ride to the headquarters of the Chilin Guards.
“Ruyue, why are you in such a hurry? Where are you headed?”
But just as she was about to leave the residence, she encountered Shen Tian, who was walking out from the neighboring courtyard.
Wu Ruyue stopped in her tracks, concealing the trace of coldness in her eyes.
Her expression returned to calm as she said naturally, “I am heading to the Chilin Guards. The capital is summoning all capable hands to discuss the rescue of Heir Shen. His Highness the Prince has treated me with kindness during his stay in the southern border. Now that the Heir suffers calamity, I cannot stand idly by. I wish to see if there is any way I can be of help.”
Shen Tian’s brows furrowed slightly.
He knew that Wu Ruyue was one who repaid kindness, but to risk herself for such a wastrel—what was the point?
“The Chilin Guards and the Bureau of Immortal Inspection are filled with experts. Although your martial cultivation is not weak, Ruyue, even if you involve yourself in this matter, I fear you won’t be of much help.”
“That kind of wastrel, once falling into the hands of the Nether Sect, likely won’t live for long.” Shen Tian advised.
Wu Ruyue glanced at him, her fists quietly tightening.
In the past, for the sake of their friendship, she had refrained from saying certain things.
But now, setting aside her emotional bias, she realized Shen Tian was far less warm-hearted and kind than she had imagined.
As the adopted son of the Demon Suppression King, who held great favor from him, Shen Tian’s attitude at this time was chilling.
Now that the King’s own son had been abducted, instead of thinking of ways to help, he was standing by with indifferent words.
If it were merely because he still bore a grudge for being slapped by Shen Yanzhou that day, she could have understood.
But judging from the recent chain of coincidences—Shen Tian had just visited the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion that day, soon after, rumors of the King’s illegitimate child spread, and that very night Shen Yanzhou was abducted by the Nether Sect…
It was all far too coincidental.
A bold suspicion began forming in Wu Ruyue’s mind… If Shen Yanzhou were to die, and Shen Tian’s identity as the Demon Suppression King’s illegitimate son were “confirmed,” then the one who stood to gain the most—and who wished for Shen Yanzhou’s death—would undoubtedly be Shen Tian himself.
The mastermind behind all of this… might very well be the man before her, who appeared harmless and mild.
Taking a deep breath, Wu Ruyue forced herself to remain calm.
Her tone was cold and firm as she said, “So what if my strength is low? As long as I am true to my conscience, that is enough.”
Without another word, she turned away from Shen Tian and went straight to the stables to ready her horse.
“Why does it feel like Ruyue’s attitude toward me has changed these past few days? She’s been colder, more distant…”
“I haven’t done anything, though.”
“Could it be because I left the residence without telling her these few days, making her think I was hiding something? A woman’s heart—truly as unfathomable as the sea.”
Watching Wu Ruyue’s departing figure, Shen Tian frowned.
However, he was not one to linger over matters of affection; there were far more important things at hand.
Just yesterday, he had been thinking of a way to make that wastrel vanish quietly—how convenient that the Nether Sect had taken action first.
“Hidden Moon Mountain, Forest of No Return… Yunzhou isn’t far from the capital.”
“With my speed, I can set off ahead of those going to rescue Shen Yanzhou, then find a way to catch up afterward.”
“This is truly heaven’s gift—an excellent opportunity to see him die miserably outside the capital.”
Shen Tian’s eyes turned cold, killing intent surging within them.
He lightly brushed the sword case strapped to his back.
At a critical moment, he could even make use of a hidden trump card.
——
Inside the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion, the atmosphere was grave and heavy.
Several elders gathered within the ancestral hall.
In the center stood a Voice-Echo Stone, upon which the projection of the Demon Suppression King, Shen Jingxiao, appeared.
He wore a faint smile, his bearing refined and composed.
Despite Shen Yanzhou’s abduction, there was no trace of worry on his face—he was as calm as if an insignificant ant had been swept away by the wind.
“How was Tian’er’s interaction with the Princess Consort yesterday?” Shen Jingxiao instead asked about that.
Shen Zhigao replied, “It went fairly well. The Princess Consort seems to think quite highly of Shen Tian. It’s just that, at a crucial moment, Shen Yanzhou suddenly disrupted them, ruining their conversation…”
“Childish temperament—good only at causing trouble, never at accomplishing anything.” Shen Jingxiao shook his head.
“Was it truly the Nether Sect that abducted Shen Yanzhou?” an elder asked, frowning.
“It appears to be their doing, but the Nether Sect isn’t that foolish. This brings them no benefit—on the contrary, it places them under the empire’s scrutiny.”
“No, this seems more like a deliberate framing.” Shen Jingxiao lifted his teacup and took a slow sip.
“Then what shall we do? The entire capital is watching. We can’t just ignore it and let him fend for himself, can we? If you don’t show yourself, the court may accuse you of being heartless.” Shen Zhigao’s expression was troubled.
“I am stationed in the southern border and cannot leave my post. How could the court call me heartless? They will only praise me for putting the greater good above personal feelings—willing to sacrifice my son for the stability of the realm.” Shen Jingxiao smiled faintly.
He didn’t care which faction had abducted Shen Yanzhou.
To him, whoever did it had merely done him a favor, ridding him of a stain—he was grateful, not angry.
It was a gain both in name and in benefit.
The gathered elders nodded.
They too did not wish for Shen Jingxiao to take risks.
Whoever dared use Shen Yanzhou as leverage would gain nothing but failure.
“Of course, we must still make a show of proper effort. Also, keep an eye on the Princess Consort—make sure she doesn’t do anything foolish. The court will do its best to organize a rescue.”
“But whether he lives or dies… will depend on his own fate.”
Shen Jingxiao spoke indifferently.
He still held the Nether Gu and could, through that faint connection, locate Shen Yanzhou’s position and send experts to rescue him.
But… there was no need.
The value of that chess piece had already been exhausted.
To discard it now was only natural.
——
At the Emerald Bamboo Courtyard, Chunchao stood quietly with her head bowed beside Princess Consort Yu Chenyu, recounting everything that had happened the previous day—how Shen Yanzhou left the mansion, went to the Yuxian Pavilion, and drank himself into oblivion.
She even repeated every word Shen Yanzhou had said, for as a sword prodigy, her memory was exceptionally sharp.
Nothing was omitted, except for what happened after he lost consciousness.
Having caused such a serious incident, Chunchao had thought she would be harshly punished by Yu Chenyu.
Yet to her surprise, not a single scolding word came.
After listening to everything that had happened, Yu Chenyu fell silent, lost in thought.
“Those ridiculous words from yesterday… were they perhaps hiding his true thoughts?”
“Heh, so his wings have grown hard, and now he wishes to break free of his cage…”
After a moment, Yu Chenyu rubbed her temples gently and let out a faint, cold smile.
Chunchao, not understanding, looked puzzled and asked, “Will we go and rescue the Heir?”
“Rescue?”
“Rescue him for what? If he refuses to listen, then let him suffer some hardships outside.”
“He thinks that with a bit of wit, he can stir up the storm in this whirlpool? Let’s see if he truly has the ability. When he’s completely drowned, only then will he know regret.”
For the first time, the always cool and detached Yu Chenyu showed genuine anger.
This was different from feigned displeasure—it came from her heart.
She had believed Shen Yanzhou would quietly stay by her side, where at least she could ensure his safety within the treacherous capital.
Even if the truth about his identity as the real or false heir were to be exposed later, she could have still protected him all his life.
But this man—clever, self-willed, and self-righteous—truly thought that leaving the capital and escaping the whirlpool would mean safety?