Chapter 29: The Princess Is a Great Ally!

An hour later.

"Thank you for your generous gift; your death has value."

Yu Xian tossed aside the young man, who had been reduced to a pile of mangled flesh and was now begging only for a swift end, and casually snapped his neck.

As Yu Xian stood up, he frowned, recalling the information he had extracted from the youth.

"The Jiang family of Shangyang City, and the Lin family of the cultivation world... The undercurrents of a secret struggle between two great cultivation clans are not something a small fry like me can withstand."

"The trees desire stillness, but the wind will not cease. I only want to live a quiet life; why is that so difficult?"

"Must I run away?"

Yu Xian was hesitant. This group belonged to the Lin family’s cultivators, and their target was Prince Fu, whom he was currently serving at the Prince’s estate. It was foreseeable that if he stayed, he would eventually cross paths with the Lin family’s cultivators. As a small fry who had only just broken through to the late stage of Qi Refining, how could he possibly clash with a cultivation powerhouse like the Lin family? Most importantly, Prince Fu was not worth risking his life for.

"The only good news is that the Lin family fears the Jiang family and dares not act too openly. They haven't sent many people to the Yue Kingdom; there are only two cultivators at the late stage of Qi Refining. One is stationed in Guangnan Prefecture, secretly protecting the rebel leaders and not easily moved; the other is developing influence in the Jianghu of the Yue Kingdom, recruiting martial arts experts, and is as elusive as a dragon. Since he is so mysterious, he won't reveal himself easily."

"For now, I don't have to worry about a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator from the Lin family attacking. However, this lecherous thief was merely a pawn with limited knowledge, and since he was so desperate for death, he might have tried to set a trap for me."

"Besides, their target is Prince Fu..."

If that was the case, wouldn't it be simple to just throw Prince Fu to his death? Once the Prince died, the Lin family would have achieved their goal and would no longer be interested in this place.

But this thought only circled in Yu Xian's mind for a moment before he discarded it. He could stand by and watch Prince Fu be killed without feeling a thing, but he could not actively push the man to his death. The outcome of both was the same, but the implications were entirely different. The former merely made him indifferent and cold, while the latter violated his moral code. To actively take a life for his own selfish gain was a bad precedent to set. He firmly held onto this faint, underlying principle.

"Forget it, forget it. If I can't afford to provoke them, I can at least hide."

After a moment of thought, Yu Xian came up with a plan.

"I’ll find a place to lay low. Once Prince Fu is dead, or the Lin family abandons their target, I’ll return. After all, the power behind the Yue royal family is not weak; it’s not impossible for them to protect Prince Fu if they truly wanted to. Where should I go?"

"I have it! Consultant Ding, I never expected that someone as thick-browed and big-eyed as you would be an undercover agent. I’ll hold this secret over you for the rest of your life!"

Once his mind was made up, it felt as though a heavy stone had been lifted, and his entire body relaxed. He picked up the youth’s corpse and vanished into the shadows with a few leaps.

...

At the Prince’s estate, in the study.

Yu Xian walked past layers of guards.

"Consultant Yu! Are you alright?"

The Princess, having changed into fresh clothes, had regained her usual elegant and noble demeanor. She had been chatting with Prince Fu, but upon seeing Yu Xian, who appeared disheveled and pale, she was the first to rush forward, her tone filled with genuine concern.

Prince Fu, who was about to stand up, tightened his brow, as if he had seen a flash of green light pass before his eyes.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. The assassin had two accomplices; I was truly no match for them. I beg the Prince and the Princess to forgive my incompetence."

Yu Xian was surprised by the Princess's enthusiasm, but he cupped his hands and offered a bitter, ashamed smile. He had already burned the young man to ashes. Unless the youth had the ability to manifest as a vengeful spirit and appear in broad daylight, no one had proof that he had killed him. Moreover, he had already obtained the spoils he wanted, so there was no need to bring the corpse before the Prince to claim credit and risk exposing his own strength.

"It is no matter. The most important thing is that Consultant Yu has returned safely. I have already ordered Constable Zhou to investigate the matter of the assassin. Based on the Princess's account, I suspect this assassin is the same 'Divine Fire Lord' from the Great Treasure House robbery. Combine the two cases into one, issue a wanted poster, and hunt them down throughout the entire prefecture. They must not be allowed to escape!" Prince Fu said, his face flushed with anger.

In less than half a year, two major assassination attempts had occurred at the estate. If an assassin could reach the Princess today, they might be able to reach his bedside tomorrow. Even with the heavy protection he had set for himself, he found little comfort, for he suspected that this "Divine Fire Lord" was, in all likelihood, a cultivator. The unknown was the greatest source of fear.

"The Prince is wise!" Yu Xian praised with a bow.

Just then, the Princess added, "Your Highness, the fact that I was able to escape safely this time is entirely due to Consultant Yu’s selfless rescue. You must reward him handsomely."

The normally standard words sounded somewhat wrong to Prince Fu’s ears. Was the Princess looking at Consultant Yu a bit too often today? However, considering she had been frightened and Consultant Yu was her savior, some enthusiasm was perhaps inevitable.

Prince Fu suppressed his inner discomfort and laughed heartily. "That goes without saying. The Princess is the person I cherish most. Consultant Yu has performed a great service; whatever reward he desires, I shall grant."

"The Prince is fair in reward and punishment; how could we not be willing to die for you!" Yu Xian said, his face filled with admiration and reverence.

"I do have one request, Your Highness. I have heard that there is a woman among your staff named Xu Meng'er, who is both talented and beautiful. I have no other interests, only a love for beautiful women, so I humbly request that you grant her to me."

This Xu Meng'er was none other than Chen Yi's sister.

Prince Fu’s expression stiffened. "How do you know her name?"

Seeing the Prince’s reaction, the Princess assumed this Meng'er was some mistress the Prince had been keeping. Although she felt an inexplicable irritation at Yu Xian asking the Prince for a woman, she was even more annoyed that the Prince was hesitating.

"Your Highness, does my safety mean less to you than a mere woman?" The Princess’s smile turned cold.

"It’s not that, she is different." Prince Fu wanted to explain, but didn't know where to begin.

"I don't care. A gentleman’s word is his bond. You have already promised Consultant Yu; surely you wouldn't go back on your word?" The Princess scoffed.

Yu Xian gave a silent thumbs-up in his heart. *The Princess is a great assist!*

Prince Fu sighed and nodded. "Fine! Tomorrow, I will have Xu Meng'er sent to your quarters, Consultant Yu. Are you satisfied now, Xin'er?"

"That’s more like it," the Princess huffed.

Prince Fu then added, "However, Consultant Yu, you must agree to one condition."

"Your Highness!" The Princess pinched Prince Fu’s waist. "Who attaches conditions to a reward?"

Prince Fu winced in pain but remained firm. "Consultant Yu, what do you say?"

"Please speak, Your Highness."

Yu Xian knew Prince Fu wouldn't let her go easily. It was just petty of him, considering he had just saved his wife. He had initially thought about warning him regarding the Lin family cultivators, but now he decided against it—the less trouble, the better.

"Persuade Chen Xiao to completely purge the toxic energy from my body. Furthermore, he must not appear within my sight for the next ten years. If you do this, I will grant both him and his sister their freedom."

At these words, the Princess stopped her fussing. The poison in Prince Fu’s body was also a source of great anxiety for her; the heir was still young, and Prince Fu could not fall.

Yu Xian hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Very well."

"I trust your promise, Consultant Yu. Xu Meng'er will be sent to you tomorrow." Prince Fu thought for a moment and continued, "Also, for your meritorious service in saving the Princess, it must be rewarded. I grant you one thousand taels of silver, twenty bolts of silk, and ten jars of fine wine!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Yu Xian bowed and withdrew, thinking to himself, *Chen Yi, you owe me now, and you won't be able to pay it back in this lifetime.*