Starting as the young master of a medicine shop, he practiced swordsmanship for twenty years.

Chapter 381 The Enraged Emperor. He Orders the Eastern Depot to Deal with the Crown Prince!

Just as Xiao Fenghe was about to continue explaining, Lu Xuan suddenly raised his hand and waved.

"go out."

Those two cold words, like a piece of cold iron falling to the ground, left no room for doubt.

Xiao Fenghe trembled, swallowing back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

He took one last deep look at the blue stone that had been guarded for generations, his eyes filled with regret and resentment.

As he left the forbidden area, the leader of the Qingfeng Sect clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms.

He wished he could slap himself twice—if he hadn't coveted the martial arts world dominance promised by the Crown Prince, how could he have exposed the sect's centuries-old secrets to the Eastern Depot?
The mountain wind howled, as if mocking his foolishness.

Xiao Fenghe was hunched over, looking as if he had aged ten years in an instant.

He knew that from this day forward, the Qingfeng Sect's greatest secret no longer belonged to the Qingfeng Sect.

Without turning his head, Lu Xuan flicked his sleeve towards the cave entrance, and in an instant, a bone-chilling cold swept across the entire forbidden area of ​​the back mountain.

Click, crack... the sickening sound of freezing echoed one after another.

Frost covered every inch of the bluestone ground, and crystal-clear ice patterns instantly covered the rock walls.

Most terrifyingly, at the cave entrance, the thick layer of ice spread wildly at a visible speed, quickly forming an ice wall several meters thick.

The crystal-clear ice surface reflects a cold, blue light, completely separating the inside from the outside into two worlds.

When the ice crystals stopped growing, the entire cave had turned into an ice cave.

Xiao Fenghe stood frozen in place, only able to vaguely see through the ice wall that the figure in the python robe was standing with his hands behind his back in front of the blue stone, his robes fluttering even without wind.

Until the very last moment, the snow-white energy rapidly spread across the surface of the ice, completely enveloping the transparent ice layer.

In an instant, the entire cave entrance transformed into a perfectly formed ice mirror, making it impossible to see anything inside.

Xiao Fenghe staggered back two steps, a metallic taste rising in his throat.

His distorted face was reflected on the ice, and the snow-white energy was still flowing deep within the ice.

From then on, this blessed land, which had been passed down for hundreds of years, was no longer a forbidden area that the Qingfeng Sect could touch.

Lu Xuan stepped across the ice and stopped three feet in front of the bluestone.

The Dao patterns flowing on the stone suddenly trembled violently, as if it had sensed some terrifying existence.

"It's a pleasant surprise."

His pale, jade-like right hand slowly pressed down on the stone surface, and the moment his fingertips touched it, the entire piece of bluestone suddenly emitted a series of buzzing sounds.

The system light screen unfolded in the void, with the pale golden data stream and the Daoist charm of the blue stone complementing each other.

Host: Lu Xuan, the Immortal of the Mortal World (Fourth Incarnation)

Realm: Grandmaster (Perfect)
Technique: Extreme Cold Palm 12/9
Score: 21100
The power of heaven and earth has been detected. Please confirm whether to extract it.

The icy light in Lu Xuan's eyes suddenly intensified, and a smile that was neither a smile nor a frown appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"extract."

The two words were uttered softly, and the Dao patterns on the bluestone suddenly began to spin wildly, causing the entire cave to tremble violently.

The spiritual energy of heaven and earth that had flowed for thousands, even tens of thousands of years surged toward Lu Xuan's pale palm like rivers flowing into the sea.
After a stick of incense.

The moment Lu Xuan withdrew his hand, the ancient blue stone suddenly let out a mournful cry, unable to bear the weight any longer.

The Dao patterns that had flowed across the stone for thousands of years crumbled inch by inch, and the originally crystal clear stone body turned gray at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Crack... A crisp sound of shattering echoed through the cave.

The entire piece of bluestone suddenly transformed into thousands of points of light, which scattered in the biting cold wind.

Lu Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, his attention fully focused on the system panel.

Host: Lu Xuan, the Immortal of the Mortal World (Fourth Incarnation)

Realm: Grandmaster (Perfect)
Technique: Extreme Cold Palm 12/9 (can be deduced)

Score: 91100
The system points increased by 70000!
Please confirm whether you wish to consume 75000 system points to deduce the Extreme Cold Palm technique.

"Deduction!"

At this moment, the Twelve Bodyguards of the Eastern Depot, along with the remnants of the Eastern Depot, climbed up the mountain gate in a disheveled state.

These once imposing guards were now all ragged and covered in wounds.

Some people's arms were twisted at bizarre angles, some dragged their broken legs with difficulty, and some had blood constantly oozing from their mouths and noses.

They were like a bunch of demons crawling back from hell; they were nothing like the elite forces of the Eastern Depot.
It's no wonder, though; being swept off the cliff by that devastating gale and surviving was already a stroke of luck.

A rough count revealed that at least a hundred agents of the Eastern Depot were forever lost in the rubble at the foot of the mountain, and not even a complete corpse could be found.

Cao Er fiercely wiped the bloodstains from his face, his gaze fixed on the churning sea of ​​clouds in the distance, his pupils contracting uncontrollably.

"damn it!"

The second-in-command of the Eastern Depot cursed under his breath; his back was already soaked with cold sweat.

If he hadn't already reached the Grandmaster level, and been able to activate his protective qi at the critical moment, his ten fingers would have gripped the cliff face like iron hooks.

By now, they'd probably be smashed to pieces and be having tea with Yama, the King of Hell.

Recalling the earth-shattering gale just now, Cao Er still feels lingering fear.

He practically had his life snatched back from the brink of death.

Despite the excruciating pain throughout his body, Cao Er looked up at the opposite side—hundreds of Qingfeng Sect disciples had formed a sword formation.

Xiao Fenghe stood at the front of the formation, his bloodshot eyes surging with overwhelming killing intent.

"Cough cough cough..."

Cao Er spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva, glancing around out of the corner of his eye.

All twelve bodyguards were wounded, and the remaining guards could barely stand.

The most crucial question is—where is the godfather?
"Second Brother..." Cao Qi's voice trembled beside him, "Could it be that Godfather wouldn't..."

"Shut up!"

Cao Er let out a low shout, and fine beads of sweat had already seeped from his forehead.

At this tense moment when life and death hung in the balance, he said, "If you gentlemen do not mind, you may wait here for a while."

Xiao Fenghe's voice suddenly came from behind the sword formation, his tone so gentle it was chilling.

The sect leader, who had been exuding murderous intent just moments before, suddenly smiled, and all his previous murderous aura vanished.

With a flick of his sleeve, dozens of Qingfeng Sect disciples filed out carrying medicine boxes, seemingly ready to treat the wounded members of the Eastern Depot.

The members of the Eastern Depot looked at each other in bewilderment. Cao Er's tense shoulders and back relaxed almost imperceptibly.

This sudden change only convinced them that their godfather was safe and sound, and might even be watching all of this from somewhere.

Otherwise, given Xiao Fenghe's temperament, he would have torn them to pieces long ago.

A mountain breeze swept across the training ground, swirling up a few blood-stained bamboo leaves.

The two sides appeared to be on good terms, but in reality, their inner strength was surging beneath the surface.

Beneath this moment of calm, undercurrents are silently gathering.

"Master Xiao, you're too kind." Cao Er returned the greeting with a cupped hand, but secretly continued to train his internal energy to be on guard.

Before he could finish speaking, the entire Qingfeng Peak suddenly trembled violently.

Everyone turned around in horror and saw a snow-white pillar of light shooting into the sky from the direction of the forbidden area behind the mountain, tearing the rolling sea of ​​clouds into a huge vortex.

Within the beam of light, one could vaguely see the python robe billowing, and the figure they knew all too well was standing in mid-air.

He was enveloped in an icy aura ten times more terrifying than before.

The towering, snow-white pillar of light suddenly contracted, as if pulled back to the heavens by an invisible hand.

Before everyone could recover from the shock, a figure in a python robe appeared on the mountain path in the distance.

It appears to be a leisurely stroll, but in reality, it involves minimizing the size of a space.

With each step Lu Xuan took, the bluestone within three zhang (approximately 10 meters) beneath his feet was covered with glistening frost patterns.

When he took the seventh step, he stood silently in front of the Eastern Depot members, his afterimage still lingering behind him.

"Go." The single word pierced everyone's eardrums like an ice pick, and the Twelve Protectors of the Eastern Depot trembled violently.

Host: Lu Xuan, the Immortal of the Mortal World (Fourth Incarnation)

Realm: Land Immortal (Beginner)

Technique: Extreme Cold Palm 13/9
Score: 16100
A sudden gust of mountain wind arose, and the instant Lu Xuan turned around, the clouds and mist over the entire Qingfeng Peak suddenly froze, as if affected by some kind of force.

Xiao Fenghe and the Qingfeng Sect members knelt on the ground until the python robe disappeared at the end of the three thousand stone steps, only then did they realize that their backs were already soaked with cold sweat.

This time, he has completely lost face as a member of the righteous sect.

Beijing!

Inside the study of the Qing family mansion, the fragrance of agarwood rose gently from the bronze incense burner.

Grand Tutor Qing's withered fingers caressed the celadon teacup, the Longjing tea inside already cooled down.

He looked at the prince, dressed in ordinary clothes, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes: "Your Highness, this old minister has served three dynasties and has seen far too many impatient princes and princes..."

The swaying bamboo shadows outside the window fragmented the prince's unpredictable expression.

The crown prince, who was over thirty years old, suddenly clenched his fist, his knuckles making a soft "crack" sound: "Teacher! You don't know how long I've waited."

"Father, why hasn't he...?"

"Be careful!"

Grand Tutor Qing slammed his teacup heavily on the table, startling a wisp of incense ash.

"Your Highness, our behind-the-scenes manipulation of those martial arts sects has already alerted them."

"If His Majesty finds out that you have falsely conveyed an imperial edict..." Grand Tutor Qing suddenly lowered his voice.

"Ten years ago, how was His Highness the Second Prince deposed? Has His Highness the Crown Prince forgotten?"

A gust of wind swept through the room, causing the books on the desk to rustle and turn, stopping precisely on a particular page.

The prince stared at the five words "haste makes waste" on the page, and the anger in his eyes gradually turned into coldness.

"Teacher, there's no need to persuade me any further."

"I will absolutely not let those damned things from the Eastern Depot get away with this."

The prince suddenly stood up, his jade pendant with a coiled dragon at his waist striking the corner of the rosewood table with a piercing cracking sound.

His eyes were bloodshot, and his once handsome face was now contorted like a demon: "If it weren't for those dogs from the Eastern Depot, Qinghan wouldn't have left me."

Grand Tutor Qing's pupils shrank sharply: "Your Highness! The Eastern Depot is a knife in His Majesty's hand."

As he spoke, he knelt down tremblingly, "Do you really intend to fight against your father for a woman?"

After Grand Tutor Qing finished speaking, the Crown Prince suddenly burst into maniacal laughter, the sound of which shook dust from the beams and caused it to fall in a flurry.

“Struggle? No…” He bent down and grabbed the paperweight from the table: “I just want to take back what is rightfully mine.”

Whenever the night was still and quiet, the prince would always see that nightmarish scene before his eyes.

Inside the gilded hall, the air was thick with the scent of ambergris. Lin Qinghan, dressed in a plain gauze palace gown, knelt before the emperor.

The thin fabric could barely cover anything, and her eyelashes trembled pitifully as her father's withered, tree-like hand slid down her bare shoulder.

"Your subject... takes his leave."

At that moment, his fingernails dug deeply into his palm, and blood dripped from the cuffs of his court robes onto the gold bricks.

But the emperor didn't even lift his eyelids, only preoccupied with playing with the silk sash around the waist of the beautiful woman in his arms.

As he stepped out of the palace, he heard the crisp sound of a jade hairpin falling to the ground from behind the beaded curtain.

"Why...?"

"Snapped!"

The teacup on the table was crushed to pieces, and the porcelain shards pierced his palm without him even noticing.

A maniacal glint appeared in the Crown Prince's eyes. Why was his father trying to steal the woman who belonged to him?

"Your Highness! Your hand..." Grand Tutor Qing exclaimed in surprise.

He hated his father, the emperor, and regarded the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard as thorns in his side.

If those eunuchs from the Eastern Depot hadn't dug deep into the ground to find Lin Qinghan, whom they had carefully hidden, how could she have been escorted into the palace and become a plaything in her father's hands?

What's hateful are those Imperial Guards.

They claim they can protect everything, but they can't even keep an eye on one person!

There must be a traitor within the Embroidered Uniform Guard, secretly colluding with the Eastern Depot.

"Pass down the order—I swear on the mountains and rivers that anyone who kills Lu Xuan shall be executed."

"To be granted land and fiefdoms, with hereditary succession!"

Inside the deep palace hall, gilded incense burners emitted wisps of smoke.

Shen Wanbao knelt on one knee on the cold gold brick, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

This commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who usually hid in the Zhenfu Division, didn't even have the courage to look the emperor in the eye at this moment.

"My good crown prince... my good son, you've grown wings."

Emperor Qian Dongji stroked the secret memorial in his hand, his voice chillingly cold: "For a woman, you dare to commit such a heinous act!"

"Hehehe!" Qian Dongji's sudden burst of sinister laughter echoed throughout the hall.

With a flick of his sleeve, the memorials piled on the table scattered like snowflakes.

These were all pieces of evidence against the Crown Prince secretly collected by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, including a secret report written by Shen Wanbao himself, recording his involvement in the case.

"He colluded with the Embroidered Uniform Guard and contacted martial arts forces to deal with the Eastern Depot. I can turn a blind eye to this and forgive him!"

Qian Dongji's cold voice echoed in the hall, and he tightened his grip on Lin Qinghan in his arms.

His rough fingers gripped the beauty's smooth chin, forcing her to tilt her pale face up.

"But I never expected this—"

Qian Dongji suddenly flew into a rage, increasing the force of his grip and leaving a glaring red mark on Lin Qinghan's chin.

"He actually dared to send assassins into the palace to kill me for the sake of you, my beloved concubine!"

"What I give him belongs to him; what I don't give him, he cannot take!"

Shen Wanbao knelt on the ground and saw among the scattered memorials a detailed record of the Crown Prince's dispatch of assassins.

There's nothing we can do; His Highness the Crown Prince has gone too far.

It was understandable to retaliate against the Eastern Depot, but he dared to send assassins to kill the emperor and even wanted to exterminate everyone in the Eastern Depot.

This outrageous act has crossed Shen Wanbao's bottom line.

After much deliberation, Shen Wanbao, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, finally hardened his heart.

He not only revealed the Crown Prince's plot to rebel, but also wrote down all the secret reports of his previous assistance to the Crown Prince in dealing with the Eastern Depot, and presented them to the Emperor.

The hall was brightly lit, and the dazzling light reflected on Shen Wanbao's resolute face.

He knew that once this memorial was submitted, there would be no turning back.

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard need not interfere in this matter."

Although Qian Dongji's voice was very soft, it made Shen Wanbao tremble all over.

His large hands roamed over Lin Qinghan's most impressive areas, taking from them repeatedly.

"The Crown Prince will be handed over to the Eastern Depot for disposal."

Shen Wanbao looked up abruptly; he knew all too well what this order meant.

It seems His Majesty is going to abandon the Crown Prince!

However, what shocked him even more was what followed: "After this is over..."

Qian Dongji waved his hand wearily: "I am tired and do not want to see the people from the Eastern Depot anymore. Send them to where they need to go."

Shen Wanbao's pupils contracted sharply, and he forgot to maintain even the most basic manners.

Your Majesty is... trying to eliminate the Eastern Depot organization!
If you don't want to see the people from the Eastern Depot, send them there. There's only one place they should go, isn't there?

That's hell!
(End of this chapter)