62. I’m a Big Sister Again
After returning to the city with the two girls, before they even reached their inn, Elder Yan found them on the street.
“Something terrible has happened!”
He had never looked so shocked, not even when the Dongyang Sect’s branch was destroyed.
“What is it?” Gong Yiling and Qiu Shui instinctively shielded Shangguan Ziyuan, and Miss Gong asked calmly, “Why are you so flustered, Sect Master Yan?”
“I was informed of this upon returning to the city.” Elder Yan’s face was filled with urgency and a hint of fear. “The Fifth Princess… she might have been killed.”
“I already know.”
“This is a serious… what? Immortal Master already knows?”
“Her guard captain’s body landed on the roof of my carriage.” Gong Yiling said, “What do you think?”
“Ah?”
The news had been relayed from a carriage driver to the guards at the foot of the mountain, then sent to the nearest city via a high-speed wind hawk. Another message should have been sent directly to the Heartflame Empire’s capital, Yanlan City.
By evening, the imperial family should receive the news.
The news that the Fifth Princess might have been killed.
“I had the driver report it immediately, and I searched the surrounding area… but didn’t find Shangguan Ziyuan’s body.”
“Perhaps she was captured…”
Elder Yan immediately thought of someone. “Although we almost eradicated the Hehuan Sect, Wu Shijie escaped. Could he have taken revenge by ambushing the princess’s group?”
Without knowing the conflict between the First Prince and the Fifth Princess, suspecting the Hehuan Sect was normal.
Moreover, the First Prince’s men practiced demonic arts. Long Yingchi’s injuries were clearly caused by techniques from the Hehuan Sect or the Blood Orchid Palace.
This was a clever move, not only clearing his own suspicion but also shifting the blame onto the Hehuan Sect and the Blood Orchid Palace, his enemies.
If… she hadn’t found Shangguan Ziyuan, things would have unfolded exactly as the First Prince planned.
“Even if the Hehuan Sect did capture her,” Gong Yiling asked calmly, “this has nothing to do with you, Sect Master Yan. Why are you so worried?”
“Oh, that’s because you don’t know, Immortal Master.”
Elder Yan hurriedly explained.
“The Heartflame Empire’s royal family is extremely protective. Although we didn’t do it, we are suspected of deliberately involving the Fifth Princess in our fight against the Hehuan Sect.”
“Although morally, as righteous sects, we should fight against the demonic sects together, it inevitably looks like we used her.”
“If the Heartflame Empire and the Grand Elder eradicate the Hehuan Sect, their anger might still be directed at us.”
Gong Yiling was aware of this.
In the novel, the Heartflame Empire’s royals weren’t exactly open-minded. They allowed the First Prince to act with impunity, even breaking off the engagement and participating in the bullying of a loyal general’s daughter.
The old Emperor, nearing the end of his reign, was detached from power, seeking only peace and happiness for his family. The Grand Elder, suffering from hidden injuries, had no energy to deal with such matters.
Those seeking to appease the higher-ups would surely target those involved in the incident. The worst-case scenario was the First Prince manipulating the investigation and shifting the blame onto them.
However…
This time, Gong Yiling hoped someone would come looking for her.
It would save her the trouble of sneaking into the palace.
After all, the key to resolving this situation was to heal the Grand Elder’s injuries, restoring his strength.
Although she didn’t know why she, the Young Palace Master of the Blood Orchid Palace, was concerned about these things…
“Don’t worry.”
Gong Yiling waved her hand at Elder Yan. “I understand the situation. If anyone from the Heartflame Empire comes looking for you, tell them to come to me.”
Elder Yan was overjoyed.
He almost forgot that this Immortal Master was connected to a reclusive sect.
Even if the Heartflame Empire wanted to settle the score, they wouldn’t target her.
“Thank you, Senior!” He bowed gratefully. But as he looked up, he noticed someone behind Gong Yiling.
A woman with purplish-red hair, wearing a rather conspicuous small hat, only half her face visible.
Somehow, Elder Yan found her face familiar, but he couldn’t place it.
“Immortal Master, who is this?”
“A friend I met on the road, and her child. I’m taking care of her for a while. She’s busy fighting against Yog-Sothoth’s minions. Do you need anything, Sect Master Yan?”
“Ah… no, nothing.”
This sounded like a top-tier expert preparing for the Outer Battlefield, currently patrolling the outer regions.
This wasn’t information he could pry into.
After Elder Yan left, Gong Yiling went to the Yan Estate to pick up Chun Lian, who had suddenly become motivated and spent two days studying talismans. They then returned to their inn.
Compared to Qiu Shui, the carefree and outgoing Chun Lian quickly became friends with Shangguan Ziyuan.
—That is, with the black fox Shangguan Ziyuan.
Chun Lian even used some manipulation talismans to animate the flowers and plants in the room, playing with Shangguan Ziyuan like a real fox.
“You two play. I’ll get you some late-night snacks. Anything you want?”
“Grilled skewers!”
“Anything is fine for Qiu Shui.”
“Mmm… grilled fish!”
After getting their answers, Gong Yiling left the inn.
However, she didn’t go to the night market. Instead, she took out a note, followed the address written on it, and entered a secluded alley.
Someone was already waiting for her.
“Immortal Master,” a man in black bowed deeply. “Please follow me.”
After several turns through the alley, he led her to a large door.
“Our brothers have been waiting for you, Immortal Master.”
The demonic cultivator opened the door, and a deafening roar erupted from within.
“Welcome, Immortal Master!!!”
The shout almost blew off Gong Yiling’s veil and startled her, almost making her jump.
Why were they shouting so loud!?
But these demonic cultivators who had inexplicably chosen her as their leader were an unexpected boon.
Survival in this world required power, power she could control.
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