Chapter 390
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Chapter 390: Hidden Conspiracy
Murderous intent thickened in the air.
Ye Yun stood unguarded, openly radiating discontent and bloodlust.
Duan Hongcheng nearly lost his mind. To him, this ragged disciple from the declining Heavenly Sword Sect had no right to act so brazenly within the palace walls—even if Ye Yun had reached the Foundation Establishment stage.
The royal palace stood as the Jin Kingdom’s treasury and seat of power. For a millennium, only the Heavenly Sword Sect had rivaled its influence. Even the mighty Du family paled in comparison.
While Foundation Establishment cultivators were rare assets to any major force, that didn’t grant Ye Yun license to storm the palace. Over thirty such experts resided here: palace retainers, a dozen royal clansmen, including Duan Hongcheng and Duan Yunsha at the Fifth Level. The emperor himself had reached the Sixth Level. Did this upstart truly believe he could challenge them all?
“You’re digging your own grave, Ye Yun,” Duan Hongcheng snarled.
The young cultivator shot him an icy look. “Spare the threats. Produce Senior Brother Duan Chenfeng now, or none of you leave alive.”
Duan Hongcheng’s face purpled. He might have tolerated such insolence from the Heavenly Sword Sect’s leader, but this newly ascended Foundation Establishment brat? Unthinkable.
“Elite guards! Execute him!”
“Hold!”
As hundreds of armored figures stirred, Duan Yunsha’s command froze them mid-action. The calmer prince raised a restraining hand.
“We’re all Foundation Establishment cultivators here, Ye Yun. A battle would reduce the palace to rubble—and these guards can’t survive the crossfire. Let’s discuss Duan Chenfeng’s situation rationally.”
Ye Yun’s lip curled. “Discuss? What’s there to discuss? You’ve imprisoned him to siphon his Golden Core power, haven’t you?”
The princes exchanged startled glances before Duan Yunsha composed himself. “Absurd! As a royal prince and throne candidate, Duan Chenfeng enjoys every privilege. Golden Core extraction is mere folklore. Surely your sect taught you that.”
“Then fetch him. I’ll use your teleportation array to depart for the Great Qin Empire immediately, sparing you further trouble.” Ye Yun’s smile didn’t reach his eyes.
“He’s in closed-door cultivation, studying our Ancestor’s secret techniques,” Duan Yunsha replied, his anger cooling unnaturally. “Impossible to disturb.”
Ye Yun noted the forced calm. If Duan Chenfeng truly remained a favored prince, they’d have produced him already—closed-door cultivation or not.
“A year’s wait then? No matter. Prince Yun, lend me the array instead.”
“The array can’t reach Great Qin!” Duan Hongcheng cut in. “The spirit stone cost alone—”
“So I’m denied both?” Ye Yun interrupted.
“Correct!” Duan Hongcheng roared.
Tension crackled like storm air.
“Enough.” Duan Yunsha raised a hand. “We’ll activate the array. Consider it honoring our millennium-long ties with the Heavenly Sword Sect.”
“But the spirit stone expenditure—” Ye Yun prodded.
“A worthy price for friendship,” Duan Yunsha said through gritted teeth.
“Have you lost your senses?” Duan Hongcheng whirled on his kinsman. “When the emperor emerges from seclusion, I’ll demand your head for this!”
Duan Yunsha’s gaze turned venomous. The hotheaded prince looked away, realizing his blunder.
“Come, Ye Yun.” Duan Yunsha turned stiffly. “I’ll prepare the array.”
The young cultivator chuckled. “Change of plans. I’ll lodge here until Senior Brother Duan appears.”
“As you wish,” Duan Yunsha said coldly. “We’ll arrange quarters.”
“On second thought, Great Qin matters press me. Ready the array.”
“Very well. A farewell banquet first.”
Ye Yun grinned. “How gracious! But ensure Senior Brother attends my send-off.”
Duan Yunsha’s composure cracked. “You mock us?”
“If you insist.” Ye Yun’s smile widened. “By the way—since His Majesty‘s also ‘in seclusion,’ is he perhaps keeping Senior Brother company?”
The prince’s face darkened.
“Enough chatter!” Duan Hongcheng bellowed. A bow materialized in his hands, emerald arrow nocked. “The Heavenly Sword Sect’s a spent force! We couldn’t touch Murong Wuqing, but this whelp?”
Duan Yunsha inhaled sharply. “Final warning, Ye Yun. Leave or die.”
“Death sounds livelier,” the youth taunted.
The emerald arrow flew.
