Chapter 394

Chapter 394: The Fortune of the Female Protagonist

The Moon Fairy quietly reminded, “Her name is Wu Zhao; she is the head of the four female officials managing the chores.”

The four officials, dressed as men, slowly circled around Li Hui, holding their peculiar straight blades that shimmered with a dazzling light, while spirit lures of phoenixes, birds, and other creatures gathered behind them.

“Complete Spirit Gathering, their talents are above ordinary levels.” Li Hui raised an eyebrow as the four women united to form a lethal formation, wielding straight blades that were once treasures from the Transcendent Tathagata Buddha, even outdated in the hands of ordinary practitioners at the Bosa stage.

“First, capture this person,” Wu Zhao declared heroically, striking with a guaranteed kill, her aura tinged with hostility.

“Boom…” The four blades encountered an incomprehensible obstacle, abruptly halting two feet away from the handsome young man. The four women were taken aback; just as they wanted to withdraw their precious blades, a tremor passed through them, making the blades buzz violently, quickly becoming battered and worn.

“How could this happen?”

“Crack…” The four blades shattered simultaneously, losing all their sharpness and might, rendered completely useless!

Even if their cultivation was insufficient to unleash the true power of the blades, how could they be so easily defeated in just one encounter? Was this recently demoted court official really stronger than the princesses and noble consorts?

Li Hui chuckled as a breeze stirred around him, mischievously saying, “Hehe, from now on, I’m the boss here; you all need to serve me well. Especially you, Wu Zhao—brew tea, fetch water, massage my back and legs, feed me and understand the importance of being humble and cautious.”

“You…” Wu Zhao, proud and haughty, refused to submit even after falling into the cold palace; she believed there would come a day when she would rise above others.

“What, are you dissatisfied?” Li Hui challenged suddenly.

“Wu Zhao dares not; I am willing to listen to your commands.” Influenced by the energy, Wu Zhao unintentionally lowered her head, feeling for the first time in her life a sense of belonging. Although she had felt danger in the cold palace, standing beside this person brought her an inexplicable sense of peace.

Before long, Li Hui was promoted and moved to an elegant courtyard.

While the Moon Fairy and Lin Sisi hesitated, Shen Zihan nudged them, whispering, “Why are you just standing there? This is the moment to climb the ranks; let’s go.”

So, the three girls joined Wu Zhao, busily serving a certain leader of the Heavenly Talisman Sect.

Li Hui didn’t put on airs; it was simply his nature to live comfortably wherever he went. He would not settle for a wooden bed when he could have high, soft ones adorned with exquisite pillows, richly decorated clothing, warm blossoming tents, fragrant bedding, and soothing hot springs…

Even after being sent to the cold palace, some individuals still held superiority. However, compared to the days when they were treated like royalty and surrounded by wealth, this situation felt utterly diminished, with a gap too vast for ordinary people to comprehend.

Wu Zhao worked with enthusiasm; within a stick of incense, the chores courtyard resumed its regular functions, ensuring everything was done right, and she had to manage her mouth well.

Li Hui took a bath and changed clothes. Although he was alone in the hot spring, Shen Zihan, seeking revenge, decided to seize the only opportunity and boldly rushed in to serve him.

The Moon Fairy and Lin Sisi followed closely, only to see him in loose shorts, shirtless, practicing while steaming off water droplets, causing their faces to turn pale, and they quickly covered their mouths in shock.

Kneeling before Li Hui, Shen Zihan trembled as she spoke, “Yes, this humble servant can see at a glance that you are a man, as men look at women differently than women look at women. Even though you harbor no indecent intentions, you possess a cautious admiration. While I and Sisi may not be in your favor, the Moon Fairy, nearly winning the crown among the beauties, is truly exceptional; you seem to be quite taken by her.”

“You observe carefully, and your experiences have deepened your cunning!” Li Hui shook his head: “Get up! I am merely a passerby; following Wu Zhao might one day allow you to take revenge.”

“Wu Zhao?” Shen Zihan was taken aback; this was completely different from her earlier assumptions. He neither punished her nor responded negatively to her advances—for she had added ingredients to the incense intending to become this man’s bedmate while also plotting against the Moon Fairy and Lin Sisi, yet all her schemes had been in vain.

Li Hui yawned; even without the Jade Heart of the Earth Court, Bai Ze sensed all the changes around him. He might as well offer Shen Zihan to Wu Zhao for training!

“Sir!” Wu Zhao entered with an unusual gait. She saw Li Hui casually sitting, revealing his male form, completely unfazed, bearing a composed and dignified demeanor.

Li Hui scolded her directly, “Foolish! You think you can remain calm while facing a landslide? You are gravely mistaken! Before you ascend to a high position, such behavior appears unusual in the eyes of those above you. There will surely be high-level demon cultivators who determine that you bear the traits of a female protagonist; your survival is due to your ability to suppress the resentment in the cold palace.”

“Traits of a female protagonist?” Wu Zhao was genuinely shocked. Such traits might not be strange in other realms, but they were exceptional in the Great Xia.

“Do not be surprised; the cycle of Yin and Yang turns. Embrace the Yin and hold onto the Yang; with the appearance of the dark moon, even in the Great Xia, the Yin will momentarily prevail over the Yang!”

Li Hui’s perspective on the timing and location soared after merging with the Dao Rhythm Residual Talisman. He declared, “Seeing you confirms that the opportunity to break free from the cold palace is near.”

“Huh?” The four women gasped; this unknown high-level demon cultivator spoke boldly, unafraid of the old concubines or the Grand Princess hearing. Could he be an ancient monster with vast cultivation, even youthful appearance?

“Displaying traits of a female protagonist before growing up? Even I can spot that. Do you think the Great Xia Imperially appointed Observers are incompetent? You are fortunate to encounter me, perhaps this is fate. I will suppress your energy for three days, transforming your exposed phoenix into a hidden one, and you should find a way to get close to Yang Bixie.”

“Are you here for Yang Bixie?” Wu Zhao asked in astonishment.

“Hmph, you are clever, seeing through all my intentions.” Li Hui assumed a serious expression, stating, “To be a female protagonist, you must think critically. Even when you know everything, sometimes you need to act foolishly. I give you four characters: ‘rarely be confused’!”

“Yes! Wu Zhao will humbly take note!” She gazed at Li Hui with a smile, feeling a sense of belonging for the first time since entering the cold palace, like a drifting reed finding solid ground.

“How beautiful!”

Li Hui admired Wu Zhao’s smile; although this woman was ambitious and not yet fully matured, in this moment of genuine sincerity, he feared she might not smile like this again in her lifetime.

On the first day, Wu Zhao trimmed her nails and hair, along with her favorite clothes, burned with the replacement talismans. Suddenly, she felt drained of energy, falling into a deep sleep without realizing when.

On the second day, Li Hui began crafting talismans, drawing three Fortune Ascending Talismans, which Bai Ze nurtured for ten hours before affixing one to Wu Zhao’s body.

“Crackle, crackle, crackle…”

That night, the Thunder roared incessantly as Wu Zhao fell gravely ill, appearing as though she were on the brink of death.

By the third day, the cold palace had truly turned cold, becoming a chilling place.

Wu Zhao’s breath turned faint, and several elderly concubines came to observe, gathering to discuss for a long time before shaking their heads and leaving one by one.

After the elderly concubines departed, a voice suddenly announced, “The Grand Princess is here.”

Li Hui perked up, thinking, “This Grand Princess is no ordinary person; no one in the Great Xia dares to send her to the cold palace. She has imprisoned herself due to emotional troubles, so those around her will be far freer than other women. Today, let’s take a look at the grandeur of the Grand Princess of the Great Xia…”