Chapter 144

Chapter 144: The White-Robed Figures Inside the Palace

The dead of night reigned supreme. Apart from Lou Yun and Qin Luoyuan, the streets were utterly deserted. Yet, this illusion of tranquility only existed on the surface. Lou Yun’s spiritual perception alone detected numerous magical weapons masters concealed in the various dark corners, let alone the more formidable experts he couldn’t sense.

The Imperial Clan’s strength appeared genuinely immense. Lou Yun even suspected that even if the three major forces supposedly protecting him allied themselves, they might still be no match for the Imperial Clan of the Gu Feng Nation.

Qin Luoyuan walked swiftly, never glancing back. They proceeded directly to the palace gates. Lights blazed bright here, illuminating the entire vicinity for a mile as if it were daytime. Sentry posts dotted the area densely, each step guarded by patrols transforming the palace into an impregnable stronghold.

The moment Lou Yun and Qin Luoyuan entered the light’s reach, a soldier rushed over, barking a warning, “Halt! State your identity! This is the Imperial Palace. You may not trespass!”

Even Qin Luoyuan dared not act disrespectfully within the palace grounds. Upon hearing the command, he immediately stopped and waited silently for the soldiers to approach.

Two guards drew near. Recognition flashed in their eyes as they identified Qin Luoyuan, yet they maintained professional, businesslike expressions. “Ah, General Qin. To what do we owe the honor of your presence at the palace so late at night?”

Qin Luoyuan produced a token, holding it up. “I have a royal order permitting me immediate entry to the palace to see the King!”

The token was clearly genuine, and the guards, knowledgeable, exchanged a glance and nodded. “Very well, General. We shall escort you inside. But… who is this man?”

While recognizing Qin Luoyuan, they were unfamiliar with Lou Yun. Duty compelled them to inquire.

Qin Luoyuan lazily provided the name, “This is Lou Yun.”

“Lou Yun!”

Hearing the name, both guards tensed visibly, clear apprehension on their faces. Lou Yun’s notorious reputation, fueled by recent rumors swirling through Yuyang City, was undoubtedly the cause.

Lou Yun understood the reason well but saw no point in addressing or explaining it. He merely watched them coldly, silent and impassive.

The guards dared not meet Lou Yun’s gaze, directing their question to Qin Luoyuan instead. “General Qin, could you explain…?”

Impatience flashed across Qin Luoyuan’s face. “Explain what? By the King’s confidential command, I bring Lou Yun into the palace. Do you dare defy a royal order?”

“We wouldn’t dare!” The guards hastily denied, shaking their heads. “Right this way, General! We’ll escort you inside!”

Wheeling around, the two guards led the way. Qin Luoyuan and Lou Yun followed closely behind as they passed through the palace gates.

While the palace’s structures and surroundings were undeniably magnificent—top-tier in craftsmanship—Lou Yun had already witnessed the splendors of Yulu Mountain Manor. Moreover, his mind was heavy with worries. Appreciating the imperial vistas was the last thing on his mind. He followed Qin Luoyuan deeper into the palace, his gaze fixed straight ahead.

He noticed something else: besides the numerous powerful figures hidden throughout the palace, heavy restrictions were in place nearly everywhere. Not only did these barriers deter unwelcome intruders, but they also disturbed the perceptions of any magical weapons master. Consequently, Lou Yun felt his spiritual perception was almost entirely useless here, unable to penetrate and survey the interiors of the many buildings.

The palace grounds were vast. Progress required the relay of three different guard squads as escorts for Lou Yun and Qin Luoyuan, each succeeding squad proving stronger than the last. Finally, the last squad led them before an imposing hall.

“We may only bring you this far,” one guard announced. “Please wait here while I request an audience with the King.”

Within the sprawling palace complex, escape was impossible; even flight would take considerable time. Lou Yun had truly committed himself, embracing resolve to see this through.

Dawn faintly touched the horizon, yet the King might still have been sleeping. After nearly half an hour of waiting, footsteps echoed from within the hall. A procession emerged through the imposing doors.

Close to twenty individuals filed out. The one leading them wore a crown and a bright yellow robe, his presence radiating stern authority. This had to be the King of the Gu Feng Nation.

However, Lou Yun’s gaze lingered on the King only briefly before shifting to scrutinize the others in the group.

Men and women, young and old were among them, all differing in height and appearance. Yet, they shared a distinct uniformity: each wore a long white robe, and every robe’s hem was embroidered with an odd design resembling an open book. There was, however, a subtle variation in the color of this strange embroidery; green threads were most common, while threads of orange were rare.

Their presence genuinely perplexed Lou Yun. They bore no resemblance to Imperial nobles. Instead, they seemed like members of a specific sect or family clan. What were such individuals doing in the Royal Family’s private chambers? Who exactly were they?

The entire palace was layered with potent restrictions, and this particular hall was the heart of the stronghold. The defensive barriers here were extraordinary, effectively nullifying Lou Yun’s spiritual perception. He couldn’t gauge the cultivation levels of these strangers.

Despite being many, the group moved with unnerving silence. Beyond the tread of their footsteps, not a single voice could be heard. Gradually, the atmosphere thickened, becoming charged with an unsettling aura.

Their movements seemed choreographed. The King alone ascended the high dais and paused. The others continued downward, deliberately encircling Lou Yun and Qin Luoyuan, forming a tight ring.

Though unable to discern their power, the sharp intensity in their eyes communicated clearly: none of them were weak. Their mere presence enclosed the two men while an invisible pressure descended upon Lou Yun, oppressive and palpable, adding a tangible weight to the air itself.

It was here that the disparity between Lou Yun’s resilience and Qin Luoyuan’s limit was revealed. Despite Qin Luoyuan being human-level three-star magical weapons master, he was drenched in anxious sweat, his expression bordering on fear beneath the dreadful pressure. Whereas Lou Yun appeared entirely calm, unfazed and impassive, seemingly unaffected.

Finally, Qin Luoyuan could bear it no longer. With a resounding thud, he knelt on the palace floor before the King elevated upon the dais, touching his forehead to the ground in the deepest reverence. “Your humble servant, Qin Luoyuan, pays homage to Your Majesty!”

The King smiled lightly. “Rise, General. No need for such formalities. The merit for bringing Lou Yun here rests entirely with you; your service has been invaluable. However, your presence here is no longer required. You may retire.”

These words were like immortal music to Qin Luoyuan’s ears. Expressing profuse gratitude, he scrambled up, not wasting a single glance at Lou Yun as he turned and hurriedly retreated from the vicinity.

Only when Qin Luoyuan had completely disappeared did Lou Yun resolve he could no longer remain passive. He had to seize the initiative. Drawing a deep breath, he addressed the Gu Feng King with loud clarity: “Lou Yun greets the King!”

Though typically easygoing by nature, Lou Yun possessed deep-rooted pride which demanded respectful bearing regardless of rank. Facing the King, he would not kneel. His demeanor held balance—neither obsequious nor defiant, entirely absent of servility. The King had been quietly observing Lou Yun intently. Returning Lou Yun’s salute, he nodded. “Lou Yun, your reputation precedes you. To meet you today is indeed to find the reality matches the legend.”

Lou Yun scorned superficial courtesies. He cut straight to the point: “King, let’s dispense with formalities. I believe you’re well aware of my motive for coming here.”

He gave the King no chance to interrupt. “Originally, I was falsely accused of absconding with the Princess. Consequently, I became a fugitive hunted nationwide. By your own decree, King, hundreds of my Lou Family were seized and imprisoned. But the truth couldn’t be further from these accusations! I heard the Princess personally wrote to you, detailing the entire incident and its true causes in writing. So I must ask plainly now: Why have members of my Lou Family still not been released?”

“Even if you doubt the Princess’s words… here I stand personally before you! Arrest me now if you will; send investigators to check the facts if you must—but only after releasing every prisoner you hold from my Lou Family!”

This was Lou Yun’s core strategy: confront the King directly, negotiate accountability, and offer himself as a captive in exchange for his family’s freedom.

“Are you finished?” inquired the King, observing Lou Yun steadily.

Lou Yun pressed on: “One more thing.”

“Upon arriving in Yuyang City recently, I encountered citizens spreading rumours of me—claiming I intended to lead forces against you to overthrow your reign and take the throne myself! Here I want to refute that plainly: I know not whence these lies flowed. But I give my life in pledge: I would never commit such treason! More importantly: such ambition is absent even in my thoughts!”

“Finished?” inquired the King again; his smile held steadily.

Honestly, such benign disposition from the King unsettled Lou Yun deeply, filling him with puzzlement. Yet he dismissed dwelling on these feelings; such composure might simply befit Kings.

“I await any necessary questions.”

“Splendid!” nodded the King with continuing cheerfulness. Then his gaze unexpectedly traveled over Lou Yun’s shoulder, settling upon a white-robed elder standing behind him. This one robe differed subtly: its odd embroidery pattern had been executed with extremely rare threads of pure orange. The King addressed this figure respectfully: “Respected Elder? The business herein… no longer concerns the Imperial House? May I consider myself suitably… released?”