"Thank you." He dismissed the attendant first, then closed the door.
"Master," Luo Jiaoyang spoke again, "these beast-drawn carriages in Sunspire City are all trained Following Beasts under Dan Er's control."
Not only would they easily expose their tracks, but using such carriages would also make it impossible for them to take Ji Bozhai away right under Dan Er's nose.
Their own beast-drawn carriage was still being held somewhere, its whereabouts unknown.
Qin Shangwu turned to Chu He: "I recall you have some talent for beast taming."
Chu He scratched his head awkwardly: "Only superficial knowledge, never studied it in depth."
"Try using your Essence Power to locate our Following Beast."
"Alright."
But with this path in mind, Qin Shangwu suddenly understood Mingyi's plan.
Yan Pin undoubtedly wanted Mingyi to disappear from Sunspire City—if she couldn't be killed, then sending her away would suffice. Using her beast-drawn carriage meant that as long as they kept an eye on that Flying Beast Cart, they would know when they left and who they took with them.
A clever scheme, but while others might not know about Chu He's beast-taming abilities, Mingyi was well aware. She knew every team member's strengths—it was she who had first pointed out Chu He's talent, which was how Qin Shangwu had learned of it.
Taming a Following Beast already trained by an expert would be difficult for him, but locating their own Following Beast might still be possible.
Yet, even if they found their carriage, what then? Who would handle the rest?
...
Meanwhile, Ji Bozhai was cultivating in Fanghua Residence. With a single motion, the Mystic Dragon surged forth from his body, its roar shaking the entire inner courtyard.
The commotion was too great for anyone to ignore. Meng Guifei sat in her palace chamber, grinding her teeth in frustration.
"How did I give birth to such a useless son?" She glared at Yong Wang. "If you had even half of Ji Bozhai's strength, the succession would have been settled long ago. Instead, we're left with this mess, giving that Yan Shi wretch a chance to rise!"
Yong Wang shrank back, nervous and fearful. "I... I failed in my duties."
"To think such a man would appear to ruin years of our careful planning, and you still sit idle!" After berating him, she turned her glare to Dan Er. "How could someone like him appear in Star Yearn City and only be noticed in the past two years?"
Dan Er frowned. "He only entered official service and rose to prominence in these two years. Before that, he never displayed any remarkable actions, having grown up in the Slave Arena, so... However, I've learned he seems to have some connection to Meng Xian'er."
Meng Xian'er was Meng Guifei's niece, sent to Star Yearn City for a political marriage. Later, she was executed for misconduct, tarnishing the Meng Family's reputation. Meng Guifei had little fondness for her, but hearing of a connection to Ji Bozhai piqued her interest. "What connection?"
"During my time in Star Yearn City, I observed that Meng Xian'er seemed to have done Ji Bozhai a favor. Though the details are unclear, after Prince Ping's sudden death, many who had slighted Meng Xian'er suffered consequences—all seemingly tied to Ji Bozhai."
Meng Guifei's interest grew. "So, he should be grateful to our Meng Family?"
"Indeed. But the man is inscrutable. Lately, he's been flaunting his Essence Power before Da Si while showing great deference to Yan Shi."
Meng Guifei found this suspicious. She summoned an attendant and asked, "Did they not eat the food we sent?"The attendant clasped his hands and replied, "They noticed nothing unusual, but for some reason, an argument broke out inside the room. The food was spilled and none was consumed."
"Ordinary methods certainly won’t take his life." Meng Guifei pondered for a moment before rising. "Then prepare a generous gift for that wretch Yan Shi. We shall go and congratulate her on her birthday."
"Your Highness," Dan Er clasped his hands in caution. "Ji Bozhai possesses formidable Essence Power. It would be unwise for Your Highness to risk yourself."
"I am his elder and an inner palace noble consort. Surely he wouldn’t dare raise a hand against me." Meng Guifei scoffed. "Yan Shi has failed to harm him all these years. How could a brat who’s just arrived pose any threat to me?"
With highly skilled Essence Power guards by her side and physicians always at her disposal, she was practically immune to poison and impervious to blades. Thus, she felt entirely at ease visiting Yan Shi’s palace for the birthday celebration.
Had it been the Empress’s birthday, the banquet would have been grand. But now that Yan Shi had been demoted, her birthday was merely marked by a simple feast in the Secluded Hall. Fortunately, with Ji Bozhai present, Ming Li still made a personal visit, bestowed some gifts upon Yan Shi, and lingered briefly before departing.
Yan Shi stared distractedly at the food before her and whispered to those nearby, "Has there been any movement from Meng Guifei’s side?"
No sooner had she spoken than an announcement came from outside: "Her Highness the Noble Consort has arrived—"
Reluctantly rising to greet her, Yan Shi offered a perfunctory bow. "What brings you here?"
Meng Guifei held herself loftily. "After all, you’ve borne such an extraordinary son. On such an important occasion as your birthday, I naturally came to express my goodwill."
Ji Bozhai stepped forward and bowed. "Thank you, Your Highness."
"Spare the formalities. My Meng clan has always been kind-hearted and tolerant." She sat down with a series of disdainful snorts.
Yan Shi seethed inwardly. Back when she was the Empress, she would never have tolerated such insolence—she’d have had the offender dragged out immediately. But now, weakened, she had to endure even a dog’s bark.
Ji Bozhai, however, remained unperturbed, even picking up the conversation. "Indeed, the Meng clan is benevolent. Back in Star Yearn City, had it not been for their aid, I would have perished long ago in the Slave Arena."
Surprised by his voluntary mention of this, Meng Guifei raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Lady Meng Xian’er, the Empress of Star Yearn City, was a woman of great kindness who once saved me when I was but a commoner. Sadly, she was later executed before I could repay her kindness."
Meng Guifei was puzzled. Meng Xian’er, kind? Her niece had been the most vain and cunning of all, only associating with those of high status. Since when would she deign to save a commoner?
But since Ji Bozhai had brought it up, she played along. "So that’s how it was."
"Indeed. Hence, today I must toast Your Highness." He raised his sleeve.
Without even glancing at him, Meng Guifei accepted a wine cup handed to her by an attendant behind her. "To your health."
Yan Shi frowned, displeased. "If Your Highness is so guarded, why bother coming here at all?"
"With a scorpion’s sting at your heel, how could I not be cautious?" Meng Guifei smiled faintly. "After all, you’ve never tolerated my presence."
A cold breeze swept past, and her guards abruptly rested their hands on their sword hilts.
Meng Guifei cast a sidelong glance and sneered. "See what I mean? Still resorting to these old tricks. Surely you don’t actually believe your measly hidden guards could defeat my four purple-tier Essence Power Fighters?"As the words fell, a streak of pure white Essence Power carrying a Divine Tool shot through the air, piercing a guard's shield in the blink of an eye and embedding itself in his throat.
Blood splattered out, dripping into Meng Guifei's wine cup where it dissolved in crimson tendrils.
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