“How bold! Daring to steal from the palace!” The King of Yao roared in fury. Though momentarily stunned by the woman’s beauty, he quickly flew into a rage. “Take her down!”
Pang Shao stood behind the King. When he saw the commotion, his heart nearly leapt from his chest. He had not expected the one surrounded to be such a stunning woman.
“What a pity! If I had known it would be a beauty like this getting caught, I would rather it had been Ye Chu!” Pang Shao shook his head and sighed. In his eyes, a beauty was worth far more than Ye Chu.
But soon his eyes widened. He spotted another figure on the rooftop. Though clad in night clothes, Pang Shao knew exactly who it was.
“Ye Chu didn’t get away either?” Pang Shao stared, cursing heartlessly. “Does that mean my bedroom arts are gone?”
Su Rong was the King’s adopted daughter. She had entered the palace tonight to visit the Queen, but the King had kept her to accompany Pang Shao. She had paid little attention to the report of intruders, but seeing Pang Shao’s expression, she followed his gaze to the rooftop.
A figure stood there. The build seemed familiar to Su Rong, though she could not place where she had seen it.
“State Protectors! Seize this thief!” The King of Yao saw the guards powerless against her, many casually knocked to the ground. He ordered the two State Protectors at his side.
Both were Innate Realm experts. Seeing her dispatch a crowd of guards with ease, they exchanged a glance and attacked together.
Innate Realm practitioners could influence surrounding spiritual qi with a mere gesture. Their palms carried immense oppressive force. Nearby guards struggled to breathe.
Pang Shao watched the two State Protectors strike. His heart raced with worry. He knew the terror of the Innate Realm all too well. The Holy Maiden was Innate Realm and could thrash him like a puppy whenever she wished.
Two such powerful figures attacking one woman. She was doomed.
“What a shame! Such a gorgeous woman, about to be ruined!” Pang Shao sighed as their domineering palms neared her.
“Get lost!” The woman faced the charging State Protectors without a flicker of fear. Her flawless face held only cool detachment. Her pale, jade-like palm pushed forward. Crisp cracks rang out as both Protectors’ arms broke. Their bodies flew backwards, crashing to the ground with a thunderous boom.
“Ah…” The Protectors’ agonised screams filled everyone, including the King, with shock and dread. They stared at the woman in stunned disbelief.
They could not accept it. The two mighty State Protectors had been gravely wounded by a single casual palm.
What kind of existence was the Innate Realm? Yao’s strongest practitioners! In everyone’s hearts, they were invincible figures high above. Yet the very objects of their reverence had been crippled with one light strike.
“How strong is this woman?” Pang Shao swallowed hard, mouth dry. All his lewd thoughts vanished. A woman this fierce was beyond his reach.
Ye Chu had prepared for a fierce battle, but he had not expected her to be this terrifying. Seeing her stride outwards, he quickly dropped down and followed, ready to escape with her.
No one dared block her path. Her strength was too overwhelming. But when they spotted Ye Chu, the guards who feared to touch her turned their attacks on him.
If they could not touch the strong one, they would settle for the weaker.
“You think I’m easy to bully?” Ye Chu shook his head. “Then you’ve chosen wrong.”
He moved swiftly, striking fiercely. The guards were no match. He felled them one by one.
“ Halt!” The palace guard captain blocked Ye Chu’s way. They had to catch at least one thief. The woman seemed impossible now, so they would take the other.
The captain’s blade slashed viciously at Ye Chu. Ye Chu dodged, snatched a fallen guard’s long knife, and countered.
Clang…
A resounding clash. The captain staggered back several steps. His knife flew from his hand. Blood seeped from his split tiger’s mouth.
“Another so strong!” The guards stared in horror. Their captain had reached Intent Transformation Realm sixth level. Yet the black-robed figure had wounded him in one blow. His strength was not to be underestimated. Perhaps not equal to the woman, but still outrageously powerful.
“Damn it! When did Yao City gain so many experts?” The guards cursed inwardly.
Ye Chu forced the captain back and did not linger. He flashed away, chasing in the direction the woman had gone. With such a powerful person clearing the way ahead, he had nothing to fear.
“Pursue!” The captain endured the pain and shouted at his men.
“No need!” The King of Yao’s face was grim. He called to the captain. “Carry the State Protectors for treatment!”
The King knew clearly. Against two such powerful figures, pursuit was pointless. Fury burned in him, but fear also stirred. Provoking such experts brought no benefit to Yao.
“Su Rong! Accompany me to see what was stolen!” The King’s expression was iron-hard.
Su Rong nodded. Thinking of the black-robed figure, she glanced at Pang Shao. His neck went cold under her look. “She couldn’t have realised this involves me, could she? Did she recognise Ye Chu?”
At that thought, Pang Shao quickly said. “Your Majesty! I have matters to attend. I’ll take my leave!”
“Prince Pang, as you wish!” The King paid him no further mind. He nodded and led Su Rong into the imperial study. The chaos inside greeted them.
“Father! What was taken?” Su Rong asked after helping tidy up.
“The jade seal and the sole copy of Red Fiend!” The King was puzzled too. Red Fiend made sense, but what use was the seal?
“Red Fiend?” Su Rong exclaimed. Her earlier suspicion hardened to near certainty. But how dared he be so bold…
“What is it?” The King asked, puzzled.
“N… nothing!” Su Rong shook her head quickly. She still struggled to believe it.
…
“Why are you following me?” The woman saw Ye Chu trailing her and frowned delicately.
She stopped abruptly. Ye Chu was close, close enough to catch her faint, alluring fragrance. Her ink-black hair swayed softly, graceful and delicate. Her full lips parted, red and enticing, radiating unusual charm. She was a breathtaking, seductive immortal.
“I’m leaving the palace too. This is the best route. How is that following you?” Ye Chu smiled. “But Yao City has no one as strong as you. For the sake of fighting side by side tonight, can I know who you are? Let’s introduce ourselves. I’m Ye Chu!”
The woman’s gaze had been cool and dismissive, ignoring him entirely. But hearing the name Ye Chu, sharp light flashed in her eyes. She stared fixedly at him. “You’re Ye Chu? Ye Chu of Qingmi Mountain?”
“How do you know that?” Ye Chu’s heart nearly stopped. Even Pang Shao knew nothing of Qingmi Mountain. Yet she had named it in one breath. How could he not be shocked?
