In the Divine Capital’s Imperial Palace, within the Taihe Hall, incense smoke curled and lingered, creating a solemn atmosphere.
The three-day deadline had arrived. Princess Wu Yue was dressed in an elaborate crimson wedding gown, her head adorned with a seven-tailed phoenix crown. Amidst the encircling pearls and jade, her clear and beautiful face showed not the slightest trace of joy, only a determination that seemed mismatched with her age.
Wu Hao sat upright on the dragon throne, gazing at his daughter with complex emotions.
He rose and descended the imperial steps, personally adjusting the tassels on Wu Yue’s phoenix crown. His voice was low and grave. “Yue’er, this journey to the Third Hall is nominally for marriage, but in reality, it is to investigate evidence of the Third Hall Lord’s collusion with the Evil Path Hall. Father knows this wrongs you, but the safety of the Divine Kingdom rests upon it. You…”
“Father Emperor, your daughter understands.”
Wu Yue interrupted Wu Hao’s words, her tone calm yet carrying a sense of finality. “In the past, your daughter was immature, always thinking of escaping the marriage arrangement. Only now do I comprehend Father Emperor’s painstaking efforts.
The Evil Path Hall has stolen the Thunder Sound Bell and covets the Demon Soul Seal. If the Third Hall Lord is truly colluding with them, it would be a great calamity for the Six Heavens. Your daughter will certainly act with caution and not fail Father Emperor’s trust.”
A flicker of relief passed through Wu Hao’s eyes, and he instructed further. “Liu Kun will personally escort you to the Third Hall. This man has an extremely deep scheming mind; you must be especially wary of him and not trust him lightly. If anything goes amiss, immediately crush this messaging jade token. Father will dispatch troops to support you at once.”
With that, he placed a jade token engraved with dragon patterns into Wu Yue’s hand.
Wu Yue gripped the jade token tightly and nodded emphatically. “Your daughter has noted it.”
At that moment, a eunuch’s announcement came from outside the hall. “Prime Minister Liu Kun, leading the escort procession, awaits orders outside”
Wu Hao took a deep breath and patted his daughter’s shoulder. “Go now. Remember, safety comes first; evidence is secondary.”
Wu Yue bowed in salute, then turned and followed the guards out of the Tahe Hall.
Outside the hall, a procession composed of a thousand soldiers from the National Guard Legion had already formed ranks, with banners fluttering and armour gleaming.
Liu Kun, clad in a purple official robe, stood at the forefront of the formation. Upon seeing Wu Yue emerge, his face immediately broke into a mild smile. “Your Highness the Princess, the procession is fully prepared and ready to depart at any time.”
Wu Yue nodded faintly, saying nothing more, and ascended the already prepared imperial carriage with the assistance of her maids.
The imperial carriage was drawn by eight snow-white spirit horses, its compartment carved with exquisite phoenix patterns, and light gauze hung around it, obscuring the view inside.
Seeing this, Liu Kun bowed in salute towards Wu Hao. “Sovereign, rest assured; this minister will certainly protect the Princess thoroughly and ensure the marriage alliance is completed smoothly.”
Wu Hao’s gaze scrutinised Liu Kun as he slowly replied. “We trouble the Prime Minister.”
He always felt that Liu Kun’s smile today seemed somewhat unusual, yet he could not pinpoint what was off. He could only inwardly command the secret agents from the Shadow Investigation Division to follow discreetly and monitor the procession’s movements closely.
Liu Kun sneered inwardly, but his face remained respectful. “It is this minister’s duty. Depart!”
With his command, the procession slowly set off, heading towards the southern gate of the Divine Capital.
On both sides of the streets, the common people stopped to watch, buzzing with discussions, mostly speculating about this marriage alliance and expressing concerns for the Divine Kingdom’s future.
Inside the imperial carriage, Wu Yue lifted a corner of the light gauze, gazing at the scenes outside the window, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes.
She knew this journey would by no means be peaceful. Whether it was Liu Kun or the Third Hall Lord, neither was a benevolent sort. She must proceed with utmost caution at every step to fulfil the task entrusted by her Father Emperor.
At that moment, Liu Kun, riding alongside the imperial carriage, appeared to be directing the team but was actually observing the surroundings covertly.
He had already arranged for his trusted aides to set an ambush in the “Soul-Breaking Valley” outside the Divine Capital. Once the procession entered the valley, they would proceed according to plan to “kidnap” the Princess, staging a drama of “the Evil Path Hall hijacking the bride.”
Thinking of the sacrificial scripture soon to be in his grasp, and the grand ambitions after opening the Demon Soul Seal, a glint of greed and madness inevitably flashed in Liu Kun’s eyes.
