Su Han had gone mad—a complete and utter madman. He's actually delusional enough to think he can defeat the Great Crown Prince in the autumn imperial examinations.
Lu Xiaoqing scrambled up from the ground, gave Su Han one last cold glance, and fled in a panic. She didn't know how Su Han had recovered his strength, but she was clearly no match for him. Staying any longer would only bring her more humiliation.
Su Han didn't stop her, simply watching as she departed. In that moment, any remaining familial affection he held for the Lu Family was severed. From this day forward, he had nothing to do with them. If Lu Xiaoqing and her father persisted in harassing him, they shouldn't blame him for being heartless!
"Xiao Han, you killed Manager Li! The Empress won't let you go. Let's run away!" Lu Yunxian said, her face etched with worry. Her gentle nature, compounded by her status as an adopted daughter, made her cautious and unassuming in her daily life.
"Fairy Sister Yun Xian, we can't leave now. Leaving the Lu Family would be the real danger." Su Han gently held Lu Yunxian's pale, delicate hand as he explained, "We're in the capital, under the Emperor's very nose. If a prince like me were to die inexplicably at home, there would have to be a thorough investigation. But if we leave the Lu Family, we'll only face endless pursuit. Besides, the Lu Family doesn't have many experts, and the strongest is only at the Divine Sea Realm. Relatively speaking, it's safer to stay here for now."
"Fairy Sister Yun Xian, we're not going anywhere. We'll stay right here," Su Han said softly, his voice carrying the weight of a solemn promise. "Trust me, I will defeat the Great Crown Prince and get my revenge on the Empress."
A debt of blood must be paid in blood!
Revenge required power. After comforting Fairy Sister Yun Xian, Su Han immersed himself in cultivation. The Devouring Heaven Demonic Art had instantly restored his strength to the Sixth Layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm, but it was not without its side effects. The core of the Devouring Heaven Demonic Art was a single concept: to devour. It could devour the heavens, the earth, and all things. But after devouring, the energy had to be refined and transformed into pure Demonic Qi. Otherwise, the jumbled energies would be harmful to the body. After dealing with the threat of Manager Li and Lu Xiaoqing, Su Han stayed in his room to refine his Demonic Qi.
WHOOSH!
He extended his right hand, and a ball of black Demonic Qi materialized in his palm. Ordinary Martial Artists cultivated Spiritual Energy, which was gentle and ideal for cultivation. Su Han, however, possessed Demonic Qi. Demonic Qi was overbearing. Not only could it devour others, but it was also intensely cold. If injected into an opponent's body, it could suppress their Spiritual Energy and erode their Physical Body. This was one of Su Han's greatest advantages. At this moment, the Demonic Qi inside his body was dense and incomparably pure. Even though he now possessed only a Mortal Body, this Demonic Qi allowed his strength to far surpass that of other Martial Artists in the same realm.
His gaze shifted, landing on the Bronze Ring. He had acquired this ring by chance while on a campaign abroad, never expecting it to hide such a monumental secret. He had lost his Heavenly Dragon Battle Body but gained the legacy of the Cruel Demon Emperor. A blessing in disguise!
Su Han decided to lock the secret of the Bronze Ring deep in his heart, not to be revealed even to Fairy Sister Yun Xian. It was a Demonic Technique, after all. If word got out, he would be branded a demon, hunted by all. But he had no regrets. As long as I can get my revenge, what does it matter if I become a demon?
WHOOSH!
He infused Demonic Qi into the ring, which flashed with a dim light. A Ghostly Face Mask appeared in his hand. The mask's expression was bizarre, seeming to be neither crying nor laughing. This was the true legacy of the Cruel Demon Emperor. In the Prison Divine Palace, three thousand gods and demons knelt before a divine throne. This mask was the only thing resting upon it—a testament to its extraordinary nature.
Without hesitation, Su Han placed the Ghostly Face Mask on his face. An icy, bone-chilling Aura instantly surged from the mask, spreading through his limbs and bones.
Seventh Layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm!
Eighth Layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm!
Ninth Layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm!
Su Han's Aura skyrocketed. In a single breath, he had broken through three successive layers, reaching the Ninth Layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm. However, when he removed the Ghostly Face Mask, his Aura receded back to the Sixth Layer.
This mask can temporarily boost my strength! Su Han's eyes lit up with surprise. He never expected the mask to have such an incredible function. I can feel eighteen seals within it. If I can break them, the mask will reveal its true divine power! His anticipation for the Ghostly Face Mask grew even stronger.
The Ghostly Face Mask, the Devouring Heaven Demonic Art, and the Prison Divine Palace—these were his greatest assets for revenge.
Great Crown Prince, you will pay with your life for taking my Dragon Soul! A cold glint flashed in Su Han's eyes, his killing intent laid bare. The autumn imperial examinations in one month would be his chance.
「The next day.」
Before Su Han and Lu Yunxian had even left the room, a booming shout came from outside.
"Lu Yunxian, accept the imperial decree!" a grating, reedy voice called out. Su Han's brow furrowed, while Lu Yunxian stood beside him in confusion.
Standing outside the door was a Lu Family servant flanked by eighteen of the family's guards.
"By the august decree of the Empress, Lu Yunxian is to be wed to the Lu Family servant Wang Ming! The marriage will take place today!" the servant announced with a smug air of pride. He was, of course, Wang Ming himself. Su Han's expression darkened instantly.
The Empress has arranged a marriage, wedding Fairy Sister Yun Xian to Wang Ming? Wang Ming was a servant who often used the Lu Family's name to cause trouble. He was also a notorious lecher who spent his free time in brothels, and the number of women he had used and discarded was unknown.
They're forcing me to kill!
A cold fury flared in Su Han's eyes. He clenched his fists so tightly that his sharp nails dug into his palms, sending a piercing pain through his hands. The Lu Family had finally become a blade in the hands of the Empress.
He knew this had to be a trap she had set. The Empress must have already learned that I killed Manager Li and recovered my strength. She knows Fairy Sister Yun Xian is my one weakness, yet she deliberately decreed this marriage to a mere servant of the Lu Family. This is a blatant attempt to provoke me. She wants me to interfere so she can brand me a traitor for defying her decree. Then these Lu Family guards can 'clean house' in the name of righteousness, silencing all the gossips in the Imperial Capital! If anyone objects later, she can just push the Lu Family forward as the scapegoat. What a ruthless heart. What a venomous plot.
"Lu Yunxian, come with me to the bridal chamber," Wang Ming sneered, not even sparing Su Han a glance. He reached for Lu Yunxian's wrist, intending to drag her away. "I know eighteen different techniques that are guaranteed to make you beg for more!"
"Scram!" Su Han stepped in front of Lu Yunxian, his eyes fixed coldly on Wang Ming.
"Ninth Prince, this is the will of Her Majesty, the Empress. Do you intend to defy it?" Wang Ming asked, completely unfazed. A look of disdain crept into his eyes. He still believed Su Han was a powerless cripple. With the Empress backing him, what was there to fear? He reached for Lu Yunxian again.
"You're courting death!"
Killing intent surged in Su Han's eyes. He lunged forward, and before Wang Ming could react, he slammed a fist into his throat.
CRACK!
The sound of breaking bone echoed. Blood gushed from Wang Ming's mouth and nose, his eyes wide with disbelief. This piece of trash recovered his strength? And he actually dared to defy the Empress's decree!
BAM!
Su Han kicked out, sending Wang Ming flying into the wall. His head slumped to the side, his life extinguished.
"So what if I defy her decree?" Su Han declared. "I will kill anyone who dares touch Fairy Sister Yun Xian!"
The Empress's plan was perfect, but she had gravely underestimated Su Han's murderous resolve. So what if it's a trap? I'll just have to kill my way through and turn this world upside down.
"Su Han, you have defied a decree and committed murder! Your crimes are heinous! Surrender at once!" the eighteen Lu Family guards shouted as they swiftly surrounded him.
By defying the decree, Su Han had walked right into their trap.