Only after Xia Sheng left the hall did a cold glint flash in Xia Feng's eyes.
"How could this be? Xia Yong and his son shouldn't have died in the secret realm, especially Xia Chuan... He was supposed to have a romantic connection with the War God's daughter of Great Zhou."
"Could it be because I stole his fortune, I altered his destiny long ago?"
"Hmph! My dear Father Emperor, do you think you can still suppress me like before? Empress, Second Brother, Third Brother, what can you do to me now? As long as I can marry the Grand Tutor's legitimate granddaughter, you will have to give me the Crown Prince position, whether you want to or not. Once I have that, I can legitimately build my own power. Then... that Immortal Palace relic..."
"Father Emperor, I'll let you sit on that throne for a few more years. Once I obtain the opportunity within that immortal trace... Hmph! If I remember correctly, that immortal trace should appear in about a year. I've lain low for so long, it's time to... stand up!!"
"A year... Why not... take Qiao Shuang to the Broken Stele Mountain Range first, and incidentally retrieve the opportunity from that relic there?"
Finally, a cold smile lifted the corner of Xia Feng's mouth as he also walked out of the hall.
The Great Xia Imperial Dynasty, or rather, Xia Sheng's ability to sit on the current Emperor's throne, relied heavily on the support of three individuals.
One was the former Great Xia General Zhenyuan, now the Loyal and Righteous Count Zhenyuan, Sikong Yu.
One was the Grand Tutor, Qiao Yunli.
The last one was Xia Feng's third imperial uncle, Prince Yong, Xia Zeshan, whose cultivation wasn't high but whose influence was immense.
These three were now the backbone of Great Xia and Xia Sheng's reliance for suppressing the important ministers at court.
Count Zhenyuan had a son, a profligate by nature, who went to the border to temper himself three years ago, named Sikong Hun. He was on very close personal terms with Xia Feng, Could be called close friends.
The Grand Tutor's legitimate granddaughter, Qiao Shuang, was the number one beauty of Great Xia and also Xia Feng's fiancée.
As for Xia Zeshan, he had a son named Xia Tian, who was arrogant and domineering, looking down on everyone.
As long as two of these three could be used by him, Great Xia was within reach!
So, he would bestow an opportunity upon that Qiao Shuang, also showcasing his magnanimity as her fiancé.
With that, wouldn't winning the beauty's heart be easy?
Heh, in this life, I will grasp the Western Frontier in my hand!
No!!
I will trample heaven and earth under my feet!!
As for that enemy who killed me in my previous life...
Hehehe, don't worry. Wait until I lie low for one more year. I will personally expose your true face then.
"Young master, where are we going now?" Ye Qingchan looked curiously at the magnificent ancient city below, a note of surprise in her voice.
A full three days had passed, and the three had been traveling through mountains and wilds without stopping for a moment.
The ancient city before them now was heavily guarded and clearly no ordinary place.
But...
They were currently in the Western Frontier, not the Eastern Frontier. Even with Ling Xiao's numerous methods, he was only at the Divine General Realm.
Barging so rashly into the imperial capital of a dynasty inevitably made Ye Qingchan somewhat worried.
After all, given their young master's temperament, he was always fearless. If he caused some trouble...
"The imperial capital of the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty, Yunfang City." Ling Xiao smiled faintly and glanced at Ye Qingchan. "Qingchan, take Ning'er to the Heavenly Palace to rest for a few days. I have some matters to attend to in the city."
Over the past few days, Ling Xiao hadn't been unwilling to let the two rest in the Domain World, but Ning'er, experiencing the dragon chariot for the first time, was full of wonder and absolutely refused to leave.
"Young master..." Ye Qingchan was somewhat uneasy. After all, Ling Xiao's actions were always stubborn and arrogant. With her accompanying him, she could always provide more support.
Although... her realm was lower than Ling Xiao's, at a moment of life and death, she possessed a trump card that could be considered heaven-defying.
"Don't worry, I know my limits." Ling Xiao smiled faintly, stored the two girls in the Domain World, and stepped towards Yunfang Ancient City.
The Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty, being one of the Eight Great Imperial Dynasties, had a foundation that could be described as terrifying.
This majestic city alone had walls a hundred zhang high, piercing the clouds, exuding supreme majesty.
At that moment, dozens of armored guards stood in front of the city gate, holding long spears, standing ready for battle.
Within the ancient city, countless powerful auras faintly surged between heaven and earth, intimidating evil spirits.
One of them had actually reached the sixth grade of the Divine Emperor Realm.
And this was just the known power of Great Zhou. Who knew how many supreme experts were hidden deep within the palace halls.
Indeed, in a land of constant warfare, strong experts were numerous.
Although the Eastern Frontier was full of sects, it had been nearly a century since any war occurred.
But the Western Frontier was different. The Eight Great Imperial Dynasties stood firm in the center of the Western Frontier, occupying the rivers and plains with the richest spiritual energy.
But the remaining kingdoms were constantly at war, dividing spiritual veins and cities.
When it came down to it, many had the shadow of the imperial dynasties behind them. In the game between great dynasties, the ones who suffered were the vassal states.
Ling Xiao entered the ancient city, watching the endless stream of people on the street.
Compared to this Great Zhou imperial capital, Xuyun City could be called tiny.
On both sides of the ancient road stood rows of palaces and towering mansions reaching for the sky.
From time to time, cultivators with powerful auras passed by, all with arrogant expressions on their faces.
Only when Ling Xiao's footsteps stopped before an ancient building draped in red silk did a smile finally lift the corner of his mouth.
Chun Man Lou! (Spring Full Pavilion)
In the imperial capitals of dynasties, such places were never lacking.
People, only when they are well-fed and stand high, will want to try different things.
The women in these brothels came into contact with people from all walks of life.
To grasp the news in this city the fastest, teahouses and brothels were the most suitable.
Of course, for Ling Xiao, the brothel was the most suitable.
As for teahouses...
Killing people was always more conspicuous there, but in a brothel...
Close the small door, draw the small curtain, even if you scream yourself hoarse inside, others would think... it's a cry of joy.
"Aiyo, young master, come in and play!"
"We have a new batch of girls here! All from good families."
"If the young master doesn't like that, we also have women from various demon clans. Does the young master like the Spirit Cat clan? No? No matter, we also have the Green Snake clan, aiyo."
In front of the Chun Man Lou, several heavily made-up young women waved silk handkerchiefs in their hands, smiling seductively at Ling Xiao.
At this moment, a divine mist seemed to rise on his face, concealing his features.
But the noble aura emanating from his body was clear at a glance.
"Hmm, how old are the girls in your Chun Man Lou?" Ning'er was twelve years old this year, meaning she should have been abandoned by Ning Tiance and Zhou Minruo twelve years ago.
Women who were too young probably wouldn't know about that secret past.
"Young master, we have girls of all ages here, from as young as fourteen or fifteen, to thirty with light charm. What flavor does the young master prefer? How about I pick a few for you?" An old woman with a fat figure and a fierce, vicious face walked out from the building. She appeared to be around a hundred years old, and her cultivation had actually reached the Breakthrough Realm.
"You will do! I think you... are quite good?"
"Huh?"
The entire Chun Man Lou suddenly fell into dead silence.
Everyone stared dumbfounded at the tall, straight young man standing in the main hall. It was a long time before they swallowed hard.
"Young... young master, are you... making fun of me?" The old woman looked stunned, even a hint of shyness in her eyes.
"Oh? You're unwilling?" Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow slightly.
The old woman, however, had already lowered her head, her face red, and said softly, "This old... cough... I... am naturally willing. Young master, I'd even pay you spirit stones."