Hua Xianle

Chapter 74:

“I’ll believe that when I see it,” the Jin heir groused lightly as he gently removed the Prince’s arm from his shoulder.

Before their conversation could continue, hushed whispers began to fill the area. Movement could be seen as several soldiers in Wen robes escorted a single individual into the courtyard. The figure was a bit pale and their robes were dirty, but they carried themselves with an almost frosty dignity. The sight of them had Lan Zhan frozen in place and Mingjue staring with his jaw on the floor.

“Xichen…” the Nie Heir whispered.

The soldiers shoved Xichen in the direction of a collection of Lans, letting the Sect Heir stumble. He would have fallen had it not been for the timely catch of the disciples standing there. Immediately, Lan Zhan, Hua Ying, and Mingjue all rushed to Xichen’s side.

“Xiongzhang…” Wangji let out, shaking hands reaching for his brother.

“Wangji,” Xichen whispered, sounding broken as he did. “You shouldn’t have come here…”

“He didn’t have a choice,” Mingjue told the elder Lan. “None of us did, but that doesn’t matter right now. Are you okay? What did those damn Wen dogs do to you?”

Xichen grimaced, turning away. Hua Ying didn’t miss the way he tried to shift his weight, favoring one leg over the other. He could still remember the sound of bones breaking when Su She was torturing him. No doubt his treatment after his capture hadn’t been much better.

“I… would rather not say,” the Lan Heir said after a brief pause. “Please…”

Mingjue’s face hardened, but he didn’t press the issue further. Baxia hummed dangerously in its sheath as he eyed the Wens around them. Never in his life had he wanted to kill another person so badly. (The Jiangs didn’t count. They could hardly be considered people)

“Enough!” a loud, obnoxious voice called out. “Everyone will be silent!”

This new voice came from the top of the tall podium as three figures came into view. The first was none other than Wen Chao, the disgusting second son of Wen Ruohan. At the sight of the pig-like man, Hua Ying couldn’t help but snort.

“Well, at least there’s some good news,” he whispered softly to Wei Ning. “Wen Ruohan put that trashy excuse for a cultivator in charge of this. You’re less likely to be noticed or called out with him at the helm.”

Wei Ning just nodded, but the prince got the impression that beneath his serene mask, his Ghost General’s face was stern and serious. His own took on a similar expression when Wen Zhuliu came into view. He grimaced at the sight of the hollow man, feeling something deep inside him curling up. 

Of course, Wen Ruohan would assign Wen Zhuliu to keep an eye on Wen Chao. After the kid had embarrassed himself in front of the Gods and Lord Black Water, no one would take him seriously. To keep order, he needed a weapon everyone feared, and what better than the Core Melting Hand himself?

Finally, a third figure emerged from the shadows, shamelessly draping herself across Wen Chao’s lap. It was a woman, one who could have been described as beautiful were it not for the cruelty in her gaze. Something about her made Hua Ying think of Madame Yu. She radiated jealousy and spite, her demeanor promising poison and venom to everyone she saw as beneath her.

“Welcome to Qishan!” Wen Chao declared, one hand gesturing grandly to his surroundings while the other shamelessly fondled the woman in his lap. “As of this moment, you are all under my command! You will do what I say when I say it and perhaps we can make worthy cultivators out of you! But until that time comes, everyone is to hand over their spiritual weapons!”