CHAPTER 602: 602, SECT MASTER, LONG TIME NO SEE!

Splash!

It was unknown just how many teacups the newly appointed ruler of Xuanyue Country, Xuan Jiuding, had smashed by now, and this time, he broke several in a row, still feeling unsatisfied, panting heavily, his chest heaving with extreme rage.

In contrast, a dignified lady sitting at the upper seat was staring at Xuan Jiuding with a calm face. Although she appeared serene, a sharp glimmer occasionally flashed through her phoenix-like eyes.

"Yun Xiao! Jade Pot Sect! I, Xuan Jiuding, swear that I will annihilate you!"

Angry roars erupted from Xuan Jiuding. If outsiders were to see this, they would be utterly shocked, as he had never shown such rage when he was the Crown Prince.

Perhaps it was the frustration of never being able to breakthrough to the Spirit Vein Realm in this lifetime, or perhaps it was the arrogance from finally ascending to the throne as the ruler of the country. In any case, Xuan Jiuding’s temperament had drastically changed recently, and even he felt like he was becoming unrecognizable.

"Annihilate? How do you plan to do it?"

At this moment, Empress Dowager Nie Yi’s voice, finally sounding cold and clear, made Xuan Jiuding abruptly turn his gaze towards his mother, staring intensely at her.

"Empress Dowager, are we just going to watch Yun Xiao be arrogant and wild? We are the true sovereigns of the Xuanyue Empire!"

Xuan Jiuding managed to calm himself slightly, his words containing a bit of reason. If they allowed Yun Xiao and the Jade Pot Sect to do whatever they want in the Xuanyue Imperial City, where would the dignity of the Royal Family lie?

Right here in the Imperial City of Baiyue City, under the very feet of the Imperial City, Yun Xiao had wiped out three major families that were on good terms with the Royal Family, literally slapping the face of the Xuanyue Imperial Family.

Moreover, right under the eyes of the commanders Yan Chun and Yan Yong from the Xuantie Army, Yun Xiao had blatantly shattered the Song Family into oblivion. This was something Xuan Jiuding simply could not swallow!

On one hand, he detested Yun Xiao and the Jade Pot Sect to the bone, and on the other, the strength displayed by Yun Xiao made Xuan Jiuding aware that he could not act rashly, as it could potentially drag the Royal Family into the abyss.

Xuan Jiuding finally had to admit that he could no longer control the youngster he once could easily manipulate. Now, seeking revenge seemed impossible without the help of his mother in front of him.

Moreover, Ran Xing, an Earth Rank Strongman, seemed rather difficult to manage. Recently, Ran Xing had been repeatedly beaten by Yun Xiao’s Seventh Rank Vein Demon without much resistance, and he had many grievances.

"Rest assured, I already have plans for dealing with Yun Xiao and the Jade Pot Sect. They won’t last long!"

Empress Dowager Nie Yi clearly had more patience than Xuan Jiuding. With a glint in her eyes, her words caused Xuan Jiuding to jump for joy.

"According to news from the Lingtian Imperial Family, my elder brother has broken through to the Earth Rank Third Realm just a few months ago. Hehe, that fat piece of the Xuanyue Empire, my brother has a keen appetite for it!"

Nie Yi’s eyes brimmed with ambition, especially when thinking about the near future when the vast Xuanyue Empire will no longer carry the surname Xuan but rather Nie, she couldn’t help but excite a little.

Then, the ruler of Lingtian would still be the ruler, and she, Nie Yi, would become the first queen in the history of the Xuanyue Empire. As for her son, who couldn’t even breakthrough to the Spirit Vein Realm, what qualification did he have to control a country?

However, since the big event had not yet occurred, Nie Yi didn’t show these thoughts. Thus, as Xuan Jiuding was visibly excited, she continued, "The most important thing for you right now is to control the court affairs. You know what to do, right?"

"Mother, rest assured, I haven’t stopped for a moment to treat Father’s illness. Today, there should be another group of High-level Meridian Refining Masters arriving to treat Father!"

While speaking these words, Xuan Jiuding didn’t feel any shame, as if he was genuinely concerned for his father’s illness, which also pleased Nie Yi.

Nie Yi knew that the sudden coma and abdication of the previous ruler, Haoran, handing over the throne to Crown Prince Xuan Jiuding, was highly suspicious to many officials in the court.

Some stubborn individuals even suspected that it was their mother and son who conspired against the ruler Haoran. Of course, these individuals were quickly suppressed, causing no significant uproar.

However, this was still an indelible suspicion. Therefore, Nie Yi and Xuan Jiuding had to adopt a stance that they were constantly and actively treating Xuan Haoran, albeit with no results.

This kind of behavior seemed hypocritical to discerning individuals yet was necessary_CHIP_A, especially since Nie Yi and Xuan Jiuding also feared the Second Prince, Xuan Jing, who was hiding somewhere, might suddenly appear, causing some trouble.

If it were the past Imperial City, Nie Yi and Xuan Jiuding could have utilized the strength of the three major families to fully control it, but now, with Yun Xiao’s strong return, and the powerful members of Jade Pot Sect brazenly staying in the Jade Pot Courtyard, their actions naturally had to be more restrained.

Even the two of them were aware of the good relationship between Yun Xiao and that Second Prince. If these two were to join forces, what could happen was beyond anyone’s predictability.

Therefore, while Nie Yi was communicating with the ruler of Lingtian Empire, she also had to find ways to stabilize the strong ministers and officials within the Xuanyue Empire itself, thus the facade of inviting renowned doctors and Meridian Refining Masters to treat Xuan Haoran.

Of course, the high-level Meridian Refining Masters invited to treat Xuan Haoran were all well-known figures in the Imperial City, and Xuan Jiuding and his mother knew their backgrounds thoroughly. These people had families and responsibilities and consequently wouldn’t dare act recklessly.

Moreover, it was the severe poison administered by the Earth Rank Low-Level Meridian Refining Master, Ran Xing, that had afflicted Xuan Haoran. Even if these high-level Meridian Refining Masters wanted to act out, they would be helpless and only put on a show.

"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, the Meridian Refining Masters who entered the palace today have all gathered. Please, Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager, come to inspect them!"

As this mother and son were discussing, an elderly palace servant respectfully walked into the hall and spoke. Both of them exchanged looks and immediately stood up.

"Since they are here, let’s go and see. Hopefully, today’s gentlemen can cure my father’s illness!"

Even in front of his closest confidants, Xuan Jiuding still put on a show of filial piety, causing the palace servant who turned around to guide them to secretly feel contempt, yet dared not reveal any of his inner thoughts.

This time, the Empress Dowager did not go with them. She slowly reached out with her right hand, where a piece of paper apparently lay, densely written with words.

........

"Sect Master Yan, long time no see!"

Outside a grand hall of the Imperial Palace, an elderly man with a ruddy face spoke in a robust voice, attracting everyone’s attention.

As for the Sect Master of the Yinfeng Sect mentioned, it was naturally Yan Zong, but now Yan Zong was disguised as Yun Xiao. It’s worth mentioning that he knew absolutely nothing about the red-faced old man who was talking to him.

After the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference and the past month’s upheavals, Yun Xiao’s reputation was known to all, but that only meant others knew him; those who visited the Jade Pot Courtyard were all blocked by Yu Shu, Lu Zhan, and others, and Yun Xiao scarcely met any of them.

"Hmph!"

Since more words could lead to more mistakes, Yun Xiao simply snorted coldly, causing the red-faced old man to look quite embarrassed and he did not speak again.

"It is said that the Sect Master of the Yinfeng Sect has a strange temper, and having seen it today, it really lives up to the reputation!"

Seeing the red-faced old man embarrassed, no one else temporarily threw warmth towards cold indifference, and as they understood more about Sect Master Yan’s petty nature, they feared a misstep in words could bring unwanted attention and they wouldn’t even know how they died.

The reverence for the Poison Vein Master quieted the scene somewhat; however, this reduced the risk of exposing Yun Xiao, who concentrated on waiting for the reception of the royal members.

"The King has arrived!"

Not long after, a loud voice announced from somewhere and suddenly, a young, noble figure emerged - it was the newly appointed ruler of Xuanyue Country, Xuan Jiuding.

"Greetings to Your Majesty the King!"

Despite Xuan Jiuding being young and having only reached the Peak of Meridian Union Realm, everyone greeted him respectfully, including Yun Xiao, who also pretended accordingly.

"It is an honor that you all have come, but my father’s illness... alas..."

At this moment, Xuan Jiuding no longer displayed his earlier angry demeanor, but rather showed a touch of sorrow, appearing genuinely concerned for Xuan Haoran’s illness.

The invited Meridian Refining Masters, oblivious to Xuan Jiuding’s true thoughts in his heart, each swore an oath to heal the former ruler’s illness, wishing to honor Xuan Jiuding with the title of a filial son.

"He’s really putting on a show!"

Only Yun Xiao silently sneered to himself, thinking these people were quite foolish. If they actually cured Xuan Haoran, what would become of the new King? Would he abdicate in favor?

"Eh? Sect Master Yan is also here today; this truly surprises me!"

As these thoughts passed through Yun Xiao’s mind, Xuan Jiuding had already noticed him and his eyes flickered slightly as he greeted him.

"It is my duty to serve Your Majesty!"

Yun Xiao’s heart skipped, but his expression remained unchanged as he imitated Yan Zong’s tone to express his loyalty, and this statement "to serve Your Majesty" pleased Xuan Jiuding quite a bit.

Xuan Jiuding harbored no suspicion about Yan Zong’s intentions. Although the Sect Master of the Yinfeng Sect was somewhat unruly, he at least had no connections with Yun Xiao or the Jade Pot Sect.

Previously, when treating Xuan Jing’s illness, Yun Xiao used the alias Bo Ku and had conflicts with Yan Zong, which Xuan Jiuding later learned about. He believed with Yan Zong’s narrow-minded nature, how could he possibly hold any positive regard for Yun Xiao?

"Since that is the case, then please follow me into the hall and do your utmost to heal my father!"

Xuan Jiuding briefly called out and then turned to push open the door behind him. As soon as the door opened, Yun Xiao smelled a somewhat familiar scent and secretly smiled to himself.