C6 The Demonic Python Body

The man in black robes, whom Chu Xing called 'teacher', took a measured step forward. The candlelight in the room remained still, yet the interplay of light and shadow seemed to undergo a subtle shift.

Chu Xing's face was a mask of composure, but his pupils contracted ever so slightly.

After a brief silence, a raspy male voice emerged from beneath the robe, "Your writing is replete with convolutions, the yin energy overpowering the yang."

Chu Xing chuckled. "Teacher, you might as well say I'm overthinking and too cunning for my own good."

The figure in black gave a confirming snort, conceding to Chu Xing's self-assessment.

Gradually, the smile on Chu Xing's face dissolved, replaced by a fierce intensity that belied his years. His voice turned frosty, each word deliberate, "But remember, Teacher, it is I who now controls the Eastern Palace, I who has seized the grand opportunity. And Chu Yan? He's on the brink of death."

As he spoke, Chu Xing's form quivered subtly, and behind him, a ghostly black mist began to coil, swirling ominously like a nest of serpents. It was a sight to chill the bones and stir primal dread.

"Is everything in place?" the black-robed man inquired, unfazed by Chu Xing's spectral display.

"Everything is within my grasp," Chu Xing replied sharply, the dark aura retracting into him as he spoke. His laughter returned, "I'm curious about the Persian Prefecture princess's motives in wanting Chu Yan for marriage. But it suits me perfectly. I've been seeking an opportunity to eliminate him, and now that he's leaving the Southern Yuan Kingdom, his demise en route will rid me of any future concerns. My only current worry is whether Chan Er will interfere."

"The princess is unlikely to meddle," the man in black mused after a pause.

Hearing this, Chu Xing's eyes gleamed with reassurance, his gaze piercing as he stared into the candle's flame. "Chu Yan, you couldn't possibly imagine that my path, Chu Xing's path, will stretch infinitely farther than yours. My innate Demonic Python Body is something you, a mere martial prodigy, could never hope to rival."

As he spoke, his face shifted in the flickering candlelight, giving the illusion that his head had morphed into that of a massive demonic python, its crimson tongue flicking rapidly in and out of its mouth.

Dawn was breaking with a pale light when, on the official road outside the Southern Yuan Kingdom's imperial capital, two carriages and a dozen guards assembled. This modest entourage was all that accompanied Chu Yan on his diplomatic marriage mission to the distant Prefecture of Persia.

The lack of pomp was evident, and the guards tasked with Chu Yan's escort did so with evident reluctance. After all, Chu Yan's reputation as a sinner preceded him. Were it not for the unyielding imperial command, none would choose to accompany such a man on a grueling three-month journey across treacherous terrain.

Inside one of the carriages, Chu Yan sat cross-legged, his eyes half-closed in meditation, his mind singularly focused. Having uncovered the secrets of the echo loop the day before, he had not squandered a moment, dedicating the entire night to rigorous training within the Return to the Ruins Tower.

Thanks to the bodily enhancements from the Canghai Cloud Cracking Beast's blood essence, Chu Yan's recovery abilities were remarkable. No matter how fatigued, a brief rest was all he needed to rejuvenate fully.

Though the training session had lasted just one night, the time-space cage's unique properties made it equivalent to three nights of practice. Coupled with Chu Yan's exceptional physical endurance, his progress likely surpassed that of others who had trained for five nights.

Now, Chu Yan could distinctly sense the resurgence of robust vitality within him, his muscles swelling with a long-absent strength.

In that moment, Xiao Pei swiftly withdrew her head from the carriage window and meticulously fixed the curtains before curling up beside Chu Yan.

Catching her pensive look, Chu Yan inquired nonchalantly, "Are you reluctant to leave?"

"Not at all," Xiao Pei replied, lifting her gaze to meet Chu Yan's steady eyes. "I belong to His Highness, and I will follow wherever you lead. There's nothing to be reluctant about, it's just that—"

Xiao Pei's voice softened, and her eyes clouded with a layer of mist. "Xiao Pei is just upset on behalf of His Highness. He's innocent, Xiao Pei knows it—those people are all talking nonsense."

"Let them say what they will."

Startled by his response, Xiao Pei looked up to see Chu Yan watching her with a smile.

"Now, Xiao Pei is the only one by my side. As long as you believe in me, I couldn't care less about what anyone else says."

His words struck a chord in Xiao Pei's heart. A whirlwind of emotions—surprise, shyness, confusion, and joy—flashed across her eyes. In an instant, her feelings transformed into shimmering tears that spilled over.

"Don't cry, Xiao Pei. I'm so happy," she said, dabbing at her eyes and sniffling, a touch embarrassed. "Your Highness, let's never part again. Xiao Pei will serve you for a lifetime."

"Of course," Chu Yan replied, his smile affirming.

He genuinely felt compassion for the young girl at that moment. Wrapping an arm around Xiao Pei's shoulders, he reassured her, "Don't worry, we will come back one day."

"Hmm?"

"I intend to return—" Chu Yan's lips quirked up slightly, "—and level this place."

At those final words, Xiao Pei's heart skipped a beat, her cheeks flushed with a mix of emotions as she stole a glance at Chu Yan. His profile bore none of the sorrow or resentment one might expect from someone exiled from their homeland; instead, he radiated the same spirited confidence he always had.

In that instant, Xiao Pei felt an overwhelming sense of happiness. His Highness was unchanged, and to her, that was everything.

Suddenly, a man's voice called from outside the carriage, "Your Highness, please step out for a moment. An eunuch from the palace has come."

The mention of someone from the palace made Xiao Pei tense. Chu Yan's smile faded as he gave her a reassuring pat before descending from the carriage.

At that moment, a palace eunuch approached, cradling a slender object in his arms.

The grim fate that befell Eunuch Wu Xiaoming yesterday seemed to have already made the rounds. The eunuch who arrived to see Chu Yan now wore a smile so wide it was as if chrysanthemums were blooming across his face, his wrinkles fully on display.

"Your Highness, the Princess has expressly sent me to deliver this to you. Thankfully, I've arrived in time, without any delay," the eunuch said, presenting the item with both hands.

"Chu Chan'er sent this with you?" Chu Yan asked, his smile tinged with irony.

The eunuch's scalp prickled at the sight of Chu Yan's expression. He stuttered, "Yes, indeed, the Princess made me promise to hand it directly to Your Highness."

"She nearly suffered at my hands before, and now she remembers to bid farewell to her brother. She's gone to quite some trouble. Tell her I've received her gift," Chu Yan commented coolly, taking the cloth-wrapped, slender object into his hands.

Relief washed over the eunuch as Chu Yan accepted the item.

"But—"

The eunuch's newfound calm was abruptly shattered by Chu Yan's sudden interjection.