"It is a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding! What are you all doing? Lower your weapons at once!" the old emperor hurriedly scolded.
Xiao Yifeng cast a cold glance over him before turning his gaze to the enchanting, bewitching concubine by his side. "Speak," he said coldly. "Who exactly are you? Why go to such great lengths to provoke my Wentian Sect?"
The so-called Concubine Lin was now deathly pale, completely stripped of her previous seductive demeanor.
"Your Majesty, I have been wronged! I only acted in Your Majesty's best interests," Concubine Lin sobbed, tears streaming down her face.
"Your Majesty, this demonic concubine's origins are unknown. She has thrown the inner palace into chaos, sowed discord, and nearly caused Your Majesty to commit a grave mistake. Her crime warrants death!" the Empress beside him declared without the slightest hesitation.
"This..." The old emperor showed a trace of hesitation. Yet, catching sight of Xiao Yifeng's darkening expression, he gritted his teeth and barked, "Guards! Execute this demonic concubine!"
Hearing this, the divine, immortal-like National Preceptor below stepped forward, intending to seize Concubine Lin and make amends for his previous blunder.
Unexpectedly, Concubine Lin snorted coldly. She cast a venomous glare at Xiao Yifeng and flung out several beads that burst open with sudden force. The sudden noise startled everyone present, and in that instant, she transformed into a streak of black light that shot into the sky.
No one had expected her to be a cultivator, much less one with considerable cultivation. Even Xiao Yifeng had only sensed a faint anomaly moments prior.
The old emperor was so frightened he collapsed back onto his throne. Fortunately, the Empress beside him acted quickly, reaching out to support him.
After a long pause, he forced himself to regain composure and said, "It was all this demonic concubine's doing. She bewitched me, clouding my mind until I offended this immortal maiden. I beg the two immortals not to take offense."
Xiao Yifeng and Su Miaoqing swept their gazes over the room. Xiao Yifeng let out a cold snort. "Flies do not swarm around unbroken eggs. Your conduct and words are truly disgraceful. In the future, cultivate your virtue and stay away from female charms."
With a wave of his sleeve, a sharp slapping sound echoed through the entire hall. Every man present-except for himself and Zhang Tianzhi's group-who had revealed even a trace of lustful desire felt a stinging blow across the face.
Even the emperor was not spared, receiving an exceptionally heavy slap.
Even the Golden Core National Preceptor was struck hard across the cheek by Xiao Yifeng. Though he possessed the strength to block it, he did not dare resist in the slightest.
"Does the National Preceptor feel this slap was undeserved? Do you think I am merely relying on my sect's prestige to bully others?" Xiao Yifeng asked with a faint smile, noting the resentment on the man's face.
"This humble Daoist would not dare!" replied the National Preceptor. His demeanor had been pristine and immortal-like, but his cheek was now swollen red.
"His Highness the Crown Prince seems unconvinced?" Xiao Yifeng noted, seeing the gloomy glare in Crown Prince Dai Yun's eyes. Because the prince had pressured Yuge and shown disrespect to Su Miaoqing, Xiao Yifeng's strike had left his face thoroughly swollen.
"This humble prince would not dare! I failed to recognize greatness earlier," Crown Prince Dai Yun muttered, lowering his head to conceal his fierce, predatory gaze.
"And does Your Majesty feel I acted unjustly?" Xiao Yifeng asked lightly, gently blowing on his palm.
The old emperor's hair was disheveled from the heavy blow. Though a flash of resentment passed through his eyes, he forced a smile and said, "I failed to discern the truth and deserved to be struck. The immortal was entirely in the right."
Xiao Yifeng paid him no further mind. He turned to Su Miaoqing and said, "Let us depart, Senior Sister."
Su Miaoqing's mood had brightened considerably. She offered a sweet smile and said, "Very well. I wanted to leave this disgusting place long ago!"
"Brother Zhang, Princess Yuge, the Yuanhai Kingdom is no sanctuary for you. Take care of yourselves. Farewell," Xiao Yifeng said, offering a formal bow to Zhang Tianzhi and Yuge while sending them a private voice transmission.
In the next instant, sharp sword light surged around his body, its piercing radiance making the skin of everyone present tingle with pain.
Beside him, flames flared around Su Miaoqing as she stepped onto the back of a massive Fire Phoenix. Like a flame deity descended to the world, her presence radiated intense heat that scorched the surroundings.
"The people of the Heavenly Dragon Kingdom are friends to the two of us. If any of you dare act against them or force them into anything against their will, do not blame me for showing no mercy!" Xiao Yifeng declared coldly.
With that, he and Su Miaoqing broke through the air and sped away. Countless streaks of sword Qi and a giant Fire Phoenix swept across the sky, leaving behind an awe-inspiring spectacle.
Once beyond the imperial palace, the two landed and restrained their aura. Xiao Yifeng let out a wry smile. "Pretending to be an imposing expert is truly exhausting."
Su Miaoqing burst into laughter. "And yet you looked completely believable!"
Then, as if remembering something, she asked, "Little Feng, why did those men who led us inside carry such heavy yin energy, even though they didn't seem to be practicing evil arts?"
"Ah, that is a long story. It is better left unsaid."
"Why not? Tell me."
"Because they are..."
"Little Feng! How could you tell me such things? You are terrible!"
Xiao Yifeng was left speechless. You were the one who asked.
Xiao Yifeng and Su Miaoqing did not leave the capital immediately. Instead, they found a quiet, elegant inn within the city to rest.
Xiao Yifeng claimed to Su Miaoqing that he wanted to try his luck once more and search for his distant relative in other parts of the city.
When night fell, Xiao Yifeng prepared to leave. Before stepping out, he approached Su Miaoqing and said, "Senior Sister, I am going out for a short while and will return soon. Do not wander around outside the room."
"Why won't you take me along? Staying here alone is so boring, and you won't even let me go out," Su Miaoqing complained, pouting.
"Senior Sister, the place I am visiting tonight is chaotic and untidy, hardly suitable for you. Be good and stay inside so no one can plot against you." He then retrieved the dragon-patterned jade pendant and handed it to her.
"Take this with you, Senior Sister. Keep it on your person from now on." Xiao Yifeng had realized he had no practical use for the pendant himself, and pulling it out for Su Miaoqing every single time was overly troublesome. It was far simpler to leave it in her care.
"Who is the senior sister here, you or me? You are only at the Qi Condensation realm, yet you come lecturing me," Su Miaoqing pouted.
"Of course you are the senior sister. Alright, I am leaving," Xiao Yifeng offered a helpless smile and quickly made his exit.
Stepping out onto the street, Xiao Yifeng pondered for a moment before picking a direction at random. Seeing an elegant, dashing young man walking nearby, he approached and asked, "Greetings, brother. I have just arrived in the city and wish to ask where Qingyuan is located?"
The man looked up at Xiao Yifeng and gave a knowing smile. "Brother, you certainly have refined taste. Qingyuan is located on North Street. You will see it as soon as you arrive, though the prices there are by no means low."
Xiao Yifeng nodded in thanks and headed toward North Street as directed. Upon arrival, he instantly understood why the man had said he would recognize it immediately.
North Street was illuminated so brightly that night seemed like day. The avenue was packed with carriages and crowds of people seeking pleasure and entertainment.
Indeed, the reason Xiao Yifeng had slipped away from Su Miaoqing was precisely to visit a brothel.