Chapter Thirty-Four: The Little Princess of the Jiang Dynasty

"Who is behind you?"
Dieyi's face was stricken with terror; she discovered her mouth opening against her will, as if compelled to spill everything she knew.
Zijuan struggled desperately to close her lips, but the drug's effect was too potent—her lips were bitten bloody:
"No... I can't... It’s... it’s Lord Huaize..."
As the two spoke the mastermind’s name in unison, they knew that even if they survived, the master of the house would never spare them.
Jiang Jiu asked again, "Where is your tower's treasure kept?"
Since they'd already confessed their master's name, what did it matter now? Under the drug's compulsion, Zijuan replied, "On the master himself."
Jiang Jiu thought this medicine worked admirably—such efficiency.
She posed her final question:
"Why has your master been capturing so many robust young men?"
Suddenly, Zijuan and Dieyi's faces contorted with fear. They clawed at their throats, tightening their grasp, their eyes bulging as they rasped, "Help... me... help..."
[Master, leave quickly! You've been discovered!]
Jiang Jiu moved to the window, about to climb out, but then turned back and gave both Dieyi and Zijuan a pill.
It was a Sleep Elixir; after ingesting it, they would fall into a deep sleep, and upon waking, remember nothing—a clean end to future trouble.
"Hurry! Search everywhere! By order of the master, the house is closed today—everyone out!"
Hanging outside the window, Jiang Jiu listened to the commotion within, then slipped away, her silhouette melting into the night.
Several patrons, still in their underclothes, were driven from Drunken Fragrance Tower, cursing furiously.
Meanwhile, Jiang Jiu had already reached the palace. Along the way, Little Wretch gave her a timely update about the chaos outside Drunken Fragrance Tower, making Jiang Jiu laugh out loud.
As soon as she entered the Pear Blossom Hall, Red Candle rushed out to embrace her. "Little Princess, where have you been? You nearly scared me to death! If you hadn't returned soon, I would have reported to King Jiang and Queen Jiang!"
Jiang Jiu froze for a moment, then hugged Red Candle back:
"Master sent me to the Imperial Astrologer's residence to fetch a weapon. On the way back, I got hungry, and there was a dumpling stall by the road. The smell was so tempting I couldn't resist, and before I knew it, night had fallen. Hehe, I made you worry, Aunt Red Candle."
Red Candle gently stroked Jiang Jiu's hair, just like a mother with her child.
"As long as you’re safe, all is well. The city is not safe these days, Princess—you must stay in the palace and not wander off!"
"Aunt Red Candle, have you forgotten that I’m a spiritual cultivator? I’ll protect myself, protect you, protect Father, Mother, my two brothers, and all the innocent people in the palace!"

Red Candle smiled in response:
"Yes, Princess, you will keep us all safe. We all believe in you. But it is late now—you must get some sleep."
"Alright!"
Once Jiang Jiu was settled in bed, Red Candle finally left the room.
Jiang Jiu lifted the corner of her quilt, and in the next moment, she was inside her portable space.
The Mirage Spirit and Bone-Growing Grass were still in their dormant phase, though the surrounding light had dimmed, suggesting their awakening was near.
"Dieyi and Zijuan were under a soul lock, weren't they?"
[Bingo! That’s correct!]
"It seems the entire Drunken Fragrance Tower has been placed under a death order."
"Little Wretch, can you find me some basic zither scores? Techniques for sound-based killing—I’ve never practiced them."
[Just a moment!]
Jiang Jiu wandered through the space; many medicinal herbs had borne fruit, and the unsown seeds had already sprouted in the soil.
Everything in the space was thriving and full of life.
[Master, found them! Here, these two are perfect for a beginner like you.]
Two bamboo slips appeared on the ground. Jiang Jiu picked them up—one was the "String-Killing Technique," the other an introductory zither score.
[Practice the basic pieces first, then integrate the String-Killing Technique. That way, you’ll be able to kill with your intent as you play.]
Holding the bamboo slips, Jiang Jiu headed toward Nirvana. In coming days, she planned to break through to the Sacred Realm while also practicing the String-Killing Technique—perhaps, it would prove invaluable later.
Drunken Fragrance Tower.
It was dark and damp here. An iron door sealed away a crowd of bowed figures. In front of the door stood a man—he had secretly allied with Shen Zhao, was the master of Drunken Fragrance Tower, and the lone survivor of the fallen nation of Ziliao: Crown Prince Huaize.
"Did you catch her?"
A man in black knelt on the ground. "The other side was prepared; she escaped. I deserve to die! I await your punishment, Master!"
Huaize turned, his expression inscrutable. "Indeed, you do deserve to die."
With that, an invisible force hurled the black-clad man into a nearby medicinal pool.
He thrashed about in the liquid, but within seconds, all movement ceased.

Huaize then summoned two heavily armed men to fish the corpse from the pool and toss it into the iron cell.
This concoction was his own careful design, meant to turn people into the walking dead. He would destroy the Jiang Kingdom and bring justice to the people of Ziliao!
"Go tell Shen Zhao: in seven days, the plan will proceed. Only success is permitted—failure is not!"
For decades, I have toiled, bowing and scraping to my enemies on Jiang soil, expanding my influence step by step. What Jiang owes Ziliao, they will repay a hundredfold!
The Shen Residence.
After delivering Huaize’s orders, the man in black remained in the Shen household.
They were grasshoppers tied to the same rope now. They needed Shen Zhao to counterbalance the palace forces. Only then could they operate freely within the imperial city.
"Have you thought it over, my daughter?"
Shen Zhao stood with his hands behind his back in Shen Yue’s courtyard.
Shen Yue did not raise her head, continuing to read her book.
"It’s fine if you don’t answer. In seven days, you will be the most honored princess."
Shen Yue glanced up briefly, then returned to her reading.
Shen Zhao pressed on, probing:
"Whether it’s King Jiang, Queen Jiang, Jiang Ling, Jiang Che, or Jiang Jiu, they will all become my prisoners!"
At last, Shen Yue responded:
"Father, this will be the last time I address you as such. You have betrayed the wishes of our ancestors. Grandfather, great-grandfather, forebears before him—none would wish to see this day. End this, or their spirits will never rest."
"No, no, Yue, you are gravely mistaken! Our Shen family fought for Jiang for centuries, and in the end, all we received was a mere title. I cannot fathom how our ancestors endured such injustice!"
"It is not I who am wrong—it is always you. You simply refuse to admit it."
"Wrong? How could I, Shen Zhao, be wrong? Ha! I have never been wrong! Hahaha..."
Laughing maniacally, Shen Zhao strode out of the courtyard. How could a man of such ambition and vision as himself have a daughter like Shen Yue? How could he be in the wrong? The wrong would never be his!
Watching his retreating figure, Shen Yue felt a sudden, deep sorrow.
The Shen family... was doomed to fall, after all.