Wang Qiushuang let out a quiet breath of relief and quickly said, "Your Highness, Prince Yang is truly magnanimous. The Wang clan would never dare to hold a grudge."
"If there's nothing else, don't disturb me again," Yang Cheng replied flatly.
Hearing that, Wang Qiushuang gave Wang Bingrou a meaningful glance, then smiled with practiced grace. "In that case, I won't intrude on Your Highness's peace any further."
Yang Cheng made no move to stop her, only shifting his gaze toward Wang Bingrou.
Wang Bingrou stepped forward lightly, bending her knees just slightly as her voice softened like silk. "Bingrou greets Your Highness, Prince Yang."
She lifted her head, her eyes rippling with charm, deliberately revealing her beauty and allure.
To outsiders, she was a renowned zither master, a name equal to Chu Xianyin's, possessing both skill and grace that countless noble heirs admired and pursued.
But in Yang Cheng's eyes, there wasn't even the faintest ripple of emotion. He looked at her as one might look at a passing shadow—distant and indifferent.
"Are you not afraid of me?" Yang Cheng asked suddenly.
Wang Bingrou's heart skipped, but she forced a smile. "I am afraid. But I also know that being able to stay by Your Highness's side is a once-in-a-lifetime fortune."
At least she was honest—she didn't bother hiding her intent.
Yang Cheng studied her for a moment, and a few fragments of memory about Wang Bingrou surfaced in his mind. This woman was shrewd and adaptable, a master of social maneuvering, skilled at balancing between various factions. Though her reputation wasn't as pure as Chu Xianyin's, she understood people better.
"Fortune?" Yang Cheng's lips curved faintly. "I don't need decorative vases who can only play the zither."
Wang Bingrou's expression stiffened. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, Yang Cheng continued, "Under my command, there's an intelligence organization called the Blood Shadow Tower. The one in charge is capable but not adept at… social dealings. If you're interested, you can go find her."
Wang Bingrou froze.
She had expected Yang Cheng to either use her or dismiss her outright, but this—this arrangement—was entirely unexpected.
An intelligence organization? Social dealings? That was precisely what she excelled at.
"I would be honored!" she answered quickly, a glimmer of light flashing in her eyes.
Perhaps this would be more valuable than simply being someone's toy.
Yang Cheng waved his hand lightly. "I'll have someone contact you with the details. You may go."
Wang Bingrou bowed respectfully and turned to leave. But when she reached the door, she couldn't help but glance back once more.
Bathed in moonlight, Yang Cheng sat silently by the window, his figure blending seamlessly into the still night, distant and unreadable—like an abyss that reflected nothing back.
Meanwhile, far above the Tawei Ocean of the Wasteland Realm—
A massive flying vessel, over a hundred zhang long, floated silently above the glimmering waves.
Two figures stood side by side on the deck, fishing leisurely.
The man on the left had a square, weathered face—it was Grand General Sun Tiexin of the Great Zhao Empire.
The old man beside him, with a lean and elegant face, was none other than Prime Minister Yang Fulin.
"That Yang Cheng is ruthless," Sun Tiexin said as he reeled in a silver-scaled sea fish, his voice carrying a trace of unease. "He didn't even hesitate when he killed Wang Taiyuan."
Yang Fulin stroked his beard and replied calmly, "It's normal for young men to have tempers. But his temper does serve as a useful reminder for us."
"A reminder?" Sun Tiexin snorted coldly. "I think he did it deliberately. Killing Wang Taiyuan was both a show of dominance and a warning—a way to frighten those from the Horn Constellation Realm who might try to carve up the Wasteland Realm for themselves."
"Perhaps," Yang Fulin said, neither agreeing nor denying. His eyes narrowed slightly, a sharp gleam flashing within. "But for now, we shouldn't concern ourselves with him. Let's discuss Great Zhao's current state instead."
He paused, his gaze growing colder. "The Bian'an Divine Sect has been wiped out. Mount Reincarnation took the chance to seize control of the royal clan. Dao Wuyin… that man is cunning. But Great Zhao is too rich a feast to let him enjoy alone."
Sun Tiexin frowned deeply. "Dao Wuyin's strength is unfathomable. Even Yang Cheng was once forced to retreat before him…"
"What's this?" Yang Fulin looked at him with a thin smile. "Is General Sun afraid?"
Sun Tiexin burst into hearty laughter. "Afraid? I, Sun Tiexin, have spent half my life on the battlefield. I've long forgotten how to spell the word 'fear.' Besides, in single combat, of course we can't match him. But now, we have the Chen clan of the Horn Constellation Realm and the Iron Sword Sect backing us. What's there to be afraid of when facing just one Dao Wuyin?"
A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. "Seven days from now, during the Great Court Assembly, will be the time for us to act. Nangong Wan—she's just a woman. How can she possibly hold onto the throne of an empress? Once we support Nangong Hong to ascend, all the power of Great Zhao will naturally fall into our hands."
Nangong Hong was a distant collateral branch of the royal family—mediocre in talent and timid in nature—making him the perfect puppet.
Yang Fulin nodded slowly. "The plan is sound. As long as the Insight God realm cultivators from the Chen clan and the Iron Sword Sect stand behind us, even if Dao Wuyin disapproves, he won't dare openly challenge the powers of the Horn Constellation Realm."
The next day.
Dressed in plain white robes, Nangong Wan sat before Dao Wuyin, her expression tense. "Master, I've received word—seven days from now, during the Great Court Assembly, Yang Fulin and Sun Tiexin will make their move."
Dao Wuyin sat cross-legged on a futon, his voice calm and even. "These people still haven't learned their lesson?"
"This time, they're being backed by the Chen clan and the Iron Sword Sect from the Horn Constellation Realm," Nangong Wan said worriedly. "It's said both forces have already sent Insight God realm cultivators secretly into the capital."
"Just a few jumping clowns from the Horn Constellation Realm," Dao Wuyin said lazily, not even lifting his eyelids. "Don't worry. Nothing will happen during the Great Court Assembly."
Seeing his calm demeanor, Nangong Wan's anxiety eased slightly.
Seven days later.
The grand hall of the Great Zhao Imperial Court was filled with all civil and military officials. The atmosphere, however, was suffocatingly heavy.
Nangong Wan sat tall and regal upon the dragon throne. Her gaze swept across the court, sharp and penetrating.
"If there is business to report, speak. If not, court is dismissed," the high-pitched voice of the eunuch echoed through the hall.
"I have a memorial to present!"
Sun Tiexin stepped forward, his voice booming like thunder. "Your Majesty, I believe that a woman ruling the empire brings great harm to the nation. Great Zhao needs a bold and valiant emperor to lead and command the realm. I beseech Your Majesty to abdicate the throne and allow His Highness Nangong Hong, of the royal collateral line, to take your place!"
Before his words had even faded, Yang Fulin immediately followed up. "General Sun speaks true! Though His Highness Nangong Hong is of a collateral branch, he bears great loyalty to the realm and possesses the heart of an emperor—far superior to that of a woman. We beg Your Majesty to consider the empire's welfare above all!"
The entire court fell into stunned silence. The ministers could feel the coming storm in the air.
"How dare you!"
Nangong Wan slammed the armrest of the throne, her phoenix eyes blazing with fury. "Sun Tiexin! Yang Fulin! Do you intend to rebel?"
Sun Tiexin raised his head proudly. "We are loyal to the realm of Great Zhao, not to Your Majesty personally! As long as you abdicate, you will still retain your title as Princess and live in luxury for the rest of your days."
"Seize these traitors!" Nangong Wan's voice rang like a whip.
Immediately, two rows of imperial guards poured into the hall, surrounding the dissenters.
"Your Majesty need not waste your effort," Yang Fulin sneered coldly. "We have the Chen clan and the Iron Sword Sect of the Horn Constellation Realm behind us. If you value your life, step down peacefully. Otherwise—"
Before he could finish, a sudden violent gust of wind howled from outside the hall.
Roar!
A deafening dragon's cry split the air, shaking the pillars of the court.
Outside the grand hall, a colossal figure appeared—the Azure Dragon of Mount Reincarnation!
Gasps spread through the court like wildfire.
And then, to everyone's horror, the dragon's massive claws released several bodies, dropping them heavily in the center of the hall.
The thud of flesh and bone striking the stone floor echoed chillingly.
"That's Elder Chen Lie of the Chen clan from the Horn Constellation Realm! And Elder Tie Kuang of the Iron Sword Sect!"
A minister who recognized them shouted in shock.
Those corpses—were the very Insight God realm experts sent by the Chen clan and the Iron Sword Sect!
Sun Tiexin and Yang Fulin went deathly pale, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.