2026-06-21 00:38:28
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Chapter 166 (The silent architecture) Chen’s POV
I was lost, so very lost. Yan Hu’s voice began to fade into the background as the room around me dissolved. My mind, sharp and unforgiving, revolted against my denial, violently pulling forward fragments of the past. They hit me in rapid, chaotic succession.The Shadow delivered a rare, highly specific blend of medicinal herbs to stabilize my shattered meridians after the forbidden forest massacre ... the exact, identical remedy Shuyin had used to treat me while I was still in Tao clan. Shuyin finding her way to our supposedly secluded safehouse, her expression entirely unbothered.Helping us fight the Han clan elite warriors even when she should have been in the palace preparing for last peace offering. The moment she revealed, without an ounce of surprise, that Lin Xue’er had returned, converted by demonic influence.Her stubborn refusal to return to the safety of the Tao clan, choosing instead to linger in the capital.The memories built up like straps and the higher I climbed t
Chapter 165 (the breakdown) Chen’s POV
The world stopped spinning and the room went completely silent. Yan Hu’s words hung in the air like a blade suspended over my neck.Tao Shuyin. The name rang out in my head like an alarm bell. For several long seconds, I simply stared at Yan Hu. He didn’t blink. He kept his eyes locked on mine, his breathing now steady, before he let the words fall again, heavier this time.“The person standing behind the masked swordsman... was Lady Tao Shuyin.”The weight came crashing again. I didn't yell. I didn’t leap from my chair, slamming my fists against the table. I just sat there, staring. My gaze was fixed on a small, knots-and-grain pattern on the weathered wood between us.Beside Yan Hu, Wei slowly lowered his head, unable to meet my eyes, his hands trembling as he gripped his knees. Yan Hu watched me with a hyper-vigilant intensity, tracking the little movements and expression on my face, bracing for a violent outburst.Several long, agonizing breaths passed.“No,” I found my tongue
Chapter 164 (The face behind the Shadow) Chen’s POV
I don't know how long I slept for, but when my eyes cracked open, the sky outside was still dark. The moon hung low in the west, already fading as dawn crept in.But I suspected it was the hour of the Tiger. I opened my eyes slowly and I could still feel everything hurting. My ribs ached. My arm felt like it had been smashed by a carriage.Even breathing wasn’t pleasant, but something was too right. The flare of sharp agony I was bracing myself for, was gone. I frowned, carefully lifting my right arm. It was stiff, wrapped tightly in clean, white sheets of linen. Every wound had been treated, including my broken ribs. Not perfectly, but enough to keep me alive and ease me off the pain I thought would take my life. Someone had spent hours stabilizing my injuries.The Shadow.I wasn't even surprised by the potency of the herbs and medicine used, just like always, he knows my system better than anyone. Using a weathered stone pillar of the abandoned library for leverage, I dragged m
Chapter 163 (The bait) Chen’s POV
Lin Xue’er’s voice was usually calmer than normal. "Your patience level has grown thinner over the years.” She exhaled softly, a tiny, chilling smile touching her lips.“I never imagined you were the sort of man who sneaks into a lady’s chamber at night, Long Chen."The name echoed in the dimly lighted room, but I didn't flinch. I came for a more gruesome business. Her eyes slowly opened. Silver-blue pupils met mine."Do you miss me that much?" she asked, her voice dropping into a dangerous, soft purr.I didn't answer her game. I dropped the posture of the polite guard, Shen Luo. I stood tall, dropping all etiquette, letting the raw identity of Long Chen fill the space between us.“There is no one else here Lin Xue’er.”Her smile widened. “I know.”I stepped forward."Why are you back?" I asked, my voice completely flat. "What is Malphas planning?"Lin Xue’er merely tilted her head, ignoring the questions entirely. Instead, her focus shifted completely onto me. The air grew thicker
Chapter 162 (In position) Chen’s POV
Before heading toward the grand gates of the Imperial Palace, I parted ways with Wei and Yan Hu. We had picked a quiet, unassuming inn just a few streets away, close enough for Wei’s straining senses, but far enough to avoid suspicious eyes.Yan Hu had with him blank maps, ink, and clean sheets of parchment, ready to draw and record whatever Wei managed to see through the spiritual current. While Wei prepared his Oracle abilities, sitting cross-legged to brace himself for the mental toll. Everything was in place. Now, it was my turn.The moment I stepped into the palace grounds, I realized the atmosphere had completely shifted from the day before, the tension had completely vanished and now whispers could travel to every corner of the palace and so, the rumors of what happened the day before had already spread like wildfire through the palace. Before I could even reach the guard post, a group of guards swarmed me, their faces a mix of awe, jealousy, and pure amusement."Shen Luo! Si
Chapter 161 (Turning the board) Chen’s POV
The word fell heavily on the room, almost making Yan Hu nearly fall backward onto the bed. "You can’t!" he shouted, his voice cracking with genuine panic.I raised an eyebrow. "You don’t think I can?” "I don’t think anyone can Chen, because that’s not how demon brides work!" Yan Hu pointed a finger at me, his chest heaving. "A demon bride isn't property. She can’t be used as a hostage. She can’t be a prisoner, Chen, because she isn't a weakness.” His expression darkened. “She is an extension of his power. Trying to lock her up is like trying to put a lock on a storm. Or darkness. Or death itself."He took a deep breath, trying to calm his shaking hands. "Chen. Listen to me. Let’s just disappear for a few months. We can hide, we can plan, and we can actually get strong enough to rescue your sister and save the empire. Just a few months."I looked at Yan Hu, the concern and fear in his eyes weren’t for him, he was scared for me. The tension in my shoulders softened, just a fraction."I
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