Chapter 442: Magic Clan

In the secret chamber, Yun Yuqing felt a sudden daze, recalling a private conversation she had with her husband in the same chamber earlier.

"The convoy transporting the imperial prisoner will definitely pass through Jibei City," the King of Wu said. "We absolutely cannot miss such a great opportunity." His face, usually gentle and warm, was now completely alight with extreme excitement.

Yun Yuqing was somewhat puzzled. "Isn't our current life quite good?" she asked. "Why take such a risk?"

The King of Wu snorted coldly. "Do you think I enjoy being cooped up in a backwater like Jibei City? It's because I'm a concubine's son! My mother isn't the Empress, so I couldn't become Crown Prince and was exiled from the capital to my fiefdom. I had almost resigned myself to my fate, but I never expected to encounter such a golden opportunity!"

"It seems Heaven has sensed my piety and granted me this special favor. He who refuses Heaven's gifts will suffer for it. I've bided my time for so many years, waiting for this very day!"

"With the legendary divine art, the 'Phoenix Nirvana Sutra,' which grants immortality, I can bridge the gap between myself and the Crown Prince. After all, this is a world where strength reigns supreme!"

Seeing her usually taciturn husband so excited and speaking so much, Yun Yuqing couldn't help but remind him, "'The Phoenix Nirvana Sutra' is just a legend. No one has ever heard of anyone mastering it over centuries, so it might not be as miraculous as it's said to be. Look at that guy, Zu An. He had this technique, but wasn't he still captured? That proves it's not as powerful as the legends claim."

The King of Wu laughed. "According to our intelligence, Zu An was just a useless wastrel on the streets before. Yet, in just a few months, he seemed to become a completely different person. Doesn't that precisely prove the miraculous nature of the 'Phoenix Nirvana Sutra'? If even a good-for-nothing can turn into a genius, imagine how much more powerful I, with my talent and cultivation, would become by practicing it."

"Furthermore, there's something else you might not know. Decades ago, Father secretly sent his trusted eunuch with a large group of top masters to the legendary 'Unknowable Lands' specifically to investigate the whereabouts of the 'Phoenix Nirvana Sutra.' At the time, everyone believed they had been annihilated and that the legendary secret text didn't exist. However, current intelligence indicates that the group did find it. It's just that the leading eunuch became greedy, killed his companions, and fled, then went into hiding with the Chu family in Brightmoon City. That's how Zu An got his hands on it."

Yun Yuqing's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Doesn't that even more strongly suggest that the 'Phoenix Nirvana Sutra' is something the Emperor is absolutely determined to possess? Won't your interference now infuriate him?"

"To directly seize it by force would, of course, be courting death," the King of Wu said, looking at his wife meaningfully. "That's why I need your help."

"Me?" Yun Yuqing was confused.

The King of Wu snorted. "Surely you haven't lived in the human world for so long that you've forgotten your identity as a demoness?"

"Demoness..." Hearing that word, a hint of paleness appeared on Yun Yuqing's exquisite face.

The King of Wu stood by the window, his hands clasped behind his back. "Although the war lasting several centuries ultimately ended in our human race's victory, I must admit, each branch of your demon race has its unique strengths."

"Just as the Night Elves are born assassins, your demon race naturally possesses outstanding beauty, making you masters of seduction."

"With your abilities, let alone Zu An, who hasn't seen much of the world, even the resolute Embroidered Uniform Guard officers around Father would likely fall prey to your charms if caught off guard. Therefore, you are the most suitable person to carry out this mission."

Yun Yuqing's expression turned desolate. "If it weren't for the war," she said, "which demoness would like to use her beauty to beguile others?"

Seeing her on the verge of tears, the King of Wu's tone softened. "My dear, I am doing this out of necessity. Currently, I am just an idle prince; even in Jibei City, many officials don't take me seriously. So, even if I wanted to do something, I have no means. But if one day I ascend the throne, it will be different. Then I can mobilize all the resources in the world, and it will be much easier to help your people escape their current plight of hunger and cold, and being bought and sold as slaves by nobles."

Yun Yuqing bit her lip, her face flushing and paling by turns. "Alright, I can try to help you," she said, "but I know that you humans greatly value a woman's chastity. If I employ a honey trap, even if nothing actually happens, I won't be able to prove my innocence to you. Will you despise me for this in the future?"

The King of Wu laughed heartily. "How could I? Even if something truly happened, I wouldn't despise you; on the contrary, I would be very pleased."

"Pleased?" Yun Yuqing was startled, momentarily unable to comprehend.

Having accidentally revealed the hidden quirk in his heart, the King of Wu hastily changed his words. "What I mean is that I trust you one hundred percent," he said. "And given the depth of our feelings, no matter what happens, I will unconditionally stand by you. I will cherish you, love you, and believe in you. Do you have so little faith in our love?"

"Yinlang, you are so kind," Yun Yuqing said. The cloud of worry on her face immediately turned into a smile, and she gently nestled beside him.

Behind the King of Wu's smile, a true shadow lurked. He had always harbored an unspeakable quirk; if it were ever revealed, it would be utterly incomprehensible to the world.

Yet, whenever he thought of it, he felt an inexplicable thrill and anticipation.

Of course, he wasn't completely overwhelmed by this quirk. His wife was so perfect and loved him so much that every time the thought arose, he felt a strong sense of guilt.

Unfortunately, Yun Yuqing was unaware of her husband's true thoughts. She was only thinking of completing this mission well, as it would both alleviate her husband's worries and rescue her people from years of hardship. Suddenly, she was filled with vigor.

So she took the opportunity to bid farewell to King Liang and the others. "Uncles, please enjoy your meal," she said. "I am feeling unwell, so I will take my leave now."

"Princess, please make yourself comfortable, and go back to rest well," they replied. Although King Liang and Liu Yao had occasionally been sneaking glances at their captivating niece-in-law, they all looked disappointed when they heard she was leaving.

However, they also knew that it wasn't appropriate for female family members to accompany drinking, so they did not try to keep her.

After Yun Yuqing left the banquet hall, she did not return to the inner quarters. Instead, she called for some maids, instructing them to carry pre-prepared dishes and head towards the villa where the imperial prisoner was being held.

"Halt!" Her group made no attempt to conceal their presence, so they were quickly spotted by Huang Huihong's subordinates.

Yun Yuqing smiled slightly. "You've worked hard on duty," she said. "These are dishes prepared by the Prince's Estate for you all. I've brought them over."

The guard was instantly captivated by her smile, and his tone of voice softened considerably. "I... I'll go inform Commander Huang immediately," he stammered.

Soon, Huang Huihong arrived upon hearing the news. He was startled when he saw her and hastily went to greet her. "How could we trouble Your Royal Highness to personally deliver food?" he asked.

Yun Yuqing wore a bright smile. "Because of the previous Night Elf assassination attempt," she explained, "I was worried about something going wrong on the way. Then our Prince's Estate would be held accountable, so I decided to deliver it myself."

"Your Royal Highness is too thoughtful," Huang Huihong said. Looking at her captivating and stunning beauty, he felt his heart quicken. He instinctively lowered his head, not daring to meet her gaze.

Since being chosen as an Embroidered Uniform Guard officer, his heart had long been as steadfast as a rock. But for some reason, he now felt like a young man experiencing love for the first time.

"Why are you standing there stunned? Hurry and help take these things!" he hastily rebuked his subordinates, trying to conceal his inner embarrassment.

Yun Yuqing smiled slightly. "No need," she said. "I'll just have the maids take them in, so you soldiers won't have to leave your posts."

"This..." Huang Huihong hesitated. Logically, this didn't conform to the rules; currently, apart from their own men, only King Liang and Liu Yao were allowed into this courtyard.

However, seeing Yun Yuqing's charming smile, he found it difficult to refuse. Moreover, what she said made some sense, so he let them enter.

After all, it was just the beautiful and gentle Princess of Wu and a group of delicate maids. There shouldn't be any problem, right?