At this time, Zhi Li’s Young Lord Residence was indeed defenceless.
After Gao Yin and the others had just broken in, although they were immediately discovered by the spirit masters inside and an alarm was raised.
“Who dares break into the Young Lord’s Residence? Do you not want to live?”
But the ones who rushed out were merely ordinary warriors. Dragon warriors could be counted on one hand.
Gao Yin led over a hundred people and easily fought their way into the Wind Courtyard!
But…
Apart from some maidservants, it was completely empty.
Fang Qingzhuo and her daughter were not there. Zhi Ning and her son were not there either.
“How can this be?” Jian Liu exclaimed in shock, “When we left the royal capital that day, they were clearly all under house arrest in this Wind Courtyard. Moreover, there were several dozen Hidden Continent experts and over a dozen Demon Continent experts who had laid down poisonous traps, nominally for protection, but actually for surveillance.”
Gao Yin immediately grabbed a maidservant, released powerful spiritual force to violently impact this maid’s brain domain, then asked, “Why are Princess Zhi Ning and her son not here?”
That body trembled, her eyes began to scatter, and she said tremblingly, “Taken, taken away.”
“Taken away by whom?” Gao Yin asked.
“This servant, this servant does not know…” the little maid said, “A group of people wearing black robes, even their faces could not be seen.”
“When were they taken away?” Gao Yin asked.
The little maid said, “Taken away yesterday afternoon.”
Gao Yin and Asher Liren had already rushed back to the royal capital Zhi Du at the fastest speed, but they were still half a day too late.
Jian Liu suddenly asked, “What was the attitude of the Lady and Princess Zhi Ning when they were taken away? Were they angry, did they resist?”
“No…” the little maid said, “The Lady and the Princess were both very cold.”
After this, nothing more could be asked. Gao Yin released this little maid.
“Retreat!” At a single command, Gao Yin and Asher Liren led over a hundred people, completely withdrawing from the Young Lord’s Residence, disappearing into the darkness!
After several twists and turns, the group entered the Princess Residence.
“Clearly, after Zhi Li’s defeat, he immediately sent a carrier pigeon message to have Fang Qingzhuo and Zhi Ning and her son transferred away.” Gao Yin said.
Jian Liu said, “But, the forces used to guard Princess Zhi Ning in the Young Lord’s Residence were already very strong, a full several dozen Hidden Continent experts and over a dozen Demon Continent experts. Now in the entire royal capital, where else is more secure than the Young Lord’s Residence?”
Indeed, Zhi Li must have felt some other place was even more secure, which was why he transferred Fang Qingzhuo and Zhi Ning and her son away.
Then, what place was more heavily guarded than the Young Lord’s Residence with its several dozen Secret Continent experts?
“Two places.” Gao Yin said, “Either the Divine Dragon Temple, or the Hidden Continent stronghold, the Hidden Yuan Association!”
Purely from a martial perspective, the Divine Dragon Temple was of course the safest.
In any country, the Divine Dragon Temple represented the peak of martial power! With the martial forces in Soren’s hands, breaking through was fundamentally impossible.
Do not look at Gao Yin and Asher Liren both being top-tier powerhouses, but before the Divine Dragon Temple they were still not enough. Perhaps only if Jiang Shang came personally would there be hope?
Of course, more importantly, for thousands of years, not a single person had dared to use martial force to offend the Divine Dragon Temple.
Anyone, regardless of how high their status, how great their power, or how formidable their martial arts. Once they dared to use martial force to offend the Divine Dragon Temple, they would absolutely die without a burial place. There would not be half an inch of ground in all the world to accommodate them.
“We must rescue Zhi Ning and her son before Zhi Li enters the capital.” Gao Yin said, “At the very least, we must rescue the Little Lord!”
The Little Lord he spoke of was naturally Zhi Ning’s son.
After Zhi Yan ascended the throne and Soren became regent, he would also become Gao Yin’s lord. Then Zhi Ning’s son, being Soren’s flesh and blood, would naturally also become the Little Lord.
“I shall visit the Divine Dragon Temple right now!” Grand Eunuch Gao Yin said, “Trouble City Lord Asher to visit the Zhi Du Hidden Yuan Association!”
“Alright.” Asher Liren said.
In the eyes of the world, Asher Liren was merely the greatest feudal lord of the Furious Wave Kingdom.
But in the eyes of some people, Asher Liren’s status was indeed equivalent to that of a princess of a nation, and comparable to the young masters of the Four Secret Continents.
Because she was the direct disciple of the Eastern Departure King, Jiang Shang.
The people of the Four Secret Continents held themselves in very high regard and did not pay too much attention to secular royal power, but with the exception of the Eastern Departure Kingdom.
Successive Eastern Departure Kings had firmly excluded the Divine Dragon Temple, so in the eyes of the Four Secret Continents, the Eastern Departure Kingdom was half a rank higher than the Four Secret Continents.
Having Asher Liren visit the Hidden Continent young master Fang Qingyi was the most suitable arrangement!
…
The Hidden Yuan Association was the Hidden Continent’s only publicly known institution in the human kingdoms.
It was roughly equivalent to the role of a World Bank and World Trade Organisation. Its power and influence were beyond description.
However, currently the maritime trade of the Eastern Sea was very prosperous. Although the Hidden Yuan Association had already dipped its fingers into maritime trade, at least it had not yet gained control.
At the Zhi Du Hidden Yuan Association, Asher Liren met the new Hidden Continent young master Fang Qingyi, Fang Qingshu’s replacement.
“Qingyi pays respects to Senior Sister!”
The one who saluted first was not Asher Liren, but Fang Qingyi, appearing very respectful and polite.
The reason he called her senior sister was because the disciples of the Four Secret Continents had all once visited the Eastern Departure Kingdom, and had all briefly studied martial arts under the Eastern Departure King, Jiang Shang.
Approximately three years ago, Fang Qingyi had also studied martial arts at Jiang Shang’s side for half a month.
This was also the Divine Dragon Temple’s tactic. Facing a hard character like the Eastern Departure King, they could only use soft methods. Since the Divine Dragon Temple officially found it difficult to enter the Eastern Departure Kingdom, they maintained frequent private contact instead.
“Greetings, Young Master Fang.” Asher Liren returned the salute, “Are Zhi Ning and her son here?”
Fang Qingyi could not help but be startled. Asher Liren was truly direct.
“No.” Fang Qingyi said.
“Truly?” Asher Liren asked, full of suspicion.
Fang Qingyi smiled helplessly, “Senior Sister, truly not! Facing people of the secular world, even if Soren came personally, I would speak perfunctorily. But with Senior Sister coming to ask, how could I possibly lie.”
The superiority complex of the Four Secret Continents’ disciples was clearly evident from this statement.
People of secular royal power, he did not pay much attention to them. Even if Soren was about to become regent. In his eyes, Asher Liren was of the same class, which was why she had the power of equal dialogue.
“This decisive battle, Soren has already won.” Asher Liren said.
“I know!” Fang Qingyi said, “Yesterday, we already received the message.”
Asher Liren said, “Does your Hidden Continent not have any thoughts?”
Fang Qingyi shook his head, “No. Not just anyone has the qualifications to cooperate with us, even if he will become the power-holder of the Furious Wave Kingdom!”
The underlying meaning was that even if the Hidden Continent’s investment in Zhi Li completely went bust, they were not prepared to have any cooperation with Soren.
Asher Liren said, “Then do you know where Zhi Ning and her son were taken?”
Fang Qingyi said, “Since they are not here with me, then of course they are only at the Divine Dragon Temple.”
…
Zhi Du Tribunal!
“Gao Yin pays respects to the Old Lady!” Grand Eunuch Gao Yin meticulously saluted Fu Lingxi!
This scene looked very strange. Gao Yin was already advanced in years, while Fu Lingxi was youthful and beautiful, like a woman in her thirties, yet she was called the Old Lady.
Gao Yin did not address her as Inquisitor, but called her the Old Lady, because of her status as Soren’s mother.
Fu Lingxi returned the salute even more respectfully, saying softly, “Lord Gao, please do not shorten my life with such courtesy. In terms of age, Lord Gao is more than enough to be my father. In terms of sentiment, Lord Gao was once my husband’s martial arts teacher. With you saluting me like this, I will lose years of my life.”
Gao Yin chuckled, “Compared to His Majesty, Count Solon was my most outstanding student, the pupil surpassing the master. If he had not been framed and paralysed in bed for so long, how could a crowd of petty people have been allowed to run amok there!”
This statement was not wrong!
Count Solon was King Zhi Bian’s direct confidant, and had also once been an invincible commander. If he were in good health and still commanding the Dragon Guard Legion, the upper echelons of the Furious Wave Kingdom would not have dared to so unscrupulously sideline the king.
Especially Turing Tuo’s defection back then, which dealt the king a fatal blow.
When Count Solon was still at the height of his power, Fu Lingxi had already departed, so at this time he could only say, “This is also my husband’s fate.”
Gao Yin said, “Fortunately, Soren is even more outstanding. Although his martial arts cannot compare to his father’s. His strategy and wisdom far surpass it. The Lady gave birth to a good son.”
At this time, Fu Lingxi’s face finally showed some embarrassment.
Indeed, this son of hers was outstanding to an unbelievable degree.
Unfortunately, she and Soren had already fallen out. Nearly half a year ago, the last chance to repair the mother-son relationship had been abandoned by her.
At that time, Fang Qingshu had captured Yan Nail. As Inquisitor, Fu Lingxi completely had the authority to take Yan Nail into her custody. Although Nail would still be captured by the Divine Dragon Temple, at least she would not have suffered Fang Qingshu’s defilement.
In the end, Fu Lingxi, in order not to offend Fang Qingshu, completely abandoned her daughter-in-law Yan Nail, completely severing the mother-son relationship.
And even more face-slapping was that Soren’s request of her back then was merely to test her character. He completely had a way to save Yan Nail.
That time, Soren not only saved Yan Nail, but also directly sent Fang Qingshu to hell, and dealt Fu Lingxi a tremendous blow.
Gao Yin said, “Zhi Li and Turing Duo committed adultery, murdered Tu Liyang, but pinned it on Soren’s head, and on this pretext led half the kingdom’s army to punish Soren. Heaven has eyes. Tu Liyang, young master of Luanyang City, was rescued, and Zhi Li and Turing Duo’s scandal was exposed to the world. And in the great decisive battle a few days ago, Zhi Li was utterly defeated, and Soren achieved a great victory.”
Fu Lingxi’s face instantly became even more unsightly.
Another naked face-slap!
In the matter of Zhi Li’s punitive expedition against Soren, she, Fu Lingxi, had played a role in fanning the flames.
When Zhi Li married Turing Mo, Fu Lingxi was the wedding officiant.
At that time, Zhi Li wanted to completely economically blacklist Soren. Tu Liyang volunteered to be the first bird, but the feudal lords and governors present dared not respond. It was she, Fu Lingxi, who stepped forward, using her identity as Soren’s biological mother to express support for Zhi Li.
When everyone saw that even his biological mother had abandoned Soren, he must be finished. So the wall fell and everyone pushed. The entire Furious Wave Kingdom blacklisted Soren, causing Soren to encounter an unprecedented fatal crisis.
Also, after Soren defeated the Rock Demon, Duke Turing Tuo began to hesitate and retreat. It was she, Fu Lingxi, who personally went to persuade Turing Tuo, making him firm up his resolve to punish Soren.
Incident after incident, Fu Lingxi made several moves, intending to put Soren to death.
Even Turing Duo had lamented at the time, even a tiger does not eat its cubs. Fu Lingxi was more venomous than a fierce tiger.
She had not expected that Soren would once again create a miracle. Under these circumstances of being surrounded by the whole world, he still achieved a great victory, defeating Zhi Li’s army of the entire nation.
Zhi Li’s great defeat and flight, she had learned of this matter yesterday!
At that time, Fu Lingxi was truly as if struck by a thunderbolt from a clear sky. Her body swayed, nearly collapsing!
She was the Inquisitor of the Zhi Du Tribunal, so of course she did not fear Soren’s retaliation.
But behind her was a family! Moreover, this time Count Fu E had also participated in the punitive expedition against Soren. Among the many feudal lords, the Fu family had sent the most troops.
Once Soren became the kingdom’s regent, he would certainly madly retaliate against the Fu family.
If it were anyone else, even if they became king, they might not necessarily be able to do anything to the kingdom’s feudal lords. At most they would be coldly suppressed.
But with Soren, he could do anything. Once he took action to retaliate, losing the Fire Worship City territory would be the lightest punishment.
Directly punishing Fire Worship City under the pretext of rebellion, exterminating the Fu clan to the last person, was all possible.
At that time, Fu Lingxi truly regretted, both regretful and fearful!
Even if she had fallen out with Soren, she should not have gotten so close to Zhi Li, and even less should she have publicly supported Zhi Li. That way, even if she and Soren had severed their mother-son relationship, Soren would not have been so vicious in his retaliation.
But now, Fu Lingxi’s actions had given Soren the pretext for retaliation. When the time came for him to send troops to destroy the Fu clan, it would be fully justified.
Grand Supervisor Gao Yin said, “I heard there were some misunderstandings between the Lady and Soren?”
Fu Lingxi nodded, “The entanglements between mother and son are difficult to explain clearly.”
Gao Yin said, “Blood is thicker than water. The bond between mother and son is something that can never be severed no matter what. Right now there is the best opportunity, which can allow the Lady to ease the relationship with Soren, and even restore the mother-son bond. Are you willing to hear it?”
Fu Lingxi said, “This concubine listens with respectful attention!”
Gao Yin said, “I heard Zhi Ning and her son were received at the Divine Dragon Temple. The little lord born to Zhi Ning is after all Soren’s flesh and blood. He is very concerned. Zhi Li is currently frantically fleeing back to Zhi Du. Facing great defeat, he will certainly become frenzied and take the little lord as a hostage, forcing Soren to back down! This little lord is not only Soren’s biological son, but also your biological grandson. If the Lady can rescue the little lord from danger, would Soren not forgive you? At that time, you mother and son would be reconciled, sharing family happiness together. Would that not be wonderful?”
Fu Lingxi’s delicate body trembled!
This was indeed the best opportunity to win back Soren’s affection, and also the last opportunity!
…
At this time, Fang Qingzhuo and Zhi Ning and her son were locked in a secret room within the Zhi Du Temple!
Of course, nominally this was for fear of Soren’s retaliation, so they were transferred to the safest place.
The Zhi Du Temple was of course fully aware of Zhi Li’s intentions, yet still acted as a tiger’s accomplice, even going so far as to harm the life of an infant.
But from the perspective of righteousness, the Zhi Du Temple would not have the slightest guilt. After all, they were protecting Zhi Li’s family.
Zhi Ning quietly held her son. The baby did not know he was in an extremely dangerous situation, still drinking milk in big gulps.
Heaven and earth are vast, but drinking milk is the greatest.
While drinking, he also made milk-scented humming sounds.
Fang Qingzhuo gently held Zhi Ning and her son, saying again and again, “I will protect you. I will certainly protect you. No matter what price must be paid, I will protect you!”