Chapter 439: Magic Tribe

Yun Yuqing felt a sudden daze in the secret chamber as she recalled a private conversation she had with her husband earlier in the same chamber:

"The contingent escorting the imperial criminal will surely pass through Jibei City," King Wu declared, his face alight with extreme excitement, a stark contrast to his usual gentle demeanor. "We absolutely cannot miss such a golden opportunity."

Yun Yuqing was somewhat perplexed. "Isn't our current life quite good?" she asked. "Why should we risk doing something like that?"

King Wu let out a cold snort. "Do you think I enjoy being stuck in a backwater like Jibei City? It's all because I'm a concubine's son! My mother isn't the Empress, so I couldn't become the Crown Prince. I was simply expelled from the capital to take up my post in this fiefdom. I had almost resigned myself to my fate, but then this incredible opportunity came along!"

"It seems Heaven has felt my devotion and bestowed this gift upon me," he continued. "He who hesitates to take what Heaven offers will suffer for it. I have bided my time for so many years; I've been waiting for this very day!"

"With the legendary divine art of the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra, which is said to grant immortality, I can close 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 at such length, Yun Yuqing couldn't help but interject, "The Phoenix Nirvana Sutra is merely a legend. No one has ever been known to master it over thousands of years, so it might not be as miraculous as it seems. Look at Zu An; he possessed this technique and yet he was still captured, which proves it isn't as powerful as the legends claim."

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

"Furthermore, there's something else you might not know," King Wu added. "Decades ago, my father, the Emperor, secretly sent his trusted eunuch with a contingent of top experts to the legendary 'Unknowable Land' to investigate the whereabouts of the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra. At the time, everyone believed they had been annihilated and that the fabled secret text didn't exist. However, current intelligence suggests that the group did find it. But the leading eunuch succumbed to greed, killed his companions, fled, and then went into hiding with the Chu family in Mingyue City. That's how Zu An got his hands on it."

Yun Yuqing's delicate brows furrowed slightly. "Doesn't that further prove that the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra is something the Emperor is determined to possess?" she questioned. "Won't your interference now enrage him?"

"Directly seizing it by force would, of course, be a death wish," King Wu said, giving his wife a meaningful look. "That's why I need you to step forward."

"Me?" Yun Yuqing asked, somewhat puzzled.

King Wu let out a cold snort. "You haven't lived among humans for so long that you've forgotten your identity as a demon, have you?"

"Demon..." Hearing that word, a hint of pallor appeared on Yun Yuqing's beautiful face.

King Wu walked to the window and stood with his hands behind his back. "Although our human race ultimately triumphed in the centuries-long war," he stated, "I must admit that each branch of your demon race has its unique strengths."

"Just as the Night Elves are natural assassins, your demon race is naturally endowed with extraordinary beauty, making you masters of seduction."

"With your abilities," he continued, "let alone Zu An, who hasn't seen much of the world, even the Emperor's resolute Embroidered Uniform Guard agents would likely fall for your charms if caught off guard. Therefore, you are the most suitable person to carry out this task."

Yun Yuqing's expression grew desolate. "Were it not for the war," she lamented, "which demon would wish to use their beauty to beguile others?"

Seeing her on the verge of tears, King Wu's tone softened. "My dear," he said, "I am doing this out of necessity. Currently, I am merely an idle prince; even here in Jibei City, many officials don't take me seriously. So, even if I wished to accomplish something, I would have no means to do so. But if I were to ascend the throne one day, it would be different. Then I could mobilize all the resources of the realm, making it easier to help your people escape their present plight of hunger, cold, and being bought and sold as slaves by nobles."

Yun Yuqing bit her lip, her face fluctuating between red and pale. "Alright, I can try to help you," she conceded. "But I know you humans place great importance on a woman's chastity. If I employ a honey trap, even if nothing happens, I won't be able to prove my innocence to you. Will you despise me for this in the future?"

King Wu let out a hearty laugh. "How could I?" he exclaimed. "Even if something truly were to happen, I wouldn't despise you; on the contrary, I would be very pleased."

"Pleased?" Yun Yuqing froze, taking a moment to process his words.

Having inadvertently revealed the peculiar fetish hidden in his heart, King Wu quickly corrected himself: "What I mean is that I trust you one hundred percent. And given the love between us, no matter what happens, I will unconditionally stand by you, cherish you, love you, and believe in you. Do you truly have so little faith in our love?"

"Yan Lang, you are so good to me," Yun Yuqing said, the clouds of worry on her face instantly dissolving into a smile as she gently nestled against him.

Behind King Wu's smile, however, a shadow lingered. He harbored an unspeakable fetish, one that would be utterly incomprehensible to the world if ever revealed.

Yet, whenever he thought of it, an inexplicable thrill and anticipation would surge through him.

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

Unfortunately, Yun Yuqing was unaware of her husband's inner thoughts. She was merely focused on completing this mission well, which could both ease her husband's worries and rescue her people from their years of hardship. Instantly, she felt a surge of motivation.

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

"Please feel free, Princess Consort, and get some good rest," they replied. Although King Liang and Liu Yao had occasionally stolen glances at their breathtakingly beautiful grand-niece-in-law, disappointment clouded their faces upon hearing she was leaving.

However, they also knew it was improper for female family members to linger and drink with guests, so they did not try to persuade her to stay.

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

"Halt!" Her group had not attempted to conceal their presence, so they were quickly discovered by Huang Huihong's subordinates.

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

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

Soon, Huang Huihong arrived upon hearing the news. He was surprised to see her and quickly stepped forward to greet her. "How dare you trouble Her Royal Highness the Princess Consort to personally bring food?" he exclaimed.

Yun Yuqing wore a bright smile. "Because of the recent Night Elf assassination attempt," she explained, "I was concerned something might go wrong on the way, which would put our Prince's Residence at fault. That's why I personally brought it."

"The Princess Consort is truly thoughtful," Huang Huihong said. Gazing at her captivating and dazzling beauty, he felt his heart race. He instinctively lowered his gaze, unable to meet her eyes.

Since being chosen as an Embroidered Uniform Guard agent, his heart had been as unyielding as rock. Yet, for some unknown reason, he now felt like a young man experiencing his first crush.

"What are you standing around for? Quickly, help take these items!" he barked at his subordinates, using the reprimand to conceal his embarrassment.

Yun Yuqing smiled faintly. "No need," she said. "I'll have the maids take them in; that way, the soldiers won't have to leave their posts."

"This..." Huang Huihong hesitated. Strictly speaking, this was against regulations. Besides their own men, only King Liang and Liu Yao were permitted inside this courtyard.

But seeing Yun Yuqing's captivating smile, he found it difficult to refuse. Furthermore, what she said made some sense. So, he allowed them to enter.

After all, it was just the beautiful and gentle Princess Consort of Wu, accompanied by a group of delicate maids. Surely, there wouldn't be any issues, right?