NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 13:
Chapter 13: Power Greatly Enhanced:
At the same time, in the Commander’s Residence of the Valiant Cavalry Camp.
Long Zhan sat with a gloomy face.
Today, Zhao Wujian had stolen all the spotlight, leaving him feeling extremely frustrated. Fifth Senior Sister had said she would get rid of Zhao Wujian for him, but now Zhao Wujian was alive and well—while Liu Ruyan had disappeared without a trace.
“According to my calculations, her Dragon-Nurturing Physique should already be ready. It’s the perfect time for me to claim her… but where the hell did she go?! Damn it!”
As Long Zhan was cursing in frustration, a graceful figure in purple gently approached from outside the room. She was stunning, exuding irresistible allure—it was Liu Ruyan!
“Fifth Senior Sister? Where have you been?”
Long Zhan hurried forward, attempting to embrace her and immediately enjoy the benefits of the Dragon-Nurturing Physique.
But just as he stretched out his hands, Liu Ruyan suddenly raised her palm and sent out a light, slow-looking strike.
Though it appeared gentle and slow, it landed in an instant—Long Zhan couldn’t dodge in time and was slapped hard, sent flying backward, crashing heavily against the stone steps.
“Fifth Senior Sister, you—”
Long Zhan’s brow furrowed in an instant, and his gaze trembled sharply.
The figure before him shifted—transforming into another woman.
She wore a light blue robe, her aura icy and ethereal.
Unlike Liu Ruyan’s seductive charm, this woman seemed to be untouched by worldly desires, as though no man in the world could ever catch her eye.
“Junior Brother, your martial skills… have become sloppy.”
The woman spoke coldly.
Only then did Long Zhan recognize the technique—one of the sect’s supreme arts, Illusory Moon, Mirror Flower.
And the woman before him wasn’t Liu Ruyan at all—but Fourth Senior Sister, Ling Qingxue.
“Greetings, Fourth Senior Sister!” Long Zhan immediately bowed respectfully.
He still sneakily glanced at Ling Qingxue. Just like Liu Ruyan, she was still pure and untouched, her icy demeanor only making her even more alluring to Long Zhan.
But Ling Qingxue had always looked down on him, so Long Zhan had no choice but to wait—wait until he became powerful enough to conquer her.
“Where is Ruyan?”
Ling Qingxue lightly sat on the master’s seat as her figure floated gracefully into place.
Long Zhan told the entire story truthfully—though of course, he made sure to modify parts to make himself look better.
“Missing? You couldn’t even handle a waste like Zhao Wujian?”
Ling Qingxue’s face darkened, her voice colder than ever.
“I know you’ve always looked forward to the Dragon-Nurturing Physique reaching completion so you could rapidly increase your cultivation. But in the end, the physique is only a supplement. You must rely on your own efforts to cultivate. Otherwise, how could you fail to deal with a Zhao Wujian?”
Long Zhan lowered his head and cupped his hands. “Senior Sister speaks wisely. But now that Zhao Wujian is under the protection of the Seventh Princess, moving against him openly would easily provoke the royal family’s ire.”
Ling Qingxue glanced at him, sighed faintly, and said, “Zhao Wujian isn’t even worth us making a move personally.”
Long Zhan was puzzled. “What do you mean, Senior Sister?”
Ling Qingxue’s tone was cold and indifferent. “Before I came, I learned that someone from the Hanzang delegation went to the Northern Guardian Prince’s Residence—likely for something important. But that’s irrelevant. When the time comes, you’ll lead soldiers and accuse Zhao Wujian of conspiring with Hanzang—of colluding with the enemy. He’ll have no way to explain himself.”
“The Emperor has long been suspicious of the Northern Guardian Prince’s Residence. Once the accusation is made, Zhao Wujian will be imprisoned. And with your authority, finishing him off in prison will be effortless.”
Long Zhan’s eyes lit up. What a brilliant plan!
His Fourth Senior Sister had only just arrived in the capital and already had such insider information. She was clearly far more capable than his Fifth Senior Sister.
If he could win her over in the future, wouldn’t he soar to the heavens?
“I’ll make the arrangements at once!”
Very soon, a Valiant Cavalry unit was mobilized.
…
Northern Guardian Prince’s Residence.
In the dungeon.
Liu Ruyan clutched her torn robe tightly.
Her face was filled with bitterness and hatred, her eyes wet with tears.
In contrast, Zhao Wujian was seated cross-legged, calmly meditating.
She could feel the aura of his inner power—stronger, fiercer, more dominant than before.
He had truly absorbed the benefits of her Dragon-Nurturing Physique… and had gained significant strength.
What a loss!
“Zhao Wujian, I swear I’ll make you pay double for the humiliation you’ve given me today!”
Zhao Wujian glanced at the bloodstain on the ground and felt the surging power within his body. Smiling faintly, he replied, “Sure. But first, I’ll humiliate you again right now.”
“Wait! Didn’t you just do it?”
But Zhao Wujian ignored her pleas.
Strengthening his cultivation with the Dragon-Nurturing Physique came first.
At that moment, the Old Housekeeper Zhao Manfu’s voice came from outside the dungeon.
“Your Highness, the Hanzang envoy has arrived at the residence’s front gate requesting an audience.”
[What’s Chiba Rizhao doing here now?]
[Could it be she’s still angry from being humiliated earlier and has come to pick a fight?]
Hearing that someone was looking for Zhao Wujian, Liu Ruyan saw hope and quickly said, “Zhao Wujian, go take care of your visitor. I’ll stay right here—I promise I won’t run.”
But Zhao Wujian simply shouted toward the dungeon door, “I’m busy. Tell them to scram!”
…
Outside the Northern Guardian Prince’s Residence.
Chiba Rizhao sat in her carriage, lifting the curtain to glance toward the still tightly shut main gate. Her brows furrowed with growing displeasure.
“Lord Chiba, Zhao Wujian wouldn’t dare refuse to see you, right?”
The carriage driver, Hanzang’s second-in-command, was short like most people from Hanzang.
“He wouldn’t dare. Even if that coward didn’t want to see me, he wouldn’t dare turn me away…”
Chiba Rizhao elegantly tucked her hair behind her ear, her tone full of confidence.
“With the Northern Guardian Prince dead and his residence in decline, there’s a saying in Great Xia—’A wise man submits to circumstances.’ Zhao Wujian wouldn’t dare act arrogant toward us. Look, here he comes.”
As the sound of the gates opening rang out, she lifted the curtain and was just about to step down.
But the gate only opened slightly—there was no sign of a formal welcome.
The Old Housekeeper stepped out, expression calm.
“My lord says… get lost.”
Chiba Rizhao froze mid-step.
She stared at the Old Housekeeper in disbelief, momentarily thinking she must have misheard.
The Northern Guardian Prince’s Residence was in ruins—where did Zhao Wujian get the courage to offend her?
“Bakana!” (Impossible!)
Her face filled with rage.
The carriage driver looked away in fear, not daring to speak.
But Chiba Rizhao knew—she had just proudly claimed Zhao Wujian wouldn’t dare ignore her, and now she had been slapped in the face.
These underlings were probably laughing at her in their hearts.
Her chest heaved in fury, her wide sleeves unable to hide her perfect curves. Her eyes gleamed as she suddenly said, “Go tell Zhao Wujian this—does he not want the Northern Guardian Prince’s body returned?”
The Old Housekeeper froze.
The old lord had died in battle in the northern frontier, and indeed, his body had not been returned…
Could it have fallen into the hands of these Hanzang bastards?
He realized the situation was serious and quickly ran to report it to Zhao Wujian.
Not long after, he returned.
Chiba Rizhao smiled confidently. “Looks like Zhao Wujian has learned his father’s body is with us. He should open the gate now.”
But the Old Housekeeper didn’t even bother opening the door further—just poked his head out and said coldly:
“My lord says—burn it.”
“Scatter the ashes wherever you want. If it’s in Great Xia, it’s a return to his homeland. If it’s in Hanzang, then it can serve to suppress your pathetic little country.”