Bai Qiuran stepped out from the entrance of the “Joyous Realm” and immediately noticed her disciple squatting next to another disciple from the Hehuan Sect at the door, their shoulders slightly trembling. The Minister of Justice hesitated, mumbling softly. “Oh dear.” Curious, he walked over and gently tapped Tang Ruowei on the shoulder. When she looked up, her face was streaked with tears. Her sobs grew louder, causing the two eunuchs nearby to rush to console him, yet they dared not speak a word.
Emperor Qupeng was furious: "If the people of the martial world can’t handle it, then increase the bounty for me, and invite more senior cultivators! What about the temple offerings? Where have the ones I support gone? Tell them to investigate for me!” Bai Qiuran glanced at her and pulled her arm. After a moment's thought, she replied, “I merely killed the former leader of the Hehuan Sect.”
As she spoke, it seemed she remembered something and looked Bai Qiuran up and down. As the Minister of Rites, a high-ranking official in the court, he dared not oppose Emperor Qupeng's demands. If he uttered even half a “no,” the unprecedentedly powerful Emperor would likely crush his skull with a single palm. In that moment, the formidable emperor sat on his dragon throne, clutching his chest, crying bitterly.
“What’s happening?” Finally, as the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, a bold figure stepped forward. Emperor Qupeng was frustrated at not finding an outlet for his anger, and this brave soul stumbled right into his path. Wiping away the tears on his face, he exclaimed angrily, "It’s easy to say; it’s not your son who’s dead!”
“A bunch of useless creatures!” Bai Qiuran paused briefly, then questioned the Hehuan Sect disciple nearby, “Did you bully her?” The Emperor of Dingguo, Qupeng, was the strongest martial artist in the region, his physique nearly two and a half meters tall and incredibly robust, his face resembling that of an angry golden deity. Even those unaware of his status as emperor would be frightened into stillness by his gaze.
Bai Qiuran shot a glare at the Hehuan Sect disciple, continuing, “You should know this is the Hehuan Sect, one of the three major sects of the Devil's Gate. Just because they are currently running a legitimate business doesn’t mean they’re all good people. The customers here are just the servers of the Hehuan Sect; those who operate the store are the real guests. The Hehuan Sect favors women over men. Do you think your royal father would weep and wail, wishing to die, over a night spent with a woman?”
“No.” After some thought, he announced, “Order someone to execute the Minister of Rites’ son!”
“Your Majesty…” Qupeng covered his face, tears streaming through his fingers. Tang Ruowei closely followed Bai Qiuran's footsteps. As they exited the bustling alley, Tang Ruowei turned back to glance at the Joyous Realm, asking, “Master, why is that disciple from the Hehuan Sect so afraid of you?”
“Oh.” That disciple of the Hehuan Sect laughed lightly, “Oh dear, senior, your sister is quite amusing. Once you tire of her, would you be interested in bringing her to our Hehuan Sect?”
Tang Ruowei sniffled, saying, “That sister only told me of her past… captured by a devil cultivator, toyed with, then sold to the Hehuan Sect… Wuwu, how pitiful.”
“How about it, Your Majesty?” One brave minister stepped out from the ranks, bowing deeply to Emperor Qupeng and earnestly saying, “Please mourn and then let things go…” Bai Qiuran paused, looking at the Hehuan Sect disciple, asking, “Did you bully her?”
“Oh.”
“That means…” Bai Qiuran gently offered her hand.
“What’s happening?”
“What’s going on?” Bai Qiuran quickly realized. With a stern face, she asked, “Has she told you about the continuation of this story?”
Bai Qiuran quickly understood and asked, “Has she hinted at what happens next?”
“What?”
“Perhaps…”
“Ugh!” The voice of the Minister of Justice trembled hesitantly. “What is going on?”
“Well, regarding that…”
“Right now, I suddenly feel much better. By the way, how is the search for the Crown Prince’s murderer going?”
“Also…” Qupeng asked. “Among those who took the job, none have returned…?”
“That’s right!”
“Your Majesty,” the Minister of Justice stammered.
“Indeed!” Qupeng’s tone shifted, growing increasingly furious. “Since the martial world people cannot manage it, then add more money! Call more advanced cultivators over! And what of the offerings? Where have those I have been supporting gone off to? Get them to investigate for me!”
“Could you repeat that, Your Majesty?”
“Those who were assigned the task, not a single one has returned!”
“Fetch them and adjust the bounty!”
Talking so casually about the Crown Prince's death only further ignited Qupeng's fury. His tears streamed like a river, despair evident as he lamented the loss of his son, shaking his head in agony.
“Ugh!”
“Ugh!”
Tang Ruowei glanced up at him, confused.
“Ugh!”
“Who could have done such a thing?”
“Fetch more reliable people!”
“None of it matters, send someone out!”
“If it’s you who doesn’t wish to die, then…”
“Your Majesty!”
“That’s enough!”
“Ugh!”
“Ugh!” Bai Qiuran comforted Tang Ruowei, “They’re not worth worrying about. Come along.”
As the pair walked away from the scene, it was evident that the path ahead would be one of struggle yet ripe with opportunities for growth.
“Alright, let’s not cause a scene. I have arranged a good training for you; let me take you.”
As they exited the city gate, Tang Ruowei asked, “Master, where are we going next?”
“Don’t worry, just follow me.” Bai Qiuran smiled, a hint of mischief lingering as they moved towards a new adventure, ready to face what lay ahead, whether in the light of justice or shadows of much darker deeds.