Volume One: The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss Chapter 88: The Secret

After enduring the ravages of war, the city of Yuan was finally calm once the Tang army withdrew. The Fourth Prince sought to win the people's hearts, arranging for both soldiers and civilians to rebuild their homes, distributing porridge and clothing to the common folk.

Xu Qing needed only to swing a shovel and exert some strength, without much thought, clearing away the charred rubble and mud. He heard that Wang Chuan had already arrived in Yang City. That meant, for the moment, he was safe—there was no reason for Wang Chuan to come to Yuan City. And yet, he couldn't even risk secretly checking for himself.

Wang Chuan was too terrifying—a peerless master of fate, the grand path in his grasp. If Xu Qing even tried to probe the slightest bit, he would be discovered. That would be a dead end! If Wang Chuan found him, there would be nowhere to hide under heaven or earth. No one could save him.

He had originally planned to go to Tang, but had been caught outside the city without identification papers. Mistaken for a fleeing commoner, and being strong and fit, he was sent to do hard labor.

Soon, Xu Qing was drenched in sweat and simply took off his shirt, working bare-chested. He figured that once in Tang, he would first secure an identity. The world was vast; surely he wouldn't run into Wang Chuan again. As long as he didn't appear in the same place, within a hundred miles, Wang Chuan might not even know of his existence.

Dusk approached. Just as he was about to slip away under the pretense of relieving himself, a sudden commotion arose outside. Shadows flickered as a group of maids escorted a lavish sedan chair past. Xu Qing hadn't clearly seen who it was, but it seemed to be the imperial consort they had mentioned earlier. Someone behind him yanked his arm and hissed, "Kneel!"

Xu Qing was momentarily stunned, then recalled his current status and obeyed.

A sweet, delicate voice called out, "Rise. Don't delay your work."

The commoners all stood, and Xu Qing followed suit, picking up his shovel and resuming his labor, feigning diligence.

The imperial consort was offering comfort to the people, instructing the maids to distribute porridge and steamed buns. Suddenly, she parted the curtain, her beautiful eyes glimmering with a seductive light.

Not far away, a robust man was working bare-chested, shoveling away debris. His taut skin gleamed with sweat, his broad shoulders and sturdy build obvious, his form well-proportioned and powerful, his chest thick and strong, and his abdominal muscles sharply defined, flexing and tensing with each movement as if inexhaustible strength dwelled within him...

Unable to restrain herself, the consort stepped out of her sedan. A fragrant breeze swept over as the man suddenly paused, turning a curious gaze upon her.

This woman isn't bad, he thought.

"They've gone to eat. Why aren't you joining them?" the consort asked.

Xu Qing glanced at the crowd scrambling for porridge and buns, then replied earnestly, "I'm not hungry."

What a strange one, the consort thought.

She turned away, walking on as if nothing had happened, though her jade cheeks grew ever redder.

This woman was brimming with sensuality; she was clearly not one to keep to herself.

Xu Qing was about to leave when a palace maid hurried over, looking down her nose, and demanded, "What is your name?"

Xu Qing looked up at her. "Me?"

"You. Who else?" the maid replied impatiently.

"My name is Xu Dazhi," Xu Qing said.

"Come with me," the maid ordered, turning to lead the way.

"Hey, where are we going?" Xu Qing asked, startled. "I still need to eat!"

"Enough talk. Just come," the maid retorted coldly.

She led him away from the work site toward a grand residence. The mansion was vast, with buildings stretching as far as the eye could see, rare flowers and exotic trees everywhere. Xu Qing had never seen such architecture—luxurious yet elegant, with splendor that overwhelmed the senses. Gilded beams and painted rafters, every brick and tile exquisite, adorned with ornate designs.

The palace maid glanced at him, thinking what a country bumpkin he was.

They eventually arrived at a secluded garden within the estate, surrounded by verdant willows, streams bending around, and graceful stone bridges arching overhead.

They stopped before an elegant pavilion. The maid’s face grew more courteous, though serious and stern. "Remember, once you go inside, ask nothing. Do only as you’re told. Understand?"

"Yes," Xu Qing nodded obediently.

But as he entered, he suddenly sensed a potent demonic aura—there must be a great demon here. Not wishing to meddle, Xu Qing was cautious and moved forward without further thought.

Ascending the stairs, he was first met with a glimpse of beautiful feet, pale as white jade. A seductive beauty reclined on a couch, draped in a sheer crimson veil. Her skin, white as congealed fat, glowed dazzlingly beneath the gauzy red. She was the very image of snowy skin and floral features, her brows and eyes brimming with spring—precisely the woman from earlier.

The consort beckoned to him, her gaze gentle, taking him in from face to foot, finally revealing a satisfied smile. "Take off your clothes," she commanded.

Xu Qing smiled foolishly, then realized and began to undress. Under her gaze, he let her do as she pleased, her beautiful eyes lingering on his chest and waist.

The consort rose gracefully and approached him, issuing a gentle order: "Close your eyes."

Xu Qing complied immediately, feeling a cool sensation, then a tender, moist pleasure. He looked startled.

"I haven't had a bath," he said.

"No need..." the consort murmured. "This is the true scent of a man..."

She closed her eyes in delight, a soft hum of satisfaction escaping her lips.

Clearly starved for affection, this woman was, but Xu Qing could certainly satisfy her.

The consort’s eyes brimmed with allure, her skin radiant with a tempting glow, her voice delicate. "Have you ever had a woman?"

Xu Qing looked exceedingly simple-minded. "They took me before—it cost a hundred coins, and she wasn't even pretty."

"Is that so?" The consort was taken aback.

Xu Qing nodded seriously. "I made them all cry and beg me to stop. They wanted me to come again, but I wouldn’t. When I save up enough, I’ll visit the top courtesan."

The consort laughed, her voice soft. "Silly boy, do you think I’m beautiful?"

Her every gesture exuded charm, her skin rosy and inviting to the touch.

Xu Qing nodded guilelessly. "Like a fairy."

The consort smiled with pleasure. "Then make me cry and beg too. I’ll even pay you."

Without another word, Xu Qing lunged at her.

...

"Actually, if Wang Chuan were killed, wouldn’t everything be solved?"

Crunch.

A hidden chamber.

There was no light, yet a dim glow emanated from below. A young man, shrouded in demonic energy with closed eyes, suddenly snapped them open—it was the Fourth Prince.

In his hand was a peerless savage bird; he casually snapped its neck. Demonic energy roiled about him, like a sea of clouds. With each breath, strands of pure demonic essence flowed into his body through his pores, fusing with his organs and tempering his flesh.

He was refining the beast’s blood directly.

"Not enough. I need to find more powerful bloodlines. Such beasts are scarce—Northern Wastes? Overseas? Or Xiqiang lands?"

Strange symbols flickered in the Fourth Prince’s eyes, mysterious and fleeting. He murmured, calm and pensive.

"Too slow—far too slow. At this rate, how can I hope to surpass Wang Chuan? If necessary, I’ll have to use living humans, though the risks are great."

After days of cultivation, countless images flickered through his mind. He saw a barren, boundless demonic land, shrouded in shadows. The world was gray and filled with thick demonic energy, enveloping all. Mountain ranges snaked like ancient demon dragons, roaring at the sky, lurking upon this ancient earth with an indescribable sense of age and presence.

In the primeval forests atop those mountains stood towering trees, their crowns lost in the clouds. From time to time, the roars of primordial beasts would echo, shaking the heavens and earth, as if world-ending monsters were raging, their might sending tremors for miles around.

What is this place?

Who am I, truly?

It felt as if something within him had awakened.

...

No matter—he could already sense his power growing, far surpassing what he once was.

Wang Chuan! That man pursues the martial path, does he not? Then I will shatter him upon it, trample his pride—crush what he values most.

Engulfed in demonic energy, the Fourth Prince exuded an entirely opposite aura: sacred and majestic, radiant and resplendent—a presence beyond words.

His bones and flesh pulsed and shifted as thunderous sounds echoed from every joint. His skin seemed to gleam with magical light, colors mingling and shifting. He seized the very workings of heaven and earth, refining his body, transforming his blood, rendering his spirit indestructible.

Under the force of his cultivation, he drew in essence unceasingly, nourishing his form until his inner strength became incomparably mighty. The black demonic aura gradually withdrew into his body.

Wang Chuan... he longed to defeat him, to see him fall from his pedestal.

...

The consort’s face was stern. "Remember, speak of nothing that happened today! If you dare utter a single word, I’ll slaughter your entire clan!"

"Oh," Xu Qing replied absentmindedly, feigning fright.

Inside, he was in turmoil, every hair standing on end. It was as if a divine consciousness had swept past—whose, he could not say.

The powerful demonic aura from before had vanished without a trace.

Xu Qing suddenly understood: there was a mighty demon here, a giant among the demonic race, with unimaginable power.

No matter. If trouble came his way, Xu Qing would let him know the true meaning of power—if forced. Normally, though, he would never act. He dared not act.

There was no one in the world he could not defeat—except for Wang Chuan. Only Wang Chuan was to be feared; the rest were nothing.

If he acted, Wang Chuan might discover him.

Endure!

With a blank face, Xu Qing dressed and left.

Just to be safe, he’d inquire about Wang Chuan’s whereabouts. Surely, he was still in Yang City; there was no reason for him to come here.

If so, Xu Qing could hide here a while longer. If his guess was right, the Jin ruler’s plan was to strike east first, which was why he’d fled south to lay low.

He wasn’t mad, only...

Only that Wang Chuan was driving him mad.

That man was truly terrifying.

Such a man was simply too terrifying.