Chapter 28: Drawing Attention, the Second Prince Seeks to Recruit the Twin Stars of the Demonic Path

In midair, after slurping down a bowl of noodles, Gu Fan casually tossed the bowl away.

“Two of them ran off. Not going to chase?”

Lin Yi looked at the two disciples running toward the imperial palace in the distance, a bit eager to act.

Gu Fan shook his head and signaled with his eyes to stop.

“Forget it. We’re too close to the palace. No need to chase.”

“Alright, Master did say to listen to you.”

“Tch… since when did you start talking back? Want to handle the next base yourself?”

Lin Yi immediately beamed with a refined, noble air.

“Brother Gu, you understand me best. If I don’t kill someone for a day, I feel completely suffocated.”

“Then let’s go. Onto the next one.”

…

At that moment, inside a courtyard within the imperial palace.

Zhou Rong was reclining comfortably on a lounge chair, eyes half-closed, as the servants by his side reported major happenings in the capital.

After listening, Zhou Rong’s interest was piqued, and he spoke slowly:

“So you’re saying quite a few guest cultivators under Big Brother and Third Brother were killed? That’s actually good news. But are these Demonic Path Twin Stars really that strong?”

A strategist and veteran minister beside him spoke in a low voice:

“The strength of the Demonic Path Twin Stars is beyond question. However, the guest cultivators stationed in the residences were merely reserves. The truly formidable core forces are still with the First and Third Princes. So the impact isn’t significant.”

Zhou Rong nodded slightly, though a trace of concern showed in his eyes.

He was the Second Prince.

For years, he had hidden his light and focused on recuperating his health.

But who didn’t desire to sit on that supreme throne in the Golden Luan Hall?

Now was the crucial moment for establishing the Eastern Palace’s Crown Prince.

He could no longer hide. If he didn’t fight now, there would be no more chances in the future!

He recalled something his mother had instructed him long ago.

If he ever faced a difficult situation, he could smash the jade pendant he always carried.

Within seven days, a powerful expert would arrive to assist him.

It had already been almost six days since he shattered that jade. Yet there was still no sign of any help. Whether someone would really show up remained uncertain.

After all, aside from him…

The eldest, third, and fourth princes all had their own guest cultivators and advisors. Only he had few usable people under his command.

In terms of top-tier combat power, he was far inferior to the other crown prince contenders.

Suddenly, Zhou Rong’s eyes lit up with inspiration.

“What do you think would happen if I brought those Twin Stars under my command?”

The strategist’s expression changed, then he cautiously tested the waters:

“Your Highness, are you not concerned about their Demonic Path reputation?”

“Heh, I’m not like those pedantic fools. Righteous or demonic, it’s all about benefits. Haven’t we seen plenty of those so-called righteous cultivators? Hypocrites, every one of them.”

As he spoke, Zhou Rong swept his sleeve dramatically.

“Father has never forbidden cooperation with the Demonic Path. Be it righteous or demonic, they’re just tools for those in power. As long as the rewards are enough afterward, they wouldn’t dare meddle in court politics. It’s mutual exploitation, nothing more.”

After Zhou Rong finished speaking, the strategist behind him smiled.

“It is heartening that Your Highness sees things so clearly. This minister suggests you make contact with those two as soon as possible, before the other princes do.”

Zhou Rong frowned and looked at the strategist beside him.

“But they just killed guest cultivators from the other princes. Won’t that make cooperation difficult?”

“Your Highness still hasn’t seen the bigger picture. This is, in the end, a transaction. The grievances between sects can be settled later. For now, as long as the benefits are great enough—anything is possible!”

Zhou Rong came to a sudden realization, then laughed heartily:

“Teacher, your words are spot-on! Pass my order—once the Demonic Path Twin Stars are located, don’t just send an invitation… no, inform me at once! I’ll visit them personally!”

“This is a most wise move! If Your Highness can show such respect to talents, you’ll surely win over the Demonic Path Twin Stars!”

“Hahaha, it’s all thanks to your excellent teaching!”

Zhou Rong laughed heartily.

He had already made up his mind. Even if those two refused to support him, it didn’t matter. He would still offer them benefits.

As long as they didn’t join any of the other factions, it would be a success.

Once the mysterious expert summoned by his shattered jade arrived, he might not need to fear the other princes at all!

And if the Demonic Path Twin Stars were willing to join him, then his position would be even more secure.

After all, judging from the intelligence gathered during this period, these two were definitely among the top talents of the younger generation!

With that thought, Zhou Rong felt completely at ease.

It seemed that the position of Crown Prince might just be within his reach after all!

At this moment, Gu Fan and Lin Yi, still wandering around the capital aimlessly, had no idea they were already on someone’s radar.

Just a while ago, when the two of them went to raid a third base, they found it empty—clearly, the occupants had received a warning and evacuated.

What troubled them now was how to establish contact with this so-called Second Prince.

There was only one day left. If they couldn’t hand the scroll over to the Second Prince, the mission would be deemed a failure.

“Didn’t your Master tell you how to enter the palace?”

“Master only told me to follow you and kill people. The mission’s none of my business.”

“Well, well, so that’s how it is, huh?”

“It’s not me saying it, it’s what Master said.”

“Heh, already pulling rank, are you? Not bad, Lin Yi!”

As they chatted idly, the two strolled around the city once more.

After confirming there were no other remaining bases, they returned to the inn where they were staying.

By evening, Gu Fan brought Lin Yi to the capital’s largest inn—Hero Gathering Pavilion.

This was information they had gathered earlier that day.

It was said that some high-ranking figures from the palace often came here to socialize and have fun.

Even princes and princesses were known to visit frequently.

The Second Prince, in particular, was a regular patron.

After some deliberation, the two decided to take a chance and wait here.

If it didn’t work out, they still had one more day to try something else.

Inside a private room on the second floor.

After sitting down, Gu Fan and Lin Yi began watching the staircase at the entrance.

Earlier, Lin Yi had paid to ask around. Apparently, those coming from the palace usually went straight to the third floor.

So they chose a room close to the stairs. Anyone going up to the third floor would have to pass by them.

Just then, a young attendant knocked on the door and said respectfully:

“Gentlemen, a guest wishes to see you.”

Gu Fan ignored him, focused solely on completing the mission.

After all, this determined whether he would get the chance to enter the Upper Realm.

Since Gu Fan didn’t object, Lin Yi simply nodded.

The attendant stepped aside, and in came a well-dressed man with an extraordinary air.

“You two must be the famed Twin Stars of the Demonic Path, yes?”

Lin Yi frowned.

Who the hell came up with that name? Could it sound any tackier?!

“My young master wishes to invite you upstairs for a conversation.”

“Got it. I’ll go when I feel like it.”

Lin Yi instantly lost interest and waved him off with a perfunctory response.

“Gentlemen, my young master is waiting. Please proceed immediately!”

Just as Lin Yi was about to erupt, Gu Fan, without even turning his head, chuckled and said:

“If you came to invite us, shouldn’t you first state your name and origin?”

The man’s expression changed slightly. Unhappy, he said:

“My young master hails from the imperial palace! You should know what that means!”

“Your young master is the Second Prince?”

The man froze for a moment, then sneered:

“My young master is far beyond what the Second Prince could compare to! You’ll understand once you speak with him.”

“So he’s not the Second Prince… then we’re not interested.”

“You’d best think carefully. Offending my young master in this capital—”

Gu Fan clicked his tongue in annoyance.

He threw a punch, and spiritual energy surged violently toward the man.

But the man was clearly prepared.

With a low shout, a bright spiritual shield rose around him, and he swung a massive blade at Gu Fan.

A cold smile curled at the man’s lips.

The Demonic Path Twin Stars—what a joke!

He possessed a defensive treasure, and the great blade in his hand was forged from thousand-times-refined blacksteel!

Even a late-stage Spirit Sea Realm cultivator who specialized in body refinement would struggle to withstand a single blow from it.

Yet now, this boy dared to meet blade with fist?

Utter foolishness!

“How laughable, Twin Stars of the Demonic Path! Break for me!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep