Chapter 64: Chapter 61: The Plot is Exposed

The newly understood Starlight Body Refining Technique allowed him to attune himself to the cosmos, using the Power of Heaven, Earth, and Stars to temper his own body. It not only increased Li Chang’an’s physical strength but also unearthed the latent cultivation potential hidden within him!

To put it simply, the true effects of this Cultivation Technique were nothing short of heaven-defying!

For the next several days, Li Chang’an would slip out under the cover of darkness every night to the courtyard, where he absorbed Starlight Power from the heavens.

At first, Ye Xuan was still a bit wary, often waking in the middle of the night to go out and check on him.

But after it happened several times, she grew accustomed to it, simply assuming Li Chang’an liked to play in the courtyard at night.

During this time, Li Chang’an’s strength skyrocketed.

Normally, it would be impossible for someone his age to store much Energy in their body. However, thanks to the Starlight Body Refining Technique, Li Chang’an’s insides were cleansed until they were as pure as a Star Sea, vastly increasing the amount of Energy he could contain.

By the time he was one and a half, Li Chang’an roughly estimated his own combat strength. He had likely reached the level of a First-class Master in the Jianghu.

Keep in mind, he was just a child who didn’t even reach an adult’s knee, yet he already possessed such strength. If word of this got out, there was no telling how many people would be shamed into oblivion.

Li Chang’an’s days fell into a monotonous routine of cultivation.

Then one day, two eunuchs with ice-cold expressions suddenly appeared outside the otherwise quiet Hall of Harmony. Behind them were dozens of Imperial Guards, each exuding a powerful aura.

Several Inner Guards marched Nanny Rong into the Hall of Harmony.

The eunuch at the head of the procession swept his gaze over the palace maids and eunuchs, who were all trembling in deathly silence. His eyes finally landed on Li Chang’an, who was eating pastries in the courtyard. His voice was as sharp as a blade as he said, “You worthless curs truly have some nerve, daring to hide a child in the Harem. Do you have any idea what a grave crime this is?”

At his words, the faces of the thirty-odd palace maids and eunuchs residing in the Hall of Harmony instantly turned ashen.

As the reality of the situation sank in, their legs began to tremble and give way.

Everyone knew that aside from the one and only Son of Heaven, the True Dragon Emperor, there could not be a single other male within the Harem.

And yet, they were now hiding a young boy in the Harem.

Even if this boy was of the Emperor’s own blood, it was still a capital offense!

As the palace maids and eunuchs trembled, at a complete loss for what to do…

Ye Xuan, who had been washing clothes in the back courtyard, rushed out and fell to her knees before the eunuch. “Eunuch Lou, I alone am responsible for this! It has nothing to do with anyone else. Direct any punishment you have at me!”

At this moment, her face was also ashen, her forehead beaded with cold sweat.

The eunuch’s name was Lou Qixiang, a trusted subordinate of Empress Li. He was not only known for his ruthlessness, but his personal strength was also quite formidable.

Ordinarily, the palace maids gave him a wide berth whenever they saw him, always sensing an unsettling, sinister aura about him.

But now, to save her own life and everyone else’s, Ye Xuan gritted her teeth and threw caution to the wind.

’She refused to believe these eunuchs didn’t know Li Chang’an’s true identity. More than that, she didn’t believe they would actually dare to do anything to him.’

’No matter how lowly she was, Li Chang’an was different.’

’He was a true Prince, with the Emperor’s blood flowing through his veins. Even if the one in charge of the Harem truly wanted him dead, she would never dare to do it so openly and brazenly.’

Lou Qixiang shot her a cold glance and said sinisterly, “I’ve never taken you for a fool, so why would you do something so foolish? Did you really think sheltering a child of royal blood would change your destiny? Or did you think your little secret was so perfect that no one would ever find out?”

Ye Xuan trembled, biting her lip. “Eunuch Lou, I wouldn’t dare!”

“Wouldn’t dare? It seems to me you’re bolder than anyone!” Lou Qixiang’s expression was grim as he paced back and forth in the courtyard.

Clearly, this matter was rather thorny, even for him.

One wrong move and he could find himself mired in a bloody mess.

If he didn’t handle it properly, he could even lose his life.

After all, no matter how humble the infant’s birth, he was still of the Imperial Family’s blood. Throughout history, those who spilled imperial blood—even the most powerful nobles in the land—never met a good end.

Let alone a mere eunuch like himself.

After a long moment of contemplation, he finally made a decision. His gaze fell upon Li Chang’an. “Men, take this child away. As for the rest of them…”

He trailed off, narrowing his eyes as a vicious glint flashed within them. “Leave Ye Xuan,” he said ruthlessly. “Dispose of the others!”

At his command, several Inner Guards behind him nodded and prepared to step forward and seize the boy.

The eunuchs and palace maids in the Hall of Harmony descended into utter panic.

Some collapsed to the ground, weeping hysterically. Others dropped to their knees, kowtowing and begging for mercy. Most, however, scattered in every direction, hoping to create enough chaos to grasp at a sliver of hope for survival that simply wasn’t there.

Kneeling on the ground, Ye Xuan’s face was streaked with tears, her expression a mask of pure Despair.

’Some things could be hidden for a while, but not forever. She had always known this day would come; she’d had countless nightmares about it.’

Yet, when the day finally arrived…

…she felt a terror greater than any she had ever known—fear for herself, for Li Chang’an, and for the sisters she had lived and worked with day after day.

In an instant, the Hall of Harmony devolved into chaos, a cacophony of frantic cries and pleas for mercy.

However, neither the Eunuchs nor Lou Qixiang were the type to be moved by such a scene; they were cold-blooded killers who wouldn’t bat an eye.

Several Eunuchs walked up to Li Chang’an, about to pick him up.

The other dozens of Eunuchs herded the fleeing palace maids and eunuchs back, drawing the sabers that hung at their waists.

But just then, Li Chang’an, who had been sitting quietly on a small stool eating pastries, suddenly set the snack down, stood up, and spoke lightly. “Who dares?”

Li Chang’an’s voice wasn’t loud, and his tone was still that of a child.

But amidst the clamor of the chaotic crowd, his words landed with resounding force.

Upon hearing his voice, even the wailing palace maids and eunuchs in the Hall of Harmony were shocked into silence.

All eyes turned to Li Chang’an in the courtyard.

The astonishment of the palace maids and eunuchs was understandable.

Ever since Li Chang’an had turned one, they had tried time and again to teach him how to read, write, and speak.

Yet, for all their attempts, they had never once succeeded.

Whenever they tried to teach him, Li Chang’an would just silently watch them while eating his snacks. His eyes were bright and clear, full of Spirituality, but he never uttered a single word.

Over time, everyone grew accustomed to his silence. They even privately teased Ye Xuan, saying that with a nickname like Chan’Er, he was probably cultivating a vow of silence.

For Li Chang’an to suddenly speak at a time like this truly gave them all a shock.

Lou Qixiang wasn’t privy to any of this, but he could tell something was amiss from the palace maids’ expressions.

He walked slowly to stand before Li Chang’an. After a moment’s thought, he said with forced patience, “Your Highness, this servant is acting on the Empress’s orders to invite you to the Ancestral Court. If you are truly of His Majesty’s bloodline, this servant will naturally ensure your safety. Please forgive this servant’s impoliteness!”

Though his words were polite, he shot a look at two of the Inner Guards.

Clearly, while Li Chang’an’s sudden speech had made him feel a flicker of apprehension, it wasn’t nearly enough to truly intimidate him.

This was only natural, of course.

After all, even if Li Chang’an was a real Prince, he was one born of common stock, with no foundation or backing whatsoever.

It wasn’t even certain he would survive to adulthood; how could a single childish phrase possibly intimidate a powerful Chief Eunuch like Lou Qixiang?

Seeing this, Li Chang’an’s expression also grew cold.

The aura he had kept hidden within his body erupted forth. In that instant, a terrifying, almost tangible killing intent shot toward the heavens, hanging over everyone’s heads like a sharpened sword.

As a First-class Master, Lou Qixiang’s senses were far sharper than anyone else’s.

Thus, the moment Li Chang’an’s aura erupted, he shot back several dozen steps as if a mouse seeing a cat. His eyes, fixed on Li Chang’an, were filled with utter horror!

Li Chang’an glanced at him, snorted coldly, and said coolly, “If anyone dares to take another step, don’t blame this Prince for taking your heads!”

His voice was still that of a child.

But now, hearing those words, the dozens of guards present broke out in a cold sweat. They didn’t dare move a single step; they barely dared to breathe.

Staring at the child in the distance, who radiated a terrifying aura like that of an endless abyss, Lou Qixiang’s face was a mask of shock and utter disbelief.

When he finally managed to regain his senses, he discovered that his own body was trembling uncontrollably.

…

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