The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 532: In Prince’s Palace

In Prince's Palace . . .

Cha Eun Xiao harbored a silent vow, one he was eager to unleash upon his return. His thoughts resonated with a simmering frustration, ignited by the repeated instances of being forcibly incapacitated. He pondered, "When we come back, I am so going to get it done with you! You want to cure me, fine! Why do you have to knock me out every time! Am I such a good target for you..."

Song Jue, on the other hand, was grappling with a perplexing puzzle. He mused, "Hmm… When did the kid become such a formidable cultivator? Just a few months ago, he was in the Human Origin Stage. A few days back, he had advanced to the Earth Origin Stage. And now, he's effortlessly defeating Sky Origin Stage cultivators. What level has he reached? It's as if he's evolved into a veritable monster, even surpassing Bing-Er in some ways."

Song Jue was awash in bewilderment, unable to reconcile these swift developments, much less believe them. The interplay of thoughts in his mind swirled into a bewildering maze of conjecture.

In the heavens above, a gusty wind began to whip, dark clouds congregating to obscure the once radiant moon. It appeared even the celestial body shied away from bearing witness to the impending bloodshed. "Do whatever you want," the moon seemed to say as it veiled its eyes, uninterested in passing judgment on the affairs of mortals.

Meanwhile, within the Second Prince's residence, the prince reclined in his chair, awaiting the return of his abducted captives. Before him lay a grand Chinese chessboard, where he engaged in a game with an elderly man donning light-colored attire. This elder boasted a white beard and hair, granting him an appearance that might have evoked thoughts of a sage.

Yet, an unsettling quality marred his visage, an unsavory stain that transcended mere appearances and reached deep into his very core.

"Master, the funds from both north and south have arrived in the capital today," the prince disclosed as he nonchalantly moved a chess piece, creating a loud thud on the board. "However, the money from the eastern territories has been pilfered, and reports indicate the culprits were affiliated with the House of the Chaotic Storms."

The elderly man, engrossed in the intricate game, surveyed the chessboard with a furrowed brow and inquired, "Are these reports credible?"

The prince nodded affirmatively, stating, "It appears to be the case. At the very least, they have involvement."

Drawing a deep breath, the elderly man contemplated their predicament and proposed, "In that case, we may need to suspend our operations in the east for a time, or perhaps arrange for a controlled disruption to divert suspicion away from us. The House of the Chaotic Storms is not an entity we should trifle with. We never have, we do not now, and we never will."

The prince concurred, acknowledging, "I had the same thought."

As he made his move on the chessboard, the elderly man further elucidated, "Understand this, Your Highness, in this world, even your father wields no power to threaten us. However, the House of the Chaotic Storms is a force that none of us should underestimate."

The Second Prince recognized the gravity of the situation and agreed, "For the past eight years, our operations have proceeded smoothly, but the House of the Chaotic Storms has obstructed us repeatedly in the last year. We may encounter financial difficulties during this challenging period."

The elderly man raised his head, his soiled eyes ablaze with an intense gleam. "This is a conundrum that defies easy resolution. The House of the Chaotic Storms exerts profound influence, its reach extending throughout the annals of Han-Yang. Its enigmatic owner, Master Bai, remains cloaked in secrecy. The two women, Wan of the Clouds and Xiu of the Heavens, manage its affairs. Ponder this: If these two ladies were to uncover our operations, what consequences would we face?"

The prince's countenance underwent a noticeable shift, and after a moment's pause, he offered a strained smile. "Why should I fear? I have you, Master, by my side."

The elderly man, unimpressed, retorted, "Nonsense. While I may be regarded as one of the world's preeminent cultivators, I'm aware that to certain individuals, I'm no more significant than a passing gust of wind. Were the House of the Chaotic Storms to target us, I would flee as far and fast as I could. Do not harbor any delusions."

He emphasized, "Remember, we must maintain the lowest possible profile. Once the House of the Chaotic Storms ceases their interference, we can proceed with our operations. But if our activities are exposed to the public, we will be utterly doomed."

The elderly man's voice held firm as he concluded, "This is our only viable course of action."

The old man paused and then spoke, "Hmm. One more thing, you can cease any operation you wish, but you must continue procuring virgin blood for me. That, you shall provide without fail."

Second Prince responded with a smile, "Of course, your wish is my command. I shall ensure there are no impediments to your cultivation progress."

Inwardly, however, his thoughts turned to a silent curse. "Curse you. I've conveyed the challenges of securing such a grotesque requirement to you at length. Now, you comprehend every word, and yet you persist in demanding virgin blood. Where on earth am I expected to find such a thing, especially in the midst of a war?"

As the thought of virgins crossed his mind, his recollections drifted to the loveliest and purest maiden he had ever encountered. For her sake, he had dispatched his men to apprehend her, and the mere thought of her stirred a heated yearning within him. His private thoughts took a lascivious turn, and he couldn't help but cry out, "Has Zhou Da returned with his men?"

A voice answered from beyond the door, "Not yet, Your Highness. Please rest assured. The eight of them embarked on the mission together. Their collaborative efforts have never failed. It's merely the residence of a general; there should be no difficulty."

Second Prince nodded, but the old man's inquiry remained unresolved. He persisted, "Are you absolutely certain you can deliver one hundred virgins by the middle of this month?"

Inwardly sighing, Second Prince pondered the situation. "Chen-Xing City is currently in turmoil, yet all you seem to care about is procuring one hundred virgins. What in the world..." However, he recognized the inextricable bond that had ensnared his life with this sinister individual long ago. He couldn't escape the grip of the devil any longer. Should he fail to comply with the old man's wishes or incur his wrath, he would forfeit everything he possessed.

"Undoubtedly, without a doubt!" Second Prince assured, his tone sincere. "I guarantee a delay of no more than two days, and by the tenth of this month, I shall provide all the virgins you desire, well before the third day arrives."