Chapter Fifty-Five: Shen Ruru Learns the Truth

Bai Shengyun returned to the residence. The guards saw him arrive and immediately stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Young Emperor," they greeted with deference.

He raised his hand lightly, signaling the shadow guards to withdraw, then entered the study alone and closed the door behind him. Inside, he immersed himself in the study of formations recorded in ancient texts.

The guards stood solemnly at the main gate, keeping watch. Before long, Ning Qingqing crept up, trying to follow him. One guard frowned, leapt down from above, and blocked her path.

"The Young Emperor is busy at the moment. What business do you have?" he asked coldly, raising his blade.

Ning Qingqing, unaccustomed to such direct threats, was startled and froze in place. When she recovered, she lashed out angrily, "Who do you think you are to block my way?"

The guard was displeased by her words but chose not to argue. "Miss, please step back."

"And who are you to order me? Today, I will see the Young Emperor, whether you like it or not!" Ning Qingqing retorted, acting like a spoiled heiress. Yet to the guard, she seemed no different from a common shrew.

Bai Shengyun was deep in his studies when he heard Ning Qingqing’s noisy protests outside, his expression growing impatient. He sent a message to the guard: "Drive her out."

The guard, who had hesitated to act forcibly due to her previous closeness with Bai Shengyun, now obeyed without question. He brandished his blade authoritatively, his eyes full of contempt as he regarded Ning Qingqing.

"The Young Emperor just sent word—he requests that you leave," he said coolly.

Seeing the blade poised to strike at any moment, Ning Qingqing shuddered. Remembering Bai Shengyun’s ruthless nature, her eyes reddened and she left the residence, aggrieved.

At the foot of Gu Feng Mountain, Shen Ruru was in a wretched state. Her concealment talisman had failed within the territory of the Evil Sect. Just as she was about to draw a new one, several members of the sect appeared behind her. One destroyed her yellow paper and the rune she’d crafted with spiritual power, while another attacked with a staff, forcing her to dodge. A young girl jingled a bell, momentarily confusing Shen Ruru.

In that brief instant, the two assailants struck again. Their strength matched hers, their spiritual power even more formidable, and the bell-wielding girl was skilled in the art of enchantment. Their coordination was flawless, and before long Shen Ruru was battered and forced to flee from the Evil Sect.

Her expression was icy, her body stained with blood. Disciples of the Heavenly Fox Clan she passed stared in shock, but she glared fiercely and sent them scurrying away in terror.

Watching them flee improved Shen Ruru’s mood somewhat, but suddenly her chest throbbed in pain, the taste of blood rising in her throat. She coughed up a mouthful of blood uncontrollably.

Her figure wavered, steps faltering, as the faces of her attackers flashed through her mind, anger nearly overwhelming her.

By now, she had reached the mountainside and spotted Ning Qingqing not far ahead. Fury surged within her, and in the blink of an eye she stood before Ning Qingqing, striking with her palm.

Ning Qingqing hurried to defend herself, forgetting which protective talisman she’d been gifted. Nonetheless, it activated and neutralized the blow, though with a resounding crash, the talisman fell and was ruined.

Shen Ruru, seeing she’d failed to hurt her, grew even more irate. Consumed by rage, she was about to attack again when Ning Qingqing widened her eyes and hastily said, "I have something to tell you—about the Young Emperor and Xie Yingying!"

Shen Ruru glared coldly, her spiritual power dissipating from her hand. "Speak."

Ning Qingqing swallowed nervously, fearing another strike, and rushed her words: "I want to work with you to kill Xie Yingying! Also, the Young Emperor returned to see an elder, wanting to use the Purple-Gold Bell to find Xie Yingying. The elder told him how, and now the Young Emperor is back at his residence, probably studying the method."

"Which elder?" Shen Ruru cared little for her talk of ‘cooperation’, focusing only on the last words. Her features twisted with fury and hatred, no trace of former beauty, as if she would gnash through bone and blood.

Ning Qingqing, not well-acquainted with the elders of the Heavenly Fox Clan, recalled the elder’s appearance: "He seems unconcerned with everything, very old, with a long white beard and the air of a recluse."

Shen Ruru, hearing the description, knew at once it was the deeply scheming Elder of Eight Lakes. She shot Ning Qingqing a warning glance and sped toward the lush mountain forest, thinking as she went: Next time, I’ll deal with you properly!

Her cultivation was high, so she moved swiftly and soon arrived before the courtyard. Elder Eight Lakes sat within, aware of her approach, and showed no surprise at her blood-stained, wounded state.

He gestured to the chair beside him. "Sit."

"Sit?" Shen Ruru sneered. "Elder Eight Lakes, with all the trouble you’ve caused me, how could I possibly sit calmly?"

He lifted his drooping eyelids and looked at her. "What’s the matter?"

"What’s the matter? Old man, you really know how to play dumb." Shen Ruru stepped forward, pressure suddenly descending. She wasted no more words, cutting straight to the point: "Can the Purple-Gold Bell pinpoint Xie Yingying’s location?"

"And if it can?" His expression remained placid, effortlessly handling the pressure she exerted.

Shen Ruru hadn’t expected such indifference. Her anger exploded, spiritual power surging and sweeping through the nearby tall trees.

With a thunderous crash, the trees fell in unison.

Ning Qingqing, who had come to watch the spectacle, felt the ground tremble beneath her feet, more determined than ever not to make an enemy of Shen Ruru.

Elder Eight Lakes remained unperturbed, merely waved away the dust before him, then stood and looked at Shen Ruru.

"Are you planning to demolish my home?" he asked.

"And what if I am? This shabby courtyard—I’ve wanted to tear it down for ages!" Shen Ruru showed no fear.

Elder Eight Lakes had no intention of arguing further. Years of tranquility had rendered him nearly emotionless. He simply said, "Since you know the Purple-Gold Bell can pinpoint someone’s location, you’d do better to confront the Young Emperor and try to stop him. Losing your temper here is pointless."

Shen Ruru snorted coldly, but found his reasoning sound. Without hesitation, she turned and hurried off toward Bai Shengyun’s residence.

The guards saw Shen Ruru’s fierce approach from afar and were taken aback. Ning Qingqing they could handle, but Shen Ruru was a different story.

Yet Bai Shengyun had already ordered that no one be allowed to disturb him. The guards exchanged glances, their bitterness evident.

Shen Ruru soon reached the entrance and tried to enter, but was blocked. "Sorry, you may not enter at this time," they said helplessly.

Her expression was menacing. "You think you can stop me?"

Before the words had even finished, she flicked her sleeve, sending the two guards flying like insects hit by a cart.