Chapter 472: Entering the Palace as a Eunuch

Inside the flower boat,

Second Young Master Yuan led a valiant-looking young man briskly through the corridors, heading toward the innermost room.

Yuan Shuting frowned. “Second Brother, why did Father choose to meet here?”

“Hmm…” Second Young Master Yuan hesitated, then offered a flimsy excuse. “Perhaps to avoid prying eyes.”

Yuan Shuting tugged at the corner of his mouth, accepting the explanation. He had never doubted his brother, nor had it ever occurred to him that his brother might harm him. While courtly families often harbored intrigues, such schemes would never taint their fraternal bond.

Creak—

The door slowly swung open, dim candlelight spilling into the pitch-black room, illuminating a chair in the center. The chair faced away from the entrance, its occupant a shadowy figure.

Though Yuan Shuting couldn’t see the person’s face, he knew instantly this was not his father.

“Who are you?” Yuan Shuting’s brow furrowed slightly as he turned to his brother, demanding an explanation.

The Second Young Master Yuan remained silent, turning to shut the door behind him, plunging the room back into darkness.

Yuan Shuting showed no panic, choosing to trust his younger brother. Moreover, with his cultivation level and status, few in the Capital City could pose a threat to him.

Xu Sanyan opened his eyes. “Young Master Yuan, I’ve long admired your reputation.”

“Who are you really?” Yuan Shuting asked, his patience wearing thin, unsure what this charade was meant to accomplish.

“I need your help with something.”

Yuan Shuting sneered. “Hah! You think controlling my brother will give you leverage over me?”

He had already realized his second brother was being manipulated; otherwise, he would never act in such a way.

“You have no choice in the matter…”

The moment the words left his lips, Yuan Shuting felt a sudden surge of danger. Every hair on his body stood on end. Before he could react, the Demonic Seed, invisible to the naked eye, had already been planted in his sea of consciousness.

Yuan Shuting’s expression froze, his pupils dilated wildly, his features twisting into a grotesque, frenzied mask. This state lasted only a moment before his composure returned.

As a cultivator at the Initial Stage of Soul Refinement, he possessed only a sliver of resistance—a mere flicker against the overwhelming force.

Xu Sanyan’s voice, tinged with a sinister femininity, pierced through the darkness to reach both men’s ears. “I ask, you answer.”

“Ask away,” Yuan Shuting’s demeanor instantly shifted.

“Have you ever heard of the Dragon Vein?”

“My father told me about it. The Dragon Vein is the nation’s vital energy, the foundation of its destiny. It’s of paramount importance. However, the Dragon Vein has no fixed form; it changes with the nation’s fortunes. When the nation prospers, the Dragon Vein grows stronger; when it declines, the Dragon Vein withers.”

Xu Sanyan nodded slowly. “I heard you’re the Emperor’s personal guard. Do you know where the Dragon Vein is located?”

“I don’t. Such matters are likely known only to Your Majesty and a few Princes of the Imperial Clan Court.”

Trouble…

Xu Sanyan frowned unconsciously. The Dragon Vein was an external manifestation of the Earth Qi Spirit Essence, transformed by the nation’s destiny. It likely still existed in a gaseous state.

“Tell me about the Imperial Palace.”

Xu Sanyan suspected the Dragon Vein was highly likely within the Imperial Palace. Putting himself in Emperor Qian’s shoes, he reasoned that such a vital treasure would only be safe if kept close at hand.

“Yes. The Imperial Palace has seven gates: Shunzhi Gate for the Emperor’s processions, Chengan Gate for officials attending court…”

“The Imperial Palace is also protected by a formation, guarded by specialized personnel. Outsiders find it nearly impossible to enter…”

Yuan Shuting meticulously described the Imperial Palace’s layout, down to specific alleys and even the color of the Consorts’ undergarments.

Having served in the Imperial Palace for years, he knew it better than his own home. He was intimately familiar with the Emperor’s daily routines, habits, and favored Imperial Concubines.

Xu Sanyan committed every detail to memory, though most of the information was useless, he always managed to find points of interest.

“Wait,” Xu Sanyan interrupted suddenly. “You mentioned some areas aren’t patrolled by you but guarded by the Imperial Clan Court?”

The Imperial Clan Court consisted entirely of members of the imperial bloodline. While the Jade Dragon Guard were the Emperor’s personal guards, they were still outsiders. Who could be more trustworthy than family? These areas must be of utmost importance.

“That’s correct. No outsiders are permitted near them.”

“Hmm…” Xu Sanyan stroked his smooth chin. “It seems I need to make contact with someone from the Imperial Clan Court.”

“Tomorrow, same place. Bring someone from the Imperial Clan Court to meet me.”

“Understood,” Yuan Shuting replied without hesitation. Such tasks were relatively simple for him.

“I heard representatives from the Five Great Sects have arrived recently?”

“Not all of them. Only the Heaven’s Will Demon Subduing Temple, Shangyin Mountain, and Source Worship Sect have sent representatives. The Harmonious Mountain Praying Dao Sect is trapped in the Harmonious Mountain mist, their situation unclear, and the demonic sect hasn’t sent anyone.”

Xu Sanyan said, “Pay close attention to any news about this.”

“As you command.”

“You may leave.”

Xu Sanyan waved his hand, then added, “Oh, and remember to settle my account.”

“…Yes, sir.”

Two days later,

Yesterday, Yuan Shuting had brought a member of the Imperial Clan Court from the Imperial Clan Court. Xu Sanyan had already obtained the information he sought: the Dragon Vein was indeed within the Imperial Palace, but they lacked the authority to see it. All they knew was that the Dragon Vein was suppressed by some kind of treasure, though its exact location remained a mystery.

Now, they needed to consider how to infiltrate the Imperial Palace for Xu Sanyan to investigate personally.

The Imperial Palace was heavily guarded, making entry difficult for outsiders. However, with Yuan Shuting as an inside contact, the task became significantly easier.

Early morning,

Xu Sanyan, wearing a melon-shaped cap and a dark blue straight-collared robe, kept his head bowed and legs pressed tightly together, taking small, hurried steps to stay close behind Yuan Shuting. He was dressed as a junior eunuch.

According to Yuan Shuting, there were only three ways for outsiders to enter the Imperial Palace: first, by reporting their presence and obtaining the Emperor’s permission; second, by becoming a member of the Jade Dragon Guard, but the selection process was notoriously strict, making this option impossible for Xu Sanyan; and third, by becoming a eunuch servant. If Xu Sanyan wanted to avoid attracting attention, this was his only choice.

However, becoming a eunuch wasn’t easy. It required following proper procedures, verifying one’s identity, and securing Yuan Shuting’s guarantee to ensure such a smooth process.

So what if I’m a eunuch? It’s not like I’m actually castrated. Yuan Shuting was taking him to the Imperial Eunuch Bureau for verification before assigning him duties.

According to Yuan Shuting, newly arrived eunuchs in the Imperial Palace were typically assigned to menial tasks, such as emptying chamber pots and disposing of waste, serving unpopular consorts. However, with Yuan Shuting’s guarantee, Xu Sanyan could skip these dirty jobs and advance to a higher position.

Xu Sanyan trailed closely behind Yuan Shuting, perfectly embodying the cautious demeanor of a junior eunuch. His eyes, however, darted around, meticulously observing the layout of the Imperial Palace.

This gave him a thrilling sense of “stealing,” which he found rather stimulating.

After passing through four security checkpoints, they entered the Imperial Palace. As they walked down a deserted alley, Yuan Shuting transmitted a telepathic message: “My lord, the Imperial Palace is governed by strict rules, and nighttime security is especially tight. If you intend to investigate, you must be extremely cautious.”

“Mm.”

Xu Sanyan wasn’t worried. With his cultivation level, he could completely conceal his aura, making it impossible for others to discern his realm. As long as he remained undetected, he would be safe.

(End of the Chapter)