Chapter 326: Chapter 223: The Mastermind Behind the Endless Pavilion Is Actually the Crown Prince?

Grand Commander of Xuanwu Gate.

This title was a mark of immense imperial favor.

In the military, Lin Xiangyun was aligned with the Huo Family. He had once been a personal guard to the Champion Marquis, earning significant merits through numerous campaigns.

Upon seeing Huo Hongling’s arrival, Lin Xiangyun—clad in Bronze Cloud Pattern Armor and a Red Feathered Helmet—emerged from the barracks. He strode forward to greet her and offered a military salute, "My Lady!"

"Lin Xiangyun, lead the Imperial Guard of Xuanwu Gate. Follow me to capture the evil cult insurgents hiding in the Great Yan Imperial City."

Huo Hongling stood with proud defiance, releasing a powerful aura that placed Lin Xiangyun under considerable pressure.

It was enough to leave Lin Xiangyun in shock.

’It’s been a while.’

’When did My Lady break through to the Sea-Viewing Realm?’

That’s right.

Over the past year, in addition to her own exceptional talent for the Martial Dao, Huo Hongling had engaged in dual cultivation with Lu Mingyuan on multiple occasions. Nourished by the feedback from his Blood Glutton Essence, she had swiftly cleared her other Acupoints.

She had successfully opened her Sea Gazing Acupoint, ascended to the Eighth Realm, and become a Middle Fifth-Grade Martial Artist.

Dealing with insurgents wasn’t actually Huo Hongling’s responsibility. The fact that she had taken the initiative made Lin Xiangyun realize that this was no ordinary matter.

Half an hour later, thirty thousand Imperial Guards from Xuanwu Gate stormed out of their barracks, rushed to the Drunken Flower Tower, and completely surrounded the building.

According to Great Yan Law, if a disturbance occurred in the Capital City, the Grand Commander of the Imperial Guard was authorized to act at his discretion and take the lead in managing the situation.

The current turmoil within the Drunken Flower Tower made the situation perfectly clear.

Once outside the Drunken Flower Tower, sensing the terrifying aura from within, Lin Xiangyun finally understood Huo Hongling’s intentions. "According to what you said, My Lady, the Drunken Flower Tower is a gathering place for the White Lotus Ancient Sect and Prince Jin’s remnants. But without a direct military order, mobilizing troops so brazenly will cause us no small amount of trouble. The Commander of the Imperial Guard only has the authority to deploy troops to investigate and control a situation, not to actually initiate combat. We have to wait for someone from the Court to arrive and take command."

Lin Xiangyun had already heard the news from Huo Hongling: the White Lotus Ancient Sect was using the Drunken Flower Tower as a cover to infiltrate the Great Yan Dynasty, but fortunately, the Crown Prince had discovered them in advance, and a great battle had broken out.

Therefore, Lin Xiangyun believed that Huo Hongling’s current operation was aimed squarely at Prince Jin’s remnants.

In short,

she was doing it for the Crown Prince.

"You don’t need to concern yourself with that. Just follow my orders," Huo Hongling said coolly.

「At this moment.」

Lu Mingyuan stood on the railing of a jade tower, gazing toward the Drunken Flower Tower. He watched the killing intent and battle spirit surging from the army, a faint smile on his lips.

’Ling’Er really hasn’t disappointed me.’

Then, two streaks of light—one red and one cyan—appeared above his head.

Two Imperial Experts materialized before Lu Mingyuan.

After the Blood Qilin, Chi Ming Red, landed, he was the first to question Lu Mingyuan:

"Your Highness, do you not think this place is far too dangerous?"

Chi Ming Red had long suspected Lu Mingyuan was doing this deliberately.

Now, it seemed his suspicions were confirmed.

’The Crown Prince is using us to deal with other powers.’

"It is dangerous, yes, but aren’t you two here?" Lu Mingyuan replied with a smile.

"We are not your subordinates, Your Highness. Our only duty is to protect you. We hope you will cherish your own life," Zhong Yuli reminded him.

They would not take the initiative to attack; their role was more that of observers.

Having received Huo Hongling’s order, Grand Commander Lin Xiangyun of Xuanwu Gate led a squad of soldiers and launched an assault on the Drunken Flower Tower.

A Steward from the White Lotus Ancient Sect opened the main gate and stepped out. A sonic ripple emanated from his mouth. "Halt! This is the Drunken Flower Tower compound, and it contains secrets of the Music Bureau. Who dares trespass?"

Unafraid, Lin Xiangyun brandished a battle spear and said coldly, "This Commander has received a report that insurgents from the White Lotus Ancient Sect are hiding in the Drunken Flower Tower. I am here to arrest them."

"Do you think this is a place you can simply force your way into?" the Steward roared.

With the power and prestige of the White Lotus Ancient Sect, they would never take an ordinary military commander seriously.

Lin Xiangyun, for his part, didn’t give the Steward a second glance. "Do you intend to resist? If that’s the case, then today, you will all be annihilated."

A chill shot through the Steward’s heart. This was the Great Yan Imperial City, after all. If they were truly charged with the crime of treason, the consequences would be unimaginable.

They would be hunted to the ends of the earth, with no place to hide in the entire Central Plains World.

「Inside the Drunken Flower Tower.」

Two great masters were already locked in battle.

Luo Ying’s towering Dharma Body rose majestically into the air.

A magnificent female Dharma Body constructed of brilliant purple fire emerged from behind her, towering and peerless. Its divine eyes blazed like fire, and it wielded a divine sword.

As it slashed its sword, a tail of fire lit up the night, making the very stars pale in comparison. Space seemed to warp, as if the heavens themselves would be torn apart, as the attack descended upon Duanmu Lian.

Duanmu Lian’s expression was cold and grim. "Who in the world gave the Crown Prince of Great Yan the audacity to oppose the White Lotus Ancient Sect with just a handful of people? Does he have a death wish?"

"We’ve already given him plenty of face, yet he dares to come looking for trouble?"

"The Imperial Experts have arrived. They must be here for me," the Corpse-Driving Elder said, his expression grave.

Duanmu Lian sneered. "Without a specific charge, who would dare to capture you? Are they going to act on the Crown Prince of Great Yan’s word alone?"

"Many among the nobility have already joined the White Lotus Ancient Sect. In terms of righteousness and reason, we are not guaranteed to lose. Besides, what true masters could have possibly come at a time like this?"

BOOM!

The main gate of the Drunken Flower Tower was blasted open, shattering into a half-dozen pieces that crashed into the courtyard.