Chapter 819: The Ethereal Upheaval

SLAP!

Zhou Wu struck back with a backhand slap across Xie Yurou’s face. Instantly, a bright red handprint surfaced on her cheek.

“You little bitch! What’s the rush? Later… I’ll show you what a real animal is… No, worse than an animal!” Zhou Wu sneered, his originally handsome and refined face twisting into a hideous grimace.

Xie Yudie turned to hug her younger sister, unable to hold back her tears. “I’m sorry, Yu Rou. I’m the one who dragged you into this!”

“It’s not your fault, sister. I came here to save you from this misery!” Xie Yurou also wept, choking on her sobs. “It’s just a pity that I’m not strong enough, otherwise I’d definitely kill this beast!”

“Hahahaha! Kill me? I am now the Piaomiao Palace Master!” Zhou Wu laughed maniacally at the ceiling. He spread his arms and spoke with unbridled arrogance. “The entire Piaomiao Palace… from top to bottom, is completely under my control!

“That wild bastard spawned by that old thing is dead too!

“And that old thing himself has been crippled!

“I’ve locked him in the Water Prison. He’ll never see the sun again for the rest of his life. I won’t kill him! I want him to watch how I turn Piaomiao Palace into a supreme sect that crushes Celestial Brilliance!

“Likewise, I won’t kill you either!

“Celestial Splendor Noble Ladies! Hahaha, what a fantastic asset! First, I’ll take both of you sisters for myself. Then, I’ll send people to Celestial Brilliance to demand resources and assistance from my father-in-law’s family. Hahahaha!” Zhou Wu guffawed.

“In your dreams! No one will agree to your demands. They’ll definitely come to save us!” Xie Yurou spat angrily.

“Save you? Don’t be naive! Little girl, do you really think the family behind you cares whether you live or die? Haha, if they truly cared, why would they marry your sister off to that old thing?

“Don’t tell me you don’t know his age. That old thing is old enough to be your great-grandfather!

“If your family really cared about you, would they treat you as mere tools for political marriage? So… your naivety has successfully amused me! It’s the funniest joke I’ve heard all day!

“Once I claim you both and make you my women, do you think the family behind you will actually make a move against me?

“No, no, no… absolutely not!

“Because… they care about their reputation!

“Hahaha, these so-called prestigious aristocratic families might do the most shameless things behind closed doors, but they are surprisingly obsessed with saving face!

“Moreover… they value their interests even more!

“Who am I? I am the Piaomiao Palace Master!

“I am the Sect Leader of the second-largest sect in the entire Xi Hezhou, second only to Celestial Brilliance!

“Tell me… when that time comes, will they compromise, choose to cooperate with me, and accept me as their good son-in-law… or will they recklessly launch an attack on Piaomiao Palace, thereby letting this scandal be known to the whole world?

“Why so quiet? Haha, noble ladies are indeed noble ladies; you are completely different from those vulgar women. Not only are you beautiful, but you also have education and refinement. Most importantly… you are smart enough!

“You’ve already figured it out, haven’t you? Going to war with Piaomiao Palace… Celestial Brilliance might stand a chance, but a single Xie family is far from qualified!

“Therefore… I’ll claim your bodies first, then secure the backing of your family. Relying on their help, I’ll trample Celestial Brilliance underfoot, step by step!

“This is what a truly perfect life looks like!”

A look of immense smugness appeared on Zhou Wu’s face as he looked at the two sisters, Xie Yudie and Xie Yurou. He sneered, “As for your hearts… I’ve never had the slightest desire to win them over!

“With women… obtaining their bodies is more than enough!

“What’s the use of a heart? When a heart is given to someone else, all that’s left is an empty shell that becomes clingy and incredibly annoying!

“Rather than that, it’s much better to just let you keep hating me!

“That way… it’s quite fun, isn’t it?”

Zhou Wu continued, then suddenly turned his gaze to Xie Yurou. “I heard… you and that Luo Tian, who’s been making quite a name for himself lately, are an item?”

“Are you scared?” Xie Yurou stared at Zhou Wu with icy eyes, a disdainful smirk forming on her lips.

“No, no, no, you’ve got it all wrong. What is he even worth? Why would I be afraid of him?” Zhou Wu replied with even greater contempt. “What I mean is, if you two are an item, has he ever… you know, done the deed with you?”

“You’re shameless!” Xie Yurou was so furious that her blood boiled, nearly causing her to cough up blood.

“Aha! Then I’ve hit the jackpot! Judging by your expression, he definitely hasn’t! Hahahaha, what was that guy’s name again? Luo Tian, right? He’s a fucking idiot!” Zhou Wu was instantly overjoyed, laughing. “Guarding such a stunning beauty, yet pretending to be a fucking gentleman. Hahaha, his loss is my gain! Excellent! Excellent! When I run into him in the future, I just might spare his life!”

“You treacherous dog! You beast! Give up on that delusion. Even if I die, I won’t let your filthy paws touch me!” Xie Yurou stated coldly.

“Oh? Talking big to me?” Zhou Wu guffawed wildly. “You won’t let me touch you? Soon enough, you’ll be begging me to touch you! Don’t forget, I have aphrodisiacs! Hahahahaha!”

“I think you’re sick in the head!” Xie Yurou retorted.

Zhou Wu chuckled evilly. “That’s right, I am sick. I have an illness… I’m a sex maniac! Hahaha!

“My lovely beauties… don’t be in such a hurry. Although I really want to devour you right now, you can rest easy! I am… absolutely not a hasty man!”

Beating his chest, Zhou Wu declared with a look of extreme arrogance, “I will definitely… throw you… an incredibly grand wedding! Hahaha!”

With that, Zhou Wu swaggered out of the room.

Left alone in the room, the two sisters couldn’t help but weep freely. They never could have imagined that Zhou Wu would be so treacherous and ungrateful, striking suddenly like a viper hiding in the dark. During a banquet, he had first incapacitated the Piaomiao Palace Master, Zhou Changhai, using drugs, while simultaneously poisoning all of Zhou Changhai’s trusted subordinates. Then, he had immediately struck, slaughtering Zhou Changhai’s confidants and all their families. Almost overnight, the entire Piaomiao Palace was completely overturned.

No one knew how long Zhou Wu had been preparing for this day, but judging by his crazed demeanor today, he had perhaps… started his preparations many years ago. By all accounts, Zhou Changhai was not a careless man. On the contrary, he was exceptionally cautious and inherently suspicious. This was especially true after being schemed against by Zhou Wu several years ago, which caused him to lose his manhood—a massive scar that lingered in Zhou Changhai’s heart. His temperament had grown increasingly ruthless and brutal over the past few years. Anyone who slightly displeased him would be executed immediately without any mercy. Many elders of Piaomiao Palace had a lot of complaints regarding Zhou Changhai’s changes. Yet even so, Zhou Changhai still maintained an unbreakable, supreme status within Piaomiao Palace.

The person who had drugged him, however, was someone who had always been… Zhou Changhai’s most trusted confidant! This person’s betrayal was the truly fatal blow! Had it not been for this person’s assistance, it would have been absolutely impossible for an outsider to spike Zhou Changhai’s food and drink! Thus, despite his repeated precautions, Zhou Changhai still fell into his son’s trap.

It just so happened that Xie Yurou had previously heard her sister was unhappy at Piaomiao Palace and wanted to take her back to Celestial Brilliance for a while. Consequently… Xie Yurou ended up being controlled by the drugs along with her. There was no telling where Zhou Wu had obtained the drug; it was colorless and odorless, making it impossible to defend against. Once controlled by the drug, the victim would lose all strength in their body. Let alone running away, they didn’t even have the energy to commit suicide! Basically, all they were left with was the ability to speak. Otherwise, given the fierce temperaments of the Xie sisters, they probably would have killed themselves long ago!

With the New Palace Master of Piaomiao Palace assuming power, invitations were sent out far and wide for grand banquets. Simultaneously, another explosive piece of news was released: “The new Piaomiao Palace Master, Zhou Wu, will hold a wedding banquet in conjunction with his succession!”

Although no one knew who the bride was, this news still caused quite a stir. The coup at Piaomiao Palace had happened so quickly and suddenly that many people simply couldn’t process it. A lot of information had been promptly blocked and failed to spread outside. Therefore, many people still believed that Zhou Wu was succeeding as the Palace Master through normal means, completely unsuspecting of any foul play.

***

Xu Luo and Su Qianqian disembarked from their warship and let it depart first. Since Xu Luo possessed that exceptionally fast warship on his person, delaying their journey by two days wouldn’t be an issue. Yu Tianying and the others had wanted to come along, but Xu Luo declined. He didn’t want his personal affairs to attract too much attention. No one said much about his actions. Imperceptibly, Xu Luo had already established his own authority within Celestial Brilliance.

Xu Luo and Su Qianqian disguised themselves and entered Piaomiao City, which was situated just over two hundred miles away from Piaomiao Palace. This city belonged to Piaomiao Palace’s jurisdiction. It was the largest city within a radius of several thousand miles. As soon as they entered the city, they were somewhat bewildered by the various pieces of news regarding Piaomiao Palace.

“The former Piaomiao Palace Master has abdicated to yield to someone more capable, and a New Palace Master has succeeded him?”

“The New Palace Master is holding a grand wedding?”

“Invitations are being sent out far and wide, and grand banquets are being prepared?”

Xu Luo and Su Qianqian exchanged a glance, both seeing a deep sense of worry in each other’s eyes. Xie Yurou’s Sound Transmission Stone had already lost its connection. Xu Luo and Su Qianqian hadn’t been able to reach her for two days. Otherwise, even if they were coming to Piaomiao Palace, they wouldn’t have needed to wear disguises. They had both assumed that something must have happened. But they never expected the situation to be this serious!

Xu Luo had previously heard from Xie Yurou that although her brother-in-law was no saint, he was a man of great talent and bold vision! He was currently in the prime of his life. How could he suddenly abdicate to yield to someone more capable? Even if that was true, why couldn’t they connect to Xie Yurou’s Sound Transmission Stone?

“The problem might be more severe than we thought!” Su Qianqian said.

Xu Luo nodded, saying with some self-blame, “If I had known this would happen, I should have agreed to come with Xie Yurou back then. What if something unexpected happened to her…”

“It’s too late to talk about that now. The most urgent task is to find them immediately!” Su Qianqian stated calmly.

“Right.” Xu Luo nodded. Then his eyes lit up as he suggested, “Aren’t they sending out invitations far and wide right now? Let’s get two invitations and sneak in first!”

Su Qianqian smiled sweetly. “There’s no need for you to take action on this, Brother Luo. Just leave it to me!”