After hearing Lu Chen's words, Wang Qingci fell into silence.
Indeed, even if she were to step outside and proclaim to the world that the King of the North was not the useless figure everyone believed him to be, who would take her seriously?
The reputation of the Northern King as a good-for-nothing had long been etched into the minds of the people. Ever since his arrival in Beijun, he had done nothing of note. Instead, he was seen as someone who spent his days indulging in pleasure and laziness within the grand halls of his own mansion.
There were even widespread rumors now—whispers floating across Beijun—that the King had gathered a harem of beautiful maids in his palace, spending every waking moment immersed in wine and women, completely detached from political or martial affairs.
Yet despite knowing this, Wang Qingci couldn't help but feel puzzled.
Why was the King of the North so certain that she wouldn't betray him?
Did he really trust her that much?
Didn't he realize that she had once harbored thoughts of revenge? After all, what he did to her could never be described as anything less than humiliating.
And yet, at that moment, Lu Chen gently released her soft body from his embrace. He rose from the bed and began dressing calmly, his voice indifferent as he said, "Alright, you can leave now."
Wang Qingci looked at him, stunned.
"You're really letting me go?"
Lu Chen's lips curved into a subtle smile. "Do I look like someone who jokes around?"
She stopped talking, biting her lip in silence. Then, she quietly began putting on her clothes.
A short while later, Wang Qingci cautiously exited the palace.
Standing at the gate of the Northern King's residence, she still couldn't believe it. Turning back to glance at the grand plaque above the gates, her emotions twisted into an indescribable tangle.
Was she truly allowed to leave… just like that?
Did the Northern King really do nothing to stop her?
Subconsciously, she checked her inner energy.
Her martial cultivation—her ninth-rank power—had been restored.
If Lu Chen truly had no intention of letting her go, it would've been impossible for him to unseal her cultivation. After all, she wasn't just some ordinary warrior—she was ninth-rank. Even capturing one, let alone letting them walk away, wasn't easy.
With a heavy and anxious heart, Wang Qingci turned and swiftly made her way back to Baihua Tower.
Along the way, she remained highly alert, eyes scanning her surroundings as she half-expected an ambush. Deep down, she feared the Northern King might have simply set a trap to deal with her on the road.
But from the beginning of her journey to the very end—right until she stood once more in Baihua Tower—not a single person stopped her, nor did she sense anyone trailing behind.
Returning to the tower, she climbed up to the attic and stood quietly, her gaze directed toward the distant silhouette of the Northern Palace. Thoughts churned in her heart like stormy waves in raging sea as in during the Poseidon mating season.
[T|N: 🤣]
It seems... the Northern King is serious.
Wang Qingci sighed softly. The more generous and unfazed Lu Chen appeared, the more terrifying he truly was.
He wasn't afraid of being exposed. He wasn't afraid of the world learning his secrets. That could only mean one thing—he no longer feared the consequences.
Which also meant… he had likely grown into his full strength.
Her emotions grew increasingly conflicted. What now?
Should she truly betray Misty Rain Pavilion, betray the Wang family… and betray the Eighth Prince?
She sat silently by the attic window, her eyes lost in the distant lights of the city as a gentle breeze brushed across her face. Lu Chen's image surfaced again in her mind—his voice, his words, his every move.
The memories of what had happened just hours ago began to replay in vivid detail. Her breath grew ragged, her body uncomfortably warm, restless.
Wang Qingci exhaled deeply.
Somehow… she had become addicted.
Addicted to the feeling of being with the King of the North.
Though they had only been together twice, this time had left an imprint carved into her very soul. The thought of him dying filled her with an inexplicable dread.
If he dies… how am I supposed to calm this storm inside me? Why do I feel I'll regret if something happens to him?
She didn't know what method Lu Chen had used, nor could she understand how he had done it—but at this point, it didn't matter. What mattered was that she could no longer imagine a life without him.
And when she thought about it more clearly… even if she helped Blood Moon Tower and the Eighth Prince kill the King of the North, what would she gain?
She would remain nothing more than a tool in the eyes of the Eighth Prince.
No matter what she did, she was still just a killer raised by the Wang family, someone without a real identity. Whether she chose the Eighth Prince or the Northern King, her worth didn't change.
What she didn't know… was that the Northern King had already used a method to bind her body to his in a way she couldn't resist. Whether she admitted it or not, becoming his woman was now her best—and only—choice.
Wang Qingci turned her head toward the Northern Palace once more. Her voice was quiet, almost like a whisper, yet heavy with finality.
"…My Lord, you win."
As the words left her lips, the invisible weight pressing down on her seemed to dissolve.
Only then did she truly understand why the King of the North had been so confident in letting her go.
He wasn't just terrifying… he was completely in control.
A bitter smile formed on her lips.
Good thing I was born a woman. If I were a man… I would've been dead by now. Maybe now my body would be in a gutter if I were a man.
At that moment, an old woman stepped into the attic.
"Saintess," she said solemnly, "a letter just arrived from Blood Moon Tower. They want confirmation on whether the mysterious expert is still in the Northern Palace. They'll reach Yancheng in five days."
Wang Qingci's eyes remained fixed on the distant lights. Her tone was cold and flat. "Understood. I'll personally go to the Northern Palace tonight and investigate."
…
Midnight.
The sky was dark, cloaked in stillness, no wind , no noise just erily quite night. A shadowy figure emerged silently at the gates of the Northern Palace.
The figure moved like a phantom, bypassing the palace guards without drawing attention, slipping into the inner courtyard with practiced ease.
While the outer courtyard lacked strong martial defenders, the inner courtyard was different—not just anyone could enter.
Just as the figure reached the threshold of the inner court, a blur of white flashed in the darkness.
A woman stood before the intruder—elegant and cold. If she has to be describe in one line, otherwise thousand chapters would be short to tell the tale of her beauty alone.
Chu Yuqin narrowed her eyes. "This isn't a place just anyone can walk into."
As soon as the words fell from her lips, her sword flashed toward the black-clad intruder like a silver lightning bolt.
But the figure easily sidestepped the strike, evading with a fluid, almost lazy motion.
Chu Yuqin frowned. A bad feeling crept into her chest.
A ninth-rank warrior?
Someone like this… could only be here to assassinate Chen'er.
Her thoughts raced, but she maintained her composure. As she prepared for another attack, the black-clad woman spoke, "Madam Chu, I've come to speak with the prince. I have important information. Please, let me through."
Chu Yuqin sneered. "Important information? More like a dagger for his heart."
She couldn't recall Lu Chen ever being associated with any other ninth-rank warriors besides herself. Although the voice did sound familiar, she didn't dare lower her guard.
Her sword slashed through the night once more.
The woman in black didn't retaliate—she continued to dodge, clearly avoiding direct confrontation.
At last, the commotion drew Lu Chen from the main courtyard. Dressed in a loose robe, he stepped into the open and calmly surveyed the scene.
Thanks to his system, even with the veil and black garb, he instantly recognized the intruder.
His lips curled into a smile.
"Aunt Chu, she's one of mine. Let her in."
Chu Yuqin blinked in surprise.
She was confused—since when did Lu Chen have another ninth-rank warrior? And a woman at that?
But she didn't question it for long. Lu Chen always had secrets.
Reluctantly, she stepped aside, but not without a warning glare.
"If you so much as harm him, you won't leave this palace alive."
Wang Qingci ignored her. Without a word, she slipped into Lu Chen's room.
Once inside, she removed her veil.
Lu Chen's gaze swept across her form. She wore a tight black outfit that hugged her curves and emphasized every elegant line of her body. Her beauty was quiet, yet dangerously alluring.
He grinned. "Barely two hours since you left… and you're already back? Could it be you're here for another round in bed?"
Wang Qingci's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Your Majesty is really good at teasing. I'm not nearly as tireless as you."
Then her expression turned serious.
"I came to warn you. Blood Moon Tower will arrive in Yancheng in five days. They're sending five ninth-rank warriors… and even the Deputy Tower Master is coming. Their target is you."