Huo Liuyun was still angry when he returned to his palace. He reprimanded the guards before sending them to stand watch from outside the castle. Huo Liuyun detected a vague scent of blood as he entered. The smell was familiar he had …
He was cautious as he entered his rooms, looking around for telltale signed he wasn't alone. The raw smell of blood was more noticeable in his room, even though the Crown Prince could find nothing awry.
'No!' he realized, 'There is something wrong here, and my bedroom lights are on.'
He held his breath as he drew the blade always at his side before cautiously approaching the door.
Kicking the door in, he found the bloody head of Lady Yuan on the delicate square table in the center of the room.
Beneath the head was a piece of paper.
Nothing more, just the paper.
Huo Liuyun pulled the blood-soaked paper from under the head. The ink was soaked but recognizable.
It read, "Huo Liuyun, please accept this gift. You are welcome."
Anger darkened his face, "Night Phoenix! Mister Night Phoenix!" He crumpled the paper into a ball as he gnashed his teeth and said, "I won't be so easy on you when next time we meet, Mister Night Phoenix."
The Siyuan Palace
Yun Canglan and her underlings burst into laughter, and it was hard to stay standing. Yun Canglan stood out because she was a spoiled girl from a wealthy family, yet still unrestrained by conventional manners.
"Do you adore me? I was so laid back, calm, and I didn't even twinkle my eyes. I was distinguished and admirable when I shook the White Jade Fan."
Yun Canglan joyfully danced around laughing and
pped smiling and in a serious tone, "In Can City? Of the Can Kingdom?"
'I hadn't attended a gathering of the Nine Prominent Figures before, Mister Yao Xi is ranked second and arranges them. Mister Yao Xi, what're you up to? There was a footnote on you that cited your smile intoxicated the seven kingdoms, while your anger frightened the two continents. You are incredibly handsome, talented, and ranked second because of the mystery that wherever you went, there were deaths and wars. At the gathering of the Nine Prominent Figures this year, will you take aim at the Can Kingdom?'
"Yun Qin, have Yun Yu to investigate Mister Yao Xi and report back in three days. Yun Qi, ask Yun Ri to conduct the 72 Best Mercenaries into Can City covertly. Spread the time, location and news that Mister Night Phoenix will attend the gathering."
'Can Kingdom won't be overthrown by anyone; it's mine. If I am attacked, I will kill his or her whole family. Mister Xiao Xi, if you decided to overthrow the Can Kingdom, you will have a rude awakening. I do not forgive easily when I have been offended.'