Chapter 224: Beacon of Light

Chapter 224: Chapter 224: Beacon of Light

Yì Yǎn's departure for Princess Qiānyōu's encampment did not go unnoticed. Among those who observed this development were Huìguāng Luóhàn and King Jùlù. Huìguāng Luóhàn, eyes narrowing, disappeared from his spot in a flicker, while King Jùlù let out a cold, knowing smile.

As Yì Yǎn led his troops away, Huìguāng Luóhàn vanished as well. King Jùlù, his brows furrowing, sensed an ominous foreboding. Where had they gone?

Just as King Jùlù's thoughts churned with uncertainty, a servant from the Jùlù Manor hurriedly approached and knelt on one knee before him.

"Wǔ'ān, why are you here?" King Jùlù's eyes widened in surprise.

"Your Highness, terrible news! Jùlù Manor has been raided, and the Wànchéng Treasured Mirror has been stolen," Wǔ'ān reported.

"What?!" King Jùlù's eyes bulged with shock.

"The Wànchéng Treasured Mirror... it's gone!" Wǔ'ān reiterated.

King Jùlù, eyes filled with a mix of fear and anger, scanned the surroundings. His gaze fell upon Emperor Nàlán and the Great Virtuous Dragon Bodhisattva, standing across the two ends of the sea.

"Let's go, back to the city," King Jùlù ordered in a fury.

Jùlù Manor

At the manor, the once grand floating island had collapsed into a pile of rubble. The ground was strewn with debris, and a nearby mountain had been severed in half. King Jùlù frantically sifted through the ruins, accompanied by numerous officers who assisted in the cleanup. Huìguāng Luóhàn stood silently at a distance, kept at bay by the guards.

Amidst the wreckage of the floating island, a large circle of soldiers stood guard around a single individual.

It was Yì Yǎn.

Clad in a simple green hemp robe, Yì Yǎn bent down, picked up a handful of crushed stone, and squeezed it into fine powder, letting it fall through his fingers with a frown.

"Search, search everywhere! Search outside the city and alert the nearby towns. Mobilize all soldiers immediately," King Jùlù roared in anger.

"King Jùlù!" Yì Yǎn's calm voice suddenly called out.

In his rage, King Jùlù had nearly forgotten the significance of the Wànchéng Treasured Mirror. The emperor had entrusted it to him because of his loyalty, asking him to decipher its mysteries. Yet, in the brief moment he left the city, it had been stolen? No, it had been robbed—brazenly, in broad daylight! The mighty Jùlù Manor, raided by thieves! How could he explain this to the emperor?

Adding insult to injury, he had no idea who had taken it. The thieves had left no trace, even amidst the ruins he had combed through. It was maddening, humiliating. How would he face the emperor now?

Just then, Yì Yǎn's voice broke through his thoughts.

Fueled by anger, King Jùlù strode over to Yì Yǎn, glaring at him. Did Yì Yǎn come here to mock him?

"King Jùlù, is it true that the Wànchéng Treasured Mirror has been stolen?" Yì Yǎn asked, his tone unperturbed.

"Yes!" King Jùlù, seething with frustration, glared at Yì Yǎn, suspecting that he had come to ridicule him.

"May I ask, has Princess Qiānyōu or her entourage been seen near the Heavenly Prison?" Yì Yǎn inquired calmly. Fịndd new updates at novelhall.com

"The Heavenly Prison? Of course! It must be Princess Qiānyōu and her people," King Jùlù finally identified the culprits.

"Indeed. We must retrieve the Wànchéng Treasured Mirror. Wǔ'ān, come here. Tell me, which direction did Princess Qiānyōu and her group head last?" King Jùlù demanded.

"Your Highness, after His Majesty left and the Heavenly City was undefended, they headed south," Wǔ'ān reported.

"The Southern Route? The Southern Route?" King Jùlù murmured in doubt. He couldn't determine if Princess Qiānyōu's party had deliberately created a diversion or if they genuinely headed south. Finally, out of options, he turned to Yì Yǎn.

At that moment, Yì Yǎn was crouching down, drawing lines on the ground with a small twig. He sketched out a map that made little sense to anyone else, then squinted his eyes and said, "They should be heading north."

"North?" King Jùlù stared at Yì Yǎn intently.

"Yes. With the beacon lights signaling and tens of thousands of troops deployed for a search, the north provides the best route for concealment and escape," Yì Yǎn said with conviction.

"Very well, there's no time to lose. We must pursue them quickly," King Jùlù agreed.

"Your Highness, allow me to accompany you. Princess Qiānyōu poisoned me not long ago; I must seek justice," Huìguāng Luóhàn stepped forward and requested.

Upon hearing this, King Jùlù furrowed his brow. However, Yì Yǎn merely smiled slightly and said, "Since Huìguāng Luóhàn wishes to go, Your Highness might as well take him along."

King Jùlù glanced at Yì Yǎn with a frown. Seeing Yì Yǎn's peculiar expression, King Jùlù's heart tightened. He immediately understood what was happening. Yì Yǎn was once again acting against the emperor's orders, but King Jùlù wisely decided not to voice this aloud. In fact, he thought it might be beneficial.

"Very well, I appreciate your assistance, Huìguāng Luóhàn," King Jùlù said.

"Thank you!" Huìguāng Luóhàn replied—

Far to the north of the Heavenly City, at an infinite distance.

On the peak of a mountain.

Zhōng Shān, Gǔ Lín, Shuǐ Jìng, Princess Qiānyōu, and her guards, ā Dà and ā èr, had gathered once again. Gǔ Lín was holding a green jade slab about a foot long and wide, which was emitting wisps of green aura.

"Gǔ Lín, Mr. Shuǐ Jìng, we part ways here," Princess Qiānyōu said, looking at the two of them.

"Qiānyōu, you..." Gǔ Lín's eyes flashed with reluctance.

"Yì Yǎn has likely deduced that we headed north. Troops from the surrounding cities have already been dispatched to search for us. We will divert the pursuers while you take the Wànchéng Treasured Mirror back. With Mr. Shuǐ Jìng's protection, you should be safe. As for us, don't worry. No one can stop us. Apart from the slight restriction on Mr. Shuǐ Jìng, there's no danger. Just follow the plan," Princess Qiānyōu said firmly.

"Alright," Gǔ Lín sighed softly.

Gǔ Lín knew that only two people could carry the Wànchéng Treasured Mirror—either Princess Qiānyōu or himself. Since Princess Qiānyōu was to lead the pursuers away, he had to carry it.

Then, Princess Qiānyōu, along with ā Dà, ā èr, and Zhōng Shān, headed west, while Gǔ Lín and Mr. Shuǐ Jìng continued north, following their plan.

"Sir, do you think Yì Yǎn's troops are already pursuing us to the north?" On the way, Princess Qiānyōu asked Zhōng Shān for confirmation.

"Why ask when you already know the answer?" Zhōng Shān, sitting on a white cloud, replied with a smile.

"I just worry that Yì Yǎn's troops might move at a slow and steady pace, waiting for us to slip up," Princess Qiānyōu said with a smile.

"Yes, Yì Yǎn's greatest flaw is his excessive caution. Being overly cautious has its advantages and disadvantages. During the last battle at Misty Lake, he had the upper hand and could afford to act without caution for once. However, this time he is on the defensive, and he will undoubtedly maintain his cautious approach. As long as we stick to my plan, we will certainly evade them and reach the safest location safely," Zhōng Shān said with great confidence.