The three of them descended into the darkness.
Candles lined the walls of the passage, casting flickering shadows that danced like ghosts. The underground space was vast, a hidden world beneath the palace luxury. After winding through the corridor, they arrived at a heavy iron door.
The secret chamber beyond was windowless and stifling. The air smelled of stale sweat, old blood, and fear. The walls were adorned with a grotesque collection of instruments: whips, ropes, candles, and branding irons.
Fresh bloodstains marred the stone floor. It was clear the Crown Prince had destroyed many innocent women in this dungeon.
Xiao Yifeng’s Killing Intent spiked, the temperature in the room dropping several degrees.
In the center of the room stood a large bed. Yuge was bound there, her limbs locked in a spread-eagle position. She was blindfolded and motionless, clearly knocked unconscious. Despite the horrific circumstances, her jade-like skin against the dark sheets created a twisted, fragile beauty.
"The Crown Prince certainly has refined tastes," Xiao Yifeng said, his smile failing to reach his cold eyes. "A fully equipped torture chamber. Truly an eye-opener."
Dai Yun grit his teeth, his face burning with hatred and humiliation.
His plan had been perfect. He had secretly captured Yuge the previous night and hidden her here. He had endured a boring morning court session, rushing back with his heart burning with lust, intending to ravage the Princess.
Instead, he had found Consort Lin in his room.
After the initial shock, they had struck a deal. Lin would betray the Emperor to help Dai Yun seize the throne. Lust had sparked between the two conspirators, and thinking Yuge was securely locked away, they had engaged in a passionate session of "thunder and fire."
But halfway through, Xiao Yifeng had crashed the party, scaring Dai Yun limp and snatching the cooked duck right out of his mouth.
Swish! Swish!
Xiao Yifeng flicked his fingers. Several distinct strands of Sword Qi shot out, slicing through the metal chains binding Yuge with surgical precision.
Keeping one eye on the two villains, he cast a Clear Mind Technique on the unconscious princess.
Yuge let out a soft hum. Her eyelashes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes. When she saw the blurred figure of Xiao Yifeng standing over her, she thought she was still dreaming.
"Young Master Xiao...?" she whispered, her eyes reddening. "Is it really you?"
Xiao Yifeng nodded gently. "Princess, are you injured? Where are the others?"
Yuge shook her head, trying to sit up. "My brother went out last night and never returned. I don't know if he fell into enemy hands. As for Daoist Bichen... he lured the pursuers away to protect me. I heard them say he was captured."
Xiao Yifeng turned his gaze to Dai Yun. The threat was implicit.
Dai Yun swallowed hard and spoke quickly. "Zhang Tianzhi escaped. He didn't return to the envoy station, so we missed him. As for Bichen... he was severely injured and captured. He's currently imprisoned at the Baiyue Sect."
This matched Xiao Yifeng's deduction. Zhang Tianzhi was sharp; he must have sensed the trap and fled immediately. That saved Xiao Yifeng the trouble of a double rescue.
"Why turn on the Heavenly Dragon Kingdom now?" Xiao Yifeng asked, frowning. "Yesterday, they were your honored guests."
"Because news arrived yesterday," Dai Yun explained, his voice hollow. " The Heavenly Dragon Monarch has died of illness. The Empress has seized control of the court and formed an alliance with the neighboring Golden Roc Kingdom. They are already pressuring our borders."
Yuge’s body trembled violently. Tears streamed down her face, but she bit her lip until it bled, forcing herself not to break down. This was not the time to mourn.
"This dungeon must have another exit," Xiao Yifeng said coldly. "You couldn't have brought her in through the front door without being seen. Lead the way. And don't try any tricks—my sword is faster than your thoughts."
He turned to Consort Lin, whose voluptuous figure was barely concealed by the thin gauze. "That goes for you too, Consort Lin. Do you believe I can kill you before you blink?"
Xiao Yifeng channeled a trace of spiritual power into the Profound Frost Ice Python dormant within him. He stimulated its aura, releasing a thread of ancient, predatory pressure.
Consort Lin, likely having some demonic bloodline or cultivation art related to snakes, froze like a frog staring at a viper. Cold sweat drenched her back. She nodded frantically, not daring to make a sound.
Guided by the humiliated Crown Prince, Xiao Yifeng supported Yuge as they navigated the winding tunnels.
They eventually emerged from the cellar of an ordinary-looking civilian house in the city. Before leaving, Xiao Yifeng extracted the exact location of the Baiyue Sect from Dai Yun.
"Crown Prince, farewell!"
Xiao Yifeng wrapped his arm around Yuge’s waist and shot into the sky like a rocket.
"My antidote!" Dai Yun roared from the alleyway, his face twisted in desperation. "Xiao Yifeng, you despicable villain! You broke your word!"
Xiao Yifeng’s laughter echoed down from the clouds. "I never said I would give you an antidote!"
He accelerated, leaving the two fuming villains behind.
Dai Yun made a move to order his guards to pursue, but Consort Lin grabbed his arm, her nails digging into his flesh.
"Stop!" she hissed. "You have more important things to worry about than him. If he reveals our relationship to the public, that old immortal in the palace will strike first to clear his name."
"So we just let him run?" Dai Yun spat, his eyes bloodshot. "I can't swallow this insult!"
"Relax," Consort Lin said with a sinister smile. "My sect is not afraid of him. I have already summoned experts from the mountain. When they arrive, we will capture him, and you can vent your hatred on his corpse."
"Fine. I'll listen to you." Dai Yun forced himself to calm down. The two hurried back into the secret passage to secure their power base.
High above the city, Xiao Yifeng carried Yuge toward the outskirts.
"Princess Yuge, where do you think Brother Tianzhi would go?" Xiao Yifeng asked.
Unaccustomed to flying, Yuge clung tightly to Xiao Yifeng with her eyes shut.
Hearing his question, she mustered her courage, opened her eyes, and replied,
"My brother will surely try to return and rescue me. All the forces we have left are with the fleet stationed in the outer sea. He will find a way to contact them."
Xiao Yifeng thought for a moment. "Then we will rescue Daoist Bichen first. But before that, we must let Brother Tianzhi know that you are already safe."
"How can we do that?" Yuge asked.
"Quite easily." Xiao Yifeng smiled.
He released his aura, and fiery clouds surged around him in a magnificent display. Then he laughed aloud and shouted,
"Crown Prince Dai Yun! I am taking Princess Yuge with me. You and Consort Lin can continue amusing yourselves!"
"Monarch of the Yuanhai Kingdom, do not say I failed to warn you. Your son has rebelled and taken up with your former woman!"
After sending those two declarations echoing across the entire city, Xiao Yifeng left without the slightest delay.
Crown Prince Dai Yun and Consort Lin had just returned to the crown prince's residence. Their faces turned deathly pale when they heard him, and they hurried straight toward the imperial palace.
Xiao Yifeng knew that the Baiyue Sect in Yuanhai Kingdom would not dare oppose him, so he openly carried Yuge toward the sect.
The Baiyue Sect stood on a small mountain near Li City. Xiao Yifeng descended before it without concealing his arrival, holding Yuge as he hovered on his sword.
"What insolent scoundrel dares behave so arrogantly? Do you not know this is the mountain gate of the Baiyue Sect?" a disciple shouted from below.
"Please ask the State Preceptor to come out and speak with me," Xiao Yifeng called.
"The State Preceptor is not someone you can meet merely because you ask. Get down here!" The disciple sent a flying sword slashing toward Xiao Yifeng, only for Xiao Yifeng to sever it with a strand of Sword Qi.