Chapter 12: Sect Leader of a Thousand Evils

Prince Weiyang knew very well exactly what this jade pendant represented!

He also knew very clearly that before the late Emperor passed away, he had issued a marriage decree using the jade pendant as a medium, uniting the Yin imperial clan with the Ji family to strengthen their own power.

"But Keci, have you been wandering the world all these years just to escape this marriage decree?!" Prince Weiyang's eyes were locked onto the Hetian soft jade pendant, as if speaking to Ji Keci, yet as if speaking to himself.

Walking slowly to Prince Weiyang's side, she took the jade pendant from his hand and raised it, letting it shimmer in the moonlight. "Your Highness Prince Weiyang, who could possibly harm me?"

It was a plain sentence, yet it carried surging undercurrents. Prince Weiyang understood the meaning of these words instantly. When he looked up, it was getting late; he handed the wine-red, blood-like jade tassel to Ji Keci. "If anything happens, use this pendant to find this Prince."

As soon as he finished speaking, Prince Weiyang had already vanished from before Ji Keci's eyes. She lowered her gaze to the pendant she tightly gripped. It was wine-red like blood, a jade tassel; such jade was only possessed by those who had buried it deep underground for a very, very long time, and ordinary commoners would not own it. Could it be that Prince Weiyang...

Ji Keci suddenly remembered, clutching the wine-red, blood-like jade tassel. She thought as she walked, and as she reached her hands, which were covered in small cuts, she spoke with a heavy heart, "Mansui, we need to go to 'that place' tomorrow."

Mansui knew exactly where "that place" was, given the Young Mistress's solemn tone, and nodded in agreement.

***

Thousand Fiends Sect

Secret Base

Luochen Palace

Lying lazily upon the main seat of Luochen Palace was a woman wearing a half-mask. Her dark, floral-patterned brocade was embroidered with totems, reflecting the crimson dark-patterned inner robe. Beneath the mask, a pair of long, thick, and dense eyelashes trembled slightly, like a phoenix in slumber. Sitting upon the throne like a distant, mocking wind, her temperament was overbearing, commanding awe from all directions.

Standing to the side was her personal maid, wearing a veil embroidered with patterns and dressed in red and white clothing. To onlookers, the clothing of the master and servant was exceptionally eye-catching.

The elders of the Thousand Fiends Sect were all seated below, paying their respects. Tiandi Xing's personal guards, Zhuanzhu and Zhongli, bowed respectfully. Mansui nodded slightly, granting permission for Tiandi Xing's two personal guards to speak.

Turning to look at the sect elders, she said, "Elders, now that the Sect Leader has returned, the Master will temporarily manage all affairs within the sect. If there is any overstepping of authority, I ask for your understanding."

Having said this, Tiandi Xing's two personal guards knelt on one knee, cupping their hands, and said, "We are grateful for the Sect Leader's grace in not blaming the Master; the Master is deeply indebted to you."

The woman wearing the half-mask opened her eyes slightly and looked down. As Mansui raised the token of the Thousand Fiends Sect, the elders quickly knelt, saying in trepidation, "The Sect Leader has returned; may the Thousand Fiends bring blessings and fortune."

"The Hall Master has worked himself to exhaustion; I am immensely grateful. Now that I have returned, do any of the elders have any grievances?" As soon as she finished speaking, the woman in the half-mask closed her eyes slightly, appearing as if in deep thought, or perhaps sleep. The words seemed plain, but in reality, they were fraught with hidden currents.

The elders seated below broke into a cold sweat. They all knew quite well that the Sect Leader's words were a veiled expression of anger. They lowered their heads in unison and said in one voice, "We pledge our loyalty to the Sect Leader, until death!"

Lying sideways on the main seat, the woman in the half-mask let out a soft "Mm." The sound was very, very light, but it was enough for the elders below to hear. Such a casual, understated word.

All the elders present knew that the Sect Leader arrived without a trace and departed without a sound, appearing and disappearing like a ghost; her personality was even harder to fathom, and no one had ever seen the true face of the Thousand Fiends Sect Leader. Upon hearing that sound, they knew the Sect Leader had acknowledged them, and the elders finally felt at ease.