Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

Today, the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion welcomed quite a few guests. The ladies, eager to catch a glimpse of the bride, had been waiting outside the courtyard for quite some time.

Xiao Rong'er gave everyone an amused smile. "This child is reluctant to part with his elder sister."

One of the ladies chuckled and said, "The Young Master has always been close with the eldest daughter. Such deep sibling affection—it's no wonder he doesn't want his sister to get married."

"Indeed, who wouldn't?"

Xiao Rong'er smiled faintly and walked slowly to Shang Wuyou.

All the guests could see the gentle, indulgent smile on her face; only Shang Wuyou could hear the venomous, ruthless words hidden beneath it.

"Wuyou, the marriage between the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion and Jin Prince Mansion was bestowed by Your Majesty—it cannot be undone. If you insist on preventing your 'eldest sister' from marrying, then Changle will have to take her place."

Shang Wuyou stared at her, utterly shocked.

Xiao Rong'er chuckled lightly. "Changle has been living quite well in Witch Mountain, hasn't she? But a marriage arranged by one's parents cannot be avoided. No matter how long she hides, if her parents demand her return to marry, she must come back. Or perhaps I'll report to Your Majesty that both your elder and second elder sisters are suffering from grave illnesses. With one imperial edict sent to Witch Mountain, do you think Changle would dare defy the Emperor?"

Shang Wuyou carried the bride onto the bridal sedan chair.

-

"Upon returning to the city, they'll pass through the Luo River Long Street. Luo River Long Street connects in every direction, and at its eastern end intersects with Cui Liu Alley, where there's precisely a three-story inn. We'll set up an ambush on the inn rooftop and in the alley to the west, disrupting the wedding procession."

Si Snake and Ji Li disguised themselves and hid in the designated alley.

The two wore bamboo hats and bronze fang masks that Lu Yuan had pilfered from the mountain stronghold.

At a glance, it was impossible to recognize them—like a blur of unfamiliarity.

"Ugly as hell."

Ji Li disdainfully touched the mask on his face. "Completely wasting this handsome face of mine, a Commander Guard's face."

Si Snake ignored him and instead glanced at Lu Yuan, Chen Long, and Yu Zichuan, who were lying in wait on the rooftop.

Ji Li followed his gaze and muttered, "Why must those three cluster together? Are they afraid they won't blow their cover enough?"

Si Snake replied, "It makes the group look larger."

Ji Li: "…"

A sudden, powerful eagle cry pierced the sky.

Everyone's hearts stirred.

They're here!

Yu Zichuan pulled back the Houyi Bow.

Lu Yuan slapped a bronze mask onto his face.

Yu Zichuan protested, "I'm not wearing it."

Lu Yuan retorted, "Then give me back the Houyi Bow."

Yu Zichuan flew up to the half-expanded pavilion and, with remarkable precision, perched directly atop Lu Yuan's head.

Lu Qi's wedding procession slowly approached as crowds of curious townsfolk lined both sides of the street to watch.

Though they planned to steal the bride, they couldn't harm innocents and had to patiently wait for the procession to reach this guarded intersection where officials stood watch.

The officials seemed aware that this spot was an ideal location for an ambush.

Lu Yuan commanded, "Take action."

Yu Zichuan drew the bow to its full length and shot an arrow straight at Lu Qi's official hat.

Lu Qi immediately felt a wave of murderous intent rushing toward him.

His gaze sharpened, and he raised his hand, catching the lightning-fast arrow mid-flight.

Yu Zichuan, astonished, exclaimed, "Wow, caught it."

Lu Yuan smirked faintly. "Don't let your guard down. Just because Your Highness can defeat him easily doesn't mean he's weak—it's Your Highness who's remarkable."

Yu Zichuan, expressionless, retorted, "Would it kill you to stop boasting?"

Lu Yuan donned his bronze fang mask and leapt down with Chen Long.

At the same time, Si Snake and Ji Li launched their attack on the wedding procession.

Their task was to intercept Lu Qi and the accompanying martial experts.

Lu Yuan and Chen Long moved to seize the bridal sedan chair.

The pair flawlessly executed the Qinggong imparted by the Miao King and the Goddess, becoming nothing more than fleeting shadows as they sealed the acupoints of eight sedan chair carriers in an instant.

Simultaneously, the two reached out to lift the curtain.

Lu Yuan got there first and climbed into the bridal sedan chair.

In the blink of an eye, he was hurled out violently.

He steadied himself and remarked, "Whew, there's a trap."

"Tch, pathetic."

Chen Long entered the sedan chair next, swiftly dismantling the mechanisms inside and hoisting his unconscious sister onto his back.

Seeing the bride being taken, Lu Qi immediately gave chase.

Ji Li intercepted him, clashing palms.

Lu Qi staggered several steps back, his expression solemn as he eyed Ji Li and Si Snake. "Who are you?"

Ji Li grinned. "Take a guess."

Hiss.

This boy has some skill.

His palm tingled from the impact.

Ji Li shook his arm to quickly restore the disrupted meridians.

Lu Qi's brows furrowed upon seeing Ji Li so effortlessly undo the block on his meridians.

He clenched his fists, a manic glint flashing in his eyes. "Don't push me too far."

Ji Li laughed breezily. "Kid, I challenge you to a one-on-one duel. If you manage to defeat me, I'll return the bride—how about it?"

"I'll fight him."

Si Snake interjected.

Lu Qi said coldly, "None of you will escape!"

Chen Long, carrying Meng Qianqian on his back, darted into the alley with Lu Yuan.

Yu Zichuan pulled a carriage up to the alley entrance.

Just as the two jumped onto it, a squad of black-armored Imperial City Guards disassembled one of the carriage wheels with their spears.

The carriage overturned with a loud crash, and those onboard tumbled to the ground.

Chen Long shielded Meng Qianqian with his body, his elbows scraping bloody furrows against the rocky surface.

"Are you alright?"

Ignoring his own injuries entirely, he instinctively checked to see if Meng Qianqian was hurt.

Lu Yuan held his arm back. "Don't move recklessly. She's been sealed at her acupoints by Xiao Rong'er using the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion's unique Heavenly Gang Acupoint Divine Skill. We can't unseal it—we'll need my grandfather."

He took a glance at the unconscious Meng Qianqian. "Xiao Rong'er is truly vicious. If I hadn't received advance notice and tried to unseal it myself, I might have cost her her life."

Chen Long said coldly, "I am irreconcilable with the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion."

Lu Yuan turned back to the approaching mass of black-armored trusted aides. "The pursuers are here—things aren't looking good."

Just as he spoke, a carriage sped toward them, wheels kicking up three feet of dust that coated the pair's faces.

Shangguan Ling, dressed like a beggar, gripped the reins tightly and sneaked a glance at them. "Get on!"

Lu Yuan reached out to lift Meng Qianqian.

Chen Long beat him to it, carrying his sister onto the carriage.

The first thing Shangguan Ling learned as a Jinyi Guard was memorizing the layout of the Capital City. It wasn't only essential for investigations but also for executing swift and precise assassinations.

After arriving at the Southwest Imperial City, he presented himself as an Outer Disciple of the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, while secretly returning to his old profession, memorizing every street and alley in the city down to the tiniest detail.

Thus, the black-armored Imperial City Guards were utterly outpaced by Shangguan Ling, a foreigner to the city.

Shangguan Ling exhaled deeply. "I'm scared to death, scared to death!"

Lu Yuan asked, "Why are you here? We didn't inform you."

Shangguan Ling replied, "That's exactly it. Why didn't you notify me about such a major event? At least then I could coordinate with you, Grand Commander! If it weren't for Wuyou coming to find me, saying the bride had been switched, I wouldn't have made it here in time!"

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow. "Hmph."

Shangguan Ling sighed. "That kid has a shred of decency, at least—your and Young Madam's care for him wasn't wasted."

Lu Yuan declared coolly, "I never cared for him."

Shangguan Ling retorted, "Stubborn as a dead duck."

Lu Yuan said, "Tired of living?"

Shangguan Ling shouted, "Yu Zichuan! Drive the carriage!"

Seated atop the carriage, still polishing his bow, Yu Zichuan thought: Why am I being dragged into your argument?!