Dread King's Bride

In the main courtyard, Yun Houxing remained oblivious to the chaos approaching. Having been tormented by a female ghost through the night, his face was already ashen. When Xiao Chenyuan slammed a partially transcribed account book in front of him, Yun Houxing's vision went black, and he nearly fainted. That account book had been securely hidden in a secret chamber—how could it have fallen into Xiao Chenyuan's hands?

Seated in the principal chair, Xiao Chenyuan fingered a string of prayer beads with his eyes closed. Draped in a fox-fur cloak, his pallid complexion betrayed his lingering illness, yet it couldn't conceal the aura of carnage and danger radiating from him.

Yun Houxing's mind was a tangled mess, his body ice-cold. He couldn't understand how the situation had spiraled so far out of his control. All he needed was for Madam Luo to exorcise the vengeful ghost Yun Qingwu—then he could buy himself time to regroup and devise a way to deal with Xiao Chenyuan. But now...

Murderous intent flashed in Yun Houxing's eyes. If Xiao Chenyuan didn't die, he himself would! But this man was far from an easy target. Suddenly, Yun Houxing sensed something was amiss. He glared at the man feigning rest with his eyes closed and gritted his teeth. "What does my King mean by this?"

"One path to life. One path to death. Your choice."

"A path to life?" Yun Houxing sneered. With Xiao Chenyuan's temperament, the fact that he hadn't killed him on the spot upon obtaining the account book could only mean he wanted something else. "And what, pray tell, does the King consider a path to life?"

"The truth about the Northern Frontier War ten years ago."

The words made Yun Houxing shoot to his feet, only to lock eyes with Xiao Chenyuan as they abruptly opened. His gaze, sharp as an eagle and as ruthless as a wolf, made Yun Houxing stagger and nearly collapse back into his chair. "What truth? I have no idea of what myKing is talking about!"

Xiao Chenyuan had no patience for further argument. "Ten years—long enough for you to step over the corpses of the Zhen Guo Marquis family and climb your way to the position of Minister of Revenue. According to this account book, you've embezzled a total of 1,710,000 taels of silver during that time."

"I'll give you a choice: write a confession naming the masterminds and accomplices behind the false accusations against the Zhen Guo Marquis family, and I'll spare your life. Alternatively, return the embezzled silver within ten days. Otherwise, the contents of this account book will be circulated throughout the streets of the capital."

A chill ran through Yun Houxing's teeth and bones. Neither path could be called a way to survive! He had never imagined that after all these years, Xiao Chenyuan would still seek to overturn the verdict against the Zhen Guo Marquis family.

Was Xiao Chenyuan merely seeking justice for them? No! He was clearly after the truth behind the former Crown Prince's self-immolation. Regardless of which path he chose, neither would end well for Yun Houxing.

As his thoughts swirled in panic, a commotion erupted outside, growing louder and louder. Infuriated, Yun Houxing shouted, "What's all that noise outside?!"

Before anyone could answer, the doors crashed open with a deafening clang. A figure rushed in, the scalp riddled with pits and the face covered in blood. Before Yun Houxing could make out who it was, he was tackled to the ground.

"I'll eat your flesh and drink your blood!" the figure screamed.

Yun Qingwu manipulated Madam Luo's body, emitting bursts of eerie laughter as she lunged toward Yun Houxing's ear, biting down fiercely and tearing off a chunk of flesh. His shrill screams echoed like a slaughtered pig's wail, completely disregarded by Xiao Chenyuan on the side.

Xiao Chenyuan raised a cold brow, immediately attributing the chaos to QingWu's handiwork. Maintaining a calm and detached expression, he observed the scene for a moment. The prayer beads in his hand grew increasingly hot, as if urging him to leave swiftly.

"Ah! Help me!... Save me~" Yun Houxing, desperate and grasping at straws, shockingly turned to plead with Xiao Chenyuan.

Xiao Chenyuan replied in a tone as tranquil as still water, "Minister Yun and your wife appear so deeply affectionate; I shan't disturb your private delight. Do strive to hold on for a few more days, Minister Yun. I'm still awaiting for your decision."

With that, he ignored the outstretched hand begging for salvation and strode out, thoughtfully closing the door behind him. After a brief pause, he instructed curtly, "Seal it."

Though the door wasn't equipped with a lock, the efficiency of the Black Armored Guards was unmatched. They promptly sourced wooden planks from who-knows-where and firmly nailed the windows and door shut, ensuring that Minister Yun and Madam Luo could "intimately enjoy" their time together without any interruptions.

The guards exchanged peculiar glances. Had Xiao Chenyuan not forewarned them that the Ministry of Revenue's Mansion would be particularly "lively" today and ordered them to simply spectate without intervening, they might have already drawn their blades at the sight of the "liveliness."

Even Xiao Chenyuan fell silent for a moment after stepping outside and witnessing the chaotic spectacle of malicious spirits wreaking havoc across the estate. It was glaringly obvious whose handiwork this was.

The scene, undeniably... satisfying to behold, brought a rare sense of comfort. However...

Xiao Chenyuan glanced at the few paper figures and horses scurrying past, a vein twitching faintly on his temple. "Let's go," he commanded, leading his men away.

From another direction, Elderly Attendant cautiously approached, his face pale with fright. "I have investigated the secret chamber... it's completely empty."

Xiao Chenyuan fell into another brief silence. "And where's Yun Qingwu?"

Elderly Attendant swallowed nervously, instinctively touching the talisman on his waist, which had grown warm to the touch. "She's already gone. Not long after she left, Madam Luo and all the servants who had come into contact with her went mad, as though possessed by spirits."

On his way over, Elderly Attendant had encountered several of these "possessed" individuals. Initially, they tried to lunge at him, but the red talisman on his body flared with heat, causing those people to recoil like frightened rabbits.

Recalling his earlier thought to discard the talisman—before QingWu thoroughly scared him into keeping it—he couldn't help but shudder. At this moment, Elderly Attendant only wanted to return and light incense for QingWu. This formidable lady... must never be crossed. From now on, she had to be worshipped like a deity!

The group quickly departed from the Ministry of Revenue's Mansion. Elderly Attendant and the others felt a twinge of regret—if it weren't for the fact that this "liveliness" was a ghostly affair, they truly would have liked to stay and watch.

Once inside the carriage, Xiao Chenyuan spotted a woman reclining lazily, her eyes closed as she propped her chin on her hand. She appeared to be dozing, exuding an air of nonchalant elegance. Her beauty was striking yet unearthly, a haunting allure that transcended mortal charm.

"Enjoyed the show?" Her eyelids lifted with her languid tone, revealing dark, silken eyes brimming with a lively and mischievous glint. The vitality in her gaze seemed to dispel the eerie aura surrounding her.

"Quite spectacular," Xiao Chenyuan remarked, scrutinizing her closely before suddenly saying, "The secret chamber in Yun Houxing's manor is empty. Was that your doing?"

QingWu blinked. "Take a guess."

Xiao Chenyuan didn't bother guessing and continued bluntly, "Yun Houxing embezzled a total of 1.71 million taels of silver. By law, such a crime warrants the execution of three generations."

"That much? I thought it was only 400,000 taels," QingWu replied casually.

The carriage fell silent. She met his meaningful gaze and let out a soft "Oh~."

Feigning innocence, QingWu blinked at him. That 400,000 taels? It was her 'dowry'. She certainly didn't plan to use her "dowry" to cover for a man. Feeling sorry for a man was bad luck, no matter how many lifetimes it spanned. Even if it was Xiao Chenyuan—no matter how strong their old bond was—money was off-limits in their conversations.

QingWu diverted the conversation. "Exterminating three generations might not suffice. Madam Luo's hands are stained with over a hundred lives—and all of them were children. You might want to investigate the cases of missing these children in the capital over the years."

Hearing this, Xiao Chenyuan's face darkened. "Over a hundred children lost their lives?"

QingWu nodded. "Those two so-called 'unparalleled and supreme' WuJi and Wu Shuang sorcerers are likely tied to this as well. Have you uncovered their origins?"

"They appeared in the capital a few days ago," Xiao Chenyuan replied. "Upon arrival, they headed straight to the Ministry of Revenue's Mansion. Now that they're all dead, tracing their backgrounds will be troublesome."

QingWu raised an eyebrow. "So, that's my fault?"

"When faced with trouble, you'll resolve it." QingWu adopted an expression of absolute faith. "For Your Highness the Dread King, it's just a minor issue."

Xiao Chenyuan: "..."

Ignoring her cheeky remark, he calmly issued orders to investigate the disappearance of children.

Meanwhile, QingWu had her own thoughts. Engaging in soul-binding was, in official terms, an act of stealing lives from the underworld. On a personal level, she wondered if her parents' and brothers' souls had suffered a similar fate—spirited away into the void, leaving no trace behind.

The old emperor had become obsessed with the pursuit of immortality, neglecting state affairs and leaving everything to the Crown Prince. His behavior set a poor example for his court, leading to a surge of superstitious practices and the rise of all kinds of malevolent beings across the land of Dayong.

The act of binding souls wasn't uncommon, with those brazen enough constantly toying with death. Yet, the fact that this occurred so close to Yun Houxing provided a lead worth pursuing. While QingWu's mind whirled with possibilities, Xiao Chenyuan spoke, "I've heard that vengeful spirits linger in the mortal world. Once their grudges are resolved, they depart."

QingWu turned her head, meeting his profound gaze. "Has the Queen's vengeance been fulfilled?"

She didn't answer directly, countering instead, "Does my King still think I'm a ghost? Afraid of the divide between humans and spirits?"

His voice remained calm. "If you can serve me, it matters little whether you're human or ghost."

Xiao Chenyuan's eyes were deep and impenetrable, like inkstone tempered by years of battle. The sharp edges of his youth had been honed into a reserved intensity that could hold boundless ambition and fearlessness.

QingWu's smile faded slightly. "Ghosts are not something you should tangle with lightly, Your Highness. Once entangled, they're difficult to shake off."

His gaze deepened, as if saying, Like you, perhaps?

She shifted her tone. "But I'm different. Virtuous, pure-hearted, and united with my King—together, we are invincible. Since I've been around, hasn't Your Highness felt more robust?"

She reached out a claw-like hand, which Xiao Chenyuan promptly grasped by the wrist. Seizing the opportunity, QingWu clung to his arm, ignoring his darkening expression and taking the chance to absorb some of his energy. The stench of the Ministry of Revenue's Mansion had left her utterly nauseated.

He could feel her soft curves pressing against him, and his back tensed instinctively. He intended to push her away, but a desire buried deep within him stirred uncontrollably. Whenever she was near, the coldness in his body subsided, like a parched land touched by rain—or like a moth drawn to a flame. Yet to Xiao Chenyuan, it felt more like drinking poison to quench thirst.

This woman by his side was poison itself. While he didn't mind using poison to fight poison, he just could not permit himself to lose control.

Xiao Chenyuan quickly pulled his arm back, about to move away from QingWu, when the carriage suddenly jerked to a halt. His tall frame gripped the side of the carriage to steady himself, but QingWu, caught off guard, was already leaning awkwardly. The sudden stop caused her head to slam into his lower abdomen with a force that left both stunned.

She hadn't anticipated the collision, and the moment felt like an accident of fate, her head striking a sensitive spot on his body.

"Ah!"

The impact sent QingWu scrambling to sit upright, her eyes meeting his pale, handsome face, which now appeared as though it belonged to a corpse. His forehead was tense, veins popping, and his towering figure seemed to shrink under the pain. His gaze was filled with deep hatred... or perhaps it was something far worse.

QingWu froze, then her eyes darted downward. She could already tell this was a disaster.

"Xiao Chenyuan, are you alright?" she stammered.

"Shit, this is bad..." She panicked. "Don't stay quiet—if you're really hurt, just blink! Blink once if you can't move!"

"You need to calm down. As long as nothing's broken, there's still hope. I swear, I'll do whatever I can to fix this!" She was ready to do whatever it took.