The Era of Heroes of the Galactic Empire.
destined to be recorded in history, when this, the longest and most prosperous empire in the history of intelligent life, reached its twilight years, the two most powerful factions finally clashed violently.
This conflict seemed like a premeditated explosion, accumulating from countless small detonations over approximately five hundred years, culminating in a final, earth-shattering blast.
The silent universe and vast world were shaken to their very core, every corner vibrating intensely.
The Senate’s “Trapped Dragon” and “Strangling” strategies were shattered overnight, and the one who accomplished this feat was, incredibly, just a single person.
This individual, single-handedly, achieved what tens of thousands of imperial guards and countless imperial soldiers could not.
This person’s name spread far and wide; his sword school and even his iconic white cloak became the most popular trends in the empire.
Yet Yang Hao, the creator of all this, was not intoxicated by it. He was even oblivious to the changes around him, naturally unaware that he had gradually become the center of this world.
After breaking through the Thirty-Six Ghostly Veil, Yang Hao rescued Lan Ling. He did not linger in the palace or ask the Heroic Emperor for any reward; he simply flew away with Lan Ling in his arms.
It was as if he had risked his life and dared to confront the elder council members just to save this woman.
Lan Ling fell into a deep sleep. Months of relentless battle had drained all her strength. Her face became increasingly gaunt, her long hair clinging to her cheeks, making her look pale, yet the deep-seated beauty was undeniable.
Only when lying in Yang Hao’s arms did Lan Ling not seem like a warrior, but transformed into a real woman. She curled up like a kitten, a thread of drool dripping from the corner of her mouth, her muscles trembling from extreme fatigue.
Yang Hao held Lan Ling tightly. In their small house belonging to the Dan Ding Sword School, the night was long yet brief. Yang Hao seemed to have just fallen asleep, inhaling the fragrance of her hair, only to awaken instantly, following the faint aroma.
Between that sleep and awakening, twenty hours had passed.
Almost as the sun was about to set again, Yang Hao woke up with a smile from his dream, but the woman in his arms was already gone. The lingering fragrance remained, his arm, used as a pillow all night, still ached, but Lan Ling had vanished without a trace.
Yang Hao sat on the bed, smiling bitterly while stroking his hair. The tips had just started to grow out when Lan Ling had cut a lock away. Yet, besides this, the stubborn woman had not left a single word.
“Yang Hao!” A brown figure burst in from outside.
“What?” Yang Hao jumped up, nearly sending his sword Shadow Moon flying. “Who is it?”
As he asked the question, he also saw clearly who the gray figure rushing in was. Who else would dare charge into Yang Hao’s room other than the old bear brought by the Oracle?
After Elder Hede stormed in, he suspiciously surveyed the room, disappointed to find no imagined naked girl or people in the midst of passionate entanglement. “Where is she? Where is your little sister?”
“Gone.” Yang Hao was even more disappointed than Hede. “She just walked away while I was sleeping.”
“What?” Hede looked Yang Hao up and down, noticing he was still wearing the clothes from the day before, clearly not having engaged in any passion. He grinned slyly, “You still haven’t made a move. This record-breaking delay shows this woman is really something.”
“She’s really something.” Yang Hao walked to the mirror to fix his hair. “She’s still upset about my engagement to the princess.”
“That’s right!” Hede suddenly remembered why he had rushed in. “The Crown Prince has arrived and wants to see you.”
“The Crown Prince?” Yang Hao narrowed his eyes, vaguely recalling such a person. Back in the Beast Heart Sword Group and the Grand Palace, this person had saved him several times.
“I don’t think it’s anything good. He seems restless, not like someone who just won a battle.” Hede also tried to groom his fur like Yang Hao, though he only made it messier.
Yang Hao tried to shift his thoughts away from Lan Ling and asked Hede, “What do you think?”
Hede, being cunning and calculating, said, “Although the Ghost Elder was severely wounded and the emperor rescued, the Senate’s power hasn’t been greatly damaged. Looking at how they only trapped the dragon instead of killing it, the situation wasn’t beyond control in the first place.
But now that you’ve struck, the emperor and the Senate are now openly at war.”
“Not a bad thing.” Yang Hao smirked. “That old guy, the Heroic Emperor, wanted to hide behind me and let me fight the elders alone. He must think I have a death wish.”
“Now the royal family is in trouble.” Hede, who had fought against the empire his whole life, was somewhat delighted by the misfortune. “The elders won’t tolerate such a defeat. The Crown Prince’s visit probably means he wants your help.”
“We’ll see.” Yang Hao changed his clothes. “Hundreds of elders, no idea where they’ve gone.”
Yang Hao didn’t know where the elders had gone, but the Crown Prince did. Although he hadn’t participated in yesterday’s fierce battle, the Crown Prince had witnessed it all too clearly. Though lacking his father’s boldness and martial prowess, the Crown Prince was no fool. After the Ghostly Veil was breached, the convergence of several pieces of information left him drenched in cold sweat. Without waiting for the Heroic Emperor’s orders, he rushed straight to Yang Hao.
The sun shone brightly today, and the Dan Ding Sect’s estate was lush with plants, vibrant flowers, and green willows, a rare sight of prosperity unseen outside.
Yet such beauty did nothing to lift the Crown Prince’s mood. He was always filled with worry, a sense of impending storm and earth-shattering crisis.
When Yang Hao appeared, the Crown Prince couldn’t contain himself any longer, grabbing Yang Hao’s hand. “You’ve caused a huge mess.”
“What’s wrong?” Yang Hao smiled as he sat down. “Tea? It’s from the Oracle, the best in the universe.”
The Crown Prince’s face remained stern. “You still have the heart to drink tea. Don’t you know it’s already dire? Don’t wait until death is at your door to feel fear.”
“I’ve been at death’s door many times before.” Yang Hao pointed at his nose. “But I’m still alive. Why are you in such a hurry? Even if the sky falls, there’s always General Qin to hold it up.”
The Crown Prince stared intently at Yang Hao, trying to see through his expression whether Yang Hao was truly so carefree.
Yang Hao spread his hands wide, letting him look as boldly as he wished.
Finally, the Crown Prince sighed and slumped into the chair, not lifting his head. “I know I’m useless. Even Father the Emperor thinks I’m weak. But the entire world, the whole universe, was built by the Senate. Can we really stand against them? Father has grand ambitions and doesn’t want to be under the Senate’s thumb forever, but he never thinks about how powerful the Senate is, how much strength the Executive Elders have, and behind them, there’s even a Supreme. If a single Ghost Elder could leave you helpless, who can stop the nine Executives when they unite in the future?”
“What do you suggest then?” Yang Hao asked.
“Apologize with humility.” The Crown Prince thought Yang Hao was genuinely asking and spoke urgently. “We should go to Elder Mountain immediately, apologize to the Executives, and ask for their judgment.”
Yang Hao smiled. The Crown Prince’s naivety made him feel even more the helplessness and loneliness of the Heroic Emperor.
“Yang Hao, especially you, must sincerely apologize. You’ve made too many mistakes, even daring to assassinate the Supreme. The Senate is mainly upset with you. Now you’ve even implicated Father the Emperor.”
The Crown Prince looked worried and genuinely troubled. “You are the future emperor. Are you really willing to become a puppet of the Senate?”
The Crown Prince hesitated. “It can’t be that serious. After all, the elders need the royal family.”
“The Heroic Emperor, with all his passion, was still half a puppet,” Yang Hao said casually. “What about you? If one day you truly ascend the throne, will you be just a soft ball in the elders’ hands?”
A soft ball is useless, easily flattened and molded, completely at their mercy.
“Yang Hao!” The Crown Prince stood up abruptly. “What you’re saying is treason!”
“Treason against whom?” Yang Hao remained unmoved. “I say these heartfelt words because you’ve saved me twice. If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t even bother talking to them.”
The Crown Prince sighed sorrowfully, his earlier anger instantly gone. Deep down, he knew Yang Hao wasn’t wrong at all. If one day he ascended the throne, he would surely be played to death by the Senate.
The Crown Prince lacked the strength of the Heroic Emperor and had no way to resist, seemingly destined only to be a puppet.
“You came here for something else, didn’t you?” Yang Hao asked.
“Oh, right!” The Crown Prince suddenly remembered his purpose. “I came to tell you about the Hidden Dragon Pavilion and advise you to prepare in advance.”
“Hidden Dragon Pavilion?” This was the first time Yang Hao had heard the term, but the Mixed Yuan Master inside him let out an unfathomable sigh.
Even Elder Hede, who had just entered, was astonished. “The Hidden Dragon Pavilion? Does it still exist?”
“You know it too?” The Crown Prince frowned at Hede. The old bear’s appearance was unimpressive, making it hard to believe he was a top expert.
Hede’s expression turned serious. He extended one palm, twisted his wrist strangely, and then clenched it into a fist, making a gesture that defied comprehension. He roared, “The sword is ready in hand!”
With the shout, a sword aura erupted from him, piercing the heavens.
Yang Hao’s eyes lit up. He had heard the Heroic Emperor shout this phrase in the palace before; each time it served as a morale booster.
It seemed this slogan held great significance.
Indeed, as Hede made that gesture, the Crown Prince was startled back a step.
“Who are you? Are you also a Hidden Dragon?”
“Elder Hede,” Yang Hao introduced briefly. “The lifelong elder of the Holy Bear Star, the spiritual leader of the Bear Clan, a hero of the Left Spiral Arm War, and also the deputy lord of the Oracle Autonomous Territory.”
“Hede!” The Crown Prince jumped up. If not for Yang Hao’s presence, he would have fled the room and screamed for an assassin.
This was understandable. Hede’s name was notorious. He had been on the Senate and Empire’s wanted lists for countless years, and despite the Empire’s extensive efforts, they had never managed to eliminate him.
It could be said that this spiritual leader of the resistance was a nightmare for the Empire for decades, a thorn in their eye and flesh. Even though the resistance had become the Oracle Autonomous Territory, Hede still terrified the Empire’s nobility.
The Galactic Empire’s Era of the Valiant Emperor.
It was destined to be recorded in history. As the longest and most powerful empire in the history of intelligent life reached its twilight, the two factions holding supreme power finally erupted into violent conflict.
This conflict was like a premeditated explosion, accumulated over countless smaller detonations spanning roughly five hundred years, culminating in a cataclysmic blast.
The desolate cosmos, the vast world—every corner of existence trembled under the overwhelming shockwaves.
The Senate’s two schemes, “Dragon’s Cage” and “Stranglehold,” were shattered overnight, and the one who accomplished this was but a single man.
This man, with his own strength, achieved what tens of thousands of imperial guards and countless soldiers could not.
His name had spread beyond the four seas. His swordsmanship, even his iconic white cloak, became the most fashionable trends in the empire.
Yet Yang Hao, the one who had created all this, was not intoxicated by it. He didn’t even notice the changes around him, let alone realize that he was gradually becoming the center of this world.
After breaking through the Thirty-Six Ghostly Seals, Yang Hao rescued Lan Ling. He didn’t linger in the palace, nor did he seek any reward from the Valiant Emperor. He simply flew away with Lan Ling in his arms.
As if all his life-and-death struggles, his defiance against the Senate Elders, had been solely for the sake of saving this woman.
Lan Ling had fallen into a deep slumber. Months of brutal battles had drained all her strength. Her face had grown gaunt, her long hair clinging to her pale cheeks, yet the beauty hidden beneath was unmistakable.
Only in Yang Hao’s arms did Lan Ling cease to be a warrior and become a true woman. She curled up like a kitten, drooling slightly at the corners of her mouth, her muscles trembling from exhaustion.
Yang Hao held her tightly. In their small pavilion within the Danding Sword Sect, the night passed both slowly and swiftly. Yang Hao seemed to have just fallen asleep inhaling the scent of Lan Ling’s hair when he awoke again to its faint fragrance.
Between that sleep and wakefulness, twenty hours had passed.
It was nearly sunset when Yang Hao awoke with a smile, only to find the woman in his arms gone. The lingering fragrance remained, his arm still sore from being her pillow all night, but Lan Ling had vanished without a trace.
Yang Hao sat on the bed, rubbing his hair with a wry smile. A newly grown lock had been snipped off by Lan Ling. But aside from that, the stubborn woman had left not a single word behind.
“Yang Hao!” A brown blur burst through the door.
“What?” Yang Hao leapt up, nearly summoning Shadowmoon. “Who is it?”
By the time he asked, he had already recognized the shabby figure rushing in. None but the old bear brought by the Oracle would dare barge into Yang Hao’s quarters so boldly.
Elder Heard stormed in, scanning the room with ill intent, only to find no naked women or any other scandalous sights. Disappointed, he muttered, “Where is she? Your little sister?”
“Gone.” Yang Hao was even more disappointed. “She left while I was asleep.”
“Eh?” Heard eyed Yang Hao up and down, noting he was still in yesterday’s clothes, showing no signs of passion. He smirked slyly. “Still haven’t sealed the deal? That’s a record. This woman’s something else.”
“She is something else.” Yang Hao walked to the mirror to fix his hair. “She still remembers my engagement to the princess. She’s upset.”
“Right!” Heard suddenly recalled why he had barged in. “That so-called Crown Prince is here. Says he wants to see you.”
“Crown Prince?” Yang Hao narrowed his eyes, vaguely recalling such a person—the one who had saved him multiple times in the Beastheart Sword Regiment and the grand palace.
“Doesn’t look like good news. He’s restless, not like someone who just won a battle.” Heard mimicked Yang Hao by grooming his fur, only to make it messier.
Yang Hao forced his thoughts away from Lan Ling and asked Heard, “What do you think?”
Heard, ever the strategist, replied, “Though the Ghost Elder is severely wounded and the Emperor rescued, the Senate’s power remains largely intact. And judging by their ‘Dragon’s Cage’ rather than ‘Dragon’s Slaughter,’ they never intended an irreparable conflict. But your actions have forced the Emperor and the Senate into open war.”
“Not a bad thing.” Yang Hao scoffed. “The Valiant Emperor wanted to hide behind me, making me fight the Senate alone. As if my life wasn’t hard enough.”
“The royal family’s in trouble now.” Heard, having fought the empire his whole life, couldn’t help but gloat. “The Senate won’t tolerate this defeat. The Crown Prince’s visit is likely to ask for your help.”
“We’ll see.” Yang Hao changed clothes. “Hundreds of elders—who knows where they’ve scattered?”
Yang Hao didn’t know where the elders had gone, but the Crown Prince did. Though he hadn’t participated in yesterday’s battle, its ferocity was etched in his mind. The Valiant Emperor’s son lacked his father’s courage and martial prowess but was no fool. After the Ghostly Seals were broken, the gathered intelligence left him drenched in cold sweat. Without waiting for the Emperor’s orders, he rushed straight to Yang Hao.
Today’s sunlight was radiant. The Danding Sect’s estate was lush with vibrant flora, a thriving sight unseen elsewhere.
Yet even such beauty failed to lift the Crown Prince’s spirits. A sense of impending doom weighed on him—a storm was coming, one that could shake heaven and earth.
When Yang Hao appeared, the Crown Prince couldn’t contain himself. He grabbed Yang Hao’s arm. “You’ve caused a disaster.”
“Care for a drink?” Yang Hao smiled as he sat. “Tea? From the Oracle’s stock—the finest in the universe.”
The Crown Prince’s face was stern. “How can you think of tea at a time like this? Must you wait until death’s at your door to feel fear?”
“I’ve faced death many times.” Yang Hao tapped his nose. “Still alive, aren’t I? Why the rush? Even if the sky falls, there’s always someone taller to hold it up.”
The Crown Prince stared at Yang Hao, as if trying to discern whether he truly lacked all sense of urgency.
Yang Hao spread his hands, inviting scrutiny with an air of righteousness.
Finally, the Crown Prince sighed and slumped into a chair, not lifting his head. “I know I’m useless. Even my father thinks me weak. But this empire, this entire universe, was built by the Senate. Can we truly oppose them? My father dreams of breaking free from their grip, but he fails to see their might—the power of the Senate Elders, the Supreme One behind them. Today, a single Ghost Elder brought you to your knees. What happens when all nine Elders unite? Who can stop them?”
“What do you suggest?” Yang Hao asked.
“Beg for forgiveness.” The Crown Prince, thinking Yang Hao sincere, urged, “We must go to the Senate Mountain, kneel before the Elders, and accept their judgment.”
Yang Hao chuckled. The Crown Prince’s naivety only deepened his sense of the Valiant Emperor’s isolation.
“Yang Hao, especially you. You must repent sincerely. Your crimes are too many—daring to assassinate the Supreme One! The Senate’s wrath is directed at you, and now my father bears the blame too.” The Crown Prince’s face was etched with genuine distress.
“You’re the future emperor. Do you truly wish to be the Senate’s puppet?”
The Crown Prince froze. “Surely it’s not that dire. The Senate still needs the royal family.”
“Even the Valiant Emperor, for all his pride, is half a puppet.” Yang Hao said casually. “What hope do you have? If you ascend the throne one day, will you let them mold you like clay?”
A soft ball is useless—easily flattened, reshaped, and manipulated.
“Yang Hao!” The Crown Prince shot up. “These words border on treason!”
“Treason against whom?” Yang Hao remained unmoved. “You tried to save me twice. That’s why I speak frankly. Anyone else, I wouldn’t bother.”
The Crown Prince sighed, his anger vanishing as quickly as it had come. Deep down, he knew Yang Hao was right. If he ever became emperor, the Senate would toy with him until his demise.
The Crown Prince knew he lacked his father’s strength. Resistance seemed impossible. His fate as a puppet seemed sealed.
“You came for another reason, didn’t you?” Yang Hao asked.
“Oh, yes!” The Crown Prince remembered his purpose. “I came to warn you about the Hidden Dragon Pavilion. You must prepare.”
“Hidden Dragon Pavilion?” It was the first time Yang Hao had heard the name, but Hunyuanzi within him let out an enigmatic sigh.
Even Heard, who had just entered, was stunned. “The Hidden Dragon Pavilion? It still exists?”
“You know of it?” The Crown Prince frowned at Heard, whose unkempt bear appearance hardly matched the image of a supreme expert.
Heard’s expression turned solemn. He raised a paw, twisted his wrist oddly, then clenched it into a fist—a gesture both baffling and profound. “The sword remains in hand!”
With those words, a surge of sword energy erupted from him, piercing the heavens.
Yang Hao’s eyes gleamed. He had heard this cry in the palace, where it had rallied spirits like a battle cry. Clearly, there was more to this slogan than met the eye.
Indeed, when Heard made the gesture, the Crown Prince recoiled in shock.
“Who are you? Are you… a Hidden Dragon?”
“Elder Heard.” Yang Hao introduced him succinctly. “Lifetime Elder of the Sacred Bear Star, spiritual leader of the Bearkin, hero of the Outer Spiral Arm War, and deputy ruler of the Oracle Dominion.”
“Heard!” The Crown Prince leapt up. Were Yang Hao not present, he might have fled screaming of assassins.
No wonder the Crown Prince was alarmed. Heard’s name was infamous. He had topped the Senate and Empire’s most-wanted lists for decades, eluding countless attempts on his life.
The spiritual leader of the rebellion had been the empire’s nightmare for years—a thorn in their side. Even now, with the rebellion transformed into the Oracle Dominion, Heard’s name still struck fear into imperial nobles.
“The very same.” Heard’s mere presence exuded menace, his beady eyes chilling the Crown Prince to the bone.
The Crown Prince struggled to hide his fear, but his trembling hands betrayed him.
*Thwack!*
Yang Hao smacked Heard, shattering the tense atmosphere. “Enough theatrics, old bear. Tell me about the Hidden Dragon Pavilion.”
Heard could intimidate the Crown Prince but was helpless against Yang Hao. “The Hidden Dragon Pavilion is extraordinary—an organization renowned yet obscure.”
“It was founded by my father,” the Crown Prince interjected, trying to salvage pride.
“Wrong!” Heard refuted bluntly. “The Hidden Dragon Pavilion has existed for at least five thousand years, one of Earth’s oldest legacies. Your father is merely a member.”
“Five thousand years…” Yang Hao gasped. Anything older than Hunyuanzi was ancient indeed.
“Far longer,” Hunyuanzi chimed in. “The Hidden Dragon Pavilion existed even in antiquity.”
Yang Hao’s interest soared. As his power grew, so did his curiosity about ancient martial arts and relics. “Tell me more. What kind of organization is it?”
“The Hidden Dragon Pavilion is indestructible.”
Heard and Hunyuanzi opened with the same line.
“In antiquity, a group founded the Hidden Dragon Pavilion. They called themselves Hidden Dragons,” Heard explained. “The name comes from the ancient Earth text *I Ching*: ‘The hidden dragon does not act.’ Since its inception, the pavilion has been hunted by every ruling power. Countless wars have been waged over it, and countless mighty rulers have sought its destruction.”
“But the Hidden Dragon Pavilion endures,” Hunyuanzi added. “Because it is indestructible.”
“Five millennia of upheaval, bloodshed—every historical turning point bears its mark. No dynasty, no war, is untouched by it. Yet no matter whom it aids, whoever rises to power seeks to eradicate it.”
“But it is indestructible,” Hunyuanzi repeated.
“Why must the Hidden Dragon Pavilion be destroyed?” Yang Hao frowned. “It has helped rulers ascend, enabled heroes to achieve greatness. Shouldn’t it be honored?”
“The Hidden Dragon Pavilion is no benefactor. It is an organization of failures—those Hidden Dragons are the world’s true defeated. Crushed by their foes, stripped of all they loved, left with nothing but themselves.” Heard said.
Yang Hao was stunned. The world teemed with organizations, each claiming supremacy to attract talent. Never had he heard one embrace failure.
An organization of failures—could it truly be indestructible?
“Many call themselves failures. Some lament at the slightest setback—such are not true failures. True failures are those who endure countless trials, only to fall at the last moment, losing everything—yet they never give up. No matter how dire, a flame still burns within them, one day destined to set the world ablaze. These are the true Hidden Dragons.” Heard’s voice brimmed with admiration. “Every generation of Hidden Dragons comprises heroes of unmatched valor. Though defeated, their power terrifies. A single stamp of their foot can shake mountains and overturn heavens. Such an assembly—how could it ever perish?”
The Crown Prince tried to suppress his fear, but his hands behind his back trembled slightly, betraying him.
Bang!
Yang Hao slapped Hede hard, completely ruining the imposing atmosphere. “Old bear, stop wasting time. Hurry up and tell us about the Hidden Dragon Pavilion.”
Hede could scare the Crown Prince but was helpless against Yang Hao. “The Hidden Dragon Pavilion is no small matter. It’s an organization, famous yet obscure.”
“It’s an organization established by Father the Emperor.” The Crown Prince tried to save face.
“Wrong!” Hede refuted mercilessly. “The Hidden Dragon Pavilion has existed for at least five thousand years, the oldest lineage on Earth. Your father is at most just a part of it.”
“Five thousand years…” Yang Hao was amazed. Compared to Mixed Yuan Master, anyone older was a venerable old monster.
“More than five thousand years,” Mixed Yuan Master couldn’t help but speak. “The Hidden Dragon Pavilion already existed in ancient times.”
Yang Hao’s interest grew. With the enhancement of his strength, Yang Hao had always been very curious about various martial arts and divine objects from ancient times. “Hurry up and tell me. What kind of organization is the Hidden Dragon Pavilion?”
“The Hidden Dragon Pavilion is an indestructible existence.”
Hede and Mixed Yuan Master used the same sentence to start.
“In ancient times, a group of people established the Hidden Dragon Pavilion. These people all called themselves Hidden Dragons,” Hede said. “The name comes from the ancient Chinese book ‘I Ching,’ specifically the phrase ‘The Hidden Dragon is not used.’ Since its establishment, the Hidden Dragon Pavilion has become the target of every ruling power’s pursuit. In history, there have been countless wars caused by the Hidden Dragon Pavilion. No one knows how many powerful rulers have been enraged by it, killing ten steps away, a thousand miles without leaving a trace.”
“But the Hidden Dragon Pavilion has always existed,” Mixed Yuan Master responded. “Because they are indestructible.”
“Five thousand years of time, shifting powers, blood and storms. In every historical moment, there was its presence. Hardly any dynasty, hardly any war, was unrelated to it. But no matter whom the Hidden Dragon Pavilion helped or whom it enabled to succeed, once anyone ascended to a high position, they would certainly try to eliminate it.”
“But it is indestructible,” Mixed Yuan Master said.
“Why must the Hidden Dragon Pavilion be eliminated?” Yang Hao frowned. “It should have also helped monarchs ascend and enabled heroes to achieve their ambitions. The Hidden Dragon Pavilion should be a group of meritorious subjects.”
“The Hidden Dragon Pavilion has never been a group of meritorious subjects. It is an organization of losers. These Hidden Dragons are the true losers of the world. They were beaten down by their opponents, lost their loved ones, lost everything they had, and had nothing left but themselves,” Hede said.
Yang Hao was stunned. The world was full of organizations, but no matter which one, they all claimed to be the strongest to attract more talents and expand. He had never heard of anyone who openly admitted to being losers.
Could an organization of losers really be indestructible?
“There are many kinds of losers. Some people give up at the slightest setback. Such people cannot be called true losers. The real losers are those who have endured countless dangers and hardships, only to fail at the last moment, defeated utterly, losing everything, yet they have not given up. No matter how desperate the situation, there is still a flame in their hearts. One day, this flame will become a heavenly fire that burns the world. These people are the true Hidden Dragons,” Hede praised. “Every generation of Hidden Dragons are great heroes and mighty warriors. Although they are losers, they possess a power that makes people fear. When they stamp their feet, mountains and rivers change color, and heaven and earth overturn. How can such a Hidden Dragon Pavilion be destroyed?”
“Five thousand years, the Qianlong Pavilion never perishes, and the souls of the defeated never fade,” Hunyuanzi laughed loudly. “I myself nearly became a member of the Qianlong. Unfortunately, my eagerness for revenge caused me to miss the opportunity. Otherwise, who knows who would be wielding the sword today.”
“What about you?” Yang Hao asked Hede, “Are you part of the Qianlong Pavilion?”
“No, I’m not,” Hede replied, his face reddening, to the point that even his hair couldn’t conceal his embarrassment. “Back then, during the battle in the Outer Mongolian Left Spiral Arm, I fought against Situ Hai and was severely wounded, nearly blown into meat paste. It was the Qianlong Pavilion that saved us. Both Situ Hai and I wanted to join the Pavilion, but the people there said that since my homeland still stood, I wasn’t a true failure.”
“Uh…” Yang Hao nodded slightly. “So you were shamefully rejected?”
But Hede then said something significant: “However, Situ Hai is a member of the Qianlong Pavilion. He always has been.”
“What’s the reason he was accepted and you weren’t?” Yang Hao asked indignantly. “Weren’t you both fighting together and getting injured together?”
“He suffered more misfortune than me,” Hede sighed, offering no further explanation. “I thought the Qianlong Pavilion had long since vanished, but who would have thought…”
“But now the Qianlong Pavilion is about to be destroyed,” the Crown Prince, who had been listening silently to Bizhen, finally had his chance to speak. “This is what I came to tell you today. The Qianlong Pavilion, which has endured for five thousand years, is about to be eradicated.”
Yang Hao and Hede silently looked at the Crown Prince.
“In fact, the Qianlong Pavilion has always supported my father. They were his last hope,” the Crown Prince revealed the newly acquired information. “Father sent a group of royal descendants into the Qianlong Pavilion, hoping that one day, he could rely on the power of the Qianlong warriors to completely overthrow the Council of Elders.”
“Did the Elders find out?” Yang Hao suddenly thought of the Elders’ departure and the news from the Merchant Guild regarding the powerful figures.
“Precisely. Three hundred Elders and the Eight Chief Stewards have already surrounded the Qianlong Pavilion,” the Crown Prince said bitterly. “The entire Council of Elders has mobilized, and you all know how powerful they are. Tell me, do you think this time the Qianlong Pavilion will be destroyed?”
“If the Qianlong Pavilion is destroyed, the Elders will return,” Yang Hao muttered. “This seems really bad. If those old demons come back, our lives are in danger.”
“It’s not that simple,” the Crown Prince fixed his gaze on Yang Hao, speaking slowly and clearly. “The Elders are currently surrounding the Qianlong Pavilion and negotiating with my father. They demand that Father hand over a single person in exchange for sparing the Qianlong Pavilion.”
“Hand over someone?” Both Hede and Hunyuanzi exclaimed in shock.
Yang Hao paused, realizing the matter might concern him. Determined to shoulder any misfortune, he grabbed his hair in frustration. “They wouldn’t be asking for me, would they?”
The Crown Prince and Hede silently looked at Yang Hao, their sorrowful expressions clearly saying, “If not you, then who else?”
Yang Hao felt particularly wronged and grumbled, “It was the old emperor who caused all this trouble with the Qianlong Pavilion. What does it have to do with me? I’m such a promising young man, so why does everyone target me?”
The Crown Prince finally regained some dignity from Yang Hao and sympathetically patted his shoulder. “Brother, I’ve passed the message to you. Soon, this matter will be discussed in court, and I’m afraid the high officials will definitely sacrifice you. You’d better prepare yourself.”
Yang Hao showed no expression on his face but felt grateful toward the Crown Prince. This matter had little to do with him, and he could have easily chosen not to inform Yang Hao.
“Don’t worry, those old monsters might not necessarily be able to take me down,” Yang Hao smiled at the Crown Prince. “Things have changed. I’m no longer the person who obediently stood trial in the Grand Palace.”
“Right,” the Crown Prince felt relieved, as he truly didn’t want Yang Hao to be sacrificed in vain. “Oh, by the way, there’s another thing.”
“Another thing?” Yang Hao’s heart skipped a beat. Was today really his unlucky day, with everyone after his precious life?
“Tomorrow night, there’s a ball to celebrate the lifting of the siege on the palace. It’s hosted by Xuanlan and me, and all the young noble elites of the capital will attend,” the Crown Prince smiled brightly. “You’re my top invited guest, especially since you’re now Xuanlan’s fiancé, the future son-in-law of the Emperor, and my future brother-in-law. You must arrive early.”
“What?”
Looking at the Crown Prince’s mischievous smile, Yang Hao felt even more frustrated. It was like pouring oil on the fire. He hadn’t even figured out Blue Feather, and now there was the cursed Xuanlan.
But the Crown Prince had already shoved a golden invitation into Yang Hao’s hand, his hopeful gaze almost burning Yang Hao alive. “I’m counting on you, brother-in-law!”
Yang Hao was convinced that the Crown Prince was a living embodiment of bad luck. Every time he appeared, it meant trouble was on the way.
He truly wished tomorrow would never come.
The Council of Elders demanded the Emperor hand over Yang Hao.
Meeting Princess Xuanlan.
Between these two events, Yang Hao dreaded the latter the most.
Princess Xuanlan’s terrifying reputation had surpassed even the Nine Chief Stewards of the Elders, making Yang Hao, a newly ascended Saint-level expert, want to avoid her at all costs.
Unfortunately, the more you fear something, the more likely it is to happen. Moreover, Yang Hao was now officially Princess Xuanlan’s fiancé. If the two wanted to avoid meeting, even if he agreed, the entire world would not allow it.
Thus, that day quickly arrived.
The palace ball had always been a stage for the young noble elites of the Empire to showcase themselves. Especially when hosted jointly by the Crown Prince and the Princess, it was one of the most significant events in the capital. Those who received an invitation were invariably the offspring of high-ranking officials and aristocrats. Possessing one of those golden invitations meant one had been accepted into the Empire’s upper echelons, bringing honor even to one’s entire family.
It must be said that the Crown Prince was genuinely considerate of Yang Hao. Although Yang Hao had become a recognized young expert in the Empire over this time, even saving the life of the Emperor himself, the upper echelons of the Empire had not accepted him. Most of the true high-ranking nobles ignored his achievements, looking down on this common-born youth from the bottom of their hearts.
By personally inviting Yang Hao to the ball, the Crown Prince was painstakingly trying to help Yang Hao formally enter high society, preparing him for his future role as the Princess’s husband.
Tonight’s ball was held to celebrate the palace’s liberation from siege, so it was set within the palace itself, not far from where the Elder Gui’s Thirty-Six Ghost Enclosure had been. It was a hall where the Imperial Guards trained. Within just a few days, the entire building had been renovated and decorated with exquisite embellishments. Tons of ball equipment were brought in, and a dazzling venue for the party quickly emerged.
When Yang Hao entered this luxurious venue, it was already dark outside, pitch black, hiding the corpses of the tens of thousands of Imperial Guards who had fallen there. Yet, as Yang Hao entered the brightly lit, festive palace, he could faintly detect a lingering scent of blood.
Soon, he saw the people those Imperial Guards had died protecting.
As Yang Hao stepped inside, the entire gathering fell silent in an instant. The music and chatter stopped abruptly. Everyone in the room turned their heads, fixing Yang Hao with various gazes.
Yang Hao looked exceptionally handsome tonight, almost dazzlingly so. He hadn’t followed the fashion of other nobles, donning gaudy golden garments or eccentric outfits to attract women’s attention. Instead, he wore the black commander’s uniform, reserved for the highest-ranking military officers in the Empire. The well-fitted uniform made him look tall and upright. The pale silver shoulder cape was an honor usually reserved for the highest ministers, second only to the royal family. None of the young nobles here, not even their fathers, had the privilege to wear such a garment.
Yang Hao’s thin face and black hair tinged with a hint of red stood out in the quiet darkness, making the proud noble girls widen their eyes in astonishment.
Among them, whispers spread: “The Undying War God, that’s the Undying War God Yang Hao.”
These whispers only increased the women’s admiration, making them wish to rush toward him immediately.
Yang Hao stood there for a moment, and the silence at the gathering finally broke. New music and conversations resumed, though this time, everyone’s eyes kept glancing toward Yang Hao.
Yang Hao briefly scanned his surroundings. Indeed, the nobles’ parties were extremely luxurious. The food and wine were beyond mention, but the thousands of flowerpots brought from the Divine Prophecy over long distances alone had transformed the entire palace into an ocean of flowers. Each noble wore jewelry more dazzling than the next, as if they were competing in a contest of brilliance.
Every ball has its natural centerpieces, and tonight was no exception. However, being the focus of the ball wasn’t solely about status. For example, the Crown Prince himself, already married with his wife present, stood in a relatively cold and deserted corner.
Before Yang Hao’s arrival, the ball had two absolute focal points. One was naturally Princess Xuanlan. The Princess was heavily made up tonight, wearing a low-cut silver evening gown. Her long skirt dragged on the ground, but the hem was cut high, revealing glimpses of her delicate thighs. Although Princess Xuanlan had a notorious reputation, she was undeniably beautiful and skillful at manipulation, which kept a group of oblivious noble youths circling around her, treating her like a celestial being.
The other focal point was somewhat peculiar. Lanling had also attended the ball tonight. Unlike Xuanlan, she wasn’t sociable. She wore a simple purple dress, with a skirt that fell past her knees, revealing her shapely calves.
She rarely wore high heels, but tonight she did, making her look even more slender. Lanling usually never wore jewelry, but tonight she wore earrings and a necklace, adding an unexpected touch of softness that made her even more striking.
There wasn’t a single person near Lanling. She was simply sitting in a corner of the ballroom, sipping her drink indifferently. When Yang Hao walked in, she didn’t even glance sideways. Yet, Lanling was undoubtedly another focal point of the ball, as a large group of noble youths gathered not far from her, too afraid to approach but keeping their eyes fixed on her, whispering among themselves, seemingly discussing how to please the ice beauty. In terms of numbers, the nobles showing interest in Lanling actually outnumbered those around Princess Xuanlan.
Lanling was the most beautiful woman in the capital, her beauty even surpassing that of Princess Xuanlan. But she was also known as the Ice Beauty, notoriously difficult to approach. These noble youths, who usually chased after women with great enthusiasm, had all suffered at Lanling’s hands before. Thus, they dared not act rashly in her presence, merely watching from afar. But if Lanling so much as glanced at someone, it was enough to spark a lengthy conversation.
“Just now, Lanling looked at me.”
“You must have had some really good luck. I’m so handsome, yet she didn’t even spare me a glance.”
“Do you think I should go ask her to dance?”
“If you want to die, go ahead. Have you forgotten the might of her silver spear?”
“Then why don’t you go to the Princess? The Princess won’t stab you with a spear.”
“What are you talking about! Can the first beauty of the capital be approached so easily? I’ve had my eyes on Lanling since I was five years old. I’ve waited all the way to today and still haven’t managed to dance with her even once. Do you think this is easy for me?”
“I heard there’s some kind of rumor between Lanling and that guy Yang Hao.”
“Just rumors. Do you think Lanling would take a liking to him? Would our capital’s number one beauty, the ultimate Ice Beauty, really take a liking to that common-born kid? That common-born kid must have had a lifetime’s worth of bad luck.”
Unknowingly, Yang Hao, the “common-born kid” being discussed among the nobles, had also become a focal point of attention. However, his situation was somewhat different. A large crowd of noble women had gathered around him.
These women were no small fry; most were daughters of high-ranking officials and famous socialites from the upper echelons of society. They usually had very high standards. Even if they weren’t as cold and aloof as Lanling, they wouldn’t even raise their eyelids at nobles from lower ranks, let alone an officer like Yang Hao, who came from a common background.
But things were very different now. Yang Hao had become a rising star in the Empire. His reputation as the Undying War God had spread far and wide, and his status as the Lord of the Divine Prophecy Autonomous Territory, the top sword sect in the universe, was no less impressive than that of a chief minister.
Such a young, handsome, and unparalleled figure naturally attracted social butterflies like flies to honey.
Yang Hao was quite troubled. He had thought the ball was just a gathering of idle young nobles socializing, and he had come here mainly to see Lanling. However, as soon as he entered, he was surrounded by a group of heavily made-up women. Their strange perfume wafted into his nose, and Yang Hao struggled to suppress the urge to sneeze, desperately trying to keep some distance from these women.
But the women mistook Yang Hao’s reserve for shyness and pressed in even closer. A mass of soft, touchable chests rubbed against Yang Hao, squeezing him to the point where he almost wanted to cut his way out with his Shadow Moon Blade.
In fact, Yang Hao had already spotted Lanling as soon as he came in. He had wanted to run to her side immediately, but on his way, his body became entangled with various beauties from high society, making each step extremely difficult. Yang Hao noticed that although Lanling wasn’t looking his way and was just quietly sipping her drink, her expression was growing colder and more unpleasant by the second.
Just as Yang Hao was about to lose his temper, the Crown Prince, the embodiment of bad luck, appeared again.
“Yang Hao!” The Crown Prince’s excited voice made one wonder if there was some unspeakable secret between them.
The crown prince wasn’t the least bit reserved. Upon his arrival, he directly took Yang Hao’s hand and led him to the center of the gathering. Raising his hand to signal everyone to quiet down, he loudly announced, “Let me introduce to everyone our most important guest of honor tonight.”
Although nearly everyone recognized Yang Hao, the men’s glances held more of disdain. They had come over merely out of respect for the crown prince’s status and formed a circle around them.
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