The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's branch in the Star Luo Imperial City was a large, secure compound located in a prosperous commercial district. After the caravan arrived, the branch manager, already briefed by Ning Rongrong, respectfully led everyone into a secret room in the inner courtyard to settle in.
Ye Yin didn't act immediately. He knew that with the enemy on high alert, every step had to be taken with extreme caution. For the next two days, the group remained indoors while the branch's staff handled all outside contact and gathered information. Meanwhile, Ye Yin used the terrifying power of his 100,000-year-old Spirit Bone to act as an invisible ghost, continuously monitoring the movements within Weisi Mansion and the Zhu family estate. He also subtly fine-tuned the curses he had already placed.
Soon, the effects began to show. According to intelligence reports:
Prince Dai Weisi's cultivation seemed to have hit a snag. He had become extremely irritable and prone to fits of rage, injuring several servants. On one occasion, while listening to a report, he suddenly started roaring at the empty air, appearing completely deranged and frightening everyone present.
A strange rumor also began to circulate among the personal guards at his mansion. They claimed the newly issued "Godly Zhuge Crossbows" were flashy but impractical, with complex parts that were prone to malfunctioning. Some even swore they had nearly injured their own colleagues while practicing with them. A strong resistance to the new equipment grew among the guards, who now preferred to rely on their own spirit abilities.
Even more bizarrely, Master Liu from the Imperial Artisan Bureau seemed to have gone mad. He had apparently made "subversive modifications" to the crossbow blueprints. It was said that the resulting creations now fired bolts that would curve in the air and hit their own people in the backside.
When this last piece of news arrived, everyone in the secret room burst out laughing.
"Yin Ge, your curses… they truly aim for psychological warfare," Dai Mubai said, shaking his head with a wry smile, his eyes full of satisfaction. Even Zhu Zhuqing's lips curved slightly upwards.
"Let them be arrogant! This will give them a taste of their own medicine," Ning Rongrong giggled.
"It's almost time," Ye Yin said, putting down the intelligence report. A sharp glint appeared in his eyes. "Dai Weisi's mind is a mess, and his guards' equipment is in chaos. This is the perfect time for us to act. Mubai, Little San, get ready. Tonight, you'll pay a visit to the Old Prince and General Lei Meng."
That night, under the cover of a dark, windy sky, two shadows silently merged into the streets of the Star Luo Imperial City. Tang San was responsible for scouting ahead and dealing with any hidden sentries, while Dai Mubai, relying on his old familiarity with the city, guided the way.
Their first target was the bedridden Old Prince, Dailong. His mansion was far less guarded than Dai Weisi's, as its owner had long been removed from the center of power. Tang San and Dai Mubai easily slipped past the few guards on patrol and arrived outside a dimly lit bedroom deep within the estate. Through the window, they could see a gaunt, white-haired old man leaning against his bed, coughing violently. It was Prince Dailong.
Dai Mubai nodded to Tang San, and the two drifted into the room like smoke, making no sound.
"Who's there?!" A figure built like an iron tower suddenly rose from the shadows beside the bed. The powerful aura of a Spirit Emperor erupted, locking onto the two intruders. It was the Old Prince's loyal guard, Daian.
Tang San and Dai Mubai immediately stopped, holding up their hands to show they meant no harm. Dai Mubai removed his mask, revealing his handsome face, now marked with weariness and determination. He bowed slightly. "Mubai pays his respects to Grandpa Long and Uncle An."
Daian was stunned. The hostility in his eyes faded, replaced by disbelief, though he remained vigilant. "Your… Your Highness Mubai?! Is it really you? Why have you come back?!"
Prince Dailong also stopped coughing. His cloudy eyes struggled to focus on Dai Mubai, and his voice trembled. "Mubai? Is that you, you little rascal? Cough, cough… You have some nerve! With the way things are in the city, you still dare to return?!"
Dai Mubai straightened up, his gaze firm. "Grandpa Long, I have returned. There are some debts that must be repaid, and some responsibilities that can no longer be avoided. We didn't come back unprepared this time."
Prince Dailong stared at him for a long time, as if trying to see all the changes the years had wrought. Finally, he let out a long sigh. "Dai Weisi has been acting strangely lately. His temper has become violent and erratic. Is this your doing?"
"Those who do evil will bring about their own destruction," Dai Mubai said instead of giving a direct answer. "If his conscience is clear, what storm should he fear?"
The Old Prince was silent for a moment. "The struggles for the throne will only harm the empire… Never mind. This old body doesn't have many days left. What do you want me to do?"
"I wouldn't dare ask you to risk yourself, Grandpa Long," Dai Mubai said. "I only hope that when the time comes, you can speak a word for the good of the empire. I also need to know which of the elders in the imperial family are concerned about Dai Weisi's recent actions."
Prince Dailong considered this, then named a few individuals. Dai Mubai carefully committed them to memory, then bowed again. "Thank you, Grandpa Long. Please take care of yourself. I must go now."
With that, he and Tang San disappeared back into the darkness. Prince Dailong watched the spot where they had vanished, a flicker of faint hope in his old eyes, which finally faded into a complex sigh.
Leaving the Prince's mansion, the two headed for their next target: the residence of Lei Meng, the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards. His home was near the barracks, and the security was noticeably tighter, but it was no trouble for them. They easily found his study, where a light was still on despite the late hour. Inside, a tall, resolute-faced man was staring intently at a map on the wall, a hint of worry on his brow. It was Lei Meng.
Dai Mubai and Tang San appeared in the room as silently as they had in the last. Lei Meng, however, reacted instantly. He whirled around, his battle saber Spirit materializing in his hand as he roared, "Who's there?!"
But when he saw Dai Mubai's face, he froze as if struck by lightning. His spirit rings instantly vanished, and the battle saber clattered to the floor. His eyes, fierce as a tiger's, filled with shock, excitement, and utter disbelief.
"Your… Your Highness?! Your Highness Mubai?! Is it really you?!"