Supernatural Brokers Rampaging in the Human World - Chapter 183 - Conspiracy

For an entire week, there was no news of Liu Yun. Even Daoist Xuanxu, who went to investigate, returned empty-handed. Hai Chen grew increasingly anxious, for the first time hating his own helplessness.

On the eighth day, Liu Yun returned, his clothes soaked in blood.

Daoist Xuanxu was shocked and immediately began treating his injuries. Hai Chen assisted him, though his hands trembled as he worked. When Daoist Xuanxu carefully cut away the fabric stuck to Liu Yun’s wounded back, Liu Yun didn’t utter a sound, but Hai Chen’s tears began to fall uncontrollably.

Liu Yun’s face was pale, his lips cracked, and dark circles shadowed his eyes-a clear sign of sleepless nights. It was evident that the past week had been nothing short of torment for him.

“Don’t cry…” Liu Yun’s voice was hoarse, barely audible, as he tried to comfort Hai Chen. His vocal cords sounded as though they had been torn apart.

Hai Chen sniffled and tried his best to hold back his tears. Daoist Xuanxu, meanwhile, shook his head as he worked deftly to treat Liu Yun’s wounds, silently thinking that he might have been better off handling this alone. The young boy was too overwhelmed to be of much help.

Though Liu Yun’s injuries looked gruesome, they were mostly superficial. A month of recovery would suffice. But in the court, a month was more than enough time for countless schemes to unfold.

Since returning from his confinement, Liu Yun often wore a furrowed brow. Every day, shadowy figures came and went from the Prince’s Mansion, entering and exiting his study. Yet his expression remained tense, never relaxing.

Hai Chen watched with a heavy heart and secretly asked Hu Jiu, “Is my wish… really capable of anything?”

Hu Jiu, sensing what Hai Chen intended, widened her eyes in disbelief but reluctantly replied, “Of course it can do anything… But you… you’re so foolish!”

Hai Chen pressed his lips together, grappling with the greed he despised within himself. Before he could make a decision, Liu Yun summoned him to the study. Liu Yun’s expression was serious, his tone solemn: “Chen, tonight you’ll leave with Master and stay outside the city for a while. Once things settle down, I’ll bring you back. Then, I’ll take you to see the sea, alright?”

Hai Chen froze, staring at Liu Yun before shaking his head vigorously. “I won’t leave!”

“Chen, be good,” Liu Yun sighed, his voice tinged with helplessness. He pulled Hai Chen into an embrace, lowering his head as if to say something. In the end, he placed a gentle kiss on Hai Chen’s forehead.

Hai Chen’s eyes widened in disbelief. He looked at Liu Yun, wanting to ask something but instead said, “I can help you!”

Liu Yun chuckled softly and shook his head. “It’s too dangerous here, Chen…”

“The Nine-tailed Cat can help you! I’m not joking! If you want to be Emperor, I’ll tell Nina. My wish is for you to become Emperor…” Hai Chen grew agitated, realizing the depth of Liu Yun’s feelings. They liked each other-truly liked each other!

Liu Yun quickly covered Hai Chen’s mouth. “Are you insane? You can’t just say things like that!”

Hai Chen shook his head vehemently and held Hu Jiu up to Liu Yun. “Nina, say something! Tell him I’m serious!”

Hu Jiu glanced at the naive boy, her heart filled with exasperation. She let out a dignified “meow” and said, “This foolish boy is correct. I can indeed grant one wish.”

Even Liu Yun, usually composed, was momentarily stunned to hear a cat speak. He reached out to grab Hu Jiu, but she dodged gracefully. Now a majestic feline with snow-white fur that shimmered in the light, Hu Jiu raised her head in an elegant and proud manner. “Hai Chen, have you decided on your wish?”

Hai Chen nodded firmly. “My wish is for Liu Yun to become Emperor.”

Hu Jiu sighed and nodded in agreement. Her form began to grow, transforming from an ordinary adult cat into a massive feline the size of a human. Eight tails swayed behind her, creating an awe-inspiring sight. As soon as Hai Chen voiced his wish, one of Hu Jiu’s tails disappeared, and a radiant light entered Liu Yun’s body.

It all happened so quickly. By the time the two of them regained their senses, Hu Jiu was gone. Hai Chen stood there, feeling a pang of loss, staring blankly into the void.

“Chen, whether it’s true or not, thank you. If I ascend the throne, I’ll make you my Empress,” Liu Yun said as he embraced Hai Chen, his warm breath brushing against Hai Chen’s ear, leaving both unsure who was being bewitched.

With Hu Jiu’s power, Hai Chen felt more reassured about Liu Yun’s future. He allowed Daoist Xuanxu to take him to a secluded estate outside the city-a property Liu Yun had secretly purchased for situations like this.

Daoist Xuanxu, curious about Hu Jiu, asked many questions during the journey. Unfortunately, Hai Chen knew little about the Nine-tailed Cat and could only recount his years of companionship with Hu Jiu. As he spoke, he sniffled quietly, his eyes growing misty.

Hu Jiu, now a small cat, remembered the elders’ advice: after losing a tail, she must find a secluded place to recover, lest she fall prey to others. She chose a cave on a hill near the Capital City and spent her days staring into the void. Without Hai Chen’s fish, she struggled to adjust for several days.

Time passed differently in the mountains, but in the human world, events shifted rapidly. By the following spring, everything had finally settled-just half a year later.

The former Emperor abdicated, passing the throne to the Second Prince, Liu Yun.

No one could explain why Liu Yun seemed to be blessed by fate. Everything he did went smoothly, even when the evidence against him in the Fourth Prince’s death was overwhelming. He managed to clear his name and ultimately inherited the throne.

Suddenly, Liu Yun’s allies found themselves basking in glory. As the saying goes, when one person ascends, those around them rise as well. Liu Yun, now thirty years old, had neither a wife nor children, prompting many to scheme for his favor.

With the Emperor’s ascension, the imperial selection process was inevitable. Liu Yun’s mother wasted no time organizing flower-viewing parties and poetry gatherings, inviting noble daughters to the palace to choose a suitable Empress.

Leaving the Empress’s position vacant was detrimental to both public morale and governance, so finding a suitable candidate was imperative.

Liu Yun watched their efforts coldly, returning instead to the Prince’s Mansion. Daoist Xuanxu and Hai Chen were already waiting for him there, visibly relieved by his arrival. Hai Chen moved to hug Liu Yun but was gently sidestepped. He paused, momentarily stunned, but didn’t dwell on it.

Liu Yun took Daoist Xuanxu away without mentioning Hai Chen’s arrangements. Hai Chen felt a flicker of unease but chose to trust Liu Yun. Yet, he soon found himself confined to the Prince’s Mansion.

Most of the mansion’s staff had been dismissed, leaving only a butler and a cook to “look after” Hai Chen. In truth, they were there to keep him under surveillance. Hai Chen lost the freedom to leave the mansion, and the butler, unwilling to be bothered, restricted him to his courtyard. At first, he still received hot meals, but eventually, even cold leftovers became a rarity.

Even Hai Chen, slow to realize at times, understood something was wrong. He was a clever boy, and once he calmed down, he pieced together the truth.

He had been used. The promises of seeing the sea and becoming an Empress were nothing but lies.

Hai Chen stayed in his room, laughing softly at first, then louder and louder. He laughed at the pathetic fool who had been played like a puppet, still clinging to dreams of an Empress’s crown.

How ridiculous… Hai Chen thought to himself. From start to finish, it was all a farce.

Though it was spring, the northern courtyard remained bitterly cold. The bedding was worn and tattered, and Hai Chen curled up on the bed, his stomach growling.

The butler hadn’t brought food for two days. He might actually starve to death here… How laughable. Truly laughable.

Hu Jiu was awakened by the sound of fireworks from the foot of the mountain. Curious, she looked toward the Capital City, where half the night sky was illuminated. It seemed like a grand celebration.

Could it be that Liu Yun is marrying that little fool?! she thought excitedly. If so, she absolutely had to go and see the spectacle!

With that thought, Hu Jiu trotted off toward the Capital City, her steps light and eager.