Supernatural Brokers Rampaging in the Human World - Chapter 184 - Shattered

Hu Jiu moved with nimble steps, weaving through the bustling crowd in the marketplace. She overheard people talking, “The Emperor is really going all out. Just because the Empress loves fireworks, he’s been setting them off for so long!”

“Isn’t that something? I wonder how beautiful the Empress must be!”

“The Empress is the Chancellor’s daughter. Who knows why the Emperor married her…” someone muttered, only to have their mouth quickly covered by a companion.

“Shh! Are you crazy? You can’t talk about the royal family like that!”

Hu Jiu stopped in her tracks, shocked as she watched the group walk away. The Chancellor’s daughter?! Didn’t Liu Yun say he would make that silly boy Hai Chen the Empress?! How did it end up being the Chancellor’s daughter?!

Fuming, Hu Jiu dashed towards the palace.

The Emperor’s wedding turned the vast palace into a sea of red decorations, with red silk draping every corner. Kun Ning Palace was abuzz with joy, servants bustling about. Hu Jiu slipped in unnoticed and saw a woman in a phoenix coronet and bridal robes sitting on the wedding bed. It was clearly a woman, so it couldn’t be Hai Chen.

Half of Hu Jiu’s hopes were dashed, realizing that Hai Chen had likely been deceived by Liu Yun’s sweet words. But-if the Chancellor’s daughter was here, where was Hai Chen?! Where was that silly boy?!

Just then, a commotion arose outside; the Emperor had arrived. He lifted the red veil to reveal a gentle-looking woman sitting there, blushing.

“Waner, I kept my promise,” Liu Yun smiled softly, a look Hu Jiu recognized-it’s the same expression he used to coax Hai Chen! This man was truly a master of deception.

Unable to hold back any longer, Hu Jiu leapt out in a fury, “Liu Yun! Where is Hai Chen? What have you done with him?!”

A shadow flickered in Liu Yun’s eyes, a look that suggested he had anticipated this. The Empress turned pale with fright and fainted. Liu Yun laid her back on the wedding bed and summoned Daoist Xuanxu.

Daoist Xuanxu was prepared, and he quickly drew a talisman to cast at Hu Jiu. But Hu Jiu, agile as ever, dodged it. She realized she had walked into a trap.

Yet, even without all her tails, a Nine-tailed Cat’s spiritual power far surpassed that of a mere Taoist priest. Her form swelled with anger.

Daoist Xuanxu was knocked out by Hu Jiu’s spiritual power. She stepped closer, her imposing figure looming over Liu Yun. “Take me to Hai Chen.”

The guards outside, hearing the commotion, rushed in. They were stunned to see such a large cat with seven tails, and it took them a moment to react. “Protect the Emperor!” one finally shouted.

A group of guards charged forward, their spears aimed at Hu Jiu. Her fur was nicked in places, but with a mighty swipe of her tail, she sent several guards flying.

The Nine-tailed Cat’s claws hovered menacingly near Liu Yun’s throat. “Tell me, where is Hai Chen?”

Liu Yun waved the guards away, his voice cold, “Hai Chen is in my Prince’s Mansion, being well taken care of.”

A low growl rumbled from Hu Jiu’s throat. She glared at him, then tossed him onto her back and sped towards the Prince’s Mansion.

With the Emperor’s wedding, the Prince’s Mansion was even more deserted. Hai Chen lay curled up in his bedding, his mind hazy. He had no idea how long it had been since anyone brought him food. These days, he survived by nibbling on leaves from his courtyard, just enough to keep him somewhat conscious.

When he saw the giant white cat burst into his room, Hai Chen almost thought he was hallucinating from hunger.

Hu Jiu couldn’t believe what she was seeing. The once vibrant and spirited young man was now emaciated beyond recognition…

Liu Yun was also taken aback. Although he had confined Hai Chen to prevent any disruptions, he had ordered that Hai Chen be well cared for… But having grown up in the palace, it didn’t take him long to figure out what had happened.

Hai Chen saw Liu Yun too. A bitter smile appeared on his pale, cracked lips, a smile that seemed to take great effort. “Your Majesty… You truly played a masterful game. I am no match for you.”

“I…” Liu Yun hesitated, unable to say anything. It seemed that anything he said would sound insincere-after all, he was a man of deceit.

“Hai Chen, let’s go,” Hu Jiu said, ready to take Hai Chen away.

“Wait- I can arrange for you to live in the Capital City, give you a life of luxury-” Liu Yun offered, though it felt like a hollow promise.

Hai Chen struggled to breathe, placed on Hu Jiu’s back, and cast a cold glance at Liu Yun. It was his own fault for trusting the wrong person… He deserved to be deceived. He patted Hu Jiu’s head, “Let’s go.”

As soon as he spoke, the giant white cat swiftly departed, leaving behind a black jade pendant.

Liu Yun paused, stepping forward to pick up the obsidian pendant. It was the one he had given to Hai Chen…

On the day of the Emperor’s wedding, the Emperor disappeared, and the Empress fainted in her chamber. This incident became a palace secret. Though the servants dared not discuss it openly, they whispered among themselves, and soon the entire harem knew of it.

The new Empress, unaware of what had happened the previous day, only remembered seeing a talking cat that frightened her into fainting. The next day, she anxiously went to apologize to the Emperor.

Liu Yun was surprisingly accommodating, even gentle, telling her she must be exhausted and should rest well. He assured her he would speak to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager was displeased that the Emperor and Empress had not consummated their marriage on the first night. Upon learning it was because the Empress had fainted, her initial satisfaction with the Empress turned to discontent. However, since her son personally interceded, she couldn’t make a fuss. Instead, she began considering the need for more concubines.

Liu Yun, reviewing the memorials in his study, found himself distracted by thoughts of Hai Chen, despite having no interest in the Empress.

The servants of the Prince’s Mansion, who should have been well-placed, were instead expelled, including the butler and the cook.

Many found this unusual and began to investigate, but found nothing useful. Some observant individuals noticed that the young man who had returned with Liu Yun was missing.

Those aware of the situation had their suspicions, feeling they had stumbled upon a significant secret.

Daoist Xuanxu was honored as the national master, with the Emperor building him a National Master Tower, providing him with the finest living conditions. Having completed his great work, Daoist Xuanxu spent his days tending to flowers and plants, finding some leisure.

In his free time, he cast a divination for Liu Yun, only to be shocked by the result-no heirs in his destiny… How could an Emperor have no heirs?

Daoist Xuanxu dared not delay and immediately sent word to Liu Yun, inviting him to the National Master Tower for a discussion. Liu Yun respected Daoist Xuanxu and went without hesitation.

“Master, what brings you to summon me?” Liu Yun asked, knowing Daoist Xuanxu wouldn’t call him without reason, feeling a bit anxious. Could something serious have happened?

“I took the liberty of casting a divination for Your Majesty, and it revealed… you have no heirs in your destiny,” Daoist Xuanxu sighed, showing Liu Yun the divination.

Liu Yun couldn’t decipher the complex symbols, but hearing that he had no heirs left him momentarily stunned, his eyes filled with a mix of regret and worry. Yet when he looked again, all that remained was indifference.

“Your Majesty, I suggest you take more concubines…” Daoist Xuanxu cautiously proposed, internally lamenting his own inability to escape the court’s politics. They say serving an Emperor is like living with a tiger; he once scoffed at this, but now, facing his Emperor disciple, he felt uneasy. If Liu Yun’s moods were unpredictable, his own peaceful retirement might be at risk.

Thinking of Hai Chen, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy. Who knows how that innocent boy was faring now…

Liu Yun chuckled softly at Daoist Xuanxu’s words, a sound that was neither mocking nor anything else. “The one I want isn’t here, so what good would more women do?”

Daoist Xuanxu was startled, looking at Liu Yun in disbelief.