At night, Jane changed into her dark cloak and smoothly exited the palace. The forbidden palace was unlike Zen Palace. It had fewer guards, and they were lax. No one even noticed her leaving.Outside the palace, Wallace saw the signal arrow from Jane and immediately made his way to an abandoned temple."Commander!" He saluted.Jane had most of her face covered, leaving only her eyes visible."What did you find?""I've been following Jocelyn all this time. I only found a lead two days ago. There's a vegetable vendor outside her residence. It's highly suspicious. I plan to observe for a while longer before taking action."Jane lowered her chin slightly. "Being cautious is the right approach."Wallace, however, was more concerned about her situation."Commander, I heard that you were pregnant and sent to the forbidden palace. Are you all right?"Jane remained calm and composed."I'm fine. I left the palace tonight to give you three orders. First, find out who is assisting Jocely
"It's burning hot!""Ah! So hot!"The soldiers hastily threw down the rifles they had been carrying on their shoulders. Bullets flew out of control, shooting toward the grandstand."Protect His Majesty!" Karlsen reacted swiftly, grabbing the dining table as a shield.George remained seated. He frowned deeply. It seemed this new rifle was far from perfect.The other officials quickly scrambled for cover.Chaos erupted on the field.Only when the bullets were finally spent, and the danger had passed, did the officials cautiously peek out again, stretching their necks to get a better look at the situation.Jocelyn was frozen in shock.Why was it so hot? Jane's design had clearly included a way to protect from the heat. Other weapons designers had reviewed it, and everyone had thought it was flawless.George stood up, his tall figure casting a broad shadow. His gaze swept over the scene before finally landing on Jocelyn.He neither said a word nor asked a single question. Yet, h
Teressa's visit to Cloud Palace felt ominous. Sure enough, Jane's instincts were right.Teressa hadn't come alone. A palace maid accompanied her, carrying a black lacquered tray. On the tray were three items–a length of white silk cord, a cup of poisoned wine, and a dagger.Lily's face went pale with horror, and her eyes widened in disbelief.Was Teressa sentencing Jane to death?Lily quickly turned to look at Jane.Jane stood to greet the great queen dowager. She was dressed simply yet still exuded a graceful presence. She had also seen the items on the tray, but she remained composed. She was calm, as though an impending disaster would not faze her."Greetings, Lady Teressa."Teressa's gaze swept past her as she slowly walked to the main seat and sat down."As the one overseeing the harem, it is my duty to ease His Majesty's burdens. Wendy, do you realize that the court has been in turmoil over your situation?" There was accusation in both her words and her gaze. It was as
Teressa looked outside. Her pupils dilated in shock."George? What are you doing here?"She had come to deal with Jane in secret without informing him.George strode into the hall, kicking down the royal servants who had attempted to lay hands on Jane. Then, he positioned himself in front of her, directly facing Teressa."Grandmother, it is I who should be asking what you are doing here."He was dressed in a deep purple robe, his expression cold and imposing. One would feel intimidated just by looking at him.Jane silently put away her concealed weapon.Seated where she was, Teressa showed no sign of guilt as she spoke."Everything I have done is for the sake of the kingdom. A woman from the Foster family should never have entered the palace, much less become queen."George had always been filial to her. Teressa did not believe he would defy her over this matter.George's gaze seemed dull."I have already sent her to live here. Grandmother, you should not punish her further.
An arrow shot into the room Jane was in at Forbidden Palace. A note was attached to the arrowhead.It was Jocelyn's handwriting.[Jane, I owe you another life. But do you really think I'd let you find my contingency plan so easily? Next time, send someone sharper.]Jane immediately realized that Wallace was in trouble. She frowned. Without a moment's hesitation, she left the palace before nightfall.Wallace had followed her from the Northern Battalion all the way to the Royal City. He was not only her trusted aide and most capable subordinate. He was also her closest friend.Jocelyn had already taken countless lives to hurt Jane.Jane had to find Wallace.-Searching for someone without a single clue was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Jane had scoured countless places. The only lead she had was the vegetable vendor.By gathering descriptions from the surrounding townspeople, she pieced together a portrait of the man.At dusk, in a pawnshop on the outskirts of the ci
Wallace was badly injured. When he woke up and saw Jane, he immediately knew he was safe. His upper body was covered in bandages, and his face was pale."Com-"He noticed someone else in the room and quickly corrected himself. "Master."Jane, still wearing the same silver mask, turned to look at him.The doctor was giving her instructions on how to care for the injury. She listened, memorized them, then paid the fee and personally escorted the doctor out.Moments later, when she returned, she saw Wallace trying to sit up."Don't move!" she ordered immediately. Did he not realize how badly he was hurt?Wallace obediently laid back down. He grimaced with a wry smile."Master, I'm tough. It's nothing."He was lying. He still remembered the pain of those knives stabbing into him. It hurt like hell!"Master, that vegetable vendor–""He's been caught," Jane interrupted.Wallace was about to speak again when a young man suddenly barged into the room."Vice Leader! That vegetable
"There are three in total. I haven't really seen the other two," the vegetable vendor gasped, blood trickling from his lips.'Haven't really seen' meant he had seen them.Jane pressed on. "Describe them.""One has a mole on his face. The other likes to gamble and is a habitual thief. He's skinny and has a square face. Please, have mercy! I've told you everything I know!"Jane lifted his chin with the tip of her dagger. "Why do you all follow Jocelyn's orders?"The vendor was pale from blood loss. His voice was weak."We're all wanted men. Outlaws. If we don't obey her, she'll hand us over to the authorities. But if we do, she gives us gold. She also poisoned us. She gives us the antidote on schedule. Otherwise, we die. "Now that I've betrayed her, there's no way I'll survive. I beg you. Make it quick."Jane's gaze was cold. "Fine."With a swift motion, she slit his throat.For a wanted criminal of his stature, death was probably mercy enough.She sheathed her dagger and ste
Conan reacted quickly. He barely dodged Jocelyn's first strike.Jocelyn didn't stop there and launched a series of attacks at him.Conan had been on a long and hard journey, exhausted and starving. In this moment, he barely had any strength left. Yet, even in this state, he managed to evade Jocelyn and even found opportunities to counterattack.Jocelyn's expression darkened. This kid was even stronger than she had expected.She feinted an attack at his lower body, and just as he moved to counter, she suddenly shifted behind him and delivered a sharp kick to the back of his knee.Conan's knee buckled, and he dropped to the ground on it.Jocelyn immediately locked her arm around his throat from behind. His head was forced back, mouth wide open, gasping for air.Jocelyn didn't let go. She tightened her grip more and more. Conan's face turned a bluish-purple.Sensing something was wrong, Keira immediately shouted in alarm. "Commander Morris!"Only then did Jocelyn release him, tho
Wendy's letter was simple. It was written in a childlike tone, recounting everyday trivialities. Yet Jane read it for a long time.She knew Wendy had not yet fully recovered. But as long as she could remain this simple and happy, perhaps that was enough.-In Carefree Abode at the northern borders, Wendy sat on the swing in the courtyard. She was wrapped in a silver cloak. She often sat there and stared blankly into the distance for hours.Candace never left her side, while Luke busied himself in the adjoining room, preparing various herbal remedies.There were no outsiders and no disturbances here, only quiet and peace every day.Candace fed Wendy her medicine, and the latter obediently opened her mouth.Wendy never looked at anyone. Her gaze was fixed forward as if trapped in a dream no one could wake her from.Every time Candace saw her like this, her heart ached. If only Wendy had never endured such filth and suffering. She would be so happy now."Miss, would you like to w
A lunar eclipse was a rare spectacle. Though there was a curfew in the palace, the patrolling guards were somewhat lax.Jane saw the signal flare from Safe Haven Pawnshop and assumed it was urgent, so she rushed there immediately.The moment she pushed open the door, she sensed something was off. A strange fragrance drifted into her nose in the darkness. Then, she felt a sudden killing intent approaching.Jane swiftly caught the assailant's wrist, blocking the strike. However, the person immediately collapsed into her arms.A soft and curvaceous body pressed against her. It was impossible to shake off."Oh, my dear, I've missed you so much," a sultry voice murmured.Jane sighed inwardly.Trouble had shown up.Valles lit a lamp, illuminating the room. His face was full of guilt, and he dared not look Henry in the eye. After all, he was a traitor who had betrayed the vice leader.Jane mercilessly pushed away the woman in her arms.Vivian rested her chin on her hand with her v
George spoke coldly and solemnly to Wendy."I want you to know that appointing Lady Rachel to assist in managing the harem was Grandmother's decision. It was never my intention!"Jane looked up at him and asked seriously, "So, you disapprove of Lady Rachel?"George's breathing grew slightly heavier.'She might as well be called Wendy the Stone instead of Wendy the queen!'He simply didn't want her to believe the palace gossip that he was favoring Rachel. But on the other hand, if she wanted to misunderstand, then so be it. Why should he bother explaining?"Just pretend I never said anything," George said coldly.-That night, the king's litter arrived at Grace Palace.George exuded a chilling presence, making everyone around him too afraid to speak. Even Rachel remained unusually quiet.After dinner, seeing that the king was about to leave, Rachel gathered her courage and grasped his sleeve.George's expression instantly darkened with displeasure. He turned his head to see R
Wilhelmina arrived at Zen Palace, only to be told that the queen was resting and not receiving visitors.The situation was already critical, yet the queen could still sleep?Wilhelmina didn't leave. She simply waited.Two hours later, a royal servant finally came with a message."Lady Wilhelmina, Her Majesty is awake. Please come inside to speak with her."Wilhelmina's purpose for coming was simple. She had no intention of hiding anything. After paying her respects to Wendy, she got straight to the point."Your Majesty, do you know that while you've been staying in the forbidden palace, Lady Rachel has been enjoying herself immensely? King George has been giving her the finest tributes from all over the kingdom."Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but even when you were carrying the royal heir, you never received this many rewards. And Lady Rachel just loves flaunting her favor. "She even takes the gifts His Majesty gives her and hands them out to others. If that's not showi
'The great Vivian Rudock?'Before the masked man could even process his shock, his head was already rolling on the ground.Hearing the commotion, Conan quickly got up.Vivian.He had heard that name somewhere before.Not knowing whether the other party was friend or foe, Conan's first instinct was to flee. Suddenly, a chilling breeze swept past him. The next moment, an icy hand clamped around his throat.A woman's sultry yet ruthless voice sounded by his ear. "So, you're Henry's new apprentice?"Did she know his master? Conan remained cautious and didn't answer.The woman chuckled."Quite the tough one, huh? No worries. I've got plenty of time."Her long, talon-like fingers clutched the top of his head. With a sudden force, he felt as though the tendons in his skull were being yanked out. An excruciating pain shot through him.He clenched his jaw, refusing to utter a single cry for mercy.After fifteen minutes, the woman seemed to have grown tired of her game and finally le
Reunions and separations were part of life.Learning that this was the last time Henry would guide him, Conan felt deeply saddened. But he also knew that sooner or later, he would have to join the army.Henry had taught him a great deal, especially in the art of war, which had benefited him immensely.At their parting, Henry gifted him a spear. Upon receiving the gift, Conan's eyes lit up."Master, how did you know I love spears?"He immediately tried it out and found it an excellent weight and length. The spear sliced through the air and struck the ground with immense force. It felt as if it had become an extension of his body. It was like an extension of his arm.He had never wielded a weapon so perfectly suited to him.Gradually, Conan's eyes filled with excitement. After performing a set of spear techniques, he knelt down at once."Thank you, Master! This is the best gift I have ever received!"He vowed to use this spear to achieve great feats and bring honor to Henry's na
"I had no idea the forbidden palace could be this lively."George looked at Wendy and Julie, who were embracing each other. His expression was cold and unreadable.Julie was so frightened that she stopped crying. She immediately stood up and, in a fluster, curtsied."Y-Your Majesty!"Jane also rose and curtsied respectfully."Your Majesty."George walked directly to a chair and sat down. His gaze landed on Julie."So? Did you come to the forbidden palace to keep the queen company?"Julie's eyes were red and swollen. She instinctively nodded, but then quickly shook her head.George's eyes turned dark."Well? Was that what you wanted to do?" he demanded.Julie was so terrified that she dropped to her knees with a thud. "Your Majesty, please have mercy. Please allow Queen Wendy to leave the forbidden palace!"George scoffed and looked at Wendy. "You plead so earnestly, but the queen may not even wish to leave."Julie blurted out, "How could that be?"Who in their right mind
Jane needed a token of royal pardon to ensure that if the truth ever came to light in the future, the king would not hold Kennedy accountable. She also knew that to obtain this token of royal pardon, she had to achieve great merit."You don't have to give it to me now," she said. "If you ever encounter a problem you can't resolve, come find me at Safe Haven Pawnshop. Just ask for Henry."With that, she placed a silver coin on the table, picked up the longsword leaning against the chair, and left without a word.Right outside the door, Karlsen happened to meet Henry's gaze as he departed.He had been curious about what the famous Shadow Phantom of the martial world looked like. But the person wore a mask. There was nothing to see.Shortly after, the king emerged as well.Karlsen stepped forward and awaited instructions.George looked ahead and spoke calmly."Free the women who were forced into performing here and send them home.""Yes!" Karlsen placed his hand over his chest an
The box contained the onyxite horse.Jane was puzzled. Why would George send her this?Steven placed the box holding the onyxite down, recalling how perplexed he had been when the king ordered him to deliver the stone to the forbidden palace. Though rewards from the king were always considered acts of favor, gifting a mere stone seemed rather baffling.At first, he had thought it was because Wendy was skilled in riding and fond of horses, so the king had given her this horse-shaped stone.Then the king had remarked in a deep voice, "The queen's temperament is just like this stone, stubborn and unyielding."Of course, Steven dared not relay a single word of that to Wendy. Instead, he simply smiled and said, "Queen Wendy, King George is thinking of you."Even without knowing the reason behind it, Jane accepted the onyxite. After all, it was a token of Conan's regard for his master.-At the Chief Gatekeeper's residence, Jocelyn locked herself in her room, her expression dark and