Struggle for Power

The female guards all looked at Murong Qinghong, not daring to breathe loudly.

The female guard captain, wearing only her undergarments, knelt trembling on the ground: Palace Master, I... I truly know nothing. In the end, everything went black before my eyes, and when I woke up, my clothes were gone.

Murong Qinghong's eyes were icy cold.

She took out the heavy, brick-like object in her hand, now completely dark.

She had already tried everything earlier, but no matter what method she used, she could no longer bring up the images of that illicit couple.

All night tonight.

Her chosen puppet had escaped, taking with him the replacement body she had selected!

All her efforts had gone to waste!

Crunch!

Murong Qinghong crushed the phone in her single hand and said in a deep voice, "Issue a wanted order! Apprehend Niutou Chen and Shangguan Qianqian!"

"Yes!" the guards responded in unison.

"Palace Master! A man has been captured outside the hall!" A golden-armored guard stepped forward and reported on his knees.

"Bring him in," Murong Qinghong said sternly.

At that moment, a series of howls erupted.

"What are you doing! I am the Second Young Master!"

"Let go, all of you, let go!"

"Ouch, damn it!"

Thud!

A man as fat and round as a ball was thrown forward by two burly golden-armored guards.

This person was none other than Xing Yunhai, Second Master Xing!

"It's you!"

Murong Qinghong's gaze turned frosty.

She had little fondness for this brother-in-law.

Lewd and despicable, he spent his days lingering in pleasure quarters, his body hollowed out by wine and lust.

He was clearly a shy and timid youth as a child, so how had he turned into a pig twenty years later!

However, it was also thanks to Xing Yunhai's utter uselessness that the Xing Family had remained so quiet all these years.

Xing Yunhai's rotund body clambered up, and he said with a chuckle, "Sister-in-law, it's nothing. I just came to check on things. I heard earlier that the Murong Family was planning to move against the Heavenly Palace, so I was just worried."

"Mind your own business! Get lost and go back!"

Murong Qinghong said coldly.

Xing Yunhai wasn't angry either. Putting on a foolish, simple-minded expression, he chuckled, "Then... then I'll be off. The Murong Family must be careful. I heard they sent people toward the dungeons."

"Dungeons!"

Hearing these two words, Murong Qinghong's expression changed drastically, turning gloomy and dark.

"What's going on?"

Murong Qinghong asked through gritted teeth, a vague sense of foreboding rising within her.

Xing Yunhai's voice trembled as he said, "Sister-in-law, I... I don't know much either!"

"Everyone, with me!"

Murong Qinghong's eyes were icy, her entire body exuding a chilling aura. The silk ribbons on her robes fluttered as she soared into the air, abruptly flying toward the direction of the dungeons!

Below, the crowd of golden-armored guards followed closely behind.

On Xing Yunhai's honest and simple face, a hint of mockery appeared.

"Murong Xiao... Hah, fool!"

Heavenly Palace, Dungeons.

In the dark, damp space, the sound of footsteps echoed.

Tap, tap, tap, the sounds reverberated.

Clank!

The chains on the dungeon cell were unlocked.

Two figures suddenly appeared!

One was a middle-aged man with a scholarly appearance and a thin mustache.

The other was a tall, stout monk with his chest exposed.

These two were none other than the Murong Family Head, Murong Xiao, and the leader of the Four Great Protectors, Mi Huan!

Clatter, a sound of chains rang out.

Xing Yunjun raised his head, looking at the two men with a vacant stare.

"Well, if it isn't my brother-in-law! Twenty years, and it turns out you're not dead after all!"

Murong Xiao revealed a smile as he looked Xing Yunjun up and down.

Roar! Roar!

Sensing the malice from the newcomers, Xing Yunjun instinctively let out low growls, the chains behind him clanking noisily.

Murong Xiao crouched down, examining Xing Yunjun, and said with a grin, "Not bad. Twenty years without seeing the light of day, and you're still quite clean. It seems my sister still can't let you go."

"So, Family Head Murong?" Mi Huan asked thoughtfully.

Murong Xiao looked Xing Yunjun over a few more times and praised, "Truly worthy of being the Heavenly Palace's top expert from back in the day. Even after being sealed away for twenty years, his body still holds up."

Mi Huan grinned. "Then let's begin."

"Begin what?"

A chilling woman's voice sounded from behind.

As if from the depths of hell!

Both Murong Xiao and Mi Huan's expressions changed.

They turned around, their faces pale with fright.

They saw Murong Qinghong, her body covered in blood, holding a cyan longsword in her jade-like hand, walking slowly toward them.

"Si... Sister..."

Murong Xiao was so scared he felt cold all over, hastily taking two steps back.

The shadows of childhood instantly invaded his mind.

"Family Head Murong!"

Mi Huan's expression changed, and he shouted through clenched teeth.

Murong Xiao came to his senses and slowly drew the sword at his waist.

One could say that outside the dungeon, a net had been spread, sky and earth.

Yet, Murong Qinghong had still managed to break into the dungeon!

"How interesting. Mi Huan, I never expected you to be in cahoots with my brother."

Murong Qinghong's cold eyes swept over Mi Huan, her tone icy, clearly suppressing her fury.

Over the years, she was well aware that the Murong Family had been restless, intending to usurp power.

Out of regard for past ties, after suppressing the Xing Family branch, she had not moved against the Murong Family.

After all, in her view, the Murong Family couldn't amount to much.

But what she never expected was that Mi Huan, the protector who had always remained neutral, was actually aligned with the Murong Family!

"A fine bird chooses a worthy tree to perch on. I had no other choice."

Mi Huan said coldly, emerald light swirling around him.

Choosing the Murong Family was also a choice of necessity.

Otherwise, he would end up like that old fool Xu Kang, being ordered around like a dog by Murong Qinghong.

Gradually marginalized, Mi Huan needed to cling to a powerful patron to continue surviving in the immortal sect, and the Murong Family was his choice.

"A worthy tree? Are you so sure the master you follow is a worthy tree?"

Murong Qinghong revealed a faint, cold smile. "Aren't you curious how I could enter the dungeon so quickly? My dear brother, do you really think you have complete control over the Murong Family?"

Murong Xiao instantly panicked, his expression changing dramatically. He gritted his teeth and said, "What... what do you mean!"

Hearing this, Mi Huan's heart also sank to the bottom.

From Murong Qinghong's tone, it seemed not everyone in the Murong Family was united in supporting Murong Xiao!?

There's a traitor!

"You... you're talking nonsense!"

Murong Xiao raised his longsword and slashed forward.

Swirling water spiritual power spread out! But at this moment, his swordsmanship had lost all discipline.

Murong Qinghong wore a smile, tightened her grip on her sword, and walked gracefully forward.

She knew this younger brother she had watched grow up all too well.

Deafening booms echoed! Water spiritual power filled the space.

Murong Qinghong and Murong Xiao fought, using similar techniques.

But Murong Xiao was clearly suppressed, revealing many openings.

Mi Huan took out his prayer beads, emerald light swirling around him.

"Family Head Murong, don't panic! This humble monk will assist you!"

A battle ensued, spiritual power erupting everywhere!

The vast dungeon shook.

Slender sword energies crisscrossed the air!

In the end, Murong Xiao was no match. With a thud, he crashed against the dungeon wall and fell down, vomiting large mouthfuls of blood.

The dungeon's materials were extremely resilient and remained undamaged.

Mi Huan was covered in blood, his monk's robes in tatters, with only two or three beads left on the string in his hand.

He stared in shock and fear at Murong Qinghong. "Hea... Heavenly Gang Initial Stage! You broke through long ago!"

Murong Qinghong flicked the blood off her sword and said calmly, "Ten years have passed. Did you really think I made no progress?"