Chapter 32

"The meat of a ninth grade sacred beast?!"

The corner of Ji Chengxue's mouth twitched as he looked toward Bu Fang, whose face was currently filled with mystery . If his view of Bu Fang had not changed due to the incident that happened earlier, he would think that Bu Fang was someone with intellectual disabilities .

What was a sacred beast? Within the entire Light Wind Empire, the strongest person that he knew was the number one great general of the empire, Xiao Meng . However, the great Xiao Meng who made the experts from the surrounding Sects despair was only a seventh grade Battle-Saint . . .

For the mere owner of a store—who was only a Battle-Master—within the remote alleyways of the capital to mention the meat of a sacred beast… Ji Chengxue had no idea of how strong a sacred beast was, but he could use General Xiao Meng as a comparison .

A single sacred beast should be worth at least a few dozen General Xiao Meng . A single General Xiao Meng was able to dominate over a few hundred experts from the Sects . A few dozen General Xiao Meng… could probably destroy the imperial palace with a wave of their hand .

"Owner Bu really likes to joke around . I've been to many places but I've never heard of any news of ninth grade sacred beasts," Ji Chengxue said, while faintly smiling as he finished the Lees Fish .

Bu Fang did not reply . He understood that Ji Chengxue did not believe him . However, he was not perturbed; it was natural for Ji Chengxue not to believe . After all, a sacred beast was far too terrifying .

"Actually, the higher the grade of the spirit beast, the better will be the quality of their meat . They are like natural ingredients of the highest grade . If Your Highness were to obtain any good ingredients, you could bring them to the store and I will help you cook them," Bu Fang seriously said . The system had already risen to two stars and he was able to cook ingredients brought by the customers . That was why he decided to remind Ji Chengxue .

"Oh? I can bring my own ingredients? This seems slightly interesting . " Ji Chengxue's eyes lit up and he nodded .

Outside, the rain had gradually come to a stop . The dark clouds were slowly dispersing, unveiling countless rays of warm sunlight .

Ji Chengxue stood up and handed over twenty crystals from a sachet to Bu Fang . Then he rubbed the head of Ouyang Xiaoyi, who was still gobbling down the Egg-Fried Rice, and left the store while carrying his oil-paper umbrella .

After the rain, puddles of water had accumulated on the quartzite floor of the alleyway . Green moss looked as if it was stretching while rain water slowly dripped from the walls that were still wet .

The big black dog was still lying at the entrance as it sleepily yawned . Even after the rain, the fur on its body remained soft and shiny, without a single trace of wetness .

Within the majestic imperial palace, row upon row of buildings were orderly built .

Troops of armor-wearing guards were patrolling with grim expressions . They were not weak; the weakest among them was a third grade Battle-Maniac, while the leader of one of the troops was a fifth grade Battle-King .

Ji Chengxue had returned to the palace . The leader of the patrol respectfully saluted when they spotted him and he indifferently nodded in their direction .

Passing through the entrance of the imperial palace, he arrived at the vast and wide Gate of Heavenly Mystery Square . There were six stone pillars erected on the plaza, and carved upon each of them were unusual images of strange beasts and rare treasures .

Ji Chengxue was standing in front of the Gate of Heavenly Mystery and looking at the wide plaza with a complicated expression . He took in a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air after a rain .

The palace of the crown prince was situated behind the Gate of Heavenly Mystery .

After passing through the Gate of Heavenly Mystery, a few dozen meters away to the left of the Great Hall of the imperial palace was the palace of the crown prince . With golden bricks and red tiles, it was magnificently and luxuriously built .

"Your Imperial Highness . According to our spies, there was an assassination attempt on the third prince in a restaurant within the imperial city," a middle-aged man with an impressive beard said—while holding a message in his hand—toward a seated young man within the palace of the crown prince .

The young man was dressed in a golden python robe[1] and had a purple crown[2] on his head . He had a pale face and long, narrow dashing eyebrows . His eyes were slightly tilted like a sharp blade, giving off a demonic yet dignified aura .

"Oh? Is he dead yet?" the man simply asked . The first thing he asked was the fate of Ji Chengxue .

"No . The third prince spent a long time battling the Sects outside our border . With his combat experience, mere assassins wouldn't be able to kill him . " The refined middle-aged man laughed as he stroked his beard .

"Those who would dare to assassinate third brother would at least be Battle-Kings and third brother would definitely be injured . However, if he was injured, then the entire imperial city would know about it . If Father knew about it as well, the current state wouldn't be this peaceful . " The crown prince opened his eyes, revealing dark and deep pupils .

"The third prince is indeed unharmed . That's strange . Could it be that an expert aided him?" The middle aged man pondered .

"Xushi, isn't third brother constantly going to that restaurant in the alleyway these days? Is there anything abnormal about that restaurant? Did you send anyone to investigate?" The crown prince asked .

"Your Highness… There's something weird with that restaurant," that middle-aged man called Xushi strangely said .

"Hmm? How is it weird?"

"That restaurant is the black-hearted little store from the rumors circulating within the imperial city . A bowl of Egg-Fried Rice… costs ten crystals . A bowl of dry-mixed noodles costs a hundred gold coins . The most expensive dish is the Lees Fish, which costs twenty crystals . They really are astronomical dishes . " Xushi had a weird expression on his face .

"It truly is an astronomical price . . . Third brother has actually fallen in love with this black-hearted little store? It seems that there is definitely something about that store that no one knows about . Xushi, find an opportunity to visit that store . " The corner of the crown prince's mouth curled up with interest .

"There's two more days until Great General Xiao Meng triumphantly returns to the imperial city . The Great General Xiao Meng is truly incredible . He defeated the Heterodox Sect, Death Soul Palace, in one fell swoop and even captured their six leaders . With this, the morale of the Sects will surely suffer . This truly is the fortune of Light Wind Empire . " The crown prince stood up and slowly paced around while sighing .

"If I wish to secure my position as the crown prince or even become the emperor, I will definitely need the support of Great General Xiao . "

"Your Highness, the Sects are showing signs of uprising these past few years . Since His Majesty sent General Xiao to conquer the Sects, I am afraid that Xiao Meng has become a thorn in their sides . He would surely be obstructed by the Sects as he escorted the prisoners into the imperial city . There has recently been some movements occurring within the imperial city . According to our spies, experts from the five great Orthodox Sects and the three great Heterodox Sects have already infiltrated into the imperial city," Xushi said with a frown .

"Unrest? It's better when there's unrest . There are some things that are easier to do when there's unrest . Isn't that what my second brother is thinking? Otherwise, why would he send assassins after third brother? However, he probably did not anticipate that third brother would return without any injuries . " The crown prince chuckled with his hands behind his back as he looked into a distance .

Xushi was stunned and did not say anything else . He was only an advisor; he would only speak when he should speak and would remain silent when he should not speak .

"It's fine, I already know about third brother's matter . I am not worried about him . The one that I am concerned about is second brother . However, there's indeed something strange with the assassination this time . Send someone… No, you should personally visit that black-hearted little store . That store is indeed quite interesting," the crown prince said .

Xushi nodded, then withdrew after performing a fist and palm salute .

. . .

King Yu's manor .

The second prince, Ji Chengyu, expressionlessly destroyed the letter in his hand .

"A mere restaurant dares to obstruct me . It looks like there's a need to visit this restaurant . I'd to like see who's hiding inside that would actually dare to kill four of my fifth grade Battle-King assassins," King Yu coldly said .

. . .

Within an hour of the third prince's assassination attempt, the high ranking officials and influential factions within the imperial city had received the news . Whether it was the Xiao manor or the Ouyang manor, they were shocked by the news . An assassination attempt on a prince was not a small matter .

Naturally, other than the fact that there was an assassination attempt on the prince, Fang Fang's Little Store had entered the line of sight of these bigwigs as well . Many of them were extremely curious about this store that sold a bowl of Egg-Fried Rice for ten crystals .

Consequently, various factions sent out their men to visit the store .

At that moment, the owner of that store was leisurely curled up on a chair . The warm sunlight after the rain was enveloping his body, causing him to comfortably yawn .

He may not know it yet, but a huge group of bigwigs was approaching .

[1] Python Robe(蟒袍) – It was a robe worn by court officials in the past, named for the python sewn on it .

[2] Purple Crown(紫金冠) – It was also known as "Crown Prince Helm" . It was generally worn by princes and young generals .