No one should find out about his secret...
Even if it was his own son!
In fact… This was an opportunity for him.
As long as the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs diverted their suspicions onto someone else, he would be able to escape from the trouble.
To him, it was a son's duty to carry some burden on behalf of his father.
The Seventh Prince could treat this as an opportunity to repay his many years of love and kindness.
Once the edict is announced, no one would believe whatever Little Seven says!
Eunuch Gao could see through the situation yet he was helpless as the Retired Emperor and the Third Prince was not around. He would be sentenced to death if he did not obey the orders of the Emperor, he was the man who made the decisions in the imperial palace after all!
The edict was announced on the same night.
The entire patrol battalion of the imperial guards entered the palace.
They were the Emperor's soldiers. Whenever they were summoned, it usually meant that something serious was about to happen.
The palace maids and eunuchs murmured to one another in fear, "What is happening?"
"Haven't you heard? Rumor has it that they are on the hunt for the Seventh Prince. The news had come from the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Apparently, all this while, it was the Seventh Prince who was killing palace maids!"
"That's impossible!" One of them exclaimed, "The Seventh Prince is such a lovely child and he's still very young. How can he murder so many palace maids?"
"I'm not sure, but there was something about him turning into a demon. Haven't you noticed that the Seventh Prince has an appetite much larger than everyone else? How can a child consume that much food? Yet, the Seventh Prince has never once mentioned that he feels full. Remember that incident at Eunuch Sun's place, where he was lectured by Eunuch Sun for running around recklessly with a goldfish in his mouth? What child would hold a living fish with their mouth? We should be more cautious in the future, especially since the Seventh Prince is still on the loose. Our blood might be s.u.c.k.e.d dry if he set his sight on us..."
"That's enough, it's too terrifying!"
The voices slowly faded away in the palace courtyard.
However, the current situation had changed completely. All the palace maids would move in groups. Even if they simply wanted to go to the lavatory, they would seek company for fear of running into a terrifying encounter.
The Seventh Prince had amazing martial Qi, thus capturing him would be rather challenging.
The patrol battalion had dispatched thousands of men to conduct an extensive search within the palace grounds.
Whether it was the Eastern gate, the Western gate, the Northern gate, or the Southern gate...
While it was uncertain if they could capture the Seventh Prince, he was definitely still in the palace grounds...
Snap!
The winter pine tree bent over, unable to withstand the weight of the snow buildup on its branches. It sent a flurry of snow raining down onto the little one.
The little one was curled up into a ball, his clothes were completely soaked. He could not help but scratched himself due to the combination of the persistent itch and the biting pain his body was experiencing.
However, the painful itch did not subside. Instead, the back of his hand was now covered with multiple bloody scratch marks.
As he stared at the things that had appeared on the back of his hand, the little one furrowed his eyebrows in distress before leaning back against the tree trunk.
He initially planned to meet the Third Brother.
As he was on his way, he suddenly realized that Third Brother and Third Aunt had not been around lately.
Besides that, Third Brother's place was certainly the most dangerous location.
The little one dragged his tired body and tried to move his legs but his entire body felt burning hot. Even his limbs had no strength in them.
After giving his tummy a rub, he took a piece of pastry from his coat pocket and popped it into his mouth, chewing twice with his little head lifted.
He had overheard the conversations between the palace maids.
Father most likely wanted to use him as a scapegoat.
Little Seven knew that he was different from Baili Jia Jue, and the realization dimmed the lights in his eyes. He pursed his quivering lips tightly, being on the verge of bursting into tears.
However, he quickly stopped himself with a few sniffles.
Third brother said that real men don't cry.
He told himself that he was a masculine man and would not allow himself to ruin his image.
Nevertheless, he was still scared. Not for any other reasons, but because of the thing that had appeared on his hand.
I just really enjoy eating. Besides, I look so handsome, why would they call me a monster?
The little one thought to himself while looking up. He took another bite of cold pastry. Then, like a tiger cub, he let out a soft wail, "Third Brother, where did you go…" If he did not return soon, Little Seven might be arrested soon. He did not want to be locked in the dungeon, as the food down there would be nasty.
The little one clenched his incisors, he knew that it was pointless to keep hiding here. Hence, he decided to try his luck to stand up once more. Unfortunately, his limbs were still completely weak.
The Holy Worship Temple was located right outside the Western gate of the imperial palace. Perhaps he could go there and find Lie the pervert. However, he had to be very cautious as many people from the Offering Tribe were his father's men.
The little one had never gone through anything like this before, even his steps were wobbly. He felt like a beast that was trapped, with its talons removed...
…
"Is he still not caught yet?" The Emperor's expression turned cold in the darkness. "Have you searched the Third Prince's royal chamber?"
An imperial guard with an iron mask clasped his hands together as he responded, "Your Highness, we have searched everywhere, but there was still no sign of the Seventh Prince.
"What about the officers from the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs? Did they receive any news of the Seventh Prince wanting to share his discovery of a terrible secret with them?" the Emperor continued asking relentlessly.
The imperial commander shook his head and replied, "No officers have received such news. However, most of them do not believe that the Seventh Prince would murder the palace maids. After all, it's absurd to claim that the Seventh Prince is transforming into a demon."
"Absurd? If they witnessed the Seventh Prince with their own eyes, they would have said otherwise. This kid could really keep at it, to have no news about him after so long…" The Emperor rubbed the bloodstain on his fingertips. After finding out something like this, a normal child would have immediately sought for help. He had placed many of his men in the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs in order to capture him, alas… The Emperor clenched his hands.
The imperial commander suddenly realized something and said, "Oh right, we haven't searched the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Your Highness."
Upon hearing those words, his fingers froze. It sent a flash of bloodl.u.s.t across his vision as he commanded, "Lock down the Palace of Heavenly Purity and inform every officer from the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs to put on their court robes and enter the palace. I want them to see for themselves, whether the Seventh Prince is a human or a demon!"
Chapter 636 - All In One Moment
Helian Wei Wei noticed that something was wrong the moment she entered the palace.
The Elder Compound had dispatched too many necromancers and they had not left the compound since the beginning. It was as if they were searching for someone.
"It seems like something has happened in the palace." Yuan Ming's devilish voice sounded from behind her, "What an immense aura of resentment, perhaps someone has fallen to the Demonic Path?"
Helian Wei Wei
turned her head slightly as she listened to him. Immediately, she dragged a palace maid over and asked, "What's going on here?"
"Third Princess Consort!" The palace maid jumped in surprise and went down on her knees immediately to greet Helian Wei Wei, "Please accept my greetings, Third Princess Consort."
Helian Wei Wei extended her arm to lift her up. Then, she asked, "There's no need to kneel. Just tell me, what on earth is happening? Why are there so many necromancers here?"
"You… You didn't know?" The palace maid was surprised. Then, she glanced at her and stammered, "Apparently, the Little Seventh Prince is actually a demon. The Emperor has given orders to capture him."
"A demon?" Helian Wei Wei furrowed her brows tightly and asked, "Who said that?"
The palace maid was startled by her tone, replying, "I'm not too sure either, but the news seems to have spread from the Palace of Heavenly Purity. It claims that the people that were recently killed in the palace had their blood s.u.c.k.e.d dry by the Little Seventh Prince."
"The Palace of Heavenly Purity?" Helian Wei Wei's eyes darkened. Isn't that where the Retired Emperor is staying? She also recalled that Yuan Ming once mentioned that something was uncanny in there…
"We found him, we found the Seventh Prince!"
A ruckus rang out from afar all of a sudden.
Helian Wei Wei's heart sank. Without any hesitation, she followed hurriedly after the necromancers.
Around a hundred imperial guards were surrounding a small woodshed in the yard of the Palace of Heavenly Purity.
The Emperor and a number of ministers from the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs stood outside the circle of guards.
"Break in!" the Emperor ordered with a heavy tone.
The ministers of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs looked at one another with uncertainty. Eventually, unable to contain themselves any longer, the ministers asked, "Your Majesty, could there be a mistake? The Seventh Prince is still so young, how could he kill anyone?"
The Emperor remained silent.
The elder next to him snickered, snarking, "Lord Zhang, you must be getting old! The Seventh Prince is a demon, so he is certainly capable of slaughtering people. This has nothing to do with age." Then, he turned toward the Emperor with his hands clasped together and said, "Your Majesty, I think we should set the place on fire to force him out. Then, we can let the ministers see it clearly for themselves."
The ministers from the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs were unprepared for this. They were also not as eloquent and quick-witted as the elder. Not to mention, the Emperor's attitude about it was very clear.
There is nothing we can do!
We can't possibly stand here and watch the Seventh Prince being forced out by fire, can we?
Judging from His Highness' character, none of them would be spared alive if he found out about this in the future.
There was truly nothing they could do at the moment…
"Set fire!" The elder rose his voice, flecks of fire were reflected within his eyes as he announced roaringly, "Listen carefully! The demon is to be captured alive!"
"Understood!" The necromancers readied their formation and began starting the fire.
Suddenly, a clear resounding voice echoed through the air, heavily layered with a domineering aura, asking, "Who are you calling a demon?"
The atmosphere died down instantly. The sepulchral aura of an impending death gripped their hearts like an invisible fist.
It was as if a mere twist would instantly splatter blood and reduce life to ashes.
Streaks of lightning flashed across the sky, dazzling enough to make one's pupils constrict instantly.
At that moment, the crowd could clearly witness the features of a face with unparalleled exquisiteness being brightly illuminated.
It was Helian Wei Wei's face. She strode over menacingly and coldly like a ghost. At the same time, she suddenly moved her palm!
Snow dust whirled from the ground like a tornado and swallowed the flames instantly.
The elder stood amidst the tornado, his face stinging from the gusting wind. He raised his arms to block out the wind and squinted, shouting, "Helian Wei Wei! It's you again! Do you know what you are doing?!"
Helian Wei Wei slowly stepped forward, her sleeves that were fluttering from the wind made her seem like an ambassador from hell. She fixed her cold stare on the elder and asked, "I was about to ask you, elder, do you know what you are doing? Little Seven carries royal blood. For you to disregard his status like this and set fire without thinking twice, what intentions are you harboring!"
The elder was rendered speechless for a moment.
The little eunuch standing by the Emperor saw his master nodded slightly before exclaiming, "Third Princess Consort, we all know you wish to protect the Seventh Prince, but this is not how you should protect him! Now that the Seventh Prince has become a demon and killed so many people in the palace, how can you turn on the elder and question his intentions! You are clearly trying to shield a murderer!"
"Is that your opinion, or are you representing the Emperor?" Helian Wei Wei slowly looked toward the Emperor.
The Emperor frowned.
The little eunuch was cunning enough not to tattle on his master. He said loudly, "I was only speaking for all the palace maids who were murdered!"
Crunch!
The sound of breaking wood sounded abruptly as a few blazing pieces fell at the little eunuch's feet!
The little eunuch jumped in fright and when he raised his head, he saw Helian Wei Wei staring at him. Her ink-black eyes seemed like a depthless ocean, though her voice was eerily calm as she murmured, "Say that again."
The little eunuch stiffened. He then screamed sharply, "Can't a man speak the truth!? The Seventh Prince is indeed a demon... "
Before he could finish his sentence, his entire body was slammed onto the ground!
Helian Wei Wei stepped on his wrist. Meanwhile, the wind blowing around her had heated up for some reason too. It became so hot that the little eunuch felt as if holes were being constantly burned through him!
It was even more frightening as he could not even make a single sound. He could only gape and writhe in silence as if he was being asphyxiated by Death himself.
"Who told you those palace maids were killed by Little Seven?" Helian Wei Wei asked coldly, "A mere eunuch dares accuse a prince? You deserve to be executed!"
The Emperor never expected Helian Wei Wei to have the courage to use violence before him. He could no longer maintain his calmness on his face and his voice sounded forced as he g.r.o.a.n.e.d, "Helian Wei Wei…"
Yet, Helian Wei Wei did not give him a chance to speak. She immediately bowed before him and interrupted, appearing as loyal as could be, roaring, "Your majesty! I have cleared the treacherous lot who accused the Seventh Prince for you! I hope you do not blame me for my actions!"
The Emperor's face twitched in fury, but there was nothing he could do to Helian Wei Wei.
It would have been too obvious if he had done anything.
That would surely create suspicion.
Therefore, he could only remain expressionless as he said, "You may stand."
"I thank your majesty for your grace." Helian Wei Wei straightened her back.
The elder sneered, "It doesn't matter how sharp-tongued one could be, some things must be investigated clearly. As to whether or not the Seventh Highness is a demon, we can only be certain of it after we are able to see him! Someone! Keep knocking! Set fire if no response is given!"
However, right at that moment…
Chapter 637 - Protecting Little Seven
Creak.
The tight shut door of the woodshed opened.
Specks of snow dust flew as it opened.
The billowing wind made it a little hard to open one's eyes.
In the midst of the snow, a small, grey figure emerged from within.
The little person hung his head as he walked forward, such that no
one could see his expression.
An expression of unspeakable terror appeared on the faces of the imperial guards standing closest to the firewood shed when they saw him. Their eyes widened as they were all forced to take a step back.
The elder scolded them upon seeing that, "What are you all doing? Hurry and capture him first!"
All the imperial guards stared in horror at the Emperor. They were utterly immobilized, and they were unable to speak. It was as if some unknown force had caught their throats. The moment the Seventh Prince came out, everything felt wrong!
The little person continued forward. An unknown flow of energy was bustling in his body, making it hurt and itch all over. He felt like there was a swarm of tiny insects storming within his blood, trying to break through their shell.
The back of his hand was itching worse and his forehead was scalding hot. He could not stay in the woodshed any longer as he wanted to eat. However, he did not want to admit that he was a demon, so he mimicked his third brother and coldly glanced at the imperial guards, roaring, "Scram!" He would flatten them if they did not leave.
It was made of bronze wire, a tactical formation that was prepared way beforehand.
The elder laughed triumphantly and exclaimed, "Seventh Prince, this is the most intricate spell in the whole world. It could force any demons to show their true forms until they are captured. I suggest you to not resist or you will only end up hurting yourself."
The little person frowned. He stretched out his arms and flailed around.
The web of bronze wire instantly tightened around the little person and bundled him into a ball. Lines were etched into the tender skin on the back of his hands, causing blood to trickle down his fingertips and onto the ground.
The little person stopped moving and stared at his feet with his large, tiger-like eyes. The light felt agonizingly and burningly hot when it touched his skin. The sparkle in his eyes faded gradually, like a tiger cub who had lost spirit. However, there was still something lurking beneath that would make one feel uneasy.
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