Chapter 1610: The Return of Shen Jinxiao

Inside the palace of the northern royal court, everyone, including Gong Yuan, felt a deep sense of foreboding as a myriad of complex emotions buffeted them. As a result, Si Qing's loss of composure went completely ignored. As the spy continued to disclose what had happened in the City of Southwind, gasps echoed one after another in the hall.

Si Qing had the most magnificent expression among them. His face was a mix of green and white while his eyes flashed with both anger and regret. He had never imagined that the young man who had been forced out of the Xia Kingdom like a stray dog would return in such shocking fashion. He had learned from the reports that Li Luo not only possessed immense strength of his own, but was backed by a peak power. Compared to that, the entire royal court under Gong Yuan, much less House Jinque, was no more than an ant.

"How could this..."

Si Qing was simmering with regret. He wished he could take back what he had done. Before the Housemeet, House Jinque and House Luolan enjoyed quite a good relationship. Many had assumed that they were close allies and that Si Qing would come to House Luolan’s aid during the crucial Housemeet. But contrary to expectations, the supposed ally of House Luolan ended up stabbing them in the back. Si Qing had personally taken action to pillage them.

Ironically, it was House Duze, which had always been at loggerheads with House Luolan, that had stepped in to assist them in their time of need. Duze Yan had personally obstructed Si Qing.

At the time, Si Qing had thought that Duze Yan was a fool, unable to see the forest for the trees. It was clear that House Luolan was being eyed by all of the major factions of the Xia Kingdom. Furthermore, with Li Taixuan and Tantai Lan missing, the two juniors would be unable to protect their interests and businesses.

Thus, Si Qing had decided to stab them in the back to get what he could from the figurative dead body of House Luolan. That decision had made his children distance themselves from him, almost to the point that they were strangers. But he didn't mind. All that mattered was the prosperity of House Jinque.

When the news about Li Luo reached him, Si Qing felt like his mind was shattering. He had made the wrong decision all those years ago and underestimated Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e... and now, he might pay the heaviest price of all.

Gong Yuan frowned when he looked at the dazed Si Qing. He could easily guess what the man was thinking, and this left him dissatisfied. However, he was a shrewd leader, so he wouldn't express his displeasure at such a critical time, especially since Si Qing was one of their powerhouses.

"Li Luo is from the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li in the Heavenly Origin Divine Continent. The soldiers he brought are likely from there as well."

A voice suddenly rang out amid the depressing atmosphere. A man strode into the palace with an attitude of complete disregard towards the royal court.

This man had two pupils in each eye, one gold and one silver, overlapping in a way that gave him a sinister, malevolent air.

When Gong Yuan saw him, he hurriedly stood up and beamed with an ingratiating smile. "Imperial Teacher Xuan Chen, you're back."

The dual pupil man was the black hand behind the curtain, the instigator of the changes to the Xia Kingdom all those years ago. He was also a member of the Origin Reversion Institute.

At Xuan Chen was a seventh-grade Duke back then. Since Pang Qianyuan was effectively out of the picture at the time, no one could oppose him. When the Other Disaster split the kingdom in two, he had left for the north with Gong Yuan. In the years since, Xuan Chen had rarely shown his face. He was often out on missions from the Origin Reversion Institute.

Si Qing clasped his hands and asked nervously, "The Heavenly Origin Divine Continent's Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li? Did Li Taixuan and Li Luo come from such a power? Why would Li Taixuan end up in this barren land?"

He was surprised and furious at himself. If he knew that Li Taixuan and Li Luo had such a background, he would have become House Luolan's most loyal friend.

"Li Taixuan had to leave the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li due to certain circumstances." Xuan Chen offered a shallow smile. "And while a Heavenly Emperor power might be strong, there is no need to feel any fear. A Heavenly Emperor power means little to the Origin Reversion Institute. If the two of you fear Li Luo's retribution, you can consider joining us. You rejected our offer before, but I assume you don't have any reason to do so now?"

Si Qing and Zhu Qinghuo glanced at each other and sighed. Although the Xia Kingdom was remote, they were vaguely aware of the terrifying Origin Reversion Institute. However, that faction was simply the manifestation of evil, and joining it would result in their families being dragged down with them.

Now that Li Luo had returned in such a domineering fashion, not even the northern region's royal court would be able to stop him if he truly resolved the Other Disaster. They would have to find a suitable backer if they wanted to avoid his retribution.

After pondering for a few moments, Si Qing and Zhu Qinghuo bowed towards Xuan Chen. "We are willing to join the Origin Reversion Institute. We would kindly like to ask you to guide us, Esteemed Xuan Chen."

Xuan Chen smirked and nodded. Gong Yuan’s expression grew complicated, but he didn't raise any objections. After all, he had long become a member of the Origin Reversion Institute.

"Imperial Teacher Xuan Chen, Li Luo has brought reinforcements from the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li and even killed the Enchanting Fox King. If they can truly resolve the Xia Kingdom's Other Disaster, the northern region won’t be able to stand up to them," Gong Yuan said.

Xuan Chen grinned sweetly. "There is no need to be anxious, Your Majesty. This Other Disaster is not as straightforward as it might seem. The Saturnine Hydra Devil King values the Xia Kingdom greatly, so it won’t allow things to end. The death of the Enchanting Fox King may have pained him, but it won’t stop him. Li Luo might be powerful now, but someone will be sent to deal with him."

Gong Yuan's expression changed. "Has the Origin Reversion Institute sent experts over to help?"

Xuan Chen only smiled again. Immediately after, a cold gust of air flowed into the hall, causing the eyes of the Dukes to shrink. A figure had appeared in their midst without anyone noticing. They could sense a horrifying aura emanating from this figure.

Even Gong Yuan couldn't help but break out in cold sweat despite his lofty position. Just as he was about to respectfully bow, the figure lifted up his hood.

"Your Majesty, it's been a while. I hope you've been well."

When the figure's face was lit up by the incandescent candlelight, everyone was utterly surprised when they recognized who it was.

"Shen Jinxiao?!"

This man had disappeared years ago! What surprised Gong Yuan the most was Shen Jinxiao’s frightening aura. He had essentially surpassed even a Pinnacle Duke! Could it be that he had reached the King Stage? How could this be?

Gong Yuan's eyes were filled with shock and envy. The King Stage was a realm he had always dreamed of. Even with the support of the Origin Reversion Institute, he was still a long way from it.

Xuan Chen studied Shen Jinxiao with a thoughtful expression. He had discovered Shen Jinxiao's wild ambition years ago and helped him enter the Origin Reversion Institute. However, he had not expected that the latter would advance even further than him. On top of that, he had earned the favor of a Heavenly Emperor Honored Lord.

"Congratulations, Mentor Shen. Your strength has grown by leaps and bounds," Gong Yuan said. He hid away the feelings in his heart and politely clasped his fist towards Shen Jinxiao.

Shen Jinxiao's dark eyes swept over the familiar faces in the hall, then he smiled and said, "You can relax, Your Majesty. I've returned solely for Li Luo. As long as the Origin Reversion Institute stands, there is no need to fear the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li."

Hearing Shen Jinxiao's words caused Gong Yuan, Si Qing, Zhu Qinghuo, and the others who had participated in the attack on House Luolan to sigh in relief. There truly was nothing to be afraid of with such a behemoth behind them.

"I'd like to request that you reorganize your forces, Your Majesty. Li Luo will undoubtedly launch an attack to purge the Other Disaster before the Saturnine Hydra Devil King descends. We naturally cannot miss the show." Shen Jinxiao had a malicious smile on his face.

Gong Yuan's eyes trembled as he actually feared the Other Disaster. Others were not human in any sense of the word, and it was difficult to reason with them. If conditions permitted, he would have cleansed the Other Disaster himself, but he understood that the northern region's royal court could not accomplish such a goal. The Origin Reversion Institute would not allow him to do so either.

Although he was the ruler of the royal court in the northern region, he was a mere puppet. He sighed inwardly, concealing his thoughts as he once again clasped his hands towards Shen Jinxiao.

"Do not worry, Mentor Shen. I'll make the necessary arrangements."