My disciples are all villains.

"General!"

Smack!

Han Yuyuan suddenly turned around and slapped his subordinate.

The subordinate reeled back from the slap, and his face swelled immediately. After spinning two circles, he felt dizzy and fell to the ground.

"Get lost," Han Yuyuan barked.

"I'm sorry for speaking out of turn! I'll take my leave now!"

Han Yuyuan no longer bothered with that subordinate. Instead, he smiled as he looked at Si Wuya and said, "That's just the way he is. He has a fiery temper and draws a clear line between those that he loves and hates. However, he's extremely loyal and is one of my most capable subordinates. We shouldn't judge a book by its cover. He may seem rash and impatient, but he's thorough with his work. He never dallies." He raised a hand, and a huge energy blade emerged. It slashed the rope that bound Si Wuya's hands, and the rope fell immediately.

Si Wuya stretched his arms. He heaved a long sigh and said, "I'm impressed by the way you handle your subordinates, General Han. I'd like to know who is it that wants me captured. Can you tell me?"

"It's meaningless to learn about those things… What I can guarantee you is that nobody will touch you before your death," said Han Yuyuan.

"You're not telling me?"

Han Yuyuan cupped his fists to the left and said, "It's what was asked of me."

"Interesting." Si Wuya smiled.

Han Yuyuan sighed and said, "You killed my hopeless little brother. Usually, I would've cut you in half and sent you on your way immediately. However, the bigger picture is much more important than my personal grudges."

"Han Yufang was the leader of the Five Mice. The rebellion at Upper Prime City was also their doing. You're one of the Eight Great Generals of the Imperial guards, you should've disregarded your personal ties and carried out your duties," Si Wuya said. If this was a contest of words, he did not fear Han Yuyuan. At the end of the day, Han Yuyuan was a martial person.

Han Yuyuan smiled and said, "Since I'm paid by the Imperial court, it's only natural that I serve it. Those are two separate matters. If I were the one who captured Han Yufang, I would, naturally, execute him."

Si Wuya nodded and said, "I'm curious… With Han Yufang's ability, how did he roam the Divine Capital unhindered? In the beginning, I thought he was exceptionally skilled. However, now, I don't think it was that simple."

Smack!

Han Yuyuan shattered the table before him with a strike of his hand. He said, "Sect Master Si, don't think I won't lay my hands on you just because someone is protecting you… There's a limit to my patience."

As soon as Han Yuyuan finished speaking, a subordinate approached him and whispered into his ear. The embers of fury were cleanly swept away, and a smile bloomed on his face.

"Sect Master Si, the show has begun." Han Yuyuan pointed at the Obedient Summer Villa. Across the river stood the entrance to the villa. Everything could be seen from the pavilion's window. This was a good vantage point, indeed.

Clip! Clop! 

Clip! Clop!

At the end of the villa, a large troop made its way in. The troop was led by a huge carriage covered in red floral draperies that fluttered in the wind. There were several palace girls walking next to the carriage as well.

The person who walked ahead of the carriage was the elite by the Empress Dowager's side, Li Yunzhao. He looked straight ahead with killing intent in his eyes. The entire group proceeded slowly.

This was the Empress Dowager's carriage.

"Halt." Li Yunzhao's sharp voice resounded in the entire villa. He launched himself up into the air and surveyed the surroundings before he slowly landed next to the carriage. Then, he softly said, "Empress Dowager, Princess, we've arrived."

At this very moment, two troops of soldiers emerged from the other side of the villa. Li Yunzhao did not seem to be bothered. He knew who they were.

The two troops stopped before the carriage.

"Grandmother!"

"Grandmother!"

At this moment, a graceful and noble-looking old woman appeared in everyone's sight. She rose to her feet after the curtains were parted and stepped out of the carriage. She looked slightly pale, but no trace of exhaustion could be seen in her eyes.

Zhao Yue hastily left the carriage and supported her. "Granny."

The Empress Dowager turned and placed a hand on Zhao Yue's hands as she said, "My sweet grandchild."

Zhao Yue was dressed in palace clothing as well. If one was unaware, it would be difficult to imagine she was the fifth villain from the Evil Sky Pavilion.

...

Inside the pavilion, Si Wuya was slightly taken aback when he saw Zhao Yue. Although he knew Zhao Yue was Princess Yun Zhao's orphan, he still could not help but feel shocked when he finally saw her.

Han Yuyuan smiled and said, "Zhao Yue, the fifth disciple of the Evil Sky Pavilion and Princess Yun Zhao's orphan. The Empress Dowager has already instructed His Majesty to crown her as Princess Zhao Yue. What a shame, a few days as a princess is all she will have."

"She's the one you want to kill?" Si Wuya asked, puzzled.

"She's not the only one… There's you as well." Han Yuyuan looked at Si Wuya and smiled. He liked the feeling of having the power to decide the fate of people who thought they were smart. He felt more pleased than when he was lopping the heads of his enemies on the battlefield.

…

The Empress Dowager glanced at the Second and Fourth Prince before she gently said, "You may rise. This isn't the palace."

"Grandmother, I knew you were coming to the villa to recuperate so we went to hunt some game for you. We've also employed the best cook in Rubei City," Liu Bing said.

Liu Huan, naturally, would not let Liu Bing steal the limelight. He said immediately, "I've also prepared some entertainment for you, grandmother. It might be boring in the palace, but here in Rubei, I can prepare any songs that you like to hear, grandmother!"

When Li Yunzhao heard this, he bowed and said, "Your Highnesses, I'd like to make sure the Empress Dowager is safe… It's better to refrain from inviting unknown personnel into the villa."

"Eunuch Li, it's only natural that the people I bring can be trusted," Liu Huan, the Second Prince, said.

Li Yunzhao frowned. 'You trust them, but I don't.'

The Empress Dowager waved her hand and said, "I finally have the chance to come out and have a breath of fresh air. Stop bickering at once."

"Understood."

The others bowed.

Zhao Yue supported the Empress Dowager as she alighted from the carriage and entered the villa.

The entire villa was surrounded and tightly guarded. No one was allowed to enter.

Li Yunzhao observed the surroundings for a moment before entering the villa.

…

Meanwhile, several carriages slowly proceeded toward a spot near the villa.

Inside one of the carriages, Lu Zhou and Little Yuan'er were looking at Jiang Aijian who was dressed in exotic clothes.

Jiang Aijian said awkwardly, "Don't give me that look… I'm going on stage for a performance later…"

"For your grandmother?" If Lu Zhou could not even see through this, he would have spent his thousand years of living in vain.

"Just presenting the Buddha with borrowed flowers…" Jiang Aijian scratched his head awkwardly. It had been a long time since he had seen his grandmother. He might hold a grudge against everyone, but those people did not include his grandmother.

"I've underestimated you," Lu Zhou said as he stroked his beard.

"This is nothing… I'm a far cry compared to your seventh disciple… You might not know this, but when he wanted to wipe out the Clarity Sect, he planted more than 200 moles in their ranks. I'm truly impressed…" Jiang Aijian said.

"So, how many of your men did you plant around Liu Huan?" Lu Zhou asked.