SWDnovel Chapter 4 Night Raid on the Royal Palace
Chapter 4 Night Raid on the Royal Palace
Xia Bing landed on the locust tree outside the Zhao King's Palace, her gaze sweeping over the palace walls.
The patrolling soldiers passed by every quarter of an hour, their route fixed and flawless. But to him, these guards were utterly ineffective.
What he really needs to be wary of are the hidden masters.
In his mind, the mark of the diamond treasure chest grew brighter and brighter, located near the east wall of the side hall.
Xia Bing held her breath and focused her mind, then began her ascension to immortality.
Its figure moved like a ghost, skimming over the palace wall and landing silently on the roof of the side hall. The patrolling soldiers only felt a gentle breeze, and when they looked up again, there was nothing there.
Xia Bing lay on the roof ridge, sensing the atmosphere inside the hall.
nobody.
He breathed a sigh of relief and tiptoed around to the corridor behind the side hall. There were no guards here, but there was a restriction.
Xia Bing stretched out her hand, and slowly poured Sacred Heart True Qi into the edge of the restriction. As the True Qi circulated, the restriction silently dissolved without even a ripple.
The hall was pitch black.
Xia Bing closed her eyes and sensed the location of the diamond treasure chest—it was three zhang away from the east wall.
He walked quietly, passing through layers of curtains, and finally saw the crystal-clear treasure chest.
The diamond chest radiated a breathtaking light. Only he could see it.
Xia Bing reached out and touched it—
[Open the Diamond Chest]
[Obtained: The Perfect Version of "Mingyu Divine Skill"]
[Obtained: Phoenix Blood Essence ×1]
[Received: Dragon Essence Fragment ×1]
Xia Bing's Quick Browse System Instructions.
The Perfect Version of "Mingyu Divine Skill"—a Yin-attribute cultivation technique with nine levels, capable of granting eternal youth and freezing thousands of miles. The cultivator's Mingyu True Qi flows endlessly within their body, and their skin becomes translucent like jade when practicing.
Phoenix Blood Essence – Containing the power of the phoenix bloodline, it can neutralize cold poison, suppress cold-related ailments, and reshape the bloodline. When combined with the Mingyu Divine Skill, it complements the other's effects.
Dragon Essence Fragments – can reshape the physical body, extend lifespan, and enhance power.
Xia Bing's heart skipped a beat.
My mother's coldness can be cured!
Mingyu Divine Skill is a Yin-attribute cultivation technique, sharing the same origin as her mother's Cold Yin Meridian. By cultivating this technique, the cold energy within her body will ironically become a foundation, turning misfortune into blessing. Furthermore, the Phoenix Blood Essence can neutralize the cold poison, ensuring a safe and secure cultivation process.
He carefully put away the three treasures and turned to leave.
Just then—
"Who goes there!"
With a low shout, the side hall door was pushed open.
A middle-aged man in a brocade robe walked in, followed by four guards. The torchlight illuminated the side hall, making Xia Bing's figure clearly visible.
Xia Bing narrowed her eyes.
This man possessed a restrained aura and walked with a steady gait, clearly a trained martial artist. The four guards behind him were also formidable, at least second or third-rate experts in the acquired realm.
"Breaking into a side hall of the palace in the dead of night," the middle-aged man said, sizing up Xia Bing with a sinister gaze, "you're here to steal something?"
Xia Bing remained silent.
He did come to steal something. But these people couldn't see the treasure chest, so they naturally didn't know what he had stolen.
"Take it down!" the middle-aged man waved his hand.
Four guards rushed at the same time, their blades flashing.
Xia Bing stood still.
The moment the first knife fell, he dodged to the side and struck the guard in the chest with his backhand. With a thud, the guard flew backward, crashing into a pillar and losing consciousness.
The second and third guards attacked simultaneously, their blades aimed straight for his throat and heart.
Xia Bing waved her left hand, and Sacred Heart True Qi surged forth. The two men seemed to have crashed into an invisible wall, letting out muffled groans and falling to the ground, their knives falling to the ground with a crisp sound.
The last guard's hand, gripping the knife, was trembling.
He looked at his unconscious companion on the ground, then at the black-clad youth standing motionless, and his legs began to tremble.
"Who...who are you?"
Xia Bing glanced at him and said indifferently, "Get lost."
The guard felt as if he had been granted a pardon and scrambled out of the side hall, forgetting to even pick up his knife.
The middle-aged man's face was ashen.
He was the chief clerk of the Zhao State general's office, a prominent figure in Handan. Tonight, he was ordered to inspect the storeroom in the side hall, but unexpectedly ran into a petty thief who crippled all of his guards in a single move.
"Do you...do you know who I am?" the middle-aged man said sternly.
Xia Bing shook her head.
"I am the Chief Clerk of the General's Office of Zhao!" the middle-aged man gritted his teeth. "You broke into the palace tonight and injured my men; this matter will not be left unresolved!"
Xia Bing turned around, ready to leave.
"Halt!" the middle-aged man roared. "Do you think you can leave the Zhao King's Palace alive?"
Xia Bing paused in her steps.
He glanced back, his tone calm: "You can try."
The middle-aged man felt a chill run down his spine when he met those eyes.
Those eyes were calm as still water, without any emotional fluctuation, yet they sent a chill down his spine—the instinctive fear that only comes when facing life and death.
He clenched his fists, but hesitated to make a move.
By the time he came to his senses, the figure of the boy in black had already disappeared into the night.
......
Back home, Xia Bing tiptoed into her mother's bedroom.
Xia Yufang leaned against the couch, seemingly having been waiting for him. When she saw Xia Bing enter, her eyes lit up, but then she frowned again.
"Where did you go? Why are you only coming back now?"
"Mother, there's a way to treat your illness." Xia Bing sat down beside the bed. "I've found one."
Xia Yufang was taken aback: "Found what?"
Xia Bing took out the Phoenix Blood Essence and the "Mingyu Divine Skill" and placed the two items on the couch.
"This is a Yin-attribute internal energy cultivation technique called the Bright Jade Divine Skill, which shares the same origin as your cold-related illness. If you cultivate this technique, the cold energy within your body will actually become its foundation."
He then pointed to the Phoenix Blood Essence: "This is the Phoenix Blood Essence, which can neutralize the cold poison and suppress its side effects. You can cultivate while absorbing the power of the Phoenix Blood Essence; the two will complement each other."
Xia Yufang only half understood what she was hearing, but she saw the light in her son's eyes.
"Bing'er... these things..."
"I was lucky, it just so happened." Xia Bing didn't explain further. "Mother, believe me."
Xia Yufang remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded.
She believed in her son. She always did.
......
Xia Bing placed the Phoenix Blood Essence in her mother's dantian, and the Sacred Heart True Qi guided the power of the Phoenix Blood to slowly merge into her meridians.
At the same time, he orally explained the cultivation method of Mingyu Divine Skill to his mother.
"Mother, do as I say, circulate your inner energy. Feel the coldness within your body, don't resist, let it flow..."
Xia Yufang closed her eyes and, following her son's guidance, began the first cycle.
The chilling energy within her body was no longer a tormenting poison, but rather an obedient stream, flowing along the pathways of the Bright Jade Divine Art. Simultaneously, the power of the Phoenix Blood Essence was released, neutralizing the malevolent energy within the chilling energy and making it docile.
One week.
Two weeks.
Xia Yufang's body began to heat up, and her previously pale face flushed. She could feel the chill that had plagued her for over a decade transforming into some kind of...power?
Xia Bing stayed by her side the whole time, using her Sacred Heart Qi to protect her mother's heart meridian.
An hour later, Xia Yufang opened her eyes.
She was stunned.
There was actually true qi within my body?
"Bing'er, I...I think I succeeded?"
Xia Bing nodded: "Mother, you are now at the fifth level of the Bright Jade Divine Skill."
Xia Yufang's eyes widened: "The fifth floor? This... how is this possible?"
"Because of the Phoenix Blood Essence and your bloodline," Xia Bing explained. "The Phoenix Blood Essence and the Bright Jade Divine Art complement each other, and coupled with your own Cold Yin Meridian, which provides an excellent foundation for cultivation, you were able to reach the level that ordinary people achieve in ten years of arduous training on your very first attempt."
Xia Yufang looked down at her hands, her palms glowing with a faint jade-like light.
She looked up at her son, her eyes slightly red.
"Bing'er... what have you been through all these years?"
Xia Bing smiled and said, "Mother, your illness is not completely cured yet."
Xia Yufang was taken aback.
"The Phoenix Blood Essence and the Bright Jade Divine Art can only temporarily suppress the cold symptoms. Only by cultivating the Bright Jade Divine Art to perfection can you completely absorb the cold energy suppressed by your bloodline. Only then can you completely eliminate the hidden dangers." Xia Bing's tone was serious. "This road is long, but I will walk it with you to the end."
Xia Yufang took a deep breath and nodded vigorously.
"good."
......
Back in her room, Xia Bing took out the "Mingyu Divine Skill" and the Dragon Essence Fragment.
He reviewed the Mingyu Divine Skill and memorized all its contents.
System notification: The Sacred Heart Technique has absorbed the essence of the Bright Jade Divine Skill. The Sacred Heart True Qi has gained the Yin Cold attribute, which can freeze thousands of miles and preserve youth forever.
The original technique is still there.
The Sacred Heart Technique absorbs the essence, not the technique itself.
Xia Bing nodded in satisfaction. This gave the Sacred Heart Technique another ability. It could then absorb other cultivation techniques it encountered in the future.
Next up are the Dragon Essence Fragments.
It was only the size of a fingernail, yet it exuded a powerful dragon's might.
Xia Bing swallowed the Dragon Essence Fragment without hesitation.
A surge of intense heat coursed through his body, and the Sacred Heart Qi within his meridians circulated wildly, absorbing the power of the Dragon Essence. His bones emitted a slight crackling sound, his muscle fibers were remodeling, and his blood flowed like a river.
After a while, the force finally subsided.
System notification: Physical constitution has undergone a transformation, lifespan has increased, and the power of the Sacred Heart Technique has increased by 30%.
Xia Bing felt the changes within her body.
The Sacred Heart True Qi was at least 30% stronger than before, and much more refined. More importantly—
The bottleneck has been loosened.
A crack appeared in the barrier of the Great Perfection of the Day After Tomorrow.
He was just one step away from breaking through to the Innate Realm.
Xia Bing opened her eyes, a slight smile playing on her lips.
Tonight's harvest far exceeded expectations.
But he also knew that the person he had offended tonight would not let the matter rest.
Chief Secretary of the General's Office of Zhao State...
Whoever it is.
Anyone who dares to harm his mother will be killed by him.