Once the location of the Former Dynasty treasure was confirmed, Ninth Royal Uncle told Serena Feng right away, hoping to put her mind at ease.
"It's that dangerous?" Upon learning the treasure's location, Serena wasn't reassured at all—she only grew more anxious. Her first reaction was the same as Vincent Su's: she tried to persuade Ninth Royal Uncle not to go himself. "Your status is different now. You can't take that risk."
"It's best not to let outsiders know." Ninth Royal Uncle had his own reasons—when it comes to the Former Dynasty treasure, the fewer people who know, the better. Otherwise, it would surely cause an uproar.
"The Black Riders. Let the Black Riders go." Serena offered the most sensible suggestion—after all, the Black Riders were Ninth Royal Uncle's most trusted inner circle. Even if the whole world betrayed him, the Black Riders never would.
"The Black Riders would just try to force their way through. The Former Dynasty Imperial Mausoleum isn't a place you can break into with sheer strength." Ninth Royal Uncle wasn't looking down on the Black Riders—having trained them himself, he knew their strengths and weaknesses all too well.
The Black Riders are loyal, skilled in battle, and work seamlessly as a team. Individually, they're formidable—but none of them are truly suited to command. Even with a map, the Black Riders couldn't make it through the mausoleum.
That place isn't something you can just walk through with a map. The dangers inside are unimaginable unless you've experienced them yourself.
"If you're going, I'm going too. I can protect myself." Since the mausoleum isn't just about martial skill, Serena didn't think she'd be a burden to Ninth Royal Uncle. "There are sure to be wild beasts in the forest—I can bring the Snow Wolf to help you."
"You've always been my support." Ninth Royal Uncle smiled—he'd never thought of Serena as a burden.
"Alright, I'll take that as a compliment." Serena's cheeks flushed slightly. She knew perfectly well her own lack of combat ability.
"You’re right." Hearing this, Ninth Royal Uncle feels less anxious, his tense posture relaxing a little. He looks up at Serena, and in his deep eyes, a rare warmth flickers to life…
Lately, because of Lady Min’s scandal, Serena has barely left home, afraid of causing more trouble. Ninth Royal Uncle feels guilty about her forced isolation, and remembering that it’s still crab season, he suddenly suggests: "There’s nothing urgent tomorrow. Come with me to Windchaser Inn."
Windchaser Inn alone isn’t remarkable, but when it’s connected to Ninth Royal Uncle, it always signals something important. Serena assumes he has major business and simply nods, not probing further.
Ninth Royal Uncle has no intention of explaining further; everything will be revealed tomorrow.
It’s meant to be a surprise for Serena.
"It’s late. Let’s get some rest." In that instant, Ninth Royal Uncle’s gaze turns heated and lingering. He steps forward, gently loosening Serena’s hair; her long, jet-black locks arc gracefully through the air, sliding over his fingers and cascading down her back.
That night, spring is in full bloom…
Inside Ninth Prince Manor, the woman who always appears gentle and graceful in public now wears a mask of rage. Her refined features twist with anger as she nearly grinds her teeth: "What do you mean you can’t find the cause? He’s growing weaker every day, can’t even get out of bed, and you still have no diagnosis? What are those doctors even doing? And… why are you only telling me now about something so serious?"
If not for the fact that this is Ninth Prince Manor, with shadow guards right outside, Lady Min—who is also his aunt—would have slammed the table in fury.
After so much effort, Eastlyn’s situation is finally improving, Liancastle is on track, and Jason Jingyang is making progress—no longer clashing with Ninth Royal Uncle out of pride. Yet at this crucial moment, his health fails.
"The Young Lord… he was afraid you’d worry, so he forbade us from saying anything." The servant is drenched in cold sweat, stammering in terror.
Lady Min is anything but appeased—her fury only grows: "Afraid I’d worry? And now he’s not worried? Waiting until he’s nearly dead to call me, does he think I’m some kind of miracle worker?"
The servant bows his head so low it almost touches his chest, not daring to utter a word, his body trembling as he fears incurring Lady Min’s wrath.
Knowing anger won’t solve anything, Lady Min takes a deep breath and forces herself to calm down, then asks in a low voice: "Have any of his concubines conceived?"
"Per your orders, the favored concubines have stopped taking contraceptive decoctions, but… there’s still no good news." Not a single pregnancy. Lady Min’s barely controlled anger flares up again.
She has spent years scheming and enduring humiliation, all to ensure the Lan clan’s direct bloodline could reclaim the throne and rule the realm. She has flattered enemies, submitted herself to a man she despises, and even plotted against her own son—yet now…
Victory seemed within reach, but the man she chose to support is nothing but a useless heap, dragging her down at every turn and now collapsing at the most critical moment.
She’s just so tired!
Lady Min truly feels exhausted—so tired, so very tired…
"When are you planning to set out?" Right now, everything outside is in chaos—definitely not a good time to travel. Eastlyn is still unstable, and the realm can’t do without Ninth Royal Uncle holding things down.
While Ninth Royal Uncle is stirring up internal strife abroad, Eastlyn itself is also plagued by unrest, manipulated by those with ulterior motives. It’ll take real effort to restore order.
"Early summer." Ninth Royal Uncle originally considered spring, but spring is when wild beasts are in heat and especially aggressive. If they’re trapped in the forests then, running into animals during mating season could be a serious problem.
That timing is just right, and Serena is quite satisfied: "We can get everything ready in advance. Once the fighting in Chu City settles down, you can start special training for the Black Riders, and we can also consult with Left Shore about mechanism theory."
Of everyone they know, Left Shore is the most skilled in this area: "If only we could track down the person from Ghost Hall who built those mechanized war chariots, that would be perfect."
Serena sighs—she has to admit, the people from Ghost Hall may look terrifying, but their skills are truly formidable. Even she envies their talent.
"It’ll be tough. Ever since their exposure in Westlyn, Ghost Hall has become much more cautious—it’s not easy to find their people." Ninth Royal Uncle habitually taps the table, clearly weighing the feasibility of Serena’s plan.
Storm Cloud Bu may not have infiltrated Ghost Hall’s core, but he’s earned their respect and trust. Digging up intel on a mechanism master isn’t the hardest part—the real challenge is how to actually reach their island and bring someone out.
Ghost Hall’s true location is still a secret—even Storm Cloud Bu probably can’t uncover where they’re really based.
"We have plenty of time, so there’s no rush. If we can find someone, great; if not, it’s not a big deal. The treasure left by the Former Dynasty was meant for their descendants. The journey will have its dangers, but I believe as long as we follow the map’s route, it won’t be fatal. After all, the Former Dynasty royals made the map to guide their heirs—not to kill them off." If not for the dynasty’s fall, the Nine Provinces Treasure Map would never have ended up in the hands of outsiders. There’s no need to doubt its authenticity.