Private Banquet Hall
Ivy Shen rushed into the private hall, but the moment she pushed open the door, she was greeted by absolute chaos: Xiska Mon’s sleeves were shredded, two people were wrapped around his legs like limp noodles, and the rest were sprawled all over the floor, each clutching a torn scrap of his robe. Clearly, a mini-brawl had just gone down.
“These guys know the drill—if there’s trouble, they’ll tear my sleeves off just to get the antidote,” Xiska Mon sighed, glancing helplessly at the heap of unconscious, sleeve-thieving maniacs on the floor.
“Relax, I know you’ve suffered. Once everything’s sorted, I’ll introduce you to some beauties as compensation,” Ivy teased, looking at the disaster zone with a pang of guilt and tenderness. No need to ask—every single person here must’ve fought tooth and nail in that chaos.
“Any regrets? Are you sure you don’t want to let them come?” Xiska Mon asked, gazing at the group again. He was struck, once more, by the kind of loyalty that would make someone risk death for the one they love…
“Don’t drink!” Ethan Chu was the first to catch on, snapping upright before slumping over with the rest. Every single one of them glared with a mix of resentment and heartbreak—except for Fire God and Ice God, who looked downright pitiful as they pleaded.
“Your Majesty… King, what are you doing?” Fire God managed, voice weak and full of concern.
“Tonight, I’m heading to the imperial palace with Ivy Shen to bust into the hell-prison,” Xiska Mon declared, not even trying to hide his dramatic flair.
“What?!” Fire God and Ice God yelped in disbelief. A prison raid? That’s like flipping the heavens! If it’s really happening tonight, then why knock them out instead of letting them help?
“The antidote…” Thanks to all the wine and food, the seating had gotten shuffled; now Eli Crane was beside Xiska Mon, clutching his sleeve. For the first time ever, his normally calm face was twisted in anger. “Give us the antidote!”
“Sorry, I can’t,” Xiska Mon replied gently, meeting Eli’s furious gaze. He knew Eli was truly angry this time.
“Just give us the antidote…” Adrian Night staggered over, grabbing Xiska Mon’s collar with surprising strength despite his wobbling. He swayed left and right, desperate: “The imperial palace… it’s too dangerous, especially with Ivy pregnant. She can’t go!”
“Please, please, just give us the antidote! Our wife can’t go!” Liam Willow, not much of a drinker and lacking martial arts, was a bit more clear-headed than the others, but still dizzy. His begging was heartfelt, if a little pathetic.
“A leader of a whole country—how can you pull something like this?” Yvonne Li slammed her wine cup down in anger, kicking herself for not seeing through Ivy’s scheme sooner. How could she forget what a schemer Ivy was?
“Yeah! The antidote, hurry up…” Pinkie and Lanny were just as flustered, their loyalty to their Mistress making them join the chorus of angry demands.
“I know you’re all worried about Ivy Shen, but trust me—King Xiska and I swear we’ll bring her back safe and sound. Just relax and get some sleep!” Xiska Mon declared, seeing their genuine anger was all out of love and loyalty.
“Don’t… don’t waste time talking!” Caleb Miles lurched over, swaying dangerously as he tried to search Xiska Mon for the antidote, but his coordination was so shot he only managed to rip off another sleeve.
“How—how dare you!” Fire God roared in comic outrage.
“You all… how could you… Such disrespect!” Ice God echoed, scandalized that anyone would treat their king like this.
“The antidote…” Everyone scrambled weakly toward Xiska Mon, pawing at him for the antidote. But with their heads spinning and legs like jelly, none of them could stay upright, collapsing in a heap of comic desperation.
"Your Majesty... you can't! Please, don't go risking your life—take us with you! We're useful, I swear!" Fire God shook his head frantically, fighting off double vision and practically yelling.
"Your Majesty... if you really insist on going alone, then just—just kill us first!" Ice God raged, voice trembling. If a retainer can't protect their king, what's the point of living?
But before Xiska Mon could even answer, both of them slumped over, totally knocked out. Yet even as they fainted, each clung desperately to one of his legs, clearly refusing to let him leave.
Suddenly, more 'rip rip' sounds echoed nearby—then a chorus of 'thump thump thump!' as everyone toppled like dominoes to the floor.
He lifted his arms: his sleeves were completely shredded. Thank goodness for the undershirt, but honestly, he looked like a beggar who'd just lost a fight with a pack of wild dogs.
"What's up? Lost in thought?" Ivy Shen strolled out of the room, tossing a fresh coat to Xiska Mon.
Xiska Mon caught the coat, shrugged off his ruined outerwear, and threw on the new one without a second thought.
"I was just wondering if I'll ever meet the kind of woman you talked about," Xiska Mon mused, flashing a wry, almost mocking smile.
"The kind who'd throw everything away for love—even risk it all and call it sweet?"
"You think so? Is there anyone out there more perfect than you?"
"Of course there is—as long as you believe!" Ivy grinned, then put her thumb to her lips and whistled. Instantly, four mysterious men materialized out of nowhere, like ninja magicians.
Xiska Mon froze, jaw dropping. He hadn't sensed these four at all—seriously, were they ghosts or what?
"Master!" the four called out in perfect unison.
"Wind, Rain, Thunder, Lightning—you four handle the comforting and babysitting, got it?" Ivy ordered, shooting them a look.
"Understood!" they replied, voices as crisp as a military parade.
"Where'd you find these guys? I couldn't sense a thing! And wow, they really listen to you. If my own people were half as obedient, I wouldn't have needed to drug them just to get out!" Xiska Mon glanced at Fire God and Ice God sprawled on the ground, sighing in defeat.
But Xiska didn't realize that Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning all secretly wanted to follow Ivy too. The Shadow Guard had one iron rule: the master's command was absolute. No matter how worried or unwilling, they followed orders without a peep.
So even if they were worried sick, they couldn't show it. The only thing they could do was make sure their master had zero worries holding her back.
Their entire mission tonight: keep Ivy's emotional baggage at zero while she goes off to risk her neck. That's the Shadow Guard way.
"Can we go now?" Ivy flashed Xiska Mon a grin.
"Heck yes!" Xiska Mon scooped up the bundle-wrapped Ten-Thousand-Year Iron Sword and slung it over his back. "Let's go bust into that prison!"
With that, the two slipped straight into the night. Ivy had been prepping this op for a month, ever since she arrived in Lark City.
She'd stayed in Lark City for two reasons: one, to avoid catching Cao Wan'er's eye; and two, to keep her seven husbands and Yvonne Li from getting suspicious. If they caught a whiff of her plan, they'd chase her down for sure.
Honestly, Ivy had been in contact with the Shadow Guard since leaving Flame Valley. Every move since then? All under her control.
"You even figured out exactly who's going into the palace tonight!" Under Lord Fu's carriage, Xiska Mon hung upside down like a total Spider-Man, Ivy right beside him.
"We're here to save people, not get ourselves killed!" Ivy shot back, making her plan crystal clear.
The past few days, Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning had been crazy busy—tracking every nighttime palace visitor, mapping their routes. The Shadow Guard never missed a beat.
Seriously, the Shadow Guard wasn't just for show—they were Ivy's secret weapon.
Xiska Mon didn't say another word, but his golden eyes sparkled with anticipation. Ivy knew exactly why she'd let him tag along: one, he made the Ten-Thousand-Year Chain and sword; two, he hated Cao Wan'er just as much as she did. Tonight, their enemy was his enemy too.
As the carriage rolled through the palace gates, Xiska Mon's glowing eyes suddenly turned deep and somber. Ivy caught the look—he was definitely remembering his childhood.
Cao Wan'er, oh Cao Wan'er—you've ruined so many lives. How many orphans have you made? How many people never even knew family? The longer you live, the more misery you spread!
Clip-clop, clip-clop—the carriage finally rolled to a stop, tension thick in the air.
"Is that Lord Fu?" A familiar voice drifted down from above.
"Guard Wang," Lord Fu replied, letting his servants help him down from the carriage.
"Lord Fu, hurry! The Crown Prince isn't feeling well again, and Her Majesty the Empress is already there—we need to move!" Wang Gui urged, practically hopping with anxiety.
"Right, right!" Lord Fu hustled after Wang Gui, not daring to hesitate.
The servants dragged the carriage outside the palace—standard rule, no vehicles allowed inside for long.
As soon as the carriage rolled away, Ivy and Xiska Mon let go of the handles and flopped down on the ground, dodging like pros as the carriage sped off.
They popped right back up, ready for action.
"This is the palace?" Xiska Mon frowned at the empty courtyard. "Where's everybody? Is this really it?"
"This is just the first layer—we're nowhere near the center yet. Come on, Operation Tiger Tooth Extraction is officially on!" Ivy flashed a sly smile, leapt into the darkness, and Xiska Mon grinned, wind at his heels, dashing after her. Tooth-pulling from a tiger's mouth? Now that's a challenge!