After transmigrating into the body of the protagonist's childhood friend, he was targeted by a

The concubine's face stiffened, as if someone had touched her most sensitive spot.

"Alright, stop talking to her. Take her away." Lin Zhixu didn't want to waste any more words and gestured for Liu Shuyan to take her away.

Liu Shuyan stepped forward, about to reach out and grab her arm, when the concubine suddenly struggled violently, her face contorted so distorted it was almost unrecognizable.

"I don't want to die! Why should I die! You could have saved me with just one word, why didn't you save me! Why!"

Her voice rose higher and higher, until it became so shrill it sounded inhuman.

In the dim candlelight, his eyes suddenly glowed with an eerie red light, and his fingernails grew longer and blacker at a visible speed, becoming as sharp as knives.

She suddenly struggled, breaking the ropes binding her, and lunged at Liu Shuyan with bared teeth and claws.

"Watch out!" Lin Zhixu reacted quickly and pulled Liu Shuyan behind him.

The concubine had gone completely mad, uttering wild, beast-like howls, her ten fingers like hooks, wildly scratching at the four men.

Fortunately, her body was ultimately just a mortal being, and even when possessed by evil energy, she could not unleash even a tenth of the original power of that evil energy.

Jiang Chen and Fellow Daoist Xiao attacked from both sides, and within a few moves they pinned her to the ground.

Liu Shuyan cast a spell to immobilize her, which finally calmed her down completely.

The people were tied up again, but the four men's expressions became even more grim.

They searched the concubine's body several times, but found no trace of evil energy.

But the evil energy suddenly flared up again, and so strongly, which could only mean that they had underestimated this evil thing.

Perhaps it is not hidden in a person's body, but in her thoughts.

As soon as an evil thought arises, evil spirits will follow like a shadow, like maggots clinging to bones.

This is tricky.

How can a person live a lifetime without having a single evil thought?

If a single thought can attract evil, wouldn't the whole world be tainted by evil?

No wonder evil cultivators keep emerging even after so many years of eradication efforts.

Jiang Chen glanced at the concubine, who had been re-bound, and asked in a low voice, "She's in this state, are we still going to hand her over?"

Lin Zhixu was silent for a moment, then said, "Lock her up first. If we don't remove the evil energy from her body, handing her over now will only harm more people."

The three of them thought it made sense.

Liu Shuyan and Fellow Daoist Xiao added several more restrictions, escorting the concubine into the innermost dark room. The doors and windows were sealed from the outside, and two warning talismans were left on the door just in case.

After dealing with the concubine, they turned and left.

No one noticed that, in the instant they turned around, the concubine, who had been unconscious, slowly opened her eyes in the dark room.

His eyes were filled with a deep, sinister glint.

She stared intently at Lin Zhixu's back, like a venomous snake locking onto its prey, her eyes swirling with a chilling greed.

She sniffed softly, letting out a barely audible whisper, like she was laughing.

……

By the time the four of them finished dealing with this mess, it was already broad daylight.

They tidied themselves up quickly and went to see the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager also hadn't slept all night. Leaning against the soft couch, her eyes were dark and her makeup was still neat, but it couldn't hide her exhaustion.

Seeing the four enter, she gestured for them to sit, her voice slightly hoarse: "Immortal Masters, you've had a long journey. How is that...that woman?"

Lin Zhixu: "The evil energy in her body has no origin; it seems to have grown from her own evil thoughts. We cannot eradicate it for the time being, and to prevent her from harming others again, we can only detain her in solitary confinement for now."

The Empress Dowager was taken aback: "Even the immortal masters can't do anything?"

Liu Shuyan continued, "The Empress Dowager need not worry too much. After all, she is only a mortal, and even if she is possessed by evil spirits, she cannot cause any major trouble."

"We have already sent a message back to our clan, requesting that someone come and handle the matter. Once the evil spirits have been completely removed and she has regained her senses, you can make further plans."

The Empress Dowager nodded, but worry still lingered in her eyes.

She hesitated for a moment before whispering, "I have another matter to ask the immortal masters for a definite answer."

She paused, then asked, "Is the Emperor's health... truly incurable?"

Fellow Daoist Xiao paused for a moment, then shook his head: "Bringing the dead back to life and healing flesh and bones is already defying the heavens. Moreover, His Majesty's injury is in a vital spot, and the items are already gone. Forgive my bluntness, but even if there were a way, there's nothing we can do in his current condition."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

The Empress Dowager closed her eyes, as if she already knew the outcome, but she still couldn't help asking the question again.

After a long while, she finally let out a long sigh: "So be it. I understand."

Lin Zhixu spoke frankly: "Empress Dowager, if I may be so bold as to offer a word of advice. His Majesty has suffered such a severe injury; his physical wounds can be healed, but the wounds in his heart are the most troublesome."

"We have come here to protect the dragon vein. If a ruler's temperament changes drastically and he falls ill from resentment as a result, the dragon vein may become unstable. We hope Your Majesty will make plans as soon as possible."

The Empress Dowager opened her eyes, her gaze complex. After a long while, she slowly nodded: "I understand what the Immortal Master has said."

She said slowly, "The Emperor currently has three princes. The eldest prince is the oldest, just turned ten this year. He is calm and steady, and studies diligently. If nothing unexpected happens, he will be the best candidate to become the Crown Prince in the future."

"The Second Prince is clever and charming, and I tend to favor him. But he is still a bit young and his temperament is not yet settled."

"As for the Third Prince, he is still young, so let's not talk about it for now."

After she finished speaking, she looked up at the four people and said, "Since you immortal masters are all here, why don't you also help me decide which of these children is more suitable to sit in that position?"

The four exchanged glances, but none of them responded to the question.

The Empress Dowager seemed to have a plan in mind, but she was worried and wanted to hear the opinions of these outsiders.

However, the selection of an heir is a matter of royal domestic affairs, and it is not convenient for them to interfere.

Lin Zhixu smiled faintly, "It is not appropriate for us to get involved in this matter. However, since ancient times, there has been an order of seniority, and the crown prince should be chosen by the most capable. Judging from the Empress Dowager's meaning, it is quite clear that she already has someone in mind, doesn't she?"

The Empress Dowager's worried expression eased somewhat, and she nodded with a smile: "The Immortal Master is indeed insightful. Although the Second Prince pleases me more, the stability of this empire cannot ultimately be determined by mere pleasing others. No matter how reluctant I am, I cannot gamble with the legacy of our ancestors."

"I will discuss this with the court officials as soon as possible and first determine the title of the eldest prince. I will speak to the emperor. Given his current state, he should calm down and think more about the children and the country."

However, the fact that the emperor established an heir so soon after the incident must have been a significant blow to him.

There's a chance things might get out of hand.

The emperor is a good emperor. In the days since he ascended the throne, he has been diligent in his duties and considerate of the people. Although there have been minor disturbances in the court, no major mistakes have been made.

He's easily influenced and has a fondness for beautiful women.

She tried to persuade her, but it was no use.

Moreover, she felt that liking beautiful women wasn't a big problem.

As long as it doesn't interfere with important matters, she'll turn a blind eye to things that are consensual and mutually agreeable.

Who would have thought that this seemingly "nothing serious" ailment would ultimately cost him his life?

Life is truly unpredictable.

At this point, I was actually somewhat relieved that the emperor was fond of beautiful women.

Fortunately, she gave birth to an excellent heir; otherwise, I really don't know what to do after something like this happened.