I have a martial arts panel.

Chapter 262 Zhuo Weisong and Mo Lan

"You're Xu Ning?"

The aloof man walked to the pavilion and approached Xu Ning.

He looked Xu Ning up and down, a smirk playing on his lips, his tone laced with amusement.

Xu Ning frowned slightly and stood up.

"I am Xu Ning, and who are you?"

Having just arrived, Xu Ning was unfamiliar with the situation of the Ye Prince's Mansion.

He treated this visitor with caution.

Although this person is not a good person, now is not the time to offend him.

"This person's cultivation level should be higher than mine... He is very likely a Grandmaster at the fifth level of the Dao Realm, the Cleansing Core Realm..."

Xu Ning pondered this in his mind while also observing the man.

"You, a mere retainer, dare to sit alone in the pavilion of the Prince's residence. You have no manners whatsoever. This pavilion is reserved for the Heir Apparent."

The cold-faced man, seemingly relying on his superior status, reprimanded Xu Ning.

Upon hearing this, Xu Ning did not reply directly.

Xu Ning was now certain that this cold-faced man was deliberately targeting her, even though she didn't know how the conflict had arisen since it was their first meeting.

When Xu Ning was led to this garden, the servants informed him of the rules of the Prince's mansion.

However, it is not mentioned at all that one should sit and wait in this pavilion.

"This is my first time here, I don't know the rules, please forgive me."

Xu Ning remained polite, but her gaze met that of the cold-faced man, and she was in no way inferior in terms of aura.

Upon seeing this, the stern-faced man snorted coldly, seemingly wanting to reprimand Xu Ning.

But just then, someone else arrived.

"Zhuo Weisong, what are you doing?"

Xu Ning looked up and saw that the person who came was Zhang He, who was beside Prince Duan Chaofeng.

At this moment, Zhang Heyi, dressed in a long robe with wide sleeves, stared at the cold-faced man named Zhuo Weisong with a somewhat displeased expression.

Upon seeing Zhang He arrive, Zhuo Weisong frowned, and his initial stance towards Xu Ning softened.

"Master Zhang."

Zhuo Weisong clasped his hands in a gesture of greeting, but it seemed somewhat perfunctory.

"Xu Ning is new to the Prince's residence. I've only come to teach him the rules of the residence."

As Zhuo Weisong spoke, he glanced at Xu Ning with a provocative look in his eyes.

"I don't need you to teach me."

Zhang He was very dissatisfied with Zhuo Weisong's attitude: "I will teach him the rules of the Prince's Mansion. There is no need to trouble you."

"That was meddling in other people's business..."

Zhuo Weisong said, as if mocking himself, "In that case, I'll take my leave."

After saying that, he glanced at Xu Ning again, then ignored Zhang He and left.

Zhang He watched Zhuo Weisong's retreating figure for a long time before finally letting out a cold snort: "Arrogant!"

"Xu Ning."

After saying that, Zhang He turned and walked to Xu Ning's side, his expression changing as he put on a smile: "Sorry to keep you waiting."

Zhang He was well aware of Duan Chaofeng's attitude towards Xu Ning, so he was always very friendly when facing Xu Ning.

"Senior Zhang He, it won't be long."

Xu Ning also bowed.

He had a good impression of Zhang He.

"Didn't you bring your two demonic beasts with you?"

Zhang He asked in a casual, greeting manner.

"Yes, I brought it. It's in a separate space."

Xu Ning said.

Xu Ning currently possesses two spatial treasures: one is the Demon Beast Diagram Bead, and the other is the Hidden Moon Bead.

"Senior Zhang He..."

After exchanging a few casual words, Xu Ning asked, "That person from earlier..."

"That man's name is Zhuo Weisong, and he works under the Crown Prince."

Mentioning Zhuo Weisong, Zhang He's face hardened again: "This man's father is a confidant of the prince, named Zhuo Cengyun, a high-level grandmaster at the seventh level of the Dao Realm. It is because of his father's status that he always acts arrogantly when he is on duty with the prince, considering himself superior and looking down on everyone else."

"so……"

Xu Ning nodded: "But I've never seen this person before, why is he hostile towards me?"

Xu Ning didn't beat around the bush and directly asked the question that had been bothering him.

Upon hearing this, Zhang He smiled and said, "Although this is your first time meeting him, it's not the first time he's heard your name."

"Oh?"

Xu Ning was puzzled.

"The Crown Prince has been mentioning you frequently at the palace recently, and he seems to admire you greatly. Although you haven't arrived at the palace yet, all of the Crown Prince's confidants know your name."

Zhang He said, "The martial arts talent you have displayed, as well as your ability and efficiency in doing things, have greatly satisfied the Crown Prince."

"So, just because of that, Zhuo Weisong holds a grudge against me?"

Xu Ning also found it funny.

"good."

Zhang He said, "In all these years, the young master has never shown such an attitude towards those around him as he has towards you. You haven't even arrived at the Prince's residence yet, and there are already people secretly trying to win you over."

"so……"

Xu Ning was somewhat surprised to hear this.

Before he knew it, he had become a figure in the core circle of Guqing Prefecture.

"Alright, let's talk as we walk."

Zhang He said, "I'll take you to see the Crown Prince first."

"it is good."

Xu Ning followed behind Zhang He.

Afterwards, Zhang He also took Xu Ning to Duan Chaofeng's study.

When Duan Chaofeng saw Xu Ning arrive, he was very enthusiastic.

After a brief exchange, Duan Chaofeng instructed Zhang He to personally arrange accommodations for Xu Ning.

Xu Ning was assigned to a side room in the Prince's villa.

Although it was called a side room, it was actually quite luxurious.

This is merely the Prince's Villa within the Prince's Mansion, but its area is several times larger than the Cheng Family Mansion where Xu Ning previously stayed.

So, for the next few days, Xu Ning stayed in his room, casually refining some pills in preparation for what he would need after setting sail.

"what?"

On this day, after refining a batch of monster-attracting pills, Xu Ning suddenly realized something.

The person who commissioned Shi Chenghao to refine medicine also produced a large number of monster pills, including many lure pills that could entice monsters to appear.

"That person must also be a master beast tamer... I wonder if they'll be recruited on this voyage..."

Just as he was pondering this, a servant came and called Xu Ning.

"Lord Xu, the Crown Prince will be hosting a banquet in the banquet hall in two hours. Please remember to attend on time."

The servant said respectfully to Xu Ning.

"A banquet, perhaps..."

Xu Ning nodded: "Understood."

"It seems the day to set sail will be in the next day or two..."

Xu Ning thought to himself.

This gathering of everyone was essentially the final preparation before setting sail.

……

at the same time.

Luzhi Prefecture, Nuowang Mansion.

Inside a study, a beautiful woman dressed in men's clothing with her hair tied up high sat in the seat of honor.

She exuded an imposing aura, her eyes gleaming with a sharp light; she was clearly no ordinary person.

Below her, there were nearly ten people sitting in two rows.

At the very bottom of the seating area sat Cen Yumou, the sect leader of Fengwu Pavilion, and Liang Ting'ang, the sect leader of Qingfeng Sect.

At this moment, the two of them were the lowest in status in the study.

"Preparations for capturing the Soya Beast are complete. We will set sail in three days."

The woman dressed as a man, sitting in the seat of honor, spoke.

This person is Princess Molan, the daughter of Prince Nuo.

"Yes, Princess."

The men below received the order and responded in unison.

"After capturing the Night Beast, I will personally deliver it to Her Majesty the Empress. I hope everyone will do their best and avoid any mishaps. Once the mission is accomplished, I will certainly reward everyone handsomely."

Although she was a woman, Princess Molan exuded a boldness that surpassed that of many men in every gesture.

"Thank you, Princess."

The people below responded in turn.

"By the way, if nothing unexpected happens, the operation to capture the Soyamon should have already been exposed."

Mo Lan's gaze swept across everyone's faces.

"A few days ago, I found several spies in the palace. Although they refused to admit their identities, it is certain that the news of the appearance of the Night Beast has been spread."

Mo Lan said, "So, on this trip, in addition to facing risks overseas, we may also face other enemies."

"However, please don't worry too much about this. We have made ample preparations and recruited a group of highly skilled beast taming masters. With them, our journey will be much smoother. In addition, with your support, our military strength is also well guaranteed."

Mo Lan added, "Furthermore, the crew for this voyage is entirely composed of disciples from the Fengwu Pavilion and the Qingfeng Sect. We must thank the two sect leaders for their efforts, as this journey is indeed quite dangerous."

"Your Highness is too kind."

Upon hearing this, Cen Yumou and Liang Tingang, who were sitting at the bottom, quickly stood up: "It is our duty to share the burden of the princess."

The two of them were very humble.

Especially Cen Yumou, after the sect's stronghold was seized by the Yanlu Sect a few days ago, he was afraid that the news would reach Princess Molan's ears and he would be reprimanded.

But to his surprise, Mo Lan did not blame him for this.

Seeing the two men's humble attitude, the others in the room also showed a faint look of disdain.

They all knew that Fengwu Pavilion and Qingfeng Sect were originally forces in Guqing Prefecture.

This humble posture, this willingness to give everything for Princess Mo Lan, is all in an attempt to gain Mo Lan's permission to move the sect from Gu Qing Prefecture to Lu Zhi Prefecture.

"In that case, go back and prepare."

Mo Lan waved her hand.

Then, everyone in the room stood up, bowed to Mo Lan, and left the room.

"Princess."

At this moment, an old woman walked out from behind the screen.

This old woman possessed extraordinary aura; she was a high-level Grandmaster at the seventh level of the Dao Realm.

Generally speaking, after advancing to the Dao Realm, Grandmasters will preserve their youthful appearance.

Only a very few people will allow themselves to show signs of aging.

"Although the Fengwu Pavilion and Qingfeng Sect are obedient and useful, we cannot rely on them too much."

The old woman advised, "After all, they are still the forces of Guqing Prefecture. If you continue to entrust them with important tasks, the people of Luzhi Prefecture around you will have grievances."

"I know what I'm doing."

Princess Molan said, "This journey is fraught with danger, and entrusting them with such an important task is also a test. If they can perform to my satisfaction, then I will allow them to move into Luzhi Prefecture. Among the people of Luzhi Prefecture surrounding me, not many are truly willing to follow me; they are all my brother's men."

"Fengwu Pavilion and Qingfeng Sect are the truly obedient swords in our hands."

(End of this chapter)