Library of Heaven’s Path 2: Eternal Destiny

Vol 2 Ch 69: Flower Picker in Dreams

Han Qianchou sat firmly in the center, while Han Qianye, who had previously sparred with him, stood not far away with a whip in hand. Not far from them, City Lord Yu Longqing and Dean Lu Mingrong were bound to wooden frames, covered in blood, their heads drooping lifelessly—whether they were alive or dead was unclear.

Clenching his fists, Zhang Xuan narrowed his eyes.

He had expected the two to be in dire straits after being captured but hadn’t imagined they would be beaten so brutally.

“Get in there!”

As Zhang Xuan was mulling over the situation, a Golden Guard pushed Sun Lianxiang forward. She stumbled, falling awkwardly into the room.

The guard saluted respectfully. “Reporting to Your Majesty and Your Highness: I followed the princess closely as ordered and personally saw her enter Lord Ling Buyang’s mansion…”

Han Qianye’s expression turned icy. “Earlier, my imperial brother warned that you might tip off Zhang Xuan. I didn’t believe him, but now that you’ve been caught red-handed, what do you have to say for yourself?”

Sun Lianxiang shook her head, her gaze steady and calm, even with a trace of relief. “Since I’ve been discovered, I won’t deny it. Zhang Xuan saved my father’s life. He is my benefactor. I wanted to save him, to stop him from being killed without understanding why. That’s all.”

“Repaying a debt? What a pathetic excuse!” Han Qianye sneered. “I gave you a lofty position, wealth, and everything you could desire. Have you ever considered that your actions are a betrayal of me?”

“Everything I could desire?” Sun Lianxiang’s pale face twisted into a mocking smile.

“My father served the court as a musician for a lifetime. For being late once, you sentenced him to death. It was only after I knelt outside the palace for three days that you spared his life. Even then, he was beaten into critical condition and exiled from Hanyuan City, left without a place to call home… Why didn’t you mention grace then?”

“When I wished to follow him back to White Roc City, you saw my beauty and forcibly brought me back to the royal mansion, where you violated me. For my father’s sake, I swallowed my anger and obeyed you. Why didn’t you talk about giving me everything then?”

“I thought that if I endured, I might find a chance to escape. But… I became pregnant.”

“It was my first child. I cherished it deeply and even considered trying to spend my life with you. But on the very first day I entered the royal mansion as a concubine, your princess poisoned me, causing a miscarriage. Not only that, but my cultivation was completely crippled.”

“When I reported the incident to you, hoping for justice, you accused me of overstepping my bounds and locked me away. I am merely the daughter of a court musician, a lowly status. You marrying me as a concubine was supposedly a blessing beyond my worth. The princess, on the other hand, is the daughter of a powerful figure, of esteemed lineage. How could I compare? What could I possibly use to compete?”

“It was then that I understood. In your eyes, I am nothing but a plaything. Talk of grace? What a joke!”

“And so, I sought your favor, advised you on strategies, and assisted your cultivation. Eventually, I earned your trust. Finally, through my designs, the princess was killed, and I climbed to my current position… But so what?”

“To the public, you feign the image of a martial arts fanatic who avoids women, an upright figure. But I know very well—behind the scenes, you’re the despicable scoundrel ranked 14th on the Hunter’s List, infamous for defiling women in their dreams!”

“You’ve ruined thousands of women over the years. Someone like you dares speak of grace? You’re unworthy of uttering such words!”

“You—”

Zhang Xuan was stunned by the exchange.

Previously, Fu Yingying had mentioned this despicable figure, and even she had spoken of him with loathing. Yet, Zhang Xuan never imagined that this infamous figure would turn out to be a royal prince—and one of the most powerful and reputable ones, no less.

Something was amiss. When he had used the Library of Heaven’s Path to analyze Han Qianye, there had been no signs of a Destiny aligned with such acts. If it were true, the flaw would have been evident.

“You’re spouting nonsense!”

Han Qianye cast a guilty glance toward his elder brother before glaring angrily at the concubine before him, shouting furiously.

“Nonsense? You might deceive many people, but do you think you can fool the one who shares your bed?” Sun Lianxiang sneered.

Han Qianye rebutted, “I cultivate the Flowing Light Heaven’s Fate, a spear technique of great power. How could I practice such an abhorrent art?”

“Yes, your Heaven’s Fate is indeed the Flowing Light technique,” Sun Lianxiang said coldly. “But defiling women in dreams isn’t a Heaven’s Fate—it’s a secret martial technique tied to soul cultivation! Your overindulgence in this practice has filled your soul with excess Yin energy. That’s why you’ve struggled to break through the Roaming Realm and form a Dharma Aspect.”

“Shut up! I’ll kill you!”

Han Qianye lunged forward and grabbed Sun Lianxiang by the neck, prepared to choke her to death.

“Enough!” Han Qianchou, seated above, interjected, stopping Han Qianye in his tracks.

Han Qianye turned to his elder brother nervously. “Imperial Brother, don’t believe her…”

Han Qianchou shook his head. “Do you really think I don’t know? Eight years ago, you violated the daughter of Minister of Personnel Cui Yanzhi, leading her to commit suicide out of shame. I silenced Cui Yanzhi by executing him. Six years ago, you assaulted a princess from the Han Chi Dynasty during peace negotiations. To appease them, I ceded three cities…”

“In short, I’ve known about your twisted methods for ten years. I’ve been covering for you all this time, or you’d have been exposed long ago.”

Thinking his secret had been well-kept, only for his concubine and elder brother to both know, Han Qianye turned pale. “Imperial Brother, I…”

“It’s nothing,” Han Qianchou waved dismissively. “As a member of the royal family and my younger brother, destined to inherit the family’s Heaven’s Fate, what does it matter if you’ve had your way with a few women? Even if you married thousands or tens of thousands, it wouldn’t be a big deal!”

“Thank you for understanding, Imperial Brother!”

Relieved, Han Qianye turned back to Sun Lianxiang. “What do we do with her?”

“She betrayed us and knows your secret. That alone is unforgivable,” Han Qianchou said coldly. “Didn’t she love her father, Sun Chengyou, dearly? I’ve heard she also has several brothers. Kill them all.”

Han Qianchou stood, approaching Sun Lianxiang. “But first, I need her to confirm a few things.”

He looked her over and continued, “I already knew Zhang Xuan had saved your father. That’s why I deliberately mentioned that Yu Longqing and Lu Mingrong had identified you and planned to kill you. Predictably, you took the bait and ran to inform him.”

“You… you planned this all along?” Sun Lianxiang’s pupils shrank in disbelief.

“I did.” Han Qianchou glanced at the bloodied figures of Yu Longqing and Lu Mingrong. “These two refused to admit they knew Zhang Xuan or reveal his whereabouts. So I staged a trap for you. Now, I’m certain about his identity.”

“You…” Sun Lianxiang’s vision darkened.

What she thought would save someone had only caused harm.

“It’s too late now. I’ve already informed Zhang Xuan of your plans. He’s likely left Hanyuan City,” Sun Lianxiang retorted.

“Left?” Han Qianchou smirked. “I’ve sealed all routes out of Hanyuan City. He’s trapped. His strength is indeed formidable, even mastering the second stage of the Mo Dao technique. But against the royal family, he’s just an ant—easily crushed.”

“You…” Sun Lianxiang collapsed to the floor, despair overwhelming her.

Han Qianchou sneered. “I’ll spare you if you complete one task. Do it, and Zhang Xuan lives. You can remain my princess, and your family will be spared.”

“What do you want me to do?” Sun Lianxiang asked hesitantly.

Han Qianchou handed her a jade vial. “Give him this medicine.”

“He’s already wary of me. Why would he take anything I offer?” Sun Lianxiang laughed bitterly.

“It’s not for him to consume,” Han Qianchou replied coldly. “It’s for you.”

Sun Lianxiang froze. “For me?”

“Yes,” Han Qianchou confirmed. “You will take the poison, and I will hang you in plain sight to lure him into saving you. If he takes the bait and contacts you, I’ll have you seduce him.

Once the poison transfers to him during intimate contact, he’ll have no choice but to obey me. The poison will seep into his bloodstream and soul, binding him to my will.”

“You…” Sun Lianxiang’s face turned pale.

Poisoning her own body to trap someone else—Han Qianchou’s cruelty knew no bounds.

“You have no choice,” Han Qianchou said, his tone calm but resolute. “Do this, and not only will you live, but your entire family will also be spared. Refuse, and everyone dies.”

He tossed the jade vial casually to the ground and ordered, “Make her take it. Oh, and remind her—if she doesn’t manage to engage him, the poison will kill her instead. The decision is hers.”

“Your Highness, my apologies!”

A Golden Guard stepped forward, picking up the vial. He approached Sun Lianxiang and tried to force her mouth open. Just as he was about to administer the poison, a cold glint of steel flashed behind him.

Thud!

The guard’s head hit the floor, and the jade vial shattered into countless pieces.

Han Qianchou’s pupils constricted as he realized that an imposing figure had appeared in the room—a tall, masked man wielding a Mo Dao.

Author's Note