Running as fast as he could, almost tripping multiple times, a young man with snake-like eyes burst into the most extravagant hall in the city centre. Usually, he might have cared about following procedure, but clearly, there was something far more important on his mind. Falling to his knees as soon as he felt a terrifying presence scrutinize him, he hastily gave his report.
"My Lord! We've just got informed that the South-Western Garrison has been annihilated!"
Considering that he had interrupted his diligent cultivation, Han Junming had originally planned to give this insolent fool a beating. Yet, the messenger's words caused him to put aside his displeasure and raise an eyebrow, inquiring further.
"Speak. What exactly happened?"
Feeling a heavy burden lifted from his heart, the comparatively insignificant Imperial Han Family member didn't dare to waste too much time on catching his breath, immediately responding. His prior mental preparations were going to pay off now.
"Two hours ago, the guards manning the south-western gate were about to change shifts, but their replacements never arrived. Therefore, they sent someone to investigate. That is when they realized that every single person in the garrison's headquarters had been killed! Only the corpses of their own people were found, and not even the slightest sign of an outsider. Plenty of slaves in the building also met their end, but almost nobody seemed to have put up a meaningful resistance. We're currently investigating exactly what happened and have ordered the guards to enact a curfew, as well as restricting all entry to and exit from the city."
Taking in all of the information, Han Junming's eyes narrowed. The entire situation stank to high heaven! He had originally thought that perhaps, some sort of freedom fighter from the lower classes had risen up, but the fact that even the slaves hadn't been spared seemed to contradict this theory. Therefore, he was forced to think in a different direction–maybe, they had been found out! But... who was it? And how much did they know!?
"Well done. I'll forgive your breach of procedure this time. Keep me informed of any further developments. You may leave."
Having been pardoned, the herald bowed respectfully, beaming brightly, and carefully scurried away as fast as his legs could carry him. All alone now, City Lord Han Junming was lost in deep thought for a while, then he shook his head and stood up.
'It's no use. I cannot think of anybody who could have discovered our secret. Our planning was flawless from start to finish, I even sent Junhao out as a decoy for all these years! So... was it just a probing attack based upon mere suspicion, or is some unknown force intervening?'
Initially, he might have scoffed at the idea of anyone but the Imperial Han Family's various branches holding any power here. But ever since he had become aware of a contest called the 'Heavenly Succession' taking place, seemingly involving this very world which they had claimed as their property... he was not so sure any more.
'For now, I should let Junqiao know about this. Although it's extremely unlikely, should some danger be afoot, warning her in advance will allow her to evacuate at the earliest opportunity.'
Strolling through his private palace, he reminisced about his family's struggles. The Jun-branch of the Imperial Han Family could be considered to be amongst one of the first few to come into existence. They descended from the 178th son of the Divine Dragon, Han Jun, and had been at the forefront of all those ancient battles. But as a result of their horrendous defeats, the majority of the oldest branches endured heavy losses which they never truly managed to recover from. Their most outstanding children kept establishing their own branches, eventually usurping the highest positions of power, driving the roots which they had come from into comparative destitution.
If it hadn't been for his daughter Han Junqiao, Han Junming would have never figured out exactly how far they had fallen. He hadn't known that the entire branch empire that this world was a part of... was merely an inconsequential, minuscule portion of the event venue for the Heavenly Succession!
'Oh, how the mighty have fallen... But Supreme Lord Divine Dragon, most prestigious progenitor Long! Soon, we will reclaim our righteous place! The next Heavenly Empress will be my daughter, mark my words! The usurpers won't be able to suppress us much longer!'
With a fanatic zeal glittering in his pupils, he entered a secret door at an inconspicuous corner of the palace, then followed a seemingly infinite staircase far into the depths of the earth. Thousands of meters below ground level, he finally arrived at a rather simplistic, but still quite gorgeous wooden door.
"Junqiao, it's me! Can I come in?"
Knocking gently and with an adoring, loving expression on his normally cold face, Han Junming patiently waited for a response. A few moments later, a calm, steady and noble voice, suffused with a hint of pride and unquestionable authority entered his ears. Still, there was clearly a smidgen of affection mixed in as well, causing his face to brighten up a little more.
"Yes, father. Please enter."
Opening the door revealed an enormous underground cavern which had been transformed into a private residence. While it lacked the extravagance usually so prevalent amongst the Imperial Han Family, it was still beautiful enough to take a regular person's breath away. Along the walls, ceiling and ground, an even more exquisite Energy Gathering Array than the one providing for all of Huizhong City could be seen. Its very core was perfectly aligned with the centre of the room. There, the Energy concentration had risen to the point that it had almost become visible to the naked eye!
"Has everything been going well, my dear?"
Taking a seat on one of the comfortable chairs in the guest reception area, Han Junming was filled with hope as he watched Han Junqiao approach. While members of the Imperial Han Family, on average, looked very outstanding, he was always proud to know that his own daughter stuck out from amongst their number akin to a swan amongst ugly ducklings!
Just like the rest of the family, she had black hair, which she had casually fastened into a couple of buns at the back of her head. Her honey golden dragon eyes exuded a casual elegance, rather than the usual oppressiveness. Every single one of her physical features, be it her facial ones or any others, felt utterly transcendent. A pair of gorgeous golden dragon horns grew from her temples, whereas a singular scale of the same colour shimmered in the centre of her forehead.
One other thing which set her apart from the rest of their people was that she didn't seem to be affected by the overwhelming lust that they all sensed deep in their bones. She felt unfettered from these shackles, her mind freed from the influence of her bloodline. Yet, hers was undoubtedly unprecedentedly pure.
'It's all because of those Talents of hers. They're truly a blessing from the Supreme Lord Divine Dragon!'
As his heart swelled with happiness, Han Junqiao took a seat in front of him, her hair and body still a little bit wet. She had immediately left her medicinal bath upon her father's arrival. Usually, he would come visit her at regular times, and today was not one of those days on which they should have met. Clearly, something noteworthy had occurred.
"Everything is proceeding smoothly. I have already reached the pinnacle of the Energy Refinement Stage! While I do not yet know when I might break through, I feel that I'm steadily getting closer. But enough about me and my progress. We talked about that just recently. What brings you here, father?"
Inwardly marvelling at her incredible potential, Han Junming showed a doting smile. No matter how often he heard about how she was doing, and even if he knew exactly how far she had come... he would still grow happier every time that she spoke about it. In Huizhong City, even with the assistance of the best Energy Gathering Arrays that money and influence could buy, nobody had ever managed to exceed the Energy Refinement Stage. Yet, even when confronted with the same horrid conditions, his daughter was about to make history–and at such a young age nonetheless! She was only in her early twenties!
"It's like this..."
Bringing her up to speed with regards to what he had been told a few minutes ago, he recounted all of the information as well as his various guesses faithfully. Then, he decided to pick her brain a little.
"So, what do you think is going on?"
For a while, she silently pondered, then she came to a conclusion.
"We're lacking too much data. For now, every single possibility that you have considered is too likely to exclude. Please send me a note with any new information should it arrive. Just in case, I'll start packing up. The emergency exits are well-maintained, so there won't be any issues on my end."
A helpless smirk on his face, Han Junming nodded. It was exactly as he had expected: His daughter wouldn't bet on mere possibilities. Only certainties could ever make her act decisively. In his eyes, this was her sole weakness. Most of the time, decisions had to be made based upon insufficient information. Else, should they just cower cautiously? No, that was not the way of the Imperial Han Family! They would always charge ahead fearlessly!
"Alright. Then please prepare yourself for the worst, but don't worry too much. I'm sure we can handle it!"
Bidding farewell, he patted her shoulder in an encouraging manner and returned to his own palace.
Left behind on her lonesome, Han Junqiao took off the purple bathrobe that she had been wearing, and stepped back into her medicinal bath. As she closed her eyes, she seemed to feel as if the Energy concentration was slightly different from before, but this impression was a fleeting one. Almost immediately, everything felt normal again, so she brushed it aside, thinking she had been mistaken.
Utter silence returned to the only home she had ever known. Back after she had been born, her parents had discerned early on that she was different from her siblings. They made use of a Talent-testing device, realizing that hers surpassed even the incredibly exalted Epic-grade! Unfortunately for them, it was impossible for them to get a better read on it. Still, knowing this much was already enough!
Aware that she would have the potential to far outshine every single one of their branch's family members who had been born since they had arrived in this world, they hid her away and erased all knowledge about her using whatever methods were necessary. Even her eldest brother, Han Junhao, was never informed about her existence–all to safeguard her!
Her father and mother were the only ones who had ever paid her a visit down here, and other than that, she had grown up completely alone, left with just the educational materials and cultivation resources which they had prepared for her.
Ever since she had figured out that she was one of the Heaven's Chosen who would have a chance to become one of the next rulers of the Heavenly Court, she had found a purpose for herself amidst the suffocating loneliness. A part of her resented her parents, as she yearned for the outside world–yet, she also knew how dangerous it would be for her to step upon the stage before she was ready.
'A short while prior to the bloodbath, an extremely beautiful couple of regular people was taken into custody by the South-Western Garrison. In conclusion, it is very likely that there was an uprising by the lower class? What a bummer. I had hoped that a fellow Heaven's Chosen had arrived. That way, I might get the chance to see the light of day...'
Staring at the note which had appeared next to her only a few days after her father's last visit, she shook her head in disappointment. As her unclothed, divinely crafted body absorbed the nutrients within her newest medicinal bath, she bid that idealistic fantasy of hers adieu.
Little did she know that all of her wishes would come true.
And that one always had to be careful what one wished for.