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The atmosphere outside the Moon Pavilion was incredibly tense at this moment. A horrifying scene had unfolded on the street where Tang San was seen devouring Royal Knights soldiers. After the attack, Tang Hao had forcefully brought him into the Moon Pavilion, which quickly alarmed the Heaven Dou City Defense Department.
Now, a large number of Royal Knights soldiers surrounded the elegant and serene building. They wore shining silver armor and held sharp blades that caught the light. A stern-faced general led the troops, and their murderous aura clashed with the artistic and peaceful feeling of the Moon Pavilion.
Move aside! We are ordered to search for criminals and Evil Soul Masters! Eyewitnesses say the culprit ran into the Moon Pavilion! the leading general shouted. He held a command arrow and glared at the Moon Pavilion guards. The guards were nervous, but they stood their ground at the entrance.
Even though these guards had low spirit power, they were deeply loyal to the Madam. They also knew that the Moon Pavilion held a special status in Heaven Dou City. One of the guards stepped forward. He did not act scared, but he was not rude either as he spoke to the general.
General, please calm your anger. The Moon Pavilion is the Imperial Etiquette Academy. The Madam is the Imperial Etiquette Teacher personally appointed by His Majesty. We cannot allow entry without the Madam's permission or an imperial decree from His Majesty. We do not want to disturb the noble students inside because we cannot take responsibility for that, the guard replied.
Nonsense! the general shouted. His eyebrows shot up, and his patience was gone. This general holds the command arrow from the City Defense Department! I am acting under official orders! If you stay in our way, we will treat you as accomplices and execute you without mercy!
Before he could finish speaking, several angry soldiers behind him stepped forward. They tried to push the guards out of the way. The guards refused to move, and a shoving match began. The scene quickly started to spiral out of control.
Suddenly, the sound of metal clashing rang out. It was not clear who drew their weapon first, but a flash of cold light appeared, and the fight escalated. Although there were only a few Moon Pavilion guards, they had some spirit power foundation and fought back desperately.
The Royal Knights soldiers were well-trained and moved forward in ranks. A bloody battle was about to happen, and the beautiful carved gate of the Moon Pavilion was in danger of being destroyed. Just at this critical second, a voice stopped everything.
Stop!
The voice was clear, cold, and authoritative. It instantly silenced the noise and stopped the killing intent in the air. The grand gate of the Moon Pavilion slowly opened from the inside. Tang Yuehua walked out wearing a silver palace gown. Her expression was calm as she looked at the messy scene. Her gaze eventually rested on the general. Her eyes were peaceful, but she had an aura that demanded respect.
General Audrow, she said, calling him by his name. Her voice was not loud, but everyone could hear her clearly. I wonder what law the Moon Pavilion has broken to make the General bring so many weapons and soldiers to my door?
General Audrow felt his confidence shake when he saw Tang Yuehua. As a member of the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Yuehua had a very high status in the upper society of Heaven Dou City. She was also a close friend of Emperor Xue Ye.
She was not someone a simple general from the City Defense Department wanted to offend. He immediately put his weapon away and bowed slightly. His tone became softer, but he still stayed firm on his mission.
Madam Yuehua, I do not mean to offend you on purpose. However, a terrible villain used evil arts to kill my Royal Knights soldiers on the street. He was seen fleeing into the Moon Pavilion. This is a very serious matter, and I am ordered to catch the criminal. I ask you to let us enter and search the building to uphold the law, the general explained.
Tang Yuehua listened to him without showing any emotion. It was as if she already knew what he was going to say. She gently shook her head and spoke with a firm voice.
General Audrow, the Moon Pavilion is a place where we teach etiquette and cultivation to the children of nobles. How could it be a place for criminals? I do not know the villain you are talking about, and I have not seen him. As for entering to search, you must understand the situation.
She paused and looked at the soldiers. They seemed uneasy now that she was standing there. My Moon Pavilion is not a dangerous place, but it is also not a place where anyone can just walk in. The future leaders of the Empire are inside. If a search scares them, you will have to answer for it. Also, do you have a personal imperial decree from His Majesty to search this academy?
General Audrow could not find any words to answer. They had been in a hurry to chase the culprit and did not have time to ask the Emperor for a decree. Seeing his hesitation, Tang Yuehua spoke more kindly to keep the pressure on him.
General, I respect your hard work for the city. However, this involves the reputation of the Moon Pavilion and the pride of the nobles in the palace. Let us do this: you lead your men to guard the outside of the building. I will go to the palace myself to report this to His Majesty. If the Emperor gives the order to search, the Moon Pavilion will cooperate. How does that sound?
Her plan was perfect. She reminded him of her powerful connections while giving him a way to save face. She made it clear that she would follow the rules, which made it impossible for him to break in by force. General Audrow thought about his options.
If he forced his way in, he would offend Tang Yuehua and all the nobles she knew. But if he just left, he would get in trouble with his bosses. Tang Yuehua's suggestion was the best choice he had. He took a deep breath and bowed again.
Since you put it that way, Madam, I will show you respect. I will have my men guard the area. I hope you go to see His Majesty quickly so the City Defense Department can have an answer, he said.
That is only natural, Tang Yuehua nodded. She turned around gracefully and walked back into the Moon Pavilion. However, the moment the gate closed, her eyes showed how worried she actually was. She hurried into the inner hall, but before she could even breathe a sigh of relief, she saw something that made her turn pale.
What? she whispered. She covered her mouth to stop herself from screaming.
In the corner of the hall, Tang San's eyes were glowing blood-red. A thick, red killing intent surrounded his body. His mutated Dark Blue Silver Grass had wrapped around several noble students who were too slow to run away.
Those youths were now silent. Their bodies were shrinking quickly as the grass drained their blood and spirit power. Only a few terrifying mummies in expensive clothes were left behind. Tang Yuehua did not expect Tang San to lose control so fast. He had not mastered the dark energy from Slaughter City yet.
Little San! she cried out. She was terrified, but she knew she had to stay calm. She suppressed her shock and took a deep breath. A soft blue light came from her body. This was her innate domain, the Noble's Halo. It had no power to attack, but it could calm emotions and clean the mind. The blue light washed over Tang San like cool water.
When the light touched him, Tang San shook. The red color in his eyes began to fade away. The violent aura disappeared, and he looked confused for a moment before his mind cleared. He looked at his aunt's pale face and then looked down at the mummies at his feet. He saw his blood-stained Dark Blue Silver Grass and started to shake with fear.
I... I did it again... he stammered.
Madam! What are we going to do? Steward Audrow asked as he ran into the room. His voice was shaking. If people find out noble children died here, the Moon Pavilion is finished!
Tang Yuehua's heart was racing, but her eyes became sharp and calm. She looked at the shaken Tang San and then at the bodies.
We cannot stay here! Audrow, go find some simple servant clothes for Little San right now! Hurry! she ordered. A bold plan was forming in her head. The Royal Knights are outside waiting for an explanation. I will give them one! Audrow, have Little San hide among my servants. I am taking him to the palace to see His Majesty right now!
The steward was shocked. To the palace? Madam, is that safe?
Tang Yuehua lowered her voice and interrupted him. I am actually taking him straight out of Heaven Dou City and back to the Clear Sky Sect! The soldiers outside know his name, but they do not know what he looks like. They will never think the person they are looking for is walking out right past them with me!
It was a very dangerous move, but it was the only way to save Tang San. If he stayed, he would be caught. If he fought his way out, he would die. She had to use her status to sneak him away. Steward Audrow understood and nodded.
Yes, Madam! I will do it right away!