I Became the Devil Queen's Heart Demon-Chapter 1022 - 380: The Female Demon’s Heart-Pounding Moment! Empress: I Will Not Admit Defeat!

"Lord Tang, are you there?"

Upon hearing the voice of Wang Kui, the Director of the Maritime Trade Bureau, outside the door, Tang Xingbang breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Regarding the Barbarian Slave trade, Wang Kui had been involved throughout; the two were like grasshoppers tied to the same rope.

He looked up at the young scholar, and seeing the other didn't stop him, he walked to the door and opened it a crack.

"What's the matter?"

Sweat dripped from Wang Kui's forehead, his breath a bit hurried, he whispered, "My lord, Qian Yi has gone missing!"

"What did you say?" Tang Xingbang's face changed upon hearing this.

Qian Yi was his informant planted in Li Mansion, both to monitor Hua Yinglan and, in case of any situation, issue instructions promptly.

This morning, as soon as the Princess landed, she openly interrogated Prefect Jiao Yu, and Tang Xingbang realized something was wrong.

The other party was not just going through motions but meant business!

But a mere Gu God Sect would not be enough for her to come personally; there were obviously other reasons behind this—

The only explanation was the Barbarian Tribe!

The Princess, having guarded the borders for years, deeply detested the Barbarians. This time she came to Bailu City, most likely having heard something.

So upon returning, Tang Xingbang signaled Wang Kui.

To immediately inform Qian Yi, destroy that batch of goods at Jinsha Port, and then find a chance to sneak out of the city to temporarily avoid the limelight.

Unexpectedly, the other party moved so fast!

"Wait, do you mean last night?"

After calming down, Tang Xingbang frowned, "The Princess arrived at Bailu City this morning, but Qian Yi had trouble last night? Could someone else be watching us?"

"This is still unclear for now."

"Besides, there's another piece of news."

Wang Kui swallowed, saying, "Lord Jiao said he's hosting a banquet at the government office tonight, to welcome the Princess. All officials must attend... Moreover, when I returned just now, I found the inner city has already been sealed off, only entry, no exit..."

Tang Xingbang's frown deepened, "This banquet doesn't seem simple."

Wang Kui asked, "My lord, what should we do now?"

Tang Xingbang's mind raced, saying, "The Princess probably doesn't have sufficient evidence yet, or else she'd arrest us outright. This banquet is likely a probe; if absent, it would indicate guilty conscience..."

"There's no choice but to wait and see, attend the banquet as usual tonight, and don't let anyone suspect anything is amiss." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Alright, all according to your arrangement, my lord."

Wang Kui, having lost his own ideas, could only follow Tang Xingbang's instructions.

After Wang Kui's departure, Tang Xingbang closed the door, his expression becoming extremely grim.

At this moment, he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. With the inner city sealed, he couldn't escape, essentially trapped like a turtle in a jar!

He turned to the young man in brocade, bowing, "Young master, I've worked meticulously all these years, never having made a mistake with your orders, you mustn't leave me high and dry this time! You're the only hope I have now!"

"Rest assured, I hold affection and loyalty dear, you've served me well, naturally I won't stand idly by," the youth in brocade replied calmly.

"Thank you, young master!"

Tang Xingbang showed a hint of joy.

He understood the youth's capabilities; if willing to help, he could surely find him a way out!

"But before that, I have one last task for you."

"Young master, just say the word."

"Actually, it's quite simple..."

The youth's face, delicate and graceful, bore a smile as warm as the spring breeze, "That is for Lord Tang to die."

?!

Tang Xingbang hadn't yet reacted when suddenly a chill spread across his chest.

Immediately, searing pain engulfed him.

He slowly looked down to find his chest split open, an invisible hand wrenching his heart and blood vessels out, squeezing relentlessly, twisting the heart into deformation.

"Y-young master..."

Tang Xingbang's voice faltered, his gaze pleading towards the youth.

The youth leaned to his ear, whispering, "You are indeed a good dog, quite capable, but the one thing you should've never done was meeting with those Barbarians behind my back."

"Huff—huff—"

Tang Xingbang's face turned ashen, unable to utter a word.

The youth patted his shoulder, "It's alright, I forgive you."

Bang!

With a muffled thud, the heart burst open!

The splattered blood froze in mid-air, then gathered, forming a crimson vortex.

The vortex spun rapidly, speeding up, impurities in the blood filtered out, finally compressing into a scarlet alchemy pill, falling into the youth's hand.

"A bit low in purity; after all, age is catching up, cultivation isn't high, just better than nothing."

The youth raised his hand, tossed the pill into his mouth, chewing and swallowing like candy, red scales faintly appeared beneath his sleeves, but soon vanished.

Tang Xingbang's blood drained, his body shriveled, completely lifeless.

The youth reached into his chest, feeling for a beast tooth pendant, sighing, "After the incident, your first thought wasn't to find me, but seek help from those Barbarians? Truly disheartening."

Snap—

The youth snapped his fingers, a flame ignited from thin air, instantly consuming Tang Xingbang.

In a breath, flesh along with Divine Soul turned to ashes, leaving no trace whatsoever.

"Qian Yi missing indicates Hua Yinglan is exposed, and that batch of goods likely discovered too."

"But fortunately, I prepared beforehand, now all that's needed is to wait for the refinement of new Gu Poison Worms..."