Chapter 315: Chapter 219: Ying’Er’s Compromise, Subduing Luo Ying, the Crown Prince’s Mansion Welcomes Another Ally

Having this layer of protection would make many things much more convenient.

"You can represent the Crown Prince?" Luo Ying asked doubtfully.

She couldn’t seem to believe that the high and mighty Crown Prince would even notice a faction like hers.

In fact, she had initially considered using the Eastern Palace as a cover for the Cultivators of her Endless Pavilion.

However, she knew little about the Crown Prince himself, and the risk of exposure was too great. In the end, she decided it was best not to get involved with the Court.

And now the Crown Prince had personally sent someone to discuss a partnership.

She was still somewhat tempted.

Her original plan was to pit the White Lotus Ancient Sect against the Court and reap the rewards from their conflict.

If she worked with the Eastern Palace now, she could still use the Crown Prince’s power to eliminate the White Lotus Ancient Sect.

The outcome would be the same.

’It’s possible the Eastern Palace Mansion wants to investigate the Endless Pavilion and make an example of us to establish their authority,’ Luo Ying thought. ’Yang Erlang is just a pretext. Their real goal is likely to completely wipe out Prince Jin’s remaining loyalists and eliminate all threats.’

But these thoughts were immediately heard by Lu Mingyuan, who was standing right in front of her.

Sensing Luo Ying’s inclination, Lu Mingyuan quickly produced a golden Token. "The Crown Prince’s Decree is here," he said, holding it out. "This will serve as credentials."

"The Eastern Palace is being established as we speak, and it is a time of great need for talent. The Crown Prince does not adhere to convention when choosing his people. Even brilliant talents from other Dynasties can be given important positions."

Seeing him be so direct, Luo Ying grew even more suspicious.

"The Eastern Palace is newly founded and its power is like the midday sun. Logically, you shouldn’t be lacking for people. Why would you need to cooperate with other factions? With so many prestigious and righteous sects to choose from, why would you want a remnant group like mine, one that lurks in the shadows, unable to see the light of day?"

Lu Mingyuan, discerning her thoughts, quickly replied:

"The Crown Prince has taken an interest in you because he sees the potential of the Endless Pavilion. He wants to support you in taking control of the Infinite Faction. You are the best candidate for the job. It’s not because you yourself are so powerful. The Crown Prince is well aware of everything Prince Jin did."

Upon hearing this, Luo Ying still seemed to hesitate, conflicted.

’Should I cooperate with the Eastern Palace?’

’If I refuse, I won’t be able to resist the encroachment of the White Lotus Ancient Sect on my own.’

’But even if I agree, will the Eastern Palace take advantage of my weakness and trap me completely? That’s also a risk.’

’Yang Erlang’s betrayal infuriates me, but it’s obvious that my immediate survival is what I need to focus on right now.’

"If the Eastern Palace Mansion can grant me one request, then I will agree to cooperate with the Crown Prince."

Luo Ying fell silent for a moment. Then she lifted her head, looked at Yang Erlang, and spoke coolly.

"What is your request?"

"I need the Crown Prince’s Mansion to help me eliminate the threat of the White Lotus Ancient Sect first. Only then can I trust whether the Crown Prince’s words are true."

Lu Mingyuan raised an eyebrow. Seeing that she was setting conditions, he didn’t agree outright. Instead, he probed for more information, "Why don’t you start by telling me what’s going on with the White Lotus Ancient Sect?"

Luo Ying explained, "As I’m sure you know, the Endless Pavilion is currently in pieces."

"Now, the White Lotus Ancient Sect has already entered the Capital City. The entire underground network of the Imperial Capital is being infiltrated by them."

"The White Lotus Ancient Sect excels at bewitching the hearts and minds of people. Once someone joins their sect, it is nearly impossible to escape their clutches."

"Currently, the White Lotus Ancient Sect is purging the underground factions, including the remaining loyalists from Prince Jin’s Mansion. If the Court doesn’t intervene, half the forces in the Imperial Capital will fall under the White Lotus Sect Leader’s control."

Hearing this, Lu Mingyuan finally understood everything.

Luo Ying had staged this whole drama to escape being hunted down and purged by the White Lotus Ancient Sect.

It seemed the White Lotus Ancient Sect would not be easy to deal with.

’So that’s her angle.’

To make an enemy of the entire White Lotus Ancient Sect just for Luo Ying’s request... for Lu Mingyuan, this was clearly a bad deal.

But in the long run...

As long as the Infinite Faction remained fragmented and wasn’t brought under control, it would remain a persistent, hidden threat among Great Yan’s underground forces.

If he could control the Infinite Faction, it would be like gaining control of the eyes and ears of the entire Central Plains World.

The benefits to him would be immense. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

If he had to choose between confronting his Imperial Father head-on and eliminating the White Lotus Ancient Sect...

Lu Mingyuan would, without a doubt, choose to eliminate the White Lotus Ancient Sect.

Even with the White Lotus Ancient Sect’s deep roots, for a power like the Great Yan Court, eliminating it would be a simple matter.

The prerequisite, however, was knowing the sect’s true strength and secrets.

The Infinite Faction was a powerful force. Now that it was fractured, it was the perfect time to make a move. If he could use Luo Ying to unify the entire Endless Pavilion, his own power would grow considerably.

But that all hinged on subjugating Luo Ying and making her serve him.

"The mere White Lotus Ancient Sect? What is there to fear?"

Lu Mingyuan put on a relaxed expression. He chuckled and countered with a question:

"You want to use the White Lotus Ancient Sect to test the Crown Prince’s capabilities, but whether you’re truly willing to cooperate with him remains to be seen."

"If you don’t show a little sincerity and simply try to get something for nothing, I’m afraid that won’t do, will it?"

"What do you propose?"

Luo Ying asked tentatively.

’I made a demand, and now he clearly intends to make one of his own.’

’He won’t let me get the upper hand.’

Lu Mingyuan said calmly, "Dealing with the White Lotus Ancient Sect is no problem. But you must prove your worth."

"Until the White Lotus Ancient Sect’s forces in the Imperial Capital are annihilated, you must remain by the Crown Prince’s side. Furthermore, all the Cultivators under your command must be at the complete disposal of the Eastern Palace."

’How could I possibly let her get something for nothing? Did she really think she could reap the benefits without paying a price?’

’The Cultivators of the Endless Pavilion are an excellent source of manpower.’

’Relying on the Shadow Warriors alone, my manpower will inevitably be insufficient.’

’But adding Luo Ying’s core group to the mix would be different. Their numbers are substantial.’

’It would significantly bolster the Eastern Palace’s forces.’

"Remain by the Crown Prince’s side? What do you mean?"

Luo Ying clearly didn’t understand the implication.

Lu Mingyuan spelled it out for her. "You must disguise yourself as a maid and stay by the Crown Prince’s side."

"What? You want me to be the Crown Prince’s maid?"

Luo Ying’s eyes widened in astonishment. She clearly never expected him to make such a demand.

She was a dignified Eleventh Realm Qi Cultivator. Her, become a servant? Serving another person?

Even if that person was the exalted Crown Prince of the current Dynasty.

She found it incredibly hard to accept.

Back when she served in Prince Jin’s Mansion, she held the lofty position of an A-Grade Tributor. When had she ever been a lowly maid?

Seeing the expression on her face, Lu Mingyuan, still disguised as Yang Erlang, reminded her in a low voice,

"You had better think this through. Cooperation is a two-way street. If you only think about your own gains, that won’t fly. The Crown Prince will not agree to such a one-sided deal."

Luo Ying listened, clenching her jaw without a word. A myriad of emotions flickered across her unadorned face.

She seemed to be wrestling with a difficult decision.

She looked at the Endless Pavilion Cultivators around her, their expressions cold and their eyes vacant.

Even now, she had no idea what method he had used to control her subordinates.

The true extent of the Eastern Palace’s power was still a complete mystery to her.

’But can I afford to delay?’

’No.’

’Can I afford not to take this gamble?’

’No.’

’Survival is on the line. If I want to live, I have no choice but to depend on the mercy of the Eastern Palace Mansion.’

Luo Ying clenched her fists. After a long, internal struggle, she finally nodded. "I agree to your terms. I only hope the Eastern Palace Mansion won’t go back on its word. Don’t let me down."

Lu Mingyuan gave a wry smile. "If you don’t disappoint the Crown Prince, how could he possibly disappoint you?"

"Hmph."

Luo Ying snorted. "What do I need to do?"

Lu Mingyuan adopted a casual air. "The Eastern Palace is newly established and in need of talent. Simply bring your people and secretly pledge allegiance to the Eastern Palace."

"Rest assured, no one will be able to trace you."

"As for the White Lotus Ancient Sect, they are nothing but insignificant clowns. The entire Imperial Capital City is already under the Crown Prince’s control. We need only dispatch the Three Academy Cultivators and the Imperial Experts to purge them. Why would we need to trouble His Highness for even a single soldier?"

Lu Mingyuan felt he had painted a sufficiently powerful picture of the Eastern Palace Mansion.

Luo Ying nodded, choosing to believe Yang Erlang’s grand promises for the time being.

"One more thing," Lu Mingyuan reminded her. "When you are acting on behalf of the Eastern Palace Mansion, forget your former identity. Remember only your codename."

"What codename?"

Luo Ying asked, puzzled.

"One of the four maids of the Eastern Palace Mansion: Cyan Shadow."

...