Qin Lu's shout was a clear indication that his true intentions had been revealed.
He didn't believe for a second that a ghost could actually sit here drinking; what he wanted was to force Shu Bai to show his weakness in front of the emperor.
They either had to admit that the ghost wife was unacceptable, or they had to bite the bullet and keep making things up.
Either way, it confirms the absurdity and ominousness of this ghost marriage, planting a seed of doubt in the emperor's heart.
The hall quieted down considerably, with many gazes filled with curiosity, scrutiny, or even a hint of anticipation as they focused on Shu Bai and the empty seat beside him.
The emperor on the throne also became interested and leaned forward slightly: "Prince Zhenbei, is your daughter-in-law really able to drink? I'd like to see for myself."
The Prince of Zhenbei frowned slightly, about to speak, but Shu Bai gently pressed his father's hand.
His expression remained calm; he even picked up his wine glass and gestured to the empty seat beside him, his tone so natural it was as if someone were actually responding.
"My wife says that she appreciates Commander Qin's kind offer. However, as a spirit, she cannot drink mortal wine, lest it disturb the auspicious atmosphere of His Majesty's birthday banquet. I will drink this cup on her behalf to thank the Commander."
Having said that, before Qin Lu could react, Shu Bai drank the wine in his cup in one gulp.
Li Yuheng nodded approvingly from the side, "Not bad, not bad, quite the demeanor of a leading man."
Qin Lu was taken aback by Shu Bai's unconventional move, and his fake smile began to falter.
"This... Your Highness is being too kind. Even if I were a spirit, a cup of wine would be a small token of my appreciation..."
Before he could finish speaking, Li Yuheng's playful nature was aroused.
He floated to Qin Lu's side, leaned close to his ear, and channeled a wisp of Yin energy to mimic a woman's soft sigh:
"Alas—my sir insists on inviting me, so I...I have no choice but to comply..."
Qin Lu felt a chill run down his spine. He turned around abruptly, but there was still nothing there, only a cold draft blowing through the room.
He instinctively took a half step back: "Who?! Who's speaking?!"
Shu Bai looked puzzled: "What's wrong, Commander? Are you feeling unwell? My wife just said that although she didn't drink any alcohol, she felt the Commander's hospitality and was very grateful."
The calmer he was, the more Qin Lu seemed like a fool who was suspicious of thin air.
Whispers and low laughter could be heard from the surroundings.
Qin Lu's face turned pale and then red. Looking at Shu Bai's innocent face and that strangely empty seat, a surge of anger mixed with chill rushed to his head.
He gritted his teeth, wanting to say more.
Sudden--
"Thump!"
A muffled drumbeat came from outside the hall without warning, breaking the delicate atmosphere inside.
Then came the second sound, the third sound...
The drumbeats grew faster and faster, more and more frequent, with a heart-pounding rhythm that seemed to strike right at everyone's heart.
The music playing in the hall had stopped sometime earlier.
The musicians looked at each other, clearly this was not part of the planned program.
"Who is beating the drum outside?" The emperor frowned, looking out of the palace with displeasure.
The commander of the Imperial Guards, responsible for the escort, stepped forward quickly: "Your Majesty, I will investigate immediately..."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a strange change occurred.
The candlelight around the hall suddenly began to flicker, its light flashing erratically as if blown by an invisible wind.
A chilling, bone-deep aura surged in like a tide from the cracks in the doors and windows, instantly enveloping the entire Jiying Hall.
"It's so cold..."
"What happened?"
A murmur of surprise and uncertainty arose from the crowd.
A faint, fishy odor began to fill the air.
Li Yuheng instantly stopped laughing and looked sharply towards the palace gate.
"Shubai, something's wrong, something's coming."
Shu Bai tensed up as well, and whispered, "Who are they after?"
“A murderous aura soars to the heavens, a deep-seated resentment... The target is…” Li Yuheng’s gaze finally locked onto the throne, “The Emperor.”
Just as the hall was thrown into turmoil by the eerie drumbeats and the sudden drop in temperature, a glint of light flashed in Qin Lu's eyes.
He suddenly pulled an ancient bronze bell from his robes and declared loudly, "Your Majesty, do not worry! Evil spirits have infiltrated the palace. I will use the 'Manifestation Bell' to break their concealment and assist the Imperial Guards in vanquishing the evil!"
He gave no one time to react, shaking the bell forcefully.
The clear, crisp sound of the bell wasn't loud, but it carried a peculiar penetrating power, sweeping across the entire Jiying Hall like ripples on water.
This "Manifestation Bell" is a precious heirloom of the Spirit Suppression Division, and only the Commander can use it.
Its effect is not to directly kill, but to forcibly stimulate the spiritual senses of the living, allowing ordinary eyes to see evil spirits.
However, this treasure comes at a great cost; each use consumes five years of the user's lifespan.
For this reason, Qin Lu would never be willing to use it lightly unless absolutely necessary.
The effect was immediate as soon as the bell rang.
Those inside the hall who had initially only felt a chill and smelled a foul stench now witnessed a sudden change in their surroundings.
Several translucent, twisted, and ferocious black shadows, shrouded in thick, ominous black energy, burst through the palace gates and entered the palace, emitting silent howls.
Their empty eye sockets scanned the entire area, eventually locking onto the emperor on the throne.
"A ghost! It really is a ghost!"
"Protect the Emperor! Quickly, protect the Emperor!"
Chaos erupted inside the hall. The civil officials were terrified, the women screamed incessantly, and the sounds of cups, plates, and bowls being smashed filled the air.
"Form ranks! Form ranks now!"
The several skilled members of the Spirit Suppression Division that Qin Lu brought immediately attempted to set up a spirit-binding formation.
However, those vengeful ghosts were extremely fast and their power far exceeded that of ordinary wandering spirits, easily shattering the nascent array's aura.
Ignoring everyone else, they pounced on the emperor on his throne like sharks that have smelled blood.
The emperor was so frightened that his face turned pale and he collapsed on the dragon throne.
The Third Prince Jinghong hid under the table, watching the chaotic scene. Instead of fear, his face revealed a twisted sense of pleasure and anticipation.
It's done!
The plan has begun!
Once the Emperor dies, the blame can be pinned on the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion, and the Crown Prince can be killed. Then the world will be...
Li Yuheng looked at the menacing ghosts and suddenly grinned.
"Shu Bai, the show is about to begin!"
He flashed forward like lightning, rushing towards the vengeful ghost that had first attacked the emperor.
The vengeful ghost opened its enormous mouth, and its foul-smelling aura almost sprayed onto the emperor's face.
At this critical moment, Li Yuheng pointed his fingers like a sword, and a wisp of extremely pure Yin energy arrived first, striking the vengeful ghost between the eyebrows.
The hideous ghost froze abruptly, and the black aura around it vanished as if purified.
The distorted body seemed to be forcibly kneaded and reshaped by an invisible hand.
Under the horrified gazes of everyone, including the emperor, the monstrous, blue-faced ghost rapidly shrank and transformed.
In the end, it turned into a fluffy, round Hello Kitty wearing a pink dress and blinking its beady eyes.
Meow~
The eerie Hello Kitty ghost even let out a soft, cute cry, then spun around in a daze and floated there motionless.
The entire room fell silent.
emperor:"???"
Consort Tan: "???"
Qin Lu and his ministers: "???"
Xi Feng, Li Qiyang, and the other ghost messengers, who were just about to capture the ghost, were speechless.
Shu Bai clutched his forehead in anguish, unable to bear looking at him.
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