"Since the clan leader thinks so highly of me, it is my good fortune in three lifetimes. I shall not refuse and am willing to marry the princess.
However, the Ghost King has been waiting for many days, and I must inform her of this happy occasion."
The clan leader considered it reasonable and agreed.
"Very well, return and marry Yueyao after you have completed your task."
"Thank you, clan leader."
"Alright, you may rise."
With that, he handed the letter to him.
Liu Shinian accepted the letter, and the heavy stone of unease in his heart finally lifted.
"I have made arrangements for your departure. Follow me."
"Yes."
He then followed the clan leader outside the Penglai Immortal Palace to the ferry crossing by the peach blossom forest, where many people were already gathered.
From a distance, he saw the three great protectors standing at the front, followed by a group of guards and a host of lovely maids.
Upon seeing Liu Shinian approach, the maids waved excitedly, calling out to him.
"Young Master Liu! Young Master Liu!"
Liu Shinian nodded to them, but he was puzzled not to see Yueyao and Tianlong.
However, he could guess that Yueyao might not have wanted to witness the scene of parting, which was why she hadn't come.
Seeing his distraction, the clan leader said in a low voice.
"Young Master Liu, please board the ship."
With a soft word from the clan leader, a group of people slowly parted, revealing the ship that had been surrounded.
He saw one person seated and one standing on the ship. The seated person was Yueyao, and the standing person was Tianlong.
Yueyao looked at Liu Shinian with great joy, her eyes shining with happiness. She quickly waved and called out cheerfully.
"Big Brother Liu, come up quickly!"
Liu Shinian frowned, his mind filled with confusion. He turned back, about to say something, but was preempted by the clan leader.
"I sent her there. Do not worry. I have assigned Tianlong to accompany you."
He then said to Yueyao.
"My dear daughter, I have good news for you. I have betrothed you to Young Master Liu. We will have the wedding banquet when you return."
Yueyao could not believe what she heard. She covered her mouth with one hand, her face full of joy, speechless for a long time.
The maids and guards beside them were also overjoyed, offering their congratulations.
"Congratulations, Princess! Congratulations, Young Master Liu."
However, there was no trace of joy on Liu Shinian's face. But this was the clan leader's arrangement; what could he do?
Seeing his dazed expression, the clan leader said in a low voice.
"Young Master Liu, please board the ship."
Only then did Liu Shinian slowly board the ship. The ship was then pulled by merfolk and began to move slowly forward. From behind, he heard the calls of Shui Xiao and Miao Yun.
"Princess! Young Master Liu! You must return quickly."
Yueyao was overjoyed, her smile as radiant as a blooming flower, and replied.
"We will return."
Thus, the journey across the vast ocean came to a successful conclusion. However, things were not going as smoothly for Hei Feng, as his uncle, Hei Yun, had other plans.
At Fengyuan Mansion on Fengqi Mountain, a hundred miles from Heishan, Hei Feng had been waiting in the mansion for several days but had not seen his uncle, Hei Yun, at all, which made him anxious.
Before coming, he had written a letter to his uncle, explaining the purpose of his visit, hoping his uncle would understand the Ghost King's intentions.
Unexpectedly, upon his arrival, his uncle was nowhere to be seen, as if deliberately avoiding him. How could he report back to the Ghost King?
At this moment, as a maid brought in food, before she could even put it down, he grabbed her and demanded.
"Tell me, where is my uncle?"
The maid was terrified. In her panic, she spilled the food all over the floor and replied in fear.
"Young Master, I don't know. Master didn't tell us anything."
He felt helpless and realized he had been too impulsive. He let go of the maid and waved his hand.
"You may leave. You may leave."
The maid nodded repeatedly and fled as if escaping.
Just then, a steady voice suddenly came from outside.
"Who is so short-tempered!"
Hei Feng recognized the voice and was overjoyed. It seemed his uncle was finally willing to see him.
He immediately rushed out and saw a familiar figure standing in the distance.
The person before him was tall and thin, with a few wrinkles on his face and a half-foot-long black beard on his chin.
His black hair was neatly tied high at the back of his head, and he was dressed in a long white robe, looking exactly like an ancient scholar.
"Uncle!"
Hei Feng was overjoyed.
"What? While I was away, you started throwing tantrums at my people."
Hei Yun questioned him sternly.
Hei Feng quickly defended himself.
"Not at all. It's just that you wouldn't see me, and I was getting anxious waiting."
Hei Yun turned and started walking back. Hei Feng hurried to follow. Hei Yun said.
"I have read your letter, and I have also inquired about her. She is indeed extraordinary.
However, my uncle's business is all I have. If I hand it all over and we fail, would we not lose the foundation our ancestors built over ten thousand years?"
Hei Feng was somewhat helpless and said with dissatisfaction.
"Uncle, what foundation do we have left? After ten thousand years, only this little remains. The world has long forgotten our name as overlords."
Hei Yun shook his head, still feeling it was not right.
Hei Feng continued to explain.
"Uncle, I have followed the Ten Thousand Ghost King for so long, and I can see that she is a capable person.
With her leadership, we will surely be able to conquer the Four Cities and unite the land."
Hei Yun was still not satisfied and shook his head repeatedly.
Hei Feng was not discouraged. He followed him all the way to the back garden. Hei Yun knew that once this boy got attached, it would be impossible to shake him off.
So, he played a little trick. He suddenly stopped, his face showing great surprise.
"The Ghost King has arrived. Forgive my lack of proper welcome."
Saying that, he even bowed in a proper manner. Hei Feng was confused and looked around, but saw no one.
When he looked down again, his uncle was gone. He only saw a figure running away quickly in the distance.
"Hey, Uncle, wait for me!"
Hei Feng realized he had been tricked and quickly chased after him.
After circling around several times, Hei Feng still managed to catch him. He leaped down from the beam and grabbed Hei Yun's robe corner triumphantly.
"Hahaha, Uncle, I caught you."
Hei Yun looked distressed and said helplessly.
"The Ten Thousand Ghost King is indeed a rare talent, but she is still lacking when it comes to dealing with the Four Cities."
Hei Feng was very confused and asked him.
"Uncle, why are you so lacking in confidence?"
"It's not that I lack confidence, but you don't know the strength of the Four Cities."
Hei Feng looked bewildered and pulled his uncle to a pavilion, asking him carefully.
"Uncle, why do you say that?"
Hei Feng then explained the reason.
"Among the Four Cities, the Western Purple Kingdom, Eastern Yue Town, and the South Sea City are not to be feared.
It is only the Northern Divine Capital... The Northern Divine Capital is the dwelling place of the divine race in ancient times.
The divine race had an abundance of experts. Although they no longer exist, no force has been able to break through it for ten thousand years."
"Uncle is worried that we can conquer the three cities but not the Northern Divine Capital."
Hei Yun nodded.
Hei Feng let out a long sigh and suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahaha..."
Hei Yun was very puzzled and asked him.
"Why are you laughing all of a sudden?"
Hei Feng replied.
"Uncle, our clan has been in decline for a thousand years, and we have been mountain kings for a thousand years.
Now is the time to revive the family's prestige, yet we are hesitant and unwilling to move forward.
Sooner or later, we will also perish in this world like the Dragon race and the Divine race.
Since that is the case, why not go all out and let the world remember our Ji clan, this former overlord."
Hearing Hei Feng say this, Hei Yun realized that the child he had been worried about had finally grown up, and it was time to hand over the family business in his hands.
Hei Yun showed a satisfied smile and finally revealed his long-awaited thoughts.
"For so long, I thought you were still as impetuous as before. It was only just now that I realized you have grown up and have your own ideas.
Alas! Our Ji clan was originally a great noble family, but we have fallen to this state.
Becoming these disreputable mountain bandits has been going on for ten thousand years. Now, it is time to revive the family's prestige."
Hei Feng did not expect this to be his uncle's true thoughts, so he also resolved.
"Uncle, I will definitely make our Ji clan revive and no longer be a cowardly mountain bandit.
I want the world to remember this former overlord, the Ji clan, when they see us, surpassing our past."
Hei Yun was very pleased. He patted his nephew's shoulder, his heart full of hope.
"You are indeed my good nephew. You share the same thoughts as me. Go back and tell the Ten Thousand Ghost King that I agree to cooperate with her."
"Yes."
The uncle and nephew smiled, their shoulders touching, as if they had already reached the peak and were receiving the admiration of thousands.