238: Chapter 21 Jade Sea Hunting Ground 238: Chapter 21 Jade Sea Hunting Ground “Yan Xie has returned to the Imperial City just to assist the young Prince of the Qin Family in the struggle for the throne?”
Xie Xuanyi muttered to himself in his heart.
He did not have much interaction with Yan Xie.
But he understood Chen Jingxuan.
That struggle for the Mandate of Heaven many years ago might have been Chen Jingxuan’s fiercest battle in his life.
Having not returned to the Great Chu Imperial City for ten years, Xie Xuanyi now felt that above the existing fog, another layer had been added…
The emergence of Yan Xie did not seem quite that simple.
“I have taken to heart the goodwill of Fangyuan Block,” Xie Xuanyi said calmly, “Yan Xie…
I will be careful.”
“The Northern Hunt is imminent.”
Snow Master said softly, “Although the young master’s status is noble, there are always confused people in the world…
No one can be sure what might happen once you leave the border of Da Chu.”
Xie Xuanyi smiled.
He knew what Snow Master meant.
Now everyone knew that the biggest backer behind him, Xie Zhen, was “Zhao Chunyang.”
Zhao Chunyang’s fists were hard, and his blows were painful…
This was a “Supreme Truth” that had been known throughout the land for nearly a hundred years.
However, over these hundred years, there were always those who didn’t believe in evil, who had to be beaten before they knew regret.
Just like back then, when Xie Xuanyi was already unbeatable among his peers.
Yet many people still thought he was unworthy of his reputation and constantly came to provoke him—
Certain things are just so.
The Jianghu knew well that Xie Xuanyi’s sword was swift.
Those people did not believe it, insisting on learning the hard way by having their hands and feet chopped off before they would accept it.
“I do hope that after the Northern Hunt, those hiding in the shadows will be more decisive,”
Xie Xuanyi said, unperturbed, “It would be best if they take the initiative to settle scores with me, saving me the time.”
Snow Master’s gaze carried a hint of complexity.
She had come to meet Xie Zhen to remind him of the situation in the Imperial City and was hoping to have him indebted to her for the warning.
But after meeting him, she realized.
It turned out Xie Zhen truly didn’t care…
There was something indescribable about the youth, an enigmatic charm.
Now the Imperial City was in turmoil.
Only he stood unaffected.
Aside from making enemies of the Northern County noble families, Martial Sect, Xie Family, Qin Family, Imperial City Office, Yan Xie…
Snow Master herself couldn’t count just how many were standing against Xie Zhen openly and in secret.
How could this youth remain so composed?
“Miss Snow, I’m very interested in that influential person backing you,”
Xie Xuanyi began with a smile, saying, “There’s no time like the present.
If that person is available today, why not meet right away?”
Snow Master was somewhat surprised.
From her understanding of Xie Zhen, the youth seemed to pay little heed to the happenings of the outside world.
She had been prepared to leave without accomplishing anything on this visit.
But to her astonishment,
Xie Zhen was the one to suggest meeting.
“Today…
The time is a bit late,”
Snow Master hesitated.
But after thinking it over, she still took out a message talisman and sent a strand of Divine Thought.
A moment later, she respectfully said, “He has replied.
He wishes to meet with you tonight…
The location is at the northern outskirts of the Imperial City, the Jade Sea Mountain Range.
There’s a hunting ground there.”
“The Jade Sea Hunting Ground?”
Xie Xuanyi asked with a smile, “Miss Snow, wouldn’t it be inconvenient for me to go there personally?”
Upon his remark,
Snow Master’s tone carried a smile.
She earnestly said, “Unworthy as I am, Young Master Xie, for your safety, it’s best to keep a ‘low profile’ on this trip.
If it’s convenient, please accompany me from your residence now…”
The Jade Sea Ridge was a hunting ground for the Da Chu imperial family.
Inside, many ferocious beasts and Great Demons were kept.
On ordinary days, only the closest princely successors were entitled to hunt there.
Of course…
Xie Xuanyi had already guessed that the “person” wishing to meet him was not as simple as a princely successor.
…
…
Xie Xuanyi left with Snow Master from the Chen residence.
Their departure was indeed extremely secretive…
Snow Master did not bring a single attendant.
With her level of cultivation, leaving the Imperial City would encounter no obstacles.
Xie Xuanyi re-scanned with his Divine Thought to confirm that this young master of Fangyuan Block had indeed a very high realm.
In the entire Great Chu Imperial City, if a Yang God did not come forward, there would probably be few who could be compared to her.
The realm of the Yin God, the Eighteenth State.
With that in mind,
He felt even more “certain” about the identity of that influential person behind Snow Master.
The Jade Sea Hunting Ground was located on the northern outskirts of the Imperial City.
It was not one of the mountain ranges that belonged to the dragon vein fates of the Da Chu martial path.
The entire Jade Sea Mountain Range was very vast, stretching end to end in a circular formation, like a natural prison.
It was said that the former State Preceptor had personally laid down the imperial array patterns around the hunting grounds.
Any demonic beast thrown into the grounds could not possibly escape unless it had reached the peak of the Yin God state.
Not to mention reaching the peak of the Yin God state…
For those Great Demons within the Jade Sea Hunting Ground, surviving a year was an extremely difficult feat.
The Northern Hunt only occurred once every few years.
Da Chu, being a martial state, allowed its young nobility of royal blood to visit the hunting ground every few days.
Xie Xuanyi followed Snow Master, not taking any Treasure for travel but simply drifting with the wind.
Shortly after, they arrived at the Jade Sea Hunting Ground.
There was still some time before the appointed time.
Xie Xuanyi was not in a hurry.
After all…
he had guessed the identity of the person he was to meet tonight.
That influential person must be very busy.
After nightfall,
Snow Master’s message talisman trembled, and she led Xie Xuanyi deeper into the hunting ground…
The forest sea churned, and the sound of pine waves surged.
Finally, atop a pavilion covered with talismans on a mountain peak, Xie Xuanyi saw that extremely mysterious figure mentioned by the Snow Master.
It was a child.
A child with red lips and white teeth, yet dressed in a golden robe.
“Master Xie Xuanyi, you don’t seem surprised,” observed Snow Master, gauging Xie Zhen’s reaction.
“It’s not hard to guess.”
Xie Xuanyi smiled faintly and said, “To have a lady of such a realm as Snow Maiden willing to bow and serve, within the Imperial City, how many are there?”
Snow Master was speechless.
It was true, indeed.
Throughout Da Chu, besides the Imperial Family, there was the Qin Family, who weren’t qualified enough to command such loyalty from her.
And in the case of the Lin Family, she and Yuan Jimo evidently didn’t share the same path.
“Your Majesty.”
She bowed slightly, speaking softly, “This is the Xie Zhen from Da Sui Sword Palace, Xuanshui Cave Heaven.”
The child sat in front of the stone table, calmly watching Xie Xuanyi.
He nodded expressionlessly and said in a deep voice, “You may leave.”
His voice was mature, not betraying any childishness…
it was hard to believe that this was a ten-year-old child.
And what’s most interesting is.
All the people in the world only thought he was a “fool.”
After Emperor Chu passed away, the Holy Empress pushed him in front of the crowd, held him up on the throne, and carried out the regency…
As he grew older and his spirit wisdom gradually opened, the ministers who had been full of hope for Da Chu’s future became confused and regretful.
This new emperor who had been held up on the throne seemed not to be “smart.”
Countless teachers were invited into the palace to educate him.
This new emperor could neither understand books nor recognize characters.
Ultimately, it was the old State Preceptor who personally taught him and barely managed to instill some “reason” in him.
Even so, this new emperor still indulged in play, with his greatest joy each day being to catch butterflies and arrange flowers within the palace, engaging in frivolous activities unworthy of his position.
How was such a person fit for the great responsibility?
Although he was young, Da Chu was nevertheless in a precarious and turbulent state.
In recent years, the dissatisfaction with this young emperor within the Da Chu court had grown increasingly serious…
But unfortunately,
They couldn’t see the scene before them.
The young emperor seated in the pavilion had not a trace of stupidity in his eyes, which were calm like the surface of a lake.
Xie Xuanyi was very familiar with that look.
Many years ago, he had seen the very same gaze…
This young emperor’s demeanor was almost the spitting image of the last Emperor Chu’s.
Snow Master took a few steps back, bowing slightly, and stood outside the pavilion.
Mist enveloped the surroundings, shrouding the pavilion.
The Snow Master outside the pavilion seemed to truly become part of the wind and snow, vanishing altogether.
Xie Xuanyi knew.
This pavilion was a meticulously chosen place for the meeting, surrounded by a frightfully numerous Purity Talismans, and besides, Snow Master was the greatest assurance for this meeting…
if he hadn’t guessed wrong, with just one thought from the young emperor, Snow Master would appear right at this pavilion.
“Interesting.”
Xie Xuanyi sat down, reassessing the youth before him, and said with a light laugh, “You are not a fool.”
“…”
The young emperor spoke calmly, “Of course I am not.”
Many people thought that Da Chu’s future emperor was a fool.
In fact.
He had no choice.
After the former emperor died and the Holy Empress de facto ruled…
playing the fool was actually the smartest choice.
“The Jade Sea Hunting Ground is a good place.”
Xie Xuanyi looked around, observing the nightfall beneath the mountain and the sound of swaying Lin leaves, and slowly said, “The ‘talisman’ in the Jade Sea Hunting Ground was laid down by the old State Preceptor, and it is not within the surveillance range of the Qin Family’s Martial Sect mountains…
This is one of the few places where one can escape the Holy Empress’s control.
With your status, going to the hunting ground for amusement is completely justifiable.”
Actually.
When Snow Master visited previously, Xie Xuanyi had already guessed…
The person who wanted to see him might be this young emperor.
He was very curious.
How the young emperor would arrange this meeting in such a hurry.
The Jade Sea Hunting Ground.
Was indeed an excellent choice.
“I do not wish tonight’s meeting to be known by too many people,” said the young emperor, taking a light breath, his face serious, not at all resembling a child of just over ten years.
Where was he foolish?
Clearly, he was too clever.
It was just that at his age, feigning maturity made him appear somewhat excessive.
On the surface, Xie Xuanyi was only a few years older than the child before him, but some qualities…
cannot be faked.
“So, Your Majesty, what is it you summoned me for tonight?”
Xie Xuanyi crossed his arms, smiling as he looked at the child before him.
He wanted to see.
What earth-shattering words this young emperor, who feigned madness and played the fool to ensure his safety, could utter.
“The recent disturbances in the Imperial City, Snow Master should have told you,” said the young emperor, lifting his face and speaking each word earnestly, “These disturbances are just the beginning.
As long as you, Xie Zhen, are alive, they will only grow more fierce with each passing day…”
“Whether it’s the case of the Lin Family.”
“Or Yuan Jimo of the Imperial City.”
“Or even…
that person.”
He paused, choosing not to utter the name.
The young emperor spoke seriously and solemnly, “As long as you pledge yourself to me, I can resolve them all for you.”
…
…
(One more chapter to come, around half past midnight.
Friends who can’t wait may go to sleep first~)