Secular Immortal of the Nine Realms - Chapter 70

Chapter 70: Never Been Here Before

In the Palace of Great Peace…

“Baron Xian, our Great Xia has always valued harmony. Please inform your three dukes that we hope not to get into a State War with Longdu,” the emperor said with a sigh.

“Engaging in a State War won’t be a good thing for both Great Xia and Longdu,” Prime Minister Li Guozhu added.

The officials nodded in agreement too.

“Hmph!” Baron Xian sneered. He swept his gaze across the room and said, “There’s only one option if you don’t want a war. We want vengeance for Viscount Zhou Xiu. Fang Chen’s two subordinates have to die. Other than that, Fang Chen must also write an apology letter, and it shall be plastered in front of your imperial palace.”

The officials were in a dilemma. This could have been easily done if Fang Chen hadn’t regained his martial cultivation, but now that he’s a Ki Manifestation martial artist, even the emperor won’t be able to easily do anything about him.

With Great Xia in a weaker position than ever, this was not the time to turn Fang Chen against them. He was Great Xia’s only Ki Manifestation cultivator. His presence would at least intimidate Greenpine from making a move.

“Also, I heard that the Great Xia River has a Jade Fairy who is known for her enchanting dances. It’s rare for me to visit Great Xia, so I wonder if it’s possible to…” Bardon Xian chuckled. “We often hear about the beauty of Great Xia women in Longdu.”

“Your Majesty, Minister Ye’s son, Ye Qinghe, frequents the Jade Fairy Boat. Why don’t we have him bring Baron Xian there to meet Jade Fairy? It’d be good for Baron Xian to stay in our Great Xia for a few days more so that we can slowly discuss things,” the crown prince proposed.

“Let’s do that then,” the emperor nodded.

“Take your time to consider our conditions.” Baron Xian chuckled. He clasped his fist at the emperor before taking his leave.

“Your Majesty, why don’t we execute Huang Sihai and Tie Ma by ourselves? Fang Chen won’t be able to do anything about it when he finds out about it later on. We can appease Longdu this way,” an official proposed.

The entire imperial court turned to look at that official.

The emperor looked at the official. “Fang Chen might not be able to do anything much about it, but you can be certain he’ll pay you a visit.”

With that, the emperor stood up and left.

The official was left standing in a daze. Moments later, he shuddered out of fear as he belatedly realized the consequences of his words. He looked around and found that the other officials had already left.

In the Fang Manor, Fang Chen instructed Tie Ma to head to the praying room and call Li Daoye over. The latter had been spending most of his time pestering Abbess Clearlotus in the praying room since moving into the Fang Manor.

“Young master, do you need anything from me?” Li Daoye asked with a grin.

“I need some spirit materials. Make a journey there on my behalf. Tie Ma will bring you there.” Fang Chen passed the Dragonback Lane’s token to Li Daoye.

“Dragonback Lane?” Li Daoye understood that it was a cultivator black market. He rubbed his hands together and said, “Young master, I’d need some ki stones to buy items…”

“You should have some savings as the young master of the Eight Trigrams Sect. You cover the cost first; I’ll reimburse you later,” Fang Chen replied with an enigmatic smile.

Li Daoye was stunned. He sheepishly asked, “Young master, you’ve met Elder Ming Jing?”

“Mm.” Fang Chen nodded.

“Where’s he?” Li Daoye asked.

“He fled as soon as I told him you made enemies with the Blood Spirit Cult. He claims not to know anyone called Li Daoye,” Fang Chen replied.

“That damned coward! Wait, when did I make enemies with the Blood Spirit Cult?!” Li Daoye first cursed in anger before staring at Fang Chen in shock.

“You’re partly responsible for Master Xu Hui’s death too. I’ll let the Blood Spirit Cult know when I encounter them in the future,” Fang Chen said.

“That won’t do!” Li Daoye was horrified.

“You should have considered the consequences before exploiting me. Do your job. I’ll consider letting you remain in the shadows if you do well.” Fang Chen smiled.

“Shall we go?” Tie Ma stepped forward and asked.

“Let’s go then…” Li Daoye’s eyes darted around in contemplation.

“If you escape, the Blood Spirit Cult might just come knocking on the Eight Trigrams Sect in search of its young master.” Fang Chen chuckled.

“You’re vicious!” Li Daoye cursed.

He reluctantly departed with Tie Ma.

Shortly after Tie Ma and Li Daoye left, Xu Ge rushed over and reported with a suppressed voice, “Young master, the crown prince instructed Ye Qinghe to bring Longdu’s envoy to the Jade Fairy Boat tonight. That toad is lusting over a swan.”

“They are heading to the Jade Fairy Boat? What a coincidence. I intend to bring Huangfu Jie there tonight.” Fang Chen smiled. “It was a long journey here, but that fellow is already rushing back to the southern region tomorrow. We should show him some hospitality, even if for a night. Invite Rectifier Yuan along too. They’d be traveling together, and they should get acquainted.”

Xu Ge’s eyes lit up. “I’ll inform Lord Yuan.”

This was a rare opportunity for him to go to the Jade Fairy Boat. A night at the Jade Fairy Boat was not cheap, and his pocket was a little empty at the moment.

The Great Xia River was more vibrant than even the capital’s most crowded street in the day. Many brilliantly-lit boats floated on the river as they gestured guests over.

“Baron Xian, this way please.”

Ye Qinghe and a few officials led the way for Baron Xian. There were several Longdu scholars accompanying them too.

The surrounding crowd automatically stepped aside to give way to Ye Qinghe’s group. Their eyes lit up in envy when they realized Ye Qinghe’s group were heading for the Jade Fairy Boat.

The Jade Fairy Boat was incredible, but its charges were exorbitant. The performance itself cost forty to fifty taels, and the bill could hike up to an astronomical sum when including the wine and the delicacies.

A flamboyant, middle-aged woman noticed Ye Qinghe. She lifted her skirt and walked over to welcome him. “Isn’t this our young master Ye?”

“Madam Liu, I’ll book the Jade Fairy Boat tonight to welcome a distinguished guest!” Ye Qinghe said with a smile.

“Young master Ye, why don’t we open it up?” Baron Xian suggested. “It won’t be as fun if it’s just us.”

“Indeed, Baron Xian, You’re absolutely right!” Ye Qinghe laughed.

He dropped the idea of booking the boat and beckoned Baron Xian and the others onto the Jade Fairy Boat.

The Jade Fairy Boat stopped by the riverside for another hour. Thirty more customers boarded the boat, and they were all rich merchants, powerful martial artists, or renowned scholars. Only people of a certain standing had the financial means to afford a night on the Jade Fairy Boat.

Another group of people boarded the Jade Fairy Boat right as it was about to depart.

“Young master, they don’t seem to recognize you,” Huangfu Jie asked as he was confused why the servants leading them onto the boat didn’t recognize Fang Chen.

“That’s because I’ve never been here before,” Fang Chen replied with a smile.