Chapter 184: The Princess's Soul Has Fled
After a night of wind and snow, the sky above the Snow Region gradually brightened.
However, due to the thick cold mist after the snow, the streets were a vast expanse of white.
At this moment, Yao Race merchants doing business on Ascending Peak Avenue suddenly heard a clanking sound of armor. Looking up, they saw a group of Imperial Guards, Yao Race soldiers and generals, escorting a group of Human Race individuals through the cold mist, heading towards the right peak of the towering Twin Peaks.
So, in front of the steaming hot pots, the merchants couldn't help but stop their actions and watched them all the way.
There were over a hundred people being escorted. As they moved, their figures gradually disappeared into the cold mist, but the clanging sound remained clear.
Subsequently, the group walked up the mountain ridge, facing the wind and snow as sharp as knives.
The Scale Clan leader and the Fang Clan Chieftain were expressionless, showing no signs of joy or sorrow.
They had no regrets; they were loyal to His Majesty.
Last night's assault was no different from the allied army attacking Hantie Pass. They were all fighting for their clans, and they knew that His Majesty understood their hearts.
At this moment, the sun began to break through the cold mist slightly, and discussions had already begun inside and outside Demon Emperor City.
Everyone knew that the Scale and Fang Clans had attacked the Human Race envoys in Yu Garden, but they were unaware of the details and the impact it caused. They only knew that some people had been imprisoned in the Cold Prison.
Ji You walked out of his room at this time, glanced at the crystal-clear icicles hanging from the eaves, and then stood with everyone on the connected corridor, golden light gradually appearing in his eyes.
The top of the right peak of Twin Peaks is the Yao Race's Cold Prison, a prison that makes the Yao Race turn pale at the mention of it.
This was not because there were cruel tortures or beatings in the prison; merely the endless pure white sight was enough to cause mental breakdown during incarceration.
Ji You used his Divine Thought to penetrate the cold mist, watching the Cold Prison's gate slowly open, seeing the people from the Scale and Fang Clans who participated in the assault being sent inside, and then withdrew his gaze.
After the night raid on Yu Garden, no Human Race individuals were injured or killed. The Demon Emperor sent troops to capture the Scale and Fang Clans, and now it was time to make a promise, after which they could return home.
Yao Race women have tails; this fact was confirmed by the Yaozu Gongzhu's backside, filling a significant blank in the Human Race's data about the Yao Race.
Additionally, a wild blade was picked up.
However, his hand couldn't move, and he didn't know how long it would take to recover.
Furthermore, important things were seen by the Yaozu Gongzhu's maid, resulting in a slight loss of innocence.
Ji You silently calculated the gains and losses of this trip and was quite satisfied, as his greatest gain was preventing the devastation of Feng Province.
However, there was one regret: he didn't enter the legendary Yao Race treasury.
Stealing is detrimental to professional ethics. Ji You, who aspired to be a fierce bandit, only wanted to rob, and the definition of robbing was taking things away while someone was watching, and that person didn't dare to complain.
But the treasury belongs to the Demon Emperor, so this matter might not work out. It doesn't matter; remember the location and practice more when he returns.
“The Yao-Barbarian Alliance matter will probably come to a temporary close.”
Ji You softly said, “But only temporarily, because the Yao Race’s goal of returning to Kyushu will not change.
And this escort of the Scale and Fang Clans up the snowy peak is probably also for us to see; they won't receive any punishment.”
The people on the connected corridor couldn't help but look out at the snowy peak, barely able to see the figures walking through the snow.
“Great figures like the Demon Emperor consider matters on a far more complex level than us, so we naturally can't guess their intentions. But fortunately, the outcome is what we want.”
“It seems we can go back—”
“Yes.”
Ji You nodded and then raised his eyes: “Is it going to be winter in Kyushu too?”
Gongshu Chou nodded: “Judging by the time, it should be about right.”
“After winter, it will be time for spring plowing.”
Ji You was still thinking about the joint cultivation matter when he returned.
Just then, a tall figure walked out of the thin mist in the morning light, with a slender waist and graceful steps.
She carried a medicine box on her shoulder and looked towards Ji You on the connected corridor.
【Proper doctor, here for follow-up】
Seeing this, everyone turned to look at Ji You.
This Yaozu Gongzhu had rushed here yesterday, only seeing Ji You, and unexpectedly came again early in the morning, seemingly still with a sleepy look on her face.
Gongshu Chou, standing on the connected corridor, turned to look at him and said, “This Yaozu Gongzhu seems very concerned about you.”
Ji You glanced at him: “It’s just a simple doctor-patient relationship. She is also on the side that doesn’t want war, which aligns with my philosophy.”
“I don’t think so. Otherwise, with her noble status, why is she always so proactive towards you?”
“Naturally, it’s the dedication of a proper doctor to a patient, and also reassurance. With an assault like this happening, someone from the Demon Emperor’s lineage must come out to appease us, and the Princess’s status is a show of sincerity.”
“Why is this sincerity only directed at you?”
“You just keep solving cases. Who can out-solve you—.”
Ji You left that remark and turned to look at Feng Yang, saying, “Please.”
He still didn't understand why Gongshu Chou harbored good intentions towards him, but he felt that this guy was, after all, forty years old, at an age where he should be mature and steady, and usually appeared profound and unfathomable, so he shouldn't spread groundless rumors.
But what he didn't know was that Gongshu Chou's desire to return to Kyushu and tell stories while masked was already stirring.
Because on this trip, besides Ji You who picked up a wild blade, his gains were the greatest.
These gains were not tangible objects, but rather materials that could be called intangible cultural heritage.
Things like hand-to-hand combat with barbarians, sword-slaying of Soldier King, and counter-killing Yao Race generals—he felt his value would soar wildly with these stories.
Now, if the Yaozu Gongzhu were to be added, seeing his bravery and secretly falling for him, it would be even more incredible.
Because the first three events were direct boasts, which might sound a bit exaggerated, but the latter could subtly and vividly highlight Ji You's bravery.
【As expected of Senior Brother Gongshu】
【Senior Brother Gongshu can even fight evenly with such a figure?】
Gongshu Chou stood with his hands behind his back on the connected corridor, his expression indifferent as he gazed at the pure white in the distance, already wondering how he would accept such praise upon his return.
At this time, Ji You had already returned to the room with Feng Yang. Feng Yang lifted Ji You’s arm and bent it a few times.
Perhaps thinking about showing him her tail through her clothes yesterday felt a bit out of line, this Yaozu Gongzhu was quite quiet today, not saying much. She just gently held Ji You's palm, her expression serene and gentle, her movements soft and slow, occasionally letting out a yawn.
Ji You, like a true gentleman, kept his eyes on his nose, his nose on his mouth, and his mouth on his heart.
He was just still unsure if a follow-up consultation required holding hands.
Meanwhile, Night Chill arrived at Feng Yang's Princess's residence again.
But after searching around, he couldn't find his sister's whereabouts, so he found her personal maid, Xiao Rou, and asked, “Where is Feng Yang?”
“The Princess has gone out.”
“Gone out?”
“To see a Human Race patient.”
Night Chill was stunned: “When?”
Xiao Rou glanced at the sky: “Replying to Your Highness, probably around Mao hour, she left as soon as it was barely light.”
Night Chill opened his mouth, unsure what to say.
Although Feng Yang seemed well-behaved and sensible, she actually had a bad habit that only close family knew about.
She had been a heavy sleeper since childhood and had a bad temper when waking up. She usually didn't get up until already hour and had never woken up so early for anyone—
Meanwhile, the follow-up consultation in the Spirit Garden had ended. Feng Yang held her small hand for a while longer before slowly withdrawing it from Ji You's, then put on her medicine box and returned to her residence.
Night Chill had not left and was still waiting for her at the residence.
Seeing her elder brother staring at her, Yaozu Gongzhu Feng Yang took the initiative to speak: “I went to see a Human Race patient.”
Night Chill looked at her, and after a long deliberation, said, “Do you know that those Human Race individuals are leaving soon?”
“?”
“This morning, after the participants of the Scale and Fang Clans’ assault were imprisoned in the Cold Prison, news came from the palace saying that Father Emperor was going to summon the Human Race envoy delegation. I think their mission is about to end.”
Feng Yang was silent for a long time before nodding: “That’s good too. The Human Race’s visit to my Snow Region immediately brought about turmoil. If they stayed longer, who knows what else might happen. Leaving earlier now is not a bad thing.”
Night Chill frowned slightly, a bit puzzled: “Weren’t you quite concerned about that Human Race individual?”
“It was just some admiration, but—they are ultimately just guests. Imperial Brother also said they are leaving soon. It’s best for the Human Race and Yao Race to mind their own business.”
“You—you make me not know how to persuade you.”
Night Chill had always felt that his Imperial Sister was about to be abducted by a Human Race individual, and he came this time to explain it to her.
Although the current situation allowed for peaceful coexistence between the Yao Race and Human Race, the core issue of Kyushu remained unresolved, and future wars were inevitable.
How could a Yaozu Gongzhu, the eldest direct daughter, fall in love with a Human Race male?
But he hadn't expected his Imperial Sister to be so indifferent about that Human Race individual leaving the Snow Region soon, as if it had nothing to do with her, which left him bewildered.
Yaozu Gongzhu Feng Yang noticed Night Chill's expression, and after a long period of thought, she spoke thoughtfully: “Imperial Brother thinks I like him?”
Night Chill regained his composure: “You specifically changed clothes to see him, and woke up early for him, isn’t that so?”
“I said it was just admiration. I felt he was very brave and resourceful, so I was very curious, but it’s not what Imperial Brother thinks.”
Feng Yang murmured, not thinking she was lying.
She didn't want a war between the Human Race and Yao Race, but having heard so many stories about Kyushu since childhood, curiosity was naturally unavoidable.
On the day the Human Race envoy delegation arrived, she joined the welcoming party out of curiosity. Later, as a physician, she met the Human Race individual named Ji You more often, and her curiosity shifted to him.
Then, on the night of the assault, his meticulous thinking and his bravery in slaying Shu He made her admire him greatly.
However, the Yao Race and Human Race are not of the same clan. As a Yaozu Gongzhu, even considering her status, she would not fall in love with a Human Race male.
Even if she showed him her tail, it was through her clothes—
Night Chill blinked after hearing this, thinking to himself that he hadn't expected this, and so he felt relieved.
Subsequently, the sun slowly began to rise, and the cold mist gradually dispersed.
A Yao Race minister came from the Demon Emperor Palace, then hurriedly entered the Yu Garden, bringing an oral decree from the Demon Emperor, stating that he wished to summon the Human Race delegation again.
Thus, the Human Race members all went to the Demon Emperor Palace for an audience and stayed there until noon.
After dining in the Demon Emperor Palace, they hurriedly returned to the Yu Garden and began packing their bags.
It's over—
From traversing Hantie Pass to the barren lands, then to the Snow Region, enduring countless trials, this matter finally concluded.
The Yao Race Emperor had just given his word, promising not to form an Alliance with the barbarian tribes.
Just as Ji You had said, figures at the Demon Emperor's level consider the world, the rise and fall of races; their status is extremely high, and what they see and perceive is beyond ordinary comprehension.
The sudden actions of the Fang Clan and Scale Clan were merely pushing the boat with the current; the Demon Emperor's choice not to fight must have other reasons.
However, this matter was not their concern; all they sought was a result of no war, and with this result, their mission was considered complete.
Beyond the Nine Provinces, Chaos abounds; even if it seems peaceful now, no one will forget the assault of that night.
Therefore, for them, the longer they stayed there, the greater the risk, so it was better to leave early.
In fact, ever since they left Hantie Pass, they had not spent a single day without yearning to return home.
At this moment, Ji You sat in the carriage, his hands hanging by his sides, gazing at the vast, white Snow Region.
The peace between the Human Race and the Yao Race is only temporary; perhaps one day, war will reignite. Meanwhile, Night Chill had already left the Princess's residence and arrived at the Demon Emperor Palace, looking at the great Demon Emperor on the throne.
He had also learned of the Demon Emperor's decision, that the Human Race delegation was to leave, and still felt some confusion, so he wished to inquire.
At this moment, the Demon Emperor held a scroll, which contained a vast map of the Yao Race's Snow Region.
After the Great Ancient War, the Yao Race migrated from south to north to this place, and their initial living area was only a small spot beneath the Twin Snow Peaks.
At that time, the remaining citizens of the Yao Race were, in fact, only a few thousand.
Later, after a thousand years of development and recuperation, they learned to forage in the snow, to fish in the thousand-mile-frozen East Sea, to excavate snow mountains, and clear snow valleys, and their lives gradually stabilized, leading to their current state.
But the Demon Emperor's clan has never forgotten the heavy responsibility left by their ancestors since ancient times, which is to lead their people back to the Nine Provinces.
Night Chill bowed at this moment and said, "Father Emperor, did you never intend to go to war with the Human Race from the very beginning?"
The Demon Emperor's gaze swept across the scroll, and after a long look, he closed it, then raised his eyes to Night Chill: "You are right, I indeed did not intend to go to war with the Human Race at this time."
"If that's the case, why did you receive the barbarian envoys earlier?"
"Because the Yao Race is not my Yao Race alone; it is the Yao Race of all Yao Race members."
The Demon Emperor raised his eyes and said in a deep voice, "After the Qi Ridge incident, the court ministers began to harbor the idea of returning to the Nine Provinces, and it grew stronger and stronger. I cannot forcibly suppress it, because sometimes public opinion cannot be suppressed by the monarch's will. So, if I don't want to go to war, someone needs to make a mistake."
Night Chill was extremely puzzled: "Why on earth is Father Emperor unwilling to go to war? Are we really going to abandon the Nine Provinces?"
"Abandon? No, it's just that the time is not yet ripe."
"The Human Race's Luck has already gone awry; I don't understand what timing we are still waiting for."
"I said before that the broken Heavenly Dao should collapse on its own, and the new Heavenly Dao should emerge in response to the selection of the sages,
Then descend the clan's Luck, initiating a Holy War. But now I only see a scene of lifelessness, yet I still cannot see where the new Luck has fallen."
Night Chill frowned upon hearing this: "Could the Qi Ridge incident have been a misunderstanding?"
The Demon Emperor shook his head: "No, that was a beginning, meaning that something must have gone wrong with the Human Race. The Heavenly Dao has decayed from the inside out, but for some reason, it has not collapsed. However, it is precisely at such times that we must not be impatient,
Because we cannot know if there is another conspiracy involved."
"Another conspiracy—?"
"Just like at Qi Ridge, the Human Race members who sought Immortal destiny ultimately became someone else's Immortal destiny. This itself is a conspiracy. There's an ancient Human Race saying, 'The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind,' which means exactly this."
Night Chill raised his eyes upon hearing this: "So we just wait, doing nothing?"
The Demon Emperor looked at him: "What's wrong with waiting?"
Night Chill clenched his fists: "Waiting will lead to falling behind."
The Demon Emperor chuckled upon hearing his words: "That's because you don't understand history, which is why you speak so presumptuously. Don't forget, back then, our Yao Race was the first to raise arms against the Lasting Peace Race, but what happened in the end?"
Night Chill paused for a moment, then opened his mouth: "In the end, all Luck went to the Human Race, and our clan could only be trapped in the Snow Region, unable to see the clear sky."
"Indeed, our Yao Race suffered heavy casualties back then, and public resentment was fierce, unable to uphold the Heavenly Dao, yet we ended up benefiting the Human Race. Therefore, rushing to the front is never the best approach, which is why I have always hesitated.
My Yao Race cannot endure another ordeal."
"Then how long do we have to wait?"
"Wait two more years."
A hint of confusion appeared on Night Chill's face: "Why two years?"
The Demon Emperor suddenly rose, descended from the throne, and walked towards the outside of the hall: "Because in two more years, that old fellow from Tianshu Academy will have exhausted his Lifespan."
Night Chill's eyes widened in astonishment: "The Head Teacher of Tianshu Academy is going to die?"
"Soon. I think not just me, but many others are waiting for him to either die or Ascend. That old fellow has been obscuring the Heavenly Dao all these years, making the myriad Dao Chaos, but before his Lifespan runs out, he will have to choose to Ascend or die.
At that time, I will be able to see everything clearly."
The Celestial Book Institute Head Teacher, over three hundred and fifty years old, had entered the Linxian Realm a century ago.
But in a hundred years, he had never attempted to Ascend to the Immortal Realm. This matter, whether among the Human Race, the Yao Race, or the barbarian tribes, has led to many conjectures.
However, only figures like the Demon Emperor know that he not only did not Ascend but also obscured the Heavenly Dao.
But life eventually ends. In the Demon Emperor's view, what's so insignificant about a mere two years? At that time, seeing everything clearly is better than blindly stepping into this Heavenly Dao scheme.
"Father Emperor, just how strong is that Head Teacher of Tianshu Academy?"
The Demon Emperor turned to look at him: "The strongest in the current era."
Night Chill was silent for a long time, then cupped his hands: "I understand."
"Shu He is dead?"
"He's dead, killed by a man named Ji You."
The Demon Emperor turned around upon hearing this: "The one with seven swords by himself?"
Night Chill was slightly surprised: "He's a private cultivator from the countryside in the Tong Xuan Realm; he actually made Father Emperor remember him?"
"There aren't many Human Race members as interesting as him. He fought the barbarian tribes bare-handed, slew Soldier King with his sword, and even killed Shu He.
I'm very curious about the source of his Legacy."
"It's said he's a private cultivator from the countryside, because life was too difficult, so he's been cultivating haphazardly."
After a long silence, the Demon Emperor waved his hand: "Let's not talk about that. Where's Feng Yang?"
Night Chill thought of his younger sister: "Feng Yang should be providing free medical consultations."
"Go find craftsmen and have them repair the damaged Yu Garden."
"Yes, Father Emperor."
Night Chill bowed and then left the imperial palace. He first found a group of craftsmen to repair the Yu Garden, and then went to see his younger sister.
As if to prove that she did not like that man, Feng Yang did not go to see the Human Race off when they left, but instead continued to provide free medical consultations, her expression normal, showing little reaction to the Human Race's departure.
Night Chill came to her medical building at this time and sat opposite her: "Have you had lunch?"
Feng Yang shook her head: "Not yet."
"You must eat well."
"I know, I'll finish seeing this patient first."
Night Chill looked at her calm eyes and felt that he had perhaps overthought things, truly misunderstanding his sister's feelings.
Having heard so much about the Nine Provinces since childhood, it was inevitable that his sister would be curious about the Human Race; he had simply been too anxious.
Subsequently, the Yu Garden began its repair work. The main hall, side halls, and connecting corridors, which had been shaken down by the Fang Clan and Scale Clan demon generals, all needed to be rebuilt, and only the West Courtyard had not been greatly affected.
Night Chill, having nothing to do, often came to supervise the progress of the project, but once he saw his imperial sister's figure appearing nearby, which made him a little puzzled.
The Princess's residence and the medical hall were both on the south side of Dengfeng Avenue, not in the same direction as the Yu Garden. Normally, his imperial sister would never come to this side.
However, he didn't pay too much attention, only thinking she was just wandering around, until the next day.
The repair work on the Yu Garden progressed quickly, and the pavilions and towers gradually began to restore their original appearance. Night Chill came here to check the restoration of the main hall, but as soon as he entered, he saw his younger sister.
She was wrapped in a cotton robe, sitting quietly in the courtyard, her red lips slightly parted, seemingly staring blankly at the second floor. Night Chill was stunned, not understanding why his sister was here again, so he casually called over a craftsman: "Why is the Princess here?"
"Reporting to Your Highness, since the day before yesterday, the Princess has been coming every day, sitting in a room on the second floor for half a day, sometimes even wandering around the West Courtyard for a long time, as if checking the sword marks on the doors and windows."
"?"
Night Chill's face suddenly became serious: "Which room? Show me."
The craftsman raised his hand upon hearing this, gesturing on the second floor for a while before stopping: "That one."
"It's broken."
"It's not broken, it was just repaired."
Night Chill glanced at him, thinking, 'You don't know anything,' and then his gaze fell back on his imperial sister's dazed back, and he couldn't help but clench his fists.
The good news was that the person hadn't been abducted, but the bad news was that her soul seemed to have been abducted. This imperial craftsman also didn't know what the Prince was thinking. He packed up his things, took a few people, and headed towards the Demon Emperor Palace's treasury.
He didn't know who it was, but someone had made a mark outside the treasury door, constantly giving them work.
(The car is repaired, going to pick it up, asking for monthly votes.)
