Chapter 214: Don’t Blame Me for Being Ruthless

Chapter 214: Chapter 214: Don’t Blame Me for Being Ruthless

"Your Highness, Ji Suyao has left."

In a tavern across from the posthouse, the Black-clothed Guard watched Ji Suyao slowly depart, then turned to report to Ji Feng, who was beside him.

"If Father Emperor heard you, you’d lose your life."

Ji Feng shook his head. Compared to his elder brother and sister-in-law, this niece of his was the apple of the old man’s eye. Back when his brother was officially removed from the line of succession for Crown Prince, he had considered finding a marriage alliance for his niece to consolidate his own position and prevent any mishaps.

But before he could even finish drafting the memorial, the old man gave him a severe beating. If it weren’t for the intervention of the Royal Family’s elders, he would have been flogged to death on the spot.

Although most of the old man’s anger at the time had nothing to do with his niece, the fact that she could be the fuse that made him lose control was enough to show just how special she was.

"Are we really not going to do anything?"

The Black-clothed Guard asked helplessly. They certainly couldn’t touch Princess Suyao. Making a move against her would mean directly offending Peak Master Mo, a ruthless character who had once nearly leveled the Imperial City with just a single sword.

The incident had started because the Great Xia Royal Family wanted to completely carve up the Bai Family after their decline. It’s better not to mention the final result. The Royal Family had to use nearly ten times the resources just to see the Bai Family off—not by eliminating them, but by having the Bai Family’s already small clan leave the Great Xia Dynasty with those very resources.

The Black-clothed Guard’s crippled master was one of those who experienced it firsthand. There were thirty-six Cultivators who participated in the siege back then. There are still thirty-six now, except they’re all missing arms or legs.

But the former Carefree King and his wife were a different matter. Even though they signed a Spirit Contract, they never returned to Purple Cloud Valley. At best, they could be considered semi-members of Purple Cloud Valley. If they were to be killed by Loose Cultivators under these circumstances, the Great Xia Royal Family would only need to express immense grief and then dispose of those Loose Cultivators.

Then, even if the Emperor flew into a rage, His Highness Ji Feng’s position as Crown Prince would not be affected in any way. In any case, it was the only option.

"Pass on the order: do nothing unnecessary. My relationship with the old man has finally eased up a bit. If anyone messes this up, don’t blame me for being merciless."

Ji Feng shook his head. He truly had no intention of making a move against his elder brother and sister-in-law, who posed no threat. The problem was that his subordinates, for some reason, seemed to have gotten the wrong idea. They had worked overnight to hire those recently-appeared Loose Cultivators to tail them.

"As you command."

The Black-clothed Guard nodded and then left to relay the message. ’I am, in the end, just a guard,’ he thought. ’It’s one thing for His Highness to treat me as a friend on normal days because of our history, but making my own decisions at a critical moment is a sure way to get myself killed.’

「Half an hour later.」

The two junior sisters returned to the posthouse with their parents. Under the astonished gazes of some surrounding Purple Cloud Valley disciples, the two sisters led their parents aboard the Flying Ship, returned to the room they had previously occupied, and did not emerge again.

Witnessing this scene, Liu Chen also decided to return to his own room on the Flying Ship. All that was left was to wait for the return to Purple Cloud Valley.

"Junior Brother Liu, the Flying Ship is about to set sail. Do you still need us to take anyone?"

Just as Liu Chen was about to board the Flying Ship, Senior Brother Yang came running over from a distance. The Yang Family’s Flying Ship was already preparing to head to Purple Cloud Valley, but his junior brother had previously mentioned that he might need them to take a few people. Under the circumstances, Yang Haichen naturally had to come and ask.

"Sorry to trouble you, Senior Brother. It’s no longer necessary."

Liu Chen shook his head, and Yang Haichen nodded, waving at the distant, waiting Yang Family carriage.

"If all goes according to plan, the auction house can open tomorrow."

Yang Haichen leaned closer to Liu Chen and spoke slowly. Everything was ready. They could start promoting it as soon as they got back. If not for the worry that Liu Chen didn’t have much time to stay, the first auction would have been built up for at least half a month.

"Something’s come up."

Liu Chen shook his head. He had already discussed it with Steward Lin. After they returned, he would first sign the so-called Indenture Contract and then deal directly with Steward Lin. After that, he wouldn’t have to manage the auction house at all, as professionals from the Hundred Affairs Hall would naturally take over.

Aside from those twenty positions, the remaining staff would be unemployed before they even officially started. However, if their own abilities were strong enough, it could also be a good opportunity.

Even if they weren’t official members, being employed by a Purple Cloud Valley enterprise would still grant them the sect’s protection.

"Oh..."

Yang Haichen was a bit stunned, but he quickly seemed to realize something. However, given the current situation, he didn’t speak up directly. Instead, he followed Liu Chen onto the Flying Ship and stood beside him on the deck.

"In January of next year, the Secret Realm near Tianya City will open. There are more and more Loose Cultivators gathering in the area. Who knows how chaotic it will get."

Standing on the deck, Yang Haichen didn’t mention the auction house. Instead, he started making small talk. The Secret Realm near Tianya City originally belonged to three major dynasties, but after Tianya City was established, it came under the joint control of four parties. However, Tianya City was always allied with the Spring Breeze Dynasty.

They were already a strong enemy. If things continued to develop this way, there would surely be no shortage of Loose Cultivators joining the fray. He felt some urgency to increase his own strength.

"The Cultivation limit for the Secret Realm is the Meridian Passage Realm. Senior Brother, you could just wait another year."

Liu Chen said nonchalantly. ’I also wanted to check out that Secret Realm. After all, according to the information Senior Brother Yang provided, the Grand Elder’s Cyan Lotus Demon-Slaying Sword came from there. I had wanted to complete this Swordsmanship, but unfortunately, by that time, I would probably already be in the Qi Refining Realm. There’s no point in suppressing my strength to enter the Secret Realm. Treasures useful to those in the Meridian Passage Realm would likely have little effect on someone in the Qi Refining Realm.’

"We’ll see when the time comes. My talent in Swordsmanship is average. If I enter a few more times, my chances of obtaining the Swordsmanship will be greater."

Yang Haichen shook his head. Although his own talent in Swordsmanship was average, his master’s was excellent. The Cyan Lotus Demon-Slaying Sword was his master’s regret, and even if he wasn’t skilled in Swordsmanship himself, he wanted to help his master erase that regret.

"Unfortunately, I won’t have the chance to go in."

Liu Chen shook his head and walked directly toward his room. He wasn’t joking; he really wouldn’t have the chance. After breaking through to the Qi Refining Realm, there would be no point in clearing a dungeon meant for the Meridian Passage Realm.

Besides, it was still uncertain if he would even be in the Black Feather Dynasty by then. The Black Feather Dynasty was his intended place for cultivation, but Liu Chen had never been there. If the cultivation environment wasn’t good, he would definitely choose to leave.

"If we have the chance to meet again, I will bring the Swordsmanship to you."

Yang Haichen, following a short distance behind, made the promise. ’Junior Brother Liu must be quite fond of Swordsmanship,’ he thought. ’And the fact that we only have the first part of the Cyan Lotus Demon-Slaying Sword must be a regret for him as well.’

Liu Chen waved his hand dismissively and said nothing more. Senior Brother Yang always had a way of getting sentimental at the oddest moments.

「The morning passed quickly.」

The Purple Bamboo Peak disciples boarded the Flying Ship one after another. Once everyone had returned, the Flying Ship slowly set off.