Chapter 397: Why Are You so Lazy?

Feng Xinye crossed her arms as she stared at Long Ming. "Hmph! You really hid yourself well. It actually took me some time to find you."

"Why do you wish to find me?" Long Ming asked helplessly.

Feng Xinye pointed at Long Ming. "Did you forget what I said earlier? I wish to marry you!"

Long Ming rubbed his forehead. "Ugh, you are really stubborn. Just leave me alone. I do not wish to participate in another fight for the throne."

Walking past Feng Xinye, Long Ming tried to enter the brothel. Feng Xinye didn’t say anything and tried to follow him. Long Ming paused his steps. "Don’t tell me you are actually going to follow me inside?!"

"Yes, why shouldn’t I?" Feng Xinye shrugged. "I am going to follow you everywhere now. After all, I am finally outside the palace. Of course I am going to explore."

"However, there is an issue." Feng Xinye pondered loudly. "After I found out about your location, I tried to ask everyone, even Grandpa Blue Bamboo. But they all seemed to hesitate to explain what this place is."

"Anyway!" Her eyes brightened. "Since I am here, I will see it for myself!"

"Wait, WAIT!"

Long Ming’s face fell when he realized Feng Xinye was probably a delicate garden peony. She didn’t know about the world’s evil affairs!

"What? Don’t tell me you are stopping me too?" Feng Xinye rolled her eyes.

Long Ming rubbed under his nose. "Well, I didn’t say that. It’s not really a special place. Think of it as... just adults doing adult things. Nothing interesting, really."

"Hey! Even Grandpa said the same thing!" Feng Xinye pouted. "Now I really must see what’s happening inside."

Long Ming was about to say something else. However, at that moment, two beautiful female attendants approached.

"Oh goodness! It’s Young Master Long! What are you doing outside?"

"Please, do come inside. Madame Hong will be performing today. And with you playing an instrument or composing a couplet, it will be even more pleasant."

"Ohh! So there is entertainment inside?" Feng Xinye’s eyes brightened. "Tell me!"

"Uhh..."

Both women felt bewildered when they saw Feng Xinye standing with Long Ming. She wore bright orange embroidered clothes, the design and fabric clearly the kind only ladies from noble houses could wear.

And such ladies rarely came near a place like this.

"Uhh, yes... There is certainly entertainment." One attendant grew bold and made a joke. "Both men and women enjoy that particular play."

"Oooh! Is that so?" Feng Xinye’s eyes sparkled. "Then take me inside! I wish to enjoy that too!"

"This..."

Both women stared at Feng Xinye and Long Ming with looks of dismay. Long Ming sighed as he took hold of Feng Xinye. "Sorry, beautiful sisters. But please apologize to Madame Hong on my behalf. I won’t be able to come today."

The attendants stared with confusion and amusement as Long Ming dragged Feng Xinye away.

"Whew, you really are trouble." Long Ming sighed as he looked at Feng Xinye. "Do you really think you can follow me everywhere?"

"Well, even if I can’t, finding your whereabouts will always be easy." Feng Xinye spoke with a grin. "Have you forgotten? I am Feng Xinye, the Imperial Princess of the Wind Roc Empire!"

Long Ming stared at her for a while before turning around. "Don’t talk about marriage."

He first returned to the Cloud Wing Antique Shop. As he walked inside, Ah Fu came running to him.

"Mister, look at this! Senior Situ forged these for me."

In his hands, he wore a pair of gloves — made of pure metal, pitch black in color with a pale blue sheen. On the knuckles, small crystal spikes were embedded.

"Not bad. It’s good to complement your fist art." Long Ming nodded with approval.

Ah Fu grinned. "Next, I’ll get a pair of boots. That will increase my agility. Soon, I will reach the High Stage of the Violet Palace Expansion Realm. To think I might reach the True Core Formation Realm within a year!"

"Eh, who is she..."

Ah Fu suddenly noticed Feng Xinye standing behind Long Ming, and his face stiffened.

*Damn, this bastard brought another beautiful woman! Moreover, she seems to be around my age!*

Long Ming’s lips twitched as he knocked Ah Fu on the head. "What are you thinking, you brat?!"

"Aghhh! Wh-what? How did you know?"

"Hmph, you think I’m some kind of greenhorn?" Long Ming scowled.

At that moment, Situ Yan emerged from the forge. He was bare-chested, his skin sweaty and flushed with a faint red. One could feel the intense aura of fire and metal from his forging. His mechanical arm glistened too, well-oiled and maintained.

"Huhuhu, you came at just the right moment, you brat. I need some modifications made to the forge." Situ Yan looked at Long Ming as he spoke — after all, he knew Long Ming had extensive knowledge of runes and formations, and with his help, Situ Yan could turn the forge into the best forging station around.

But then he saw Feng Xinye, and his eyes went wide. Instantly, he dropped to his knees. "This humble old man greets the Imperial Princess!"

"WHAT?!"

Ah Fu felt like his eyes were popping out of his sockets when he saw Situ Yan kneeling. Who was Situ Yan? Ah Fu had been watching him since day one and knew how arrogant the old man was — and knew that behind the arrogance, he had the power to back it up.

But hearing the words "Imperial Princess" sent another wave of shock through Ah Fu’s heart.

Long Ming looked at him with a pitiful gaze. Ah Fu must be feeling like a toad lusting after a swan — no, not a swan, but a phoenix in the sky.

"No need to kneel. I’m sure Princess Xinye is magnanimous." Long Ming spoke casually as he noticed Ah Fu about to kneel and kowtow as well.

Feng Xinye looked at Situ Yan with surprise. "I believe I’m not wearing my imperial garments. How did you guess I’m a princess?"

Situ Yan shook his head. "Princess Xinye, I have lived in the Imperial Capital for decades. I certainly know how to sense someone from the imperial clan nearby. Besides, your bloodline is so pure that it’s hard to hide."

Situ Yan had been a genius before he turned into a madman. With such a prestigious sect backing him, he had roamed the capital as a noble for years. In fact, Situ Yan had even seen the Emperor of the Wind Roc Empire in person.

"Hm, you’re smarter than you look. As for that arm — that’s very interesting." Feng Xinye examined Situ Yan’s arm. "It’s strangely in harmony with your physical body. Such treasures are rare, almost akin to a natal treasure."

"Hehe, this humble one accepts the princess’s praise." Situ Yan gave a foolish smile, though he shot a glance at Long Ming, silently asking what he should do.

Long Ming shrugged. "Let her stay. Everyone, back to work. Everything will proceed normally."

Ah Fu and Situ Yan exchanged a look of dismay and nodded.

*After a while*

"Don’t tell me you’re just going to do nothing and laze around here all day?"

Feng Xinye stared, stunned, as she watched Long Ming dozing off in his seat.