Qian Ye stepped into the main hall, finding it empty. Not long after, a woman in splendid robes emerged from the back chamber and settled herself on the phoenix throne.
Before Qian Ye could bow, she raised her hand and said, “This is not the imperial palace; there’s no need for such formalities. Sit down.” Her voice was soft and melodious, yet beneath it lay an unyielding authority.
With a wave of her hand, Princess Gao Yi pointed to the seat beside her. As she moved, the light reflected off the long, gilded nail guards on her fingers, shimmering brilliantly.
Looking at them, Qian Ye felt a sharp, stinging sensation in his eyes. In a daze, the bright yellow lights seemed to turn crimson, and a strange thought flashed through his mind—had these hands once held a blade, slicing open his chest?
Princess Gao Yi was well-preserved, appearing to be no more than thirty, with a face like a painting, a combination of rare beauty and regal grace. Even her gaze towards Qian Ye was as gentle as flowing water, revealing no other intent.
The more she acted this way, the more Qian Ye felt a chill run down his spine. He also noticed that her complexion was somewhat pale, and a hint of weariness was evident in her brows.
Princess Gao Yi spoke slowly, “Qian Ye, I’ve heard that you participated in the Blood Wars in the Evernight and gained quite a bit of military merit for our Zhao clan. I’m very curious about what the Iron Curtain looks like. Would you mind telling me?”
Qian Ye steadied himself and said, “Actually, the Iron Curtain just looks like a mass of dark clouds pressing down overhead, but they never dissipate. In reality, it’s an incredibly vast domain…”
Thus, the conversation flowed like a casual chat between old friends.
Princess Gao Yi mostly asked about snippets of Qian Ye’s past, the places he had visited, the local customs and people he had met, and whether he was married or had children. She also inquired about how he had met Zhao Junhong, Zhao Jundu, and Zhao Yuying.
These were all trivial matters, and crucial points such as Qian Ye’s cultivation techniques, current strength, and background were not mentioned. The incident from those years was, naturally, left unspoken.
After a while, Princess Gao Yi suddenly said, “Our Zhao clan men achieve their greatness on the battlefield, and without a suitable weapon, it’s impossible. I hear that you have a heavy sword that needs Tian Shui Heavy Silver to be completed. Coincidentally, I have some, which I brought from the capital many years ago. It has been unused for so long, and it would be perfect here. Tomorrow, I’ll have someone bring the Tian Shui Heavy Silver to you. Although the amount is not much, it should be enough for one refinement. Of course, if there is more, it would be even better.”
“Thank you, Princess,” Qian Ye stood up to express his gratitude, but a cold shiver ran through him.
He believed that with Zhao Weihuang’s power, no one could eavesdrop on their conversation. Yet, Zhao Weihuang’s instructions had been conveyed to Princess Gao Yi almost immediately. It seemed that even though Princess Gao Yi resided in a separate courtyard, she had not loosened her grip on the House of Cheng’en.
Princess Gao Yi smiled faintly and waved her hand, “There’s no need to thank me for such a small matter. Junhong and Jundu are both very concerned about you. Even though you missed meeting them, I think they would be very happy to know you’re back.”
At that moment, the old man who had led Qian Ye in rushed into the hall and whispered to Princess Gao Yi, “Princess, Miss is waiting outside and wishes to see you!”
Princess Gao Yi sighed, “What is this child doing, not sleeping at this hour? What does she want to see me about? Ah, well, I’m tired too. I’ll talk to her for a bit and then rest.”
As she spoke, Princess Gao Yi cast a glance at Qian Ye. This look carried no particular meaning, nor did it seem particularly sharp, yet it made Qian Ye feel another chill, causing a thin layer of cold sweat to form on his palms. It was not fear, but an instinctive wariness of danger.
Qian Ye stood up to take his leave, and Princess Gao Yi did not try to detain him. She sent someone to escort him out. Stepping out of the Clear Peace Hall, Qian Ye felt as if a heavy, invisible burden had been lifted, and he let out a sigh of relief, unknowingly drenched in a cold sweat.
Inside the Clear Peace Hall, Princess Gao Yi sat calmly, her face showing neither joy nor sorrow, looking at Zhao Ruoxi in front of her, “Ruoxi, why aren’t you resting at this hour? Why have you come to me? Do you not know the condition of your own body?”
Zhao Ruoxi put on an innocent smile, slightly pouting, “I just wanted to come and see Mother.”
Princess Gao Yi smiled faintly, “I doubt you came to see me. You’re probably checking if this Clear Peace Hall is a place where one can enter but not exit, right?”
Zhao Ruoxi’s smile froze, and she managed to say, “You jest, Mother.”
Princess Gao Yi said coolly, “I am your mother; how could I not see through your little schemes? And you are too close to Manjusha. It will deplete your vital energy and spirit. So, if it’s not necessary, it’s best not to carry it, and certainly not to hide it in your skirts.”
Zhao Ruoxi’s face changed, and she gradually became stubborn, “Mother, you should know why I keep it with me.”
Princess Gao Yi looked at Zhao Ruoxi for a while and then sighed, “In this Zhao residence, what major event could possibly require the use of Manjusha?”
“Then it’s for the best. I’ll take my leave now,” Zhao Ruoxi bowed and left the Clear Peace Hall.
Princess Gao Yi sat in the phoenix throne for a long time, staring motionlessly at the ornate, glass tree-like lamp stand in front of her. After a long while, she muttered to herself, “The children have all grown up, and each of them is like this.”
A short while later, Qian Ye returned to Zhao Yuying’s residence, a courtyard located in the northeast corner of the Marquisate of Youguo, separated from the outer wall by a narrow corridor and with its own separate entrance, making it very convenient to enter. The small courtyard was named “Kaishan Courtyard,” a name that Zhao Yuying had lazily given it, using her own cannon as the inspiration.
Upon arriving at Kaishan Courtyard, Qian Ye met several doctors coming out. Zhao Yuying had to undergo treatment periodically, as she had not only injured her internal organs but also her origin vortex, which required slow and steady healing.
When Qian Ye entered the room, Zhao Yuying was sitting at the table, frowning as she stared at a dozen or so cups and bowls on the table. They contained the medicine she needed to take, and judging by her expression, the taste must have been unpleasant.
Seeing Qian Ye, Zhao Yuying threw a letter at him, “It’s a letter from Jundu! Read it first, I’ll deal with these.”
Zhao Yuying picked up a bowl of medicine, with a look of resolve, and drank it down in one go. The medicine made her face turn red and then pale, and her expression was indescribable. Before the effects of the medicine wore off, she grabbed the second bowl and drained it.
Watching this, Qian Ye couldn’t help but chuckle and shake his head, the gloom in his heart dispelled somewhat. He opened the envelope and was slightly surprised to find that the stack of letters was rather thick. He sat on the sofa and began to read carefully.
The letter started with a long section of cultivation insights. Zhao Jundu knew that Qian Ye had practiced the Art of War, so he listed several secret techniques of the Zhao clan that might suit Qian Ye. He also mentioned that Zhao Weihuang would personally choose a technique for Qian Ye, but he still detailed the pros and cons of each.
Although Qian Ye did not need to change his technique, he read each word carefully without any impatience.
In the letter, Zhao Jundu repeatedly reminded Qian Ye that the Zhao clan’s Bone Marrow Washing Pool was entirely different from ordinary training grounds. The great array beneath the Garden of Creation could condense origin power. No matter how pure Qian Ye’s origin power was, ascending to the rank of Warlord in the Bone Marrow Washing Pool would allow his origin power to reach new heights. Therefore, this opportunity must not be wasted.
Zhao Jundu, having recently become a Warlord and having formed three vortexes at once, provided detailed advice on the process and precautions, as well as how to handle special situations. Even though different techniques had their own methods of controlling origin power, there were commonalities.
After reading, Qian Ye felt deeply moved. The letter was long, almost to the point of being tedious. But Qian Ye remembered Zhao Jundu as a cold and aloof person, who rarely spoke to others. He wondered how he had found the time to write such a long letter amid the bloodshed.
By the time Qian Ye finished the letter, Zhao Yuying had also downed all her medicine. She immediately rushed to a cabinet, pulled out a bottle of liquor, and took a big swig, instantly feeling refreshed, and her complexion improved.
Watching this, Qian Ye was speechless and couldn’t help but say, “All your medicines are incompatible with alcohol, right?”
Zhao Yuying waved her hand, “What’s the big deal! If I can’t have a drink, I’d rather die. What did Little Four write to you? It’s so thick, let me see!”
Qian Ye handed over the letter, and Zhao Yuying quickly scanned it, tutting, “I never thought Little Four would be so chatty, like a woman. Did the Bone Marrow Washing Pool wash away his brains?”
Qian Ye didn’t comment on Zhao Yuying’s remarks. She was used to his lack of reaction. After criticizing Zhao Jundu, she recalled something else, “Oh, by the way, when you go to the Bone Marrow Washing Pool in a couple of days, don’t be polite. Absorb as much as you can. The Origin Liquid is very rare, and it’s a waste not to use it.”
Qian Ye felt uneasy, “If the Origin Liquid is so rare, shouldn’t we stop after successfully ascending? We can always continue to cultivate and increase our origin power over time, and we need to stabilize our realm.”
Zhao Yuying glared at him, “Do as I say, and don’t argue! You have no idea how despicable those old fogeys are. Song Zining’s military merit was actually enough to get two turns in the pool, but they wouldn’t budge, saying it was a sacred place and not to be shared lightly. In the end, I nearly burned down their houses, and only then did those old bastards give us a chance. Even then, it cost some of Jundu’s points! Since they’re not being kind, we don’t have to be either. If we don’t get our share this time, I won’t be done with you!”
Facing the murderous glare of Zhao Yuying, Qian Ye had no choice but to agree.
In fact, Zhao Yuying was also angry for another reason. The Zhao clan’s Bone Marrow Washing Pool was not open to outsiders. Initially, Qian Ye was considered part of her vassals, but not a member of the Zhao clan. It was only after Zhao Jundu intervened and added Qian Ye to his household register that he was granted access to the pool.
Qian Ye had just returned from Zhao Weihuang, and although Zhao Yuying wasn’t good at reading expressions, she sensed that something was amiss and instinctively suppressed the identity dispute.
For the next few days, Qian Ye stayed in Kaishan Courtyard, only going to see Zhao Weihuang once. He spent his days in meditation, slowly adjusting his body and mind to their optimal state, awaiting the day the Bone Marrow Washing Pool would open.
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