Chapter 189: Whose Responsibility Bears the Burden?

“Yu Ying, why are you here too? What are you planning to do with that? Don’t tell me you’re also entering the Great Vortex?”

“Why not?” Zhao Yu Ying shot a sidelong glance at Song Zi Ning.

Song Zi Ning’s expression changed slightly as he moved closer to her and whispered, “Given your current condition, it’s not suitable for you to go in.”

“Afraid I’ll die inside? If they can go in, why can’t I? Besides, whether I live or die has nothing to do with you.”

Song Zi Ning sighed, “Young Lady, you don’t understand the situation inside. Even if you come out alive, if something happens, Duke You will have my head.”

“If I’m not the one getting killed, do you think I care about that?”

Song Zi Ning couldn’t help but laugh and cry, and could only patiently persuade, “Young Lady, it’s not like that. Once you enter, some things are beyond your control. By the time you find me, it will be too late.”

Zhao Yu Ying completely ignored him, “Don’t play this game with me! I heard that after entering, one’s cultivation will skyrocket, and bottlenecks are no longer an issue. Are you afraid that if my cultivation surges, I’ll start playing with your leaves every day?”

Song Zi Ning sighed, “What improves inside isn’t just cultivation, there’s a lot more…”

“As long as my cultivation improves, that’s enough.”

“Young Lady, please think carefully! The places where cultivation improves are all extremely dangerous. There’s no way to comfortably break through; there’s always a price to pay!”

Zhao Yu Ying held up her hand cannon, “With this, what danger do I fear?”

“Inside the Great Vortex, many origin force weapons don’t work. Your hand cannon is especially useless. Didn’t you know?” Song Zi Ning was a bit puzzled.

Zhao Yu Ying shoved the hand cannon into Song Zi Ning’s arms, “Then just hold onto it for now.”

“It’s not like I…” Song Zi Ning was utterly helpless with Zhao Yu Ying and could only turn to seek help. But when he looked back, Eunuch Zhang was nowhere to be found.

In fact, upon recognizing Zhao Yu Ying, Eunuch Zhang had quietly left. This Miss Yu Ying, with her background from the Zhao Clan, exceptional strength, and terrible personality, had long been known as someone not to be messed with in the Empire. Eunuch Zhang, despite his power and age, didn’t want any unnecessary conflict. Thus, he directly abandoned Song Zi Ning and left.

Song Zi Ning cursed Eunuch Zhang in his heart but still had to deal with Zhao Yu Ying, pleading humbly.

But Zhao Yu Ying was unimpressed, “I’m just going in to take a look. It’s not like I’m invading your backyard. What are you worried about?”

“Yu Ying, you don’t even know what’s inside the Great Vortex. How are you going in? You haven’t even read the Zhao Clan’s records, have you?”

Zhao Yu Ying was speechless for a moment, then said, “Does it matter? I have you. Get me a copy of the Song Clan’s records.”

“Alright, if you want to go in, read the records first. I won’t stop you.” Song Zi Ning finally gave in.

Zhao Yu Ying waved the crystal bottle in her hand, “Making so many excuses, are you just reluctant to part with this? Do you think I’d be greedy for your little trinket? Take it back!”

True to her word, she tossed the crystal bottle to Song Zi Ning. Not wanting to be rude, Song Zi Ning quickly took it, sighing in relief, “Come with me first. I’ll get you the records.”

Song Zi Ning walked a few steps, but Zhao Yu Ying didn’t follow. His heart sank, and he hurriedly turned back. He saw Zhao Yu Ying standing in place, another crystal bottle in her hand, looking at him with a sneer.

“Did you think such a delay would fool me?”

Without waiting for a response, Zhao Yu Ying flew towards the Great Vortex. Song Zi Ning knew he couldn’t stop her, so he called out, “Is that treasure in your hand given to you by General Lin?”

“Of course not! I snatched it myself!” Zhao Yu Ying disappeared into the vortex, leaving those words behind.

Song Zi Ning stood stunned for a while, then sighed. But after a moment of thought, he muttered, “From that wild boar? If I think about it, it’s not that hard to accept. Sigh, I guess I’ll enter later.”

At that moment, a familiar voice rang in his ear, “You might as well go in later.”

The crystal bottle in Song Zi Ning’s hand was suddenly snatched away.

Song Zi Ning was startled, but his hands were quick. With a wave, fallen leaves surrounded him within a hundred meters, sealing all the passages. Then he turned and said leisurely, “It’s not that easy to take something from me.”

Before he finished speaking, he was stunned.

Among the swirling leaves, a beautiful figure rose gracefully towards the air passage, unaffected by the leaves. Song Zi Ning saw her but couldn’t sense her presence.

Flowers bloomed and faded around her, lifting her higher.

Song Zi Ning blurted, “Ruo Xi! How…?”

Zhao Ruo Xi said, “I’m going in to relax. Since I didn’t get a treasure, I’ll borrow yours.”

Borrow this thing?

Song Zi Ning grumbled internally, but he was powerless and could only watch as she disappeared into the passage.

“At least she has a treasure. She should be fine. Even on the other side, with Manjushage, she shouldn’t be affected,” he comforted himself. But then he jumped up.

“Manjushage! She brought Manjushage into the Great Vortex!”

This was a matter that would shock the entire Empire! In a moment, cold sweat drenched Song Zi Ning’s clothes.

Over the next day, descendants from various clans arrived, each holding a treasure and entering the Great Vortex. Out of trust in General Lin, many major clans sent their core geniuses. Besides the clans, two commoners also obtained treasures. The clan descendants eyed them like wolves, but due to Lin Xi Tang’s reputation, they dared not forcibly seize them, watching helplessly as they entered.

Song Zi Ning, expressionless, watched one person after another enter, his thoughts unknown. Only he knew a storm was coming.

A girl in ordinary military attire approached, whispering, “My master requests to see you, Seventh Young Master.”

Song Zi Ning remained calm, “Your master is…?”

The girl opened her hand, revealing a badge. Song Zi Ning nodded, “I was also going to find your master. Lead the way.”

She led him to the base of the Holy Mountain, into a vehicle, and to a secluded area. There, a simple floating cargo ship awaited.

Following the girl aboard, he saw the interior decorated elegantly, with a touch of nobility. Though the equipment was old, it was rare, high-performance versions that only the richest families could afford.

The girl led Song Zi Ning to an upper cabin, an elegant tea room. A woman, dressed in lavish robes, sat inside. She appeared youthful, though a closer look revealed the faint traces of time.

Song Zi Ning stepped forward, bowing, “Zi Ning greets Her Highness, the Princess!”

The woman said coolly, “Call me Lady Cheng En Gong. Otherwise, Wei Huang might be displeased.”

Song Zi Ning replied, “That title might displease Duke Cheng En Gong.”

Sitting in the tea room was Lady Cheng En Gong, Imperial Princess Gao Yi. About this legendary princess, Song Zi Ning knew little. Most of her generation had become the Empire’s pillars, and many of her stories were hidden under the veil of time.

From the moment he entered, Song Zi Ning, usually unrestrained, felt strangely restrained.

Princess Gao Yi said, “Yu Ying and Ruo Xi have always been spoiled. They’ve caused you a lot of trouble, haven’t they?”

Song Zi Ning chose his words carefully, “Miss Yu Ying should be fine. After entering the Great Vortex, she should be safe. Even if the environment is harsh, she should manage. But Miss Ruo Xi, alone, with only Manjushage, lacks experience. I worry…”

Princess Gao Yi sighed, “Ruo Xi has always been stubborn. As she grew, she became even more rebellious. Wei Huang is always off fighting, never caring for the children.”

This was family business, so Song Zi Ning kept quiet, but he thought, “Despite neglect, three prodigies emerged: Zhao Jun Du, Qian Ye, and Zhao Ruo Xi, and the three brothers of Zhao Jun Hong are all pillars. What more do you want?”

Princess Gao Yi sipped her tea, “Zi Ning, what do you suggest we do about Ruo Xi? This is crucial. Her safety is secondary; the key is to retrieve Manjushage.”

Song Zi Ning said, “Your Highness, I believe the first priority is to find Miss Ruo Xi and bring her back safely. Among the famous guns, Manjushage is the most spirited. It chooses its wielder, not the other way around. If she’s lost, Manjushage will return. Without her, even if we get the gun, it’s useless.”

Princess Gao Yi nodded, “Exactly. Unfortunately, the court is full of short-sighted people. Without Ruo Xi, Manjushage is scrap metal.”

“Back then, few in the court could match you, Your Highness!” Song Zi Ning flattered. He knew that in her heart, ten Manjushages wouldn’t compare to one Zhao Ruo Xi.

Princess Gao Yi put down her cup, “So, how do you propose we handle this?”

Song Zi Ning felt a chill, knowing the real conversation was beginning. Her presence was overwhelming.

Song Zi Ning said slowly, “Miss Ruo Xi took my treasure and entered the Great Vortex. As the commander in the East Sea, I bear responsibility. I will enter the Great Vortex soon and bring her back.”

Princess Gao Yi shook her head, “Though you bear some responsibility, the main responsibility lies elsewhere.”

Song Zi Ning, not relieved, asked, “Who, then, bears the main responsibility?”

“Since the treasure was made by Lin Xi Tang, the main responsibility lies with him!”