Shi Lang and Ling Ye spent two weeks at the Dragon Sword Sect before they finished establishing the palace inside the valley. The young man did not tell anyone about a certain privilege of the palace master. Just like how he could summon the palace anywhere, he could teleport to the palace from anywhere in the world, too.
He did not tell anyone about this to ensure the people did not use it against him. However, he could not teleport back to the spot outside the palace. This privilege could only be used in life-and-death situations. The terran was very careful about his escape routes in this world.
He did not trust the people completely, even if they regarded him as family. It was not that he did not want to do so but that he could not do so. Who knew when the demonic dark side would overwhelm the good inside the heart of a cultivator?
After all, good and bad reside inside a cultivator's heart. Shi Lang had just returned to the Sword Peak when he found that the Princess of Tian Kingdom had been looking for him. He did not have much impression of her, but he knew that the girls from the Shi Family of Tianxue City were reputed officers in the imperial palace and the army.
Tian Lingxue had been asking about Shi Lang every few days. It means that the matter should be of importance. The terran asked the disciple to inform the Princess to come and meet him.
The disciple did not feel bad, but on the contrary, he was happy that the Terran had given him a task. Shi Lang was a core disciple, and his skills have gained a lot of prestige in the Sect.
The disciple left the sword peak, and Shi Lang sat in the courtyard assigned to him, watching the leaves of the peach tree shiver under the gentle breeze. The sun had just set, and the passing movements made the sky dimmer. Shi Lang longed for the people back at home. He sighed when the door of his courtyard was knocked.
Shi Lang waved his hand, and the door gently opened. He asked, "What is making you so anxious these past few days?"
He did not think too much and directly got to the topic. Tian Lingxue pursued her lips and said, "My father is on his deathbed, and there has been some unrest in the palace, and the big families have been making moves in the shadows."
Shi Lang nodded and asked, "What does that have to do with me?"
Tian Lingxue said, "Young Master, General Shi Ning confronted the Duke in the south and discovered a few traces of demonic cultivation. She has asked for assistance. The crown prince asked for your intervention because the cultivators in the family are rather strong and have created an illusion that they are the most benevolent people in the region. If the crown is to take any actions against them, things can turn into a rebellion. The crown prince has yet to gain a steady foothold in the court."
Shi Lang raised his brow and said, "So, my intervention will help the people think that I support him and ease up his way."
Tian Lingxue nodded and said, "Please do not misunderstand, but he wished to visit you in person. However, Peak Master Mei denied the royal family from looking for you."
Shi Lang thought about it a bit before he asked, "Can you tell me what is the situation of the Shi Family in this?"
Tian Lingxue sighed and said, "General Ning is trapped in the southern states as she alerted the demonic cultivators during her investigations. The rest of the Shi Family has been trying to help her, but it is futile. They have lost about thirty experts, and the rest of their disciples are not up to the task.
The three elders wanted to advance, but the crown prince did not want them to suffer. The mistresses of the family have also sought help from their families, but it is very limited."
Shi Lang turned his head, gazed at the horizon filled with stars, and said, "I will go and help them. You must tell your brother because he did me a favor, and I will not act like his pet. The next time something like this happens, have them post a task in the mission hall and retain some dignity."
Tian Lingxue nodded and said, "Shall I arrange something for you?"
Shi Lang replied, "Just the details of Shi Ning's last sighting."
Tian Lingxue bowed and wanted to leave when Shi Lang said, "Your Highness, you are afraid that the Sect will find out about you being royalty, and thus you hide. You lower your stature in the palace so your family does not single you out for cultivating in the Spirit Heart Sect.
If you wish to live the way you want, please raise your head and admit the truth of your identity. In this world, only we have the power to change our fate—no other can. Go and tell your master about your real identity. It is time that the Princess of Tian Kingdom acts like the Princess she is."
Tian Lingxue shivered; she had always been scared of this one thing. What if the master crippled her cultivation. Shi Lang's sudden words had shaken her soul. The Terran sighed and said, "So what if you lose a chance to cultivate? What do you think will be the spot of a cultivator who is afraid of herself in the future? The highest you will ever achieve is a deacon.
Do you think a deacon is of great significance? Is that why you choose to join the sect? You wish to be the bridge between the sect and the country, but you have not even accepted your reality. How dare you dream so big when you do not have the guts to step up and grasp the chance served to you by the heavens?"
His words were akin to a sharp blade stabbing the girl deeper and deeper with every syllable. Shi Lang was not soft when it came to stating the truth. If Tian Lingxue managed to step up, he would help her and talk to the elders. However, if she failed and stayed silent, then let it be.
Tian Lingxue was so agitated by his words that her fists were clenched, and her nails dug into her flesh. She was on the verge of arguing with Shi Lang, but when she recalled what he had just said, she found he was not saying anything out of the ordinary. He was indeed telling the truth of her entirety.
The girl got lost in her thoughts and calmed down. She was disappointed in herself when she realized the truth. She had indeed been hiding from the reality for all her life. Shi Lang was not exaggerating when he said that people like her would not be able to achieve much and would always be used as tools for other people.
The terran did not continue to talk to her and silently watched from the side. After half an hour, the girl sighed, and her temperament had changed drastically. The scared eyes she always had looked very aloof, as if she had put everything to the winds. The lady took off her veil.
Shi Lang was shocked, and the girl said, "You are correct, Senior Brother Shi. One needs to face everything head-on. I will not hide behind anything from now on."
The terran sensed her spiritual aura climbing and said, "Go and come to me after your breakthrough. You can have your brother come and visit me at the Shi Family mansion in Tianxue City. I will leave right away."
The princess nodded and left the courtyard with calm strides. Shi Lang looked at the wall and said faintly, "Peak Master, why are you still not coming out?"
A sigh echoed in the surroundings, and Mei Lingyao appeared beside him. She asked, "So, you have been hiding her truth from all of us."
Shi Lang smiled and said, "The same way you have been hiding my identity from most of them."
Mei Lingyao snorted and asked, "Enough with all that. What do you intend to do?"
Shi Lang thought about it and said, "I will take my senior brothers and sisters to Tianxue City. They can hold down my sister, which means they have enough force and skills. Shi Ning is not the person who would hide away if things are not out of control."
Mei Lingyao thought about it and said, "You are in the Immortal lord realm, and you will be able to stand up on your own. However, you must contact me immediately if you face a Demon King-level cultivator. No harm shall befall your martial brothers."
Shi Lang nodded and said, "Do not worry, Peak Master. Stress will only bring you wrinkles. I will make sure to keep them safe."
Mei Lingyao nodded, and then realized that Shi Lang mentioned wrinkles. She glared at him and found him looking at her with a sunny smile. She could only convince herself that this guy was a simpleton. She turned around and said, "I will have them prepare now, and you all take a flying vessel."
Shi Lang said, "You do not have to worry about how we travel. Just make sure they are all present. The sword peak is going to clean the southern Tian Kingdom.
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