Chapter 588: A Nighttime Meeting
After leaving the Solar King’s residence, Weng Jiu and Shui Tianqi were both in incomparably low spirits.
“Were His Majesty present, there’s no way he’d let the Solar King act so outrageously!” growled Weng Jiu.
Shui Tianqi’s gaze was cold and calm. “Given the severity of the situation, I cannot fault the Solar King for putting the imperial family’s well-being first. His only mistake was detaining Yuan Heng and Bai Wenqing.”
Weng Jiu’s heart clenched, and his expression shifted. “If Su Yi finds out about this, given his fearless disposition, I’m afraid he’ll pick up his sword and kill his way up Mount Heavenbristle!”
Shui Tianqi fell silent.
Both had long since witnessed Su Yi’s methods, and they understood what kind of person he was. He might look calm and unassuming, but in bones, he was extremely proud and utterly fearless.
How powerful was the Huan Family? They were strong enough that even the imperial clan had to be cautious of them.
However, Su Yi had never been at all concerned about them!
Since entering Nine Tripod City, Su Yi had gone on to kill Huo Tiandu of Cloudsky Divine Palace, Elders Lei Feng and Ting He of the Qingyi Dao Sect, and Elder Zhou Fengzhi of the Fulcrum of Heaven Sword Sect. That was already proof of his fearlessness.
Those he’d killed all had extraordinary backgrounds. If Su Yi were afraid of the consequences, how could he have slain ten-plus monsters of the ancient era on Sumeru Immortal Island?
Given the circumstances, if Su Yi found out that the imperial family’s Solar King had detained Yuan Heng and Bai Wenqing for the sake of the ten-plus ancient orthodoxies he’d offended, how could he possibly remain unmoved?
“Killing his way into Mount Heavenbristle…?” Shui Tianqi’s eyelids twitched. Given Su Yi’s disposition, should they provoke him, he might very well do something like that.
“There’s no way we’ll be able to keep this under wraps. We have to decide how we’re going to handle this, and quickly,” said Weng Jiu anxiously.
When Su Yi left Mount Heavenbristle earlier today, he requested that Weng JIu send Yuan Heng and Bai Wenqing back to Azurecloud Court.
This meant that even if he didn’t tell Su Yi what had happened, as time passed, Su Yi would sense that something was amiss!
“I’ll go find the princess,” said Shui Tianqi. His eyes flashed. “Half a month ago, when His Majesty Left, he paid her a special visit. Besides, her status is extraordinary; everyone knows he dotes on her most of all. If she makes an appearance, she might be able to convince the Solar King not to do anything foolish.”
“Then let’s hurry!” said Weng Jiu. He was already on his way.
……
The peak of Mount Heavenbristle, a simple, elegant pavilion.
When she learned why Weng Jiu and Shui Tianqi had come, Xia Qingyuan’s bright, lively eyes widened. “How dare the third elder be so brazen?”
“Your Highness, this is no time for anger,” Weng Jiu hurriedly tried to calm her down. “We ought to first consider how we’ll handle this; we absolutely cannot let Fellow Daoist Su misunderstand.”
Shui Tianqi couldn’t help but chime in, “Your Highness, when His Majesty left, did he… give you any additional instructions?”
Xia Qingyuan was briefly stunned, and she avoided the question completely. “Didn’t Third?Elder say that he was going to summon the family’s higher-ups to discuss this tonight? I’ll go there first and have a look.”
As she spoke, she rose and was about to leave.
Weng Jiu hurriedly called out, “Your Highness, Su Yi…”
“I’m going to pay him a personal visit to discuss this. I absolutely won’t let him do anything stupid,” said Xia Qingyuan with a casual wave. She didn’t so much as turn to look at them.
Before long, the young woman’s graceful figure disappeared from view.
Weng Jiu and Shui Tianqi looked at each other. They couldn’t help but grimace.
“I’m not sure whether we were right to get Her Highness involved or not. If His Majesty finds out, I’m afraid he’ll rebuke us for our incompetence,” said Weng Jiu dejectedly.
“Way I see it, having her go see Su Yi was a rather decent choice,” said Shui Tianqi. “Don’t forget; there’s an extraordinary bond between them. They established a deep friendship long ago, back in the Great Zhou.”
Weng Jiu was stunned. He couldn’t help but think back to the Orchid Terrace Dharma Assembly when, right before the emperor’s nose and with no reservations at all, the princess sat directly beside Su Yi. The two had conversed, and she'd even poured his wine, an extremely intimate gesture.
……
The imperial palace.
It was late at night, but the grand palace interior was thoroughly lamplit.
The central, elevated seat belonged to the Xia Emperor. No one dared occupy it, not even Third Elder Xia Linyuan.
Instead, he sat casually just below the central throne.
However, when he gazed at the prominent members of the imperial family seated before him, Xia Linyuan felt an irrepressible sense of satisfaction.
Power and authority were in his grasp, and he alone reigned supreme over everything beneath the heavens. How many, even among cultivators, wouldn’t have been infatuated?
When he saw that Grand Elder Xia Changhong could now only sit below him, Xia Linyuan couldn’t help but sigh.?This… This is authority!
However, before long, he furrowed his brow.
The palace hall was in turmoil, and the arguments continued nonstop.
The influential members of the imperial family were divided into three clear camps.
One was led by Grand Elder Xia Changhong. They believed that the imperial family ought to respect the emperor’s will and continue sheltering Su Yi. They insisted that they couldn’t make any concessions to those ancient factions.
Another camp was led by Second Elder Xia Yungeng. They believed that this matter was far too serious, and that Su Yi had caused the problem on his own. Thus, the imperial family of the Great Xia ought to protect itself. It couldn’t get mixed up in these turbid waters.
Then, there was the third camp. They were neutral.
Only a handful supported Xia Changhong, perhaps seven or eight.
Xia Yungeng had a few more supporters, at least ten.
However, most prominent members of the imperial family chose to remain neutral.
When he saw this, Xia Linyun coughed dryly and waved, suppressing the debates.
It was only after everyone fell silent and looked at him that he said gravely, “Arguing will ultimately do us no good. It seems to me that we’d best act as the Second Elder suggests and prioritize the safety of the imperial family. We absolutely cannot shelter Su Yi any longer!”
Grand Elder Xia Changhong’s expression darkened, and he was just about to say something when Xia Linyuan beat him to it. “It’s already decided. When His Majesty left, he entrusted me to handle all of the family’s affairs. I naturally ought to prioritize our collective safety. Grand Elder, if you’re not convinced, you’re welcome to wait until His Majesty returns and file an indictment!”
He spoke with righteous assurance, and his expression was solemn. “In summary, I am doing this out of consideration for the entire imperial clan. If this is wrong, I’m willing to continue being wrong. I shall never change my decision!”
Second Elder Xia Yungeng instantly exclaimed, “If this is wrong, we’re willing to share the burden of responsibility with the third elder!”
Numerous others chimed in to voice their agreement.
Su Yi was, after all, only an outsider. Who would willingly bring disaster upon themselves for the sake of an outsider?
When he saw this, Xia Changhong and those who stood with him fell silent, their expressions unsightly. However, all of them could tell that there was nothing they could do to change this.
“Everyone, you needn’t concern yourselves with Su Yi’s attitude. He provoked this disaster, and it’s up to him to bear the consequences. How could he fault us for not assisting him?” said Xia Linyuan, his face a mask of indifference. “Besides, against the combined threat of ten ancient factions… How long will he live?”
The grand hall was instantly silent. Each attendee wore a different expression.
When he saw that the Grand Elder no longer had anything to say, Xia Linyuan sighed to himself.?Authority… really is the most captivating thing in this world!
He thought for a moment, then said, “Tomorrow morning, I’ll send someone to invite Su Yi to Mount Heavenbristle for a chat. I’ll personally inform him of the imperial family’s stance. I trust that if he’s clever, he won’t dare nurse any resentment over it.”
He paused here, then glanced at the corner, where Xia Qingyuan was seated. “And how do you see this, lass?”
The group looked over. Xia Qingyuan was seated at the end of the room, in the least conspicuous seat.
When she sensed their gazes, she smiled faintly. “I’m just a junior, and my opinion isn’t at all important. Everything shall be as you say, Third Elder.”
Xia Linyuan couldn’t help but let out a hearty laugh. “Miss Qingyuan, you have a deep understanding of duty. If His Majesty knew, he would surely feel incomparably gratified!”
“Since you plan to summon Su Yi tomorrow,?I’ll go inform?him,” said Xia Qingyuan.
Xia Linyuan laughed. “Qingyuan, how lofty is your status? You needn’t?rush about over?something so trivial; I’ll just send a guard.”
Xia Qingyuan shook her head. “My bond with Su Yi runs deep, yet he is soon to face an enormous disaster. Although I cannot help him, I ought to at least make an appearance.”
After a brief, stunned pause, Xia Linyuan seemed gratified. “You really are a dutiful, kindhearted child. In that case, go attempt to persuade Su Yi. Make sure he understands our position and that he doesn’t do anything out of line. Otherwise… He’ll only find himself in an even less advantageous predicament.”
Xia Qingyuan laughed. “Third Elder, I’ll naturally explain his options, but whether he listens to me or not is up to him.”
Xia Lingyuan nodded approvingly.
That very night, Xia Qingyuan left the imperial palace and proceeded directly to Azurecloud Court.
……
It was just before dawn, and the wind was bitingly cold.
When Xia Qingyuan arrived at Azurecloud Court, Su Yi had only just finished cultivating, and he was getting ready to go to bed.
“What are you doing here in such a rush this late at night? Did something happen?” Su Yi sat in his chair, sounding thoughtful.
He could tell that she had a lot on her mind; her fair, beautiful face was fraught with worry.
“Brother Su, I wouldn’t have guessed that so much would happen the very night after you returned from Sumeru Immortal Island,” said Xia Qingyuan with an exasperated sigh.
She then hurriedly explained what had happened at the imperial palace.
When he heard the full story, Su Yi couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s just a trivial matter. What need is there for the imperial family to be so tense?
“A trivial matter?” Xia Qingyuan’s beautiful eyes widened, and she said frantically. “Our eyebrows are practically on fire! How could you call that a trivial matter?”
Su Yi was dumbfounded. Then, he waved her concerns away. “Don’t panic. The way I see it, Xia Linyuan was right. I’m the one who killed those people, and I should be the one to bear the consequences. It’s normal that the imperial family would want to stay out of it.”
He laughed, then said calmly, “Besides, I have never, and will never, rely on the imperial family to shelter me from the storm.”
He then met the young woman’s deeply concerned gaze, and his voice softened. “You needn’t worry yourself over this. They’re just remnants of a few thirty-thousand-year-old factions; I’m not at all concerned about them.”
Xia Qingyuan’s expression flickered with uncertainty. After a while, she whispered, “But… Third Elder…”
The young woman lowered her head, not daring to meet Su Yi’s gaze. “He detained Yuan Heng and Bai Wenqing.”
“Oh?” Su Yi’s deep gaze shifted, and his eyes narrowed.
The atmosphere was instantly silent and oppressive.
Outside the window, the cold winds wailed, almost as if they were crying.
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