Chapter 2915 - The Portrait on the City Walls
It was River Empress Lu Ping who’d booked the restaurant.
There was nothing for it; everyone else in the party had such an impressive background that River Empress Lu Ping wound up being the errand girl.
In the eyes of the restaurant’s manager and staff, River Empress Lu Ping was one of the thirteen strongest River Empresses, a top expert. Thus, the manager personally came to inform her of her guest, and he spoke with the utmost respect.
We have a guest? The group was stunned.
But Su Yi said, “If I’m not mistaken, the new arrival is my friend. He calls himself Star Toad, and he’s acquainted with River Empress Peacock.”
Only then did River Empress Peacock realize who’d arrived.
River Empress Lu Ping personally rose to welcome their guest.
Star Toad, meanwhile, was as tense as could be.
Earlier, he’d acted in accordance with Su Yi’s orders and waited outside the city, beside himself with worry.
He knew that the Spirit Treasure Celestial City was full of crouching tigers and hidden dragons. Danger lurked at every corner.
If Su Yi ran into trouble, it would be no small matter.
Moreover, River Empress Peacock’s whereabouts were still unknown. It was no wonder that Star Toad was so anxious.
It was only when he received word from Su Yi telling him to come find him in this restaurant that Star Toad finally relaxed. If nothing else, this proved that nothing bad had happened to Su Yi.
Thus, Star Toad rushed over, all the while as cautious as could be. He was terrified that River Empress Peacock’s enemies would discover him.
It was only when he reached the restaurant that he realized that something strange was going on.
When he told the staff his name, the manager was instantly as toadyish and welcoming as could be. He even personally led Star Toad to the party’s private dining room.
Star Toad found it bewildering, but he didn’t show it on the surface.
When River Empress Lu Ping emerged to greet him, Star Toad couldn’t help but gasp and think, We’re in big trouble this time. Someone’s likely taken His Excellency Su hostage! I bet he sent that message as a cry for help!
“Are you Star Toad?” asked River Empress Lu Ping.
Star Toad inwardly gnashed his teeth, then steeled himself. “That’s right! Might I ask where His Excellency Su is?”
Even if this was a dragon’s den, he was determined to face it bravely!
River Empress Lu Ping looked at Star Toad strangely and realized that this River King she’d never heard of was nervous. She also found his presence rather strange. Why would Destiny’s Chosen befriend such a weak little River King?
River Empress Lu Ping didn’t express any of that out loud, however. Instead, she smiled sweetly and said, “Come with me. His Excellency Su has been waiting for you.”
He’s been waiting for me? Don’t tell me he wants to see me one last time before he dies? Star Toad’s heart sank. He forcefully suppressed his anxiety, mentally prepared for death, then followed River Empress Lu Ping into the room.
When he saw the group inside, Star Toad froze, completely flabbergasted. A chill coursed down his spine. River Ancestor Shen Xiao!? What’s a terrifying existence like that doing here? Don’t tell me that he’s the true culprit behind the attacks on River Empress Peacock? If so, we’re finished! A paltry little River King like me can’t change a thing, even if I risk it all, not against a group like this!
Star Toad was instantly disconsolate.
“Come on, sit next to me.” Su Yi smiled, rose, and gestured to the empty seat beside him. He’d saved it for Star Toad.
When Su Yi stood, everyone else did, too. The sight made Star Toad jump in fright. He stammered, “Your Excellency, you... you aren’t being threatened?”
Threatened? The crowd was stunned. They exchanged glances, and several of them barely resisted the urge to laugh. All of them realized that Star Toad had misunderstood the situation.
“Haha, you’re jumping to conclusions. No one in the Spirit Treasure Celestial City would dare threaten my worthy younger brother!” River Ancestor Shen Xiao said with a hearty laugh.
Wang Zhiwu sighed. “Brother Su, this might have been a misunderstanding, but it’s now clear how loyal this friend of yours is. Even thinking you were being threatened, he rushed bravely to your aid!”
River Ancestor Lu Shu inclined his head. “Such character is rare and precious indeed.”
Even River Empress Peacock couldn’t help but take another look at Star Toad. She’d already known that Star Toad venerated Su Yi, but she hadn’t realized that Star Toad would go to such lengths.
Only Su Yi couldn’t help but grimace. “I’m to blame for not explaining the situation clearly. I’ll take three penalty drinks later.”
Everyone cheered.
Meanwhile, Star Toad was gradually coming back to his senses. Only now did he finally dare to believe that he’d misjudged the situation.
But when he saw River Ancestor Shen Xiao refer to Su Yi as his “worthy younger brother” while River Empress Lu Ping served as a mere errand girl, Star Toad felt as if his brain might well explode. What’s going on here?
After he took his seat beside Su Yi, Star Toad was even more shocked and flattered, because River Ancestor Shen Xiao took it upon himself to offer him a toast! He even called him his fellow Daoist!
When he learned that the next to offer him a toast was actually the famed River Ancestor Lu Shu of the Primordial Era, Star Toad’s scalp tingled. He felt as if he were dreaming.
It just didn’t seem real!
Wang Zhiwu chuckled as he watched the toad’s reaction. The thing he most admired about Su Yi was the way he made friends with no concern for their status or cultivation base.
After a few rounds of drinks and several courses, the group wrapped up their discussions.
River Ancestor Shen Xiao took it upon himself to swear not to reveal that Su Yi carried the Book of Destiny, and the others soon followed his example.
Su Yi wasn’t overly concerned with all that, but he still appreciated River Ancestor Shen Xiao’s conduct and consideration.
Notably, during the banquet, River Ancestor Lu Shu announced that he’d stay with Su Yi throughout his time in the River of Destiny to serve as his Dao Protector.
His reasoning was simple. He wanted to repay Su Yi’s benevolence!
Soon, the banquet ended, and the group set off. Wang Zhiwu set course for the Eternal Heavens Domain, while Su Yi decided to follow River Empress Peacock back to the Five-Colored Hidden Realm.
Against his expectations, River Ancestor Shen Xiao thickened his face, said he was bored, and expressed his desire to join them.
Moreover, he solemnly proclaimed that he was really just going as a guest and that he had no other goals.
Su Yi asked River Empress Peacock, then agreed.
When the group reached the city gates, Star Toad exclaimed, “Your Excellency Su, look! Someone pasted your portrait on the wall!”
Everyone looked over, and indeed, they saw a familiar portrait suspended from the city walls. That was none other than Su Yi!
But it didn’t look like a wanted poster, as there was no name or information.
River Ancestor Shen Xiao glowered. “What bastard would dare do something so outrageous! They’re simply courting death!”
But then, a man in a feather coat appeared in the distance, leading a white deer. He was headed toward Su Yi. He smiled and called out in greeting. “Fellow Daoist Su, I finally found you!”
Su Yi and Wang Zhiwu recognized him at a glance. This was the Qiongqi Mountain Lord!
Su Yi had a deep impression of the man because he was the one who’d come to the God Domain to lead Sovereign Venerate Ling Ran away.
However, neither Su Yi nor Wang Zhiwu had expected to run into him here in the River of Destiny.
“Don’t tell me you’re the one who pasted that portrait on the wall?” asked Su Yi, gesturing to the image in question.
The Qiongqi Mountain Lord sighed. “Forgive me for resorting to such crude measures, but finding you was far too difficult. I had little choice.”
A moment later, he smiled again. “But it seems it proved effective. Here you are, aren’t you?”
He raised his hand and pulled the portrait into his grip.
River Ancestor Shen Xiao, River Ancestor Lu Shu, and the others realized that this Heavenly Monarch knew Su Yi, so they suppressed the murderous intent in their hearts.
“You came here looking for me?” exclaimed Su Yi, inwardly stunned. I suspect this has something to do with Sovereign Venerate Ling Ran.
A moment later, he was surprised by something else entirely. The Qiongqi Mountain Lord is just a Heavenly Monarch. How did he manage to lead that white deer into the River of Destiny? That’s no simple feat.
“I did indeed.” The Qiongqi Mountain Lord inclined his head. “Fellow Daoist Su, might we find a place for a chat?”
Su Yi pondered briefly. “We’re about to leave for the Five-Colored Hidden Realm. If you aren’t opposed, you can join us.”
The Qiongqi Mountain Lord agreed without hesitation.
Wang Zhiwu had planned to return to the Eternal Heavens Domain, but when he saw this, he decided he wasn’t in a rush after all. He decided to join the others in the Five-Colored Hidden Realm and see why the Qiongqi Mountain Lord had come all this way.
......
When the group returned to the Five-Colored Hidden Realm, the first thing River Empress Peacock did was kill someone. Specifically, Yun Zhi, one of her long-time servants.
She said that when she first left the Five-Colored Hidden Realm, someone leaked her travel plans, helping her enemies target her. She immediately suspected that there was a spy amongst her servants.
When Su Yi and Star Toad heard that, they suddenly recalled the ambush that had been waiting for them just outside the Five-Colored Hidden Realm.
There was no doubt about it. Yun Zhi, the spy, had leaked information about them, too.
...
Su Yi, River Empress Peacock, and the others sat in a hall. All of them were looking at the same person: the Qiongqi Mountain Lord.
The Qiongqi Mountain Lord hadn’t anticipated that Su Yi would bring such a large group to meet him. It seemed he was on guard.
But when the Qiongqi Mountain Lord thought about it, it made sense. There was no bond between him and Su Yi, and he’d shown up out of nowhere. It was no wonder that Su Yi was suspicious.
He’d planned to chat with Su Yi privately, but when he realized this, he could only give up on the idea.
“Before we get down to business, I have someone to give you.” The Qiongqi Mountain Lord waved his sleeve, and Li Shouhu’s restricted wisp of soul appeared out of nowhere.
Everyone but Star Toad was stunned, then visibly astonished.
In the Cave of Obsession, Lu Shi summoned Li Shouhu’s avatar. It seemed capable of suppressing everyone else there. In fact, they’d even discussed it during the banquet.
Who could have imagined that the Qiongqi Mountain Lord would show up and deliver Li Shouhu’s imprisoned soul?
And how could a Heavenly Monarch like him have accomplished that?
River Ancestor Shen Xiao looked stunned.
River Ancestor Lu Shu narrowed his eyes. There’s no doubt about it. We were mistaken. The Qiongqi Mountain Lord might look like a Heavenly Monarch, but he’s actually a deeply hidden expert!
