Chapter 483 462: The Impending Storm, the Approaching Tide

WHOOSH—

A biting wind swept past, and Su Ziheng pulled his clothes tighter around him. He squinted, his eyes dry from the cold, as he stared at the solitary, handsome figure in white that had finally come into view.

Pei Yuhang stood motionless in the wind, his robes fluttering like snow. The sword at his waist cast a cold, faint glint in the morning light.

"Let's go, Young Master Pei. We're off to the Capital City."

Su Ziheng, the very man who had once drawn his blade on Pei Yuhang, now smiled respectfully, crinkling the corners of his eyes.

He waved a hand behind him, and a soldier immediately led forth a magnificent, snow-white steed. The horse raised its head and neighed, its breath forming a puff of mist in the frigid air.

Pei Yuhang tilted his head slightly at the words. His jet-black eyes swept over the fully-armored soldiers before he let out a soft sigh.

"Can your men keep her under control?"

Su Ziheng knew Pei Yuhang was worried that Prince Ning's daughter would run wild once he was gone.

He couldn't help but straighten his spine and slap his chest, declaring loudly, "Rest assured, Young Master Pei!"

Su Ziheng's thick brows shot up, his face filled with confidence. "My men will keep a close eye on Prince Ning's little princess. I guarantee she won't get out of this town."

'What a joke. It's one thing that we can't defeat a ridiculously powerful Swordsman like you, but are you saying we can't even handle one little girl?'

Pei Yuhang, however, shook his head, a nearly invisible flicker of worry in his eyes. He held little hope that these soldiers could manage Little Yueqiu, who was a headache even for him.

But matters had come to this; the arrow was nocked and had to be released.

Ultimately, he had to go and meet with Ji Shenyun first.

With a nearly inaudible sigh, Pei Yuhang vaulted onto the white horse.

His upright figure cast a stark silhouette against the rising sun as he rode alongside Su Ziheng, galloping toward the Capital City.

「After the two departed.」

A tiny, silver-haired ball of a girl peeked her head out from a nearby corner.

Her crimson eyes widened as she stared intently in the direction Pei Yuhang had disappeared.

"The Capital City..."

...

...

The magnificent steeds galloped along the official road like lightning, their hooves thundering as they kicked up a trail of dust.

Pei Yuhang and Su Ziheng barely paused, traveling day and night. They rode on until their white steeds were foaming at the mouth, their hooves trembling with exhaustion. Only then, at dawn the next day, did they finally slip unnoticed into the Capital City.

Amidst the hazy morning fog, Su Ziheng wiped the sweat from his brow and swung himself off his horse, gasping for breath.

He turned to look at Pei Yuhang, only to see that the man's expression was as cold and composed as it had been when they first met. It was as if he hadn't just traveled day and night without rest.

Su Ziheng was secretly astonished by Pei Yuhang's stamina. 'What a monster.'

'To think I once planned to lead a band of top experts and a horde of cannon fodder to wear him down before killing him. The idea seems utterly ridiculous now.'

Although Su Ziheng didn't believe Immortals truly existed, and he certainly didn't believe Pei Yuhang was one of them, Pei Yuhang had surpassed ordinary mortals on so many levels. It was simply unheard of.

"Young Master Pei, Prime Minister Liu is waiting for you in a private room at Treasure Food Pavilion. I'll take you there right now." Su Ziheng rubbed his hands together, his expression growing even more deferential.

"I must apologize, Young Master Pei. You've braved the elements to get here, and you've only just arrived in the Capital City without even a chance for a hot meal. But the situation is urgent, so I hope you can be understanding..."

He kept sneaking glances at Pei Yuhang's face as he led the way, trying to placate him with soothing words.

His Adam's apple bobbed nervously. He was terrified that this menace would get displeased, draw his sword, and cut down the Prime Minister on sight. If that happened, no one would be able to stop him.

But Pei Yuhang just found the man's prattling tiresome. He quickened his pace, and with a swirl of his robes, left the chattering Su Ziheng behind, pushing open the room's carved wooden door himself.

Inside, the scent of sandalwood incense specially provided by the Imperial Palace lingered in the air.

A portly old man dressed in magnificent brocade robes sat at the head of the table. His chubby face wore an amicable smile, but his eyes held a sharp, shrewd glint.

Four young guards flanked him on either side. Though they stood perfectly still, they exuded the hidden sharpness of unsheathed blades.

Su Ziheng rushed in after him. Upon seeing the scene, he immediately fell to his knees, his forehead nearly touching the floor. "Prime Minister Liu, I have brought the man..."

He stole a glance at Pei Yuhang, who remained standing as straight as a pine beside him. His eyelids twitched uncontrollably, and a cold sweat broke out on his back. 'Why isn't this guy paying his respects?!'

Just as he feared, the four guards' gazes turned cold, their hands moving to the hilts of their blades. The air in the room seemed to freeze instantly.

Just as the tension became thick enough to cut with a knife, Prime Minister Liu let out a soft chuckle and waved a chubby hand.

"All of you, withdraw. Why so tense?"

He squinted, the wrinkles on his face smoothing out until he looked just like a statue of the Maitreya Buddha. "I wish to speak with Fellow Daoist Pei alone. Someone, have the finest wine and dishes prepared at once.

"Fellow Daoist Pei is weary from his long journey; we must not be neglectful."

Hearing that Prime Minister Liu wanted them to leave him alone to meet with a dangerous individual like Pei Yuhang, the four guards looked hesitant.

But as the Prime Minister's gaze swept over them, they dared not hesitate a moment longer and hastily exited the room.

"There, there. Now that the others are gone, please sit, Fellow Daoist Pei. Please, have a seat."

Prime Minister Liu cheerily gestured for Pei Yuhang to sit, completely lacking the stern air of a high-ranking official.

However, Pei Yuhang wasn't about to underestimate Prime Minister Liu because of this display.

'The lives of mortals may be short, but that doesn't mean they are simple-minded or foolish compared to Cultivators. In fact, it is precisely because their lives are so short that they are often more calculating, greedy, and cunning!'

'However, this suited Pei Yuhang's intentions perfectly.'

'The more intelligent Prime Minister Liu was, the greater a threat he would pose to Ji Shenyun!'