Chapter 883 - 408: Audience with the Commandery Princess—The Little Wolf Cub Sees Through the Motive; To Kill or Not? (Part 3)

Chapter 883: Chapter 408: Audience with the Commandery Princess—The Little Wolf Cub Sees Through the Motive; To Kill or Not? (Part 3)

After traveling for a while, the surroundings became gradually tranquil. Li Xian looked around, seeing no one following him, he took out the map to observe the terrain of Jade Pillar Mountain, thinking: "Since I’m passing through here, Princess An Yang should have noticed. The matter between her and me is something I’ll have to face eventually; hiding is of no use. Since we’re meeting, we might as well meet now. But she only mentioned meeting at Jade Pillar Mountain, without specifying where exactly. Could it be a test for me? To find her on my own?"

He then thought: "She should be hiding in a concealed place. I shall search for her."

Following the map’s guidance, he specifically searched in the area where the branches were dense and sparsely populated. He still couldn’t find her trace.

Suddenly, at that moment, Li Xian, with his keen eyesight, noticed an extremely faint mist floating amongst the green bamboo in the southeast corner.

This mist was peculiar, seeming to exist yet not.

By this time, it had already reached the Si hour; the morning dew had dissipated, and there was no miasma at Jade Pillar Mountain. Li Xian utilized his Heavy Pupils to carefully observe. He saw that as the breeze blew, the bamboo leaves lightly moved, but the even lighter and fainter mist remained suspended, confirming that the mist was unique, not natural, perhaps containing Martial Arts transformation, or the effects of Treasure and Strange Objects.

He surmised: "This mist appears here for no reason, it must be suspicious; it can deceive others but not me. Princess An Yang must be hiding in the mist. Eventually, Princess An Yang couldn’t be too arrogant, knowing to use the mist to conceal herself, hiding her form. She must be observing me at this moment. I won’t rush to meet her; let’s circle around a couple of times to let her underestimate me."

He then feigned ignorance, circled around the mountain twice. On the third lap, he pretended to be surprised, as if accidentally discovering the mist’s location, battling within himself, hesitating for a moment before stepping deeper into the mist. Li Xian walked for a moment, feeling cold all over; the mist, though faint, shielded his five senses, blocking all sound.

Soon, the mist gradually dissipated, and he saw in the distance, under a bamboo tree, there was a red sedan chair. A woman in a blue gown stood before it, slender and graceful, it was none other than the past acquaintance Qing Yao.

Li Xian stepped forward and shouted: "Sister Qing Yao!" Qing Yao, upon seeing Li Xian, was also surprised, and quickly glanced toward the red sedan behind her, indicating: You young fellow, know your place, the Commandery Princess is present, how can you call me first.

Li Xian walked another step forward, pretending not to notice, saluting: "Greetings, Commandery Princess, apologies for not welcoming you from afar, please pardon me!"

A cold hum came from inside the sedan, Princess An Yang squinted her eyes slightly, scanning Li Xian. Li Xian felt as though he was pierced by sharp swords, feeling uncomfortable all over, thinking: "This Princess An Yang not only holds power, her own strength is also impressive!"

Princess An Yang, with a wave of her sleeve, said: "With your identity, even if you wished to welcome me from afar, you are far from qualified. Wait until the day you sit in the position of Silver Face Gentleman, then we’ll talk about welcoming from afar."

Li Xian asked: "May I know why the Commandery Princess sent a message requesting a meeting with Li Xian?"

Princess An Yang did not answer directly, her voice softened, saying: "You surprised me indeed, within less than half a year, you rose from the position of a Debt Slave to become a Gold Appraisal Guard. Given this momentum, within three years, the position of Silver Face Gentleman is still far from reach; however, the Copper Face, or Copper Body, might be achievable."

Qing Yao said: "Commandery Princess, this person can be considered somewhat talented, if utilized well, may bring unexpected surprises." Princess An Yang replied: "Are you pleading for him, to waive this three-year bet?"

Qing Yao said: "I wouldn’t dare. The Commandery Princess makes the decisions, Qing Yao dares not speak out of turn." She stepped back half a step. Princess An Yang then asked Li Xian: "What do you think?"

Li Xian said: "Since it is a bet, it should be adhered to. I have no objections."

Princess An Yang praised: "Good, if you had tried to beg for mercy earlier, I might have spared your life, postponing the three-year agreement, to five years, or ten years. But since you are like this, the agreement stays as is!"

Li Xian’s expression remained normal, he thought: "Hmph, you old woman, think too highly, but would I truly follow the bet; within three years, too many variables. I shall endeavor to find my own way forward. Yet, this Princess An Yang should not be underestimated." He again asked: "May I know what important matter is the Commandery Princess seeking this time?"

Princess An Yang glanced at Qing Yao. Qing Yao nodded slightly and said: "Given your status and position, you are not weak even in Jade City. Yet you lack a means of communication. This time, in summoning you, the Commandery Princess intends to give you a ’Mud Sparrow’."

She produced a small clay-colored sparrow and said: "Hereafter, with this sparrow, you can communicate with me. I can also assign tasks to you."

Li Xian accepted the "Mud Sparrow", understanding: "Previously, I was only a person of no consequence; they hadn’t expected me to achieve much, thus not even giving me a Mud Sparrow. Now that I’ve become a Gold Appraisal Guard, while still not highly regarded by Princess An Yang, I am now seen as useful, thus completing the means of communication."

Qing Yao said: "With the Mud Sparrow, you are now considered one of the Commandery Princess’s people. Here’s a Paper Contract for you to sign." She took out a piece of parchment from her sleeve.

This parchment was crafted from the beast hide of a "Twin Beast". This one is known as the "Child Paper", also called "Child Contract". Whatever is written on the Child Contract will immediately appear on the "Mother Paper", "Mother Contract".

Qing Yao took out a brush and said: "Sign the contract."

Li Xian cursed inwardly: "This Princess An Yang is full of tricks. Getting caught by such a woman, it’s truly my bad luck." Nonetheless, he obediently signed the contract.

Qing Yao rolled up the Paper Contract and said: "Since you are now one of the Commandery Princess’s people, you won’t be working for her without compensation. Currently, as a Gold Appraisal Guard Constable, your monthly salary is ten taels, with Essence Treasure Meat of two qian each month. When the Commandery Princess gives out, it will be generous, and never lacking."

"Starting from today, your monthly salary is twenty taels, with Essence Meat of five qian each month. If you rise in position in the future, the salary promised by the Commandery Princess will always be double that of Jade City."

Li Xian felt slightly gratified, thinking: "At least there’s some benefit, but truly wanting me to throw myself into work, that’s impossible." He saluted: "Thank you, Commandery Princess."