Chapter 245: What Exactly Does the Crown Prince Want to Do?

Chapter 245: Chapter 245: What Exactly Does the Crown Prince Want to Do?

"Yan Ying, do you still have any respect for me, the Saint Heir?" Su Yuanju demanded angrily.

"Su Yuanju, I can overlook your provocations, but that doesn’t mean any stray mutt can come barking at me. Next time you go out, remember to keep your dog on a leash."

"Yan Ying, who are you calling a dog?" The disciple, still unrepentant after being slapped by Yan Ying, pointed a finger at him and shouted in fury.

SLAP!

Yan Ying slapped him again. ’Perfect,’ Yan Ying thought with satisfaction, ’now both cheeks match.’

Su Yuanju was the Saint Heir, and his talent was indeed outstanding among the younger generation of the Celestial Dao Palace. He could handle a war of words with Yan Ying, but he truly didn’t dare to fight him.

Yan Ying had a temper like a mule’s; you had to go with the grain. Ten years ago, a disciple had offended him, and he had drawn his sword and cut the man down. In the end, the Sect had only sentenced him to three years of confinement.

Yan Ying led his handmaid, Xiaoya, and gracefully departed.

Once Yan Ying was out of earshot, the disciple who had been slapped twice cursed resentfully, "What’s he so arrogant for? If he weren’t the Palace Master’s disciple, what would he be?"

Su Yuanju narrowed his eyes at Yan Ying’s retreating figure. "That Ye Xiaohan seems pretty close to him," he said. "Today’s the semi-annual exam. Give him a warm welcome for me."

"Don’t worry, Saint Heir. Leave it to me."

The Celestial Dao Palace’s semi-annual disciple exam was a crucial event for the disciples, as it determined the allocation of their cultivation resources for the coming year.

However, it wasn’t so important that it required the personal attention of the Palace Master and the Elders.

While the disciples’ grand examination was underway below, up on Celestial Splendor Peak, the main peak of Laojun Mountain, the Palace Master and nine Elders were welcoming a distinguished guest.

"This humble Taoist, Master Yunchen, respectfully welcomes the Crown Prince’s sacred presence!"

"Master Yunchen, you truly do me too great an honor," said Long Jingyao, dressed in the full regalia of the Crown Prince. He quickly disembarked from his carriage and helped the half-bowing Master Yunchen to his feet. "You are a senior who has attained the Dao. How could I allow you to bow to me?"

"Has the Crown Prince come to visit the Imperial Grandson?" Master Yunchen asked, though he already knew the answer.

"Partly to see that child of mine, and partly because I intend to stay on Laojun Mountain for a few days. I’ve recently gained some small insights and was hoping to seek your guidance. Please do not hesitate to enlighten me."

"You are too kind, too kind!"

"The Imperial Grandson is under the personal care of the Divine Doctor, so all is well. Your Highness, please follow this humble Taoist." Master Yunchen then led Long Jingyao as they flew toward Vermilion Peak.

At the same time, he dismissed the nine Elders to attend to their own duties.

Once only Master Yunchen and Long Jingyao remained, Long Jingyao asked, "Master, have you kept a record of everyone who has visited Yinwen recently?"

Master Yunchen smiled. "How could this humble Taoist dare to be careless with a task entrusted by Your Highness?"

"Hahaha!" Long Jingyao laughed heartily.

"That girl of mine... her condition is stable, I trust?"

"The Princess is of noble birth. This humble Taoist naturally understands what takes priority."

"Heh, I imagine that girl thinks she’s not long for this world. She’s caused no small amount of trouble recently, has she?" Long Jingyao added.

Master Yunchen looked as if he wanted to say something but was holding back. Long Jingyao waved a hand. "Master, you’re being evasive. Is there something you cannot say to me?"

"Then this humble Taoist shall be frank. The Princess is, after all, a woman. Does Your Highness truly intend for her to shoulder such a great responsibility? If her true identity is ever exposed, do you not fear it will destabilize the court?"

"What is there to fear? I’m not dead yet! And with my level of cultivation, it shouldn’t be a problem for me to live another three hundred years, don’t you think?"

Master Yunchen gave an awkward smile.

’This Crown Prince is truly an odd one,’ he thought. ’Who wouldn’t desire that supreme power? Throughout history, countless ambitious men have sacrificed their lives and fortunes, one after another, in pursuit of that paramount position.’

’Yet here he was, casting it aside like a worn-out shoe.’

"That is one thing. But a woman’s body has its limitations. The vast Hua Xu Empire... with all of it resting on her shoulders, does Your Highness not fear she will be crushed by the weight?"

"What’s to fear? I only need her to be a ruler who maintains the peace, not one who conquers new lands. The Hua Xu Empire is prosperous enough. She just needs to follow precedent. It’s not like the Civil and Military Officials are useless. And I suppose you haven’t heard, Master, but an Empress has risen in the Eastern Domain and just unified the entire region. If others can do it, why can’t my daughter?"

"The Eastern Domain has been unified?"

"That’s right. It must be in response to the coming calamity. It seems the Eastern Domain has its own share of experts!" Long Jingyao said, mixing truth with lies without batting an eye.

As they spoke, the two arrived at Vermilion Peak.

In one of the courtyards, Master Yunchen dismissed everyone, leaving only the "Imperial Grandson" Long Yinwen and the Hundred Flowers Wanderer.

Long Yinwen and the Hundred Flowers Wanderer hastily paid their respects.

The Hundred Flowers Wanderer, Lao Yisheng, bowed.

Long Yinwen knelt.

"We greet Your Highness!" they said in unison.

"Rise," Long Jingyao said, helping the Hundred Flowers Wanderer, Lao Yisheng, to his feet.

"Yinwen, do you hate me?"

"In response to Your Highness, you have given both me and my clan a new lease on life. How could this humble servant dare speak of hatred?"

"Hahaha, good! I knew I wasn’t mistaken about you. I came this time to tell you that if you can seize the opportunity, you might not have to die after all."

Hearing this, Long Yinwen’s eyes lit up, and a look of joyous surprise spread across his face.

"However, this matter will not be easy. It’s no exaggeration to say your chances of survival are slim to none."

"Whatever Your Highness asks, this humble servant will do it, even if I am to be ground to dust."

"Good. Rest here for now. I will summon you again in a few days, and we will discuss the details then."

"This humble servant obeys!"

"Divine Doctor Lao, I haven’t been to Laojun Mountain in a long time. Perhaps you would accompany me for a stroll?"

"As Your Highness commands, I shall naturally follow."

Long Jingyao led Lao Yisheng out of the courtyard and began to stroll leisurely around the mountain peak.

"Regarding the matter I had you handle this time..."

"Your Highness, this commoner was summoned here by you because the Imperial Grandson suffers from a terminal illness. My only purpose is to diagnose his condition. This commoner knows nothing of any other matter."

"Hahaha, good! Divine Doctor Lao, you truly understand my painstaking efforts."

"I heard you were urgently summoned to the Palace City a month ago. I wonder, how is the Emperor’s health?"

"Your Highness, you are putting this commoner in a difficult position."

"Hahaha!" Long Jingyao laughed loudly again. "I am the Crown Prince. According to the succession laws of the Hua Xu Empire, no one can stand in the way of my ascension. What is there that cannot be said?"

"Your Highness, you were just giving this commoner a warning! I only went to the Palace City and happened to prepare some Hundred Flowers Brew for a few distinguished individuals. This commoner knows nothing else."

"You... you certainly are tight-lipped. I believe you."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"You were the one who recommended Chu Fan to me. Before this all begins, I’ll ask you one last time: do you truly believe he is capable of this task?"

"Your Highness, since he has already arrived in the Central Domain, I imagine you understand him better than this commoner does. Your Highness has already made a decision, so why ask me again?"

"Sigh..." Long Jingyao stopped walking. He stood at the edge of a cliff, looking up at the azure sky. "I’m just afraid that silly girl of mine will come to hate me."

"To be born into the Imperial Family means that for all the glory and wealth one enjoys, a price must be paid. Did Your Highness not experience the same?" said Lao Yisheng.

"In truth, I have owed her and her mother far too much over the years. She may have grown up in luxury, but she has never known a day of true freedom. I suppose that’s why she let that boy steal her heart."

Hearing this, how could Lao Yisheng possibly dare to respond?

’The man before him was capricious and unpredictable. You might think he was confiding in you, but he could just as easily be testing you.’

Long Jingyao waved his hand. "So be it. Since we’ve already come this far, we’ll leave the rest to fate."