When they stepped outside again, a group of well-dressed young masters were surrounding Xiao Xinran, pestering a pretty security girl.
“What’s your name, miss? That sword at your side—surely you’re a cultivator. May I ask which sect you hail from? All the nearby immortal sects are honored guests of the Yan Family—perhaps you even know some of their immortal masters.”
There were many beauties from the immortal sects under Huang He Commandery, but never before had he seen such a stunning girl.
That terrifyingly voracious golden-haired fairy from earlier was a heavyweight, of course, but the gentle lady by her side was also excellent.
“Scram!”
Xiao Xinran’s face was cold.
Where did these lechers come from?
They didn’t even recognize the cloud robe.
The oily-faced young master looked pitiful with his bruised nose and swollen face—it was unclear what misfortune had befallen him.
The righteous iron fist of his ex-wife hadn’t even struck yet.
A fiery red-clad girl spotted the white-robed youth stepping out of Shanhai Pavilion and immediately ran up to follow, obedient and close.
The Yan Family’s young master narrowed his eyes, well-versed in bullying the weak and fearing the strong.
He swept his gaze up and down the pretty white-robed boy, seeing nothing special—not like a dragon crossing the river.
Then his eyes drifted to the youth’s side, where a beautiful, arrogant girl stood, her expression domineering.
The sight scared him out of his wits, and he turned and bolted.
Damn, why is she back again!
“What’s with him?”
Xiao Xinran scratched her head. Why did that idiot look like he’d seen a ghost when he saw Jing Tan’er?
“Probably a fan of this Princess. It’s normal for someone to lose their mind after meeting a royal in person—don’t pay it any mind.”
Jing Tan’er shrugged, looking a bit troubled.
In a short while, news of Her Highness the Princess Royal arriving at the Huanghe County Mansion would surely spread through the capital, attracting even more frenzied citizens.
No one paid much attention.
It saved them a lot of trouble, letting them leave the city and take off sooner, hoping to reunite with Qin Xing at Yudu as soon as possible.
***
The scene shifts to the unlucky Yan Family young master, one day earlier.
The other half of the Golden Crow had crashed on the mountain opposite the river, closer to Huang He Commandery.
Early that morning, Qin Xing and her companions appeared at the Shanhai Pavilion branch office.
Jing Tan’er had searched the sunken ship for Nini and Lu’er but found no trace.
She guessed they must be on the other side and rushed to the city to investigate.
The three waited at the city gate until noon, but none of their other companions appeared.
Nor did Jing Rui, the true culprit.
They thought they had missed each other and left a message, preparing to depart.
Qin Xing glanced at Jing Tan’er, whose face was full of worry, and softly reassured her, adding a reminder for Yun Liu not to forget the two maids.
In the same place, a group of bored young masters had gathered on the street, infamous troublemakers.
Their greatest pleasure each day was harassing decent women. Life was uneventful but lively.
But today was extraordinary.
The Yan Family’s young master, fresh from lunch and strolling, happened upon a celestial beauty—a feast for the eyes.
A fairy-like girl sat on the stone steps, lost in thought, chin resting on her hand, legs swinging, her bright eyes fixed on the city gate.
Her rare golden hair shone brilliantly, and her delicate face was a painting come to life.
A unique sword robe embroidered with golden auspicious clouds marked her as anything but mortal.
The Yan Family young master puffed out his chest, confident in his decent spiritual roots.
He was a cultivator at the mid-stage of Qi refining and would soon enter the Radiant Light Sect for advanced studies.
With a single stride, he leapt forward to strike up a conversation.
Ji Shiyu had been in a bad mood, annoyed by other men, but when she heard about the local must-try mountain delicacies, she perked up.
Qin Xing and Jing Tan’er exchanged strange looks.
As they stepped outside, they saw the girl who was supposed to be on watch chatting and smiling brightly with several “friendly” young men.
“Senior Sister Qin, Senior Sister Qin! This kind person says they’ll treat us to a meal!”
“Ah?”
The Yan Family young master’s eyes sparkled when he saw the two new arrivals.
Shiyu’s companions were beauties as well—today must be his lucky day.
It was rare to encounter even one Fangwai Immortal, but three had appeared at once.
This was a feast not to be missed!
The two household lackeys eyed the girls greedily.
Both were at the initial stage of their spiritual foundation—hardly a threat.
As for the gentle green-robed woman, she was a Foundation Establishment cultivator whose aura was faint, probably just a minor Qi refining girl.
A Golden Core cultivator was a famous figure in East Pole Province—no way would one be roaming the streets so easily.
With her experience, Qin Xing instantly sensed their ill intentions, but since Junior Sister Ji was already happily approaching, she could only follow, smiling wryly.
Waiting was waiting, after all.
At Crane Arrival Tower, the meal was lively, and the food truly delicious.
Others had barely exchanged pleasantries before Ji Shiyu had polished off an entire table.
Her speed and appetite stunned everyone.
Jing Tan’er leaned against the window, distracted.
She never did see a certain white-robed youth enter Shanhai Pavilion.
The Yan Family was the local tyrant of Huang He.
Other members were already making eyes, preparing to divvy up the best dishes.
As time passed, Qin Xing spoke softly.
“Thank you for your hospitality, young master. We have important matters to attend to, so we won’t trouble you further.”
“Hic~ Young master, you’re generous. Until we meet again!”
Ji Shiyu wiped her mouth with elegance, polite as ever, as if she hadn’t just turned a mountain of dishes into empty plates, still striving to maintain her perfect (totally-not-exposed) image as a genius girl sword cultivator.
“You’ve eaten and enjoyed the view, and now you’re telling me you’re leaving?”
The group of scoundrels from the Eastern Capital North Prefecture chuckled darkly, revealing their true colors.
“Do you want us to stay for dinner too? That would be too much!”
Ji Shiyu tilted her head, but she really wanted to meet Yun Liu soon—maybe he and Xun Ran had already left.
At that moment, Jing Tan’er spoke, her eyes cold and her spirit pressure surging.
“You want to detain us? With just your strength?”
“You exaggerate, miss. We simply hoped the Cloudsea Fairies might linger in Huang He a few more days to enjoy the scenery.”
The Yan Family’s young master stepped back with a smile.
Two musclebound Foundation Establishment bodyguards moved forward, unmoved by the reputation of Shenhua.
As they bantered, they’d already probed the girls’ backgrounds.
The Sword Sect Xiangyun sounded familiar, but it had been ages since any geniuses from the southern lands made a splash.
Recently, the North had found amusement in tales of a Heavenly Dao Alchemy Master quitting their sect, becoming the joke of the Ling Tian Caves.
Shenhua Sect’s notorious freeloading in the Heavenly Concord Alliance wasn’t even news anymore.
The so-called National Religion title was an empty one in the East Pole, nowhere near as renowned as Radiant Light Sect.
Jing Tan’er raised her chin, flames of spiritual power enveloping her.
How convenient—worthless thugs had delivered themselves for her to vent her anger.
Qin Xing pulled her Junior Sister back with a sigh and pointed to the vermilion royal token at her waist.
“Do you recognize this item?”
The Yan Family young master was unconcerned at first, but the longer he looked, the more alarmed he became.
With the Shengyu Festival approaching, he wasn’t qualified to attend the imperial audience with his father, but he wasn’t ignorant.
The number of people holding this feather token could be counted on one hand.
And among young women matching the description, wasn’t there only Her Highness the Princess Royal, currently studying in the Sea of Clouds?
No way… Could it be such a coincidence?
The whole group turned pale with fright and fell to their knees.
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