Book 4: Chapter 45 (1) |
Within a valley in the Great Yu Empire,
General Tie Xue was escorting Princess Qianyou and her group to the capital of the Great Yu Empire, the Sky City.
At this moment, they were stationed in the valley, taking a break before continuing their journey.
They had set up tents in the valley, with Princess Qianyou’s group resting inside the central tent while General Tie Xue kept watch outside, observing their surroundings.
Inside the tent,
“Gu Lin, we’re almost at the Sky City, right?” Gu Lin asked.
“Yes, it’s close. This is the last break, and the next time, we’ll be able to reach the Sky City directly,” Princess Qianyou nodded.
“But during our journey so far, we haven’t encountered any assassins, as you and the others mentioned,” Gu Lin furrowed his brow and asked.
“It’s not that we haven’t encountered them; it’s just that when they saw the troops of the Great Yu Empire, they all retreated,” Princess Qianyou said very confidently.
“Empires that hope for war between the Great Luo Dynasty and the Great Yu Empire, especially those empires currently at war with the Great Luo Dynasty. They all wish for it, and, of course, aside from these people, other empires hope for it as well,” Mr. Shui Jing explained.
“Hmm,” Gu Lin furrowed his brow.
“Princess, do you know what position Yi Yan holds in the Great Yu Empire?” Zhong Shan, sitting on the side, asked.
“Yi Yan? Yi Yan is the loyal subject who helped the previous emperor of the Great Yu Empire in his last days,” Princess Qianyou said.
“The previous emperor? Wasn’t the Great Yu Empire founded by Nalan Piaoxue?” Zhong Shan looked puzzled.
“No, the Great Yu Empire went through three generations. Nalan Piaoxue inherited the throne a hundred years ago. His father, Nalan Zhengde, like his grandfather, reached the end of his life and couldn’t break through, so he passed on the throne to Nalan Piaoxue. Although the Great Yu Empire experienced three generations, it miraculously stabilized. Especially this generation’s Nalan Piaoxue, he is a natural talent, and his cultivation is on par with his father,” Princess Qianyou explained after thinking for a moment.
“Yi Yan is the loyal subject of the previous emperor of the Great Yu Empire? So, is this generation’s Nalan Piaoxue not as good as the previous emperor?” Zhong Shan suddenly caught the key point in Princess Qianyou’s words.
“There are gains and losses. Although Nalan Piaoxue’s talent and cultivation far exceed his predecessors, he still falls short of his father’s shrewdness. Perhaps in a few hundred years, he could catch up to his father, but right now, he’s not there yet. However, his father left behind Yi Yan, a remarkable talent,” Princess Qianyou explained.
“A remarkable talent? I remember he only has the cultivation of the Nascent Soul stage, right?” Zhong Shan furrowed his brow.
“Yes, he’s only in the Nascent Soul stage, and he’s also seriously ill. But no one can deny his remarkable achievements. It’s like Mr. Zhong Shan, who is only in the Golden Core stage but possesses astonishing talent,” Princess Qianyou smiled.
“Princess, you’re giving me too much credit,” Zhong Shan immediately shook his head.
Seeing Zhong Shan’s modesty, Princess Qianyou didn’t praise him further but continued, “A hundred years ago, when Nalan Zhengde passed away, the Great Yu Empire was in chaos, and it seemed on the brink of collapse. There were eight princes rebelling, the five major clans seizing power with their armies, and four major empires—Great Luo Dynasty, Great Guang Empire, Great Yan Empire, and Great Lu Empire—all launching attacks during the turmoil. In general, the Great Yu Empire should have been finished. However, before his death, Nalan Zhengde entrusted the General’s Tiger Seal to Yi Yan. In just thirty-four years, Yi Yan, a seemingly weak man, managed to control the three armies, quell internal strife, and repel external threats. His methods were shocking and commanded the entire empire. The Great Yu Empire stood strong once again.”
“Only this one person?” Zhong Shan took a deep breath.
“That’s right, only this one person turned the tide, swept away the internal chaos, and deterred the external threats from all directions. After this battle, Yi Yan’s name resounded throughout the Divine Continent. His accomplishments were so great that even the enemy generals respected him, let alone within the Great Yu Empire. It can be said that within the Great Yu Empire, his prestige is second only to Nalan Piaoxue,” Princess Qianyou sighed.
Listening to Princess Qianyou’s account, Zhong Shan was deeply impressed and recalled the person he had seen last time. That Yi Yan seemed like a gust of wind that could be blown away, the same Yi Yan who willingly acted as a footstool for the commander of the Great Yu Empire’s First Legion.
“You know, with great accomplishments comes great power. How does Nalan Piaoxue treat Yi Yan?” Zhong Shan looked at Princess Qianyou and asked.
“You’re thinking ahead, Mr. Shui Jing. Yes, in the Great Yu Empire, Nalan Piaoxue may have the highest prestige, and perhaps only he can surpass it. Although Nalan Piaoxue still relies on Yi Yan, he has also put a distant relative of the Nalan family into play to balance the situation. But Yi Yan, who seems to be seriously ill and near the end of his life, hasn’t gone too far yet. He has only made some policy decisions, and they are not just his own ideas when implemented in the court,” Princess Qianyou explained after thinking for a moment.
“The distant relative of the Nalan family, what is his status in the Great Yu Empire? Zhong Shan pondered and asked.
“That’s right, the Giant Deer King of the Great Yu Empire, whose seniority is even higher than that of Nalan Piaoxue,” Princess Qianyou nodded.
“Giant Deer King? How is he?” Zhong Shan asked Princess Qianyou.
“If he is used to balance Yi Yan, what does Mr. Shui Jing think of this man?” Princess Qianyou asked without answering.
Zhong Shan nodded, understanding the implications.
—————————————————————————–
Three days later, Zhong Shan and his group, escorted by a large army, finally arrived at the capital of the Great Yu Empire, the Sky City.
General Tie Xue led Zhong Shan’s group at the forefront, while nearly eight thousand soldiers followed behind.
Standing on the clouds, Zhong Shan looked at the Sky City in the distance, filled with emotion.
The Sky City, towering at an altitude of two thousand meters, gleamed with a radiant white jade hue. At its summit, a golden aura pervaded the surroundings, as vast golden mist converged upon the entire Sky City.
The flow of Qi, the Qi fortune of the dynasty, gathered endlessly and streamed towards the officials. It was a sea of gold, incredibly rich in Qi fortune. Amidst this boundless Qi fortune, Zhong Shan noticed a colossal creature.
A dragon, a massive golden dragon entirely formed from Qi fortune, coiled and roamed within. Its head was slightly raised, with eyes that seemed both open and closed. It breathed gently, absorbing the Qi fortune from the city above. Its twin horns pointed skyward, as if it were receiving a divine mandate from above.
Above the vast Sky City, this colossal dragon circled.
The True Dragon Emperor? Receiving a divine mandate from above? Was this the aura of an emperor?
Zhong Shan took a deep breath, his eyes filled with amazement. If the imperial dynasty was this awe-inspiring, how would the Heavenly Dynasty compare? And his own Great Dong Dynasty, it seemed like a mere countryside village in comparison. The road ahead was still long.
In the distance was the northern gate of the Great Yu Empire, with four majestic characters ‘Sky City’ inscribed at the top of the gate.
At the north gate, a large number of soldiers were currently stationed, clearing the passage, while the citizens were kept outside, unable to enter or leave. Many officials were waiting outside the city, apparently there to welcome Princess Qianyou and her group.
From a considerable distance away, Zhong Shan could clearly see the leading official among them.
The Grand Commander, Yi Yan?
Yi Yan personally welcoming them? Everyone furrowed their brows.
Soon, a white cloud landed not far from the city gate. General Tie Xue took a slight step back, allowing Princess Qianyou and her group to move forward, led by her.
“Envoy from the Heavenly Dynasty, Yi Yan has been remiss in welcoming you. Please do not be offended,” Yi Yan immediately raised his hands, his two long sleeves loosely connected as he performed a courteous greeting.
“Mr. Yi Yan, you are too modest. Since the beginning of the Eight Desolates City, you have escorted us, and we thank you greatly for that,” Princess Qianyou replied with a slight bow.
“Two years have passed since our last meeting on Fangshan Mountain, and your grace and charm remain undiminished, Princess. It’s an honor for the Great Yu Empire to have the Crown Prince accompany you,” Yi Yan immediately complimented with a smile.
“Mr. Yi Yan, your praise is excessive. Your tireless efforts for the Great Yu Empire make you a role model for all of us,” Princess Qianyou replied.
“Is this gentleman behind the Crown Prince, Mr. Shui Jing?” Yi Yan immediately looked at Shui Jing.
Clearly, Yi Yan had already seen Shui Jing’s portrait; now he was simply asking it for formality.
“I have met Mr. Yi Yan,” Shui Jing smiled.
“Mr. Shui Jing, your reputation precedes you, and Yi Yan has long wanted to meet you. This time, when you visit the Great Yu Empire, you must come to my humble abode, where we can have a thorough discussion,” Yi Yan smiled.
“Absolutely,” Shui Jing nodded, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.
“Please, everyone,” Yi Yan waved his hand.
“Please,” Princess Qianyou nodded.
Then, an official behind Yi Yan quickly used a white cloud to lift him, slowly flying towards the city. Princess Qianyou and her group also stood on white clouds and flew towards the city.
Upon entering the city, Zhong Shan looked up and saw that the entire Sky City was much more imposing than the Peerless City. In the distance, at the center, there was a towering golden mountain, with numerous white jade steps extending all the way down to the base of the mountain. At the mountain’s peak lay numerous palaces. The central palace, where the golden dragon coiled, was visible from outside the city.
The base of the mountain also shimmered with a golden light, concealing its interior.
Throughout the Sky City, there were countless floating islands with red and blue light screens. The streets were wide, and the rivers and mountains were picturesque.
Led by Yi Yan, the group quickly arrived at a red light screen in the western part of the city, which was a private area. There were many armed guards stationed around its perimeter. Inside, there were numerous beautifully constructed buildings, and even an airborne island above.
They flew directly to the airborne island above, standing on a square. Suddenly, Yi Yan began to cough.
“Cough~~~Cough~~~Cough~~~Cough~~~Cough~~~”
A series of coughs, and all the officials looked on with concern, while Princess Qianyou and her group stood quietly, waiting until Yi Yan’s coughing fit subsided.
Gently wiping his mouth with a silk handkerchief, Yi Yan looked at Princess Qianyou and said, “I apologize, my old ailment has flared up again.”
“No need to apologize, Mr. Yi Yan. Your concerns for the Great Yu Empire are its blessings,” Princess Qianyou replied, shaking her head.
“Princess jests. His Majesty is preparing for a battle against the Great Sky Dragon Bodhisattva in eight months, so he has been in seclusion recently and cannot personally welcome you. It is also quite coincidental that today, on the same day, the Crown Prince of the Great Light Empire, Prince Hanjue, has arrived at the Sky City. King Julu welcomed him at the west gate. I hope the princess will not mind,” Yi Yan explained to Princess Qianyou.
“Not at all. With Mr. Yi Yan personally welcoming us, it is already a great honor for Princess Qianyou,” Princess Qianyou replied.
“Cough~~~Cough~~~Cough~~~Cough~~~” Yi Yan had another fit of coughing.
“This is the ‘West Garden Palace,’ prepared specifically for the princess. The envoys from the Great Luo Dynasty have already settled in. Any arrangements for the princess can be inquired from them. After your long journey, the empire would rather not disturb you, and we will invite you and the Crown Prince on a later date,” Yi Yan said.
“Thank you,” Princess Qianyou said.
Yi Yan nodded and quickly flew away on a cloud, escorted by officials.