by Mars Gravity
It hadn’t been made known publicly that Mu Feixue was rejected by Yun Che. In addition, she rarely made an appearance in the Sacred Hall during this period of time. Therefore, everyone in the sect firmly believed that she was serving Yun Che at the Sacred Hall, except for a few people… It was ordered by the Sect Master herself during the Great Sect Assembly after all.
“…” Yun Che nodded, “Don’t worry, I’d never let my woman suffer grievance.”
Having finished his words, Yun Che turned away from him. He looked to the vast, white sky in the distance as unusual streaks of light flashed through the depths of his eyes.
This person…
“In that case, Hanyi can also put his mind at rest, feeling no regret at the outcome.” Mu Hanyi sighed.
“Oh right, Master said that there’s someone who will be accompanying us.” Yun Che said. “Does Junior Brother Hanyi who it is?”
Mu Hanyi shook his head, “I have no idea, but…”
He turned his body to look sideways, in the opposite direction. Very soon, a ice boat appeared in the vast expanse of horizon, traveling through the snow as it made its way over to them. On the ice boat, there were figures of two women clad in blue.
It was actually Mu Bingyun and Mu Xiaolan.
A cold gleam flashed, after which the ice boat had already stopped right in front of them.
Although Yun Che hadn’t seen her for many days, she still seemed as usual, like a fairy that had descended to the world of mortals. Her absolute beauty contained flawless chilliness, rendering others unable to harbor dirty thoughts towards her. Mu Xiaolan could be seen behind her, dressed in a blue robe, and excitement was evident on her tender and pretty face.
“Palace Master, could it be that the person accompanying us to Ice Wind Empire is…” Yin Che said with a surprised look.
“Right, it’s me.” Mu Xiaolan walked forward with a proud smile on her face. When she turned to Mu Hanyi, her attitude became a lot more respectful, “Senior Brother Hanyi, I’d be troubling you.”
“Yun Che, Hanyi,” Mu Bingyun said, “Xiaolan’s parents would certainly go over to attend the celebration of the Ice Wind Emperor’s thousandth birthday, which just happens to coincide with your trip this time. So when you get there, do let her have a reunion with them. Also, make sure to keep her from harm on the way.”
“Understood, Hanyi guarantees with his life that I’ll keep Junior Sister Xiaolan safe and sound during this journey to and from the Ice Wind Empire. I ask Palace Master to be at ease.” Mu Hanyi respectfully said in a serious tone.
“Yes.” Yun Che responded as he groaned inwardly: I’m going to the Ice Wind Empire in order to take care of an important matter! Right now, I don’t even know how to get my hands on the halidom, and you’re actually handing over such a drag to us…?
“Hanyi, you should’ve set off yesterday, and waiting up to now has delayed your journey by a bit. If you ride on this ice boat, you should be able to make it in time.” Mu Bingyun got off the ice boat, and glanced at Yun Che with a meaningful look in her eyes.
The ice boat began to float up into the sky before streaming past with a speed that appeared as fast as light, heading straight to the north.
“Yun Che, how do you feel about becoming the Sect Master’s direct disciple?” Mu Xiaolan looked totally curious. “Is Sect Master… very strict with you?”
“Of course, she is.” Yun Che let out a long sigh. “Palace Master Bingyun is still the most gentle and soft person.”
He might have said so, but his heart had been shaking and rippling all this time. Mu Xuanyin obtained Golden Crow’s Record of the Burning World from for his sake, and she wanted an intact heart of horned dragon for none other than him. When she thought of rapidly increasing his profound strength, she didn’t hesitate to sacrifice the vital yin of a large number of Ice Phoenix women, which should be an unprecedentedly huge price anyone was willing to pay in the history of sect. Even if she succeeded in gathering all the ingredients for a heaven defying thing like Universe Pentajade Pellet, it would certainly require the consumption of a great amount of resources… But Mu Xuanyin didn’t hesitate to carry out something as demanding as that.
Why does she treat me so well?
Is it really just because I’ve become her direct disciple, as well as saved Mu Bingyun’s life?
“Hey! You can’t put it like that!” Mu Xiaolan jumped a bit in fright. “You would end up tragically, if the Sect Master heard your words.”
“Yes, yes, I’ll seriously obey Senior Sister Xiaolan’s instructions.” Yun Che said in a helpless tone, constantly thinking about ways to bring up the matter of Qilin horn after arriving at the Ice Wind Empire.
“Hmph! Even if you have become a direct disciple of the sect master, you should still listen to the words of your Senior Sister.” Mu Xiaolan slightly puckered up her lips. “If you truly feel grateful to Master, then let’s see whether you do as you said when we return to Ice Phoenix Palace. Don’t just use your mouth and show it in your attitude.”
“Yes, yes, yes.” Yun Che nodded like a machine.
Mu Hanyi looked at them with a face full of surprise; he was clearly shocked by the way they addressed each other. Soon after, he sighed with emotion, “Senior Brother Yun Che is truly a charming person.”
“Tch.” Mu Xiaolan made a small sound of dissent before refuting his words, “Senior Brother Hanyi is only saying that because of not being aware of his awfulness… Hmph! He is just a bad person, nothing more than that. Fortunately, Senior Brother Hanyi is a man. If you were a woman, you would need to be a lot more careful around him.”
“Hahahah,” Mu Hanyi laughed aloud, and then the expression in his eyes turned distant, “A man should be amorously romantic, otherwise, wouldn’t it be a waste to spend a dull life. However, Senior Brother Yun Che has Junior Sister Feixue now, so I’m afraid it might be impossible for any other woman to catch his attention.”
“Hmph! He must be feeling super complacent.” Mu Xiaolan lowered her head unconsciously as she said in a very low voice.
The ice boat was flying against the wind, traveling at a speed that seemed fast as light. On the way, Mu Hanyi explained the history, local conditions and customs of the Ice Wind Empire, and the time passed pretty quickly.
Within a day, the ice boat had finally entered the territory of the Ice Wind Empire. Afterwards, it quickly approached the center of the imperial city.
At this time, Mu Hanyi took out the Sound Transmission Jade to directly message the Ice Wind Emperor. “Royal Father, your son is close to the imperial city now and will arrive in a short while. There’s also two honored guests from the sect along with me.”
Today, Ice Wind Imperial City was particularly bustling with activities and traffic due to their monarch’s Thousandth Birthday Celebration; countless guests were arriving from places quite a bit far away. A wide difference could be observed in the atmosphere of the entire imperial city.
Just as Mu Hanyi put away the Sound Transmission Jade, he saw a small-sized profound ark flying over at an extremely fast speed. It drew closer and closer, also heading right towards the center of imperial city.
Mu Xiaolan raised her head. When she got a clear view of the two figures standing at the forefront of the small profound ark, her beautiful eyes widened abruptly. She let out a shaky cry that was both pleasantly surprised and excited. “Father… Mother!!”
Chapter 1020: Ice Wind Emperor
“…Lanlan!?” At the same as when Mu Xiaolan shouted, the people on the profound ark looked in their direction. The couple of two in front were joyfully surprised as they simultaneously flew off of the profound ark and arrived in front of Mu Xiaolan. The ice boat stopped soon after.
These two were none other than Mu Xiaolan’s parents, the region lords of an independent domain in the eastern area of the Ice Wind Empire, and the current heads of the famous Situ Family of the Snow Song Realm—it was Situ Xiongying and his wife, Madam Situ.
“Lanla
n, it truly is you?” The Situ couple excitedly greeted them as they arrived on the boat and quickly grabbed Mu Xiaolan’s hands, disbelief in their eyes.
“Lanlan, why are you here?” Situ Xiongying’s face was calm, but he couldn’t hide his own excitement.
“I came along with Senior Brother Hanyi. Master specifically allowed it so that I could come and reunite with mother and father.” As Mu Xiaolan spoke, her eyes grew red. From her youth, she had grown up under the immense love from her parents. However, because she had entered Divine Ice Phoenix Sect, it had been several years since she had last seen them.
“Senior Brother Hanyi?” This name caused Situ Xiongying’s gaze to suddenly turn as his originally calm expression abruptly changed. “Perhaps, could you be…”
“Ah! Let me introduce everyone to mother and father. He is Senior Brother Mu Hanyi. Mother and father have probably heard of him before.”
“Mu Hanyi?” Sure enough, the moment Mu Xiaolan’s words faded, Situ Xiongyang and his wife both immediately turned and looked at Mu Hanyi. Their eyes were full of approval, and even a little bit of excitement and surprise. Situ Xiongyang hurriedly took the initiative to walk several steps forward as he praisingly said, “So you are the esteemed prince Mu Hanyi of the rumors. It is said that your highness is unmatched not only in looks and grace, but also in talent. After meeting you today, it seems like the rumors cannot compare. It is nearly impossible to believe that your profound strength has reached the middle stage of the Divine Tribulation Realm at such an age.”
“Being able to personally meet his highness today is my good fortune.”
As an older cultivator, each and every one of Situ Xiongyang’s words carried a deep admiration and shock. His wife stood beside him nodding in agreement, her eyes lighting up as she observed Mu Hanyi. This was because the person in front of them was the prince of the Ice Wind Empire claimed by many to be the most handsome hero within the Snow Song Realm.
“Senior Brother Hanyi has cared for me a lot within the sect, and has helped me greatly on several occasions. I was only able to come back to the Ice Wind Empire and meet mother and father this time because of Senior Brother Hanyi.” Mu Xiaolan said.
As the Situ Couple heard these words, they became even more excited… and surprised. Situ Xiongyang cupped his hands and said, “Your highness Hanyi, this Situ Xiongyang is immensely grateful for the care you have shown for my daughter. That my daughter can become so close with his royal highness is her greatest fortune.”
“Indeed.” Madam Situ slightly chuckled as she nodded and said, “To be able to receive his highness’ care, my daughter is indeed lucky. Us being able to reunite as a family is also due to his highness’ kindness. We truly do not know how we can demonstrate our gratefulness towards your highness.”
Mu Hanyi humbly replied, “Auntie and Uncle, how can you say such things. As a senior brother, I naturally have to care for the junior brothers and sisters… and I barely did anything this time.”
Situ Xiongyang shook his head as he once again praised, “Your highness’ birth, appearance, and talent, as well as your highness’ incredible achievements are all unparalleled, yet your highness is so modest and courteous, without a hint of arrogance. It is no wonder everyone praises you so. This one is afraid he will never be able to see anyone like his highness again.”
“Lanlan, there is still one person you haven’t introduced yet. Who is this?” Madam Situ asked as she turned her attention to Yun Che.
Mu Xiaolan stood beside Yun Che as she excitedly said, “This person is Junior Brother Yun Che…”
“Yun?” Mu Xiaolan had just finished saying Yun Che’s name when Situ Xiongyang’s brows furrowed and he asked, “This family name is quite rare. If I remember correctly, it only exists in the Great Blue Snow Region. Perhaps?”
Yun Che stepped forward as he politely said with courtesy, “Auntie and Uncle, this junior Yun Che, is not from the Snow Song Realm, but from a lower realm.”
“A lower realm?” Situ Xiongyang slightly nodded, his expression indifferent. “So it was like this.”
“Although Junior Brother Yun Che was born in a lower realm and has only entered the sect for less than four months, he is still incredibly strong. He’s…”
Mu Xiaolan hadn’t finished speaking when she was interrupted by Situ Xiongyang, “It is too cold atop this ice boat. I don’t wish for my Lanlan to be frozen to death here. How about we step onto the profound ark before continuing… Your highness Hanyi, if you do not mind our profound ark for being too simple, why don’t you also come along and travel with us?”
Mu Hanyi calmly and politely accepted, “Hanyi graciously accepts this offer.”
Situ Xiongyang sincerely invited Mu Hanyi, but didn’t even show the slightest intention of asking Yun Che. In fact, after Mu Xiaolan had introduced Yun Che, Situ Xiongyang had not looked at Yun Che again.
With his profound energy aura of the first level of the Divine Origin Realm and the lack of a “Mu” surname, as well as Mu Xiaolan’s introduction of him as junior brother… In Situ Xiongyang’s eyes, this only meant that Yun Che’s status was much much lower than Mu Xiaolan’s in Divine Ice Phoenix Sect. Moreover, he had been born in a lower realm, lowering him yet another level.
“Good good! I have missed our family’s profound ark since long again.” Overjoyed with reuniting with her family, Mu Xiaolan was completely ignorant of what was happening as she exuberantly made her way onto the profound ark. Yun Che wrinkled his nose as he silently followed behind her.
Although small, the decorations within the profound ark were indeed quite luxurious. Moreover, the auras of the servants and guards standing on the sides were all quite dense, demonstrating the considerably large strength of the Situ Family. Of course, if the Situ Family were not so strong, they probably would not have been invited to the Ice Wind Emperor’s Thousandth Birthday Celebration.
Having boarded her own family’s profound ark, Mu Xiaolan felt like she had returned home as she became exuberant and energetic. She naturally pulled on Yun Che’s sleeve, smiling as she said, “Even though the sect’s ice boat is quite powerful, it is not as comfortable as my family’s profound ark. When I was young, mother and father would use this profound ark to take me to cool places. Yun Che, were you ever able to board a profound ark like this in your lower realm?”
“Although the profound arks in my realm were slower, they were otherwise practically the same,” Yun Che casually replied.
When Situ Xiongyang, who was conversing with Mu Hanyi, glanced over and saw how Mu Xiaolan was pulling on Yun Che’s sleeves with a joyful smile on her face, his expression immediately darkened as he hurriedly went over. He placed his hand on Yun Che’s shoulder as he said, “Junior, I remember you are called… Yun Che, right? Come, let us walk and talk.”
“Ai? Father, what are you going to talk with him about?” Surprise emerged on Mu Xiaolan’s face.
“…I’m just going to ask him about some minor matters. You do not need to worry about it.”
As he said those words, Situ Xiongyang had already forcefully half dragged Yun Che to the side.
“What advice does uncle have for me?” Having observed Situ Xiongyang’s expression, Yun Che had pretty much guessed what he was about to say.
The moment he was only facing Yun Che, Situ Xiongyang’s expression had abruptly darkened as he said, “Earlier, it was mentioned that you had only been in Divine Ice Phoenix Sect for four months right? However, seeing how familiar you are with my Lanlan, she must have cared for you quite a bit?”
“…Yes. Senior sister Xiaolan has cared for me a lot,” Yun Che answered politely as he courteously nodded in response.
“Hmph!” Situ Xiongyang abruptly sneered as his brows deeply furrowed, “Lanlan’s character is pure and kind, but she is nonetheless my only daughter, and the only disciple of Fairy Bingyun. Her status is something you cannot compare with, and her future accomplishments are things which you can never hope to achieve. You bette
r not have any laughable, nonsensical ideas!”
“…” Yun Che slowly exhaled as he replied, “Uncle, have you misunderstood something?”
“Misunderstanding?” Situ Xiongyang sneered, “Hmph. Boy, I am more than ten times older than you. Do you really think that your thoughts can be concealed before my eyes!? You are someone who has just entered the sect. With your low profound strength and your status as someone born in a lower realm, for you to have come here with Lanlan, what reason could you possibly have outside of trying to follow her?”
“You should quickly stop dreaming about things you shouldn’t dream about. Lanlan is someone you will never be able to be worthy of. Otherwise… when the time comes, do not blame me for not having warned you!”
Situ Xiongyang sternly glared at Yun Che before turning and leaving.
Yun Che stood where he was, completely speechless.
Situ Xiongyang had impatiently warned Yun Che not because of his words and deeds, but because Mu Xiaolan had so naturally pulled on Yun Che’s sleeve… this subconscious act of intimacy had clearly been an omen of danger for Situ Xiongyang.
As it had been a long time since they had been together, Mu Xiaolan and her mother had much to say to each other. Meanwhile, Situ Xiongyang, after pulling Yun Che to the side and reprimanding him, spent the rest of his time fawning over and conversing with Mu Hanyi as the profound ark quickly moved forward into the territory of the Ice Wind Empire and the palace at its center.
“Yun Che, what did my father say to you just now? It seemed to be really mysterious,” Mu Xiaolan secretly asked Yun Che through a sound transmission.
“Ah, your father said he wished to betroth you to me,” Yun Che said weakly.
“You… even after becoming the sect master’s direct disciple, you still say such nonsense. I’m too lazy to bother with you, hmph!”
