Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 257: Chapter 257 Dragon Tiger Mountain’s Regulations

Ye Qingchen was overjoyed upon hearing Qin Zhantian’s words. If I can really ransom my father, that would be the best solution.

Ye Qingchen was well aware of his own strength. The chances of snatching someone from Dragon Tiger Mountain were minuscule. Not only might he fail to rescue his father, but he could also lose his own life in the process. However, things were different with the Rising Sun Pavilion’s involvement. He secretly hoped that Dragon Tiger Mountain would show respect for the Rising Sun Pavilion and agree to the ransom.

Ye Qingchen hurriedly said to Qin Zhantian, ”In that case, I am grateful, Elder Qin.”

Qin Zhantian laughed heartily. ”Why thank me? Just be good to my granddaughter in the future!”

Qin Zhantian’s words left Ye Qingchen speechless. I originally thought he was calling me his grandson-in-law just to find a pretext for acting against the Heavenly Profound Sect. But to his surprise, Qin Zhantian was still saying such things. However, since Ye Qingchen himself had a fondness for Qin Yue, he could only scratch his head and smile sheepishly without saying a word.

Qin Yue, meanwhile, shyly hid behind Qin Zhantian, not daring to meet Ye Qingchen’s gaze. A woman, no matter how proud, will often feel inexplicably insecure when facing the man she adores. This was the case for Qin Yue. As a direct descendant of the Qin Family, and one personally designated by Qin Zhantian, she was highly likely to take over the Rising Sun Pavilion in the future. Yet, when facing Ye Qingchen, she still felt unworthy of him.

Just then, Cai Yunji, having finished her arrangements, overheard their conversation. She walked over and asked Ye Qingchen, ”I heard you mention Dragon Tiger Mountain earlier. Have you run into some trouble?”

Ye Qingchen nodded and replied, ”Your Highness, to be honest, I came to the Heavenly Profound Sect to rescue my father. I never expected the sect to have already sold him to Dragon Tiger Mountain. If I can’t even save my own father, then I, Ye Qingchen, would be a disgrace as a son!”

Cai Yunji nodded. ”It so happens that I am about to travel to Dragon Tiger Mountain in the Yanyang Kingdom. Would you be willing to accompany me?”

Ye Qingchen looked at her in surprise, silent for a moment.

Cai Yunji continued, ”This trip to Dragon Tiger Mountain might provide an opportunity to learn of your father’s whereabouts. Who knows, you might even be able to see him!”

Upon hearing this, Ye Qingchen’s eyes lit up. Knowing his father was still alive, he had been longing for days to be reunited with Ye Changqing as soon as possible. Without a moment’s hesitation, he gladly accepted. ”That would be wonderful! Thank you, Your Highness!”

Hearing Ye Qingchen agree, Qin Yue quickly turned to her grandfather. ”Grandfather, didn’t you say you’d help Ye Qingchen negotiate with Dragon Tiger Mountain? Since Her Highness is going there, I can represent the Rising Sun Pavilion and go along! It’ll save you the trouble of sending someone else.”

As she spoke, looking at Qin Zhantian’s smiling face, Qin Yue’s voice grew softer and softer, until it was barely a whisper only she could hear.

Of course, Qin Zhantian knew exactly what his granddaughter was thinking. If they really needed to negotiate with Dragon Tiger Mountain, they could simply send a message to the Rising Sun Pavilion’s branch in the Yanyang Kingdom. The only reason Qin Yue wanted to go was to be with Ye Qingchen.

Not wanting to expose her little scheme, Qin Zhantian instead gave her a few serious instructions before turning to Cai Yunji. ”Your Highness, since I’ve already promised to help Ye Qingchen, please allow my granddaughter to accompany you.”

The Qin Family was a clan that even the imperial family had to treat with consideration, so Cai Yunji naturally wouldn’t refuse such a small request. Besides, having Qin Yue along will be a great help in the Yanyang Kingdom. From the way Qin Zhantian dotes on her, it’s clear she holds a high status within the Rising Sun Pavilion. If I handle this right, she could become a powerful ally.

With this in mind, Cai Yunji quickly replied, ”Elder Qin, you are too kind. It would be wonderful to have Sister Qin along.”

Afterward, Li Qingfeng gave Ye Qingchen some final instructions. Ye Qingchen had been looking for Venerable Heize. After imposing on the man for so long, and now knowing his true identity, Ye Qingchen felt it was only right to thank him properly. However, Li Qingfeng informed him that Heize had already left. Ye Qingchen figured he had probably left to avoid making things awkward, so he could only let the matter drop.

Once the Royal Bodyguards dispatched to the Heavenly Profound Sect to eradicate its last remnants had returned, Ye Qingchen and Qin Yue departed for the capital with Princess Cai Yunji.

***

Ye Qingchen looked at the group of forty or fifty people before him, feeling puzzled. Dragon Tiger Mountain is in the Yanyang Kingdom’s territory. Since Cai Yunji is a princess, shouldn’t her trip be a diplomatic mission? She should at least have a retinue of experts and the royal ceremonial guard!

But in reality, Cai Yunji and her entourage of forty to fifty people were all dressed as merchants. Cai Yunji herself wore a long dress, looking for all the world like the daughter of a wealthy merchant.

Unable to make sense of it, he asked curiously, ”Your Highness, what is your purpose in going to Dragon Tiger Mountain?”

Cai Yunji smiled, knowing he was confused by their attire. ”Our Northern Desolate Country is on the brink of war with the Yanyang Kingdom, but our resources are relatively scarce,” she explained. ”Dragon Tiger Mountain is rich in low-grade Spirit Stones, so I am going there to purchase them to strengthen our military commanders.”

Ye Qingchen nodded, pleased to notice she had switched from referring to herself as ”this princess” to simply ”I.” She must be intentionally concealing her identity.

As he suspected, Cai Yunji continued, ”Because Dragon Tiger Mountain is in enemy territory, neither the Retired Emperor nor my father, the Emperor, can go themselves. That is why they sent me to lead this expedition. By traveling disguised as merchants, we can avoid a great deal of trouble along the way.”

Ye Qingchen understood the reasoning and nodded. ”I understand, Your Highness.”

Cai Yunji smiled. ”On this journey, you shouldn’t call me that. Just call me Miss Cai.”

Ye Qingchen nodded in agreement.

Qin Yue also chimed in happily, ”Then I’ll call you Sister Cai!”

Cai Yunji smiled back at her. ”That would be best, Sister Qin.”

Ye Qingchen scanned the group of forty to fifty people and, using his Vitality Force perception, was surprised to find that most of them were Alchemists. This piqued his curiosity, and he asked, ”Princess... uh, Miss Cai, why are so many Alchemists accompanying us?”

Cai Yunji knew that as an Alchemist himself, Ye Qingchen could naturally sense the aura of other Alchemists. She explained, ”It’s because of a rule at Dragon Tiger Mountain!”