Chapter 73

Chapter 73: The Unfathomable Sixth Prince

Xia Guanqiu’s speed in controlling the magical weapon’s flight was clearly no match for Old Man Feng. Moreover, since every nation enforced some restrictions within its own airspace, unless one possessed exceptionally high strength—like Old Man Feng, who could simply fly higher to bypass all such aerial restrictions and travel freely wherever he wished—one could not fly directly across borders. Xia Guanqiu lacked that ability, confining his flight to Gu Feng Nation and preventing him from journeying straight to Cang Lan Nation.

Fortunately, the distance between Yuyang City, the capital of Gu Feng Nation, and Tianrang City wasn’t excessive. After flying through the night and half the day, they finally arrived in the afternoon.

After dropping off Lou Yun and the other four at the city gate, Xia Guanqiu steered the magical weapon back toward the Ancient Weapon Academy.

Compared to Tianrang City, Yuyang City, as the capital, was considerably more magnificent. Even before entering the city, one could glimpse this grandeur from the imposing city gate itself.

Ten soldiers stood guard on each side of the entrance. Each wore armor, boasted broad shoulders and sturdy builds, and looked imposing and dignified. Lou Yun used his spiritual sense to probe the soldiers’ bodies and discovered they were all essentially mid-level magical weapons masters.

Even the gate guards were mid-level magical weapons masters! It was easy to imagine that the number of experts within Yuyang City must be countless!

Entering Yuyang City wasn’t as simple as entering other cities. Here, one had to present a special jade tablet for passage and undergo verification before being allowed entry.

Han Tianxiao approached one soldier and handed him the distinctive jade tablet of the Ancient Weapon Academy. The soldier’s expression immediately turned respectful upon seeing it. After all, the Ancient Weapon Academy was the pride of the entire Gu Feng Nation. Thus, whether soldiers or officials, they all tried their best to accommodate those from the Academy.

The soldier asked Han Tianxiao to wait briefly while he sought instructions from his superior officer. After a short while, a middle-aged, burly man clad in armor strode down from the watchtower. From a distance, he clasped his hands in greeting toward Han Tianxiao, his voice booming like a great bell. "My apologies for keeping you waiting! Please follow me into the city!"

Clearly, these men had already been notified about the Ancient Weapon Academy group arriving to perform a task.

The burly man escorted the five into a horse-drawn carriage and drove them into the city.

The carriage ride was exceptionally smooth, without the slightest jolt. Lou Yun initially wanted to lift the carriage window curtain to admire the capital’s splendor. However, seeing Liu Ruyan and Cun Yan sitting rigidly upright, eyes on nose and nose on heart, he abandoned the idea.

The officer was very enthusiastic, chatting with Han Tianxiao throughout the journey. He occasionally glanced at Lou Yun and the others, his curiosity about these students from the Ancient Weapon Academy evident.

After traveling for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the carriage finally halted. Everyone disembarked and found themselves before an extremely grand and imposing manor.

The officer said politely, "This is the Sixth Prince’s residence. Someone from the prince’s residence will come to escort you inside shortly. My duty ends here. Farewell!"

Watching the officer depart, everyone couldn’t help but reflect inwardly. Truly, beneath the Emperor’s feet, hierarchy was strict, and everyone knew their place.

The gate of the prince’s residence opened, and a thin, elderly man emerged to greet them. He seemed utterly ordinary at first glance. However, Chang Xiang informed Lou Yun that this man was actually a profound-level magical weapons master!

The thin old man was named Shan Bo, the steward of the Sixth Prince’s residence. When his eyes fell upon Lou Yun and his companions, a distinct flash of contempt and disdain crossed his face. Evidently, he had instantly discerned their cultivation levels.

Nevertheless, Shan Bo maintained a surface politeness. "You’ve come a long way; it must have been arduous. Please, step inside the residence and rest for a while."

Han Tianxiao smiled and replied, "Very well. We appreciate your trouble."

Led by Shan Bo, the group entered the Sixth Prince’s residence. The manor of this, the most down-and-out prince in the royal family, gave Lou Yun a profound eye-opener. He couldn’t even begin to imagine what the real imperial palace must look like.

Lou Yun and the other four were settled in a side courtyard. Shan Bo stated, "Rest here for now. If you need anything, just inform the servants. I have other matters to attend to and cannot accompany you further."

Han Tianxiao quickly interjected, "Steward Shan, since we’ve arrived, shouldn’t we pay our respects to the Sixth Prince first?"

"Ah, the Sixth Prince drank too much yesterday and still hasn’t woken up. I will notify you once he awakens."

"Understood. Thank you for your trouble."

With that, Shan Bo turned and left.

Lou Yun had already noticed Shan Bo’s contempt at the gate. This arrangement now made the lack of regard they were receiving even more palpable. However, he didn’t care. After all, they were only here to complete a task, not to curry favor with royalty.

Thus, everyone retired to their respective rooms to rest. It wasn’t until evening that a servant arrived outside their doors, summoning them to a banquet hosted by the Sixth Prince.

None of Lou Yun’s group particularly enjoyed such formal occasions, but there was no avoiding it; this social obligation was necessary. After a quick tidy-up, the five followed the servant to the main hall.

Two banquet tables were set up in the hall. One was already filled with guests, while the other had many empty seats, clearly reserved for Lou Yun and his companions.

They walked over and sat down. They waited for a considerable time before finally seeing a middle-aged man with a hooked nose and deep-set eyes emerge, supported by two maidservants.

This was the Sixth Prince of Gu Feng Nation—Wan Long!

Though Wan Long was awake, he was far from sober. His spirit was listless, his eyes devoid of light. His very appearance explained why he was the most destitute and least favored member of the royal family. This was no prince; he looked like nothing more than a drunken ruffian!

Most members of the royal family were magical weapons masters. After all, without personal strength, how could one control a nation? Yet, this Prince Wan Long was only an intermediate one-star magical weapons master. At his age, he was practically categorized as useless!

Lou Yun inwardly shook his head too. How could a prince of such stature behave like this? It was truly disappointing!

Just then, Chang Xiang let out a sharp, clearly surprised intake of breath. Lou Yun was puzzled. "Brother Chang, what is it?"

"This so-called prince has kept his true self deeply hidden! He actually cultivates the Concealing Radiance and Embracing Emptiness technique!"

"Concealing Radiance and Embracing Emptiness? What kind of technique is that?"

"It’s a very special cultivation art. Not particularly useful, except for concealing one’s true cultivation level. After practicing it, a cultivator develops two distinct cultivation levels—much like your primary and secondary magical weapons. Primary and secondary cultivation levels. The cultivator can switch between them at will, presenting whichever one they choose to observers. Right now, doesn’t his cultivation level appear to be only intermediate one-star?"

"Yes!"

"Hmph! That’s his secondary cultivation level. His true cultivation has actually reached Earth level three-star magical weapons master!"

"Earth level three-star!" Lou Yun couldn’t help but be startled. "He has such high strength? Then why doesn’t he reveal his true power, instead maintaining a false cultivation level?"

Chang Xiang snorted coldly. "His eyes seem empty and lifeless, but in reality, the light of his spirit is gathered deep within his pupils. Only those with extremely keen spiritual senses could detect it. Even his unsteady gait is an act. Earlier, I heard you say he’s the most destitute royal member? Hmph! If an Earth level three-star is considered the most destitute, then the royal family of Gu Feng Nation must surely have the power to dominate the entire Spirit Weapon Star! I suspect he hides his strength for some ulterior motive!"

Lou Yun nodded, beginning to understand. It must involve some struggle for royal power or status. Since he wasn’t a royal member, it was best he didn’t get involved in such matters.

Supported by maidservants, Wan Long swayed unsteadily to his seat and sat down. Han Tianxiao quickly signaled everyone to stand and pay their respects to Wan Long.

Wan Long swept his gaze over the five of them, nodding repeatedly. "Good, good, good! My daughter Huier’s safety tomorrow will be entrusted to you all. When you return safely, I will reward you handsomely!"

Han Tianxiao offered a few modest words before everyone sat down again.

Then, led by Wan Long, the gathering began exchanging toasts. Lou Yun and the others, however, seized the chance while everyone was distracted to slip away quietly. None of them enjoyed such occasions.

They returned, and the night passed without incident. Early the next morning, they packed their things, left the prince’s residence, and stepped outside. Five carriages were waiting at the entrance. The first was for Princess Huier, while the following four were loaded with her dowry gifts.

The loading wasn’t quite finished yet. Shan Bo was still directing people to cram the last items into the carriages. Seeing Lou Yun and the others emerge, he walked over. "The Princess will be out shortly. Once these last few things are loaded, you can set off."

"Alright!"

A short while later, Lou Yun heard the distinct jingle of ornaments. He knew Princess Huier must be coming out.

None of them had seen the Princess before, but they imagined a royal daughter would be dignified and noble. When they saw the vibrant young woman in martial attire appear at the entrance, they were all momentarily stunned.

This girl, about sixteen or seventeen years old and dressed in fiery red, wore riding boots. She looked spirited and incredibly capable. The jingling sound they’d heard hadn’t come from her, but from the two maidservants flanking her.

Shan Bo hurried forward, shaking his head repeatedly. "Oh, my dear lady! You’re getting married, not going hunting! Why are you dressed like this? Go change immediately!"

"Getting married? Just because they say I should? Hmph! I haven’t even seen what the man looks like yet! If I’m not satisfied, I won’t marry!"

So this was Princess Wan Huier. Her attire and personality truly took Lou Yun and the others by surprise. They hadn’t expected a princess to behave so much like a boy. Her cultivation level wasn’t high, only primary three-star magical weapons master.

Shan Bo could only shake his head in helpless exasperation. Wan Huier ignored him and turned to look at Lou Yun’s group, frowning. "Who are they?"

Han Tianxiao quickly answered. "We are responsible for escorting you, Princess!"

"You’re not from the residence?"

"No, we are from the Ancient Weapon Academy. The prince’s residence entrusted us with the task of escorting you."

Wan Huier tilted her head, looking each of them over one by one. Then she nodded with a slight smile. "Then I’ll trouble you. Alright, let’s go!"

With that, she shot onto her carriage in a swift stride. The two maidservants scurried after her and climbed in as well.

Lou Yun and Han Tianxiao exchanged a look, both smiling faintly but saying nothing.

The last items were finally loaded. Shan Bo approached. "Gentlemen, the safety of Princess Huier is entrusted to you!"

Han Tianxiao nodded. "Rest assured, Shan Bo. We will protect the Princess with all our strength."

"Good. I trust in the strength of the Ancient Weapon Academy. If there’s nothing else, you may depart now."

"Depart?" Han Tianxiao looked towards the residence gate in confusion. "Shouldn’t we wait for the Sixth Prince?"

Surely a father would see his daughter off on her journey to marry in a distant land!

Shan Bo shook his head. "No need to wait for the Prince. He drank too much again last night and is still asleep. He probably won’t wake until this afternoon. It’s fine. You may go."

Such a father was probably rare indeed under the heavens!

Han Tianxiao inwardly sighed bitterly but kept his expression neutral. "Very well. We shall depart then."

Besides Lou Yun’s group of five, the prince’s residence had also dispatched fifty soldiers to accompany them. Their cultivation levels weren’t particularly high, the strongest being only intermediate three-star.

Following Lou Yun’s arrangement, their group of five would take the lead: Lou Yun and Han Tianxiao at the very front of the procession. Lou Yun had great confidence in his own spiritual sense—or rather, in Chang Xiang’s—to detect danger immediately. Han Tianxiao knew the route and had to lead. Cun Yan would be at the very rear; the back was relatively less likely to face danger. Fang Yue and Liu Ruyan would flank the Princess’s carriage on either side.

Once positions were assigned, the grand procession carrying the bride set off from Yuyang City.