Chapter 1863 (Raw 1875): Invitation from the Marquis’s Residence
When the Heavenly Book Scholar and Lan Luo appeared together, Xiao Chen and Jiang He understood why they were blocked here.
“This is a really large formation of troops. We just left the tiger’s den, and we are blocked by a pack of wolves,” Jiang He said helplessly with a smile. The saber in his hand disappeared, and a treasure saber giving off a terrifying aura replaced it.
Ancient and mysterious decorative motifs of the Dragon Race were carved on the black scabbard.
A Soul Tool!
Jiang He also had his own Soul Tool. Furthermore, it was clear that this Soul Tool had a connection to the Dragon Race. Perhaps this was the supreme treasure that he stole from the Dragon Race.
However, this was not the time to think about this. Xiao Chen held up his hand, heading off Jiang He’s attack.
“What’s wrong? Do you know her?” Jiang He asked, feeling confused. When he looked carefully, he noticed that something was indeed off with the way Lan Luo looked at Xiao Chen.
Xiao Chen nodded and said, “We can be considered to know each other.”
Jiang He immediately showed his signature smile on his grave face. “You are incredible. You even have a backer in the Marquis’s Residence. Had I known earlier, I would have just gone to the Marquis’s Residence openly. We would not have had to go through all this trouble.”
Jiang He swapped out the mysterious Dragon Race treasure saber as the two communicated in whispers.
On the other side, the Heavenly Book Scholar appeared helpless. Lan Luo had forced him to come over.
While everyone was focused on the Ghostly Shadow Fiend Duo, Lan Luo had taken the initiative to bring the city guards to block the Heavenly Book Scholar.
Left without a choice, the Heavenly Book Scholar had to divine the locations of Xiao Chen and Jiang He.
“Young Miss, it is best not to offend these two. Just let them go. After all, they did not cause any direct harm to the Marquis’s Residence. There is no need to go down with them.”
Although the Heavenly Book Scholar had a bad habit of being cowardly, he did not have a sinister and insidious nature.
The life and death of Xiao Chen and Jiang He had nothing to do with the Heavenly Book Scholar. However, he did not want the two to die because of him, either.
Who knew, Lan Luo simply ignored the Heavenly Book Scholar and walked straight to Xiao Chen.
Her footsteps were hurried, not as if she wanted to attack Xiao Chen and Jiang He.
The Heavenly Book Scholar suddenly startled to his senses with a feeling of enlightenment, understanding something.
Earlier, when he did a word reading for Xiao Chen, he had said that Xiao Chen would find peace if he remained here. Now he understood what it meant.
“Xiao Chen, you already came all the way here. Are you not even going to ask around to find out whether I am here?” Lan Luo asked softly as she eyed Xiao Chen with some hidden resentment.
Xiao Chen smiled bitterly, not knowing what to say. Then, the little monk popped out from under the cloak. The little monk immediately blushed red and exclaimed, “What a pretty elder sister!”
When Lan Luo saw the little monk, her expression changed slightly. Then, she said in understanding, “So, that’s why. No wonder you were not willing to see me. Xiao Chen, who do you think that I, Lan Luo, am?
“Even if we are just ordinary friends, there is no need for you to be so impolite, not even coming to say hello to me.”
Xiao Chen showed an awkward expression. He had no idea how to explain this.
“Hahaha! Young Miss, you misunderstand. This person is the Little Demonic Monk Silver Saber. He ate a natural treasure by chance and gained a great fortuitous encounter. Right now, his physical body is being reconstructed.” The Heavenly Book Scholar walked over with a smile, helping Xiao Chen out of the situation.
“You still dare to mention it?!”
Right after the Heavenly Book Scholar spoke, the little monk became angry. He immediately leaped out from under the cloak, wanting to beat up the Heavenly Book Scholar again.
However, Xiao Chen clearly could not allow the little monk to cause trouble under such circumstances.
Xiao Chen grabbed the little monk’s little hand while the little monk was in the air and placed him back in the sling.
Now that the misunderstanding was resolved, it was Lan Luo’s turn not to know what to say. “Sorry, I…”
Xiao Chen smiled and said, “It’s fine. It can’t be helped. Lan Luo, do you have any way to send my friend out of the city?”
Now that they were back on proper matters, Lan Luo recovered her usual expression. She replied softly, “It is fine to send him out of the city. However, he has to hand over the treasures he stole here. These are my father’s instructions. I cannot disobey.”
“Hehe! Not a problem.” Jiang He smiled carefreely, not intending to argue. Then, he handed over all the treasures that he had stolen in the city.
In reality, while a part of the reason why Jiang He stole the treasures of the various major factions was for opportunities, the main reason was just interest and habit.
Jiang He barely hesitated to fulfill Lan Luo’s condition.
After all, if he really needed these items, he could just steal them again later.
“Thank you for Young Miss’s kind intentions. Brother Xiao, we will meet again in the future.”
Jiang He showed a smile as he turned to leave.
After he turned away, the next time they met might be as enemies and not friends.
Despite knowing this, Jiang He forced himself not to show any changes in his expression.
He silently left under the cover of night. As he slowly went farther, his lonely figure passed into the even lonelier night sky.
Just like that, Jiang He vanished.
Xiao Chen withdrew his gaze and sighed softly. He felt somewhat rueful, a rather complicated emotion.
He could not leave for now. Lan Luo had even brought out so many people. It would really be wrong of him to pretend that he never came here.
The Heavenly Book Scholar performed a cupped-fist salute and said, “I should not be needed any longer, so I’ll take my leave first, in case the Heavenly Mystery Tower worries. Xiao Chen, although my words were harsh to the ears, there is a good chance that they are accurate. There is no loss in thinking about it. Goodbye!”
The street was now empty. The group of city guard elites had taken the initiative to leave at some point in time.
Now, only Xiao Chen and Lan Luo remained under the bright moon.
Wait, there was the little monk as well.
As the two walked on the street, they chatted casually. Xiao Chen gave a simple explanation of how he got to the Soaring Dragon Marquisate.
Back then, Xiao Chen had not wanted to attract any trouble in Withered Leaf City by wasting any time.
Hence, he just said the only place he knew of in the Yanwu Dynasty. After coming here, there had been an endless string of trouble. It had not been convenient for him to disturb Lan Luo. He just wanted to send the little monk back quickly.
After Lan Luo heard that, she understood. However, she also felt somewhat disappointed. “So, your final destination is the Divine Dragon Empire?”
Xiao Chen nodded. “If not for this little fellow, I would be there already.”
“Why there? Actually, you could stay in the Yanwu Dynasty. With your talent and aptitude, the eight great Noble Clans and the Rank 7 sects would all be willing to take you in. The dynasty is very vast. This is the stage for all the demonic geniuses and outstanding talents in the Great Thousand Realms. You definitely can carve out fame for yourself here. It would be a life worth living.”
Lan Luo did not understand why Xiao Chen was so insistent on going to the Divine Dragon Empire.
Compared to the dynasties, the empires were still weaker.
Could it be that Xiao Chen fears the competition from the eight great Noble Clans and the royal clan’s outstanding talents?
That can’t be. From what I understand of Xiao Chen, this is definitely not the reason.
After thinking about it, Lan Luo could only conclude that Xiao Chen was extremely concerned about the Divine Dragon Empire.
Perhaps it was for a person or some other worry.
Lan Luo’s words stirred faint ripples in Xiao Chen’s heart, inspiring some excitement.
Indeed, the four dynasties were the dreamland of all the outstanding talents in the Great Thousand Realms, the place where cultivators could climb to the peak. It was only in the dynasties that they could truly see the most glorious era of the Martial Epoch.
The Martial Epoch had been through several ages and developed through them. Now, it truly flourished.
The four dynasties held the greatest Luck of the Central Great Realm, attracting the outstanding talents of various places.
This was especially so for the proud. They all wanted to come here and prove themselves.
As a cultivator, Xiao Chen was no exception. He wanted to see the truly outstanding geniuses and powerful demonic geniuses of this era.
However, this was not the time.
“I will come but not now. I have to go to the Divine Dragon Empire.”
Xiao Chen added, “It is not convenient to explain the reason now, but many thanks for your kind intentions.”
Lan Luo showed a relaxed smile and said, “There is no need for thanks between us. Don’t see me as an outsider; there is really no need to stand on ceremony. No matter what you do or decide, if you need help, I will definitely give it.”
She could not hide a trace of affection under her cool exterior.
Xiao Chen smiled bitterly and did not reply.
However, he thought in his heart, If Lan Luo is in any trouble, I will also help her without refusing.
As the two chatted about the past and their experiences, they walked to the Marquis’s Residence.
Just as they were about to enter, Lan Luo turned around and smiled. “I was too engrossed in chatting and almost forgot about proper matters.”
Before Xiao Chen could ask what these matters were, she continued, “My father wants to meet you.”
The Soaring Dragon Marquis wants to meet me?
This was rather surprising. The Yanwu Dynasty had one hundred eight provinces. Those of different family names were conferred as marquises. Those of the royal clan were conferred as kings.
Marquis was already the highest title of nobility, aside from those for the royal clan.
Even against the backdrop of the entire Yanwu Dynasty, the Soaring Dragon Marquis was a major character. This was especially so since the Soaring Dragon Marquisate was strategically located at the border of the dynasty.
This made the Soaring Dragon Marquis’s status even more prominent.
Xiao Chen did not know why such a major character wanted to meet him.
After some thought, he concluded that the reason could only be Lan Luo.
