Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
In one of the castles in the backyard of the inn, Jiang Yi and Jiang Xiaonu sat quietly. Both of their minds were in a mess, and neither of them knew what to say. All they could do was sit down in silence.
Mu Hongcha had just sent someone to see Jiang Yi outside. They made huge offers, but Jiang Yi really was not interested in any one of them.
Ten million divine roots, ten supreme-grade divine artifacts, and the Prefecture Lord role… all of these things were as meaningless as clouds to him. Jiang Xiaonu was the most important person in his heart. Even if he became the Earth Emanations Sovereign, he would not persuade Jiang Xiaonu to leave his side because… doing that would be akin to stabbing her in the chest.
Deep in his heart, Jiang Yi wished that Jiang Xiaonu would go home. Yet, he also wished that she would stay. Still, he knew that Jiang Xiaonu would leave him at the end of the day, and nobody would be able to stop that. He was afraid: not of Jiang Xiaonu’s family killing him, but Jiang Xiaonu something stupid if they got separated. His mind was in a whirl. He no longer knew what to do.
Jiang Xiaonu’s mind was in a whirl, too. On one side were her blood parents, but on the other side was her Young Master, the person closest to her. If she could bring Jiang Yi back with her, she would consider going home. However, she heard what Mu Hongcha and the Eagle Empress said. Her King Father was a very aggressive and angry man. Bringing Jiang Yi back would be impossible. If the Green Eagle King came over, Jiang Yi might even be killed.
“I won’t go. Even if I have to die, I want to be with Young Master!”
Jiang Xiaonu mumbled just loud enough for herself to hear. Her gaze became more and more determined. She would not be able to bear a life without Jiang Yi. Those few years she spent in the Mystic Martial Palace in Endless Deep Sea felt like hell. Every day felt like a year. Without Jiang Yi, the sky seemed colorless and life seemed meaningless.
Buzz!
The restrictions outside flashed, yanking Jiang Xiaonu back to reality. Her immediate reaction was to grab Jiang Yi’s arm. Her face was filled with fear. Jiang Yi was nervous, too; but when he heard the voice transmission, he calmed down. It was not the Green Eagle King.
“Young Brother, open the door. I am Mo Lingqiu. I have come to talk to you about something important!”
On receiving Mo Lingqiu’s voice transmission, Jiang Yi felt confused. This name was so foreign to him. He had never heard this name before. Thus, after hesitating for a while, he asked, “Who are you? I don’t know you, and I don’t want to talk about anything with you!”
Mo Lingqiu rolled his eyes, speechless. He sent another voice transmission: “I am the Assistant Prefecture Lord of Earth Emanations Pavilion. Not Blue Eagle Prefecture’s Earth Emanations Pavilion, but the General Pavilion. I’ve come to talk to you about both of your futures.”
“The Pavilion Lord of Earth Emanations Pavilion’s General Pavilion?”
Jiang Yi’s eyes widened. To him, the Blue Eagle Prefecture was already important enough. Now, someone from the Earth Emanations Pavilion’s General Pavilion was coming to look for him? He must be one of the most formidable martial artists in Earth Emanations Domain, wasn’t he?
The last sentence shocked Jiang Yi. What’s more, Mo Lingqiu’s tone was considered quite alright. He did not sound like he was bossing Jiang Yi around. Jiang Yi pondered for a second before opening the restrictions. He scanned the man and realized that they knew each other. This was the man who followed Mu Hongcha into Dense Fog Woods before.
He had to admit: Mo Lingqiu’s looks and aura were not bad. He was very manly, and he did not put on airs. The moment he entered, he smiled at Jiang Yi and Jiang Xiaonu. With a hint of bitterness in his smile, he said, “Young Brother Jiang Yi, you have been given a lot of respect. I’m considered one of the more important people in Earth Domain, and yet you won’t even let me in your door. If news of this gets out, nobody will respect me anymore…”
Mo Lingqiu spoke very calmly. It was easy for Jiang Yi to swallow what Mo Lingqiu was saying; he felt respected. This was Jiang Yi: if people showed him respect, he would show them the same. Bowing ninety degrees, Jiang Yi said, “I’m sorry, Lord. I didn’t know it was you.”
Mo Lingqiu waved his hand and smiled at Jiang Xiaonu. “Lass, how are you? My name is Mo Lingqiu. I am the Assistant Prefecture Lord of the Earth Emanations Pavilion’s General Pavilion. Given our age, you can refer to me as Uncle Mo. Of course… you can also call me Big Brother Mo.”
Mo Lingqiu was very easy-going so Jiang Xiaonu did not resist him. Still, she only spared him a single glance and did not say a single word.
Mo Lingqiu did not care too much as well. He sat at the host’s seat and retrieved a bottle of exquisite wine from inside his ring. He drank a sip of it and then turned to Jiang Yi. “Young Brother, the Green Eagle King is on his way. He should arrive here soon enough. I will be frank with you: I’m quite afraid of him. Not many people in the Earth Domain are not afraid of him. He’s quite mad.
“In recent years, he has killed at least hundreds of Heaven Emanations and Netherworld Kings. His temper is horrible. That’s why I came here. I wanted to talk to you and see how we can settle this problem properly, so that everyone can enjoy a happy ending.”
On hearing the words ‘Green Eagle King’, both Jiang Xiaonu and Jiang Yi tensed up. Jiang Yi did not know what to say next so he remained silent and waited for Mo Lingqiu to continue. The latter’s expression became somber as he continued, “First, I want to confirm one thing. The lass must go back. The Green Eagle King and Eagle Empress only have one precious daughter. They would not let her continue wandering outside for sure.
“Lass… calm down and listen to me. I know you don’t want to part with Jiang Yi. However, the problem now is that your King Father cannot meet Jiang Yi. Even more so, Jiang Yi cannot go back to the Ink Feather Mystic Realm with you; otherwise, the consequences would be dire. Don’t wreck your brains too hard. Once you go back, you can always sneak out to see Jiang Yi, do you understand? Don’t be too stubborn, or you’ll cause Jiang Yi’s death.”
Jiang Xiaonu opened her mouth to say something, but on hearing Mo Lingqiu’s later sentences, she no longer knew what to say. Thus, she closed her mouth and listened further.
Mo Lingqiu grinned. “Jiang Yi, did you do something back in Stellarsky Domain? The Netherworld Realm has received orders to destroy Stellarsky Domain. However, from the looks of it… you’ve built an array? You’ve sealed up Stellarsky Domain? If I’m not wrong, this array cannot hold up for that long, right? The Lower Domain cannot have the ability and energy to sustain such a powerful array for a long time. Do you… want to protect Stellarsky Domain forever?”
“Uh?”
Jiang Yi and Jiang Xiaonu were both clearly shocked. How did Mo Lingqiu know this? Jiang Yi asked nervously, “Lord, how did you know?”
“Keke!”
Mo Lingqiu grinned once again. “There are tens of thousands of mortal domains near your Stellarsky Domain. They all belong to Earth Emanations Domain. Of course, we know everything about it. You wouldn’t understand even if I told you everything. I just want to know: do you want to protect Stellarsky Domain?”
Jiang Yi nodded confidently. “Of course, I do!”
“Then, the lass must go back!”
Mo Lingqiu stood up and said in a low voice, “Honestly, we can create an array like that, that can protect Stellarsky Domain for a thousand years. However, arrays like that are extremely expensive to build. To us, it is no big deal even if one entire mortal domain gets destroyed; a new human race will form again a while later. The Sovereign would never agree to incurring such expenses.
“However, the Ink Feather Race has unlimited resources. Building an array like that would be too easy for them. I can discuss with the Eagle Empress and get her to build the array for you, but the lass must go back with her obediently. Lass, think about it. If you remain here, you might cause Jiang Yi’s death. Go back for now. That’s the only way to keep Stellarsky Domain standing.
“Once you go back, you can cultivate for a while. When you become more powerful, then you can sneak back here. The Eagle Empress loves you so much. If you make your request known to her, for all you know, Jiang Yi would be allowed to go back to mix with your race. Then, Jiang Yi would definitely be able to achieve meteoric success. After all, your race owns so, so, so many resources…”
Jiang Yi and Jiang Xiaonu’s expressions flickered. Mo Lingqiu had found both of their Achilles’ heels: Stellarsky Domain.
Neither of them would be able to accept the Stellarsky Domain being destroyed. What’s more, Mo Lingqiu had put it very well: If Jiang Xiaonu went back—not only would she be able to protect Stellarsky Domain, she would also be able to benefit Jiang Yi. If she could continue to see Jiang Yi frequently in the future, she would really give this option some serious thought.
Jiang Yi saw Jiang Xiaonu frown. It was obvious she was seriously considering this. Immediately, his gaze darkened.
Mo Lingqiu was very well-spoken, but for some reason, he felt like Mo Lingqiu was trying to dupe them. For all he knew—if Jiang Xiaonu went back this time… the two of them would never get to see each other again.
