Ye Yuan let out a low, muffled growl.
“This person has a face full of flattery, speaks glibly, and acts frivolously. One glance is enough to tell he harbors ill intentions!”
To put it simply, he was not a good person!
The Emperor of Tianqi Kingdom, Xuanyuan Gu, was the third monarch. Xuanyuan Xinbei’s mother was the Emperor’s most beloved consort, so naturally, as the Fourth Prince, Xuanyuan Xinbei became the most favored prince.
That was why this great responsibility of managing the Immortal Alliance Conference had been entrusted to him this time.
In the hearts of all the ministers, barring any accidents, the next Emperor of Tianqi Kingdom would be the very Xuanyuan Xinbei standing before Ye Qianjue’s eyes.
Xuanyuan Xinbei possessed a dignified appearance and extraordinary conversation, with every movement and gesture exuding imperial majesty.
“This fellow immortal, seeing that you are a disciple of Feixian Peak, could you do me a favor?”
“A favor?”
This was the first time Ye Qianjue had ever been complimented. He patted his chest confidently and boasted without any shame, “This entire Feixian Peak is under my jurisdiction, so there is no place I don’t know about. Go ahead and entrust it to me, I will definitely help you~”
Looking at such an adorable youth, Xuanyuan Xinbei could not help but smile.
Down at their feet, Ye Yuan grew increasingly displeased the more he watched. He bit down on Ye Qianjue’s clothes, intending to forcefully drag him back to Feixian Peak.
“Stupid to death. An absolute fool like you wouldn’t last three days outside of Feixian Peak before getting done in.”
Ye Qianjue yanked his hem back, looking at Xuanyuan Xinbei with a face full of curiosity, “I hear your Royal Family has top-tier experts participating this year, can you let me have a look?”
Ye Qianjue stood on his tiptoes, peering over Xuanyuan Xinbei’s shoulder, revealing a pair of phoenix eyes.
Behind the shoulder, there were no top-tier experts, only a group of attendants.
Ye Qianjue waved his hand with a bit of boredom, “It seems you guys are nothing special after all~”
“Audacious! We are all disciples of the noble families from the Imperial City, having stood out through layers of selection. How could we become good-for-nothings in your mouth!”
That attendant spoke out once more, his gaze sharp and fierce.
Ye Qianjue’s heart couldn’t help but tremble. How fierce; he had only been making a joke~
Seeing Ye Qianjue’s furrowed brows and tightly shut mouth, it was obvious he had been frightened by the attendant. Xuanyuan Xinbei let out a soft laugh, tapping the attendant’s arm with his sandalwood folding fan, “Mo Yan, step down.”
“You’ve frightened this little fellow immortal.”
Xuanyuan Xinbei wielded his fan with great skill. Seeing Ye Qianjue’s tightly knit brows, the fan blade swept past in a flash, bringing along a waft of sandalwood fragrance.
Ye Qianjue opened his eyes wide to look at him; the Xuanyuan Xinbei before his eyes was truly an interesting person.
“Experts within the Imperial City are everywhere. For this Immortal Alliance Conference, my master dispatched us juniors merely to learn and gain experience here, regardless of winning or losing… Therefore, I am afraid I might disappoint you, little fellow immortal.”
The Fourth Prince before him could not leave out the words “little fellow immortal” in every sentence, making Ye Qianjue feel entirely uncomfortable all over.
“There’s no need for that.”
Ye Qianjue reached out to grab his wrist, “Just call me Ye Qianjue. You look to be only a few years older than me, yet you keep offering apologies; it’s quite uncomfortable.”
Seeing this scene, the attendant Mo Yan hesitated to speak, but was instantly stopped by a warning glance from Xuanyuan Xinbei.
Looking at the childish face of Ye Qianjue, Xuanyuan Xinbei said softly, “Then I shall call you Qianjue.”
“Qianjue?” Ye Qianjue’s ears turned red.
“It feels a bit strange, only Master calls me that way…”
Seeing the peerless beauty flush red, with his eyelashes fluttering continuously, it was incredibly captivating!
Ye Yuan kept chasing after the group, cursing and swearing under his breath.
Ye Qianjue led Xuanyuan Xinbei by the hand to the mountain gate of Feixian Peak. The towering mountain gate was majestic and grand, surrounded by drifting immortal qi; it was indeed the head of the Three Peaks!
This was the first time Xuanyuan Xinbei had ever come to Feixian Peak. He tapped his palm with his fan, praising repeatedly, “In the past, I only heard that Feixian Peak was the head of the Three Peaks, a place where the land is spiritual and the people are extraordinary, with immortal herbs and spiritual roots visible everywhere. Seeing it today, it is indeed true!”
“Little Junior Brother?”
The disciple in green robes guarding the peak spotted Ye Qianjue from afar.
He set down his broom and came before the group with a face full of curiosity. Facing Xuanyuan Xinbei, he questioned, “Little Junior Brother, you’re randomly bringing people inside again?”
“Audacious! This is the Fourth Prince of the Tianqi Kingdom!”
Upon hearing this, that disciple was so terrified he hurriedly bowed in salute, stammering, “F-Fourth Prince, please come inside! The guest rooms have all been prepared…”
Ye Qianjue released Xuanyuan Xinbei’s wrist. At the moment of release, a trace of regret surfaced upon Xuanyuan Xinbei’s expression.
Ye Yuan was fuming with rage at the sight, and he barked straight at Xuanyuan Xinbei: “You piece of garbage from the Royal Family! This Venerable has seen through your thoughts; you are an absolute pervert! You are actually harboring designs on a man!”
“Woof, woof, woof! Woof, woof, woof, woof!”
“Keep your voice down. Is it not a delight to have friends come from afar? As the leader of the Demon Race, how can you act like this! It’s too embarrassing!”
Ye Qianjue lowered his voice to remind Ye Yuan.
“Abominable! This Venerable hasn’t found you repulsive, yet you actually find this Venerable repulsive?”
Looking at Ye Qianjue’s unable-to-distinguish-right-from-wrong appearance, Ye Yuan trembled with rage.
“This Venerable must have been blind to think of protecting an absolute fool like you! Forget it! I’m leaving!” He fiercely threw down these words, swung his tail, and departed overbearingly all by himself.
“Wait a moment” Ye Qianjue called out.
The communication between the human and the dog caught Xuanyuan Xinbei’s attention. He pointed the tip of his fan at the departing, tail-wagging Ye Yuan, asking suspiciously, “Are you talking to a dog?”
Ye Qianjue looked entirely embarrassed, pointing at his own face as he asked back ignorantly, “Ah? Was I?”
Xuanyuan Xinbei arched his eyebrows, fanning himself thoughtfully.
The path leading up Feixian Peak was composed of thousands of jade steps. Looking out, it resembled a giant dragon wrapping around a pillar, magnificent in momentum.
Ye Qianjue stopped halfway, pointing at a bamboo cottage on the mountain peak and saying, “That is the place where I live!”
Following the little beauty’s hand, Xuanyuan Xinbei discovered that it actually consisted of two simple bamboo cottages, and he let out a sound of disbelief.
“I thought Feixian Peak was a place akin to the Heavenly Palace, I didn’t expect it to be so destitute. No wonder everyone says Immortal Venerable Gu is a fair, selfless immortal whose heart is dedicated to the common people of the world!”
“That’s not it at all~” Ye Qianjue shook his head in denial.
Xuanyuan Xinbei furrowed his brows slightly, looking at Ye Qianjue with some displeasure. Even though he found Ye Qianjue beautiful and likable, the youth could not randomly slander Immortal Venerable Gu.
One must know that in his heart, Gu Qingyun was inviolable, just like a deity.
He would not tolerate others defaming him.
“This fellow immortal, do not defile Immortal Venerable Gu’s name, moreover, that is your Master!”
Xuanyuan Xinbei’s tone became stern, but by contrast, Ye Qianjue still wore a face full of pride, shaking his head casually.
“Master is not at all like what you guys say. In truth, Master can be very petty; he frequently gets angry and even bullies people! Furthermore, he is not selfless either, he is very biased~”
Everything Ye Qianjue said was the absolute truth; his Master was biased, petty, and would get jealous.
His bias was clear on the surface whenever he and Bai Xiuzhu committed a mistake at the same time, Gu Qingyun would always protect Ye Qianjue and defend him. His pettiness was directed at Ye Qianjue in certain matters, he would absolutely never yield to Ye Qianjue. As for jealousy~ sometimes upon seeing Ye Qianjue slip down the mountain in collusion with others, Gu Qingyun would get jealous.
However, Xuanyuan Xinbei, who had never interacted with Gu Qingyun, grew somewhat incensed.
Flicking his sleeves in anger, Xuanyuan Xinbei said, “I originally thought you were a lively and innocent fellow immortal, but it turns out you are like this.”
He let out a long sigh, appearing somewhat disappointed.
Turning around, he said coldly to the peak-guarding disciple, “This fellow immortal, please lead the way.”
The peak-guarding disciple looked at Ye Qianjue, then at Xuanyuan Xinbei. Daring not to neglect the distinguished guest of the Royal Family, he hurriedly gestured, “Please follow me.”
Ye Qianjue was left behind…
He looked at the angrily departing Xuanyuan Xinbei with a mind full of confusion, scratching his head in bewilderment, “Strange, why did he suddenly get angry? Did I say something wrong?”
With a face full of doubt, Ye Qianjue shook his head and strolled slowly back to the bamboo cottage.
“Master~” Ye Qianjue kicked open the bamboo door, shouting, “I’m back~”
With a smile hanging on his face, he looked at the empty room and fell into thought.
“Master? Strange…”
He walked into the bamboo cottage, picking up the empty tea set.
“He usually drinks tea here, why is he suddenly gone today.”
Ye Qianjue let out a sigh, set down the teacup, and flopped onto Gu Qingyun’s bamboo bed as if he had no bones. The bamboo slats underneath were uncomfortable, so Ye Qianjue shifted through several positions back and forth.
After a bout of tossing around, he was covered in sweat.
Ye Qianjue lifted his head to pant for breath, patting the bamboo bed, “Master is really something, this bed is hard as a rock, how can anyone sleep… My bed is still the most comfortable~”
After resting on Gu Qingyun’s bed for a brief moment, Ye Qianjue walked toward his own room. Just as he reached the doorway, he heard a sound of rummaging through chests and turning over cupboards.
“Who’s there!” Ye Qianjue kicked the door open and entered.
He saw Ye Yuan rummaging through chests and turning over cupboards, completely unsure of what he was doing.
The expressions of both individuals froze simultaneously.
Ye Qianjue’s eyelids twitched wildly. Pointing at his messy room, he questioned, “What are you doing again? Look at my room! It’s completely chaotic…”
Frowning and pouting his lips, Ye Qianjue unhappily picked up the clothing scattered on the floor.
He looked at Ye Yuan with a face full of indifference and sternness, that gaze striking right into the soul.
Guiltily, Ye Yuan halted his actions.
“This Venerable is looking for my inner core. Who told you to disobey this Venerable’s words and insist on paying attention to that person…”
At this moment, Ye Yuan felt somewhat guilty, sitting awkwardly upon the bed.
Right at this juncture, Gu Qingyun’s voice echoed from behind them.
“What happened?”
“Master… look!” Ye Qianjue pointed at his messy room, then pointed his finger at Ye Yuan, “It’s him! He intentionally messed up the room.”
Gu Qingyun cast a thorn-like gaze toward Ye Yuan; in an instant, it felt as if the room had grown cold.
Ye Yuan threw his head back and howled, “This Venerable did it! Gu Qingyun, if you know what’s good for you, hand over the inner core immediately!”
The dog’s howling resonated within the room, making Gu Qingyun’s ears buzz. He pinched his two fingers together, looking as though he were about to teach the arrogant Ye Yuan a lesson.
At the critical juncture, Ye Qianjue threw himself onto the bed, shielding Ye Yuan with his body.
Stammering in his speech, Ye Qianjue turned back to embrace Ye Yuan, casting a pleading look toward Gu Qingyun, “Master, I was just talking, I didn’t truly blame him. Just let him off this once, alright?”
Ye Qianjue’s pair of beautiful eyes were watery, staring directly at Gu Qingyun.
Faced with such a disciple, he could not utter a single “no.”
Gu Qingyun let out a gentle sigh without any expression, “Follow me to the front hall to receive the guests.”
As soon as his words fell, Gu Qingyun swept a freezing glance toward Ye Yuan, that gaze seemingly warning: If you stir up trouble again, I’ll put you to death!
What a contrasting Gu Qingyun! Ye Yuan thought to himself.
Ye Qianjue let out a sigh of relief. For some unknown reason, his Master simply detested the Demon Venerable immensely. Could it be that the Great Immortal-Demon War fifteen years ago had truly forged an eternal hatred through generations?
Regarding the events of fifteen years ago, Ye Qianjue knew absolutely nothing; or rather, everyone was deliberately keeping it from him.
Naturally suspicious by nature, Ye Qianjue had also attempted to sound everyone out, but unfortunately, it was always to no avail; everyone seemed to be guarding the exact same secret.
He was the only one who didn’t know what it was…
Ye Qianjue climbed off the bed and squatted down, “Since you are the Demon Venerable, you must certainly know about the events of many years ago. Can you tell me what exactly happened fifteen years ago? Why do Master and the various immortal sects detest the Demon Race so much?”
Faced with this question, Ye Yuan actually fell silent.
Looking at Ye Qianjue’s face full of curiosity, Ye Yuan turned his head away, If I let you know that this Venerable nearly slaughtered all the disciples of the Three Peaks… that would be disastrous…
“Bad dog,” Ye Qianjue said without showing any leniency.
He stood up and patted his knees, pointing at the room full of messy furniture as he threatened, “You had better clean this up before I return, otherwise you’re finished! Now, I am going to follow Master to receive the guests~”
After Ye Qianjue finished speaking, he shook his head playfully and departed.
The main hall of Feixian Peak remained simple and unadorned. Gu Qingyun sat upon the head seat, sipping his tea.
The eldest disciple of Feixian Peak, Yan Yi, stepped forward and bowed his head in salute.
“This humble one is the disciple of Feixian Peak, Yan Yi. My Master has always been a man of few words, so I shall be the one to entertain the two of you. Fourth Prince, please take the seat of honor.”
After Xuanyuan Xinbei took his seat, he immediately picked up his teacup, stood up, and came to the center of the main hall.
Lifting his head, he beheld Gu Qingyun, who looked as magnificent as the brilliant stars.
This was the very Immortal Venerable he had revered since childhood!
“Junior Xuanyuan Xinbei, by the special command of my master and imperial father today, comes specifically to pay a visit. During these few days of the Immortal Alliance Conference, we shall be causing much disturbance.”
Xuanyuan Xinbei’s pair of eyes were practically glued to Gu Qingyun’s body.
He truly possessed an immortal style and moral character!
Inviolable!
Gu Qingyun raised his cup in return, but his peripheral vision caught sight of the dallying Ye Qianjue outside the door.
He set down his teacup and said in a sharp voice, “Since you have arrived, for what reason are you hiding? Come out at once to greet the guests.”