https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-172-The-Crouching-Dragon-and-the-Fledgling-Phoenix-of-Linjiang-County/12554271/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-174-The-Martial-Temple-s-Invitation-Retrieving-the-Blade-and-Descending-into-the-Abyss/12554275/
Chapter 173: The Deeply Cunning Jiang Qiuluan
Chapter 173: The Deeply Cunning Jiang Qiuluan
Shen Yi maintained his detached demeanor, much like before.
As he had expected, this powerful warrior, ranked first among the Demon Suppression Generals of Qingzhou and just a step away from the Mixed Element Mastery realm, had also established remarkable achievements for the imperial court. As long as she was unwilling, no one could force her to do anything, not even in the capital.
However, it seemed that the Jinjiang Prince did not intend to engage her further in conversation.
He quickly shifted his gaze to Shen Yi, a hint of tension in his voice. "General Shen, I believe you may have forgotten that I asked Miss Jiang to invite you to a banquet earlier. That's why I came by..."
A hint of confusion flashed in Jiang Qiuluan's eyes as a trace of suspicion crossed the effeminate young man's face, and he directed a most unfriendly glance at her.
"..."
Shen Yi raised his eyes to meet the Jinjiang Prince's gaze, noticing a subtle hint of anticipation on his effeminate countenance.
After a moment of contemplation, realization suddenly dawned on him, and a peculiar look appeared in his eyes.
"What's going on here?" Jiang Chengyun, a Core Formation stage martial artist, had experienced a lot, but he was still taken aback by what he was hearing.
As he listened, his confusion only grew. He suddenly realized that he might have been worried about the wrong person.
Shen Yi remained silent as he looked at Jiang Qiuluan, acknowledging her ethereal beauty. Even more so, her change into a long skirt added a touch of elegance to her demeanor.
He was tempted to suggest that the prince seek treatment for his eyes, as his aesthetic sense seemed rather morbid.
"..."
To be honest, this was a first for Jiang Qiuluan as well.
Even when facing the Little Demon King, her calm demeanor never wavered. Yet, at this moment, a subtle smile played at the corners of her lips, unseen by others.
If she recalled correctly, the prince hadn't even spared her a glance when he left the mansion yesterday.
It was only when Shen Yi's peculiar expression became more pronounced that Jiang Qiuluan turned to him and said, "General Shen intends to accompany me back to Qingzhou. I hope the prince will understand."
Before she could finish, she noticed the prince looking at her again.
His initially unfriendly expression had now turned colder, and a mocking smile curved his lips. "So, this is why, after agreeing to my invitation, Miss Jiang deliberately hid the news and kept General Shen here to drink with you?"
The effeminate young man clicked his tongue. "Miss Jiang appears pure and innocent, but who would've thought she'd be so cunning? Truly an eye-opening experience!"
After speaking, he coldly smiled, flicked his sleeve, and turned to leave.
However, he paused after taking just a step, shooting a resentful glance at Shen Yi. "General Shen, my mother is furious. I came out early to warn you. It would be best to stay out of her way for now and not get entangled with certain individuals."
With that, he turned and left the courtyard.
As the Jinjiang Prince hurried away, Jiang Chengyun silently regarded Jiang Qiuluan, suddenly recalling how she had asked Shen Yi for his dagger as a memento the day before. She had also accurately predicted that Shen Yi, true to his character, would most likely refuse to attend any banquet. So, she deliberately sent him away and even wore a long skirt, which was a rare occurrence...
As all the pieces fell into place, his long-held beliefs began to crumble!
"Keep smiling if you want." Shen Yi raised an eyebrow, his gaze calm as he looked at Jiang Qiuluan, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
"..."
Jiang Qiuluan had witnessed countless instances of jealousy, but this was her first time experiencing it firsthand.
As a martial artist on the verge of breaking through to the Mixed Element realm, she naturally didn't consider offending a prince of the royal mansion to be a significant matter.
She simply found the experience novel and amusing. Sighing, she said, "I didn't have any ulterior motives as he suggested."
Still refusing to admit it!
Jiang Chengyun clenched his jaw. As Jiang Qiuluan's most steadfast follower, he had long noticed her unusual behavior.
"General Shen, should we go somewhere else first?" Jiang Chengyun clenched his fists and murmured, "And there's also Senior Jiang."
Offending the young master was not a big deal, but truly angering the young master's wife was even more terrifying than provoking King Ji himself.
"Where do you gentlemen wish to go?"
A gentle laugh echoed from outside, and accompanied by two white-robed guards, the graceful and luxurious Princess Ji of King Ji's manor strolled into the courtyard.
"Qiuluan pays her respects to the Princess." Jiang Qiuluan stepped out of the house.
"No need for formalities." Princess Ji gently waved her hand, her smile growing warmer, "Senior Jiang, with so many important matters to attend to, you still took the time to send a message to the manor through someone else. I understand the urgency of the situation in Qingzhou, and I won't take it to heart."
"Thank you for your understanding, Princess." Jiang Qiuluan paid no mind to the veiled barbs in the princess's words.
Princess Ji shook her head, "I wouldn't dare to disturb you further. I came here only to ask Senior Jiang to deliver a message to the commander-in-chief of Qingzhou on my behalf."
She retracted her smile, her words carrying a deeper meaning, "I hope that when the commander-in-chief's yin spirit is severed by the Demon King, he will definitely remember that all of this is thanks to his disciple's efforts."
With that, Princess Ji turned and left.
She had no intention of lingering.
As he watched her departing figure, Jiang Chengyun's eyes twitched slightly, and anger rose in his heart.
He breathed heavily and turned to look at the others.
However, he saw that Jiang Qiuluan had returned to her seat at the table, and neither she nor Shen Yi seemed to have taken the princess's words to heart.
Jiang Chengyun remained silent for a moment, quickly adjusting his emotions and putting on an equally calm and unhurried expression.
...
The next day at noon.
In the demon catcher's office, Jiang Chengyun was inspecting a pile of treasures and elixirs, as well as several martial arts manuals. After ensuring that nothing was amiss, he stored them all in the silver bell.
"By the way, where are General Shen's things?" He frowned, puzzled.
"You'll know when you get back," the woman glanced at him.
Jiang Chengyun furrowed his brows but didn't ask further questions.
He turned and left the office, returning to the courtyard where he was staying.
Shen Yi was already prepared to depart for Qingzhou, but Jiang Chengyun merely spread his hands, "We're waiting for someone."
"Don't worry," Jiang Qiuluan said, "The court never skimps on rewards for demon catchers and the Demon Suppression Department." However, she, too, was puzzled.
Although a mid-grade treasure was extremely precious, with only twelve such items in all of Qingzhou, even if Shen Yi had specific requirements, it shouldn't have taken almost three days to find a suitable treasure.
They didn't have to wait long.
Soon, a frail-looking elderly figure appeared at the courtyard gate.
Dressed in a blue robe, he walked slowly into the courtyard.
He seemed like he could be blown over by a gust of wind, but Jiang Chengyun's entire body tensed up.
Jiang Qiuluan was slightly taken aback, "Elder Wu?"
The visitor was one of the four elders who had been in charge of the Martial Temple's refinement the previous day.
Without acknowledging Jiang Chengyun, Elder Wu nodded slightly to Jiang Qiuluan and took a seat on the stone bench in the middle of the courtyard, addressing the youth in black armor, "Are you preparing to return to Qingzhou?"
Although Shen Yi didn't know the elder's specific identity, he could discern from the attitudes of the other two that this person was not to be trifled with. He nodded, "Yes."
The elder's next words caused Jiang Chengyun's expression to completely change.
"Can you not go back?"
(End of Chapter)
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