Chapter 444: Chapter 446: There Must Be a Demon When Things Go Awry
“Haha, it was just a trifling grudge from our youthful days—looking back, it still holds some amusement. It’s just that so many years have passed, and everything has changed. Even a genius that appears once in a thousand years has their day of downfall. This actually fills me with a sense of mncholy. It’s not easy to find a worthy adversary,” Prince Zhao Yu feigned pity for Zhu Minng.
“Your Highness, he’s now a Dragon Shepherd,” Zhao Yin Ge, who was like ackey by the prince’s side, whispered.
“Ah?” Zhao Yu pretended to be very surprised, but soonughed heartily.
“You’ve be a Dragon Shepherd? You, Zhu Minng, have be a Dragon Shepherd?” Zhao Yu continuedughing, hisughter drawing the gaze of all the young masters and misses at the tea flower gathering.
“Yes, I’m looking forward to learning from you,” Zhu Minng said, not taking the bait.
“How could I dare? A talent thates once in a millennium is surely exceptional, whether in the practice of swordsmanship or the Way of the Dragon Shepherd. I, Zhao Yu, merely rely on my royal lineage to possess strength surpassing most of my peers, how can Ipare with a genius like you who has achieved a lofty realm through their own cultivation?” The sarcasm in Zhao Yu’s voice couldn’t be clearer.
“Seeing Zhao Yin Ge already made me feel rather ominous, and here you are, adding to it, Zhao Yu. The fierce storm earlier must have been a divine reminder for me not toe to Qin City—what a cmity,” Zhu Minng also knew what kind of person Zhao Yu was; their animosity was established long ago.
“Zhu Minng, how can you speak to His Highness the Prince like this!” Zhao Yin Ge said angrily.
“No matter, no matter, I’ve never liked false respect. In fact, someone like Zhu Minng, who shows no reverence for gods or spirits, is more to my liking. Moreover, as the Junior Gatekeeper and head of the Zhu n, he is on an equal footing with this humble prince. In the end, it’s strength that speaks; those with it are the ones who deserve respect,” Zhao Yuughed, also unconcerned by Zhu Minng’s tone.
“Alright, alright, it seems to me you two have the kind of rtionship that goes ‘No fight, no acquaintance.’ Since you’re both honored guests of the Imperial City, please take your seats. Let me extend the hospitality of the host,” Li Caimo interrupted their sarcastic exchange.
Li Caimo pped her hands, and soon several gracefully-moving qin masters approached, while a princess from a neighboring nation also yed her qin at the center of the pavilion, joining the qin masters in a beautiful performance.<div>
Li Caimo also personally performed a colorful bird dance, captivating the attention of numerous young masters with her voluptuous figure…
After several songs and dances, the poetry recitation segment began. Prince Zhao Yu turned out to be exceptionally talented,posing a poem on the spot that left the princesses beaming, wishing they could marry the prince of the Supreme Court Empire that very moment.
Afterposing the poem, Zhao Yu left his seat.
He walked outside the pavilion, ncing back at Zhu Minng with a hint of change in his eyes.
Waiting outside the flower wall for a moment, a man in a silk robe approached, also casting a nce at Zhu Minng, who was in the pavilion, with a rather solemn expression.
“Could it be that the Zhu n has noticed and specially sent him here?” An Qingfeng said.
An Qingfeng, the son of King An, hadn’t shown himself precisely because of Zhu Minng’s presence.
If he joined the gathering, Zhu Minng might deduce even more, given that King An had long made his ambition for Zhu Gate known.
“It’s still unclear. Even though Zhu Heavenly Officer has never involved Zhu Minng in any n conflicts, if he had realized anything, he shouldn’t have sent Zhu Minng, a cripple, here,” Prince Zhao Yu said.
An Qingfeng nodded.
Indeed, Zhu Minng’s presence was unfortunate, but it might also be coincidental.
“So shall we proceed as nned?” An Qingfeng asked.
“Hmm, we can’t let Zhu Minng alone dy our progress,” Zhao Yu nodded and said.
“Controlling the Earth Vein Fire is equivalent to controlling the Zhu n Inner Court of Qin City. If only Zhu Minnges, even if he notices something, how could he stop us? This time, victory is a must!” An Qingfeng dered.
“Don’t worry, I know exactly what Zhu Minng is capable of. I’ve been causing him some trouble these days, keeping him too busy to attend to other matters. I believe that by the time the entire Zhu Gate Little Inner Court falls, he still won’t have noticed,” Zhao Yu said with a smile.
“Should we take the opportunity to get rid of him as well? This might be a rare chance. Previously, in the Imperial City…” An Qingfeng spoke in a hushed voice.
“One step at a time. However, a living Zhu Minng is more useful to us. Zhu Heavenly Officer may appear to be solely focused on family affairs due to his wife and child being gone, but isn’t he also protecting them? If we can capture Zhu Minng alive, your father, King An, will have a powerful weapon against Zhu Heavenly Officer,” Prince Zhao Yu spoke.
“Hmm, but are you sure his cultivation base is truly destroyed?” An Qingfeng asked hesitantly.
An Qingfeng had heard about the matters of the great powerpetition. Although Zhu Minng was not as formidable as before, he did not seem to be an ordinary person either.<div>
“Hmph, he trained as a Sword Cultivator for ten years just to have the strength to contend with me. Do you think that after only a few years as a Dragon Shepherd, he could have developed significant abilities?” Prince Zhao Yu said with disdain.
“Since Prince Your Highness has said so, what’s there for me, An Qingfeng, to be afraid of doing? Then, Prince Your Highness, shall we proceed with the previous n? You control the Earth Vein Fire Pistil, and I deal with Zhu Minng?” An Qingfeng said.
“He’s not even worth me making a move against him now,” said Zhao Yu arrogantly.
“If this matter is sessfully handled, my father will certainly be extremely grateful to you,” An Qingfeng stated.<div>
…
…
In the pavilion, Zhu Minng sipped his tea, nced at Zhao Yu’s location, and fell into brief contemtion.
If something seems abnormal, there must be demons at work. Why has Zhao Yue to Qin City?
“Big brother, what do you think? These little princesses are all charming, aren’t they? If you like any of them, I can introduce you; I’m on good terms with them,” Zhu Rongrong said.
“Yes, they’re all beautiful. By the way, Rongrong, when did Prince Zhao Yu arrive in Qin City? Have you heard anything from Li Caimo?” Zhu Minng asked earnestly.
“That… Should I go and ask for you?” Zhu Rongrong asked.
“Who will you ask?”
“I have my ways,” Zhu Rongrong said and promptly, carrying a te of small pastries, started chatting with the other princesses and daughters of the City Lords.
After a while, Zhu Rongrong returned to her seat with a smile, leaned in close to Zhu Minng’s ear, and whispered secretively.
“It seems that Prince Zhao Yu is going to be ennobled as a king. On the day he bes king, he must choose a queen consort. The Royal Family gave Prince Zhao Yu several candidates, one of whom is Sister Li Caimo. Some of the little princesses didn’t evene for the Camellia Meeting; they’re here for Prince Zhao Yu, hoping to try their luck and see if the Prince takes a liking to them,” Zhu Rongrong shared.