Chapter Seventy: Princess Yan

Star Realm.

“Your Majesty.” Qingfan bowed respectfully outside the study of the Star Emperor, Xing Yan.

“Come in.” The Star Emperor’s calm voice came from within.

“Your Majesty,” Qingfan said as he entered, “Jue is dead.”

The Star Emperor set down his book at the words, his brow furrowing slightly. “After all these years of searching, we could never find him, and now he’s suddenly dead?”

After a moment, the Star Emperor continued, “This might not be a good thing. For him to stay alive all these years—something must have happened…”

“In any case, be cautious.” The Star Emperor wasn’t sure how to deal with the matter, or whether it needed to be dealt with at all. “It’s time to rotate the guard, isn’t it?”

“Yes, Your Majesty, the five-year term is nearly up.”

“This time, send more people to the Land of Flame. The surges of spiritual energy there have been far too frequent lately, and just as strong as ever.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

…“This is bad.” Upon returning, Ye Pei’s expression was grim.

The people on this side were no match for Huang Jifeng. By the time Ye Pei returned, the others were either dead or wounded.

“At least two managed to escape. My inner strength hasn’t fully recovered, which greatly hindered my speed.”

Before the other two could speak, Ye Pei continued, “Both of you should return to Sacred Ritual Mountain. I’ll go to Deadfire Volcano alone.”

Chen Mo asked, “Ye, what exactly are you going to Deadfire Volcano for?”

Ye Pei was already making his way to where the horses were tethered. “All you need to know is that I’ll definitely return.”

By now, most of their pursuers had entered the Exile Domain. With Ye Pei’s whereabouts exposed at this time, a relentless manhunt would soon follow. Ye Pei didn’t want Huang Jifeng and Chen Mo to face it with him.

Though these two were only chance acquaintances in the Land of Flame, Ye Pei could sense their sincerity. Huang Jifeng’s respect was due to his admiration for Ni Manxiu; as for Chen Mo, though Ye Pei didn’t know his reasons, the man had always offered genuine advice and support, and Ye Pei already regarded him as a true friend.

“Ye,” Huang Jifeng spoke, “I could never abandon a friend to face a deadly pursuit alone. Especially since you’re Priest Ni’s good friend—if my life can protect you, then so be it!”

Chen Mo, for once, said nothing, but his gaze told Ye Pei that his feelings were the same as Huang Jifeng’s.

“Don’t.” Ye Pei was already mounting his horse. “I have my own ways of escaping from Deadfire Volcano. If you come, you’ll only slow me down.”

“What?” Huang Jifeng wondered if he’d misheard.

Ye Pei laughed. “My lightness skills are unmatched. Alone, I can move freely, without dragging you two along—if I can’t outrun them, I can at least fight them off.”

With that, he flicked the reins and rode off to the west.

Huang Jifeng, straightforward as he was, vaguely understood why Ye Pei’s last words were so cutting.

Chen Mo stepped forward. “Perhaps he truly has his own plans and simply doesn’t want us to share the danger.”

With that, Chen Mo snapped open his folding fan, tapping it a few times, a faint smile at his lips. “Besides… this time, he’ll make it through unscathed.”

Ye Pei knew his image had spread again—green robes, twin blades on his back, and all those other features.

Yue Zhe would never come to the Land of Flame. If Ye Pei wanted to give him the two swords, he’d have to carry them himself.

Yet, this time, news spread faster and wider than Ye Pei had anticipated.

Within seven days, the Lin, Wan, and Feng families of the Flow Domain, countless freelance martial artists, the official agents of the Zi family, and even Zi Qingrong and Zi Qingcheng, who roamed everywhere, all knew.

On the way, Ye Pei hadn’t bothered to conceal his tracks for the sake of speed, so many spies spotted him. By now, nearly everyone was aware that his destination was Deadfire Volcano, and most forces had already set out in pursuit.

Meanwhile, back in the Sacred Ritual Domain, Huang Jifeng quickly mustered his men and set out for Deadfire Volcano in force.

However…

“Tch, do they take me for a fool?” At this moment, Ye Pei was striding down the street in Hidden Dragon Town, Bandit Domain.

The two straight swords were tied to a stick and wrapped in cloth, slung over his shoulder like an ordinary staff.

He’d captured a spy who had been shadowing him, used the man to send out news that “Ye Pei is still heading for Deadfire Volcano,” and then severed the tendons in his hands.

“Don’t blame me—our positions are opposed. I’m just making sure you can’t write anymore. Don’t mistake my mercy for weakness; I used to be a ruthless killer, you know…”

“Brat, you’re barely grown—don’t talk about ‘back in the day’… You’ve crippled my fists, but once I rebuild my inner strength, I’ll beat you senseless…”

“Ah… You, You Siwan…” Ye Pei strolled into the You residence at his leisure.

But as soon as he entered, he was stopped at the door.

“Oh, you must be new—you don’t recognize me.” Ye Pei eyed the two gatekeepers. “Call your master out.”

“Hmph, not just anyone can see the master…” The brother had already begun the classic gatekeeper routine: First, block the visitor; second, speak harshly; third, make the master unavailable; fourth, apologize quickly.

But Ye Pei was a marshal’s son…

“So much nonsense!” Before the man could finish, Ye Pei had picked him up with one hand and thrown him into the other guard.

Watching the two tumble to the ground, Ye Pei strolled in unconcerned.

“Someone’s broken in! Master, run!” came the persistent shouts from behind.

Ye Pei curled his lip. “Youth is a wonderful thing.”

Having heard the commotion, You Siwan hurried out with his retinue. Seeing his two guards on the ground, the group surged forward, only to be stopped by a gesture from You Siwan.

You Siwan’s expression was sour, but he still saluted, “Young Hero Ye, please come inside.”

Ye Pei smiled and sat down in the main hall. When You Siwan had settled, Ye Pei spoke, startling him.

“Master You, I need your help.”

You Siwan sprang up, speaking rapidly, “Young Hero Ye… Young Lord Ye! I don’t have that kind of power! I can’t stand against those three families—they could crush me with a finger!”

Ye Pei blinked helplessly. “Sit down first. That’s not what I’m asking.”

After a pause, Ye Pei asked, “Has a woman in blue robes, wielding two blue swords, been here?”

You Siwan froze, thinking for a moment before asking tentatively, “You mean… my mother?”

Ye Pei couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, yes, your mother.”

Just then, a woman entered from outside.

“Young Lord Ye, what brings you here?” Xing Yan greeted Ye Pei and then sent You Siwan away.

“Wait outside. I have something to discuss with Young Lord Ye. Don’t go far—I might call for you.”

You Siwan grumbled as he left, “How do they even know each other…”

“Princess Yan,” Ye Pei got straight to the point, “I might know why you left the Star Clan.”

Xing Yan arched a brow, intrigued. “Oh? Let’s hear it.”

“Princess, do you know of the Blazing Blade Emperor, Jue?” Ye Pei asked.

Xing Yan’s eyes widened in shock. “How do you know him?”

“I found his tomb,” Ye Pei replied.

Xing Yan fell silent for a while before asking, “You actually found the Jade Blade Tomb… Is he still alive?”

“When I saw him, he was alive—but now he’s truly dead.”

Hearing this, Xing Yan’s words came more slowly. “So you know everything, then?”

“More or less.”

“What do you think?”

Ye Pei reflected, then said, “I promised him to finish what he left undone.”

“I have no objections,” Xing Yan said. “But let me give you a word of advice—whatever you’re planning, finish it within ten years.”

Ye Pei was a little surprised that she’d actually help him. Changing the subject, he asked, “By the way, Princess, do you know if there are any tensions among the three great families of the Land of Flame?”

Xing Yan smiled. “Planning to take advantage, are you?”

Ye Pei spread his hands. “Of course. After all they’ve done to hunt me, I can’t just let it go.”

She laughed again. “You’ve nearly wiped out their younger generation yourself.”

Ye Pei smiled faintly. “They brought it on themselves. They killed my father and my senior brother; that’s why I got involved in that war.”

Her smile faltered. She could see that, while Ye Pei acted as he pleased in daily life, there was always longing and fury hidden in his eyes. He had avenged his father, but his hatred remained undiminished.

“Even if all three families are after you, they’re not united. The Lin and Feng families have never gotten along. The Wan family is already in decline and has shown signs of siding with the Feng family in recent years. The Wan territory is far from Feng’s, so they should logically align with the Lin family, but an old grudge prevents that—their former lord, Wan Yuyao, was killed by the Lin family.”

“Also, be careful of the Feng family’s eldest son, Feng Tanyang. He doesn’t cultivate inner strength, but his combat ability is extremely high.”

Ye Pei laughed. “Feng Tanyang? He’s dead. Died in the Jade Blade Tomb.”

“Then you and the Feng family are mortal enemies now?”

“That’s unavoidable. When it comes to blows, what can I do?”

Xing Yan sighed. “Whatever you do, don’t go too far. For the greater good, you’ll need the Flame Clan’s power in the future.”

Ye Pei replied, “Just because I’m from the Wang Clan doesn’t mean we can’t stand against the Star Emperor.”

Xing Yan shook her head. “Leaving aside whether your clan can defeat the Star Clan—” Since Ye Pei revealed what he knew, she no longer called them ‘human clan’ but ‘Wang Clan.’ “Even if you win, what if the Flame Clan, unaware of the truth, aids the Star Clan in retaliation? Besides, there are things even the Blazing Blade Emperor didn’t know. Striking back at the Star Clan is a task for all humanity.”

“In short, whatever you do, don’t overstep. For the greater cause, there may come a time when the Wang Clan and the Flame Clan must unite.”