The Return Journey

The banquet went on. More than a dozen beautiful dancers twirled gracefully in the center of the hall as elegant music echoed through the room. Some guests raised their cups and chatted merrily, while others admired the dancers' performance.

Di Hong's mind was elsewhere, however, because he had noticed someone was missing. Two of the emperor's three sons had attended this banquet, but Second Prince Xue Yu had not. Logically speaking, he should not have skipped an occasion like this.

Had the struggle for the throne already reached this point?

Just then, he sensed someone watching him.

Looking up, he found Ning Fengzhi across from him, smiling in his direction. When he saw Di Hong look up, Ning Fengzhi raised his wine cup with a smile.

Di Hong smiled and nodded in return. After that, the two did not interact again. He knew Ning Fengzhi was fairly familiar with him, but that had been in his previous life. Since transmigrating here, this was their first meeting, so they could hardly be considered acquainted. There was no need for much conversation.

The banquet proceeded smoothly, and nothing else happened. Still, Di Hong felt somewhat uncomfortable, because Ning Fengzhi kept looking at him. Nor was Ning Fengzhi the only one; many people glanced his way from time to time.

He was speechless. Was this really necessary? He was only a little more handsome, a little more talented, had a slightly higher Soul Power Level, and was a little younger.

Still, among this crowd, he did indeed stand out like a crane among chickens.

The banquet did not end until nearly midnight.

In the carriage back, Di Hong watched the streams of people along the road.

"It seems Second Prince Xue Yu didn't attend tonight's banquet."

"He was cultivating, so he didn't come. After all, his talent is decent." Di Ming's tone was vague. He had drunk quite a bit at the banquet and was heavily intoxicated, as though he might fall asleep at any moment.

Di Hong wanted to ask more, but Di Ming had already lain down. He could only suppress the doubts in his heart.

He had actually wanted to ask why Di Ming knew so much. They had only arrived in the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire a day ago, yet after just one day, it seemed there was nothing Di Ming did not know. Even if he was a prince and naturally knew more than most, he should not have had such a thorough grasp of Heaven Dou City's situation.

Could it be that the kingdom had Spies in Heaven Dou City as well?

On second thought, that seemed unlikely. As far as he knew, the kingdom had no dedicated foreign Intelligence Organization. If it did, there was no way he would not know about it.

After returning to the Earl's Mansion, he arranged for someone to take Di Ming back to his room to rest, while he headed to the study.

The study was empty, and there were not many books on the shelves.

He spread out a map and looked at the location of Sunset Forest. Sunset Forest was not far from Heaven Dou City. It lay a hundred li east of the city, and they had passed by it on their way here, though they had not entered deep into the forest.

After all, Sunset Forest was a well-known gathering place for wild soul beasts. Ordinary Spirit Masters simply did not dare venture too deeply inside.

But he would be going there next. Although he did not know the exact location of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, he would find it as long as he searched patiently. Besides, he only needed a general area.

The next day, after Di Ming sobered up, he and Di Hong headed to the Imperial City to pay their respects. Although the Old Emperor was advanced in years and in poor health, he still forced himself to attend an occasion like this.

When they met the emperor, Di Hong also saw Second Prince Xue Yu.

Xue Yu did not possess Xue Ye's easygoing temperament. His entire body exuded the presence of a superior, and he was also a Spirit King-level Spirit Master. His talent could be considered above average even across the continent. When they met the emperor, the two brothers did not appear openly hostile, but it was easy to see that they were constantly competing with each other while maintaining superficial peace.

Especially in front of them.

Clearly, although both sides had drawn the subordinate kingdoms to their side, neither truly trusted those kingdoms. They were merely using them. Of course, the subordinate kingdoms were likewise using the princes to secure greater benefits for their own countries.

As for whether the prince they supported could succeed, that was not important.

Even if he failed, it would not have much impact on them. The empire could not possibly move against their kingdoms.

Although the four great kingdoms usually had little contact with one another and even had some conflicts, if a powerful foreign enemy appeared, they would certainly unite to resist it together—especially an enemy as powerful as the Heaven Dou Empire.

The emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire would not risk the enormous danger of internal turmoil within the empire to wage war against the subordinate kingdoms. That would only give the Star Luo Empire an opportunity, and Spirit Hall would not want to see it either.

This time, the Silves Kingdom had given Xue Ye plenty of face. Among all the tribute, theirs was the finest, because they were the only nation to offer a Spirit Bone.

The value of a Spirit Bone went without saying. Even a Spirit Bone from a thousand-year soul beast was extremely precious.

The Old Emperor was very pleased with the Silves Kingdom. He even wanted Di Hong to stay behind, but Di Ming tactfully declined. Xue Ye also stepped in and said something on their behalf, which finally made the emperor abandon the idea.

Di Hong knew that the Old Emperor genuinely wanted him to remain. A genius from a royal family like him was most reassuring when kept under one's own watch.

The emperor did not insist further, and Di Ming finally breathed a sigh of relief. What a joke—he wanted to keep the most talented member of their family? He looked old and half-dead, yet he had quite the beautiful idea.

After staying in Heaven Dou City for several days, the delegations that had come to offer tribute began returning one after another. This year's tribute ceremony was not as lively as in previous years. The Old Emperor's health was worsening by the day, so naturally he had no interest in making a grand affair of it.

They could finally leave, and Di Ming promptly took Di Hong away.

"Fourth Brother, let's get out of here quickly too, so the Old Emperor stops thinking about you."

The Silves Kingdom's tribute delegation was the last to depart.

Only after leaving Heaven Dou City did Di Ming finally relax.

"Heaven Dou City truly is full of dangers."

"Is it really that dangerous?" Di Hong asked in confusion.

Di Ming gave a snorting laugh. "Fourth Brother, you didn't see it, but I did."

When the delegation had traveled fifty li away from Heaven Dou City, Di Hong sensed something was wrong.

"Someone is following us. A Spirit Master."

"Second Prince's people?" Di Ming asked.

Di Hong shook his head. "Can't be sure."

"Can you determine the other party's Soul Power Level?" Di Ming's own Soul Power Level was not high, so he had not noticed anyone tailing them. Even the accompanying Spirit Master guards had failed to notice.

Di Hong frowned slightly. They had only traveled fifty li from the city, yet they could no longer hold back? The Second Prince was far too impatient. Then again, when he had met the Second Prince during the tribute ceremony, he had already seen that he was not someone who knew how to endure.

Perhaps all Spirit Masters had this trait.

What he relied on was nothing more than the emperor's support and his own martial soul talent. Otherwise, he might not actually have been a match for Xue Ye.

When it came to winning people over, Xue Ye was far better than him.

"We'll split up ahead. Their target should be me. I'll lure them away, then take them out."

Through his senses, he discovered that the hidden Spirit Masters were not particularly strong. There was only one Spirit King and two Soul Ancestors, with no Soul Emperor-level experts among them. He could handle them completely.