"I really would like to meet him." Jiang Mian smiled faintly, then leaped from the carriage and deliberately blocked the path Xue Qinghe's carriage had to take.
"Where did this unruly commoner come from? How dare you obstruct His Highness the Crown Prince's carriage!"
A warrior in light armor rode out from beside the carriage on a tall horse. He raised his whip and lashed it straight at Jiang Mian.
Jiang Mian did not move an inch. He raised a hand, seized the whip, and forcibly dragged the warrior off his horse.
"Everyone, stand down." Xue Qinghe appeared at precisely the right moment. Standing atop the carriage, he looked at Jiang Mian with an easygoing smile. "This little brother has stopped my carriage. Have you suffered some grievance?"
Jiang Mian looked at the Crown Prince, dressed in luxurious robes and carrying himself with refined gentleness, and could not help laughing inwardly. Qian Renxue's disguise was still far too convincing.
The only flaw was that no Crown Prince should have skin as delicate as a young woman's.
Fortunately, the imperial family cared deeply about appearances. Qian Renxue's disguise as the handsome Xue Qinghe could still be explained away.
"Nothing. I simply wanted to behold Your Highness's distinguished appearance." Jiang Mian's lips curved upward slightly. "I came from Spirit Hall. Sorry for the disturbance."
Spirit Hall—keyword triggered.
"You look very familiar," Xue Qinghe said, a glint flashing through his eyes. He smiled with perfect elegance. "Perhaps I saw you when I went to Spirit Hall on business."
"For the Empire's Crown Prince to be so approachable, this country would have to work hard not to prosper." Jiang Mian clasped his hands and offered Xue Qinghe a few compliments.
Xue Qinghe humbly replied, "Thank you, but there are still many things I have not done well. I also hope everyone will supervise me, this Crown Prince, so that together we may govern the Heaven Dou Empire into greater prosperity."
"Wonderful!"
Cheers rose one after another from the surrounding crowd. It seemed Xue Qinghe truly knew how to win the people's hearts.
"My friend, if you have time, I would like to invite you for tea." Xue Qinghe smiled slightly. "After all, I cannot let you stop my carriage for nothing."
"Then I'll gladly accept." Jiang Mian smiled.
"Go inform the owner of Yingchun Teahouse. The usual arrangement." Xue Qinghe made an inviting gesture. "Shall we meet there shortly?"
"Alright." Jiang Mian returned to the carriage and obediently made way for Xue Qinghe. The onlookers loved a spectacle, and some even cursed Jiang Mian for not being qualified to drink tea with Xue Qinghe.
Jiang Mian chuckled. An invisible suppression of Soul Power instantly silenced the crowd. The young men who had just cursed Jiang Mian felt the crushing pressure and began trembling uncontrollably. A reeking stench immediately spread through the entire street.
He had only released a little Soul Power, and they had wet themselves from fright?
"Look at that. No wonder he had the nerve to block His Highness the Crown Prince's carriage. He really does have some skill."
"Exactly, exactly. The moment this young master appeared, I could tell he was no ordinary person. Didn't I call it?"
"Looks like His Highness the Crown Prince already knew this senior's strength. Otherwise, why would he agree to have tea with him?"
"Don't discuss the Crown Prince behind his back. That is disrespectful!"
The people around them continued chattering, but Jiang Mian ignored them and drove his carriage away.
"Do either of you know where the teahouse is?" After traveling some distance, Jiang Mian turned back and looked awkwardly at the two beauties.
"I do."
A steady, crisp male voice suddenly came from the street beside them. Jiang Mian looked over and saw a handsome man in a white robe with dark golden hair standing beside his carriage, though he had no idea when the man had appeared.
Yu Tianheng?
The captain of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team, and a direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the continent's foremost beast martial soul sect.
"Yu Tianheng, I've long heard of you." Jiang Mian clasped his hands and smiled. "Your name is like thunder in my ears. Even in Spirit Hall, I had heard of you long ago."
"Jiang Mian." Yu Tianheng smiled faintly. "The person the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect spared no effort to slander—yet for some reason, Spirit Hall recently suppressed all news about you. So you joined Spirit Hall."
"You cannot put it that way." Jiang Mian sat at the edge of the carriage, his gaze gradually turning cold. "Right now, others hold the knife and I am the fish on the cutting board. If I did not save myself, what else could I do?"
"Don't worry." Yu Tianheng smiled. "I do not care about the rumors surrounding you. I simply admire you and wish to be your friend."
Jiang Mian and Yu Tianheng exchanged a glance. Each understood what the other was thinking. If Jiang Mian were not an extraordinary genius, why would Spirit Hall spare no effort to suppress the rumors about him?
"Sure, but first tell me where Yingchun Teahouse is." Jiang Mian said, "You're an interesting friend."
"Do you need me to take you there?"
In truth, Yu Tianheng had noticed Jiang Mian from the moment Jiang Mian stopped Xue Qinghe's carriage. When Jiang Mian released his Soul Power, Yu Tianheng had determined that Jiang Mian's level was definitely not below forty.
And how old was Jiang Mian? Not even fourteen!
Even if Yu Tianheng did not know Jiang Mian's true identity, he could tell from Jiang Mian's appearance that he could not be much older.
"No need. Just tell me where it is." Jiang Mian bluntly rejected Yu Tianheng. "If you want to be friends, then when I have time, I'll definitely visit Heaven Dou Royal Academy to chat and drink tea with you."
"Alright." Yu Tianheng knew such matters could not be forced. He nodded, pointed to Jiang Mian's left, and gave him a long, rambling explanation.
Jiang Mian was utterly confused, but fortunately Zhu Zhuqing had an excellent memory. She quietly poked Jiang Mian's back, and he immediately understood. After thanking Yu Tianheng, he drove the carriage toward Yingchun Teahouse.
"That guy's intentions aren't pure." After Jiang Mian had gone some distance, he complained, "He deliberately explained it unclearly because he wanted to force me to let him lead the way. What a piece of work."
"Hmph." Hu Liena crossed her arms and crossed one leg over the other, speaking with disdain. "He clearly wanted to cling to our influence."
"Probably not." Jiang Mian's lips curved upward. Though he did not know Yu Tianheng's true purpose, he could guess most of it.
Yu Tianheng was planning for the future. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had always been overshadowed by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"We're here." Jiang Mian stopped the carriage before the teahouse and slowly entered with the two women. Before he could speak, a soldier in light armor came forward. "Mr. Jiang Mian, His Highness the Crown Prince is waiting for you in a private room on the second floor."
"Sorry for the trouble. Please lead the way." Jiang Mian clasped his hands.
"This way." The soldier moved swiftly and efficiently, while Jiang Mian led Zhu Zhuqing and Gu Yuena closely behind him.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, the guest has arrived." The soldier knocked on a finely patterned birch door, then tactfully withdrew to one side to guard the Crown Prince's safety.
"Come in." Xue Qinghe's gentle, refined voice reached Jiang Mian's ears.
Jiang Mian pushed open the door and entered the private room with the two women. An air of extravagance struck them at once. The room was lavishly decorated, and even its smallest corners exuded nobility.
Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing had both seen much in their lives, but even they had never seen a room built with such luxury, much less Jiang Mian, a country bumpkin from the wilderness.
"Please, sit." Xue Qinghe sat upright, holding a tea cup as he carefully savored its flavor. "This is the first Lion Peak tea harvest of the year, picked at night when the buds first emerged. Even I only received two pounds."
"What an honor." Jiang Mian smiled faintly and sat opposite Xue Qinghe. Xue Qinghe lifted his head and glanced at Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing, then waved a hand. "You two need not be reserved. Please sit."
"Thank you." Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena naturally understood etiquette. They sat to one side and tried not to disturb Jiang Mian and Xue Qinghe's conversation.
"For His Highness the Crown Prince to receive only two pounds is far too unfair." Jiang Mian had hidden his skill well. Unexpectedly, his tea-drinking manners were also masterful. Every movement flowed naturally, making even Xue Qinghe view him in a new light.
"This year's yield was low. It could not be helped." Xue Qinghe set down his tea cup and said calmly, "Jiang Mian, are you still going to conceal your identity?"
"Since Your Highness already knows where I came from, you should understand my relationship with that person." Jiang Mian replied calmly. "For news about me to disappear so quickly, Your Highness's support must have played a part as well."
Xue Qinghe's hand paused slightly around his tea cup, but he recovered almost instantly. "No need to say more. What level are you now?"
"I am about to reach level fifty-six." Jiang Mian said, "I came this time to help Miss Zhuqing obtain her fourth soul ring."
"I have a friend who has just reached level fifty. Could I trouble you to take her to obtain her fifth soul ring?" Xue Qinghe said calmly. "There will be generous compensation afterward."
"I am only level fifty myself. How can Your Highness trust me to take your friend?" Jiang Mian asked. "You trust me too much."
"Since I was able to suppress the news about you, this Crown Prince knows certain inside details." Xue Qinghe stopped there. "So, what do you say?"
"Then I'll gladly accept." Jiang Mian said. "When can Your Highness's friend meet me?"
"Tonight." The Crown Prince set down his tea cup and rose to leave. The refined elegance in his eyes had vanished, replaced by coldness and resolve. However, only Jiang Mian could see that look.
"Where should we wait for her?" Jiang Mian asked.
"The Heaven Dou Grand Auction House will be quite lively tonight. If you are interested, you may go have a look." Xue Qinghe answered without answering. He casually tossed Jiang Mian a token. "Use this token at the auction. All expenses will be charged to my account."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Jiang Mian accepted the token without hesitation. Since Xue Qinghe had mentioned the Heaven Dou Grand Auction House, it meant his friend would meet him there.
Xue Qinghe turned and left. Jiang Mian smiled. "Zhuqing, Sister Nana, shall we go take a look at the grand auction house?"
"Since His Highness the Crown Prince is being so generous, it would be a shame not to take a look." Hu Liena smiled charmingly. "It is still early. Should we wait before going?"
"Let's go now." Jiang Mian said.
"I have no objection." Zhu Zhuqing nodded. "Besides, the auction house will be crowded. Jiang Mian had tea with the Crown Prince today, so someone may have noticed us, especially..."
"Especially people from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect," Jiang Mian answered first. "Ning Fengzhi is Xue Qinghe's teacher. Even if there are no Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect disciples around Xue Qinghe, there must be people watching in secret. So Zhuqing fears that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect may attack us."
"That's right. There will be many prominent figures in the grand auction house. Even if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wants to act, they will have to consider their reputation." Zhu Zhuqing said.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect should have been destroyed long ago." Jiang Mian clenched his fist. Bibi Dong's Soul Beast Hunt Plan would not begin for another six years, and Jiang Mian did not want to wait that long.
Once he grew into a Titled Douluo, the first place he would crush while leading an army of soul beasts would be the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Do not speak to him of ending cycles of vengeance.
Jiang Mian believed that if others respected him by an inch, he would respect them by a yard; if others bullied him once, he would destroy them for generations!
The phrase "repay every grievance" had practically been coined for Jiang Mian!
At the entrance of the grand auction house, Jiang Mian used the Crown Prince's token to enter smoothly. They did not even need masks before a female attendant brought them straight to a VIP private room.
This was treatment exclusive to His Highness the Crown Prince. With the Crown Prince's token in hand, Jiang Mian was treated as though the Crown Prince himself had arrived.
"This sofa is quite comfortable." Hu Liena leaned back on the sofa. From here, the entire auction house was visible at a glance. A VIP private room truly was wonderful.
Jiang Mian sat nearby and said lightly, "This Crown Prince is certainly generous."
"The entire Heaven Dou Empire will belong to him someday. He probably does not care about this little bit of money." Hu Liena picked up some fruit from the table and tasted it. "Jiang Mian, I didn't expect you to be rather famous outside."
"Sister Nana, you flatter me. They are merely old matters, not worth mentioning." Jiang Mian chuckled. Zhu Zhuqing glanced at him, then quietly cut herself some fruit.
"Excuse me, is this Mr. Jiang Mian's room?" A soft yet cool voice came from outside the door. Jiang Mian's lips rose slightly. He had guessed correctly.
"Come in." Jiang Mian said.
With a creak, the door slowly opened. A beauty who seemed like a celestial maiden descending to the mortal world appeared before the three of them. Her golden hair cascaded like a waterfall, and she wore a white dress that barely concealed her lush curves, making her impossible to look away from.
"Hello, I am the Crown Prince's friend." Qian Renxue entered the room and slowly closed the door. Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing immediately sat upright. They felt an unprecedented sense of danger, simply because the newcomer was too beautiful—beautiful beyond description.
Jiang Mian was also somewhat surprised. He had not expected Qian Renxue to be so stunning. She had truly inherited Bibi Dong's genes perfectly. Mother and daughter were both breathtaking beauties.
"My name is Jiang Mian. It is a pleasure to meet you." Jiang Mian did not stand and merely smiled. "May I ask your name?"
"My name is Qian Renxue. You may call me Xue Er." Qian Renxue spoke calmly. She had infiltrated the Heaven Dou Empire since childhood, and very few people in all of Spirit Hall knew her identity. That was why she dared reveal her name so boldly.
Sure enough, Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing had never heard that name. They watched Qian Renxue with wary expressions, while Jiang Mian chuckled without speaking.
"You do not wish to help me?" Qian Renxue looked at Jiang Mian's ambiguous attitude. She hid her emotions well, but a trace of anger still flashed through her eyes.
"I'll help. Of course I'll help." Jiang Mian laughed. "I was only considering what kind of soul ring Miss Xue Er needs."
"I have just broken through to Soul King, and I have not decided yet." Qian Renxue said sincerely.
Jiang Mian looked at the peerless beauty before him and felt it was a pity. She possessed the six-winged Angel Martial Soul and Innate Full Spirit Power of level twenty. Her starting point had been extraordinarily high, yet her long-term infiltration of the Heaven Dou Empire had slowed her cultivation. Otherwise, with her talent, she would likely have already broken through level sixty.
"Alright, then I will make the arrangements for Miss Xue Er." Jiang Mian smiled. "Tomorrow, we will depart to find soul rings for Miss Xue Er and Zhuqing. For now, let us first see what good things are being auctioned here."
Qian Renxue thanked him. Just as she sat down, they heard the host below shout:
"Esteemed guests, thank you for waiting! Our highly anticipated auction is about to begin!"
Before you continue