Uncle's Tacit Understanding

Ye Guyi's words pulled Xu Tianming's thoughts back from his Mental Sea of Consciousness to reality.

At the same time, the airship had already entered the outer perimeter of the Ming Capital.

Just as Ye Wuya and his wife Lin Wanqiu thought the airship was about to land, they were shocked to find that it not only failed to slow down, but flew straight into the heart of the Ming Capital!

One had to know that the capital of the Sun Moon Empire had a strict no-fly zone. Aside from a select few with special status and privileges, no one's airship was permitted to fly over the Ming Capital; otherwise, they would certainly be shot down by the fixed-station soul cannon shells installed within the city.

Yet, as this airship sped into the city, not only did it face no obstruction, but the stern city guards on the walls didn't even utter a single warning.

Ye Wuya only had to think for a moment to guess the crux of the matter:

The owner of this airship—the young master who had just saved his family of three—likely possessed a status far more profound than he had previously imagined.

But whether this was a blessing or a curse for his daughter was hard to say.

Just as Ye Wuya's thoughts grew chaotic again, the airship's speed began to gradually slow. What appeared in their field of vision was the imperial palace, standing in the center of the Ming Capital with magnificent architecture, symbolizing the supreme power of the Sun Moon Empire.

After the airship landed and stabilized in the designated spot, a group of palace guards, who had been waiting, immediately approached. They placed a luxurious, pure gold staircase covered in a red carpet at the airship's exit.

With a soul master's cultivation, one wouldn't be injured even jumping from a great height, let alone from such a short distance to the ground.

The reason for this procedure was primarily to highlight the noble status of the royal family.

After all, royal family members had to look the part; if they did everything just like the common folk, how could they demonstrate the uniqueness of being royalty?

Xu Tianming, having awakened memories of his past life, scoffed at these royal rules, but he didn't want to stir up unnecessary trouble for now.

After all, things had to be handled one by one. Without absolute strength to back him up, no matter how reasonable his words were, they would likely be treated as a joke by those stronger than him—in one ear and out the other.

Casting these distracting thoughts aside, Xu Tianming didn't respond immediately. Instead, he smiled and took the initiative to extend his right hand toward Ye Guyi, signaling for her to take it.

Seeing this, the young Ye Guyi hesitated for only a moment. Though she looked shy, she placed her delicate, fair hand into his, allowing Xu Tianming to hold it.

However, at that very moment, Mavuika—who knows what she was thinking in the Mental Sea of Consciousness—suddenly remarked out of the blue:

"You were just calling me 'Weiwei' a moment ago, and now you turn around and hold another girl's hand right in front of me. Tsk tsk..."

As soon as these words were spoken, Xu Tianming's body stiffened.

Fortunately, Mavuika realized she had been a bit indiscreet and quickly added:

"It's fine, don't mind what I said. I just couldn't help but state the facts."

Even so, how could Xu Tianming not overthink it given Mavuika's strange tone?

But the situation was inappropriate, so he could only suppress his unwanted thoughts, planning to address them once he returned to the quiet of his own room.

And so, a forcibly composed Xu Tianming walked ahead holding Ye Guyi's hand, while Ye Wuya and his wife exchanged a glance before silently following behind them.

In truth, after Mavuika spoke, Xu Tianming had considered letting go, but after thinking it over, he decided that since he was already holding her hand, he might as well see it through.

After all, if he let go after only a moment, wouldn't it have been for nothing?

The group walked to the hatch in silence.

Kong Deming, who had been waiting there, looked with surprise at Ye Guyi, who was blushing as she held his nephew's hand.

After staring at the young pair's clasped hands for a moment, a hint of amusement flickered in Kong Deming's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it and opened the hatch.

The guards waiting outside, upon seeing the two standing at the doorway, immediately bowed in a standard aristocratic salute:

"Your subordinates welcome the Grand Suppressor and the Fourth Prince back to the capital. The Second Prince has already prepared a welcoming banquet at the prince's residence and has specifically ordered us to invite you."

Hearing this, Kong Deming frowned with slight displeasure. Ignoring the Second Prince Xu Tianran's face entirely, he bluntly refused:

"No need. This Seat and Tianming have important matters to attend to, so we won't trouble him further. Relay my response to him word for word; he will not blame you for failing your duty. You may all withdraw."

It was no exaggeration to say that in the current Sun Moon Empire, only an imperial decree from the Emperor could barely match the weight of Kong Deming's words.

The guards naturally understood the gravity of the situation, so they nodded in acknowledgment, bowed once more, and led their men away.

Only after the idlers in the vicinity had cleared out did Xu Tianming lead Ye Guyi out of the airship.

After all, the Sun Moon Empire had a cooperative relationship with the Holy Spirit Cult. Although having his uncle by his side ensured safety, it was better for Ye Guyi's parents to remain unseen by outsiders to minimize the risk of accidents.

After descending the staircase, Ye Wuya did not hesitate to kneel and kowtow once more:

"This junior pays respects to the Silver Moon Crown, and to the Fourth Prince."

This time, his tone held a sincere devotion, as if he were meeting an idol.

After all, Kong Deming's reputation as the continent's number one soul engineer was resounding. Anyone in the Sun Moon Empire with even a modicum of skill in soul tools worshipped him, and Ye Wuya was no exception.

However, Kong Deming had seen such things many times and felt no particular emotional fluctuation. Using his soul power to lift the man up from a distance, he said in an indifferent tone:

"No need for such formalities. Since Tianming is willing to accept your daughter, she shall remain by his side to serve him from now on; there is no need to worry about her safety. As for you two... I will give you two choices: first, I can find you a residence in the Ming Capital to live in seclusion; second, you can leave the Sun Moon Empire, change your identities, and go live in Shrek City. Although you will be far from your homeland, your lives will be relatively freer."

In truth, Xu Tianming had intended to say these things himself, but he hadn't expected his uncle to beat him to it.

Although Xu Tianming hadn't discussed his specific thoughts on this matter with Kong Deming in detail, as an elder who had lived for over a hundred years, Kong Deming had seen through his nephew's intentions the moment he saw him holding Ye Guyi's hand.

Therefore, it was better for him, this old man, to be the one to propose separating the girl from her parents.

That way, even if the young girl felt resentment for a time, the primary target of her grudge would be him, the "heartless" old man.