Compared to the lively banquet at the Third Princess's side...
The procession returning to the Wude Hall was eerily silent.
The heavily armored imperial guards were like a moving iron wall, their steps heavy, the clanging of their armor producing a muffled sound that revealed their extreme frustration.
What was supposed to be a sure-fire publicity event turned out to be a complete disaster, with nothing to show for it.
It would be strange if I wasn't upset.
Now.
Inside the carriage, Li Huaian closed her eyes to rest. Her delicate face was not clearly visible in the shadows. Only her slightly rising and falling chest and her hands clenched so tightly under her sleeves that her knuckles turned white revealed the storm she was suppressing inside.
The Black carriage curtains hung low, blocking out all prying eyes.
Outside the carriage, all the trusted confidants who had accompanied him remained silent, trembling with fear.
Only when the carriage came to a steady stop in the Wude Hall did Li Huaian decline the Maid's help and slowly walk down from the carriage alone. Only then did the invisible pressure in the air ease a little.
Under the watchful eyes of many.
The Eldest Princess did not turn around, nor did she show the slightest hint of dejection. She simply walked straight towards the Wude Hall, her slightly sighing instructions drifting on the wind:
"Everyone, you can leave now."
All the trusted confidants clasped their hands in agreement, bowed deeply, and watched as that aloof and solitary figure disappeared into the palace gates.
However, the suppressed anger and humiliation did not dissipate; instead, they spread and fermented silently among the crowd.
When most of the figures had left the Wude Hall and dispersed in all directions...
Several figures remained on the spot, showing no intention of disbanding.
However, this was not the place for discussion, so they found a secluded courtyard to talk.
We had just entered the side courtyard.
One of the burly, resolute-faced generals in black armor could no longer contain himself.
"This is outrageous!"
He growled, "That brat surnamed Ye! How dare he humiliate His Highness like this! Who does he think he is?!"
"General Lei, calm down!"
Beside him, a middle-aged man with a refined demeanor frowned and spoke in a low voice. Shen Wenqing, one of the Eldest Princess's most trusted advisors.
"Your Highness just gave strict orders not to make trouble for Ye Li! Don't act impulsively and ruin things!"
"Impulsive?" Lei Zhen's eyes widened in anger, his voice lowered but his rage intensified. "Mr. Shen! Didn't you see what just happened?"
"His Highness personally led us to greet you; what a grand display of favor and regard!!"
"But what about that kid? Not only did he not even glance at His Highness, he didn't even bother to greet him!"
"He's not just slapping His Highness in the face, he's slapping the face of all of us!!"
"General Lei is absolutely right!" another tall, thin man with a sinister face chimed in.
He is the commander of a portion of the secret guards in the Capital City, Ying Xiao.
His face was equally gloomy at this moment, his temples throbbing slightly. "This brat is so ungrateful, he's utterly arrogant!"
"If we allow him to join the Third Princess's faction and grow in power, he will surely become a major threat to Your Highness in the future! Your Highness is considering the overall situation, which is why you are holding back. We have received great favors from Your Highness in the past, so how can we really sit idly by now?"
Shen Wenqing frowned and looked around. He noticed that many of his confidants had resentment and anger in their eyes. Clearly, Lei Zhen and Ying Xiao's words had hit a nerve.
He sighed inwardly, thinking how these brutes could never understand His Highness's good intentions.
The intricacies involved cannot be explained in just a few words.
Although Ye Li did not come to greet them, it was because of the special occasion. Without being explicitly informed, everyone understood the implications.
If they were to actually confront Ye Li over this matter, it would truly reveal their pettiness to the fullest extent.
However, reason is reason, and reality is reality.
Shen Wenqing also understood that although His Highness's strict orders suppressed the surface conflict, they could not suppress the resentment and impulses in these people's hearts.
We need to find a suitable opportunity to ease the anger in these people's hearts.
Just as he was deep in thought, a clear voice, tinged with a hint of arrogance, suddenly came from not far away:
"Why are you gentlemen so anxious?"
"To get so worked up over such arrogant and ignorant people will only annoy Your Highness."
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a young man dressed in a moon-white brocade robe and wearing a jade crown standing at the courtyard gate, before slowly walking over.
He had a handsome face, and an air of arrogance lingered between his brows.
He was the last disciple of a reclusive Great Scholar at the Shiguang Academy, and enjoyed a high reputation among scholars and young students.
Rumor has it that he was one of the Eldest Princess's most valued young confidants.
Her name is Gu Baihong.
"What insightful opinion does Lord Gu have?" Shen Wenqing asked, his tone tinged with a hint of probing.
This young confidant has always been arrogant and conceited, and his personality is disliked by His Highness. However, his talent is indeed quite remarkable, and he is one of the academy's most promising talents who have been given special attention in recent years.
Gu Baihong shook her head slightly, calmly sat down at the stone table, and said, "I wouldn't call it insightful."
"I just feel that there's no need for you all to waste your energy discussing this when dealing with such madmen. There are clearly simpler and more direct methods available now."
"Lord Gu, His Highness has strictly forbidden us from taking any action against Ye Li. You should have heard that in front of the Wude Hall just now," Shen Wenqing said in a deep voice.
He had already discerned the unspoken message—they simply wanted to deal with Ye Li personally.
It can only be said that their actions were no different from those of Lei Zhen and others.
No wonder His Highness doesn't like you... Shen Wenqing clicked his tongue inwardly.
Instead of expressing it directly, he earnestly offered the following advice:
"That person who could cause His Highness to lose his composure like this must be no ordinary individual. In my opinion, he must possess extraordinary abilities..."
"Exceptional qualities?" Gu Baihong scoffed, her voice icy. "Indeed, to have His Highness personally greet you, with a grander reception than for foreign envoys, naturally you're 'exceptional'!"
"But do you really know the inside story?"
"As far as I know, Ye Li is nothing more than a country bumpkin who came from Longtan. He relied on his cultivation level, which he built up with countless resources, and was lucky enough to be appointed a lieutenant general by that newly appointed old scoundrel in Longtan. With the cooperation of the governor of the Xianjing Continent, he wiped out a first-class Mountain Gate in the continent, which is how he successfully deceived Your Highness!"
"Stripping away these exaggerated achievements, Ye Li's only truly noteworthy accomplishment is the insignificant Jade Mountain Refinement!"
His tone grew increasingly intense, tinged with genuine jealousy and resentment:
"With such low skill, you dare to flaunt your power in front of His Highness and us! You, Lord Shen, may tolerate this, but I, Gu, cannot swallow this insult!"
"You have to swallow it even if you can't!" Shen Wenqing frowned slightly and said.
"The court assembly to mark His Majesty's return from seclusion is just a few days away. If you provoke Ye Li now, you will not only fail to avenge His Highness, but you will also make things more difficult for him!"
"Who said I was going to provoke him?" Gu Baihong's lips curled into a slight smile, her tone gradually rising. "His Highness only forbids us from acting without permission, from challenging him."
"But if Ye Li were to challenge me to a duel, wouldn't it be my duty as his senior to offer him some guidance?"
Shen Wenqing was taken aback. "What do you mean by that?"
"I heard from my teacher that a new student is coming to the academy soon." Gu Baihong calmly fanned himself, the advantage of being a disciple of Great Scholar evident at this moment. "And coincidentally, this person's name is also Ye Li."
"Why did he have to come now, right before the [Shangqing Martial Arts Tournament] is about to begin? Isn't he just trying to show off in front of the immortals?"
"Even so, they will certainly have to come and pay me a visit. At that time, I will publicly examine this person's true character for you all!"
"It will also let everyone see that His Highness is surrounded by truly outstanding talents!"
He snapped his fan shut, his eyes gleaming. "We must make Her Highness understand who is truly worthy of her trust and who can share her burdens and solve her problems!"
"If we win this battle, we will surely be able to wipe away the humiliation that His Highness and we have suffered today!"
Gu Baihong spoke with great passion, concealing her personal motives and hostility towards Ye Li under the guise of upholding the prestige of the Eldest Princess.
The expressions on everyone's faces immediately changed.
They knew very little about Ye Li's specific strength, but from Eldest Princess grand welcoming ceremony and his current loss of composure, they vaguely sensed that this person was not simple.
However, he is no simple man; Gu Baihong before him is also a prodigy!
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been chosen as a disciple by that Great Scholar.
Shen Wenqing's brows furrowed even deeper.
Considering Gu Baihong's formidable strength and the home advantage of the Shiguang Academy, his resolve to dissuade him wavered somewhat.
He asked hesitantly, "Lord Gu, are you... truly confident about this?"
"Absolutely certain!"
Gu Baihong's tone was resolute. She abruptly stood up from her chair and coldly laughed, "The academy has its own rules. No matter how strong he is, does he dare to openly kill someone under the noses of all you Great Scholar?"
"My mind is made up! If you're afraid, then stay far away and watch!"
"But when I trample him underfoot and bring glory to His Highness, you must not come to claim any credit!"
Having said that, he said no more, gave a slight bow to the crowd, and then turned and drifted away.
The pale figure quickly blended into the night of the Imperial City, leaving only a back view that exuded arrogance and determination.
"..."
Shen Wenqing looked in the direction where Gu Baihong disappeared, then glanced at his colleagues around him, some expectant, some worried, and some still resentful, before finally letting out a long sigh.
Let's leave it at that!
After all, according to Gu Baihong, there was absolutely no problem with what they were doing.
Moreover, Ye Li's behavior was indeed too arrogant, so it would be good to teach him a lesson. It would also let him know how precious the opportunity His Highness had given him today was!
The night was as dark as ink, and the lights of the Imperial City outlined its majestic silhouette in the distance.
At this moment, on an official road in the capital of the Great Capital City.
Baiyue led Ye Li out of the Array Formation and Walker silently along the wide street leading to the Southern Region of the Capital City.
Unlike the solemn and tranquil atmosphere near the Imperial City, the further south you go, the more vibrant the everyday life of the Capital City becomes.
The streets were lined with shops, and although it was late at night, many restaurants and teahouses were still brightly lit, with the faint sounds of string and wind instruments mingling with the laughter and chatter of the people of Dasheng.
The air was filled with the aroma of various spiritual foods, the Pure Qi of herbs emanating from the medicine shop, and a touch of the unique hustle and bustle of the mortal world.
But Ye Li's residence was clearly in a more special place.
Only after the surrounding worldly atmosphere had mostly faded did the two turn onto an incredibly wide Great Dao lined with spiritual plants and ancient trees on both sides.
I looked up.
At the end of the road, a magnificent and imposing mansion gradually emerged in the night.
"General Ye."
Baiyue slowed her pace, her expression unconsciously becoming somewhat tense. Falling half a step behind, she respectfully introduced the unfathomable young figure ahead:
"Not far ahead lies the Zhenyuan Mansion, bestowed upon Your Highness by His Majesty."
"This place is only a thousand miles away from [Shiguang Academy], making travel between the two places quite convenient for you. It can be considered a rare and superior residence in the Capital City."
She paused, carefully observing Ye Li's expression, and continued, "His Highness specifically instructed that all the servants Maid in the manor have been carefully selected and will be able to start their duties tomorrow."
"In addition, some daily necessities and cultivation resources have been prepared in the storeroom."
"Besides that, General, if you need anything, just give the order to Baiyue."
"... Just give me a task, don't make it sound so strange," Ye Li's gaze swept over the mansion ahead, then he nodded slightly to Baiyue before asking:
When should I leave for the Shiguang Academy?
His mind was clearly not on these mundane matters.
The main objective of this trip remains to cause a massive explosion in the Malice Points, and incidentally, to get [Great Brahma Palace] to take off as soon as possible.
It's worth mentioning.
Along the way, even though he relied on Array Formation for most of the journey, Ye Li had seen several lofty and solemn Buddhist temples in the Capital City, whose atmosphere was extremely similar to that of Luoxia City that day.
They are all clearly forces belonging to the [Great Brahma Palace].
Not all headquarters have such momentum. If they want to achieve their vague goal of confiscating property and destroying Buddhism, they need to act quickly.
"We can set off tomorrow morning."
Baiyue told him the truth: all the relevant procedures and documents had been prepared, and this kind of thing was never difficult.
She hesitated for a moment and said, "Great Clarity the arrangements after that, but His Highness should come after the banquet. We can wait in the courtyard for a while, what do you think..."
Before he could finish speaking, Baiyue's voice abruptly stopped, and he even stopped in his tracks.
Because Ye Li did not move forward any further.
Baiyue's heart tightened instinctively, and she tentatively asked:
"General Ye?"
"There are people inside." Ye Li didn't look at her, his expression calm as he gazed into the depths of the mansion, his hands tucked into his sleeves, the dark dragon and fish on his robes seeming to pierce the night wind like a battle flag.
The mansion was completely silent, except for the rustling of leaves in the night wind.
Baiyue felt a chill run down his spine. The mansion had been sealed off until now, Array Formation had its own dust-removing function, so the servants had not yet come here.
Where did this person come from? And how did they manage to escape the perception of this saint?
They're probably up to no good!
She instinctively took a step back, then quickly realized something was wrong and hurriedly looked in Ye Li's direction, saying:
"General!"
"It's alright," Ye Li chuckled.
I had underestimated the value of Capital City.
Even with the grand welcome from the Eldest Princess, someone still approached him on the very first day, which is enough to show how high-level the situation here is, that even the record of suppressing the Sword Sect couldn't intimidate the other side!
So how should we handle this?
Looking across the three realms, there is only one answer!
Ye Li stepped forward again, his slightly teasing voice carried on the wind to Baiyue's ears, making her heart pound wildly:
"Wait here."