A Bitter Grudge Drama

The lotus breeze carried fragrance; bamboo dew dripped with clear chimes.

In the bamboo courtyard, Shen Yun took out a Transmission Talisman and listened to the recent messages.

Shen Qingruo: "Grandfather said I'm not allowed out until I reach the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining. Staying on Misty Peak every day is so boring. What has Brother Shen Yun been doing lately?"

Shen Pingsheng: "Uncle An and I went fishing at Star Cloud Lake. Take good care of yourself these next few days."

Lin Qianluo: "The Dragon Blood Pool is about to open. Little Brother Yun, don't miss it."

After reading them, Shen Yun received an anonymous letter as well.

"A little wind and frost cannot crush me. Just wait, Shen Yun. I'll be back."

Those flamboyant words could only have come from Shen Qiu.

"This kid is truly annoying. I'll find a chance to send him on his way."

Shen Qiu was like a grasshopper after autumn, constantly hopping out to stir up trouble. Shen Yun had already begun considering how to stomp him to death.

After replying to each message, he packed his things and set off.

Just as he stepped out of the Mountain Gate, a booming voice came from behind him.

"Big Brother, wait for me!"

Shen Wude came running over, panting so hard that his old Daoist robe was soaked with sweat.

Shen Yun paused, somewhat puzzled. "What do you need from me?"

After catching his breath, Shen Wude said bluntly, "Big Brother, are you going to Great Zhou?"

When Shen Yun nodded, he continued, "Great Zhou has been a place where winds and clouds converge lately. It's the perfect time for cultivators to gather, so I'm planning to sell some things."

Recently, everyone in the market had been shouting at him to get lost. He had not opened for business in several days, so he intended to find a new patch of auspicious ground.

Shen Yun shook his head, too lazy to lecture him. Seeing this, Shen Wude eagerly trotted after him.

They arrived at the post station outside the mountain, which resembled a landlocked harbor.

More than a dozen teleportation platforms stood upon the broad marble plaza, with cultivators flowing back and forth like shuttles.

The guards wore black battle armor and stood beside the platforms, high-spirited and radiant with vigor, their cultivation clearly far from ordinary.

"Please hand over your Spirit Stones in an orderly manner. Do not crowd."

Once ten people had gathered, the guards embedded Spirit Stones into the formation platform. A moment later, the formation teleported the travelers away.

The teleportation platforms had been built at great expense by the Shen Family, who had hired Formation Masters to construct routes to every major location in Tianlan Prefecture.

Shen Yun and Shen Wude paid their Spirit Stones. As the formation activated, a powerful sensation of weightlessness swept over them.

It was as though they had entered a spatial passage, racing like wind and lightning as the scenery before their eyes shifted without end, as if they had stepped into an illusory world.

Two Quarters of an Hour later, the weightlessness abruptly faded.

The scene changed, and a vast teleportation field caught their eye. It was three times the size of the Shen Family's teleportation field, yet it was incredibly crowded, packed everywhere with dense masses of people.

After finally squeezing out of the crowd, Shen Yun sighed. "As expected of the Great Zhou Imperial Family. What a terrifying flow of people."

Shen Wude dusted himself off and said, shaking his head, "I heard Great Zhou is holding a Talisman Dao Competition. That probably has a lot to do with it."

Every year, the Spirit Talisman Guild held a Talisman Dao Competition, first to expand the influence of the Dao of Talismans, and second to select outstanding rising talents with potential.

This time, the venue had been chosen in Great Zhou, so it was quite a timely occasion.

The teleportation platform was built in the outskirts. By the time they reached the capital, night had already fallen.

The Great Zhou capital was also known as Shuntian City, a name taken from the meaning of following Heaven's decree.

The majestic Ancient City was enveloped by an invisible Floating Great Formation, capable of withstanding the full-force strike of a Golden Core expert.

The Formation Eye was a watery orb of light. Nine Spirit Veins had transformed into great dragons of Fortune, circling the orb.

After entering through the city gates, all they could see was the splendor of the mortal world. The streets were broad and the buildings magnificent; the Shen Family Market could not compare at all.

Seeing the darkening sky, Shen Yun decided to visit Lin Qianluo's home the next day.

A Moment Later, the two found a restaurant in the city.

"The spiritual food at One Leaf Pavilion tastes quite good. Let's eat here."

Shen Yun had come here twice as a child. Familiar with the place, he crossed the threshold with ease, only to find the establishment somewhat deserted, with merely a few scattered tables of guests.

The pavilion's layout was rather unusual. Winding streams flowed around the dining tables, green lotus leaves floated upon the water, and goldfish swam along the leaf veins.

They took an empty seat. Shen Yun began ordering dishes, casually placing the slip covered in dish names onto a lotus leaf.

The lotus leaf wrapped around the slip and drifted along with the winding stream.

Looking around at the surroundings, Shen Wude said strangely, "The environment here is quite nice. Why are there so few people?"

Shen Yun shook his head. "Whenever I came here before, it was always packed. This is indeed a little strange."

While the two were still discussing it, a Linen-clad Youth brought over their dishes. "Esteemed guests, please enjoy."

After serving the food, he turned and left, his footsteps somewhat hurried.

Shen Yun observed him for a moment before saying in a deep voice, "Even a waiter has the cultivation of the Qi Refining Sixth Layer. This place truly is extraordinary."

Shen Wude did not care about any of that. Heaven and earth might be vast, but eating was the greatest thing of all.

He picked up a chopstickful of spiritual fish and swallowed it. His eyes lit up. "Fresh, tender—this Steamed Mei Fish is superbly made."

With heaven and earth broad and unrestrained, Shen Yun did not dwell on it further. He picked up his chopsticks and began savoring the food.

After a quarter of an hour, the two had eaten their fill.

Just as they were about to pay, several officials clad in Flying Fish Robes stormed into the hall.

The leader had a long square face, ape-like arms, and a wasp waist. His official boots thudded sharply against the floor, and he carried himself with brazen arrogance.

He swept the room with eagle eyes and wolfish glances, then slammed his Spring Embroidered Saber onto the table with a bang.

"Where are the people? I want to order!"

His roar was full of hostility.

The Linen-clad Youth who had served them hurried over. His expression changed when he saw the newcomers, and he said in a deep voice, "Our restaurant uses spiritual lotus leaves to order."

The leading official glanced at him mockingly and sneered. "I want to order directly. Could it be that you have an objection?"

The Linen-clad Youth clenched his fists. At the sight, the other officials burst into laughter.

"Did you think you were the commander's son? Who are you putting that sour face on for?"

"My friend, that's where you're wrong. For the Ninth Princess to personally beg for his life, Ye Chen must be quite capable."

"..."

"We're talking to you. What are you pretending to be mute for?"

One of them sneered and shoved Ye Chen, sending him stumbling.

After regaining his footing, Ye Chen shouted, "Don't go too far!"

This was not the first or second time these people had come to cause trouble. Huang Xuan in particular had targeted him again and again. Ye Chen had endured all he could.

At those words, Huang Xuan slapped the table and rose to his feet. "I'm going too far. So what can you do about it?"

The argument was loud. Hearing the commotion, a Red-clad Girl with braided hair ran over. She wore an apron around her upper body, and her delicate face was filled with fury.

"One Leaf Pavilion does not welcome you. Get out!"

The Red-clad Girl stood in front of Ye Chen, glaring coldly at the officials.

Huang Xuan grinned, putting on an act as he said, "The Ye Family openly assassinated the Second Prince. Ye Chen certainly cannot escape involvement. Miss Mu Qiaoqiao is as lovely as a flower—why suffer for the sake of a criminal?"

"You're talking nonsense! Brother Ye Chen is not that kind of person." Mu Qiaoqiao's expression turned colder as she shouted, "Leave this place, or I'll report you for disturbing the peace."

Huang Xuan looked around and declared loudly, "Let everyone know this: Ye Chen is one of the culprits who assassinated the Second Prince. You should all be careful dining at One Leaf Pavilion."

After saying that, he turned back. "Ye Chen, you'll only ever hide behind women for the rest of your life."

"Let's go!"

With a sweep of his hand, Huang Xuan led the officials away in grand fashion.

Seeing this, the other diners paid their bills and hurriedly left.

Ye Chen gritted his steel teeth, his body trembling slightly as though he had suppressed himself to the limit.

Mu Qiaoqiao took his large hand and said softly, "They're just spouting nonsense. Brother Ye Chen, you must pull yourself together."

"Thank you!"

Ye Chen took a deep breath and forced himself to regain his spirits.

Shen Yun watched the entire drama from the side, then paid and left.

After leaving One Leaf Pavilion, the two found an inn and stayed there.

At dusk, the moon rose above the willow tips, and the summer moon shone pale beneath the high wind.

After cultivating, Shen Yun was preparing to sleep when Shen Wude came knocking.

"I just went to inquire about something. Guess what? The Second Prince is actually connected to the Shangguan Family..."

Shen Wude spoke in a modulated voice, keeping him in suspense to the fullest.

"Stop keeping me in suspense. If you have something to say, say it quickly."

Shen Yun poured two cups of tea. He had wondered where this kid had gone. So he had gone off to play the all-knowing scholar and gather intelligence again.

Shen Wude picked up a teacup and drained it in one gulp before saying, "Rumors say that the Second Prince provides resources to the Shangguan Family, while they help him contend for the position of Crown Prince."

"As for that Ye Chen from earlier, his father was the commander of the Mysterious Mirror Department. No one knows what madness possessed him to assassinate the Second Prince, but in the end, his entire family was wiped out."

"Ye Chen is a real romantic too. Only because the Ninth Princess personally pleaded with the Human Emperor was he able to preserve his little life."

There was some envy in Shen Wude's voice as he sighed toward the heavens. "Fatty here is heroic and dashing, a Heavenly Gifted Talent—why has no Fairy ever taken a liking to me?"

Thinking of how a down-and-out fellow like Ye Chen had caught the eyes of both the Ninth Princess and Mu Qiaoqiao, he was so furious that he could not even eat a late-night snack.

Shen Yun rubbed his chin, sensing something interesting. A blood-deep vendetta, divine maidens at his side, outstanding talent—good heavens, this guy is someone special.

"But what does any of that have to do with me?"

Shen Yun yawned. After sending Shen Wude away, he flopped down and promptly fell into a deep sleep.