Free Web NovelChapter 199: Chapter 198: Ling Xiao’s Invitation
Wen Qingye smiled faintly and said nothing.
Lang Feng looked at Wen Qingye, a flash of inexplicable gratitude in his eyes.
Lang Feng couldn’t help but remind Wen Qingye, "Wen Tongyu is very strong. He recently broke through to the Refining Spirit Fifth Layer Heaven, and his talent for Martial Arts is also extraordinary."
Hearing Lang Feng’s words, Yann Chuxue’s eyes shifted to Wen Qingye, as if she were trying to see something in him.
Wen Qingye’s eyes were calm, without a single ripple.
Lang Feng looked at Wen Qingye and said seriously, "Of course, you’re very strong too."
Nie Shuang walked over, regarding Wen Qingye with a complicated expression. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but then held back. Beside him, Cheng Yu looked at Wen Qingye and said softly, "Thank you."
"There’s nothing to thank me for." Wen Qingye looked at Nie Qinglan. "I’ll be heading back now."
"Alright, go on back," Nie Qinglan said with a nod.
Wen Qingye turned and walked directly toward the door.
Not until his back had vanished did Shu Jiuyi sigh with emotion. "What a shame. Truly a shame."
"Why do you say that?" Nie Qinglan asked.
Shu Jiuyi said regretfully, "I feel that he and Wen Tongyu are the ones most likely to pass through the Thousand Rivers Secret Land from the Celestial Martial Country in recent years. If he had been able to come to our Celestial Academy, perhaps his strength would be even greater now."
Nie Qinglan shook her head and said with a smile, "That’s not necessarily true. Wen Qingye is different from others."
The moonlit night was as dark as ink, dotted with a myriad of stars.
"You’re still awake?" Yann Chuxue asked as she walked to Yann Xiangyang’s side, gazing up at the moon.
Yann Xiangyang heaved a deep sigh. "There are some things I can’t figure out, so I can’t sleep."
"What things?"
"I’m not too sure myself. My thoughts are a bit of a mess." Yann Xiangyang lowered her head. "I used to want to see Wen Tongyu so badly, but now that I have, I feel like... he’s nothing special."
Yann Chuxue smiled freely, as if she saw through everything. "He showed you mercy back then. What you feel for him is just gratitude. You were just too fixated on it."
’Gratitude?’ Yann Xiangyang was bewildered.
After an unknown amount of time, Yann Xiangyang slowly stuck out her tongue and said with a smile, "Maybe you’re right."
Yann Chuxue nodded. A hint of a smile touched her cool eyes as she gazed at the moonlight before her. It was as if she were speaking to herself. ’The world is full of lovesick fools, a matter that has nothing to do with the wind or the moon. Just enjoy the moon, and don’t overthink it.’
Yann Chuxue rarely smiled, and with the gentle evening breeze, it seemed as if even the moon shyly wanted to hide away.
.......
"Young Master Wen, this way, please." The steward of the Eighth Prince’s Mansion gestured respectfully for Wen Qingye to enter.
Wen Qingye nodded and followed the steward into the Eighth Prince’s Mansion.
After passing through a long, quiet corridor and a grove of lush green bamboo, the steward led Wen Qingye to the main hall of the Eighth Prince’s Mansion.
A man was seated in the hall. His expression was solemn, his brow held an air of authority, and he was dressed in magnificent purple robes. This was none other than the Eighth Prince, Ling Xiao.
"Your Highness, Young Master Wen has arrived," the steward announced as he stepped forward.
Ling Xiao nodded and began to size up Wen Qingye.
Wen Qingye looked at Ling Xiao calmly and cupped his fist. "Thank you for your righteous assistance that day, Your Highness. I, Wen Qingye, will remember this kindness and will surely repay it in the future."
Upon hearing this, Ling Xiao’s brow furrowed slightly. He said slowly, "Have a seat first."
After Wen Qingye sat down, Ling Xiao nodded to himself. ’This young man has an extraordinary bearing—neither servile nor overbearing.’ ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
Ling Xiao stared at Wen Qingye intently and said, "Your innate talent is quite good. I heard you defeated Ling Quan with a single strike. I am very familiar with Ling Quan’s strength, as I was the one who taught him half of what he knows."
Wen Qingye just smiled faintly, his composure completely unshaken by Ling Xiao’s words.
Watching Wen Qingye, Ling Xiao’s admiration for him grew even stronger. ’This young man is truly exceptional—grand yet reserved.’
"Alright, I won’t say any more on other matters," Ling Xiao said, standing up. "I wonder, what are your thoughts on my young daughter? Feel free to speak your mind."
Wen Qingye also stood up and said directly, "I am very grateful for the Eighth Prince’s help, but I am already a married man. I’m afraid I must disappoint you, Your Highness."
Ling Xiao’s brow furrowed tightly. He said in a low voice, "I am aware of that. However, your wife has been taken away by the Taiyi Pavilion. News travels slowly in our Celestial Martial Country, so you may not know about the Taiyi Pavilion..."
"I know of the Taiyi Pavilion, but what does that have to do with anything?" Wen Qingye interrupted Ling Xiao, his expression turning serious. "As a true man, how could I allow my wife to be held captive elsewhere and do nothing about it?"
Normally, Ling Xiao would have been displeased at being interrupted, but now, as he looked into Wen Qingye’s resolute eyes, he found himself sighing deeply for some unknown reason.
After a long moment, Ling Xiao nodded. "You have your own conviction. Even if it’s wrong, you have no regrets. I will not force the issue."
Ling Xiao felt a little disappointed. He greatly admired Wen Qingye, but since the young man had his own principles, Ling Xiao would not make things difficult for him.
Ling Xiao didn’t mention the matter again, instead turning the conversation to the Thousand Rivers Secret Land. "The Thousand Rivers Secret Land is extremely perilous, with a high death rate and a high failure rate. This is especially true for our Celestial Martial Country, which is not only weak in strength but also viewed with hostility by the other Fifteen Countries."
"Why is that?" Wen Qingye asked.
Ling Xiao gave a helpless, bitter smile. "This story goes way back. When the Moonfall Sword God participated in the Thousand Rivers Secret Land, he went on a rampage, slaughtering the geniuses from the Fifteen Countries with his sword. In the end, only a few managed to escape. That year, he was the only one to pass through the Thousand Rivers Secret Land. Ever since then, the other Fifteen Countries have held an exceptional hatred for our Celestial Martial Country."
Wen Qingye nodded. He hadn’t expected there to be such a hidden story behind it all.
Just then, a series of hurried sounds came from outside the door, and a young woman quickly walked in. It was Ling Jiao.
"Father!" Ling Jiao called out to Ling Xiao, then turned to look at Wen Qingye, a flash of pleasant surprise in her eyes.
Seeing this, Ling Xiao couldn’t help but sigh. "I’m going to get some fresh air. You two can talk."
After speaking, Ling Xiao walked out of the hall. free𝑤ebnovel.com
"Little Princess!" Wen Qingye greeted Ling Jiao with a polite fist-cup.
Ling Jiao smiled faintly. "You don’t actually have to call me ’Little Princess’."
"It’s better to be polite," Wen Qingye said softly.
Ling Jiao’s brow twitched slightly, but then her expression quickly smoothed out. She slowly walked to Wen Qingye’s side and looked into his eyes. For some reason, the more she looked, the more captivated she became, and the faster her heart beat.
Ling Jiao struggled to regain her composure and looked at Wen Qingye. "What... what did my father say to you?"
Wen Qingye said calmly, "Not much. We just talked about the Thousand Rivers Secret Land."
Ling Jiao nodded, then suddenly asked, "Did my father not talk to you about... us?"
Wen Qingye looked at Ling Jiao and smiled. "He did. And he said he wouldn’t force it."
Hearing this, Ling Jiao’s heart skipped a beat. She forced a smile. "What does that mean?"
"Thank you for your kind intentions, Little Princess," Wen Qingye said slowly.
"What?" Ling Jiao bit her lip, looking at Wen Qingye. "Do you look down on me?"
"It has nothing to do with looking down on you or not. It’s simply that I already have a wife."
"But... she’s already gone."
"She will come back."
"Are you sure?"
"I’m sure."
Ling Jiao looked into Wen Qingye’s eyes. From his gaze and his words, she saw his heart, his conviction. A feeling of bitter unwillingness suddenly welled up inside her. Never before had she hated herself so much.
"Little Princess, I will take my leave now." Wen Qingye clasped his hands, then turned and walked toward the door.
Ling Jiao’s lips parted, her face pale. She watched as Wen Qingye walked away step by step, until he disappeared from her sight.
