Free Web NovelChapter 318: Chapter 317: Tomb
Wen Qingye walked right over to the seat no one else dared to take, then smiled as he looked down at the crowd on the street below.
"When will we get to the Glazed Ancient Country?" the Ice Python asked curiously.
Wen Qingye said, "It’s still going to be a while. I’ve been looking at a map of the Eastern Profound Domain. Since my cultivation isn’t high enough, it will take at least three more months to reach the Glazed Ancient Country."
The Ice Python suggested, "That long? I can just carry you. I’m much, much faster than you are."
Wen Qingye shook his head and smiled faintly. "There’s no need. That would attract too much attention. Besides, there’s no point in getting to the Glazed Ancient Country early. This way, we can appreciate the different cultures of the central and western countries of the Eastern Profound Domain."
"Hmm, that’s true," the Ice Python nodded. It was quite curious about these countries as well.
Just then, the chatter from nearby tables caught Wen Qingye’s attention.
"Hey, have you guys heard about that strange thing that happened in the Jinfeng Ancient Country recently?"
"Of course I have. The Ghost-Carried Coffin, who hasn’t heard of it? The story has spread far and wide. Even the experts in the Jinfeng Ancient Country have no idea what’s going on."
"I hear the coffin itself is no ordinary thing. It’s from the tomb of an expert at the Peak of Life and Death Realm! The coffin is actually a Magical Artifact, and the tomb is supposedly filled with treasures left behind by that peak expert."
"That sounds so strange. It’s a lot like the Immortal Coffin guarded by the Desert North Coffin Protection Gate, isn’t it?"
The Desert North was a region in the far northwest, a vast, endless sea of yellow sand that stretched to the horizon. Within it, a Sect guarded a single coffin. No one knew why, and people had jokingly nicknamed it the Immortal Coffin.
"Here’s your food."
Just then, Xing’Er came over and slowly placed the dishes in front of Wen Qingye, her cheeks flushed.
"Wait."
Xing’Er had just started to turn away when she heard Wen Qingye call out. Her heart leaped. Turning back to him, she asked shyly, "Is there something you need?"
Wen Qingye nodded. "I’d like to ask you about that Ghost-Carried Coffin in the Jinfeng Ancient Country."
"Oh, so that’s what you wanted to know." Xing’Er’s smile returned. "It’s a very strange story. For some reason, about half a month ago in Liz City, in the Jinfeng Ancient Country, a tomb suddenly emerged from the ground. This tomb seems to be anything but ordinary. A coffin inside it flies out every night and just wanders around the area. That’s why people are calling it the Ghost-Carried Coffin."
"I see." Wen Qingye nodded, though he was still puzzled. ’Why would the coffin come out at midnight?’
Xing’Er continued, "The whole affair is quite frightening. I heard everyone in the Jinfeng Ancient Country is on edge. To calm the public, the Jinfeng Ancient Country has reportedly summoned numerous experts to investigate the tomb. They’ve even said that anyone who finds treasure can keep it for themselves."
Hearing this, Wen Qingye felt a stir of interest. The Jinfeng Ancient Country was on his way to the Glazed Ancient Country anyway.
"If you don’t need anything else, I’ll be on my way," Xing’Er said softly, her lips parted slightly.
Wen Qingye looked up and smiled. "That’s all, thank you."
After Xing’Er slowly walked away, Wen Qingye was lost in thought.
The Ice Python suddenly spoke up, "How about we go take a look? I’m really curious about that tomb, too."
"Hmm, alright. We have plenty of time, anyway." Wen Qingye nodded, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "Maybe there really is some treasure inside that we could use. Besides, I suspect that for the coffin to suddenly fly out, there must be some sort of malevolent entity involved. There might even be Coffin Fungus."
"Coffin Fungus?" the Ice Python asked, puzzled. "What’s that?"
Just as Wen Qingye was about to answer, he heard a clamor from downstairs.
"The Young Prince, Kang Li’an, has arrived!"
Following the clear announcement, a man in his thirties strode in with his head held high, dozens of attendants trailing behind him. The man’s face was deathly pale and his steps were unsteady. His frame was so scrawny it looked as if a gust of wind could knock him over.
The moment the Shopkeeper saw Young Prince Kang Li’an, his face turned even paler than the prince’s. He immediately hurried over, trembling. "Young Prince Kang Li’an, you’re here."
Young Prince Kang Li’an smiled at the Shopkeeper and nodded. "This Prince was feeling inspired today and happened to be passing by, so I decided to stop in."
As he spoke, Young Prince Kang Li’an glanced in Wen Qingye’s direction. His smile vanished instantly, his expression contorting with rage. "Bastard! What is someone doing in my seat?"
Xing’Er stepped forward at that moment to explain. "That guest is just resting for a moment. If you weren’t here, surely it’s not forbidden to let—"
Before Xing’Er could finish, she felt a sudden rush of wind. Her vision blurred as she staggered backward and fell to the floor, a large, red welt already swelling on her pale cheek.
SLAP!
The crisp sound echoed throughout the restaurant. In an instant, a dead silence fell over the room.
"I don’t need your explanations. I’m more interested to see what gave this brat such nerve."
Without giving the fallen Xing’Er a second glance, Young Prince Kang Li’an strode toward Wen Qingye.
Seeing Xing’Er on the floor, a fire of rage ignited in Wen Qingye’s heart. His face remained impassive, but a sharp glint flickered in his eyes for a brief moment before vanishing.
"Xing’Er! Xing’Er, are you all right?" The Shopkeeper rushed over and helped her to her feet.
"Father, I’m fine. It’s just... that gentleman..."
Xing’Er touched her cheek, clenching her jaw. Her eyes, brimming with tears, turned toward Wen Qingye.
The Young Prince of Qixuan Country, Kang Li’an, stopped in front of Wen Qingye, his expression dark. "Brat, do you know the rules around here? Do you know how to spell the word ’death’?"
Kang Li’an looked down on him, his eyes filled with arrogance.
"Rules? What rules? I don’t know any." Wen Qingye shook his head. "As for the word ’death,’ I don’t know that either." His voice was utterly calm, but it simmered with the intensity of magma about to erupt.
Seeing Wen Qingye’s calm defiance, Kang Li’an’s face twisted into a snarl. "Don’t worry," he spat, glaring at Wen Qingye. "I’ll be happy to teach you."
A burly man lowered his voice and said to the middle-aged man beside him, "Boss, that kid looks like he’s new to the world. If you ask me, the Young Prince is going to beat him half to death, maybe even cripple him."
A woman in her thirties beside them added, her eyes on Wen Qingye filled with pity, "Ai, what a shame. The young man looks like he’s only in his early twenties, and he’s quite handsome, too."
The burly man chuckled. "Second Sister, don’t tell me you’ve taken a fancy to that kid, have you? Look at him. He’s nowhere near as brawny as I am."
The woman shot the burly man a fierce glare and snorted. "You’re just a brutish bear. Get lost."
Just then, the middle-aged man, who had been silent for some time, shook his head. "Look at that young man. He’s so composed. I have a feeling there’s more to him than meets the eye. Perhaps things won’t go as we expect. We shouldn’t jump to conclusions."
"I don’t know... Given his age, I doubt he’s any match for that attendant," the woman said slowly, shaking her head.
Standing a short distance away, Xing’Er clutched her swollen cheek. Her heart was in her throat, thumping wildly as she stared at Wen Qingye’s back. "Father," she asked worriedly, "what do we do now?"
"There’s nothing we can do! Young Prince Kang Li’an is highly favored by the current Emperor. Who in all of Qixuan Country would dare to offend him?" the Shopkeeper said helplessly. "Go get Captain Hu of the Royal City Law Enforcement Team. See if you can save this young man’s life. I’ll watch things here."
"Okay, I’ll go right now." Xing’Er nodded and, heedless of the injury to her face, hurried downstairs.
Throughout it all, Wen Qingye remained calmly seated, completely unfazed by the furious glare of the Young Prince of Qixuan Country.
"Seize him!" Young Prince Kang Li’an sneered at the attendants behind him.
