Free Web NovelChapter 249: Chapter 247: New Year
The New Qin Empire had not withdrawn its troops, nor was it possible for them to do so!
The war had been raging for several years, and both sides had invested immense manpower and resources. If they were to stop, one side would have to surrender.
However, the Five Nations Alliance also had many powerful experts backing them. This forced the Cui Family’s powerhouses, who had originally wanted to join the fight, to temporarily suppress the idea.
An expert backing the Great Chu Kingdom, one of the members of the Five Nations Alliance, had put it well: "Wars in the Mortal Realm should be resolved by the methods of the Mortal Realm. For Martial Artists from the Mysterious Lands to participate is, in itself, a gross injustice. Do you think you’re the only ones with a Mysterious Land backing you?"
The Cui Family may be formidable, but their power was confined to Profound Island. On the Celestial Essence Continent, there were countless Mysterious Lands. Although Profound Island had the most prominent reputation, who could guarantee that it was truly the strongest?
Moreover, even if the Cui Family was stronger, they might not be able to overwhelm the forces backing these five nations, as neither side knew the other particularly well. Thus, though the war had lasted for years, no Martial Artist beyond the Celestial Shattering Realm had made a move.
The two sides maintained a delicate balance.
However, this balance was about to be shattered. With someone like Qin Li, who acted without any inhibitions, the Cui Family was truly out of luck.
They had mobilized their family’s core forces and allied with others to contend for territory in the Mortal Realm, all while harboring ulterior motives. They had been treading carefully, terrified of touching on others’ sensitive nerves. But unexpectedly, a huge variable like Qin Li had appeared. He was like a massive troublemaker, throwing their plans into utter chaos.
Their original plan was to bribe Zhao Xinghe, dissolve the alliance between the Five Nations from within, and seize the five countries with lightning speed. But Qin Li had completely disrupted it, giving the Five Nations a chance to breathe and attracting the attention of the powers behind them, leading to the current stalemate.
Although a few years, a decade, or even a century was nothing in the eyes of a behemoth like the Cui Family, their hatred for Qin Li had already reached a boiling point.
If not for the sudden rise of the Qin Family of Profound Island, which had used Elixirs as its foundation to unite with many powerful families on the island, the Cui Family would have likely sent all their elites with the intent to annihilate the Qin Family. ƒгeewebnovёl.com
Under these circumstances, if an opportunity to eliminate Qin Li arose, the Cui Family would spare no effort.
Qin Li had long suspected that the Cui Family’s frantic desire to conquer these five nations must be for a specific purpose. For thousands of years, countries on the Celestial Essence Continent were as numerous as ox hairs. Which major power didn’t control a few state regimes? Could they really be that desperate for land in the Mortal Realm?
If they were searching for something, a powerful clan like the Cui Family could have entered any country to look for it effortlessly. Why did they have to seize political power?
What were they really after?
It was precisely because of these suspicions, and because he could feel the Cui Family’s rage at him for ruining their plans, that Qin Li solidified his resolve to oppose them to the very end.
Surrender? That wasn’t in Qin Li’s nature. Those words simply weren’t in his vocabulary.
Little Fox set off quietly with Bu Yunyan and the others. Qin Li wasn’t worried about them running into any trouble. With a powerhouse like Little Fox at the Celestial Embracing Realm present, anyone who tried to harm them would simply be courting death.
Qin Li didn’t wait for the New Year. He and Shangguan Shiyu set out on the road to the Great Qi Kingdom. Shangguan Shiyu was filled with sorrow at this moment; how could she be in the mood to celebrate the New Year?
When they left, they didn’t say goodbye to Shangguan Tie. After everything that had happened, it was better not to see each other.
During the traditional New Year on the Celestial Essence Continent, a festive atmosphere filled every region. Although the war had never ceased, the people of the Great Qi Kingdom temporarily forgot their fear as the New Year arrived, immersing themselves in the joyful celebrations.
Qin Li and Shangguan Shiyu crossed the border between Cyan Dragon and Great Qi, entering the southern part of the Great Qi Kingdom. On New Year’s Day, the two happened to arrive in a small southern city called Yundian.
The two strolled through the streets, soaking in the cheerful atmosphere. Shangguan Shiyu’s mood calmed slightly. She turned her head, her gaze fixed on the man beside her. ’I feel so much for him,’ she thought, ’but there’s no need to say it out loud. We’ve always understood each other perfectly.’
"Husband, do you think... we’ll be able to find that place? Is there any hope that my parents are still alive?" Shangguan Shiyu’s voice was clear and cool, tinged with a faint sadness.
Although Shangguan Shiyu had no memory of her parents from the past eighteen years, she knew that they must have loved her. And she loved them. She had always longed for the day she could see them with her own eyes, standing right before her.
Only by having the chance to be a doting daughter in her parents’ presence could she feel that her life had not been lived in vain.
In truth, Qin Li had no confidence at all. ’Putting aside whether we can even find the Mysterious Land,’ he thought, ’even if we do, Shangguan Jian and his wife’s sect hasn’t heard from them in so many years. What makes me think Shiyu and I can find them? But some things... you just have to do them.’
"Shiyu, don’t worry. Even if it means skipping the Venerable Tournament, I’ll definitely go with you on this search. Compared to this, nothing else is important!"
Shangguan Shiyu’s limpid eyes gazed at Qin Li’s handsome face. A faint smile appeared as she said softly, "I’m hungry. It’s New Year’s Day, let’s go get something to eat."
"Okay!" Qin Li nodded. The two casually walked into a restaurant that looked quite large, and a server came out to greet them with a beaming smile.
"This way, you two esteemed guests!"
Neither Qin Li nor Shangguan Shiyu was in Disguise. They looked just like a golden boy and a jade maiden, drawing countless stares wherever they went. Long accustomed to the attention, they found a seat by the window.
Qin Li looked up at the server and said, "Bring us seven or eight of your signature dishes, and a pot of your best warmed wine." As he spoke, he casually took out a golden leaf and placed it on the table. "Keep the change."
The server’s eyes lit up instantly. ’This young man and woman look like they’ve stepped right out of a painting,’ he thought. ’Not only are they beautiful, but they’re so generous, too! This is turning out to be a great New Year!’
He gave a resounding reply and immediately rushed off to handle their order.
Some of the people in the restaurant couldn’t help but stare at Qin Li and Shangguan Shiyu. Upon seeing Shangguan Shiyu’s kingdom-toppling beauty, their eyes filled with astonishment.
But, for one, it was New Year’s Day for everyone on the Celestial Essence Continent. For another, although it was impossible to gauge the depth of these two young people’s abilities, they definitely didn’t look like the kind of people one could easily bully. So, no one came over to bother them.
Even thugs usually have a sharp eye for who to avoid.
Before long, the food and wine arrived, steaming and fragrant. A pot of fine vintage was also brought to the table. Such generous patrons had even alerted the restaurant’s Shopkeeper, who instructed the server to be sure to serve the young man and woman well.
After all, that single golden leaf was enough to feed everyone in the restaurant for three days straight. For someone to produce it so casually, how could they be an ordinary person?
Qin Li, of course, didn’t care what others thought of them. With their current strength, they could do as they pleased in the Mortal Realm. It was good enough that they didn’t provoke others; anyone who provoked them would be no different from someone seeking death.
Qin Li also filled a small cup of wine for Shangguan Shiyu and raised his own. "Shiyu, here’s to us finding your father and mother’s whereabouts soon!" frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
Shangguan Shiyu gazed back with a gentle smile, raised her cup, and took a small sip. Two blushes immediately rose on her charming cheeks as she nodded lightly.
Just then, a group of people entered from outside: four men and two women, none of whom looked very old. They were travel-worn, as if they had been on the road for a long time. Qin Li could tell at a glance that two of the young men seemed to be injured, their auras showing signs of obstruction.
One of the women, who was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight with average looks, spoke up, "Arrange a private room for us, and bring out your best food and wine!"
As she spoke, she casually tossed out a large piece of silver, which looked to be about three to five taels. Although it couldn’t compare to Qin Li’s golden leaf, it was still quite generous.
The server’s face lit up. ’If every day were like this, I’d be rich!’ he thought happily.
Just as he was about to arrange the private room, the group of four men and two women simultaneously noticed Qin Li and Shangguan Shiyu sitting by the window. They couldn’t help but exchange a glance, seeing the same look of amazement in each other’s eyes.
One of the men, who was around thirty, said, "Let’s just sit in the main hall. It’s bright and spacious!"
The other girl let out a displeased huff and muttered under her breath, "Clearly his mind isn’t on the wine..."
"Alright, Junior Sister, it’s fine to sit in the main hall," said the woman who had spoken earlier. The group then sat down three or four tables away from Qin Li.
In reality, the young man only wanted to sit in the main hall out of an appreciation for beauty. Shangguan Shiyu’s looks were peerless; what man could remain indifferent?
Still, he wasn’t a lecher, so he didn’t rashly go over to strike up a conversation. The group ate and chatted amongst themselves.
"Eldest Martial Brother, this training expedition has really been an eye-opener! I never thought the Mortal Realm had such dangerous places. We almost didn’t make it back!"
The speaker was a young man of twenty-three or twenty-four, and he still bore some injuries.
The oldest among them, a man who looked to be about thirty-five or thirty-six with dark skin and piercing eyes, glanced nonchalantly in Qin Li’s direction before saying flatly, "Eat. Don’t talk about these things."
This Eldest Martial Brother seemed to command great authority. After he spoke, the others fell silent. They finished their meal quickly and left the restaurant. Two of the young men were still somewhat reluctant to leave. After getting glared at a few times by the younger woman, they departed resentfully. In the end, they never went over to talk to them.
Qin Li and Shangguan Shiyu had also long since finished eating. They exchanged a look, and Qin Li said softly, "Let’s follow them and see."
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Today will have three updates. I pushed too hard last month and my body is seriously exhausted. This month, I’ll guarantee three updates a day, with extra Chapters at irregular intervals. Well, happy New Year again, everyone. Please cast your guaranteed monthly votes and send Xiaodao a New Year’s gift!
Thank you!!! (To be continued. If you want to know what happens next, please log on to www.qidian.com for more Chapters and to support the author and legitimate reading!)
