Chapter 57: Jinyang City
After catching two fish, Chen Xuan and his companion put away their fishing rods.
The crowd of onlookers gradually dispersed.
Zhao Youqian glanced toward the ship's cabin and asked with a smile:
"Brother Chen, are you planning to take that youth as your disciple?"
When the Little Princess heard this, her face also revealed a look of curiosity. If her uncle could become the disciple of this great master, it would be an immense blessing.
"I was merely giving a fish as thanks for their food. As for taking a disciple, you are reading too much into it."
Chen Xuan responded indifferently.
The Little Princess sighed softly. She wondered what kind of person could become this Immortal Master's disciple. Even someone as exceptional as Qi Shaofeng could only acknowledge him as a grandfather. Her uncle clearly had no hope.
As the two conversed, Princess Lingxiu emerged from the ship's cabin and spoke respectfully to them:
"My thanks to the two Immortal Masters for bestowing the fish."
Chen Xuan said calmly: "No thanks are necessary. If it would not be too much trouble, perhaps you could have our fish prepared as well."
Princess Lingxiu turned to the Little Princess: "Jing'er, go instruct the kitchen."
"Yes, Princess."
The Little Princess knew that the Nineteenth Princess had deliberately sent her away, but she did not say anything further.
"I heard from Jing'er earlier how extraordinary the two Immortal Masters are. Today, I have finally witnessed it with my own eyes." Princess Lingxiu praised.
"Surely you did not come to find us simply to offer us compliments?"
Chen Xuan got straight to the point.
Princess Lingxiu replied: "I wish to request that after arriving in Jinyang, the two of you protect my son Xiao'er for a period of time. As for compensation, the two Immortal Masters need only name your price. Lingxiu will certainly ensure the two Immortal Masters are satisfied."
"There is no need for compensation. If you can take us to meet Old Ancestor Hongyun immediately upon reaching Jinyang, we can agree to this matter."
Chen Xuan stated his condition. Over these past few days, he had often heard people aboard the ship boasting about how powerful Old Ancestor Hongyun was.
Finding him to help rescue Brother Leng would be the fastest and simplest solution.
However, the current problem was that Chen Xuan could not locate Old Ancestor Hongyun. He certainly could not go on a rampage through Jinyang City, as that would only bring shame upon himself and Old Ancestor Hongyun.
"Could we change the condition?"
Princess Lingxiu frowned slightly. It was not that she did not wish to agree, but that she genuinely could not fulfill such a request.
"Then I can only offer my apologies. We have urgent matters to attend to upon reaching Jinyang, and I fear we cannot look after your son." Chen Xuan declined tactfully.
"It was presumptuous of Lingxiu to ask."
Having said this, she did not linger and turned to walk toward the ship's cabin.
Not long after, the Little Princess found Chen Xuan and offered a well-intentioned reminder:
"Immortal Master Chen, you should not have refused the Nineteenth Princess. She is the biological daughter of Old Ancestor Hongyun."
When Zhao Youqian heard this, he immediately laughed: "Brother Chen, I never expected you to have such a lovely grand-disciple. Perhaps you should show her some consideration."
Chen Xuan replied indifferently: "Old Ancestor Hongyun has so many grandchildren. If I were to look after every single one of them, I would surely work myself to death."
When the Little Princess heard their words, her face revealed a panicked expression.
"Immortal Master Chen, such jokes must not be spoken lightly! If the Old Ancestor is angered, it could bring about a great calamity."
Chen Xuan did not offer much explanation. After all, in this world, the truth is often known only to a select few.
"By the way, could you take us to meet Old Ancestor Hongyun?"
The Little Princess said with a helpless expression: "Please do not make such jokes. Let alone a mere princess like myself, even the Nineteenth Princess cannot meet the Old Ancestor before the enfeoffment day."
It seemed that finding Old Ancestor Hongyun to help was not a viable path for the time being.
Chen Xuan rubbed his nose with his hand: "By the way, do you know which important figure in Jinyang bears the surname Zhuo?"
"Of course I know. There is only one important figure in the entire State of Jin with the surname Zhuo - the current Imperial Preceptor, Zhuo Bufan!"
When the Little Princess spoke this name, her face revealed a look of reverence.
"Judging by your expression, this Zhuo Bufan seems quite formidable." Chen Xuan said with a smile.
"Of course. Imperial Preceptor Zhuo is the only person in the State of Jin with a different surname who was enfeoffed as a Marquis."
Seeing that Chen Xuan was so curious about Zhuo Bufan, the Little Princess asked subconsciously:
"Immortal Master Chen, you could not possibly be planning to cause trouble for Imperial Preceptor Zhuo, could you?"
Chen Xuan smiled: "That depends on whether he is the one causing trouble for me."
"..."
The Little Princess discovered that this conversation had suddenly become impossible to continue. If they kept talking, her heart would not be able to withstand it.
————
Three days later, the group arrived beneath the walls of Jinyang City.
By this time, ten days had passed since Leng Li's letter had arrived.
Jinyang City gave Chen Xuan his first impression in just two words - Majestic City!
Beneath those hundred-zhang-high city walls, any cultivator would appear insignificant.
With Princess Lingxiu and the Little Princess present, Chen Xuan's party naturally bypassed the inspection process.
After entering the city, the Little Princess主动 offered: "Two Immortal Masters, do you have a place to stay? If not, you are welcome to lodge at my home for a while."
"Then we shall impose upon you."
Chen Xuan did not stand on ceremony.
After all, being in unfamiliar territory, staying at an acquaintance's residence was a reasonable choice.
He could also have people investigate information related to the Zhuo family.
The group marched grandly toward the inner city.
Jinyang City was vast. They walked for over two hours before reaching the inner city.
Finally, the procession came to a halt before the entrance of a mansion wreathed in immortal qi.
On the plaque at the mansion's main gate were written four large characters: Lingye Royal Manor.
As soon as everyone arrived, the manor's gates opened accordingly.
A group of soldiers clad in fire armor streamed out and positioned themselves on either side of the entrance. Each of them emanated a powerful aura that marked them as formidable individuals.
"His Highness Prince Lingye approaches!"
Accompanied by a loud proclamation, a middle-aged man of tall stature and distinguished bearing walked forth. His every movement exuded an air of nobility befitting his royal status.
As soon as he emerged, he bowed respectfully toward Princess Lingxiu.
"Lingye pays his respects to Aunt Lingxiu."
Princess Lingxiu also put on no airs of superiority, and quickly said: "Prince Lingye, there is no need for such formality. We shall be imposing upon your hospitality for some days."
"This is Lingye's duty to fulfill. Aunt, please!"
Prince Lingye led the group into the prince's manor.
The Little Princess personally arranged for Chen Xuan's party to settle into a quiet small courtyard.
"I wonder what matter brings Immortal Master Chen to Jinyang this time?"
"To find someone."
Chen Xuan said calmly: "You know this person as well. It is Leng Li, who traveled with us when we went to Prison Dragon Island. Something has happened to him in Jinyang City."
When the Little Princess heard this, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief. At least they were not here to challenge Imperial Preceptor Zhuo or Old Ancestor Hongyun to a duel. Otherwise, she truly would not have dared to offer them lodging.
"If it is simply finding someone, I can be of assistance. I will have the manor's painter create his portrait, and then ask the Jinyang Magistrate to search for this person."
"Then I must trouble you, Little Princess."
Chen Xuan cupped his hands in gratitude.
"It is but a small matter. I will go find the painter now. Please wait a moment."
The Little Princess departed from the small courtyard.
Not long after, she returned with the painter.
Under the descriptions provided by Chen Xuan and Zhao Youqian, the painter quickly produced a portrait of Leng Li.
Looking at the portrait, Chen Xuan could not help but marvel at the skill of painters in this world. The likeness was practically identical to the real person.
"This is him. My thanks to you, Little Princess."
"It is my honor to serve the two Immortal Masters. Whether as soon as tonight or within three days at the latest, I will certainly bring news of him."
The Little Princess took the portrait and left.
————
That night, the Little Princess hurriedly came to the small courtyard.
She asked with a furrowed brow:
"Two Immortal Masters, are you certain that Master Leng came to Jinyang City?"
Hearing this, Chen Xuan's brows tightened. The Little Princess would not deceive him in this matter, which meant something had gone wrong.
"Why do you ask this?"
The Little Princess explained: "That Master Leng had registered with the Ascension Bureau, so every time he entered a city, there would be a record with the Ascension Bureau. I just had someone investigate.
From Dongyang Prefecture all the way to Shangyuan Prefecture, there are records of Master Leng's entries. After that, they ceased. Furthermore, Jinyang City has no record of his entry."
These words made the situation suddenly become incredibly perplexing...
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