Chapter 700: Proclamation to the World
Deep within the imperial palace, by a forest stream facing a rocky cliff and flowing water, a beautiful woman was crouched by the water's edge. Before her lay a painting, and in that painting was the clear image of a handsome young man.
The dyes stained the stream water, but were quickly washed away by the current. Yet the beautiful woman seemed utterly unconcerned with this, focusing solely on her painting, on the man she loved.
Unable to see him, she could only paint to ease the longing in her heart.
"Princess!" Just then, a surprised voice rang out, interrupting Duan Xinye. The brush in her hand trembled slightly, ruining the entire painting. Duan Xinye frowned, then turned to look at the newcomer. "Xiaoxin, what matter has made you so reckless?"
"Princess, the most wonderful news!" Xiaoxin's face was full of joy.
"What news?" Duan Xinye asked with some confusion. She had instructed the others not to disturb her while she was painting; she wondered what could have made Xiaoxin so excited.
"Lin Feng, he's back. Just now, he proposed to His Majesty." Xiaoxin seemed a bit excited, her chest heaving. Duan Xinye's brush dropped directly to the ground. Lin Feng was back, and he had proposed to her father.
"And... did he agree?" Duan Xinye's voice trembled slightly.
"He agreed! His Majesty agreed! Young Master Lin Feng defeated Crown Prince Wudao in the Snow Domain Grand Competition, won the championship seat, and was appointed by the Dragon Mountain Empire as the Snow Moon Ruler, enjoying supreme glory."
Duan Xinye's heart trembled violently. Defeating Crown Prince Wudao, winning the Snow Domain Grand Competition championship, being appointed Ruler—each piece of news was so shocking that she stood there in a daze, momentarily unable to react.
"Where is Lin Feng now?" Duan Xinye suddenly snapped back to reality, her face full of delight.
"I just heard the news. Young Master Lin Feng is outside the palace; he should be coming to see you soon, Princess."
Before Xiaoxin's words had even faded, Duan Xinye began to run. Her long dress fluttered, her hair swayed in the wind, exuding an indescribable charm.
A figure landed before her, and only then did she stop. She looked at the man from the painting, the figure she had longed for countless times. He had finally returned, appearing before her once again, bringing her such a great surprise—personally proposing to her father, and her father had agreed.
Staring at the young man before her, the lines of his face were clearer, his gentle, smiling gaze deeper. Duan Xinye lowered her head slightly, and then her eyes gradually turned red.
She wanted to hold back, but in the end, her tears were not so obedient, sliding slowly down her cheeks.
Raising her sleeve, Duan Xinye wiped her eyes without caring about her appearance, her lowered head forcing a faint smile to try and look prettier. But no matter how hard she tried, the tears simply wouldn't obey.
Lin Feng slowly stepped forward, walking to Duan Xinye's side. Duan Xinye slowly raised her gaze, her sleeve still covering her face.
"Silly girl, if you want to cry, just let it out." Lin Feng reached out and pulled Duan Xinye into his embrace. At that moment, the tears could no longer be held back. With a soft sob, Duan Xinye tightly hugged that warm body, as if afraid Lin Feng would leave again.
Although participating in the Snow Domain Grand Competition was an honor, Lin Feng had no idea what he would encounter when he left. Life and death were uncertain. Besides longing, what she felt most was fear and worry. Not knowing was what frightened her most. She didn't even know what Lin Feng was going through out there. Many times, she was even startled awake by nightmares, constantly comforting herself, praying for Lin Feng's safe return.
Now, that familiar figure had finally stood before her once more. She seemed to want to cry out all the grievances (weiqu) she had endured during this time.
Behind the two, Xiaoxin's face showed a sweet smile. Then she quietly circled around and left, silently sending her blessings to the kind and simple princess.
Lin Feng remained silent, letting Duan Xinye cry it all out until she had cried enough. She lifted her gaze and glared at Lin Feng with a hint of reproach.
"Lin Feng, wherever you go from now on, you have to take me with you." Duan Xinye stared at Lin Feng and said. Not being by Lin Feng's side, not knowing where he was, was too painful. It felt like a boulder was pressing on her heart, making it hard to breathe. If she were by Lin Feng's side, even if danger came, she could at least face it together with him.
"Mm." Lin Feng cupped Duan Xinye's cheeks, looking into her pitiful, reproachful eyes. How could he say no? Even if it was just a lie, he had to say it.
Hearing Lin Feng's words, Duan Xinye revealed an innocent, radiant smile. She raised her sleeve to wipe away the tears at the corners of her eyes, looking especially adorable.
"I'll take you to the Longing Forest," Lin Feng said.
"Mm." Duan Xinye nodded obediently. Then Lin Feng stepped forward, and his body rose into the air, instantly stepping into the void, heading toward the Longing Forest.
No one in the palace stopped him. Now that Lin Feng was a Ruler, and the Emperor himself had spoken to proclaim it to the world, the palace was open to Lin Feng. Moreover, with She Huan's death, who would dare to block Lin Feng?
Soon, Lin Feng and Duan Xinye's figures disappeared from the palace, heading straight for the Longing Forest.
Lin Feng's life had a brief period of peace, but Snow Moon was far from calm. The news of Lin Feng's glorious return, winning the championship seat in the Snow Domain Grand Competition and being granted the title of Ruler, first swept through the Imperial City, then spread outward from the Imperial City as its center. Moreover, it was personally decreed by the imperial palace, proclaimed to the world, so that the entire nation would know.
Snow Moon Kingdom, Yangzhou City. Yangzhou City was now many times more prosperous than before. The strength of its people had also greatly improved. A large number of martial artists had come to settle in Yangzhou City, increasing opportunities for exchange. The circulation of martial arts techniques and divine abilities had also increased, and more and more powerful outsiders arrived. The overall strength of Yangzhou City naturally grew stronger.
All of this was led by the City Lord's Mansion. Not only had the mansion itself been built into a magnificent castle, but the entire Yangzhou City had also been renovated. Everyone could feel how much powerful support a strong City Lord could bring to a city.
And just then, many figures suddenly appeared in the sky above Yangzhou City. These figures were seated on several demon beasts—powerful Mysterious Beasts, a sight that shook people's hearts.
The people of Yangzhou City were all filled with panic. What were these powerful beings coming to Yangzhou City for?
Pages of golden paper drifted down from the sky, moving with the wind above Yangzhou City. Wherever the demon beasts passed, golden papers fluttered down. After the demon beasts made a full circuit around Yangzhou City, the entire city was covered in golden paper.
Watching the demon beasts leave, a powerful figure rose into the air, grabbed one of the golden papers, and looked at it.
"Snow Moon genius, Crimson Blood Marquis, Yangzhou City native Lin Feng, representing Snow Moon in the Snow Domain Grand Competition, shone brilliantly on the stage of the Snow Domain Grand Competition, won the championship seat of the Snow Domain Grand Competition, and returned to Snow Moon carrying supreme glory. Now, the Emperor of the Dragon Mountain Empire has decreed that Lin Feng be appointed as the Snow Moon Ruler. Furthermore, the Snow Moon Emperor is willing to betroth Princess Duan Xinye to Lin Feng. This is hereby proclaimed to the world!"
Clear and shocking words came into view, causing the powerful figure's body to tremble slightly. Lin Feng, the master of Yangzhou City, had won the Snow Domain Grand Competition championship, returned to Snow Moon with unparalleled glory, and was now appointed by the Empire's Emperor as the Snow Moon Ruler. He would also marry the Princess.
With a look of shock, the person slowly turned his gaze toward the vast castle in the center of Snow Moon, the City Lord's Mansion. Now, the City Lord had become a Ruler. Perhaps in the future, that castle would become a holy land of Snow Moon, another imperial palace.
The people of Yangzhou City each picked up the golden papers, their gazes fixed on them for a long time. Their bodies were trembling.
The Snow Domain Grand Competition championship—this was the glory of the Snow Domain, the glory of the Empire, the glory of the Snow Moon Kingdom, and also the supreme glory of Yangzhou City. Lin Feng had walked out from Yangzhou City.
"Lin Feng!" The people of the Yangzhou City Lord's Mansion had extremely sharp light in their eyes. This was their glory.
"Lin Feng!" Others looked at the golden proclamation in their hands and sighed to the heavens. They were the people of the Lin Clan of Yangzhou City!
All of this was happening not only in Yangzhou City but throughout all of Snow Moon. It was just that the people of Yangzhou City felt it most deeply, because Lin Feng had walked out from Yangzhou City!
PS: There are still eleven hours left. If you keep the flowers, they will wither. Today, there will be a few more chapters!