Chapter 1023: Soul Warning Sign
After the feast dispersed, taking advantage of Feng Huituo seeing off the guests, Yun Che slipped away during a gap and wandered around behind the imperial palace for a short while. Then he stopped in front of a strangely unfrozen pond, stared at the floating green leaves on its surface, and let out a long breath.
He had been bustling about all day, and his ears were still ringing. But he still had absolutely no clue how to obtain a Qilin horn.
"It's far harder than I imagined," Yun Che muttered gloomily to himself.
For Mu Xuanyin, it was just a matter of a single word. But for him, he didn't even know how to bring it up. After all, the Bingfeng Empire bore him no grudges and had treated him with utmost respect. As the emperor of Bingfeng, Feng Huituo had even said, "I would not refuse even death." If he directly asked for the Qilin horn...
That was the empire's national treasure, tied to the fate of the nation in the perception of the Bingfeng Empire!
In the Yinxue Realm, besides Mu Xuanyin, no one else seemed capable of making such a request.
But apart from bluntly asking, what other options did he have? Could he steal it? Not to mention that, as a national treasure, it would certainly be hidden in the most secret and heavily guarded place. Even if he knew where it was, how could he possibly steal it?
Mu Xuanyin had specifically emphasized that he should come alone this time. With his current profound strength, even an average high-level guard in the imperial palace could kill him instantly. As for Mu Xiaolan, who had unexpectedly accompanied him later... she was even a burden weaker than he was.
"Oh? Yun Che, so this is where you ran off to."
Just as Yun Che was at a loss, Mu Xiaolan walked over with light steps, then gave a somewhat playful little hop to stand by his side. She said with a giggle, "Hehe, do you feel super impressive today?"
"..." Yun Che exhaled but said nothing.
"Eh? Why do you look so unhappy?" Mu Xiaolan leaned in, only to see a completely expressionless face.
"What's there to be happy about?" Yun Che curled his lip.
"Hmm... so many people praised you, flattered you, scrambled to toast you, and even Senior Brother Hanyi's father spoke to you with his back bent. I don't believe you don't feel a little proud," Mu Xiaolan puffed her cheeks.
Yun Che sighed lightly and said, "Do you think the people they flatter and revere are me?"
"Ah?" Mu Xiaolan was taken aback.
"No," Yun Che shook his head. "The one they truly revere and flatter is Master."
"Before I revealed my status as a personal disciple, few in the hall even glanced at me. The Ice Wind Emperor couldn't even remember the name I had just announced. Not only them, but your father, on the primordial mystic ark, unhesitatingly mocked my background and sternly warned me to stay away from you."
"Ah!" Mu Xiaolan was startled, her face turning pale. "Father... he... he..."
"Alright, don't worry. I'm not saying I blame your father," Yun Che lightly poked her forehead. "When you visit your parents later, remember to tell your father not to dwell on today's events. There's no need to come and apologize to me specifically. I don't mind at all. Otherwise, he won't sleep well tonight."
Mu Xiaolan covered her forehead with her hand and finally understood why her father had been so distracted and incoherent all day. She said nervously, "Father actually... you... you really don't blame him?"
"What's there to blame?" Yun Che shrugged. "Isn't this completely normal? With my own profound strength and background, it's only fitting to be treated this way in front of such important figures."
"The change in their attitude is solely because of my identity as the sect master's personal disciple."
"Even if Master no longer holds the titles of Yinxue Realm King and Binghuang Sect Master, the people of Yinxue Realm would still revere her like a deity. But if I didn't have the identity Master gave me, not only would today's crowd not praise or flatter me, they probably wouldn't even spare me a second glance. So there's nothing for me to be happy about. Instead, I've come to better recognize the reality of this world, where strength reigns supreme."
Mu Xiaolan was momentarily stunned, then shook her head and said, "That's not entirely true. Although your profound strength isn't particularly outstanding now, your ice talent is incredibly high, and you're the personal disciple of a great realm king. It won't be long before you become a big shot with lofty strength. No one doubts that, so it's only natural they curry favor with you now."
"Forget it," Yun Che said indifferently. "Anyway, in two or three years... at most three or four years, I'll leave this place. On our Lan Ji Star, I'm the great realm king. I can throw my weight around as much as I want!"
"Hmph," Mu Xiaolan gave him a disdainful look and muttered to herself in a voice only she could hear, "Now that you're a personal disciple, do you really think the sect master will let you go back?"
But Father actually said such things to him on the mystic ark... Ahhh! So embarrassing! What should I do...
"You... really don't blame Father?" Mu Xiaolan lowered her head and asked again, her voice small, tinged with guilt and unease.
"If it were anyone else, with my old temper, I would have... ahem, ahem. But since it's Little Senior Sister Xiaolan's father, I don't blame him one~~ bit," Yun Che said with a look of assurance. "Besides, I know your father is not a bad person. He warned me out of concern for you."
Yun Che turned his gaze to Mu Xiaolan's delicate, radiant profile. "I can tell that your father is a very straightforward person. He is not good at, nor does he care for, scheming. The moment we met, he didn't hide anything; he directly showed his contempt for me. Although he seemed quite fierce at the time, he wasn't scary at all... Little Senior Sister Xiaolan, do you know what kind of person is the most terrifying in this world?"
"Ah?" Mu Xiaolan parted her lips.
"It's the kind of person who never lets others see their true joys, angers, sorrows, or happiness. No matter who they face, even a weak person like an ant or someone they deeply despise, they always make others feel as warm as a spring breeze!"
As he said this, Yun Che's face and eyes were filled with solemnity.
"..." Mu Xiaolan looked bewildered, not understanding why Yun Che suddenly said this.
"That kind of person has terrifying endurance, cunning, and schemes... not just ordinary terror. At the very least, I absolutely cannot show not even the slightest hint of hatred toward someone I deeply resent, and even naturally chat and laugh with them as if nothing is wrong. Such people generally don't harm others and are even admired, praised, respected, and revered by almost everyone, like saints. But once they decide to destroy someone... it will be a fatal strike after careful consideration and with absolute certainty, leaving no future trouble. It's like a viper lurking in the darkness, suddenly striking at the darkest moment. Just thinking about it sends chills down the spine."
Having said that, Yun Che put his hands behind his head and silently gazed at the night sky.
Mu Xiaolan's gaze remained dazed for a long time. "Yun Che, what... are you talking about? I don't think I understand."
"Did you not understand, or are you unwilling to believe what you understood?" Yun Che glanced at her sideways and muttered casually, "No need to doubt. It's the person that's now in your mind... Forget it, you probably won't believe me anyway. Just listen to a little and be a bit more cautious."
Mu Xiaolan: "..."
Just then, hurried footsteps came from behind. Feng Hange arrived with a group of guards. Catching sight of Yun Che, his eyes brightened, and he quickened his pace. "Brother Yun, so you're here. Hanyi had to leave due to important matters, which slighted Brother Yun. Please forgive me."
Yun Che turned around and said with a smile, "Your Highness the Crown Prince need not be so polite. The Bingfeng Imperial Palace at night is truly a beautiful sight, so delightful that I unconsciously wandered here."
Seeing that Yun Che showed no dissatisfaction, Feng Hange relaxed and bowed, saying, "To receive such high praise from Brother Yun, if these beautiful sights were sentient, they would surely feel immensely honored. By the way, the resting palace has been prepared. Brother Yun has traveled through wind and snow, so you must be somewhat tired. Would you like to rest early?"
Yun Che thought for a moment and nodded. "Sure."
"Please. Oh, Miss Situ, your resting palace is also ready, close to Brother Yun's. Why not come and take a look together?"
"Oh... okay." Mu Xiaolan was a bit dazed, still thinking about what Yun Che had just said.
Under Feng Hange's personal guidance, Yun Che and Mu Xiaolan arrived at the Bingyi Palace, which had been meticulously arranged all day. Cold flowers swayed, ice spirits danced slowly, colorful corals glittered, and even the carpet laid outside the hall was woven from the finest ice silk.
In front of Bingyi Palace, twenty young women in snow-white gauze were already waiting. These women appeared to be no older than twenty. Not only were they each as beautiful as flowers and the moon, but they also exuded an extraordinary air of nobility. As Yun Che arrived, they gracefully approached and bowed, saying, "Welcome, Master Yun."
"..." Mu Xiaolan's lips parted wide.
"Brother Yun, this place is called Bingyi Palace. It has always been used by our Bingfeng Imperial Clan to entertain the most esteemed guests. A thousand paces away, several hundred of the palace's top elite guards are stationed, so your safety is assured." Feng Hange lowered his voice. "These twenty women were all personally selected by His Majesty in the imperial city. Though they cannot compare to the Feixue Fairy, they are all born into wealthy and noble families and are all virgins. Brother Yun, please feel free to... enjoy."
Mu Xiaolan: (ー`′ー)#
"Oh! Very good!" Yun Che's eyes lit up, and he nodded in satisfaction. "Your Highness the Crown Prince is very thoughtful. Oh, and please thank your father for me."
"As long as Brother Yun is satisfied." Seeing Yun Che's delighted expression, Feng Hange felt greatly relieved.
"Little Senior Sister Xiaolan, want to come in and take a look together?" Yun Che asked with a grin.
It was a question... but it was clearly a hint for her to leave.
Mu Xiaolan was furious. She stomped her foot hard and said indignantly, "I wouldn't dare disturb the esteemed personal disciple of the sect master while he enjoys himself! Hmph!!!"
With that, Mu Xiaolan turned and left.
Yun Che nodded slowly. "Well then, I'll trouble Your Highness to escort Little Senior Sister Xiaolan back."
"Ah... sure. Brother Yun, if you need anything, just let me know. Please don't hesitate."
"You'd better not let Senior Sister Feixue find out!" Mu Xiaolan suddenly turned around and shouted angrily again.
"Uh... this humble prince takes his leave." Feng Hange bowed awkwardly and quickly withdrew.
"Sigh, women are such a hassle." Yun Che breathed a small sigh of relief, then raised his head to scan the night sky, which was much darker than that of the Binghuang Realm. He muttered to himself, "I have a feeling something big is going to happen tonight."