Chapter 1034: Gazing Upon the Myriad Lights of Ten Thousand Homes
Beside Huang Yanchen stood a sixteen or seventeen-year-old maidservant, dressed in goose-yellow garments, her delicate face exquisitely refined.
She was observing Zhang Ruochen with curious eyes, looking him up and down.
Zhang Ruochen also noticed the maidservant accompanying Huang Yanchen.
She appeared to be about one meter sixty in height, with a pair of pointed ears, silver hair, a slender waist, lively eyes, and skin like sacred jade, emitting a crystalline fluorescence.
She was completely different from other maidservants, possessing a unique temperament that gave off an extremely extraordinary feeling.
"Your maidservant seems to have a very high level of cultivation."
Zhang Ruochen revealed a faint smile, carefully examining her.
The maidservant in goose-yellow clothes immediately showed a shy and timid expression, almost instinctively moving to hide behind Huang Yanchen.
Huang Yanchen said, "She is a maidservant sent to me by the Chen Clan, named Qing Mo. Her physique is quite special, and her talent is extremely high. The only thing is that she has little contact with the outside world and lacks experience."
Huang Yanchen was now a Realm Son and also a disciple of the Empress, so the Eastern Domain Chen Clan's attitude toward her had naturally changed.
The maidservant sent to her side was certainly no ordinary cultivator.
"Your servant Qing Mo pays respects to Young Master Zhang."
The maidservant in goose-yellow clothes stepped forward and gracefully bowed to Zhang Ruochen.
Huang Yanchen and Zhang Ruochen walked side by side, the woman beautiful and the man handsome. They trod upon the snow, moving along the main street, drawing countless gazes of admiration.
After a long while, Huang Yanchen finally spoke, "Arriving in Sacred Bright City, I have heard many rumors about you. They say you killed the five Grand Commanders of the Azure Dragon Army, and there are even rumors spreading that you are the Sacred Bright Crown Prince from eight hundred years ago."
"Do you want an explanation?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Huang Yanchen's deep blue eyes revealed a sincere emotion, "I only care about your safety and hope you don't encounter any misfortune."
"I am indeed the Sacred Bright Crown Prince, the last crown prince of the Sacred Bright Central Empire from eight hundred years ago." Zhang Ruochen said frankly.
Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen not only had the title of husband and wife but had already consummated their relationship. There were some things he felt he no longer needed to hide.
"You don't seem very surprised?"
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Huang Yanchen, noticing that her expression was very calm, without a trace of shock.
Huang Yanchen said, "I specifically looked into some matters concerning the Sacred Bright Crown Prince and had some suspicions long ago. I didn't ask before, only because I knew that when the time was right, you would definitely tell me on your own."
"Fifteen years of cultivation in the Heavenly Wheel Seal have clearly improved her state of mind." Zhang Ruochen could clearly sense this.
A smile appeared on Zhang Ruochen's face, and he asked, "Since you already know my identity, do you plan to stand on my side or on the side of Empress Chi Yao?"
By saying this, Zhang Ruochen was clearly telling Huang Yanchen that he and Empress Chi Yao were in an irreconcilable situation.
One was a major criminal of the imperial court, the other was a disciple of the Empress, yet they were precisely a married couple. Even Zhang Ruochen didn't know how their future path would unfold.
Huang Yanchen stopped walking, gazed at Zhang Ruochen, and said, "I will always stand by your side, no matter what happens, that will never change."
For Huang Yanchen, making such a decision undoubtedly required great determination.
From now on, she would have to bear the pressure from all sides together with Zhang Ruochen, even going against the entire world.
A solemn expression appeared on Huang Yanchen's face, "There is another matter. Chi Wansui has already returned to Sacred Bright City. When dealing with Lingxiao Heavenly King's Mansion and the Azure Dragon Army, you must be extremely careful."
"Tonight is New Year's Eve, let's not talk about killing. We've finally reunited; how about finding a place to have a drink?" Zhang Ruochen said with a smile.
"Alright!"
Huang Yanchen thought carefully for a moment, then said, "I've heard that outside Sacred Bright City, there is a Kongle Mountain, and at its summit stands an ancient pagoda, seventy-four stories high, with a history of tens of thousands of years. Tonight is New Year's Eve, and Sacred Bright City is sure to be bustling with activity. Standing at the top of the pagoda, one should be able to see all the lights of the entire city."
Zhang Ruochen's gaze became somewhat distant, thinking of Chi Yao from eight hundred years ago.
On New Year's Eve of her sixteenth year, Chi Yao had also said something similar, wanting to see the lights of Sacred Bright City.
So Zhang Ruochen had taken her to Kongle Mountain, climbed to the top of the Yuanji Ancient Pagoda, and watched for an entire night.
"What's wrong?"
Huang Yanchen noticed Zhang Ruochen's distraction and asked.
Zhang Ruochen took a deep breath, forced a smile, shook his head, and said, "Nothing, just thinking of some things I shouldn't be thinking about. Let's go, we'll head to Kongle Mountain now."
Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen did not fly but walked on foot to the summit of Kongle Mountain.
Then, Zhang Ruochen released the Swallowing Elephant Rabbit and the Demon Ape, ordering them to guard the pagoda and prevent any other cultivators from ascending.
"Don't worry, Master Chen. I, Guo Guo, will diligently patrol the mountain and guard the pagoda. No one will be able to take a single step inside." The Swallowing Elephant Rabbit said, patting its belly.
By the time Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen reached the top of the pagoda, the sky had already darkened.
Above the sky was a bright sea of stars; below, an endless expanse of lights.
Huang Yanchen appeared delicate and charming, resting her crystalline white face against Zhang Ruochen's chest, saying, "It's so quiet here, the scenery is so beautiful. If only it could stay like this forever."
"Eight hundred years ago, I thought the same."
Zhang Ruochen's gaze was sharp, and he continued, "But the tree desires stillness, yet the wind will not cease. Seeking a moment of peace—how easy is that?"
"Yes."
Huang Yanchen nodded, her crystal-red lips moving slightly, "The undead in the Eastern Domain, the Death Zen Sect in the Southern Domain, the Undying Blood Clan in the Northern Domain—the entire Kunlun Realm shows signs of impending chaos. No one can remain untouched."
"Chen Ge, I think you can recall your old followers, first establish a sect, and become a king ruling over a region. When the time is ripe, seize the Empress's realm and rebuild the Sacred Bright Central Empire."
Zhang Ruochen gently stroked Huang Yanchen's beautiful face, shook his head, and smiled, "Eight hundred years have passed. Even if there are still old followers loyal to the Sacred Bright Central Empire, there are far more with ulterior motives."
"With my current cultivation, I cannot suppress them. If I recall the old followers, I might instead be used by others, holding the emperor hostage to command the nobles. So, at this stage, the most important thing for me is to improve my own cultivation."
"As long as my own strength is great enough, even without the identity of the Sacred Bright Crown Prince, many people will come to pledge their allegiance."
Zhang Ruochen had always believed that only when one's own strength was formidable was it true strength.
Relying on external forces would ultimately bring many hidden dangers.
Zhang Ruochen rarely opened his heart to anyone, but tonight was a special day, and the person beside him was a very close woman. Some words hidden in his heart, even if spoken, were not a big deal.
Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen no longer discussed the great affairs of the world but talked about the experiences they had gone through in the past days.
At the same time, Zhang Ruochen also inquired about his mother, learning that she was well, which naturally put him at ease.
The night grew deeper, and the snow in the sky fell heavier and heavier.
Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen shared a jug of wine, leaning against each other, feeling no cold but instead an indescribable warmth.
Half-drunk and half-awake, the figure of Kong Lanyou appeared in Zhang Ruochen's mind.
Tonight was New Year's Eve. Was she still in the Royal Clan Tomb Forest? Was she also alone? Was she lonely and desolate too?
"Yanchen, I'll take you somewhere."
Zhang Ruochen, holding the half-asleep Huang Yanchen, stood up, his gaze looking toward the direction of the Royal Clan Tomb Forest.
No matter how Kong Lanyou treated him, she was still his cousin. As her elder cousin, shouldn't he be more broad-minded?
Some things, if they needed to be faced, should be faced eventually.
"Where are we going?" Huang Yanchen asked, her eyes drowsy.
At this moment, there was not a trace of coldness about her; instead, she seemed like a confused teenage girl, following behind Zhang Ruochen as they descended the pagoda.
"Once we get there, you'll understand." Zhang Ruochen said.
When they reached the base of the pagoda, Zhang Ruochen smelled a strange aroma of meat, a fragrance that surpassed the limits of ordinary food.
"Crackle, crackle."
Not far away, there was a huge bonfire. The maidservant named Qing Mo was roasting a seven-meter-long barbarian bird.
The meat of the barbarian bird had been roasted to a golden, translucent color, and the fragrance it emitted enveloped the entire Kongle Mountain.
The Swallowing Elephant Rabbit and the Demon Ape had lost all trace of their barbarian beast ferocity, looking like two greedy cats lying behind Qing Mo, drooling continuously.
"Sister Qing Mo, how much longer until it's cooked?"
The Swallowing Elephant Rabbit was about to go mad from waiting, its eyes bloodshot, its claws having dug two large pits in the ground.
The Demon Ape also stared at Qing Mo with pleading eyes.
Qing Mo pursed her lips, somewhat disdainfully, "Why are you two so greedy? You've already eaten four barbarian birds and you're still not full? Especially you, Guo Guo, you're so small, how can you eat so much meat?"
The Swallowing Elephant Rabbit rubbed its chubby face against Qing Mo's body, "Because Sister Qing Mo's roasted meat is the best! Black Master and Master Chen's skills are nothing compared to yours."
Qing Mo tapped the Swallowing Elephant Rabbit on the head, "Alright! It's cooked now, you can eat!"
Zhang Ruochen walked over, intending to taste Qing Mo's roasted meat.
Because the meat's fragrance had an astonishing allure; even though Zhang Ruochen had long achieved fasting, he still couldn't resist wanting a piece.
But as soon as Qing Mo's words fell, the Swallowing Elephant Rabbit and the Demon Ape pounced, knocking over the bonfire.
They fought each other, devouring ravenously, and in moments, they had consumed the entire seven-meter-long barbarian bird, not even leaving a single bone behind.
The Swallowing Elephant Rabbit burped, patted its round belly, and said, "Sister Qing Mo truly has wonderful hands! The meat she roasts is not only delicious but also like a divine elixir, capable of improving cultivation."
Qing Mo couldn't stand the Swallowing Elephant Rabbit's comical appearance, covering her mouth to laugh, but then suddenly saw Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen at the base of the pagoda. She immediately bowed, "Greetings to the Princess, greetings to Young Master Zhang."
The Swallowing Elephant Rabbit and the Demon Ape, worried about Zhang Ruochen's reprimand, pretended nothing had happened, immediately straightened their backs, stood upright, and displayed fierce, intimidating expressions, beginning to patrol Kongle Mountain.
"Master Chen told me to patrol the mountain, patrolling East Mountain, then West Mountain."
The Swallowing Elephant Rabbit shouted as it patrolled.
Zhang Ruochen shook his head and sighed deeply, feeling that the Swallowing Elephant Rabbit and the Demon Ape had been greatly influenced by Xiao Hei, becoming increasingly unreliable.
In the end, Zhang Ruochen did not scold them. He led Huang Yanchen, Qing Mo, the Swallowing Elephant Rabbit, and the Demon Ape, leaving Kongle Mountain and heading toward the direction of the Royal Clan Tomb Forest.