Chapter 199: Encounter in the Eight Desolations

At the Yuheng Sect, Princess Qianyou stared angrily at Ah Da in front of her. Ah Da hung his head low, looking remorseful, while Ah Er stood behind Princess Qianyou. Gu Lin had a smug expression, and Mr. Shui Jing fanned himself, frowning.

"Ah Da, what did I instruct you to do?" Princess Qianyou said angrily.

"Princess, it was my fault for not protecting Mr. Zhong. But it was an emergency at the time, and Mr. Zhong also agreed for me to go to Fengdu City," Ah Da replied, filled with regret.

"Enough, Qianyou, Ah Da was also concerned about you," Gu Lin said, his tone gloating.

"Hmph, do you follow my orders or Mr. Zhong's?" Princess Qianyou retorted angrily.

"Ah Da knows his mistake. I will go find Mr. Zhong right away and make sure to bring him back," Ah Da said immediately.

"Hmph, where will you look? Stay here. If Mr. Zhong is safe, he will surely return," Princess Qianyou said angrily.

Ah Da was specifically instructed to protect Zhong Shan, but midway, he disobeyed orders and went to Fengdu City. Although he ultimately saved Princess Qianyou, she felt a sense of frustration. In the dire situation, Ah Er could have also escaped, but Ah Da's actions had put Zhong Shan in danger. Zhong Shan had yet to return.

"Qianyou, don't think about him anymore. He's just a subordinate. Once we return to the capital, I can find as many as you want," Gu Lin said immediately.

Hearing Gu Lin's words, Mr. Shui Jing broke out in a cold sweat. Find as many as you want? Did Gu Lin think Princess Qianyou had chosen Zhong Shan because of his cultivation?

Without words, Mr. Shui Jing glanced at Gu Lin, while Princess Qianyou's anger subsided a bit due to Gu Lin's foolish comment.

At that moment, a distant, ragged figure slowly flew closer.

"Princess, it's Mr. Zhong. He's back," Ah Er said excitedly.

Everyone looked up, focusing on the distant figure.

It was indeed Zhong Shan, still riding his large saber, flying at a steady pace.

"Whoosh～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～"

Princess Qianyou flew over instantly, followed closely by Ah Da and Ah Er, leaving Gu Lin and Mr. Shui Jing behind. Mr. Shui Jing smiled faintly, fanning himself as he looked at Zhong Shan from afar. Gu Lin, however, showed a look of anger—Zhong Shan was still alive?

"Mr. Zhong, are you alright?" Princess Qianyou asked joyfully as she approached.

"Thank you for your concern, Princess. I encountered some troops from the Grand Ye Dynasty and had to deal with them," Zhong Shan replied with a smile.

"Mr. Zhong, if you hadn't returned, Ah Da would have had to atone with his life," Ah Da said with a smile.

"Huh? That serious? What happened to you all afterward?" Zhong Shan asked thoughtfully.

As they flew toward the Yuheng Sect, Ah Da quickly recounted the events to Zhong Shan.

Upon arriving at the Yuheng Sect, they greeted the others, and Zhong Shan continued to listen without interrupting until Ah Da finished his story.

"The Emperor of the Grand Ye Dynasty has revived?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"We're not sure, but it is speculated that the Emperor used the underground yin energy of the Youquan Spring to refine himself and the entire city's soldiers into zombies over tens of thousands of years, becoming immortal and neither human nor ghost," Ah Da said, shaking his head.

"In any case, that was the Emperor of a celestial dynasty. I have already sent Yuheng Sect members to the capital to report this matter. With the revival of a celestial dynasty's emperor, the land of Shenzhou will once again be filled with turmoil," Princess Qianyou sighed.

"Indeed," Zhong Shan nodded.

Although the resurrected emperor had only himself and a hundred thousand zombies, he was still an emperor. Rebuilding a celestial dynasty would not be too difficult for him. However, it was unclear what his intentions were.

"Alright, from now on, no one is to mention this matter again. Forget it," Princess Qianyou ordered.

"Yes," everyone responded immediately.

"Mr. Zhong, you have just returned. Tomorrow, we will set out for the Great Yu Empire," Princess Qianyou said to Zhong Shan.

"Yes," Zhong Shan nodded.

In the Great Yu Empire, Eight Desolations City.

On the city wall of Eight Desolations City, General Ironblood stood with his hand on the hilt of his sword, gazing northward. Behind him were several other generals, one of whom was the martial arts fanatic who had previously sparred with the elder from the Kaiyang Sect.

"General, why are we here? We've been waiting for so many days. Can you give us a hint?" the martial arts fanatic asked, frowning.

"We are here to welcome Princess Qianyou of the Da Luo Heavenly Dynasty and Prince Gu Lin," General Ironblood replied.

"Princess Qianyou? Prince Gu Lin? Will they pass through Eight Desolations City? The ceremonial officer from the Da Luo Heavenly Dynasty didn't mention they would pass through here, only that Princess Qianyou went to the Yuheng Sect," the martial arts fanatic said, frowning.

"The ceremonial officer from the Da Luo Heavenly Dynasty did not mention it, but I am certain they will come to Eight Desolations City," General Ironblood asserted.

"Why?" the martial arts fanatic asked, puzzled.

"Because the Grand Marshal said so," General Ironblood replied. The Grand Marshal of the Great Yu Empire, Yi Yan.

"Oh? Then it must be as the Grand Marshal said," the martial arts fanatic nodded, accepting it as a matter of course, not bothering to consider why the Grand Marshal was so certain.

"The Grand Marshal is truly a genius, able to predict Princess Qianyou's route," another general commented.

"General, is it the Grand Marshal who sent us here?" the martial arts fanatic asked.

"By the Grand Marshal's command, we are to ensure the safety of Princess Qianyou and Prince Gu Lin along the way, without any mistakes," General Ironblood said.

"Yes," everyone responded immediately.

In the distance from Eight Desolations City, on a white cloud, stood Zhong Shan and his group of six.

"Mr. Shui Jing, why are we detouring to Eight Desolations City? Why not go directly to the capital of the Great Yu Empire?" Gu Lin asked.

"Because there is someone waiting for us in Eight Desolations City," Mr. Shui Jing replied.

"Waiting? Who? I recall we never informed anyone of our itinerary," Gu Lin said, frowning.

"We informed the ceremonial officer who went ahead," Mr. Shui Jing said.

"No, I remember we only told them we were going to the Yuheng Sect and did not mention Eight Desolations City or ask anyone to wait for us," Gu Lin said, frowning again.

"Informing the Yuheng Sect is equivalent to informing Eight Desolations City," Mr. Shui Jing explained patiently.

"Why?" Gu Lin asked, surprised.

"Although going to Eight Desolations City is a detour, it is the nearest sect of the Great Yu Empire to the Yuheng Sect," Mr. Shui Jing explained.

"Oh?" Gu Lin still didn't understand. Being the nearest didn't seem relevant to their itinerary, as they were headed to the capital of the Great Yu Empire, not Eight Desolations City.

"Because once we enter the Great Yu Empire, someone will try to harm us. Eight Desolations City must have a team waiting for us to escort us safely to the capital of the Great Yu Empire," Mr. Shui Jing said.

"Try to harm us? Who would dare harm me?" Gu Lin frowned.

Hearing this, Zhong Shan broke out in a cold sweat. Who would dare harm you? As long as there is profit to be made, anyone would dare.

Closing his eyes, Zhong Shan remained calm, letting Mr. Shui Jing endure the torment.

"Of course, there are those who hope we perish on the lands of the Great Yu Empire—agents from other empires," Princess Qianyou explained, shaking her head.

"You mean, someone wants us to encounter danger, which would lead to a war between the Da Luo Heavenly Dynasty and the Great Yu Empire?" Gu Lin finally understood.

"Yes. Although I can protect the prince temporarily, it's challenging to anticipate every threat. Therefore, having a military escort is much safer and less worrisome," Mr. Shui Jing said, shaking his feather fan with a smile.

"But we only mentioned the Yuheng Sect. Will the people of the Great Yu Empire really send troops to wait for us in Eight Desolations City?" Gu Lin asked, puzzled.

"They will, definitely," Princess Qianyou said, frowning.

"Why?" Gu Lin asked, still confused.

"Because the Great Yu Empire also has capable people. At the very least, Grand Marshal Yi Yan knows we will certainly go to Eight Desolations City, so a large force will be waiting for us there," Princess Qianyou said with certainty.

As they spoke, they flew over several mountains and finally saw the outline of a city in the distance. Like Wushuang City, it was a massive city, with the characters for "Eight Desolations" prominently displayed above the city gate.

The group flew at a leisurely pace, and from the city gate, nearly ten uniformed generals flew out. Leading them was Ironblood General, the commander of the First Legion of the Great Yu Empire.

They flew quickly and were soon in front of the group.

"Ironblood, commander of the First Legion of the Great Yu Empire, under the command of the Grand Marshal, welcomes the envoys of the Heavenly Dynasty," Ironblood said respectfully.

Gu Lin's eyes lit up with excitement. Was it really as Princess Qianyou and Mr. Shui Jing had said? Were they really waiting here?

"Thank you, General Ironblood. We appreciate your assistance for the remainder of our journey," Princess Qianyou said with a smile.

"Rest assured, Princess. The Grand Marshal has made arrangements. I will ensure that the princess and the prince arrive safely at the capital of the Great Yu Empire, Sky City," Ironblood General said solemnly.

Gu Lin was visibly excited, and the men behind Ironblood General were equally thrilled. Had the Grand Marshal's prediction really come true? Had they really passed through Eight Desolations City?

"May I ask, did Mr. Yi Yan send you here without informing anyone?" Princess Qianyou asked.

"That's correct. It was kept secret to ensure the safety of the princess and the prince. May I ask why the princess inquires?" Ironblood General asked.

"Hehe, I was merely reflecting on how for such a secretive mission, Mr. Yi Yan would only entrust it to his most reliable people," Princess Qianyou said with a smile.

Hearing Princess Qianyou praise him as Yi Yan's most reliable person, Ironblood General laughed heartily.

"Exactly," Ironblood General laughed.

"By the way, are there any other commanders or generals here?" Princess Qianyou asked again.

"Of course not. Only the Grand Marshal sent me with my subordinates," Ironblood General said, shaking his head.

"Then we will trouble you," Princess Qianyou nodded.

"It's no trouble at all. This way, please," Ironblood General made a welcoming gesture.

Nodding, they followed Ironblood General into Eight Desolations City.

Along the way, Gu Lin frowned in silence. What was the purpose of Princess Qianyou's last few questions? Just to compliment Ironblood General? That didn't seem necessary.

Of course, it wasn't necessary. With just a few casual words, Princess Qianyou had gathered a wealth of information. It was clear that only Yi Yan had sent people here. At least among the high-ranking individuals, only Mr. Yi Yan had the foresight to predict their arrival in Eight Desolations City. The others hadn't anticipated it at all.

This was good news. It meant that only Yi Yan was capable, and there were no other formidable figures in the Great Yu Empire.