Chapter 388: Abducting the Princess

"Princess, His Majesty sent word earlier, summoning you to see him as soon as you returned," Ada said.

"Hmm? Did he mention what it was about?" Princess Qianyou asked with curiosity.

"No," Ada shook his head.

"Alright," Princess Qianyou nodded, then glanced at Zhong Shan.

"You should go. Ada, A'Er, accompany her," Zhong Shan said considerately.

"Yes!" Ada and A'Er immediately responded. The three then left to meet the Ancient Divine Messenger.

"Wuheng, Wushuang, take Lin Xiao to meet the Zhong Family Army and arrange the best accommodations for him," Zhong Shan turned to Shui Wuheng and Liu Wushuang.

"Yes!" They replied promptly, leading Lin Xiao away.

Inside the hall, only Mr. Shi remained. With a wave of Zhong Shan's hand, the doors of the hall closed.

"Your Majesty?" Mr. Shi looked slightly puzzled.

"In the Great Yu Empire, you call me Your Majesty. Here, you can call me General," Zhong Shan gestured for Mr. Shi to sit down.

Mr. Shi sat down lightly, looking at Zhong Shan with curiosity. "General, you asked me to stay behind alone. Is there something you want to discuss?"

"Do you remember the place I took you to before we left?" Zhong Shan took a deep breath.

"Kaiyang Sect?" Mr. Shi asked, puzzled.

"Yes, that's where I paid homage. It's where my Master, Tianxingzi, also my father-in-law, resides. This time, returning to Tianlang Island to unify it, on one hand is for the Great Yu Empire, and on the other hand, it's for you," Zhong Shan stared at Mr. Shi.

"Oh?" Mr. Shi was slightly puzzled.

"I know your background is extraordinary, and I don't intend to pry into it. But my judgment, Zhong Shan's judgment, has always been extremely accurate. The journey back here has confirmed this. Even when you first saw the majestic city of the ancient capital, your expression remained unchanged. I don't know what abilities you possess, but I'm certain that your abilities are mysterious enough to surprise most people. Unexpected abilities are the strongest," Zhong Shan said.

"You're right," Mr. Shi surprisingly agreed directly.

"I brought you to Shenzhou to accomplish a great and risky task together. I wonder if you're interested," Zhong Shan stared at Mr. Shi.

"What task?" Mr. Shi frowned slightly.

"To abduct a princess of a heavenly dynasty!" Zhong Shan said slowly.

"Huh?" Mr. Shi's pupils contracted.

"Aren't you already with Ancient Qianyou?" Mr. Shi was somewhat puzzled.

"I'm not talking about Qianyou, nor the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty. I'm talking about the Princess of the Da Li Heavenly Dynasty," Zhong Shan said firmly.

Da Li Heavenly Dynasty? Mr. Shi's mouth gaped open. He looked at Zhong Shan in shock. Was Zhong Shan serious? He already had a wife protected by an immortal, and now he wanted to abduct another princess of a heavenly dynasty?

"And she's also my wife!" Zhong Shan took a deep breath.

Mr. Shi, who had seen his share of storms, couldn't help but be amazed. Zhong Shan was still so young; his 'network' was just too vast. Although he was a sovereign, this sovereign was truly powerful!

"Speaking of which, you've met my wife before," Zhong Shan said seriously.

"Oh?" Mr. Shi frowned.

"She's the daughter of my Master, Tianling'er, whom you saw the first time we met," Zhong Shan explained seriously.

"Is it her?" Mr. Shi pondered for a moment.

"Yes, it's her. I must bring her back. The Heavenly Princess isn't suitable for her. Although she seems naive, she is the bravest when it comes to love and hate. She has endured a lot for me and even sacrificed herself to save me. Even at the brink of death, she was silly enough to ask if she could be my wife. Despite lacking extraordinary cultivation or exceptional wisdom, she warms my heart! A woman who warms my heart must be loved and cherished, so I must bring her back, not sneakily, but openly. I will wear golden armor, ride on a five-colored auspicious cloud, lead thousands of soldiers and horses, and bring her back with the most powerful and magnificent procession!" Zhongshan thought and said.

The image of Tianlinger, naive, stubborn, pitiful, foolishly unregretful, and unwavering until death, is deeply engraved in Zhongshan's heart, and he has never forgotten it for a moment.

Mr. Shi stared at Zhongshan and said after a while, "The Great Departure Dynasty will definitely not allow you to succeed. It may not be too difficult to sneak Tianlinger out, but you want to do it openly, with a strong and grand display. That's too difficult!"

"Do you think I'm being unreasonable? Too impulsive? Haha, some things only need results, but for some things, the process is more important. Tianlinger, she deserves me to do this for her once. Even if everyone thinks I'm foolish, I have no regrets in my heart." Zhongshan said firmly.

"No! Those who think you're foolish are the truly foolish ones. Although I don't have your courage, I know that every giant owl I've known is a person of true emotion, whether the most upright, the most evil, or even the most malicious. They can stand at the pinnacle not by achieving success without any feelings, but precisely because they are the most free-spirited people of true emotion. Each of them has their own inner perseverance. Some say it's their weakness, but I know it's the foundation that enables them to achieve greatness as giants or even higher achievements. It's their catalyst, the most powerful motivation in the face of difficulties time and time again. Ordinary people face insurmountable obstacles when they exceed their limits, while they are able to overcome these obstacles time and again because of this fearless spirit of true emotion. Without this fearless spirit, they would not achieve such immeasurable heights." Mr. Shi shook his head and sighed.

"You understand it well, but as I mentioned, the difficulties ahead are considerable. Although I won't be facing the entire Great Departure Dynasty, it will certainly be fraught with dangers and challenges. At the very least, the conservative factions of the Great Departure Dynasty will not let me succeed. If you don't want to wade into this muddy water, I won't force you!" Zhongshan stared at Mr. Shi.

"Haha, you've already brought me here. There's no reason for me to let go now. If you're not afraid of the Great Departure Dynasty, I'm not afraid either. Under the sky, there's no one who can make me fear." Mr. Shi said confidently.

"Good, it seems returning to Tianlang Island this time is the right decision." Zhongshan smiled.

Mr. Shi smiled and remained silent!

The next day, Princess Qianyou returned to Dongfang Mansion once again.

"What? Where are you going?" Zhongshan frowned in surprise.

"To the Seven Star Hall. Originally, my identity as a Jun Ding was extremely confidential, known to only a few people in the entire Daluo Dynasty. However, due to the incident where Shen Qitian killed Yining last time, it was exposed and known to the Seven Star Hall. The hall master of the Seven Star Hall personally approached the emperor and requested that I go there to study for a while, and also to open some of the Seven Star Hall's most secret things to me. Even the hall master will personally teach me some things." Princess Qianyou frowned.

"The hall master of the Seven Star Hall? Can he compare to the emperor? Is it necessary for him to teach you personally?" Zhongshan raised an eyebrow.

"Of course he can't compare to the emperor, but since the hall master of the Seven Star Hall spoke, the emperor required me to go." Princess Qianyou said helplessly.

"The Seven Star Hall? Who exactly is the hall master of the Seven Star Hall?" Zhongshan frowned with concern.

"Don't worry, it's a woman. I won't have as many wives as you do." Princess Qianyou saw Zhongshan's amused smile.

Zhongshan rubbed his nose and smiled helplessly.

"The hall master of the Seven Star Hall is a strange woman. Originally in love with the emperor, but unfortunately the emperor chose to build the Heavenly Dynasty and gather the fortunes of the world. Similarly, the emperor, like you, has several empresses. The hall master of the Seven Star Hall couldn't stand sharing a man with other empresses, so she has refused to meet the emperor again, and founded the Seven Star Hall. However, there is still that deep-seated love between the two. With the passage of time, instead of letting go, the emperor has become even more profound. He constantly orders various benefits for the Seven Star Hall in the Daluo Dynasty, such as the elders of the Seven Star Hall being able to recommend disciples in the Golden Core stage to become officials of the fifth rank in the Daluo Dynasty. Although the hall master of the Seven Star Hall didn't appreciate it, the affiliated Seven Major Alliance Sects were very enthusiastic and naturally sent them all, just like you did in the beginning." Princess Qianyou said.

"So that's how it is," Zhongshan took a deep breath.

"Yeah, ever since the Holy Emperor founded the Heavenly Dynasty, the Hall Master of the Seven Star Hall hasn't met the Holy Emperor again. But this time, she personally asked me to come over. You think the Holy Emperor can refuse? He insisted that I must go and fully cooperate," Princess Qianyou said helplessly.

"If the Hall Master of the Seven Star Hall asks you to go, it's definitely not just for studying for a while. Be careful!" Zhongshan thought for a moment.

"I know. Even though I'm already an elder of the Seven Star Hall, I haven't seen her with my own eyes yet. This time, not only am I asked to go, but I'm also asked to bring the Wind God Bow. There must be some purpose behind it. It's just that the Holy Emperor also ordered Ada and A'er to go with us..." Princess Qianyou frowned slightly.

"Go ahead, having two more people will be safer. Anyway, don't force yourself," Zhongshan said.

"Mm!" Princess Qianyou nodded.

Just as the two were talking to each other, a loud announcement suddenly came from outside Dongfang Mansion.

"Announcing Lord Zhongshan of the Eastern Mansion, to enter the court and meet the Emperor!"

The voice of a herald echoed.

"Huh?" Zhongshan was slightly stunned.

"The Emperor inquired about you yesterday and knew you were back!" Princess Qianyou said.

"But my vacation time isn't over yet!" Zhongshan showed a hint of puzzlement.

"Announcing Lord Zhongshan of the Eastern Mansion, to enter the court and meet the Emperor!"

The herald outside continued to announce.

Helpless, Zhongshan had no choice but to step out of the hall and greet the herald.

The chief eunuch stood outside Dongfang Mansion. As soon as Zhongshan appeared, he announced again, "Announcing Lord Zhongshan of the Eastern Mansion, to enter the court and meet the Emperor!"

"Understood!" Zhongshan could only furrow his brow and respond.

Subsequently, amidst the curious gazes of the crowd, Zhongshan followed the chief eunuch towards the direction of the palace, flying towards the ancient Tai Gu Shrine to meet the Holy Emperor.

(To be continued...)