There was a complete upheaval. A mighty, massive force hurtled over to Xiao Chen. Even the cobblestones along the way were overturned. In no way could he have avoided this palm blow.
Liu Yunzheng had long realized that Zhang Qinglian would kill. His figure shifted. In the blink of an eye, he had intervened before Xiao Chen. He pushed out his palms and there was a huge boom. He was thrown 10 meters away, landing on the ground, vomitting blood. His cultivation was merely in the middle stages of the Core Forming Realm, while Zhang Qinglian's was in the later. How could he have withstood this blow?
"Father!" Liu Fenghuang's face turned ghastly pale as she sprinted over. Xiao Chen could no longer bother about anything else. He too sprinted over and helped Liu Yunzheng up, together with the other Teal Jade Sect disciples.
Liu Yunzheng vomited a mouthful of blood. He could no longer speak. Xiao Chen left him in the hands of Liu Fenghuang and got up, glaring at Zhang Qinglian. "Your old good-for-nothing! How shameless you are, to sneak an attack!" At this moment, he had really wanted to kill Zhang Qinglian, but he lacked the capability to do so.
Yu Wenji too hurried over. "Don't be angry, Perfected Immortal Zhang." He knew Zhang Qinglian was in the wrong but did not openly reproach him. After all, Penglai Island was not only the largest Immortals' sect in the Zhou State, they had helped him hold on to the Spiritual Meridian at the last Immortals League Competition. The only thing he could do now was to pacify them.
"Hurry! Get the imperial physicians here!"
After Yu Wenji sent men to fetch the imperial physicians, he strode over to Liu Yunzheng's side immediately. "Are you alright, Sect Leader Liu?"
Liu Fenghuang covered her mouth, her tears streaming down. Liu Yunzheng wanted to speak but was stopped by Luo Shangyan. "Don't talk, Uncle Liu."
After she said this, Luo Shangyan conjured up a white radiance on her palm and imparted True Energy continuously into Liu Yunzheng's body. Soon, a few imperial physicians arrived. They carried Liu Yunzheng to a palace hall. On the Penglai Islanders' side, Zhang Qinglian brought Ye Wuhen to seek treatment.
Those left behind in the square were all staring at one another. They had seen the zither competition and their eyes were not playing tricks. Even Ye Wuhen had lost! Was the cultivation of that lad from the Teal Jade Sect already at the Core Forming Realm?
Four hours later, Xiao Chen was still keeping guard outside a room in the palace. During this time, the Zhou Emperor had visited them several times. Liu Fenghuang and Luo Shangyan walked out. Liu Fenghuang's eyes were still red. Luo Shangyan said, "Uncle Liu's vital organs aren't injured. He will recover after a night's rest. Go back and rest too."
Xiao Chen nodded. Soon, two attendants arrived from the palace to bring them to the courtyard for a rest. While they were passing by the imperial gardens, he saw strange flowers and rare plants everywhere. The blossoms were vying with one another in resplendence. There were numerous waterside pavilions. The pathway twisted and turned; there were artificial mounds on one side, amidst flowing springs, green pines and cypresses.
After treading through the imperial gardens, they arrived at a guest lodge. Xiao Chen dismissed the two attendants and sat alone in the yard, watching the leisurely blue sky and white clouds. His mind was still floating with the scene: Liu Yunzheng, throwing caution to the wind, dashing out to take Zhang Qinglian's palm on his behalf.
Suddenly, footsteps resounded from the outside. Xiao Chen said indifferently, "Why are you looking for me?"
Chu Lingjiao stepped slowly into the yard. She stared at its strange, rare plants and flowers, and gave a slight smile. "Just a few days more. I hope you won't change your mind just because of what happened today."
"I know what to do. You don't need to remind me. Go back. Don't come looking for me these few days."
Chu Lingjiao smiled faintly. "I hope so." She conjured up three white pills on her palm. "Take one pill every day, 24 hours apart. for three consecutive days."
Xiao Chen took the pills and instantly swallowed one. "I got it. You can go back." Chu Lingjiao smiled faintly again, turned and left the yard.
When she had gone, Xiao Chen exerted his inner strength and forced out the pill lodged in his throat.
It was almost dusk. Two palace maids sent in food containers with dainties and titbits over. There was supposed to be a banquet this evening, but it was called off because of the Teal Jade Sect and Penglai Island.
Xiao Chen ordered the two palace maids to place the containers on the table and leave. After their departure, light footsteps rang out from the outside again. They halted at the door, to be followed by an enchanting voice. "Young Master Han, can I come in?"
Xiao Chen knew who it was. He immediately got up and smiled gently. "Please come in, Princess Xuanyue."
Princess Xuanyue wore a smile as she entered slowly. Although her beauty was ravishing, enough to send cities toppling, she had a noble and elegant bearing. Her white skirt did not carry a speck of dust. Two light-colored orchids adorned the front of her garment, setting off her faintly indistinct collarbones. She had more quietness in her than Li Muxue.
Xiao Chen gazed at her and immediately made out that her cultivation had reached the middle stages of the Foundation Building Realm. Yet her manner of practice differ largely from an ordinary cultivator's. He smiled gently. "Could Your Highness tell me the purpose of your visit?"
Princess Xuanyue shook her head and smiled. She looked subtle and alluring. She sat by his side and said quietly, "I hope Young Master Han won't take what happened today too much to heart." Her voice and tone were sweet and melodious, like pearls falling on a jade plate. She would sent ripples in anyone's heart who heard her. No one could reject her. Xiao Chen smiled faintly. "You worry too much, Princess. The Immortals' sects are all one. We will help each other and rally together."
Princess Xuanyue nodded and smiled. "It is the true blessing of our great Zhou State to have Young Master Han think so. I wonder if you are married, Young Master Han?"
Xiao Chen gathered his thoughts. Was it because of Senior Sister Luo again? He smiled lightly. "I am of humble birth. I hailed from a remote rural village by the mountains, so I am not married."
Xuanyue smiled resplendently. "Young Master Han is such a handsome talent. There are many officials' and nobles' daughters who aren't married in the palace. If you have a person in mind, do let me know."
Her final words had a touch of seriousness amid her cheeky tone. Xiao Chen wondered if she meant him to distance away from Senior Sister Luo, or to stay in the palace. Since you are so keen on my marriage, why don't you marry me instead?
Of course, he said this only to himself in his heart. Outside, he only smiled faintly. "Thank you for your concern, Princess."
Xuanyue smiled faintly too. "Then, I shan't interrupt Young Master Han's rest." With these words, she rose to go. Xiao Chen said, "Let me see you off, Princess." Xuanyue nodded and smiled. She did not refuse him.
Now, the sun was almost setting. The two left the lodge and chatted and joked genially along the way. As they passed by the imperial gardens, the dusk clouds reflected the elegant butterfly streaks amid the blossoms. At times, the summer insects hummed, accompanied by water burbling. They sounded like a wondrous melody.
At the waterside pavilions, disciples from the other sects, as well as sons and daughters of noblemen and court officials, were watching fish and admiring the flowers. Everyone gasped in envy when they witnessed Xiao Chen strolling along Princess Xuanyue's side.
When he had sent the princess out of the imperial gardens and returned, it was already dusk at the lodge. Countless stars made their appearance, and a crescent moon hung in the sky, like a willow leaf or an eyebrow.
"Xuanyue... Xuanyue... there's a nice ring to the name." Xiao Chen nodded lightly and spoke to himself. Before he had finished, he shook his head violently. "Xiao Chen, what wild thoughts are you having!"
Although he said this to himself, within his mind still floated the smiles and frowns of Princess Xuanyue just now. Even in the Violet Manor, such women were rare.
For some reason, Xiao Chen felt that she had a very unique air about her. Could it be because her cultivation method was different from a common cultivator? This feeling reminded him suddenly of someone else.
Qianyu Nishang!
Qianyu Nishang was a girl he met along his way after returning the zither at the Immortal-saving Clan and returning to Mystic Cyan Mountain. He met her after Flower Yet-ending. He guided Qianyu Nishang into the Mystic Cyan Sect, so she could be called his Junior Sister.
There were seven branches of the Mystic Cyan Sect. Qianyu Nishang was accepted into the Tianxuan branch. They often studied various kinds of training and cultivation methods together. The cultivation method Xiao Chen discerned from Xuanyue just now seemed to be from the Tianxuan branch!
"How did the Mystic Cyan Sect's cultivation methods survive? What have you done, Qianyu Nishang...?"
With a loud crash, the stone splintered. Xiao Chen had shattered with a mighty blow the green stone table beside him.
Watching the crescent moon in the sky, Xiao Chen gathered his thoughts. "Xuanyue, who are you really? How are you related to Qianyu Nishang...?"
Suddenly, a storm cloud gathered and covered up that crescent moon in the sky. He had quietly made his decision. He must find some means to force Xuanyue's hand, so that she would reveal the cultivation method she was practicing!