No one could see it. Just moments earlier someone was still holding a dagger at gunpoint to Chen Hong Ru’s forehead, now they are sipping tea and having a comfortable conversation. For the man himself, he was honestly very much surprised here. It’s been many years since someone dared to point a weapon at himself. In fact, the cold gleaming sensation still thumps around his temple, that’s how much of an impression it had left on the person.

As for Ling Yue herself, the girl was rather preoccupied by the tea she’s sipping. It’s a variety known as the Snow Peak Earl, a impeccable delicacy just like the great being across from herself, they are both impeccable….

Before coming she assumed Chen Hong Ru would be like any other great master who comes and goes as they please, or maybe even unforgiving and unapproachable. However, now that she’s finally got her first impression, it’s shattered everything. The man was warm like a jade, a true handsome hunk if not for those white strands of hair on the eyebrow, indicating the long years of life.

“Before you came, His Highness was in the middle of a chest match with me.” Taking a sip from the tea as well, the man flicks a glance at the girl’s eye, “I said to him, ‘why don’t we play a game. If I won then he will let you go, and if he wins, I will relent.’ Take a guess on the outcome.”

“Forgive my lack of experience but I’m not verse in the game of chess.” Not minding the stare, she continues to concentrate on the tea because….

What North Qing’s great master? What a stingy old fart. All he’s serving me is some tea, at least bring me some pastry plates so I can have some. Ohh~ I’m so hungry I could die! The girl groans inwardly, cursing at the cruelty of this world.

“His Highness abandoned the game when I said that. He said ‘life is like a chess game, but its also not life.’ That’s when he stood up and left to meet you.”

Meanwhile on the receiving end of that profound speech, Ling Yue only had this wonky doodle thought in mind, What stinking stargazing balcony is this? Its so windy and cold….

A duck and a chicken, two completely different species conversing about life together would of course never work.

“Miss Ye, you are the second person to have set foot on this stargazing balcony of mine in years who is not a member of the Dan Palace. If I am not mistaken, your purpose here is regarding the black fog in the Northwestern Plains is it not?”

Jolting to attention, now the man has finally got her focus, This five hundred year old zombie really does have some ability.

Issuing out a slight cough, her silence could be taken as a confirmation.

“I would have to ask Master Hong Ru to enlighten me on the matter. Thousands of poor souls are currently riding on my return so I implore your advice.”

“Within the Star Cave of my Dan Palace, there’s a legendary sky ranked artifact from ancient times. The name is the Spatial Piercing Bow. If you can get your hands on the item then it would help shatter the darkness in which you seek.”

Without further ado, Ling Yue hurries to give her thanks to the person who appears finished as well by this point. Her enthusiasm to leave couldn’t be any higher at the moment, especially when her tummy’s grumbling like a howling animal.

Strangely enough though, perhaps its out of hunger, or just the wind causing her to break out in cold shivering sweat, but Ling Yue’s back was all wet like its been drenched in water when walking down the staircases.

“Milord, why are you just letting her go, she killed out son!” Coming out from the shadows was none other than the former consort of Da Xia, Luo Wan Wan.

“Luo Wan, how many times have I told you not to come out unless I give permission.” Seeing the woman standing there, Chen Hong Ru’s expression promptly got a little cold due to his unhappy mood.

The Star Cave Venture’s just around the corner. With so many outsiders around, it’s not beyond expectation for some to recognize the woman’s identity even if her face has been camouflaged with a new skin.

“But milord, that is your only flesh and blood. He should’ve been the king of Da Xia. If not for that girl then he wouldn’t have faced such terrible ends to the point where we couldn’t even recover his corpse. I saw it too. Why did you not send her to her doom just now with the Star Soul Searching Technique?”

As one of the closest personals around this ancient man, Luo Wan Wan knew the power of that ability better than anyone else. Forget about searching one’s soul, it could crush it with ease if the user willed it using the powers of the nine stars.

“Outrageous! Luo Wan, when have my actions become something you can dictate? Ye Ling Yue is now a famed individual among the Qing continent’s ranking board. If she died within the Dan Palace then do you know what would occur? There be lines of people accusing us with their fingers to the point where even the king wouldn’t turn a blind eye.” A tinge of anger burns within Chen Hong Ru’s iris, indicating how annoyed he has become.

It’s very rare to get such an intense reaction from this great master, therefore Luo Wan Wan didn’t need no further warning to step back. Shrinking to one corner, she shivers there without uttering a single sound.

“Senior Sister Luo, do you really think his lordship intends to let that Ye Ling Yue go? The information regarding the bow is nothing but a distraction. Any who draws close to that item always end up dead!” Coming over to cut in was Xue Pian Ran, the Sacred Maiden who got held behind by Feng Shen earlier.

They may not be able to take action while the girl stays at the Dan Palace, but that doesn’t mean they couldn’t try something within the Star Cave. Anything happens inside stays inside, no one would question the outcome.

“So that is why, I misunderstood Master, I deserve punishment for this.” Lowering her head apologetically, the former consort shows elation over the fine news.

In return, Chen Hong Ru only gave a heavy grunt before turning back to the balcony where nine stars in the sky glimmered with sparkling light.

That Ye Ling Yue is not normal. Just like the Phoenix Lord, this girl has a blind spot within her soul that could repel even my invasion.

Outside of the Dan Palace.

By the time Ye Ling Yue came out of the place it was already late into the night, and sure enough, Lan Caier the heartless one has already ditched her with Little Crow in toe. There’s not a soul in sight, only a girl and the chilly cold wind.

Surprisingly, in her daze of preoccupied blunder, the girl actually found herself lost on how to return to the Phoenix Manor. But instead of seeking help, she instead ends up encountering a certain delectable boy along the road.

Feng Shen…. A trickle of tear escapes the corner of that grateful eye.

Emotions aside though, the boy knew exactly what the girl need at this moment. Its not comforting words, it’s not a pat on the head, it’s a nice big dumpling stuffed into her mouth using a pair of chopsticks!

Astonishingly enough, Ling Yue found the chestnut cake to be warm still when it came into her mouth, a difficult task to achieve when its so chilly and cold at night.

“Feng Shen, I knew it is you who treats me the best. Sister Caier is so heartless, leaving me to my own bidding like this. I nearly got tortured to death by that old zombie Chen Hong Ru.” Mumbling a lengthy explanation with her cheeks filled to the brim like a puff ball, Feng Shen had to hand the poor pig a pot of water in case any incidents occur.

“Chen Hong Ru used the Star Soul Searching Technique on you?” The boy’s hand stiffened at the knowledge, those knuckles frighteningly white due to the intense pressure.

“So that thingy is called Star Soul Searching Technique. Good thing I managed to endure it. Anyways, I didn’t come back empty handed because he told me how to crack the mystery surrounding the black fog.” Furrowing those brows due to overstuffing herself, the girl promptly turned red as she chugged the water down. As a result, she was oblivious to the oddity hovering in the man next to her.

After the little choking mishap, it was time for the pair to go home. However, to the girl’s surprise, the one driving the carriage was actually Lan Caier! The big girl had decided to come herself after losing her wits from the late delay.

“Ling Yue, I want to come with you to the Star Cave Venture.”

“No way! Even if I agree, Sister Caier wouldn’t. It’s far too dangerous for someone like you who know nothing about self-defence.” Without a second thought, she flatly refuses the request.