Sheng Fu

Chapter 1218 Slightly Cool
Three days later.

Human race, Imperial Capital, morning.

The snow falling on earth evokes a sense of melancholy. In previous years, some less learned scholars and poets would stand in the snow and remark that a good snow promises a bountiful year. But this year, everything is peaceful.

Deep down, people are restless and fearful.

The years to come are filled with uncertainty. Even those businessmen who are open-minded and always smiling, or ordinary people who are relatively well-off, often look worried this winter.

On the Flying Dragon Platform.

The Emperor leaned lazily on his throne, with Li Hongshan keeping him company.

"Yuwen Jun has taken his trusted confidants to the Netherworld Cave in the Demon Realm for seclusion. Even Xu Huanshan went with him. However, Yuwen Jun took Zhong Yi with him. I don't know where the two of them went for seclusion," Li Hongshan reported, bowing.

In the past, the emperor cared about Yuwen Jun's whereabouts because he wanted to see what kind of trouble Yuwen Jun was causing.

The current emperor cares about Yuwen Jun, and has no choice but to protect her to prevent the divine emperor from launching a sneak attack. Compared to before, the current emperor both loves and hates Yuwen Jun.

If Yuwen Jun were to grow powerful, it could potentially threaten his imperial authority.

If Yuwen Jun were to lose, it would still affect his imperial power.

No matter which way you go, you're not a good person.

But deep down, the Emperor still hoped that Mr. Gu Yong's disciple could reach the pinnacle of the Dao.

"Zhongyi?" the Emperor asked intriguingly.

Li Hongshan's eyebrows twitched slightly, and he said embarrassedly, "I have carefully investigated Zhong Yi's background. He used to be a member of the Spirit Guard, but the clues went cold in the Spirit Clan's palace."

"The exact origins of this matter are probably only known to the former Emperor Ling."

When Zhong Yi first entered Hengchang Sect, people initially thought that the Ling Clan had randomly dispatched a young talent to represent the friendship between the two clans. Later, Zhong Yi became the commander of the Imperial Dragon Army and also received the strong support of Emperor Ling.

The people in the human temple then realized that Zhong Yi's background was not simple.

However, no further investigation was conducted.

Both the human and spirit race leaders subconsciously felt that while Zhong Yi's connections were valuable, they were not worth exploring in detail. If they were to run into trouble, it would only bring unnecessary problems.

Li Hongshan subconsciously analyzed, "Perhaps it's because Yuwen Jun is the regent of the Spirit Clan. He needs to cultivate a particular Spirit Clan member to express his attitude and gain more trust from the Spirit Clan people."

The Emperor nodded demurely and said, "The analysis is indeed reasonable."

"Let's leave it at that when it comes to matters involving Zhongyi."

Li Hongshan nodded emphatically and said, "As you command."

Suddenly, a red bird flew through the void and landed on Li Hongshan's shoulder. It took the letter and glanced at it briefly. Li Hongshan then bowed and reported, "Today is the funeral of Emperor Ling."

"Although it is a state funeral, everything will be kept simple."

"They simply buried a few of Emperor Ling's favorite items in the Ling Clan's royal mausoleum."

"There was no grand ceremony; it was more like a formality."

"However, in many city-states of the Spirit Clan, the people spontaneously organized to mourn the Spirit Emperor, which had a great impact among the common people."

The emperor remained silent, his mind seemingly empty yet not empty.

"The Demon Clan's Venerable Hong has also arrived at the post station. Shall we receive him?" Li Hongshan asked softly.

The Three Races Alliance still exists. As is customary, Qianling and Zunhong will lead the delegation to the Spirit Race to congratulate Bei Hanyong on his ascension to the throne. This congratulation will naturally come with valuable gifts, and will not be merely a formality. The Human Emperor remains silent.

According to etiquette, Zun Hong is an important minister of the demon race. When he comes to the capital of the human race, he should naturally be received by His Majesty the Human Emperor in person, going through a fairly proper formality.

But the current emperor is really not in the mood.

Furthermore, the current situation is unpredictable and shrouded in mystery. Even the funeral of the Spirit Emperor can be kept simple, so there is no need to follow the formalities of receiving important officials of the demon race.

"Let Prince Ping offer his condolences or two," the Emperor said casually.

Li Hongshan bowed slightly and then withdrew.

After Li Hongshan left, Princess Qianling slowly walked to the Flying Dragon Platform.

Seeing her father's worried expression, the once carefree and unrestrained princess seemed to have suddenly grown up, exuding a calm and composed demeanor.

"Greetings, Father Emperor," Qianling said softly, bowing respectfully.

The Emperor glanced at Qianling and chuckled, "You used to be so impolite. What's wrong with you now?"

Qianling pursed her lips, went to her father's side, massaged his shoulders, and truthfully replied, "People always grow up."

"Actually, I don't want to grow up so quickly. I'd rather never grow up, but I have no choice."

The Emperor chuckled and said, "The sky hasn't fallen yet, and you are still you."

"After this trip to Lingdu, you only need to go through the motions. There is no need to probe the inner workings of the Ling Clan, nor is there any need to deliberately cultivate relationships with certain important officials of the Ling Clan. However, if you encounter impoverished Ling Clan people on the way, you must comfort them and give them as much silver as possible."

Qianling seemed to understand something and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Father. I will definitely consider the overall situation and strengthen the friendship between the human race and the spirit race."

The Emperor's eyes revealed a hint of relief. It seemed that this young girl, in the shattered half of the Demon Realm, had also experienced what true human suffering was, and understood the hardships of ordinary people as well as the hardships of politicians.

"Go about your business, I want to be alone for a while," the Emperor said, closing his eyes slightly.

His Majesty's mind has been in turmoil. These days, he has been unable to calm his mind and cultivate, and he is constantly worried that the white-robed divine emperor might take advantage of his unpreparedness to launch a sneak attack on Yuwen Jun.

However, Yuwen Jun is acting as if nothing happened, and is even leading a large group of people to the Demon Realm for secluded cultivation, as if the war has already ended.

But the Emperor also admired Yuwen Jun for this, after all, Mr. Gu Yong back then also had a very big heart.

……

Night falls inside the post station.

King Ping's carriage arrived outside the post station, and His Highness King Ping personally alighted and entered the post station.

Upon hearing the news, Zun Hong quickly got up and left a clear trail of footprints in the snow as he approached Prince Ping. He bowed and said, "Zun Hong greets Your Highness Prince Ping."

Upon seeing this, King Ping quickly reached out to help Zun Hong up by the arms. He glanced at the surrounding demon clan members before bowing slightly to Zun Hong and saying, "Your Majesty is very busy with state affairs and has no time to spare. I hope you will understand."

"Why don't we go to my palace tonight and have a good drink? I've long heard that the demon clan's sage has an amazing capacity for alcohol. May I see for myself tonight?"

The attitude was direct and clear, which pleased Zun Hong. The surrounding demon envoys also nodded subtly, feeling that the human race valued them for their courtesy and attitude.

Even if King Ping didn't come tonight, Zun Hong wouldn't hold a grudge, since the Demon Realm is currently no match for the two behemoths, the Spirit Race and the Human Race.

"Your Highness is too kind. It is something I have been looking forward to for a long time," Zun Hong said with a knowing smile, holding Prince Ping's hand.

King Ping immediately bowed slightly to the surrounding demon envoys and invited them, "Esteemed sages, please follow me..."