Heavenly Star

“And it looks like Long Yin has yet to detected anything. A woman like you, who managed to pull everything off flawlessly, really earns Wuchen’s respect. The so-called Northern Empire, who were already defeated and had concealed their whereabouts, might have already penetrated another nation secretly. Is it the Kui Shui Nation, or the Cang Lan Nation? Gale Nation has Feng Chaoyang, so it is difficult to penetrate. Cang Lan Nation has nasty weather, so an outsider wouldn’t be able to adapt in such a short time. They might be hiding in Kui Shui Nation.”

Shui Mengchan, “!!!!”

“Let’s discuss some of the conditions of the transaction. For the sake of the sword of Southern Empire, we are willing to invest everything.” Shui Mengchan said with a slightly powerless voice. The more Ye Wuchen explained, the stronger the worry in Shui Mengchan’s heart became. She had never thought a person who could frighten her with just a few words would exist before now. And the person in question was even younger than her.

“My condition is very easily achieved. Simply, within the next three years, the people of your Southern Empire should protect certain people. And they are the people of the Ye Family: Ye Nu, Ye Wei, Wang Wenshu, Ye Shuiyao, as well as the Hua Family’s Hua Zhentian and Hua Shuirou. Remember, it’s only to protect, and not to interfere. In normal circumstances, they shouldn’t be alarmed. If within these three years, any one of them were to experience any mishap, then your Southern Empire will never obtain the sword. If you are able to protect them within three years and they are able to live in harmony, then I will let you have the sword of the Southern Empire. Your Southern Empire has already been looking for it for a thousand, maybe even ten thousand years, so you can surely wait for another three years.” Ye Wuchen said every word clearly.

“That’s all?” this condition was very simple for the Southern Empire. Shui Mengchan believes that even without their protection, these people would not encounter any mishaps. Their only regret was not getting the sword right away and needed to wait three years. She did not attempt to fight for it because she could clearly feel that no one would be able to change Ye Wuchen mind once the decision was made.

“That’s all.” Ye Wuchen answered plainly, “If I break my promise, the worst case, you can take their lives.”

“Okay! We will thoroughly protect them in secret.” Shui Mengchan said softly.

“Then Wuchen thanks Lady Shui.”

“One takes what one needs; no need for thanks.”

“Hahaha! Then Wuchen has already achieved his purpose of coming here. I’ll take my leave.”

Ye Wuchen did not linger as he grabbed Ning Xue’s hand and headed out. The moment he opened the door, a thought came to him. Inclining his head, he said, “After a few days, the Empress Yang Xiu will contract a very serious illness when the imperial physicians are helpless to cure her, the Emperor will seek help from your Southern Empire. If you are willing give assistance, you must summon the greatest physician of your Empire or a Light Wizard, else you would have wasted my time.”

After that, he closed the door behind him and departed at once.

The room had suddenly gone silent. After a short duration, those hidden in the dark exposed themselves one by one, and gathered in front of Shui Mengchan. Their ages averaged above the thirties, but two among them already had half a head full of white hairs. But without a doubt, every one of them, who were bound to protect the princess of the Southern Empire, were extremely powerful.

“Princess, that person…”

“A very horrible person.”

“Princess, is it really the sword of the Southern Empire?” one of the elder women asked.

“That’s right. All the distinctive features matched perfectly with our records. These features are only known to me and my relatives. For him to be able to paint the sword of the Southern Empire, only means that he has seen it. In any case, he had said that if he were to go back on his word, we can take the lives of his relatives. This is enough to know that he is not fooling us.”

“Then why shouldn’t we capture either him or his relatives, then force them to tell us the whereabouts of the sword? Many things can happen in three years.”

Shui Mengchan shook her head, “No. Based on his attitude, how could he not have anticipated that kind of situation? If the sword of Southern Empire were to fall into the hands of the Northern Empire, can you imagine the outcome? Whether or not he has made those preparations, we cannot risk it; we can’t afford to risk.”

“Then what should we do now? The appearance of sword of Southern Empire is the most significant event since the beginning of our Southern Empire!” a middle aged woman said in excitement.

Shui Mengchan carefully rolled up the painting and placed it in the hands of the eldest woman as she spoke gravely, “Every word he said to me a while ago, do you remember them all?”

“I remember.” The woman calmly nodded.

“Take this painting. Use the fastest means of transportation, travel day and night. Go to my father and relay every word to him. Then await his decision. Also…” Shui Mengchan pondered for a moment regarding Ye Wuchen’s strange parting words, “On your way home, invite Grandpa Yao Xian over. I want to know what else Ye Wuchen can do. You must leave now.”

“Yes!”

“Lei Shi, quickly assign somebody to secretly protect the Ye Family. Yun Shi, assign people to protect Hua Family. The faster the better.”

“Yes.” Lei and Yun, the two quickly left.

After a short silence, she lightly knitted her brows and asked, “Ling-er, you mentioned a few days ago that Long Yin hired the mercenary, Tao BaiBai, to kill Ye Wuchen. When will Tao BaiBai arrive?”

The woman called “Ling-er” was Shui Mengchan’s personal servant. She bent her head and said, “He arrived just this morning.”

“Already?” Shui Mengchan grew alarmed, “Feng, Hue, Lei, and Yue, you four go follow Ye Wuchen closely in the dark. You must keep him from harm. If needed, eliminate Tao BaiBai!”

“Yes!” the four quickly accepted the order and left without any hesitation.

……………

“Princess of the Southern Empire. Her age was just about twenty, but she has already achieved Heaven-Level. Her fluctuating state of mind caused some of her powers to leak. I thought she was just a delicately and weak woman. Even the servant behind her, and those seven women, each and every one of them are Spirit-Level. Lin Xiao and I, having reached the Tenth Level are already regarded as geniuses. When it comes to the Southern Empire, with so many of the same power level in a group only shows how common they are. Sure enough, our experts, in the eyes of those of the Southern Empire are as worthless as big white cabbages.” Ye Wuchen said sighing.

“Master, what is a big white cabbage?” a voice of Nan-er sounded in his head.

Ye Wuchen rolled his eyes, “Nan-er, you are a big white cabbage.”

“Huh?” Nan-er totally did not understand.

He turned to glance back at the Meng Yan Lou, and secretly shook his head.

Rumors said that the Southern Empire would unconditionally serve the owner of the Southern Empire Sword. Anybody who had the sword would be able to command the entire Southern Empire Clan.

If the Southern Empire were the same as they were in the past, Ye Wuchen might have believed this rumor. He would have reveal the sword of Southern Empire in front of Shui Mengchan, and have the entire Southern Empire kneel before his feet.

But the of Southern Empire Clan now was no longer the same as the clan that existed is the legends. When they set foot on the mundane world, they began to have desires for power, even for a share of the world. Would that same clan be loyal to an outsider just by possessing a single sword? That was a big joke. Instead of being loyal, they might just kill the owner and snatch the sword back.

“Nan-er, judging from my current power, how much power can I bring out of the sword of Southern Empire?” Ye Wuchen asked probingly.

“Uh…” This question obviously confused Nan-er. She thought hard for quite a long time, then replied weakly, “The sword of the Southern Empire was made to endure any degregation, so the power it requires from the carrier would be very very huge. Master, based on you current power… you cannot bring out any of it.”

“In other words, the sword in my arms is only a very sharp weapon?”

“It is.”

“Very well.” Ye Wuchen was resigned.

Upon returning to Ye residence, just before the gate, Ye Wuchen bent down facing Ning Xue and said, “Xue-er, brother has some more things to attend to. Go ahead and to sister to play, okay?”

“En, Got it, brother, you must return soon.”

Reluctant to part, she lightly bit her brother. Ye Ning Xue then ran, taking small steps to the gates. Only when her small figure had disappeared from view, did Ye Wuchen turn. His expression went cold in a flash, but with another step, it went back to his usual emotionlessness. He turned at a corner and followed a stream of people east.

A deadly gaze had already locked onto him and he knew whoever was meant to arrive had already arrived. And so, he could not return to the Ye residence. Although the Ye Family did not fear the battlefield, on ordinary days, without the protection of experts, he certainly would not involve the rest of the Ye Family.

An experienced killer need only one strike to kill a person, but the act needed to remain undetected by others, the victim especially. Neither the victim nor others should come to know the cause of death. So on a street, where people come and go, no move was made. But once Ye Wuchen entered the Ye residence, the moment he stepped in his bedroom—that was the time to take action.

But Ye Wuchen did not enter the gate. Instead, he headed east. The only option now, was to follow him from behind. Eyes as lifeless as a dead fish’s stared at him, they did not allow him disappear from the line of sight. Ye Wuchen’s breath remained undetectable and the only option to get a lock on him was to rely on vision.

Ye Wuchen wandered throughout his journey. From time to time, he roamed around vendors and small stores, giving the appearance of a son of an aristocratic family taking a stroll down the street. If he were to loiter more, or casted more indecent glances, then his act would have bene completely perfect. Ye Wuchen continued to head east, and the lifeless gaze followed him wherever he went. When Tao BaiBai was young, he had buried himself in sand for three days and three nights just to kill one person. To follow someone like this clearly would not wear down his patience for he knew he could easily get rid of his target effortlessly with just one strike.

Translated by: Fatty_Uncle

Edited by: seriouspotato and patrick_father_of_dragons