Chapter 1639: To Bei Yuan

He was the only one who could do this. No one else could.

First, it was his responsibility and duty to slay the Four Evils. Naturally, the quest to collect the four evil suppressing spiritual treasures fell on his shoulders.

Second, he was the one possessing a wisp of King Taishan’s divine intent. Therefore, he might be the only one capable of locating the four evil suppressing spiritual treasures.

Third, everyone else had their own responsibilities to fulfill; things to worry about. He was the only one with all the time in the world in his eyes.

Therefore, no one else was better suited to the task of searching for the treasures than him.

Of course, just because his fellow Sages would not be accompanying him on his search did not mean that they wouldn’t help him. In fact, they all promised to provide him with the utmost assistance and convenience within their capabilities.

There was only a decade or so left before the Four Evils broke free from their seals. It sounded like he still had a long time, but in reality that wasn’t the case. Not for Ye Qing at least.

On top of that, the evil suppressing spiritual treasures were surely hidden in treacherous, extraordinary locations. There was no way he would be able to collect them all in a short time. Best case scenario, he would collect them all in three to five years. Worst case scenario... well, he didn’t want to think about it.

That was why ten years wasn’t a long time at all.

It was also why he and Feng Qingyou immediately embarked on the journey to search for the evil suppressing spiritual treasures.

In order to shorten the amount of time it took to locate the spiritual treasures, they decided to split up with White Robe Demon Master. White Robe Demon Master would head to Nan Xu alone, while he and Feng Qingyou would travel to Bei Yuan.

White Robe Demon Master was powerful enough to handle any and all danger that he might encounter in his journey. The reason they sent him to Nan Xu was because White Robe Demon Master had lived in the Southern Sea for a very long time. In fact, he once traveled to Nan Xu in search of his Great Way. That was why he was relatively familiar with the place and a suitable candidate to conduct the search.

He and Feng Qingyou were weaker than White Robe Demon Master, so they chose to travel together.

As for why they chose to travel to Bei Yuan instead of the other two locations, that was because Princess Royal Furi happened to travel to Bei Yuan before. She was relatively familiar with the place and so could provide valuable insight in regards to the location. That was why Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou decided to travel to Bei yuan first after an in-depth discussion.

That Princess Royal Furi could save them some time with her carriage—even if the journey was easy at the beginning and much more difficult past a certain point—was much appreciated as well.

That was why they were sitting in this carriage and listening to Princess Royal Furi’s explanation.

“Once, in order to become a Sage, I heeded my master’s advice and traveled north to Bei Yuan. It was to temper myself, understand nature, and gain insight into the laws and principles of the Great Way.”

Right now, Princess Royal Furi was lying on top of a luxurious-looking bed in a lazy, carefree manner. “On the way, I have suffered what felt like all the misery one might suffer in life. The cold of the Snow Mountain, the iciness of the Ice River, the vastness of the Desert Sea, the darkness of the Night Valley. There were all sorts of hidden dangers and countless lurking Strangers. I would already be dead if I’m not a fortunate woman.”

Ye Qing paid her a compliment, “Your fortune is equal to that of the heavens, and you are favored by the world itself. I am sure that your fortune has only risen after overcoming a great tribulation, Your Highness.”

“My, you have a sweet mouth, don’t you? But please, don’t call me Your Highness. It feels so estranged. Since I am your elder, please address me as auntie. That sounds much closer.”

As if sensing something, Princess Royal Furi gave Feng Qingyou a glance. Then, she looked back at Ye Qing and curled her lips into a seductive smile. “What, you don’t want to?”

“I wouldn’t dare... it is my honor,” Ye Qing replied smilingly while rubbing his nose.

It had been days since he became acquainted with this legendary princess of Yan. He was starting to get to know her as a person. Although she was of noble stature, she was a playful character who cared little for trifles and trivialities. It wasn’t surprising for her to make a demand like this.

Princess Royal Furi beamed. “No better time than now, right?”

“Auntie.” Ye Qing did not hesitate to comply with her request. It wasn’t like he was losing anything.

“Good boy...” Princess Royal Furi nodded happily before looking at Feng Qingyou next. “It’s your turn now.”

There was a hint of exasperation in Feng Qingyou’s eyes, but she said, “Auntie...”

“Hahahaha... good girl!” Princess Royal Furi started laughing loudly. She was obviously delighted for some reason.

Ye Qing could tell that Feng Qingyou and Princess Royal Furi were acquaintances. Scratch that, they might be way closer than acquaintances. He did not prod them for information though.

Feng Qingyou asked in a helpless voice, “Can we continue the topic regarding Bei Yuan now?” Princess Royal Furi stopped laughing and sipped her wine. Then, she said, “I’m already finished though?” Caught off guard, Ye Qing and Feng Qingoyu looked at her in astonishment. “Didn’t you climb into Bei Yuan?”

“Climb into Bei Yuan? Are you even listening to yourself?” Princess Royal Furi replied matter-of-factly, “I was only a Half-Sage at the time. Do I look like I have a death wish?”

“I’ve only stayed near Bei Yuan for a short time. I went home after sensing that my bottleneck had loosened. Never have I set foot in Bei Yuan.”

“That said, I still witnessed plenty of terrifying Strangers and phenomena during my stay. For example, I saw a big fog that ground away at one’s life force and eroded time itself. I saw an aurora that consumed all life. I saw a mad gale that threw time and space into disorder, a Ghost Vulture with wings that spanned from one end of the sky to another, a Nine-headed Evil Ape, millions and millions of Corpse Ghost Worms and more.”

𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

“In short, you must be absolutely careful the moment you set foot in Bei Yuan.”

“Understood.”

Ye Qing clasped his fists in front of his chest. “Thank you, Your... I mean, auntie.”

Princess Royal Furi nodded in satisfaction. “Good boy!”

Thanks to the carriage, it took them only a short time to cross over the vast realm of Yan and reach its snowy regions toward the north.

This was also where Yan’s northernmost border lay.

“This is as far as I can send you two. I need to head back and debrief my imperial brother.”

“Thank you for the escort, auntie.” Ye Qing thanked Princess Royal Furi. “We will pay you a visit when we return from Bei Yuan.”

“Mm. I’ll be waiting.”

Princess Royal Furi did not climb to her feet. She simply waved her hand and said, “Go. Have a smooth journey!”

“Until next time, auntie.” Ye Qing saluted her again before walking out of the carriage.

“You’re here. Are you really not going to pay him a visit?”

Right before Feng Qingyou would step out of the door, Princess Royal Furi said suddenly, “He misses you a lot, you know?”

Feng Qingyou stopped in her tracks and remained silent for a few seconds. Finally, she said, “Forget it. I don’t wish to meet him.”

Princess Royal Furi sighed. “It’s been so many years. Have you still not let go?”

Feng Qingyou’s voice sounded a little icy. “Some things cannot be let go. Some things may never be let go for as long as one lives.”

Feng Qingyou walked out of the carriage then. Before she left completely though, she said, “That said, I don’t hate him anymore. Mom wouldn’t want me to hate him, and I do not want to live my whole life in hatred either.”

With that, Feng Qingyou’s voice disappeared completely.

“She doesn’t hate anymore, huh?” Princess Royal Furi murmured, eyes glazed over as if reminiscing something. She raised her wine cup and got ready to drain it to the last drop when suddenly, it disappeared and reappeared in a man’s hand.

The man looked to be in his forties. The lines of his face were sharp like they were carved using a blade or an axe. He was a handsome, awe-inspiring man, but what was even more impressive was his stature. He was muscular and so tall that his head was almost touching the ceiling even though he was seated.

“Must you take my drink? You can’t pour your own?” Princess Royal Furi glanced at the man and rolled her eyes at him.

“It is more convenient this way.” The man’s voice was as rugged and strong, solemn and dignified as one might expect.

Princess Royal Furi harrumphed and poured herself a new cup of wine. “You just missed her. You might have been able to meet her if you came earlier.”

The man shook his head. “She won’t see me.”

Princess Royal Furi sneered. “You lie in the bed you make.”

The man replied after a moment of silence, “I’m the one who wronged her and her mother, yes.”

Princess Royal Furi said coldly, “At least you know that much.”

The man silently drank his wine with gloomy eyes.