Volume Three: Rising Fame Chapter Thirty-Four: Many Visitors

“Sorry, Young Master is not accustomed to taking things directly from other people’s hands.”

Xiaocui moved faster than Li Yu and took the jade box handed over by Eunuch Zheng.

Li Yu froze for a moment, then gave Eunuch Zheng an apologetic smile, clearly endorsing Xiaocui’s explanation.

Though he had never had such a habit himself, he quickly understood Xiaocui’s careful intentions.

In this fantastical world, all manner of strange methods emerged endlessly. Xiaocui was plainly guarding against the possibility that the royal house might make some unfavorable move, which was why she had invented this supposed habit of Li Yu’s.

Without direct physical contact, one could avoid more than ninety percent of unknown dangers.

“Though the imperial house is not as renowned as the Qing clan when it comes to spiritual herbs and medicinal arts, this Jade-Restoring Ointment is, in this servant’s opinion, certainly the best choice for helping Young Master recover the wounds on his back. Once you are within the inner city, you may rest easy. No danger will arise again.”

Eunuch Zheng said with a smile.

When he heard the name of the Jade-Restoring Ointment, Qing Yangde’s eyes flickered.

This was a closely guarded imperial secret, produced in very small quantities each year. There were even rumors that it had once been reserved for the royal house of the former Great Qin Empire, and that when that empire fell, it was unexpectedly obtained by a collateral branch of the family, the present Great Ming imperial house.

When jade breaks, it can never truly be made whole again; a seam will always remain. Yet from the very name of this ointment one could tell its reputation. It was said that even if applied to jade, it could restore it to flawless perfection.

“Then I am indebted to the steward’s generosity,” Li Yu said with a nod.

He did not rush to accept the jade box from Xiaocui’s hands. Although he had heard of it while within the Qing clan, he was still wary of whether there might be any hidden issue. He would need to wait, test it, and then decide.

Besides, Li Yu was not foolish. From the last remark in Eunuch Zheng’s words, he immediately heard the implication of solicitation.

It was plainly meant to disparage one side while praising the other, hinting that the Qing clan was not as safe as the royal house.

“Steward, do you know about secret realms?” Li Yu suddenly asked.

“Secret realm?” Eunuch Zheng shook his head, then seemed to realize something. “Young Master is speaking of the secret realm for this Hundred Clans Assembly, is that not so? This servant does not know much either. This secret realm was only opened this year, and many of the details have not even been compiled into records yet.”

Li Yu said with some regret, “I see. Otherwise I would have wanted to ask the steward for some inside information.”

In his heart, however, Li Yu gave a cold snort.

Not know much?

He was fooling ghosts.

If it were truly a brand-new secret realm, how could it be used so hastily as the venue for the Hundred Clans Assembly without first being thoroughly explored? If something unforeseen happened inside, would the Great Ming imperial house not be lifting a stone only to drop it on its own feet?

But since Eunuch Zheng refused to say more, Li Yu could not do anything about it. He could hardly torture the truth out of him.

“If you are interested in this, then I happen to know of a place where you may find some news.”

Everyone looked up. The speaker was the young man standing behind Eunuch Zheng.

“As expected, he is no ordinary person.”

Several people had such thoughts at once, though they were also somewhat surprised.

They had known from the beginning that the young man’s identity was unusual, but in truth they had all assumed he was simply disguised and had come to observe. They had not expected him to speak at a time like this.

“Your Highness?” Eunuch Zheng said in surprise as well.

A direct descendant of the Great Ming imperial house?

Li Yu now understood somewhat. After thinking for a moment, he said, “And what place would that be?”

He did not bow or perform any formal courtesy. In truth, apart from the highest authority of all, the Emperor of Great Ming, members of the imperial house were not required to bow to others.

In this world, where bloodlines were paramount, kinship and lineage bound families together with astonishing tenacity. Family allegiance was even tighter here than in a clan-based society.

The Great Ming imperial house was merely the largest of the clan groups. The Qing clan might not compare to it, but it was by no means weak and naturally did not need to be excessively humble.

“Tomorrow night, at the Transient Lodge, there will be some like-minded people exchanging information. Among it, there may well be something that interests you,” the Second Prince, Ying Wenshu, said solemnly as he stepped forward from behind Eunuch Zheng.

...

After the two had departed, Li Yu spoke thoughtfully.

“Anyone who agrees to go there is basically understood to be siding with the Second Prince, yes?”

Even those who had no intention of forming an alliance, if they went, would be regarded by outsiders as having done so.

“That is right,” Bear Feng said with a nod.

He attached great importance to the news about the secret realm as well. His companion, Bear Xiuer, was also going to enter it. If they could obtain some information in advance, their chances of success would rise considerably, and at the very least they would be safer.

“I have a feeling more people will come soon,” Li Yu said.

Just as he had predicted, Ying Wenshu had merely opened the door. In the time that followed, visitors arrived one after another without pause. Their words might differ somewhat, and the places they mentioned might vary, but the one thing they all had in common was the time.

They all agreed upon tomorrow night.

And it was not only him they sought. Some people had also turned their attention to Qing Yuan, after all, according to the records, Qing Yuan was a fifth-rank cultivator.

Among this year’s candidates, he was one of the most formidable in terms of cultivation.

As for the claim that Li Yu, with only sixth-rank cultivation, had defeated Qing Yuan, many clans scoffed at it. They regarded it as utter nonsense, a foolish blunder committed by the Qing clan.

However, not everyone agreed.

Within the Zhuoyang clan’s residence in the inner city, Zhuoyang Feng asked, “Uncle, why are we not approaching Qing Yuan, and instead choosing Li Yu?”

Opposite him sat a middle-aged man with the air of a wealthy merchant. He lifted his head slightly and said, “Do you think the Qing clan deliberately arranged for Qing Yuan to hold back? Or perhaps this is all just a smokescreen, and you believe Li Yu could not possibly defeat Qing Yuan?”

Zhuoyang Ruohan took a sip of water from his cup and continued, “Why don’t you use that pig brain of yours and think properly? Do you really think the Qing clan would make such a move? They obtained the thunder bloodline and did not hide it. They even brought him out to participate in the Hundred Clans Assembly. Do you think the Qing clan is full of fools?”

“The thunder bloodline is so important. If you had obtained such a person, and wanted to prevent accidents, what would you do?”

After being scolded a few times by his uncle, Zhuoyang Feng did not lose heart. He knew this was instruction meant for his benefit, so he thought for a moment and said, “If it were me, I would certainly hide my true strength and not let the outside world know the bloodline’s potential.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a light flashed in his eyes, and he understood.

“Exactly. Since that is the case, the Qing clan bringing him out plainly means they are certain of victory this time. A fifth-rank Qing Yuan, and a Li Yu who can defeat fifth-rank cultivators—this time, the Qing clan truly holds victory in its hands,” Zhuoyang Ruohan said with confidence, then waved for Zhuoyang Feng to withdraw.

What he did not know was that Qing Heng genuinely had not known Li Yu possessed such strength. Only after Li Yu defeated Qing Yuan in front of so many people did he realize he could not conceal it any longer, and so he simply allowed the matter to spread openly.

Within the other clans as well, there were several who thought much as Zhuoyang Ruohan did. They believed they had seen through the truth and were also discussing how to cultivate good relations with Li Yu.