The Immortal Emperor Returns

Chapter 297 What Have You Been Doing

The hateful look on Zang Fengling’s fade just could not fade – not especially after seeing the Thunder Fist.

“How is this possible...” he murmured.

“What else can you now say, Zang Fengling?” Chu Xun shouted.

As if he couldn’t hear Chu Xun’s challenge, Zang Fengling murmured to himself still, his eyes swirling with disbelief.

“Please, Yan. Can you tell me everything in more detail?”

Despite his reluctance, Yan Wushuang never wanted his reputation to suffer, and that compelled him to recount what happened.

Zang Fengling first listened to his story before he ignored the pain of his injury and performed the Thunder Fist technique.

Yan Wushuang’s sword quivered uneasily as he tightened his grip, just in case Zang Fengling might unleash an all-out attack in a desperate attempt.

Boom!

Thunders roared overhead and a fist coiling with lightning bolts and sparks came crashing down the ground, leaving cracks everywhere even before it fully came down.

The giant fist pummeled the ground savagely before bursting with an explosion so sudden and tempestuous, and everywhere turned into a sea of lightning bolts crawling and crackling incessantly on the ground.

“Was it like this just now, Yan?” asked Zang Fengling.

Yan Wushuang shook his head. “No. There were no lightning after the fist came down. In fact, it seemed a tad weaker than yours.”

“That’s right!” said Zang Fengling, looking absolutely frosty, “I’m afraid both you and I have been duped. The Thunder Fist is a special technique taught only to members of the Zang Family and no one else and the sea of lightning that follows after the first blow is the most powerful part of this technique and any enemy caught in its midst would be roasted alive and reduced to dust.”

“According to your accounts, the giant fist of that intruder’s contrivance exploded before it fully came down. On that note, I can guarantee you that that was not the Thunder Fist of the Zang Family. If anything, it might only be a futile attempt to replicate the true crux of this technique.”

“Hmph,” Chu Xun snorted suddenly, eager to chip in, “As if we could believe that. And speaking about ‘roasted alive and reduced to dust’ – what about me? I emerged unscathed.”

Heads turned in Zang Fengling’s direction. It was true, Chu Xun had emerged unharmed from the sea of lightning that ensued after the first part of the Thunder Fist during the meeting earlier.

Filled with overflowing frustration at the remark, Zang Fengling swore for once more, that he would relish the chance to put to death this bumbling oaf if given the chance.

“You’re special, my friend. You’re extraordinarily tough. I daresay any other person would have been reduced into dust already,” answered Zang Fengling through gritted teeth.

“Wow! Well, I guess you have a point there,” responded Chu Xun, bobbing his head.

It was too ludicrous for words that no one could barely retort. Weren’t you’re the one who was so eager to chip in your objection?

Yan Wushuang fell in contemplative silence, still not fully convinced by Zang Fengling’s words.

“This means nothing, Zang Fengling,” said Yan Wushuang at last, “Skills, technique, and sorcery – it’s always normal for them to have variations and slight adaptations.”

“Master Yan, we can be witnesses; our young master has not left the inn since coming back from the meeting at your residence.”

The crowd of onlookers parted to allow Zang Fengling’s two maids to come forward.

That wobbled Yan Wushuang’s beliefs that it was Zang Fengling who intruded into his house. Could it really be not him?!

But Chu Xun interjected, “And why should we take your word for it? You are his maids, it’s natural that you’d be speaking on his behalf.”

The pair of servant girls glared angrily at Chu Xun. It was his howling and yowling about which had everyone stealing glimpses of their half-naked bodies just now.

What a terrible man! If only we could give him a slap or two, they thought. But for now, they needed to cleave on first helping their master to escape any blame.

“On our lives, we are willing to vouch for our young master, Master Yan. He is definitely not the intruder who stole the Soul-nourishing Lotus,” said one of them gingerly.

“All right, so you say Zang Fengling had never left the inn. So what has he been doing there?” barked Chu Xun.

Every pair of eyes trained on to the two servant girls. In the minds of most, if not, every man around, images of the two girls’ half-naked bodies swam and chased around, causing their stares to turn fiery with carnal longing.

What was more, the question Chu Xun posed left the maids blushing, their faces blazing with a deep red flush.

“Look, they’re lying!” screamed Chu Xun, “My grandfather once told me that people turn red when they lie.”

“Quiet, you!” snarled the maids. But that left a question in everyone’s heads, were the maids really lying?

Everyone stared at them strangely.

“Come with me to the inn if you will, Yan,” Zang Fengling growled darkly, “See for yourself if I was attacked.”

It was a complete humiliation for one with the might, stature, and standing of a Seventh-grade Human King, and the ignominy was driving him mad by the second.

Yan Wushuang nodded his assent.

With that, everyone returned back into the city, where they headed straight to the inn where Zang Fengling took up lodgings.

The rest of the onlookers waited outside, while only Yan Wushuang, Chu Xun, and Yao Baiyue were allowed inside.

“Gods in Heaven, what is that stench!?” Chu Xun wailed as soon as the door of the suite opened.

It was all Zang Fengling could do to prevent himself from hitting Chu Xun.

The two servant girls felt their cheeks burning so furiously.

The entire room reeked of the sensual and musky scent of hormones.

Yao Baiyue’s brows furrowed as she frowned, deciding that she would not enter.

At last, only Yan Wushuang stepped inside.

He came out not long later.

“Was he really lying, Master Yan?” asked Chu Xun immediately.

Yan Wushuang shook his head.

Chu Xun betrayed nothing, musing at how honorable and honest Yan Wushuang turned out to be. After all, he never really wanted the Yan Family to go at war with the Zang Family for real. He intentionally framed Zang Fengling only because of his intention to murder him during the duel at the meeting. A little lesson for him, so to speak. That was why he purposely left clues.

“I would advise you to not leave Yanxue City for the time being, Zang,” said Yan Wushuang, “Please allow me some time to get to the bottom of this. If you are indeed innocent, I shall apologize to you myself.”

“Never you worry. I would like to find out which bastard it was who did this to me!” growled Zang Fengling maliciously.

Yan Wushuang, Chu Xun, and Yao Baiyue promptly left the inn. As soon as they were downstairs, Yao Baiyue asked, “Do you believe Zang Fengling?”

Yan Wushuang shook his head. “But if you think closely, you’d find many clues which point otherwise.”

“What clues?”

“First, whoever that intruder was, his intention lies solely on the Lotus and the Spirit Basin. The guardians were merely wounded, not dead; so that means the intruder did not mean to kill anyone. Secondly, the intruder possessed speed beyond mine. Yet he retreated with the clear intent of leading me here. All these don’t seem like Zang Fengling’s ways. And most importantly, I have to admit that Zang Fengling himself was really attacked.”

“Speed that surpasses yours, and the audacity to attack Zang Fengling...” Yao Baiyue breathed heavily, “It appears that this intruder’s power is nowhere weaker than ours.”

“Indeed,” Yan Wushuang agreed, frowning, “It would seem that we now have an unknown and yet veritable monster now lurking inside Yanxue City.”

He paused for a beat before saying softly, “You must be careful, Xiao Yue.” Xiao Yue was a pet name Yan Wushuang derived from Yao Baiyue’s last name. “With the mysterious appearance of ancient ruins at Kunlun now attracting warriors from all corners of the world, there must be unknown mavens or champions within them. You must be careful.”

Yao Baiyue stared at him, awed for a brief transitory moment, before a dash of tenderness wiped upon her face. In a soft and lovely voice of her own, she said, “You too.”

Yan Wushuang stared at Yao Baiyue’s beautiful face and felt himself enthralled by her beauty and grace.

Chu Xun peered at Yao Baiyue, then at Yan Wushuang and felt the atmosphere turning unbelievably tense and saw fit to slip away quietly.

The fervent stare Yan Wushuang cast upon Yao Baiyue only made her nervous, her gorgeous little face burned with a pink-scarlet shade and she quickly looked down as her heart pounded like a galloping horse.

“Xiao Yue,” Yan Wushuang called softly the pet name of his sweetheart with utmost tenderness.

Yao Baiyue felt her heart taking a skip as she struggled to rein in herself by channeling some of her powers and the blushing of her face subsided back into her usually placid demeanor.

“It’s getting late. I should go.”

Yan Wushuang jerked as if he just woke up from a trance. He averted his gaze to conceal the momentary twang of pain and when he looked back, he was back to his usual aloof self.

By then, both man and woman realized Chu Xun was gone.

Yao Baiyue said her goodbyes and left. Unbeknownst and unnoticed by many, her eyes betrayed a hint of sorrow that would have wrenched one a many hearts when she spun around and walked away.

Yan Wushuang could only watch quietly as she left, standing rooted to the spot.

With no more drama left to enjoy, the onlooking crowd of warriors dispersed and left.

“Why did you not see her off?”

Yan Wushuang jumped. He spun around to find Chu Xun and chuckled weakly. “So you’re still here?”

“I haven’t left at all. I was only feeling embarrassed being third wheel to you both in that awkward moment just now.”

“I guess I owe you my thanks for your help today, friend.”

“Don’t mention it. I was only doing it to spite Zang Fengling,” Chu Xun shrugged his shoulders, “I don’t think I’m mistaken that both you and the Lady are in love of each other. Why aren’t you married to each other?”

Yan Wushuang chuckled, his gaze forlorn and mournful. “So what if we are in love with each other? We’re not meant to be.”

“Why?” asked Chu Xun, curious, “Both of you obviously long for each other. You just need to do this.”

Yan Wushuang stared hard at Chu Xun, a sudden brimming urge to speak swelling inside him, “Have you head of the Chamber of Lead-Glass before?”

“Yeah, I think I heard someone mentioning that before. She’s from the Chamber?”

“She’s the heir apparent to the Chamber of Lead-Glass specially groomed to be the future Lady of the Chamber.”

“So what if that’s the case?”

A tinge of pain flashed in Yan Wushuang. “Then you might not have heard about an unbreakable law of the Chamber: heir apparents of the Chamber are to remain chaste until the day they die.”

“Good Heaven Almighty, what time and year is it now?! I can’t believe there are still people clinging on to such despotic rules.”

That startled Yan Wushuang. “You’re a forthcoming person, aren’t you?”

“So you’re giving up just like that?” Chu Xun narrowed his eyes.

“Is there anything I can do if I refuse to?”

“Why should you give in?” Chu Xun scoffed, “If it were me, I would storm to the Chamber and take the Lady for myself. Get married quickly, have children with her quickly. Get everything done before anyone could do anything.”

Yan Wushuang could hardly stifle a giggle. “I like how straightforward as an arrow you are.”

That remark made Chu Xun felt sheepish. Romance has never been a strong suit of his. Blustering about some bravado which would only be mere figment of his concoction was all he could do. In fact, he doubted if he could accomplish any more than Yan Wushuang did.

Nevertheless, stealing his Soul-nourishing Lotus and his Spirit Flux left him feeling guilty.

“How about I go to the Chamber of Lead-Glass on your behalf and take the Yao Baiyue back for you?”

Yan Wushuang stared at him, stunned. But he quickly shook his head wearily. “It’s fine. I’m satisfied enough as long as I can see her frequently.”

Chu Xun shook his head lightly. He really is spellbound by her, he thought. He had heard about how Yan Wushuang had been pursuing Yao Baiyue for more than three decades to no avail. And what he just was testament to just that.

“How about a drink, my friend?” suggested Yan Wushuang.

Chu Xun declined the offer, chiefly because of his guilt. He had pilfered the Soul-nourishing Lotus, siphoned away the Spirit Flux from the Basin, and came up with a ruse that resulted in him antagonizing Zang Fengling. He just could not take any more favors from Yan Wushuang for now. His conscience would forbid it. Perhaps I’m still too kind, he wondered quietly.

He said his goodbyes to Yan Wushuang and returned alone to his lodgings.

He was still quite some distance away, when someone barred his way.

The lithe and petite frame of a woman’s figure veiled in the gossamer white gauze dappled in moonlight failed to lose any of its charms and her purplish shimmering hair only made her look like a fairy from Heaven.

It was the lady with purple hair.

Chu Xun felt his heart picking up pace. Finally, he’s found her again.

“Despicable.” That was the first word she hurled at him, leaving him dumbfounded. But before he could utter a syllable, she muttered, “Give me the Lotus.”

“In your dreams.” The Soul-nourishing Lotus would be a great boon to Hua Qingwu’s condition. There was no way he would surrender it.

“Or do you want everyone to know that you were the architect of everything that’s happened tonight?” the threat escaped from her lips like the venom of a serpent.