Royal Road
Chapter 73
Chapter 73: Ye Yun’s Challenge and Lin Qi’an’s Arrival
The next morning, a crowd gathered in the courtyard outside Lin Qi’an’s sleeping quarters. Lin Qi’an, who had intended to savor his time with Su Xueni, was disturbed by the noise outside.
Su Xueni, blushing deeply, covered her face, “Your Highness, there are so many people outside. I…”
“What are you afraid of?” Lin Qi’an chuckled. “I’m in my own home. Why should I be afraid of what others think? Let’s go outside.”
“Oh!” Su Xueni stumbled a bit.
“Alright, let me help you out,” Lin Qi’an said, supporting her.
As soon as they opened the door, they were met with a crowd. Zi Lianyou, Ran Yuwei, and Zhao Qingmeng were all there.
Zhao Qingmeng bit her lip, her hatred visibly increasing, ‘Heartless man, heartless man, heartless man x10086’
Holding Su Xueni’s hand, Lin Qi’an walked out confidently, “What’s going on here? Don’t you all have anything better to do early in the morning?”
Su Xueni buried her blushing face, unable to look at anyone.
“Nothing much. We saw your aura last night and were curious, so we came to see,” Zhao Qingmeng said sarcastically, even changing the way she addressed him.
“So, everyone knows what I was doing last night… cough cough!”
“That’s really embarrassing,” Su Xueni’s face turned even redder, steam practically rising from her head, though she felt both happy and shy inside.
“Qingmeng, there’s no need to be envious. If there’s an opportunity, we can explore life together someday.”
‘Hmph! Shameless! Heartless man, heartless man, heartless man’
As a villain, it was normal for Lin Qi’an to flirt and embrace multiple women. He wasn’t a protagonist who clung to just one person.
“And you two? Why are you here?” Lin Qi’an looked at the two maids.
“Your Highness, we’re not here to join the crowd. Ye Yun is in the city issuing a challenge, and it has drawn quite an audience.”
“He wants to challenge me?” Lin Qi’an laughed. Was he tired of living with his high destiny value and wanted to give it up?
He activated his villain’s divine eyes for a quick scan. Indeed, the martial arena in Tianjian City was packed with people, even Xiao Chen was there. These two were indeed good brothers!
“Ignore him.”
“But, Your Highness, Ye Yun has issued a blood oath challenge!”
“Oh?”
In Beiyang, strength was paramount. There was a special rule that was a source of pride for Beiyang cultivators: the blood oath challenge. The loser must agree to any request from the winner, be it life, death, wealth, or anything else.
If one refused the challenge, they would be deemed a coward and ridiculed.
“Let him wait! Su Xueni, shall I take you back to rest?”
“No need, Your Highness, I’m fine. I want to go with you.” Su Xueni said, stomping her foot to prove she was fine. However, a wave of soreness spread from her leg to her waist…
“Alright, then let’s go together. Ran Yuwei, prepare the carriage!”
“Yes!” Ran Yuwei summoned the Nine-Headed Dragon Jiuying, brought out the golden carriage, and climbed onto its back, brandishing a whip majestically. “Your Highness, you can board now!”
After Lin Qi’an and the others boarded, Zhao Qingmeng realized she couldn’t fly and wanted to join the excitement. Pulling back the curtain, Lin Qi’an poked his head out, “Coming?”
“Yes!”
“Then get in, what are you waiting for?”
The carriage was spacious enough for four people to sit comfortably and still have room for tea sets.
“Let’s go!” Ran Yuwei urged the Jiuying, and they took to the sky.
—
In the city, outside the martial arena, Ye Yun stood on the stage, looking excited. His palm had a deep gash, and blood dripped onto the stage.
“Today, I challenge the Crown Prince of Beiyang, Lin Qi’an. Please, everyone, show your support!” As he shouted, more and more cultivators and citizens gathered, making the place crowded.
“Do you think you can challenge our Crown Prince? You’re seeking death!”
“Exactly, who do you think you are?”
“The Crown Prince has no time for you. Get down!”
This was Lin Qi’an’s territory, so naturally, most people supported him. But Ye Yun didn’t care. He had faced countless ridicule since childhood and had always proven them wrong. Today would be no exception.
“Ye Yun.” Suddenly, a cold divine sense transmission entered his mind.
Your Highness?
Ye Yun scanned the crowd and spotted the beautiful woman in a golden dress, standing not far away, surrounded by guards.
The princess had indeed come!
He was incredibly excited because this challenge was to help her break off the engagement.
“Your Highness, rest assured. Once I defeat Lin Qi’an, I will ensure he agrees to break off the engagement. He will no longer trouble you!” Ye Yun replied via divine sense.
“Who gave you the right to make decisions? Get down!” Zhao Yunji’s voice was cold and full of rejection.
“But Your Highness, didn’t you come to Beiyang to break off the engagement?”
“That’s my business. What does it have to do with you?”
Last night, Lin Qi’an was intimate with another woman. Initially, Zhao Yunji was furious because they hadn’t officially ended the engagement, which felt like a betrayal.
But then she thought… In one night, Su Xueni had reached the Transcendent Realm, the same major realm as herself. Such results were hard to resist. If she, at the peak of the Transcendent Realm, could step into the Celestial Realm in one move, it would be worthwhile.
“Last warning, get down.” Zhao Yunji’s voice was icy, her eyes already showing a hint of golden anger.
“A blood oath challenge cannot be refused. If Your Highness doesn’t want me to interfere, just consider it a spar between me and the Crown Prince!” Ye Yun was determined.
Today, he would surpass the Crown Prince of Beiyang, proving what true unparalleled talent was, not only for the princess but also for his brother Xiao Chen watching below.
Zhao Yunji realized that if Lin Qi’an did come to fight, he might not be able to defeat Ye Yun. It was near noon, and the sun was blazing. Ye Yun’s cultivation, 《Great Yang Emperor Technique》, was at its peak under the strongest sunlight.
At noon, it wasn’t difficult to fight across realms, especially with the Yang Sword enhancing his advantage. Ye Yun was indeed a monstrous talent, capable of crushing those so-called geniuses from sects and holy lands.
“Look up there!” someone shouted.
In the sky, a massive nine-headed beast pulled a golden carriage, almost blocking out the sun, causing the crowd to back away in fear.
“The Crown Prince is here! He really came to accept the challenge!”
“Everyone, make way for the Crown Prince!”
The crowd retreated like a tide, creating a large open space. From the carriage, a figure in white, more beautiful than snow, stepped out, causing cheers to erupt.
Zhao Yunji: …
She didn’t expect Lin Qi’an’s carriage to stop right next to her.