Volume One: The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss Chapter 132: Reconnaissance

At the end of a narrow mountain path, tucked away in a valley within the sprawling mountain range, stood a massive fortress. It had been erected in just a few days, as easily as if someone were throwing together a chicken coop. Though the cost was astronomical, it was worth it. Ying Qian only wanted the best; anything less was an insult to himself. Everything within his field of vision ought to be perfect.

Ying Qian stroked the woman beneath him, a mere diversion to pass the time. Outside, his underlings were intimidated by the imposing architecture, their curiosity piqued by the sounds of pleasure emanating from within. Beauties and everything else were reserved for the strong, and they knew they were not worthy. They stole glances at the black-robed guards standing at the entrance, whose very presence radiated a formidable aura, fearing that even their base thoughts might be discovered.

They had been local bandits who took advantage of the chaotic times to seize the borderlands, living a life of ease. Occasionally, they would venture out to pillage and return with spoils, living quite comfortably. But a few days ago, this group had suddenly appeared and usurped their territory. Their former leader hadn't even been able to withstand a single blow from the guards before dying with wide, resentful eyes. The rest knew exactly what choice to make. Such was the law of the jungle described in books.

"Master, who are you waiting for?" the woman asked, limp on the bed, her skin glistening with a light sheen of sweat.

Ying Qian couldn't help but feel annoyed, slapping her backside as he retorted with a fierce expression, "None of your business! Don't ask what you shouldn't. Why so many useless words? You fool!"

The woman whimpered in genuine pain. Yet, she maintained a gentle expression and a soft voice, adding, "But you won't let the brothers go down the mountain, and our food is running low. We have no wine, either. If this goes on, there will inevitably be resentment." She was already acting as if she were the mistress of the house.

"A bunch of gluttons who only know how to eat, eat, eat. Just wait," Ying Qian said. He, too, was waiting for news from above. He had no desire to linger in this desolate wilderness; the capital was prosperous, and living in the imperial palace would be far more comfortable, with many more beauties. Why must he suffer here? Why endure this ordeal?

The woman was full of complaints as well, though she dared not voice them. These people must have reached that legendary state where one could abstain from the five grains, or even water! How could they understand the suffering of ordinary mortals? But what shocked her most was that every single guard was just as powerful. Their former leader had truly died for nothing. As for those they knelt before, they were all too afraid to speak their minds.

*Have I been in seclusion for too long that I can even tolerate a creature like a sow? This simply won't do,* Ying Qian mused, his thoughts drifting elsewhere. He cast a critical gaze upon the woman's body. Among the women he had known, she truly lacked any redeeming qualities. He had previously thought about keeping her entertained for three days and three nights, otherwise he would have squandered his cultivation. That was impossible now. *And you women, it is a blessing to receive my favor.* The more he thought about it, the more stifled he felt.

*Forget it. I leave tomorrow!* A man of his status was wasting his time here. Ying Qian lay on the bed, adjusting his mood. A bit of meditation, and the time would pass quickly. Yet, without a woman, it was as if he were cooking without water—nothing had any meaning.

The woman continued to serve him carefully, kneading his shoulders and feet—it was the skill she was most proud of. Unfortunately, before a man like Ying Qian, it was like playing the lute to a cow. Watching the woman, her thin clothing pulled tight, her posture graceful and restrained, her legs tucked together, and her dark hair resting gently against her chest to half-conceal her sexy collarbones, Ying Qian found himself missing the beautiful handmaidens at home. Why did there always have to be killing? This world truly held so many beautiful things. Like now, as he closed his eyes, he could feel the warm sunshine and the gentle breeze. The mood was quite melodic.

"Young Master Ying."

The tranquility was shattered. A man in black burst in, and at the sound of his voice, Ying Qian sprang up and dressed himself in an instant.

*They're here...* the woman on the bed thought to herself. Though she didn't know what was happening, her face lit up with excitement as she followed him out. This movement seemed to trigger everyone else. Without Ying Qian uttering a single word, the entire fortress seemed to move in unison. It was an exciting scene. Ying Qian only noticed it later and found it inexplicable, but he paid it no mind.

He arrived at the mountain gate and stared into the distance. Only birds flew past. The others saw nothing and looked confused. But they saw it: a long procession moving through the forest. If there had been any experts among them, they couldn't have missed this place.

The procession slowly came to a halt. The trees were tall and dense.

"Princess..." Yang Hao, worried, ordered everyone to be on guard and went to the side of Xu Wei's carriage to report. He didn't know when this fortress had appeared, acting like a petty tyrant. What troubled him most was the aura that made him feel uneasy. They had only just left the Yu Kingdom, and someone was already targeting them.

Xu Wei heard him and said coolly, "Proceed." It was as if she didn't even need to consider it, the response coming so naturally.

In that instant, Yang Hao somehow thought of Wang Chuan. If he were truly here... there were no "ifs," and there was no need to stop. He dared not probe too deeply, though he was among the most curious about the situation inside the carriage.

The convoy set off again.

"This banner... something is wrong," Ying Qian muttered, frowning from afar. Generally, a flying banner was the mark of the master. Especially in the military, those familiar with them would know at a glance what they signified. The banners Ying Qian saw before him—dragon banners and phoenix banners—were not things ordinary people could use.

He looked at the guards again...

"Subordinate has just returned from outside," a man beside him reported. "I heard that Wang Chuan has returned."

"Wang Chuan?" Ying Qian cried out at the name. A person's name was like the shadow of a tree; no one present was unaware of him. "But wasn't he trapped in the void of the Demon Realm? If those old fogies couldn't stop him, they might as well die of shame, and sending so many demon soldiers would be meaningless!" Ying Qian was most perplexed. "So these banners represent the couple? They are returning to Yang City."

Ever since he saw the convoy, he had felt something was off, which was why he hadn't dared to use his divine sense to probe too deeply. But he could not deny a sense of alertness in his heart. There was certainly some existence below that made him wary.

"Subordinate also finds it suspicious; Wang Chuan should not be appearing here," the man in black said. "Otherwise, let me go and take a look. I hope we are just scaring ourselves."

"Don't act rashly. Can you bear the consequences?" Ying Qian said gravely. True, if it wasn't him, then all was well. But if it truly were Wang Chuan, they were finished, and there would be no one in heaven or earth who could save them. They had prepared for so long and plotted so much; they knew Wang Chuan's temperament best.

"It doesn't matter what happens to me, I only wish to verify the truth," the subordinate knelt and said earnestly. "If there is any chance, please, Young Master Ying, take the message back. They are likely still in the dark."

"No, I think the most prudent thing is to verify it with the Demon Realm," Ying Qian said.

"Those with the ability to return to the Demon Realm cannot do so, and the journey takes too long; by then, it might be unnecessary here," the subordinate pleaded sincerely. "If it is true, nothing else in the Demon Realm matters, and we all ought to be prepared!"

Ying Qian could not deny that his logic was sound; this was a matter of extreme urgency. And yet, it was Wang Chuan. This man was truly a variable. With Wang Chuan involved, nothing else mattered. He thought about it seriously and finally decided, "I will go and see."

Having said this, he had the strange sensation that his footsteps were floating.

"Young Master Ying, let me go instead."
"Young Master Ying, let me go!"
"I run fast, let me go!"

The other subordinates vied for the task. It was quite a harmonious scene.

"Shut up! What can you do if you go? A bunch of trash!" Ying Qian cursed. "Watch my signals. If the worst happens, someone must escape and get the message out!" The others were moved to tears, watching his retreating back grow ever more imposing.

Ying Qian felt speechless; wouldn't it be better to just run away and pretend not to know? If it really was him, none of them would survive. Yet they were actively courting disaster. If it wasn't him, then at most it was just Xu Wei, and then everything would be meaningless. Ying Qian had never intended to capture this woman; it only made things more chaotic and troublesome.

He waited in the middle of the road, terrified. Watching the carriage approach slowly from the distance, he thought of many things. There were truly many beautiful things in this world he didn't want to miss—he wanted to enjoy them at least once. *I hope I still have that chance.*

*It shouldn't be him. Wang Chuan is still trapped in the Demon Realm's void.* Usually, if he heard such claims, he would be unmoved. None of them believed Wang Chuan could return—at least, not so quickly. Thinking this seemed to comfort him.

As the carriage drew near, the driver saw someone blocking the path and stopped. They were only a dozen paces apart, close enough to see clearly. The hand holding the whip was trembling. *Rest assured, I am not a man who kills the innocent indiscriminately.* Ying Qian seemed more confident now; he would just take a look to see if anyone else was in the carriage and then leave. That was all.

Then Yang Hao slowly rode forward, holding his sword. "Move aside!"

"That's meaningless. If Wang Chuan is really inside, everything you do is irrelevant," Ying Qian said, looking at him. "His Highness Wang Chuan might think the same. On this point, we have something in common, right?" Wang Chuan was exactly that kind of person. They all knew it.

"Move aside!" Yang Hao drew his sword and said firmly. He knew the gap in their cultivation was too great. But Xu Wei was behind him; if he couldn't block the way, the other guards were just for show. Whether Wang Chuan was there or not, he had to do this. Just as the other had said, it might be meaningless. Perhaps it really was.

"It is all over!" Ying Qian smiled. At this moment, he was more convinced than ever that Wang Chuan could not be here. *Which bored fool started that rumor?* It didn't matter; one should be magnanimous, right?

Yang Hao looked like paper before him. Too weak. Those guards were also no match for him; it would take no effort at all. Even the sharpest imperial guards of the Yu Kingdom were truly meaningless before a certain level of power. Force. The only thing that could contend with it was equal force.

And just then, he heard the sound of a gunshot.

*Bang...*