Volume One: The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss Chapter 133: A Lingering Grudge

“Is this the firearm of the Yu Kingdom?” Ying Qian looked down, and after a wisp of light smoke vanished from his clothes, only a faint trace remained.

He didn’t even want to rely on energy defense, confronting it solely with his physical body.

The sensation was peculiar, almost worth savoring.

It was as if a mosquito had brushed against him—nothing more.

To him, it seemed utterly foolish.

Yet objectively speaking, it truly was a formidable weapon against barbarian troops.

“You must have taken care of that old servant Wang Chuan since childhood, right? Don’t worry; it’s all over now. I won’t harm you,” Ying Qian said earnestly. “I just wanted to see, one glance was enough. I never kill innocents recklessly; one shouldn’t accumulate too many enemies. There are still so many beautiful things in this world.”

The art of creation—restoring youth, returning to vitality.

There were countless rumors about Wang Chuan. Today, upon witnessing his handiwork, Ying Qian was deeply impressed, admitting he could not reach such a level.

Such a man must not be provoked.

Thus, Ying Qian would never strike to kill; he merely pushed them back.

Yang Hao and the others felt unable to move, as if suppressed by some vital energy, frozen in place.

They could only watch helplessly as the other party reached out, lifted the carriage curtain, and peered inside.

It was all over.

Just as he had said.

Many on the mountain stronghold were also focused intently on the scene.

Tension reached its peak.

Finally, the moment arrived. There wouldn’t be Wang Chuan inside, right? It was all a ruse.

Now the truth would be revealed.

Ha ha…

They waited eagerly to witness this moment.

But gradually, doubts crept in.

They stared in surprise at the unfolding scene.

Ying Qian stood motionless there.

He looked inside after lifting the curtain.

No one else knew what he saw—what could have caused him to freeze like that.

Xu Wei was inside the carriage, so could it be…?

Wang Chuan?

Impossible. Wang Chuan was truly in the Demon Realm—how could he suddenly appear here?

What had happened?

Had Ying Qian seen Wang Chuan?

No one wanted to believe it, but it was hard to imagine any other explanation.

Why?

As they watched, a hand slowly extended.

Wang Chuan!

Nearly everyone’s hearts trembled. If there was a second person inside, none doubted that it was Wang Chuan.

Only he could be like this.

Only he would be there.

The man’s hand was strong and powerful, with long, slender fingers, somewhat fair-skinned.

The cuff was embroidered with golden thread, rich and dazzling.

After the hand extended slowly, Ying Qian remained motionless.

For some reason, he didn’t understand what was happening; he, like Yang Hao and the others, felt suppressed, unable to move.

He could only watch as the hand slowly reached out and then grasped his throat.

It seemed that the next moment would be his end.

Just as he had said, it was all over.

No matter the outcome, once the curtain was lifted, everything was finished.

Now came the worst possible result.

After a long while, there was finally movement.

“I want to live,” Ying Qian said earnestly and moved. “Since coming to the mortal realm, I have never killed the old, weak, or women and children, and I have restrained my subordinates from killing innocents. Today, I have offended you. I want to live. There are still many beautiful things in this world I want to see and possess. I shouldn’t have offended you. No one is perfect; everyone makes mistakes.”

He pleaded for a chance to survive.

“Kneel,” came a familiar voice from inside the carriage.

Yang Hao and the others trembled inside; this was it!

His Highness had truly returned.

They longed to see inside, to meet the person within, but could do nothing.

As long as Wang Chuan was present, it was none of their concern.

“Yes!”

Ying Qian responded and respectfully knelt to one side.

He seemed to feel no humiliation.

“The Demon Realm actually has someone like you? Are you the Demon Marshal?” the person inside the carriage seemed to recognize him.

“Yes, that’s me. Nice to meet you. I didn’t expect His Highness to know me,” Ying Qian smiled, somewhat surprised himself. “I am one of the advocates for peace in the Demon Realm. I believe I share common ground with His Highness. If His Highness becomes the Human Emperor, my tribe hopes to maintain friendly relations.”

“Friendly? How is that possible?” The other sneered.

“You flatter me, Your Highness,” Ying Qian said in surprise. “There are people like us in the Demon Realm who only seek a place to live in peace and do not harm the mortal realm. I hope Your Highness understands.”

“If that continues, I won’t kill you. Remember why you survived today,” Wang Chuan said.

“I understand. If there is a next time, I won’t disappoint you,” Ying Qian replied.

People like Wang Chuan should not be provoked, and peace would naturally prevail.

Moreover, he himself had never crossed the line.

“Hm.” Ying Qian nodded and added, “When that time comes, you need not kneel anymore.”

“Yes, I will not err a second time,” Ying Qian said seriously.

The curtain fell again, and the carriage slowly moved eastward.

In the end, a sigh seemed to be heard.

“There may have been some misunderstanding with Lord Wei. I hope to clarify it this time. The great enemy is at hand.”

Those were the words spoken.

Yang Hao and the others were immediately freed from their restraints, trembling all over.

They glanced at Ying Qian kneeling nearby and watched the carriage fade into the distance.

The guards hurried after it, their faces radiating an indescribable expression.

The banners shone brighter and more vivid.

Outside the stronghold, the black-clad men still watched from afar.

Ying Qian suddenly stood up and only said, “Wang Chuan has returned,” before vanishing.

How humiliating!

His subordinates looked stunned, exchanging glances.

They left to find Ying Qian, leaving behind about a hundred people originally from the stronghold, their expressions even more astonished.

What about us?

…

Xu Qing opened his eyes and slowly exhaled a breath, dispersing it into the world.

“Master, it seems His Highness Wang Chuan has returned,” Han Keru said hastily upon seeing him finish his cultivation.

Xu Qing nodded. “I know.”

“I really want to see what he looks like,” Han Keru said.

“Better not. You’ll be shocked when you see him. He’s not what you imagine; you wouldn’t believe it,” Xu Qing sighed.

“Why?” the woman asked curiously.

“You’ll understand when you see him,” Xu Qing replied, unwilling to say more.

Otherwise, he didn’t know how to explain.

Whenever he mentioned this person, a complex expression flashed across his face.

Han Keru seemed to sense something and refrained from pressing further, avoiding the topic before him.

“Daddy, I need to pee…”

The little girl suddenly woke and said.

Uh…

Han Keru looked embarrassed.

“Then we’ll stop for a moment.”

The little girl rubbed her eyes and was picked up by him.

The guards behind didn’t stop them but thought to report to Xu Wei and others, who simply said not to bother, just protect them well.

Xu Wei was folding fine clothes carefully, embroidered with golden thread.

Once they reached Luo City, they would prepare more new outfits.

She was the only one inside the carriage.

…

Xu Qing lagged behind, watching the woman lead the little girl to a secluded grassy area. His previously troubled mood calmed somewhat.

He was to meet Lord Wei first, but such a man was hardly easy to deal with.

Yet with the great enemy looming, it was best to reach an understanding first.

With Xu Wei’s abilities, it would be difficult; he didn’t intend to underestimate her.

It was simply the truth.

Following behind, he saw the woman’s graceful gait, light and enchanting, mesmerizing him with admiration.

She was beautiful today as well.

In the past, she had made his heart flutter and stirred his imagination.

But as family, after long acquaintance, familiarity had replaced awkwardness.

Just as Ying Qian said, there are so many beautiful things in this world; one must protect what they have.

…

“Wang Chuan has returned?”

No one could easily believe such news.

After driving off the barbarians, Lord Wei returned to the camp to inquire about the progress of the formation.

Recently, those barbarians had attacked from the south, raising suspicions of a conspiracy by the Jin Kingdom. The south had once been Tang territory but was later captured. The defense line should not have been so weak.

Moreover, the barbarians had crossed the border and rushed a thousand miles directly toward Wei, nearly catching Lord Wei off guard, as he had stationed heavy troops on the eastern front.

Fortunately, the Yu Kingdom had issued warnings in time.

Lord Wei did not overthink it.

“Your Majesty, using the few crystal stones available, the grand formation here is finally complete. If the barbarians advance northward again, it won’t be so easy,” an ancient cultivator with a sage-like demeanor reported. “Look at these mountains and cities—they incorporate the nine palaces and eight trigrams, the celestial constellations, embedding changes of surrounding terrain and the cycles of sun and stars. Even a million troops would find it difficult to breach; masters at the grandmaster level who enter will not return.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Elder,” Lord Wei said gratefully.

He himself only understood a little but found it impressive.

The chaos of the great era had drawn many sect masters out of seclusion, and the court had recruited many.

The elder serving Lord Wei was said to be a former elder of a major sect, skilled in formations.

With his help, fighting the barbarians was like adding wings to a tiger.

“I heard His Highness Wang Chuan will visit?” the elder inquired.

“Elder, are you interested in him too?” Lord Wei asked curiously.

“Of course. Before coming out of seclusion, we all heard of this figure. He is extraordinarily talented and rose swiftly within a few years. Rumors say he is the reincarnation of a sage, capable of overturning the heavens and reversing yin and yang,” the elder said with admiration.

That person was Wang Chuan.

Countless admired him.

Now the whole city knew Wang Chuan was returning to Jin Kingdom and had passed through Wei, deliberately coming to pay respects.

Originally, he was to go to Luo City, but since Lord Wei was here, he took a detour.

Many eagerly awaited him.

“He should just go back to Jin Kingdom peacefully. Why come here?” Lord Wei said with displeasure.

He did not welcome Wang Chuan and had never liked him.

It was the same before and now.

His mood had been poor these days; he retreated to the palace.

His surrounding eunuchs and maids tiptoed cautiously, afraid to upset him.

“There’s still no news from the Martial Academy.”

What troubled Lord Wei most was this matter.

Also, his imperial sister remained missing.

Perhaps others had nearly forgotten her.

But he could not.

And Wang Chuan should not have forgotten either.

Over the years, he had also learned some secrets about the Martial Academy.

Once the most powerful Martial Academy in the world, revered by the court and sects alike, now it remained silent.

As sects emerged, perhaps the Martial Academy could no longer maintain control.

With his current position, it was impossible to know what was truly happening inside.

The southern battle had been resolved, but enemies still lurked east and north.

The court awaited his return to take charge.

Yet Lord Wei remained here, staying for many days.

His attendants understood—Wang Chuan had come this way.

And Lord Wei wished to meet him, patiently waiting, though never openly showing it.

What one thinks matters less than what one does.

This behavior was evidence.

Since Wang Chuan’s appearance, the world’s situation seemed suddenly restrained.

Countless powers halted their actions and turned their gaze here.

That man held such power, controlling countless things from afar.

Though he had yet to act.

The city’s citizens also waited, watching toward that direction daily.

After some time, news arrived, and the city erupted.

Outside the city, crowds lined the streets, dense and numerous.

The carriage came slowly from the west, low-key and calm.

But the dragon and phoenix banners flew high.

The imperial guards stood vigilant, watching both sides carefully.

“Depart, return to Luo City!”

Simultaneously, Lord Wei gave the order.

He had long donned armor and helmet, ready to return to the palace.

He had already learned that Wang Chuan had arrived outside the city, and coincidentally today, he led the army back to the capital.

The Wei army also moved out toward the city outskirts.

“Why? If you want to return to Jin Kingdom, I would have let you pass. I wouldn’t stop you. But why come to find me?”

(End of chapter)