Chapter 056: Taking the Stage in Full Costume

“Brother Song, I’m in a hurry to visit Matchmaker Zhang, so I can’t chat with you right now!” Zhao Zhigao took two bolts of cloth and a basket of eggs, walked a few steps forward, then suddenly turned back to say to Song Ye, “Brother Song, do you want me to ask Matchmaker Zhang to keep an eye out for a good girl of marriageable age who might suit you?”

Song Ye laughed, “Brother Zhao, you’ve forgotten again—I’m already engaged!”

“That so-called engagement of yours is as good as nothing. Your fiancée has run away twice already, and even if she comes back, who’s to say she won’t run off again? You’d be better off letting Matchmaker Zhang introduce you to someone who’ll stay by your side and help you look after your little sister,” Zhao Zhigao insisted.

Song Ye shook his head. “If my wife comes back and finds out I married someone else, she’ll kill me for sure!”

He wasn’t joking. His little wife was none other than Qin Xuanxi, the most notorious demoness on this continent. Though Qin Xuanxi had never taken their engagement seriously, she would never tolerate Song Ye betraying her. Song Ye understood this well. After all, she was a legendary demoness with an image to uphold. If she learned he’d married another woman behind her back, there was no doubt she’d make him die a miserable death.

“Brother Song, it’s perfectly normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines. Why not marry a proper wife to keep at home first? If your fiancée returns, you can take her as a concubine,” Zhao Zhigao suggested.

Song Ye could only smile and shake his head. His good brother was truly pushing him toward doom. If he dared to suggest that Qin Xuanxi, the Lord of the Profound Abyss, become his concubine, she wouldn’t just kill him—she’d probably turn him into a mutilated wretch and torment him in ways worse than death.

Just thinking about it made Song Ye’s skin crawl.

Currently, Song Ye’s strongest technique was wielding Yu Muqiu’s guardian skill, “Annihilate All Life.” He had already cultivated Yu Muqiu’s prowess to the second level of the Void-Breaking Realm. Yet even this strength was nothing before Qin Xuanxi. In other words, he was powerless to resist her “domestic violence.” Even if she never returned, he wouldn’t dare marry another woman—his life was too precious.

Just then, Song Ye noticed Zhao Zhigao staring in surprise toward the entrance of the marketplace. Song Ye followed his gaze and saw three figures in purple robes—two men and one woman—embroidered with a beast resembling a demonic tiger.

“Purple Yu Robes! I never thought members of the Imperial Yu Temple would show up here!” Zhao Zhigao murmured in shock.

Song Ye had heard Zhao Zhigao mention the Imperial Yu Temple of the Li Kingdom before. The temple’s highest official, the Grand Preceptor, answered only to the Emperor of Li. The Imperial Yu Temple handled only matters related to the royal family. The temple’s officers all wore purple Yu robes, which earned them the nickname “Purple Yu Guards.” As the emperor’s personal guards, they were the most elite private force of the royal family, and every one of them was a cultivator of considerable power.

Zhao Zhigao quickly pulled Song Ye aside and whispered, “I heard Prince Xiang is about to take up residence in Yan City. The Purple Yu Guards, as the royal escort, have arrived ahead of him to inspect the situation and ensure his safety.”

Song Ye guessed that the Purple Yu Guards would remain in Yan City for some time. Ostensibly, they were there to protect the prince, but in truth, they would also be watching him closely.

Zhao Zhigao continued, “Brother Song, from now on, if you see anyone in those purple robes, avoid them at all costs. They may not hold official rank, but their authority is tremendous—they can set up private courts and mete out punishment before reporting to the authorities. Even the city magistrate is wary of them!”

Song Ye laughed. “I’m unemployed and caring for a little sister not yet four years old. I have no reason to cross their path, don’t worry.”

Now, with so many forces converging in Yan City, Song Ye thought, the peaceful life he’d once known in Qiuyu Village was gone forever.

…

A month later.

Li Kingdom, capital city Luocheng.

Inner palace, Eagle Tower.

For fifteen years, Prince Xiang, Li Bin, had been under house arrest in the Eagle Tower. Half a year ago, with the help of his niece, Princess Yi’an, he was finally allowed to leave the tower, though not the capital. His old princely residence in the city had long since fallen into ruin and stood empty, so until he was allowed to leave Luocheng, Li Bin continued to live in the Eagle Tower—a place that had been his prison for fifteen years.

But today, Li Bin finally received news that he could leave the capital. The bearer of this news was none other than his niece, Princess Li Xiuling.

Li Xiuling brought two jugs of Daughter’s Red wine, along with some of Li Bin’s favorite appetizers from the Snow Melody Pavilion. “Uncle, let’s share one last meal here. Once we’re done, you’ll be free to leave the capital. Let this farewell feast send you on your way,” she said.

Li Bin sat across from her. He appeared nearly fifty years old, with strands of white already at his temples. Though he, too, was a cultivator, his skills were not enough to keep age at bay, and the marks of time had etched themselves into his face. Unlike Qin Xuanxi, whose mastery had kept her youthful and lovely for over three centuries, Li Bin could not escape the passage of years.

He smiled bitterly. “From Luocheng to Yan City—it’s just moving from one cage to another.”

He already knew the court intended to settle him in Yan City. But the moment the court saw him as a threat, he realized he would never know true freedom again. No doubt, Yan City was already crawling with imperial spies.

Li Xiuling’s heart ached for him. She knew the court had wronged Prince Xiang. “Uncle, you have suffered these fifteen years.”

Li Bin replied with a wry smile, “I’ve had good food, fine clothes, and even music to enjoy sometimes. I wouldn’t call it suffering. But you—locked in the Nine Nether Prison by the Demon Sovereign Cangming for seven years—that was true hardship.”

Li Xiuling forced a smile. “I’ve come to see those seven years as a kind of cultivation. What troubles me more is that I owe my freedom to the Lord of the Profound Abyss. I’m in her debt now, and repaying that favor may come at a very steep price.”

“But today, I’m here to see you off. Let’s not dwell on unhappy things. Before you leave the capital, is there anything you wish for? As long as it’s within my power, I’ll see it done.”

After a sip of wine, Li Bin said, “Xiuling, as I’ve told you before, I once had a daughter. My only wish is to bring her and her mother to live with me in Yan City.”

“That’s easily done. Where are they now?”

“They’re on Mount Ink Bamboo.”