Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

Chapter 322: 322, can you really do anything?

”Hehe, I would like to ask, if the Crown Prince truly finds out that this matter is related to Xuan Zhi, how would you handle it?”

Just as Xuan Jiuding made clear his ”stance”, a light laugh emanated from beside him; it was from Yun Xiao, and his few sentences were very potent, making even Yan Yong find it difficult to respond.

Yun Xiao was incredibly astute. He would not believe that Xuan Zhi’s actions within the Jade Pot Sect were unknown to the Crown Prince, his fraternal brother.

Moreover, Yan Chun had introduced himself that day as the Commander of the Xuantie Army, which was a highly prestigious position in the Xuanyue Empire. Without the King of Xuanyue Country or the Crown Prince’s order, it would likely have been impossible to mobilize Yan Chun.

The dignified Commander of the Xuantie Army, a Spirit Vein Realm Cultivator, infiltrating the Jade Pot Sect for years, this kind of meticulous major event, in Yun Xiao’s view, definitely could not have been managed by Xuan Zhi alone; there must be a mastermind or power behind this.

This was the first time Yun Xiao spoke after Xuan Jiuding arrived, and as his voice fell, the Crown Prince immediately turned over, his gaze on Yun Xiao also containing an indescribable implication.

”This must be Brother Yun Xiao, a new disciple recently taken in by Sect Master Yu Shu, truly a talent among men, a dragon among people!”

Who knows what Xuan Jiuding was thinking, but he had started calling Yun Xiao as brother, and the praise in his following words almost made Yan Yong’s eyes pop out.

According to Yan Yong’s understanding of the Crown Prince, within the entire Xuanyue Empire, there might have been no other young generation who could garner such praise from Xuan Jiuding, not even the talented young girl Mo Qing from the Jade Pot Sect.

Moreover, the aura emanating from Yun Xiao could not escape the Spirit Vein Realm Yan Yong; how could a mere Meridian Rushing Realm Late Stage cultivation catch the Crown Prince’s eye?

Just as Yan Yong was feeling puzzled, Xuan Jiuding’s voice rose again, and he said seriously: ”From the day my father ascended the throne, he has issued strict orders, the princes are subject to the same laws as the common folk. If, as Brother Yun Xiao says, my third brother truly took part in this, I, as the Crown Prince, will certainly not let it slide lightly!”

These words were said with firm conviction. Had it been an ordinary cultivator from the empire, they might indeed have been deceived, but Yun Xiao was not so easily fooled, was he?

If Xuan Jiuding had been lying since the first sentence, then whatever grand principle he stated was not credible, and Yun Xiao, already biased, had pegged the Crown Prince and Xuan Zhi, Yan Chun as birds of a feather, how could he easily believe his words?

”But I hope it is as the Crown Prince says!”

However, at this moment Yun Xiao had no evidence, and moreover, it was not his place to tear off the Crown Prince’s mask of pretense on his own territory; everything would have to wait for another day.

Naturally, Xuan Jiuding would not elaborate on this matter further. Seeing his gaze flicker slightly before turning his head to say: ”Sect Master Yu Shu, I have a few words I’d like to discuss privately with Brother Yun Xiao, if you could allow us this convenience.”

Upon hearing this, both Yu Shu and Yan Yong were slightly stunned, inwardly commenting that these two had supposedly just met for the first time, yet they were talking like old friends who had not seen each other for many years, even needing to whisper.

Yan Yong naturally did not dare to ask more; as Xuan Jiuding finished speaking, he already bowed and exited the pavilion, while Yu Shu also nodded his head after a brief contemplation.

This was the Heavenly Moon Pavilion, where the royal family received important guests. Yu Shu believed that even if you lent Xuan Jiuding some courage, he wouldn’t dare to take Yun Xiao’s life here in this preeminent pavilion.

Just now, one thing Xuan Jiuding said was not wrong: since the current King Xuan Haoran ascended the throne, a series of rules had been established, especially strict discipline within the royal family, which was an important mark of his reign as a wise ruler.

If Xuan Jiuding really dared something against Yun Xiao in this Heavenly Moon Pavilion, and word got out, he might not even be able to keep his position as Crown Prince. That guy didn’t look foolish enough to put himself into such jeopardy.

But honestly, Yu Shu was quite curious about what Xuan Jiuding intended to discuss with Yun Xiao, given that he knew these two had never had any interaction before. Why did it seem like Xuan Jiuding regarded Yun Xiao with such importance?

Once Yu Shu had left the pavilion hall, only Xuan Jiuding and Yun Xiao remained inside. Yet, the two of them stared at each other, neither speaking for a long while.

”Crown Prince, please speak your mind!”

After a long silence, it was Yun Xiao who spoke first; he had vaguely guessed Xuan Jiuding’s purpose and had also prepared himself somewhat. He too had some matters he wanted to probe from Xuan Jiuding.

”Yun Xiao, the words I said before, you must have not believed them, right?”

Since there were no outsiders around, Xuan Jiuding no longer needed to maintain his amiable facade, the term ”brother” disappearing inadvertently from his address to Yun Xiao, his speech carrying a trace of the undefined.

Seeing Yun Xiao staring at himself without speaking, Xuan Jiuding cracked a slight smile and said, ”Indeed, Xuan Zhi and Yan Chun were the ones I sent to the Jade Pot Sect, and I sent them for one reason only—to obtain what I wanted!”

It seemed as though he could see through Yun Xiao’s heart. Xuan Jiuding’s words carried no pretense but were unexpectedly straightforward, or perhaps he thought that even if he admitted it, the young man before him wouldn’t be able to do anything about it.

”Hehe, hasn’t the Crown Prince already obtained that item? Congratulations!”

A strange light flickered in Yun Xiao’s eyes, and a slight smile also appeared on his face. Although he spoke the word ”congratulations,” the undertone of sarcasm was obviously much more poignant.

”Yun Xiao, let’s not beat around the bush, you must have guessed something. To open that wooden box, I need the key in your hands. Name your price. I believe there’s nothing in the Xuanyue Empire that Xuan Jiuding cannot handle!”

It seems that the Crown Prince truly is confident. In his view, a broken key holds no value in Yun Xiao’s hands, but for him, it would be of great significance.

Xuan Jiuding believed that a seemingly useless key could be exchanged for something he needed or be used to accomplish certain tasks without offending himself—the Crown Prince—and might even acquire his favor, skyrocketing to great heights in the Xuanyue Empire. Yun Xiao would have no reason to refuse.

Xuan Jiuding was determined to obtain what was inside the wooden box, but he had tried countless methods over the past while, unable to damage the wooden box or the Black Lock in any way, which had left him somewhat desperate.

The black key in Yun Xiao’s hands was Xuan Jiuding’s only hope. Thus, at such a critical moment like the King’s birthday, he condescended to come personally to this number one pavilion just to get that black key first.

”Yun Xiao, I know you come from a humble background and have suffered the catastrophe of your clan’s extermination, but I, the Crown Prince, guarantee that if you hand over the key, I will ensure that you can rebuild the Shang Family or the Yun Family, an inheritance of honor passed down from generation to generation!”

Xuan Jiuding seemed to have researched Yun Xiao’s background, knowing that he is a youth from the Shang Family of Moon Bow City. He had seen many such people and knew what they valued most.

However, the information Xuan Jiuding had gathered was somewhat one-sided. Originally, Yun Xiao was not favored at the Shang Family, and when the Shang Family was eradicated, he even clapped his hands in approval. If not for his mother and sister also dying in that battle, he probably wouldn’t have felt much sorrow.

”Prince Xuan Zhi, aren’t you overestimating yourself? Can you really do everything?”

A trace of cold light flashed deep in Yun Xiao’s eyes. After learning that something related to the Blood Moon Jade was inside the wooden box, he was also determined to obtain it. However, it was snatched away by Yan Chun that day, and the words he spoke now made Xuan Jiuding’s face lose some of its smile.

”Of course, but only within the Xuanyue Empire!”

Xuan Jiuding was not someone who underestimated others. After all, this place was just the territory of the Xuanyue Empire. His reach couldn’t extend beyond the Empire, hence he specifically emphasized this point.

”Would you also not hesitate to yield your position as Crown Prince to me?”

The scorn in Yun Xiao’s eyes deepened, and his words, laden with sarcasm, completely erased the last smile from Xuan Jiuding’s face.

Xuan Jiuding was not usually a quick-tempered person; on the contrary, having handled the Empire’s affairs for many years, his political acumen was not far off from some of the older cultivation strong people. Mere words would not anger him.

However, all these sources stemmed from his identity as the Crown Prince. Without that, everything would cease to exist.

Even though Xuan Jiuding knew Yun Xiao was just mocking him, and his position as Crown Prince was secure as solid rock, this touched his sore spot, a provocation no one was supposed to pull—undeniably, in provoking others, Yun Xiao was uniquely gifted.

”Yun Xiao, I believe I have given you enough respect. Do not refuse wine only to be forced to drink a forfeit!”

As the Empire’s Crown Prince, when had Xuan Jiuding ever been openly mocked like this? His next words, which strayed slightly from his usual profound shrewdness, showed he was genuinely infuriated by Yun Xiao.

”I’m sorry, Crown Prince, I’ve never liked drinking celebratory wine, nor punishment wine. If the Crown Prince has nothing else, please leave!”

Yun Xiao’s expression remained unchanged, decisively giving the eviction order. If other members of the Heavenly Moon Pavilion heard this, they would probably be slapping him.

Everyone else is eager to please the Crown Prince’s Palace, yet this young man not only refused the Prince’s good intentions but is now even driving him away. Perhaps in the entire Xuanyue Empire, very few could muster the gall to do that.

Yet, for some reason, when Yun Xiao said these words, Xuan Jiuding seemed to have calmed his anger and his gaze shifted, already conceiving some new ideas.