Immortal Martial Emperor

"Lord Hong Yu, my lady requests your presence!"

The young woman smiled at Hong Yu. Her graceful posture suggested she was well-bred.

Hong Yu didn’t answer, looking questioningly at Xiahuang Shang instead.

Xiahuang Shang chuckled. "Younger Brother Hong, her master is none other than Princess Zhu Ling’Er of the Vermilion Bird Duchy!"

"The Evil Fire Phoenix?"

Hong Yu’s eyes lit up as he blurted it out subconsciously.

Xiahuang Shang went "Er..." He clearly hadn’t expected this reaction from Hong Yu and looked a bit awkward.

After all...

Zhu Ling’Er herself wasn’t fond of the title "Evil Fire Phoenix."

For Hong Yu to say it in front of her handmaiden was quite rude.

Realizing his slip of the tongue, Hong Yu gave a wry smile. "My apologies. I have a loose tongue. I hope you can forgive me, young lady!"

"Hehe, you jest, Lord Hong Yu. You are merely straightforward!"

The young woman smiled faintly and handed him an invitation card. "My lady is hosting a banquet at her residence tonight for the heroes of the realm. Lord Hong Yu, your performance in the pre-war hunt was astonishing, and my lady admires you greatly for it. Therefore, we sincerely hope you will grace us with your presence!"

The young woman watched Hong Yu with a gentle smile.

Her clear eyes, like bright jewels, quietly awaited Hong Yu’s reply.

Hong Yu accepted the invitation card and nodded, indicating he would be there on time. After a moment’s hesitation, he asked tentatively, "Young lady, I was wondering about my little sister, Little Chenxi..."

"Hehe, Lord Hong Yu, please be sure to arrive on time. As for other matters, that is beyond what a servant like me would know!"

After speaking, the young woman took her leave and turned to depart.

Hong Yu started to ask more.

Xiahuang Shang reached out and stopped him. "Don’t bother," he said softly. "She won’t tell you anything."

As he spoke, Xiahuang Shang filled Hong Yu in on the news he had gathered over the past two days.

It turned out...

While Hong Yu was in seclusion treating Feng Xue Xin and Young Master Yeban, Xiahuang Shang hadn’t been idle. He had mobilized his forces to contact the Evil Fire Phoenix, Zhu Ling’Er, and had brought up the matter of Little Chenxi face-to-face.

However, the Evil Fire Phoenix had refused to reveal Little Chenxi’s whereabouts.

But she did give Xiahuang Shang an answer: everything would be settled once Hong Yu attended the banquet.

"You mean the Evil Fire Phoenix wants to talk to me in person?" Hong Yu asked with a frown.

Xiahuang Shang nodded.

"But if she wants to talk to me in person, why host a banquet for all the heroes of the realm?" Hong Yu wondered aloud.

Xiahuang Shang explained, "This banquet is called the Martial Arts Tea Party. It’s usually held after the pre-war hunt, hosted by one of the Ten Great Unparalleled Prodigies in rotation. This time, it just so happens to be Zhu Ling’Er’s turn. As for why she insists on talking to you in person, that I don’t know."

As he spoke, a suggestive look suddenly appeared in Xiahuang Shang’s eyes as he gazed at Hong Yu.

The stare made Hong Yu uncomfortable. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I was just thinking, maybe Zhu Ling’Er has taken a liking to you and is planning to add you to her harem!"

Xiahuang Shang said with a sly grin.

It was an incredibly lewd expression.

Hong Yu rolled his eyes. "I give up. By the way, Brother Xiahuang, are you coming with me tonight?"

"No. I’ve had a falling out with my elder brother this time, so some things need to be moved up."

As he said this, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

It made Hong Yu’s heart race.

He was shocked by the piercing intensity of Xiahuang Shang’s gaze, but also felt a wave of emotion. ’There is no love in a royal family. Even blood brothers resort to deceit and trickery!’

Xiahuang Shang quickly regained his composure and asked with a smile, "Should I have someone bring you my Golden War Chariot to take you there?"

Hong Yu shook his head.

The Golden War Chariot was a personal mount bestowed upon Xiahuang Shang by the Emperor of the Xiahuang Ancient Kingdom. It was one thing for Hong Yu to ride in it with him, but if he took it out alone, he would surely attract the attention of Xiahuang Shang’s rivals.

That was a situation Hong Yu would rather avoid.

Xiahuang Shang didn’t insist.

He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Not many people will have been invited to this Martial Arts Tea Party, but anyone who can attend is either a true hero and genius, or a member of the imperial family and nobility. These types can be difficult to get along with. If you run into any trouble, remember to use the Spirit Communication Jade Order to contact me immediately!"

"Don’t worry!"

Hong Yu nodded.

The two of them chatted a little longer before parting ways.

Xiahuang Shang, of course, went off to arrange countermeasures against Venerable Xiahuang.

As for Hong Yu, after wandering around the residence for a while, he set out alone for the ’Void Spirit Pavilion’ mentioned on the invitation.

「 」

The Void Spirit Pavilion was located in the most bustling district of the Imperial Capital’s Outer City.

It and the Profound Cyan Pavilion were situated at opposite ends of the city, north and south. Since it was still early, Hong Yu didn’t bother looking for transportation and simply walked among the crowds.

The streets were bustling with people coming and going. Walking through the noisy city and observing all the different kinds of people had its own unique charm.

"Mom, I want this kite! I want it!"

Suddenly, a clear, crisp voice rang out nearby.

It was a lovely sound, like music from the heavens—innocent and moving.

Hong Yu glanced over subconsciously.

He saw a handsome, endearing boy of about six or seven by a kite stall, tugging on the arm of a beautiful woman and whining.

The beautiful woman wore a helpless smile. She crouched down, affectionately ruffled the boy’s hair, and said with a chuckle, "Little Star, what did you promise Mom before we left the house?"

"I promised Mom I wouldn’t buy things for no reason!"

The boy called Little Star pouted, a clever and lively glint shining in his bright, clear eyes. He grinned and said, "But Mommy, wanting to buy a kite isn’t ’for no reason’!"

"Oh?"

The beautiful woman looked quizzically at her clever son.

Little Star giggled. "Look, Mommy, it’s autumn now! The weather is beautiful—perfect for flying a kite. You’ve been at home doing embroidery recently and have hardly gotten any exercise. That’s not good for you! Dad taught me that life is all about movement. If we buy a kite, we can fly it together and get some exercise!"

"You little rascal. So you want a kite for yourself, but you’re making it sound like it’s for Mommy’s own good?"

The beautiful woman was speechless with laughter and pinched the boy’s nose with her long, slender fingers.

Then she took out her coin purse and bought a kite.

"Yay! I have a kite! I have a kite!"

The boy, Little Star, danced with excitement.

The beautiful woman called out from behind him, "Slow down, slow down!"

Hong Yu watched quietly from the side, a bittersweet feeling in his heart. ’This is a mother’s love, isn’t it?’ he murmured to himself.

In both his past life and this one, Hong Yu had never met his birth parents.

He desperately longed for a father’s and a mother’s love.

Watching the exchange between this mother and son, he couldn’t help but feel envious. He thought of his own parents and sister far away in the Desert North Wilderness, clenched his fists, and murmured, "Father, Mother, Yaoyao, please wait for me. It won’t be long before I head to the Desert North Wilderness. Our family will be reunited then!"

"Big Brother, are you sad about something? My mommy says that when you’re sad, you should lift your head and look at the sky. That way, your tears won’t fall down!" As Hong Yu was lost in thought, the clear voice sounded by his ear.

Hong Yu was taken aback. He looked down to see Little Star, kite in hand, squinting his lively eyes and tilting his head up to look at him.

Looking at that innocent face, Hong Yu smiled. "I’m not sad, little brother. What’s your name?"

"My name is Zhou Xing. Mommy and Daddy call me Little Star. They hope I’ll be as bright as a star!"

The boy, Zhou Xing, crinkled his eyes into crescents, his lips curling up to reveal a single white canine tooth. "Big Brother, what’s your name?"

"My name is Hong Yu!"

Hong Yu smiled and ruffled Zhou Xing’s head.

The boy, Zhou Xing, giggled, but just then, the beautiful woman’s voice called for him from behind.

Zhou Xing suddenly beckoned to Hong Yu, motioning for him to crouch down.

Hong Yu found it strange but felt no sense of unfamiliarity toward the adorable boy, so he crouched down and asked with a smile, "What is it?"

Zhou Xing leaned in close to Hong Yu’s ear and whispered mysteriously, "Big Brother, my dad says a man doesn’t cry easily, only when he’s truly heartbroken. I saw you sniffling just now, so you must be sad about something. But it’s okay! Dad says that as long as you bravely keep moving forward, everything will get better!"

"You have to keep going, Big Brother!"

Zhou Xing gave Hong Yu a little fist pump.

The corners of Hong Yu’s mouth lifted into a genuine smile.

"Little Star, it’s time to go home!" the beautiful woman called from the side of the street.

"Okay, coming!"

Zhou Xing quickly turned and skipped back like a little elf, occasionally looking back to give Hong Yu another fist pump. "You have to keep going, Big Brother!"

"Yeah!"

Hong Yu smiled and mimicked Zhou Xing, raising his fist as well.

Soon, Zhou Xing and his mother disappeared into the crowd.

Hong Yu couldn’t help but sigh. That boy, Zhou Xing, was like an innocent Angel who made people feel an instant connection.

Checking the time, he saw there was still a while before the Martial Arts Tea Party began, so Hong Yu decided to find a teahouse to sit in for a bit.

After walking two blocks, he finally found a teahouse.

Just as he was about to head upstairs to rest, a commotion erupted up ahead. He could vaguely hear people muttering about bullies, wicked young masters, and tormenting the innocent.

Hong Yu didn’t want to get involved in others’ business, but then he heard a passerby lament, "That poor mother and son... Just walking down the street, and they run into a scoundrel like that. I’m afraid they’re not going to escape this alive!"

"Hm? A mother and son?"

Hong Yu froze.

A strong, inexplicable sense of unease washed over him. The image of the adorable, elf-like boy, Zhou Xing, flashed in his mind, and his expression changed. ’Could it be them?’

Hong Yu immediately rushed toward the commotion.

Meanwhile, on the bustling street, a crowd had formed, several layers deep.

In the center of the crowd, five lavishly dressed young men with lecherous expressions were surrounding a mother and son.

The mother was a graceful, beautiful woman with considerable charm.

The child was six or seven years old and extremely cute.

His eyes were red, and his left cheek was badly swollen, streaked with a trace of blood.

He was staring down at the kite on the ground, which had been trampled to shreds. He stubbornly bit his lip, refusing to cry. It was none other than Zhou Xing and his mother.

Across from them, the five delinquents wore lewd smiles, their eyes fixed on Zhou Xing’s mother. "Tsk, tsk, I never thought we’d find such a stunning young wife in the Outer City. Heh heh, this young master’s favorite pastime is toying with married women. They’re so much more fun than innocent little girls!"

"Young Master Tang, if you like her, just take her back with you!"

"Leave the kid to me! I can toss him in my backyard to feed my vicious dog. It’s been a while since it’s had any tender human flesh!"

"Young Master Tang, after you’ve had your fun with her, could you let us brothers have a turn?"

Young Master Tang roared with laughter. "Fine, fine, fine! When the time comes, we’ll all have fun together!"

As he spoke, Young Master Tang reached for Zhou Xing and his mother with a wicked grin plastered on his face.

However, just as he was about to touch them, a calm voice suddenly boomed from the crowd...

"Lay a single finger on that mother and son, and I’ll cut off your filthy paws!"