Immortal Martial Emperor

「In the Void Spirit Pavilion.」

Hong Yu stared blankly at the grand procession leaving. The muscles on his face twitched as he struggled to process what had just happened.

He had thought that with Tang Wei showing up at his door, another huge battle was inevitable. He even expected to clash with the City Defense Army and the Golden Spear Guard.

But in the end...

Before he had even shown his face, Tang Wei had been subdued by a group of his own crazed fans.

Not only that, but they had even stripped him naked, tied him to a prisoner’s chariot, and were now parading him around the city moat.

’Damn, so this is the power of fans, huh?’ Hong Yu thought with a sigh.

"Young Master Hong, my mistress requests your presence in the back hall," the cute young lady said, speaking near his ear.

Hong Yu’s heart stirred. He knew Zhu Ling’Er was most likely looking for him because of Little Chenxi.

He couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

He still had no idea what kind of situation Little Chenxi was in, so naturally, he was quite worried.

Just as he reached the back hall, Hong Yu heard a series of "Eee-ya-ya" sounds.

The sound was incredibly familiar—crisp as a silver bell, almost like a melody from the heavens. It was a pleasant, delightful sound to hear. It was the voice of Little Chenxi.

It was as if she had sensed his arrival and was calling out to him in advance.

Hong Yu quickened his pace and stepped into the back hall. He saw Little Chenxi sitting in a pile of toys, playing happily. At that moment, she was waving her open hands at him.

Her delicate, rosy little face was alight with an excited smile.

Her porcelain doll-like features made her look even more adorable.

"Brother, brother, hold me!"

Little Chenxi shouted in her clear voice.

WHOOSH! Hong Yu shot forward, sweeping Little Chenxi into his arms. He looked her over nervously and asked anxiously, "Little Chenxi, your brother has been worried sick these past few days!"

"Giggle giggle!"

Little Chenxi laughed joyfully, her small, rosy hands caressing Hong Yu’s face. In a sweet, childish voice, she said, "Don’t be scared, brother. Chenxi is okay."

"Good."

Hong Yu gently tapped the little one’s nose.

This made the little girl furrow her brows.

"Sister! Brother, Sister is here!" Little Chenxi suddenly looked to the side and called out.

Hong Yu froze and followed Little Chenxi’s pointed finger. He saw the veiled Zhu Ling’Er walking toward them with a graceful posture.

Her exquisite figure swayed as she walked, like a peerless enchantress, full of allure.

"Miss Ling’Er!"

Hong Yu greeted her with a smile.

Zhu Ling’Er looked at Hong Yu, nodded, and said, "Now, you should be able to rest easy, right?"

"Thank you, Miss Ling’Er, for taking care of Chenxi!" Hong Yu said.

Seeing Little Chenxi looking so well, it was clear she hadn’t been mistreated in any way. However, Hong Yu still didn’t understand why Zhu Ling’Er had kept her here.

Little Chenxi, with her sharp mind, started counting on her fingers and said, "Brother, Sister Ling’Er didn’t hurt me! She had me stay here because Chenxi can help Sister Ling’Er!"

"Haha, our Little Chenxi is so capable!"

Hong Yu dotingly ruffled Little Chenxi’s hair.

The little one beamed like a well-behaved kitten and stuck out her tongue.

"Little Chenxi, go play by yourself for a bit. I have something to discuss with Sister Ling’Er," Hong Yu said, setting Little Chenxi down.

Little Chenxi’s eyes widened. "Brother, I want Huhu! Let Huhu play with me!"

"Alright!"

Hong Yu waved his hand.

The fluffy Huhu appeared before Little Chenxi. Huhu’s eyes were hazy, as it had clearly just been sleeping.

"Eee-ya! Huhu, I missed you to death!"

Little Chenxi shouted excitedly and pounced forward, flailing her arms and legs.

Huhu shuddered all over.

"Hu?"

But upon seeing Little Chenxi, all its sleepiness vanished. It panicked and tried to flee.

’Back when Chenxi was in the pagoda’s space, she really tormented me!’

Unfortunately for it...

How could Little Chenxi possibly let it get away?

SWOOSH!

Little Chenxi grabbed Huhu in a big hug, playfully rubbing and nuzzling it, messing up its neat fur until it was a fluffy, tangled mess like a chicken’s nest.

Huhu wore a miserable expression, allowing the little Demon to have its way with it.

It had an expression that seemed to say, "My lord, please be gentle, have some pity!"

"This little one is quite cute!" Zhu Ling’Er said with a laugh, pointing at Huhu.

Hong Yu’s face flushed with embarrassment.

Huhu was indeed adorable, but its expression was just too much to handle!

Rubbing his nose, Hong Yu smiled. "Miss Ling’Er, you must already know the purpose of my visit. I’d like to take Little Chenxi home."

"Haha, Little Chenxi is your younger sister. It’s perfectly reasonable for you to take her back. However..."

Zhu Ling’Er sighed softly, then sent a voice transmission, "I’m sorry, Young Master Hong, but I cannot let Little Chenxi go back with you for the time being."

Hong Yu didn’t speak, just stared intently at Zhu Ling’Er.

He knew that for someone of Zhu Ling’Er’s status to have taken Little Chenxi from Venerable Xiahuang, she must have had her reasons.

But since he didn’t yet know what her purpose was, or whether she would harm Little Chenxi, Hong Yu didn’t commit to a response.

Zhu Ling’Er apparently understood his hesitation and began to explain. "That day, I was at the Profound Cyan Pavilion auction house when I met Little Chenxi. I discovered that her presence was able to suppress the evil fire within my body. Heh, please don’t laugh, Young Master Hong, but in my haste for quick results, my cultivation went astray, and I absorbed the evil fire of an Evil Fire Phoenix. It has been difficult to suppress, but Little Chenxi is able to control it."

"I have now found a way to completely resolve this evil fire, but it still requires some time. So..."

Zhu Ling’Er looked at Hong Yu sincerely.

Hong Yu fell silent. After a moment, he said, "I can’t be the one to decide this. It all depends on what Chenxi wants."

"Of course."

Zhu Ling’Er looked at Hong Yu gratefully.

After Hong Yu asked her, although Little Chenxi was reluctant to leave him, she still decided to stay and help Zhu Ling’Er.

However, she did ask Hong Yu to leave Huhu behind.

And so...

A certain heaven-defying Cute Beast continued to be tormented by Little Chenxi, much to its sorrow and frustration.

Zhu Ling’Er escorted Hong Yu out, saying sincerely, "Young Master Hong, Ling’Er will never forget your great kindness!"

"This was Chenxi’s own decision. It has nothing to do with me," Hong Yu said with a smile.

But Zhu Ling’Er didn’t say anything more.

She simply committed this favor from Hong Yu to memory.

After all, judging by how much Little Chenxi had been talking about Hong Yu these past few days, if he had insisted on taking her, she absolutely would not have resisted.

However, Zhu Ling’Er was naturally reserved and wasn’t accustomed to verbally expressing her gratitude.

The two chatted for a while longer before Hong Yu departed.

After Hong Yu left, two more people emerged in the back hall.

One was a slender, handsome young man; the other was a young man as stout as a water jug.

They were none other than Long Qingfeng of the Cyan Dragon Duchy and Xuan Tiandu of the Black Tortoise Duchy.

Xuan Tiandu’s face was full of fat. He chuckled and said, "Little sis Ling’Er, you seem to have a pretty good impression of this Hong Yu!"

"You lecher, if you keep spouting nonsense, believe it or not, I’ll tell your royal father about you booking out the entire Qingyan Tower last night," Zhu Ling’Er said with a cold snort, giving him a sideways glance.

Qingyan Tower was one of the four great brothels in the Outer City of the Imperial Capital!

A place of vice and pleasure!

"Erk..."

The fat on Xuan Tiandu’s face trembled.

He didn’t have many hobbies. Besides cultivation, his only other interest was women.

Furthermore, because his Mystical Technique was the Black Tortoise, people called him the "Lecherous Tortoise," and the nickname "Lecher" had stuck.

Back in the Black Tortoise Duchy, Xuan Tiandu had been kept under his royal father’s strict watch, with no opportunity to get close to women. Now that he finally had some freedom, he would be in deep trouble if Zhu Ling’Er exposed him.

The punishment would definitely be several months of forced abstinence.

Thinking of this, Xuan Tiandu gave an embarrassed laugh. "Alright, alright, I won’t say any more, okay? Damn it, you’re no fun at all, sis. This fatty is better off going to find my dear courtesan!"

SWOOSH!

Xuan Tiandu’s figure flickered and vanished.

Long Qingfeng watched Zhu Ling’Er, his expression turning ugly.

He had also secretly given his heart to Zhu Ling’Er long ago, but she had always been cold and dismissive toward him. Combined with Long Qingfeng’s reclusive personality, he had gradually grown to despise and reject any man who got close to her.

He was already displeased that Zhu Ling’Er had been chatting so pleasantly with Hong Yu, and Xuan Tiandu’s comment had made him incredibly jealous.

His sinister eyes fixed on Zhu Ling’Er as he let out a cold snort. "A country bumpkin who got lucky somewhere, and now he actually thinks he’s someone important."

Zhu Ling’Er glanced at him, knowing he was taking a jab at Hong Yu.

She didn’t comment, merely stating coolly, "I’m tired." It was an order for him to leave.

Long Qingfeng’s expression changed, but Zhu Ling’Er had already turned and walked away.

The veins on Long Qingfeng’s forehead throbbed, his eyes flickering with venomous hatred. ’Hong Yu... so, it’s Hong Yu. What right do you have to talk with Ling’Er for so long? How did you earn her favor? I will crush you completely! I will beat you to a pulp right in front of her...’

’Daring to steal my woman... you’re simply courting death!’

Long Qingfeng flicked his sleeves and stormed away.

「Meanwhile.」

Hong Yu was speeding back to the Prince’s Mansion. His mind was preoccupied with the Ancient Array Map, hoping he could comprehend its secrets and finally obtain the last Death Rune Seal from Rashomon.

If he could obtain the Death Rune Seal, his power would increase dramatically.

He would then have the strength to challenge the top three Unparalleled Geniuses.

He would even be able to face Venerable Xiahuang without fear!

Hong Yu rushed all the way back, returning to the Prince’s Mansion three hours later. The guards all recognized him and knew of his close relationship with Prince Xiahuang Shang, so they greeted him with respect.

He entered the underground secret chamber unimpeded.

Feng Xue Xin and Young Master Yeban were still absorbing the power of the Dragon Sinew and Dragon Blood. Their auras had noticeably strengthened, and their power would surely surge once they awoke.

Then the three brothers would be able to ride into battle together again.

Hong Yu merely checked on the two of them. After confirming they were fine, he found a quiet corner and sat down cross-legged.

’Profound Celestial Secret Realm!’

A black stone stele appeared before him, and Hong Yu entered the Secret Realm.

This was the Profound Celestial Secret Realm he had obtained back in the Qin Kingdom, an independent pocket dimension.

The space was vast. Sensing Hong Yu’s summons, Rashomon flew out from within his body and, with a THUD, landed on a plain within the Profound Celestial Secret Realm.

The towering Rashomon radiated a golden light that shot into the clouds, its top vanishing from sight.

This golden gate was as large as more than seventy Forbidden Cities!

The legendary gate of the Divine City that was said to suppress the starry sky.

’Ancient Array Map!’

With a flip of his hand, he took out the Ancient Array Map. Hong Yu began comparing the Array Map with the seals and Demon Patterns on Rashomon.

He remained like this for three full days and three full nights.

On the fourth day, Hong Yu’s eyes suddenly flew open...