"Yun Yun-jie."
Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, with only the steward leading the way ahead of them, Chen Mo reached out and grasped Yun Yun's slender hand, holding it firmly in his palm.
Yun Yun panicked instantly, trying to pull her hand free, but Chen Mo held on tightly. Glancing at the steward ahead, who looked like he might turn around at any moment, Chen Mo whispered:
"What are you doing? There are people up ahead."
"A younger brother holding his older sister's hand shouldn't be a problem, right?" Chen Mo replied with a playful smile.
Yun Yun was momentarily speechless, then said, "That doesn't mean you can just do this when there are people around."
As she spoke, Yun Yun noticed a maid appearing at the far end of the corridor.
Although the maid couldn't see them clearly from that distance, Yun Yun's heart raced with tension.
Chen Mo didn't want to push her too far, so after holding her hand for a short while, he finally let go.
They stepped onto the corridor and walked for another ten minutes.
Soon, Chen Mo arrived once again at the familiar courtyard. The difference this time was the presence of two rows of nearly ten black-robed figures standing like statues before the luxurious hall.
Each of them stood with military precision, clad in black robes embroidered with the image of a fierce beast wreathed in blue flames. The creature's menacing form exuded an invisible pressure, compelling awe and fear alike.
It was the emblem of the royal family.
Chen Mo had seen it countless times throughout the capital's streets, so it wasn't unfamiliar. But what truly drew his attention was the fact that every single one of these twenty black-robed guards was a Dou Ling expert.
"As expected of the Jia Ma Empire's royal family… their strength really isn't to be underestimated."
He marveled inwardly before turning his gaze toward the open doors of the grand hall. Inside, two armored soldiers—or perhaps generals—stood silently behind a cold and stunning woman.
Chen Mo strode forward, stepping into the hall. As he passed through the line of black-robed guards, he felt their eagle-sharp eyes sweep over him, scrutinizing his every move.
"Hehe, Brother Chen Mo, you've arrived." Nalan Jie stood up with a hearty laugh, moving to greet him before turning toward the cold beauty.
"Your Highness, this is Chen Mo."
Princess Yao Ye was draped in an extravagant brocade robe, her tall and graceful figure coupled with breathtaking beauty. She carried a kind of cool, dignified aura—very different from Yun Yun's elegance—that spoke of imperial prestige, polished through years of royal upbringing. A mature, alluring charm surrounded her, enhanced by her icy demeanor.
"Greetings, Mister Chen Mo."
Yao Ye rose and approached, her strides confident and commanding—not the delicate, graceful steps of Yun Yun or Ya Fei, but the bold, decisive gait of someone accustomed to military authority. Her beautiful eyes fixed on Chen Mo as she extended her delicate hand with a soft smile. That fleeting smile was enough to make the entire hall seem to dim around her.
Like Ya Fei, she was a perfectly ripe peach—but unlike Ya Fei's warmth, Yao Ye was like a peach pulled straight from an ice cave, encased in frost that needed melting before one could taste its sweetness.
Even Nalan Jie was slightly taken aback. He knew Yao Ye well, and she was usually reserved and aloof, rarely offering smiles or initiating greetings. Clearly, the royal family's declining influence had forced the princess to lower her stance and seek external allies.
"…Greetings, Princess Yao Ye."
Chen Mo's voice was calm, almost indifferent. He lightly grasped her soft, boneless jade hand for less than a second before releasing it, then sat down casually, his demeanor saying: let's get straight to the point.
After all, her great-grandfather had once held a grudge against him—and had even died by his hands. Chen Mo naturally didn't consider them allies.
Yao Ye felt a flicker of discomfort. With her temperament, had Chen Mo not possessed monstrous talent, a sixth-rank magical beast as his mount, and hints of a powerful backing, she would never have humbled herself in this way. Yet even so, the young man seemed utterly unmoved.
Nalan Jie was equally surprised. Chen Mo was usually easygoing and approachable. Why was he acting this way now? Unable to figure it out, the old man could only smooth things over with light-hearted laughter.
Meanwhile, a faint smile appeared on Yun Yun's lips.
The royal family had stationed troops at the foot of Misty Cloud Mountain for years, constantly suspecting Misty Cloud Sect of harboring treacherous intentions. Yun Yun couldn't help but feel a sliver of satisfaction seeing Chen Mo's coldness toward the princess.
Still, it was only a fleeting emotion. She wasn't one to hold grudges over such things.
The two armored soldiers behind Yao Ye, however, frowned faintly at Chen Mo's attitude.
Yao Ye kept her composure. As a royal, she had mastered the art of hiding her emotions beneath an unshakable mask. After a brief exchange of pleasantries with Yun Yun, she returned to her seat, watching Chen Mo sip tea like a host in his own home. She smiled lightly.
"I wonder, Mister Chen Mo, where do you hail from?"
"Blue Star," Chen Mo replied, calmly sipping his tea.
"Blue Star?"
Everyone present blinked in surprise, clearly unfamiliar with the name. Still, given the vastness of the Dou Qi Continent, they assumed it must be a faraway region.
"Blue Star must surely be a powerful place," Yao Ye said with a polite smile before continuing,
"And what brings Mister Chen Mo to the Jia Ma Empire? If there's anything the royal family can help with, don't hesitate to ask. We would spare no effort in assisting you."
Sipping his tea in silence, Nalan Jie thought privately, So the princess really is here to recruit Brother Chen Mo.
"No major reason," Chen Mo replied calmly. "I'm just traveling the continent, and happened to stop by the Jia Ma Empire."
"Traveling?"
Yao Ye repeated the word silently, then said, "Indeed, the empire has many beautiful sights worth visiting. I know of several remarkable places myself—I'd be honored to show Mister Chen Mo around."
"No need," Chen Mo said with a light smile, setting his teacup down. "When traveling, it's best to follow one's own path and whims. If you plan it all out, you lose the charm of true wandering."
"Hehe… Then, may I ask about your teacher? At just nineteen, you're already a third-tier alchemist, and you even possess a Heavenly Flame. Your master must be truly extraordinary."
Yao Ye's tone was courteous but probing.
"My teacher prefers to stay out of sight," Chen Mo said, shaking his head. "Before I left, he explicitly told me not to reveal anything about him."
"I see… then I won't press the matter." Yao Ye took a slow sip of tea, hiding the faint flicker of disappointment in her eyes.
Realizing that subtle probing wasn't working, Yao Ye finally revealed her purpose directly: "As an alchemist, Mister Chen Mo must require vast amounts of medicinal ingredients for practice. I happen to have a collection of rare herbs. Please, accept them as a gift."
She clapped her hands lightly. One of the soldiers immediately stepped forward, retrieving a large chest from his spatial ring.
The lid was opened, releasing a rich medicinal fragrance that filled the hall. Inside lay a trove of precious, high-grade medicinal ingredients.
****
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