"What?!!"
Xia Feng froze for a full three breaths before snapping back to reality.
His face was a complex mix of shock, confusion, and panic.
How was this possible?!
That good-for-nothing Jiang Yu was indeed hiding his cultivation and identity.
But if Xia Feng remembered correctly, he should be the sole son of the deceased Great Qin Emperor, hiding in Great Xia to escape pursuit.
Three years later, his talent would awaken, revealing peerless combat prowess. With the support of Great Qin's guardian war general, Xiao Beifa, he would return to inherit the throne!
Xia Feng had deliberately befriended him precisely so that when Jiang Yu became emperor one day, he would remember this kindness.
Of course, as a subscriber to the Way of Laying Low, Xia Feng naturally couldn't reveal this secret to anyone else.
Otherwise, how could he maintain his persona as the good big brother who appreciated and encouraged Jiang Yu?
Moreover, if he exposed Jiang Yu's identity, not only might it attract revenge from Great Qin's remnants, but if someone asked how he knew… how could he explain?
The Holy Church governed the Four Frontiers of Sheng Zhou with benevolence!
But if his secret as a reborn one was exposed, would he become a pawn they wanted to control or perhaps… a treasure-sniffing beast?
He was laying low!
But he didn't want to actually become a dog!!
"What?! The Imperial Son-in-Law was actually a demon?"
Qiao Shuang covered her red lips with her jade hand, her pretty face also showing surprise.
Xia Feng, however, frowned and remained silent.
Could it be… because he was reborn and forcibly seized the ninth prince's fortune, he inadvertently altered the trajectory of the Heavenly Dao's operation?
But… that idiot Jiang Yu, the Fifth Princess was clearly his wife. Why would he go to the trouble of violating her and exposing his identity?
Quite inexplicably, a trace of unease suddenly surged in Xia Feng's heart.
This matter wasn't that simple!
The three-year period was up. In theory, Jiang Yu should have gained Xiao Beifa's allegiance by now!
With his status, forget a mere second prince of Great Qi; even if it were the Great Qi Crown Prince, he could probably kill him if he wanted!
So why cause so much trouble?
The spirit flame within him was indeed a peerless, fierce flame, even holding an extremely high position on the Heaven Earth Spirit Flame ranking.
But… although that flame was labeled 'demonic,' it had no real connection to an actual demon.
How did Jiang Yu… become a demon?
Suddenly, a possibility occurred to Xia Feng, and he even felt the urge to turn around and flee.
"Aside from Jiang Yu turning into a demon, has anything else major happened in our Great Xia?!"
A pensive look flashed in Xia Feng's eyes. The young captain thought for a long moment before suddenly slapping his forehead.
Smack!
"I…"
Xia Feng was so startled he shuddered, nearly circulating his spiritual power to dart towards the horizon.
"You… scared the hell out of me!!"
"Your Highness, I remember now! Rumor has it a great personage has come to our Great Xia. Even the Emperor acts respectfully and deferentially in his presence!! Moreover, it was this Lord who protected the Princess. Otherwise… that demon Jiang Yu would have already killed the Fifth Princess!"
"What?!!"
Xia Feng was stunned, his face instantly paling.
Even his father had to bow his head?
Could it be… that one had appeared?!
In Xia Feng's memory, his Xia family ancestor, Xia Chen, had indeed descended to this realm once!
But at that time, Xia Yong was the Great Xia Emperor. Xia Chen only used the ancient dragon vein in the Xia family's ancestral land to break through in cultivation before eventually disappearing without a trace.
His appearance was extremely brief but triggered countless changes in the Western Frontier.
Especially when a certain Marquis from Great Qin actually went so far as to launch a military campaign against Great Xia for three years, and no one could dissuade him.
But, calculating the timing, this ancestor's appearance seemed… too early?
Still, aside from him, who else was worthy of his father bowing his head?
With Xia Sheng's fifth-grade Divine Emperor cultivation, even if the true demon came, it shouldn't warrant such deference, right?
After all, based on his calculations, even if that demon was stronger than him, he should at most be at the Divine General realm now. How could he deceive a Divine Emperor?
"It seems my rebirth has indeed changed the timing of some events. But fortunately, those ancient ancient ruins are still there. And as long as the Cold Moon Immortal Palace side doesn't have issues, changes in the process are irrelevant."
Finally, as if figuring something out, Xia Feng led Qiao Shuang towards the Grand Tutor's residence in the city.
With Qiao Yunli's cultivation level, he had long withdrawn from politics.
He now spent his years in seclusion within his residence, wholly devoted to the Dao.
"Shuang'er, the capital is unstable now. Stay safely in the residence. Don't show yourself, and definitely don't go out casually!"
Xia Feng reached out and ruffled Qiao Shuang's hair. "Don't make me worry!"
"Mhmm! I understand, Brother Feng. Shuang'er will wait quietly in the residence for your good news."
Qiao Shuang lowered her head with a light laugh, biting her red lips gently.
"Hurry along! After a few days apart, your relatives in the residence must miss you."
Xia Feng was currently anxious to return to the palace to see the true face of that Lord.
But inexplicably, he felt somewhat uneasy.
After all, he had devoured the ninth prince's fortune. If the ancestor questioned him, would he…
No, he needed to see his father first and ascertain the ancestor's attitude.
If he truly minded, Xia Feng would immediately leave the city, find some deep mountains or ancient land, and not show his face until he cultivated to the Divine Emperor realm.
If I can't afford to provoke you all, can't I at least hide?
As long as I bide my time and become a Divine Emperor, who in this Sheng Zhou could kill me?
Thinking this, Xia Feng suddenly took out a human skin mask from his bosom and put it on his face.
Then, feeling still somewhat uneasy, he turned back and found the young imperial guard captain from earlier.
"You, come here."
"Huh? Who are you…"
"Hmph!"
Xia Feng took out his identity dragon token. The doubt on the young captain's face instantly turned into gravity.
"What are your orders, my lord?"
"Secret palace decree. You are to go to the Che Dynasty to find a lost treasure of our dynasty. If you don't find it, you cannot return to face the Emperor!"
"(￣△￣;)!"
That's… it?
Find a… lost treasure of our dynasty?
And then?
Could you at least tell me what kind of treasure it is, what it looks like, or roughly what grade it is?
The Che Dynasty is in the far west of the Western Frontier. Further west, and you're pretty much in the realm of ultimate bliss.
Setting out from Dragon Fortune City to get there, with his second-grade Divine General realm, barring accidents, it was basically a journey that would take… well, in this lifetime.
Not to mention the countless imperial dynasties and kingdoms in between, rife with constant war!
At this moment, this imperial guard captain, who doesn't deserve a name, was starting to suspect whether some high-ranking official in the palace had a grudge against him but was too embarrassed to act directly, so they found a roundabout way to send him to his death!
But…
I'm just a lowly captain patrolling the streets. Not only am I not worth such elaborate scheming, but even if you want me dead, could you just make it quick… please?
"My lord… may I boldly ask… who sent me to the Che Dynasty?"
"What's a secret decree? If I told you, would it still be a secret decree? Just go. Your parents and family will be provided for by Great Xia."
Xia Feng's eyes turned cold. Generally, saying this wasn't out of genuine concern but a blatant threat.
"Yes, sir!!"
Only after that person dashed out of the city and disappeared from sight did Xia Feng feel relieved. He turned and headed towards the palace.
When it comes to laying low, I'm not targeting anyone specifically, but all the esteemed individuals in Sheng Zhou are… daddies!
Wouldn't dare to offend, wouldn't dare!
Laying low, of course, means not showing a hint of arrogance!
That's the attitude!!
As for why he didn't just kill that imperial guard captain?
All imperial guards have soul tablets directly under the Emperor's control.
Killing him carried risks!
By sending him away now, and with Qiao Shuang hidden in the residence, for a short time, no one would know he had returned!
This way, whether to stay or flee was entirely within his control.