Kays Translations

Chapter 173: Return to the Imperial Capital

After three hours of flight, the aircraft slowly landed at the Li family residence outside Wuyang City. However, its arrival was still noticed by many people.

This was the third time the aircraft had arrived in the imperial capital. Seeing this “war machine” flying especially high, many attentive people exchanged knowing glances.

Unlike the previous two times, this time the aircraft did not fly off immediately. Instead, it slowly descended to the Li family’s backyard.

Once off the aircraft, Li Xian wasted no time. He directly led Xia Qingqing, along with the guards and a large amount of luggage, into Wuyang City and entered the Li residence.

“Dad, I’ve come back to see you!” Li Xian shouted as he entered the front gate.

Yang Zhong immediately came forward, his face full of smiles. “Young Master, you’ve finally come back. The Master has been looking forward to your return every day.”

“Wow, Uncle Yang, here’s a gift I prepared for you. Don’t turn your nose up at it!”

Li Xian exaggeratedly hugged Yang Zhong and shoved a large box into his hands. After that, he hurriedly led Xia Qingqing toward Li Yulong’s study. Behind them, Song Xing followed with several guards, all carrying boxes and jogging to keep up.

Yang Zhong watched Li Xian leave with a smile. Once Li Xian’s figure was out of sight, he looked down at the box in his hands. The box was very heavy, even heavier than a block of iron!

Shaking the box, Yang Zhong slowly made his way back to his quarters. Upon opening it, his eyes instantly narrowed. Inside the box were ten spirit stones. But what shocked Yang Zhong even more were the four pieces of rough material the size of fists: fine gold, secret silver, red copper, and mysterious iron!

With mysterious iron in hand, the Brilliant Stars Corporation had already managed to acquire fine gold, secret silver, and red copper.

Yang Zhong was astonished, but Li Yulong was even more stunned.

The guards, one after another, opened their own boxes, revealing 200 spirit stones, along with 20-30 pieces each of fine gold, secret silver, red copper, and mysterious iron.

“Where did you get these from? The Sea Tribe?” Li Yulong was truly shocked. Spirit stones were one thing, but materials like mysterious iron were enough to drive Nascent Soul experts crazy.

“Ah, Father, don’t ask where they came from. Once we’re in Anyang, I’ll take you to see. Right now, this is just my humble gift to you.”

Li Yulong smiled slightly. “Come on, tell me, is there something going on?”

“Hehe…” Li Xian laughed foolishly. “Father, you’re really sharp. I haven’t even spoken yet.”

Li Yulong felt a bit helpless about his son’s intelligence. “Xiao Xian, haven’t you heard the saying, ‘No good deed goes unpunished’?”

“Cough, cough, Father, I’m just here to see you. Of course, I also have… a small problem to ask about.”

Li Yulong said nothing.

Li Xian waved his hand, signaling all the guards to leave. Only then did he step behind Li Yulong and obediently start massaging his shoulders. “Father, I recently acquired a strategist, Li Yuanming.”

“I know, a poison scholar with boundaries.”

“Well, Li Yuanming said that there might be… a poison scholar by His Majesty’s side…”

“Ah…” Li Yulong sighed, a hint of frustration in his tone. “Who told you that only poison scholars act unscrupulously? The current prime minister of the Cai Kingdom, Huang Fu, also spared no means to rise to power, almost forcing the Yan Ze’an family to death! Can you really say Huang Fu is a poison scholar?”

Uh… Li Xian was suddenly at a loss for words. It seemed to be true. But come to think of it, treacherous officials could sometimes be even more terrifying and unscrupulous than poison scholars. At least poison scholars still had ideals, while treacherous officials were driven only by desire!

Li Yulong suddenly sighed again, his sigh full of exhaustion. “Xiao Xian, don’t get involved in this matter, and don’t try to inquire about it. When the time is right, I will naturally inform you.

Matters of the royal family have never been simple. Let’s talk about it once everything is over.”

Li Yulong finished speaking and looked at Xia Qingqing. “Child, come here, let me take a look at you.”

Xia Qingqing obediently walked over to Li Yulong, her expression somewhat reserved.

Li Yulong, as if treating her like a daughter, gently patted her head. “Ah, you’ve had a hard time. Right now, in the Great Xia Kingdom, the three princes are competing fiercely, the regions are divided, and they’re using each other. It’s just unfortunate for you, caught in the middle.”

Xia Qingqing’s tone seemed to choke with sobs, “As the last princess, I’m already very satisfied. Meeting Li Xian is my greatest happiness.”

Li Yulong nodded slightly, “Don’t worry. As long as there’s a possibility in the future, I, Li Yulong, will definitely ensure the safety of the three princes. As for the empress, under our persuasion, she won’t need to be buried alive. She just needs to stay outside the imperial tomb.”

Xia Qingqing finally looked up, “Thank you.”

This was Xia Qingqing’s greatest concern. When the emperor dies, everything must be “taken away,” including… the empress, concubines, and so on! Almost all emperors do this; it’s not just to accompany the emperor in death, but also to prevent interference from the harem and to avoid the rise of potential rivals.

Finally, Li Yulong patted Xia Qingqing’s shoulder, then patted Li Xian’s hand, “Take ten pieces of spirit stones and go to the palace to see His Majesty. I hope these ten pieces of spirit stones can extend His Majesty’s life for a while longer.”

Extend for a while longer… The implication behind this statement was too obvious—the emperor was already on a countdown!

Xia Qingqing’s expression was filled with sorrow.

After Li Xian and Xia Qingqing left, Yang Zhong, with the gifts Li Xian had given him, also arrived at Li Yulong’s study. Seeing the spirit stones and large amounts of fine gold placed on the floor, he was quite surprised, “So much!”

Li Yulong’s eyes shone brightly, “Yes, I think Xiao Xian must have mastered the technique of producing fine gold and the like. Xiao Xian’s unexpected awakening has indeed brought me many surprises. Is everything ready?”

“It’s ready.”

Li Yulong slowly stood up, “We will rise again from the remnants of the Great Xia Kingdom. We fled in disgrace back then, but in the future, we will raise an army of millions and reclaim everything that belongs to us!”

A shadow suddenly flashed in the study after a while.

Seeing the shadow, Li Yulong was immediately surprised, “You’re injured!”

The shadow’s voice rasped as it replied, “Young master’s Brilliant Star Group has attracted too much envy. A few days ago, I encountered a mid-stage Nascent Soul master from the Jin Kingdom, and he managed to escape.”

Li Yulong smiled slightly, “It’s fine that he escaped. I believe the Brilliant Star Group will be much quieter from now on. This kid probably doesn’t even realize that his group has been targeted for quite some time.”

“Forget it, I’ll tell him when there’s an opportunity.”

“By the way, does Xiao Xian know how to refine fine gold and secret silver?”

The shadow continued with a hoarse voice, “Master, to avoid detection, I’ve been guarding outside the valley and didn’t dare to go in. But now it seems that the so-called technology that young master has developed is progressing faster and faster. It’s quite normal for him to have mastered the methods for refining fine gold and the like.”

“Good!” Li Yulong was greatly pleased, “You continue protecting Xiao Xian and the Qingyun Valley. By the way, take 50 pieces of spirit stones, and one piece each of fine gold, secret silver, red copper, and black iron. Hurry and refine your own magic tools.”

The shadow selected the items, then suddenly spoke, “Master, it seems that young master returned this time because he encountered a technological bottleneck and needs the help of a formation master. Young master has his eye on the master of the Mang Mountain Daoist Temple and Formation Hall, Xiao Yuquan.”

“I see. I knew this kid wouldn’t come for nothing. If it’s made him anxious, it must be important. Yang Zhong, take 100 pieces of spirit stones, one piece each of fine gold, secret silver, red copper, and black iron, and go to Mang Mountain to check things out. Scout the situation first.”

Yang Zhong slightly bowed, “Master, what if the other party refuses to cooperate?”

“Refuse to cooperate?” Li Yulong sneered, “Fight! Beat them into submission!”

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