The attitude was surprisingly assertive.
This was completely unlike the usual Ah Xue.
Moreover, the other party was from Ming Shen Palace. Qingyang herself wasn't afraid, but she worried that Xue Qianbai might provoke Ming Shen Palace, bringing trouble upon Ah Xue.
So, Qingyang was quickly thinking about how to extricate Xue Qianbai from this predicament.
"Ah Xue is my best friend." Qingyang stepped forward to speak for Xue Qianbai, "Ah Xue is just worried about me, which is why he spoke so harshly. But Ah Xue also represents my personal viewpoint. Although I need your Ming Shen Palace's help, it doesn't mean you can use this to threaten me."
"Qingyang, think carefully. Are you sure you want to offend our Ming Shen Palace for this pretty boy?" Mo Jingxin was both shocked and angry.
He hadn't expected that as the young master of Ming Shen Palace, he would be less important to Qingyang than this pretty boy, Xue Qianbai.
"You talk too much. I told you to get lost, but it seems you don't understand human language."
At this moment, Xue Qianbai spoke indifferently.
After saying this, Xue Qianbai placed his hand on the hilt of his sword at his waist. The actions of Ming Shen Palace here had already exhausted his patience. He had come today to confess to Qingyang, but Mo Jingxin, this clown, was causing a scene.
If it weren't for not wanting to shed blood in front of Qingyang, these two would already be corpses.
"Hmm?"
Mo Hong also noticed Xue Qianbai's movement and saw that he was about to draw his sword.
At that moment, Mo Hong's face changed dramatically.
"Elder Hong, get this pretty boy for me…" Mo Jingxin hadn't finished his sentence when Mo Hong suddenly shouted, "Kneel!"
Without giving Mo Jingxin time to react, Mo Hong lifted his foot and kicked Mo Jingxin to his knees, right in front of Xue Qianbai and Qingyang.
At the same time, Mo Hong himself also hurriedly knelt down.
"I didn't know it was the Qianxue Sword Sovereign. I deeply apologize and hope the Sword Sovereign can be magnanimous and not hold it against us."
Mo Hong quickly knelt and spoke.
When Xue Qianbai was about to draw his sword, Mo Hong had seen the sword at Xue Qianbai's waist. It was clearly the Qianxue Sword.
The Qianxue Sword, ranked eleventh on the Divine Weapon List.
The one who possessed the Qianxue Sword was Xue Qianbai, who had just been promoted to Grandmaster and had teamed up with the Qinglian Sword Sovereign at Mount Wan Jie to repel the terrestrial immortal of the Zu Xuan family.
Such a person, even when he was just at the Grandmaster level, dared to kill two elders of the Su family in the Southern Wilderness. Now that he was already a Great Martial Sect, his strength was terrifying. Although Ming Shen Palace had some power, it was nothing compared to the Su family.
If Xue Qianbai dared to kill the elders of the Su family, how could he care about a small Ming Shen Palace?
As Xue Qianbai himself said, if they offended him or sided with another faction, he might really slaughter Ming Shen Palace.
At that time, who in Ming Shen Palace could stop him?
If they didn't quickly kneel and apologize now, wouldn't that be courting death?
But Mo Hong never expected that the Princess of the small Qingyang Dynasty was actually friends with the Qianxue Sword Sovereign.
With such a powerful friend, why did she need Ming Shen Palace's help?
What could the Qianxue Sword Sovereign not solve?
At this moment, Mo Jingxin was also dumbfounded.
What was Elder Hong saying?
Qianxue Sword Sovereign!
Where? This pretty boy in front of them?
Could there be a mistake?
But Mo Jingxin said nothing, trusting that Mo Hong wouldn't joke about such matters.
Xue Qianbai coldly looked at the two, not wasting any words, "Disappear from my sight within three breaths, or tomorrow, Ming Shen Palace will be wiped out because of you two."
"Yes, we'll leave immediately."
Without another word, Mo Hong grabbed Mo Jingxin and turned to run.
He moved at the fastest speed of his life, wishing he had been born with more legs.
In less than a breath, they had vanished without a trace.
Watching them leave, Xue Qianbai's cold demeanor instantly vanished. When he turned back, he saw Princess Qingyang looking at him in astonishment.
"Qianxue Sword Sovereign?" Qingyang asked in disbelief.
Her eyes were full of surprise. She couldn't imagine that the man who came to the Qingyang Dynasty every year to perform sword dances for her was the famous Qianxue Sword Sovereign. It was too dramatic.
Who in the Cangyuan Realm didn't know the name of Qianxue Sword Sovereign?
Such a renowned figure was someone Princess Qingyang had heard of, but she never thought she would know him personally. Such a powerful person was beyond her reach, and the Qingyang Dynasty couldn't hope to associate with him.
But now, the scene before her left Qingyang's mind in a daze.
Ah Xue was actually the Qianxue Sword Sovereign.
For a moment, Qingyang found it hard to calm her emotions.
"I didn't mean to hide it from you." Seeing Qingyang's expression, Xue Qianbai thought she was blaming him, so he couldn't help but explain.
"Your humble servant greets the Qianxue Sword Sovereign." Qingyang and her maid quickly bowed to Xue Qianbai.
"Qingyang, what are you doing? We've known each other for so many years." Xue Qianbai hurriedly helped Qingyang up.
"We have known each other for many years, but I never imagined that Ah Xue was the Qianxue Sword Sovereign." Qingyang still felt the situation was too shocking. The Qianxue Sword Sovereign, such a high-ranking figure, was the deputy head of Dao Mountain Ancient Land, yet he came to the Qingyang Dynasty every year to perform sword dances for her.
Who would believe it if she told them?
"Sword Sovereign…"
"Just call me Ah Xue. I'm used to hearing you call me that." Xue Qianbai quickly interrupted Qingyang.
"Then… Ah Xue, did you come to see me today just to tell me this?" Qingyang looked seriously at the man in front of her.
"Sort of." Xue Qianbai wanted to say there was something more important, but before he could, Qingyang suddenly said seriously, "Ah Xue, you are the Qianxue Sword Sovereign. I've heard about what you did at Mount Wan Jie. I wonder if I could ask you for a favor."
"Go ahead."
Since Qingyang had asked, Xue Qianbai certainly didn't mind helping.
Qingyang's expression was conflicted. She lowered her head in silence for a moment, then said, "I originally wanted to ask Ming Shen Palace for help. Now that I know you're the Qianxue Sword Sovereign, asking you for help makes me feel a bit opportunistic."
Qingyang spoke with a hint of self-mockery.
"I know you wouldn't ask for help unless it was something very important." Xue Qianbai understood Qingyang well in this regard.
Xue Qianbai was actually quite happy. Qingyang asking for his help gave him an opportunity.
Helping her, then confessing his feelings, wouldn't that be perfect timing?
"Ah Xue, do you remember the person I mentioned to you before?" Qingyang blinked and said, "His name is Feng Wulin. We grew up together, and he later became a young general."
"Yes." Xue Qianbai naturally remembered. This was the person Qingyang had always been thinking about. Qingyang had once said that Xue Qianbai's sword dance reminded her of Feng Wulin, which was why she had him perform for her every year.
Xue Qianbai knew well that Qingyang watched his sword dance while thinking of Feng Wulin.
Later, Feng Wulin went deep into Yunhuang and never returned, with no news of him. It was rumored that Feng Wulin had long since died in Yunhuang. Xue Qianbai had come this time to tell Qingyang that Feng Wulin wasn't coming back, but he, Xue Qianbai, was always here.
He was willing to protect Qingyang.
But before he could say anything, Qingyang suddenly brought up Feng Wulin. What did she want to do?
"I recently received unexpected news." Qingyang's emotions were somewhat agitated as she looked at Xue Qianbai, "Feng Wulin didn't die. He didn't disappear in Yunhuang. There's news that he was trapped in the Black and White Forbidden Zone and might still be alive!"
"The Black and White Forbidden Zone!"
Xue Qianbai frowned. The Black and White Forbidden Zone in Yunhuang was an extremely dangerous place. However, danger and opportunity coexisted. Many people entered the Black and White Forbidden Zone with the resolve to die, hoping to be reborn. Few survived, especially those who ventured deep into the zone.
Three of the Four Saints of humanity had died there.
But if one didn't go deep, the chances of survival were still there. Every time the Black and White Forbidden Zone reopened, some people would emerge.
"The Black and White Forbidden Zone is about to reopen. Wulin will surely come out." Qingyang's chest heaved with excitement, her eyes shining. This sight left Xue Qianbai stunned, momentarily unsure of what to say.
"Congratulations." After a long while, Xue Qianbai could only offer a bitter smile and a blessing.
"But I also know that many who stay long in the Black and White Forbidden Zone come out and commit terrible acts. So every time it reopens, there's a massacre. Many people die. I originally wanted Ming Shen Palace's help to protect Wulin's life…" Qingyang looked at Xue Qianbai with hopeful eyes.
Her meaning was clear.
"Don't worry. I'll go with you. If Feng Wulin is really inside, I'll help protect him." Xue Qianbai took a deep breath, his feelings complicated.
How did things turn out this way?
"Ah Xue, you're so kind!" Qingyang said with a smile.
Xue Qianbai could only muster a rather forced smile.
"By the way, Ah Xue, you said you came to see me today. Was there something else you wanted to tell me?" Qingyang asked.
"Nothing." Xue Qianbai no longer knew what else to say.
"Oh, I see." Qingyang seemed thoughtful, then said, "I'll have someone prepare a banquet. I must toast you properly."
"No need. I was just passing by today and have other matters to attend to. I might leave soon." Xue Qianbai declined Qingyang's kind offer.
"Alright then." Qingyang didn't insist. After all, Xue Qianbai was the Qianxue Sword Sovereign, not an idle sword dancer, so she didn't press him to stay.
Xue Qianbai left Piaoyu Pavilion with a heavy heart. Things hadn't gone as he had planned.
As he reached the ground floor, Qingyang's voice called out, "Ah Xue."
Xue Qianbai looked up to see Qingyang leaning on the railing, smiling warmly at him. She said, "No matter if you're the Qianxue Sword Sovereign or anyone else, you're always my Ah Xue, my best friend."
"Mm."
After a brief acknowledgment, Xue Qianbai left the Qingyang Dynasty.
Watching him step into the void and disappear like a shooting star, Qingyang's smile gradually turned forlorn, lost in thought.
"Princess."
The maid behind her stepped forward, also watching Xue Qianbai's departing figure, and sighed, "Princess, can't you see that the Qianxue Sword Sovereign has feelings for you? He is the renowned Qianxue Sword Sovereign, yet he comes to the Qingyang Dynasty every year to perform sword dances for you. Today's events further prove his genuine interest in you."
"Of course, I can see it." Qingyang said softly.
"If the Qianxue Sword Sovereign could be with you, our Qingyang Dynasty would be different. No one would dare covet the throne. Even in the Southern Wilderness, our status would change. The Qianxue Sword Sovereign's affection for you is evident. Why won't you accept him?" The maid was puzzled.
"If it were before, and Ah Xue had confessed to me, I might have agreed… but…"
"But when I learned about Wulin, I couldn't control my feelings." Qingyang shook her head helplessly, "I promised Wulin I would wait for his return, always."
***
Seven days later.
North Cold Country.
Xue Qianbai didn't ride the Smoke-Enshrouded Snow Sculpture. He used his movement technique to travel from the Southern Wilderness to the North Cold Country. Li Changqing had just finished his lessons at the Qing residence and returned to find Xue Qianbai waiting in the courtyard.
"Huh, didn't you go to the Qingyang Dynasty? Back so soon?" Li Changqing asked curiously as he approached.
"How did you know?" Xue Qianbai was surprised. He hadn't told Li Changqing about his trip to the Qingyang Dynasty.
"My Changqing Trading Company's intelligence department isn't for show. How could they not know this?" Li Changqing laughed, "You scared Mo Hong of Ming Shen Palace so much that he was terrified. Ming Shen Palace was on high alert for days, fearing you'd come to wipe them out."
"Did you come to see me for something?"
Li Changqing asked curiously.
"To drink." Xue Qianbai said calmly.
"Drink?" Li Changqing raised an eyebrow, clearly understanding the situation. He smiled and said, "Alright, I'll join you. If something's bothering you, getting drunk might help. I have some good wine here. Let's drink at my place."
Proofreader & Editor: Lotas