Kapitel 58: Chapter 58: Request?

Word of Murong Ye's defeat spread like wildfire throughout the New Moon Profound Palace. The disciples were shocked that such an event had occurred, especially considering that Murong Ye, while not as advanced as True Profound Realm inner disciples or Spirit Profound Realm disciples, was still considered a promising genius beneath the Nascent Profound Realm.

Somewhere within the confines of the New Moon Profound Palace, a different kind of fury brewed. This fury was directed at Yun Che and Retsu, from one of the Supreme Elder of the palace, Wu Nie.

BOOM

A table in a dimly lit room shattered into pieces as Wu Nie unleashed his rage. "Damn it! Curse those two. How dare they insult me in front of everyone like that. I swear... I swear I'll kill them," he seethed, his anger palpable.

Wu Nie had been humiliated this morning when Yun Che had the audacity to stand up to him and insult his disciple and grandson in front of a crowd. Not only had he been unable to exact justice against the newcomers, but he had also become the subject of ridicule.

"But that technique the girl used to defeat Ah Yan this morning... It carried no profound energy and was invisible," Wu Nie muttered to himself, a sinister gleam entering his eyes. A twisted smile crept across his face.

From his hidden vantage point, Wu Nie had been observing the entire confrontation, particularly when Retsu employed the first technique of the Way of Destruction Arts. His eyes were locked on her as she pointed her index finger at their target. What he witnessed left him in awe and filled him with a deep sense of greed.

As Retsu extended her delicate finger, a nearly invisible energy emanated from its tip. This energy possessed an incredible force, enough to propel even a powerful True Profound Realm practitioner backward. It was massive, undetectable, and terrifyingly effective.

Wu Nie's grin grew more sinister as he envisioned the limitless possibilities this technique held. The power to dispatch anyone without them even realizing it was a tantalizing prospect. He knew he needed to obtain this secret art for his own nefarious purposes.

"Before I have them killed, I must extract that technique from her. With it, I can eliminate anyone I please without them even realizing it," he chuckled darkly.

Without wasting any more time, Wu Nie called his beloved grandson into the room, plotting a sinister course of action that would lead to a dangerous confrontation with Yun Che and Retsu.

------------

New Moon Profound Palace inner disciple residence.

In the wake of the recent news and rumors that had spread like wildfire throughout the palace, an unusual hush had fallen upon the New Moon Profound Palace. Nobody dared to disturb Yun Che, Retsu, and Yuanba during their visit to the food hall. In typical Wuxia novels, these newcomers might have been the target of scorn and jeers from stuck-up young masters, but today, the disciples whispered among themselves, cautious and hesitant to approach the trio.

As Yun Che, Retsu, and Yuanba made their way back from the food hall, Yuanba was still struggling to process the whirlwind of events that had unfolded from morning until now. It was as if reality had taken a strange turn, and he couldn't quite wrap his mind around it.

Yun Che and Retsu, on the other hand, were satisfied after their hearty meal at the food hall. However, their visit had not been without its share of commotion. As they walked back to their residence, they couldn't help but leave behind yet another ruckus in their wake. It seemed that wherever they went, chaos and surprises followed, making their presence known throughout the New Moon Profound Palace.

"I told you we'd make the chef faint after ordering our meal, or rather, ordering for us," Yun Che remarked flatly as he strolled back to their residence.

Retsu, wearing her characteristic sweet smile, walked happily beside him while gently holding his hand. "Ara... ara, it seems we may have indulged a bit too much, young master."

Yun Che chuckled in agreement. "Yeah, we didn't even place an order ourselves, but we ended up eating like kings. Those people must be quite generous."

Yuanba, who had been trailing behind them, couldn't help but chime in, "Brother-in-law, where do you keep all that food?"

In the bustling food hall, whispers swirled among the disciples, their voices hushed as they gossiped about the enigmatic newcomers. Yun Che, Retsu, and Yuanba, however, paid little heed to the rumors that danced around them. They moved through the hall, feeling the weight of countless eyes upon them, especially Retsu, who had become the center of attention due to her earlier display of power.

As they settled at a table, Yun Che turned to Yuanba with a puzzled expression. "So, what's on the menu?"

"Menu?" Yuanba looked confused.

"I mean, the list of food we can choose from," Yun Che clarified, sighing as his modern terminology slipped out.

"Since you're an inner disciple, brother-in-law, you can order dishes made using profound beasts as ingredients. We outer disciples have more limited options," Yuanba explained.

"Really?" Yun Che began to speak, but before he could finish his sentence, a flurry of orders descended upon their table. Plates of food piled up one after another, creating an overwhelming mound of dishes that seemed impossible for anyone to consume.

"We didn't even order this," Yuanba protested, attempting to address the waiter.

"Someone ordered fifty servings, It was registered to your table," the waiter replied with an innocent tone, clearly just following instructions and delivering the food.

"What... Who did..." Yuanba's words trailed off as he heard stifled laughter coming from the inner disciples' section. It seemed not every rising star was fondly regarded by their fellow disciples.

Yuanba gritted his teeth. "Such low prank, brother-in-law, it looks like someone really dislikes you for being here. Let's return this food so we can..." Yuanba began to suggest, but when he turned his gaze back to their table, his jaw dropped in shock. The mountain of food had vanished, leaving only a stack of empty plates near Yun Che and Retsu.

"Brother-in-law, you..." Yuanba began, his shock evident as he watched the food vanishing under the voracious appetites of Yun Che and Retsu. But it wasn't just him; the entire hall of onlookers couldn't believe their eyes.

"What? Shouldn't we eat this?" Yun Che asked with a mouthful of food, despite already downing nearly half of the servings.

"No, but..." Yuanba attempted to respond, but he found himself utterly speechless in the face of their unbridled gluttony. It was clear that these two were insatiable when it came to food.

"Not bad. This demon beast meat really hits the spot," Yun Che remarked as he continued to devour serving after serving.

"Delicious!" Retsu squealed with delight as the food beneath her veil disappeared at an astonishing pace.

As time passed, the servings on their table dwindled, leaving the entire hall in awe. Even the chefs had to work double-time to keep up with their insatiable appetites, and the waitstaff had to continuously shuttle back and forth between the kitchen, their table, and the other patrons.

"You said it was registered to our table, right?" Yun Che inquired, a mischievous glint in his eyes. If this was a prank, it was quite generous of them to feed them so extravagantly.

"Yes..." Yuanba stammered, his brain still processing the feeding frenzy before him.

"So, we don't have to pay for this?" Yun Che asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, the profound stones will be deducted from the disciples' monthly resource gain later," Yuanba explained as the method of payment for their incredible food consumption.

Retsu's eyes sparkled with delight. "Can we order seconds?"

"Yes, but..." Yuanba began to reply, but before he could finish, Yun Che interjected, shouting, "Seconds, please!"

"Me too!" Retsu raised her hand enthusiastically.

"Seconds!" They both exclaimed, and the cycle continued, with food appearing and vanishing in rapid succession, as they indulged themselves until they were entirely full.

"Thank you for the food," Retsu said politely.

Yun Che patted his satisfied stomach and grinned. "Man, that hit the spot."

A sudden exclamation from the kitchen drew their attention. "The chef fainted!"

The other disciples in the hall were left in disbelief as they watched Yun Che and Retsu effortlessly consume an extravagant feast. Even the chef had succumbed to the shock of preparing so much food. Those who had orchestrated this prank had unwittingly played themselves, leaving everyone in the food hall astonished by the newcomers' incredible appetites and abilities.

-----------------------

Yun Che and Retsu, with Yuanba in tow, arrived at the inner disciples' residence. To their astonishment, a lone figure was already seated in the middle of the snow-covered courtyard, her back turned to them.

In this serene setting, a graceful snow fairy sat beside a frozen pond. Draped in pristine white robes, her hair flowed like a cascade of pale blue silk. Delicate fingers held a suspended snowflake, displaying her mastery over the element. With closed eyes, she exuded a soft, blue aura, deeply connected to the wintry world around her. Snowflakes danced in response, and the icy pond seemed to ripple, reflecting her profound power. In this tranquil moment, the snow fairy embodied the serene beauty of winter, cultivating her abilities amidst the pure snow, and harmonizing with her wintry realm.

Recognizing the figure, Yun Che whispered, "Yue Chu?" He used her alternate name to avoid any unnecessary questions from Yuanba.

The snow fairy, known as Little Fairy, sighed as she continued her meditation, well aware of the rumors that had been circulating throughout the palace. She had expected such commotion when Yun Che and Retsu arrived.

Yun Che, however, wore a mischievous grin. "Things didn't go as planned, but at least we accomplished our mission."

Retsu chimed in, expressing her disappointment. "This place is lovely, young master. It's a shame we can't stay longer."

Before they could delve into further conversation, Little Fairy revealed that someone had been following Yun Che earlier. With a deft motion, she revealed the hidden intruder, who fell before them, bound by a rope and gagged with a white cloth. The individual had long fuchsia hair, a striking resemblance to certain someone they met this morning.

"Senior sister?!?" Yuanba exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise. He never expected that the bound and gagged person would turn out to be their distinguished senior sister, Lan Xueruo.

Yun Che was utterly speechless. The last person he anticipated to see in this predicament was the Princess of the Blue Wind Empire herself, trussed up and silenced by Little Fairy. It was a sight that defied all expectations.

"Sister Xueruo, what in the world are you doing here?" Yun Che asked, shaking his head in disbelief. Retsu couldn't help but giggle at the absurdity of the situation.

Lan Xueruo struggled to make sounds through the cloth muffling her voice, and Yun Che quickly removed the gag, allowing her to speak.

"Junior brother Yun, I promise I wasn't following you or anything like that," Lan Xueruo protested, making excuses to avoid any retribution.

"Senior sister, please," Yun Che interjected, "what brings you to this place? or more likely, 'this' particular place." He was referring to his inner disciple's residence.

With a sideways glance, Lan Xueruo replied hesitantly, "I was... um, just taking a leisurely walk."

Retsu, with her keen sense of observation, couldn't help but tease her. "Senior sister, your lying skills need some work."

Lan Xueruo's spine shivered at the knowing smile on Retsu's face. She couldn't hide the truth any longer and decided to come clean. "Alright, fine. I wanted to thank you for defeating Murong Ye, but I also needed to warn you about his father. Please, don't punish me."

Yun Che was puzzled. "That's it? You didn't need to go through all this trouble just to convey a simple message. I've already made it clear that no matter how powerful Murong Ye's father may be, I won't be intimidated."

Lan Xueruo hesitated, trying to emphasize the seriousness of the situation. "Junior brother, you don't understand. His father... his father is not to be underestimated."

As Yun Che began to untie the ropes binding her, Lan Xueruo desperately tried to persuade him to leave the city, her expression fraught with concern. She feared that once Murong Ye's father discovered Yun Che's actions, he would be in grave danger – a peril that extended to Retsu as well.

Yun Che couldn't help but smirk, his confidence unwavering. "Do you really think the governor of this city has the means to stop me, a mere Earth Profound Realm practitioner?" His self-assured tone hung in the air.

Lan Xueruo stood there in stunned silence, realizing she had gravely underestimated Yun Che's group. His bold declaration hinted at the support of a Sky Profound Realm warrior, a revelation that left her bewildered about the true identities of these newcomers.

Retsu swiftly helped Lan Xueruo to her feet, while Little Fairy observed the situation. Little Fairy had arrived at the courtyard moments before Yun Che's return and had noticed Lan Xueruo behaving suspiciously near his residence. When she attempted to flee upon spotting Little Fairy, she was apprehended. Despite Little Fairy's attempts to inquire about her actions, Lan Xueruo had been too terrified to speak. Instead of resorting to violence, Little Fairy had chosen to await Yun Che's return, recognizing that Lan Xueruo might not pose a threat.

"Senior sister, since you're here, would you care to reveal your true identity?" Yun Che inquired with a sly grin, earning curious glances from Yuanba, Retsu, and Little Fairy. There's no more hiding for this 'Lan Xuorue'.

Retsu, in particular, was intrigued, sensing that Lan Xueruo's presence held more significance than initially apparent.

Lan Xueruo, desperately trying to maintain her cover, feigned innocence. "What are you talking about, junior brother? I am still your senior sister, Lan Xueruo. Hahaha."

Yun Che, his playful side showing, tugged on the rope, producing a sharp whipping sound that sent shivers down Lan Xueruo's spine. Retsu, on the other hand, had a mischievous suggestion. "Perhaps we should tie her to a tree and tickle her feet until she passes out, young master."

Yun Che nodded in agreement, a wicked grin forming on his face. "Good idea, Retsu." Both he and Retsu turned their attention to Lan Xueruo, their intentions clear.

"Uhhh... uhh... junior brother... Please don't... Okay, I'll tell you... I'll tell you..." Lan Xuorue quickly defended herself, realizing that escape was futile with Yun Che and Retsu, not to mention the snow woman who had caught her.

Fearful of being subjected to tickling, she found herself on her knees, ready to divulge her secrets. Her decision to speak was driven not just by fear but also by a growing sense of trust in Yun Che and Retsu.

"*Sigh, I'm actually not a disciple of this palace," she confessed, her voice trembling slightly. "I was here to look after it until the banquet three weeks from now. I wanted to participate in the banquet to help the Palace survive the harassment of the city's power."

Before she could continue, Yun Che finished her sentence, revealing her true identity as "The Princess of the Blue Wind Empire."

Lan Xuorue stared at Yun Che in shock, her expression akin to someone who had seen a ghost. She had never expected him to uncover her true status. She initially thought his earlier comment was a wild guess, but it turned out he had hit the mark perfectly. Though she remained silent, Yun Che continued to speak to her.

"Come, come, senior sister," Yun Che said, his tone calm and confident. "A noble lady like you must have an important reason to be here. Beautiful, noble, humble, and as an outer disciple at that? It's a cheap theatrical facade, and I'm not buying it."

He didn't pry further, instead giving her the opportunity to share her story willingly. "Moreover," he added, "I sense that your cultivation is higher than what you're showing. Why would someone like you choose to remain as an outer disciple, avoiding any undue attention?"

Lan Xuorue listened to his words, a mixture of surprise and relief washing over her. The layers of deception she had woven around herself were beginning to unravel in front of these perceptive newcomers.

"But, I used a necklace to seal my Profound Strength. How could you possibly know?" Lan Xuorue asked incredulously, holding her necklace up to show them. Her true cultivation was at the third level of the True Profound Realm, but she had concealed it, making it appear as though she were at the eighth level of the Nascent Profound Realm to deceive everyone.

"Well, I happen to be something of a miracle doctor myself," Yun Che replied with a mischievous grin. His words left Lan Xuorue utterly speechless, unaware that he had uncovered her identity by using the system to detect her true strength.

Lan Xuorue finally gave in, sighing as she admitted, "You're right, junior brother Yun. I am the Princess of the Blue Wind Empire. The reason I was here was to scout out geniuses in order to represent my palace during the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament half a year from now."

With a sense of resignation, she continued, "I think I've finally found the geniuses I seek." Lan Xuorue then bowed to Yun Che and Retsu, shedding her royal demeanor in favor of a more genuine and humble approach.

"Junior brother Yun Che and Junior sister Retsu, I have searched high and low for potential geniuses to represent the Blue Wind Royal Family in the upcoming tournament," Lan Xuorue began, her voice earnest. She had used her special profound art during her previous scouting to gauge a person's talent, and she had found that these two possessed the most exceptional potential in the entire palace. It was more than enough for her. Now, she was willing to go to great lengths to recruit them, even if it meant sacrificing her dignity as a princess.

With sincerity in her eyes, she continued, "The royal family has consistently ranked at the bottom in every tournament. Please, put an end to my search and represent us. Whatever rewards you desire, I promise to fulfill them. No matter what it is—riches, glory, or anything else—you name it, and it's yours. Please..." Lan Xuorue persisted in bowing before them, setting aside her own pride as a princess.

Yuanba stood there, utterly shocked by these developments. He had never expected his senior sister, who was from the same class as him, to be a princess. Furthermore, she was now bowing to his brother-in-law, begging them for help—something a princess should never do.

Yun Che and Retsu were equally speechless. A princess had just bowed before them, earnestly requesting their assistance. While they had initially intended to tease her, they had never expected such a humble and heartfelt plea. A member of the royal family would rarely take such a step, even if their life depended on it, but she had done so without hesitation.

As for Little Fairy, she merely observed the unfolding scene without the slightest inclination to intervene. The sight of a member of the royal family bowing before someone beneath her status was something she had seen countless times.

"Senior sister, please stand up. We were just teasing you earlier. There's no need for you to bow like this," Retsu implored, approaching Lan Xuorue with genuine concern. However, Lan Xuorue remained steadfast in her position.

"Please accept my invitation, junior brother and sister," she earnestly pleaded, refusing to move from her bowing posture.

Yun Che joined Retsu and gently urged Lan Xuorue to stand up. Meeting her beautiful eyes, he spoke, "Even if you hadn't invited us, we had already planned to participate in the tournament."

"We will represent your palace, but there is one condition," Yun Che continued, his gaze unwavering.

Lan Xuorue nodded, her thoughts racing as she hadn't considered conditions, but she was prepared to offer them whatever rewards they desired.

"Senior sister, you must understand that the price of participating in such a tournament is not meager," Yun Che reminded her, his tone firm.

"I promise you will be generously rewarded," Lan Xuorue stammered as if she had been pushed into making a decision.

"Do you believe that mere wealth and trinkets can satisfy us?" Yun Che countered, his expression unyielding.

"What do you desire, junior brother? Is it... my body?" Lan Xuorue timidly asked, seemingly willing to sacrifice everything for victory. However, before she could react, a light flick landed on her forehead.

Flick

"Owww," 'Lan Xuorue' winced, not in pain, but surprised by the flick's suddenness.

"It's not anything of the sort. Please don't phrase it like that; you might provoke the wrath of a certain fairy who... WANTS TO BEAT ME FOR NO REASON!" Yun Che declared, his voice rising as he addressed the cultivating snow fairy.

"You rascal!" Little Fairy's voice sounded with irritation.

Lan Xuorue was left speechless for a moment, absorbing the seriousness of the situation. This junior brother of hers had a playful side even during such moments.

Oblivious to her inner thoughts, Yun Che tapped her shoulder and smiled, saying, "You are indeed a beauty, desired by many. However, my conditions for us to join the tournament are relatively simple."

Lan Xuorue listened intently, her eyes locked on his.

Yun Che looked her in the eye with unwavering seriousness and stated his first condition, "The first one is this: no matter the circumstances, please refrain from bowing before anyone other than your parents, your husband, or your elders. You are the princess of this empire. I admit I went overboard earlier, but please, don't lower your head in response to a request. Even if you hadn't done so, I would have accepted your request."

The princess was rendered momentarily speechless, but she summoned her courage and nodded in acknowledgment of Yun Che's conditions.

Yun Che's grin returned, dispelling the seriousness, making her more comfortable. "Secondly, all I require is your real name, Senior Sister Xueruo, or perhaps I shouldn't use that name anymore. Those are my conditions. So, dear Princess, what is your answer?" Yun Che asked once more, this time with sincerity.

'Lan Xuorue' was momentarily taken aback but quickly regained her composure. She stood up as regally as possible and introduced herself with a soft and composed tone, "My name is Cang Yue, Blue Moon Princess of the Blue Wind Empire," she said while bowing her head, introducing herself to the rest of the group. Her revelation earned a smile from Retsu, a nod of acknowledgement from Little Fairy, and a shocked gaze from Yuanba.

-----------------------------

[Ding…. Triggering the main mission. Represent the Blue Wind Profound Palace in the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament half a year from now.

Reward: Two Wisdom Cubes, Experience points, and System Points. Hadō #88. Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō ("Dragon Strike Heaven-Shaking Lightning Cannon") and Bakudo #81 Danku (Airtight)

Main mission achievement: One for all and all for one.

Requirement: Win the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament for Cang Yue.

------------------------------

After the system triggered the main mission, Yun Che and Retsu made their decision.

Yun Che was the first to bow, saying, "I, Yun Che, will humbly accept your request, Princess Cang Yue."

"Your request is also accepted by me, Unohana Retsu, Cang Yue-hime-sama," Retsu spoke politely as she bowed before the princess.

Yuanba heaved a sigh of relief, his earlier shock and disbelief slowly giving way to a sense of security and pride. Little Fairy, normally composed and indifferent, couldn't help but let a small smile grace her lips. She had never expected Yun Che, the mischievous rascal, to be so resolute in assisting the princess. In her mind, the dynamics of the upcoming Blue Wind Ranking Tournament were beginning to shift. It seemed likely that this year, there would be a new victor, and with Yun Che on board, even Frozen Cloud Asgard might find themselves facing unexpected challenges. A sense of anticipation settled in her heart as she contemplated the possibilities.

Cang Yue's eyes welled up with tears. With this, her quest to find the geniuses needed to rival the four great sects had finally come to an end. While she didn't have confirmation of their performance in the tournament yet, she had faith that everything would work out.

"Then, let's not stand out in the cold any longer. Let's head inside the manor. Retsu, please prepare some tea. Make it special since our guest is a princess. I'll assist you," Yun Che offered, helping Cang Yue to stand.

"Hai, Young master, I should prepare my specially brewed tea." Retsu replied happily.

"Junior brother, please keep my identity a secret. I must not reveal my status to anyone here. The only one who knows is the headmaster himself. As for everyone else, please remain discreet," Cang Yue implored, her eyes filled with sincerity.

"Don't worry, Senior Sister. Your secret is safe with us. You can come back here anytime you wish. We're friends, after all," Yun Che reassured her with a bright smile, eliciting a blush from Cang Yue.

"Friends?" Cang Yue was taken aback.

"Absolutely," Yun Che declared with genuine warmth. "From now on, you're not just our employer or requester. You're our friend, Cang Yue. Friends stand by each other through thick and thin, no matter how challenging the path ahead may be." His words were met with unanimous agreement, as Retsu, Yuanba, and Little Fairy all nodded in unison, solidifying their newfound bond of friendship.

"Ufuu, then let's be good friends from now on, Sister Yue," Retsu said warmly, her smile evident even under her veil.

Cang Yue had never had a true friend before. Most people wanted to befriend her because she was the dazzling pearl beneath the True Profound Realm. She had always wished for a real friend instead of those who pretended.

As her father's words echoed in her mind, "Yue'er, when someone treats you as someone special, regardless of your status, beauty, or worth, that person is the rarest of all. Don't let them slip away." Her thoughts turned to Yun Che, and she couldn't help but feel a deep blush spreading across her cheeks.

"Yun Che..." Cang Yue murmured, her face flushed, as she followed them into the residence.