Chapter 565: The Arrival of the Immortal |
"This is Her Highness the Princess's token. I'd like to see who dares to cause trouble!"
Commander Li suddenly produced a token, glaring at the crowd as he said, "Who gave you the audacity to block Her Highness from entering the city?"
Once he produced the token, everyone stopped.
Clearly, this could not be faked.
With that, the soldiers had no reason to refuse them entry.
"Step aside!"
Seeing that everyone was no longer insisting, Commander Li roared again.
Only then did everyone finally make way for them.
However, from beginning to end, not a single soldier came forward to apologize to Li Xiangrou.
Ning Qi said to Li Xiangrou, "It seems someone really doesn't want you to enter the city."
"Then it doesn't matter. I will enter the city, and no one can stop me. Even if someone tries, you'll help!"
Li Xiangrou replied with complete indifference.
"You're right. Let's go in then."
Ning Qi didn't argue, instead smiling as he spoke.
"Into the city!"
Li Xiangrou then gave the order.
Her procession marched grandly towards the city interior.
Some of the soldiers here secretly slipped into the city to report.
Noticing this, Ning Qi continued speaking to Li Xiangrou, "Someone went to report. It seems we'll have a welcoming party."
"It doesn't matter. Whatever they want to do, let them do it."
"I'm just here to inherit the throne."
Li Xiangrou still wore an unconcerned expression.
Ning Qi noticed that ever since she arrived at the city gate, it was as if she had become a different person.
Her aura was stronger, and she didn't even bother concealing her own energy anymore.
And so, they successfully entered the city.
The common folk here also looked at her procession with curiosity,
because some people already knew their identities.
"Is that Her Highness the Princess of our Yue Kingdom?"
"I heard she left many years ago. Why has she returned now?"
"Of course, to contend for the throne."
Some bold individuals had already begun discussing amongst themselves.
Ning Qi paid no mind to this and continued driving his carriage.
Their carriage procession soon passed through the bustling market and arrived near the Imperial Capital.
Here, heavily guarded Imperial Guards were stationed.
Upon spotting Li Xiangrou's carriage procession approaching, a commander hurried over.
"Your Highness!"
The commander greeted proactively, then continued, "The carriages and horses must stop. We need to conduct an inspection."
"Does this princess need an inspection upon arrival?"
Hearing the commander's words, Li Xiangrou asked displeased.
"Your Highness, these are the rules of the Imperial Capital. Please understand."
"This subordinate is merely following orders."
The commander showed no intention of yielding, instead shifting the issue to the Imperial Capital's regulations.
"Fine. Then this princess will dismount."
Li Xiangrou directly stepped down from the carriage, then called out to her guards, "Follow this princess!"
"Yes!"
"....."
Commander Li was the first to respond, followed by the other guards echoing in agreement.
"Wait!"
At that moment, the Imperial Guard commander from earlier once again blocked their path.
"Why is this? This princess has even abandoned her carriage. Can I still not enter the city?"
Seeing this, Li Xiangrou immediately showed displeasure, her eyes coldly fixed on the few men before her.
"Your Highness, you must remove your armor and lay down your weapons!"
The Imperial Guard commander pointed at Commander Li's weapons and the light armor they wore.
"You!"
Commander Li was furious.
He never expected entering the city required this. When he was the Imperial Guard commander, there weren't so many rules.
"Commander Li, times are different now. The era has changed. Please understand!"
The commander from earlier clearly knew Commander Li.
Seeing his anger, he directly clasped his fists and said with a smile, "This is Her Majesty's decree."
"All of you, stay here. Commander Li and Ning Qi, come with me!"
Li Xiangrou glanced back, then made a decision, having Commander Li and Ning Qi accompany her inside.
"Yes!"
"....."
Her guards once again respectfully accepted the order, each stepping aside one by one, incidentally leading their carriages to the side as well.
"Fine!"
Commander Li then removed his own armor and weapons.
He handed them over to his subordinates.
Only after everything was prepared did he return to Li Xiangrou's side.
"Let's go!"
Seeing he had returned, Li Xiangrou directly walked forward.
"Your Highness, please wait!"
At that moment, the Imperial Guard commander approached again, blocking her path.
"What else do you want?"
This made Li Xiangrou somewhat displeased.
If not for her status, she likely would have taken action long ago.
"Your Highness, once inside the Imperial Capital, please do not wander. Proceed directly to the rear garden."
"Her Majesty is resting in the rear garden."
The commander gave an awkward smile, then explained.
"Fine! This princess understands."
After agreeing, Li Xiangrou led Ning Qi and Commander Li straight inside.
Ning Qi followed along the way, quite curious about this place.
Truly befitting a royal residence, the architecture here was the epitome of luxury.
Countless magnificent buildings and pavilions, intricately carved beams and painted rafters.
Even the palace maids and eunuchs coming and going were an endless stream.
Each one appearing hurried.
They passed through several courtyards like this, then crossed two long corridors,
finally arriving at a particular compound.
This compound was very large, with a lake in the center. In the middle of the lake, someone had built a path.
Right in the center, there was also a small bridge.
They crossed the small bridge like this and arrived before a hall.
At this moment, several palace maids were guarding before the hall. At a glance, they were also cultivators.
Nearby, Imperial Guards occasionally patrolled past.
Looking at everything before him, Ning Qi couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
This was truly royal life.
"Your Highness!"
"....."
After Li Xiangrou arrived before the hall, many palace maids respectfully paid their respects.
"Rise."
Li Xiangrou merely lightly raised her arm, then prepared to enter.
"Your Highness, Her Majesty is resting."
A palace maid stepped forward, saying respectfully, "Perhaps you could rest in the side hall for a while. When Her Majesty awakens, this servant will come to report."
"Oh? Resting?"
Li Xiangrou uttered softly.
She had traveled thousands of miles to return. The lack of welcome was one thing.
But having returned, instead of an immediate audience, she was met with 'resting'? What did this mean?
This instantly made her feel something was wrong.
Logically, Her Majesty doted on her greatly. Even after being away for so many years, it shouldn't be this cold.
"Your Highness, please. We have prepared pastries."
Seeing the situation, another palace maid came over to proactively invite Li Xiangrou to the side hall.
"Fine!"
Li Xiangrou didn't have time to ponder the exact reason. After agreeing, she followed the palace maid and left,
heading towards one side, quickly arriving inside a side hall.
At this moment, pastries were already prepared inside the side hall, and several palace maids were preparing something.
Clearly, it was to welcome her return.
"Your father, it seems he doesn't treat you very well."
Ning Qi followed her inside, then couldn't help but say with a smile.
"After all, it's been many years since we've seen each other. This is understandable!"
Although Li Xiangrou was deeply disappointed, she forced her spirits up and spoke to Ning Qi.
"Oh?"
Ning Qi didn't say much, only giving a faint acknowledgment.
"These pastries are quite good. Try this one."
Li Xiangrou was also open-minded. Picking up a pastry, she proactively invited Ning Qi to eat with her.
"Alright."
Ning Qi also sat down, savoring the delicacies with Li Xiangrou.
The two chatted while eating like this, and soon half an hour passed.
Yet, there was still no sign of anyone receiving them.
This made Commander Li somewhat unable to hold back.
So he stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, should this subordinate go inquire about the situation?"
"No need. Let's wait and see. Perhaps Father is very tired."
"He might not wake for a while."
Hearing him say this, Li Xiangrou couldn't help but smile, "You try some too."
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Commander Li also respectfully accepted the pastry she handed over and tasted it.
Another incense stick's worth of time passed. Ning Qi also grew impatient.
"Your father, has he always been like this?"
"His own daughter returns, yet he goes to rest?"
He looked outside the door. There was simply no sign of anyone entering, so he said, "You should go see what the situation is."
He didn't have time to waste with them here. If they wanted to play hardball, then they could just take action directly.
If they wanted to waste time here, he might as well give them a swift end.
Everything was for Li Xiangrou's sake. If they didn't give face, then they would have to seize it.
"I'll go see what's going on."
Li Xiangrou also knew waiting further was pointless, so she proactively stood up.
She left through the door.
"Young Master Ning, shall we also go see the situation?"
Commander Li then asked.
"You go. I won't get involved. When my help is needed, I will naturally act."
Ning Qi waved his hand, then began continuing to sample the pastries here.
"Master, back at home, Li Xiangrou is still somewhat timid."
"Logically, she already made her stance clear. Coming here to this situation, she should have taken bold action."
"Wasting time here is actually them testing her limits."
Having eaten and drunk his fill, the Pill Spirit began analyzing with Ning Qi.
"You're right. I'm just observing the situation."
"If she continues like this, I'll have to intervene."
"I can't endure hardship with her here. I need a swift resolution to leave this place."
Ning Qi nodded, then also looked towards the door.
"Master, someone is coming out."
The Pill Spirit sensed it first.
"Let's go, we'll also take a look!"
As he spoke, Ning Qi stood up and went outside the side hall.
He saw Li Xiangrou was already communicating with the palace maid from earlier.
"Is my father here or not?"
Li Xiangrou's expression was grave as she asked in a deep voice.
"Your Highness, are you questioning Her Majesty?"
The palace maid's eyes turned cold.
"What if I am questioning?"
At that moment, Ning Qi spoke up, "The princess returns, and there's not a single person to receive her."
"As the ruler of a kingdom, is this how you treat your own daughter?"
"Who are you, daring to make noise here?"
"Guards, seize him!"
Hearing Ning Qi refute her here, the palace maid instantly became furious.
With a call, she had the Imperial Guards come over to take action, preparing to apprehend him.
"Here!"
"....."
After her words, Imperial Guards immediately swarmed over.
They prepared to take action.
"Ants, daring to act presumptuously before This Lord!"
Ning Qi directly unleashed the aura of his Peak Celestial Immortal strength.
With a thunderous explosion, he directly sent all the Imperial Guards here flying away.
They flew out like kites with cut strings.
The few palace maids before him were even sent tumbling away.
Utterly powerless to resist his aura.
"Help, someone is attacking the Imperial Capital!"
The frightened palace maids began calling for help.
"Ning Qi, you're too reckless."
Li Xiangrou immediately became anxious.
"Not reckless. Should we wait here for the New Year?"
"Only like this can we force the spectators here to crawl out."
Ning Qi's expression darkened, "You're still too weak. At this critical juncture, where's the momentum from yesterday?"
"If you want to talk about feelings with them, how will you dominate the Yue Kingdom?"
"But......"
Li Xiangrou was still somewhat hesitant.
"No buts. I came to help you claim the throne, not to visit relatives with you."
Ning Qi looked at her and asked seriously, "If you want to visit relatives, I'll leave now. If you want to become king, then I'll help you to the end. Now, you choose."
"I... want to become king!"
Li Xiangrou knew this was her only chance.
After struggling internally, she said decisively, "Ning Qi, that was my mistake earlier."
"Having you say that is enough."
Ning Qi couldn't help but smile, "Watch. The people who made us wait are about to appear."
"Who dares make noise here!"
At that very moment, a stern and authoritative reprimand came from within the main hall.
In the blink of an eye, a middle-aged man with an imposing, stern face walked out from inside.
Behind him followed several others, all wearing expressions of arrogance.
"Father!"
Seeing this burly, furious man before her, Li Xiangrou respectfully bowed.
"Hmph, This Solitary One merely made you wait a moment longer, and you couldn't hold back."
"In the future, how could the Yue Kingdom tolerate you?"
The middle-aged man snorted coldly, speaking displeased.
"Father, your son has waited all afternoon."
Li Xiangrou hurriedly explained.
This suppression stemming from bloodline still made her somewhat apprehensive.
"Hmph, who was making noise earlier? Seize them for This Solitary One!"
The middle-aged man snorted coldly, about to order action.
"It was me."
Ning Qi now stepped forward, "I'd like to see who dares come."
After his words, not only did his aura surge out,
even his Bloodline Power erupted alongside it.
For a moment, strands of Immortal Energy swirled around his entire body.
This was the aura of having inherited Di Xi's Immortal Power.
After he unleashed this aura, everyone in the surroundings was forced to their knees by this oppressive pressure.
Even the middle-aged man couldn't help but kneel on one knee.
"Immortal, please accept this Solitary One's bow."
Only then did the middle-aged man realize Ning Qi's identity.
He was actually an immortal.
"Do you know why This Lord escorted her back?"
Ning Qi paid no heed, nor did he have any intention of letting them rise. He only asked indifferently.
"I do not know. Please, Immortal, enlighten me."
The middle-aged man hurriedly said.
"Today, you will abdicate and pass the throne to her."
Ning Qi pointed at Li Xiangrou beside him, stating solemnly.