As Tang Wei stepped out of the cave and into the light of day, an overwhelming sense of rebirth washed over him. Curiosity ignited within him, and he swiftly concealed his figure behind the treetops, peering in the direction of an unexpected voice.
Two people locked eyes for a few seconds. The young man named Sima Yingbo then diverted his gaze toward the tree behind which Tang Wei was hiding. After speaking, he turned and executed a technique to vanish, leaving the area. Bai Qiuran, smiling, asked, “I only have one question left for you, Brother Tang. What is your real name?”
Sima Yingbo shrugged helplessly and offered a formal greeting to Bai Qiuran. Just then, the young man seemed to sense something, glancing in their direction. A rush of panic struck Tang Wei, prompting him to quickly flatten himself behind the tree. Meanwhile, Bai Qiuran sat fearlessly at the spot, watching with a grin.
Tang Wei's countenance darkened as he observed the two flags swaying. Perhaps it was because the corpse mother underground had been vanquished, but the barren leaf forest outside the cave appeared a touch brighter. Though eerie, it lacked the primal disgust and fear it had previously instilled in living beings.
Tang Wei raised an eyebrow. Bai Qiuran scratched his cheek sheepishly. As they talked, Sima Yingbo looked over again, and Tang Wei quickly lowered himself, hiding behind the tree once more. Bai Qiuran stayed in place without fear, chuckling at the unfolding scene.
“He is the direct disciple of the current Imperial Master Fu Qianqiu of Shangxuan Kingdom.”
“...”
“Damn Qi Condensation practitioners.”
“Hmph! So, that Sima Yingbo's master is this so-called person sent by the Qinming Sword Sect, the Imperial Master of Shangxuan Kingdom?”
After taking a few breaths of what could hardly be called fresh air, Tang Wei recalled the matter at hand and asked Bai Qiuran, “Where are those two rogue corpse demons?”
As the conversation flowed, Sima Yingbo seemed to perceive something, looked back in their direction again, and Tang Wei felt a jolt of alarm surge within him. He promptly ducked low once more but Bai Qiuran simply crouched in the open, smiling at him.
Tang Wei's voice was filled with indignation. “That’s Sima Yingbo,” Bai Qiuran said with interest. “His technique resembles that of a cultivator, and he’s about to win.”
“However, Princess, you ran out of the palace disguised as a man. What would you do if you encountered trouble? You should head back quickly. The emperor and the crown prince are very worried about you. You can’t deal with these kinds of demons, and if more appeared, I might perish here too.”
“They’re deep in the leafless forest ahead.”
“How am I supposed to know? In Shangxuan Kingdom, our knowledge of the Qinming Sword Sect comes solely from ancient texts. Those cultivators don’t interact with us outside of collecting disciples.”
Sima Yingbo remained silent, staring fixedly at the tree where Tang Wei was hiding. After several seconds, a grim-faced Tang Wei emerged and glared at him. Noticing his unusual expression, Tang Wei quickly inquired, “Hmm? A cultivator?”
“...”
“Alright, Princess, as you wish. This demon has been eliminated, and you can protect your own safety.”
Bai Qiuran pointed. “I don’t need you to remind me.”
Bai Qiuran pondered thoughtfully. “But Brother Tang, are you really a princess?”
Sima Yingbo sighed. “Princess, please consider the feelings of your father and us mortals—your safety isn’t just your business.”
“Princess, you should come out. I see you.”
“Someone is fighting those two corpse demons.”
In the distance, a young and handsome man was skillfully dodging attacks from the two demons, controlling two small, red and black flags while murmuring incantations. His movements were so deft that the corpse demons couldn’t even grab the corner of his robes; instead, they only howled angrily and wreaked havoc on the surrounding trees and stones.
After several breaths of stale air, Tang Wei recalled the pressing matter and turned to Bai Qiuran again. “Where are those two rogue corpse demons?”
Bai Qiuran, clearly intrigued, replied, “His technique looks like that of a cultivator, and it seems he is nearing victory.”
Once Sima Yingbo walked away, Tang Wei turned to Bai Qiuran with a somewhat awkward expression and said, “If you have any questions, go ahead and ask.”
Maybe because the corpse mother below has been slain, the barren leaf forest in front of the cave looked a bit brighter. Though still dreary, it lacked the primal disgust and fear that it usually invoked in living beings.
“Come with me.” Bai Qiuran looked thoughtful.
“Where is it?”
Tang Wei’s irritation flared. The two corpse demons continued to struggle and roar within the barrier, gradually turning powerless until flames reduced them to ashes.
“Where is it?”
“Princess, it’s my freedom to go wherever I want. I don’t need you to question me,” Tang Wei declared, crossing his arms.
“Is that so?” Sima Yingbo said, and his expression hardened.
“Why is this matter so urgent?”
Bai Qiuran, scratching his chin, asked again, “But Brother Tang, are you truly a princess?”
Tang Wei suddenly lost patience, raising his hand. “Just go back first and tell the emperor I’m safe and on my way back.”
Seeing the two flags elegantly dance in the air, Tang Wei frowned, “The way the flags flash suggests they are not ordinary items, but I can't quite place it…”
“Sima Yingbo!” called Bai Qiuran, and the young man looked up, momentarily freezing.
“Alright, let’s go.”
Tang Wei sighed and turned towards Sima Yingbo, ready to question him further when another voice called from the shadows.
“Can’t you see I’m busy?” Sima Yingbo sighed heavily as he glanced back at Bai Qiuran.
As the conversation continued, the young man took action, casting a large crimson rune that pinned the two corpse demons, causing a torrent of flames to expel from the rune, burning the demons completely into ashes.
Overcome with curiosity, Tang Wei leaned behind the trees, determined to uncover more about this Sima Yingbo.
The boundaries of their worlds were malleable, layers of truth yet to be peeled away.
“Let’s see, if you really are a princess…”
“This is madness!”
Stepping out into sunlight after being ensconced in the cave felt like a rebirth to Tang Wei. The world ahead was fraught with danger, yet the thrill beckoned with the promise of adventure.