Chapter 176 – To Find It Easily
Shangguan Rui's eyes flashed bright, and turning to a guard at his side, he commanded, "Go find information regarding all the youngsters with the surname Xi in Yan Jing City for me, I want to know who that boy is."
The subordinate quickly accepted the order and left, leaving only the angry, stomping, and cursing Shangguan Zhen Yue behind with Shangguan Rui. Shangguan Rui turned to glance at his sister and coldly snorted, a trace of disdain visible in his eyes.
This Royal Sister was doted on by Royal Father till she had become incompetent, she even had delusions of marrying Hell King. If she continued this way and went out of control once more, she will surely fall heavily one day. I just hope she doesn't ruin the hard work that Royal Brother and I have achieved.
At this time, the spectating crowd realized that nothing worth seeing would occur anymore and gradually dispersed. No one noticed that hidden in a shady corner of the street, a hawker dressed in plain grey clothing was fixedly watching Hell King Manor's gate. The hint of a smile appeared at a corner of his mouth, and soon after, he released a paper crane into the air.
After a moment, the paper crane turned into a stream of light and landed in a courtyard. Sitting in the courtyard, there was an old man wearing white robes.
The old man took the paper crane, and once he glanced at the information written on it, his face immediately flushed with excitement.
After having travelled far and wide looking for something, it was found so easily! He hadn't expected that the young Genius Doctor they had been searching for for more than a month would actually appear by himself! Moreover, he appeared to be connected with Hell King!
Although Hell King's involvement will make things a bit complicated, but for that secret meridians technique, his Jiang family would do everything possible to grasp control of this youngster.
The old man burnt the paper crane in his hand, and after pondering for a moment, he abruptly said in a low voice, "Quick tell Xie Chongming to come meet me."
A subordinate accepted the order and rushed to comply, and not a moment later, Doctor Xie arrived still dressed in his refining robes.
Without waiting for Doctor Xie to open his mouth and inquire what was wrong, Elder Jiang had already begun to quietly speak, "The boy that caused you to kneel in defeat has already been found, you know what you should do, right?"
Doctor Xie's expression hardened, strong hatred present in his eyes. But quickly covering it up, he lowered his head in a bow and said, "Elder Jiang, please rest assured. This subordinate will certainly discover that boy's secret meridians technique, and I will personally present it in front of you!"
He Xi had barely entered Hell King Manor when she saw Qing Long, Bai Hu, and Wu Yu, walking together towards her to welcome her. Following behind them was the fourth rank doctor from yesterday, Old Qiu, who had discussed the Jade Fire Toad with He Xi. After confirming that Nangong Yu's safety wasn't in danger, Wu Xin and Xuan Wu had returned to their respective posts.
So at this time Qing Long, Old Qiu, and the other's attitude had changed 180 degrees when they saw He Xi. They now treated her the same way they would a Bodhisattva.
Old Qiu's face was filled with confusion as he asked He Xi, "Princess, this old man honestly can't figure out why the withered spiritual plants, that are devoid of spiritual power, can still have a healing effect, completely unlike a medicinal pill."
"Princess, what method did you use to neutralize the Yin Congeal Grass' cold energy? Yesterday this old man kept trying to think of it until my head hurt, yet I was unable to come up with any methods. Princess, your medical skills are miraculous…"
"Stop–!" He Xi's face stiffened and she interrupted his chatter, "Can you stop calling me Princess? Nangong Yu and I are not in the kind of relationship that you imagine us to be!"
Hearing that, everyone standing nearby paused. After staring at each other in dismay for a good long while, Qing Long finally coughed quietly while his eyes avoided looking at He Xi, "Princess likes to joke. All of us here in Hell King Manor have already personally witnessed your relationship with Master. Especially on the night the vortex appeared, when we opened the door of Master's room, we all saw you and Master…"
Chapter 177 – Wu Yu Lacks Integrity
Qing Long hadn't yet finished speaking, but He Xi was already blushing. Without hearing anymore, she could easily guess what this group of people had seen, and at this moment, she really wanted to find a hole to bury herself in.
Bai Hu, however, thoughtlessly smiled, "To address you as Princess is Master's order, if Princess has an objection, you can talk to Master! Oh, by the way, Master has been waiting a long time for you in the Water Pavilion. Princess, please quickly go!"
Do you think that there is any use to complain about it to him? Grinding her teeth, He Xi removed a box of food from her space and handed it to Bai Hu, "This is the meal that your honoured Master ordered yesterday, quickly send it to him. I'll go and prepare the herbal medicine that will be needed later."
Bai Hu didn't dare take the box. Instead, he took an exaggerated step backwards, waving his hands in denial, "Princess, please spare this subordinate. If Master sees that the one who enters isn't Princess, and rather it's this subordinate, he will skin me alive. Princess, you should quickly go and personally deliver it. Master will definitely be happy to see you; maybe it will help speed up the recovery of his condition and he will quickly get better too."
"As for dealing with the herbal medicine, Old Qiu has already mastered it and is willing to help Princess, right Old Qiu?"
"Yes, yes!" Old Qiu stroked his beard, beaming at her, "It's an honour for this old man to be able to help Princess!"
He Xi's heart became depressed, yet with no excuses left, she turned around and walked towards Nangong Yu's Water Pavilion.
At this moment, He Xi was still carrying the box of food in her hands, and because she had moved, the aroma of the food permeated the air. As Wu Yu watched it all play out nearby, he couldn't help but breathe in deeply.
"This…what is this smell?"
Wu Yu craned his neck towards the box of food, constantly trying to catch a glimpse of whatever was inside. His gluttonous behaviour caused Bai Hu to burst into loud laughter, and patting Wu Yu's shoulder, he said, "This is Princess' specially prepared spiritual food, its delicious taste can be compared to the delicacy of a jade dish. I even dare to say that although you've sampled fine foods from all over the world, it absolutely can't compare with the food Princess makes. Once you've tried it, you'll never crave any other food again."
As one of Nangong Yu's subordinates and as one of the four ferocious beasts, Wu Yu was positioned at Gluttonous House. All it would take is for someone to see his post to know that he has a hobby dedicated to eating fine foods.
So when he heard Bai Hu, the longing in his heart grew extremely difficult to endure. Blinking his eyes at He Xi, Wu Yu suddenly resembled a small loyal dog trying to act cute.
He Xi froze when confronted by his foolish eyes. Was this still Gluttonous House's impressive looking Young Master, Wu Yu? His foolishness was practically on the same level as Bai Hu's!
The most depressing part though, was that this guy continuously circled around her, and as he jumped about, he repeatedly shouted, "Princess! Princess!". It was like the noise of a devil; piercing her ears, and He Xi was itching to slap this buzzing fly away.
Even Qing Long couldn't stand watching this display, and holding his forehead, he wished he could just drag this shameless guy out of Hell King Manor. However, he understood Wu Yu's character. Usually he was careless and leisurely, not paying much attention to anything, but once he cared about something, he would fight to the death for it.
And Wu Yu's cultivation base, while it wasn't particularly high, by some odd twist of fate nobody was able to match him in skill. Even himself and Bai Hu wouldn't be able to subdue Wu Yu.
Ultimately, He Xi couldn't do anything about his pestering and withdrew another box of food from her space. As she threw it at him, she coldly said, "Just this once, never to be repeated!"
Wu Yu caught the box of food. Breathing deeply, a rich fragrance assailed his nostrils, and immediately his eyes shined brilliantly, making him look like a child eager to devour the entire box of food.
Chapter 178 – Let Them Get Used To It First
He Xi helplessly shook her head, hearing Dandan's protesting voice as it said, "Whaa…Mother doesn't love Dandan…it won't matter if you give the delicious food to the Big Brother that you play kissing with, but why did you also give it to other people? Obviously that was Dandan's, whaa…Mother doesn't love Dandan anymore!"
What is this brat talking about!?
Qing Long soon brought He Xi to the Water Pavilion. At this moment, the Fire Crystal in the Water Pavilion had been removed, and surrounded by ventilation, with the wind blowing and causing the gauze to flutter, it seemed cool and comfortable inside.
He Xi had barely entered the Water Pavilion when she noticed Nangong Yu sitting by the bedside, wearing only a white satin robe. Half of his long hair was draped over a shoulder, while the other half was tied up with a silver braided tassel rope. Watching him from the side, she could only see the high and straight bridge of his nose, refined and handsome facial features, and his transparently pale complexion.
He Xi and Qing Long had obviously entered the room, but it seemed as if Nangong Yu was completely unaware. With his slightly drooping long and thick eyelashes, his whole countenance appeared weak yet beautiful.
Abruptly, a trace of indescribable pain was felt in He Xi's heart. She didn't like seeing this man looking so frail; he should be high-spirited and overbearing. Yet in order to save her, he had now become so weak.
He Xi gently knocked on the door. It was only then that Nangong Yu turned his head, and seeing that it was He Xi, his cold countenance very quickly melted into one of a gentle and soft smile. "You've come?"
His tone was flat and nothing special, but it contained deep happiness and expectation, making He Xi's heart beat wildly in her chest.
Composing herself, she walked forward while carrying the box of food.
Soon, one of the servants that served in the Water Pavilion walked over to take the box of food, arranging everything in it on the table.
When the smell of the food spread throughout the room, no matter how trained these servants were, they couldn't help but take deep breaths in. Swallowing the saliva pooling in their mouths', they restrained the longing on their faces' with difficulty.
Because the people of this world were unaware of the existence of seasoning, many people that ate spiritual foods were only concerned about its spiritual energy, and at most, they only ate sweet and salty things. So when they ate He Xi's specially cooked food, they simply didn't dare to believe that food could ever have such a great taste.
That's right, ever since Nangong Yu had eaten
He Xi's food at her home, he had began to ask her for packages of food without any sense of shame. And so, the people in Hell King Manor were now more or less experienced with something called delicious food. Even though they weren't able to taste it, just seeing the colour, smell, and spiritual concentration, coupled with Bai Hu's high praises, they knew that the food was of the highest quality. And when they were cleaning up the dishes, their fingertips would be stained with sauce, causing them to feel extremely hungry.
Alas, if only Princess would marry into Hell King Manor she could then teach at least one tenth of her cooking skills to the manor's kitchen, it would be great.
"Prince and Princess, please enjoy the meal."
He Xi all of a sudden returned to her senses, the word "Princess" echoing loud and clear in her ears. She couldn't help but say to Nangong Yu with a low voice, "Since when did I became your Princess? You should make it clear to your subordinates, tell them to not call me Princess again. Later on, they can just call me Xi Yue!"
Nangong Yu used his chopsticks to carry some food into his mouth, and while enjoying its fragrance and taste, he laughed lightly. "Since Xi Er will be my Princess sooner or later, is it wrong to let them call you that earlier? It's good to let them get used to it first."
Chapter 179 – Compensation
He Xi's mouth twitched as she said, "Who says I will become your Princess sooner or later?"
Nangong Yu raised his eyebrows. "You don't want to?"
He Xi glared at him. "We've barely known each other for a month…"
"Right, we've known each other for a month, but we've embraced, as well as kissed. Xi Er, we already have such a close relationship, yet you have the heart to say that we're only strangers?"
He Xi's forehead filled with black lines. What is he talking about, embracing and kissing? Clearly I was being forced!
Nangong Yu leaned closer to her ear and asked, "Xi Er, are you unwilling to become my Princess, to become my legitimate wife?"
The man's warm breath fanned against her ear, and with his exquisite face so close to her, He Xi could feel her heart jumping in her chest and her face slightly blushing. "This isn't a problem of being unwilling or not…"
Nangong Yu immediately beamed with joy. "Ooh, then it means you want to? Since Xi Er is willing, then the rest isn't a problem, I'm very happy that we agree. It's finalize."
"Who's agreeing with your opinion?!" He Xi's long shapely brows frowned due to her anger.
Since when did this man become a scoundrel! Clearly the first time she met him he had the manner of a ruthless and handsome tyrant!
Nangong Yu swiftly switched positions, moving closer to where He Xi was sitting. He then gently placed his hands on her slender waist. "Alright, my Princess, now can you accompany me to eat? You see, I've had your dishes specially lined up for you, yet you haven't touched any at all. Are you ignoring me?"
When the watching servants saw their Master's completely peaceful countenance, totally opposite to his usual behaviour, their eyes widened till they nearly popped out. They gazed at He Xi like they were seeing a rare creature.
Princess indeed is the Princess! They had never seen their Master pamper and act so lovingly to anyone like this before.
He Xi could feel herself being watched by the servants, causing her ears to turn red. Casting an angry glare at Nangong Yu, she said, "Get your hands off!"
"No," Nangong Yu replied, like it was only to be expected that he could touch He Xi. "Princess and I will be eating like this in the future. We have no need for you to serve us, you can all withdraw for now."
The servants heard the order and promptly complied. With them hurriedly retreating, soon, only He Xi and Nangong Yu were left in the room.
Nangong Yu said, "This way, no one will disturb us. Xi Er, you don't need to be shy anymore."
Who is shy! You're shy, your whole family is shy!
He Xi was fuming, she really wanted to kick this shameless man.
Nangong Yu immediately changed his tone to one of grief. "Xi Er, we clearly came to an agreement yesterday, and I wanted to see you as soon as I opened my eyes. I've been waiting for you since early this morning, shouldn't you compensate me?"
He Xi recalled that scene from before she left yesterday, and she couldn't help but blush. "Who told you to wake up so early? Don't tell me that because you might wake up in the middle of the night, I also have to keep watch over you at all times?"
"That's a good idea," Nangong Yu's eyes lit up. "Indeed, you're my Princess, living in this manor with me is only proper. Someone come…"
He Xi anxiously covered his mouth. "What are you doing?"
Nangong Yu grabbed her small hand, and holding it in his palm, he innocently said, "Ordering my people to arrange a room for you. Ahh, arranging one beside my bedroom would be good, or perhaps…you would prefer to share the same bed with me, Xi Er? That's exactly what this King has been waiting for!"
He Xi noticed that he was becoming more and more outrageous, and quickly interrupted him. "Enough! What crazy things are you thinking about so early in the morning?! Hurry up and let me go!"
Nangong Yu not only didn't let her go, instead, he encircled her waist with his arms, tugging her closer to him. "I can let go, but I've been waiting since early this morning. So Xi Er, you must compensate me."
Chapter 180 – Men And Women Shouldn't Touch
"What compensation do you want?"
"Give me a kiss."
He Xi's mouth twitched. "Dream on, didn't you ever hear that men and women shouldn't touch?"
"Men and women not touching only refers to people that are unrelated right?" Nangong Yu smiled as he said, "You're this King's wife, how can it be possible that we aren't related? Not to mention, we've already kissed and embraced…"
As he said this, he leaned forward and brought his face closer with an expression of "I'm ready" on it.
He Xi wanted to laugh at his shameless. She really didn't know if this was his true character, or if it was because his illness had muddled his brain.
"Who is related to you? Stop imagining your love is reciprocated and showering your affection on an uninterested party, I'm not interested in you!"
Nangong Yu faintly laughed. He wasn't the slightest bit angry, instead, he only flicked the tip of her small and exquisite nose. "Hypocritical girl. Alright, if you won't kiss me, then I'll a suffer loss and kiss you instead!"
Finished speaking, he held He Xi closer, leaning in to kiss her cherry red lips.
In response, He Xi pushed him away as she dodged, but who would have thought that once she pushed him, Nangong Yu would fall from his chair. And as he fell, his head knocked against the corner of a table, causing a loud bang to echo throughout the room.
He Xi was stunned. She hadn't expected that the usually strong and overbearing Nangong Yu would fall with only one push.
In fact, she had actually forgotten that her cultivation base was on the eighth rank of Foundation Establishment stage, while Nangong Yu's body had been suffering for the last three days, causing his strength to be limited.
When Qing Long heard the loud noise from his position outside the room, he worriedly pushed the door open. Glancing around the room, he noticed his Master was unconscious on the ground, while Hexi was standing still with a look of bewilderment on her face.
With such a scene before him, Qing Long had suspicions as to what might have happened, but even if he wasn't sure, he was angered to think that He Xi would unexpectedly cause his Master to once again sustain an injury and lose consciousness. Thinking till here, his body immediately burst with cold power.
"You only came here to examine Master's condition, right? No matter how much Master provoked or irritated you, was it enough for you to toss him aside? Don't forget, Master is only in this condition right now because he saved you!"
Qing Long had always been habitually silent, this was the first time that he had become so mad he would start shouting out of control. For them, Master's safety was the most important thing.
But Qing Long had barely finished scolding He Xi when he bowed his head, his gaze meeting his Master's serene and deep eyes.
The emotion in his eyes flashed with a cold light, clearly projecting the words: "My Princess is someone you can scold? Are you courting death!?"
Qing Long felt the veins on his forehead twitch, cold sweat immediately sliding down his back.
The next moment, he could feel his three views[1] cracking…no! His three views had started cracking ever since his Master had first met Miss Nalan! He never could have thought that his Master would be willing to beat him to death over a woman!
However, He Xi was unaware of the secret communication happening between the two. Qing Long's snarls had made He Xi become distraught with anxiety, and quickly walking forward, she went to examine Nangong Yu's condition.
At this moment, Qing Long tactfully moved over for He Xi, purposely helping his Master to adjust his position and allowing him to be able to lean closely on He Xi's bosom; his job as Hell King's personal servant really isn't an easy one!
He Xi held Nangong Yu's hand and began to examine him. Yet the more she probed for his pulse, the more anxious she became.
There were no wounds on Nangong Yu's body, but his breathing was becoming extremely weak, his pulse erratic, and his veins were weakening.
He Xi was flustered, and although she didn't want to admit it, at this moment, she was really very worried about this man.
She was so flustered that it mixed with fear, fear that he really would leave her. It was so bad that even though she was trying to treat Nangong Yu, she was no longer able to maintain her usual calmness.
[1]Literally means three views and most commonly refers to one's view of the world, life, and values.