Chapter 269: Lu Yin’s Revenge (1/2)

“How unfortunate! Ming Island’s been sealed off, and no cultivators can enter. Even our Reverent King's household will have to wait for two days,” someone explained.

Lu Yin’s expression changed. Ming Island had been sealed, which made Yue Xianzi’s motivations for sneaking in and joining the Reverent King’s entourage clear. She was planning on following them onto Ming Island so that she could escape detection while also gathering some information at the same time.

The extent of the Frostmoon Sect’s influence in the Shenwu Continent had finally been considered exposed to Lu Yin. They must have received information about Ming Island being sealed off far in advance, to the point where they were even able to forge an identity for her so that she could join the king's entourage. It seemed that their influence was quite impressive.

The convoy had to wait for two more days aboard the boat. Reverent King Ming Zhaoshu stepped off first and entered Antai City alone. He did not take anyone along with him, and even Princess Ming Yan was left on the boat.

Lu Yin leaned against some supply goods and stared into the sky. Without him noticing, the sky had darkened considerably, and it seemed like it was going to rain any time now!

On the deck of the boat, Ming Yan was staring at the river’s surface. There was no sunlight, and the atmosphere was gloomy, but it was still better than being trapped inside the cabin; she could not bear that stuffy room anymore. Yue Xianzi was standing silently by her side.

Bei Qing walked over to them, and his eyes brightened when he saw Ming Yan. He immediately approached to pay his respects. “Bei Qing salutes the princess.”

Ming Yan turned her head around, and her beautiful face hidden beneath the thin gauze veil made Bei Qing’s gaze turn even more heated. Ming Yan frowned and smoothly retreated two steps. “So it’s Brother Bei. I heard that Senior has received an appointment as an official, so how do you have the time to return to Mingdu?”

Bei Qing smiled. “It’s His Majesty’s birthday celebration, so I must be here no matter how busy I may be. In fact, my father has repeatedly implored me to come and personally congratulate His Majesty.”

“Lord Bei is earnest,” Ming Yan politely responded. She then turned away and stopped speaking.

Bei Qing’s eyes swept across her back. What a beautiful woman. She definitely lives up to her reputation as one of the empire’s twin beauties. She’s much more beautiful than when she was younger. I must obtain this woman. He was the son of the cabinet minister of defense, someone who even the crown prince had to show some face to. It should not be too difficult for him to win over this beautiful princess.

Bei Qing bowed again to send her off. “My regards, princess.”

Yue Xianzi glanced at Bei Qing, and he coincidentally raised his head at the same time to exchange glances with her. He nodded amicably while Yue Xianzi smiled faintly before walking away with Ming Yan.

This woman isn’t bad either, and she is very pretty as well. Bei Qing’s breath had been taken away by Yue Xianzi’s appearance, and his heart skipped a beat as thought began to swirl in his head.

Lu Yin was standing at a nearby corner, watching all this happen, and was rather unhappy that this person seemed to be scheming against Ming Yan. Lu Yin grew increasingly dismal the more he thought about it. Eventually, he decided to casually wave a hand and cause a gust of wind to sweep under Bei Qing’s feet. The gust was created through pure strength, but it still was enough to cause Bei Qing to fall to the floor. Lu Yin left after venting his displeasure.

Bei Qing cried out in alarm as he fell onto the deck. He had a strange expression on his face. What just happened to me?

Ming Yan and Yue Xianzi were still nearby and they naturally glanced back when they heard Bei Qing fall onto the deck. They exchanged delighted glances at his small misfortune and quietly discussed something before returning to the cabin.

“My Lord, are you okay?” someone asked with concern as they lent Bei Qing a hand from behind to help him up.

Bei Qing shook his head and looked around. What had just happened? He had been tripped by a strange wind, but no one else had felt anything? The gust couldn’t have been caused by martial power, so it wasn’t from a cultivator. How strange.

Bei Qing quickly dismissed the incident in his mind as his thoughts once again moved towards how he should approach Ming Yan. He also considered Yue’er in his scenarios, who seemed to have a different flavor.

He tried inviting Ming Yan for a meal at midday and again in the evening, but it just made her feel even more pestered.

Lu Yin’s mood grew even worse as he was forced to continue watching someone else flirt and ogle a woman he was interested in. It was an unpleasant feeling. Lu Yin’s lips curled in disdain and an irresistible, mischievous mood overcame him. “No, I can’t let you continue so happily like this.”

The sky grew dark as the lake reflected a white, round circle. The occasional fish broke through the surface of the water, creating splashes in the night.

A dejected Bei Qing was drinking his wine alone in his room. His various invitations had all ended in failure. It would be alright if just Ming Yan had rejected him, but that Yue'er had not given him any face either; how ridiculous!

“Who’s there?” he called out when he heard someone quietly step up to his cabin.

“I’m here on Miss Yue'er’s orders to gift something to Lord Bei.”

Bei Qing’s eyes brightened. “Let him in.”

Lu Yin entered Bei Qing’s cabin and respectfully lifted his hand. In it, he held an exquisite-looking, scented sachet. “Lord Bei, Miss Yue'er instructed me to deliver this to you.”

Bei Qing was delighted as he received the sachet. “Yue'er? Why didn’t she bring it herself?”

“I couldn’t say.”

Bei Qing looked at the sachet, and his lips greedily curled up. It was no big deal if a girl was shy and embarrassed. The empire placed great importance on a girl’s reputation, so it was already not easy for her to gift him this sachet. It was normal for her to not make more of a move. “Alright, I understand. Here is your reward.” With that, he tossed a martial banknote to Lu Yin. It was a note that was worth five fortune coins.

Lu Yin delightedly accepted the banknote. “Thank you, sir. Ah, right, the miss also requested that sir keeps this matter a secret. She will not admit to it even if you say something to her.”