Chapter 431: Second Bro?
Translator: SoupHunter Editor: Milkbiscuit
Yun Feiyang clenched his teeth as he watched Yan Beihong passing himself off as 'Miao Yi' to receive his prize. One impersonated 'Yan Beihong' to rob others, while the other impersonated 'Miao Yi' to accept his prize. Yun Feiyang had no idea what the heck these two were plotting.
"Why the fuck are you both so ashamed to reveal your true identities?" Yun Feiyang mumbled softly to himself. He added, "Fine, you guys win. I can't believe you would dare to play such games when we're right inside the Western Constellations Palace."
Among the Western Constellations Palace committee, there was one person who was puzzled by the current situation as well. This person was the one who had received the participants from the Fifth Earthly Branch, and they had talked with Wu Menglan during the beginning of the Subjugation Crusade. At the time, a battle had broken out right after the participants disembarked, and the Red Scarves Alliance's Miao Yi left a deep impression on him. But how did he become Yan Beihong ten years later? And why was that Yan Beihong posing as Miao Yi? What was going on?
He secretly conveyed the matter to the person-in-charge via voice transmission, and the latter swept his gaze across both Yan Beihong and Miao Yi. However, he didn't say anything about the situation.
None from the Western Constellations Palace had any love for the Subjugation Crusade in the first place. All they wanted was to end it smoothly. They didn't wish for there to be any trouble. The person-in-charge decided to only mention this peculiar incident when he reported to his superiors.
Creasing his brows, Zuo Nanchun was just as confused. However, he too wouldn't expose this secret.
"Thirteenth place, Yan Beihong!"
As soon as this name was announced, several gazes immediately fell upon Miao Yi. And as expected, since Yan Beihong had stepped forward as 'Miao Yi', Miao Yi was receiving his prize as 'Yan Beihong' as well.
Even Zhao Fei and the others couldn't help worrying deep down, 'Brother, what in the world are you doing? Aren't you afraid?'
As thirteenth place, Miao Yi was entitled to over eight thousand Orbs of Will.
The remaining eighty-something participants were no longer called out individually to receive their prize. They were all in fourteenth place, and the leftover thirty thousand-something Orbs of Will were equally divided between them. Hence, each person was only able to get a rather paltry amount. It was a prize only in name indeed.
At this point, the Sea of Constellations Subjugation Crusade could be considered to be officially over. However, the organizing committee didn't immediately dismiss all the participants from the Western Constellations Palace.
As Yun Guang said, today was their glorious day. Hence, they were allowed to stay within the Western Constellations Palace for three days. This was a different kind of prize for the survivors of the Subjugation Crusade. In the future, they would be able to boast to their peers— 'I've stayed in the Western Constellations Palace before. I wasn't just kicked out right after the Subjugation Crusade.'
Even though the master of the Western Constellations Palace wasn't too keen on the idea, this was the rule set by the Six Sages for every single Subjugation Crusade. It was a display for all the cultivators across the realm. A show to those who were skeptical of the Subjugation Crusade. It was an announcement to the world that, while the Subjugation Crusade was indeed dangerous, the honor entailed was not something that anyone could enjoy. How many cultivators were there in the world who could have the honor of staying in the divine palace of one of the Four Constellations Masters?
And this was still just the beginning. After this, once the surviving participants returned to their respective domains, they would still receive the invitation from their Overlords! Whichever territory you fancied, you could just mention to the Overlord, and they would surely grant your request!
That said, while the rules were set by the Six Sages, there was no way the master of the Western Constellations Palace would allow these people to roam around his residence as they pleased.
Within the side manor, the person-in-charge announced, "You're all free to choose your living quarters anywhere within one-third of a distance from the front of the palace. Also, you're free to walk and take a look around the palace, but you are forbidden from venturing too deep inside. Otherwise, don't blame us for not informing you earlier."
"Once you've chosen your living quarters, let us know. We will have someone send over food and fine wine straight to your rooms. All your basic needs will be provided for. I'm sure you will find our arrangements to your satisfaction!"
After making this announcement, the person-in-charge led the other committee members and left.
"Let's go! Children of my Devil Nation, I have already arranged your living quarters for you. Follow me!" Yun Guang commanded as he waved his hand. Laughing heartily, he then led the Devil Nation cultivators away.
Distressed, Pi Junzi and Tao Yongchun looked towards Miao Yi and the others in reluctance. However, they had no choice but to follow behind Ji Meimei.
Miao Yi transmitted his voice over, saying, "Don't worry. Even if they wish to deal with you two, they still need to wait until everything is over. While we're in here, they won't have the guts to do anything to you."
The duo turned back and shot him a glance. They could only hope that were the case.
Tang Jun swept a glance across his Celestial Nation cultivators and smiled as he said, "Follow me then. I've arranged your living quarters as well."
Miao Yi and the others naturally followed. However, in front of them, Yue Yao would look back at Yan Beihong from time to time. Fairy Hong Chen would toss him the occasional glance as well.
Originally, it was supposed to be a pleasurable experience to be following such beautiful women. It wasn't so bad to be able to admire the two ladies' alluring figures from behind either. However, their intent stares made Yan Beihong's hair stand on end, and his whole body couldn't help feeling restless.
On the Buddha Nation's side, when he saw Ba Jie sneakily following behind the Celestial Nation participants like an idiot, Grandmaster Qi Jie shouted, "Ba Jie, where are you off to?"
"Uhh… Master, it's my first time coming to the Western Constellations Palace, so I'm going to have a look around. I'll come back and find you guys later," Ba Jie curtly replied, then immediately disappeared around the corner.
"Stubborn child!" Grandmaster Qi Jie smiled bitterly and shook his head. Apparently, he had a good hunch as to what was going on in his disciple's mind.
Those who had never been to the Western Constellations Palace could scarcely imagine that upon the vast, turquoise ocean, at the peak of a jagged cliff, there rested such an enormous and magnificent palace.
Ancient, domineering, lofty, and beautiful. These were the words with which one would use to describe the Western Constellations Palace. A variety of flowers bloomed here, as though it were spring all year round. And atop its tall pavilions and terraces, the boundless ocean stretched as far as the eye could see, and the clouds hung low and within arm's reach. The vastness that surrounded the palace gave one the impression that the entire structure floated in the sky, and that it truly was situated away from the mortal realm.
The Celestial Nation cultivators had just picked their individual rooms when a voice suddenly came from the garden outside, saying, "Can Gu Sanzheng please step out for a moment?"
When they heard the voice, everyone couldn't help looking out to see what was going on. Tang Jun walked up to that person and asked, "What's the matter?"
The other party replied, "The Minister of the Left wishes to see him."
"The Minister of the Left wishes to see him?" Tang Jun was incredibly puzzled. The so-called Minister of the Left was a reference to Fu Qing's two arms. In short, they were his second-in-commands. And as one of the Western Constellation Palace's two Ministers, such a person undoubtedly possessed an extraordinary status. Why would someone like that wish to see a normal Celestial Nation cultivator? Tang Jun couldn't help asking, "May I know what for?"
"I do not know. All will be revealed once he meets the Minister of the Left." The other party shook his head. Then, seeing Gu Sanzheng walking over, he asked, "You are Gu Sanzheng?"
Gu Sanzheng obediently paid his respects and replied, "Yes, I am!"
"Follow me then!" The messenger immediately turned around and left. Gu Sanzheng was slightly confused, but alas, he had no choice but to follow behind the other person.
Just as Tang Jun was wondering what the issue was, he saw Miao Yi rush out from the side to follow behind Gu Sanzheng. And the moment Miao Yi stepped out, Yan Beihong hurriedly went after him as well.
However, before Tang Jun could say anything, the messenger from the Western Constellations Palace halted. Turning around, he said indifferently, "All those who are not related remain here. The Minister of the Left wishes to see Gu Sanzheng, and Gu Sanzheng alone. Disobey, and there shall be no mercy!"
Furrowing his brows, Miao Yi came to a stop. There was a trace of worry on his face. If his guess was correct, this matter should be related to 'Niu Youde'.
"You'd better not run off to the restricted areas. Otherwise, no one can save you. I'll go and see what's going on," Tang Jun said plainly, then departed.
After pacing about for a while, Miao Yi figured there was little he could do besides return to his little courtyard and wait for the news. 'I'll think of something again if the situation starts to turn bad. In this damned place, even a python spirit can be a Red Lotus cultivator.' There was really nothing he could do.
Yan Beihong shared the same little courtyard with him. After everyone around them was gone, Yan Beihong noticed Miao Yi pacing back and forth beside the pond, and couldn't help walking up to ask, "What's the matter?"
"It's a long story—" Right as Miao Yi was about to explain, someone suddenly shouted, "Miao Yi!"
The two of them then turned around to find Yue Yao and Fairy Hong Chen walking through the moon gate.
Fairy Hong Chen stopped under the shade of a nearby tree, while Yue Yao walked straight up to Yan Beihong's face to examine him closely.
The Great Official Yan was feeling incredibly restless under Yue Yao's intent gaze. Casting a sideways glance at Miao Yi, who was also feeling embarrassed by the current situation, Yan Beihong laughed bitterly deep down, 'Look at what you've done.'
Suddenly, Fairy Hong Chen turned around and barked, "Who is sneaking around over there?"
Everyone turned to find a rather attractive bald head peeking out from the side of the moon gate. With a bright smile on his face, the person walked out, clapping his hands in prayer as he said to the crowd, "Greetings, everyone."
It was none other than Grandmaster Qi Jie's disciple, Ba Jie.
Raising an eyebrow, Fairy Hong Chen asked, "What is a Buddha Nation cultivator doing all the way here?"
"I have business with him!" Ba Jie pointed to Yan Beihong. He then strode over to Yan Beihong and carefully examined the latter back and forth. With a little excitement in his tone, he asked, "Are you called Miao Yi?"
Yue Yao was very displeased at being interrupted. She said, "Dirty monk, what do you think you're doing?"
Ba Jie ignored her completely, and just stared at Yan Beihong, waiting for his answer.
Yan Beihong was already cursing Miao Yi deep down, 'What the heck is going on here? I've been known as 'Yan Beihong' for almost a hundred years already. How the heck did I turn into 'Miao Yi?' However, he still gritted his teeth and nodded. "Yes, I am Miao Yi!"
Ba Jie then asked excitedly, "Then may I ask, is your old home located in Changfeng City of the Celestial Nation? And did you used to have a younger brother and sister?"
When he heard what Ba Jie said, Miao Yi's body trembled, and he abruptly looked towards him.
Yue Yao was also looking at Ba Jie in a daze.
Fairy Hong Chen was taken aback as well, her eyes shimmering anxiously.
"..." Yan Beihong was silent for a while. He shot a glance at Miao Yi, then pretended to be confused as he replied, "What younger brother and sister?"
Ba Jie completely ignored everyone else and only stared at Yan Beihong as he pressed, "Try to think about it. Like really think about it. Did you use to own a butcher's stall outside your house? Your younger brother is called Zhang Fengbao, and your younger sister is called Lu Xuexin. Am I right?"
Miao Yi's breathing had become a little ragged. Clenching his fists tightly, the other party's words made him think of a certain possibility, 'Don't tell me he's Second Bro? But how did that fatso Little Brother become such a handsome monk?'
He tried his best to fit the monk before him with the little brother in his mind. If he really had to say they were similar, then it was just a slight resemblance between the brows. Miao Yi couldn't imagine how that fat, wretched-looking kid could become so handsome, and a monk at that.
Suddenly, he remembered what Hong Changhai had told him when he visited the School of Blue Jade. He said that it was entirely possible that the yellow-robed cultivator that Miao Yi saw sitting on a lotus throne back in Changfeng City was a Boundless Nation or Buddha Nation cultivator. Everything could have been an illusion created using transcendence energy. Normal cultivators wouldn't materialize some lotus throne.
'Then does that mean the person who brought Second Bro away was really a monk?' Miao Yi scrutinized Ba Jie closely, thinking about the time he was forced to jump down Skyfire Mountain. The way this unscrupulous monk behaved was indeed quite similar to his little brother's style of doing things.
Ba Jie widened his eyes at Yan Beihong, carefully examining his reaction. Beside them, Yue Yao stared at Ba Jie, and suddenly asked in a meek tone, "Second Bro?"