Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Although they were regarded as 'second-rate' guests that didn't even have the qualifications to enter Ying Capital and participate in the grand celebration, there were no flaws in the Chu Empire's reception. Every day, there were all sorts of good food and good wine presented. And in order to prevent their guests from becoming bored and stirring up trouble, many fun and interesting activities were offered.

The serious and cold military compound suddenly turned into a parade of entertainment and fun. Numerous people strolled throughout the courtyards, all of them in good moods.

But no matter how lively it was outside, besides the daily meals, the front door of Qin Yu's courtyard never opened, not even once.

In the eyes of You Ya, those that lived in this courtyard were all odd. The atmosphere around them was chilling and their words were curt and indifferent. Moreover, their eyes were piercing, like sharp knives.

As she thought about the various rumors related to the cultivators of the Demonic Path, You Ya felt anxious. Luckily, the residents in the courtyard might be cold, but they didn't make things difficult for her. As time passed, she slowly calmed down. Her eyes weren't as wary as they were in the beginning, darting towards every shadow.

On the sixth day, You Ya pushed open the door and saw a seventh person. She revealed a look of surprise. This entire time she believed that only six people lived in the courtyard.

She didn't know if she was seeing an illusion. As her eyes fell upon this seventh person, the atmosphere in the courtyard immediately froze over. You Ya paled.

The seventh person said, "The meals have tasted wonderful."

With just these words, the oppressive atmosphere suddenly vanished. You Ya gasped for breath. Not daring to say a single word, she laid down the meal box and quickly left.

During the night, You Ya had a horrifying nightmare. She felt as if she were drowning in the sea, falling into an infinite darkness. As she struggled uselessly and despair began to overcome her heart, a voice sounded out in her ears. "It's fine."

The darkness retreated like a tide. You Ya's eyes flew open. Her clothes were clinging tightly to her body, completely drenched from her cold sweat.

In the courtyard, Qin Yu looked at the True Demon Guard who stood beneath the dim moonlight. He lightly said, "She is only an immaterial bystander. There is no need to be so careful."

Qin Yu didn't know who this person was and was actually a little unhappy with the actions he took tonight. But, as he thought about how this person had been arranged by the Demon Envoy and how his mission was to ensure his safety, that was the reason why he didn't say anything more.

True Demon Guard One - a name that Qin Yu temporarily gave him - seemed to be a little surprised. He looked at Qin Yu for a moment and then cupped his hands together and bowed, "This will not happen again in the future."

Qin Yu nodded. He turned and walked back into his room. Then, he took a deep breath and suppressed the restlessness in his heart.

The Demonic Path Holy Palace's Holy Son…this status was enough to attract the eyes of everyone. Once his identity was exposed, it would surely trigger completely unpredictable consequences.

Originally, Qin Yu comforted himself by saying that the Demon Envoy's arrangements had all been meticulous, and the trip coming here had been smooth and without problems. But, the actions of True Demon Guard One actually gave him a warning that while concealing his status and coming to Ying Capital might seem safe, it was actually enormously risky.

The Demonic Path was far too strong. Even if they put aside their mortal enemy, the Immortal Sect, there were still countless people that didn't want to see a new Holy Monarch appear within the Holy Palace.

For instance, the royal family of Great Chu!

The corners of his lips lifted in a bitter smile. It was only now that Qin Yu was able to determine that what he felt all this time was anxiousness, thus the reason for him staying in the courtyard without taking a single step out.

So in the daytime, why did he have the sudden impulse to push open his doors and walk into the courtyard? Thinking about it, Qin Yu didn't have the faintest idea. Although he knew that the True Demon Guards wouldn't say anything about his actions, he could tell that they were probably complaining in their hearts.

He shook his head, suppressing the surging restlessness in his heart. His eyes hardened, filling with resolve. It was impossible for him to wait for the channel to the Demon Realm to be repaired; who knew when that would be? If so, then the Water Marid in the Sea of Purgatory was the key for him to become the Holy Monarch. For this reason, every risk was worth it.

He sat down cross-legged and closed his eyes, continuing to perceive the inheritance of the Holy Palace. This was a unique great supernatural art of the Demonic Path used to coordinate with the Demon Body. he had tested its strength and found that it was only average, but its true value was in helping him cultivate the Demon Body.

Ever since he obtained the stone tablet inheritance, Qin Yu had been perceiving it. Some time ago, he felt as if he had managed to get a glimpse through the front door, and he could sense minor changes occurring in his body.

While the key factor of achieving a Saint level Demon Body was the blood of a Calamity Immortal demon beast, obtaining the demon blood didn't ensure absolute success. There was always a certain chance of failure. The more formidable the foundation of his Demon Body was, the more potent it was, the higher his chances of success would be.

The perceiving of the Holy Palace's inheritance had caused his cultivation of the path of water to fall into a stagnant phase. Still, Qin Yu hadn't hesitated at all. Right now, achieving a Saint level Demon Body and succeeding the throne of the Holy Monarch was the most important matter.

For the next several days, You Ya never saw the seventh person living in the courtyard. But the more it was like this, the less she could forget the voice in her dream.

The voice had been particularly clear. It had to be him. But, why did that person's voice appear in her dreams?

You Ya mulled over this for a long time. Then, trying to get a different opinion, she informed her fellow sisters of this matter. They ruthlessly laughed at her, saying she had developed a deep crush.

The young women within the military compound that were in charge of caring for guests were all reassigned from the major imperial manors around the edges of Ying Capital. Their family backgrounds couldn't be considered too high; this assignment was a good chance for all of them to rise.

To be able to be in the groups from all over that were here to deliver their congratulations, even if these people didn't have the qualifications to enter Ying Capital, their backgrounds and origins were still extraordinary. If these young women could attach themselves to one of these people, they could change their fates.

While they would likely have to be uprooted and leave their homes for other lands, the destinies of these young women from the imperial manors were never theirs to control to begin with. Rather than not knowing where they would be sent to in the future, they might as well try and wrestle with fate.

Because of this, during this time in the compound, news came out all over of s.e.x.u.a.l scandals and illicit affairs. Some guests beamed with joy; it could be imagined just how happy they were.

You Ya's face blushed red. How could she explain what had happened to her? She argued a few times but in the end decided to close her mouth. She felt a little regretful; if she knew it was going to be like this she would have rather not said anything at all.

When her fellow sisters dispersed, an older cousin who wasn't too close to her suddenly called out her name. This older cousin had a stern and dignified expression. She said, "I hope that even if what you said is true, you understand your limits and don't touch things you shouldn't. Playing up to the mighty and powerful is well and fine, but you need to remember that you and I both come from the imperial manors of the Chu Empire. Even if we can smoothly leave here alongside others, do you think we can really trust them? Us women only have a single chance to make our own choice. Do not regret it."

You Ya knew that this older cousin was speaking out of the kindness of her heart. Before coming here, her parents had also given her similar advice. She immediately felt grateful and said, "Thank you cousin. I will remember your words. I definitely won't make a mistake."

The older cousin's complexion relaxed as she heard this. She nodded and turned to leave.

After accidentally discovering that this older cousin of hers who was normally cold and indifferent actually cared about her, You Ya was in a much better mood for the next two days. She no longer thought about the voice in her dreams. They were Demonic Path cultivators and would soon leave the Chu Empire. No matter what happened, she would simply try and forget about it.

But, the older cousin who cautioned You Ya actually encountered troubles of her own. In the courtyard that she was responsible for looking after, a guest had taken a liking towards her. This guest had tried to test her several times but he was skillfully dodged. While this person wasn't too happy, he didn't want to stir up needless trouble.

Things should have ended like this. But today, this guest attended a banquet and drank far too much. It was unknown what exactly happened during his drunken stupor, but it caused a tremendous commotion.

When You Ya heard this news and rushed over, she found her older cousin lying on the ground. Her jaw was broken and her face was pale white.

Within the courtyard, a large man lounged back in a chair. He looked around 30 years of age and he had a mean and vicious appearance. "You stinking whore! You don't even give me face and pour wine on me!? Have you even asked about who I am? I'll give you a chance today. Call over anyone that you can call over. If they can't suppress me, you're staying here with me tonight!"

You Ya trembled.

The people of the imperial manors mostly came from criminal backgrounds. They were considered people that were exiled out of the city and didn't have much status within the Chu Empire. If they offended a guest today, no matter what the reason was it was their own mistake.

Thinking about how her older cousin had cautioned her a few days ago, You Ya bit her lips and left.

She found the person in charge of the workers. But, this person had an ambiguous attitude, saying that it was best not to interfere.

She contacted her family. After several inquiries, she finally discovered that the guests in the courtyard that her older cousin was responsible for were actually in-laws of the Chu Empire's royal family. Although the connection was only from a side branch, in the end they could be regarded as masters. How could those in charge possibly meddle in this incident? The slightest mistake and they would all have to pay the price.

In their opinion, this older cousin was simply a pathetic woman from a family that had sinned. Moreover, that young master said he wouldn't take her life, so it mattered even less. You Ya's family hurriedly sent her a message, saying that she shouldn't meddle in this matter, otherwise she might be dragged into the mess.

You Ya thought about how her cousin lay on the ground, all blood emptied from her face. She was sad, but what could she do?

As she was panicking, a thought suddenly leapt into the forefront of her mind. You Ya felt as if she had gone insane. But if she didn't try her best, her older cousin's life would be destroyed.

That person…would he be willing to help?

…

Within his room, Qin Yu was deep in thought. There was a giant in his mind right now. The sun, moon, and stars were above his head, and his feet stepped across the mountains and rivers. This giant was running forward right now, every step causing the stars above and the earth below to collapse.

Suddenly, the giant roared once more and stopped. The stars above his head and the earth below his feet rapidly vanished.

In the next moment, Qin Yu opened his eyes. He grabbed at his chest and frowned, a dignified look in his eyes…the strange impulse that had appeared several days ago had reappeared. What did this mean? Could it be that something was about to occur that would greatly affect him?