The Young Swordsman: The Taoist Priest of Qingcheng Has Descended the Mountain

Sikong Qianlu curiously peeked out and saw Lei Wujie scratching his ears and pacing back and forth, looking very anxious.

"Second Junior Brother, what are you doing?"

"Senior sister, it's Miss Ye's father! I...I..."

"What do you mean, 'what do you mean'? Oh! I understand, hehe, senior sister can understand you."

But don't worry, your senior sister is here.

Besides, what are you afraid of?

Are you afraid you're not good enough for Sister Ye?

Our master is the most carefree immortal in the world!

Sikong Qianluo seemed unable to wait to see the excitement any longer. She ran into the house, pushed Lei Wujie, and shoved him out the door.

Almost all the other guests in the inn had been scared away.

Compared to Ye Ruoyi, Ye Xiaoying's stature was far too tall, and just standing there, he exuded a sense of oppression.

Ye Ruoyi was whispering something to him at that moment.

When father and daughter meet, they naturally share their feelings of separation.

"Girl, are you really all better?"

Ye Xiaoying seemed very pleased.

He only had one daughter in his entire life. When she was born, Tang Lianyue even predicted that she wouldn't live past the age of three.

Later, he practiced Taoism with the Imperial Preceptor and barely survived.

Ye Xiaoying's daughter's health has always been a source of worry for him.

"It's really healed, Father. Thanks to Senior Zhou and Little Fairy Doctor Hua Jin, I'm completely healed now."

But wait, that doesn't make sense. When we left Lei Family Fort to go overseas, I wrote to Father about this matter. Didn't he receive it?

Ye Xiaoying was also taken aback for a moment, then slowly shook his head: "No, the letter I received recently should be the one you wrote after you returned from overseas. I haven't received any letters before that."

This is a bit strange.

Ye Ruoyi pondered: "Perhaps it's because the previous letters were intercepted. It is said that the letters were also intercepted when the Dark River besieged Lei Family Fortress."

The letter I wrote after the Dark River's defeat still didn't reach Tianqi; perhaps it was intercepted en route, or perhaps it was lost.

But now Father has received it again, which is truly strange.

Ye Xiaoying didn't want to dwell on such trivial matters. The important thing was that his daughter was standing in front of him unharmed, and that was the happiest thing for him.

He waved his hand dismissively: "Never mind all that, now that my precious daughter is back, I can finally relax."

I brought a large convoy to pick you up this time, so you don't need to worry about safety along the way.

As they were talking, Ye Xiaoying's gaze passed over Ye Ruoyi and looked at Xiao Se and the others.

Ye Xiaoying casually cupped his hands in greeting: "Oh? Your Highness Prince Yong'an, it's been a long time."

It has indeed been a long time.

Ye Xiaoying had never seen Xiao Se since he was banished from Tianqi City.

Fortunately, after receiving Ye Ruoyi's letter, he learned that she was with him.

Xiao Se returned the greeting casually, neither warm nor cold, showing little respect: "General Ye."

"Sikong Qianluo, a disciple of the Immortal of Freedom and the daughter of Sikong Changfeng of Snow Moon City, greets General Ye."

Ye Xiaoying seemed much warmer towards Sikong Qianluo.

“My dear niece, you’re being too formal. Your father and I are old friends, and you and Ruoyi are like sisters. Why call me General Ye? Just call me Uncle Ye.”

Sikong Qianluo chuckled and obediently replied, "Uncle Ye."

Ye Xiaoying then turned his gaze to Lei Wujie, who immediately felt a sense of pressure.

"This junior is a disciple of the Carefree Immortal, from the Thunderbolt Hall of Jiangnan..."

Before he could finish speaking, Ye Xiaoying had already strode up to him, startling Lei Wujie.

Ye Xiaoying patted Lei Wujie with both hands, his expression complicated.

"Kid, I know you. You're Brother Lei's son? I even held you when you were little."

If Brother Lei could see you all grown up now…

Ye Xiaoying paused, a hint of tears flashing in his eyes, before bursting into laughter and forcefully slapping Lei Wujie.

"Good lad, good indeed! My brother Lei has a worthy successor. Kid, in my whole life, I've never admired anyone but your father, my brother Lei. You're not bad."

Chapter 196 Bad News

Inside the hall, only Xiao Se and Ye Xiaoying remained.

Lei Wujie, Ye Ruoyi, and Sikong Qianluo were all upstairs, leaning on the railing and looking down.

"What do you think Uncle Shi and Xiao Se are talking about?"

Lei Wujie looked at the two of them with a bored expression, his mouth agape, but no sound could be heard.

Sikong Qianlu shook her head: "What else can we say? Most likely, we'll try to persuade him to return to Tianqi. Sister Ye, what do you think?"

Ye Ruoyi nodded slightly, which was considered as agreeing with her guess.

"Probably. My dad brought so many people with him this time, it couldn't just be to pick me up."

I don't think I'm qualified enough.

Taking Xiao Se along is possible.

Lei Wujie clicked his tongue twice: "I didn't realize that Xiao Se was so heavy."

Ye Ruoyi smiled and said, "Of course, he is, after all, a disciple personally taught by the King of Langya."

He was considered a decent person back in Tianqi City, and had considerable support in the court.

"That includes Uncle Ye?"

Sikong Qianluo was naturally pleased that Xiao Se was being valued, as they had known Xiao Se's identity for a long time and hadn't really taken it to heart.

Compared to his identity as a disciple of Qingcheng Xiaoyao Xian, his other identities seem somewhat insignificant.

This time, Ye Ruoyi did not give a straightforward answer. Instead, she hesitated for a moment and slowly shook her head.

"I do not know."

This answer surprised both Lei Wujie and Sikong Qianluo.

This result was completely unexpected.

They all knew that Ye Ruoyi was a strong supporter of Xiao Se. She even tricked Tang Lian into going to the Tang Clan herself to contact Xuanwu Envoy Tang Lianyue.

However, Tang Lianyue handed that position over to Tang Lian.

It's worth mentioning that this time when Tang Lian returned to the Northern Li territory, she was with the Confucian Sword Immortal, but they didn't take the same path.

Tang Lian needs to return to the Tang Clan first, and then go to Snow Moon City to meet up with them.

The Tang Clan's current position is quite awkward, and Tang Lian is caught in the middle, which is also uncomfortable.

In short, Ye Ruoyi stood firmly behind Xiao Se.

Therefore, from any perspective, General Ye should support Xiao Se.

But now Ye Ruoyi's answer is: I don't know.

The implication behind this answer is rather subtle.

Ye Ruoyi seemed to have seen through their thoughts and sighed softly.

"It's a long story. Because of some things that happened back then, my father had some dissatisfaction with the current emperor."

Similarly, the emperor was aware of his dissatisfaction.

So my dad has never really given a clear indication of who he's supporting.

Even if that person is Xiao Se, it won't work.

If he openly sides with Xiao Se, then Xiao Se's situation might become even worse.

Ye Ruoyi offered a few words of explanation for her father, after all, even a great general has his own difficulties and cannot do as he pleases.

Sikong Qianluo nodded in understanding: "I understand. Moreover, if Uncle Ye chooses to take sides, the emperor probably won't agree and will make things difficult for Uncle Ye. So it's best for Uncle Ye to do nothing and remain neutral."

Ye Ruoyi stroked Sikong Qianluo's long hair at her temples with great satisfaction: "Sister Qianluo is becoming more and more intelligent now."

Sikong Qianluo felt a little embarrassed and swayed her body slightly awkwardly: "No way, Sister Ye is the smartest."

The square table wasn't very big, and it was set with cheap tea and chipped teacups.

Xiao Se rolled up his sleeves, poured some water into the teacup, rinsed it, and then poured it out.

Then he filled the teacup and pushed it towards Ye Xiaoying.

Ye Xiaoying wasn't so particular; he picked up the teacup and drank it all in one gulp.

"How have you been all these years?"

Xiao Se nodded, poured himself a bowl of water, took a sip, frowned, put it down, and didn't touch it again.

"That's great. The world is vast and much more carefree than Tianqi City."

Ye Xiaoying seemed to agree: "Indeed, Tianqi City is a somewhat oppressive place."

The two then fell into a long silence, seemingly having nothing left to say.

Ye Xiaoying finished drinking the water in the teapot before sighing, "Your Highness, please come back with me."

Xiao Se remained silent.

"The Apocalypse of today is quite different from when you left. Recently, a powerful organization has emerged in the martial arts world."

It is even more powerful than the previous underground river.

According to the information I have received, Snow Moon City, Tang Clan, Wen Family, and even Wushuang City have all been besieged by these people.

Snow Moon City's supply lines were cut off, Tang Lianyue of the Tang Clan was assassinated, and people in Wushuang City were asking for swordsmanship questions every day. It is said that the young city lord of Wushuang City was almost brought to his knees.

This is only what I know so far; the strength those people displayed was truly extraordinary.

Xiao Se frowned and pondered, "No wonder Tang Lian rushed back to the Tang Clan. It seems she received a message from the Tang Clan."

The Wen family was unharmed? What about Lei Family Fortress?

"The Wen family, a time-honored brand in Lingnan, is rife with poison. How could an ordinary person possibly break into it?"

I heard that the Wen family had to carry dead people out every day during those days.

No one was able to leave the Wen family alive.

As for Lei Family Fortress, there is no news. Lei Family Fortress is much stronger than before and is not easy to deal with.

Lei Hong became a sword immortal, and both Lei Qianhu and Lei Yunhe were at their peak.

Attacking Lei Family Fortress again would be counterproductive, given its considerable distance from Tianqi City.

Xiao Se's mind raced: "So the General thinks those people are after me?"

"Besides you, there is also the White King."

It's no secret that Wushuang City has sided with the White King.

Offending Snowmoon City, Peerless City, and even the outwardly prominent Prince White demonstrates just how arrogant this force is.

So come back with me. I've brought a large army with me; they can certainly protect you."

Xiao Se knew that Ye Xiaoying was telling the truth, but this sudden news had completely disrupted his plans.

His strength has not yet returned to its peak.

Or rather, he hasn't yet mustered enough courage to return to Apocalypse and face everything.

There was one thing that always weighed on his mind.

That's the person who injured him back then and crippled his martial arts skills; they still haven't been found.