Heaven Slaying Blade
Chapter 45 - 42: Haoyue Tribe
Early the next morning, Chu Mo, feeling refreshed, walked out of his room with a happy smile on his face. Seeing the maid who served him, he cheerfully greeted her, "Good morning!"
"Ah...you...good morning!" The maid blushed, her heart trembling like a startled deer. She thought that the young knight might be taking an interest in her.
On this prairie, the knights of the royal court were the ideal choice for any maiden in the springtime of her youth!
That's because the knights of the royal court were mostly in their twenties, young and handsome, excelling in both literature and martial arts, holding high statuses on the prairie.
Which girl wouldn't like that?
If Chu Mo knew the maid's thoughts, he would be at a loss for words. He wasn't even particularly moved by a beauty of the level of Princess Nayi, let alone his cluelessness about romantic feelings... one embarrassing revelation after another.
Although yesterday's experience was risky and exciting, Chu Mo gained a lot!
He got revenge for himself and Qi Xiaoyu by defeating a sinister and evil disciple of Longevity Heaven; he gained the Heaven Slaying as an excellent weapon for protection; even his jade space underwent significant changes.
Most importantly, on the second page of 'Heaven's Will, My Will', a new cultivation method appeared!
Yes, this was the most exciting event for Chu Mo!
Last night, when he took out 'Heaven's Will, My Will', he was surprised to find the second page covered in text.
After some cultivation, he found that his absorption of primordial energy was twice as fast as before!
After a night of cultivation, he had completed two full circulations of primordial energy. The primordial energy accumulated in Chu Mo's body had reached the peak of the third level and he could breakthrough to the fourth level at any moment!
The speed of his cultivation was unheard of in the past... but now it was happening!
"The happier a person is, the more spirited he can be." This sentiment exactly described Chu Mo's current state.
Over the next few days, Chu Mo didn't leave. Instead, he focused on his cultivation.
The location was rather peaceful. The hustle and bustle of the prairie seemed to avoid it, and he was not disturbed by anyone else.
Every night over these days, Chu Mo would sneak out and practice his Heaven Slaying sword techniques. To his surprise, they were far more powerful than before.
If he met an opponent on the level of Zhao Fan again, Chu Mo was confident that he could... defeat his adversary with a single strike!
He wouldn't have to scramble like last time!
Several days later, it was time for the banquet. Princess Nayi, Princess Baolian, and the young prince Lie Ge, all dressed up, got into the luxurious carriage that had been prepared.
Like the other knights of the royal court, Chu Mo changed into festive attire and appeared invigorated.
In the long queue, Chu Mo was riding the big black horse beside Nayi's carriage, donned in his knight outfit. Although he was slightly thinner than an adult and not as sturdy, he seemed gallant nevertheless.
Nayi, inside the carriage, had stolen a few glances at Chu Mo through the curtain several times, with a somewhat infatuated look in her eyes.
Next to her, the dazzling Princess Baolian, splendidly dressed, lightly asked, "Do you like him?"
Nayi blushed, feeling a little embarrassed, but gently nodded her head. However, she then spoke with a hint of disappointment, "He doesn't seem to like me."
"How is this possible? My niece is so beautiful, and the future queen of the prairie. What man wouldn't like you? Unless he's blind!" Princess Baolian said, "I think he's not that he doesn't like you, he's just too young... and doesn't understand these things!"
"How could he not understand? He's so intelligent, he's the wisest person I've met!" Nayi argued a little despondently.
"Ah, my dear niece, the future queen of the prairie... you've really fallen for him, haven't you?" Princess Baolian giggled, then said, "Your aunt has been there. I'm telling you, boys, no matter how intelligent, are much slower than girls when it comes to these things!"
"Remember, my sweetheart, if you like him, pursue him! Don't wait until it's too late and you regret it."
"Boys of thirteen or fourteen years old are not too young. Many boys on the prairie this age are already engaged. By fifteen or sixteen, they can marry and have children!"
Nayi blushed profusely, looking at her aunt, and whispered, "Aunt, why didn't you ... when you were my age..."
Princess Baolian's expression slightly altered.
Nayi said softly, "I'm sorry, Aunt. I shouldn't have said that."
Princess Baolian shook her head, taking Nayi's hand, "I don't blame you. Back then, I was driven to it too. Your father... he was good in every way, but a bit soft-hearted, too kind..."
"Back then, there were many opportunities to forcefully unify the prairie. Yet he wanted to win hearts... On the prairie, the most ruthless rule! What use is it to win hearts? The more kindly you act, the more others think you are easy to bully."
"At that time, the power of Elder Haoyue had risen and seemed unstoppable."
"If that continued, I fear... after a few years, there would have been a great war on the prairie."
"I persuaded your father at that time to find an excuse to dispatch troops, capture Elder Haoyue directly... even if he did not kill him, at least imprison him!"
"But your father... rejected the advice."
"Elder Haoyue, that bastard, must have heard some rumors. He actually brought only two bodyguards and ran to the royal court to propose a marriage!"
A look of great resentment passed over Princess Baolian's face, "Your father thought Elder Haoyue was upright and did not have any intentions of rebellion. Otherwise, how could he have dared to come propose a marriage with only two bodyguards? Moreover, he was always against my relationship with Mr. Pang. He promptly, and somewhat foolishly, agreed to the marriage proposal."
Nayi said softly, "It was my father's mistake...that delayed you for so many years..."
"It's not necessarily a mistake," Princess Baolian said lightly, "At least, after I came here, that old bastard has been far more restrained than before, and he dares not openly expand the power of the Haoyue Tribe. Otherwise, the beautiful prairie would have been engulfed by war long ago."
Nayi looked at her aunt with admiration and said, "Auntie, you're amazing! You've suffered such a grievance, yet you're still able to face it so calmly, if I were in your shoes... I'd definitely be unable to handle it."
"You will handle it!" Princess Baolian said seriously, "I will make sure you become the brightest pearl on this prairie."
The place where Princess Baolian lived was about more than a hundred and twenty miles away from where Elder Haoyue lived. After leaving in the morning, they arrived as dusk approached.
Looking at the camps up ahead, Chu Mo finally felt the sense of being on the prairie.
The welcoming party sent by Elder Haoyue awaited them around ten miles away, and after meeting them, they joined forces. Together they set off for the Haoyue Tribe in a grand procession.
From a distance, Elder Haoyue was waiting with his three sons, Haoyue Gemu, Haoyue Gewen, and Haoyue Geshui, surrounded by a large group of high-ranking members of the Haoyue Tribe.
The carriage paused, and the moment the radiant Princess Baolian, dressed in full ceremonial attire, stepped out of it, even Elder Haoyue's face showed a hint of amazement and obsession.
He vaguely remembered that Princess Baolian had only dressed this way once before, at her wedding.
"What is happening today? Is she doing this to win my support for her niece... to ascend to the throne of the royal court?"
Elder Haoyue glanced mordantly at Princess Baolian, his face lit up with a gentle smile, but his heart was stone cold. What a pity that he was unable to enjoy such a high-class beauty! Because… he wanted to take that seat too!
Elder Haoyue's sons, Haoyue Gemu, Haoyue Gewen, and Haoyue Geshui, were also fascinated when they saw Princess Baolian.
In the prairie, it was common for sons to take their father's concubines after his death.
The three of them didn't know that their father had secretly poisoned Princess Baolian. They were all wondering, in their hearts, how wonderful it would be... if they could sleep with the woman who wasn't accessible to their father since she was married and brought here!
Next, Princess Nayi alighted from the carriage, capturing everyone's attention.
The brightest gem of the prairie, in her grandeur, exuded limitless youthful vitality.
Even standing next to her aunt, Princess Baolian, she was like a vibrant flower in the autumn garden, not overshadowed in the slightest.
Haoyue Gemu shot a jealous glance at his brother Haoyue Geshui. His father had said that if Nayi proved obedient, she would be betrothed to his youngest brother.
"If she is compliant, then... our Haoyue Tribe... could still accommodate... a princess from the former dynasty who has lost her backing!"
"This way, the people of the prairie would support us even more!"
These words were spoken by Elder Haoyue in front of his three sons.
Inwardly, Haoyue Gemu was somewhat resentful, because he was the eldest and should have the right to marry Princess Nayi.
But his father wanted to give the princess to his youngest brother! His father's arguments were simple: as the eldest, Haoyue Gemu would inherit the tribal throne.
Elder Haoyue would never allow the position of King of the Prairie, painstakingly earned over many years, to return to the hands of that bloodline after a roundabout cycle.
Haoyue Gemu understood the reasoning, but when looking at Nayi's radiant and attractive face, he was still filled with lust and impulsion.
Unfortunately, no one dared to oppose Elder Haoyue in the Haoyue Tribe, where he was the only authority.
"Haha, welcome, welcome! My dear wife, my precious niece and nephew! Welcome... to the Haoyue Tribe!" said Elder Haoyue cheerily as he walked towards them with a pleasant and gentle smile on his face. He truly looked like a benevolent elder.
Chu Mo, leaping off his horse, secretly thought: This is the first time I've seen someone so cunning and crafty. No wonder he's been able to run the Haoyue Tribe so efficiently. I'll have to think on my feet for the next part of the plan.
What troubled Chu Mo the most were the two guards following Elder Haoyue. They were inseparable from him!
Elder Haoyue was on his own territory, welcoming Princess Baolian and the others. In theory, there shouldn't have been any danger.
However, those two guards were extremely vigilant and stuck to Elder Haoyue.
In their eyes, anyone... could potentially be a threat!
Chu Mo knitted his brows, thinking: If there was a way to reach Elder Haoyue in an instant and finish him with a swift strike, wouldn't that be great?
While he thought, Chu Mo followed the group, and was ushered into the Haoyue Tribe.
Throughout this process, Chu Mo kept a watchful eye, noticing that although the Haoyue Tribe seemed joyous on the surface, in reality, it was on high-alert with guards stationed everywhere.
"These guards, I guess they could surround the whole Haoyue Tribe without leaving any gaps in a snap?"
Chu Mo squinted, thinking: It seems that no matter what, things can't end well today. Surely, something has to be done.
––––––––––––––––
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