CHAPTER 685: CHAPTER 177: UNINVITED GUEST

This annual competition, seen by Tian Yidong as a battle for redemption, is also the most eye-catching event of the year at the Sky Wings Arena.

In order to attract more spectators, Tian Yidong started sending out invitations a month before the competition began.

The Arena took another month to reconnect parts of the Xuan Yi and Yellow Wing Competition Zones, constructing various regular and VIP seating areas.

The invitees included members of the Royal Family, senior officials, noble families, some major Hunting Corps, and the leaders of the prominent Hunting Soldier Guard Cities across the Wuji Continent.

These individuals had all arrived in Sky Wing City by the beginning of January.

Sky Wing City, which was already bustling, was filled with various Skyships and Flying Magical Beasts.

On the day before the annual competition, Tian Yidong and a few subordinates arrived at the city gates to welcome a luxurious Skyship that had just descended from the sky.

A portly middle-aged man disembarked from the Skyship.

Speaking with a thick Eastern Capital accent, he immediately greeted Tian Yidong familiarly as he stepped off the Skyship: "Brother Dong, I haven’t seen you for three years, and your cultivation has progressed even further."

"You are too kind, Left Minister. Did Emperor Dong and the Empress Dowager not come with you?" Tian Yidong responded respectfully.

This time, he had people specifically deliver the invitations to the Eastern Capital.

Though the Eastern Capital is now in name only on the Wuji Continent, the East Capital Crown Prince is still uniquely recognized as the Emperor.

Rulers of the other Five Countries, no matter how powerful or prosperous, are only addressed as Emperor.

"Princess has been ill for a long time, and both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager are worried about her condition and dared not leave, so they sent me to watch the competition," said the Left Minister from the Eastern Capital, who, despite being a Civil Servant, was very familiar with Sky Wing City.

The Left Minister had a luxurious residence in the Eastern Capital, and in earlier more peaceful years, he often took his beautiful concubines to Sky Wing City to escape the heat of summer and the cold of winter.

"What, only Second Young Master came today? Where is Su Daguoshou?" the Left Minister asked curiously, noticing only Tian Yidong’s people around the Skyship.

The Left Minister is also a person of note; he is adept at networking, not only with Tianyidong of the Arena and Tian Yitu of the Treasure Pavilion but also with Su Daguoshou of the Dark Night Pavilion.

"Su Daguoshou hasn’t been well recently, he was startled a few days ago and is currently recuperating in the Pavilion. At his age, getting startled can have serious consequences," Tian Yidong said half mockingly.

The Dark Night Pavilion has not been quiet lately, having only calmed down briefly.

"Oh, that’s too bad," the Left Minister said with a face full of regret.

In previous years when he visited, Su Daguoshou would always have some fresh young women for him to enjoy.

"Hehe, what the Left Minister desires, I have already prepared. Come, this way please, and tell me about the recent news on the continent," Tian Yidong, already aware of this old lecher’s tastes, pulled the Left Minister along, heading into the city.

"Recently, the biggest news in the Eastern Capital involves the Princess’s marriage," said the Left Minister, his face clouded with worry.

"Are you talking about the marriage between Prince Dugu of Later Qin and Princess Donghuang? Isn’t that already settled?" Tian Yidong knew slightly about the matters on the continent.

"It is settled. Prince Dugu has even sent several reminders. Because of this, he even declined your invitation," the Left Minister said wistfully.

"It’s a pity that the Princess’s condition has not improved. I came to Sky Wing City this time to ask Su Daguoshou to return with me and perhaps he could cure her illness."

This marriage alliance between Later Qin and the Eastern Capital was facilitated by the Left Minister himself.

He is somewhat disappointed that Prince Dugu couldn’t come, as he had heard of Prince Dugu’s exceptional abilities and had hoped to exchange a few moves with him during this opportunity.

"That’s simple, once the annual competition ends, you can invite Su Daguoshou to go to the Eastern Capital," Tian Yidong was not very interested in royal marriages.

"Yes, I’ll just find Su Daguoshou then. Second Young Master, I heard that the Sky Wings Arena has been refurbished. This year’s competition is bound to be spectacular," the Left Minister said, making small talk with the Second Young Master as they stepped into the city.

Not long after Tian Yidong left, Ye Beiming arrived at the city gate with Long Huo.

His face showed no superfluous expressions.

Shortly after, a rather ordinary-looking merchant ship docked.

From the ship, four or five people disembarked.

The leader was a boy of about six or seven years old.

The boy had rosy lips and white teeth, and a pair of light brown eyes that looked quite lively.

Next to the boy was a young woman dressed ordinarily.

Though her attire was simple, the young woman had an extraordinary demeanor. Her complexion was slightly pale, clearly the result of the discomfort from a long journey on a skyship.

As soon as the boy disembarked, he looked around until he saw Ye Beiming, and his little face immediately lit up.

"Brother Ming," the little boy, as if he had grown wings, spread his arms and rushed towards Ye Beiming.

Ye Beiming’s handsome face was still as if it were covered in ice.

However, Ye Beiming was unmoved and stepped back, "Crown Prince, you have arrived."

"Prince Beiming, thank you for coming to pick us up personally," the young woman said lovingly as she looked at the boy.

These two were none other than the newly appointed Crown Prince of Great Zhou City, Ye Beicheng, and his mother, Empress Wenren.

"Brother Ming, can you not call me the Crown Prince? Just call me Beicheng. Mother said before we left that we are on a private visit incognito and we shouldn’t use the titles from the palace," Ye Beicheng said, looking up to his brother with admiration.

Ye Beiming and Ye Beicheng had a seven-year age difference.

Before Ye Beicheng turned three, he had never heard about having another elder brother.

He had never liked his eldest brother Ye Beilian, as he always bullied him.

Yet, a few years ago, Ye Beicheng accidentally met his second brother.

The Second Brother was handsome and highly skilled in martial arts, a true representation of what an elder brother should be to a boy his age.

Ye Beicheng was eager to get close to his second brother, but he found it difficult as his second brother was very reclusive.

When the eldest brother died, he became the Crown Prince, and the second brother became even more elusive.

This time, his mother mentioned by chance that his second brother was in Sky Wing City.

Coincidentally, the Second Young Master of Sky Wing City, Tian Yidong, had sent over an invitation.

Emperor Ye of Great Zhou thought it was time for Ye Beicheng to broaden his horizons, so he instructed Empress Wenren to bring Crown Prince Ye Beicheng to Sky Wing City.

Empress Wenren preferred a low profile and did not wish to travel on a Royal skyship, so she rented an ordinary merchant ship, disguised as civilians, and headed to Sky Wing City.

"I have already arranged for the accommodations, please, Empress and Crown Prince, move to your new residence," Ye Beiming, seemingly unheard, directly ordered Long Huo to prepare the carriage and clothes for the Crown Prince and Empress to change into.

Ye Beicheng’s little face immediately grew dim.

Empress Wenren’s eyes also darkened significantly; in the imperial family, there is no affection. Can it be that Prince Beiming cannot forget those past events?

The two figures, one large and one small, were taken to the carriage, which rumbled forward, while Ye Beiming stood in the street, his silhouette appearing exceptionally desolate.