CHAPTER 595: CHAPTER 574 SECOND UPDATE

Ju Nanyi turned his head and the first thing he saw was the tall, thin shadow of the youth who led the group on horseback. Even though the boy’s figure appeared frail and the wind pressed his clothes tightly against his body, it unexpectedly revealed his lean chest.

Ju Nanyi narrowed his eyes slightly, finding it a rare occurrence that someone was so anxiously disregarding their own status. This was a first.

The team quickly regrouped. Without a command from Ju Nanyi, they immediately adopted a posture ready to set off at any moment. The distant riders had already approached, and the youth on horseback immediately noticed the carriage firmly protected in the middle of the column at the rear. He wanted to move forward but didn’t dare to act rashly.

Ju Nanyi let out another cold snort at the sight of the youth’s restrained and overly cautious demeanor.

He took a step forward, blocking the youth’s view without showing any fear of the terrifying rumors that surrounded the young man.

"Young Master Yin He," Ju Nanyi greeted first, with a slight bow. The youth showed subtle displeasure but ultimately held it back.

"Lord Ju, why have you stopped here?" Had it not been for his people scouting ahead, he would not have known about this short delay. Were they intentionally dragging their feet?

Elder Can and Elder Su, who followed, immediately directed their gaze towards Ju Nanyi. This youngster had deep and far-reaching thoughts; surely he harbored some unspeakable secrets. They would feel at ease only after a thorough search of the entire team.

Ju Nanyi paid no attention to Elder Can and Elder Su. Had one of them come to receive the party, Ju Nanyi would have been more cautious, but given the current youth, Ju Nanyi didn’t even feel it necessary to exchange a glance with the two elders.

"Young Master Yin He, the Empress has grown weary and decreed that the convoy stop. She might have dozed off from the exhaustion of the journey. If the Young Master blames us for this, I will wake the Empress right away..." Ju Nanyi began, then turned to leave.

After all, the youth had now successfully taken the place of Qiandao Temple, becoming an existence on par with the Monarch of Nanzheng State. His self-reference as a subordinate was appropriate to the youth’s status, and waking the Empress was indeed within his right.

Otherwise, why would they be making this trip?

The youth’s face turned pale with panic at once, as if he wanted to grab hold of Ju Nanyi. Ju Nanyi had no real intention of going and stopped, looking puzzled at the youth before him.

Without a moment’s doubt, the youth knew better than anyone that Zheng Nianru waking at this time would be in an extremely bad mood.

"No need to call, let’s just wait—" The youth’s tone changed, as did his mode of address, becoming "let’s." Ju Nanyi had saved Zheng Nianru numerous times and had the influence to persuade Zheng Nianru, which was not typical of just anyone.

Elder Su’s foot, mid air in mid-step, didn’t proceed forward, and now he lacked any certainty to set it down. After a moment’s thought, he drew back his foot, looking to Elder Can, wondering what to do.

Elder Can gave him an annoyed glance. How could they deal with this? What could you do?

And those disciples of Ghoul Ravine following behind, they stood like stiff wooden poles, mannerisms rigid, and if it weren’t for their recent dismount from horseback, Ju Nanyi would have wondered if they were even alive. Their strange expressions and movements aroused Ju Nanyi’s suspicion.

Ju Nanyi withdrew his gaze, thinking if they wanted to wait, they could wait.

Everyone watched the scene in stunned silence. Back in Chenyuan Hall, those who had seen Young Master Yin He’s true face were mostly dead, and those who had survived recognized him from the terrifying rumors about Ghoul Ravine that circulated since that day.

However, the sight of this young man clutching onto Lord Ju’s sleeve was nothing like what the rumors suggested...

Zong Yunqian cast a doubtful glance at Gu Dao. They were too far to know what exactly had transpired ahead, but they could guess that they seemed to be in a position of strength in this current situation.

Elder Can and Elder Su, seeing this situation, could only quietly sigh in their hearts, but dared not speak another word.

Thus, the scene was filled with puzzlement as they stared at each other, big eyes gazing at small eyes.

Elder Can thought it was good, taking advantage of the moment to thoroughly check for any issues among these people.

However, a single sentence from Ju Nanyi completely shattered his plan.

Ju Nanyi turned his head and told his people to rest on the spot, and the originally orderly troops immediately relaxed and sat down again; some chatted, some lay down, sat, or leaned together pretending to doze, and there were even those who started playing Pai Gow.

Elder Can and Elder Su even if they wanted to notice something, could not discern anything at this moment. However, seeing their own Young Master standing straight with a face that appeared quite willing, they didn’t feel there was anything wrong with such fawning behavior.

Elder Su also longed to wave his hand and have his people act the same, but ultimately lacking in confidence, could only think about it. Elder Can’s heart was broader; after all, he had seen and experienced much, and their Young Master had not been fawning for just a day or two.

No one knew what would happen next. As time passed, the people from Ghoul Ravine seemed more at ease; Elder Can and Elder Su, after all, had the confidence from their Young Master’s fawning behavior. The disciples of Ghoul Ravine, even if they wanted to express emotions, couldn’t show it.

On this side, aside from Ju Nanyi, everyone else was clearly unable to remain calm. The demeanor they had previously deliberately displayed was gradually losing confidence, especially as more time passed, the more they felt that this legendary and terrifying Young Master of Ghoul Ravine could annihilate them all with a single palm strike.

In the end, someone emerged from inside the carriage, facing the somewhat eerie situation with a questioning look. After glancing over everyone, and about to approach Lord Ju, Ju Nanyi quickly stepped forward and rushed to meet Xing Yu.

The young boy looked even more joyful, and without waiting to be called, he readily followed Ju Nanyi.

Zong Yunqian immediately tugged at Xi Feng’s sleeve, "Did you see clearly?"

Xi Feng shook his head. One reason was that there were too many people blocking the view, and the other was that Ju Nanyi and Yin He were obstructing their line of sight; he had only seen the woman’s skirt hem, a dark red like an overripe pomegranate.

"Empress—" As soon as Xing Yu began to speak, Ju Nanyi immediately took over the conversation.

"The Empress has awakened? This humble official will embark on the journey right away," said Ju Nanyi.

"Xing Yu—" Yin He desperately gazed at the Xing Yu before him. Xing Yu had noticed Yin He long ago; back at Qishun Building, Xing Yu was the one who defended Yin He the most, even secretly pleading for him in front of their master and speaking well of him.

Xing Yu was simple-minded and didn’t ask for much. Fu Dong and Nian Xia had to follow their lord, but she and Xue Liu didn’t need to, so, she just wanted to find someone she liked to keep Yin He at Qishun Building. Indeed, Xing Yu had her own little schemes, but she hadn’t expected that it would brew such a disaster for the Empress and everyone else.

Xing Yu immediately lowered her head, pretending not to hear Yin He and hurriedly climbed into the carriage.

Yin He’s expression dimmed slightly; he had hurried here, naturally, just wishing to see her sooner.

"Young Master, please—" Elder Can reminded from behind. They had waited for so many days, couldn’t he wait a moment longer? What use was getting angry now? Primarily, Elder Can feared the consequences of anger would still harm the innocent. To harm an enemy by a thousand, at the expense of eight hundred of one’s own.

Yin He then reined in his displeasure and turned to walk to the very front of the formation.