The Great Martial Saint!

Chapter 982 The Prince's Summoning, Four Turbulent Waves Arise

"Someone's coming."

Just as Chen Ping'an set up the restriction and was preparing to take out the Deep Sea Pearl and add the newly refined Hundred Poisons Water and Cold Water, his eyes flashed and he sensed the aura outside Qingchi Courtyard.

In his current state, his divine soul can cover and radiate for hundreds of miles. Even without conscious effort, he can naturally sense and control a considerable area.

Although Yunxu Mountain is large, it is still within his vigilance and sensing range.

"Ok?"

Chen Ping'an's eyes flickered, and he guessed the other person's identity from their clothing and appearance.

"The Prince of Bicang's Mansion?"

What brings the people from the Prince of Bicang's mansion to him at this time?

"This old servant, Deshun, greets Lord Chen. May you be well, my lord."

A kind-looking old man stood in front of Chen Ping'an, bowing and greeting him.

The old man in front of him, though calling himself an old servant, was no ordinary person. Although the other party had concealed his cultivation level, Chen Ping'an saw through it at a glance.

This is a martial arts master who is still at the peak of his power.

This Prince Bicang's mansion is truly a place where dragons and tigers dwell.

Chen Ping'an sighed slightly, but didn't put on any airs.

After a casual conversation, he learned from the other person the purpose of their trip.

"Prince of Bicang."

"You want to see me?"

Chen Ping'an's eyes widened in surprise, not expecting such a commotion.

"Please come in, Lord Chen."

The kind-faced old man, known as Deshun, led the way for Chen Ping'an with a humble expression.

Their arrival was uneventful and without much fanfare. Yet, it unknowingly caused a tremendous upheaval.

Throughout the entire Bi Cang Prince's mansion, countless factions, both openly and secretly, were paying close attention to this matter.

Since yesterday, the Prince of Bicang, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly awoke and summoned the elders and relatives of the Prince's Mansion overnight. Afterwards, he suddenly sent a special envoy away from the Prince's Mansion.

All parties are paying close attention and are curious about what the special envoy is going to do.

But then they saw that the other party had visited the foot of Yunxu Mountain.

Then, they invited Chen Ping'an, the burly swordsman, to the Prince's residence.

The Prince of Bicang requests to see Mangdao?

For a time, countless factions were uneasy, feeling that things had progressed beyond their expectations.

What exceeded their expectations was not only the fact that the old prince wanted to see Mang Dao, but also the series of signals that the old prince released after waking up.

"Has the madman entered the manor?"

Inside the compound, Ji Xuanmo learned from his spies and trusted subordinates that Mang Dao had arrived at the Prince's residence.

"Investigate further, and report back immediately if you find anything."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Why did you see Mang Dao?"

Inside the Martial Pavilion, Ji Dongqing was completely baffled.

Great-grandfather suddenly awoke and summoned the clan elders and relatives throughout the night, until dawn. But the first person he wanted to see wasn't any of them, his blood relatives, or the crown prince candidate; it was Mang Dao?

Why is this?

Could it be that Great-Grandfather has his eye on Ji Shulan and knows about Mangdao's previous stance?

Or is it...?

Ji Dongqing was in a state of utter confusion. He was only one step away from the throne, but this had to happen.

What worried him even more was that the signals his great-grandfather sent when he woke up this time were somewhat incomprehensible to him.

"The Emperor has awakened and summoned Mang Dao?" Ji Shulan, dressed in a cloud-blue dress, with fair skin and eyes gleaming with surprise.

Chen Ping'an had previously expressed his support for her succession to the throne. Now, the first thing the Emperor did after waking up was to summon Mang Dao. How could she not be overjoyed by such a thing?

"Did you summon anyone else?" Ji Shulan's skirt swayed, unable to contain her excitement, but the more this was the case, the more she needed to remain calm, and she asked carefully.

"Your Highness, the only information we have so far is about Lord Chen Ping'an."

The words of her confidant pleased Ji Shulan, but she still suppressed her emotions and made all the necessary arrangements.

"We've kept a close watch on the Azure Palace; report back immediately if there's any news. Also, regarding the previous secret summons into the city..."

From her perspective, once Mang Dao has finished meeting with the Emperor Gaozu, she should immediately go to Mang Dao to further solidify their relationship.

But reason told her that this was not the time to do so.

Regardless of the reason why Emperor Gaozu summoned Mang Dao, the signal it conveyed was undeniable: it was a statement of inclination.

All of these factors will influence the attitudes of certain factions.

The situation was favorable to her.

Since the situation is tilted in one direction and the balance is tilted, sometimes it is better not to do anything than to do something.

Ji Shulan gently raised her hand, revealing her jade-like wrist, her skin warm and smooth, crystal clear and white. She gently touched her chest, feeling her heart pounding, clear and distinct.

She tried her best to stay calm.

But with her long-cherished wish and the throne looming ahead, even with her calm demeanor, it was difficult for her to remain composed.

From a young age, her talent and intelligence far surpassed those of her contemporaries, making her a pillar of the Prince's Mansion in her time.

The elders and relatives of the Prince's Mansion all placed high hopes on her, believing that she would surely become a great person and a prominent figure in the Prince's Mansion in the future.

And she lived up to expectations, breaking through the barriers and reaching the realm of the celestial beings.

He set a record for the fastest breakthrough to the Celestial Realm in the Prince's Mansion's history, second only to the two ancestors who founded and revived the lineage in the past.

Everyone believed that if she were a man, she would surely succeed to the throne and lead the Bicang Prince's Mansion to prosperity and glory.

Unfortunately, being a woman ultimately became her limitation.

But she still remembers the scene when she first met Emperor Gaozu.

"Come closer, let me see my son, the Qilin."

"Very well! How can women be inferior to men? The future of the Prince's mansion belongs to you!"

Past thoughts drifted like smoke, and Ji Shulan's eyes sparkled with a strange light.

She gazed gently at the sky, her eyes filled with hope.

"Your Majesty, you will choose me, won't you?"

"Lord Chen, this is the Bicang Palace."

The old man, with a humble expression, led the way for Chen Ping'an.

Chen Ping'an gently raised his head, gazing at the magnificent palace before him. Outside the palace, heavily armored soldiers stood, spears drawn.

The deep black armor exudes a sense of solemnity and coldness even to the naked eye.

Xuanjia Guards!

The Prince's personal guards.

In the past, there were eight hundred riders who fought against the might of the gods, and now I have witnessed it with my own eyes.

Those who can join the Xuanjia Guard are all rigorously selected, and each one is an absolute martial arts expert. The entry requirements are far higher than those of the Qiankun Guard of the Qiankun Division.

After all, one was the prince's personal guard, a trusted confidant, while the other, though an official institution, was more widespread.

"Lord Chen, this old servant will not go any further inside."

Chen Ping'an nodded slightly and, under the strict guard of the Xuanjia Guards, ascended the jade steps of the Qingtai Terrace and walked towards the Bi Cang Palace.

The surrounding gazes were intense, the atmosphere was solemn and deathly still, and the magnificent palace added to the oppressive feeling.

If an ordinary person were to come here, they would likely be overwhelmed by the imposing aura and feel constrained and uneasy. However, Chen Ping'an remained calm and composed as he stepped into the Bi Cang Palace.

"Lord Chen."

As soon as he entered the Bi Cang Palace, a maidservant greeted him respectfully and led him to the back of the palace.

Although the Azure Palace is magnificent, there are actually very few people on duty inside.

Given the current situation, this is the only normal course of action.

Given the current situation in Bi Cang, even those close to us need to be extra cautious, as evidenced by the heavily armed Xuanjia guards outside the palace.

Led by the maid, Chen Ping'an finally saw the true master of the Bicang County Prince's Mansion, the old Bicang County Prince, who had been famous throughout the Bicang region for hundreds of years and was granted a fiefdom by the royal bloodline.

The doors and windows of the bedchamber were tightly shut, and heavy curtains blocked most of Chen Ping'an's view. The bedchamber was filled with a strong medicinal fragrance. Prince Bi Cang lay on the large, bright yellow bed, his whole body like a withered tree about to reach its end, radiating the last warmth of life.

When the great repair was in front of him, Chen Ping'an did not rashly use his divine soul to examine it, but only used his naked eyes to observe it.

Even when life is coming to an end and a major overhaul is about to be completed, it is still a major overhaul.

This is the culmination of a lifetime of skills and techniques, accumulated over the years to reach its peak.

Even though their combat strength is no longer what it used to be, their experience and knowledge remain undiminished.

Although Chen Ping'an's soul was different from ordinary people and was concealed by strange phenomena, he dared not be arrogant in the slightest when facing an old and frail cultivator who was about to die.

The Prince of Bi Cang had a sparse, white head of hair, which was scattered on the pillow. His skin was withered and wrinkled, like cracked tree bark, covered with dark brown age spots. The moment Chen Ping'an entered, he slowly turned his eyes and looked Chen Ping'an up and down with his slightly cloudy eyes.

Even a great cultivator in his twilight years cannot withstand the erosion of time, let alone someone like Prince Bicang whose lifespan is nearing its end.

The reason it is in this state now is mostly due to the nourishment it receives from spiritual objects and the cultivation it receives from secret medicines.

Even a thousand-year lifespan and a vast human existence eventually come to an end.

No matter how heroic or powerful you are, you will eventually succumb to the passage of time, turning into a handful of dust and scattering with the wind.

No matter how beautiful or stunning you are, you will eventually turn into withered bones and vanish in an instant.

In this situation, Chen Ping'an felt a slight emptiness in his heart, and a sense of melancholy about the passing years arose.

Although he is young now, if his lifespan is limited, will he one day end up like the other?

Is prosperity fleeting, vanishing in an instant?

"Junior Chen Ping'an greets Prince Bicang. May Your Highness be well." Chen Ping'an cupped his hands in a respectful greeting.

Now that he has ascended to the celestial realm and holds the title of Commander of the Garrison, he doesn't need to perform any grand ceremony when he meets the Prince of Bicang.

Although the Prince of Bicang holds a noble status, he has no authority over the Zhenfu Division.

“Talented people emerge in every generation. My young friend Ping An is not yet thirty years old, yet he has already reached the level of a celestial being. Such talent amazes me.”

Prince Bicang placed one hand on the edge of the bed. As soon as he made a move, someone leaned over to help him, allowing him to lean against the bed.

Sensing the extremely pure and divine aura emanating from Chen Ping'an, the aged Prince of Bi Cang's eyes were filled with amazement.

Chen Ping'an's rise to fame did not coincide with his peak period. When Chen Ping'an's reputation soared, he was already seriously ill and bedridden. Although he had access to information from the outside world, he was no longer able to handle many things.

"Your Highness is a man of great talent and ambition. I am unworthy of such praise from Your Highness." Chen Ping'an said calmly and humbly.

Upon closer inspection, he discovered that the prince's condition seemed to be better than he had anticipated.

Although the other person's face showed signs of nearing the end of their life, one could still sense a lingering warmth and vitality. As in the previous conversation, although the other person was physically weak, their tone was relatively steady, and they did not gasp for breath, their breathing was heavy and had a distinct wheezing quality.

"You are knowledgeable in etiquette and know how to seize opportunities. Although you are powerful and decisive, you still retain the spirit of youth. If my Prince's Mansion had a prodigy like you, I would be laughing in my dreams."

Prince Bi Cang praised him, his expression revealing undisguised admiration.

Chen Ping'an didn't understand the purpose of the Prince of Bicang's meeting with him. The conversation was uneventful, and he didn't elaborate on the other party's topics. He simply responded with a few words and then listened quietly most of the time.

Everyone says that the Prince of the County is awe-inspiring and profound, but what Chen Ping'an felt at this moment was not the Prince of the County, but an old neighbor who was about to die and liked to chat.

Their conversation didn't reveal much admiration for him. This made Chen Ping'an feel increasingly strange.

What did the other party want from him?

Surely it wasn't a special invitation to bring him here just to praise him?

"By the way, you came here because of Qingyu, right?"

During the conversation, the Prince of Bicang suddenly changed the subject and asked a question.

The topic changed so quickly that it caught people off guard.

Looking at the Prince of Bi Cang, whose eyes had suddenly become sharper, Chen Ping'an knew that the main purpose of this trip had arrived.

He considered it carefully, made no attempt to hide it, and admitted it directly.

There's no point in lying about this.

The Prince of Bicang suddenly asked a question, clearly indicating that he had some knowledge of it. Although his deal with Ji Qingyu was secret, in retrospect, there were still some clues to be found.

“Your Highness has keen insight and would not dare to deceive me. I have come here because of the young princess.”

"Little Princess?" A strange look flickered in the eyes of the Prince of Bi Cang, then a smile appeared.

"You also believe that Qingyu should be the princess of my Bicang County Prince's Mansion?"

Ok?

Chen Ping'an's heart skipped a beat.

The Prince's words

What means?

"I have heard that Princess Qingyu has been favored by the Prince since childhood and is regarded as the apple of his eye. Although the Prince has many bloodlines, only Princess Qingyu has this honor. Therefore, she is often referred to as the Little Princess. I apologize for my mistake, Prince."

Chen Pingan said calmly.

Prince Bi Cang suddenly burst into laughter: "Qingyu, this child, I've watched him grow up from childhood, and I've always cherished him dearly. Calling him the apple of my eye wouldn't be an exaggeration. What do you think, young friend Ping An?"

Before the Prince of Bicang could finish speaking, his chest heaved, and he suddenly coughed violently.

"cough cough"

A maidservant rushed forward and patted his back, trying to calm his rising anger.

It took a long time before Prince Bicang's cough finally stopped.

"I am old."

Prince Bi Cang sighed, his expression showing no sign of dejection, but rather a sense of relief.

"My health is not as good as before."

Chen Ping'an remained silent.

Prince Bicang can comment on such matters himself, but it would be somewhat inappropriate for him to speak out.

As for words of comfort, firstly, the two were not close enough to be considered close enough, and secondly, he didn't have the standing to offer such words.

Prince Bi Cang sighed a couple of times, took a sip of the pure spiritual water brought to him by a maid, coughed lightly, and calmed his breathing.

What do you think of Qingyu?

"Your Highness Qingyu is youthful, radiant, and dazzling; you are truly a jewel in the world, incomparably brilliant," Chen Ping'an said politely.

Prince Bi Cang suddenly fixed his gaze on Chen Ping'an, his eyes revealing a hint of solemnity and sharpness.

"I intend to betroth her to you. What do you think?"

what?

Chen Ping'an's heart skipped a beat; he hadn't expected the Prince of Bicang to have such a plan.

On his deathbed, he actually planned to entrust Ji Qingyu to him.

Was it due to the changing power dynamics of the throne, or was it a deathbed entrustment of the heir? Or...?

Chen Ping'an's emotions shifted in an instant.

The Prince of Bicang, with his sharp eyes, was also waiting for his reply.

"How come we've been apart for so long?"

Inside the Chongyuan Academy and the Martial Pavilion, the various factions grew increasingly anxious as they waited.

More than half an hour has passed since Chen Ping'an, the savage swordsman, entered the Bi Cang Palace, and there is still no sign of him emerging.

What exactly have they been doing for so long? (End of Chapter)