Chapter 69

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Chapter 69

The arrival of the grand master undoubtedly made the ambitious prime minister ecstatic. Although he did not know why the grand master had come, the grand master’s favor meant a shift in power.

Could it be that the next crown prince is a true dragon, and the grand master has seen the future fate of the empire?

Honestly speaking, although the queen comes from their Yun family, the current crown prince is quite ordinary, and he cannot see any qualities of a wise ruler in him.

Otherwise, he would not be in a closer relationship with the crown prince while secretly approaching other princes, just to prepare for any situation.

As a result, the words spoken by the grand master were simply hard for the prime minister to believe.

In disbelief, he repeated, "Are you here to propose? Is the bride-to-be my family’s eldest daughter?"

"Yes."

To ensure he had not mistaken the person, Grand Master Xie Qi asked, "Is your daughter named Yun Chuyou? Yesterday, she went to Changqing Temple to pray for the old lady of your family."

The minister doesn’t pay much attention to the matters in the back courtyard, but last night, his old wife mentioned that their granddaughter is very filial and went out to pray for her yesterday.

He doesn’t know if Yun Chuyou went to the temple; right now, it feels like hundreds of monkeys are scratching inside the minister’s heart. He is eager to find out what his eldest granddaughter did when she left home that brought Xie Qi here.

"Her name is Yun Chuyou, but she is already engaged to the prince."

It is more suitable to marry his granddaughter to the prince than to the grand master, after all, they are cousins who know each other well and have a good relationship.

As soon as the minister finished speaking, he felt the temperature around him drop significantly; even though it was a hot summer day, he felt like it was winter and couldn’t help but shiver.

Winter is the season of harvest, while droughts and floods often happen in the summer, which is why the setting in the illusion is in the height of summer.

Drought, flood, flood followed by drought, can even lead to locust plagues. For some competing cultivators, the illusion is not just about battling each other, but also about surviving in the face of natural disasters.

"Do you look down on me, Minister?" As mentioned before, the grand master has a cold personality; to him, everyone except Yun Chuyou is just like an uncivilized monkey.

Although the minister has the title of Yun Chuyou’s grandfather, he does not feel he needs to show much respect to the minister, especially since the other person is so shameless.

Xie Qi’s gaze was icy, "How could I, the grand master, have never heard that the prince is getting married?"

Not to mention that Yun Chuyou is not engaged to anyone at all; this is merely the prime minister’s wishful thinking. Even if she were engaged, he could still find a way to disrupt the marriage.

After all, the grand master’s words carry great weight; he could simply say that the two people’s fates do not match.

The prime minister wiped the cold sweat from his old face, "I absolutely did not mean that."

Regardless of what he truly thought, he certainly did not dare to openly oppose the grand master. As a cunning old fox who has navigated the court for many years, the prime minister always tries to guess others’ thoughts with the utmost suspicion.

If he were the grand master and someone offended him like this, he could definitely issue a decree that could harm the country, and no matter how high his current position is, he could easily be brought down.

Without turning against himself, the grand master could also target the Yun family; after all, the Yun family is a large family, and their fortunes rise and fall together.

Faced with the aggressive and imposing grand master, the Old Prime Minister quickly chose to back down. He ordered his servants, "Please bring the old lady and the young lady here."

Yun Chuyou was called into this scene; she had been thinking about how to save money when she heard that the grand master wanted to see her and that he was there to propose. The person he wanted to propose to was none other than her, the unfortunate one.

Yun Chuyou found information about the grand master from the original owner’s memories: a mysterious man who was special in this dynasty. Although he did not take part in politics, his words held great weight.

She did not know what had happened, but the grand master seemed to have taken an interest in her.

Before the past, Yun Chuyou heard her dear grandmother worryingly say, "Chuyou, don’t worry, I will never let you marry that old grand master."

Yun Chuyou did not pay much attention to her grandmother’s words. From what she knew about the "original owner," even though she was a beloved young lady, nothing was more important than the future of the Prime Minister’s Office.

It was true that she was a beloved granddaughter who had lost her parents, but in the old lady’s heart, even the most cherished grandchild could not compare to her two sons and several granddaughters and grandsons who were still alive.

Although the old lady spoke kindly, if the grand master really wanted to, she would likely choose to marry her off. Her current behavior was only to show her loving heart and avoid resentment towards the Prime Minister’s Office.

The old lady kept talking, her well-cared-for hands, though marked with age spots, tightly held Yun Chuyou’s, "Don’t worry, when the time comes, you can say you are promised to your cousin. Even the grand master cannot forcibly take you as his wife."

Yun Chuyou simply exclaimed, "Grandmother, you’re hurting my hand."

She calmly replied, "I don’t want to marry my cousin the prince. And if the grand master truly insists, it would be bad for my cousin. Then I will become a nun, always beside the quiet light and ancient Buddha."

Since the grand master is a trickster, then let’s defeat him with the gods. If he wants to devote his body and mind to the spirit, what more can the grand master say?

As for marrying the prince, she never thought about it at all. Yun Chuyou did not feel anxious or afraid; instead, she felt very lucky, as if her wishes were coming true.

If she was happily living her life and suddenly suggested becoming a monk, it would be very strange and she would surely face a lot of resistance. She might even be forced to stay at home, so it would be a good chance to leave voluntarily. This might stir some feelings of guilt in her grandmother and grandfather.

"The young lady has arrived."

The maid in charge of leading stopped and stood behind the screen, not daring to go any closer.

Yun Chuyou held her grandmother’s arm and, without any shame, looked over; with that glance, she was stunned.

The grand master indeed had silver hair, but his face did not match that of an old man at all. No matter his skin, his eyes, or his figure, this person seemed to be young; it showed how harmful rumors can be.

Yun Chuyou stared intensely; the grand master, who had been very arrogant in front of the prime minister, now shyly lowered his head, his long silver hair couldn’t hide his red ears.

"Chuyou, you’ve come." The old-fashioned prime minister had never spoken so gently to the original person before.

He tried to speak about the grand master’s proposal in an objective tone, but at the same time, he was hinting to Yun Chuyou with his eyes not to accept it.

After all, the Prime Minister is the head of the scholars and values his good name very much. In rumors, the grand master is just an old man with white hair and a youthful face. If he married his teenage granddaughter to the grand master, he would definitely be attacked for selling his granddaughter for fame.

For the sake of his reputation, Yun Chuyou could not marry the grand master.

Originally, Yun Chuyou planned to become a nun, but when the words were about to leave her mouth, she changed her mind and said, "I think the grand master is very good and have no objections to this marriage."

"Old lady, are you okay?!"

The old lady in the Prime Minister’s Office fainted, and the Prime Minister wanted to faint too but couldn’t.

The reason Yun Chuyou changed her words was partly because of the grand master’s good looks, and partly because of the system value panel appearing over the grand master’s head.

[Name/Former Name: Xie Qi (Xie Fuzhi)]

[Identity: Grand Master/Qingxu Sect Supreme Elder]

[Age: Thirty thousand years old]

[Cultivation: ??? (Sealed state)]

[Gender: Male]

[Race: Phoenix Race]

[Marital status: Unmarried]

Whether in the illusion or outside of it, the two of them have not made a bond, so they are naturally unmarried.

[Favorability rating: One hundred (The reason it shows one hundred is that the maximum limit for this system’s favorability rating is 100)]

Yun Chuyou thought the name Qingxu Sect sounded familiar, but she couldn’t remember where she had heard it.

When she saw that Xie Qi was thirty thousand years old, she suddenly didn’t mind Xie Fuzhi being older. After all, for someone over twenty like her, a partner could be eighteen, three hundred, three thousand, or thirty thousand years old, but it couldn’t be thirty years old, and definitely not eighty.

Xie Qi is like a phoenix, with white hair, a handsome appearance, and the perfect look that hits her soft spot.

Compared to her cousin, the prince who is destined to have thousands of beautiful women in his harem, Yun Chuyou’s satisfaction with the grand master is not too high. Not to mention, the system shows that Xie Qi’s favorability rating for her is actually one hundred.

However, before that, she still has some questions to ask.

"Xie Qi, did you come to propose to me because you saw me yesterday? Are you sure you have the right person?"

Xie Qi’s cheeks were as pink as peach blossoms in spring, and his voice was soft enough to feel like it was dripping with sweetness. He stared at Yun Chuyou without blinking, "I won’t make a mistake."

He followed Yun Chuyou’s carriage all the way yesterday, watching her enter the Prime Minister’s Office.

Yun Chuyou suddenly remembered something. Yesterday, she had felt someone staring at her from behind, with very passionate eyes. Could it be that Xie Qi is that strange stalker?

Thinking of this, she straightforwardly asked, "When you saw me for the first time yesterday, did you follow me the whole way?"

The Old Prime Minister, who was still awake nearby, almost fell over when he heard such a question. Where did the young lady’s modesty go? Doesn’t the grand master have any dignity? How can he ask like that?

Xie Qi readily admitted, "Yes, it’s me. I’m worried about you. It’s not safe outside, and you only have a few people with you."

Even the Old Prime Minister, who was very experienced, thought to himself upon hearing such open words: This grand master must be strange!

Normally, if someone met such a strange person in real life, they would think about escaping quickly, but for some reason, Yun Chuyou had a feeling that this grand master would never hurt her.

She continued, "I’m a very jealous person. If I am present, there cannot be anyone else in your home, no matter if they are young or old, human or ghost."

Being devoted is a basis for a relationship to grow; the other person might have a perfect view of you, but that doesn’t stop them from liking other people.

During her time in university, Yun Chuyou often saw men who claimed to be deeply in love. These men would speak of devotion, yet still sleep with others, saying their hearts were dead, but their lips could still kiss. It was quite scary.

In this feudal kingdom, it seemed normal for men to have many wives. Her cousin, as the prince, could have many rooms and wives, so asking for devotion made one look like a jealous shrew and commit a grave sin.

Xie Qi gazed at her with tenderness, "You are the only one for me, and I can only be yours."

He felt very lucky to have found her before the prince got engaged to Yun Chuyou. If the prince married her, he would surely become wildly jealous.

Chuyou cannot be wrong; only the prince and the old man who married her off can be wrong.

"I have a few things I want to say to you alone."

Yun Chuyou looked at the Old Prime Minister, "Should you step aside for now, or should I go out and talk to him alone?"

The latter clutched his chest, struggling to breathe, "I will leave."

He was afraid that if he stayed a moment longer, he would faint from anger.

Yun Chuyou then made a request to Xie Fuzhi, "I can agree to marry, but I demand complete freedom to go out whenever I want; I cannot be trapped in Grand Master Mansion."

As a young lady of high status, Yun Chuyou was expected to never step out of the front door or even the second door; if she went out, it must be by carriage, and there were many places she could not visit.

The rules for women became threads of restraint, tying her up and limiting her movements.

Yun Chuyou certainly did not accept the oppressive environment the original owner faced and did not think that a woman showing her face was scandalous.

Xie Qi immediately agreed, "You can go anywhere you want, but I will go with you."

Yun Chuyou thought for a moment, "Okay."

She had nothing to hide and no romantic date to worry about.

"If we really get married, I want to own the Grand Master Mansion."

Where there is love, there is money. Giving money doesn’t always mean love, but if you don’t give money, it definitely means you don’t love.

Xie Qi said, "What is yours is yours, and what is mine is yours too. Even if we are not married, you can still use my things."

Yun Chuyou used her sixth sense to tell that the person in front of her was speaking the truth.

She came to the conclusion that the grand master was quite in love; luckily, he met her, or he would just be digging for wild vegetables.

The two came to an agreement, and a smile appeared on Yun Chuyou’s face, "Let’s set a date soon so you can take me to your home."

Living in the Prime Minister’s Office is really not very free. Although her status is important, a whole family lives together in one house, and any noise in the courtyard is immediately heard by others.

She wants to stockpile food, and she also wants to get some weapons and hire enough private soldiers to protect herself against the chaotic times that may come.

But this status holds her back too much, with the old fox of a grandfather watching her, and she also has to please the old lady.

It’s not that the old lady is bad; she is a loving grandmother, but at the same time, she is still an old feudal lord of a bygone era. Their ways of thinking are very different from hers.

Staying in the house is not good for her. Yun Chuyou just wants to leave here quickly. After all, she is not the original owner, and pretending to be a suitable traditional young lady is not easy.

After reaching an agreement with Xie Qi, Yun Chuyou expressed her feelings to her grandfather, "I am very happy; let’s arrange this marriage soon."

Xie Qi was overflowing with joy; it seemed that as long as Yun Chuyou agreed, he did not care about anyone else’s objections, "I have calculated it; tomorrow is a lucky day, everything will go well, perfect for betrothal, marriage, and moving…"

He couldn’t wait to take Yun Chuyou away, preferably right now.

"The betrothal gifts, I prepared them overnight yesterday, eighty gifts, all according to the rules…"

This time, when Xie Qi came to propose, he was very formal. He followed all the proper etiquette and procedures, but he could adjust the order a bit and save unnecessary waiting time in the middle.

Seeing the grand master looking so worthless, the Old Prime Minister truly felt dizzy.

Outside the illusion, a few cultivators staring at this water mirror couldn’t bear to watch, "What are these two masters doing? Xuandaozi, hurry up and take that Xie Qi offline."

Xuandaozi is the master of this large secret realm scroll. Unlike the competitions in the other two realms, the Nascent Soul Stage competition uses a special spirit tool. As the owner of the spirit tool, Xuandaozi can adjust some details and, of course, can let someone go offline early.

Xuandaozi is someone who enjoys watching the excitement. Seeing the usually serious old man getting all flustered made him secretly happy, but he pretended to be troubled, "Isn’t this a bit wrong? There are others in this illusion who are talking about love too."

Among the two hundred cultivators, there are quite a few who are in a situation similar to Yun Chuyou’s. After all, for drama, feelings are a very important part.

Like in the general’s mansion, the fake and real daughters are competing for status and also for the high-ranking unmarried fiancé.

However, compared to Yun Chuyou and her partner, the feelings of others are lacking in sincerity, filled more with interests and strategies.

After all, these are all false memories stuffed into the illusion, so these cultivators find it hard to develop real feelings for their temporary partners; it all seems like bubbles of false love.

The cultivator who couldn’t stand it said firmly, "What’s wrong with it? He was added temporarily and shouldn’t be allowed to disrupt the balance of the competition. The grand master title is too powerful and shouldn’t appear in this story."

Even a cultivator who becomes the prince doesn’t have much advantage, since this country is about to fall, soon to be caught in chaos. A fallen prince can only show off for a moment in this scene, then jump past the plot point, ending up in a desperate situation.

Just as he fights his brothers, he will also be chased by rebels; the more elegant things are in front, the more miserable they will be behind.

But the grand master is different; even when the world turns chaotic, it won’t affect Xie Qi, the grand master. His existence is like a jade seal; whoever has the grand master is the rightful one, the one destined by fate.

Xuandaozi still refused to give in easily, "Once the illusion begins, it cannot be stopped easily. If I bring him out, I’ll have to use a lot of spiritual power and create a lot of enemies."

The underlying message of these words is that work should not be done for free; payment is necessary.

"That top-grade magical tool, the Astral Projection Stage, that you liked before is yours."

Xuandaozi still looked troubled, "I don’t really need that top-grade magical tool right now."

An elder from Tianheng Sect said, "I have a Phantom Sound Bell, a magical tool once used by the Hehuan Sect’s master, Liu Ruyi. If you bring it out, it will belong to you."

The Phantom Sound Bell was something Liu Ruyi had prepared for Yun Chuyou in the secret realm of the Sword Sect, but Yun Chuyou did not want it.

Later, when the secret realm of the Sword God returned to Song Mingzhu, those treasures naturally ended up in her hands. Song Mingzhu did not need so many items, so she gave the Phantom Sound Bell to her beloved uncle, who often took care of her.

Her master held a high position in the sect, and her uncle was the head elder of several peaks.

Xuandaozi was intrigued and agreed immediately, "It’s a deal, but I need to test it first before I proceed."

However, when it came time to take action, an embarrassing situation occurred. After struggling for a long time and sweating profusely, Xuandaozi realized that there was no change in the water curtain. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "I can’t make it work."

"You’re not trying to fool us, are you? This is your spirit tool; don’t you have any control over it?"

Xuandaozi glared with anger, "Who do you think I am? There’s no reason for me to deceive you about this."

The leader of Tianyuan Sect suddenly had a bad feeling, "Then try bringing out another disciple to see if it works. There are many others who went in to play roles, so just bring out anyone."

Xuandaozi tried again, and his face looked even worse than before.

"The connection between me and the Thousand Mile Landscape Map has been cut off…"

The Thousand Mile Landscape Map is the name of this special Dreamland Scroll.

Now those cultivators who were just watching couldn’t sit still, "What are you doing? The future of our spiritual world is at stake!"

Those at the Golden Core Stage are indeed rare talents that appear once every few thousand years. They are born with a talent for swords and great fortune.

However, the spiritual world cannot rely on just one or two geniuses; the abilities of the disciples upstream are also very important.

Two hundred Nascent Soul Stage prodigies, along with about two hundred disciples playing roles inside, if anything happens to them, it would be a huge blow even to the major sects.

These young disciples are all prodigies that they have spent countless resources nurturing. There must not be any incidents during such a grand event as the Hundred Sects Competition.

"I’m just trying…"

Xuandaozi certainly understood this principle. His previously relaxed and cheerful expression had long since turned pale and stiff, and he couldn’t smile at all now, "Two disciples have been eliminated. I saw them come out fine, but I don’t know if Xie Qi did something to restrict the non-competing disciples."

He is the cultivator responsible for bringing people in, so he certainly knows that Xie Qi’s abilities are definitely not at the small Nascent Soul Stage. The other person’s strength should far exceed his own. If Xie Qi himself is not willing to cooperate, even in a dream, he would not fall into a state of amnesia.

The leader of Tianyuan Sect, who was initially standing with Xie Fuzhi, suddenly became anxious, "Then you should try again, see if you can communicate more with Xie Qi. If that doesn’t work, make a strong effort to restore his memory so he can get himself out."

But soon, Xuandaozi couldn’t blame Xie Fuzhi anymore, because the two Nascent Soul Stage disciples who were eliminated suddenly went wild.