Chapter 230: The Runaway Bride
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Murong Yanran could not describe her current emotions. Surprised, lost, panicked, flustered.
After years of dedicated cultivation in the old Wu City, her memory of that young man in black has already blurred.
She always believed that the young man’s abilities and hers were worlds apart and that he would eventually mock himself for his youthful ignorance and throw his unrealistic dreams to the back of his mind, then go about his life earnestly.
And from then on, the two of them would have nothing to do with each other, and a hundred years later, the young man would be reduced to a pile of dirt, but how far could she go on her path of cultivation?
Murong Yanran had always believed this way. But now, the young man’s bold words that day resounded in her mind once again, never so vividly before.
"Miss Murong, I’ll leave you with a saying. Every dog has its day, don’t look down on someone just because he is young and poor".
"I’ll come back for you in three years!"
At this moment, those words that day were not just vivid memories anymore. After the Tong Ling Priestess told her about the state of Xiao Yan and the Celestial Sect of Wonders, Xiao Yan’s bold pronouncement that day became as heavy as a mountain, weighing down on Murong Yanran’s heart and making her terribly breathless.
Seeing how petrified Murong Yanrong was, the Tong Ling Priestess hesitated for a second, then gritted her teeth and said, "Actually, there is still a solution to this problem."
Murong Yanran's eyes suddenly flickered with hope. She anxiously tugged at the hem of the Tong Ling Priestess’ robes, "Master, what solution is that?"
Seeing Murong Yanran’s desperation, like a drowning person grabbing onto a straw of hay for dear life, the Tong Ling Priestess tilted her head away, unable to look her in the eye.
"Prince Chongyun of the Great Qin Empire is going to choose a consort soon, and this is your only chance."
Murong Yanran’s eyes were wide open. "Master …"
The Tong Ling Priestess sighed. She too was shocked when the Azure Clouds Grandmaster suggested this plan.
The Azure Clouds Grandmaster’s intention was to marry Murong Yanran to Prince Chongyun before Xiao Yan challenges their sect. This way, he would be able to transfer the feud between Murong Yanran and Xiao Yan from the Sword of Radiance Sect to Prince Chongyun.
The Great Qin Empire certainly does not have an autocratic rule like the Great Zhou Empire. The four aristocrat families of Qin are very influential and control huge amounts of resources. At the same time, the Mount Shu Sword Sect and the Sword of Radiance Sect have also monopolised many resources.
However, the royal family of the Great Qin Empire is not as weak as they seem. They still hold immense control within the Qin borders to be able to maintain diplomatic, interdependent relationships with the aristocrat families and the sects.
If Murong Yanran marries Prince Chongyun, she would not become an ordinary concubine, but a high-ranking consort second only to the crown princess.
If Xiao Yan dares to seek trouble, he might have to face the wrath of the entire Great Qin Empire.
Especially with the Celestial Sect of Wonders rising steadily in power, with a possible alliance with the Great Zhou Empire, it would be easier to trigger the various factions of the Great Qin Empire to act.
This tremendous force is far more powerful than the Sword of Radiance Sect alone.
The Azure Clouds Grandmaster replied complacently, "Don’t even bother mentioning Xiao Yan. Even the Leader of the Celestial Sect of Wonders, Lin Feng, wouldn’t dare to mess around with us."
The only worry was whether Prince Chongyun would willingly become the Sword of Radiance Sect’s scapegoat and whether he, the heir to the Great Qin Empire, would be angered if the sect forces him to take a bullet for them.
When the Tong Ling Priestess surfaced these problems, the Azure Clouds Grandmaster just replied calmly, "You just need to follow my instructions, there’s no need to ask about anything else. I have my plan."
How could he not have considered the problems that the Tong Ling Priestess raised? There were just some secrets of the Sword of Radiance Sect that she was not aware of but only made known to Nascent Soul stage Grandmasters like himself.
Long before he set off to Shazhou City to attend the Sect-opening Ceremony of the Celestial Sect of Wonders, the Leader of the Sword of Radiance Sect and the various sect Elders have already decided to implement certain changes to the direction the sect will be heading towards in the future, and to get closer to the Great Qin Empire.
Marrying Murong Yanran into the Qin’s royal family can also foster stronger bonds between the Sword of Radiance Sect and the Great Qin Empire, thereby killing two birds with one stone. Furthermore, by having the support from the entire Sword of Radiance Sect, Prince Chongyun’s heart would naturally be swayed to make a favourable decision.
The Azure Clouds Grandmaster was not worried that Prince Chongyun would be unhappy as these matters could be discussed openly even before the marriage.
What he needed to plan was how to make Murong Yanran truly Prince Chongyun’s consort. As far as he knew, there were quite a few people also aiming for that position.
The Azure Clouds Grandmaster said composedly, "You don’t have to care about anything else. Go inform Yanran so she would be prepared."
The Tong Ling Priestess looked at the astonished Murong Yanran and recalled the Azure Clouds Grandmaster’s instructions. She sighed and said, "Yanran, you don’t have to worry. Once you are married to Prince Chongyun as his consort, your rank would be second only to the Crown Princess."
"You will also have the sect backing you up, you don’t have to worry about being bullied.".
Murong Yanran was stunned and speechless. She could only stare at the Tong Ling Priestess in bewilderment as if she just met her Master for the first time.
The Tongling Priestess hardened her heart and said, "Could it be that you wish to reconcile with Xiao Yan after seeing how successful he is now?"
Murong Yanran shifted her eyes around, finally regained her composure. She said coldly, "Regardless whether it’s the wastrel Xiao Yan then, or the genius Xiao Yan now, I will never regret my decision to cancel my engagement with him."
"What about your marriage to Prince Chongyun?" The Tong Ling Priestess continued.
Murong Yanran gazed up at the blue sky and white clouds above her abode and said calmly, "I’ll leave everything for Master to decide."
"I’m glad that you can come to terms with it." The Tong Ling Priestess patted Murong Yanran’s shoulder and left the abode to give her disciple some time to calm down.
Murong Yanran was the only one left in the abode. She closed her eyes gently and just sat there motionlessly.
After some time, she muttered under her breath, "I’m sorry, Master."
I will be the master of my own destiny! I don’t need a life that others have arranged for me!
Murong Yanran opened her eyes and grinned in self-mockery. "Prince Chongyun’s consort? What a noble rank, just a pity I don’t care for it! If I let others arrange my marriage, why would I have rejected Xiao Yan’s marriage proposal then?"
She leapt to her feet and began packing her belongings, then left her abode unhurriedly, even stopping to greet her junior and seniors like she always did, acting completely natural. Half an hour later, the Tong Ling Priestess received news that Murong Yanran has left the mountain.
"Idiot, idiot!" The Tong Ling Priestess berated under her breath, wanting to report the matter to the Azure Clouds Grandmaster, but hesitated just before doing so.
Perhaps being a woman like Murong Yanran, caused her to bear a natural resistance towards the Azure Clouds Grandmaster’s decision.
The Tong Ling Priestess shook her head and sighed, "I’ll still have to report this matter to the Grandmaster eventually. My disciple, helping you stall for time is the only thing I can do for you now."
The Tong Ling Priestess soon regretted her decision. Just as she brought the news to the Azure Clouds Grandmaster, she noticed the usually calm old man’s body shivering slightly.
"Find her… you must bring back this traitor!" The Azure Clouds Grandmaster completely lost his composure. His usual refined and gentle self thoroughly disappeared as he let out a ferocious roar. The Tong Ling Priestess was aghast, "Master, what in the world...."
The Azure Clouds Grandmaster panted heavily like a wind box. Depressed, he said, "I’ve just contacted Prince Chongyun, and he has already mentioned that he will travel here personally to discuss this matter."
The Tong Ling Priestess gasped, "That was so fast …" She did not dare continue as the Azure Clouds Grandmaster’s eyes were flaring with rage. She quickly excused herself in search of Murong Yanran.
The Azure Clouds Grandmaster took a long while to regain his composure, with his old face completely wrinkled into a chrysanthemum.
Extreme joy really begets sorrow. He thought that Murong Yanran would be elated to marry Prince Chongyun, but he was awfully wrong.
Who would have thought that Murong Yanran would give up the prestigious title of the Crown Prince’s consort and immediately run away? The Azure Clouds Grandmaster contacted the Prince Chongyun without first securing Murong Yanran and now, a total tragedy has unfolded.
The runaway bride Murong Yanran would definitely bring about a terrifying disaster.
With Prince Chongyun getting stood up and no one left to duel Xiao Yan, the pressure from both sides was now crushing the Sword of Radiance Sect, and perhaps completely borne by the Azure Clouds Grandmaster alone.
It was truly as if he had lifted a rock up to crush his own feet.
He instantly felt his whole world becoming purely black and white.
"I must get that brat back!"
....
Back on Mount Yujing, Zhu Yi gathered the newest version of the teaching materials to continue his lesson. Xiao Budian followed him just to join in the fun.
Yang Qing stayed behind in the herb valley to tend to the spiritual herbs and medicines. Although his Grand Moon Primordial Water cannot be compared to the One Heavenly Primordial Water when it comes to combining compounds together, it is still a highly beneficial spring-water for all forms of life and works wonders for watering the herb fields.
On the other hand, Yue Hongyan continued to study her mantras. After training in the Great Celestial Way of the Eight Trigrams, she could sense that her mantras have shown excellent improvement, and believed that she would soon be able to form her crucible.
Lin Feng sent his disciples on their way and allowed his consciousness to enter one of the Celestial Small Worlds.
In this world of purple clouds, the little Taotie Tun Tun was going around in circles restlessly. She was incredibly annoyed not just because she was robbed of her freedom, but being a glutton, she was more irritated that she could not enjoy the sumptuous meal that laid before her.
Lin Feng’s Heaven-Revolving Purple Clouds were among the most delicious and concentrated things that Tun Tun has ever eaten in her life.
If she had not been taught a lesson by Lin Feng previously, she would have already devoured the Celestial Small World made of Heaven-Revolving Purple Clouds that was imprisoning her.
Upon noticing Lin Feng approaching, she pursed her lips and grunted loudly, "You big liar, when exactly are you letting me go? Also, are you going to honour your word regarding the delicious food you promised?"
Lin Feng pursed his lips too. "The last sentence was your main point, right?"
Tun Tun’s face flushed red and exclaimed ferociously, "So what? I’m a Taotie!"
"Don't panic, don't panic." Lin Feng smiled and said, "The first light of dawn is right before you."
With that, he pointed a finger to clear the Heaven-Revolving Purple Clouds that formed the Celestial Small World and destroying the prison that trapped Tun Tun.
Tun Tun went blank for a moment before finally cheering, "I’m finally free!"
She reached for the ground and inhaled the rich spiritual energy of Mount Yujing greedily. As she gazed around Mount Yujing, her eyes widened, "This is wonderful!"
"All this delicious food!"