Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor
Chapter 323: Three hundred and twenty-three Rejected

Chapter 323: Three hundred and twenty-three Rejected

"How is that, are my intentions still not clear enough? Does the Crown Prince have anything else to say?"

Seeing that Xuan Jiuding did not leave as told, Yun Xiao suddenly felt a sense of wariness in his heart. Could it be that the Crown Prince, seeing that a soft approach got nowhere, was going to try a hard one?

Previously, Yun Xiao agreed with Yu Shu’s thinking, believing that in a place like Heavenly Moon Pavilion, even Xuan Jiuding, the Crown Prince of the Empire, would hardly dare to act rashly.

However, having witnessed Xuan Jiuding’s tactics, Yun Xiao began to feel uncertain, and he could faintly sense that the Crown Prince’s strength might be significantly stronger than the two geniuses of the Jade Pot Sect’s Inner Sect. He was definitely no match.

Fortunately, Yun Xiao’s precautions were unnecessary. No matter how much Xuan Jiuding wanted the key in Yun Xiao’s possession, he dared not take such a huge risk, for this was about the key to his position as the Crown Prince.

Xuan Jiuding had indeed cultivated his influence over the years and even controlled almost half of the courtiers, but he would not dare to turn against the true King of Xuanyue Country before the time was right, the risk was too great.

Therefore, the next moment, Yun Xiao heard Xuan Jiuding speak in a deep voice: "Yun Xiao, you may not care about money or status, but there is one thing you might not be able to refuse!"

"What thing?"

Although Yun Xiao had resolved not to compromise, at this moment he was genuinely curious to hear what the Crown Prince had to say, and what matter made him so certain.

"Your mother and sister, they also died in the Shang Family’s annihilation, didn’t they? If you hand over the key to me, perhaps I can provide you with some clues about your enemies!"

It had to be said that the Crown Prince was truly a remarkable figure. These words hit Yun Xiao’s soft spot precisely. If there was indeed something he cared immensely about in this life, it could only be this matter.

Even though Xuan Jiuding was not very clear about Yun Xiao’s treatment in the Shang Family, he knew this young man valued loyalty and was probably harboring a deep desire to avenge his mother and sister.

Perhaps Xuan Jiuding had heard some things from Xuan Zhi. Had Xuan Zhi and Bi Luo in the Outer Sect not made up some ghosts’ tales about the details of the annihilation, aiming to have Guan Tong lure Yun Xiao in?

Since Yun Xiao was not swayed by offers of money or status, then the opposite approach should be taken; using the vengeance for his mother and sister’s death to make the young man capitulate. It seemed to have some effect now.

No, it’s not just some effect!

Watching Yun Xiao’s expression changing uncertainly after his words, Xuan Jiuding knew that it made a significant impact and could potentially use this as a breakthrough to achieve his goal.

However, the next moment, Xuan Jiuding saw Yun Xiao raised his head, staring at him and said, "The Crown Prince and Xuan Zhi are really brothers, aren’t they? Using the exact same trick. But the same lie told once is enough. Do you think I would believe it a second time?"

It seemed Yun Xiao had thought back to that incident. That incident was clearly a ghost story concocted by Xuan Zhi to have Guan Tong lure him over, to frame him. There might not be genuine knowledge about the details of the Shang Family’s annihilation.

Xuan Jiuding, being extremely shrewd, slightly startled at the remarks, soon grasped the implication of Yun Xiao’s scornful words. He knew that he had to present some substantial evidence, or this intelligent and cunning young man would never believe him.

"Yun Xiao, at the time of the Shang Family’s annihilation, you must have been present, right? Although I don’t know how you survived, but the name ’Yu Qian’, does it ring a bell?"

"Yu Qian? Yu Qian!"

Yun Xiao’s eyes initially flashed with confusion upon hearing these two words, then suddenly seemed to remember something, and his gaze lit up.

At the time when the Shang Family was destroyed, it was during the competition for the spots in the Jade Pot Sect, and the unwelcome guests entered the Shang Family when Yun Xiao was being pushed into a corner by Shang Ying, the Shang Family’s second elder.

The first to appear was a tall, thin old man. Yun Xiao only remembered a black star-shaped mark on the back of one of his hands, but nothing else.

Yet, what left the deepest impression on Yun Xiao was a name that came from that tall, thin old man’s mouth. That name was "Yu Qian." These two words, he would never forget.

However, on the Hidden Dragon Continent, there could be hundreds, if not thousands of people named Yu Qian. In the vast continent, where could he even begin to search? He never imagined that this name "Yu Qian" would now come from the mouth of Xuan Jiuding.

Yun Xiao, who initially thought Xuan Jiuding was trying to deceive him to get the key, was now caught in a dilemma, because he knew that Xuan Jiuding who could mention the name "Yu Qian" must indeed have some clues, even if he was not clear about the ins and outs of the Shang Family’s annihilation.

At the very least, Xuan Jiuding must have some understanding of Yu Qian. If we could truly find this Yu Qian, perhaps we could use him as a breakthrough point to locate the mastermind behind everything, and finally achieve vengeance for my mother and sister.

In this instant, Yun Xiao was genuinely engulfed in a dilemma. The great vengeance for his mother and sister was a thorn in his heart, while the Black Key was related to something connected with the Blood Moon Jade and, even more so, it could potentially lead him to his father.

Yun Xiao was having a hard time weighing the two, and Xuan Jiuding by his side did not forget to add fuel to the fire, as he continued to say: "I can also tell you that Yu Qian is not from our Xuanyue Empire. Finding him is not going to be easy."

The meaning of Xuan Jiuding’s words was to let Yun Xiao know not to harbor the idea of using the power of the Jade Pot Sect to investigate Yu Qian. Just like the Xuanyue Royal Family, the influence of the Jade Pot Sect only extends across the Xuanyue Empire. It carries no deterrent effect on other empires in the Hidden Dragon Continent.

At this moment, a certain inexplicable confidence began to swell in Xuan Jiuding’s heart. Looking at the young man’s state, he should be willing to hand over the key to avenge his mother and sister, right?

"Sorry, Crown Prince, please leave,"

Who could have known, just as Xuan Jiuding was confidently waiting for Yun Xiao’s response, he was met with this eviction notice. It was actually the second time Yun Xiao had asked him to leave.

It seemed that during his period of contemplation, Yun Xiao had already clarified some things and made his final decision. Or, in his view, the details about Yu Qian were simply not on par with the value of the Black Key.

Moreover, Yun Xiao was well aware that with his own strength at the Late Stage of the Meridian Rushing Realm, even if he came to know Yu Qian’s true identity, he wouldn’t be able to take revenge in a short span of time.

Therefore, Yun Xiao believed that the most important thing was to boost his own strength as quickly as possible, and the Black Key could just be the crucial element to achieving that.

Even Yun Xiao was thinking if he really obtained the thing that could induce a response from the Blood Moon Jade, he might also be able to find clues related to his father.

Weren’t those people who eradicated the Shang Family just looking for the Blood Moon Jade? If he found that surrogate father, perhaps everything would be resolved, eliminating the need for the clues offered by Xuan Jiuding.

These were the myriad thoughts that flashed through Yun Xiao’s mind in an instant. Vengeance required strength, and seeking revenge without power would only result in sacrificing oneself in vain.

The decision made by Yun Xiao dashed the last hope of Xuan Jiuding. The Crown Prince, who was originally in good spirits, undoubtedly turned extremely sour at this moment. In his life, he had never met such an insensible person.

He, the exalted Prince of the Empire, had condescended to make a request in person, and yet this youngster at the Late Stage of the Meridian Rushing Realm, who was also a loner without any clan backing, had twice rejected his offer. Where could Xuan Jiuding possibly put his face?

However, this was the Heavenly Moon Pavilion, and specifically, Room No. 1 of the pavilion. Even if Xuan Jiuding had the audacity, he wouldn’t dare make a move against Yun Xiao here. After all, as the Crown Prince, he could not do as he pleased within the Xuanyue Empire.

What’s more, the Sect Master Yu Shu of the Jade Pot Sect was not far away. If he couldn’t take Yun Xiao out in one blow, and Yu Shu came upon the scene, the Crown Prince might not be able to walk away unscathed.

Xuan Jiuding glared at Yun Xiao with a sullen face for a long time, wishing he could slap the young man dead on the spot and then take possession of the Waist Storage that possibly contained the Black Key.

"Hmph, let’s just wait and see then!"

After thinking for a long while, Xuan Jiuding ultimately did not dare to make any excessive movements against Yun Xiao. After a cold snort, he decisively turned around and left the pavilion without looking back.

But after stepping out of the pavilion, Xuan Jiuding’s mood had already undergone some changes. Since Yun Xiao was unyielding both ways, it looked like the Crown Prince would have to resort to a different method.

As the Crown Prince of the Xuanyue Empire, having governed a country for years, he had various schemes at his disposal, not all of which could be brought to light.

To govern a nation, it was not enough to rely solely on a kind heart. Even someone hailed as a wise ruler like Xuan Haoran sometimes had to resort to methods that were less than honorable.

Yun Xiao was unaware of the measures the Crown Prince was planning against him, but after this incident, he had gained a brand new understanding of Xuan Jiuding; this guy was much more formidable than Xuan Zhi.

Whether in terms of Meridian Qi Cultivation or status and identity, Yun Xiao knew he could not compare with Xuan Jiuding. The only thing he could count on might be the soul of the reincarnated Long Xiao Battle God.

As for the Jade Pot Sect, Yun Xiao was not at all sure that when a life-and-death situation truly came, Yu Shu and the Sect Elders would tear their faces with the enormous Royal Family for the sake of a young disciple like him.

Ultimately, everything depended on himself. Placing hope on others was not Yun Xiao’s style because sometimes, outside help was unreliable.

Amidst these unsettling undercurrents, the once-a-year birthday of the King of Xuanyue Country finally arrived with much pomp and fanfare.