Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 1730 - 1723: The Jade Legacy of Yichuan

Chapter 1730: Chapter 1723: The Jade Legacy of Yichuan

"Hehe," Cheng Ziang smiled faintly, waving his hand as he spoke to Ming He, "Lord, please let them in, those two are our friends."

"Sorry, the orders I received were to protect the saints and not to let just anyone near the manor lords." Ming He refused his request without hesitation.

"Who are you calling just anyone? I’m a disciple of the Hongying Sect!" Xing Hu retorted, dissatisfied.

"Are you trying to protect the saints, or imprison them? If it’s the former, why are we not even allowed to meet our friends, something the Anxiang family of Qi State wouldn’t dare to treat us like this. If it’s the latter, then we need to seriously consider our options." Cheng Ziang said coldly.

"I am only trying to ensure the safety of the saints and the manor lords," Ming He replied with a troubled expression, respectfully.

"If it’s protection, why not let us meet our friends? At the end of the day, it’s still imprisonment in the name of protection." Cheng Ziang continued coldly.

"I dare not, it’s just..."

"I have the ability to protect myself, no need for the manor lord to worry. Let them in, we’ll handle whatever comes. If even such a request cannot be fulfilled, I can only interpret it as you are indeed imprisoning us." Cheng Ziang pressed further.

"I, I understand..." Facing Cheng Ziang’s relentless pressure, Ming He appeared conflicted. After much hesitation, he eventually agreed to let them pass.

"Thank you for your assistance, Lord." Xing Hu was overjoyed at this, cupping his hands as he expressed his gratitude.

"No need to thank me. After all, the Young Lord helped us a lot back in Guyi Government." Cheng Ziang said with a faint smile.

"It was just a small effort on my part," Xing Hu said, scratching his head somewhat embarrassed, "Saints act with virtue, blessing the world for generations, how could I turn a blind eye to that?"

"And who is this?" Cheng Ziang’s gaze focused on the girl beside Xing Hu.

She was a young girl, dressed simply in the attire of Kyushu. Her long black hair was styled in twin braids, a hairstyle indicating she hadn’t yet come of age.

The girl had a round, chubby face, still retaining a youthful innocence with her baby fat. Her appearance bore some resemblance to Hun Jiansi, not stunning but rather pleasant to look at, especially with those round eyes that reminded Cheng Ziang of Hun Jiansi, leading him to wonder if it was that girl up to her tricks once more.

As Cheng Ziang observed the girl, she too hid behind Xing Hu, warily staring at him. When their eyes met, she quickly withdrew her gaze and hid behind Xing Hu again.

"This must be..." Cheng Ziang asked hesitantly.

"Oh, let me introduce you," Xing Hu ignored the girl’s shyness, pulling her from behind to enthusiastically introduce, "She is Qingtang, my childhood friend."

"Haha, indeed a love affair..." Cheng Ziang smiled faintly, nodding in acknowledgment.

"Please, come inside." He paused, then put away his smile and gestured for them to enter.

"Okay, after you, Lord." Xing Hu took Qingtang’s hand and followed Cheng Ziang inside.

They walked through the courtyard to a guesthouse, empty except for the Advance Team members. The first thing that caught their attention was the array of fine food spread on the table.

"Looks like I arrived just in time." Xing Hu looked around, recognizing the people, and couldn’t help but show a relaxed expression.

"Ah, it’s you, kid, come over and eat," Hu Daoke immediately greeted Xing Hu warmly as soon as he saw him, "Hey, buddy, bring the wine, we have guests!"

Cheng Ziang glared at Hu Daoke, but instead of opposing, he turned to Xing Hu and said, "Sit anywhere you like, don’t be shy."

"Err, this doesn’t seem right, I came here without bringing much money, so..." Xing Hu showed an embarrassed expression.

"That day at Guyi Government, we owed you a favor that we might not repay in this lifetime, so no need to talk money with us, just sit anywhere." Cheng Ziang said.

"I merely helped those beggars." Xing Hu said surprised.

"Then that’s a favor to us, have a seat." Cheng Ziang said with a smile.

"Thanks, thank you, everyone." Xing Hu was moved beyond words by his remarks.

He took Qingtang’s small hand and sat down next to Hu Daoke. Hu Daoke noticed his companion, smiling with squinted eyes, asked, "Xing Hu, who is this?"

"Oh, she’s Qingtang, my childhood friend." Xing Hu introduced her again.

"Childhood sweetheart, when are you getting married?" Hu Daoke asked inquisitively.

"Uh..." Xing Hu let out an awkward chuckle, and Qingtang shyly lowered her head.

Cheng Ziang took off his mask, walked to sit beside Hu Daoke, glared at him, and said unceremoniously, "None of your business, drink your wine."

"So stingy, just asking." Hu Daoke said in a tone of mock grievance.

Just as he sat down, Cheng Ziang felt a strong gaze. He looked up to find Qingtang staring at him intently. But when their eyes met, she immediately averted her gaze.

"Feels odd, really not that girl, is it..." Cheng Ziang felt a bit uneasy, musing to himself.

Although Qingtang was Xing Hu’s childhood friend, Cheng Ziang always felt something strange about the girl, often reminding him of Hun Jiansi, whose identity kept changing, and he had grown used to it.

Soon all the dishes were served, and drinks arranged. Cheng Ziang dismissed the attendants, and the Advance Team began to remove their disguises, and started eating.

They didn’t mind revealing their true selves in front of Xing Hu, as the so-called mission group was just a public front. To someone like Xing Hu, whom they trusted, disguise was unnecessary.

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere began to relax considerably. Cheng Ziang looked at Xing Hu and couldn’t help but ask curiously, "I heard you were going back home, how did you end up bringing a girl to Yin State?"

Hearing this, Xing Hu suddenly frowned, let out a deep sigh, and said seriously, "Ah, it’s a long story."

"What’s the matter, did you encounter any trouble? Can you tell us?" Hu Daoke asked with concern.

"Uh..." Xing Hu glanced around at them, hesitated for a moment, and seemed to make a decision, nodding as he said, "I see you are all people of righteousness, who wouldn’t harm us, so I might as well speak the truth."

"Go ahead, if we can help, we will do our best." Cheng Ziang nodded and said.

"There was indeed a change when I went home," Xing Hu said, turning to look at Qingtang, his eyes filled with sadness, "Qingtang’s parents faced vengeance from old enemies, both encountered a grim fate, thanks to my parents hiding her, she was spared."

"Have you found those enemies?" Cheng Ziang asked with concern.

"No," Xing Hu shook his head helplessly, "it seems to be a vendetta from a prominent family, very difficult to trace who exactly."

"Why would a prominent family target a commoner?" Cheng Ziang quickly picked up on the unusual circumstance and asked curiously.

"Well..." Xing Hu hesitated again, exchanged glances with Qingtang, and took her small hand as he continued to tell Cheng Ziang, "Qingtang is not a commoner, her identity is quite unusual, which I only found out now."

"Oh, and she?" Cheng Ziang looked at Qingtang.

"Qingtang...she is a descendant of the Yichuan Clan, her real name is Yichuan Yu. Her family hid their identity in Jiangzhou all these years, only to be found by enemies," Xing Hu’s next statement shocked everyone present.

"A descendant of the Yichuan Clan, do you mean the Yichuan Clan of Jiangzhou?" Cheng Ziang asked in surprise.

"No, it’s the Yichuan Clan of Yin State," Xing Hu shook his head and decided to lay everything bare, "Qingtang’s mother was named Yichuan Hui, the cousin of the current Hundred Chiefs. Her father was Xia Yuan, a former servant of the Yichuan Clan."

"What’s going on here?" Cheng Ziang exchanged looks with everyone and patiently continued asking.

"I’m not sure myself, apparently..." Xing Hu said while turning to Qingtang, seemingly seeking her consent.

Seeing Qingtang nod slightly, he turned back and continued, "Qingtang’s father was once her mother’s guard; they fell in love and came together, leading to Qingtang’s birth. The old patriarch of the Yichuan Clan was furious upon learning this and expelled them from the clan, driving them out of Yin State. They fled to Jiangzhou, ultimately settling in a village near my home."