Chapter 1736
Chapter 1736. Not Necessarily a Misfortune for You—The Princess Hunted Across the Empire
“Father…”
Jiang Weiyang’s delicate body trembled, tears welling in her bright eyes.
Before her was a field of gray emptiness, devoid of color, yet she could still sense the resolve and heaviness in her father at this moment. If even the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty and the Zhengyi Alliance were unsafe, then in this vast boundless world, where else could she possibly flee to?
She did not know who the great enemy her father spoke of was, but for the other party to possess such terrifying influence, they could not possibly be an ordinary figure. Perhaps once she left the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, she might truly never see her father again. Especially since he might already have been tainted by dark matter.
“This is a brocade pouch I prepared for you long ago. Take it with you. While there is still time, leave the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty as soon as possible.”
“After tomorrow, I will send people to capture you. You must not cling to any old affections. Run with all your strength—run at any cost.”
Jiang Yun’s voice returned to its cold authority.
With a wave of his hand, Jiang Weiyang was sent outside the Weiyang Hall. The simple yet elegant brocade pouch landed steadily in her hands. Immediately after, with a loud boom, the palace doors slammed shut before her.
“Father…” Jiang Weiyang’s face dimmed, her voice choking with sobs.
News that the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty was about to form a marriage alliance with the Nanzhao Ancient Kingdom—specifically that the Weiyang Emperor intended to betroth Princess Weiyang to the Ninth Prince of Nanzhao, Ye Wudao—quickly spread like wildfire, stirring enormous waves throughout the dynasty.
Countless cultivators and living beings discussed and argued heatedly, their emotions running high. Young talents from various clans and sects found it difficult to accept the news, as if struck by a bolt from the blue, standing stunned and heartbroken.
The treasured jewel of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty—was she really to be taken away by a prince of another ancient kingdom?
The entire dynasty surged with unrest. After outside forces, sects, and civilizations in various realms learned of the news, they too were shocked and incredulous. The rumor that the Weiyang Emperor intended to choose a son-in-law—was actually true.
In the current sensitive and turbulent times, many speculated that the emperor had ulterior motives. But was he truly going to marry off the daughter he cherished like a pearl in his palm to the Ninth Prince of Nanzhao?
How could this not shake everyone and seem utterly unbelievable? Could it be that he truly intended to join forces with the Nanzhao Ancient Kingdom to deal with the present chaos together?
In terms of background and talent, the Ninth Prince Ye Wudao was indeed worthy of Princess Weiyang. Yet before this, the Weiyang Emperor had never shown any such intention.
The outside world buzzed with speculation. Later, the news was confirmed by several ministers within the palace. The emperor had already mentioned the matter before them and intended to select an auspicious date for the engagement.
On that very day, some ministers had even seen the emperor receive Ye Wudao in private. The two conversed pleasantly, and the emperor seemed very satisfied with him.
These scenes further verified the rumors.
Many young elites of the dynasty felt their hearts sink in unwilling bitterness, as if a priceless treasure had been snatched away. Watching the princess marry another, they were powerless to change anything.
“His Majesty is farsighted. He must already know that in the current situation, only by joining hands with others can one stand firm in the increasingly chaotic future.”
“The Zhengyi Alliance is like this; the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty must also be like this. Hence the marriage alliance with Nanzhao—to form a powerful union and intimidate the world.”
Many ministers speculated about the emperor’s intentions. Some even began currying favor with Ye Wudao, treating him as the emperor’s future son-in-law. The younger generation, however, harbored deep resentment but could do nothing.
Ye Wudao himself was naturally elated. To win the beauty without effort was beyond his expectations. He immediately sent word back to Nanzhao to inform his father to prepare lavish betrothal gifts.
That night, in high spirits, Ye Wudao hosted a grand banquet at the Fenghua Xueyue Pavilion in the imperial capital.
The bright moon hung high in the sky, its clear light falling like snow. Towering pavilions like celestial palaces stood amid drifting immortal mist. Fairy maidens moved gracefully with tea, fruits, and delicacies. Music flowed like heavenly melodies. Inside the pavilion, cups clinked as everyone congratulated Ye Wudao on embracing beauty and becoming the dynasty’s future prince consort.
It was a lively feast attended by many influential figures. Those young talents who once had conflicts with Ye Wudao could only drink away their bitterness in silence.
Some had originally intended to challenge him to a duel, but upon hearing the news, all fighting spirit vanished.
Meanwhile, deep within the palace, Jiang Yun stood outside the hall with hands behind his back, gazing into the distant void in silence. At last he sighed.
“Weiyang… I once paid a tremendous price to divine your fate. You possess great fortune and blessings. This escape from the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty may not necessarily be a misfortune for you.”
His expression turned cold and profound as he returned to the hall.
At that same moment, a plain ancient carriage drawn by three black heavenly horses rose into the air. A young man wearing a bamboo hat, dressed as a coachman, drove it swiftly through the void.
“Father…”
Inside the carriage, Jiang Weiyang tightly clutched the brocade pouch, her reluctance finally hardening into silent determination. Beside her, the three maidservants who had followed her since childhood remained quiet.
No one had expected that on the very night the marriage alliance was announced, the princess would flee. They had already received the emperor’s orders to protect her at all costs.
The young man driving the carriage was Zhu Fuyi, great-grandson of the Divine Martial Grand General. This renowned young talent had willingly become the princess’s coachman to help her escape—a devotion that filled the maidservants with admiration. After today, he would likely become a sinner of the Zhu family.
Back at the pavilion, Ye Wudao suddenly felt something amiss—some karmic thread seemed to be rapidly slipping away from him. He summoned a chaos-shrouded stone disc, activated it, and images appeared upon its surface: a carriage breaking through space and vanishing into a time tunnel before being swallowed by mist.
A young prodigy recognized the location. “Isn’t that the princess’s palace?”
Ye Wudao’s expression turned iron-green with anger, but he quickly composed himself. “Princess Weiyang is quite playful,” he said casually, masking the humiliation.
Just then, a golden decree shot into the sky from the palace. “Princess Jiang Weiyang has defied the imperial will and fled tonight. By the Emperor’s decree, all within the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty are to capture Princess Jiang Weiyang and bring her back without fail. Those who succeed shall be greatly rewarded.”
The entire dynasty was shaken. No one had imagined the emperor would personally order the capture of his own daughter.
Ye Wudao laughed confidently. “Since the princess is my fiancée, I naturally have the right to bring her back.” He immediately departed as a streak of light.
Elsewhere, at the Divine Martial General’s residence, Zhu Cangning was drenched in cold sweat upon learning his great-grandson had assisted the escape.
At that moment, a white-robed elder with a youthful face—Star-Bright National Preceptor—arrived with a gentle smile.
“I am here to help you,” he said warmly. “If the Zhu family does not wish to be implicated, it is best to sever ties with Zhu Fuyi immediately.”
Zhu Cangning hesitated. “He is from my family. How can we simply cut him off? If punishment comes, we will bear it together.”
The preceptor sighed softly. “If you do not wish greater calamity to fall upon the Zhu household, you would do well to follow my advice. Otherwise, disaster may be imminent.”
After speaking, he lightly patted Zhu Cangning’s shoulder.
“I need an item that carries Zhu Fuyi’s aura.”
Zhu Cangning was startled. The preceptor had not spoken aloud—his voice echoed directly within his mind.