Celestial Master： I Have an Otherworld

Chapter 469 - 4: The Commandery Princess and the Little Princess

Forced conscription, even if unwilling, one must go.

The camel, even dead, is larger than a horse; the current Imperial Court still has the ability to suppress rebels and has the strength to crush dissent.

If you don’t go,

you’re showing contempt for the Imperial Court.

You might as well be executed as a rebel at any moment.

The next day.

Fang Zheng, accompanied by Lu Zhi and more than a hundred private soldiers, set off on horseback straight for Zhaonan Prefecture.

Rushing all the way, they reached the border of the Prefecture City by the early morning of the second day.

"Whoa!"

Fang Zheng pulled on the reins, leaping off the horse to land in front of Linghu An, who had been waiting for some time.

He cupped his fists and saluted:

"Father-in-law!"

After months apart, Linghu An seemed to have aged significantly, his eyes filled with worry. Seeing Fang Zheng, he nodded.

"You’ve arrived, follow me to meet the Prince and Lord Mansion Master first."

Saying this, he turned to lead the way.

"Father-in-law."

Fang Zheng gave Lu Zhi a few instructions, then followed, asking:

"How are things?"

"Not so good." Linghu An shook his head:

"With the Prince overseeing, we should have eliminated the Cyan Wolf Gang in one move, but unexpectedly, an Evil Daoist Sage appeared at the crucial moment."

"That person seems to have a background, and the Prince chose not to act rashly."

"Now both sides have reached a tacit understanding; those above the level of Martial Artist won’t interfere, and from here on, it will be a test of individual skills."

"A Sage?" Fang Zheng frowned:

"No wonder the rebels are growing bolder; even a Sage is willing to come out to assist. How is the Pan Family holding up?"

"Pan Ran?"

Linghu An, being from Gu’an County and familiar with the Pan Family, shook his head at the mention:

"He’s dead!"

"Not only Pan Ran, but the Pan Family faced misfortune, surrounded by rebels, with few survivors."

Hmm?

Fang Zheng’s expression shifted slightly.

He understood the peril of war, where no one could guarantee safety, but hadn’t expected Pan Ran’s entrustment of his family to become a haunting prophecy.

"Pan Ran was merely a Great Zhou Celestial Martial Artist; not to mention him, even a Flawless Martial Artist might not escape if encircled by a battle array."

Linghu An sighed:

"In the course of battle, two Flawless Martial Artists have already perished on the battlefield, and I... am constantly on edge."

"I didn’t expect..." Fang Zheng shook his head:

"For a mere Cyan Wolf Gang, to possess such capabilities?"

"Not just the Cyan Wolf Gang." Linghu An glanced at him, saying:

"There are also those from the White Lotus Sect and Exclusion Sect among the rebels, otherwise, the Court would have suppressed them much more easily."

White Lotus Sect?

Exclusion Sect?

Both factions are adept at stirring up chaos.

Especially the former, which surfaces in every chaotic era for thousands of years, never failing expectations.

While they spoke,

the two of them entered a luxurious courtyard in the city.

In front of the grand hall,

a person stood with hands at their sides.

This person was not tall, only reaching Fang Zheng’s shoulder, wearing simple short attire, and carrying three sheathed long sabers on their back.

Though the sabers were sheathed, they drew the duo’s attention.

"Liu Sandao!"

Linghu An cupped his fists and saluted:

"Brother Liu is here too."

"Summoned by the Mansion Master, I had to come." Liu Sandao turned his head at the sound, nodding to the two:

"Young Master Fang is here as well."

"With Master Liu’s presence, how could I not come?" Fang Zheng spoke up.

Liu Sandao was the Master of the Great Saber Gang, whose influence was some distance from Gu’an County, and they had barely interacted before.

They had merely seen each other.

This man,

was also a Flawless Martial Artist, exceptionally skilled in the Saber Technique, challenging to find opponents at his level.

"I heard from Second Master Zhu of Black Wind Stronghold..."

Liu Sandao glanced at Fang Zheng, speaking slowly:

"Young Master Fang is also a Flawless Martial Artist, hidden so well, yet I had overlooked him."

"Is there time for a spar?"

"Just joking." Fang Zheng shook his head:

"I was fortunate to breakthrough, with little combat experience, not comparable to Master Liu."

"By the way!"

He changed the topic:

"Why hasn’t Master Liu gone inside?"

"The Prince and the Lord Mansion Master are discussing matters inside; no one is to disturb them." Liu Sandao said with head lowered:

"We must wait."

The wait continued.

From morning until afternoon.

Only then did those inside the grand hall seem to remember someone was waiting outside, sending word that waiting was unnecessary.

In a few days, there would be another summons.

The three naturally didn’t dare object, bowing and taking their leave.

"Young Master Fang."

About to bid farewell to Linghu An, a maid dressed in plain green approached, hands at her waist, curtseying:

"My lady invites you."

"Your lady?" Fang Zheng showed surprise:

"What is her name?"

"Princess Qingyuan!"

Princess?

The Prince’s daughter!

What does she want with me?

Fang Zheng couldn’t recall knowing any high-ranking princess within his acquaintance.

However, an invitation from the princess, non-attendance was not an option.

......

The separate courtyard was elegant, with some flowers clearly newly transplanted, arranged with care by gardeners.

Solely to win the beauty’s favor.

The guards at the courtyard were robust women with burly arms as thick as a grown man’s thighs.

Judging by physique alone,

they seemed capable of tackling a tiger directly.

The maids inside the courtyard were the complete opposite, with delicate features and graceful postures, pleasing to the eye.

Fang Zheng followed the maid named Xiao Cui to a stone pavilion, saluting the silhouette within:

"Commoner Fang Zheng greets the Commandery Princess!"

"Fang Zheng." The silhouette sat elegantly behind thin gauze, gently caressing the strings, a melodious tune echoed:

"Come forward."

"..." Fang Zheng looked up, hesitated, then stepped into the pavilion, catching a faint scent.

Behind the gauze.

Li Yingxuan scrutinized the man before her carefully.

Tall and sturdy, features sharp as though chiseled, eyes deep, but his looks were not particularly outstanding.

Indeed!

That person never cared about others’ appearances.

"I heard..."

After a brief pause, she started to speak slowly:

"Some years ago, your mansion took in two musician courtesans?"

Hmm?

Fang Zheng’s heart stirred slightly, then he nodded: