CHAPTER 292: CHAPTER 292: YAN NANSHAN IN PRISON_1

WHOOSH!

An elderly man, weathered by the years, instantly appeared in the sky above the courtyard.

He wore a white gown, with white hair and a white beard. His eyes, however, sparkled brightly, and his aged body stood straight and tall, like a sturdy iron pine tree.

The moment he saw this man, Qin Feiyang’s mind reeled with recognition.

He had indeed seen this man once in the Imperial Capital. He remembered it was when he was nine years old. The Governors of the Nine States had gone to the Imperial Capital for an audience with the Emperor. At that time, the Emperor had taken young Qin Feiyang along when meeting them. Therefore, this man had also seen him.

The only question was, after seven or eight years, would the man still recognize him?

Qin Feiyang was extremely apprehensive. The Governor’s arrival was too sudden; he was completely unprepared. Although his appearance and even his demeanor had undergone a drastic transformation, he couldn’t help but worry. If he were recognized, he would surely be in deep trouble today!

The Wolf King was also incredibly tense. Although it didn’t know the full situation, it could piece together a general idea from the fragments Qin Feiyang had mentioned over time.

Noticing the reactions of the man and the wolf, Ren Wushuang looked up at the old man and said, "Grandfather, why didn’t you send word before coming?" Her tone carried a hint of reproach.

The Governor, displeased, retorted, "Do I need to announce myself when visiting my own granddaughter’s residence?"

Ren Wushuang complained, "Your sudden appearance might frighten them."

"They shouldn’t be that easily scared, should they?"

The Governor paused, then landed opposite the two humans and the wolf, studying Qin Feiyang and the Wolf King.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, his brow furrowed. His gaze locked onto Qin Feiyang, a flicker of surprise appearing in his old eyes.

Has he seen through me? Qin Feiyang was instantly alarmed, ready to grab the Wolf King and flee into the ancient castle at any moment.

After an agonizing wait, the Governor finally spoke. "Shuang’er, didn’t you say he was merely a Martial Ancestor?"

Phew! Qin Feiyang silently breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed he hadn’t been recognized.

Ren Wushuang gave a wry smile. "When I left Yan Province, he was indeed only a Martial Ancestor. I didn’t expect him to break through to a Two-star War King so quickly."

"And this wolf cub," Ren Wushuang glared at the Wolf King.

During the six months with the mermaids, the Wolf King had successively broken through two minor cultivation realms. It was now a Three Star War King, surpassing Qin Feiyang. If it hadn’t been so playful and had focused on cultivation, its achievements would likely be even greater.

Of course, if Qin Feiyang hadn’t spent his time transcribing the War Technique, those sixty-thousand-plus Battle Intent Pills would have been enough for him to break through to Three Star, or even Four-star War King.

"Not bad, not bad at all. Truly fine saplings, both of them," the Governor said, nodding with a smile as he appraised the young man and the wolf.

Qin Feiyang cupped his hands. "You flatter me, Senior."

"Throughout the entire Spirit State, there has never been anyone who reached the War King realm by the age of sixteen," the Governor chuckled. "Even those martial arts prodigies in the State City who are your age, the strongest among them are merely Four-star or Five Star Martial Ancestors. So, you both deserve praise."

"Old man, what’s your cultivation level?" the Wolf King asked. Now that Qin Feiyang’s identity hadn’t been exposed, it had become much bolder.

"Old man?" Ren Wushuang was taken aback for a moment, then said angrily, "Wolf cub, show some respect!"

Qin Feiyang also shot it a harsh glare.

The Governor, too, looked a little surprised. It was the first time in his life anyone had dared to call him "old man" to his face.

"Hehe," the Wolf King said with a cheeky grin. "Miss Ren is Little Qin’s sister, and I’m his big brother, so that makes us family, right? Old man, you wouldn’t mind, would you?"

Qin Feiyang’s cheek twitched. This damn wolf really knows how to suck up.

The Governor looked at it with amusement. "And what if I said I do mind?"

The Wolf King shrank its neck, saying timidly, "Old man, you wouldn’t be that petty, would you?"

"Haha..." The Governor burst out laughing, seemingly quite pleased. "When you’re strong enough to fight me, you’ll naturally know my cultivation."

"Hmph, what’s so great about that," the Wolf King muttered disdainfully.

The Governor ignored it and turned to Qin Feiyang. "Report to the Holy Temple tomorrow. However, you are not to use my name; rely on yourself for everything."

"Yes, Senior," Qin Feiyang replied, cupping his hands.

"Additionally," the Governor continued, "Only Wang Hong, Shuang’er, and I know about your glorious achievements in Yan Province. So, in Spirit State, you are currently just an unknown young man. I hope you will continue to maintain a low profile. After all, being too dazzling attracts envy. Furthermore, I will not provide you with any assistance, and that includes Shuang’er."

"I understand, Senior," Qin Feiyang nodded.

"Very well, I must attend to my affairs. You young ones can chat among yourselves!" With a flicker, the Governor vanished without a trace.

Only then did Qin Feiyang truly let out a breath of relief.

Ren Wushuang said, "Feiyang, you don’t blame my grandfather, do you?"

"Why would I blame him?" Qin Feiyang chuckled. "He’s doing this for my own good. He doesn’t want me to become a delicate flower, pretty to look at but useless."

"I’m glad you think that way." Ren Wushuang nodded with a smile, then suddenly frowned. "Wait a minute. Listening to your tone, are you talking about me?"

"How would I dare say anything about you?" Qin Feiyang gave a苦笑 (forced smile, wry smile). Just the fact that Ren Wushuang dared to enter the Place of Ruins alone meant no one would dare call her a pampered young miss.

"I guess you wouldn’t dare." Ren Wushuang snorted softly, then turned and walked into the pavilion. She sat down on a chair and said with a smile, "Tell me about your experiences on the journey."

"There’s not much to tell," Qin Feiyang said with a slight smile, giving a brief account. "In the Desert of Death, we were fortunate that a giant python delivered us to the Sea of Despair. Once we reached the Sea of Despair, Fatty and Lu Hong soon awakened their Battle Souls and even grew wings. So, they carried me across the Sea of Despair."

He naturally omitted any mention of the Mermaid clan.

"Wings?" Ren Wushuang was stunned.

With a wave of Qin Feiyang’s hand, Fatty and Lu Hong appeared beside him. He smiled faintly. "Let our sister broaden her horizons."

PUFF!

At a thought from each of them, a pair of feathered wings unfurled from their backs.

"What is this?" Ren Wushuang shot to her feet, staring at the two in astonishment. Humans can actually grow wings? This is too incredible!

Fatty tossed his head, preening. "Miss Wushuang," he said with a smug laugh, "what do you think? Don’t you feel Master Fatty has become even more handsome?"

Dark lines appeared on Ren Wushuang’s forehead. This meatball, what part of him is handsome?

"He’s truly one of a kind," she muttered, shaking her head helplessly. "What kind of Battle Souls did you awaken?" She naturally attributed this strange phenomenon to their Battle Souls.

"That’s currently a secret," Fatty giggled.

Ren Wushuang simply rolled her eyes. The world is vast and full of countless wonders; that saying is indeed true.

Qin Feiyang asked, "Sister, where is Yan Nanshan now?"

Ren Wushuang composed herself. "I heard that he and Wei Zhongyang were imprisoned. Why? Do you want to see him?"

Qin Feiyang nodded.

Ren Wushuang smiled. "Alright. After you’ve rested, I’ll take you."

Qin Feiyang said, "I want to go now."

"Now?" Ren Wushuang paused, then nodded. "True. After all, he is your benefactor. It’s better to see him sooner rather than later."

She stood up and led Qin Feiyang and the others quickly out of the courtyard.

Along the way, she introduced them to the layout of the State City.

The State City was dozens of times larger than Yan City! The number of residents in the city alone was estimated to be no less than one hundred million. If you added the daily transient population, the number would be even more immense. There were also countless families, large and small.

The entire State City was divided into five major districts: East City, West City, North City, South City, and the Central District.

Apart from the Central District, the other four major districts—East City, West City, North City, and South City—each had an independent City Lord’s Mansion. Every City Lord was a trusted aide to the Governor, a true hegemon who could dominate their respective territories.

The Central District, then, was undoubtedly the true location of the state office! This was because the Governor’s mansion was located there. And a place as important as the prison was, naturally, also in the Central District, right next to the Governor’s mansion.

SWISH!

Ren Wushuang, along with the three people and one wolf, landed in a vast plaza.

The plaza was over three hundred meters across, paved with dark stone slabs that bore the marks of great age.

Ren Wushuang pointed ahead and said with a faint smile, "That’s the prison."

Qin Feiyang followed her gaze.

Before them stood an ancient pagoda, entirely black. It had ninety-nine stories, soared several hundred zhang high into the clouds, and exuded an ancient, chilling aura.

In the very center of the pagoda, two large characters, powerfully calligraphed with iron hooks and silver strokes, proclaimed:

— PRISON!

When Qin Feiyang saw those two words, his pupils contracted violently. From those two words, he felt an astonishing killing intent, so potent that even his Soul trembled!

Who on earth could have inscribed those characters? And what was that person’s cultivation level?

Following Ren Wushuang, the group arrived before the pagoda’s entrance.

"Greetings, Miss Wushuang."

The stone door was tightly shut. Ten black-armored guards stood ramrod straight before it. Each guard’s gaze was as sharp as a razor, and the aura emanating from them was unfathomably deep. Qin Feiyang judged that these men were, at the very least, Five Star War Emperors or stronger!

Upon seeing Ren Wushuang arrive, the ten men bowed in salute.

Ren Wushuang said, "Open the door. I want to see Yan Nanshan."

"Yan Nanshan?" The ten guards were slightly taken aback.

The Guard Commander at their head quickly said, "Miss Wushuang, Commander Wang Hong has given orders that no one is to see him."

Ren Wushuang said, "Then open the door first, and then go fetch Commander Wang."

"This..." The Guard Commander hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Please wait a moment, Miss Wushuang."

He turned, took out a black token from his clothes, and poured his Battle Intent into it. Instantly, a beam of black light shot from the token and merged into the pagoda door.

CLANG!

The next moment, the heavy pagoda door slowly swung open with a groan.

"You go call Commander Wang Hong," the Guard Commander said to a guard beside him after stowing the token. "I’ll take Miss Wushuang and the others inside." He then led the four people and one wolf into the ancient pagoda.

Upon entering, they found themselves in a dim, long corridor. It was not damp, nor was there any unpleasant odor. Stone doors lined both sides of the corridor at regular intervals. Behind each door was a cell, and each door bore a number.

"Miss Wushuang, Yan Nanshan is in this cell." The Guard Commander stopped before Cell No. 10 and took out a five-pointed, star-shaped object from his clothes. It resembled a token but was more akin to a medallion. This was the key to the cell’s stone door.

He fit the key into a recess on the stone door. With a low rumble, the stone door slowly slid open.

Yan Nanshan gradually came into Qin Feiyang’s view.

But when he saw Yan Nanshan’s current state, a towering rage erupted within Qin Feiyang’s heart!