Journey to the End of the Night-Chapter 1399 - 888: Here You Are_2

He reached out to her, a completely defenseless gesture, and chuckled lightly: "Come."

His handsome face held a smile, his voice clear and gentle: "Come to me, I’m right here, allowing you to act recklessly."

He fell onto a verdant meadow, his appearance refined and elegant, particularly those clear eyes, as if washed by a fresh rain, inexplicably alluring atop this wind-stricken peak.

Yin Baishuang’s heart fell to the ground with a thud; before she could pick it up, she was inexplicably pulled over, along with her heart.

Her waist was pulled by his arm, he called her to come, and she did.

Thinking of leaving now would not be an easy matter.

...

...

A ray of dawn broke at the sky’s edge, casting light onto the mysterious realm born from the ancient towering dynasty, thin as mist and mirage.

The wind chimes at the eaves chimed crisply, in the exceedingly serene inner palace of the ancient dynasty, at dawn, only several eunuchs and palace attendants were holding swords to guard the night.

Within the You Dynasty, the six Great Yin Kings, known for their elusive presence, unexpectedly gathered in one place, not dispersing for a long time, standing outside the National Governance Hall, not moving an inch, each looking different.

Among them, Qiao Yu’s expression was most anxious, pacing nervously back and forth along the long corridors outside, face aflame with worry and stressing with breathless impatience.

Until daylight grew stronger, illuminating the glazed tiles on the edges of the hall, Qiao Yu could no longer contain himself and burst out with an uncharacteristic curse:

"Damn it, the Crown Prince’s life is uncertain, we can’t wait idly any longer, I must find a way."

"Report this to His Majesty, let Him make the decision, the Crown Prince must be rescued as soon as possible."

Shen Tu’s expression darkened, stopping him: "Qiao Yu, keep calm. His Highness clearly instructed before leaving, not to reveal his identity to His Majesty, are you going to defy orders?"

Qiao Yu couldn’t hold it anymore upon hearing this, angrily retorted: "Shen Tu, you old fool, don’t think that I respect you usually and wouldn’t dare scold you, that’s His Majesty’s child, the only Prince of Central Netherworld!"

"You supported Ying Xiu in place of the real prince, not knowing how much suffering he endured outside, now he has finally returned."

"And you’re hoping for him to die, can’t bear seeing that poor child finally doing well?"

"Old man, I’m telling you, the princely throne you served Ying Xiu is gone! Over! Dead! Not even ashes left, yet you still toy around with those ridiculous pretensions!"

Shen Tu’s face turned ashen, trembling with anger: "Qiao Yu! Hold your tongue. I’ve always cultivated and praised Ying Xiu only because he was His Majesty’s sole heir."

"Before, how could I have known he was a fake, now the real heir returns with great power, without needing my scheming, why bind myself needlessly, hoping Central Netherworld lacks successors!"

"Since His Highness made such a request, it’s out of concern for His Majesty’s health, do you believe reporting this matter will stimulate His Majesty."

"If He’s provoked, he might disregard even his own life, this move won’t save His Highness, it’ll only harm His Majesty!" 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

As the two continued arguing, a voice came from afar: "Thank you, uncles, for your concern, mother finally got some rest these days, there’s no need to disturb her with this matter."

The sound of argument stopped abruptly, the six Great Yin Kings looked in disbelief, only to see at the foot of the Luminous Green Steps, a tall and slender young figure dressed in a blazing red garment.

He walked leisurely and steadily, holding someone in his arms, draped in a wide red robe which wrapped the person inside securely, making it hard to discern specific features.

The hair scattered beyond the robe’s edges was soft and shimmered like silk, as dark as raven feathers, fluttered gently against his attire in the breeze, like an earthly wanderer through misty realms.

Everyone was astonished, wondering how the Crown Prince managed to emerge safely from that Burning Valley.

And who was this woman he brought along, although her appearance was obscured.

Yet the black, soft hair was unmistakably a woman’s, and those graceful, white wrists inadvertently showing under the robe embroidered with fiery phoenix cloud patterns were indeed feminine.

One glance confirmed it belonged to a woman.

Qiao Yu found himself stunned, muttering: "Your... Your Highness, how did you..."

Baili An shook his head at him, carrying the fatigued girl who had fallen asleep through the astonished gaze of the six Great Yin Kings, maneuvering to the sleeping chamber alone.

Yet the Yin Kings were prudent and did not venture into the chamber.

Baili An placed the exhausted girl on the bed, gazing at the traces barely visible beneath her attire, feeling warmth in his chest.

He lowered his head and planted a soft kiss on her rosy lips, smiling with arched eyes: "Now, I’ve truly brought you home."

He pulled the brocade quilt over her, tenderly removing her soft boots and socks, hiding those tender feet under the covers securely, finally leaving the chamber at ease.

The puzzled Yin Kings stood expectantly outside the hall, seeing Baili An emerging from the chamber door at that very moment.

His demeanor underwent a drastic change.

The exceedingly gentle facade vanished thoroughly, and the warmth that enveloped his face like spring winds and sunlight while carrying the girl inside was nowhere to be found.

He stood there, exuding a calm and steady aura, as if mountain mist, quietly composed, his dark eyes partially closed, both probing and silently questioning.

The Yin Kings, subjected to such scrutiny, inexplicably tensed up, an unspeakable urgency rising within them.

Baili An cast a casual glance before withdrawing his gaze, speaking with understated grace: "Convene a royal assembly, I have matters to discuss."

He didn’t refer to himself as "the lonely," instead used "I," though Baili An never once referred to himself as the lonely during his time in the Mortal World as Crown Prince.

Despite Ying Xiu’s reign for two hundred years, incessantly addressing himself as "the lonely," too young though, who among the six Great Yin Kings ever truly acknowledged that title internally.

Yet even today, Baili An’s soft-spoken command, casually uttered as a familial exchange, caused the Yin Kings to stiffen their expressions, feeling as if standing on the brink of conflict.

Since ancient times, those who dared to convene an assembly numbered strictly among the monarch, the emperor of Central Netherworld, who else would dare to assert authority and be followed by the ministers.

Although Baili An’s words lacked "the lonely," in the minds of the Yin Kings, he was already standing on that solitary ninth tier.

Days later, the National Governance Hall, without prohibition, lit three thousand lanterns once more, as tens of palace attendants withdrew aft.er lighting them.

In the forecourt of the Political Hall, the ministers of Central Netherworld, holding official tablets, bowed their heads respectfully, relieved of Ying Xiu’s threat of external cultivators forcing the grand hall.

Yet, upon glimpsing the silhouette standing before the Holy Hall atop the ninth tier, the tension in their hearts surged uncontrollably.

Baili An descended step by step, casting his gaze over them, casually remarking as he walked: "Three days ago, an exciting spectacle unfolded in the National Governance Hall, what are your opinions, gentlemen?"

Faced with inexplicable tension, someone eventually voiced:

"That rebellious Ying Xiu, an impostor for hundreds of years, usurped the Crown Prince’s position, receiving countless tributes from Heroic Spirit believers, yet remained ungrateful, trying to devour our You Dynasty, utterly repulsive!"

"Luckily, the Crown Prince demonstrated wisdom and decisiveness, exterminating this wolf-hearted child, restoring our You Realm to prosperity and stability, eternal peace!"

"Long live the Crown Prince’s wisdom!"

"Long live the Crown Prince’s wisdom!"

As they exclaimed repeatedly, Baili An reached the final step, suddenly chuckled aloud.

He flicked his garment hem, sitting down casually, devoid of any prince’s dignity, lounging carefreely upon the step.

"Two hundred years ago, I doubt I would’ve heard this praise of wisdom from anyone’s lips."