190. Princess and her book

Princess Yanyue flipped through the pages of a book she had already read thousands of times, letting her fingers trace lines she could recite from memory. She paused on the passages that always hooked her, reading them again even though she knew every single word. It wasn’t because the writing was beautiful, or because the story felt epic. It was because every part of it was real.

That wasn’t a storybook. It was a journal.

She had noticed it the very first time she read it—the authenticity in the rough handwriting, some lines smudged and rewritten in a hurry, places where grammar slipped and words were misspelled or written over. Whoever wrote it had been a commoner, clearly someone who had learned to read and write not long before recording his experiences. But that only made it more compelling. She was fascinated by what he had gone through in a place that felt like another world itself so much that it didn’t even feel real.

The Pagoda of Eternity.

Many scholars and nobles used to laugh at the rumors of its existence. They called it fantasy, a myth for adventures and bored cultivators to chase. But they weren’t laughing anymore. Not after what happened months ago, when the pagoda had revealed itself. Now, from the Guardian sects to nobles, they were all clamoring to get their hands on what lay inside.

But none of them truly understood or knew the truth of it like her.

And Princess Yanyue had no intention of sharing it, not with the Guardian Sects, not with anyone else. Opportunity like this came once in a thousand lifetimes. Whoever entered the Pagoda with its knowledge… might never have to bow before anyone again.

The problem was that Yanyue knew one simple truth: despite being a princess, she wasn’t strong enough to get what she wanted inside the pagoda.

Titles, bloodline, imperial seals—none of it mattered there. Only strength and wit would decide fate. And while she had both, she did not have enough of either to secure what she wanted alone. She had already gathered capable subordinates—cultivators hand-picked to follow her into the pagoda. Loyal, ambitious, hungry. But even then, her instincts kept whispering the same thing:

She needed

him

.

The person best suited for the pagoda. The one who she had been interested in for quite some time already.

The Dragonheart.

Yanyue closed the book, fingers tightening slightly over the worn cover. Ever since Haoran had mentioned that name and his achievements, she had been intrigued. It had taken her only one heartbeat to realize how important he might be, especially in a place like the pagoda. Someone who might be able to enter deeper than anyone alive, purely on the basis of the dao he followed.

And yet… she had barely been able to find anything about him after that. Haoran had vanished instead of sending her information like she had tasked him to.

There were other sources in other cities that had given her more information—like her men in Broken Ridge City, where the Dragonheart was last seen—but nothing from the guy she’d tasked to gather information. That became frustrating as time passed and no response came.

Frustration turned to concern when she considered another explanation: maybe he had fallen to the beast rising. She grew worried just thinking about it. But that suspicion proved false when she got one of her other subordinates to send a message to him about her moving to meet the Dragonheart herself.

The only way she’d managed that was through a cultivation technique, and, sadly, all she knew was that Haoran had received it.

At least he was alive. That was a relief.

But that didn’t make her wait for a response.

She had to take things into her own hands, and that was why she was in Cloud Mist City, moving through its streets.

Princess Yanyue peeked out of the carriage window as they rolled through the main road, and her brows lowered slightly. The reports she had received were not exaggerations. Cloud Mist City truly had suffered. Even with the Soaring Sword Sect right beside it, the scars of the beast rising were obvious. Fewer people filled the streets compared to her last visit, and she had already noted the damaged walls upon entering the gates.

Her spies had whispered rumours about internal strife inside the Soaring Sword Sect, and seeing the city's current condition only confirmed it. If the sect had been functioning properly, Cloud Mist City wouldn’t look like it had barely survived.

Sloppy management,

she thought.

Or divided leadership.

Both were good signs for her plans, in their own ways.

She would learn more soon enough. City Lord Li Baolong owed her his loyalty—she would squeeze the truth out of him the moment they sat down. She wondered how he would react when he saw her here without warning. The last time they met had been three years ago, at a gala in the capital. He had been there with his son, Li Xuan, and since then, he had proven himself a reliable supporter. She simply had been too busy to visit more often.

Satisfied with her quick scan of the streets, Yanyue leaned back inside the carriage and returned her attention to the journal on her lap. She still had a few pages left in this chapter, and she wanted to finish them before arriving at the city lord’s place. Her eyes traced familiar lines, rereading certain descriptions of treasures and battles she already knew by heart. The pagoda details still fascinated her, even after so many reads. The handwriting, the errors, the rushed strokes—all of it made her heart tingle for some reason.

She was so absorbed that she didn’t notice how much time passed until a firm knock tapped on the carriage door.

She blinked, closing the journal with one hand before opening the door. One of her guards stood there, bowing.

“Princess Yanyue, we have arrived. City Lord Li Baolong has been notified and we have secured a direct passage inside.”

Yanyue nodded once, composed as always. “Good. I hope he has kept some of his tea ready.”

The tall guard looked up to scan her face for the briefest moment and spoke. “I can send a runner to have the tea prepared.”

Yanyue lifted a hand and waved it off. “No need.”

She eased out of the carriage, movements steady. Before stepping fully away, she slid the journal into a hidden compartment built right below her seat. Her fingers hovered for a moment, then she took off a ring and set it inside as well. She didn’t need it here. Not with City Lord Li Baolong.

She closed it and pressed her qi into the latch. A faint click answered her touch—only she could open it now. Even if the carriage burned down, the lock would stay intact.

Then she straightened and scanned her surroundings: her guards were already lined up. Though they were silent, she knew that they were alert enough to move at any given time.

Good. She nodded once and walked. They moved with her without needing a command. There were two guards to her front and three in the back.

The entrance they used was from behind—an area ordinary citizens would never see. This path was meant for nobles, and people whose presence was better kept away from crowds.

Stairs rose ahead. Her guards led the way up them. When the stairs were over, she noticed the place was exactly as she remembered. Same pillars. Same patterns carved into the archways. Same paintings on the hall walls. No renovations, no new decorations. It was refreshing.

Most nobles changed their estates often to show wealth or simply to not get bored. But Li Baolong never bothered with that. He was the same as ever—he was reliable, predictable, and someone who wouldn’t change sides just because of greed. That was a little part of why she liked him as a supporter.

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They walked through long hallways. Her guards stepped ahead to part the way, and estate guards pressed to the walls as she passed. At the final double-door, two of those estate guards froze for a breath when they saw her—nervous and bowing stiffly with quick glances at her escort. They pushed the doors open, shoulders tense.

Yanyue didn’t spare them another look. She crossed into the room.

City Lord Li Baolong stood waiting. His posture was disciplined, his face composed, but she caught the new streaks of gray in his hair now.

The moment his eyes met hers, he bowed deeply.

“Princess Yanyue. I, Li Baolong, greet the moon of the royal family. I was not informed of your arrival.”

She gave a small, warm smile which was a carefully measured courtesy. “It’s fine, City Lord Li Baolong. Fate wanted this meeting.” She paused, letting the weight of that settle before adding, “How have you been?”

“Good, Princess. Things have been a little rough, but we’re managing.”

“I saw that while my carriage moved through the city. To be honest, I wasn’t planning to come to this part of the empire. I was heading toward the Corpse Lands.”

City Lord Li Baolong’s eyes glinted at her mention of the Corpse Lands. “The Pagoda of Eternity.”

“Yes. You already know I have a great interest in it.”

“I do.” He gestured toward the seating area. “Why don’t we sit?”

She moved with calm grace, taking her place on the cushioned seat. Her guards remained behind her, silent and still like statues, forming a respectful wall between her and the rest of the hall.

A servant from the side stepped forward to pour tea. The light brown liquid gave away a smell that only said one thing: Good tea. Yanyue accepted the cup with a nod. She was usually indifferent toward tea, but Li Baolong’s supply was exceptional—one of the few luxuries she genuinely appreciated. She lifted it, inhaled briefly, then took a measured sip.

Li Baolong watched politely, then spoke. “I expected your visit to be one of your usual inspections, Princess. Not about the Pagoda of Eternity.”

She let out a soft, amused exhale. “I have stopped those inspections. My father was not pleased with me overturning city after city simply because their lords failed at the one duty they are entrusted with.” Her gaze sharpened slightly. “If he let me do the same to sects… I doubt the sects would be pleased either.”

Li Baolong chuckled, stroking his goatee. “In an unjust world, no one likes a just person.”

“Wise words as always, City Lord Li Baolong.”

They shared a brief understanding look, before she took another sip from the cup.

“I’m sure you’re wondering why I am here.”

He nodded. “I assume it is not merely to greet an old supporter.” Then his expression shifted slightly. “Is it to take Li Xuan with you? He is already preparing to enter the Pagoda under the Soaring Sword Sect’s banner.”

“That will be good for him,” she replied, unbothered. “But I am not here for that.”

He raised a brow, already questioning why she was here and she continued. “I believe one of my subordinates met with you months ago. Haoran.”

Recognition flickered in Li Baolong’s eyes. “Yes. I met him. I sent him toward Meadow Village. He was looking for Chen Ren.” A faint, wry smile touched his lips. “You know he started a sect there? My son visited briefly before returning to the Soaring Sword Sect. He had nothing but praise for it.”

Princess Yanyue set the cup down, steam curling between them. “I’ve heard things about his sect as well,” she said. “But Haoran never sent me a single report on Chen Ren. I almost assumed he was dead until very recently.”

Li Baolong’s brows knit. “Do you think he was caught?”

“Probably.” Her tone stayed even. “If he was, then Chen Ren is more efficient than I expected.”

Li Baolong gave a short laugh. “It might not be him.”

She glanced up. “What do you mean?”

“Elder Qing He left Cloud Mist City months ago to live in his sect,” he said. “She could have easily found a spy. And Li Xuan also mentioned a few… interesting people he met there.”

Yanyue’s fingers curled in a fist at the mention of Qing He. She lifted the cup and took a calm sip to hide the sudden rush of thoughts. It had been years since they last met in person. She was twelve the last time she had seen her. After that, she had sent letters, but had only heard about her retirement from the immortal world.

“Why did she leave for that sect?” Yanyue asked.

Li Baolong shrugged. “I don’t know. Likely her own interests. Every old cultivator is hard to read, you know that.” He suddenly hesitated, then decided to press. “I don’t question your decisions, Princess. But… Why are you personally interested in Chen Ren enough to come here yourself? That is not your usual method. You recruit through others, not in person.”

Yanyue held his gaze and replied without missing a beat. “Because this time, I can’t afford a middleman. Haoran already failed, and I don't want to send someone else. Things are dire right now, and I believe he can help me with the Pagoda.”

“How so?” Li Baolong asked.

How so.

That was a question that demanded a precise answer. But it also meant that she would have to tell things she was not planning to expose to anyone.

For a brief second, she weighed just how much to reveal.

Li Baolong was a reliable subordinate, who’d gotten her trust throughout the years. He was reliable, and someone who wouldn’t turn on her. Moreover, if she spoke about it openly, that still wouldn’t harm her chances in the Pagoda.

Li Baolong took the silence as a moment she needed to think and kept his eyes on her, patiently waiting.

Yanyue cleared her throat.

“You know I’ve been interested in the Pagoda for a long time, right?”

Li Baolong nodded. “I know. Even when court officials rejected the claim that it existed, you were firm it was true. To be honest, I would’ve loved to see the faces of those old bastards when the news of the Pagoda rising came out.”

Yanyue allowed herself a thin smile. “Trust me—when I spoke to them after, I wanted my men to draw those expressions.” Her smile faded the next second, and her tone turned serious. “You want to know why Chen Ren could help me with the Pagoda, right? Then listen, all the knowledge I have about it comes from one book. And I believe Chen Ren might be the one person who can reach the highest known floor of the Pagoda. Let me tell you why…”

***

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