Chapter Six

Compared with Gao Na’s shock, Yu Changsheng’s expression could only be described as sheer terror.

He struggled to keep himself composed, maintaining a stiff smile until the ceremony had completely ended and the ministers and the two queens had departed. Only then did he prepare to leave.

“Come here for a moment and help me,” Yu Changsheng called to the guard who had just brought him news of the fleet’s departure.

The soldier froze for an instant, then hurried forward and caught hold of Yu Changsheng. Glancing down at his crotch, he whispered, “Young Master, shall I prepare a fresh pair of trousers for you?”

Yu Changsheng waved him off. After a long while, he finally forced out two words: “It’s not much.”

Seeing this, Leah also came over to support him. Yu Changsheng gave her an embarrassed smile.

“I’m sorry! Making a fool of myself the first time we meet. You have no idea what I’ve been through!”

Following one of Leah’s maids, the group made their way to Leah’s chambers.

The soldier supporting Yu Changsheng released him and gave him a military salute.

“For the duration of the fleet’s absence, our hundred-man unit will be responsible for the safety of the young master and princess. Please command us as you see fit.”

Before leaving, he leaned close to Yu Changsheng’s ear and asked softly, “Young Master, are you certain you don’t need me to fetch you a pair of trousers?”

Yu Changsheng’s face reddened. He nodded faintly, then bowed and gestured for the guards to leave.

“Why are you so frightened?” Leah asked. “Are you afraid I might eat you?”

Only after Yu Changsheng realized that the enormous room contained no one but himself and a delicate woman did he finally relax.

Looking somewhat embarrassed, he scratched the back of his head.

“Your Neighboring Tribe is rather strange too. The men have three arms and three legs, while the women look just like those of our Xuanhuang lineage—only much taller and more slender.”

“Is that what frightened you?” Leah asked, utterly perplexed.

“Oh, no! Of course not! I’m afraid of…” Yu Changsheng stopped himself.

“Afraid of what? We’re already betrothed. Is there anything you still can’t tell me?”

Leah took a vivid, glistening apple from the low table and slowly began peeling it with a small knife.

“Do you know that our fleet has departed?” Yu Changsheng asked.

Leah’s hand paused for a moment before continuing. Her eyes remained fixed on the apple as its splendid outer skin was gradually stripped away.

“I suppose it was to be expected. I simply didn’t think it would happen so soon.”

“I’ve heard that this place is terribly strange. One moment, the weather can be clear and sunny, and the next, three suns may suddenly appear and scorch everything on the ground. Or else the sun may not be seen for decades.”

Yu Changsheng pointed outside.

“It should be just like this now.”

Leah said nothing. She silently finished peeling the apple and held it out to him.

“Fruit from your Void. I hope it can ease your homesickness a little.”

Yu Changsheng stared blankly for a moment, then smiled and thanked her before taking the apple, now stripped of its skin.

For a long while, the two sat in silence. At last, Yu Changsheng broke it.

“What are your two elder sisters like? Are they easy to get along with?”

“If you are useful to them, then they are easy to get along with,” Leah replied.

“By the way, I heard they’ve recently grown very close to a mysterious visitor. Do you know anything about this person’s origins?”

Leah shook her head.

“All I know is that this person is extremely important to my two sisters. My informants also told me that the mysterious visitor may be connected to that so-called Hidden Wonderland.”

At the mention of the Hidden Wonderland, Yu Changsheng immediately became interested.

“Do you think that legendary paradise is real?”

Leah lifted her beautiful, captivating blue eyes and studied him for a while. Puzzled, Yu Changsheng lowered his head and carefully examined himself, but found nothing amiss.

“You seem like an intelligent man,” Leah said with a faint smile. “How is it that you believe my sisters’ tricks as well?”

Yu Changsheng looked unconvinced.

“I’m the cleverest person in my homeland apart from the Primordial Lord. I’m even smarter than that boy Lan Sheng and Palace Master Lin Bai. Palace Master Qin has praised me more than once.”

He spoke with great pride.

“Ah! What a pity that you’re a coward.”

Leah pointed between Yu Changsheng’s legs.

Yu Changsheng hurriedly covered the faintly damp spot and explained, “That’s sweat. Just sweat. Besides, who says I’m a coward? I’ve fought the Dark Malice bandits in the Southern Flame Continent and at Heavenly Water City. Those were battles for life and death!”

“You’ve been on a battlefield?”

“Of course! I’ve even crossed weapons with the Dark Malice’s most formidable Heaven-Shatterers and Earth-Shatterers. My personally created Flying Immortal Retention Formation defeated them utterly…”

Yu Changsheng spoke at length, embellishing his experiences outside Heavenly Water City as he recounted them to Leah.

“So my fiancé is a great hero!” Leah exclaimed.

She clasped her hands beneath her chin, her crystal-blue eyes wide with admiration as she gazed at him.

Buoyed by his own grand tale, Yu Changsheng rose to his feet. With a flourish, he swept back his long robe and said smugly, “It was nothing. I only used half my strength.”

Then he suddenly remembered the dampness beneath his robe and hurriedly pulled the hem back down to cover it.

Seeing his childish behavior, Leah covered her mouth and laughed delightedly.

“So the paradise your two sisters spoke of is a lie after all! Why would they do such a thing?” Yu Changsheng asked, forcibly changing the subject to conceal his embarrassment.

“It must be a lie, but I have yet to discover their true purpose. I am certain, however, that this is a major conspiracy,” Leah replied.

“Then we can’t remain here any longer. If they truly have ulterior motives, we must not allow ourselves to be dragged into them. We’ll go to the Governor’s Residence at once. The Cloud Palace Guards are stationed there. No matter how brazen your two sisters may be, they wouldn’t dare attack the Governor’s Residence.”

Yu Changsheng rose hurriedly and reached out to pull Leah along.

“Don’t be so hasty!” Leah cried. “I can’t simply run away with you like this!”

“Do you need to pack your valuables? Forget them all. Once we return to the Cloud-Top Heavenly Palace, I’ll buy you new ones.”

Yu Changsheng urged her on anxiously.

“I’m not talking about packing. I have several attendants who are close to me. If I leave them here, falling into my sisters’ hands would mean certain death. May I bring them with us?”

Leah bent her two slender legs and half-crouched as she pleaded with Yu Changsheng.

Seeing her pitiful, tearful expression, Yu Changsheng’s heart softened at once.

“Quickly, quickly! Go bring them all.”

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