Undying Life

Chapter 201: Dragon Liver and Phoenix Heart

As Yi Yan departed, Princess Qianyou's expression turned serious. "Two gentlemen, what do you think of Yi Yan after observing him closely?" Princess Qianyou asked Zhong Shan and Shuijing, who stood behind her, while she gazed into the distance.

"Not a drop of water could leak through," Mr. Shuijing said, looking into the distance.

"Tightly sealed," Zhong Shan nodded.

"A genius of his time, but unfortunately, great talents often face great tribulations. That he has this severe illness is not a blessing for Da Yu," Princess Qianyou sighed.

"Qianyou, didn't you previously say he was poisoned by someone and that's why he got sick? How did it become heaven's envy?" Gu Lin, who was standing nearby, frowned.

"Human actions or heaven's envy, is there a difference?" Princess Qianyou shook her head.

Five days later, in the Western Garden Palace of Sky City.

Princess Qianyou and Gu Lin sat at the head, with Shuijing, Zhong Shan, A Da, and A Er seated below. With a wave of her hand, Princess Qianyou dismissed a Da Luo Heavenly Dynasty official, who respectfully retreated.

On the table beside Princess Qianyou, there were two golden invitation cards. Both cards were imprinted with the characters "Invitation."

"Invitations? Invitations from King Julu and Yi Yan. Did they plan this together? Sending invitations simultaneously?" Gu Lin frowned.

"Whether they planned it together or not isn't important. What's important is who else they invited and what their intentions are," Princess Qianyou narrowed her eyes.

"Who else did they invite? Are you saying they invited others besides us?" Gu Lin asked in surprise.

Looking at Gu Lin, Princess Qianyou sighed slightly, "Yes. The visitors have ulterior motives, and there is much to be deciphered within."

"Crown Prince, I have already sent people to investigate over the past few days, and there has been some progress," Mr. Shuijing said in support.

"Oh? Who are they?" Gu Lin asked.

"King Julu invited us and the Crown Prince Han Jue of the Great Light Empire. As for Mr. Yi Yan, besides us, he also invited envoys from three other major empires," Mr. Shuijing explained.

"Three other major empires? Which ones?" Gu Lin asked.

"Surrounding the Da Luo Heavenly Dynasty, there are four empires in total. Besides Da Yu, there are three others," Mr. Shuijing said.

"It's them?" Gu Lin frowned.

"Yes. Our dynasty has signed a ceasefire agreement with Da Yu, but we are still in conflict with the other three empires. So Yi Yan's banquet is very delicate," Mr. Shuijing said, his brow furrowed.

"Yi Yan, that old fox," Gu Lin immediately frowned.

"Yi Yan is orchestrating a banquet involving the five major dynasties, maneuvering between them. In Da Yu, perhaps only Yi Yan can handle such intricacies," Mr. Shuijing nodded in affirmation.

"And what about King Julu? Inviting the Crown Prince Han Jue of the Great Light Empire doesn't seem as complicated," Gu Lin said.

"Da Yu is sandwiched between our dynasty and the Great Light Empire. Besides the Da Luo Heavenly Dynasty, the Great Light Empire poses the greatest threat to Da Yu, with constant military conflicts. However, since the Great Light Empire is separated from our dynasty by Da Yu, there have been no direct conflicts between us. But if King Julu can create a conflict between our dynasty and the Great Light Empire, it would benefit them," Mr. Shuijing said, shaking his feather fan.

"A conflict between our dynasty and the Great Light Empire? Even if there is a conflict, we can't fight because Da Yu is in between. What's the use?" Gu Lin asked naively.

On the side, Zhong Shan continued sipping his tea, sighing softly and silently mourning for Mr. Shuijing. As expected, Mr. Shuijing looked shocked upon hearing Gu Lin's comments.

"Of course it matters. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Even if they are not friends, they are not mortal enemies. If our dynasty and the Great Light Empire become hostile, then during our war with Da Yu, the Great Light Empire won't restrain Da Yu, and might even help them," Princess Qianyou explained directly.

"Mm," Gu Lin nodded in understanding.

Observing Gu Lin, Zhong Shan felt a sense of curiosity. Mr. Shuijing tolerated Gu Lin because he worked under the Grand Emperor, but why did Princess Qianyou also accommodate him? Zhong Shan could see that Princess Qianyou was a very proud person. If it were anyone else who was this clueless, Princess Qianyou would have slapped him away, regardless of his status. Why did she always take the time to explain things to Gu Lin?

Frowning slightly, Zhong Shan remained silent. There was no need to ask, and he had no right to question it.

"So what should we do? We have two invitations arriving simultaneously for the same day. Which one should we choose?" Gu Lin asked, frowning.

"Yi Yan's invitation specifically mentioned Mr. Shuijing. Besides, navigating between the five great dynasties indeed requires Mr. Shuijing's expertise. You and Mr. Shuijing will go to Yi Yan's place. I will go with Zhong Shan to see King Julu," Princess Qianyou decided confidently after some thought.

"Alright," Gu Lin nodded.

Ten days later, Princess Qianyou, accompanied by Zhong Shan, A Da, and A Er, arrived at a private restricted area under the escort of Da Yu Empire officials.

Outside the restricted area, a man in a dark cyan robe was waiting with a group of people. Seeing Princess Qianyou's arrival, the man immediately approached.

He was a tall and burly man with a short beard and a purple gold crown, exuding an air of nobility.

"Princess Qianyou's visit brings great honor to the Julu Mansion. I was occupied with matters half a month ago and could not welcome you personally. Please forgive me," the man said with a smile.

"King Julu is too kind. I dare not accept such courtesy," Princess Qianyou replied politely.

"Please, come in," King Julu invited.

"Alright," Princess Qianyou nodded and smiled.

Inside, similar to the Western Garden Palace, there was a floating island. King Julu directly led them to the central hall, the Julu Hall.

The Julu Hall had been arranged as a banquet hall. At the northern end was a table with some delicacies and spiritual fruits. Two rows of tables were set up below, with some officials already seated.

"Princess Qianyou, please take your seats. We are still expecting one more distinguished guest. I will go to welcome him," King Julu said with a smile.

"Mm," Princess Qianyou nodded.

A servant then led them to the northernmost area, to the right of the main seat. Princess Qianyou knelt down at the first table, with Zhong Shan at the second table to her right, A Da at the third, and A Er at the fourth.

The officials below greeted Princess Qianyou, but she merely nodded slightly, paying them little attention, as they were destined to be mere spectators.

As Zhong Shan sat down, he noticed something unusual. Glancing at Princess Qianyou's table and then at his own, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes. The dishes on his table were different from those on Princess Qianyou's table.

Not only different, but extremely different. The dishes in front of Princess Qianyou were only present on three tables: one for Princess Qianyou, one on the main seat which would be King Julu's table, and the third directly opposite Princess Qianyou, likely the table for the Crown Prince of the Great Light Empire, Han Jue.

Normally, Zhong Shan wouldn't pay much attention to what he was eating, but the dishes in front of Princess Qianyou were too peculiar. Besides the spiritual fruits, the two main dishes were extraordinary. One dish was golden and the other crimson red, both emitting a dense spiritual aura that was so thick it had turned into a liquid state.

What kind of dishes are these?

Noticing Zhong Shan's curiosity, Princess Qianyou instructed a nearby servant, "Switch our dishes."

"This...," the servant hesitated, looking troubled.

At this moment, a steward-like figure approached. Upon hearing Princess Qianyou's request, he said, "Princess, let me add a portion for him."

"Alright," Princess Qianyou nodded.

The steward took note of Princess Qianyou's attitude, recognizing that Zhong Shan was someone very important to her. Soon, the same two dishes were placed in front of Zhong Shan.

"Sir, don't blame King Julu's residence for being stingy. Even in our Da Luo Heavenly Dynasty, these two dishes are only served at grand banquets," Princess Qianyou explained.

"Oh?" Zhong Shan replied, intrigued.

"The golden dish is dragon liver, and the red dish is phoenix heart," Princess Qianyou continued.

"Dragon liver and phoenix heart?" Zhong Shan asked in surprise.

Princess Qianyou nodded and smiled.

At this time, outside, King Julu welcomed the last guest, Crown Prince Han Jue.

"Prince Han Jue, please," King Julu said with a hearty laugh, leading Han Jue inside.

Crown Prince Han Jue had two attendants with him. He wore a black robe, had a jade-like face, carried a jade folding fan, and exuded confidence. His eyes shone with intelligence. As he entered the hall, his gaze swept across the officials and finally landed on Princess Qianyou.

Princess Qianyou gave a slight smile, and Crown Prince Han Jue nodded in return, surveying the people Princess Qianyou had brought with her. Among them, one man stood out, staring intently at the two dishes, seemingly deep in thought. This caught Han Jue's attention because the man was holding a pair of chopsticks, frowning, analyzing where to start in such a solemn occasion.

Zhong Shan couldn't help it. Dragon liver and phoenix heart—he had heard of these delicacies before but had never seen them. Now, with such divine cuisine in front of him, he didn't know where to begin.

"Prince Han Jue, please take your seat," King Julu said, guiding Han Jue to his place opposite Princess Qianyou.

King Julu then took his seat at the main position.

"Today, to have the honor of hosting Princess Qianyou and Crown Prince Han Jue, I am immensely grateful. I raise this cup to both of you, wishing for everlasting alliance and friendship among the three dynasties: the Great Light Empire, the Da Yu Empire, and the Da Luo Heavenly Dynasty," King Julu said, lifting his cup of fine wine.

Zhong Shan had no choice but to put down his chopsticks and drink along with the officials.