Chapter 359

Chapter 359: Has Xu Ming arrived? (4000 words)

After seeing Shixin off, Xu Ming returned to the Xu Mansion and felt an unprecedented silence.

In the past, apart from his mother, the Xu Mansion also had Qingwan, Xuenuo, Pengda, and others.

But now, they were all gone, even his own mother had left.

Sitting in the Xiao Chun Courtyard, Xu Ming sighed.

Xu Ming gradually understood how his mother must have felt back then.

When he left, perhaps his mother was sitting alone in the yard like this, with at most Lady Wang coming over to keep her company.

As for Qingwan’s mother, it was heard that Lady Qin had already returned to her parents’ home and hadn’t come back for a long time.

“Master.”

Just as Xu Ming was lost in thought, Chun Yan’s voice came.

Xu Ming turned around and smiled, “Sister Chun Yan.”

“Would Master like some tea?” Chun Yan asked.

Xu Ming shook his head, “No, thank you.”

“Oh…” Chun Yan lowered her head, looking somewhat dejected.

Xu Ming looked at Chun Yan and knew that after learning of the lady’s departure, she was also quite disheartened.

Chun Yan had lived with the lady for many years and had become accustomed to it.

Now that the lady had left, Chun Yan must feel like something was missing.

“Sister Chun Yan, do you have any plans?” Xu Ming asked.

Sister Chun Yan was already in her thirties. Even if she were to marry, there would hardly be any decent families willing to take her, and Sister Chun Yan had previously said she didn’t want to get married anyway.

Chun Yan lowered her head and softly replied, “I don’t really have any plans. The First Lady took me to serve her while waiting for the lady to return.”

“That’s good.”

Xu Ming nodded, thinking to himself that he agreed with this idea.

Lady Wang and his mother had a good relationship, often visiting the Xiao Chun Courtyard and getting along well with Chun Yan.

After his mother left, Lady Wang also lost a companion, so calling Chun Yan over was a way for them to keep each other company.

“Have you heard that young master will be leaving in a few days?” Chun Yan asked.

“Hmm.” Xu Ming nodded, “I’m going to the North Sea Dragon Palace.”

“Will young master return after going to the North Sea Dragon Palace?” Chun Yan looked at Xu Ming expectantly.

Looking at Chun Yan’s eyes, Xu Ming shook his head, “I’ll return, but I’ll leave again soon.”

“Oh…” Chun Yan lowered her head again, seeming even more disheartened.

Xu Ming actually knew what Chun Yan was thinking.

After his mother left, Sister Chun Yan probably wanted to serve him.

But he wouldn’t stay here for long anyway.

Besides, he was already used to being alone, and having someone serve him made him uncomfortable.

“Sister Chun Yan, rest well. I’ll go back to the courtyard first.” Xu Ming stood up.

“Ahh? Oh, okay, Master, please walk slowly.”

After returning to the courtyard, Xu Ming practiced some boxing, then placed Red Sleeve on his lap and meditated.

Although the spirit of Red Sleeve still hadn’t awakened, Xu Ming could vaguely sense the connection between himself and Red Sleeve becoming stronger.

Xu Ming felt that if he wasn’t mistaken, Red Sleeve was gradually waking up.

When Xu Ming opened his eyes, it was already dark.

Unbeknownst to him, he had been practicing swordsmanship for half a day.

Xu Ming exhaled deeply, put away Red Sleeve, and picked up a bucket in the courtyard to take a shower.

While washing, Xu Ming suddenly felt someone hugging him from behind.

“Senior Zhou, please maintain propriety,” Xu Ming said.

Zhou Wanfeng smirked, “You know what I want you to do, and you’ve already agreed. Since that’s the case, why should we bother with propriety?”

Xu Ming: “…”

Although it was true, when those words came out of her mouth, Xu Ming still felt something was off.

Xu Ming turned around, and the moment he saw Zhou Wanfeng, a flame rose within him.

Zhou Wanfeng had changed into a completely inappropriate outfit.

She wore a red gauze veil that barely reached her ankles, held together by a single ribbon that accentuated her graceful figure.

Moreover, her chest was covered only by a red belly wrap, allowing Xu Ming to catch glimpses of intimate areas.

Apart from the gauze and the belly wrap, there was nothing else except for red pants.

Though these pants… weren’t really pants.

The style resembled something akin to a thong from the Blue Ocean Star! Truly, the world is vast and full of wonders; who would’ve thought such things existed here too? Indeed, the creativity of perverts seems to be universally similar no matter where you are.

Bathed in the soft moonlight, Xu Ming gazed at her delicate, white skin and her evenly proportioned, slender legs.

Xu Ming, a vigorous youth, found his breathing becoming heavier as he looked at this woman dressed like a succulent peach.

“How does it look?” Feeling Xu Ming’s invasive gaze, Zhou Wanfeng smiled at him, “This was specially prepared for you.”

Xu Ming: “…”

With that, Zhou Wanfeng tiptoed, placed her hands on Xu Ming’s shoulders, leaned close to his ear, and whispered softly,

“Spend three days and three nights with me. That’s my condition. Surely Lord Xu isn’t the type to break promises?

And rest assured, during these three days and three nights, I will ensure you experience pleasures you’ve never known before.

These pleasures aren’t something inexperienced young girls can offer you~”

Xu Ming: “…”

Xu Ming didn’t say anything, but Zhou Wanfeng knew he had tacitly agreed.

Zhou Wanfeng pulled Xu Ming’s hand toward the room.

The door closed, the candle extinguished.

Soon, the sounds of study filled the room.

[Content behind paywall]

Early the next morning, Xu Ming got up from bed, only to be dragged by Zhou Wanfeng for another morning of studying.

It wasn’t until noon that Xu Ming managed to catch his breath.

At first, Xu Ming thought Zhou Wanfeng had been cooped up for too long and wanted to unleash all her pent-up desires in one go. But later, Xu Ming realized it wasn’t just that.

During their in-depth exchange, Xu Ming sensed his yang energy constantly being absorbed by Zhou Wanfeng.

Zhou Wanfeng seemed to be practicing a dual cultivation technique. More accurately, she was practicing extraction, with Xu Ming as the object of extraction, which is why Zhou Wanfeng took the initiative.

By the fourth morning, after three days and three nights of cultivation, even though Xu Ming was brimming with vitality, under such intense “study,” his face turned pale, and he appeared somewhat weak.

On the contrary, Zhou Wanfeng, after extracting Xu Ming’s essence for three days and three nights, looked radiant, with red lips and a glowing complexion, appearing younger by hundreds of years. She was like a flower freshly watered, even more alluring.

For Xu Ming, this was the first time he had lost so much yang energy, but fortunately, it hadn’t harmed his foundation.

This was naturally due to Zhou Wanfeng’s restraint; otherwise, Xu Ming wouldn’t have allowed her to extract his essence.

Even so, Xu Ming felt he would need about half a month to recuperate.

However, Zhou Wanfeng indeed hadn’t deceived Xu Ming. During those three days and three nights, Xu Ming experienced her eighteen methods, each incredibly novel.

Xu Ming originally thought that having watched countless Japanese films in his previous life, he’d seen it all. Yet, Zhou Wanfeng proved to be surprisingly creative.

And precisely on the morning after Xu Ming and Zhou Wanfeng finished their studies, Emperor Wu summoned Xu Ming to the palace.

Emperor Wu intended to send Xu Ming as an envoy to the North Sea Dragon Palace, departing the next day.

Xu Ming had already anticipated this.

The next morning, Xu Ming became the chief official of the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace envoy mission, setting out to the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace.

Emperor Wu hosted a grand banquet in the palace to see off the delegation.

Naturally, Wu Yanhan, now the Queen of Qin, was present.

After the farewell banquet, Emperor Wu personally escorted the delegation as they departed.

Xu Ming and Wu Yanhan rode ahead on horseback.

“Regarding those who wish to kill you, Ting Feng Pavilion has uncovered some leads, but they’re not yet confirmed. It will take some time. However, rest assured, my father the emperor takes this matter very seriously, and I will keep an eye on it for you. No matter who the person is or how much influence they wield in the imperial court, I will ensure justice for you.”

Wu Yanhan told Xu Ming.

Xu Ming nodded, “Thank you, but the imperial court isn’t the same as the江湖(jianghu). One cannot simply fight and kill recklessly.

The power behind the person targeting me is likely substantial, possibly entangled with many complex relationships within the court.

If you can handle it, that’s best.

If not, just tell me the name, and I’ll deal with it myself.

Remember, don’t act rashly, especially since you’re a princess and may even ascend the throne. Try not to alienate the civil and military officials of the court.”

Wu Yanhan chuckled a few times, “Hmph, if inheriting the throne requires bowing to others, then I’d be too pitiful.

If I have to kowtow to those people to become ruler, then ruling would be too humiliating.”

Xu Ming: “…”

“Alright, alright, I promise you.”

Seeing Xu Ming’s worried expression, Wu Yanhan finally relented slightly, brushing her hair behind her ear.

“Relax, I’m not stupid. I know my limits.”

Xu Ming nodded, “That’s good.”

Wu Yanhan reminded Xu Ming, “Don’t always criticize me. This time you’re heading to the North Sea Dragon Palace, so be cautious, watch your words and actions. The four seas’ dragon clans have always looked down on humans and other demon races. They’re naturally arrogant. Just treat them like fools and don’t take them seriously.”

Xu Ming laughed a few times, “You’re worrying about me now? Don’t worry, I know my limits. Regardless, I represent the Wu Kingdom as an envoy, so I can’t act recklessly. Just wait for me to return.”

Wu Yanhan blushed slightly, “Who’s waiting for you to return? Just don’t let me have to retrieve your corpse from the North Sea.”

Xu Ming chuckled and didn’t say much more.

Looking back, the envoy mission to the North Sea stretched endlessly, with commoners lining the streets to bid farewell.

This delegation was large, consisting of fifty officials accompanied by three thousand Blood Floating Pagodas.

And to celebrate the Four Seas Ceremony, Emperor Wu certainly couldn’t go empty-handed. After all, emperors must bring gifts.

This time, Emperor Wu was exceptionally generous.

First, he sent some local specialties of the Wu Kingdom. These weren’t expensive, but they showed sincerity, indicating a genuine desire to forge friendship with the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace.

Secondly, Emperor Wu sent a divine-quality spiritual flower — the Hundred Phoenix Flower.

Though divine-quality medicines and divine-quality weapons are both classified as divine, their importance differs.

Most divine medicines aren’t as precious as divine weapons.

However, divine medicines remain extremely rare, second only to divine weapons.

Simply put, Emperor Wu sent the most valuable thing he could.

Besides the divine medicine, there were other valuable magical artifacts and famous human paintings.

This gift primarily emphasized sincerity, leaving no room for complaints.

Emperor Wu escorted the delegation for five miles before stopping.

Xu Ming bid farewell to Emperor Wu and Wu Yanhan.

Xu Ming led the delegation westward. If they were to travel entirely on foot, honestly speaking, even walking for two months wouldn’t take them out of the Wu Kingdom’s borders.

So, after Emperor Wu stopped escorting them, Xu Ming and his group boarded a flying boat directly heading to the North Sea Dragon Palace.

Under normal circumstances, it would take about ten days for the flying boat to arrive.

On the ship, Zhou Wanfeng wanted to engage in further studies with Xu Ming, but without a doubt, Xu Ming refused.

He admitted that Zhou Wanfeng’s learning ability was powerful, but he couldn’t indulge in it.

Previously, he agreed to study with Zhou Wanfeng solely to repay her favor, and now that the favor was repaid, there was no reason for deeper exchanges.

Xu Ming’s action of rejecting Zhou Wanfeng made her rather upset.

Initially, Zhou Wanfeng thought Xu Ming was worried she might absorb his yang energy.

But even after her explanation, Xu Ming still ignored her.

Zhou Wanfeng couldn’t even understand what Xu Ming was persisting in. They had studied together so many times, and now he was acting pure and innocent.

Eight days later, the flying boat carrying the Wu Kingdom delegation had already reached above the North Sea. Xu Ming looked at the boundless ocean stretching endlessly and the islands standing tall on the sea surface, feeling tense.

If it were just a normal diplomatic mission, there wouldn’t be any issues.

But Xu Ming was fully aware that the target was himself.

Meanwhile, inside the palace of the North Sea Dragon Palace, a maid quickly approached a woman wearing a sea-blue long skirt, bowed, and reported, “Your Majesty, the Wu Kingdom’s envoy delegation has arrived at the North Sea and is expected to reach the imperial palace in a day.”

“Has Xu Ming arrived?” The Dragon Empress turned around and slowly spoke.