novel-bin Chapter 37 So there's only one answer.
Chapter 37 So there's only one answer.
"grandfather--!"
A cry choked with sobs interrupted Jing Hongchen's thoughts.
Meng Hongchen stumbled into the open space, her wine-red hair disheveled by the branches, and two dried tear tracks on her usually bright and charming face.
She spotted Ye Chenxing leaning against the rock at a glance, and her blue eyes instantly filled with tears. She choked up before she could even finish a sentence.
"Morning Star! How are you?"
She squatted down in front of him, reaching out to touch him but not daring to, afraid of touching some unseen wound, afraid of hurting him, and tears streamed down her face in her anxiety.
"I'm perfectly fine, aren't I, Meng?"
Upon hearing this, Meng Hongchen could no longer restrain herself. She leaned forward and threw herself into Ye Chenxing's arms, pressing her forehead against his chest and sobbing.
Xiao Hongchen followed behind, her pace slowing down slightly. Seeing that Ye Chenxing and her grandfather were both safe and sound, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Another series of hurried footsteps came from the edge of the open space. Xu Ping, the vice-captain of the Imperial Dragon Soul Instructor Corps, wearing his uniform, arrived with several subordinates.
Xu Ping spotted Jing Hongchen's distinctive round, plump figure at a glance, his heart skipped a beat, and he took a few steps forward, giving a standard military salute.
"Your subordinate, Xu Ping, greets Hall Master Jing! This time, our unit's reconnaissance was inadequate, leading to the attack on Hall Master and His Highness near the camp. I cannot shirk my responsibility, and I beg Hall Master's punishment!"
Having navigated the officialdom for so many years, he knew perfectly well that the royal family member was someone the Hall Master of the Mirror Hall would personally bring out to hunt souls, indicating that their relationship was definitely not ordinary. Now that the other party had encountered trouble in his jurisdiction, regardless of whether the fault lay with him or not, he had to accept the punishment first. If he tried to shirk responsibility, he might incur the wrath of this nominal leader of the soul masters.
To his surprise, Jing Hongchen waved his hand and said:
"It's alright, Commander Xu. This enemy is beyond your control; it's not your fault."
He paused, glanced back at Ye Chenxing who was still leaning against the rock, his eyes still showing lingering fear, but his tone had regained its composure.
"And the children are all safe and sound."
All is well?
Xu Ping followed Jing Hongchen's gaze and finally noticed the figure he had initially overlooked.
The white-haired boy sat leaning against the charred stone, his face pale and his breathing shallow. The little princess of Mingde Hall, Meng Hongchen, was squatting in front of him, crying fiercely and without any regard for her image, her fingers clutching the boy's sleeve tightly.
Xu Ping was completely stunned.
"Could it be...?" Xu Ping's voice trembled slightly, "...that this person is...?"
Jing Hongchen nodded slowly.
Xu Ping felt as if his mind had exploded with a "buzz".
How could a boy, who is probably not even as old as his son, escape from the clutches of Contra?
From the moment he received the message and set off, he had no real hope for this rescue mission.
A teenager, facing the pursuit of a Soul Master of the Soul Douluo level, was destined for a perilous end. On his journey here, his mind was filled with thoughts of how to end things, how to apologize to Jing Hongchen, and how to give the royal family an explanation. He had even prepared for the worst... the possibility of not even being able to bring back a complete body.
He never considered that the other person would be safe and sound.
But the boy in front of me just sat there quietly.
Xu Ping's gaze towards Ye Chenxing completely changed; the dignified Jing Hongchen would never lie to a mere deputy commander.
The "radar" in his mind, forged from years of experience in the upper echelons of the Sun and Moon Entertainment Group, began to buzz wildly.
It's not a sign of danger, it's an opportunity.
From the very first day he entered the upper echelons, he relied on this radar to live. He knew who to gravitate towards, what to avoid, and what words to say in what context and with what tone. Almost all his choices in life depended on this intuition.
At this moment, his "radar" was ringing loudest ever in front of the boy.
Therefore, there is only one answer!
Xu Ping immediately went to Ye Chenxing and knelt down on one knee.
"Your Highness, Xu Ping, the deputy commander of the Imperial Dragon Soul Guidance Corps, failed in his duty to protect the enemy. Please punish him!"
Ye Chenxing was also taken aback. He had never met the other party before. The Imperial Dragon Soul Instructor Corps was, after all, the guardian of the country. Although his deputy leader was not as noble as a royal, his authority was definitely above his. Why was the other party acting like this in front of him?
Could the other party be one of Confucius's people?
Although confused, Ye Chenxing did not slack off in the slightest:
"Commander Xu, please rise. Today's events are not your fault. The enemy's attack was sudden, and they only deployed a few strong individuals who were extremely adept at concealing their presence. This was beyond the capabilities of your troops."
Xu Ping rose, his attitude remaining respectful: "Your Highness, this is my duty. Failure to provide adequate protection is dereliction of duty. No matter the methods used by the other side, it cannot be an excuse. Please..."
Ye Chenxing waved his hand: "Commander Xu, there's no need to blame yourself. Evil Soul Masters aren't so easy to track down."
Jing Hongchen suddenly asked, "Chenxing, in that situation just now, anyone would have thought they were after me. How did you figure out they were targeting you? And how did you escape from them?"
Ye Chenxing pondered for a moment and said:
"Master, do you remember my newly acquired second spirit ring?"
Jing Hongchen raised an eyebrow slightly and nodded.
"It not only improved my control abilities," Ye Chenxing said, "but also significantly enhanced my reconnaissance and observation capabilities. When you were fighting them just now, I could clearly see from behind that those three Soul Douluos didn't possess very strong blood energy."
He paused, as if recalling something, and then continued, "I've been reading a lot of texts about the Body Sect these past few days. The most core characteristic of the Body Sect is their Qi and Blood. Without exception, their Soul Masters possess Qi and Blood that far surpasses those of their peers. Even if they deliberately suppress it, it's impossible for them to completely hide it when fighting against a powerhouse of your level. They dare not hold back in front of you."
"Furthermore, if they really wanted to cause you trouble, even if Sect Master Du Busi didn't personally take action, they should at least have sent their second-in-command. Three Soul Douluos plus a level 94 Title Douluo. That lineup would be enough to deal with others, but it's far from sufficient to deal with you."
He suddenly stopped talking and turned his gaze to Xu Ping, who was still standing to the side.
Who is Xu Ping? He's been navigating the treacherous waters of officialdom for decades, and he's seen countless times his words abruptly cut short. The moment Ye Chenxing's gaze swept over him, he understood immediately.
What I'm about to say is not something an outsider like him should hear.
Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Ye Chenxing, and said, "Your Highness, since you are all safe and sound, I will immediately gather the troops to escort you and the Hall Master back to Mingdu." He straightened up, looking solemnly at Ye Chenxing, "I bear an inescapable responsibility for today's events. If Your Highness needs any assistance in the Imperial City in the future, please just report my name to the Imperial Dragon Soul Instructor Group. Xu Ping will do his utmost."
"Commander Xu, you're too polite. I'll definitely pay you a visit another day."
Xu Ping felt a surge of warmth in his heart.
Become!
Although it was all polite formalities, a connection had been made. Moreover, the fact that the other party put himself in danger so that Jing Hongchen's grandchildren could escape clearly showed that he was a person of great loyalty and righteousness.
With his ability to judge character, he's certain this person has a bright future. By making a good impression here, he'll reap immense benefits in the future!
He clasped his hands in a fist salute again, then turned and left deftly.