Falling in Love with a 500-year-old female elder - Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Little Ning Chuan, I’m coming to you

In a distant realm, far removed from Cloud State, lay the majestic Central State. Inside the opulent imperial palace of Central State, a young woman of striking beauty sat reclined, her violet gown cascading around her. With one hand propping up her chin, she gazed out at the distant sky, a look of profound boredom clouding her eyes.

Amid the absence of the “Legend of the Emperor,” her thoughts wandered, yearning for the tale’s return:

“On this first day void of the Legend of the Emperor, my longing for him deepens…”

“And now, the second day without the presence of the Heavenly Emperor; he consumes my thoughts…”

“Why has the Legend of the Heavenly Emperor not seen an update?”

“What a tedious existence!”

Agitatedly, the beautiful girl raked her fingers through her hair, leaving her once-neat tresses in disarray. A fortnight prior, a copy of the “Legend of the Emperor” had traversed the vast oceans, reaching Central State. Its release had immediately ignited an all-encompassing fervor throughout the land.

For the young woman, her adoration for this narrative was instantaneous, an infatuation she could not shake. The tale spoke of the nameless Quasi-immortal Emperor, striding courageously across the boundary sea dike, confronting the enigmatic abyss alone. In the Era of Immortals, exceptional talents emerged, their brilliance punctuating the mortal realm as they ascended to the pinnacle of human potential.

In the chronicles of antiquity, two brothers, Shi Yi and Shi Hao, illuminated the Stone Kingdom like twin stars gracing the heavens. A mote could fill the sea, a blade of grass obscure the sun, moon, and stars. The boundary sea became a canvas for boundless worlds. The grandeur was beyond measure.

Within this captivating narrative, the girl’s favorite character was Shi Yi, the one born with dual pupils. Formidable and proud, he bore the weight of his Martial House’s ambitions—a manifestation of her ideal type.

“I await with bated breath the day when Shi Yi ascends to supremacy,” the girl mused, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Just beyond the palace, delicate footsteps echoed. Presently, an aged eunuch entered the chamber, bowing deferentially.

“Her Highness, Princess Huai Zhu, your humble servant Eunuch Zhang is at your service,” the old eunuch intoned.

Eyes alight, the girl—Princess Huai Zhu—addressed him eagerly, “Eunuch Zhang, pray tell, has the latest installment of ‘The Legend of the Emperor’ arrived?”

With a nod, Eunuch Zhang retrieved a thick tome from his robes, placing it before Princess Huai Zhu with great reverence. Swiftly, he withdrew, granting her the solitude she sought.

Without hesitation, Princess Huai Zhu embarked on her literary journey. The narrative consumed her, emotions ebbing and flowing with its plot:

“Shi Ziling and his wife bid farewell to the Martial King’s House, entrusting Shi Hao to the Rain Clan.”

“A serendipitous arrangement. I envision Shi Hao and Shi Yi’s kinship deepening under shared roofs.”

“Ah, Shi Yi’s ocular prowess surges once more. Few can contend with him among this world’s heroes.”

“What’s this? A supreme bone resides within Shi Hao?”

“Can it be that the Supreme Being is not eclipsed by the dual pupils—a Heavenly Supreme?”

“Shi Yi, why divulge this information to Yu Shi?”

Yet, as she read on, a sense of unease gnawed at Princess Huai Zhu. The narrative seemed to veer from her expectations. Suspicion took root as she read on.

Could the Rain Clan harbor sinister intentions for Shi Hao?

With trepidation, Princess Huai Zhu continued reading. Her heart raced as she learned of Yu’s ruse, luring Shi Hao into a carriage that bore him away from the Martial King’s House. Her grip on the book tightened as the chilling scene unfolded: the Rain Clan coldly incising Shi Hao’s chest, his anguished cry reaching her even through the pages.

Tears welled in her eyes. Then, as Shi Yi emerged, his demeanor impassive and detached, her faith wavered.

Her admiration for Shi Yi crumbled, dissolving into nothingness.

“Could he be…gone?” she whispered, fixating on the final pages, hungering for Shi Hao’s fate.

Yet, the narrative concluded abruptly, leaving her yearning unsatisfied.

“It ends here? Is this the end?”

“Has the young one perished?”

A storm of emotions coursed through Princess Huai Zhu. Frustration surged within her, leaving her parched for closure. With the tome laid aside, she stared into the sky, exhaling a heavy sigh.

“Such a tantalizing snippet…how long must I wait for resolution?”

Alas, Central State’s connection to Cloud State was not as swift as one might hope. Unlike the nearby states and Cloud State itself, where tidings from Ning Chuan often reached promptly, the Central State languished a million miles away.

Information traversed the vast ocean expanse, a tedious journey of days and weeks. Only her status as an imperial scion granted her access to expedited communication via magical conveyance.

“But even with this advantage, it’s far too sluggish,” she lamented.

Then, a bold notion sprouted within Princess Huai Zhu’s mind, akin to a rare blossom in a barren desert.

“Why not journey to Cloud State? Why not witness Mr. Ning Chuan’s storytelling firsthand?”

Her eyes danced with newfound excitement. “Indeed, merchant vessels frequently ply the dynastic waters between realms. I can sail to Cloud State and experience the tale myself!”

“Rouge Snow, that young maiden who, like me, adores the tale…why not bring her along?”

Surveying her surroundings, Princess Huai Zhu plotted her covert escape.

An hour later, the palace’s side entrance.

Clad in the guise of a servant, Princess Huai Zhu led another woman, her demeanor restrained. Silently, they slipped away like shadows, leaving the palace behind.

Simultaneously, within the transitional boundaries separating Central State and Cloud State, a crimson umbrella-bearing girl grinned enigmatically. Her steps carried her into Cloud State, the aftermath of her passage a haunting tableau of carnage.

“Xiao Ning Chuan, our meeting is imminent,” she purred, her gloved hand concealing a sly smile.

With a swift motion, her foot propelled her forward. The girl’s form blurred into an ethereal trail before vanishing entirely.