Chapter 71: Overwhelming Talent

Hou Gong smiled.

"You've seen right through me. Please forgive my rudeness. I ended up this way while seeking a shortcut."

By calmly admitting it, Hou Gong maintained his etiquette.

Moying accepted his gesture.

"I appreciate your honesty. So, what you want from me is for me to leave, right?"

"Hehe... It's a pleasure to talk with you."

"Hahaha..."

Moying also burst into laughter.

The conversation was pleasant for him as well.

He hadn't laughed so much in a single day as he did today.

Was it due to the overwhelming talent gap, or the awe of a genius who seemed to be beyond the sky?

No, that wasn't all of it.

Prince Tianhua of the Heavenly Flower Pavilion spoke lightly but clearly expressed his intentions without losing his manners. Even though he seemed to be pulling Moying in, Moying strangely didn't dislike it.

"Alright. Since it's a complete defeat, I'll do as you say. But before I leave, I have a few questions."

"Please, go ahead."

"You seem to have a good grasp of the situation in the Medicine King Sect. Do you plan to mediate the internal conflict with your subordinates?"

Like the Heavenly Sky Corps, Moying had also been observing the issues of the Medicine King Sect, including the safety of the sect leader, internal conflicts, and even the potential for treason.

However, after a brief meeting, he somehow felt that the prince was trying to resolve the internal conflict. Additionally, the presence of the decoded document suggested that the situation wasn't about coveting treasure.

"There is no internal conflict in the Medicine King Sect."

"Is that so?"

Moying was puzzled.

"The Medicine King Sect is still strong. They are openly hunting wild boars outside, causing quite a commotion."

"Ah..."

Moying exclaimed.

This meant the Medicine King Sect had a relaxed mindset.

"Moreover, the Medicine King Sect has many powerful allies and friends in the martial world, regardless of whether they are righteous or evil."

"I see."

Moying nodded.

Perhaps it was due to the prince's calm tone, or maybe because he had already acknowledged his opponent, but he felt a sense of agreement.

Meanwhile,

'Is he also well-informed about the martial world?'

That's unlikely. The martial world isn't something one can understand through books. He must have received advice from the Heavenly Sky Corps.

Moying was about to ask about his future plans but decided against it.

It felt tedious.

Besides, it wasn't a question he could get an answer to anyway.

"Then I won't ask any more. I wish you luck in the future."

Hou Gong smiled.

'This kid is clean-cut.'

Despite their first impression, Hou Gong liked Moying.

His words and actions were straightforward, and acknowledging and accepting his shortcomings wasn't as easy as it sounded.

Especially when the result would lead to a decline in his abilities or reputation, people often find excuses and rationalize with all sorts of justifications.

However, despite his cynical and sharp appearance, Moying's character was refreshingly clean.

"Prince Moying, I appreciate your understanding. When the opportunity arises, please visit the Heavenly Flower Pavilion. We can continue our conversation then."

Hou Gong wasn't just saying this.

Moying was a rare and excellent talent. He seemed to fit well with Yun and Bu Meng.

However, unexpectedly, Moying tilted his head.

"Thank you, and I would like to do so... but..."

"..."

"From what you said, are you not planning to attend the Heavenly Dragon Assembly this time?"

"The Heavenly Dragon Assembly?"

Hou Gong was taken aback.

It was completely out of the blue.

It wasn't that he didn't know about the Heavenly Dragon Assembly.

It was a gathering of the ten major families in the martial world, a platform for interaction and alliance among prestigious families.

It was held every three years, and in the past, Hou Gong had attended twice despite the inconvenience, at the request to add luster to the event.

However, he was currently just the Prince of the Heavenly Flower Pavilion.

Thinking that Hou Gong didn't know, Moying immediately explained the Heavenly Dragon Assembly and continued.

"Have you not received the invitation letter from the Nangong family?"

"I've never heard of it."

"Hmm... The invitation letter I received listed the invitees. Prince, you were included, so I thought it was a good opportunity and replied that I would attend the Heavenly Dragon Assembly."

Hou Gong nodded.

"Hmm, then it seems I left for the Medicine King Sect before the letter reached my family."

While inviting external guests to the family gathering wasn't unusual, he hadn't expected to receive an invitation. Of course, he hadn't known that the Heavenly Dragon Assembly was being held this year, as it wasn't something he was interested in.

The defeat of the Xumen family must have piqued the curiosity of other families.

However, Hou Gong wasn't particularly moved.

Whether it was the Heavenly Dragon or the Black Dragon, it would only be a hassle.

"Prince, you still have a month, and the Nangong family is not far from here. It would be nice to see you there."

"It's hard to give a definite answer, but if the circumstances allow, I will consider attending."

Moying showed his disappointment, recognizing the soft refusal.

Hou Gong continued.

"More importantly, Prince Moying."

"Yes, please speak."

"Leaving the Medicine King Sect won't be easy."

"What do you mean...?"

Hou Gong smiled at the puzzled Moying.

He then explained the possible situations that might arise and gave some advice.

***

When Moying expressed his intention to leave the Medicine King Sect, the sect was taken aback.

"What do you mean?"

The deputy sect leader, Long Huayun, was furious upon receiving the report.

Long Huacheng, looking troubled, explained the situation.

"He said he was uncomfortable with the dual commission and had no intention of staying any longer. After his private meeting with Prince Tianhua, Prince Moying's expression was as cold as ice."

In Long Huacheng's mind, the happy expectation that the two geniuses would join forces was just a faint hope. The world wasn't that easy. However, he thought they could at least stimulate each other.

Prince Moying's declaration was the worst outcome, surpassing expectations.

"Did you hear what conversation took place inside?"

"Due to the noise and the distance, it was impossible to hear the conversation."

Deputy sect leader Long Huayun frowned.

Suspicion began to rise in his mind.

Was the change in mood too sudden?

'He said his expression was as cold as ice? It's not hard to put on a face. But if it was intentional...'

"Who discovered the dual commission?"

"Nanhua Academy."

"Who suggested meeting Prince Tianhua?"

"Also Nanhua Academy..."

As Long Huacheng answered, his eyes grew wider.

He was puzzled why his brother was asking about something they already knew, but he understood as he spoke.

The deputy sect leader spoke.

"Proposing a meeting and then claiming discomfort with the dual commission and wanting to leave doesn't make sense. This is just an excuse for Nanhua Academy to leave the sect."

"They must have finished decoding the document."

"There must be another reason."

"Ha..."

Long Huacheng sighed.

The coded document was about a treasure left by his father, the Medicine King Sect leader, in a state of mental confusion.

They still didn't know what the treasure was.

But since his father insisted on finding his treasure even when he couldn't distinguish between people and places, they had to find it, whatever it was.

The treasure could be something left outside or a special formula for a new medicine based on his father's new insight.

If his father regained his sanity, it would be a simple matter, but it was currently difficult to expect.

Sometimes he called his brother 'Brother,' and other times he asked, 'Who are you?'

Long Huacheng was often called 'Young man,' and sometimes he was also called 'Brother.' He would say, 'Where are we?' and talk to the empty air as if someone was there.

The conversation partner was sometimes his deceased mother, sometimes Hou Gong, and sometimes members of the Ten Guests of the Martial World, or even the Dragon King of the Yangtze River or the Old Master of the Heavenly Silk.

'If Nanhua Academy has finished decoding the document, Prince Moying will leave with the information about the treasure.'

At that moment, the deputy sect leader's voice turned cold.

"Has he already left?"

"He is still preparing. I will see him off."

"After seeing him off, secretly follow him and capture him."

"Yes."

"Don't let him escape. You must capture him and make him talk, even if you have to treat him harshly."

"Don't worry."

**

Later,

Long Huacheng returned after two hours.

The deputy sect leader, who had been worried about the delay, felt his heart sink when he saw Long Huacheng.

'Something went wrong.'

Long Huacheng's face was pale.

"Did you let him escape?"

The result was obvious from his face, but what puzzled him was how he could have let him escape.

Long Huacheng spoke.

"I... let him go."

"You let him go?"

"..."

"Are you in your right mind! Do you even know what you're saying!"

His furious shout was so loud that the furniture in the room shook.

"Explain yourself. You were with Guangwu Jingtian Corps. How could you not handle Fenhuashichang?"

Guangwu Jingtian Corps was the elite force of the Medicine King Sect.

While Fenhuashichang wasn't an easy opponent, they weren't a match for the corps.

"On the way, the Three Demon Suppressors and the Two Mountain Heroes were escorting Prince Moying."

"Who... who?"

The deputy sect leader stuttered, unable to understand.

"The Three Demon Suppressors and the Two Mountain Heroes stayed by Prince Moying's carriage."

"..."

The deputy sect leader's head spun.

It felt like he had been hit on the back of the head with a hammer.

Why were the Heavenly Sky Corps escorting Prince Moying?

They had no good feelings towards each other.

Why?

A thought flashed through his mind.

'Could they have the same idea?'

If the Heavenly Sky Corps were escorting Prince Moying to get the results of the document decoding, it made sense.

But then another question arose.

Long Huacheng had said, "I let him go."

"So, what happened?"

"The Three Demon Suppressors and the Two Mountain Heroes followed Prince Moying's carriage for over an hour. Then, after the carriage stopped, they exchanged brief greetings and turned back."

"..."

"They seemed to know already and came to our side, telling us to turn back."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"So, you came back together?"

"Yes. I... I'm sorry."

"..."

The deputy sect leader, who had been sitting stiffly, leaned back in his chair. He finally understood why his brother had used the phrase "let him go."

He would have come back too.

The Three Demon Suppressors and the Two Mountain Heroes hadn't harmed Prince Moying or tried to extract information. The situation had already gone beyond expectations. It was a pure escort, and it would be awkward to confront them, and there was no chance of winning in a fight.

'This is truly bizarre.'

The deputy sect leader thought of someone.

- Prince Tianhua.

Was he behind everything?

Amidst the chaos and confusion,

there was a clear thread.

Today's events were like that.

The ones escorting Prince Moying were not the Heavenly Sky Corps but Prince Tianhua.

The Three Demon Suppressors and the Two Mountain Heroes wouldn't have kindly escorted a stranger for over an hour.

They must have been acting on the prince's request.

This not only showed that the prince had complete control over the Heavenly Sky Corps but also that he had already predicted what the Medicine King Sect would think and do.

'Could the departure of Nanhua Academy also be part of the prince's plan?'

He even had this thought.

And,

he could vaguely see beyond that.

The series of events that had occurred so far came to mind.

The conflict between the prince and Tianzhan, the wild boar hunt, and other minor disturbances were set