Chapter 420: Emperor Yan's Visit
Inside Hanyu Mountain, Lu Heng's return didn't cause any ripples.
After all, he has always been mysterious, never revealing his true power in front of Xiao Ai's disciples. Although Xiao Ai's disciples are aware of the unparalleled swordsmanship of the ancestor in the mountain, with the fame of commanding heavenly thunder to eradicate all evil and wielding an ancient sword that suppresses all beings, they have never witnessed the true appearance of the ancestor.
After Lu Heng's return, he immediately submerged himself into the calamitous clouds, continuing his cultivation without a moment's inclination to remain in the outside world.
On the other hand, Xiao Ai's return brought great joy to her disciples.
Although this short-statured master has a cold and unyielding temperament, she commands immense respect from her disciples.
Regarding this, Gu Yan, who transformed into the appearance of a middle-aged man, expressed slight dissatisfaction. He appeared to be the most majestic and mature among Lu Heng's disciples, but his prestige was the lowest among Xiao Ai's disciples.
Not to mention the aloof and cool young Sun Yan, even the almost rarely seen and yet to transform fat bird, the respect they receive among Xiao Ai's disciples surpasses his own.
In response to this, Gu Yan, who possesses an immensely dignified appearance and inherited his father's looks and temperament, finds it difficult to accept his actual immaturity. He often laments how extraordinary and mighty he is, yet the young ones are blind to recognize true cultivation. With such an exquisite demeanor as mine, yet you all cannot appreciate it!
From time to time, Gu Yan would bring up his identity as the son of Emperor Yan and the younger brother of Lianshan Jing to boast, after all, most of the disciples here are the citizens of the Fire Pass Country, who hold Emperor Yan in the highest regard.
Unfortunately, each and every time Gu Yan spoke the truth, other people regarded it as mere exaggeration and boasting, displaying a complete unwillingness to believe that he is indeed the son of Emperor Yan.
As a result, with each boasting episode, Gu Yan's prestige instantly plummeted even further…
Utterly despairing of this, Gu Yan nearly gave up the struggle.
To tell the truth, other people don't believe, and he cannot really bring Lianshan Jing over to prove otherwise…
And so, on that very day, wearing a mysterious black robe that exuded an extraordinary sense of dignity, Gu Yan was playfully kicking around a ball with a few younger disciples, when a group of disciples came running from a distance, brimming with excitement, to deliver a message to Gu Yan.
"Uncle Master, Emperor Yan is coming to our Hanyu Mountain! It is said that Emperor Yan wishes to pay homage to our ancestor. Currently, Master and Master Sun have already gone outside the mountain to welcome her. Master Sun is calling for you to quickly bring everyone over and join in welcoming Emperor Yan, instead of playing here."
As the nephews shouted and fervently urged Gu Yan to hurry, they were afraid that he would linger and miss the opportunity to greet Emperor Yan Majesty.
They not only wished to meet the true Emperor Yan Majesty, but also longed to catch a glimpse of the legendary appearance of the revered ancestor.
After all, ever since they arrived, they had heard countless stories and legends about this ancestor, which had worn calluses into their ears, intensifying their profound yearning for the revered ancestor.
If I could meet both of these esteemed figures today, it would be nothing short of a dream come true!
By the lakeside, Gu Yan, who was gleefully engrossed in his play, paused for a moment upon hearing the message from his nephews, and then a face of delight lit up his expression.
"My sister is here? Hahaha… Heaven assists me too! Heaven assists me too!"
Upon saying that, he didn't even play with the football, but instead ran directly towards the direction of the mountain gate, proclaiming, "Always doubting me, today I, as the martial uncle, shall make you understand the true meaning of a strong individual not speaking lightly! I, your martial uncle, am indeed the son of Emperor Yan!"
Cheering and jubilant, Gu Yan led a group of nephews of various ages towards the front mountain.
These nephews were selected from various places and have also passed through Xiao Ai's tests. They are all talented individuals, although most of them are young, there are also some middle-aged people, and a few even have snowy white hair.
With these dozens of disciples, Gu Yan crossed over the Hanyu Mountain range, where fierce beasts roamed, and quickly arrived in front of the main peak.
Below the main peak, Xiao Ai, dressed in white, carried the Heavenly Thunder Sword on her back. She had long awaited the arrival of Lianshan Jing, along with Sun Yan and the fat bird Fei Yi, by the river channel in this place.
Upon seeing Gu Yan appear with his disciples, Xiao Ai nodded indifferently and said, "Stand behind me, and patiently await the arrival of Emperor Yan."
After saying that, Xiao Ai fell silent.
While Xiao Ai remained silent, not a single word dared to be uttered by the disciples present, completely changing their previous lively and exuberant demeanor.
They obediently stood behind Xiao Ai, forming a line, displaying remarkable demeanour and etiquette, not daring to make the slightest movement.
Amidst the desolate autumn wind, a withered leaf twirled and danced in the midst of the solemnly standing disciples, emanating a subtle aura of solemnity and cold-bloodedness.
However, soon this atmosphere was shattered.
Standing in a row with Sun Yan, Gu Yan looked around excitedly and whispered to his side, "Senior brother, when will my sister arrive? Can I greet her in public later? This is a great opportunity for me to clear my name! Those little rascals never believed in me before, but today I'll make it impossible for them to keep their eyes from bulging out."
With a towering height of eight feet and a striking appearance, Gu Yan bent his waist and tilted his head, cautiously whispering to the frail young boy by his side.
From the perspective of the disciples behind, this scene appears rather sketchy…
Sun Yan glanced at him faintly, and with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, he said, "You can ask Sister Xiao Ai, if Sister Xiao Ai says it's okay, then it's okay."
Gu Yan immediately stole a glance at Xiao Ai next to him, only to find her expression indifferent, seemingly oblivious to the whispered conversation between the two beside her.
However, both of them knew that Xiao Ai's cultivation had long surpassed everyone else's, and she was on the verge of reaching the threshold of innate ability. The conversation between the two was simply unable to deceive Xiao Ai.
Not to mention that the two of them had no intention of hiding…
Seeing this, Gu Yan deflated, straightened his posture, and murmured, "I knew it… This old woman has no decency, hmph! If it weren't for being unable to defeat you, I would have made sure you know why roses are so red!"
Although Gu Yan's mind was filled with incessant clamoring, he dare not show even the slightest hint of displeasure on his face. Instead, he obediently stood by the river, maintaining his proper manners.
Just then, a flat boat drifted upon the clear waters of the river.
Red-haired Lianshan Jing, stepping onto a solitary boat, appeared before the crowd at Hanyu Mountain. Upon seeing the people standing solemnly at the entrance of the mountain, she greeted them with a hearty laugh and said, "It has been several years, and Miss Xiao Ai, your cultivation has become even more refined…"
With a refreshing laughter, she walked directly on the river and landed right in front of the crowd. Smiling, she said, "It's not like it's our first meeting, there's no need for such formalities. Hurry and send these little guys back, this grand display has inconvenienced me greatly."
Lianshan Jing, with a cheerful smile, had not a trace of pretense. Not to mention the air and dignity befitting a ruler, she didn't even have any attendants accompanying her, nor any throne or imperial carriage by her side…
She arrived by the river in such a simple and unassuming manner. If it weren't for the masters and senior disciples stepping forward to greet her, the other disciples might have mistaken this red-haired woman for a passing stranger.
Anyone who sees her in such attire would never guess that she is none other than His Majesty Emperor Yan of the Fire Pass Country…