Second Prince

"Young Master Meng, it must have been three years since we last met. Back in the Imperial City, I often heard tales of your brilliance from pingshu storytellers." Second Prince Jiang Zhu stood tall and heroic, exuding an extraordinary martial air. He smiled and lightly patted Meng Jingzhou on the shoulder, like an old friend not seen in ages. "You two know each other?" Lu Yang thought about it and realized it made sense—who in the Imperial City didn't know Meng Jingzhou? Meng Jingzhou transmitted his voice to Lu Yang: "Back when I was making waves in the Imperial City, I beat up his younger brother—his full brother from the same father and mother. It was only after that incident that the two of us got to know each other." Lu Yang thought, *Good grief, as expected of the Imperial City tyrant—he even beats up princes.* "Presumably these two are Tao Yaoye, creator of the Dream Bubble, and Man Gu of the Ancient Barbarian race. And this one is..." The Second Prince hesitated when he saw Li Haoran. Tao Yaoye and Man Gu frequently went out on missions, so the Second Prince could easily obtain intelligence on them. Only Li Haoran rarely left the sect, so the Second Prince did not recognize him. At the Immortal Appraisal Assembly, Su Yiren had called out "Haoran," without using his full name. "I am Li Haoran, a disciple of the Dao Seeking Sect." "Ah, Fellow Daoist Li Haoran. I have long heard of your esteemed name." "And this must be Fellow Daoist Su Yiren, the reclusive cultivator. Everyone, please, take a seat." Seeing Su Yiren holding Li Haoran's arm, the Second Prince recalled the news he had heard at the Immortal Appraisal Assembly. A rather strange look flickered in his eyes as he looked at Li Haoran, but his refined upbringing allowed him to quickly conceal it. "May I ask what business Your Highness has with us?" Having dealt with the Second Prince before, Meng Jingzhou knew there had to be a reason for inviting them here. "Nothing in particular. Merely that as fellow citizens of Great Xia crossing paths in the East Sea, it is only natural to catch up and sample some East Sea delicacies together." *Like I'd believe your nonsense,* Meng Jingzhou thought. *Your three massive ships are full of Great Xia cultivators—why would you need to run over here just to catch up with us?* Hearing that the purpose was so simple, Man Gu buried his head and started eating. Although the flavors could not compare to the white crucian carp they had eaten earlier, it made up for it in variety. Trying several new dishes would broaden his horizons. "I hear that Fellow Daoist Lu Yang studies under Daoist Buyu, possessing peerless swordcraft and spells. You even held your own against that so-called Young Cult Master Lu, and served twice as Acting Sect Master! Your future is truly boundless; who knows how many cultivators in the Imperial City look up to you as a role model!" Lu Yang said modestly, "Your Highness is too kind. It's all thanks to my own hard work; it has nothing to do with my master." The corner of the Second Prince's eye twitched. He had no idea how to respond to that. "I hear Your Highness came to the East Sea this time in search of an immortal medicine of longevity. Have you found any leads?" The Second Prince smiled and said, "I just visited the Penglai Island Master and heard a few secret legends from him about where an immortal medicine of longevity might exist." "We also care deeply about His Majesty's health. If needed, we can assist Your Highness in finding the medicine." "I appreciate Fellow Daoist Lu Yang's good intentions, but immortal medicines grow in harsh environments. If something were to happen to you, I'm afraid it would be difficult to answer to the Dao Seeking Sect." "No matter. We disciples of immortal sects all have life-preserving means. Your Highness need not worry about our safety." With things said to this point, the Second Prince could hardly keep refusing their help. "In that case, I thank you all for your kind intentions." ... Invited by the Second Prince, Lu Yang and the others boarded the ship of their own accord. "These three ships must have cost a fortune to build. It seems Your Highness came thoroughly prepared to seek the medicine in the East Sea."