IDWBE -Chapter 334 The Whereabouts of the Eldest Princess

Let this old man leave? He wouldn’t. He insisted on staying by Emperor Delong’s side, even if it meant dying.

Completely impervious to reason!

There was no way Lin Yi could allow this old man to remain near his father. After all, he was a Grandmaster—formidable in martial skill and fiercely loyal.

If his father lost his wits and this old man caused trouble, there would be no way to defend against it!

But… to kill him outright?

Lin Yi hesitated.

When he was a child, this old man had always been kind and patient with him.

Occasionally, when he was happy, he would even call him “Grandpa” twice.

In truth, there was a bit of an emotional bond with this eunuch. If he killed him, his conscience would not forgive him.

“In that case, I am grateful,” Liu Chaoyuan bowed. “Thank you, Your Highness, for honoring my loyalty. I can only pray to serve the Emperor in my next life.”

“Liu Chaoyuan!”

Lin Yi suddenly stood. “Tell me—what exactly do you want?”

Liu Chaoyuan replied calmly, “Your Highness, I have already said: either Your Highness kills me, or allows me to remain by the Emperor’s side to serve him.”

Lin Yi asked, “No third option? You are not yet seventy; wouldn’t it be a shame to die so easily?”

“I am only a eunuch,” Liu Chaoyuan lifted his head suddenly. “To survive this long, even barely, is already enough.”

“Damn, you’re tough,” Lin Yi sighed, unsure what to do for a moment. After a long pause, he said, “You’ve just returned. You must have already tracked the Eldest Princess’s whereabouts?”

Since entering the palace, he had been curious why he had not seen Liu Chaoyuan.

It wasn’t until today that Ye Qiu and the blind man, guarding the palace, discovered Liu Chaoyuan sneaking in.

Lin Yi didn’t need to guess: aside from tracking the Eldest Princess, what could have compelled such a Grandmaster to act personally?

Liu Chaoyuan thought for a moment. “I dare not deceive Your Highness—I have indeed discovered the Eldest Princess’s location.”

Lin Yi said, “Given the palace’s current situation, even if my father learns her location, it would be useless. That should be clear to you. Tell me where the Eldest Princess is, and I will allow you into the palace—but you must agree to one condition.”

“Your Highness, please speak.”

Liu Chaoyuan’s expression remained calm, neither deferential nor arrogant.

“If you enter the palace, you may only stay in Qilin Palace. Not a step beyond.”

Lin Yi took a sip of tea and looked at Liu Chaoyuan.

“Your Highness, rest assured. I enter the palace only to tend to the Emperor’s daily needs,” Liu Chaoyuan suddenly smiled. “Everything else is none of my concern.”

“You will keep your word?”

Lin Yi asked.

“I swear it to Heaven,”

Liu Chaoyuan frowned. “If I break this oath, my mutilated body may go straight into the ground.”

“Good,”

Lin Yi smiled. “Now tell me the Eldest Princess’s location.”

“Twenty li outside the North City Gate, at Baima Temple.”

After speaking, Liu Chaoyuan took the pass token handed over by He Hong.

Lin Yi asked, “Are you certain it’s Baima Temple?”

“Absolutely. Your Highness should act quickly; the people from Batang Gate are searching the surrounding area.”

Liu Chaoyuan gave one last glance at the blind man and Ye Qiu, then departed gracefully.

Without Ye Qiu and the blind man, he would have walked straight into an unguarded palace.

Lin Yi turned to Ye Qiu and the blind man. “Did you hear that?”

Ye Qiu couldn’t help but ask, “Your Highness, a mutilated body buried directly in the ground—can that even be called an oath?”

“Ye Gongzi, you don’t understand,” The Twelfth Prince replied, showing respect for Ye Qiu, a Grandmaster. “For eunuchs like him, entering the palace means being fully emasculated. Their most precious possession—their seed—is kept in the castration room. Even in death, it must be buried with their body. If it is not buried together, their soul will be incomplete; King Yama will not accept it, and they cannot reincarnate. To them, this is the most binding oath imaginable.”

“I see.”

Ye Qiu had no doubt that Liu Chaoyuan would keep his word.

Anyone who reaches Grandmaster status possesses a heart that would face death nine times over without regret.

It is a warrior’s pride.

Lin Yi laughed. “Sometimes, you cannot trust a person’s character too much. Caution is always best. Keep a close watch on him in the palace.”

Ye Qiu cupped his hands. “Understood.”

Lin Yi said, “Then don’t dawdle. Hurry to Baima Temple and find my dear aunt. To ensure nothing goes wrong, take Yu Xiaoshi and A-Dai along. These two may have no other skills, but they can take a beating.”

Following the order, Ye Qiu and the blind man scaled over the walls of Prince He.

“Damn,” Lin Yi sighed. “You treat the main gate of the Prince He’s Mansion like a decoration. You never use the proper door—always climbing the walls.”

The Twelfth Prince, chewing a cake, mumbled, “As Your Highness says.”

“You starving ghost?”

Lin Yi rolled his eyes.

“I’m hungry, Brother!” the Twelfth Prince complained.

Curious, Lin Yi asked, “You went to see your mother, and she didn’t give you a meal?”

The Twelfth Prince smiled awkwardly. “Mother said I should serve you well. No need to worry about her.”

Lin Yi said exasperatedly, “Getting cheeky again? Stop talking nonsense.”

The Twelfth Prince frowned. “Mother said I annoyed her, so I’m forbidden to go again.”

“Ha!”

Lin Yi laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ll talk with your mother when I have time and explain everything for you. No need to worry.”

The Twelfth Prince said happily, “Thank you, Brother.”

Lin Yi patted his shoulder. “You are my brother. If I don’t help you, who will?”

“Your wisdom is unmatched, Brother.”

The Twelfth Prince spoke too fast, choking on his cake, hastily washing it down with water.

Lin Yi said, “Alright, that’s settled. The Wadan peace envoy is arriving. You’ll go receive them for me, alright?”

“Peace envoy?”

The Twelfth Prince was surprised. “The Wadan already crossed the Liangshui River—how could they still want peace talks?”

Lin Yi laughed. “I only just learned. The Wadan probably want to lull our Great Liang Kingdom. You, go meet them for me.”

“Brother,” The Twelfth Prince smiled awkwardly, “I am eager but lack strength.”

“Hm?”

Lin Yi frowned.

“But since you command it, Brother, I shall obey to the death!”

Seeing Lin Yi displeased, the Twelfth Prince quickly corrected himself, “I will make sure these barbarians witness the glory of our Celestial Kingdom!”

Since he could not change his brother’s decision, he could only silently obey.

Lin Yi nodded with satisfaction. “That’s my good brother. Alright, let’s do it. Go to the Honglu Temple and find Minister Chen. He’s a pro-peace man. I don’t trust him—if he dares speak nonsense, cut him down immediately, no mercy. And seize his household while you’re at it. I’m short on silver right now.”

“Understood, Brother.”

The Twelfth Prince’s mind worked quickly.

After hearing a few words, he understood his brother’s meaning: this battle will be fought; there will be no peace.