Chapter 602: Princess Seeks an Audience

Since the last time she separated from Ye Liuyun, the Ninth Princess has been locked away, continuously cultivating after returning.

Her whole demeanor has changed a lot; she is no longer as willful and playful as before. Now her realm has risen to the Heavenly Gang Third Level.

Upon receiving the Servant's report, the Ninth Princess felt puzzled.

"Father King, what do you want with me? I've been cultivating lately and haven't caused any trouble!"

She thought for a while, confirming that she had been continuously cultivating and had done nothing out of line.

It wasn't until she met the Golden Peng King that she understood why she was summoned.

"I understand; I will go speak with him. As for whether it will work, I don't know either," she agreed outright.

After all, she is a princess. Since she cannot escape this fate, she should bear some responsibility.

But after thinking, she added another condition.

"I can go persuade her. But Father King must also agree to a condition of mine."

"Oh? What condition? Speak it," the Golden Peng King neither accepted nor refused, but wanted to see what this daughter would demand.

"It is that I must never be forced to marry. Whom I marry and when I marry are entirely up to me!" the Ninth Princess said calmly.

The Golden Peng King was silent for a moment, then nodded, "Very well, I promise you!"

As the ruler of a dynasty, his word is law. Since he promised, he will inevitably fulfill it, lest he lose his prestige later.

Seeing his verbal commitment, the Ninth Princess was satisfied and withdrew.

After she left, the Golden Peng King turned to the Queen and asked, "Do you think Ninth Princess can hold off Ye Liuyun?"

The Queen smiled, "Your Majesty, rest assured; if she lacked confidence, why would she set a condition for you?"

"Then why does she refuse me to force her marriage? No princess avoids marriage," the Golden Peng King was puzzled.

"You don't understand a girl's thoughts. She doesn't want to marry because someone occupies her heart!" the Queen laughed.

"Is it Ye Liuyun?" the Golden Peng King realized.

The Queen nodded in confirmation.

The Golden Peng King then suddenly understood, "It seems the Ninth Princess is pining unrequitedly. In that case, let them talk first; the rest can be decided later!"

In fact, Ye Liuyun never even considered the Golden Peng Dynasty matter.

The Golden Peng Dynasty had never dared to provoke him before, and now they are even less fearful. He also doesn't hold grudges; as long as others don't offend him, he won't bully them.

He led his companions, eliminating the Dark Night Demon Hall's branch along the way, then returned directly to the Iron Eagle Sect.

The less he acted, the more the Golden Peng Dynasty grew anxious, assuming Ye Liuyun was waiting for them to beg for mercy.

Finally, they sent the Ninth Princess to the Iron Eagle Sect to negotiate with Ye Liuyun.

After returning, Ye Liuyun, together with others, fortified their realms, making final preparations to depart. Some useless resources were handed to Piao Yun to exchange for Spirit Stones.

That day, while Ye Liuyun was cultivating, someone entered to report that the Ninth Princess of the Golden Peng Dynasty sought an audience.

"How did she arrive?"

Ye Liuyun hesitated, uncertain whether to meet her or not.

But recalling the Ninth Princess's temperament, he thought that refusing might cause trouble, so he forced himself to meet her.

Upon seeing the Ninth Princess, Ye Liuyun felt uneasy.

Beside the Ninth Princess, Lao Wu was still guarding; upon seeing Ye Liuyun, he also offered a bow.

Yet this Ninth Princess seemed like a different person. Not only was her attire much more solemn, but her speech and demeanor exuded greater princess bearing. Her entire aura had completely changed.

"Are you truly the Ninth Princess Jin Yuanhui?"

Ye Liuyun stared for a while; although he knew she was the Ninth Princess, he couldn't help asking.

"So you stared at me for so long, doubting this?" the Ninth Princess asked with a smile.

"I just think your change is too great, almost unbelievable!" Ye Liuyun said frankly.

"Do you think my transformation is good or bad?" the Ninth Princess, though repeatedly reminding herself to forget Ye Liuyun, couldn't calm her emotions upon seeing him.

"You're much steadier now, but you've lost the former liveliness!" Ye Liuyun replied honestly.

"Then do you prefer the lively or the steady?" the Ninth Princess blurted out without thinking.

After she asked that, Ye Liuyun and Lao Wu, who stood aside, felt awkward. She herself realized her question was out of line.

In truth, regardless of her form, Ye Liuyun's heart does not like her.

She quickly changed the subject, "Don't misunderstand; I was merely asking about your preference!"

"Oh!" Ye Liuyun replied briefly, saying nothing more.

"Now let me state my purpose for today!" the Ninth Princess shifted to business, getting straight to the point with Ye Liuyun.

"I heard you recently destroyed many great sects. Elders of those sects have offended you. So today I represent the Golden Peng Dynasty to apologize to you. I hope you, as a great person, will not hold grudges against the small ones and will spare the Golden Peng Dynasty."

"Oh, that's all! Rest assured, I never intended to go after the Golden Peng Dynasty. If others don't provoke me, I won't act." Ye Liuyun said directly.

"Your generosity is because of me?" the Ninth Princess drifted off topic again.

In fact, before she arrived, she had already guessed Ye Liuyun wouldn't act against the Golden Peng Dynasty. One reason is that Ye Liuyun isn't that petty. Another is that even without feelings for her, he has a friendship and wouldn't disregard her feelings.

"It's not solely because of you. The Golden Peng Dynasty's actions against me are past matters; there's no need to cling to them. Even if they trouble me later, I will inform you first," Ye Liuyun said directly.

"You remain so direct. Actually, if you were a bit more tactful, you could receive compensation from our Golden Peng royal family," the Ninth Princess reminded him.

Ye Liuyun smiled and said to the Ninth Princess, "I lack nothing now. If there truly is compensation, you can claim it for me, then keep it yourself!"

"Very well. Since you don't want it, I'll take what I need. Thank you first!"

The Ninth Princess hasn't changed in that regard; her family still takes advantage without hesitation.

After finishing business, the Ninth Princess shifted the topic, asking Ye Liuyun, "What do you plan to do next?"

She knew Ye Liuyun fairly well. She thought he was either heading back to the Northern Region or venturing beyond. Even if returning north, it would be after solving the Northern Region's issues, then going beyond.

Thinking that she would soon never see Ye Liuyun again, her heart ached.