Chapter 197 Whispering

"Hehe, I have my own plan. This ice bee hive is bottomless and its interior is extremely complex, filled with countless ice bees. Entering it would be courting death." Fu Liye smiled and shook his head. "Of course, we wait until the queen bee appears on her own before making our move. Besides, every year during the Ice Spirit Kingdom's Snow Festival, important officials from neighboring countries come to attend. Acting then might bring some unexpected benefits."

"The people of Ice Spirit actually understand this. Back in the day, the Ice Spirits managed to hold back your Nine Gods' army, and these 'little things' played a significant role. The origin of the Snow Festival is actually a tribute to the ice bees, which is why they regularly hold it around the time the queen bee lays her eggs each year. Unfortunately, no one in the Ice Spirit Kingdom knows how to control the ice bees anymore. They don't even know why this place is designated as a forbidden zone, treating the Snow Festival as just another holiday, squandering their greatest advantage."

Hong He was very excited.

The Dark Hall charges a lot, but there's a reason for the high price... The Ice Spirit Kingdom is one of the key sources of cold iron ore and soul crystals for the League of Blades. If we can destroy it in one fell swoop, that would truly be a great achievement.

"You mentioned the swarm's worship, so the commotion must be quite significant. Even if the queen bee appears, it won't be easy to steal her away," Hong He said with a smile. "If the swarm discovers you, the condensed soul power alone could suffocate you in a second."

"That's my job, so you don't need to worry about it. If it were that easy, you wouldn't need us," Fu Liye replied with a laugh. "Your job is to prepare the remaining payment. Pay up quickly if we succeed; I don't like waiting. If we fail, someone will compensate you double, as per the rules of the Dark Hall."

"Ha, naturally. I've been eager to see if the 'Master of a Thousand Faces,' one of the Nine Sons of the New World, is just a womanizer and a cheat."

"Sweetheart, familiarity doesn't excuse slander," Fu Liye smiled slightly. "On the day of the Snow Festival, Ice Spirit City will be filled with blood-red cherry blossoms. I promise it will be an unforgettable experience for you."

...

Ice Spirit City was now truly bustling. It had long been rumored that the princess would announce her engagement during the Snow Festival. Initially, the rumored fiancé was Aota, the Son of Winter, but now it has changed to Wang Feng, the young and handsome prodigy from Aurora City and Karida's junior disciple!

The entire Ice Spirit City was in a state of festive preparation. The Snow Festival was originally the grandest event of the year, and with the princess's engagement, the celebrations were bound to be even more elaborate. There were also many creative touches, such as ice sculptures.

In previous years, the ice sculptures for the Snow Festival mostly depicted various beasts or the legendary ice bees that accompanied the first queen in founding the kingdom and eventually followed her into the afterlife. However, this year, the city's streets and alleys were filled with a new addition: 'ice children and jade maidens.' The male figures were of moderate build and had pleasant smiles, while the females exuded dignity and grace. It was clear they were modeled after Wang Feng and Xue Zhiyu.

This order was clearly not issued by Xue Cangbai. Even without explicit opposition, he was still observing and considering the situation. The one who initiated these actions was Oscar, a move from the clan elders that Xue Cangbai couldn't stop, leaving him no choice but to turn a blind eye.

But now, the Holy Sanctuary of Ice Spirit was in an uproar. What was previously just a rumor had turned out to be true, and no one expected Wang Feng and Xue Zhiyu's relationship to progress so quickly. They were unaware of the subtle conflicts between the clan elders and the king, only knowing that the entire Ice Spirit Kingdom was preparing for Wang Feng and Princess Zhiyu's engagement. This was now a fait accompli, leaving no room for other thoughts.

Some were enraged and humiliated, others heartbroken and desperate, and there were those who wandered around the Rune Academy all day with weapons, ready to vent their frustrations. In short, they wanted to let off steam.

Who to vent on? Of course, it would be Wang Feng! But the problem was, everyone knew he was at the Rune Academy, yet they couldn't go after him because he was currently in the safest place in the entire academy.

Deder's laboratory...

"Master Wang Feng, take a look at my Waltz Blessing," Deder, the teacher, stood on tiptoe to reach Old Wang's seated height, respectfully presenting the rune pattern in his hand: "I feel like the flow is a bit lacking..."

Old Wang was eating a banana, a luxury in Ice Spirit Kingdom during this season. Of course, if he wanted it, the Guadel person in front of him would bankrupt himself to provide it.

Old Wang lazily glanced at it: "Not bad, not bad. It's much better than last time. Practice it a bit more. I just had a very important inspiration, but you interrupted me, and now I've forgotten!"

Deder clapped a hand to his mouth, his face flushing with shame.

For Master Wang Feng to seclude himself in his laboratory was a sign of true trust and the tranquility here compared to the Rune Academy. Yet, he couldn't help but constantly disturb the master's meditation, even interrupting his inspiration just now. This was truly...

*Knock knock knock knock*

A series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door: "Wang Feng! Wang Feng!"

Bang.

The door was flung open, and Timols burst in, out of breath. In the entire Rune Academy, apart from Teacher Deder, only Timols had the freedom to enter and exit this place at will. After all, Old Wang was 'in seclusion,' and someone needed to run errands, such as buying food or passing messages. Teacher Deder wouldn't do it, though he was happy to serve his most revered Master Wang Feng. Why not use the free errand boy when available?

Deder glared at Timols irritably, maintaining some authority over his disciple: "Always so impatient! Can't you knock first? What if you disturbed Master Wang Feng's inspiration? Can you take that responsibility?"

Timols paused, shaking his head quickly: "No, Wang Feng, Princess Xuecai and Lady Zhiyu are looking for you. They say the king has summoned you to the palace immediately!"

Old Wang's spirits lifted. Although he had enjoyed the peace these past few days, staying in the laboratory had grown a bit tedious. He was considering whether to go out for a walk: "Do they know what it's about?"

"Who knows?" Timols said excitedly. "The princess didn't say anything, just sent me to find you. Speaking of which, Wang Feng, Wang Feng, everyone outside is talking about your meeting with the elder of the Oscar clan, our Ice Spirit's guardian deity. They say he's over two hundred years old. Is his hair and beard completely white? How tall is he? Does he..."

Once this guy starts talking, he won’t stop for three days and nights. Deder quickly interrupted him and said to Wang Feng, "Since the king has summoned you, Master Wang Feng, you should hurry over."

...

Old Wang was not a stranger to the palace of Bingling.

The last time he came, he was ‘escorted’ by Xuecai’s guards, but this time he came on his own.

As soon as he arrived at the palace gates, a lady official was already waiting to lead Wang Feng into the grand hall. The palace grand hall was bustling with activity.

King Xue Cangbai and Queen Aona were seated above.

There were no nobles or ministers below; instead, Xue Zhiyu and her sister, Aota and his two brothers, Tatashi and his sister, and Jina had all arrived. They were the cream of the crop among the younger generation, whispering and chatting excitedly, their faces unable to hide their anticipation as they waited for the few who were about to enter the palace. Seeing Wang Feng come in, Xue Zhiyu nodded slightly at him but didn’t approach to speak. Xuecai, however, immediately rushed over and whispered irritably, "Wang Feng, you really have a big heart. If you had been any later, you wouldn’t have made it!"

"What’s going on? On my way in, I saw decorations everywhere. It can’t be for me, right? Your father-in-law is being so thoughtful?"

"My father is sitting up there. Do you want to die?" Xuecai discreetly waved her small fist, but fortunately, Wang Feng’s voice was low enough that even Xue Cangbai and probably Jina nearby didn’t hear. "It’s my master who has returned!"

"You have a master?" Old Wang squinted his eyes.

"Also my sister's master, and the master of Aota and everyone else!" Xuecai said proudly. "But only I received the true teachings from Master. I use the bow and arrow just like Master, a marksman!"

In the grand hall, Xue Cangbai also noticed Wang Feng. Seeing Xuecai whispering to him, he couldn't help but frown and shook his head slightly at the Queen Ouna beside him.