The two of them kept a low profile and remained composed. Therefore, they attracted no attention along the way. After all, the Martial King Palace had so many disciples, most of whom were usually focused on their cultivation in seclusion. It was quite normal for a couple of unfamiliar faces to appear.
Very soon, the reception hall came into view.
"I thought it would be tougher!" Ling Yunfei murmured disdainfully.
"We cannot let our guard down until we step out of the Martial King Palace," Qin Feiyang warned him in a low voice.
A moment later, walking out from the side of the reception hall, they could see the main entrance right in front of them. As long as they stepped out of that gate, it would be like fish returning to the sea.
"You two, stop right there!"
But just then, Elder Qu stepped out of the reception hall. Upon seeing the two of them, his eyebrows furrowed slightly as he shouted.
They froze. Just one more step, and they would be free from the Martial King Palace. Undeniably, Elder Qu’s timing was impeccable.
"Run!" Ling Yunfei murmured.
"If you think you can outrun a War King, then by all means, run." Qin Feiyang rolled his eyes at him, then turned to face Elder Qu and bowed. "Elder."
Ling Yunfei also quickly turned and paid his respects.
Elder Qu frowned. "How is it I’ve never seen you two before?"
Qin Feiyang smiled. "After entering the Martial King Palace, we disciples have been cultivating in the cultivation rooms. It’s understandable if the Elder doesn’t recognize us."
"Impossible," Elder Qu stated firmly. "Show me your Identity Tokens."
Qin Feiyang’s heart tightened. Encountering Elder Qu was the last thing he wanted. Everyone who entered the Martial King Palace had to get their Identity Tokens from him. So, whether they were steward elders or disciples, Elder Qu had seen them all.
Elder Qu raised his eyebrows and demanded, "What are you dawdling for? Take them out, quickly!"
It seems we can’t leave now,
Ling Yunfei thought, bitterness welling up inside him. If Elder Qu discovered their true identities, they would surely be placed under strict watch.
"Why didn’t you two wait for me?"
Just as they were losing hope, a voice as beautiful as an angel’s song came from behind Elder Qu. A woman in a tight-fitting white outfit that perfectly showcased her figure, her face a mask of fury, came running towards them.
It was Feng Ling’er! She was still wearing her mask, her beautiful eyes blazing with anger.
"Bastards!" As soon as she arrived, she grabbed their ears. "We agreed to go to the Treasure Pavilion together! How dare you leave without me? Are you asking for a beating?"
"Your Ladyship, we were wrong!" Qin Feiyang yelped.
"Big Sis, it hurts, it hurts! Let go!" Ling Yunfei cried out.
Both hastily pleaded for mercy. Though Feng Ling’er was acting fiercely, in their eyes at this moment, she was nothing short of an angel. She had arrived just in the nick of time!
"Elder Qu, we’ll be leaving now." Feng Ling’er turned back and smiled at Elder Qu, then grabbed their ears again and started dragging them out, muttering rebukes under her breath.
"What’s going on?" Elder Qu was bewildered.
After a while, he finally regained his senses and shook his head with a sigh. "It seems I’ve really gotten old. Even my memory isn’t what it used to be."
Ling Yunfei grimaced. "Senior Sister Ling’er, you can let go now, can’t you?"
"Not so easily," Feng Ling’er hmphed coldly. "Tell me, what were you two up to, disguising yourselves and sneaking out of the Martial King Palace?"
Both of them felt their hearts skip a beat.
Does Feng Ling’er know our real identities?
Feng Ling’er let go of them and snorted. "Your little tricks might fool others, but they won’t fool me. If you don’t confess now, I’ll drag you back."
Qin Feiyang rubbed his sore ear and asked with a frown, "How did you know?"
"I noticed Brat Ling has been acting suspiciously these past few days."
"So, when he left the cultivation hall a while ago, I followed him."
"Just as I thought, you two were up to no good," Feng Ling’er said.
Qin Feiyang and Ling Yunfei exchanged looks, a bitter smile on their faces. A woman this clever and hard to deal with was indeed a handful!
Ling Yunfei whispered, "Senior Sister Ling’er, here’s the thing. We’re going to Star Moon City, and this trip... we might not make it back."
"Star Moon City?" Feng Ling’er’s delicate brows knitted. "Don’t try to scare me," she said dismissively. "I wasn’t born yesterday. Now, tell me, what are you going to do in Star Moon City?"
"We..." Ling Yunfei stammered.
Seeing Feng Ling’er losing her patience, Ling Yunfei had a brainstorm and chuckled. "It’s been a while since we last saw Lo Qingzhu and Zhao Shuang’er. Qin Feiyang misses them a bit, so he wanted to go to Star Moon City to visit them."
Qin Feiyang staggered, almost falling over.
This guy! He can really spin a tale!
Feng Ling’er looked at Qin Feiyang and asked, "Is that true?"
Qin Feiyang’s face twitched. He nodded. "Yes."
As long as I can get this woman off our backs, a little sacrifice is fine.
Feng Ling’er thought for a moment, then said, "I haven’t seen Qingzhu in a long time either. Why don’t I go with you?"
COUGH! COUGH!
Upon hearing this, Qin Feiyang and Ling Yunfei both coughed, nearly choking.
Feng Ling’er gave the two of them a teasing look and continued, "I haven’t told you this before, but I actually met her when I was ten years old. She came to visit the Jiang Family when I was still in Black Bear City..."
They barely heard a word she said, their faces turning pale as if they’d swallowed live fleas.
We’re out of options.
They’d already said it; they couldn’t take it back now, could they?
We’ll just have to let Feng Ling’er tag along. Once we get to Star Moon City, we’ll find a chance to shake her off.
The three of them entered the West City district around noon.
Feng Ling’er suggested, "Since we’re not in a rush, let’s go to the Flying Phoenix Building and get something to eat first."
Qin Feiyang and Ling Yunfei exchanged a look, a glint in their eyes.
This is our chance! We can lose her at the Flying Phoenix Building!
A short while later, the three of them arrived at the Flying Phoenix Building. People in Yan City were generally familiar with Feng Ling’er, as she often wore a mask. The waiter immediately greeted them enthusiastically.
Just after they had sat down, Qin Feiyang slapped his forehead, telling Feng Ling’er and Ling Yunfei, "I need to buy something. You two start eating; I’ll be back soon."
"Are you really going to buy something?" Feng Ling’er gazed at him with a teasing smile.
"Of course! If I’m going to see Qingzhu and the others, I need to prepare a proper present, right?" Qin Feiyang rolled his eyes at her, then rose and headed for the entrance. As he turned, he subtly shot Ling Yunfei a meaningful look.
Ling Yunfei, however, was quite frustrated.
That was the excuse I was going to use!
he thought.
I can’t believe Qin Feiyang thought of it too, and said it first! Now what excuse can I use to get away?
"Clear the way! Clear the way!"
"Can’t you see the First Prince is coming? Don’t block the way!"
Qin Feiyang had barely stepped out of the entrance when an arrogant, overbearing shout echoed from the street ahead. It was particularly jarring. The diners in the hall were all startled.
Qin Feiyang also looked up. He saw the First Prince approaching the Flying Phoenix Building, flanked by four royal guards. Beside the First Prince was a young girl. She had an exquisite figure, her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, and her long white dress billowed as she walked, making her look as captivating as a beautiful angel. Her natural beauty was such that she needed no makeup to adorn it.
It was Lin Yiyi!
Why is she with the First Prince?
Qin Feiyang frowned slightly.
Seeing Qin Feiyang blocking the entrance, the two guards at the front grew enraged. "Can’t you see the First Prince is here?" one of them shouted. "Get out of the way!"
Qin Feiyang’s expression turned cold instantly.
The two guards glanced at Qin Feiyang’s attire. "Oh, aren’t we feisty?" one sneered. "So, you’re a disciple of the Martial King Palace. But who do you think you are, daring to block our First Prince’s path? Do you think you’re Jian Haotian?" they added arrogantly.
Hearing this, Qin Feiyang was visibly surprised.
The First Prince raised an eyebrow and said impatiently, "Drag him away."
The two guards were about to move.
"No need. I can move aside myself." Qin Feiyang moved to the side, his face expressionless.
As the First Prince passed him, Qin Feiyang said in a low voice, "First Prince, is it? I guarantee you’ll regret this."
"Hm?" The First Prince paused, turning to look at Qin Feiyang with a hint of astonishment. But in the end, he merely gave a disdainful smirk and walked on, leading Lin Yiyi into the Flying Phoenix Building.
It was a scorn that ran bone-deep. He clearly didn’t take Qin Feiyang seriously at all, dismissing him as a brainless fool.
Feng Ling’er witnessed all of this but said nothing, a playful smile touching her lips. Ling Yunfei stared at the First Prince, a cold glint in his eyes.
Suddenly, an idea struck him. He looked away from the Prince, turned to Feng Ling’er, and said in a low voice, "Qin Feiyang must be very upset right now. Senior Sister, I’ll go comfort him. And while I’m at it, I’ll pick out some gifts for Lo Qingzhu and the others. Please take your time and enjoy your meal."
Saying this, he immediately got up and ran towards Qin Feiyang. After rejoining Qin Feiyang, they quickly slipped into the crowd and headed for the city gate.
Feng Ling’er was stunned for a moment, then chuckled.
Those two rascals! Do they think I don’t know what they’re plotting? Trying to slip away? Not on my watch!
She, too, got up and chased after them.
The waiter, arriving with their food, was completely bewildered.
Where did everyone go?
"We finally shook her off!" Ling Yunfei glanced back. Seeing no sign of Feng Ling’er, he finally heaved a long sigh of relief.
But at that very moment, Qin Feiyang stiffened, his gaze fixed straight ahead.
"What are you looking at?" Ling Yunfei asked, puzzled. Following Qin Feiyang’s gaze, his body also froze.
About a dozen meters or so ahead, standing amidst the crowd, was a masked woman with her arms crossed, watching them with an amused smirk.
Who else could it be but Feng Ling’er?
When did she get ahead of us?
Their minds were a complete blank.
"Sigh..." With a long, helpless sigh, Qin Feiyang walked over.
It’s impossible to shake this woman off now.
As they approached, Feng Ling’er, a wide grin on her face, asked, "Weren’t you two going to pick out gifts? How come you were heading for the city gate?"
Qin Feiyang gave a bitter laugh. "Alright, our mistake. It’s getting late, let’s get going!"
Ling Yunfei shook his head and sighed. "Senior Sister, you’re so beautiful and so clever... what man will ever dare to marry you? Junior Brother here is genuinely worried for you."
"The men who want to marry me could form a line from here all the way to the Martial King Palace," Feng Ling’er retorted proudly. "Do I need you to worry about me?"
"That confident?" Ling Yunfei was astonished. Still, he had to admit, this woman certainly had the capital for such confidence.

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