Chapter 242: Chapter 210: Corridor of Chaos, Heaven’s Chosen One

"Two heavyweights have arrived!"

Wang Yi stood up and cupped his hands in greeting toward Li Ben and Liang Xiaoyu. "I never imagined King Pingxi would be the number one master of the Golden Sparrow Country, having already achieved such profound attainment and Rejuvenation! And Xiaoliang State Preceptor, could it be you’ve also achieved profound attainment and Rejuvenation?"

Li Ben remained expressionless, returning the salute with cupped hands. He stood half a step behind Liang Xiaoyu, like her personal guard.

Liang Xiaoyu, however, frowned at Wang Yi. "Are you Sun Wukong?"

"Who else would I be?"

Wang Yi smiled. He was still using Yang Jian’s identity information, but he didn’t plan on changing it.

"Alright, I believe you!" Liang Xiaoyu nodded. "It’s good that the Southern King is here as well." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

A faint smile appeared on Tong Yuanhai’s face. He simply sized up Li Ben and Liang Xiaoyu without a word.

Liang Xiaoyu turned back to Wang Yi. "Is the Great Saint satisfied with the arrangements here at the Jade Dew Courtyard? If you have any requests, please don’t hesitate to tell me!"

Wang Yi waved his hand dismissively. "We’re all Players, so there’s no need to beat around the bush. If you have something to say, just say it. I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed, and if you start speaking in riddles I can’t understand, I’ll just flip the table."

"Just as expected of the Great Saint!"

Liang Xiaoyu sat down on her own accord. "Then I’ll be blunt. The Corridor of Chaos is about to appear. This is a plotline initiated by the Players from the Celestial Net Country. We’ve stumbled upon it at the right time and can also enter the Corridor of Chaos to fight for the benefits within. Since we’re all trying to make our way in the Golden Sparrow Country, why not join forces?"

Tong Yuanhai said, "On what grounds does Xiaoliang State Preceptor propose an alliance with us?"

Liang Xiaoyu replied, "I naturally can’t compare to the Southern King’s hundreds of thousands of troops. At present, I can only mobilize the three thousand Armor-Breaking Swordsmen from the Prince Mansion of King Pingxi."

Tong Yuanhai’s eyes narrowed as he studied King Pingxi, who stood like a guard behind Liang Xiaoyu. "I’ve long heard that the Armor-Breaking Swordsmen are all first-rate masters of Swordsmanship, and that three thousand of them can hold off an army of one hundred thousand. For the Xiaoliang State Preceptor to bring them under your command is truly an impressive feat."

"It’s good to have the Prince’s acknowledgment!"

Wang Yi, however, frowned and asked directly, "What is the Corridor of Chaos?"

Tong Yuanhai explained, "The Corridor of Chaos is a kind of strange Secret Realm. The ’chaos’ in its name refers to a chaotic world. According to the information I have, entering the Corridor of Chaos is like stepping into spatio-temporal turbulence, allowing one to travel from one different world to another. If you can reach the end of the Corridor of Chaos, you’ll arrive at the Chaotic World Royal Court, where you can obtain immense benefits. However, it seems you need some special items to enter it."

"As expected of the Southern King, to know so much about the Corridor of Chaos. In that case, I won’t bother trying to show off. The Corridor of Chaos has already appeared above Linggu Mountain, and the National Seal Jade Seal in my hand is one of the items that can open it. I invited the two of you, as well as King Dongsheng and King Beimang, here for the sake of the Corridor of Chaos. It’s just a pity that King Dongsheng and King Beimang are too arrogant; I’m afraid they won’t be coming."

"So that’s what this is all about!"

Wang Yi silently took note. ’If this Xiaoliang State Preceptor invited me here only for the Corridor of Chaos, then the title of Jade King and the marriage to Princess Longyu are probably decisions made by the Indigenous People.’

"According to the mission progression on the Celestial Net Country’s side, the Corridor of Chaos should be openable within ten days. How about our three parties make an agreement? We’ll first move our troops to Huayang Mountain. Three days from now, we’ll advance on Linggu Mountain together, break a path through, occupy a territory, help each other out, and then enter the Corridor of Chaos together. How does that sound?"

"That’s not impossible," Tong Yuanhai nodded.

Wang Yi was noncommittal. "You guys play your games. I’m new to Quejing City and plan to look around a bit first. As for that Corridor of Chaos thing, I’m not very interested."

Liang Xiaoyu frowned slightly at his words and was about to say more, but Wang Yi cut her off. "Xiaoliang State Preceptor, I have a question for you. Was it you who recommended me to the Court? I was quietly farming in the Jade River valley. How did you know I was there?"

Liang Xiaoyu said, "My class is Celestial Fate and Destiny Official. To put it simply, I’m a matchmaker. A few days ago, I was divining a suitable match for Princess Longyu, searching for her Heaven’s Chosen One, and I received information about the Great Saint. That’s why I recommended you to the Court. Please don’t be offended, Great Saint!"

"Was conferring the title of Jade King your idea too?"

"No, that wasn’t me. The ministers at Court learned of the Great Saint’s abilities and proposed it themselves, hoping that you would repel the Celestial Net Army and protect Quejing. It was a way of currying favor, nothing more."

"And the Empress Dowager arranging the marriage?"

"That was the Empress Dowager’s idea. It had nothing to do with me!"

"Okay, I understand. Is there anything else?"

"Not really."

"If not, then let’s disperse. Everyone can go about their own business."

Wang Yi stood up and showed them out.

Liang Xiaoyu and Tong Yuanhai couldn’t really say anything more, so they stood and took their leave.

After the four of them left, Wang Yi couldn’t help but frown. ’I have too little information. I can’t get a grasp of the situation at Court, and I don’t know enough about the Corridor of Chaos. This puts me in a very passive position.’

’I feel like I’ve waded into muddy waters. There are definitely fish in here, but a lot of people are stirring things up. I don’t know the people or the place, so if I’m not careful, I could be used or set up. It’s best not to make any hasty decisions right now. I should gather some intel first.’

"Sigh, and here I was planning to relax and enjoy myself for a few days. Looks like I have to get busy again!"

Wang Yi shook his head, then released his Galaxy Airship. He intended to head to the western battlefield to check things out and investigate the Corridor of Chaos personally.

Outside the small courtyard, Tong Yuanhai and Liang Xiaoyu were each lost in their own thoughts. They walked together for a stretch, while Wu Shenji and Li Ben, who were behind them, seemed somewhat confrontational.

In front of the Southern King’s courtyard, Tong Yuanhai stopped. "Xiaoliang State Preceptor, what trick did you use to make King Pingxi, the number one expert in the Golden Sparrow Country, act like a puppet, completely obedient to you? Don’t tell me you used a honey trap and married him?"

Liang Xiaoyu smiled. "In terms of seniority, King Pingxi is your royal uncle. Is it appropriate for you to speak like that in front of him?"

"What’s appropriate or not? We’re Players. Why be so formal?"

"True enough." Liang Xiaoyu glanced into the Southern King’s courtyard and could see an airship. It seemed there were quite a few other Players in the courtyard, making a racket. She didn’t say anything more, just cupped her hands and bid farewell.

After she had gone, Tong Yuanhai asked Wu Shenji, "Teacher, what do you think? Are Sun Wukong and this woman easy to deal with?"

Wu Shenji shook his head. "You are all Players, all Aliens. You don’t act according to common sense, so how can I judge? However, based on my first impression, I think Sun Wukong is relatively reliable. He is powerful, and his posture is one of simply looking down on others. He probably wouldn’t deign to engage in any schemes or plots. But that young girl is a bit more complicated. It would be best to be careful when cooperating with her in the future. In fact, it would be best not to cooperate with her at all."

"But this Xiaoliang State Preceptor holds the National Seal Jade Seal. Without the National Seal Jade Seal, we can’t enter the Corridor of Chaos..."

In another direction, Liang Xiaoyu was also questioning Li Ben. "Grand-uncle, what do you think? If we were to assassinate those two, what are your chances of success?"

Li Ben, who had been silent until now like an emotionless puppet, finally spoke. "That Sun Wukong appears to be a Mortal, but my intuition tells me he is not to be touched. As for the Southern King, the guard behind him is not weak and should be on par with me in combat strength. If I were to attack rashly, the outcome would be uncertain."

"Forget it, then. Let’s try cooperating for now. We’ll decide everything else after we enter the Corridor of Chaos."

"Xiaoyu’Er, what about Da Yu’Er?"

"Her situation... I can’t control her situation. The Empress Dowager is in charge of her. The three Heaven’s Chosen Ones... I’ve told her about all of them, anyway. We’ll see how she chooses..."

「Meanwhile, in Celestial Saint City」

In the Forbidden Palace, inside a small building named Star Moon Pavilion, a woman was pinning up her black hair.

She was slender with a devastatingly beautiful face, but at the moment, she was wearing a rather ill-fitting palace maid’s uniform, seemingly trying to disguise herself as a common servant in front of a copper mirror.

This woman was none other than the one known as the number one beauty in the world, Princess Longyu, whose full name was Li Longyu.

In the room, another palace maid was pacing back and forth anxiously, at a loss for what to do.

"Princess, are you really going to escape the Imperial Palace? What will we do about the Empress Dowager?" the maid suddenly blurted out.

Li Longyu said, "What other choice do I have? Wait to be married off to a monkey? I heard he’s already entered the Capital City. The Empress Dowager is going to summon me to meet him tomorrow morning. If I don’t run tonight, when will I ever get the chance!"

"But it might not be a monkey! Besides, even if you don’t like him, you can just refuse! The Empress Dowager dotes on you the most. If you just act spoiled, she’ll surely listen to you!"

"Refuse?" Li Longyu smiled. "Oh, Xiaolian, you’re so naive. Given the current situation, with the country on the verge of turmoil, do you really think the Empress Dowager will change her mind just because I act spoiled? That’s impossible. A princess, the number one beauty in the world... in the end, I’m just a tool for a political marriage. Even if I’m not betrothed to that monkey, I’ll be betrothed to one of the other two."

"But... but..."

The maid named Xiaolian wanted to argue and persuade Li Longyu to stay, but she didn’t know what to say.

Li Longyu spoke again. "Alright, Xiaolian, I’ve already made the arrangements, so you don’t need to worry. I know you don’t want me to leave the palace... How about this? I’ll let you be the princess. You’re very beautiful, after all! And then you can look at these three Heaven’s Chosen Ones, see which one is suitable, and pick him to be your prince consort."

As she spoke, Li Longyu pointed to three portraits on a nearby table.

There was text below the three portraits.

The first depicted a bald giant.

[First Choice for Heaven’s Chosen One: Gu Man Wanshou, Emperor of the Ancient Barbarian Country. Age: 189. The strongest combatant in the Ancient Barbarian Country. Height: three meters. Possesses immense strength. After marriage, you will be blessed with many children and long-lasting fortune!]

The second portrait showed the standard image of the Monkey King, Sun Wukong: a Thunder God’s Beak, a monkey’s face, a golden circlet on his head, and an Iron Rod over his shoulder. His right hand was raised to his forehead as if he were looking into the distance.

[Second Choice for Heaven’s Chosen One: Sun Wukong, Lord of Huaguo Mountain, the Monkey King. Age: unknown. An Alien. After marriage, you will help the country avert disaster and have a boundless future.]

The third portrait was of an old man with white hair and a white beard, possessing an immortal-like demeanor.

[Third Choice for Heaven’s Chosen One: Changqingzi, Island Lord of Changqing Island in the Celestial Net Country. A Golden Core Cultivator. Age: 250. A reclusive Cultivator who has transcended the mortal world. After marriage, you will be a concubine, but you can achieve Dual Cultivation Foundation Establishment and obtain a connection to immortality.]

"Th-th-this..."

Xiaolian looked at the three portraits, her expression conflicted. She stomped her foot and said, "The Princess has a free spirit. To be married to someone she doesn’t like, and to beings like these... it would truly be worse than death! Princess, I won’t stop you anymore. I wish you the best of luck!"

Li Longyu nodded. "Don’t worry about me. I’ve made all the arrangements. My senior brother and the others will be there to help me. I will definitely be able to leave this Forbidden Palace tonight..."