Chapter 191: Heavenly Dynasty Imperial House, Qingzhou Heir Apparent

The man known as Heir Apparent Wenli belonged to the Heavenly Dynasty Imperial House.

The Supreme Heavenly Dynasty’s imperial family bore the surname Xiao. Heir Apparent Wenli’s full name was Xiao Wenli, and he was the only son of Qingzhou Prince Xiao Yuande.

Qingzhou Prince Xiao Yuande had originally been the Celestial Emperor’s sixth son, with the status of an Imperial Prince. For defying the Celestial Emperor, he had been demoted and sent to Qingzhou as a prince without an official role. Deprived of the Heavenly Dynasty’s support, he knew he could no longer reach the pinnacle of cultivation. He then fathered a son: Xiao Wenli, who now stood before them.

At the top of the Supreme Heavenly Dynasty stood the Celestial Emperor and Celestial Empress. Below them were the Imperial Princes and Imperial Princesses, followed by princes. Being granted a princely title might sound like an honor, but it actually meant a drop in rank.

Even with that demotion, Xiao Yuande remained a member of the Imperial House, well above those holding princely titles in the Immortal Dao Merchant Association. He had no official power, but even the Governor-General who ruled all Qingzhou dared not dismiss him.

And this Xiao Wenli was the person behind Chen Shunyi.

“Everyone, sit down. I’m just here to take a look. Since we’ve met, I’ll treat everyone to this meal.”

Xiao Wenli didn’t stand on ceremony either, directly sitting down in the seat next to Qin Xiao.

“Heir Apparent, are you going to dine with us?”

Ling Wushuang was surprised. What had gotten into the heir apparent today?

Oh no. The intelligence suggested this heir apparent was Chen Shunyi’s backer. Was he here to make trouble?

Ling Wushuang wasn’t clear, but Ling Ruoxue knew. After all, she had directly used the Immortal Dao Merchant Association’s intelligence system to save Qin Xiao, so naturally she also knew Chen Shunyi and Xiao Wenli were in close contact.

“Everyone, relax. You know what I’m like. I’m easygoing; I never put on airs as an heir apparent.”

Seeing the Ling siblings still somewhat restrained, Xiao Wenli spoke up.

Xiao Wenli was indeed known throughout Qingzhou City for being pleasant. He liked to roam around and make friends. Even when visiting small factions in the Outer City, he never flaunted his status as heir apparent.

His agreeable manner had won him good relations with factions great and small. More than half the factions in Qingzhou City were his friends, and he had shared meals with the rest, so they were acquaintances too.

The Qingzhou Governor-General knew perfectly well what the Qingzhou Prince Manor was up to. Yet they never approached people in the name of the manor or the heir apparent; they simply befriended them. Knowing their plans gave him no grounds to act.

A demoted prince was still the Celestial Emperor’s son, and Xiao Wenli was his grandson. What was wrong with their making a few friends? A governor-general had no right to interfere.

On the surface, the Qingzhou Prince was just an idle prince without any real power, never showing his face, always cultivating in seclusion within the prince manor. Find the original chapter at novelping.com.

In fact, the Qingzhou Prince’s influence reached all over Qingzhou. His loyal followers included not only secular factions but also many officials. Chen Shunyi had been one of them.

“Of course. It’s a rare pleasure to share a meal with the Heir Apparent. Then I won’t stand on ceremony.”

Ling Wushuang was surprised, but after such an offer, he had to show the man due respect.

“Wushuang, let’s not keep calling me ‘Heir Apparent.’ It’s too distant. Moreover, President Ling also holds a royal title, so technically you’re also an heir apparent. Why all this formality? Although I’m older than you, you can just call me Wenli directly. I’m just an idle heir apparent who likes making friends. If you consider me a friend, don’t call me ‘Heir Apparent.'”

Xiao Wenli naturally knew the Immortal Dao Merchant Association was on the Governor-General’s side, but who said he couldn’t poach them? Even if he couldn’t bring them over, having them remain neutral would also be good.

“They say Brother Wenli is easygoing and has friends all over Qingzhou. I wasn’t quite convinced before, but now I believe it. Brother Wenli it is, then.”

Although Ling Wushuang didn’t know what Xiao Wenli truly wanted, he could only go along with the other’s words.

“You must be Qin Xiao. All Qingzhou has been talking about you lately. A young hero indeed!”

After exchanging pleasantries, Xiao Wenli turned toward Qin Xiao beside him.

“Thank you, Heir Apparent. You flatter me.”

Although Qin Xiao didn’t like this guy, the other’s status was undeniable, so Qin Xiao replied politely.

They had only just met, but Qin Xiao had already gathered that the Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant belonged to this heir apparent. First they refused him a meal, and now the owner was praising him. How hypocritical! Qin Xiao had no liking for Xiao Wenli.

“I quite admire geniuses like you. I wonder if you’d be interested in being friends with me? Rest assured-everyone knows I, Xiao Wenli, am very loyal to friends. There are many benefits to being my friend.”

Xiao Wenli had meant to target Qin Xiao, but now he found himself interested and decided to try winning him over.

Chen Shunyi was dead, and the investment in him was lost. Recruiting Qin Xiao could make up for it. Xiao Wenli had investigated him and been amazed by his extraordinary talent. It would be a pity to kill someone like that.

“Ah, thank you, Heir Apparent, but I would not presume to be your friend.”

Qin Xiao directly refused. Being stared at by Xiao Wenli made Qin Xiao feel uncomfortable all over. This heir apparent smiled on the surface, but behind the scenes might be a venomous snake. Qin Xiao didn’t want to get involved with him.

“So you mean you refuse?”

The smile Xiao Wenli had maintained began to change.

“Yes, Heir Apparent, I refuse. To me, friendship comes from spending time together and getting to know each other. You don’t become friends the moment you meet. I met plenty of people like that back home. Over a meal, they would call me brother and swear we were brothers at heart. But when I really needed them, they wouldn’t even answer the phone.”

Qin Xiao made his position clear. Read this novel at novelping.com for the best experience.

It wasn’t that Qin Xiao was acting recklessly again, but this heir apparent gave him a truly bad feeling. He couldn’t even be bothered to be hypocritical. After all, he now had the Qingzhou Governor-General as backing. As long as he remained in Qingzhou, what could an heir apparent do?

He also worried that word might reach the Governor-General. He had already agreed to act as the man’s covert agent. If he accepted an heir apparent’s offer now, and the two were rivals, he would end up offending both. Choosing a side mattered.

Staying firmly on his own side was the sensible choice now. Trying to curry favor with both would only make both abandon him.

Qin Xiao didn’t expect all his conjectures to be correct. Qingzhou’s forces, on the surface, were the Governor-General’s sole authority, but in reality were split half-and-half between the Governor-General and Qingzhou Prince.

Of course, the Governor-General still held the larger half. Qingzhou Prince could only interfere covertly.

“Yes, you’re right. I agree. I don’t know what this ‘phone’ is, but I take it you mean you couldn’t reach them. Sincerity is what matters most in friendship. Come, a toast.”

Xiao Wenli’s expression shifted slightly, but he quickly recovered his smile. As he spoke, he raised his wine cup.

“I’m glad the Heir Apparent understands.”

Qin Xiao also raised his cup.

“Alright, you’re all gathering as friends, so I’ll take my leave now. Meeting you today has made me very happy.”

Xiao Wenli set down his cup and spoke with a smile.

“Thank you for your high regard, Heir Apparent.”

Qin Xiao replied.

Then Xiao Wenli turned and left.

Only after walking down the stairs did Xiao Wenli finally drop his smile, clenching both fists tightly.

“Brat! You won’t accept a friendly offer, so you’ll face the consequences. If you spurn the respect I show you, then you can die.”

Seeing his recruitment fail, Xiao Wenli was completely enraged. This was the first time someone dared show him such disrespect.

Then he softly said something to one of his attendants.

The attendant nodded and went ahead.