Traveling Thousands of Miles Alone

After returning home, Long Chen stayed by his parents' side. With the time of parting now imminent, Long Chen particularly cherished the present moments.

During this time, Long Chen and Chu Yao visited the imperial palace once, where they saw Chu Feng slumped over the imperial desk, lost in thought.

"What is it? About to become the emperor, feeling the pressure?" Long Chen said with a smile.

Upon seeing Long Chen and Chu Yao enter, Chu Feng was overjoyed: "Brother Long, Sister, what brings you here?"

"We came to see if you, the future emperor, have been slacking off. As expected, you didn't disappoint us," Chu Yao said with a light chuckle, covering her mouth.

Chu Feng's face flushed slightly, and he said somewhat unnaturally: "The Empire is currently in a mess. Such a huge pile of problems has been dumped on me, I can't even sleep soundly."

Seeing Chu Feng's bloodshot eyes, Long Chen knew it was due to excessive stress. He shook his head and said: "The art of being an emperor lies in knowing how to employ people well. Otherwise, if you have to do everything yourself, it would be strange if you didn't work yourself to death."

"Since ancient times, wise rulers have had capable ministers by their sides, while foolish rulers have had treacherous sycophants."

"This depends on how you distinguish between them. The Dao of being a ruler lies in having a Wisdom Eye, a heart that is not easily deceived, the ability to control everything around you, and when necessary, being ruthless and cold-blooded."

Long Chen spoke the last four words in an extremely chilling tone, and with such a serious expression that both Chu Yao and Chu Feng felt a jolt in their hearts.

"As an emperor, you must be ruthless. Not just to others, but to yourself as well. Otherwise, it will be difficult for you to sit firmly on your throne," Long Chen said solemnly.

"Long Chen, the Empire is now calm and peaceful. The Xia Empire, which had always been eyeing Phoenix, has fallen into civil strife. Phoenix won't have any enemies in the future. Why are you trying to scare Chu Feng?" Chu Yao complained a little.

"Sister, Brother Long is right. As a ruler, one must be ruthless to oneself. This generation of enemies has been wiped out by Brother Long and Uncle."

"But when this land reaches the hands of my descendants, they will also face powerful opponents. If I am not ruthless enough and only seek comfort, failing to set an example for the future generations, then Phoenix will begin its decline from my hands and collapse among my descendants. I would be a sinner of our Chu family. Brother Long, I understand!" Chu Feng said.

"I feel that the title 'Brother Long' isn't quite fitting. I would be much happier if people called me brother-in-law," Long Chen said with a smile.

"Long Chen, you… you bad guy!" Chu Yao, being thin-skinned after all, lightly struck Long Chen and ran away with a flushed face.

After Chu Yao left, Long Chen looked at Chu Feng and said: "Your sister and I are about to leave Phoenix. Actually, we came to bid you farewell."

A trace of pain appeared in Chu Feng's eyes: "I know, I've heard. My sister and I have depended on each other since we were young, surviving by pretending to be crazy and foolish. Now that we are finally free, we have to separate."

"My sister loves you very much, and I know that you will cherish her as much as you cherish your own life, so I am relieved."

"Mhm, rest assured. I won't let Chu Yao suffer any grievances," Long Chen said solemnly. This was a promise.

Long Chen and Chu Yao had just stepped out of the imperial palace when they bumped into Fatty Yu. Now dressed in court robes, Fatty Yu actually looked quite imposing.

"Brother Long, I finally found you. We've prepared a banquet to see you off."

"How did you know?" Long Chen asked, stunned.

"Don't ask. There aren't many people in the entire imperial capital who don't know. Hurry up, let's go. Today, we won't return until we're drunk."

Long Chen and Chu Yao arrived at the Juying Pavilion. Shi Feng, Monkey, and the others had already gathered. Seeing Long Chen arrive, they all stood up.

"Long Chen, are you really leaving?" Shi Feng asked with reluctance.

Long Chen nodded and said: "I want to go see a broader space. Shi Feng, why don't you try going too?"

Shi Feng's eyes lit up, but then he wilted and shook his head: "Forget it. With my meager abilities, I'm simply not up to par."

"Why are you so humble today?" Long Chen said with a smile.

"Haha, Brother Long, Shi Feng isn't being humble. He's just reluctant to leave the imperial capital. He can't bear to leave a certain beauty behind," Monkey chimed in from the side.

"A beauty?" Long Chen was taken aback.

"Long Chen, don't listen to their nonsense." This kid, Shi Feng, was actually blushing.

"Brother Long, Shi Feng is your brother, but you two have another layer of relationship now," someone said with a mysterious smile.

"What relationship?" Long Chen was confused.

"Hehe, from now on, you two will be brothers-in-law," Fatty said with a wicked grin.

Long Chen and Chu Yao were both stunned. This news came too suddenly.

"Hehe, the Crown Prince has already arranged for the Second Princess and Shi Feng to be together. I believe it won't be long before Brother Shi wins the beauty's heart."

Hearing this, Long Chen and Chu Yao exchanged a glance, both seeing the trace of surprise and helplessness in the other's eyes.

The First Princess and the Second Princess were not on good terms with Chu Feng. Now, in order to win over the Genius Shi Feng, Chu Feng had used the Second Princess as a bargaining chip.

Originally, this was the art of being an emperor and was perfectly normal, but Chu Yao still felt somewhat uncomfortable in her heart.

Under the table, Long Chen gently held Chu Yao's hand and said: "Chu Feng knows how to protect himself. Isn't that a good thing? We can leave with peace of mind."

Chu Yao nodded. Long Chen was right; if Chu Feng didn't understand the art of political maneuvering, she would be even more worried.

Chu Yao suddenly smiled slightly, her beautiful eyes fixed on Long Chen: "Long Chen, when I go to the Tianmu Palace, you must promise me that you will come to visit me often. Don't let anyone else whisk me away."

Long Chen said angrily: "Anyone who dares to steal my wife, I will smash their human head into a dog's head. I'd like to see who is so unafraid of death."

Although she knew Long Chen was teasing her on purpose, Chu Yao still laughed until her delicate body trembled, but her beautiful eyes were filled with warmth.

Knowing that Long Chen would leave soon, everyone drank desperately, regardless of their tolerance. Long Chen had a high tolerance, so to keep up with everyone, while others used bowls, he used jars directly.

The jars behind him were like a small mountain. Everyone laughed and drank to their heart's content, sometimes with tear-stained faces. Aside from Shi Feng, everyone here had lived very unsatisfactorily.

Now that Chu Feng was about to ascend the throne, those who were usually on good terms with Long Chen had all been entrusted with important tasks and held prominent positions.

All of this was thanks to Long Chen. They knew that once Long Chen left, they might never see him again in their lives. After getting drunk, their emotions were hard to contain, and they cried and laughed.

Long Chen was the same. Recalling the bitterness of so many years and the unknown road ahead, he could only drink desperately.

He knew he was about to embark on a path of no return, a road that would be filled with bloodshed. He feared he would never have the chance to drink freely like this again.

Until everyone had passed out on the ground, Long Chen, supported by Chu Yao, staggered back home.

In the following days, Long Chen stayed indoors, accompanying his parents. It wasn't until the seventh day that news came from Tu Fang that it was time to depart.

During these days, they had made arrangements for the mining of the Spirit Stone mine, the investment and allocation of resources, and some regulatory matters.

In order not to affect the normal operation of the Empire, they would mine it at the fastest speed. It was estimated that it would be finished within half a year. As for how it would be distributed, no one knew.

However, one thing was certain: the Blood Luo Sect, which had vainly attempted to swallow the Spirit Stone mine alone, had provoked public anger. This time, they wouldn't get a single Spirit Stone.

Outside the imperial capital, rows of gigantic Demonic Beasts stood side by side, emitting terrifying auras, their roars shaking the heavens.

Long Chen, Chu Yao, A Man, and Little Snow stood in front of the city gate. Long Tianxiao and his wife stood on the city wall. Lady Long's eyes were filled with tears as she waved desperately towards Long Chen.

Chu Feng wore yellow robes and a golden crown. Originally, this attire could only be worn at the time of coronation, but Chu Feng was wearing it now. He said he wanted his sister to see what he looked like as an emperor.

"Let's go."

Hua Yu took Chu Yao and slowly walked onto the back of a huge colorful sparrow. The sparrow let out a soft cry, flapped its wings, and flew high into the sky.

Tears streamed down Chu Yao's face as she waved to Chu Feng and the others on the city gate until her figure disappeared into the horizon.

Others also boarded their mounts and left one after another. Finally, only Tu Fang's Iron-Feather Proud Eagle remained there.

Looking at Long Chen and Little Snow behind him, Tu Fang nodded and said: "Unexpectedly, you actually have a Demonic Beast pet like a Crimson Flame Snow Wolf. Now I can be at ease."

Upon hearing Tu Fang's tone, Long Chen felt something was amiss and quickly said: "Little Snow hasn't grown up yet and isn't very heavy. Your mount can definitely carry all of us."

Tu Fang shook his head: "First, although my mount is a Third Rank Demonic Beast and can carry all of us, a Demonic Beast will not allow another Demonic Beast to lie on its back. This violates the instincts of Demonic Beasts."

"I am not a Beast Tamer and cannot completely enslave Demonic Beasts, so I cannot let your Demonic Beast come up."

"Second, according to the rules of the Xuantian Branch, every Disciple who wants to pass the Xuantian Branch assessment must cross the wilderness alone and arrive at the Xuantian Branch within the specified time. This is also part of the assessment."

Seeing Long Chen's ugly expression, Tu Fang quickly said: "But don't worry, there is still more than a month until the official assessment. You have plenty of time. This is the map to the Xuantian Branch, take it."

"So that means the three of us have to run to the Xuantian Branch ourselves?" Long Chen couldn't help but feel a surge of anger. This was a bit like toying with people. If you wanted us to go ourselves, why did you wait for us? To show off that you have a flying mount?

"Not three, but the two of you. A Man will return to the Xuantian Branch with me first. As for why, you understand," Tu Fang shook his head and said.

Fine, I understand. Long Chen was so angry he wanted to curse. This was bullying people too much, but since the arm couldn't twist the thigh, he had to endure it.

Until the Demonic Beast flew up into the high sky, A Man suddenly asked: "Eh! Why isn't Brother Long coming up?"

Tu Fang, who had been standing in front commanding the Demonic Beast, stumbled and almost fell off. He looked at A Man in disbelief, unable to speak for a long time.

Seeing Tu Fang's Demonic Beast fly away, Long Chen patted Little Snow's head and smiled bitterly: "The two of us are going to suffer."

"Awoo!" Little Snow roared.

"You say we can't lose to them? Good! Then let's compete with them." Long Chen jumped onto Little Snow's back. Little Snow roared again, turned into a snow-white beam of light, and rushed towards the distance.

On Little Snow's back, Long Chen looked at the increasingly small figures on the city wall until they disappeared from sight, and couldn't help but choke up:

"Father, Mother, take care. I will come back to see you."

At the same time, his heart was filled with longing. The outside world, I am coming. From now on, let this world tremble because of me, Long Chen!

…

Seeing Long Chen's figure disappear, Lady Long could no longer hold back and sobbed loudly in Long Tianxiao's arms.

"Alright, the child has grown up. It is time for him to spread his wings and soar, like an eagle striking the vast sky," Long Tianxiao comforted his wife, while he also knew.

Long Chen's path ahead would be filled with thorns and numerous calamities, but as long as he did not fall, he would inevitably stand at the pinnacle of the world, worshipped by all directions.