Chapter 52: The Little Princess's Decision (Eighth Update)

“All right, Father.”
Chen Die’er nodded, picked up the small puppet hanging from her necklace, and called out loudly, “Old man, my father wants to know—have you remembered where the Gate of the Void is yet?
If you can’t remember, you won’t be getting any more leftovers. Not even if we’re just going to throw them out—you won’t get a single bite.”
“Ah!”
From inside the small puppet came the Blood Demon Ancestor’s cry of alarm: “Please, little master, don’t do that! Saving food is a virtue—the greatest virtue! I love nothing more than saving food; leftovers are my favorite!”
Within those leftovers resided a vast and powerful legacy; if he were deprived of them, he would surely lose his mind.
“So, have you remembered where the Gate of the Void is?”
Chen Die’er’s lively eyes fixed on the puppet as she asked.
“Not yet.”
The Blood Demon Ancestor replied bitterly, “Little master, give me a bit more time. I swear I’ll remember!”
“Fine.”
Chen Die’er turned to Young Master Chen with a helpless expression. “Father, he says he still hasn’t remembered.”
“Let it be—give him a little more time.”
Chen Changsheng sighed softly, but suddenly his eyes brightened. “Hm…”
He saw Bing Muer and the others approaching.
“Young Master Chen, forgive us for disturbing you again!”
Bing Muer led her companions to stand before Chen Changsheng, greeting him with a respectful gesture.
“Princess, you don’t need to be so polite. We are all friends here.”
Chen Changsheng smiled gently.
Friends?
Everyone stared at one another in astonishment, their hearts pounding, faces gradually flushed with joy.
Young Master Chen actually regarded them as friends—this was simply too exciting!
“Thank you, Young Master Chen!”
Their faces reddened with excitement as they hurriedly expressed their respect.
“You’re all far too polite. Among friends, there’s no need for such formality.”
Chen Changsheng shook his head, somewhat exasperated.
What a friendly world—these people’s manners were almost excessive.
“Yes, yes, among friends we should be more casual.”
Bing Muer nodded quickly, then continued, “Young Master Chen, the Southern Domain City is preparing to host a celebration. I wonder if you’re interested in attending?”
“A celebration in Southern Domain City?”

Chen Changsheng asked in surprise, “Why is there suddenly a celebration?”
“It’s because of the matter of the Demon Emperor’s Tomb.”
Bing Muer explained, “Now that the issue of the Demon Emperor’s Tomb has been resolved, Southern Domain City wishes to hold a celebration in honor of the event.”
“So, the person hosting this celebration is the Duke of the Southern Domain…”
Chen Changsheng’s brows furrowed slightly.
He remembered the princess’s tragic background; the Duke had essentially abandoned her completely.
“A celebration hosted by such a scoundrel—I have no interest in attending.”
Without further thought, Chen Changsheng shook his head indifferently.
Scoundrel?
Bing Muer and the others were taken aback; it was a novel term to them.
Chen Changsheng continued, “Besides, the celebration is for the Demon Emperor’s Tomb. I had nothing to do with that incident, so there’s no point in attending.”
Once again, everyone was stunned.
This was the way of a sage: effortlessly subduing the Demon Emperor, yet with a wave of his sleeve, leaving not even a trace behind.
Clearly, he was the orchestrator of the entire affair, yet he treated it with such nonchalance, as if he were merely an outsider.
Such style—such presence!
Bing Muer, Elder Hua, and the others were utterly awed, their gazes toward Chen Changsheng filled with nothing but reverence.
After a brief pause, Bing Muer cautiously asked, “Young Master Chen, do you think we should attend the celebration?”
All eyes turned expectantly to Chen Changsheng.
The Demon Emperor’s Tomb had always been under his control; they believed that this celebration would be as well.
They were his pawns; whatever he instructed, they would follow.
Chen Changsheng stroked his chin, pondering. “Princess, this is up to you. Your father may be a scoundrel, but you are still the princess of the Southern Domain City. Go or don’t—it makes no difference.”
What does that mean?
Bing Muer, Elder Hua, and the others were left bewildered, exchanging glances.
Was Young Master Chen telling them to go or not to go?
“That’s right—Young Master Chen is testing us. He’s definitely testing us!”
Bing Muer’s eyes lit up as she frowned in contemplation.
After a moment, her brows relaxed and she said, “I know what choice to make.”
“Good.”
Chen Changsheng nodded with a gentle smile. “As long as you follow your heart, whatever choice you make will be the right one.”
It was true that the Duke was a scoundrel, but Bing Muer was his daughter—a fact that could not be changed.

Therefore, he could not presume to make the choice for her; letting her decide for herself was the wisest course.
The group bid farewell and descended the mountain.
“Princess, should we attend the celebration in Southern Domain City or not?”
Elder Hua asked Bing Muer.
Nangong Ba, Huangfu Meng, Mu Wanqing, and Baili Song all looked to her in confusion as well.
Bing Muer replied solemnly, “Elder Hua, Young Master Chen has already given us guidance.”
“Guidance? Didn’t he tell you to follow your heart and make your own choice?”
Everyone grew even more puzzled.
“No.”
Bing Muer shook her head. “Though Young Master Chen said as much, his tone was full of disdain for the celebration.”
“So Young Master Chen’s meaning is… to disdain attending?”
Mu Wanqing blinked.
“No, it’s to attend!”
Bing Muer declared confidently.
“To attend?”
Her companions were astonished.
Bing Muer let out a light breath. “Young Master Chen’s disdain for the celebration means he already understands everything that will happen there, and he’s telling us we can go without worry.”
“The princess is absolutely right!”
Upon hearing this, Mu Wanqing’s eyes brightened. “Let’s not forget, we are Young Master Chen’s pawns. He chooses to remain secluded, avoiding worldly affairs, so as his pawns, we must act in his stead!”
Suddenly, all of them understood, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Fortunately, the princess was clever enough to grasp the sage’s intent; had she misunderstood, the consequences would be unimaginable!
“Since Young Master Chen wants us to go, let’s go—what’s there to be afraid of?”
Baili Song laughed.
Bing Muer’s long, elegant eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze tinged with anticipation.
Ever since Bing Changtian wore that revolting smile, she’d been certain this so-called celebration was a trap set for her.
Bing Changtian wanted to eliminate her for Bing Miaoguo’s sake, and perhaps even to harm Young Master Chen!
Such a sage as Young Master Chen had already seen through his schemes; to him, Bing Changtian was nothing but a petty clown, unworthy of attending the celebration himself. Instead, he sent them.
She was eager to discover just what kind of deadly trap Bing Changtian had prepared for her.