I Was Forced To Marry The Phoenix Empress

Chapter 303: A Way

"Meet Cao Li face to face?" A frown formed on Du Ming Li’s face when she heard those words, and she paused for a second.

Meeting with someone of that authority was naturally not very easy, and for Yi Chen to mention this right after asking her opinion on Violet Heaven House only served to make Du Ming Li more curious.

"...Why does Young Master Chen want to meet her?" she asked a second later.

"T-That...it’s for a personal reason which I cannot share with Lady Du, my apologies." Yi Chen answered, hearing her question.

At the same time, thinking that Du Ming Li really might have a way, he urged her the next moment, "However, it’s very important for me to meet her...so if it’s possible, can Lady Du help me with this situation?"

"Even if I want to...it’s going to be extremely difficult." Du Ming Li answered with a bitter smile on her face as her voice transmitted to Yi Chen and continued, "...Her influence in the Black Rock Kingdom is no less than the emperor, and it would not be wrong to say that it even exceeds him in some areas. To be able to fulfil Young Master Chen’s request and that too at such a short time, I’m afraid I won’t be-"

Du Ming Li paused all of a sudden as she was reminded of something, her eyes widening in realisation.

Meanwhile, seeing that Du Ming Li’s voice was cut off midway, a frown formed on Yi Chen’s face, and he was about to ask if there was something wrong with the Sound Transmission Stone, but just then her voice was transmitted from it.

"...Actually, there’s indeed a way. I just recollected that in three weeks a huge celebration is going to happen in the entire Kingdom."

"Celebration?" Yi Chen asked curiously as the hope in his heart began to increase.

"Yes, it’s Master Cang Tian’s birthday. The entire Kingdom, and especially the Lava City, will be filled with joy and celebrate without restraint.

In honour of that day, a special ceremony will be held in the Imperial family’s courtyard. From what I know, there hasn’t been a single time that Cao Li has missed this ceremony, so if Young Master Chen wants to meet her, then that’s the best possible way for you to do so."

"Then...is there a way for me to attend it?" Yi Chen asked immediately, his voice a bit hurried.

From how it sounded, he was pretty sure that the ceremony was reserved only for guests who had special status, so just because he wanted to attend it didn’t mean that he would be allowed to do so.

"Normally...it wouldn’t be possible." Du Ming Li stated and continued, "However, there just might be a way. There are a few things I need to confirm first, so how about I inform Young Master Chen about it tomorrow morning?"

"Yes, that works. Thank you, Lady Du." Yi Chen answered with gratefulness apparent in his heart.

"You’re welcome, Young Master Chen." Du Ming Li answered from the other side before keeping the stone back in her storage ring.

Meanwhile, when Yi Chen was done with the call, a wave of tiredness washed over him, making him walk towards the washroom to splash some water on his face.

Splash!

Glancing at the mirror, he let out a deep exhale, feeling a lot better than before. It was then that he remembered he still needed to go down to have dinner.

’... I’d rather pass,’ he thought with a bitter smile and instead went to the bedroom.

A thought of cultivating for a few hours before sleeping entered his mind, but he immediately quashed it and jumped straight onto the cushiony bed.

Too much had happened in the last twenty-four hours.

Meeting a mythical beast out of nowhere, reaching the Black Rock Kingdom, getting to know about the Kingdom while travelling, an accident at the Red Velvet Pavilion, exploring the city, meeting Bai Tianhe, discovering the truth about those pills, and finally getting to know from Du Ming Li about the ceremony that’s going to happen.

Just recalling all this, another wave of tiredness washed over Yi Chen, so it was apparent just how exhausted his mind and body were after going through all of them.

Letting out a sigh, he made himself comfortable and snuggled inside the sheets.

"Feels so good..." Yi Chen muttered with glee evident on his face before finally closing his eyes.

Not even ten seconds would have passed as the sound of rhythmic breathing began resonating in the room. Yi Chen was fast asleep.

The next day, after waking up, he freshened up and, after having a relaxing bath, walked out of the bathroom.

Taking a few steps towards the windows, he slid open the curtains, and the next instant, a city engulfed by grey clouds appeared before his eyes.

’If not for the subtle rays of the sun ahead, I would barely be able to see anything...’ Yi Chen muttered while looking at the view.

’Now that I remember...Didn’t Old Ding say that the reason for their sickness was this air? So did the Violet Heaven House infuse the virus into the air?’

A frown formed on his face the very next moment as he popped open the fog’s status panel.

===== STATUS =====

Name: Polluted Air

Remark: Volcanic emissions and smoke from processing units. [Regenerate: 10,000 EXP]

==================

Looking at the remark, Yi Chen relaxed somewhat. However, he still made sure to check all the remarks in case he missed something.

[Remark (2/3): Is greyish-black in colour. (Regenerate: 25,000 EXP)]

.

.

[Remark (3/3): Has a smoky smell to it.]

It was only after seeing all the remarks that Yi Chen fully managed to relax.

Although it could be said that it was a waste of experience points since nothing of value was found out, Yi Chen didn’t feel even a hint of disappointment. Instead, he felt glad that there were only normal remarks.

If that wasn’t the case, it would mean that he had been inhaling the virus for almost an entire day, and that he thought would definitely have consequences.

Growl~

His stomach growled the very next moment as he soon changed into fresh robes. Just when he was about to make his way out, he felt a subtle vibration coming from his storage ring.

Upon investigating further, he soon learned that it was coming from the Sound Transmission Stone given to him by Du Ming Li.

Taking it out, he soon responded while pouring his Qi into the stone.

"Yes, Lady Du." Yi Chen responded the next moment.

"Greetings, Young Master Chen. I’ve already talked with her, and she’ll be at your place soon."

Hearing Du Ming Li’s words, Yi Chen couldn’t help but frown.

"Just who is-"

Before Yi Chen could finish his words, he heard a distinct ringing sound coming from the entrance similar to that of a doorbell.

"Ah, she must be there already then. She’ll explain to Young Master Chen everything that you need to know, so I’ll be going then."

"Wait-"

Before Yi Chen’s words could travel, the transmission was cut off, leaving a bitter smile on his face.

Turning towards the entrance door, he soon made his way towards it while thinking in confusion, ’Just who...’

When he opened the door, a familiar face greeted him the next moment.

"Greetings, Young Master Chen, did you have a good sleep last night?" Wei Ru asked with a fresh smile on her face.

"Ah, Madam Wei...Yes, I slept very comfortably," Yi Chen answered the next moment.

"That’s good to hear. I believe Manager Du would have already informed you about my visit, right?" she asked the next moment.

"Well...she only briefly explained it to me." Yi Chen said with a forced smile.

"Ah, that’s enough." Wei Ru waved her hand as if it wasn’t that important and said, "Let’s go downstairs then. I’ll explain all that Young Master Chen wants to know while we are having our breakfast."

"Alright...." Yi Chen nodded, hearing her words, and soon followed her downstairs.

A while later, they were sitting inside the restaurant situated on the Inn’s ground floor, a warm breakfast served before them.

As he took the first bite, Yi Chen felt his protesting stomach finally calm down a little as it urged him to take the second bite as fast as possible.

However, before that could happen, Wei Ru said, "So you want to attend the Imperial ceremony that day?"

"Yes," Yi Chen immediately nodded when he heard those words, keeping the chopsticks down and continued, "Will that be possible?"

"Well...only people who hold a reputable status in the entire Kingdom are invited for this ceremony..." Wei Ru said with a bitter smile on her face.

"Oh..." Yi Chen answered in disappointment as his mind started wandering over what other methods he could utilise to get close to Cao Li.

Looking at that pensive expression, Wei Ru smiled in an amused manner and said with a grin, "Oh, I forgot to mention...being a reputable talisman master, I also got an invitation."

"?!!"

Hearing her words, the disappointment on Yi Chen’s face immediately shifted to confusion before brightening in realisation.