Chapter 2579: Drinking and Playing Chess

"Seen His Majesty."

Though she didn't think much of Yin Ming, Bi Xia Xianzi still gave a slight bow, performing the courtesy of a subject. Some formalities had to be observed.

"The Third Imperial Brother certainly has good taste."

Yin Ming chuckled softly, extending a finger to gently lift Bi Xia Xianzi's chin, admiring her as if she were a piece of art. He savored her feminine fragrance, his face full of contentment and enjoyment.

Bi Xia Xianzi's eyes turned cold. She pushed away Yin Ming's finger with one hand, her expression filled with unprecedented disgust. She knew he was being brazen, but even as the ruler of Tian Ting, how could he act this way? After all, she was still the imperial consort of the Third Crown Prince, Yin Yang's wife.

It was fortunate that Yin Yang wasn't there, or he would have erupted in thunderous rage.

The heavenly soldiers and generals felt their hearts pounding as they knelt on the ground, not daring to move. In all of Tian Ting, perhaps only Yin Ming would dare to flirt with the Third Crown Prince's consort like this. Who else could, except the ruler himself? This capricious lord, if he lost his temper and became violent, could issue a single command to send Yin Yang to his doom.

Yin Ming showed no anger. He turned and stepped into the Shen Ta.

Seeing this, Bi Xia Xianzi's brows furrowed even deeper. From the moment Yin Ming ascended the throne, she could no longer see through this younger brother-in-law of hers. His actions tonight were completely unexpected. As the supreme ruler of the entire heavenly realm, the most powerful person, he had come alone to the heavenly prison in the dead of night, dressed in plain clothes and without any guards.

She had intended to leave, but because of Yin Ming's arrival, she changed her mind. Her beautiful, clear eyes narrowed slightly, allowing her to peer through the Shen Ta and observe what was happening inside. She wanted to see what Yin Ming was really up to—was he planning to kill Ye Chen with his own hands?

"How about it, missed me?"

Ye Chen was still carving wood, speaking casually, as if he had known Yin Ming was coming all along.

"After so many days apart, I've been quite nostalgic."

Yin Ming's smile was enigmatic.

With that simple exchange, Yin Ming waved his hand, producing a chessboard and two jugs of Qiong Jiang Yu Lu.

This was clearly an invitation for Ye Chen to play chess and drink wine.

The heavenly soldiers and generals outside the tower, who had just stood up, were utterly baffled. No matter how wildly they imagined, they couldn't explain this scene. The ruler of Tian Ting was truly one for refined pleasures—he had come to the prison in the middle of the night to visit his enemy, without any scolding or mockery, just to play chess with Ye Chen. This was nothing like the Yin Ming of legend.

Bi Xia Xianzi was also stunned. What kind of plot was this? You were the one who ordered him captured, and now you're visiting without killing or torturing him, without beating or scolding—just quietly playing chess?

"This guy is way more interesting than his old man."

Xiu Luo Tian Zun stood with his hands behind his back, sighing as he watched. He had no memory of Yin Ming himself, only hearing from the heavenly soldiers and generals that he was a tyrannical ruler, quick to vengeance, with countless bloody examples of those who crossed him meeting terrible ends.

But tonight, it seemed different. Coming here to drink and play chess with Ye Chen—was that something Yin Ming would do?

"Either he's lost his mind, or his scheming runs deep."

After watching for a while, Xiu Luo Tian Zun stroked his chin. People like Yin Ming were common in their universe—always doing things that caught others off guard, each one a formidable figure.

"Aren't you disappointed that people from Hua Shan haven't shown up?"

Ye Chen smiled, placing a chess piece.

"I'm wondering, if I were to drag you to the Zhu Xian Tai for execution, how many would come to save you?"

Yin Ming picked up a piece, hesitated for a moment, then placed it on the board.

"As the ruler of Tian Ting, why go to such lengths?"

"The pleasures of a monarch are beyond your understanding."

The two exchanged words as they played chess and drank, undisturbed in their private contest.

Yet the scene was strangely eerie. They were enemies, but it looked just like old friends chatting casually.

Occasionally, they even shared a knowing smile.

The heavenly soldiers and generals were completely confused, Bi Xia Xianzi's thoughts were in turmoil, and Xiu Luo Tian Zun's gaze grew profound. This was too damn interesting—the first time he'd seen two enemies so composed. He couldn't figure out Ye Chen, nor could he see through Yin Ming.

Their game continued until late into the night before it ended.

One was the ruler of Tian Ting, the other the emperor of Da Chu. It was a draw, with no clear winner.

"Take care on your way out—no need to see me off. Once I'm out of here, I'll play a bigger game with you."

"You still think you have a chance to turn the tables?"

Yin Ming's lips curved slightly.

"That's hard to say."

"I'm waiting."

Yin Ming left as quietly as he had come, like a ghost. It seemed his only purpose in visiting Ye Chen was for chess and wine. He hadn't even mentioned the Kong Dong Seal, or Ye Chen's immortal fire, Ding Hai Shen Zhen, or his other treasures—he showed no interest at all.

Everything was oddly strange.

Yin Ming's smile was mocking, and Ye Chen's lips held a cold smirk.

It was all an act—Yin Ming played his part well, and Ye Chen thought he did too. In the near future, there would be another contest, but it wouldn't be about winning or losing—it would be about life and death. Ye Chen did have a chance to flip the script; he just needed to wait for the right people.

As Yin Ming emerged, the heavenly soldiers and generals knelt on one knee again.

As for Bi Xia Xianzi, she no longer bothered with courtesies. Her expression was indifferent, laced with unhidden coldness, like a touch of icy elegance. Even facing the ruler of Tian Ting, she had no desire to say another word.

"Give my regards to the Third Imperial Brother."

Yin Ming laughed as he walked away, his voice fading into the distance, clearly meant for Bi Xia Xianzi.

Bi Xia Xianzi said nothing, standing silently in place for a long time without moving.

If she hadn't come tonight, she wouldn't have seen this other side of Yin Ming. Like his father, the Jade Emperor, he was unfathomable. The more such people were, the more terrifying they became. His depth of scheming far exceeded her expectations.

Or was this just how those who became rulers of Tian Ting changed?

"How about coming in for a chat?"

Ye Chen said leisurely.

"No time."

Bi Xia Xianzi left those words and turned to go. The spring breeze, which should have been gentle, carried an inexplicable chill as it touched her.

After she left, Ye Chen picked up his carving knife again.

In the Shen Ta opposite, Xiu Luo Tian Zun was bored out of his mind. He propped up his face with one hand and fiddled with a stick, knocking it idly. Every now and then, he glanced at Ye Chen, who was becoming more and more like Zhao Yun—he couldn't guess what he was thinking.

Not to mention Yin Ming, even he didn't know how Ye Chen planned to turn the tables.

Time passed in a flash, and nine days went by.

The heavenly prison was unusually quiet during those nine days, with no visitors. Perhaps Yin Ming's visit that night had startled all the immortals of Tian Ting, afraid that wandering into the prison might accidentally cross paths with him. Ever since he took the throne, things had felt off—tyranny wasn't scary, but his unpredictable moods were terrifying.

The upper realm was calm, and so was the lower realm. The entire heavenly world was unnaturally still.

The heavenly prison seemed to have become a forbidden place. Plenty of people lingered outside, but none dared to enter.

"The ruler of Tian Ting actually came to play chess and drink with Ye Chen—how intriguing."

"It might just be a rumor spread by the heavenly soldiers."

"I'm starting to believe it. Our ruler isn't the same as the former Eighth Prince anymore."

Discussions buzzed with sighs and tuts of amazement.

It wasn't until the tenth night that someone finally entered the heavenly prison.

This visitor was no ordinary person—it was the master of Dan Shen Dian, Dan Shen himself. The heavenly soldiers and generals were stunned, their mouths twitching. First the ruler of Tian Ting, now the master of Dan Shen Dian—why were they all drawn to the prison?

"This one's a tough character."

Xiu Luo Tian Zun said meaningfully, with a hint of emotion. Back in the battle where he was suppressed, Dan Shen had been involved. His power wasn't inferior to the Jade Emperor's, though a one-on-one fight was another story.

So, if he ever got out of the prison, besides dealing with the Jade Emperor, he'd have to handle this old fellow too. They were both at the peak of quasi-emperor, so why gang up on him? Did he just have a face that invited trouble?

"Senior, I've been waiting for you."

As soon as Dan Shen arrived, he heard Ye Chen's words.

"Why wait for me, old man?"

Dan Shen smiled warmly, his white robes, white hair, and white beard giving him the air of a kindly grandfather—very approachable and affable.

"Waiting for you to use me as a Dan Ling for your alchemy."

Ye Chen looked at Dan Shen with a smile.

"You little rascal, you're not so dumb after all!"

"Life is like a play, and everyone's an actor—especially someone like you, senior, with acting skills that stand out."

Smart people conversed without beating around the bush—no need for explanations; they understood each other instantly. Ye Chen got it, and Dan Shen did too. As for that certain Tian Zun, it depended on whether he was clever enough.

With a hum, the door of the Shen Ta opened. Ye Chen, who had been suppressed for months, was finally released.

The heavenly soldiers and generals looked at him with reverence. They hadn't heard Ye Chen and Dan Shen's private conversation, but now that Ye Chen was being freed—and by Dan Shen himself—it showed how highly Dan Shen valued him.

It must be that Dan Shen pleaded with His Majesty!

That was their firm belief. They were convinced Ye Chen was saved and would be taken into Dan Shen Dian, perhaps even inheriting his legacy.

Unfortunately, they were only half right.

Dan Shen was indeed taking Ye Chen to Dan Shen Dian, but not to pass on his legacy—it was to use him as a Dan Ling.

"You could have just sent someone; it's quite an honor for you to come personally, senior."

Ye Chen laughed, wiping the fresh blood from his mouth. Why was he bleeding? It was from drinking wine he shouldn't have.

Dan Shen's Dao wine, paired with Yin Ming's enlightenment tea, had quite the effect.

"Getting old, it's good to move around and loosen up the bones."

Dan Shen smiled.

"Indeed, there's no such thing as a free lunch. After drinking your Dao wine and absorbing your alchemy insights, I'm destined to become your tool."

"When I refine the Emperor Dao Immortal Dan and achieve the emperor's path, I'll certainly erect a monument for you."

"Easy enough to say."

Under the moonlight, the two walked side by side, gradually fading into the distance. They chatted and laughed like teacher and student, or close friends. From behind, they looked like a kindly grandfather and his sensible junior.

Watching their retreating figures, Xiu Luo Tian Zun in the Shen Ta rubbed his forehead hard. He was an expert at eavesdropping and had heard their private conversation clearly. Precisely because he heard it all, his mind was reeling.

The people in this world were all so fascinating.

Like Ye Chen, who knew Dan Shen wanted to use him for alchemy yet showed no anger, chatting away happily with the man. Weren't you aware? He wants to refine you into a dan—he wants to kill you!

"Wait patiently; I'll come back to save you when I can."

From beyond, Ye Chen's voice drifted back.

"What a terrible joke."

Xiu Luo Tian Zun coughed dryly.