Chapter 1029: Icewind Treasure Vault

“This…” Mu Hanyi’s expression stiffened, and an awkward look appeared on his face.

Cloud Che also reacted immediately and said, “I was presumptuous. Since it’s a national treasure, how could it be easily shown to others? Senior Brother Hanyi, please just pretend I didn’t say anything.”

“No, no,” Cloud Che’s words made Mu Hanyi look panicked. “How dare Hanyi disobey Senior Brother Cloud Che’s command? Besides, the Qilin Horn is an extraordinary item, and anyone who hears about it would want to see it with their own eyes. It’s just… the Qilin Horn is, after all, the national treasure of my Ice Wind Empire, and Hanyi cannot make that decision. Even for Hanyi, to even glance at the national treasure requires my imperial father’s personal permission; otherwise, I cannot even approach it.”

After speaking, Mu Hanyi took out a sound-transmitting jade, but remained silent for a long time, his expression constantly changing. After a while, he finally sighed quietly and put the jade away.

“Junior Brother Hanyi, are you afraid your imperial father won’t agree?” Cloud Che asked, observing his expression.

Mu Hanyi was startled, then smiled wryly. “Senior Brother Cloud Che indeed has sharp insight. At today’s birthday banquet, Imperial Father publicly declared that he would fulfill any request from Senior Brother Cloud Che, even at the cost of his life. Hanyi believes Imperial Father spoke from the bottom of his heart. But… regarding national fortune, although Hanyi doesn’t fully believe it, Imperial Father places great faith in it. Therefore, anything involving the national treasure is a huge taboo for Imperial Father. So… Hanyi is concerned that Imperial Father might politely refuse, or even if he agrees, he might hold a grudge. If this causes displeasure between Imperial Father and Senior Brother Cloud Che, that would be terrible.”

Having said that, Mu Hanyi shook his head heavily.

Cloud Che’s expression was calm, showing no displeasure. “Thank you for being so frank, Junior Brother Hanyi. Anything that might relate to a nation’s fortune is, of course, a great taboo. It would be perfectly reasonable for your imperial father to refuse. Never mind, just pretend I didn’t say anything.”

“No,” Mu Hanyi smiled at this point. “Senior Brother Cloud Che misunderstands. Hanyi merely decided not to report this matter to Imperial Father, but I didn’t say I wouldn’t take Senior Brother Cloud Che to see the Qilin Horn.”

“Oh?” Cloud Che’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Senior Brother Cloud Che, look,” Mu Hanyi turned and pointed towards an area north of the palace, filled with ice mountains. “The palace is lit up everywhere, but only that area remains dim. That’s because it’s the largest forbidden zone in the entire imperial city. Beneath it lies the most important treasure vault of my Ice Wind Royal Family, and the national treasure, the Qilin Horn, is kept there.”

“Oh!” Cloud Che nodded.

“Naturally, the guards there are also the strictest. Numerous experts are stationed outside the treasure vault day and night; no one can even think of approaching. Inside the vault, there are countless mechanisms and profound formations. Even a Divine King Realm expert would find it almost impossible to force their way in. Of course, for peerless experts like the Sect Master or the Ice Cloud Palace Master, these defenses are merely decorative.”

“However,” Mu Hanyi reached up and touched his nose, saying somewhat bashfully, “Hanyi is, after all, a prince of the Ice Wind Royal Family and quite doted upon by Imperial Father. I happen to know a secret passage known only to Imperial Father and Crown Prince Brother. It can bypass all guards’ perception and lead directly into the treasure vault. Furthermore, Hanyi is quite familiar with the mechanisms and profound formations inside the treasure vault, able to handle them easily, so there will certainly be no danger.”

“This way, though it might be a bit disloyal to Imperial Father, it spares him embarrassment and unnecessary resentment, while also fulfilling Senior Brother Cloud Che’s wish. It’s a win-win situation. The only thing is that taking a secret passage might be demeaning for Senior Brother Cloud Che. What do you think, Senior Brother Cloud Che?”

“This is certainly good; it’s a great fortune to see a legendary item with my own eyes. It’s just… this would put you to too much trouble,” Cloud Che said with a slight hesitation.

“Not at all, not at all,” Mu Hanyi smiled. “Senior Brother Cloud Che’s visit to Ice Wind has brought immense glory to my Ice Wind Empire. And you have only made this one request. If I can’t even fulfill this, Hanyi would be too ashamed to return to the sect with Senior Brother Cloud Che.”

“In that case, Senior Brother Cloud Che, please return to Ice Regalia Palace for now.”

“Hmm?” Cloud Che asked, puzzled. “Why? Can’t we go now?”

Mu Hanyi shook his head, smiling wryly. “Although no one in the Snow Song Realm would dare to harm Senior Brother Cloud Che, Imperial Father still needs to ensure your safety. Senior Brother Cloud Che might not have noticed, but within a thousand steps, there are palace experts secretly protecting you at all times. If they were any closer, they might even hear what we’re saying. Furthermore, it’s still early; Imperial Father surely hasn’t rested yet and might even go to Ice Regalia Palace to greet Senior Brother Cloud Che. If he finds Senior Brother Cloud Che absent, he will undoubtedly send people to search out of concern. If we are discovered, it would be even worse.”

“I see.” Cloud Che nodded, enlightened. “Senior Brother Hanyi indeed thinks everything through. Speaking of which, having to sneak around the imperial palace with Senior Brother Hanyi—this feeling isn’t bad at all; in fact, it’s quite exciting, hahaha!”

“Hahahaha.” Mu Hanyi also laughed. “Humans are naturally creatures who enjoy excitement. The same result achieved by sneaking around brings a thrill that cannot be compared to doing things by the book. Tonight, Hanyi will take Senior Brother Cloud Che on a little adventure.”

“Then I’ll return to Ice Regalia Palace for now. In two hours, I’ll shake off the guards and come back here.” Cloud Che’s demeanor showed excitement mixed with anticipation.

“Good! I believe that after Senior Brother Cloud Che sees the Qilin Horn, he will definitely feel that this trip was worthwhile!”

Cloud Che departed. Mu Hanyi watched his retreating figure, then slowly tilted his head back, his smile still present on his face. However, his eyes reflected an unusual light that no one had ever seen from him before.

At the hour of Chou (1 AM - 3 AM), the night was deep and quiet.

Cloud Che, who had been resting with his eyes closed for a long time, suddenly opened them. He then sprang from the bed and walked out.

“Ah… Young Master Yun.” Feng Hanjin, who had been waiting outside, hurriedly bowed. “Are you going out, Young Master Yun?”

“Yes, just for a walk. Don’t worry about me.” Cloud Che waved his hand.

“Yes.” Feng Hanjin bowed deeply, sending him off, not daring to ask further.

The Ice Wind Imperial Palace was exceptionally quiet at midnight. Cloud Che exited Ice Regalia Palace and, after walking for a short while, suddenly stopped. He spoke in a rather low voice, “I’m going out for a stroll. No one is to follow me!”

The deterrent power associated with the identity of a direct disciple of a Realm King far surpassed that of an emperor. Under his command, those sent by Feng Huituo to secretly protect him naturally dared not disobey.

Moreover, they had always felt that secretly protecting a dignified direct disciple of the Great Realm King with such a large deployment was utterly superfluous.

Following the previous route, Cloud Che quickly returned to the agreed location, where Mu Hanyi was already waiting.

Mu Hanyi released his spiritual sense, scanning the surroundings, then smiled and sighed, “As expected of Senior Brother Cloud Che, your single word is far more effective than Imperial Father’s. Indeed, no one dared to follow.”

“Haha, Junior Brother Hanyi, you flatter me. Shall we go now? Even just a distant glance at the Qilin Horn, to feel the aura of the legendary auspicious beast, would make this trip worthwhile.”

Although Cloud Che’s expression was calm, his words still carried an undeniable eagerness.

“If the sacred item has a spirit, knowing it is so yearned for by someone of Senior Brother Cloud Che’s caliber, it would surely be overjoyed.”

Mu Hanyi led Cloud Che towards the eastern side of the imperial palace. The destination seemed to be the imperial medicinal garden, filled with various exotic trees and wondrous flowers, but without bright lights. Whether Mu Hanyi deliberately avoided lit areas or if it was always like this, they walked for a long time without seeing a single person.

“This is the imperial medicinal garden. Although it has a wide variety, it’s far inferior compared to the sect’s. I hope Senior Brother Cloud Che won’t mock it,” Mu Hanyi said. “Normally, it’s guarded by profound beasts. If anything unusual happens, they’ll immediately let out a cry. But Senior Brother Cloud Che, please rest assured, with my aura present, they won’t react.”

Cloud Che released his spiritual sense and indeed perceived the presence of several profound beast auras in different directions… and they were quite powerful Divine Path profound beasts.

They walked all the way to the end of the medicinal garden, where Mu Hanyi finally stopped. In front of them was a strangely shaped boulder several zhang high, which looked ancient and was covered with dark green vines. Cloud Che’s gaze scanned it up and down, his brows furrowing. “The entrance you mentioned, is it here? But…”

Mu Hanyi smiled faintly. With a sweep of his hand, he brushed aside the vines on the boulder. Then, he pointed a finger, and a drop of blood flew from his fingertip, landing on the boulder.

After the crimson blood drop landed on the boulder, it seeped into it like mercury flowing into the ground, slowly disappearing.

With a soft sound, a small profound formation suddenly glowed on the previously unremarkable boulder. The smooth stone surface, amidst the formation’s glow, slowly parted to both sides, revealing a passage wide enough for two people to walk side-by-side.

“Oh!” Cloud Che’s mouth slightly agape, his face filled with surprise. “Such an ingenious design!”

“This profound formation is usually silent and undetectable. It can only be activated by touching it with the bloodline of our direct royal family members of the Ice Wind Empire. However, apart from the time Imperial Father told me about the existence of this passage, this is the first time I’ve opened it.” Leading Cloud Che into the passage, Mu Hanyi explained slowly, “The exit and entrance both use the same profound formation, which is extremely concealed and can only be activated by the blood of the Ice Wind royal family, allowing for relatively safe hiding and escape.”

“I just hope it will never truly need to be used,” Mu Hanyi sighed deeply.

Cloud Che had seen such bloodline-imprinted profound formations before in the Illusory Demon Realm.

“Is the end of this passage the imperial treasure vault you mentioned earlier?” Cloud Che asked. They had walked for a long time in the passage, and it remained narrow ahead.

“That’s right. The treasure vault contains a large number of mechanisms, traps, and profound formations. Triggering any one of them would have serious consequences.”

As he spoke, Mu Hanyi stopped. Ahead was a completely seamless, pitch-black wall, appearing to be a dead end. He said with a serious expression, “Senior Brother Cloud Che, this is the entrance to the treasure vault. After entering, you must follow closely behind me and absolutely do not move around freely. Profound formations are one thing; at most, Imperial Father would punish me if he found out. But if Senior Brother Cloud Che were to be injured by a mechanism, Hanyi would not be able to atone for it even with ten thousand deaths.”

Cloud Che nodded, reassuring him.

Mu Hanyi extended his hand, and another drop of blood flew out, landing on the dark wall ahead.

The exact same profound formation as before shimmered into existence with a faint profound light. Subsequently, the pitch-black wall parted to both sides, revealing a vast space before their eyes, accompanied by an extremely rich, mixed aura.

The aura of spiritual medicines, the aura of profound crystals, the aura of profound artifacts… every type, every wisp, was incredibly strong, meaning that not a single item emitting these auras was a low-grade, ordinary object!

After all, this was the treasure vault of the Ice Wind Royal Family, which ruled the vast Ice Wind Empire!

It stored the accumulated heritage and wealth of the Ice Wind Empire from over eighty thousand years!