Chapter 422: Three Young Masters Visit

This was a good mask, even worthy of being called a treasure. Of course, this was based purely on Ji Yuan's personal standards, as he had his own unique criteria based on his interests. If it were the Old Dragon or some more serious cultivators, they would likely find this mask useless, at best a mere trinket.

However, as Hu Yun's debut creation, Ji Yuan regarded it with approval. He handed the mask back to Hu Yun and encouraged him, saying, "Even if you had given Yin Qing a regular mask, he would have liked it. What's more, this truly is a good item. To achieve such an effect on your first attempt at crafting something, your years of cultivation have certainly not been in vain!"

Hu Yun puffed out his chest like a human, gripping the mask with both paws. After a moment of pride, he hesitated before speaking. "Well, it also took a lot of my spiritual energy, and I had to find some of the most spirited fur from my body to make it. Actually, I failed a few times midway; managing to make it this good was really quite lucky."

After a moment's thought, Hu Yun added, "Moreover, while this mask is fun, its drawbacks are quite apparent. It has high requirements for the user. Intelligence is one, and they must also clearly understand what they envision, being able to vividly imagine a complete, separate form. Only then can they use this mask effectively; otherwise, it's just a toy."

"Acknowledging humility is also a great step forward!" Ji Yuan smiled and stroked the red fox's head. Its two fox ears twitched up and down after his hand ran over them.

Hu Yun was so embarrassed by Ji Yuan's praise that his already fiery red fur seemed to glow even brighter. It seemed that since he could remember, the esteemed Mr. Ji had rarely, if ever, praised him.

"I, I'll go get ready. I'm going to give Yin Qing a surprise soon!" With that, Hu Yun ran off, clutching the mask as if making an escape. Ji Yuan watched him go, nodding and smiling, then turned back to the chessboard in front of him.

In the evening, Yin Zhaoxian and Yin Qing returned home from the Ministry of Personnel, as usual, sharing a carriage, surrounded by their accompanying guards and household servants.

And since it was a day for classes at the Imperial Secretariat, Yin Chong also returned with his father and elder brother.

After changing into their casual clothes, the three of them walked together towards the courtyard of the guest house.

Hearing footsteps from afar, Hu Yun immediately called out, "Yin Qing! Yin Qing! The gift I've been preparing for you is finally finished! Come quickly!"

Hearing this, Yin Qing smiled and immediately quickened his pace. Yin Chong, beside him, was even more excited than his brother, running all the way there together.

Upon reaching the guest house, Hu Yun was sitting in the courtyard, wagging his tail, a clear smile on his fox face as he watched the two brothers emerge from the corridor and approach him.

"Hehe, Yin Qing, guess what I'm giving you? Little Tiger, you can guess too!"

Yin Chong eagerly spoke first. "It must be something good from Mount Niu Kui, right?"

"Wrong, you guessed incorrectly! Now it's Yin Qing's turn to guess, and everyone only gets one try!"

Hu Yun was a bit worried that the brothers might guess correctly if they kept trying, ruining the surprise. Hearing him, Yin Qing pondered for a moment before replying, "It's either something delicious or something fun. You've been busy for so many days, so it must be something fun, right?"

Hu Yun retorted indignantly, "That doesn't count as a correct guess! You have to say what it specifically is!"

Yin Qing shrugged. "There are countless interesting things in the world, and you, Uncle Hu Yun, are a fox immortal, with a vision far beyond us mortals. My knowledge is shallow, how could I possibly guess? Please, in your great benevolence, just tell us!"

"Hehe, you have a point! All right, I'll let you know then!" Hu Yun was quite pleased. He reached a paw into his fluffy tail and pulled out a fiery red fox mask. A hint of fluorescent light even flickered across its surface.

Yin Chong liked the mask almost instantly upon seeing it. He looked at his brother, then at the mask, his face filled with envy.

Not to mention Yin Chong, even Yin Qing couldn't hide his delight when he saw the mask.

"This... is for me?"

"Here, take it. It was always for you." Hu Yun casually handed it to Yin Qing, as if it were a trivial little trinket. After Yin Qing carefully reached out and took it, Yin Zhaoxian, who had been a few steps behind in the corridor, leisurely arrived.

Yin Zhaoxian merely glanced at the mask and saw a fiery glow moving across its surface, along with faint wisps of an aura characteristic of Hu Yun.

Before his upright and noble aura, such things naturally had no effect on Yin Zhaoxian. However, he wouldn't expose its nature, understanding well that this must be a treasure. So, with a hint of curiosity, he said, "Oh, what a beautiful mask! Did you make it, Hu Yun? That's truly impressive; many skilled artisans aren't as dexterous as you!"

"Yes, it's such a beautiful mask! I want one too..." Yin Chong's voice was full of envy. Yin Qing, despite being in his thirties, also couldn't put the mask down, turning it over and over. Every detail on it was exquisitely crafted; the fur seemed to flow in the wind, and it felt very comfortable to hold.

Having been praised so many times today, Hu Yun's fur became even redder. He scratched his head with a paw, then stood on his hind legs and said to Yin Qing, "Yin Qing, this mask isn't just an ordinary toy. There's a trick to it, and even Mr. Ji praised it. Let me teach you how to use it!"

Hu Yun meticulously explained the mask's features, including how to use it, what to avoid, and the limits of its duration and realism.

"See? It's quite complex, isn't it? So, I'll have to guide you thoroughly over the next few days, otherwise, you won't know how to use it, and all my hard work will be wasted!" Hu Yun said earnestly, then watched as Yin Qing tentatively put on the mask.

"What you envision in your mind needs to be three-dimensional, flawless from temperament to outward appearance, and personality too, right?" Within a few breaths of putting on the mask, a faint fiery glow seemed to flow over Yin Qing's body, like ripples in water. Then, his figure became blurred, as if a reflection disturbed by waves, and when it sharpened again, he had transformed into a different person.

Yin Chong was startled, then his eyes widened. "Uncle Yu...?"

"What?" Hu Yun was also stunned. Yin Qing succeeded on his very first try? Hu Yun felt there were still so many details he hadn't explained clearly!

Beside them, Yin Zhaoxian narrowed his eyes and stroked his beard, observing Yin Qing's current appearance. At first glance, he also looked like Yu Haishan, though Yin Zhaoxian could sense the "Hu Yun scent" on Yin Qing, and upon closer inspection, a faint red demonic glow. Still, he had to admit, this mask was truly miraculous.

"Master Yin, let the youngsters have their fun. Come, shall we play a game of chess?" Yin Zhaoxian smiled and walked towards Ji Yuan, who was seated at a table a little further away in the courtyard.

"Hehehe, that's exactly what I was thinking!" As he approached the stone table, he saw that Ji Yuan had already set up a chessboard with an endgame. He had actually seen this particular endgame many times; although there were slight differences each time, he could generally recognize it as the same setup.

"Mr. Ji is setting up this game again?"

"Hmm, I can't set it up right, can't remember it clearly. Never mind." Ji Yuan smiled, picking up the pieces from the chessboard one by one and returning them to the box. Yin Zhaoxian also sat down and collected the pieces of the other color.

About half an hour later, a procession of guards trotted with disciplined steps down Rong'an Street, where the Yin Residence was located. Two opulent carriages followed within the escort, flanked by unusually dressed and distinguished guards and attendants.

This entourage quickly arrived at the gates of the Yin Residence and promptly halted. The guards at the gate, seeing the scene, knew at once that important personages had arrived. However, the guards' attire gave no clue as to their origin, nor did the carriages bear any insignia, leaving them uncertain of the visitors' identity.

"May I ask which esteemed personage is gracing us with their presence, so that we may inform our master?" The head guard at the gate dared not delay. He led his men down the steps of the Yin Residence and, arriving before the procession, cupped his hands in greeting.

From the leading carriage in the distance, a thick velvet curtain was lifted from within, and a person in a tall hat and dark robes alighted. The head gate guard's heart skipped a beat: it was an eunuch. This meant the person inside the carriage was likely either from the palace or closely related to the imperial family!

The eunuch walked with a slight bow, taking small, quick steps that were surprisingly fast. He quickly bypassed the rows of guards and approached the head gate guard of the Yin Residence. The eunuch's slightly high-pitched voice then rang out. "You, retainer of the Prime Minister's residence, please go inside and inform Lord Yin that the Third Prince has arrived with his wife and daughter to visit him. Tell Lord Yin that, and he will know who it is."

"The Third Prince?" The gate guard frowned but dared not delay. He bowed and said, "I will go at once to inform His Excellency. Please wait a moment!"

"Very well, thank you for your trouble." After the eunuch finished speaking, he turned directly and walked back towards the carriage. The gate guard dared not delay either and quickly ran back into the residence.

Not long after, in the guest house in the Yin Residence's backyard, Chen A'yuan arrived with light, quick steps. After unconsciously glancing at the red fox who was chatting with Yin Qing and Yin Chong, he quickly approached the table where Yin Zhaoxian and Ji Yuan were playing chess.

In this courtyard, even in urgent matters, Chen A'yuan always slowed and softened his steps. He then bowed and cupped his hands. "My Lord, Mr. Ji, I apologize for interrupting your game."

"What is it?" Yin Zhaoxian placed a chess piece, then turned to look at his loyal servant.

"To answer my Lord, a procession of carriages has arrived outside, quite grand in scale. Among the retinue is a eunuch who informed the gate guards that the Third Prince has come to visit with his wife and daughter."

Yin Zhaoxian frowned. "The Third Prince?"

"Father, it's the Emperor!" Yin Qing, who had overheard the conversation, spoke up with a confident guess.

"Oh, right, it must indeed be the Emperor! Mr. Ji, it seems our game will have to end in a draw!" Ji Yuan smiled and tapped him.

"You, you... a draw? I would have won within twenty moves."

"Hey, hey, hey, how can you say that? How do you know I didn't have a hidden move? The Emperor has arrived, I must go greet him. Let's play another day, another day!" Yin Zhaoxian stood up and quickly followed Chen A'yuan, taking Yin Qing and Yin Chong with him. With the Emperor personally visiting, it was only natural for the entire family to go out and welcome him.