Chapter 111 The Last Chance to See Him

Chapter 111: The Last Chance to See Him

It was just past seven in the morning, yet the sky remained overcast.

Thick clouds hung low overhead, blocking the sunlight completely, and there was no wind.

The air was dead still, faintly carrying the oppressive weight of an impending storm.

In the side hall, Xiao Yan still sat by the window.

Faint bluish shadows lingered beneath his eyes, and the line of his jaw was sharper than it had been the day before.

The door was pushed open a crack, and a eunuch with downcast eyes entered with a tray, setting a few plates of pastries and a pot of tea on the low table before retreating silently.

Xiao K's voice cautiously echoed in his mind: "Host... you... stayed up all night?"

Xiao Yan blinked his dry, tired eyes.

He asked, "There's no other way?"

Another way?

Xiao K asked, "Host, do you mean a way to stay in this world?"

Xiao Yan: "Mm."

"Well..." Xiao K scratched its non-existent head, feeling troubled. "I'm not really sure either—I'm a new system, and this is my first host..."

It doesn't know many rules yet—still learning... ╥﹏╥

Xiao Yan was silent for a moment, persistent: "Since you don't know, that means it's still possible, right?"

Xiao K: "Uh..."

Xiao Yan looked grave and serious, waiting for its reply.

Xiao K had to say, "I really don't know (⊙_⊙), but... after the mission is complete, the main system should recall me. Then I can ask on your behalf, host!"

A faint light flickered in Xiao Yan's eyes.

"Can I meet the main system?" he asked.

Xiao K: "Uh… I don’t know either…"

It had never taken a host through a mission to completion before, so of course it didn't know the process afterward.

Another long silence.

Suddenly, Xiao Yan stood up.

Xiao K asked, "Host, what are you going to do?"

Xiao Yan said, "I'm going out of the palace to see Liu Qingci."

Xiao K froze for a moment, then panicked: "H-Host! The place is full of Xiao Jing's men! You can't get out!"

Xiao Yan was already at the door, his hand pausing on the panel.

"So you got another way?" he asked.

Xiao K: "..."

Xiao Yan hadn't planned to bust out of the palace.

Because he'd always thought that after finishing the mission, he'd have plenty of time later.

But now, he knew he might not get to stay in this world—most likely, he wouldn't.

So today might be his last chance—the last chance to see him.

Xiao Yan said, "Even if you've got no other plan, I'm getting out of here."

Xiao K shut its eyes, resigned: "Oh well! You're my host, so only I can help you!"

"The guards outside are about to switch shifts, and this system～can keep track of who's outside the door. Host, wait for my signal, then sneak out the door!"

Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow.

"That easy?"

Xiao K snorted: "Not that easy! Even if you get past this door, there are layers of guards and palace walls outside. You think Xiao Jing's a pushover?"

Xiao Yan: "..."

Xiao K continued: "But, this system can't just teleport you out, but I can map out the route with the least guards! And I can keep real-time tabs on anyone ahead of us! Pretty awesome, right?"

"Impressive." Xiao Yan's tone was dead serious.

Xiao K got carried away from the praise, its voice airy: "Duh! This system is the most advanced… okay, still a rookie system, but it has every function you need!"

Xiao Yan listened closely to the sounds outside. "When's the shift change?"

Xiao K quickly scanned.

"Fifteen minutes! Two guards on the west side are getting swapped. At that moment, the guards at the door will have one split second of distraction."

Xiao Yan waited until Xiao K said, "Now!"

Without a moment's hesitation, Xiao Yan pulled open the door and slipped out.

The two guards outside barely had time to react as a dark figure flashed by.

"Prince Yu—"

One of them began to shout, but his companion covered his mouth.

"You nuts? What are you shouting for!" the companion hissed. "He's gone, we'll just report to Prince Rui. If you yell, we're forced to chase him. Catch him or not, if we hurt His Highness, how many heads do you have?"

The guard's face went pale, and he quickly shut his mouth.

They exchanged a glance. "Quick, go report."

Inside the emperor's study.

Xiao Jing was reading memorials.

"Your Highness! Your Highness!"

A guard stumbled in, kneeling on the ground, panting heavily.

Xiao Jing looked up, frowning involuntarily. "What is it?"

"Prince Yu... Prince Yu has escaped!"

Xiao Jing raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Escaped?" he repeated. "From where?"

The guard lowered his head. "From the side hall. The guards couldn't stop him. By the time they noticed, he was already heading toward the palace gate."

Xiao Jing paused, then smiled.

That smile sent a chill down the guard's spine.

"Good." Xiao Jing stood up. "Very good."

He walked to the window and looked out at the gloomy sky.

Xiao Yan, you are asking for death.

He turned around, his smile vanishing completely.

"Order Xu Zhen," he said. "Deploy troops on the palace walls. Announce that Prince Yu Xiao Yan attempted rebellion and is fleeing justice—kill him on sight, no mercy."

The guard was so stunned he didn't react in time. "Y-your Highness, what... what reason should we use?"

Xiao Jing shot him a glance.

"Rebellion. That's enough, isn't it?"

As long as absolute power is in his hands, reasons are just a pretext.

As for whether the reason is reasonable or how many people believe it, it doesn't matter at all.

What matters is that after today, no one will question it.

The guard kowtowed quickly and scrambled out.

Xiao Yan had already turned into the west corridor.

Xiao K's voice reported in real time in his mind: "Ten steps ahead, turn right! Two people are approaching. Host, wait... okay, they passed. Go!"

Xiao Yan acted accordingly.

He passed through one palace gate after another, dodging squad after squad of patrolling guards.

Every step hit the nodes Xiao K had planned, each time just barely avoiding the people coming his way.

Xiao Yan suddenly felt a wave of emotion.

This little system, which usually just complained and was a bit silly, turned out to be pretty reliable when it counted.

"Host, don't get distracted!" Xiao K chirped nervously. "The last palace gate is ahead!"

Xiao Yan took a deep breath.

"Xiao K."

"Hmm?"

"Thanks."

Xiao K paused, startled.

Then it mumbled, "Hey, don't be like that... I'm just a little bummed."

"Sigh, watching you two clearly love each other but unable to be together properly, it breaks my heart."

Even though it doesn't have a heart.

But if a heartless system like me can feel this way, then the hearts of you two must hurt even more.