Asianovel

The shocking sight of the crimson color made Rong Xun's heart race.

Recalling what Shen had done, a surge of anger rose within him, only to be extinguished swiftly by a sense of anxious panic.

Rong Shu hurried through the Moon Cave Gate and grabbed Rong Xun's arm, asking, "Father, how is Mother?"

Seeing his eldest daughter with reddened eyes, holding back her tears, Rong Xun felt a lump in his throat.

"Your mother suddenly started bleeding two hours ago. The physician is currently administering acupuncture. As long as the bleeding stops, her life will be saved."

Rong Shu's voice faltered, "But what if it doesn't stop?"

Rong Xun didn't answer, only gazing silently at the door of the sleeping chamber.

He dared not contemplate the answer to Rong Shu's question.

When his father had initially arranged his marriage to Shen, he was very reluctant.

Unlike his two elder brothers who enjoyed military life, Rong Xun had always been fond of reading. He had envisioned a wife who would share his love for poetry and painting, a refined lady who would add fragrance to his scholarly pursuits.

Miss Shen was born into a merchant family, and in Rong Xun's eyes, she was a woman tainted with the stench of money.

However, after their marriage, she turned out to be different from his preconceived notion of a merchant's daughter.

Though not educated in the classics like a lady from an esteemed family, she had been pampered with fine food and gold. Apart from her fiery temper, she didn't possess the coarseness he expected.

Father said that Elder Brother was a natural-born military leader, favored by the Emperor. With him, the Rong family would sooner or later secure a position in the capital. But that wasn't enough; the Rong family lacked a solid foundation, and this foundation required vast wealth to build.

Thus, Father accepted the marriage proposal from the Shen family and arranged for Rong Xun to marry Miss Shen.

Rong Xun remembered the first year of their marriage. Although they often quarreled over trivial matters, their life together was generally harmonious.

She had traveled extensively with her father and brothers since childhood, and knew more about the world's wonders than he did.

When she spoke of the outside world, her eyes shimmered like stars in a cold night sky.

Rong Xun enjoyed listening to her tales of the past and watching her animated expressions.

But after he brought Pei Yun into the household, Miss Shen refused to let him enter the Qingheng Courtyard. He, too, had a temper. Since she forbade him entry, he decided not to enter.

Never had he imagined that the Qingheng Courtyard would one day lose its lady.

In his memories, Madam Shen was always vibrant, like a crimson red kapok flower, blooming brilliantly even without its branches and leaves.

Rong Xun couldn't associate the person lying inside, on the verge of death, with Madam Shen.

How could she die?

How could she?

"Madam!"

A sobbing voice of Ama Zhou echoed from within the room.

Both father and daughter were startled. Rong Shu, disregarding everything else, lifted her skirt and rushed into the chamber.

Madam Shen lay with her eyes closed, bleeding profusely from beneath.

Ama Zhou wiped away the flowing blood, weeping loudly, "Madam, Miss has come. You must hold on."

The midwife attending to Madam Shen was a seasoned one from the Rong family, who, despite being in her advanced years, possessed vast experience. Looking at Madam Shen's ashen face, she trembled with fear and said, "Madam... I'm afraid the situation is dire."

Rong Xun, who was about to enter the room, paused at the sound of her words.

Unlike his two elder brothers, Rong Xun was handsome and carried himself with the refinement of an erudite scholar. However, at that moment, his scholarly elegance vanished as if something that had been supporting him had suddenly disappeared.

Rong Shu glanced at the dispirited Madam Shen and grabbed hold of Rong Xun's sleeve, declaring decisively, "Mother holds the title of a Fourth Rank Lady, Father must rush to the palace to summon the Imperial physicians!"

Only then did Rong Xun snap out of his daze and rush out of the Qingheng Courtyard, stumbling along the way.

In his haste, he collided with a maid upon exiting. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Yingyue.

"Lord, this is Doctor Sun from the Imperial Medicine Court! He has come especially to attend to Madam!"

Rong Xun didn't recognize Doctor Sun Daoping. Hearing that he was a physician, and seeing how young he looked, Rong Xun harbored some doubts about his abilities.

But Doctor Sun was not concerned with Rong Xun's thoughts. Focused on saving a life, he simply gave a casual bow and, carrying his medicine chest, hurried inside.

Rong Xun reached out to intervene, but before he could, a jovial voice interrupted, "Lord Hou, rest assured. Doctor Sun is the grandson of Court Attendant Sun. It was he who cured my lord's injury back then."

Rong Xun followed the sound, and his gaze fell upon a stranger, one whose countenance was unfamiliar to him. The attire adorning this person was plain and unassuming, immediately betraying that they were not a servant within the ranks of the Marquisate.

The man bowed respectfully and said, "I am Chang Ji, Lord Gu's personal attendant. My master, upon learning of Lady Hou's critical illness, has specifically sent me to summon Doctor Sun."

Lord Gu, Gu Changjin, whose son-in-law held a position in the Ministry of Punishments.

Rong Xun was now vaguely recalling that when Gu Changjin had fainted in the Throne Room, the Emperor had dispatched a Senior Physician to accompany him back to his residence. He had heard his colleagues mention this before, saying that the physician came from the Sun family and was the cherished grandson of the Grand Medical Director of the Imperial Medicine Court, known for his remarkable medical skills.

Rong Xun felt a slight ease in his heart, yet he remained concerned, for the child was still so very young.

"Yunzhi is thoughtful indeed," spoke he, "yet the Imperial Physician-in-Chief, being still young in years, I shall personally pay a visit to the Imperial Medicine Court." Thus saying, he hastened away.

Chang Ji watched him depart with a bowed back, a cold harrumph escaping his heart.

One who had previously shown such indifference towards his wife, why put on this display of heartfelt anxiety now that her life hangs by a thread? For whom is this performance intended?

Chang Ji glanced at the courtyard, where Yingyue had already led Sun Daoping inside.

Back in Wutong Lane, the moment Rong Shu left, Chang Ji hastened to the Ministry of Punishment to report the matter to his master.

His master judged that it might be too late to summon a court physician at this point. After a moment's deliberation, he instructed Chang Ji to go straight to the Sun residence and bring Sun Daoping with him.

Sun Daoping had been tirelessly attending to Gu Changjin day and night at the Gu household, which had deeply distressed his grandmaster, the eunuch in charge of his residence. As a result, he was granted a month's leave.

That was what allowed Chang Ji to seize the opportunity to locate Sun Daoping without hindrance.

Let's hope it isn't too late, Chang Ji thought to himself.

Chapter 159: Envy

Aluda truly fed the Blood Tree everything, poisonous or not, throwing it all in. The Blood Tree had a chance to assimilate and devour flesh, and Wen Ying currently didn't even understand what kind of hybrid it had become.

He now had a few trump cards specifically for dealing with devilish beings like Berlos and Lan Jiaying. He dared to be more relaxed against them because they looked sturdy.

He couldn't honestly tell Muershi. As an Extreme Evil Bird, Muershi inherited the powerful bloodline of one of the Three Great Devils. Wen Ying didn't believe that he wouldn't interfere in the ranking matches.

So, Wen Ying nonchalantly said, "Don't you think that Teacher Lai Yehua has been looking at me rather unfavourably lately? After I beat Huiguo up so badly, he might dislike me even more."

Muershi: "…Teacher?" His expression was like he had eaten something unpleasant.

When did Wen Ying start being so polite to Lai Yehua? Ever since Aluda had his back, this guy had been acting like he owned the place, except when Feng Luo was around.

Muershi pretended to be hurt as he wiped away fake tears, his voice wounded. "You didn't even tell me?"

Wen Ying calmly took out some food, leaving behind a casual remark. "Just because you're an Extreme Evil Bird."

Muershi muttered under his breath, "It's all prejudice."

After finishing lunch and returning to the dorm for an afternoon nap, Wen Ying received a call from the old devil referee around two o'clock. He had anticipated this, so he skillfully cast a quick water spell to wash his face.

Today, none of the favorites joined the fray except Scarlet; they were all attentively observing Wen Ying's cunning strategies. In each round, Wen Ying employed a distinct approach, and they meticulously noted them down to avoid falling into the same traps.

In the evening, Wen Ying returned to the castle, where Arulda presented dinner upon the dining table. Her countenance exuded maternal warmth, yet the bowl she bore was as dark as an abyss, emanating tendrils of black mist. Upon the inky broth floated desiccated crimson berries and a miscellany of indiscernible edibles.

Wen Ying drank it without changing his expression, as if it was just a bowl of bitter Chinese herbal medicine.

After finishing the drink, Wen Ying asked, "Great-grandmother, I still feel that I have limited control over the toxins within the Bloodwood branches. May I use them?"

Aruda remained unperturbed by the perilous topic, seating himself across from Wen Ying and picking up his bowl to eat. He nonchalantly replied to her while eating, "Those fellows have tough skin, so there's no need to worry. After drinking this soup tonight, you'll grasp most of it by tomorrow."

Seeing Wen Ying still looking worried, Aruda added, "If you're truly uneasy, just bring the antidote along."

The antidote was the liquid found within the main trunk of the Blood Tree.

The next day, Wen Ying discovered that they had finally made their move. The first challenger of the day was Levimo.

"Finally decided to show up?" Wen Ying sized up Levimo, who returned her gaze equally.

Levimo nodded slightly. "I've finished observing."

Wen Ying hinted, "But how do you know I've used all my tricks?"

"Try it and you'll find out." As Levimo spoke, his tails behind him suddenly transformed from one solid to one real and eight illusory, doubling in size. The three red demon patterns at the corners of his eyes were vividly crimson, and his eyes shimmered with an enchantingly strange glow.

In Wen Ying's vision, the arena for the ranking matches suddenly doubled in size. The railings twisted, and Levimo multiplied into nine.

Silently summoning his Magic Mirror clone, Wen Ying looked around. In the mirror, the arena remained unchanged, and there was only one Levimo, standing on the far right.

Confirming this, the one on the far right was the real one.

As the nine Levimos rushed towards him, Wen Ying attacked the one on the right, ignoring the others. Purple electric currents crackled and surged.

Levimo froze, dodging to the side. He split into several forms again, only to discover that Wen Ying could still locate his true body.

He noticed the magic mirror in Wen Ying's hand, his expression uncertain.

In the spectator stands, the demons were also surprised.

"How does Wen Ying always manage to find the right answer?"

"Can the Magic Mirror Demon's mirror dispel illusions?"

"Looking at Wen Ying's expression, it seems that what's reflected in that magic mirror is the true world."

The demons were as incredulous as if their worldview had been refreshed.

"Can the Magic Mirror Demon's mirror counter illusion magic?"

"I've never heard of such a thing!"

Lilith frowned. The Nine-Tailed Fox clan was renowned for their illusions, and any magic or artifact capable of countering their illusions would have long been investigated by her family. They had never come across any mention of a Magic Mirror Demon being able to see through their illusions.

Lan Jiaying stared intently at the arena. Indeed, Wen Ying could use the magic mirror in his hand to pierce through Levimo's illusion magic. A Magic Mirror Demon countering the illusions of one of the Three Great Powers of the Demon Realm, the Nine-Tailed Fox? No demon would believe it without seeing it with their own eyes.

Beros watched the arena with unwavering eyes. His power had indeed grown, in every aspect.

He had once read an ancient book which recorded that in ancient times, Magic Mirror Demons possessed mirrors capable of revealing all falsehoods. Back then, their mirror abilities were considered heaven-defying.

If Wen Ying really leaned towards his ancient ancestors, Pelos suddenly worried that he might not be able to defeat Wen Ying when he reached adulthood. Previously, he had never had such concerns!

He must work harder on his cultivation recently. Absolutely nothing could allow such a ridiculous situation to occur. If he were truly defeated by Wen Ying after reaching adulthood, he, the three-headed hellhound, would become a laughingstock that lasted a hundred years.

Just thinking about that scene made Pelos' face turn green.

On the arena, Wen Ying completely ignored Levimo's illusionary magic. Seeing that his pride and joy, illusionary spells, were completely ineffective, Levimo simply gave up on them and switched to other types of magic.

At this stage, they had not yet specialized in a particular type of magic. Everyone's proficiency in various series was roughly the same. Levimo, having abandoned illusions, was still proficient in using other forms of magic.

Levimo had already detected the magic card Wen Ying had hidden among the branches and avoided the gravity array. He was already on alert. The next second, Levimo hovered in mid-air, raining down a meteor shower of fiery stones towards Wen Ying.

The branches rose up to block, with some being snapped and burned. But new ones immediately replenished them, maintaining a temporary balance.

Phelos, the butterfly-winged mermaid, noticed the buds appearing on some of the branches on the arena and suspected something amiss.

Aruda had fed Wen Ying too many toxic potions, making him feel that any strange plant was poisonous.

In the ranking matches, weapons, potions, and other items were prohibited. The toxic potions that Aruda had given Wen Ying were now useless.

Poison magic differed from other forms; ordinary toxins like paralysis had little effect on demons, and more advanced poison spells required a higher level of proficiency, which Wen Ying didn't quite possess.

Felis fixated on the buds that were stealthily emerging, concealed by the silvery-white branches. As they blossomed, a mist, similar in hue to the branches, seemed to emanate from them. The extent of its spread was uncertain, for it merged seamlessly with the twigs, making it almost imperceptible that the flowers were releasing vapor.

Several branches adorned with Little Bai's flowers swooped towards Levimo's back. Without turning his head, Levimo countered with a wind blade that slashed from his palm, severing the branches attacking him.

The branches were severed.

Having dealt with the rear assault, Levimo resumed his focused use of magic against Wen Ying.

After channeling his magic for a while, Levimo began to feel a blockage within his magical energy. He forcefully broke through it, only to choke and spit out a mouthful of blood.

Levimo's expression was one of disbelief.

Smelling the scent of blood, Wen Ying seized the opportunity. While Levimo was momentarily dazed, she manipulated the branches to grow more, entwining them with the blossoming white flowers, attempting to pull him down from midair.

Levimo felt dizzy, and the once smooth flow of magic within his body suddenly turned into a thick liquid, even starting to solidify. More and more silver-white branches bound his limbs, and one of them coiled around his throat, lifting him upward.

"Cough...cough..."

Levimo's bat-like wings strained with exertion, resisting the downward pull. The constriction in his throat caused him to lose some of his gathered strength, dragging him towards the ground at an accelerating pace.

A commotion erupted from the spectator stands.

"Just a moment ago, it was evenly matched! How did the situation on stage change while I took a sip of water?"

"Why did Levimo suddenly start vomiting blood?"

"It looks like poisoning."

"Aren't potions forbidden in ranking matches? Did Wen Ying cheat?"

Levimo also wanted to know the source of the poison. Realizing he had been poisoned, he wondered if Wen Ying, a magic mirror demon, had replicated a poison spell, since that kind of magic wasn't related to his demonic lineage.

For the first time, Levimo envied the innate talent of magic mirror demons. Poison spells were difficult to master, and while he could manage basic ones, more advanced ones were awkward for him to execute, often disrupted by opponents in actual combat.

The old demon referee's silence indicated that no potion had been used, and those demons in the stands who had questioned the match realized their mistake, now filled with envy over Wen Ying's innate magical abilities.

Wen Ying's magical cards looked increasingly tantalizing! His battles seemed like cheating, yet he still managed to maintain an air of elegance.

Levimo was dragged to the ground, his magic flowing slowly. The magic he squeezed out neutralized the branches that swarmed towards him. Wen Ying approached, but Levimo had no extra energy to resist his own magic.

"I surrender."

Just as Wen Ying was about to push Levimo off the stage, the latter quickly and calmly admitted defeat.

Wen Ying froze for a moment. Alright, he saved him some magic power.

The old demonic referee announced leisurely, "Wen Ying wins."

The silver-white branches receded like a tide, shrinking back into Wen Ying's shadow.

Lying on the ground, Levimo sat up, placing his hands on his knees. He looked up at Wen Ying and asked, "When did you use a Poison Spell Card?"

"A Poison Spell Card?" Wen Ying's confusion didn't seem fake. "I didn't use a Poison Spell Card. It was the branches that were poisonous."

Levimo could almost hear the collective gasp of shock from the demonic spectators, and he felt his face involuntarily twitch.

(Extra content available for a limited time in the author's note.)

Author's Note:

Phelios said, "The toxicity doesn't lie in the branch, but in the white flowers blooming on it."

"Flowers?"

"When did flowers appear on the branches? I didn't notice."

"There seem to be a few, but they're very small."

Wen Ying gazed at Phelios pensively, and Phelios returned his gaze with an icy stare.

Phelios: "Do you dare not use poison?"

Wen Ying: "If you can guarantee that I won't be held responsible no matter how far this fight goes, then I dare."

"Don't underestimate me."

Phelios took to the arena, lifting his chin slightly. The dazzling, dreamlike butterfly pond of the Butterfly Merfolk was captivating, but the chilling aggression he exuded overpowered the elegance and gentleness.

Those icy-blue eyes held no trace of gentleness; their sharp gaze overshadowed his delicate features. Broad shoulders and a narrow waist were accentuated by the distinct muscles lining his body, adding an intimidating presence to his handsome form.

Seems sturdy enough, Wen Ying thought to himself. He could probably be a little more liberal with his strength. Originally, he planned to use Bellos and Lan Jiaying to gauge the extent of his current power.

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Chapter 205: Seeking Revenge

Even desperate dogs will leap over walls. Knowing that their true identities were exposed, these people surely wouldn't spare them. A melee was inevitable.

The knife-wielding men had to fight for their survival. Risking an arrow, they had to flee, charging towards the direction with women and children.

The dozen knife-wielders scattered, but the women and children who usually screamed, cried, and scattered in panic at the sight of them had become ghosts today. No one fled; no one was afraid. He chose two seemingly easiest targets, young girls who appeared no more than ten years old.

Yet, these young girls stared at him with gleaming eyes.

The weapons they acquired from joining the rebel army, those bright and imposing blades that had never failed them before, proved useless here. Before he could even charge and swing his blade, the two children and another adolescent boy nearby had already grabbed long sticks and charged at him.

Long sticks, made of wood—what use could they be?

In the past, he could easily snatch and disarm them. But today, the force behind the three sticks wielded by the children was immense, making them impossible to grasp. They moved like agile snakes, attacking him from high, middle, and low angles, forcing him to cover his head and jump around, screaming incoherently. After just a few rounds, he lost hold of his knife handle, which clattered to the ground. His shoulder, back, and leg were also struck fiercely. A sharp pain in his knee made it buckle, and he fell to his knees. Another blow from the stick ensured he couldn't rise again.

Rebellion, rebellion, it's all rebellion.

He held the knife but ended up being the one beaten.

How could this be??

...

Forty-seven people in total.

Nineteen had arrow wounds, and another dozen or so who attempted resistance or escape were subdued with clubs. The remaining few – including women and the inherently timid – were all bound without exception.

The Zheng family's mood was visibly off. Recalling that Zheng Da'niu had suffered in the county, coupled with Shen Lie's side having Shen Jin as the aggrieved party, the villagers from both villages turned their gazes onto Shen Lie and the Zheng father and son.

Shen Lie was easy to deal with. He asked Shen Jin, "Do you want to do it yourself, or should Big Brother help?"

Shen Jin had never experienced such a situation before, yet despite his trembling hands, he lifted them resolutely to take the knife from Shen Lie. "I'll do it myself."

Seeing how tense Shen Jin was, Shen Lie patted his head. "Alright, there's no need to do it here. Big Brother will teach you later."

His gaze fell upon the four bound brothers, treating them as if they were already dead.

At the butcher's stall, Zheng Tu's eyes were bloodshot, and he held a bloodstained hog-slaughtering knife in his hand. Looking at his father, Zheng Dalang said, "Father, call out Second Sister. She needs to identify her enemy and witness the revenge being taken."

Otherwise, she would never recover or lead a normal life.

Zheng Tu clearly understood that this was perhaps the only way for his daughter to overcome her nightmare. He nodded and instructed Zheng Erlang, "Go fetch her. Ask your mother and eldest sister-in-law to accompany her."

...

It was the first time Sang Luo had seen Zheng Daju since she delivered the medicine. Sang Luo seldom visited, and with Zheng Daju's poor condition, she barely left her room. Even on the few occasions when she did venture out, they never crossed paths. All she knew was that Zheng Daju's fever had subsided.

Now, as she observed Zheng Daju, it was apparent that she was in a trance-like state. Clutching a grass pillow, she was supported by her mother and sister-in-law on either side. Upon seeing the bound crowd outside, Zheng Daju showed no reaction; all her focus was on the grass pillow in her arms.

Zheng Tu hurried over, intending to comfort his daughter, but with a bloody knife in hand, he held back and said, "Daju, take a look and see who this is."

He then stepped closer to the bound woman, who had half her leg severed, leaving only a fraction still attached. The pain was so excruciating that she wished she could pass out, yet somehow, she remained conscious. Her entire body was drenched in cold sweat, as if she had been submerged in water.

Zheng Tu gently pulled back her hair, revealing the woman's entire face to his daughter.

Zheng Daniu was still soothing the grass pillow in her arms when Zheng Mother recognized the woman. Her hand holding onto Zheng Daniu's suddenly clenched tightly. Feeling her mother's grip, Zheng Daniu instinctively looked at her mother and then followed her gaze.

At first, her eyes were lifeless, but as she recognized who the person was, her pupils dilated, and she jolted in shock. Her face paled, and she retreated while holding the grass pillow, crying and calling out for her parents and elder brother incoherently.

Behind her, Zheng Erlang's eyes reddened as he supported Zheng Daniu. "Don't be afraid, Daniu. We're all here. Tell Second Brother who hurt Yuan'er? Who cut your flesh?"

"Yuan'er, Yuan'er." Crying, Zheng Daniu hugged the grass pillow and hid behind Zheng Erlang, shaking her head persistently. "Don't touch my Yuan'er, don't touch her."

She didn't hear a word of her brother's reassurance.

Zheng Erlang turned to pull her. "No one can touch you. Father and Mother are here, and so am I. Tell me, who has been touching you before?"

Zheng Daniu buried her face into Zheng Erlang's chest, weeping uncontrollably as she called out for Second Brother.

Seeing that she wasn't as terrified as before, Zheng Erlang cautiously led her towards the woman. "Don't be scared. Brother will avenge you and Yuan'er. Just tell me who they are."

The closer Zheng Erlang led Zheng Daniu, the more terrified the woman became. She had no idea that Zheng Daniu was still alive; how could she survive? Didn't she die at the East Market?

The woman's breath quickened until she met Zheng Daniu's gaze. Watching as Zheng Daniu lifted her trembling chin, pointing at her, "She, she took away Yuan'er. They used knives on me...my Yuan'er, my Yuan'er."

Zheng Datou clutched her straw pillow tightly and wrapped her arms around herself. "My arm hurts, Brother. My arm hurts, and my legs too."

The woman shook her head vigorously, addressing not only Butcher Zheng but also numerous villagers surrounding him and the rest of the Zheng family, people she did not even know personally: "Zheng Daniu has lost her mind. How can you possibly believe the words of a madwoman? Madness cannot hold any weight, can it?"

Zhang, already in a rage, had kicked over the basket. With bloodshot eyes, he asked his daughter, "Daughter, take another look. Is there anything left inside?"

Alongside Zheng DaLang, the father and son took turns lifting the bound individuals by their hair for Zheng Datong to inspect. Most of them wore indifferent expressions. However, when it came to the second row, three men stubbornly refused to lift their heads. After receiving several piercing kicks from Butcher Zheng, they finally lost their strength and were dragged up like lifeless fish.

Unbeknownst to them, when Zheng Datou recognized the faces of the three men, she trembled violently and clutched at her clothes before retreating. Upon realizing that they were bound and kneeling, and were even shorter than her, her fear lessened while her hatred emboldened her. Summoning an unknown strength, she rushed forward and snatched the butcher knife from her father's hand.

Before the onlookers, including Sangluo, could react, she had already lunged towards the group.

All her fear, pain, breakdown, and despair seemed to find an outlet through each swing of the blade. Sobs of despair punctuated the flashing light, her muffled curses indecipherable, save for the mention of "Yuanlang" and "beast."

Shen Ning, Xu Wenying, and the others were startled, quickly retreating behind a wall of people, too afraid to witness the scene. Shen An, Xu Wenbo, Second Niu, and Thursday Lang, being younger, also took a step back in terror.

Sangluo vaguely grasped the situation, a heavy feeling settling in her heart. She averted her gaze, unable to bear listening or watching any further.

No one attempted to stop Zheng Daniu, as most could guess what was happening. In this world, there were countless Zheng Daniu and her children, who only escaped such miserable fates by fortunate refuge in these deep mountains.

The Zheng family didn't stop her. Butcher Zheng only approached and gently embraced her with one arm when his daughter finally dropped the knife from exhaustion.

Among the forty-odd captives, witnessing the brutal deaths of their three companions and the woman they had kept, two of the more timid ones wet themselves in fear. Even the bravest, with their hands full of sins, now trembled and collapsed on the spot. In that entire stretch beyond the village, the only sound was Zheng Da'nuo's wailing as she clung to her father, her cries echoing with raw sorrow.

This outpouring of emotion stirred a glimmer of anticipation in both Zheng Ma and Zheng DaLang's wife. They had never seen their daughter cry like this since she was rescued; she would usually huddle with her grass pillow in the corner of her bed, secluded within her own world.

Zheng Ma approached and tentatively called out, "Da'nuo?"

Zheng Da'nuo turned to her mother, then looked at her sister-in-law, eldest brother, eldest brother, and second brother, one by one, as if seeing them for the first time. Her gaze finally landed on her father's empty sleeve, and her fragmented memories began to connect. She wept, holding onto that empty sleeve.

As the elder members of the Feng family observed Zheng Datou's now-clear eyes, they embraced and wept together before stepping forward to ask Shen Lie, "What should be done with those individuals?"

Those individuals, naturally, referred to the four brothers who had wronged Tian Ya.

Staring blankly at Zheng Datou and the pool of blood for some time, Shen Jin's body trembled, his hand holding the knife shaking. An internal struggle raged within him.

He was both shocked and impressed by Zheng Datou's decisive act of revenge, but he didn't possess the same courage as she did.

Observing this, Shen Lie addressed the few elders of the Feng family, "Each one of them carries the blood of countless lives on their hands. None of them can be spared. They all must be dealt with."

The Feng family's elders nodded, but they were momentarily at a loss as to how to proceed.

After all, they were ordinary folks; having slaughtered chickens before, they still trembled at the thought of harming someone they didn't know.

Observing their reaction, Shen Lie understood their predicament. He said, "There's no need for you all to be troubled. We don't need to dirty our hands with such individuals. Leave it to me. Just assign a few strong men to assist me in escorting them away."

Without the elder even needing to prompt, young men from the Feng family, Zhou family, Gan family, Zheng family, and even Dong Ge's elder brother stepped forward, a dozen strong.

The Zheng brothers returned with several makeshift dragging devices made of vine and wooden poles, as well as two mats. They took care of the four already deceased, while the survivors, their weapons confiscated by Xu Wencheng's group, were securely bound together with ropes, awaiting Shen Lie's instructions.

Shen Lie looked at Chen Dashan. "You lead everyone back first. I'll take Little Jin and Wencheng for a walk outside."

Chen Dashan nodded. "Alright, I'll bring the group back then."

It was appropriate for adolescents to witness some violence, but up to this point was enough. For the future, Little Jin would seek revenge personally, whereas for Xu Wencheng, Shen Lie clearly intended to toughen him up.

Shen Lie glanced at Sang Luo, who had guessed his intentions. She warned, "The stench of blood is strong. Be cautious."

"Rest assured, go back and get some rest. I'll be back soon."

...

There was a small stretch of overlapping paths, so the villagers from this side also accompanied them. Thus, a large group turned around and left the vicinity of Zhou's village in a grand manner. However, after just a few steps, Shen Lie, who was walking in front, halted his footsteps.

From afar, he gazed at a cluster of trees to his right front.

The people hiding behind the trees realized that they had been discovered. One by one, about seventeen or eighteen young men and teenagers, armed with axes and long sticks, emerged.

Shen Lie looked at them and recognized most of them. Many were the ones who followed them at a distance during their morning runs and secretly watched their training sessions from afar outside the village.

Their activities here were indeed quite bloody. Shen Lie explained, "None of us are innocent. We've all had our hands stained with the lives of others before entering the inner circle."

In other words, their actions weren't without reason.

His explanation caused the leader among the group to stammer anxiously, "N-No, that's not it. We just wanted to see if we could lend a hand."

Shen Lie smiled and replied, "It's not necessary. Thank you all the same."

The man let out an honest laugh. "I didn't do much, so there's no need for thanks."

Excitement sparkled in the eyes of the group of young men and boys trailing behind. However, they also knew that Shen Lie and his companions had serious business to attend to. Two bold ones ventured, "Can we assist you in escorting them?"

There were over forty of them.

Shen Lie glanced at the two young men and, after some thought, nodded. "Alright, then I'll have to trouble you two."

This elated the two youngsters, and several others of similar age stepped forward. "We'll help too."

Having several extra helpers was certainly beneficial. It was at this junction that Sang Luo informed Shen Lie and set off with Shen Ning and the others to join Chen Dashan's group.

Strangely, they seemed to know her. As Sang Luo passed by them, from the oldest to the youngest, they all called out in unison, "Madam Sang."

Each of them bowed slightly.

Sang Luo: "..."

She could only nod at them and acknowledge their efforts, "You've all worked hard."

...

Over forty individuals were forcefully dragged into the deserted forest, most of them bearing arrow wounds. On the pristine snow, a trail of crimson stains scattered like stars against the white backdrop.

In the depths of winter, after days of continuous snowfall, the sun finally made an appearance mid-morning. However, its warmth was absent, leaving only its shape in the sky. Upon entering the old forest, not even a glimmer of sunlight penetrated, plunging the surroundings into a bone-chilling cold.

After Shen Lie surveyed the area and chose a suitable spot, those who had initially withstood the pressure now cowered in fear, prostrating themselves and begging for mercy. The women among them grew particularly daring with their words.

Unfazed by their antics, Shen Lie first pulled out the eldest of his four enemies. He beckoned to Shen Jin and, before the latter could clearly see what was happening, swiftly severed the man's hand and foot tendons with surgical precision.

The man let out a pained wail, drenched in cold sweat, but Shen Lie barely gave him a glance. Instead, he asked Shen Jin, "Have you memorized this position?"

"You can choose to avenge yourself like Madam Zheng did, but if that method doesn't suit you, consider this. In this old forest during winter, wild beasts are starving."

Shen Jin's breaths grew heavy, memories of that day when he found Sweet Girl lifeless in the outskirts of the county flashing through his mind. His cheeks tensed before relaxing after a moment. "I understand. I'll handle the other three myself."

Shen Lie rose to his feet. Xu Wenqing, aware of the situation, assisted Shen Jin in subduing the remaining captives one by one. As Shen Jin finished with one, Xu Wenqing passed another to him.

Amidst the forest, screams echoed relentlessly. The thirty or so people trailing behind were on the verge of hysteria at the sight before them. Among those who had volunteered to escort, not a single one was cowardly.

They had confiscated numerous weapons – several blades, axes, machetes, and hoes. At this moment, it mattered little what they were; as long as they could serve their purpose.

The young men who had willingly joined the escort were trembling in fear, but having eavesdropped from behind the trees that morning, they had an inkling of who these attackers were. They had always feared this pack of malevolent spirits lurking at the forest's edge. With steely determination, the older ones gritted their teeth and mustered the courage to step forward.

...

Overhead, the forest reverberated with anguished cries. These individuals, who had terrorized the outskirts for months, plundering, pillaging, and killing, had grown restless. Seeking new targets, they never imagined that upon entering the inner perimeter, their first encounter would lead to their untimely demise.

Such a horrifying end, lying lifeless in the icy snow, the air thick with the stench of blood. Yet, they remained alive.

Alive, to hear the approaching roars of beasts, growing louder with each passing moment. How they wished they could have bled out, frozen to death, or even been frightened to death. Anything was better than being conscious while being ripped apart.

But fate was not theirs to choose. Along with the scent of blood, another distinct odor of carnage swept through the air.

In their final moments, before their eyes flashed the faces of those they had once terrorized and left in despair.

In the end, those images merged with their own.

...

The snow fell from the sky once more. With a good snowfall, peace and purity would be restored to the world.

Lin Shuicheng spoke with casual nonchalance, and Fu Luoyin, standing beside him, hesitated several times before finally comforting himself by sipping champagne from the glass next to him, as if he couldn't bring himself to speak harshly to Lin Shuicheng.

Su Yu also felt the need to take a moment to compose himself and took a deep breath. "Why don't we all go back to our respective areas? I believe the party is about to start, and the birthday emcee will be preparing soon. We wouldn't want anyone's friends or family to get lost."

Yan Zi glared at him. "You child, it's just two floors, how could they get lost? Why are you still so dense and inflexible? Can't you adapt?"

Su Yu felt aggrieved. "Well, it's almost starting, and I don't want to hold up your time if the schedule gets delayed." Glancing discreetly in Xia Ran's direction, Su Yu thought that his words were both polite and effective in subtly urging people to leave—after all, he had been bothered by his mother's invitation of the Xia family. Back when the Xia family and the Su family were competing for hospital locations, the Su family had taken the initiative, only for the Xia family to intervene and snatch the permit, causing significant losses to the Su family. That month, half of his father's hair turned white from worry.

Back then, he was still young and could only choose not to play with Xia Ran. Eventually, Fu Luoyin came into the picture, and somehow ended up with Xia Ran. Su Yu, who was in the same class as Fu Luoyin, could only swallow his frustration but offered silent blessings. At that time, Su Yu believed that the actions of the Xia family didn't necessarily reflect Xia Ran's character, and it would be childish to hold a grudge. He let it go, hoping they might become friends someday.

But in their second year of college, Fu Luoyin graduated from military school, only to be dumped by Xia Ran, leaving him devastated for nearly half a year.

Su Yu was fiercely protective of those close to him, and Fu Luoyin was his best childhood friend. This incident completely soured his feelings towards Xia Ran and the Xia family.

After saying these words, Su Yu felt that anyone with a sense of propriety would understand that they should head downstairs—there weren't any seats reserved for them on the second floor!

Sure enough, Bai Yiyi stood up, smiling slightly awkwardly. "I need to use the restroom. Xia Ran has just returned, and he must be happy to see old classmates. I won't disturb your reunion." With that, she patted Xia Ran's shoulder, gesturing for him to stay, before walking away.

Having chased one away, the main character was still present. Although Su Yu felt reluctant, he could only force himself to be content.

Xia Ran sat quietly by the side, his eyes lowered as he gazed at the tabletop, lost in thought.

Yan Zi glared at him. "I told you, you're stubborn, and I wasn't wrong, was I?"

"Okay, okay, I get it." Su Yu sighed helplessly, then turned to smile at Lin Shuicheng. "Look, my mom just loves to tease me."

Lin Shuicheng looked back at him, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "That's alright. Auntie is doing this out of concern for you."

Today, Lin Shuicheng was dressed in a suit, which added a subtle difference to his usual appearance as a handsome and gentle scientist. The subtlety lay in how the softness and warmth seemed to be concealed by the sharp lines of the suit, replaced instead by a cool, radiant charisma. That charisma was innate, but for some reason, Lin Shuicheng appeared slightly weary, breaking down the sense of distance he usually maintained.

There were scattered stars in the depths of Lin Shuicheng's eyes, which made him appear even more tender when he smiled.

Su Yu felt his heart skip a beat; he almost blushed in that instant.

Fu Luoyin glared at Su Yu beside him. If possible, he would have pulled Su Yu away and taken his place, being the one under Lin Shuicheng's gaze — Lin Shuicheng had never smiled at him like that before!

Fu Luoyin realized he had completely misjudged the situation. He had assumed that this little kitten seduced others with a playful charm, but to his surprise, it was the other way around with Lin Shuicheng — he was the one inviting others to take the bait!

How infuriating!

However, Fu Luoyin didn't dare to say much. Lin Shuicheng had already silenced him three or four times in the past ten minutes, so he didn't dare act recklessly.

The atmosphere that had cooled down earlier was warmed up again by Su Yu and Yan Zi's conversation.

Yan Zi asked Xia Ran, "You must be from the Xia Family, right? How old are you this year?"

Xia Ran was slightly taken aback before he smiled and said, "I'm the same age as Su Yu. Auntie, my parents couldn't make it here due to some matters in Old North America, so I came instead. I hope you like the gift I picked for you."

Yan Zi smiled warmly. "Oh, I haven't looked at it yet. You don't usually come over to our house to play. Remember to visit more often when you're back."

Su Yu was frowning by the side.

Yan Zi picked out Xia Ran's gift box and opened it. Inside was an exquisite set of tea utensils with intricate details. It was obvious that it was expensive.

The Su Family wasn't short on money, and Yan Zi had many more precious and beautiful tea sets than this. However, it was clear that Xia Ran had put effort into choosing this gift, and his attitude was polite. Yan Zi immediately smiled. "You really know how to pick gifts! Su Yu doesn't have such good taste as you! He only gave me tea leaves for my birthday. Do I need tea leaves? I can never have enough decent tea sets."

Xia Ran also laughed. "As long as you like it, Auntie. Su Yu told me that you enjoy drinking tea, so this is partly his credit too. I'm ashamed that I don't know what my mom likes to do."

With his words, he skillfully praised Yan Zi and Su Yu's harmonious mother-son relationship while modestly revealing the effort he had put into this matter.

Xia Ran maintained his composure as he engaged Yan Zi in conversation, though his attention was fixed on Fu Luoyin.

He struggled to stay calm, preventing his voice from trembling.

Su Yu stood up. "I'll go to the restroom."

As Lin Shuicheng watched Su Yu leave, he glanced at the remaining people at the table—just Fu Luoyin and Xia Ran. He also got up.

Fu Luoyin felt unprecedented tension in this situation. His attention was immediately drawn to Lin Shuicheng, almost reaching out to grab him. "Where are you going?"

Despite not having made a direct introduction, he knew for sure that Lin Shuicheng had recognized Xia Ran. Lin Shuicheng had seen his photo in his wallet and even spotted Xia Ran's picture in their chat history at the hospital, not to mention that Xia Ran was his ex-boyfriend.

Lin Shuicheng had already been planning to break up with him, and he had only just started to coax him back. He couldn't afford any more mishaps at this crucial moment!

Lin Shuicheng shot him a glance, and Fu Luoyin quickly softened his tone. "I mean... the food hasn't arrived yet. When the buffet table is set up, would you like me to get you some drink?"

Perhaps to prevent Fu Luoyin from following, Lin Shuicheng said, "In that case, please get a soda for both Su Yu and me."

Fu Luoyin immediately stood up. "I'll go right now."

This left Xia Ran and Yan Zi as the only ones at the table. Dong Shuoye was still engrossed in conversation with Lu Shengwen, showing no intention of returning. Yan Zi said, "Little Xia, help yourself to some food. Auntie has something to attend to. Remember to come over often these few days!"

Xia Ran replied quietly, "Sure, thank you, Auntie."

After that, he glanced at the empty table and got up as well.

With his back turned to Xia Ran, Fu Luoyin was at the buffet area, ordering a bottle of orange soda and a bottle of milk from the server – the soda here was served chilled, and Lin Shuicheng had actually looked a little under the weather today. Fu Luoyin took it upon himself to switch Lin Shuicheng's drink to a warm glass of milk.

As he turned around, Xia Ran was standing right behind him.

Xia Ran asked softly, "Is it really that terrifying to be alone with me at a table, Fu Luoyin?"

When Lin Shuicheng found Su Yu, Su Yu was sitting gloomily in the corridor outside the hotel's rest area, all by himself.

Seeing him, Su Yu was surprised. "Sister-in-law, why are you here?"

"I came to check on you since you seemed down." Lin Shuicheng extended a plate towards him, which held a braised chicken leg and a serving of sashimi. "I brought you some snacks. What's wrong? You're the main guest today; are you hiding here because you're unhappy?"

Su Yu felt a bit awkward. "I... I'm fine, just a bit down. Also, I'm not the main character here, my mom is."

Lin Shuicheng asked, "A bit down because you don't like Xia Ran?" After a moment of contemplation, he added, "Isn't he Fu Luoyin's ex-boyfriend? You mentioned him before. You two should have a good relationship, right?"

Su Yu gasped. "How did you see through it... Well, it's nothing major, just some personal issues between us. I used to think we could be friends since he's handsome and charming with elders, but later on, well, I won't badmouth him behind his back, but I just don't particularly like him, especially when I see how close my mom is with him, tsk."

"Your mom only wants what's best for you," Lin Shuicheng said softly.

"I know." Su Yu sighed again. "That's why it bothers me. If only I were more capable, but alas, I lack the intelligence to run a business and no grand plans. Since quitting my job, I haven't found another one yet... My parents can only do their best to help me network and introduce me to people. Even though the Xia family isn't in Star City now, there's no telling if we might cross paths in the future. Mom thinks it's better to seize any available resources rather than miss out."

Lin Shuicheng lowered his gaze and smiled quietly. "If there's anything I can assist with, feel free to tell me anytime. When I visited the hospital, the nurse mentioned that Didi's brain activity has increased compared to before. If you hadn't helped transfer Didi to the Third Hospital, who knows when his condition would improve."

Su Yu quickly responded, "It's no trouble at all, just a small favor! Don't worry about me, sis-in-law. My parents realize my limitations and have already started grooming a successor. The pressure on me isn't as great. As for pressure, I need to find a job soon and my mom keeps urging me to find a reliable boyfriend... Of course, it would be perfect if the boyfriend could also support the family business!"

Holding the tray that Lin Shuicheng had brought over, Su Yu noticed his favorite sashimi and chicken legs. He couldn't help feeling overwhelmed with happiness.

Biting into the chicken leg, he was moved to tears. "I was a bit down earlier, but seeing you, sis-in-law, cheered me up. You're the best. If I can find a boyfriend as excellent as you in the future, that would be perfect!"

"Someone like me?" Lin Shuicheng pondered and asked, "What kind of person am I?"

Su Yu exclaimed, "Handsome! Intelligent! A scholar! Skilled in cooking! Oh my, Sister-in-law, your virtues could fill three days and three nights of praise. Just take that famous painting case, you really startled me, but to think you actually—"

Lin Shuicheng interrupted him, "If these are the criteria, I can introduce someone to you. Or perhaps there's no need for an introduction; I could simply pursue you. What do you think?"

His expression was serene and gentle as he continued, "I have no experience managing a business, but given some time to learn, I believe I could manage. Besides, I... am not much use anymore, so perhaps I could find something else to do. I could cook for you too."

Su Yu's mouth gaped open, his mind completely frozen.

There was one more thing that made Su Yu wish he could vanish on the spot—right after Lin Shuicheng finished speaking, Fu Luoyin emerged from around the corner, coming to an abrupt halt with an extremely unpleasant expression.

Fu Luoyin placed the milk and drink he was holding on the table, pressed his lips together, and left without a word.

Author's Note:

Translating the script late at night.

Little Fu (pointing at this scene): Lin Shuicheng!

Little Lin (responding): You have no heart.

Little Fu: ...You stole my line! You have no heart!

Su Yu: None of you have hearts, thank you very much. I'm the one who suffers the most.

Chapter 85: The Late Arrival of the Gown (3300+)

All eyes turned to Qing Si in unison, with not a single voice breaking the silence.

Qing Si bent down to pick up his hat and reached for the mask in Huo Lanjing's hand.

Unable to pull it off, he eventually gave up.

However, Huo Lanjing suddenly stepped forward, grabbing his wrist firmly, looking at him resolutely. "Le Le?"

Qing Si expressionlessly pushed away his hand.

With his focus entirely on Qing Si's face, Huo Lanjing didn't notice the action and was thus pushed aside.

Qing Si took a few steps back.

Qing Yi, who had witnessed the entire scene, noticed Huo Lanjing attempting to approach again. He intercepted, saying, "You must have mistaken him. His name is Qing Si."

Qing Si's face was an exact replica of Luo Le's.

Their figures bore an uncanny eight-point resemblance, albeit slightly thinner than before.

It was precisely due to this observation that Huo Lanjing had approached to remove Luo Le's mask.

Regaining his composure, Chen Wuxing stepped forward and asked with a smile, "Apologies for the breach of etiquette. May I ask, has Qing Si grown up alongside you two?"

"Yes," a cool voice answered before Qing Yi could respond.

It was Qing Si who spoke.

Qing Yi suppressed his doubts and replied, "Indeed, we may not be blood-related, but our bond is as strong as siblings."

Chen Wuxing glanced back at Qing Yi. "Oh, I see. It seems we've made a mistake. Please wait for us in the car; I have something to discuss with the General."

Qing Yi nodded, and the four of them preceded to leave.

Qing Si brought up the rear, and as they walked away, Chen Wuxing caught the restless Huo Lanjing by the arm.

"General, do you truly believe he is Luo Le?"

Xu Ming glanced down at their hands and gave Chen Wuxing's waist a vicious twist.

Chen Wuxing let out an "Ouch," releasing his grip. Upon seeing his expression, she reached out to hold his hand, but he evaded her touch.

Huo Lanjing didn't even turn his head. "Mm."

Chen Wuxing sighed. It wasn't appropriate for an outsider like him to comment on matters concerning a married couple.

Just as I was about to say something more, a figure darted out from my right side.

Chen Wuxing gazed at the figure ahead, turned his head to bid farewell, then hurriedly jogged to catch up, his urgency apparent.

Huo Lanjing, looking forward, overheard the conversation between the two individuals, one tall and one short.

"Xiao Ming, wait for me, please don't walk so fast."

"Stop pulling me."

"I'm sorry."

"What did you do wrong?"

"I shouldn't have... I'm sorry, Xiao Ming. I really was wrong."

"It seems like you don't even know what you did wrong. Those rumors spread because of your lack of boundaries, didn't they? Didn't their divorce happen because of this?"

"Huh?"

"Can you use some common sense for once and not..."

Their voices faded into the distance.

Huo Lanjing's gaze darkened as he fell into thought.

On the way back, Chen Wuxing glanced at Qing Si several times, but held back from speaking.

Unable to bear it any longer, Qing Er sat up and asked, "You've been looking behind us. Is there something we need to do?"

Caught in the act, Chen Wuxing felt a bit awkward. "You should know who we need to be cautious around, right?"

All power of attorney documents are customarily reviewed by Qing Yi. Out of confidentiality considerations, he selectively discloses only the non-essential and necessary information.

Qing Er, Qing San, and Qing Si, in obedience to the command, proceed accordingly.

It has always been thus.

Upon seeing this, Qing Yi remarked, "I've gathered information on Mr. Xu's three uncles and aunts, as well as the child from the Xu family's rival clan."

Chen Wuxing nods. "Yes, roughly. Then let's proceed with your original plan."

After a while, the car came to a stop in front of a small, four-story villa.

This is the house Chen Wuxing prepared for their marriage.

At the entrance stood several servants.

Xu Ming was still fuming with anger and alighted from the vehicle first, striding straight ahead into the interior.

Chen Wuxing attempted to follow and console, but was stopped by the cold words "don't bother with me."

He sighed and approached Qing Yi and the others. "Follow them. They'll take you to a place to rest."

Just as he finished speaking, Qing Si stepped out of the vehicle.

Chen Wuxing told him, "Stay here."

Qing Si didn't respond verbally, but his foot lifted in mid-air, seemingly conceding to the request.

Qing Er was about to speak when Qing San covered her mouth and nudged her to catch up with Qing Yi.

In an instant, only the two of them were left at the entrance.

Neither of them spoke first, and the silence was so profound that even the faint chirping of fledglings in the distance could be heard.

It wasn't until the hovercar's arrival announcement sounded that Chen Wuxing snapped back to reality.

"I'm sorry," he said.

Qing Si lifted his gaze slightly but remained silent.

From the moment he laid eyes on Qing Si, he had only said one word: "Yes." His expression hadn't altered throughout.

This was altogether different from the obedient youth he remembered. Were it not for their striking facial resemblance, he would have found it impossible to connect these two individuals.

Chen Wuxing cleared his throat with a soft cough before lowering his gaze. "There truly was nothing between the General and myself prior to this. The matter on the forum, it's all idle speculation; we genuinely share nothing more than a commonplace comradely bond."

Qing Si gave him a faint glance, her eyes devoid of any emotion.

Chen Wuxing continued, "Before I knew about your relationship with the General, I inquired casually. The General mentioned that you were family, and you looked relatively young. So, I mistakenly assumed you were his younger brother. Please forgive me; there was absolutely no intention of provocation back then. I sincerely apologize. The General was occupied with state affairs, and I was engrossed in military matters, hence the oversight…"

"It has nothing to do with me," Qing Si interrupted, enunciating each word.

Upon seeing Qing Si's face, Chen Wuxing couldn't help but blurt out his thoughts.

But upon further reflection, he found it absurd. Perhaps the person just happened to resemble Luo Le?

Still, he didn't regret his words. What if Qing Si was indeed Luo Le?

Luo Le's face was a testament to Nuwa's favor; how could there be an exact replica?

Chen Wuxing smiled and apologized, "Sorry for the randomness. It's nothing; just consider me momentarily insane."

Qing Si pointed inside, and Chen Wuxing followed his gaze, saying, "I'll show you the way up."

Qing Si nodded in agreement.

As soon as they were upstairs, Qing Er was eager to interrogate Qing Si about what had happened, but Qing Si simply stared at Qing Yi without uttering a word.

Qing Yi asked if he didn't wish to share.

Qing Si affirmed that he indeed did not.

Qing Yi then refrained from pressing further and also silenced Qing Er from asking any questions.

Qing Si expressed his gratitude and retreated into his room.

meanwhile, on their way back, Huo Lanjing remained in a somber mood.

Despite Chen Chen's attempts to engage him in conversation, Huo Lanjing's responses were consistently unrelated or off-topic.

He then quietly returned to his seat.

After dinner, Huo Lanjing sat lost in thought, staring at the book in his hands.

Curiosity getting the best of him, Chen Chen climbed onto his lap and tapped his cheek. "Uncle."

Huo Lanjing barely snapped back to reality. "Hmm?"

Chen Chen: "Uncle, are you not happy today?"

Although he didn't particularly like this uncle, the man had been quite nice to him over the past three years.

Surely Father wouldn't be angry if he asked just this once, right?

Huo Lanjing's dark red eyes flickered, reflecting Chen Chen's face.

Recalling the identical pair of eyes he had seen earlier that day, he couldn't help but put down his book and reach out to touch them.

Chen Chen asked in confusion, "Uncle?"

Huo Lanjing said, "It's okay. Is Grandpa He almost here?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than the doorbell rang.

Upon hearing this, Chen Chen immediately slid down from his lap, sitting up straight with a serious expression as he gazed at the entrance.

Huo Lanjing, observing the scene with the whole city as his audience, couldn't help but curve the corners of his lips into a subtle smile.

The gloominess that had been weighing on his mind began to dissipate.

After Luo Le's staged death, life hadn't been easy, though it was likely thanks to this little fellow's perseverance that he had made it this far.

With this thought, the dispelled gloom reconvened.

The next day, outside the wedding room of Chen Wuxing and Xu Ming.

The hovercar parked at the entrance.

A group emerged from the entrance.

Qing Er gazed at the pair before him and couldn't help but remark, "Despite the freedom in marriage and the option to legalize it, I still truly admire you two. But living together as two Omegas might make life a bit more challenging for you in the future. How about this? I don't have much to offer, but on my own behalf, I'll grant you a free call upon my services. I'll be there to protect you whenever needed. What do you think?"

Xu Ming, overhearing this remark, couldn't help but let out a chuckle.

Qing Er appeared puzzled. "What's the matter?"

Xu Ming waved his hand without speaking, while Chen Wu Xing had a faint smile at the corner of his mouth.

Chen Wuxing spent the entire night consoling Xu Ming last night.

Fortunately, she was placated; otherwise, there would be no hope of selecting the wedding gown today.

Qing San, standing aside, twitched the corner of his mouth and slapped his back forcefully.

Qing Er turns back, "Why the hell did you hit me?"

Qing San explained, "You might not even be able to defeat Mr. Chen. The position of the second-in-command in the First Army isn't something one can claim casually."

Qing Er suddenly realized, "Oh right, my apologies. But once a gift is given, I don't take it back. Just let me share in the joy, please."

Chen Wuxing replied, "In that case, we'll accept it. Thank you."

They chatted merrily, while Qing Si and Qing Yi remained silent throughout.

Just as they were about to get into the car, they noticed another vehicle parked behind theirs.

Huo Lanjing leaned against the car body, a cigarette dangling from his fingers, almost burning his hand.

Chen Wuxing approached, puzzled, ready to speak when Huo Lanjing beat him to it, "Looking for me?"

It took Chen Wuxing two seconds to comprehend, then he responded, "Actually, we're going to pick out wedding attire, and we wanted your opinion."

Huo Lanjing slid halfway into the car, extinguishing the cigarette.

"Let's go."

Huo Lanjing sat behind Qing Si, resting his hands on his knees with his eyes closed, pretending to sleep.

Nonetheless, since Huo Lanjing got into the car, Qing Si could sense a lingering gaze sweeping over him.

For a moment, he adjusted his mask and cap with a relaxed yet cautious grip, ensuring they were securely in place.

The boutique for the dress was chosen by Xu Ming, and he selected the one that the Huo family frequently orders from.

As they entered, the shop assistant greeted them warmly, "Good day, may I ask how I can assist you?"

The manager who was busy on the other side saw Huo Lanjing and Xu Ming and trotted over quickly: "General, Mr. Xu, you are here. Are you friends of the general and Mr. Xu? It's really disappointing, little a, bring the freshly made pastries to VIP Room H."

After giving the instructions, the manager glanced at the two people following him and began to exchange pleasantries again. However, no one responded to him. He continued to talk to himself, guiding them to the private room as he spoke.

After expressing their requirements, the manager had someone come over to take measurements for Chen Wuxing and Xu Ming.

Then, preparing to head out to meet the designer, as he passed by Qing Si, he suddenly furrowed his brows and asked, "Sir, you seem familiar. Haven't you visited our shop before?"

Qing Si's icy gaze flickered toward him, but that was the extent of her reaction.

Qing Er, familiar with Qing Si's disposition, stepped in to mediate. "I doubt it. We brothers rarely venture into the Empire."

"Oh, I see, it must have been a misunderstanding. By the way, Admiral, your lady... she ordered a dress in our shop previously, in... your size, if I recall correctly. The finished garment has recently become available. Would you like to try it on?"

Was it Luo Le's choice?

Huo Lanjing's heart stirred, and he turned to look at the face that resembled Luo Le's. "Sure."

The manager acknowledged with a "yes" and was about to leave.

But then, Huo Lanjing spoke up again. "What color is it?"

The manager replied, "Black, with a slight purple sheen when illuminated by light."

Huo Lanjing pursed his lips. "Make another one in white, same style."

The manager nodded. "Of course."

Chapter 71: This Seat Is Innocent

Mo Ran's face was ashen with disbelief as he summoned the weapon he had just sheathed. A flame ignited in his palm, and Ghost appeared at his command, lying within his hand.

Comparing the two, the weapon that had killed Shiyin was nearly identical to Ghost, save for the lack of a hilt. It was as if a segment had been severed from Ghost itself—could there possibly be another Ghost in this world?

Before he could ponder further, footsteps approached rapidly from afar. Chu Wanning was more composed than Mo Ran; after a moment's hesitation, his gaze sharpened. "Mo Ran, put Ghost away first!"

"What—?"

It was too late.

A group of people had already reached the entrance to the Trial Cavern, including Feathered and cultivators from various sects who practiced in Peach Blossom Spring. Among them were even Xue Meng, Ye Xiqun, and Shi Mo… Apparently, someone had sensed something amiss at the Trial Cavern and had gathered almost everyone to come investigate.

Thus, when they arrived one after another, they saw the lifeless body of Shiyin outside the cave, his neck crushed by the liana. Meanwhile, Mo Ran and a half-grown child were both disheveled, clearly having just engaged in a fierce battle. Mo Ran was covered in blood, holding Ghost, which glowed with a perilous flame…

Silence fell upon the crowd.

Someone suddenly shouted, "The m-murderer!"

The crowd gradually erupted into a cacophony of fear, anger, and hushed whispers that swirled together like a buzzing torrent, resonating through their eardrums. "Murder!" "Culprit!" "What motives?" "Insane!" "Madman!" Shattered phrases echoed repeatedly, and the surging mass of people resembled the river of corpses from the illusory realm, giving Mo Ran the illusion that the nightmare was not yet over.

The blood shed two hundred years ago in Linan City seemed to still be flowing.

"It wasn't...," he croaked, taking a step back. "It wasn't me..."

His retreat was halted as someone tugged at his sleeve. Amidst the chaos, Mo Ran lowered his head and met Chu Wanning's piercing, icy gaze.

He muttered unconsciously, "It wasn't me..."

Chu Wanning nodded, instinctively wanting to shield him. But he was just a tiny child; what could he possibly do?

Just as he was in distress, he suddenly felt Mo Ran take another step forward.

The cries grew louder, "Grab him! And that child too! Get them! They're the culprits!"

"We can't let them escape, it's too dangerous! Seize them quickly!"

Mo Ran reached back to grab Chu Wanning, pulling him behind himself as a shield. Lowering his head for a moment, he gradually calmed down.

"It wasn't me who killed Miss Eighteen. Please let me explain."

The faces in the crowd were so indistinct, blending with a past memory he dared not recall. He managed to spot Xue Meng amidst the shadows; his face was filled with disbelief. Then he saw Shi Mo, whose eyes were wide open, his complexion shockingly pale as he shook his head persistently.

Mo Ran closed his eyes and spoke in a deep voice, "I didn't kill anyone, but I have no intention of fleeing. Before you seize me, shouldn't you at least hear my side of the story?"

However, despite Mo Ran's plea, nobody was willing to listen. Anxiety and anger permeated the crowd. A female nun shrieked, "Y-You were caught red-handed! What is there left to argue?"

"Exactly!"

"Just capture them both! If they're really innocent, we can release them later!"

"Capture them! Capture them!"

Xue Meng recovered from his initial shock. Stepping out of the crowd, he faced the furious, contorted faces while turning his back on Mo Ran. He shouted, "Please, everyone, calm down and listen to me."

"Who are you?"

"Why should we listen to you?!"

"Wait, isn't this Feng Huang'er?"

"Feng Huang'er? The Heavenly Favorite? You mean Xue Meng?"

"It's him, indeed..."

Xue Meng's face was ashen, an almost ghastly shade. He took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "Please, everyone, hear me out. These two are my disciples from the Summit of Life and Death. I trust that neither of them would commit such heinous acts against the innocent. I beg of you all to calm down and at least listen to their explanation."

Silence.

Then someone shouted, "Why should we believe you? Even if they're from the Summit of Life and Death, does that mean you know everything about them? People's hearts are hidden, how much can you really understand about your fellow disciples?"

"Exactly, we can never truly know what's in another's heart. How much can you claim to understand, even if you're from the same sect?"

Xue Meng's expression grew increasingly grim. His lips were pressed tightly together, his fingers unconsciously forming a fist.

Behind him, Mo Ran stood with Chu Wanning. He had been slightly surprised when Xue Meng stepped forward. In his previous life, there hadn't been any deep bond between him and this cousin; they always seemed to look down on each other. Later, when Mo Ran became the Empyrean Ruler of the Human Realm, indulging in arson, murder, and plunder, he and "Feng Huang'er" found themselves on opposite sides, irreconcilable enemies.

Thus, he never expected that in such a situation where they were being condemned by all, Xue Meng would actually be facing away from him and toward someone else.

Mo Ran's heart warmed suddenly. "Xue Meng, you... believe me?"

"Spit! You dog, who believes you?" Xue Meng turned his face halfway, speaking with disdain. "Look at the mess you've landed yourself in! You're a year older than me, yet I have to clean up after you!"

"..."

After his scolding, he turned to those people and shouted at them with an even more menacing voice. "What now? Why don't I understand them? One is my junior apprentice brother, the other is my cousin! Do you know better or do I?"

"Xue Meng..."

"Would it kill you to listen to their explanation? With so many people watching, can they possibly fly away if we delay for a moment?"

At this point, Shi Mo also stepped forward, but he seemed much less imposing. He appeared delicate and anxious as he said, "Honorable Immortals, I can also vouch for the two of them. Miss Eighteen definitely wasn't harmed by them. Please hear them out, thank you..."

Surprisingly, Ye Wangxi also came forward. Although he didn't guarantee their innocence, he was much calmer than the others who were creating a commotion.

Ye Wangxi said, "Even if they need to be temporarily detained, they should still be given a chance to defend themselves. Otherwise, wouldn't the real culprit get off scot-free? What if that person is hiding among us?"

Upon his words, the others exchanged glances, their eyes now filled with caution.

"Well then... we'll hear your explanation first!"

"But the capture will still proceed! Better to be safe than sorry!"

"Better to apprehend the wrong person than let the guilty slip away!"

Mo Ran heaved a sigh, placing his hand on his forehead. After a moment's silence, he unexpectedly chuckled.

"I didn't expect that in such a desperate situation, there would still be people willing to believe me. Alright, alright, even if I am captured, just for the three of you, I won't hold a grudge."

He briefly recounted his experience in the illusory realm, the events that took place there, and how he discovered Shiyi's murder upon his exit.

Unfortunately, after the Asura Realm was shattered, anyone who entered afterward would encounter an entirely new illusion. Thus, there was no way to verify the truth of Mo Ran's account. However, if it were a fabrication, constructing such a story in a short amount of time would have been quite challenging.

By the time he finished speaking, most of the crowd seemed to waver in their conviction.

A Feathered Man of higher status whispered something to his subordinate before addressing Mo Ran and Xia Sini. "Mo Ran, Xia Sini, although you have your explanations, ultimately, there is no concrete evidence. Until everything is thoroughly investigated for the safety of Peach Blossom Spring, you two will have to endure being imprisoned for a while."

Mo Ran gave an exasperated smile. "Fine, fine, I knew it would be like this. As long as you provide me with food and shelter, I won't complain."

"The natural course of action," the Feathered being paused before continuing, "From now on, cultivators within Peach Blossom Paradise must be on high alert to prevent any further incidents. Those who were not present just now will be questioned by my people later to rule out suspicion. In addition, I will inform the leaders of all sects, especially Death's Peak, which is most involved in this matter. If possible, I would like to request an audience with your master."

"Master?!" Mo Ran's expression changed upon hearing this.

Chu Wanning remained silent.

"I don't want Master to come! Can I have my uncle instead?"

"A disciple's illness should be reported to their master. This has been the rule in the cultivation world since ancient times. Does Death's Peak not follow such customs?"

"No, it's just that..."

Frustrated, Mo Ran scratched his head and sighed repeatedly, unsure of what to say.

It was indeed right for a disciple to report their troubles to their master.

But recalling Chu Wanning's detached expression and cold, clear gaze, Mo Ran felt that if he came, he would undoubtedly scold him without listening to his side of the story. It would be better not to meet at all.

But no matter what he said, the situation was already set in stone.

He was locked away with his junior disciple.

The secluded place in Peach Blossom Spring was a medium-sized cave, its entrance guarded by ancient thorns that obeyed only the Feathered Folk. The interior was perpetually dim, though there was a fire pit with enchanted flames that never went out.

Inside the cave, simplicity reigned: a large and rugged stone bed covered with a golden-red cushion woven from feathers, a stone table accompanied by four stone stools, a copper mirror, and a few sets of bowls, dishes, and tea utensils.

Mo Ran and Chu Wanning were thus confined together in this place.

Although their fate had yet to be decided, the Feathered Folk in charge of supervising them seemed to be on good terms with Eighteen. Grieving her untimely death, this particular Feathered Folk took out her anger on Mo Ran and Chu Wanning, making their lives difficult when it came to daily necessities.

On the first night, the Feathered Folk at least sent over some food, though the portions weren't generous but still sufficient. However, on the second day, she simply tossed some raw meat, vegetables, rice, flour, and salt into the cave, claiming she didn't have the time to cater to their dietary needs and that they should fend for themselves.

"Fine, if we have to cook for ourselves, so be it. Who can't cook?"

With a huff, Mo Ran squatted down on the ground, starting to pick through the available ingredients.

"What would you like to eat, Junior Apprentice Brother?"

"Well... anything will do."

"Ai, the most challenging dish to prepare in this world is 'anything.' Let me see, there's pork belly, cabbage... tsk, this feathered fellow is quite stingy, giving only tough cabbage. He's provided some flour and japonica rice, quite a substantial amount, but who knows how many days' worth it is." He rattled off the items, then looked up at Chu Wanning. "Do you want rice or noodles?"

Chu Wanning was resting on a stone bed. Hearing this, he pondered for a moment before answering, "Noodles."

After a pause, he added, "Pork rib noodles."

"Ahaha, that's putting me in a difficult position. Where am I supposed to find pork ribs?"

"Then it doesn't matter, anything will do."

Mo Ran sat cross-legged on the ground, propping his cheek on his knee as he thought for a moment. "There isn't much here anyway. How about I make you a bowl of dan dan noodles?"

"Dan dan noodles?"

"Do you like them?"

"They're okay. Are they spicy?"

Mo Ran smiled. "Look, there wasn't even a hint of chili in that bird person's ingredients."

Since they had agreed on what to eat, Mo Ran started kneading the dough. Chu Wanning was short and not very strong, so he didn't bother pretending to help and instead lay on the bed, lazily watching Mo Ran work the soft white dough. Gradually, his gaze softened.

Suddenly, he felt that this was nice too. Since Mo Ran didn't know who he was, he could stay by Mo Ran's side like this forever. Asking him what he wanted for meals – it was truly wonderful.

He even felt a bit uneasy, as if he had taken too much, stolen from a child named Xia Sini.

Mo Ran finished cooking the noodles and arranged the minced meat on top. The Feathered people's seasonings were scarce, so he couldn't create a dish that looked, smelled, and tasted delicious. But the noodles were chewy and the texture just right. The pork belly, sliced off and fried, sizzled as it was poured over the noodles, making them smell heavenly when mixed together.

"Junior Apprentice Brother, eat…" He lifted his eyes and saw that Chu Wanning had fallen asleep, still lying on his stomach with his head pillowed on his arm, his face turned sideways. His eyelashes were long, and his expression peaceful.

"Food's…" He murmured the rest of the sentence, then walked to the bed and stroked Chu Wanning's obsidian-black hair.

"You really do look quite like Master from this angle. I wonder what connection you and Master have with the Chu family of Lin'an, and who wants to harm us. Sigh… I also don't know what Master is doing right now or if he'll blame me again without understanding the situation once he learns of what happened here."

At this point, Mo Ran's gaze darkened slightly. Rolling a strand of Chu Wanning's black hair around his finger, he let out a faint sigh.

"You don't know him – whenever something happens, he always scolds me… He doesn't particularly like me."

Unfortunately, Chu Wanning was asleep, and the words, like the misunderstandings that had entangled them for decades across lifetimes, dissipated quietly into the still of the night, unanswered.

Mo Ran waited until the noodles had cooled to a less scorching temperature before rousing Chu Wanning.

"Junior Apprentice Brother, it's time to eat."

Chu Wanning yawned, covering his mouth, and stared blankly for a moment with half-open eyes.

"Oh, right, dinner..."

Mo Ran brought over the noodles. He enjoyed cooking but disliked washing dishes. To minimize the number of utensils to clean, he had transferred all the noodles into the same wok he had used to stir-fry the meat sauce.

Chu Wanning was slightly taken aback by this unrefined approach to eating, his eyes widening in disbelief at the large pot of noodles. "How... do we eat this?"

"We'll eat together," Mo Ran said, handing him a pair of chopsticks. With his own hands clasped together, he grinned. "The Race to Scoop the Most Noodles is about to begin! Who will get more noodles? Let's wait and see!"

"..."

After Mo Ran finished speaking, he squinted, laughing even more happily. Chu Wanning gazed at him for a moment before saying, "You seem particularly... enthusiastic as long as there's food involved."

"Especially delighted, right?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Haha, food is the foundation of people's lives, after all."

As Mo Ran spoke, he didn't hesitate to scoop up a large serving of noodles with his chopsticks, slurping noisily until his cheeks bulged. "It may look a bit unappealing, but the taste is actually quite pleasant."

"..." Chu Wanning's expression was less than pleased. "Eat your meal quietly, don't slurp."

"Ha-ha-ha!" Mo Ran slapped his thigh in laughter. "You're just like my master, you know that? He always tells me not to slurp too, but guess what? Once when we were eating together, I deliberately flicked a bone into his bowl just to irritate him. He was so furious—hahaha!"

Chu Wanning ground his teeth. "How dare you be so disrespectful!"

"Exactly, exactly! That's the reaction I expected. How did you know? Oh, and you mimicked it quite well, Junior Brother. I think you two might be distant relatives, honestly. When Master comes here, you should ask him about it. Hey, hey—don't snatch that half-fried egg from me—"

The author has something to say:

Feeding the Fish: Junior Brother, do you want rice or noodles?

Snowy the Cat: It's cold out, might as well have some dog meat. (chuckles coldly)

Chapter 115: Reality: A Delicate Child

It was as if red lotus petals were rising gently from the depths of hell.

They intertwined with the skeleton.

A moss-covered stone lion held a flower ball inscribed with "longevity and prosperity" in its mouth, exuding an endearing charm.

The trails of moss left by time seemed to brush past, yet they still thrived amidst the faint glow of blood red radiating from the lotus.

The jade-white skeleton sat there silently.

Upon noticing someone's presence, it remained still.

Chi Zihe composed himself, pulling out the purple-gold talisman from his bosom. After chanting the incantation, he swiftly hurled it at the skeleton!

In that instant, countless red threads burst forth from the bone structure as if spurting blood, instantly entwining around his neck and limbs, leaving him no time to react.

For a moment, he thought he would be strangled to death.

In fact, he almost suffocated.

If not for the core of Man Du suddenly falling out.

When the White Bone saw... or rather sensed Man Du's core, it unexpectedly spared him with an unbelievable act of mercy.

The black fog parted like the Red Sea for Moses, and the White Bone was actually escorting him to safety.

As he hesitantly turned around, Chi Zihe heard the shattered cry of the White Bone, echoing like a whisper of wind and rain:

"...Jiaorou."

This inexplicable cry was the only clue Chi Zihe had.

Could there be a turning point in this situation?

Chi Zihe didn't dare to let his guard down. He endured the pain of Yin energy entering his body and the hallucinations, gripping Wang Bafang tightly as they quickly left that eerie place. They eventually collapsed by the waterside in She Village.

The moment he woke up and saw She Lingshuang, Chi Zihe suddenly realized how childish and absurd his previous evasion had been.

Want it means want it, don't want it means don't want it.

Hesitation in choosing will eventually hurt both parties.

He suddenly spoke up:

"Lingshuang, shall we get married?"

She Lingshuang was briefly surprised but didn't show any additional reaction.

Chi Zihe also realized his impromptu gesture:

"Sorry, that was sudden. It doesn't count. I should have prepared better before proposing to you. Just pretend you didn't hear that."

She Lingshuang didn't press the matter and instead asked:

"What happened in the village?"

Chi Zihe recounted everything in detail. She Lingshuang frowned in deep thought, particularly pondering over the words "Jiaor" and "Er".

"Speaking of which, do you still remember Great Grandmother's name?"

It was somewhat embarrassing, but Chi Zihe indeed had never heard anyone address She Grandmother by her given name.

Most likely, due to her long life, many who had known her in the past had already passed away, and those who still recognized her were mostly younger generations who wouldn't dare call her by her name.

Gradually, her name became unknown to others.

Before he could respond, She Lingshuang said, "Great Grandmother's name is She Jiaer. But I'm not sure how this is related to her. Besides, she has been helping out in the community recently… With the danger in She Village now, I don't wish for her to return to the mountain."

Wang Bafang fell into deep thought. "I think we should at least ask Uncle Master to come down from seclusion. Otherwise, with the current situation, we can't afford to wait for others."

As they were discussing, none expected She Grandmother to enter, holding the hand of a community staff member.

Somewhere along the line, news of Chi Zihe's injury had leaked and eventually reached She Grandmother through the community members.

Thinking about visiting her granddaughter's husband, Grandma Shé happened to overhear their entire conversation.

After listening to Chi Zihe's recount, the elderly lady clicked her dentures and said,

"Oh... I see. Take me there. Within three days, the village will return to normal, and those people will come back... Ah, Young Master Yan is indeed kind-hearted, unwilling to harm anyone."

Chi Zihe was skeptical about the description of "kindness."

He also dared not assume that the "darling" the other party mentioned was Grandma Shé.

However, Grandma Shé was insistent, claiming that the entity occupying the ancestral hall was not a demon but an old friend she knew.

Thus, Chi Zihe, despite his illness, accompanied Wang Bafang in protecting Grandma Shé as they climbed the mountain.

Strangely, the red mist parted when it encountered Grandma Shé.

Later, when they reached the eye of the storm again, Chi Zihe shielded Grandma Shé as they ventured towards where the black fog was coming from.

Throughout, Chi Zihe remained worried that the skeleton might harm Grandma Shé.

The moment the figure appeared, he instinctively shielded Old Lady Shu in front of him.

However, Old Lady Shu brushed him aside and walked unhindered to stand before the skeleton. Not only that, all the Yin energy-containing auras avoided her body.

Old Lady Shu lifted her drooping eyelids and asked with a trembling voice,

"Master Yan?"

The skull of the skeleton clicked open its mouth.

Old Lady Shu seemed somewhat agitated. In the faint light emitted by the white jade, one could vaguely see tears shimmering in the corners of her deeply wrinkled eyes.

She caressed the bony cheeks of the skeleton, then reached into its open mouth and touched a short scroll.

After examining the scroll, Old Lady Shu said,

"If it is your wish, this old servant will surely fulfill it for you."

Closing the jaw of the skeleton, she continued,

"Yet the children who enter are innocent. If it's convenient for you, Master Yan, could you spare them when the array is complete in three days?"

As Old Lady She finished her sentence, the thick miasma and the skeletal remains instantly turned to dust and dispersed.

The missing Taoist priests were sprawled on the ground, though fortunately, they all still breathed.

This ghost was rather straightforward, not using the hostages as leverage. It had fulfilled Old Lady She's request even before she could fulfill her promise.

Initially, when Chi Zihe and the others returned safely, he suggested abandoning She Village and starting anew in the city.

But Old Lady She refused.

She said,

"Master Yan's return must signify an important event. We must not disappoint."

After that, Old Lady She set up the Begging Lotus Array according to the scroll.

The Begging Lotus Array opened a passage between the world of the living and the underworld. Yan Qiling received his new body prepared by the underworld. Stepping over mountains of corpses and seas of blood, he emerged into the world with a smile, draped in the skin of a beauty.

He had personally witnessed this person's resurrection.

This only further confirmed that this individual was the heartless and gutless master of chaos.

Chi Zihe finished speaking and couldn't help but gulp down half a bottle of water in one go.

As night deepened, Ming Yiyang suddenly said,

"You've never mentioned something as significant as this."

"Exactly because it's such a big deal, I didn't bring it up."

Chi Zihe sighed,

"It just so happened that you weren't in the country during that time... If only I had told you earlier, things might have been different."

The young man placed his hands on the covers, pausing for a moment before he suddenly laughed in a cryptic manner.

Would telling him beforehand have prevented it?

He recalled his initial encounter with that person and his actions at the time.

Amidst the haze of smoke, they shared the same space, clearly repelled yet inexplicably drawn to each other.

The snow-like warmth of their body, the entwining gaze, and the unforeseen actions.

What was once blurred had never been so vivid; every moment spent with this person seemed to be magnified under a microscope, revealing layer upon layer of detail.

Yes, it was inevitable.

Regardless of when he met that person, he seemed powerless to resist their allure.

It was as if it were a predestined fate, already scripted long ago.

After settling the elderly and the young at home, She Lingshuang embarked on a journey by train to Guang City. Upon arriving, he headed straight for the hospital without delay.

-

Chi Zihe had just brought Ming Yiyang his breakfast and was waiting at the door for the doctor to come for a follow-up examination when he suddenly saw She Lingshuang appear. His heart softened, and he quickly strode over to embrace her tightly in the bustling corridor.

She Lingshuang was baffled as she pushed him away, "What are you doing? I need to see Xiao Ming; don't hold me, it's getting in the way... Hey, there are so many people watching."

"I won't, I just like hugging my wife."

"Who's your wife? We haven't even gotten a marriage certificate."

She Lingshuang rolled her eyes and pushed him away, heading straight for the patient room, "How is the situation? Will he be able to see today?"

Chi Zihe followed behind her, speaking softly, "Not so soon, it's said that it'll still take a few more days before he can see. We'll have to wait for the doctor to examine him to know for sure."

She Lingshuang nodded.

Upon entering the hospital room and seeing Ming Yiyang staring blankly out the window, the calmness she had maintained was finally disturbed, her nose tingling with emotion.

Before she could express her concern, Ming Yiyang, ever perceptive, turned his head and asked,

"Sister-in-law?"

She Lingshuang covered her mouth and nodded. Remembering that Ming Yiyang couldn't see her, she quickly responded with an "ai" sound.

Then, the young man lifted his left hand and said,

"My pinky ring is broken."

She Lingshuang froze, tears streaming down her face.

Confused and at a loss, Chi Zihe frantically tore at tissues and handed them to She Lingshuang. Lowering his head, he asked her,

"What pinky ring? Why are you crying? What happened?"

She Lingshuang let out a deep sigh, grabbed a tissue to quickly wipe her face, and suppressing the quiver in her voice, she spoke as calmly as possible:

"I... gave you that promise ring back then so that your first love wouldn't be met with opposition. So no matter what Old Chi's attitude was, I still wanted to support you."

Chi Zihe stared at her in disbelief.

Looking at the young man's empty left hand, She Lingshuang said,

"That promise ring couldn't be taken off because it wasn't bound to your physical body, but to your spirit."

"At the time, I thought that if you could see through the Master of the Endless Realm with its help, it would be beneficial for you... But I didn't expect that Uncle Yan would... take away your eyes."

"He didn't take my eyes away," Ming Yiyang said with a calm expression, emphasizing once more.

"What he took was the ability of the Yin-Yang Pupil."

"It makes no difference, Xiao Ming. In the end, Uncle Yan hurt you."

She Lingshuang was overwhelmed with guilt, and fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. She continued to dab at her eyes with tissues, striving not to let her choked voice betray any emotion:

"Although he didn't pluck out your eyes, the Yin-Yang Pupils are the source of your livelihood. Without them, you... If you're summoned back into the Prison Train in the future, the dangers you'll face will be significantly greater."

The woman took a deep breath, desperately maintaining her composure:

"Our immediate priority, apart from finding a way to heal your eyes, is dealing with your future entries into the Prison Train."

"Rest assured, Lingshuang, Old Chi and I won't stand idly by. If possible, I'll ask Grandmother to intervene and communicate with Uncle Yan, trying to persuade him to return the Yin-Yang Pupils to you."

"Not necessary."

Ming Yiyang's tone was tepid.

This indifference of his was no longer the sheer coldness he had displayed in the initial days after his blindness. Back then, his indifference carried anger and an intense wariness, as if he felt isolated by the entire world, on the verge of vanishing into eternal stillness at any moment.

But now, there was an indescribable oddity to his detachment.

It was as if this incident hadn't left any mark on his heart—despite the severe trauma he had endured.

She Lingshuang was oblivious to this, but Chi Zihe, who had always been by Ming Yiyang's side, keenly sensed the difference.

He stretched out his left hand, revealing broad knuckles that held a vitality distinct from Yan Qiling's. The various scars on the back of his hand were visible yet didn't mar its appearance; instead, they lent it a rugged charm, as if it had weathered many storms.

From the wrist emerged a silvery, snake-like object that coiled gently around his fingertips, trembling slightly.

It was the Spirit Binding Rope that Yan Qiling had given him!

Chi Zihe hadn't expected Ming Yiyang to still carry this item with him despite everything.

Considering this person's usual obsession with cleanliness, any valuable gift would have been long discarded or thrown away if the giver, Ming Yiyang, didn't like them. It was inconceivable that he would continue wearing it.

A subtle sense of unease crept over him, though he couldn't quite pinpoint the reason.

The young man opened his lifeless eyes, his silver eyelashes shimmering in the scattered light.

He said, "Sister Lingshuang, I need your help."

Unaware of any underlying issue, She Lingshuang promptly replied:

"You may speak."

The young man's words were crisp and resolute:

"Erase the imprint belonging to Yan Qiling from this object."

"Make it completely obedient to me."

Su Yu regretted not having studied sprinting seriously back in school. He was determined to fetch Lin Shuicheng before Xia Ran could reach the apartment.

Unfortunately, his sports performance had always hovered near the passing grade. Back then, when Fu Luoyin led others to lock their PE teacher in the gym locker room, Su Yu could only act as a lookout.

As Su Yu found himself lagging behind, he chased after Fu Luoyin downstairs. Just a few steps down, he bumped into Yan Zi, who was engaged in conversation with the CEO of a pharmaceutical company. Behind Yan Zi were Bai Yiyi and Xia Ran.

Su Yu cried out, "Excuse me, excuse me!"

Before he could squeeze past, Yan Zi grabbed him by the arm. "Where are you rushing off to? Come over here and meet this person. This is Mr. Lu, the Executive President of Runsheng Pharmaceuticals, whom I've mentioned to you before. Mr. Lu, this is my wayward son."

"Su Yu, I know him!" Lu Shengwen smiled warmly at him, taking a moment to appraise him. "You look quite lively, young man!"

With Su Yu detained, Fu Luoyin continued downward.

Bai Yiyi and Xia Ran followed closely behind. Bai Yiyi called out, "Auntie."

Yan Zi turned around. Bai Yiyi gestured for Xia Ran to present the gift while flashing a polite smile.

Spotting the incoming guests, Yan Zi apologized to Lu Shengwen with a smile. "Could you wait just a little, Mr. Lu? Let Su Yu show you to a seat first. You can have some tea and snacks; I'll be with you shortly."

"No problem at all." Lu Shengwen turned to Su Yu and began showing his concern. "How old are you? Are you dating anyone? I have a niece..." Lu Shengwen started scanning the crowd. "My niece is here too!"

Su Yu braced himself, answering as he walked back. "I don't have a partner right now, but..."

"That's great! You should meet her then!" Lu Shengwen warmly waved in the distance. A short-haired girl in an evening gown approached, looking obedient and demure. "Come, come, let's find a place to sit."

Lu Shengwen's original seat was inside, while Su Yu had been sitting with Fu Luoyin and Dong Shuoye by the outer edge. As Su Yu reluctantly entertained Lu Shengwen's enthusiasm, Dong Shuoye suddenly stood up, looking at the girl beside him and saying politely with a smile, "Miss Lu? I didn't expect to run into you here. What a coincidence that this spot is empty. Why don't we all sit here? Su Yu, you should be more considerate since she's wearing high heels."

Su Yu was stunned. "Huh?"

The girl was also confused. "I don't know you... And my surname isn't Lu either..."

Lu Shengwen was puzzled but added, "Xixi is my niece, but she doesn't share the same surname. Still, she's like a real niece to me!"

Dong Shuoye remained calm. "Oh, perhaps I made a mistake. It's alright, though. Let's just sit here; it's more convenient."

Su Yu was dumbfounded. Who would believe that Dong Shuoye, with his photographic memory, could make a mistake?

In all his life, he had never seen Dong Shuoye get anything wrong!

He glared at Dong Shuoye, but Dong Shuoye completely ignored him, instead engaging Lu Shengwen in a casual conversation.

In another stairwell, Bai Yiyi was chatting with Yan Zi with a smile on her face. Xia Ran, not being very familiar with the Su family, followed cautiously, listening attentively.

Fu Luoyin was descending from the opposite side.

Xia Ran lifted his gaze to meet his.

They hadn't seen each other for many years. Even with photographs, the changes that could be perceived with the naked eye were something that pictures couldn't fully convey.

Fu Luoyin looks exceptionally handsome in his formal attire, exuding an air of straight-backed composure. He is no longer the reticent youth etched in memory, but a veritable man. The lines of his suit elegantly contour his chiseled, robust musculature and his tall, statuesque frame. His features increasingly resemble those of his father—starkly masculine and brimming with rugged charm, imbued with an uncommon sharpness and handsomeness.

There's also a subtle hint of mint fragrance.

He drew closer and closer, causing Xia Ran to gradually come to a halt.

As Fu Luoyin brushed past him, Xia Ran felt his heart skip a beat. Before he could react, he gently tugged on Fu's sleeve and called out his name.

"...Fu Luoyin."

Fu Luoyin turned his head slightly to glance at him, his expression slightly startled. However, he quickly looked out and broke free from his hand without saying anything, rushing outside directly.

Xia Ran was also taken aback. Then, he gritted his teeth and gave a self-deprecating smile.

He continued accompanying Bai Yiyi and Yan Zi up the stairs.

On the other side, Su Yu found an excuse to leave and went down, claiming he would help Yan Zi carry her belongings.

He followed in the direction Fu Luoyin had gone.

When Lin Shuicheng entered slowly, most others were already seated. The registration and gift tables had been removed, leaving only the magnificent cake tower and champagne fountain. The remaining attendants were serving the buffet.

Fu Xue was almost in front of Lin Shuicheng. Her enthusiasm finally caught his attention, causing him to stop.

With a smile, Fu Xue said, "Hello, Mr. Lin. I'm from Yangfeng Nanotechnology. There's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Without stopping, Lin Shuicheng politely replied, "I'm sorry, but I've just arrived and need to meet the birthday celebrant. Also, I'm not currently taking on new projects. Thank you."

Fu Xue hadn't expected such a straightforward response, nor that he was about to bypass her and head towards the back.

In that instant, she found it utterly unbelievable – Lin Shuicheng didn't recognize her, and he showed no reaction to Yangfeng Nanotech at all?

She had, after all, met him at least once during that academic seminar. Yet, Lin Shuicheng was displaying such indifference!

Heaven only knew how much damage Lin Shuicheng's presentation had caused their company. Professor Yu Fan was someone she had recommended, but the scandal involving fake data in the report not only indirectly implicated their company, even though there wasn't a direct connection. From He Muya's perspective, it was undeniable that Yangfeng Nanotech had provided Yu Fan with equipment for free. As a result, their company suffered numerous hidden setbacks during the subsequent academic purification campaign. Just thinking about it made Fu Xue grit her teeth in anger.

Footsteps grew louder from behind them.

Just as Lin Shuicheng lifted his gaze from his phone, he nearly collided with Fu Luoyin, who was walking hastily and unable to stop in time. Lin Shuicheng, not paying attention to who was in front of him, stumbled as well.

"Sorry," Lin Shuicheng apologized instinctively. When he didn't hear a response, he realized it was Fu Luoyin standing before him.

Taking two steps back, Fu Luoyin quietly observed him, an unconscious smile appearing in his eyes. His chest still rose and fell gently due to his recent rush down the stairs.

He looked at Lin Shuicheng.

He had never seen Lin Shuicheng in a suit before – only in casual clothes or a lab coat. Even then, Lin Shuicheng looked handsome and slightly attractive, with an air of abstention.

Fu Luoyin thought to himself, I wonder how many more people will fall for this look.

Fu Luoyin whispered, "You're here. Let me take you up. Did you drive?"

Lin Shuicheng didn't respond. Fu Luoyin made a move as if to hold his hand but restrained himself.

He said, "I forgot you don't drive. The autonomous driving system is such a hassle. Why not stay here, and I'll pick you up whenever we need to go out?"

"No need," Lin Shuicheng replied.

Fu Luoyin seemed not to have heard him, turning around to signal Lin Shuicheng to follow him upstairs. They walked in silence.

Fu Xue hesitated for a long time whether to join them or not, but eventually caught up, calling tentatively, "Minus Two."

Completely unprepared for her presence, Fu Luoyin turned his head, furrowing his brow as a hint of impatience shadowed his eyes. "—What did you just call me?"

Fu Xue immediately fell silent, her face flushed with embarrassment as she followed them awkwardly.

The nickname "Minus Two" was something she had only heard from Xia Ran. Although her relationship with the main Fu family was distant, it had become customary within their social circle to address each other informally like this.

She had no idea how much Fu Luoyin despised being called by that name by anyone outside his inner circle.

Despite their age difference and distant familial relationship, Fu Luoyin should have addressed her as elder sister. However, she had a slight fear towards Fu Luoyin and the entire Fu family.

The Fu Military Technology Company had always been a family business, but restricted to the direct line of the Fu family. Fu Luoyin's grandfather, Fu Qingsong, was a scientist who kept to himself, never quite fitting in with his siblings, and thus was somewhat ostracized at home. He had struck out on his own, even removing his name from the family registry.

Over time, although they shared the same surname, the other branches of the Fu family grew increasingly distant, each generation less connected than the last. Fu Qingsong and Fu Kai's family never placed much importance on their familial ties.

Lowering his voice, Fu Luoyin asked Lin Shuicheng, "What did she want to talk to you about?"

Lin Shuicheng glanced at Fu Luoyin. "Work."

"Fengfeng Nanotechnology's technology is outdated, and it's not related to your majors. What could she possibly need from you?" Fu Luoyin continued. "If you're interested, I can introd...?"

Lin Shuicheng interrupted him. "Not interested, thanks."

This was the first time Fu Luoyin had been so bluntly dismissed. He held back his frustration and fell silent.

He found that he disliked how politely Lin Shuicheng spoke to him, which stirred an inexplicable irritation within him, as if something beyond his control was about to unfold, like sand slipping through his fingers.

Deciding to change the subject, Fu Luoyin asked, "Do you still like the flowers I sent you?"

Lin Shuicheng looked at him once more. "…Don't send me off next time."

Fu Luoyin was left speechless again.

Just then, Su Yu came downstairs and saw Fu Luoyin and Lin Shuicheng standing together. He heaved a huge sigh of relief. He went over to greet Lin Shuicheng, "Sister-in-law, you're here! Was the journey smooth?"

"Other than a slight delay, it went well," Lin Shuicheng nodded at Su Yu and asked, "Is Doctor Yan available to accept gifts now?"

"Come on, come on. Mom's upstairs," Su Yu grinned as he linked his arm with Lin Shuicheng's, which the latter accepted quite naturally.

Fu Luoyin's eyes slightly widened in muted indignation beside him, yet he dared not utter a word, merely following along in silence.

Yan Zi was still engaged in conversation with Bai Yiyi and Xia Ran at the stairway entrance.

Lin Shuicheng approached and called out, "Doctor Yan."

Yan Zi expressed a touch of delight, "Oh my, Little Lin, you've come too! Quickly, go up and sit! Let's all head upstairs, or we'll block the stairway and others might think it odd. Hurry now, children, up we go."

Lin Shuicheng gazed at Yan Zi, while Xia Ran and Bai Yiyi fixed their eyes on Fu Luoyin. Su Yu, on the other hand, was looking at his mother.

With so many pairs of eyes gathered together, the atmosphere was strangely awkward.

Lin Shuicheng was oblivious to this.

Bai Yiyi held onto Xia Ran, slowing their pace, falling a few steps behind the others, walking alongside Fu Luoyin.

Su Yu noticed this situation and began to regret insisting on holding onto Lin Shuicheng. To make amends, he also slowed down with Lin Shuicheng, resulting in nearly five people walking abreast on a single step.

The air was still quiet, so quiet that they could hear each other's breathing.

Fu Luoyin broke the silence first: "Shuicheng, come here."

His tone was commanding, but there was a hint of urgency in his voice, and a subtle tremble that was almost imperceptible.

He quickened his pace, stepping out from the crowded stairway, then turned back to extend his hand to Lin Shuicheng. Su Yu immediately let go of Lin Shuicheng upon seeing this.

Lin Shuicheng, with his hands in his pockets, tilted his head and looked at Fu Luoyin.

In that fleeting moment, Fu Luoyin felt his heart almost stop—nearly losing himself in the gaze.

When he regained his composure, Lin Shuicheng had already taken a seat next to Su Yu at the table.

Bai Yiyi and Xia Ran also found their places – at the same table.

Lin Shuicheng sat beside Su Yu, with Fu Luoyin squeezing in beside him on the right. Across from them was Xia Ran, while on the other side, Dong Shuoye was engaged in conversation with Lu Shengwen, strolling around as they spoke, clearly oblivious to the situation at hand. Next to them, Su Yu's mother was eagerly unwrapping presents.

Bai Yiyi gracefully sat down, lowering her head slightly to greet Fu Luoyin with a "Hi."

She held onto Xia Ran's hand beneath the table, urging him to keep his composure and not panic.

Their opening move had been a failure, as Fu Luoyin had bypassed them to greet Lin Shuicheng, something that had caught everyone off guard.

Only now, seated, did Bai Yiyi truly see what Lin Shuicheng looked like – the person who had silently killed her more than twenty times in the game, causing her gaming prowess to crumble right before her eyes.

Lin Shuicheng was strikingly handsome. Up close, his features could be breathtaking, with every angle of his face perfect. The red mole added a touch of allure to his appearance, giving him a nearly effeminate quality, but his demeanor was so cold and indifferent that he seemed untouchable.

Even someone like her, who had initially harbored animosity towards him, couldn't help being mesmerized by his presence.

As Fu Luoyin was about to approach Lin Shuicheng, Bai Yiyi interrupted him. Raising an eyebrow, she looked at her with folded arms, saying nothing but conveying a chilliness in his eyes: "Who are you?"

"Bai Yiyi." Noticing his displeasure, Bai Yiyi felt even more awkward.

Xia Ran added, "She's my friend."

Upon hearing this, Fu Luoyin scoffed involuntarily.

Xia Ran's face paled, and Bai Yiyi perceived the disdain in that scoff, her own complexion fluctuating between red and white.

The atmosphere grew even more awkward.

Yan Zi finally seemed to catch on. She lifted her gaze to Fu Luoyin, observing him sitting beside Lin Shuicheng with a thoughtful expression.

She suddenly recalled, "Oh, Little Fu, you went to see Lin Deng with Little Lin before, right? I remember you said you were friends. So you two know each other?"

Almost losing control of his expression, Fu Luoyin remembered—this had been a long time ago when he took Lin Shuicheng to the hospital to visit Lin Deng.

Yan Zi was previously aware of his relationship with Xia Ran. He had told her in front of her that Lin Shuicheng was just a friend.

Fu Luoyin corrected himself, "Boyfriend."

Lin Shuicheng contradicted, "No."

The smile in Fu Luoyin's eyes froze once more.

Su Yu remained silent, "..."

Su Yu began to feel a tingling sensation on his scalp.

Author's Note:

From a comment section - No Choice But to Be Cowardly: In the night, Shuicheng returned home. Despite not seeing him for many days, Fu Luoyin's body was still mature and alluring. With a hint of amusement and helplessness in his eyes, he gazed at the brown irises and sighed, "Fu Luoyin, how can there be a chubby little kitten like you in this world?"

At the mere thought of Rong Shu, his heart would race wildly.

Fortunately, he had grown accustomed to this peculiar sensation; even with Rong Shu standing before him, he could maintain his composure.

The Ministry of Punishments had already reported the assassination attempt on Xu Li'er to the inner court, and Emperor Jia You flew into a rage, slamming his dragon table in fury and ordering a thorough investigation.

However, Gu Changjin knew that the truth behind the incident would never be uncovered.

Since Liu Yuan dared to convey the message, he obviously wasn't afraid of the Ministry's investigation. Even if they traced it back to him, he would merely be a scapegoat. There was someone behind Liu Yuan, whose identity Gu Changjin didn't know, but he was aware that this person, like Liu Yuan, wanted Yang Xu dead.

Gu Changjin also desired Yang Xu's demise.

In times of critical need, the enemy of one's enemy could become an ally.

Thus, Gu Changjin wouldn't oppose Liu Yuan.

Moreover, by offering Xu Li'er's life to him, wasn't Liu Yuan extending a favor?

The person who fought him at the inn that day had no intention of harming him. If not for protecting Rong Shu, that knife shouldn't have pierced his arm.

Yet, he himself was brimming with deadly intentions everywhere.

Even though he knew this person shouldn't be killed and couldn't be killed, he still couldn't suppress the overwhelming urge to kill in his heart.

He shouldn't be such an impetuous person.

But the moment she was injured, his reason gave way.

Gu Changjin sat cross-legged on the couch, focusing his mind and calming his heart. When his heartbeat gradually returned to normal, he got up, drank half a pot of cold tea from the belly warmer, and then stared out the window at the sparse shadows of the parasol trees.

His brows and eyes gradually turned cold.

In the Songsi Courtyard.

Ying Que had already conveyed Chang Ji's message to Rong Shu early in the morning.

"Chang Ji said that the Empress has agreed to let Miss Xu serve her mother's spirit at the Great Mercy Temple for a hundred days, and then allow her to become a female historian at the Music Bureau!"

Who could have imagined that the girl who was panic-stricken just a couple of days ago would soon enter the palace as a court lady?

Ying Que's eyes shimmered with excitement. In the Great Yin, becoming a palace maid was no easy feat; it was even more challenging than young men vying to become scholars.

Rong Shu truly felt happy for Miss Xu, who had such fortune.

Upon hearing Ying Que mention Empress Qi, Rong Shu's eyelids twitched, involuntarily recalling her previous life and Nanny Zhu, along with the cup of poisonous wine she had delivered.

The endless pain that the wine had inflicted still haunted her to this day.

She held a deep sense of caution towards Empress Qi in the central palace.

This Empress from the Kunning Palace hailed from the Qi family, a renowned military clan. Her father, Qi Zhang, had been the Grand Commander during the Jiande era, wielding the power of tens of thousands of soldiers and controlling the court. Yet, on his deathbed, he voluntarily relinquished his military authority.

Later, when Prince Qiyuan fell under the sway of an evil cult and was poisoned by a palace attendant, feudal lords across the land invaded the capital in the name of ridding the emperor's court of malign influences.

It was Empress Qi's brother, Qi Heng, who rallied their father's former troops, assisting Emperor Jiayou in launching a rebellion from Taiyuan Prefecture, defeating the other feudal lords one by one.

In the end, Emperor Jiayou became the ruler of the Forbidden City, and the Qi family was hailed as the greatest contributor. As a result, Empress Qi enjoyed great favor from the emperor.

Empress Qi was renowned for her virtue in Taiyuan Prefecture, where she established numerous free schools and medical clinics for the impoverished populace.

In Taiyuan Prefecture, there still stands a Temple of the Empress, built by the local people in gratitude to Empress Qi, and it is incredibly bustling with incense burners.

Now, there were far more female officials in the imperial harem than during the Jiande era. It was Empress Qi, after she ascended to the throne in the Kunning Palace, who vigorously promoted the education of women and their pursuit of official positions.

In this capital city, whether it be noble ladies or ordinary girls from common households, all held great respect for the Empress within the palace.

If Rong Shu had not met her demise at her own hands, she would likely have revered and admired Ying Que with an earnest heart, just as others do.

Thankfully, in this lifetime, she and this Empress shall never again cross paths.

Rong Shu let out a gentle sigh and said to Ying Que, "When I was married, I brought along a chest of books. Go find them for me. I'll select a few to send to the Great Compassion Temple."

Being a court lady is more arduous than one might imagine outside the palace walls. The women who manage to enter the imperial court as officials are subjected to rigorous examinations, not only for their literacy and understanding of propriety but also for their grace and talent.

The Music Bureau falls under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Etiquette Bureau, overseeing the rehearsal of musicians and the arrangement of musical ensembles, as well as managing the timing of their performance and retreat.

Xu Li'er has had an innate talent for music since childhood. She learned the pipa in the Music Pavilion and her voice is as melodious as a lark's first song, truly deserving the phrase "gifted by heaven." However, her family circumstances when she was young didn't allow her to attend a private school for scholarly studies. Although she can read a few characters, she still lacks proficiency in literary matters.

Rong Shu swiftly compiled a thick stack of books, which she entrusted to Chang Ji the next day to send via the embassy to Daci'en Temple.

Chang Ji took the books and had just stepped out the door when he saw a guard galloping towards them in a hurry. Upon reaching the entrance of Gu's residence, he began pounding on the gate loudly.

He rushed forward and asked, "Who are you?"

The guard paused his knocking, his face filled with urgency. "I am Danqing, a close attendant of Duke Cheng'an. Our Lady is gravely ill, and His Grace has specially instructed me to urgently summon Miss back to the Duke's residence."

With that said, he dared not speak any further.

Chang Ji's expression turned grim as he hurried back to the Songsi Courtyard to deliver the message.

Upon hearing Chang Ji's words, Rong Shu nearly lost her balance, stumbling over the threshold and hitting her head hard against the door frame.

"Miss!"

Ying Que quickly caught her, assisting her with concern.

Rong Shu pinched her fingertips forcefully, taking a deep breath before declaring, "We must return to the Duke's residence immediately."

Only a few days prior, she had returned to the Marquis's mansion, where Lady Shen was then in perfectly good health. Even so, she steadfastly refused to allow her to spend the night at Qingheng Courtyard, insisting that Gu Changjin had not fully recovered from his illness, and thus had her escorted back to Wutong Lane.

Why would she suddenly fall ill?

The carriage sped away from Phoenix-Wood Lane, and Rong Shu pondered over the events of her past life all the while.

In her previous life, due to the assassination attempt on Changan Avenue, she did not return home. It was only after Gu Changjin's wounds had significantly improved that she eventually returned to the Marquisate. By then, Madam Shen had already suffered a severe illness. When Rong Shu came back, although she was frail, her health was gradually improving day by day.

At that time, when my mother was ill, no one came to Wutong Alley to inform us. Now, the Marquis's residence has sent someone in a hurry...

Rong Shu dared not dwell on the thought any further.

Qingheng Courtyard.

Lord Cheng'an, Rong Xun, paced anxiously outside the main chamber. The physician had been inside for half an hour and had yet to emerge. In contrast, Nurse Zhou and a few maidservants were constantly shuttling in and out, carrying basin after basin of bloody water.

Chapter 84: An Old Acquaintance (3100+)

Three years later, within the Huo family's grand residence.

"Uncle, here you go."

Chen Chen handed over a small toy car, and Huo Lanjing reached out to take it, his gaze wandering.

Two years prior, Huo Lanjing had brought Chen Chen back for his education.

He enrolled Chen Chen in a prestigious school and, without pressuring him, exposed him to the unique education of the Huo family whenever possible.

Whenever he had spare time, he would take Chen Chen to the place where Luo Le had vanished.

Huo Lanjing had once sent a laboratory mouse, implanted with a biological microchip, into a black hole. Both its location and vital signs had subsequently disappeared.

Everyone was saying that Luo Le was dead and could never return.

Huo Lanjing neither refuted nor commented on these claims; he merely continued doing what he had been doing.

Before returning, he had arranged for someone to stay there, carrying out the same routine daily.

Yet, the outcomes were always similar.

Chen Chen stared at her uncle in a daze, reaching out to wave his hand. "Uncle, what are we doing back here today, Uncle?"

Upon hearing this, Huo Lanjing crouched down and tidied up the collar of Chen Chen's disheveled little gown.

"We're meeting someone."

Huo Lanjing had never corrected Chen Chen's way of addressing him nor allowed anyone to gossip about it in front of the child.

The reason was simple: Luo Le had never acknowledged Chen Chen as his child.

Whenever someone asked, he would say that Chen Chen was a friend's child, and he was merely helping to look after them while the friend was away.

Huo Fei couldn't comprehend. If Luo Le was already dead, did Huo Lanjing intend to keep Chen Chen by his side with this false identity?

Huo Lanjing maintained his usual expression, simply stating that Luo Le wasn't dead.

Huo Fei had no choice but to let him be.

Chen Chen asked, "Who are you meeting?"

Huo Lanjing snapped back to reality and was about to respond when Uncle Wang entered from outside, saying, "Young Master, Mr. Chen is here."

Huo Lanjing pulled Chen Chen down to sit and didn't even lift his head as he instructed, "Bring him in."

After a while, Chen Wuxing appeared at the door with Uncle Wang.

He smiled at Huo Lanjing and said, "General, it's been a long time."

Huo Lanjing gestured to a seat beside him.

Understanding, Chen Wuxing sat down and noticed the child staring at him with wide eyes. He couldn't help but inquire, "Who's this child?"

The kid didn't seem to be afraid of the General, and there was even a resemblance between them.

Could that be the child of the Admiral?

Huo Lanjing replied, "A friend's child."

Seeing that Huo Lanjing didn't seem keen on discussing the matter further, Chen Wuxing tactfully changed the subject. "Admiral, have you found the person yet?"

Huo Lanjing nodded and handed over a credential that could only be delivered in person.

Chen Wuxing took it and said, "Thank you, Admiral."

Huo Lanjing asked, "Have you set a time?"

Chen Wuxing answered, "Yes, tomorrow at ten in the morning."

After some more small talk, Chen Wuxing left.

Once he was gone, Chen Chen curiously asked, "Uncle, who was that brother?"

Huo Lanjing didn't want Chen Chen to get too close to him, considering Luo Le's previous dislike for Chen Wuxing.

"A comrade-in-arms of Uncle."

Upon hearing this, Chen Chen lost interest.

Huo Lanjing said, "Let's go home."

Chen Chen nodded and held his hand. The two of them, one big and one small, left like that.

Huo Lanjing was referring to the house where Luo Le and Chen Chen used to live.

They had been living there for the past three years.

On the way back, as Chen Chen gazed at the fleeting scenery outside the car window, he suddenly spoke up, "Uncle, is my daddy dead?"

Taken aback by the question, Huo Lanjing gripped his shoulder and asked with a frown, "Who told you that?"

Despite the warnings, someone still couldn't keep their mouth shut?

Chen Chen shook his head. "No, Chen Chen guessed it on my own."

Then, he widened his eyes and asked, "Uncle, isn't it?"

Huo Lanjing inquired, "Do you know what death is?"

Chen Chen replied, "I do. Grandpa He told me that death means disappearing, never being able to see someone again." As he spoke, tears welled up in his eyes.

Looking at those eyes that resembled Luo Le's, Huo Lanjing's gaze softened unconsciously. "I don't care who told you that, but it's not true. Luo Le is alive and well. You'll be able to meet him when you grow up."

Chen Chen wiped away his tears. "Really?"

Huo Lanjing affirmed, "Really."

Chen Chen extended his pinky finger, and Huo Lanjing reached out to hook it with his own. "I promise."

For some reason, he found this uncle's words particularly reassuring, and he couldn't help but believe them.

*

Inside the moving spaceship.

"Boss, isn't the Empire incredibly luxurious? Like gold is everywhere?"

Er Qing leaned closer, grinning as he asked his question.

Qing Yi pushed away Er Qing's intrusive presence, "Stay away from me, are you obsessed with money?"

Feeling wronged, Er Qing turned to San Qing who was standing by, "Can we enter without any proof?"

San Qing replied, "The host has already made arrangements."

Er Qing then addressed the person by the floor-to-ceiling window, "Si Qing, aren't you from the Empire? What's interesting there?"

The one called Si Qing glanced back at Er Qing, "I don't recall."

With that, he returned to his room.

Seeing this, Er Qing tried to follow, "Hey, Si Qing, don't be so heartless, just tell us."

San Qing, standing nearby, held back Er Qing's hand, "That's enough, don't hassle him."

"But he obviously remembers," Er Qing protested.

After Er Qing said this, he suddenly smiled and added, "Forget it. Anyway, this mission seems quite easy. We just have to protect two grooms, and it's within the Empire. Wow, we can enjoy the banquet and complete the mission at the same time. It's awesome!"

San Qing, seeing this, commented, "You're overthinking it. The reward for this job is two hundred million. How could it be that simple? Can't you change your habits a bit? This is a mission. If you act like that, I swear I won't hold back."

The next morning, after sending Chen Chen to school, Huo Lanjing went straight to the address Chen Wuxing had sent him.

Huo Lanjing's car was easily recognizable, and as soon as he arrived at the entrance, the security guard opened the gate for him.

He drove all the way up to the main gate and, upon stepping out of the car, spotted Chen Wuxing who had been waiting there for some time, accompanied by another person.

Chen Wuxing smiled and said, "General, you're here."

A male omega beside Chen Wuxing looped an arm around his.

This person, Huo Lanjing, had once met at a banquet. He is the most favored young master of the Xu family, named Xu Ming.

Xu Ming said with a smile, "Thank you, General, for helping us to support the scene for our Star."

Huo Lanjing waved it off. "It's alright."

Noticing the unease in the person beside him, Chen Wuxing soothingly patted his hand and gazed at him, his expression conveying the unspoken question: The general is here to assist us, why are you acting up?

Xu Ming glared at him.

Xu Ming was previously the regimental doctor of the First Army. Chen Wuxing often got injured, and he would always come to him for treatment.

Gradually, the two became acquainted.

Later, as they blossomed into adolescence, they secretly harbored affection for one another.

Rumors about Chen Wuxing and Admiral Huo's alleged affair spread like wildfire through the First Military Circuit.

In the ranks of warriors, the mightiest Alpha and the most potent Omega, a union unparalleled, inspire envy in all who witness it.

Xu Ming also had a dispute with Chen Wuxing for a while because of this. Later, after Chen Wuxing confessed his feelings and they got together, he realized that he had misunderstood.

Xu Ming, who had been doted upon since childhood, could not bear such grievances, and thus he began to harbor resentment towards Huo Lanjing.

Chen Wuxing stepped forward and said, "Admiral, let's go in. Xiao Ming's father and papa are waiting for us."

Huo Lanjing replied, "Mercenary."

Chen Wuxing understood the implication and replied, "I'll be there right away."

The trio ascended the stairs, stepping steadily upward.

Upon entering, Xu Ming's father approached and extended his hand, saying, "General Huo, I've heard so much about you for a long time."

Huo Lanjing extended his hand in return, "Nice to meet you."

He is not one for polite small talk, but fortunately, Xu Ming's father doesn't mind.

After a while of cordial conversation, the butler suddenly entered from outside to announce, "They've arrived."

Xu Ming's father: "Why don't you come in?"

The servant acknowledged and turned to lead the person inside.

With keen interest, Qing Er scanned their surroundings, only to be met with a harsh kick from Qing San.

Qing Yi strides ahead, relying on his composed demeanor, while Qing Si trails behind, his figure accentuated by the black garb. His face is concealed beneath a mask and cap, leaving no hint of his identity.

Huo Lanjing, initially disinterestedly studying the tea in his hand, lifted his gaze to see Qing Si.

Xu Ming also noticed and whispered to Chen Wuxing, "Isn't it hot today? Doesn't this person feel hot wearing so much?"

Chen Wuxing wished he could cover the man's mouth, but given the current situation, he could only hush him with a chuckle.

Qing Yi approached and said, "Hello, may I ask which of you are Chen Wuxing and Xu Ming?"

Chen Wuxing agreed and introduced Xu Ming.

"Very well, from now on, we'll be attending to your personal protection. If I may ask, do you have a date set for your wedding?"

Chen Wuxing had a look of inexpressible concern. Since Xu Ming's parents hadn't fully agreed yet, he didn't feel it was appropriate for him to speak up prematurely.

Chen Wuxing brought Huo Lanjing along, not to exert pressure on Xu Ming's father and grandfather, but simply to add a touch of elegance to the occasion.

Chen Wuxing was an orphan from birth, nurtured by an elderly scavenger even before he was weaned.

When he was eight, the old man passed away, and he began foraging for food in garbage heaps. When others bullied him, he fought back on his own.

As he grew older, he sustained himself by collecting protection fees and providing support to others in their endeavors.

However, on that backward planet, while it may not be considered a respectable profession, it is not illegal.

Thus, he had no criminal record.

Later on, he was taken in by a mercenary group, and after a few years as a mercenary, he found himself on the Fifth Planet.

Through a series of serendipitous events, he found himself enlisted in the First Army.

As time passed by, Xu Ming noticed that his father remained silent, so he gave his father a meaningful look.

His father instantly understood and nudged the person beside him.

Xu Ming's father smiled and said, "I'm sorry, I was just calculating the dates, and it seems that next month's today is a good day. How about we set the date for that day?"

No one voiced any objection.

And so the day was set.

Huo Lanjing remained silent throughout, while Qing Si, during their conversation, barely spared them a glance, lost in his own world as he gazed out the window.

Chen Wuxing was making assurances to Xu Ming's father and offering some words.

With that, I bid them farewell.

Huo Lanjing led the way at the forefront, followed by Chen Wuxing, Xu Ming, and the mercenary group.

As they were on the verge of parting, Huo Lanjing unexpectedly approached the mercenary group.

Confusion spread across their faces, but Qing Si quietly stepped back, hiding behind Qing San.

Qing Yi watched as Huo Lanjing drew near and asked, "Is there something you need?"

Huo Lanjing ignored him, brushing past and swiftly removing Qing Si's mask.

Qing Si's hat fell off, revealing his entire face.

Qing Er: "What the hell are you doing?"

As he spoke, Qing San stepped in and held him back.

Qing Yi approached, his expression somewhat grim. "Admiral, what are you doing? This isn't appropriate, is it?"

Huo Lanjing didn't respond, a faint flicker of emotion crossing his eyes as his hand tightened subtly.

Chen Wuxing also noticed, approaching step by step with his lips slightly parted. "Luo Le?"