Su Ziluo let out a cold laugh, his body still half-prostrate on the ground.

“Jingrong, ah Jingrong, I never thought that in the end, you would still make your move.”

Not unexpected!

The black-clad figure had already raised his sword, saying sinisterly: “Mister Su, if you become a vengeful ghost, don’t blame Prince Rong. After all, you killed someone—you must pay with your life.”

As his words fell, that person along with the other masked men all pointed their swords at him and Lie’er, stabbing toward them with deadly force.

Lie’er also seized the sword at hand and deflected the several sharp blades stabbing toward them one by one.

Though his skills were formidable, two hands couldn’t match four fists!

Lie’er, like a well-trained death warrior, desperately protected Su Ziluo while his body was slashed open by sharp swords, wound after wound.

“Lie’er, be careful!”

Su Ziluo coughed lightly, warning him.

Under Lie’er’s sharp sword, the masked men were cut down one by one, yet Lie’er was covered in wounds.

Until—

His strength was exhausted!

Before Su Ziluo could even warn him, a masked man’s sword stabbed toward Lie’er’s back.

The long sword pierced through his clothing, penetrating straight into his flesh.

From back to front, it passed through his heart and emerged on the other side.

On the blade dripped fresh, bloody crimson.

Time seemed to freeze completely at that moment. Su Ziluo stared wide-eyed at this scene, his ears filled with a buzzing sound.

Like the sound of wind!

Like the sound of breathing!

The masked man pulled the sword from Lie’er’s body with a sickening sound.

Lie’er’s body suddenly lurched forward, fresh blood continuously flowing from his chest, quickly staining his light green robe red.

Finally, his knees gave out, and he knelt on the ground!

His thin body slowly collapsed.

“Lie’er!”

Su Ziluo cried out in heart-wrenching agony.

His eyes filled with bloodshot veins!

He threw himself flat on the ground, crawling toward Lie’er in the pool of blood, his hands desperately stretching out, trying to reach Lie’er’s hand gripping the sword.

Just a little more!

Just a little more!

Still a little more!

Finally, he reached it.

His large hand tightly grasped the small hand.

Su Ziluo called out painfully, “Lie’er.”

At this moment, blood trickled from the corner of Lie’er’s mouth. Those eyes that had once been clear and bright were wide open, struggling to turn his head to look at Su Ziluo.

He opened his mouth but couldn’t utter a single word.

Su Ziluo gripped his hand tightly while cradling his head.

He was in extreme anguish, his cheeks trembling, his whole body shaking. After a long while, he finally choked out words.

“Lie’er, my good Lie’er.” His parched lips called out again and again.

“I’m sorry, I’ve wronged you. I shouldn’t have brought you to Dalin, shouldn’t have dragged you into this affair. I’ve harmed you, Lie’er.”

Lie’er’s body convulsed, those hands gripping his sleeve with force.

From the corner of his eyes, tears fell!

Then, mustering his last bit of strength, he gestured in the air with his hand.

“Ah… ah…”

He was saying he wanted a paper kite!

Just like the one Su Ziluo had made for him two years ago—an identical paper kite!

The instant Lie’er’s hand fell limply, Su Ziluo caught it. Tears streaming down his face, he stroked Lie’er’s head.

Nodding, he said: “Yes, I promise you. I’ll definitely make you an identical paper kite.”

Upon hearing this, Lie’er’s convulsing lips curved into a bright smile on his clean face.

Then—

He slowly closed his eyes.

His feet straightened, and his breathing stopped!

Two years ago, Su Ziluo had found him, reeking all over, at the edge of Qujiang and brought him back. From then on, the two had been inseparable.

He called him “brother,” and he gave him the name Lie’er.

“Brother, this paper kite is so beautiful. Did you make it for me?” Lie’er hugged his knees, looking up at the colorful kite against the blue sky.

Su Ziluo smiled, watching the sunlight fall on Lie’er.

“Does Lie’er like it?”

“I like it! I like it very much!”

He nodded vigorously!

That summer, Lie’er lost his voice.

No one knew why, but some said it was because Su Ziluo had kept vigil for three years and contracted a serious illness, so Lie’er became mute from testing medicine for him.

But the truth was known only to Su Ziluo himself.

Lie’er had cut out his own tongue!

At this moment, when the masked man pointed his blade at him, his thoughts were pulled back.

Su Ziluo gripped Lie’er’s hand tightly, looked up at that person, and in his bloodthirsty gaze flickered a fierce determination.

It actually made the masked man flinch slightly!

Yet he could only raise his sword and say: “Now you have no escape. Just accept your death obediently!”

“May I leave a message for Prince Rong?” His tone was calm.

“What is it?”

“Please tell him that if there is a next life, I, Su Ziluo, will definitely take his head.”

“Very well, I will certainly deliver these words to Prince Rong.” The masked man agreed quite readily.

Su Ziluo closed his eyes. From beginning to end, he showed not the slightest bit of fear.

Only the pain and hatred in his heart!

The next moment, the masked man raised his sword and stabbed toward him…

This bloodbath in Langzhou territory did not alarm the capital.

Everything returned to its original state.

Actually, on the very day Su Ziluo left the city, Jing Zhaoyin had already come to Prince Rong’s manor with an imperial edict issued by the emperor.

“The disappearance cases and the Qujiang matter have been resolved. Now it’s time to investigate the Linjing Case. This official has already sent people to Linshan. If nothing unexpected happens, they’ll break ground and open the coffins in the next few days. His Majesty has also issued an edict granting permission.”

He reported truthfully!

Jingrong made a sound of acknowledgment and asked: “For the sixty-seven coffins, is there a place to house them?”

“Originally they were to be sent to Yi Zhuang, but there are too many coffins. However, if they’re placed on site, that wouldn’t be good either. So His Majesty has cleared out an idle residence in the west part of the city. If needed, Master Ji can also stay there at that time.”

So the plan was to have Ji Yunshu move!

Not appropriate!

Moreover, if she moved there without him by her side, something might happen.

Jingrong immediately objected: “No. The place where coffins are housed will have heavy yin energy. If Master Ji moves there, what difference would there be from living in Yi Zhuang?”

“Yes, yes, yes, Your Highness is right. However, it’s just for convenience. If Master Ji is unwilling to live there, that’s also acceptable.”

It was just a suggestion, wasn’t it?

Your Highness, could you please calm down?

“Fine. First dig out the sixty-three coffins from Linshan and transport them to that residence.”

“Yes!”

Jing Zhaoyin acknowledged and withdrew.

Ji Yunshu had also just learned of this matter. Since Su Ziluo’s departure, she had been distracted all day and wanted to go out to clear her mind.

So she took the initiative to tell Jingrong that she would also make a trip to Linshan.

“The humidity there is too heavy.”

“I know. My face has already healed.”

She pointed at her own face!

When she returned last night in women’s clothing without wearing a mask, Jingrong had naturally noticed her face.

Only a faint scar remained!

Located less than an inch below the corner of her eye, unless one looked carefully, it was completely invisible.

After thinking for a moment, Jingrong agreed and went with her.