“Princess Consort!”
Everyone was stunned by this sudden turn of events. Zhuo Jing quickly rushed to the cliff’s edge, but in the darkness, only endless mist could be seen in the bottomless depths below. At that moment, nearly all the guards, including Mo Hua and Wei Lin, had rushed to the edge. The empty cliff left everyone nearly unable to process what had happened. Han Mingyue collapsed to the ground, her face deathly pale, blood staining her already wounded shoulder. Su Meidie’s hidden weapons hadn’t struck Ye Li or the Prince of South Pacification standing beside her—instead, she had used her own body to block the volley of projectiles from some distance away. Coughing lightly, Han Mingyue wiped away the blood trickling from her lips and looked toward Su Meidie, who stood to one side staring at her uncertainly. Her eyes were filled with exhaustion and sorrow.
“Your Highness…” Su Meidie called out hesitantly. She noticed that the Prince of South Pacification, having pulled the dagger from his chest, was looking at her with an expression she had never seen before. It wasn’t anger, but something that inexplicably made her heart uneasy. Even she hadn’t expected Ye Li to fall from the cliff so easily—while her heart surged with wild joy, there was also a strange sense of unreality. Meanwhile, the snake-like stares from Zhuo Jing and the others made her realize that now… she must stay close to the Prince of South Pacification. Otherwise, no one could save her.
“Your Highness, should we…” A golden-robed guard stepped forward carefully to ask for instructions. The Prince of South Pacification swept his gaze over Zhuo Jing and the others, saying in a deep voice: “No need. Depart for beyond the pass immediately! We cannot delay a moment.” This time, although they had found Ye Li, they had failed to capture her. Not only had they lost their expected leverage, but they had also incurred an irreconcilable blood feud with Mo Xiuyao. The Prince of South Pacification knew Mo Xiuyao was also rushing here—they had suffered heavy losses in Hongzhou, and facing Mo Xiuyao head-on now would be disastrous. With a wave of his hand, “Withdraw!” He walked past Zhuo Jing and the others toward the forest. Su Meidie quickly grabbed his arm, looking up at him pitifully, “Your Highness…”
“Slap!” A harsh blow struck Su Meidie’s beautiful face, the force sending her tumbling to the ground. The Prince of South Pacification’s voice came cold and merciless: “Noble Consort Qingrong Bai Long has died suddenly.” With that, he walked into the forest without looking back. The golden-robed guards following him dared not even look at the stunning beauty fallen to the ground. The prince’s meaning was clear—he no longer wished to see this woman. No matter how bewitched by her beauty they might be, they dared not bring her along.
“No…” Su Meidie shook her head in panic, never having imagined such an outcome. And this result also foretold the tragic fate awaiting her. “No… please, Your Highness…” But alas, as swiftly as the golden-robed guards had arrived, they departed just as quickly, soon vanishing completely into the forest. Zhuo Jing stood up, casting a cold glance at the woman on the ground, saying icily: “Bind this whore and await His Highness’s judgment.” With that, he collected the rope that had been tied to a tree, originally meant for Ye Li to cross the cliff, and threw it down the precipice. Wei Lin likewise took out his rope and made similar preparations. Mo Hua watched them silently, uttering only two words: “Be careful.” Zhuo Jing nodded, and together with Wei Lin, gripped their ropes and descended the cliff.
While silence still reigned below the cliff, the atmosphere above had grown so heavy it was suffocating. Han Mingyue, heedless of her disheveled state, leaned wearily against a large tree with closed eyes to rest. Her white-robed shoulder was dotted with crimson, the entire limb seemingly numb. Although she had just taken the antidote found on Su Meidie, she still couldn’t muster the strength to move her body. Su Meidie had been immobilized without any regard for her beauty and tossed aside, now crying miserably as she looked at Han Mingyue. Even if Han Mingyue still held any trace of pity in her heart, she was now powerless to help. Mo Hua stood silently at the cliff’s edge—if not for his black hair occasionally dancing in the wind, one might have mistaken him for a statue rather than a person.
Half an hour later, a commotion arose again from below the mountain. Countless torches could be dimly seen surrounding the area. “The imperial troops are coming up.” Supporting her severely wounded body, Han Mingyue stood up, leaning against the tree as she looked at Mo Hua. Mo Hua gave a cold laugh, his lips carrying a mocking expression, “So what if they come up?” The Princess Consort was gone—whether the few lived or died was now irrelevant to the greater situation. But soon, another line of torches lit up the mountain below, then split into several dragon-like streams moving swiftly up the mountain. It was an incredibly familiar movement pattern to Mo Hua. His lips twitched, a bitter smile crossing them. What use was it to arrive now… Your Highness, you’re too late…
The sounds of clashing weapons soon arose from below. Before long, a dark figure burst from the forest, rushing straight for the cliff edge. He grabbed Han Mingyue, who was standing closest to a tree, demanding harshly: “Where is Jun Wei? Where has Jun Wei gone?” Han Mingyue moved her lips but couldn’t speak a word. Her gaze slowly shifted to the forest’s edge where Mo Xiuyao quickly emerged, his eyes scanning the entire cliff edge before landing on Mo Hua, asking in a deep voice: “Where is the Princess Consort?”
Mo Hua silently fell to his knees, and after a long while, spoke hoarsely: “This servant was useless… the Princess Consort… fell from the cliff…”
Mo Xiuyao’s straight posture wavered, blood trickling from his lips. His already pale and weary face turned a ghastly white-green. He lowered his head and casually wiped the blood from his lips, but more quickly welled up. Mo Hua’s expression changed dramatically—disregarding his kneeling position, he stood to try to support his lord. Mo Xiuyao waved him aside with one hand, “Where are Zhuo Jing and Wei Lin?” Mo Hua lowered his head darkly, “They went down the cliff.” Mo Xiuyao waved his hand, and the Mo family troops who had emerged from the forest behind him needed no further instruction—they all took whatever ropes they could find and descended the cliff. Mo Xiuyao looked at the battered group at the cliff edge, his gaze lingering on Han Mingyue for a moment, then walked to the cliff’s edge and, before anyone could react, leaped down into the endless sea of clouds.
When Feng Zhiyao appeared at the cliff top somewhat anxiously, one look at the scene made his heart sink—they had still come too late… Looking somewhat lost at the slightly brightening edge of the sky, the fish-belly white horizon seemed tinged with a faint red, raising an ominous feeling from the depths of one’s heart. In the vast night sky, as dawn approached, the countless stars had gradually dimmed, yet several still flickered with an eerily red light. Feng Zhiyao stood at the cliff’s edge with hands behind his back—Breaking Army and Seven Killings stars dominating the sky… the world would soon fall into chaos…
It wasn’t until noon the next day that people gradually began coming up from the cliff. But seeing their expressions, what little hope remained in Feng Zhiyao’s heart seemed even more precarious. When a dark red figure burst up from below the cliff, everyone was startled. Han Mingxi glared hatefully down the cliff, and soon another person leaped up, nearly stumbling upon landing. After steadying himself, he fixed an icy gaze on Han Mingxi standing nearby, saying coldly: “Han Mingxi, you think this king wouldn’t dare kill you!” Han Mingyue’s heart went cold, and she somewhat inconspicuously moved to stand in front of Han Mingxi. She understood the man before them far better than Han Mingxi did. She didn’t know what Mo Xiuyao had seen down the cliff, but in just half a day, the aura around him had undergone an earth-shattering change. If the previous Mo Xiuyao had been a precious sword hidden in its scabbard with a contained edge, the current Mo Xiuyao was a blade thirsting for blood. Han Mingyue had seen Mo Xiuyao in every period of his life—his brilliant youth, like a blazing sun; his restrained young adulthood, appearing gentle yet cold. But the current Mo Xiuyao made Han Mingyue shiver without even acting. Those once gentle yet aloof eyes now carried a faint red tinge and unconcealed ruthlessness, as if ready to tear apart anything they fell upon. Mo Xiuyao’s thin frame stood even straighter than usual, yet was filled with dangerous intent, making him appear simultaneously incredibly fragile and capable of bringing devastation to the world with a mere wave of his hand.
Han Mingxi gave a cold laugh: “As if I fear you! Go ahead and kill me… You, the brilliant Defender of the Realm, with your world-class talent and supreme martial arts. Where were you when Jun Wei was holding the northwest against Lei Zhenting? Where were you when Jun Wei was being hunted with nowhere to run? Where were you when Jun Wei fell off the cliff while carrying your child?! Mo Xiuyao, are you even a man? You useless waste!”
“Puh—” Han Mingxi’s words seemed to finally break through something that had been deliberately suppressed since the previous night, and blood spurted from Mo Xiuyao’s mouth. Feng Zhiyao rushed over, “Your Highness!” Mo Xiuyao’s face was as white as paper, but he didn’t fall. He just stared fixedly at Feng Zhiyao, “A’Li… A’Li was pregnant?” Feng Zhiyao moved his lips, his throat burning with pain, and could only nod with difficulty. The expression on Mo Xiuyao’s face seemed both joyful and sorrowful, yet he seemed unable to speak. Dark red blood continued to trickle unstoppably from his lips. Deep worry flashed in Feng Zhiyao’s eyes as he said softly: “Your Highness, take care of yourself. The Princess Consort’s… the Princess Consort’s great revenge…” Feng Zhiyao didn’t offer empty consolation about how the Princess Consort might be fine—he couldn’t convince Mo Xiuyao of something he didn’t believe. As for those who had harmed the Princess Consort… Feng Zhiyao sighed inwardly, those people must die. Otherwise… the Prince likely wouldn’t survive either!
At the not-so-wide cliff edge, everyone remained silent, afraid that breaking the current stillness would bring about unstoppable, terrible consequences. Since yesterday, no one at the cliff had eaten or drunk anything, yet now no one felt hungry or thirsty. Mo Hua knelt on the ground, quietly reporting everything that had happened over the past two days to Mo Xiuyao in detail. Meanwhile, others also learned of the situation below the cliff. A rushing river flowed at the bottom, and after daybreak when the mist cleared, there were no obstacles between the cliff walls. This meant Princess Consort Ye Li must have fallen into the river. The turbulent waters made it impossible to predict where someone who had fallen in might be carried. Feng Zhiyao rose and ordered his subordinates to take a large contingent of troops to search downstream along the riverbank.
Han Mingyue carefully watched the man who seemed to be calmly listening to Mo Hua’s words, the danger beneath that calm making her heart tremble. Mo Xiuyao now was like a blood-thirsty blade—even the slightest touch would draw blood.
Finally, when Mo Xiuyao’s gaze slowly turned toward Su Meidie, she began crying in terror. She had never realized Mo Xiuyao could become so frightening—those eyes that had once captivated her so completely now seemed so terrifying that a single glance could give one nightmare. When Mo Xiuyao stood and walked toward her, with her pressure points sealed, she could only shake her head helplessly, “Wuu… Xiuyao… please… spare me, I beg you…” At this moment, Su Meidie suddenly realized that killing Ye Li might have been the greatest mistake of her life. “Wuu… no, I didn’t kill Ye Li, it wasn’t my fault…”
Mo Xiuyao crouched before her, staring intently at her tear-stained face. Under such scrutiny, Su Meidie found she couldn’t even cry anymore. After a long while, Mo Xiuyao asked softly: “You wanted to kill A’Li with hidden weapons?” Su Meidie dared not answer, and Mo Xiuyao had no interest in hearing her response. He raised his hand to pull back her sleeve, revealing the hidden weapons bound to her wrist. “Storm Rain Pear Blossom Needles?” He casually tore the weapon box from her wrist, and under everyone’s gaze, slowly pressed it. “Ah?!”
Su Meidie’s agonized scream echoed through the forest as the last volley of Storm Rain Pear Blossom Needles shot into the arm that had once held the hidden weapons, not a single needle missing its mark. Her once fair and beautiful jade-like arm instantly became a bloody, unbearable sight.
“Xiuyao…” Han Mingyue turned away, unable to bear the sight. After all, she was still the woman he had loved for over ten years, and he couldn’t help but speak up.
“You want to plead for her?” Mo Xiuyao turned to look at him with a cold smile, “Han Mingyue… this time, you can only choose to die with her, or let her die alone. This much I grant you, for taking wounds to save A’Li.”
“The Princess Consort hasn’t yet…” Han Mingyue struggled to say something, but any words seemed empty and powerless before the current Mo Xiuyao. “Even if A’Li were standing here safe and sound right now, it wouldn’t be reason enough for her to live. But don’t worry, this king won’t let her die so quickly. Feng San, take her to Qin Feng. He’ll know how to make use of her.” Feng Zhiyao nodded silently, feeling for the first time in his life a trace of pity for this woman he despised. He knew something of what use the Qilin troops—as the Prince and Princess called them—would make of a woman their lord hated. Under those people’s hands, even the toughest would be begging through tears and snot within three days. And until the Prince allowed it, she wouldn’t even be able to die even if she wanted to.
“Your Highness, Lei Zhenting has returned to the northwest with his Golden Guard, and I’ve sent men in pursuit. Below the mountain… please instruct us on how to handle the captives.”
Mo Xiuyao asked calmly: “How many?”
Feng Zhiyao reported: “A total of over 6,500 men, including seven colonels, three vice generals, and one garrison commander—General Qi Shaowu of Ruyang.”
“Kill them all!” Without the slightest hesitation, Mo Xiuyao said flatly.
Feng Zhiyao started slightly, but quickly recovered, saying solemnly: “Your servant obeys!”
Yuzhou Lishan Academy
Before dawn broke, Master Qingyun, past seventy years of age, walked along the corridor holding his youngest grandson’s hand. Xu Hongyu walked calmly beside his father, attending to him. “Father, why are you up so early?” Looking at the dim sky, Xu Hongyu’s face showed a trace of worry and concern. Master Qingyun waved his hand saying: “It’s nothing, I just don’t know why I woke at the second watch and couldn’t fall back asleep.”
Xu Hongyu thought for a moment and said: “Father, are you worried about Li’er?”
Master Qingyun sighed softly: “It’s been many years since I’ve seen Li’er. This child was different from her mother from a young age. Now… These years have been hard on you.” Seeming to think of something, Master Qingyun looked at his son with eyes full of love and guilt. If not for the Xu family, if not for his father’s too-illustrious name, why would his son be confined to teaching students in an academy? While others struggled due to lacking good family backgrounds, Xu Hongyu was burdened by his. Master Qingyun knew clearly that his eldest son’s talent and strategy were no less than his own, and more importantly, he possessed ambition and aspiration that he had never had.
“Father, what are you saying? Your son is also a renowned contemporary scholar, how could this be called hardship?”
Master Qingyun waved his hand and continued walking forward, saying: “Your concerns… how could your father not know them? The Xu family’s loyalty to the court and royal family is not blind. Rather… we have no choice but to be loyal.”
Beside him, Xu Qingyan looked at his grandfather in confusion. Master Qingyun smiled and asked: “Qingyan doesn’t understand?”
Xu Qingyan respectfully said: “Please instruct me, grandfather.”
Master Qingyun sighed softly and said: “Scholars… can bring chaos to a nation, but cannot overthrow power. Since ancient times, how many who have overthrown the world were scholars? This is why throughout history, rulers have always emphasized civil service over military might—because they know that even if civil officials become corrupt, they can rarely truly overthrow royal power. And our Xu family… even more, cannot do such things. Hongyu, when you agreed to Li’er’s marriage to the Prince of Steadying the Nation, did you imagine the current situation?” Xu Hongyu was silent for a moment, finally saying: “Father, forgive me, but your son did indeed consider it.”
Master Qingyun shook his head: “Your father is not saying you were wrong. The entanglement between the royal family and the Prince of Steadying the Nation’s household was already unavoidable. One way or another, it must end with this generation, whether it be the Prince’s household or… the current Emperor. Connecting the Xu family with the Prince’s household wasn’t wrong either—once the Prince’s household falls… even if the royal family doesn’t move against the Xu family, all that awaits us is a gradual decline. Though your father is old now, I still don’t wish to see generation after generation of our children and grandchildren frustrated and unable to fulfill their ambitions as you and Hongyan have been.” Xu Hongyu was slightly moved, lowering his head to hide his reddening eyes as he said: “I’ve caused father to worry.”
Holding the corridor railing, Master Qingyun pointed at the distant horizon and sighed: “The Emperor’s Star dims, Breaking Army and Seven Killings dominate the sky, the Northwestern Malefic Star appears… the great chaos in the world is now certain.”
“Yes, Father.” Standing beside his father, Xu Hongyu said solemnly. Being equally versed in celestial phenomena, he naturally understood everything Master Qingyun had seen. Only Xu Qingyan scratched his head in confusion as he stared at the slightly brightening sky.
“Hongyu, remember… the Xu family precepts have never been about loyalty to any single ruler, but rather…”
Xu Hongyu recited: “I understand, Father. The Xu family precept is to govern the world in times of chaos and save the common people from disaster. Your son dares not forget.”