Chapter 47 047[VIP]

"So, come and grab the bride."

No matter who stood before the girl they loved, hearing her offer such an invitation, it seemed difficult to maintain sanity. Even though...

Sikong Zhaixing pinched his palm with difficulty, "...this bustle, shouldn't be the usual bustle, right?"

Shi Qingruo remained silent, but the expression on her face seemed to have already given the answer.

Thinking of the "bats" she had mentioned earlier, Sikong Zhaixing felt that he had vaguely glimpsed the answer.

This bustle seemed to be turning the Anyang black market into a truly prosperous place, a river of blood.

He pondered for a moment before asking, "As for Young Master Yu kidnapping you..."

"He acted on his own initiative. If I had known he would do this, I would have told you. Fortunately, by making the best of a bad situation, we were able to turn the situation around."

Amidst the vibrant crimson, the beauty was like a poisonous flower blooming in the dark chamber of a cave. Though every move was calculated, she still captivated him. "But, I'll have to trouble you."

"That...that's good."

Sikong Zhaixing didn't know if he had answered the first half or the second. As he left the Anyang black market, he felt that his Qinggong skills had been incredibly effective; otherwise, how could his steps have felt so light?

Even until he reached his and Chief Constable Wuqing's resting place, even through his disguise, he could still see the dazed look on his face.

Then, he met Wuqing's solemn gaze. "Is the situation serious?"

Sikong Zhaixing quickly said seriously, "She said we should go and abduct the bride."

As soon as he said this, he noticed Wuqing's expression grow even more solemn. He immediately realized his previous statement was ambiguous, and quickly added, "What I meant is that this wedding banquet has another purpose."

Sikong Zhaixing: "..."

Wait, that statement still doesn't seem right.

Qi Shaoshang had already handed him a cup of tea: "Brother Sikong, you should drink some water first, then talk slowly."

He felt that if Sikong Zhaixing continued reporting in this way, it was hard to say whether Sikong Zhaixing would be anxious, but Chief Constable Wuqing would be anxious.

...

When Zhongyuan Yidianhong stepped out of the room again, he saw that the gloomy and gloomy atmosphere of the Anyang black market had been completely swept away, causing him, someone accustomed to hiding in the dark, to feel an indescribable sense of discomfort.

This was clearly not an environment suitable for a killer to perform, nor was it a place for those in the dark to enjoy a happy and joyful life.

But when he turned around, he saw that his usually aloof and eccentric master wasn't at all uncomfortable with the scene before him. His eyes revealed a look of delight in what he saw.

"Young Master Yu is quite quick," Xue Xiaoren chuckled hoarsely. "With this arrangement, no one will say he's lacking sincerity."

"But no members of the Mi Tian Alliance are here today..."

"Don't worry, someone will come." Xue Xiaoren's hawk-like gaze swept across the room from above, lingering for a long time on the huge candle lamps and precious orbs embedded in the wall. Suddenly, he added, "He seems much more generous than you."

The latter part of this sentence was naturally not directed at Yidianhong. Yuan

Suiyun, who had been singled out, replied, "That's why I only opened that brothel overseas, while he dared to act like this in the Central Plains. But even the strongest fires don't last forever, and who will have the last laugh remains to be seen."

Xue Xiaoren smiled, "But that doesn't matter. He's now the most suitable ally for us to capture."

"Let's go," he said, raising his foot. "It's time to take our seats. Let's see what fun things there are to see today."

Xue Xiaoren didn't see the moment Yuan Suiyun's expression twisted beneath his veil as he spoke these words. He only saw that the Bat Prince was as fast as a bat, leaping from the high cave with such swiftness that it was impossible to see his movements.

It seemed like the flick of a bat's wings, and he was standing with his hands behind his back.

"What a beautiful skill!" Xue Xiaoren praised, and was about to move to his feet.

But then he heard a soft, ethereal voice behind him. "Mind if I go first?"

Xue Xiaoren turned to see two young ladies in white, their faces covered in veil, carrying a white sedan adorned with gemstones and pearls, gliding across the sheer cliff face as if it were flat ground.

It was the beauty within that spoke.

Her voice was gentle, and she resembled a misty spring mountain. When he lowered his gaze, he saw a lingering, lingering mist and rain. Yet, she was not as frail as the spring rain. The hand that lifted the veil was well-proportioned, and her figure was even more voluptuous and charming against the surrounding light.

Even the most hard-hearted of the chivalrous warriors would soften their hearts at the sight of such a beauty.

But Xue Xiaoren was not only a cold-blooded killer, but also one obsessed with competing with his brother. The words of this woman were of little use to him.

"Today's wedding banquet isn't about you and me. Who arrives first? Are these guests supposed to give you the gift money? I'd like to offer you another piece of advice: don't be so ostentatious today, or who knows if you might get hurt accidentally when a fight breaks out."

Shi Guanyin's smile froze instantly.

It wasn't just because of Xue Xiaoren's words, but because he had already drawn his sword as he spoke.

She raised her sleeve, her wrist and fingertips dancing with energy, yet she still held the blade with a vicious grip.

But the cold, lurking light, before anyone could stop her, had already split open Shi Guanyin's carriage and the thick veil covering the disciples carrying her sedan chair.

Xue Xiaoren sheathed his sword and scoffed, "Your reputation in the Central Plains isn't that high. At this rate, Gongzi Yu might not even let you in."

He only wanted witnesses, not any collusion between the Azure Dragon Society and Shi Guanyin.

Such a clear principle, yet why do some people just can't grasp it?

"Let's go," he turned and called to Yidianhong.

He saw one of Shi Guanyin's disciples retreat to Yidianhong's side to avoid the sword's attack, as if she had nearly fallen off the cliff earlier and had pulled him back.

He ignored the incident and continued down, sword slung over his shoulder.

Half an incense stick later, Shi Guanyin arrived, dressed in a new outfit. Though still shrouded in the hazy spring rain, her half-hidden features revealed her immense beauty, more like a roaming, beautiful woman.

Some glanced at her, but they didn't linger for long.

Everyone in the martial arts world knows a rule: those who appear the least threatening, if still able to move about unharmed, may actually be the most difficult and dangerous, like children and women.

Shi Guanyin's attire suggested she possessed considerable martial arts skills or expertise in poison techniques. Considering the mixed crowd that was already gathering today, no one wanted to cause any further trouble.

"You're truly a competent collaborator," Yuan Suiyun listened to the scattered discussions and whispered to Xue Xiaoren.

Xue Xiaoren remained silent. Although he was most prone to losing his composure when comparing himself to his brother, that didn't mean he didn't understand how to weigh the pros and cons.

If Young Master Yu could really accomplish what they couldn't, using this marriage to encroach on the power of the Misty Heaven Alliance, then it would be too late to show goodwill after he succeeded. It would be better to act sooner rather than later.

He glanced at Yuan Suiyun and

said, "Young Master Bat has done a lot himself, why bother blaming me?" The most important thing for a killer organization is to have quick access to information. Last night, Yidianhong went out to investigate and brought back surprising news: all the government forces in the Anyang area had been transferred away in the past few days for various reasons.

It's hard not to suspect that this was Yuan Suiyun's handiwork.

It's unbelievable that this Young Master Bat, who wants to deal in human trafficking, can't just rely on his thugs in the dark; he also needs some connections with the government, and now he's using them here.

But this is a good thing. If a place like the black market were surrounded by people under the pretext of a raid, who knows if it would immediately become chaotic.

Yuan Suiyun's smile, hidden beneath his cloak, deepened. "It's just a small favor."

If it weren't for the connections at Wuzheng Villa, who had already tracked down Wuqing

, one of the Four Great Constables, he wouldn't have needed to do such a thing. It was just Wuqing's bad luck; he'd chosen to save someone at such a fortunate time. Yuan Suiyun already harbored resentment for not having any role in Bianjing's development, so how could he not make a move here?

Just as he was thinking this, he heard Xue Xiaoren's short, sharp voice beside him: "Here they come."

To conceal his blindness, Yuan Suiyun almost subconsciously "looked" in the direction of the music.

The joyous music at the wedding banquet wasn't like a typical wedding band, playing along the hall after receiving instructions.

Instead, it descended from the sky within this black market cavern. The music, initially faint, was a backdrop of boiling, clamorous activity as its echoes echoed off the stone walls.

It wasn't just the heavenly music that instantly imbued the place with a wedding atmosphere.

Gasps echoed through the crowd.

Some even rubbed their eyes.

"Hiss—"

If the colorful processions and the music had instantly imbued the cave with a festive atmosphere, reminiscent of the resounding gongs and drums, then the pair of red-dressed figures descending from the sky had instantly illuminated the cave's ghost market.

No, to be more precise, it was the bride. The white

-haired, red-dressed groom, seemingly unable to face the public, still wore a ferocious bronze ghost mask. At most, the mask, which usually covered his entire face, now covered only the upper half, revealing a beautifully chiseled jawline and thin lips that couldn't hide their smile.

But the bride...

The Stone Guanyin, already seated, nearly knocked over her teacup with trembling hands. She didn't look at her hands, only staring intently in that direction.

The hastily crafted wedding gown hadn't been adorned with all the gold thread and jewels; it had only been adjusted to the bride's waist, but that didn't affect the dress in the slightest. As the bride's feet stepped on the red silk, the dazzling red dress resembled a blooming red peony.

The swaying white blossoms on spring branches, still drenched in dew, reflected the skylight overhead, even as the golden crown and jade ornaments in her hair moved in the breeze.

But neither the lavish dress nor the tiara could prevent the first glance from being drawn to her face, a face that alternated between joy and anger.

Perhaps because of the emphasis on color at a wedding ceremony, even a martial arts expert could easily see that the traces of light powder and rosy hues on her face were more vivid than usual, yet there was no trace of artificiality in the makeup. Only the shimmering black hair and red lips complemented each other, and eyes that shone brighter than the four jewels.

The dazzling light obscured the innocent innocence in those eyes, leaving only an overwhelming brilliance, which finally transformed into a vibrant smile.

It seemed as if one moment she was treading lightly through the air like a celestial being, and the next, she was walking alongside Gongzi Yu to the front of the hall.

From a distance, it seemed hazy, like seeing flowers through a mist. The closer one got, the more confronted one became by her breathtaking beauty.

What a stunning beauty!

"...I'm suddenly a little jealous of Gongzi Yu."

A word uttered from nowhere, finally bringing the sound of the hall back to life. It also belatedly occurred to one that the music, which had been flowing continuously, had seemed to fade for a moment.

This wasn't the musicians' fault, but rather the singular and astonishing aura of the Saint Master of the Misty Heaven Alliance, which had overshadowed everything else.

Perhaps, even without such a peerless face, the gleam in those eyes alone was enough to draw moths to him.

Xue Xiaoren cast a curious glance to the side, wondering if he should reconsider his understanding of the Bat Prince.

Faced with such a scene, he remained unfazed, instead reaching out to brush away a scrap of colored paper that had drifted onto his clothes. To say he was as steady as a rock was an understatement.

What remarkable composure!

But it made sense… Shi Qingruo and Gongzi Yu were about to enter into a marriage alliance. No matter how beautiful she was,

she was still just another man's wife. If Gongzi Yu truly possessed such skill, and then returned to Bianjing to execute his grand plan, it would be his composure that Xue Xiaoren should be praising.

The leader of the Azure Dragon Society had already raised his glass.

The purpose of wearing only half the mask seemed perfectly clear: it was precisely for this moment of toasting.

"Thank you all for coming to my wedding ceremony with Zijin. Zijin and I have no parents, and my mentor lives far away overseas, unwilling to return to the Central Plains. Once this matter is resolved, I will report back. Therefore, today, I invite all of you fellow martial artists to witness this joyous event." "

The Azure

Dragon Society originally intended to remain in seclusion, but with the turmoil now upon us, it's time for us to step out and participate. I ask for your guidance in the future."

Getting married is a prestigious occasion, not to mention Young Master Yu's inherently arrogant nature. These words didn't sound like a request for guidance from fellow martial artists, but rather a condescending challenge.

But he was able to control this place today as the leader of the Azure Dragon Society, and he seemed to possess inner strength far superior to that of ordinary people. Even if he truly spoke so, who would dare to speak out against him?

He finished his toast, and the emcee began to sing the blessing for the wedding ceremony.

"The newlyweds are forever united, with Heaven and Earth as witnesses. They bow to the Heavens and Earth—"

Shi Qingruo held one end of the red knot, Gongzi Yu the other, and turned toward the outside of the wedding hall.

The various gazes around her, each with its own hidden agenda, seemed to have not disturbed her mind for a moment. Her eyes, like emerald pearls, shone with a frank and pure joy that made Shi Guanyin's hands itch with each glance.

Yet, she had been coerced by Xue Xiaoren into changing into appropriate clothing and coming here today. Now… now, she could only be a quiet spectator.

But her quietness didn't mean—

"Stop! No bowing!" A voice boomed from afar, radiating from within, instantly bearing down on them with the power of her inner strength.

Gongzi Yu's expression suddenly hardened. The most obvious sign was that the smile on his lips had vanished, leaving only a hint of anger.

If this sudden sound had come during the earlier ritual music, perhaps it could have been drowned out by the heavy music.

However, his voice, uttered during the worship of heaven and earth, became an oncoming stern rebuke.

When everyone looked in the direction of the sound, they saw an incredible scene.

When the person who spoke shouted that, it seemed as if he was coming to steal the bride, but the figure that appeared before everyone was actually a handsome young man in a wheelchair, slowly pushed in by someone behind him.

Not everyone present had seen him, but there must have been someone who knew him, or recognized his features.

Gongzi Yu's next words confirmed their suspicions.

He took a step forward, blocking Shi Qingruo's way. The half-stern ghost face matched his angry expression, exuding even more murderous intent. "Why are you here, Chief Constable Wuqing?"

"If I remember correctly, half a year ago you personally rode in the bridal sedan to maintain order at a wedding banquet. Why are you now personally intervening to interrupt my relationship with my wife?"

There were also some guild members from Bianjing present, and as Gongzi Yu spoke, they looked at each other in bewilderment.

If they remembered correctly, the wedding banquet Chief Constable Wuqing had maintained order at was the wedding of Madam Shi and Guan Qi.

If that were the case... Wuqing's actions this time were quite interesting.

The young man in the wheelchair remained unmoved by Gongzi Yu's questioning, his expression as frosty as ever. Only when he caught the gaze from the other side did his hands, tightly clasped on both sides of the wheelchair, loosen their grip ever so slightly.

His words were still cold and aloof: "I'm a constable. Someone's breaking the law here, so naturally I'm here."

Gongzi Yu sneered, "What a joke! This may be a black market, but since I borrowed this precious land from its owner, there hasn't been a single illegal activity here, let alone any bloodshed. How could there be something illegal that warrants Chief Constable Wuqing's personal visit? You haven't even investigated the gang trade in the capital's key areas so thoroughly. Are you shouting this out out of public interest or selfishness? Do you really think we can't see?"

"Indeed!" a voice echoed from the crowd.

It was Yuan Suiyun's subordinate who spoke at his behest.

"Although Chief Constable Wuqing is a key figure in the Six Gates and a disciple of Zhuge Shenhou, there's no reason to handle cases this way. You're here alone, and you expect thousands of people here to follow your orders. What's your point? Will this be the rule in the martial arts world forever?"

Given his status, he certainly had the power to make such a statement.

But if he were interrupted like this, how could Gongzi Yu continue his performance?

The natural goal was to rally everyone present to a united front, rendering the first-arriving detective helpless!

As soon as these words were spoken, those who already disliked dealing with the government immediately glared at Wuqing with murderous intent, as if to see just how far this chief constable would go in abusing his power for personal gain.

Wuqing's eyes were as unperturbed as a winter's icy lake.

"Kidnapping is, of course, illegal. Besides, who told you I came alone?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Gongzi Yu's lips tightened.

Yuan Suiyun, nestled in the crowd, also faltered.

He couldn't see the confrontation unfolding before him, but he could hear the sound of intruding footsteps from outside, the sound of a large force approaching.

The measured pace, even if not the sound of a marching army, was certainly not far off.

And when such a group of people were able to break into this ghost market in the cave, it seemed obvious that the outer exits had already been sealed.

But it was obvious that he had someone...

"Young Marquis Helian!" A voice suddenly rang out from the crowd, immediately revealing the identity of the leader of the intruding team.

The man had a handsome appearance, but what was more eye-catching was his pair of eyes that were as bright as spring water. I don't know if it was because of his beautiful facial features, but also because of a hint of evil, no wonder he got the nickname Helian Little Demon in the martial arts world.

Young Marquis Helian Chunshui of General Helian's Mansion!

He came hand in hand with a particularly eye-catching girl in red, followed by the one-armed detective Qi Shaoshang, as well as the retainers and private soldiers of the Helian Mansion.

The appearance of this group immediately raised the momentum of Wuqing's side a lot.

"Why is Helian Little Demon here..." Yuan Suiyun muttered through gritted teeth.

Xue Xiaoren's expression was startled. "If I remember correctly, Fu Zongshu previously had people hunt down Qi Shaoshang and the people of Lianyun Village, implicating Aunt Xi's destruction of the City of Destruction. Helian Xiaoyao risked his life for Xi Honglei and finally won her heart. Now that Suiyunyuan is rebuilding the City of Destruction, Helian Xiaoyao will certainly lend his support. It's not surprising that he has private soldiers accompanying him."

However, no one expected that Wuqing and Qi Shaoshang, upon receiving this information, would actually seek help from Helian Chunshui and mobilize his troops to avoid detection.

Gongzi Yu and Yuan Suiyun had only guarded against forces coming from the south, but they hadn't anticipated the actual attackers coming from the north!

As soon as they arrived, they completely surrounded the area.

A certain Bat Young Master quietly hid himself in the crowd, figuring that he wasn't the main character today, and that the current blockade wouldn't have much of an impact on him. For now,

it was better to just listen to the situation at hand.

The woman Xue Xiaoren called Aunt Xi was only about thirty years old, in the prime of her life. Beyond her unforgettable charm, her features radiated a heroic presence. "Auntie" was a respectful title given to her, the Lord of Huinuo City.

Helian Chunshui remained silent, but Xi Honglei spoke first: "Please step aside and let the young woman behind you speak. I once knew her and heard some of her past. I don't think she'd want to marry you. Now that she's changed her mind, she wouldn't even tell me. I can only suspect you've done something."

Shi Qingruo lowered her eyes, suppressing a hint of a smile.

This Sister Xi was truly a fascinating person.

She clearly had no prior contact with her, but everyone in the martial arts world knew that Xi Honglei founded Huinuo City specifically to shelter the world's less fortunate women. Her reputation and credibility were unparalleled.

How could she lie?

If the appearance of Chief Constable Wuqing made it easy for people to suspect that he was there out of selfish motives, then the appearance of Xi Honglei made the siege stand firm.

It also made some people here believe that they were still in the safe position of spectators.

To kill two birds with one stone, this move was really necessary.

Wuqing and Qi Shaoshang had indeed selected the best candidate for cooperation in such a short time.

Gongzi Yu's face was tense and he was gently pushed aside by Shi Qingruo.

Xi Honglei asked again: "Do you really want to marry him?"

Almost everyone looked in Shi Qingruo's direction.

The fleeting doubt on that gorgeous face was like a flash of light, so fast that it was hard to understand, and it turned into a positive answer: "When he and I were apprenticed under our master, we had already made an engagement. Why is it not sincere?"

"No, if it was really predestined, why would you..."

Why marry Guan Qi?

But before Xi Honglei could finish her words, another voice spoke first. "You're lying!"

The cry resonated like the sound of gold and jade, resounding to the earth.

Two figures, who had flashed by in the distance, appeared before the crowd with even greater speed.

Compared to Lu Xiaofeng, who had just arrived and immediately joined Sikong Zhaixing, the swordsman who had spoken first naturally became the center of attention.

He still held the same ancient longsword, his white robes unblemished by a speck of dust, yet strangely, he didn't give off an aloof, distant air. It was as if, compared to his previous swordsman demeanor, he possessed a certain air of calmness, as ethereal as a cloud.

And the look he gave Shi Qingruo held a certain incomprehensible meaning.

"What did you say?"

"I said you were lying, or... someone was making you think you were telling the truth," Ye Gucheng replied.

Shi Qingruo was puzzled. "I don't understand what you mean. We don't seem to have any ties."

A smile slowly crept onto Ye Gucheng's lips. "How could I willingly entrust Baiyun City to someone we don't have a relationship with?"

"Shut up!" Gongzi Yu suddenly snapped.

Even though he knew the other party was following Zijin's wishes to "steal her bride," according to today's scenario, even if Ye Gucheng hadn't been there, someone else would have been. Ye Gucheng's lingering gaze still made Gongzi Yu feel indescribably uncomfortable.

If he was not mistaken, that ruthless Chief Constable must have prioritized personal interests over official duties.

The hostility these two held towards him was genuine.

"There's no point in your being so unreasonable today. Zijin is free to marry whomever she chooses. Even sacrificing Baiyun City or your own life won't change that fact."

"Does my madam think the same?" Ye Gucheng ignored Gongzi Yu, staring intently in Shi Qingruo's direction.

"I..." Shi Qingruo was slightly startled.

She was startled not because of the name Ye Gucheng still stubbornly called her, but because she saw the look in Ye Gucheng's eyes.

This was the first time she saw him since Ye Gucheng and Ximen Chuxue had a duel.

Based on her understanding of Ye Gucheng, she dared to assert that Ye Gucheng's swordsmanship had reached a higher level, but his eyes were very different from the one she saw when Guan Qi broke through the void and left.

In this look, in addition to concern and nostalgia, in addition to the peace of mind knowing that nothing had happened to her, there was also something that should perhaps be called "trust".

It was as if he had something that he had not told her personally as he had entrusted Baiyun City, but needed her cooperation.

Just like... she handed the important task behind the bride robbery to her friends.

Ye Gucheng's eyes instantly turned cold as he turned back to Gongzi Yu. "It's you who did it. I think it's you, not me, who shouldn't be making such a fuss here!"

"Ah—" a cry of surprise echoed from the crowd.

As soon as Ye Gucheng finished his words, he resolutely drew his sword and struck Gongzi Yu.

It was a swift and fierce strike.

Although he didn't use any of those ethereal sword moves, one moment he was still near the merciless chief constable, the next, he was right in front of Gongzi Yu's face.

Gongzi Yu flipped his palm, and a wave of purple energy met the sword energy.

Between the palm wind and the sword energy, the compressed air surged with explosive sounds.

The emcee, a local recruit on short notice, had never witnessed such a scene before. He clutched his head and hurriedly ducked under the table at the front of the hall. Perhaps he felt safer without being able to see what was happening outside.

Yuan Suiyun's subordinates tugged at his sleeve, questioning him, but he shook his head in response.

The appearance of Ye Gucheng and Lu Xiaofeng had also caught him by surprise, and could potentially bring additional danger. But remember, with Wuqing, Xi Honglei, and others in charge, even if someone wanted to leave, they would know to weigh the implications of leaving now.

He didn't want to be the first to step out.

Besides, Ye Gucheng wasn't sure he could suppress Gong Ziyu.

The Dragon Leader of the Azure Dragon Society clearly possessed martial arts skills beyond his years.

Furthermore, the moment Gong Ziyu retreated a half-step, a burst of purple sword light suddenly erupted, striking Ye Gucheng.

Shi Qingruo had struck!

No one would be surprised to learn that this bride, clad in her wedding gown, carried a flexible sword in her sleeve.

She could hold her own against Yuan Shisanxian, clearly making her one of the finest swordsmen in the martial arts world. As a swordsman, the sword is half of the body, and should be carried at all times.

The moment she attacked, the sword flew up with a tricky move that shocked everyone.

What a swift, lethal sword.

And it was a sword drawn to protect Gongzi Yu.

The clang of swords rang out several times, and the sound of metal clashing was heard at least six times. However, for some people in the martial arts world who were not good at martial arts, they did not even see the six consecutive exchanges. Only Shi Qingruo's sword blocked Ye Gucheng's attack.

This allowed Gongzi Yu to slap the Purple Sun Hand towards Ye Gucheng.

But faster than him were two sharp arrows shot from the wheelchair.

One arrow pointed at his palm wind, and the other arrow forced towards his eyebrows, forcing him to withdraw and fly back several feet.

As if it was a tacit understanding cultivated by years of fellow disciples, Shi Qingruo made a move to retreat while fighting with the sword.

But even as she retreated, the sword moves unleashed by the Ziwei Soft Sword remained straightforward, sword-breaking. Had it not been for the already highly skilled Ye Gucheng across from her, he would have collapsed long ago.

Even Lu Xiaofeng found the scene startling.

If he was not mistaken, Shi Qingruo's martial arts skills were now far superior to those displayed during the siege of Yuan Shisan. It almost made one think that Jianghu adventures were wholesale, and now she had purchased another one. Sikong

Zhaixing, standing nearby, had a different question: "Why is Ye Gucheng here?"

Wasn't he supposed to be confined to the Divine Marquis's residence? His

ability to move about now must have been a result of his previous mission to Lu Xiaofeng.

Lu Xiaofeng had no time to elaborate, so he could only reply briefly, "He asked me to bring a promise to His Majesty, saying that those in the martial arts world who plot rebellion shouldn't be exempted from punishment simply because of their significant advancements in martial arts and swordsmanship. If such a precedent were established, trouble would inevitably follow. He hadn't understood this principle before, using it as motivation to further improve his swordsmanship, but now he's figured it out. He also doesn't want others to be influenced by others because of him. So, at least publicly, he must give the court an explanation." "

...What?" Sikong Zhaixing was a little confused.

But the current situation didn't allow him to dwell on it.

Seeing Shi Qingruo about to retreat to Gongzi Yu's side, he was already calculating how to conduct the ensuing melee so that she could achieve her goal.

But the next moment, his eyes widened.

Shi Qingruo was retreating quickly, but someone was advancing even faster.

Even though the sword move before him wasn't something he could break in an instant, he remained unmoved, charging forward.

The Ziwei Soft Sword, however light and flimsy, was still a truly razor-sharp longsword. It pierced the man's body, its tip shimmering purple from behind.

Blood instantly shone from Ye Gucheng's chest and back.

Shi Qingruo's sword remained in her grasp, but she froze in place, drawn into an embrace tinged with the scent of wood and the scent of blood.

Only the hilt of the sword remained pressed against her and Ye Gucheng's chests.

Shi Qingruo's eyes fluttered. "You..."

"You still haven't remembered?"

Perhaps because of the wound inflicted by the sword, or perhaps for some other reason, Ye Gucheng's voice was several times gentler than before. Only when he turned his gaze to Gongzi Yu did he see an undisguised chill.

He brought his hand closer, and a trace of blood flowed down the corner of his lips and landed on Shi Qingruo's shoulder: "You are no longer just Gongzi Yu's junior sister, but also the master of the Mitian League and Baiyun City."

"...not just anyone's puppet."