It was easy to guess he had found a way to deal with them. If they didn't go, he would likely start a massacre of the innocent. The thought of these kind-hearted people made Feng Xie and Liu Liu unable to stand by and do nothing.
Thus, they headed towards danger with full knowledge of its presence.
Bai Han, unwilling to let the Emperor and Empress face peril, strongly objected. Nangong Yu's request for them to come clearly indicated he had devised a plan against them. As a loyal subject, he could not allow his lord to encounter danger. "This humble servant disagrees with Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress going. Otherwise, allow me to go in your stead."
"Yes, this subordinate is also willing to go in Her Majesty's place," Hong Xiu, Dai Mei, and others also knelt down.
Feng Xie and Liu Liu glanced at each other, smiling with arrogant confidence. As the Emperor and Empress of this land, they had no reason to hide behind others. Since that person had specifically requested to see them, sending someone else might lead to the unrest of Bu Chuan County once discovered. Yueyang City had already become a painful memory; would they allow another Bu Chuan to emerge?
"Rise, all of you. This matter will be resolved by the Empress and I," Feng Xie said, extending his hand to pull Liu Liu closer. He knew that if he abandoned Liu'er at a time like this, she would be angry again. Since she had sincerely accepted him, from this moment on, they would share joys and sorrows together.
"Yes, all of you, rise," Liu Liu said, her voice cold and stern. "Wait for us on the periphery, and be absolutely sure not to act rashly. That person is a complete pervert. If you act carelessly and provoke him, I fear he will slaughter innocents."
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress?"
The cries of the assembled group could not stop Feng Xie and Liu Liu. A carriage, adorned with eight treasures and inlaid with rubies and pearls, was already waiting at the shop entrance. The two of them boarded the carriage without hesitation. Bai Han immediately ordered his men to follow their carriage from a distance. Though they couldn't enter with their lord, they could constantly monitor the actions of those inside. As soon as any suspicious signs appeared, they would be there to protect them.
The carriage sped recklessly down the main road, forcing the terrified people on the street to scream and scatter to the sides, overturning carts and spilling goods everywhere. This hindered the progress of those following the carriage.
Bai Han immediately understood. It seemed the people ahead knew they were being followed. Truly cunning and treacherous individuals.
The carriage traveled from the bustling city to the deserted outskirts. Human habitation became scarce, and the carriage gradually slowed its pace. Liu Liu tried to peer out from the curtains, but found them tightly sewn to the lattice. She could only sense the night outside through the narrow gaps. The carriage eventually came to a halt, with no sound reaching her ears.
A gruff voice from outside the carriage spoke, "Alight, we have arrived."
Feng Xie led Liu Liu out of the carriage. Dusk had fallen, and only a few stars hung in the sky. They stopped before the gate of a manor, surrounded by desolate emptiness. A long bluestone wall stretched into the distance, suggesting the inhabitants were wealthy. However, this was likely Nangong Yu's domain. A sense of unease surfaced in their hearts. Two lanterns swayed ominously on either side of the grand gate. These paper lanterns were white, and a white banner was hung on the gate itself, its meaning all too clear. Feng Xie and Liu Liu's expressions turned grim, and a chilling aura swept through them as they surveyed their surroundings.
"Damn wretch!" A furious roar preceded Feng Xie pushing open the door. The gate swung open, but no one answered. Instead, a strong, fishy smell wafted out. Upon smelling it, Feng Xie and Liu Liu knew that everyone here had likely been murdered by Nangong Yu, hence the potent scent of blood. A fierce surge of aggression arose within them.
A winding passage extended forward, lined on both sides with an entire row of white lanterns, as if enacting a solemn ritual. The dark end in the distance resembled a vast, boundless abyss, drawing them forward.
The night wind blew, causing birds to take flight above, their robes gently swaying.
The path soon ended, revealing a row of elaborately carved and painted houses. In the main hall, a tall figure dressed in white mourning clothes, with a white sash tied around his head that trailed behind him, stood as if he were a White Impermanence from hell. He suddenly turned, his face a terrifying, hideous visage.
Feng Xie and Liu Liu were undeterred. They calmly ascended the stone steps and entered the main hall, facing the ghost-faced Nangong Yu.
"Truly courageous, to come alone," the voice rasped like a dying rooster, extremely unpleasant. He laughed sinisterly, his pupils radiating hatred, a thick, profound hatred that swept over them like a tidal wave.
"How dare you, Nangong Yu, to conspire in murder! I am here today to send you to your demise."
Feng Xie spoke with arrogant confidence, his imposing presence chilling. He looked down at the man opposite him. Nangong Yu paused for a moment, then let out a hearty laugh, sighing softly after a long while, "Little Feng Xie, you are too arrogant. Naturally, I would not have summoned you if I did not intend for you to never leave alive. However, if I am to die, I will drag you down with me."
"What?" Liu Liu's gaze instantly turned icy, killing intent flaring. With a flick of her wrist, the Soft Jade Sword flashed, sending a dazzling wave of light across the room, pointing directly at Nangong Yu. "Bold villain, today is the day of your death!"
Nangong Yu's gaze shifted from Feng Xie's face to Liu Liu's. In just an instant, he seemed struck by lightning. He was seeing this woman for the first time. She looked so much like someone – his deceased wife, Wen Yao. His body involuntarily took two steps back before steadying himself. If it weren't for that devil of the Feng family, their child wouldn't have died. Tears welled up in Nangong Yu's eyes. For so many years, he had disfigured himself and ruined his voice, all for the day he could kill someone from the Feng family. Unfortunately, the price was too great.
Thinking of Nangong Yue, his heart ached terribly. If he wasn't the child of the former dynasty's emperor, that person wouldn't have poisoned and ruined him. He had originally planned to have the Feng family's child and the former dynasty's emperor's child fight each other, thus easily avenging himself. Who would have known that these two men would fall for the same woman, thus ruining all his plans? Thinking about it, two days ago, Nangong Yue actually came to question him, saying she wasn't the former dynasty's prince at all. If he wasn't the former dynasty's prince, then who was he? Back then, he had people carry him out of the palace. The Emperor gave birth to the dragon son, and it was proclaimed to the world. How could he not be the prince? However, he was probably dead by now.
Nangong Yu looked coldly at the man and woman before him and couldn't help but laugh up at the sky, his laughter shaking the very foundations.
"You will wait for death," he said, and his figure moved, attacking with ghost-like speed. Feng Xie and Liu Liu dared not be careless, flying to meet him. Having the ability to deal with the Thirteen Eagles, they naturally did not underestimate him. They split into two sides, attacking him. Unexpectedly, the man, upon seeing them attack, did not confront them directly but cleverly dodged, his movements elusive and unpredictable. Liu Liu's inner vigilance was immediately raised. He was clearly stalling for time.
What was he trying to do?
Suddenly, the smell of gunpowder filled the air, and distant fires erupted. At this moment, Nangong Yu became energized and rapidly attacked, employing a mutually destructive fighting style. Liu Liu dodged with a flash of her body, speaking calmly.
"You have placed gunpowder and charcoal powder outside. Do you intend to blow up this manor?" She was testing him, not certain, but upon hearing the man's cold chuckle, she confirmed her suspicions. She hadn't expected this man to intend to blow up the manor, to perish together with them.