A treacherous mountain pass lay north of Daicheng. Qingyao initially predicted an ambush. If anyone were indeed lying in wait there, passage would be impossible and casualties would be severe. Therefore, she dispatched a troop of elite soldiers to traverse the forest, bypass the area, and investigate.
As it turned out, an ambush had been set in the jungle opposite the narrow valley. The ambushers never dreamed that the forces of Xian Yue would anticipate this. Holding the mouth of the narrow valley with just five hundred elite soldiers would have been enough to repel ten times their number, preventing the Xian Yue forces from advancing. However, their plans were discovered, and a troop of strong soldiers was sent to swiftly deal with them.
Following this, Qingyao led the main army across the narrow valley to attack another city north of Daicheng.
Whether it was the will of the people or the knowledge of inevitable defeat, the city was breached with little effort. Qingyao did not pause, continuing to order the army northward.
News of all these movements quickly reached the imperial palace of Danfeng Kingdom.
In the study, Ji Xue gazed with a somber, sinister expression at the man opposite her. Half of his face was exquisitely perfect, while the other half was covered by a silver mask, concealing a ferocious scar.
"Did you put me on the throne only to make me the monarch of a fallen kingdom?"
Ji Xue was plagued by headaches. Though she had only ascended the throne a few months prior, she felt exhausted and aged. The throne was not easy to occupy.
"At least you have occupied it."
The man opposite spoke leisurely, unhurried, as he had come to terms with it. If Mu Qingyao was his destiny, he could not escape. He would simply wait for her to arrive. However, even in death, he would not let her have an easy time.
Hua Wenbo's pupils flickered with a bloodthirsty desire for death.
His life had been ruined by that woman. If he could not gravely wound her, he would die with regret.
Half a month later, the Xian Yue army indeed broke through the last outer city, directly assaulting the capital of Danfeng Kingdom, Fenglian City.
Within Fenglian City, the populace had already fled to seek refuge. It was rumored that in cities that were conquered, as long as the inhabitants remained peaceful and behaved like civilians, they would not be harmed. What did the wars between nations have to do with ordinary folk?
The imperial palace of Fenglian City.
Eunuchs and palace maids scurried about the palace. Many had fled opportunely. Ministers who could leave had disguised themselves as commoners and departed. Only a handful remained to face the enemy’s invasion with the new emperor.
"Your Majesty, should you not leave?"
An elderly official spoke. Although the country had fallen, the Empress was still young and could disguise herself as an ordinary person and leave the city.
Ji Xue gave a wry smile, her eyes filled with profound gloom. Where could she go? She bore a蛊 (gu) planted by that man. If he died, she could not survive alone. And he would never leave; he was waiting, waiting for that woman?
In the evening, the sunset painted the entire palace walls red, as vibrant as dripping blood.
The magnificent imperial palace was desolate. Despite it being early spring, fallen blossoms fluttered, and willow catkins danced in the air. The empty palace had few eunuchs and palace maids left. Those who remained were old and unable to flee. The younger ones had long since escaped, taking many treasures with them.
As the last ray of sunlight faded, the Xian Yue army breached the final defensive line and surged in. The sound of hooves echoed. The once vibrant streets of Fenglian City were in disarray, strewn with corpses. The banners of Danfeng Kingdom were discarded everywhere. From that day forward, the Fengyun Continent would no longer have Danfeng Kingdom.
The mighty army stormed into the imperial palace.
In the study, a man sat upright. His appearance was ethereal, but the other half of his face was covered by a silver mask. A faint sheen emanated from his entire being, no longer possessing the fierceness and toxicity of before. As if knowing his end was near, he appeared completely at ease, his demeanor as gentle and refined as fine jade.
He quietly played with a book bound in a golden cover, flipping through its pages with a serene expression, his gaze soft, a smile playing on his lips.
At this moment, a squad of elite soldiers burst into the study. Leading them was the captivatingly beautiful Qingyao, cloaked in a chilling aura. Her eyes were as deep as the cold stars of the night. Her flawless face bore no trace of any red blemishes; her skin was as luminous as a handful of snow.
He looked stunned, his eyes widening in disbelief, and he couldn't help but murmur.
"You've actually removed the gu. So, there truly are men in this world who love to death, and not just those devoid of emotion?"
As his words fell, Qingyao trembled. Her heart ached involuntarily. What did this man mean? Had Yin Xuan removed the gu for her? Why hadn't he said anything?
"Hua Wenbo, today is your day to die. Surrender your life."
Qingyao spoke coldly, her expressionless face betraying nothing. The killing intent radiating from her, the thought of Wu Qing, the deceased patriarch of the Hua Jiang tribe, the memory of how he had tried to harm her at every turn – this man deserved to die. If not for him, she would never have been spurred to such ambition, vowing to annihilate Danfeng Kingdom. These wars were far removed from her, and she had no desire to involve herself. But because of him, she wished to kill him, to vent her hatred.
"I know. Naturally, I must die."
He smiled, looking up at her. A soft glow emanated from the depths of his eyes. He spoke softly, "You know, when Wu Qing died, I cried all night. It's not that I didn't ache for him. He was someone I painstakingly brought into the world. How could I not ache for him? But he was unfortunately a boy. In Danfeng Kingdom, males were as lowly as mud, especially in the imperial palace, which was no place for people. Any man kept in the harem had to undergo a secret court procedure. That surgery was immensely painful; not even half of a hundred people would survive. The suffering I endured to give birth to him, and yet he was a boy?"
Hua Wenbo’s voice was filled with deep lamentation. He began to weep softly, burying his face in his large hands, his shoulders shaking gently, revealing his profound sadness.
Because he was beautiful, even his tears possessed a certain beauty. But Qingyao knew that all of this man's actions were a disguise, like a snake that refused to die even after death. She could not give him the slightest opportunity, or she would be the one to get hurt. Therefore, her eyes held a sharp wisdom as she quietly watched him, trying to guess his purpose and what he intended to do. Was he trying to distract her? Her gaze drifted to the imperial desk, to a book with a bright yellow cover. Could that be the secret gu of the Hua Jiang tribe?
While she was in doubt, the weeping man suddenly raised his head. His expression had become much calmer. His eyes, bright and clear, gazed at Qingyao. He slowly spoke, "After my death, I have only one request: to send the secret gu of the Hua Jiang tribe back to them. Can you grant the request of a dying man?"
A fleeting shadow flashed across Qingyao's icy expression. She curled her lips slightly. "Of course."
This was something she had promised Wu Qing. Since she had promised him, she would naturally fulfill it.