Seeing Gu Qianying remain silent, Murong Yun grew even happier.
He wanted nothing more than to see his brother despised and loathed by others. Only then could he find some semblance of balance within himself. He dwelled in darkness and would not allow his brother to embrace the light, nor would he permit his brother to have his own white moonlight.
"He, like this prince, loves to eat the brains of his own kind, and also enjoys their hearts. Oh, and their internal organs. My dear brother, every time he gnawed on his own kind, he was happiest. While eating, he would tell me how each person tasted."
Seeing Gu Qianying's complexion change, Murong Yun's expression became even more gleeful. "Oh, and there's more, Gu Meiren. You have no idea. My prince's once obedient brother, you know what his weakness is?"
His weakness is...
Suddenly, a fierce wind arose. An invisible, powerful force struck from behind Murong Yun. Murong Yun's pupils contracted sharply. He turned his head to see over a dozen long swords simultaneously lunging at him. Without a second thought, he immediately grabbed Gu Qianying, pushing her behind him to use her as a human shield. He turned and fled.
However, from Gu Qianying's perspective, she saw over a dozen sharp long swords converging on her. Her cold eyes narrowed, and she flicked her sleeve, channeling spiritual energy into her palm. Just as she was about to unleash her spiritual power, a figure appeared out of nowhere. Turning, the figure instantly retracted the dozen long swords that were about to pierce Gu Qianying.
At that moment, Meng Qinghua had safely placed Su Yuxi in a secure location. He then turned and rushed towards Gu Qianying, intending to save her. But someone arrived even faster. A slender arm suddenly reached out, and fingers with distinct joints embraced her slender waist. As they turned, Gu Qianying clearly saw the person before her.
Her eyes widened in surprise: "Su Cheng, is that you?"
He had the exact same face as Murong Yun, yet Su Cheng's eyes were entirely different from Murong's. When Su Cheng looked at her, his eyes were always so deeply affectionate, so devoted. Such affection was completely absent from Murong Yun's gaze. At this moment, Gu Qianying could finally distinguish between Su Cheng and Murong Yun.
"Qianying, I'm sorry you had to suffer."
Su Cheng embraced Gu Qianying and landed steadily. They looked at each other. Upon seeing Su Cheng, Gu Qianying had many questions for him, but she didn't know where to begin. Gu Qianying remained silent. Instead, Su Cheng's first words upon seeing Gu Qianying were an apology. He knew and understood exactly what Gu Qianying knew the moment she saw him.
"Qianying, believe me, I, Murong Feng, never consume my own kind. Qianying, you can continue to call me Su Cheng; I really like the name Su Cheng."
"Leave what happens here to me, Qianying. You just wait here obediently for me." With a flick of his sleeve, Su Cheng produced a sword. He handed the sword to Gu Qianying and said, "Qianying, take this and wait for me here. I'll be back soon, alright?"
In the hours he had been gone, he had missed Gu Qianying terribly. It was also during these hours that he had come to understand many things. He had confirmed that he had fallen in love with Gu Qianying. He loved her very, very much. He wanted to be with her forever. But he knew that to be with the woman he loved, he would have to give up a lot and handle many matters. Yet, he had no regrets. Even if it meant abandoning his status as a prince of Northern Ridge, he would go to any lengths to be with the woman he loved.
"Where are you going?" Seeing Su Cheng about to leave, Gu Qianying suddenly grabbed his sleeve.
Su Cheng turned to look at Gu Qianying, offering her a faint smile. "The score between him and me should have been settled long ago. But Qianying, I promise you, I will protect myself well. I will also take good care of myself, not get hurt, and not make you worry about me, okay?"
"But... you..."
"Qianying, I know what you want to ask. When I return, I will tell you everything about myself, alright?" Su Cheng looked at Gu Qianying, his deep affection never wavering.
"Be careful." Gu Qianying released Su Cheng. She knew that a conclusion had to be reached between Su Cheng and Murong Yun. She also understood that as a prince of Northern Ridge and a long-time spy, Su Cheng needed to resolve certain matters cleanly.
As Su Cheng left, Meng Qinghua walked over. "Qianying, don't worry. Su Cheng is very skilled; he'll be fine." Meng Qinghua knew Gu Qianying was worried about Su Cheng's safety.
Qianying, why are there two Su Chengs? Qianying, which of these two Su Chengs is the real one?
Su Yuxi also walked towards Gu Qianying. With her current intellect, after seeing Su Cheng and Murong Yun, she didn't think much of it, but found it strange. Two people who looked exactly alike, how peculiar.
"Yuxi, how are you? Do you feel unwell anywhere?" Seeing Su Yuxi approach, Gu Qianying quickly took her hand, asking with concern. Su Yuxi had been poisoned by Murong Yun with the Soul Bewitching Poison, a difficult toxin to cure.
"No, I don't feel unwell. Qianying, quickly tell me, why are there two identical people?"
"Yuxi, don't bother Qianying. Qianying is very worried about Su Cheng right now." After calming Su Yuxi, Meng Qinghua turned to Gu Qianying. "Qianying, is there an antidote for Yuxi's poison? Is it difficult to cure? Will she be like this from now on? Will this harm her body? Is there anything I can do?" Meng Qinghua asked a string of questions, revealing how worried he was about Su Yuxi, and how he didn't want Su Yuxi to know about his own affairs and become unhappy.
Gu Qianying looked at Su Yuxi, who was hiding behind Meng Qinghua but was lost in thought, playing with the jade pendant at Meng Qinghua's waist. Gu Qianying felt a pang of sadness. She bore responsibility for Su Yuxi's current state, as she had failed to protect her. When faced with Meng Qinghua's barrage of questions, Gu Qianying didn't answer them all, but said, "Don't worry, I will cure her." With these words, Meng Qinghua finally felt relieved. However, he then noticed Gu Qianying constantly looking at the two dark figures engaged in a fierce battle.
Standing behind Gu Qianying, Meng Qinghua said to her, "Don't worry too much; he'll be fine."
"Qianying, are you perhaps..." Meng Qinghua wanted to clarify Gu Qianying's feelings for Su Cheng.
"Yes and no." Gu Qianying, without turning around, spoke these words while looking into the distance. Meng Qinghua was somewhat confused.
"Qianying, what do you mean? How do you truly feel about Su Cheng?" Meng Qinghua couldn't understand.
Gu Qianying turned her gaze towards Meng Qinghua. "He resembles someone."
Meng Qinghua frowned. "Resembles someone? Who?"
"Nangong Mo!"