The arrival of Gu Qianying was anticipated by them.
"So it was all arranged in advance?" Gu Qianying feigned a sudden realization, as if granted amnesty.
Prime Minister Su chuckled, "You only understand now? It's too late. Now that you're in our hands, don't even think about leaving."
Gu Qianying had only guessed before, but she hadn't expected them to be so premeditated. She suspected even her previous choices were part of a "fated" arrangement. She didn't believe in fate, but she marveled at how some people could scheme so meticulously.
Gu Qianying looked at the Empress and the others behind Prime Minister Su, her gaze sweeping over them lightly. "Why have you brought me here?"
The Empress, finding Gu Qianying's calmness somewhat unusual, still answered, though evasively, "I've heard you are the Demon Empress?"
"Heard? From whom? Is there any proof?" Gu Qianying retorted.
The Empress did not answer. "I have heard that the blood of the Demon Empress is the most precious thing in the world. If one can obtain it, it has many uses. I want it."
Gu Qianying raised an eyebrow. The Empress spoke of such a matter so casually. Perhaps it was due to her long tenure on the throne, having witnessed too much bloodshed, becoming desensitized.
Gu Qianying looked at the Empress, a hint of pity in her eyes, "I am not some Demon Empress; you have mistaken me. No one's blood in this world has such great efficacy. If you believe the words of charlatans, then Your Majesty is truly lacking in foresight."
This was the first time the Empress had been criticized, and her composure faltered. Just as she was about to show displeasure, Prime Minister Su stopped her. Prime Minister Su stepped forward, "My Empress's lack of foresight is baseless. Her Majesty is a chosen one, and all things in this world belong to her. What is wrong with your blood being hers?"
He paused, then continued, "Moreover, your friends are still in her hands. If you wish for them to return unharmed, then show sincerity. Otherwise, you cannot blame us if something unfortunate happens."
"Prime Minister Su is indeed a seasoned elder. If that's the case, then I have no choice but to give my blood, whether I want to or not?" Gu Qianying's tone conveyed a sense of ease, as if she didn't take the matter too seriously.
"If you don't care about their lives, then it matters not," Prime Minister Su said with a smile, "The blood flows within you, so naturally, you are in charge. Whatever choice you make, it will be voluntary."
Only they could utter such words, practically screaming "threat" in their faces, yet speaking of voluntariness.
Frankly, Gu Qianying was speechless.
Gu Qianying returned a serene smile, "That is natural. If I am unwilling, then this matter is dropped. Prime Minister Su, you have excellent methods."
Meanwhile, Murong Yun was confronting Su Cheng.
"I advise you to leave her sooner rather than later. She is not someone you can control," Murong Yun said dismissively, looking at Su Cheng.
He disliked seeing Gu Qianying entangled with Su Cheng. This feeling made him uncomfortable, yet Gu Qianying and Su Cheng remained entangled.
No matter how others intervened, it was futile, as if fate had decreed it. How could such a thing be? No one could ever predict it accurately.
As long as he fought for something, he would always achieve some satisfactory result. He did not believe in fate.
Especially when it came to things he cared deeply about, he had to fight even harder. No matter what, he would not hand Gu Qianying over to Su Cheng.
"If I cannot control her, can you?" Su Cheng replied.
He could feel the hatred Murong Yun harbored towards him. Meng Yang sometimes found Murong Yun's hatred inexplicable, with no discernible origin.
But this time, he saw it clearly – it was entirely because of Gu Qianying.
But what did this have to do with Gu Qianying? Just because this fellow liked her, so what?
Was Murong Yun too conceited? Did he think that if Su Cheng left Gu Qianying, Gu Qianying would then become entangled with him?
Some things in this world were destined.
In the end, no matter which one Gu Qianying chose, there would be nothing to fight for.
...
At this moment, the disciples of Jue Sha Sect, Gu Qianying's subordinates, arrived, a vast and dense multitude, numbering in the thousands.
Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, Prime Minister Su and the Empress intended to flee, but Gu Qianying gave them no such opportunity. She immediately ordered her men to surround them. However, Prime Minister Su's cultivation was still quite profound.
Gu Qianying's disciples were insufficient to contain them. Eventually, Prime Minister Su and the Empress managed to escape, though they likely wouldn't get far and would remain in hiding.
Gu Qianying was not overly surprised by the escape of Prime Minister Su and the Empress; it was within expectations.
Prime Minister Su's cultivation was still superior to theirs, and for the time being, they could not truly defeat him.
Although the Empress and Prime Minister Su escaped, their soldiers remained at the scene, leading to an immediate fierce battle as both sides clashed.
However, due to Gu Qianying's larger contingent this time, she held the advantage. Most of the people left behind by Prime Minister Su and the Empress met a tragic end.
"Everyone, follow me. We need to rescue the others now. Others are still being held captive by them." After encircling the remaining forces of the Empress and Prime Minister Su, Gu Qianying rallied everyone to rescue those who were trapped.
However, to Gu Qianying's surprise, when she reached the location where these people were held, she discovered that the Empress and Prime Minister Su were guarding the place. Even more unexpectedly, the Empress and Prime Minister Su had far more forces than anticipated, with additional troops stationed there.
They had indeed held back a reserve force, which was a disappointment. Gu Qianying had thought the people she brought this time were sufficient and had not been overly concerned.
However, the people they left behind this time were likely their elite troops.
"Prime Minister Su, you are here?" Gu Qianying emerged from the distance with feigned surprise, looking at Prime Minister Su and the Empress.
The moment the Empress saw Gu Qianying, her expression betrayed her unease. She sneered, "I didn't expect you to still be alive. You've got some skills. You came with so many people this time; you were truly prepared. I underestimated you."
"You are too kind. It's merely a hobby; I've just gathered more people over time." Gu Qianying raised an eyebrow and glanced at the Empress, not intending to say more. "Now, some of your people have been surrounded. I suggest you release my people obediently."
Upon hearing Gu Qianying's words, the Empress suddenly burst into laughter, "These iron cages have been soaked in poison by me. Anyone who touches them will die instantly. See, I can't release them now."
She appeared nonchalant.
Gu Qianying, however, remained remarkably calm, "I will make you release them with your own hands, Your Majesty."
The four people imprisoned in the iron cages looked at Gu Qianying with distress, their hearts aching. They desperately rammed the cages, no longer caring about the poison on them.
This was almost beyond the expectations of the Empress and Prime Minister Su.
Seeing the immense strength of the four people in the iron cages, Gu Qianying quickly unleashed her own power. Finally, at the critical moment, she rescued the four individuals.