Gu Qianying’s interest was piqued when Murong Yun mentioned the word "secret."
However, she understood that Murong Yun would not reveal it without seeking something in return.
So, she asked Murong Yun, "Speak, what conditions must be met for you to tell us?"
Murong Yun looked at Gu Qianying.
Gritting his teeth against the pain, he said, "I have no grand ambitions now. I only ask that you promise to take good care of me and allow me to recuperate. During this period of recuperation, you must not bully or blame me. If you agree to this, I will tell you the secret of the empress of the Nan Yi Kingdom, how about it?"
Gu Qianying, hearing that Murong Yun's condition was so simple, readily agreed.
"Of course, I can agree to that. Once we leave the dungeon, I will have my subordinates take you to the Jue Sha Sect to recuperate quietly. I will find renowned physicians from the martial world to treat your injuries, and provide you with good food and lodging. No one will disturb you without my command."
Gu Qianying's promise satisfied Murong Yun, and he nodded slightly.
"Very well. In exchange, I can tell you this secret that almost no one knows besides me."
Gu Qianying, Su Cheng, and Ouyang Qinglin all focused their attention, listening carefully to the information Murong Yun was about to impart.
Murong Yun took a breath, enduring his pain, and told them the empress's secret.
"The empress gave birth to a child, but she did not give birth naturally. Instead, she used a secret technique."
"A secret technique?" Gu Qianying couldn't help but press for details.
"Yes, this secret technique allowed her to give birth smoothly, but it also brought an irreparable flaw. That is, every full moon, her abilities regress, and she becomes very vulnerable."
Ouyang Qinglin immediately understood Murong Yun's meaning, "In other words, if we attack the empress during this time, it will be the easiest to succeed, right?"
Murong Yun nodded while panting, replying to Ouyang Qinglin, "That's right. If you want to kill the empress, strike on the night of the full moon."
Gu Qianying listened to Murong Yun's words, contemplating in her mind.
Seeing that Murong Yun had no further words, she asked, "Is this the secret you spoke of?"
Murong Yun nodded slightly, awaiting Gu Qianying's next statement.
"It is acceptable. It is worth the exchange."
Hearing Gu Qianying's words, Murong Yun let out a quiet sigh of relief in his heart. Fortunately, he knew this astonishing secret, which could serve as a bargaining chip to save his life when he was on the brink of death.
The conversation concluded, and it was time to leave the dungeon.
Gu Qianying turned to Ouyang Qinglin beside her and asked him with concern, "Qinglin, how are you feeling? Can you still walk?"
Ouyang Qinglin felt Gu Qianying's worry and care, and gave her a smile, "My strength has recovered quite a bit. I can walk on my own, so don't worry."
Gu Qianying, receiving Ouyang Qinglin's affirmative reply, put her worries aside and then went to help up Murong Yun from the ground.
Su Cheng, standing nearby, saw this and knew Gu Qianying intended to take Murong Yun out of the dungeon. He extended his hand to help.
However, Gu Qianying did not directly ask Su Cheng to help her support Murong Yun.
She looked down at the chains that had bound Ouyang Qinglin earlier and said to Su Cheng, "Go and get those chains and tie Murong Yun up, just in case."
Su Cheng quickly walked over, retrieved the iron chains, and bound Murong Yun.
Murong Yun, being jostled by them, caused his wounds to ache. He turned pale and trembled all over from the pain.
However, he had no opportunity or standing to speak now and could only let the two act.
The four of them slowly walked out of the dungeon.
Outside the dungeon, several people in black attire, who were disciples of the Jue Sha Sect and loyal to Gu Qianying, were waiting.
They saw Gu Qianying and Su Cheng supporting Murong Yun, understanding that their sect leader had successfully rescued Ouyang Qinglin.
Two of them quickly approached Gu Qianying and took Murong Yun, who could not walk freely.
After handing Murong Yun over, Gu Qianying instructed her disciples, "Take him back to the sect and care for him well. Provide him with good food and lodging. Do not let him encounter any trouble."
The disciples obeyed, "Your subordinates understand!"
Gu Qianying, realizing that although Murong Yun was physically incapacitated, his mind was still sharp, delivered a chop to the back of his neck.
Murong Yun was struck abruptly, his eyes widening. Before he could react, he had already fallen unconscious.
Gu Qianying continued to instruct the Jue Sha Sect disciples, "Our sect operates with utmost discretion. Be extra careful along the way, leave no trace, and do not attract trouble. Also, do not let Murong Yun know the exact location of our Jue Sha Sect."
The Jue Sha Sect disciples, with their clear minds, instantly grasped Gu Qianying's intentions. Two of them then took Murong Yun and hurried ahead to the sect. The remaining disciples stayed behind to clean up the scene.
Gu Qianying also left first, taking Ouyang Qinglin to a carriage that her subordinates had prepared at the entrance.
Su Cheng sat outside the carriage curtain, driving the horses, ensuring the stability and safety within the carriage.
Inside the carriage, Ouyang Qinglin looked at Gu Qianying, who had her eyes closed, resting. He thought about his actions and couldn't help but speak.
"Qianying, I... I killed many people from the Su family."
Gu Qianying opened her eyes and looked at Ouyang Qinglin, "I know about this."
Ouyang Qinglin was slightly surprised. He stared blankly at Gu Qianying, "You already know... I have committed such terrible deeds. I truly don't know how I can face the elderly couple of the Su family when I return."
Gu Qianying knew that given Ouyang Qinglin's nature, he would be filled with unease and constantly tormented by his conscience, which had been cultivated since childhood, when faced with such a situation.
Her gaze was gentle as she comforted Ouyang Qinglin, "Qinglin, don't blame yourself too much. We never wanted this to happen. I know this action was not your true intention."
Hearing Gu Qianying's words, Ouyang Qinglin knew she still considered him a good friend and that their friendship had not fractured. His heart was filled with emotion.
"Thank you, thank you so much, for still being willing to accept me, a wicked person."
Gu Qianying did not follow Ouyang Qinglin's lead but refuted him, "You are not a wicked person! You are my close friend Ouyang Qinglin. There's no need to thank me for this. If I were in your situation, would you stop being friends with me?"
Ouyang Qinglin immediately shook his head, "Of course not!"
"Then that's that. Our deep affection for each other will not lessen because of this."
Gu Qianying's words greatly eased the torment and guilt in Ouyang Qinglin's heart.
In the narrow carriage, the two looked at each other and smiled.
Meanwhile, outside the carriage, beyond the curtain, Su Cheng listened to Gu Qianying's words, feeling a slight pang of jealousy.
With such deep affection between Gu Qianying and Ouyang Qinglin, his chances of competition diminished. Would Gu Qianying still set her sights on him?
Undoubtedly, Gu Qianying's actions on this trip had stirred up Su Cheng's jealousy, leaving him feeling somewhat displeased.