"Your Majesty, I don't know either. Perhaps it's the different paths we chose. I've walked this path alone for a long time, and I can't go back."
"How can you not go back? As long as you wish to return, I will take you back."
Xue Yu shook his head, "Your Majesty, I cannot go back. I have done so many things, killed Yin Shou, killed Feng Ying. They hate me so much they wish me dead. How can I go back?"
"Xue Yu, believe me. If I say you can come back, you can. Just stop now, make them stop."
Xue Yu chuckled lowly, "Your Majesty, doesn't that sound ridiculous coming from you? Do you think they will listen to what I say? I am merely a pawn."
Xue Zi Ning fell silent at this.
After a long pause, Xue Yu slowly knelt down. "Your Majesty, I know that many of the things I have done deserve a thousand cuts. But I hope you will always remember the loyal Feng Yu from before."
"Xue Yu, must it be this way? You know I do not wish to kill Feng Yin myself."
"Your Majesty, you reap what you sow."
"Get up. I don't need you to be helpless. As a warrior, fight with me. As the former Feng Yin, shouldn't you fight to the last moment?" Xue Zi Ning said coldly.
"Thank you for your fulfillment, Your Majesty! Feng Yu will show no mercy," Xue Yu said slowly as he rose.
"Nor will I show mercy," Xue Zi Ning drew her long sword and moved towards Xue Yu.
Xue Yu also leaped forward.
Their swords met, producing a pleasant, crisp sound.
A long dress the color of sky and water fluttered in the air, entwining with the opponent's black robes, surprisingly without any discord.
"Sister..." Xue Zi Xuan was worried. Only he, having sparred with Xue Yu just now, knew how terrifying Xue Yu was.
"Do not interfere. She needs to gain some experience."
Someone stopped Xue Zi Xuan. He frowned, looking at the person holding him, and said coldly, "Who are you?"
The woman was very alluring and stunning. She chuckled softly, "Oh, is this the King of Beijiang?"
"Who are you? I don't know you," Xue Zi Xuan said coldly.
"It doesn't matter, I know you..."
"You..."
"Your subordinate, Gu Yun Lan from Xiling Pass, leads fifty thousand troops to assist the King of Beijiang in resisting the enemy," Gu Yun Lan stepped forward and bowed.
Upon hearing this, Xue Zi Xuan's expression brightened. "You... you are General Gu?"
Gu Yun Lan nodded respectfully, "Yes, Your Highness."
"Good, good..." Xue Zi Xuan's heart finally settled.
"Your Highness, please step this way. We need to discuss the deployment," said Deputy General Guo, who was beside Gu Yun Lan.
Xue Zi Xuan nodded, "Very well, please lead the way."
As they walked towards the temporarily erected tent, he glanced back at the alluring woman and asked, "Who is that?"
Gu Yun Lan turned and saw the woman Xue Zi Xuan was pointing at. She replied, "That is Miss Wen. She came with Miss Ning."
Xue Zi Xuan knew that the Miss Ning Gu Yun Lan spoke of was his sister. He asked, "Someone from Miss Ning?"
Gu Yun Lan nodded.
He couldn't help but look again. Wen Nuan felt his gaze and coolly met his eyes.
Xue Zi Xuan quickly withdrew his gaze and entered the tent.
Xue Yu's combat power had increased significantly compared to before. Now, possessing the secret techniques of the three elders of Miao Jiang, he had learned many body-fortifying and protective arts, which greatly boosted his power.
He was not at a disadvantage in the fight.
Xue Yu was somewhat astonished. In just a few years, His Majesty's power had increased so much that he felt somewhat outmatched.
After forcing Xue Yu back repeatedly, he finally made a mistake in a parry, and his sword pierced Xue Yu's shoulder. The pain struck him, a sensation he hadn't felt in a long time. He had rarely been injured in these years, to the point that he had forgotten what pain felt like.
"Xue Yu, I'll ask you one last time, will you return?" Xue Zi Ning said word by word.
Xue Yu chuckled lowly, his eyes filled with sorrow. "Your Majesty, I cannot go back..."
Upon hearing this, Xue Zi Ning sighed softly, her gaze gradually turning cold. "Since that is the case, I cannot spare you."
Xue Yu closed his eyes, awaiting the final blow. However, after a long while, the final strike did not come. He opened his eyes to see the girl's clear gaze, looking at him as cold as frost. "Your crimes need to be known by the world. When I unify Huang Ze, I will pass judgment on you. Not now."
"Take him down..." Xue Zi Ning retracted her sword and turned to leave.
Xue Yu knelt on the ground, allowing himself to be dragged away. He knew that His Majesty had truly given up on him, just as he had abandoned His Majesty back then.
This was retribution, wasn't it?
The tent flap was lifted. Xue Zi Xuan instinctively looked up, and when he saw the girl entering, he stepped forward and said, "Sister..."
The girl gently patted his head. "Zi Xuan, you've grown up."
Hearing this, Xue Zi Xuan's tears mixed with his smile. "Sister, I have waited so long to hear your voice."
Gu Yun Lan, standing nearby, frowned. The King of Beijiang called Miss Ning "Sister"?
But looking at Miss Ning, she seemed to be the same age as the King of Beijiang.
"Are the deployments ready?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
Xue Zi Xuan nodded. "Yes, Sister. Would you like to take a look?"
Xue Zi Ning stepped forward and glanced at it. "It's acceptable."
"General Gu, please proceed with the deployment according to this plan."
Gu Yun Lan nodded respectfully. "Yes, your subordinate accepts the order."
Gu Yun Lan, leading fifty thousand troops, pushed back the one hundred thousand troops brought by Xue Yu.
Soon, the one hundred thousand troops retreated, and Beijiang City was defended.
The gates of Beijiang City were shut tight. No one dared to relax. Patrol guards maintained continuous patrols through the night. The injured soldiers and civilians were housed in temples and received unified treatment.
Stepping out of the tent, Xue Zi Ning said, "Take me for a walk around Beijiang City."
Xue Zi Xuan nodded. "Sister, follow me."
Although Beijiang had been ravaged by war, it still retained its former prosperity.
Along the way, the citizens respectfully greeted the King of Beijiang and Miss Ning.
"Zi Xuan, you have gained the people's hearts. That's very good."
"It's because Sister taught me well." Xue Zi Xuan was delighted to receive praise from his sister.
As they walked, they arrived at the largest temple in Beijiang, Chengwanggai Temple. Inside, many wounded and civilians were present.
Suddenly, a voice called out, "You... are you Your Majesty..."
Xue Zi Ning looked up, her eyes brightening. "County Princess Huimin?"
Li Fanghui put down the white cloth she was using for bandaging, wiped her hands, performed a grand bow, and knelt to kowtow, respectfully saying, "Your subordinate, County Princess Huimin, pays her respects to Your Majesty."
Everyone was shocked.
Xue Zi Ning was slightly taken aback. She hadn't expected to meet County Princess Huimin here.
At this moment, Xue Zi Xuan, standing beside her, lifted his robe, knelt on the ground, and solemnly said word by word, "Your subordinate, the King of Beijiang, has not failed Your Majesty's entrustment from that year. The city stands, the people are here. Your subordinate pays his respects to Your Majesty. Long live His Majesty, forever and ever!"
Everyone followed suit and knelt on the ground. Even the wounded soldiers bowed their heads as much as possible and kowtowed, "Long live His Majesty, forever and ever!"
"Arise!" The girl's ruby lips parted slightly as she said slowly.
Xue Zi Xuan rose. At his gesture, Xue Zi Ning said word by word, "I am the legitimate heir of the late Emperor. I am the Empress Xue Zi Ning of Huang Ze."