"Mo... Your Highness Mo, spare my life..."
The plea for mercy was cut short as a cold blade pierced through his throat.
In the spray of blood, the ink-like darkness was dense, almost chilling.
"Spare... spare my life!"
The men in black fled, heads clutched, but sword energy arrived faster.
Precise, ruthless, a fatal blow with one strike.
The men in black fell one after another, blood spreading like a tide, yet no one dared to approach.
Finally, Feng Wuxi intervened.
"Ye Tinglan, enough."
He had killed them all, and this was the last one.
Ye Tinglan looked up, his eyes, stained red with killing intent, burning with ferocity.
"Those who dare to obstruct shall die."
A powerful sword energy surged forward. Feng Wuxi's eyes darkened, and he immediately spun and retreated.
His evasion was swift, yet even so, the sword energy sliced off a strand of his hair.
To break through his protective Qi with a single sword strike, Ye Tinglan's cultivation had clearly advanced further.
Had it not been for his fury and loss of control today, even he might not have known this.
How much more... did he still hide?
As the wind died down, the mist receded.
The bottom of the cliff was filled with a thick, bloody stench, even the full moon seemed tinged with an unusual crimson.
Blood continued to drip from the long sword, "pat, pat, pat," each drop striking the heart.
Qi Xuan stood guard behind, his eyes showing hidden worry.
He had followed the Prince for many years but had never witnessed such a scene.
The Prince had always been composed, maintaining absolute calm even in the heat of battle.
Tonight's loss of control was undoubtedly an exception.
"Your Highness."
He parted his lips, but his words died before they could be spoken.
The Prince had gone on a killing spree tonight. Those men in black deserved death for killing the Princess, but what use was this? The Princess was already...
Blame himself.
If he had guarded the Princess's courtyard after the Prince left, if he had arrived half a moment sooner.
Could things have turned out differently?
His hand, gripping the scabbard, tightened powerlessly. With a "ding," the long sword was sheathed.
Ye Tinglan spoke with his back to him.
"Take the Princess's body..."
"Back."
As the procession prepared to leave, Feng Yun and others descended the cliff.
The moment they saw the glimpse of a cyan dress peeking out from the carriage, Yuping immediately broke free of her restraints and rushed forward.
"Miss!"
The carriage was guarded by cavalry, and in an instant, several halberds extended, easily blocking the path.
She had not held back her momentum and nearly collided.
Qi Xuan's heart leaped and then settled, his foot, poised to ascend, stopped.
"Let me pass! Let me see my Miss..."
Her sprained ankle had not fully recovered, and the two steps she took in haste had clearly twisted it again.
Now, with a pale face, she insisted on rushing forward. Qi Xuan felt a pang of pity.
"Your Highness, perhaps..."
Before his plea could be finished, his gaze caught sight of her being repelled by a halberd.
The person had used some force. Yuping lost her footing, her frail body stumbling and falling to the ground.
"Stop!"
His senses returned, and he was already flying forward.
Without a second thought, he rushed to her side and helped her up, deliberately adding a bit of force to support her injured foot.
"Guard Qi."
The person had not expected this young maid to be so fragile. Seeing Qi Xuan personally arrive, he was about to explain.
However, before he could utter a word, Ye Tinglan's deep, cold voice emanated from within the carriage.
"Let her come."
Yuping was her maid.
Feng Yinwan would want her by her side.
The cavalry on both sides immediately parted at the sound.
With no further obstruction, Yuping broke free of Qi Xuan's hand and limped forward.
Her figure was delicate, yet at this moment, she exuded a resilience similar to that of the Princess.
It inexplicably brought a warmth to the eyes.
"How is my Miss?"
Ye Tinglan was still in the carriage, and she, wary, did not dare to rush forward directly. She turned to ask Qi Xuan.
To her surprise, Qi Xuan's eyelashes fluttered, and he fell silent, averting his gaze.
Yuping was frantic, "What happened? Speak!"
"I..."
The news lingered on his lips, but facing her eyes, he simply could not utter it.
The Princess and she were like sisters. If she knew, how heartbroken she would be.
As he hesitated, the carriage curtain was lifted.
Ye Tinglan stepped out, the deep darkness on his face almost petrifying.
He glanced at Yuping, his expression unreadable, and walked past her.
This was tacit permission.
Seeing this, Yuping no longer hesitated. Gritting her teeth, she climbed into the carriage.
Qi Xuan remained outside, but the gasp he expected did not come.
Inside the carriage, Yuping's body trembled.
The moment her outer robe was removed, her eyes were already brimming with tears.
Tears streamed down instantly, but she bit her lip tightly, not letting out a single sound.
The moisture gathered, and she desperately tried to hold it back, but the scene before her blurred uncontrollably.
So much so that she could no longer see her Miss's face, nor her Miss's attire.
In the end, she could even barely make out her Miss's form.
Yet, even so, she admonished herself in her heart.
Do not cry.
The deceased should rest in peace. Her tears must not fall upon her Miss.