Luo Zhiheng's eyes widened in surprise. She didn't understand what Luo Ningshuang meant. She had never understood the meaning of rebirth, but she was sensitive to it. A look of shock and turmoil surged across her face.
Luo Ningshuang was extremely pleased with herself, finally seeing Luo Zhiheng's expression change! However, before she could even laugh out loud, she felt a sharp pain in her wrist. Luo Zhiheng had unexpectedly grabbed her wrist. She screamed in agony, then saw a flash of light before her eyes, followed by a heart-wrenching pain in her chest. Then, the hideous face in the nude photo magnified countless times before her eyes.
Luo Zhiheng snatched the dagger and plunged it viciously into Luo Ningshuang's chest, into the spot where Luo Ningshuang had injured her own heart. Her attack was ruthless, fueled by intense hatred; this strike was meant to kill Luo Ningshuang! The entire dagger went in, white blade going in, red blade coming out. One strike wasn't enough; she'd strike again!
The second cut left a long, deep wound on Luo Ningshuang's heart.
Luo Zhiheng's attack was a desperate counterattack after a period of madness, but it was a last-ditch effort with all her remaining strength! Her eyes were bloodshot with madness as she looked into Luo Ningshuang's incredulous and terrified eyes. Luo Zhiheng laughed wildly and arrogantly, her voice hoarse and ruthless as she said, "If you want me to die, you have to come and die with me. Where's your heart? I don't believe you can still live! Luo Ningshuang, we're sisters. If I die, how can you live on alone?"
"You, you..." Luo Ningshuang couldn't breathe, her breath becoming heavier and heavier. Her eyes widened in pain as she gripped Luo Zhiheng's wrist tightly, as if she wanted to strangle her. But both of them were exhausted. Moreover, Luo Zhiheng's two knives had been plunged into Luo Ningshuang's heart. Even if they weren't very deep, Luo Ningshuang was still in dire straits.
"You bastard!" Luo Ningshuang roared, then suddenly kicked Luo Zhiheng hard before falling to the ground herself.
Luo Zhiheng fell to the ground, rolled several times, and then lay on the ground watching Luo Ningshuang lying on the ground covered in blood. She laughed, a strange yet unrestrained laugh.
A half-dead imposter, let's see how your conspiracy continues.
"Luo Zhiheng!" Mu Yunsheng roared. Luo Zhiheng's unexpected move completely ruined his plan and left him at a loss. If Luo Ningshuang died, his plan to lie in wait would be completely destroyed. This made Mu Yunsheng furious. He raised his foot and rushed over, wanting to grab Luo Zhiheng.
But Luo Zhiheng's eyes were already filled with determination. Her bandit father had once told her that she would rather die than be a slave to a conquered country! She would rather die standing than be captured by the enemy and become a prisoner of war who was neither human nor ghost!
Luo Zhiheng glared at Mu Yunsheng with hatred and ruthlessness, and roared: "Even if I die, I will never let you humiliate me or make me your plaything!"
Mu Yunsheng paused for a moment, and the next moment his expression changed drastically. He saw Luo Zhiheng roll backward with force, and in just that one moment, she, a living person, disappeared from his sight and fell into the abyss!
"Luo Zhiheng!!" Mu Yunsheng rushed to the edge of the cliff and saw Luo Zhiheng's figure falling rapidly. He reached out his hand, but could no longer grab Luo Zhiheng.
In the final moment when Luo Zhiheng chose to end her life, only one thing was on her mind: What will happen to my Yun He? If I don't die, if I can still see him, what will the club be like then?
Her body plummeted rapidly, and she knew her fate was to be shattered to pieces, leaving no trace. Yet, scenes of her time with Mu Yunhe flashed before her eyes: their mutual loathing, their budding romance, their fighting side-by-side, their misunderstandings, their love, and their union. These images flickered like a dream within the drifting clouds, as elusive and unattainable as the clouds themselves.
Suddenly, tears streamed down Luo Zhiheng's face. The light in her firm and stubborn eyes finally shattered, and her desperate murmur of parting came from against the wind: "Yun He, I'm sorry, I don't belong here after all. I came here for no reason and I'm leaving for no reason, but I really can't bear to part with you..." Her blood-stained clothes and her voice were hard.
Unable to control herself, Luo Zhiheng fell into the bottomless abyss without any awareness of whether she was alive or dead.
On the cliff, Mu Yunsheng was still staring blankly at the now deserted cliff, silence enveloping him in an endless silence. His eyes stung, and he couldn't quite describe the feeling. The look in Luo Zhiheng's eyes before she jumped had terrified him and left a deep impression on him.
Looking back at Luo Ningshuang, who was equally oblivious to her fate, Mu Yunsheng felt lost and confused. He didn't know what his future held either.
At that moment, a commotion arose from the mountainside. Mu Yunsheng's expression changed, guessing that the people searching for Luo Zhiheng had arrived. He immediately ordered his guards to come out and kill the beggars. Then he came to Luo Ningshuang's side, holding an unknown bead in his hand, his expression hesitant.
The guard urged, "Master, hurry up, they'll be here soon."
"I wonder if using such a treasure on this woman will render her useless?"
This bead was given to him by the Great Demon King; it's something that can disrupt a person's soul aura, specifically designed to deal with Mu Yunhe. If Luo Ningshuang swallows it, even Mu Yunhe won't be able to detect that she's an imposter. Only then will Luo Ningshuang truly be firmly established by Mu Yunhe's side, allowing them to make a comeback. And their comeback will only rely on Luo Zhiheng's influence over Mu Yunhe, getting him to help them, while Luo Ningshuang secretly tampers with Mu Yunhe's diet.
"This is our last chance. The Crown Prince will be back soon. We have suffered heavy losses and cannot stay here any longer. We can only prepare for battle and start all over again," the loyal confidant earnestly advised.
Mu Yunsheng frowned, but finally, without further hesitation, he fed Luo Ningshuang the pill. Luo Ningshuang wasn't dead yet; he only hoped she would live. Afterwards, Mu Yunsheng and his guards hid in the shadows.
Sure enough, a group of people came up soon after, with the little fox Luo Erduo naturally at the front.
Luo Erduo's face was very pale, with many wounds on her face and body. She walked with a limp, but her face and eyes were full of anxiety and fear. When she reached the top of the mountain, her eyes immediately fell on Luo Ningshuang, who was covered in blood. Her eyes suddenly lit up with joy, and she pointed ahead and shouted, "There she is!"
With a whoosh, a figure darted out and landed beside Luo Ning Shuang. It was none other than the wet nurse.
When the wet nurse saw Luo Ningshuang covered in blood, her legs went weak and she almost fainted.
Upon seeing Luo Ningshuang's appearance, Luo Erduo burst into tears of terror and despair, crying out, "Master, Master, what happened to you? Don't die! Erduo, don't die!"
"What are you crying for! If you hadn't run around and been caught, would His Highness the Crown Prince have ended up like this? Instead of apologizing, you dare to cry. If anything happens to His Highness the Crown Prince, you won't be alive either." The Qin Saint, who had followed, scolded her with an extremely ugly expression. He nervously checked Luo Ning Shuang's breath; she was still alive. He breathed a sigh of relief and immediately ordered, "Quickly take the little princess back. Leave some people to investigate this place immediately. I need to know what exactly happened here, and who injured His Highness the Crown Prince like this?"
The group left in a hurry. After a period of chaos on the cliff that concealed the earth-shattering secret, it fell completely silent. This silence lasted for three years!
Three years later
In the third year of the Fuchang era of the Mu Dynasty, and the third year of the new emperor's reign, the rebellion was quelled, corrupt officials were eliminated, the Pharaoh was honored, the young prince Mu Yunhe was granted the title of Protector of the Nation, and the young princess Luo Zhiheng was granted the title of First-Rank Protector of the Nation!
In the third year of the Fuchang Rebellion, Mu Yunsheng, the leader of the remaining rebels, is still at large. 16.
The trees may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease. Standing atop a cliff atop a dense forest, his tall figure appeared aloof and solitary. He gazed at the sheer drop below, his profile reflecting a forlorn and cold expression.
Suddenly, a man in black appeared behind him, kneeling respectfully and saying, "Reporting to Master, the Protector of the Nation went to the palace for the morning court as usual today and has now returned to his residence. The Protector of the Nation's wife is still unconscious. After returning to his residence, the Protector of the Nation's wife went to her room, just like he has for the past three years."
Time seemed to stand still at that moment. The man standing with his hands behind his back was no longer thinking about anything, as if he had fallen into eternal silence. After a long while, he waved his hand, signaling the others to leave.
"Luo Zhiheng, perhaps you are right. Mu Yunhe really is devoted to you. But you are dead and will never see it. He is now guarding a living dead person and thinking that is you. This infatuation is truly something that makes me feel sorry for you..." This person was none other than Mu Yunsheng. He hesitated, his expression full of sarcasm.
That intense sarcasm wasn't just mocking Luo Ningshuang, who had been bedridden for three years, but also mocking his own decision. A substitution? Ha! He succeeded. He successfully carried out his subordinates' scheme, successfully forced Luo Zhiheng to her death, and successfully placed Luo Ningshuang, now Luo Zhiheng, beside Mu Yunhe. Everything seemed so perfect.
But alas, man proposes, God disposes!
After all the successes, the final step kept him teetering on the brink of failure.
A living dead! Luo Ningshuang has actually become a living dead! She has been lying in bed for three years, unable to open her eyes, without thoughts, unable to speak, like a puppet.
Is this a perfectly placed chess piece he meticulously arranged?
Now everyone praises Luo Zhiheng's bravery and patriotism, and the deep and unwavering love between her and her husband as they fought side by side in the face of national crisis. But the woman who was so lauded is long dead, and the imposter is now just as lifeless. Even as he was about to abandon Luo Ningshuang, only Mu Yunhe remained steadfast in protecting her.
Mu Yunhe, that miraculous man, the man who should have died, yet he survived! However, Mu Yunhe is now no different from an ordinary person; he can no longer use his soul power, because his soul was almost destroyed in that war. Yet he still survived, which makes Mu Yunsheng admire Mu Yunhe while also making him even more hesitant to act rashly. 17900992
He waited for three years, originally thinking that if Luo Ningshuang survived, she could help him, but now he could only continue to wait.
Sometimes he wondered, if he hadn't devised that crazy plan, if Luo Zhiheng were still alive, would things have turned out differently? Even if he were dead, at least it would have been a quick death, instead of having to wait in this agony.
His gaze fell once more upon the cliff below, Mu Yunsheng's eyes deep, and that absurd thought began to grow terrifyingly again.
The fact that no body was found means Luo Zhiheng might still be alive? But how could that be? What exactly does he want? To kill her on one hand, and hope she's still alive on the other. But from such a height, a fall would be certain death, wouldn't it?
——
Wilderness, a desolate and savage land.
The men and women here are extremely handsome, the men are strong and fierce, and the women are alluring and charming. They possess powerful secret arts, and legend has it that they have the ability to bring the dead back to life.
The people here don't listen to reason. Regardless of gender, they only care about fists. Whoever has the strongest fist and the best martial arts skills is the leader and the ancestor!
Meanwhile, their newly appointed ancestor lay sprawled on a soft couch in the magnificent and mysterious palace, his body limp and boneless. A crimson satin robe was pulled open from behind, falling to his waist, revealing his supple waist, which appeared hazy, slender, and beautiful under the pearly light, his skin appearing translucent against the crimson satin.
Her long hair, flowing freely, cascaded over the snow-white animal hair blanket and hung over the dark gold footstool. Her face was buried in her arms, and her snow-white feet were crossed, in a relaxed posture.
Kneeling on the soft couch was a woman with a slightly open bodice and an exquisitely beautiful face, her slender, delicate hands lingering on the man's back and waist. The ambiguous jewel-colored shimmer, the fiery red gauze curtains, the alluring woman, and the red-clad figure whose gender was unclear—this scene was enchanting and alluring, igniting a layer of warmth in the otherwise cold and wild palace.
"Chief, this is the news from that damn capital. That bastard is still pretending to be dead in bed. Last time, when Master heard about that bastard, he broke his nails and bled. How about I just go to the capital, tear that bastard apart, and eat her to vent Master's anger?" A simple, honest voice suddenly rang out, interrupting the romantic atmosphere in the hall.
The person lying on the bed did not react. Instead, the woman who had been kneeling said to the man sitting in front of the bed with a charming and coquettish expression, "You big clumsy bear, you haven't even made it to the capital yet. Once you enter that place of civilized scoundrels, you'll be captured and roasted like a monster. And you still want to help your master kill people? Pshaw."
The man sitting cross-legged on the ground had a round face, wide eyes, short hair that almost stood on end, large ears, and a憨厚 (honest and simple) look. Hearing this, he wasn't angry; instead, he sighed, frowned, and asked with a troubled expression, "Then what do you suggest we do? Master gets sullen whenever he hears news from over there. Those bastards deserve a beating! We're almost starving, and they're still feasting. Especially that so-called Guardian God's father—not only does he not give us food, but he also makes us hand over grain! Why? Why? Why?"
The bear-like man, in his agitation, repeatedly uttered words that expressed his anger. He instantly flew into a rage, crumpled the paper in his hand into a ball, and threw it on the ground: "To hell with it! Why should we go hungry?!"
"Hmm, because you're too stupid. You can't beat them, and you can't outsmart them, so you can only be bullied." The lazy voice was slightly hoarse and deep, making it hard to tell if it was male or female for a moment. The person who had been seemingly asleep suddenly spoke, slowly raising their head, their long hair unable to hide the golden light on their face...
It was a mask, a mask with mysterious symbols and exquisite carvings, with a thin layer of gold that seemed to be pasted onto the face, yet it did not hinder speech. Squinting eyes were revealed from the eye area on the mask, and the human face was hidden behind the mask, making it impossible to discern the person's emotions.
"Master is awake. Did I serve you well today?" The stunningly beautiful woman immediately leaned close and asked in a sweet voice, alluring yet not ostentatious.
Before the man could speak, the magnificent palace gates were smashed open from the outside with a loud bang, the enormous sound echoing throughout the hall, deafeningly loud.
The woman immediately glared at her and angrily said, "You damned jackal, didn't you announce your arrival before entering? This is the master's palace. How dare you barge in like this? Get out of here right now!"
The man who barged in was tall and slender, with an extremely fair and handsome face, but his gaze held an inexplicable chill. He paid no attention to the woman, instead fixing his gaze directly on the person lying face down. His cold gaze, like an ice blade, sliced across the person's back, flashing with an unknown fervor.
He spoke coldly, "I came here only to ask the trusted chieftain, when you were vying for the chieftainship, you promised to ensure that the people of the wilderness would have enough to eat. But now, more than half a year has passed since you took the position of chieftain, yet you are here indulging in pleasure and doing nothing for the people. Is this your character and your promise?"
His questioning was so righteous and confident that everyone else, whether they had followed him in or were standing guard beside him, paled. Naturally, there were many more people who shared the same doubts and dissatisfaction.
"What nonsense are you spouting? Does the master need to report to you what he wants to do? Wolf King, you're being too presumptuous!" The honest-looking man sitting in front of the bed suddenly jumped up, his fiery appearance resembling an enraged bear.
"Hmph, I may be presumptuous, but I would never be so undignified and uncouth as to serve as a slave to someone who came from the land that banished us! Bear King, may I ask you, you grovel before that human woman as if she were your ancestor, what has she ever given you? Or has she already taken you as her guest and shared your love affair with you?" The Wolf King's anger flared at this point, and he even resorted to sarcastic remarks without restraint.
The moment the Wolf King uttered those words, almost everyone standing next to him felt a powerful, chilling gaze lock onto them, causing their pupils to constrict and their bodies to stiffen. They had only ever felt that gaze from their previous leader.
When everyone looked up, they couldn't help but gasp. They immediately lowered their heads and even bent over slightly. In the wilderness, bowing one's head and bending over is considered a sign of respect and fear.
The woman in red who stepped onto the platform suddenly opened her eyes. The golden light of the mask could not hide the majestic and cold gaze in her pupils. Her crimson eyes, filled with mystery and bloody cruelty, could instantly terrify a person's soul.
“I’m not a native of this place, but I always keep my word. Now that I’m the leader of the wilderness, I will fulfill my duties. I don’t need your questions or doubts. If you don’t knock or announce your arrival before coming in next time, then you might as well kill yourself. Do you think a wolf king like you can so easily trample on and disrespect the dignity of the leader?” The woman’s voice wasn’t loud, but every word carried a power that could shake the soul. Hearing it was awe-inspiring.
Her words were irrefutable, but the Wolf King remained defiant, head held high, his gaze towards the woman unusually bloodthirsty and gloomy, carrying a subtle urge to tear her apart and destroy her.
The woman seemed oblivious to the provocation and disrespect in the wolf king's eyes. She narrowed her beautiful, mysterious ruby-like eyes and spoke in a slow, melodious voice: "Also, I don't like people using my identity to make things up. Anyone who dares to say that I have an affair with someone or anything else, if I catch them, I'll cut out their dishonest tongue."
Upon hearing this, the people behind the Wolf King instinctively covered their mouths, realizing the gesture was somewhat cowardly, and awkwardly lowered them. The Wolf King's face had also turned extremely pale.
"As long as you don't abuse your power as the chief and can find food as soon as possible, we won't say anything. Recently, the Mu Dynasty has been pressuring us hard, and we're almost starving ourselves. Where would we get food to give them? You'd better come up with a solution quickly, or I'll lead my people to destroy the surrounding cities of the Mu Dynasty, both as a warning to them and to seize their food. I'm willing to start a war so that my people can have enough to eat!" The Wolf King's cold voice brought a deathly silence to the entire hall.
War! They will really do anything for food.
The woman who stepped onto the platform slowly raised her head, met the wolf king's gaze for a few seconds, then suddenly giggled, her urgent voice filled with both confusion and danger: "You're threatening me?"
451 Her Hatred! Her Benefactor, Zang Tianwu! (Bonus chapter for 33,500 comments)
Updated: 2013-11-20 20:25:20 Word Count: 3416
"This is not a threat, it's just a fact. The capable should rule. If you don't have the ability to feed the people of the wilderness, then please get out of here and let someone capable lead the people of the wilderness to have enough to eat," the Wolf King said sternly.
Calling him the Wolf King isn't because he's a wolf, and the Bear King isn't a bear. It's simply a way for them to express their love for wild beasts. People in the wilderness have always considered themselves descendants of those who inherited and loved wild animals, which is why they use terms like "wolf" and "bear" to refer to their chieftains and members. But they are still human at heart; they have simply continued and imitated the behavior and preferences of wild animals.
And the Wolf King was indeed as ruthless, vicious, and cruel as a wolf. His gaze was chilling and terrifying.
She sat up abruptly, her fiery red robe slipping off her shoulders, her long hair obscuring the gleam of her chest. Her jade-like fingers, adorned with scarlet nail polish, pointed arrogantly at the door, saying, "What I should do and what I should do is none of your business, a tribal chief! I promised to feed the people, and I will keep my promise. Now, take this bunch of good-for-nothings you brought and get out!"
The Wolf King's face was contorted with rage, almost tearing him apart. From the very first moment he saw this woman, he had felt an overwhelming urge to pin her down, to ravage, torment, and tear her to pieces! Now, as her queenly aura grew stronger, it only fueled his violent impulses. Each time he provoked her, it was simply to see his own reflection in her ruby-like eyes.
And this woman, unless she's in a fit of rage, never even glances at him! That damned woman!
The wolf king suppressed the urge to tear her apart and led the others away.
The Bear King angrily brandished his fists, his handsome face contorted with rage: "Master, let me go and give that Wolf King brat a good beating, let's see if he's still so arrogant!"
"Little Bear, Demoness, do you also think I'm incompetent and untrustworthy? I can't give you enough food, I can't let you all have a good winter? You, you also resent me, don't you?" Her voice suddenly became low, and she seemed very tired as she collapsed onto the soft couch again.
The woman kneeling on the couch was the demoness. Upon seeing this, she immediately asked with concern, "Master, don't think nonsense. Is your back hurting again? Let me massage it for you."