Luo Zhiheng nodded, but she couldn't be completely at ease. She was worried about Mu Yunhe and couldn't let go of her worries. She opened her eyes and looked somewhat dazed.
The King covered her eyes with his hand with heartache and coaxed her, "You can't move at all right now. What are you going to do about all these injuries? How did you treat them before? Huo Yun and Lou Yun have been studying them for days but still can't figure out how to treat your injuries. If you can't sleep, talk to your aunt about it. It's better than worrying about it alone."
Luo Zhiheng was touched by the King's thoughtfulness and whispered, "Aunt, don't worry. I'm often like this. My body has been modified and it can heal itself slowly. However, if there were special medicines and secret techniques, it would heal even faster. The person who can heal me is my subordinate from the Wilderness. She came back with me, but I was worried that she would be in danger if she came in, so I let her stay with my brother."
"I'll have someone quickly bring that person in to treat you." Upon hearing this, the king immediately became restless and left.
Luo Zhiheng was exasperated by the Prince's erratic behavior. After waiting for a while without seeing him return, and then another half hour passed with no sign of him, Luo Zhiheng began to worry. She lay on the bed, her mind uneasy, straining to look out the window and towards the door. However, from the bed, she couldn't see the doorway. She couldn't help but call out, "Is anyone outside? Someone come here!"
With no response, Luo Zhiheng grew even more anxious. She struggled to sit up, feeling as if her back was about to break. She tugged at the bedsheets, trying to support herself so she could get out of bed, when footsteps approached from outside the door.
"Heng'er! Why are you up? Lie down quickly!" The Prince hurriedly stepped forward and carefully laid Luo Zhiheng down.
"I was just worried about my aunt. Why did she take so long? Did something happen? Is it Yunhe?" Luo Zhiheng's heart skipped a beat when she saw the King's face and eyes. She grabbed the King's arm and said urgently.
"Don't worry, it's not Mu Yunhe, but it's still related to Mu Yunhe. I just received news that all the spies I sent to deliver a message to your grandmother have been killed." The Prince's face was gloomy and his tone was chilling.
This was the first time in many years that the Silver Moon Kingdom had encountered such a situation. The Silver Moon Kingdom's spies were all highly skilled in martial arts; while not absolute masters, they could certainly hold their own against them. Fearing something might go wrong, she had sent three more spies back to report the news, just in case. However, before the message even reached the Silver Moon Kingdom, the entire group of spies was wiped out. The King was shocked by this incident and immediately became extremely vigilant and prepared.
This is absolutely an insult and a provocation to the Silvermoon Kingdom!
"Such a thing actually happened! So the news that I'm still alive was leaked from the start? Were these people killed upon reaching Silvermoon Kingdom, or were they killed en route?" Luo Zhiheng's expression changed drastically. Silvermoon Kingdom's intelligence network is incredibly tight and powerful; how could someone possibly kill them? Just how powerful must that person be?
"He was killed halfway there! If he had been killed upon reaching Silvermoon Kingdom, then this person was after Silvermoon Kingdom. The fact that he killed someone halfway there shows that this person still doesn't dare to offend Silvermoon Kingdom. He's only doing this to prevent your news from reaching Silvermoon Kingdom. He probably doesn't want your royal grandmother to come." The King's gaze was deep and dark as he slowly analyzed.
Luo Zhiheng knew perfectly well what was going on, and sneered, "Who else but that great demon king could be so scheming and dare to be so audacious and arrogant!"
The King sneered, "I suspect it was this beast who did it! Since he dared to provoke the Silver Moon Kingdom, he must pay the price. Did he really think that my inaction was out of fear of him?"
“But Aunt, we can’t keep sending messages to the Empress Dowager under these circumstances. He might just use the same trick again, and we’ll probably lose even more people. His increasing arrogance only means he doesn’t want anyone to bother him right now. Could he be doing something shady right now?” Luo Zhiheng asked, frowning.
The King remained silent, pondering what the Great Demon King might be up to lately. He had openly dismissed the people she sent to monitor him, and now he was pulling this stunt. It was clear that he was doing something he couldn't let her know. What could it be?
"Why don't we send someone to investigate further?" Luo Zhiheng suggested.
The King sighed, no longer hiding anything from Luo Zhiheng: "This priest's residence is now under his control. I only just discovered it myself. I've been neglecting my surroundings these past few days. His men are monitoring everything in the residence, which shows he wants to control us. At the very least, we can't do anything to disrupt his plans. Taking you out would be easy for me, but if we rashly fight our way out, it would be tantamount to openly confronting him. Heng'er, what do you think we should do?"
Luo Zhiheng quieted down and thought for a long time before slowly smiling and saying, "We've been on the defensive all along, but is Auntie someone who's willing to be led by the nose? I, Luo Zhiheng, am not the kind of person who can be treated like a prisoner again and again. Since he's shameless, why should we be afraid of tearing off the mask? Anyway, we've already torn off the mask long ago! Let's get out! If his people dare to stop us, then we'll fight our way out!"
"Good! As expected of my niece, Qin Yinshi, you have spirit!" King Shi clapped his hands and laughed heartily. He then ordered Huo Yun, Du Sheng, and others to come over. The subordinates that King Shi had sent out to find Luo Zhiheng were unable to go out because they were stopped by the Great Demon King's men. King Shi then learned from secret channels that his men had been killed.
The proud and arrogant King Shi could not tolerate this. He immediately cast aside any notions of "a small act of impatience could ruin the bigger picture" and "wait and see." Just as Luo Zhiheng had said, fighting their way out was the only way!
The Poison Saint arrived reluctantly. He'd been working tirelessly day and night for the past few days, researching and worrying about Luo Zhiheng, and was only just getting some sleep when he was woken up again. He'd always disliked Luo Zhiheng, but he would never admit that it was because the Prince had been so kind and attentive to her these past few days!
"What exactly is this? Are you trying to kill us all? Is some kind of beauty going to turn us into monsters? How can you be so shameless!" Poison Saint grumbled, glaring at Luo Zhiheng with resentment and wariness.
Poison Saint was unaware of Luo Zhiheng's true identity. Seeing his sour expression, Luo Zhiheng's tension and irritation lessened somewhat. That old rascal is still the same—saying one thing and meaning another, so awkward and arrogant. He clearly cares that the King is jealous, yet he acts as if he's utterly indifferent.
The king coldly rebuked, "What kind of time is this to be shouting like this! If you want to sleep, then stay here and continue sleeping. We're leaving, we won't disturb your sleep!"
Over the years, King Shi had truly been incredibly obedient to Poison Saint, always taking great care of him, practically treating him like an ancestor. He was so doting that he couldn't even spare a single word of affection. Suddenly seeing King Shi's temper from decades ago, Poison Saint was momentarily stunned and unable to process it.
After a long pause, Poison Saint let out a sharp roar: "Qin Yinshi, you bastard! What are you yelling at me for? Do you think I care about you? If you weren't always following me around like a little shadow, do you think I would be with you? Now you're yelling at me again. Do you really think I'm chasing after you and clinging to you? I'm not putting up with you anymore. You can stay with your little beauty!"
Luo Zhiheng was completely stunned by Poison Saint's words. What was all this about? Was Poison Saint losing face and getting angry?
The King's face was extremely ugly. For the first time in front of everyone, he did not give the Poison Saint any face and said angrily, "If you don't want to follow me, then get out! From now on, I will not fawn over you anymore. I have never been so loving towards anyone in my life. You are the first. You should be glad that I still favor you."
This is getting weird! What's going on?!
Not only was Luo Zhiheng stunned, but Huo Yun and Poison Saint were also dumbfounded. Poison Saint's eyes were red-rimmed; he had suffered a double blow, both physically and mentally. He, a grown man, had been rejected by an old woman! What was infuriating was that he still loved this old woman so much, yet this was a sign that she no longer loved him?!
Driven mad by love and hate, Poison Saint pointed at King Shi's nose and roared, "Qin Yinshi, you son of a bitch! I'm not serving you anymore! I don't want you anymore! If you ever dare to come near me again, cling to me, or pester me, you'll be childless for life!"
That's incredibly cruel! Poison Saint, are you saying that since you can't have him yourself, you want to ensure that any man who can have him in the future will also be unhappy? A man's heart is truly unfathomable!
The king's face was as black as the bottom of a pot, and he exuded a complex mix of coldness and murderous intent. He gritted his teeth and roared, "Get out! Get out of here before I kill you!"
The Poison Saint was enraged. His handsome face turned pale, then ashen, and finally purplish-red, his expression filled with utter grief and indignation. The hatred and heartache in his eyes were so evident; he was truly devastated, feeling utterly unjustly humiliated! Had he inexplicably severed all ties with the World King? But words spoken are like water spilled—they cannot be taken back! He, too, had his pride!
Without uttering another word, the Poison Saint turned and stormed off, leaving in a menacing manner.
Luo Zhiheng's raised hand froze in mid-air. Her mouth was dry as she opened it, mechanically looking at the Prince, almost crying: "Aunt, what are you doing? You really can't bear to let him go? You're arguing with me because of me? You want me to live for thirty years! Don't people say it's better to tear down a temple than to break up a marriage? If you two really end up together, wouldn't I be filled with sin?"
Madam Huoyun was not in her room at several crucial moments, so she did not know Luo Zhiheng's true identity. When she heard the word "aunt" at this moment, she was completely bewildered and stared at Luo Zhiheng in disbelief, as if she had seen a ghost.
The King was both amused and exasperated by Luo Zhiheng's words. He gently took her hand and pulled her into his arms, saying softly, "It's not that serious. He's just childish, always getting jealous. I've wanted to teach him a lesson for a while now. Being jealous all the time is bad for your health."
Luo Zhiheng was on the verge of tears: "You really know how to maintain your health... I still feel like I'm deeply guilty."
Seeing the worry on her wrinkled little face, the King couldn't help but laugh. He then lowered his voice and whispered in Luo Zhiheng's ear...
First update! There will be an extra update today, still 10,000 words! Hua Sha will keep working hard. The second update will be around 9:10 PM. Hehehe, let's keep going! Still asking for recommendation votes, comments, and monthly tickets! Group hug!
535 Like a Mother! Mysterious Light Curtain! (Bonus Chapter for 83,000 Recommendation Votes)
Updated: 2014-01-05 21:38:47 Word Count: 4601
"Don't worry, I just sent him to lead the charge. The fact that the Great Demon King's men don't dare to guard my courtyard too openly shows that he's still wary of me. But if no one goes out to test the waters and cause trouble, to let me know about the forces he's deployed around me, how can I smoothly take you out?" After saying this, the World King elegantly raised an eyebrow, showing no fear or concern that her bold actions might harm the Poison Saint.
Luo Zhiheng said incredulously, "You're sending him to distract the enemy? No, you're using him? How could you bear to do that? Mu Yunhe would never be willing to use me."
The King nodded and then shook his head, saying, "This isn't about using him, but about making the most of him. Haven't you noticed how lazy he's become these past few years? I know his personality all too well. When he's angry, he's like a mad donkey, charging out without a care in the world. If we let him go through the main gate, those people blocking his way will only fuel his rage. It's not surprising that he'll end up fighting with them. The angrier he gets, the bigger his actions will be. It's best if we make a huge commotion and draw our hidden people away so I can take you out more easily."
"Aren't you afraid he'll get hurt?!" Luo Zhiheng's heart trembled. This cunning woman was so ruthless; Poison Saint was destined to be stuck with her for life.
"What's there to be afraid of? He has a secret weapon! Let's just wait and see what happens," the King said with a mysterious smile.
Luo Zhiheng became curious. What kind of heaven-defying secret weapon did the Poison Saint have that made the King so confident in sending his precious darling out to lead the charge after three years?
After carefully securing Luo Zhiheng's waist and binding her to her body, the King held her tightly, his care as tender as a mother's for her child. His gentle gaze and everything he did for Luo Zhiheng deeply moved her.
She nestled into the King's arms. This woman's embrace wasn't as soft and petite as most women's; instead, it possessed a masculine strength and breadth. No wonder a man like the Poison Saint had drowned in this woman's arms. Luo Zhiheng felt a unique warmth and security in this embrace, and she couldn't help but murmur, "Like a mother..."
The Prince had exceptional hearing; although Luo Zhiheng was only muttering, he heard her clearly. The words "Mother" struck her heart like an electric current.
She had everything in her life, except children! She had never even heard a child call her "Mother"! The words "Luo Zhiheng" slipped out unconsciously, yet they stirred the heart of the Prince, a woman of great maternal love! The strong, hardened woman instantly softened her resolve, instinctively embracing Luo Zhiheng and whispering, "What did Heng'er just call me?"
Luo Zhiheng was taken aback, then gave a slightly awkward smile. She chuckled and said, "I feel like my aunt treats me like her own mother."
In her previous life, Luo Zhiheng died at the age of sixteen or seventeen, her mind not yet fully developed; she was still a child. Had she not been tempered by her time as a bandit, she would have been a pampered young lady. In this life, Luo Zhiheng was only eighteen when she was reincarnated, still a child, albeit one old enough to marry. Because she had been pampered and protected since losing her mother at a young age, she was essentially a carefree and immature spoiled child. The combined emotional intelligence of the two Luo Zhihengs was less than that of a twenty-five or twenty-six-year-old adult.
At that moment, Luo Zhiheng felt the gentleness that the Prince unconsciously revealed, which reminded her of her own mother. The attachment and affection she felt for her mother was indescribable—gentleness, kindness, kindness, humility, and love. The Prince possessed almost everything a mother could have at that moment.
Seeing Luo Zhiheng's joyful smile, the Prince's eyes also lit up with laughter, and his affection for her overflowed. He couldn't help but chuckle, "Am I not your mother? As long as you don't mind that your mother is old enough to be your grandmother, that's fine."
Luo Zhiheng temporarily forgot her bad mood and couldn't help but laugh, saying half-jokingly, "Where can you find a grandmother this beautiful and young? She's perfect as a mother!"
The king's eyes lit up, and he was about to speak when he was interrupted by a hurried announcement from outside.
"Your Majesty, please go and see what's happening! The Poison Saint and the guards are fighting, and we can't stop them!" the person from outside exclaimed.
Prince Shi and Luo Zhiheng exchanged a glance, both seeing wariness in each other's eyes. Prince Shi roared furiously into the room, "I don't want him anymore! Doing whatever he wants is his business. If you have the guts, go ahead and kill him! Don't come talking to me! Get out, all of you, get out!"
Then came the sound of porcelain shattering, demonstrating just how volatile and dangerous the woman in the room was.
The messengers immediately understood the situation, but since the Queen often stayed overnight at her residence, everyone knew what kind of person the Poison Saint was. Therefore, although they had received their master's orders, they dared not actually harm the Poison Saint and could only retreat hastily.
Once she was sure the person had left, Luo Zhiheng whispered, "The Great Demon King must be using Yun He's identity to control the people in the manor. They are all innocent. They think they are loyal to Yun He and don't know they have been deceived."
"I know I won't make things difficult for them. It's just that those demon beasts are truly despicable, daring to send someone to test us. If we wait a little longer, Lou Yun will become even more anxious if he doesn't see me. If this person tells Lou Yun what I just said, Lou Yun will definitely come back and fight me to the death. That will be our chance to leave," the King said confidently.
Luo Zhiheng was thoroughly intrigued and asked anxiously, "What kind of secret weapon is it? Could it be that the Poison Saint has mastered some kind of unparalleled divine skill?"
“Even more outrageous than that! Just you wait and see.” The king’s smile became somewhat strange as he spoke of this.
Even Madam Huoyun, standing to the side, couldn't help but twitch at the corners of her mouth and eyes. She tried desperately to control her expression before stealing glances at Luo Zhiheng. Countless brain cells had died trying to process this woman; she still couldn't figure out who this woman was. How could she be so intimate with the cunning and ruthless Prince Shi? And even call him "Auntie"? As far as she knew, there were many in the world who could call their masters "Auntie," but to date, only Luo Zhiheng had the right to do so, and had even received the master's approval!
Ke Luo Zhiheng is dead, so who is this person?
Luo Zhiheng couldn't stand Huo Yun's gaze any longer and finally noticed her. Facing her puzzled look, she smiled and said, "Madam Huo Yun, how have you been? It's been a long time."
These were genuine family members, and she smiled, a rare occurrence for her. With the powerful Prince Shi by her side, Luo Zhiheng felt much more at ease, and even though she was about to face a fierce battle, she was no longer anxious.
"Do we...know each other?" Lady Huoyun swallowed hard.
“Of course we know each other, I’m Aheng,” Luo Zhiheng said slowly, her tone slightly mischievous.
Then she saw Lady Huoyun's frozen expression and eyes.
A commotion gradually rose outside the door, and Luo Zhiheng's spirits lifted, knowing that the real battle was about to begin!
The king said in a serious voice, "There's been some movement. I can sense that some of the people outside our courtyard have already moved. It seems that the people at the gate couldn't hold out any longer, so they mobilized the people here."
Luo Zhiheng's eyes lit up. "Then it seems the Great Demon King didn't have many people stationed in the manor, otherwise he definitely wouldn't have mobilized the people watching over us. But when did the Poison Saint become so powerful? Taking on a hundred people single-handedly?"
The King said with a profound and unfathomable expression, "One against a hundred? You underestimate him too much. His ultimate move can instantly kill any creature within his range, whether human or animal."
"That's amazing?!" Luo Zhiheng's eyes widened in shock.
"They've moved! Someone else has moved! It seems he's truly enraged. Things have spiraled out of control over there, and another group of people have left. The remaining forces, though strong, are no longer a threat. Now, with you by my side, we can definitely break out as quickly as possible," the King suddenly said.
Luo Zhiheng nervously grabbed her sleeve and said, "No! What will happen to Poison Saint if we just leave like this? Are we going to leave him behind? If those people all come back to deal with him, won't he be in great danger?"
The king said nonchalantly, "Don't worry, I'll take you away. As long as we leave smoothly, I'll deliver you to my people and guarantee your safety. I'll come back immediately to rescue him."
Luo Zhiheng said in a daze, "You're going to give up the Poison Saint for me?!"
The King said solemnly, “It’s not about abandoning him, but about priorities. I must ensure your safety first. You have no power to fight back now, but he does. Even if he finds out later, he won’t blame me. You are a precious jewel that has been lost and found again. The Silver Moon Kingdom, your grandmother, and even the Luo family cannot afford to lose you again. We can’t bear to experience the pain of parents outliving their children once more.”
Luo Zhiheng fell silent, unsure how to express her complex emotions. The Prince had actually sacrificed the man he loved most for her, knowing full well the dangers ahead, yet she had acted without hesitation. Luo Zhiheng's heart suddenly felt heavy.
Family, relatives—only at this moment did she suddenly realize that these four words were worth more than a thousand pieces of gold!
Luo Zhiheng's solemn and guilty expression made the King sigh, "Silly girl, don't overthink it. You're not a sentimental person. Cheer up and have a lively battle alongside your new mother."
Luo Zhiheng was amused by the King's words, a smile appearing on her lips. Yes, she wasn't suited to be sentimental. Now that things had come to this, she had no way out but to forge ahead, even if there was no road ahead, she would forge one herself.
She couldn't die! She could no longer give up so easily, no longer casually mention death! She couldn't let so many family members and loved ones who loved and cared for her be heartbroken. Her belief in the supremacy of love finally took on a different meaning at this moment.
She and Mu Yunhe have never done anything wrong, so why should they always think about living and dying together? They too can overcome the darkness, welcome the light, and have a future! If anyone is going to die, it will definitely not be them!
Luo Zhiheng's suppressed feelings over the past three years and her recent dark emotions were dispelled by the light and warmth of family love at this moment, and she felt full of hope and strength.
She hugged the King's neck tightly, and smiled with vitality, "Yes, fight alongside Mother! Me, and Mu Yunhe, we will all survive, for those who love us! Darkness will die, light will live forever!"