Urbaner Blumentraum - Kapitel 121
Zhu Huihui mustered her courage and stealthily reached behind her, her hand still covering her head. One inch, two inches, three inches… her fingertips finally touched a withered finger. Her breath almost stopped. Suddenly, she snapped it off with a sharp "crack!" Clutching the broken "finger," she cursed inwardly: "Damn it! It was just a tree branch! That scared the hell out of me!"
Just as she was about to breathe a sigh of relief, she felt it was too early—she could be in danger at any moment before Brother Liu Yue returned.
He pondered, who was that green figure he had just seen? Was it one of the Fusang turtles who hadn't left after killing someone and was lying in ambush for him and Liu Yue? It didn't seem likely! The Fusang turtles always wore black clothes… So, who could it be? Also, was the person who killed Chen Yilang one of those Fusang turtles? Could the expert who could calmly dispose of Chen Yilang's body in front of Liu Yue be that dead Kazama Yoru who pinched his face?
As her thoughts were racing, everything suddenly went dark. She was just wondering why it had gotten so dark when she realized something was wrong. This darkness was completely different from the darkness of nightfall. It was as if someone had wrapped the bushes and her together in a large cloth. It was not only dark, but also suffocating.
An invisible pressure washed over her, making it hard for Zhu Huihui to breathe and her heart race. She wanted to jump up, to rush out and escape the oppressive, terrifying darkness, but her limbs felt heavy, and she couldn't move at all. In that instant, she felt overwhelming panic, as if she were being stuffed alive into a coffin and prepared to be buried in the ground; she could even hear the clanging sound of coffin lids being hammered in…
Zhu Huihui couldn't help but shed tears. At that moment, she felt an intense self-loathing. The world was so vast, she could have gone anywhere, yet she had foolishly chosen to come to the Ghost Tower to die. After cursing herself, she cursed Brother Liu Yue. What a young prince, what a seasoned veteran! He didn't even understand a clever diversionary tactic. Choosing such a protector was simply blind…
At that moment, her vision suddenly brightened again, as if the darkness had been cleaved open by something, and the pressure on her vanished. She blinked hard and saw a gentle and handsome face...
Looking at the dirty little face in front of her, tears still wet on her eyes, glistening on her eyelashes, Liu Yue suddenly broke into a bright smile, like a lotus emerging from the water under the blazing sun, dazzling and radiant.
He suddenly felt his breath catch in his throat. He paused, grasped the little dirty paw, and gently pulled her up.
“Brother Liu… Brother Liu Yue!” Zhu Huihui wiped away her tears. “You’re finally back!”
Liu Yue said apologetically, "I'm sorry! I was so focused on fighting that I scared you!"
"It's...it's alright!"
Zhu Huihui looked at the bushes where she had been hiding; only a few bare tree trunks remained. The surrounding woods and buildings were a chaotic mess, as if a hurricane had just struck. She couldn't help but touch her neck. Had Brother Liu Yue fought so fiercely that even her hiding place had been affected…
"Brother Liuyue, who are you fighting with?" Zhu Huihui asked.
Liu Yue sighed, "It's the master of the Blood-Seeing Pavilion!"
Zhu Huihui exclaimed "Ah!" and countless questions immediately flooded her mind.
Liu Yue seemed to understand what she wanted to ask, and said, "This Blood-Seeing Pavilion Master was poisoned. Although he is not dead, he has lost his mind. His martial arts are too high. I was injured by him without realizing it. In order to protect myself, I had no choice but to..." He paused, sighed, and gently straightened his clothes.
Zhu Huihui noticed a large tear in his yellow shirt under his ribs and was startled: "Are you badly injured?"
Liu Yue looked at her gently and smiled, "It's alright!"
"Is that Blood-Seeing Pavilion Master already dead?"
Liu Yue nodded silently, her face full of apology.
Zhu Huihui was deeply disappointed. With the death of that lord, no one would know what had happened at the Blood Tower anymore! But seeing Liu Yue's expression, he cheered and comforted him, "Brother Liu Yue, that's how it is. If you don't hurt him, he will hurt you. You don't need to feel guilty."
Liu Yue exhaled slightly, and was about to speak when her expression suddenly changed. She reached out and put her arm around Zhu Huihui, leading her to the side.
A burst of watery sword flowers erupted from where Zhu Huihui had just stood.
That sword flew from the village pond. Although Zhu Huihui managed to dodge the first strike, the chilling sword aura still relentlessly pursued and harassed her.
With a flick of her long sleeve, Liu Yue caught the sword, and the force sent the attacker flying, crashing heavily into the wall.
Zhu Huihui stared intently, then exclaimed in surprise, "Song Xiaobei!"
The attacker was none other than Song Xiaobei, Chen Yilang's wife, from the "collusion of wolves and wolves." She was dripping wet from head to toe, her eyes were bloodshot, her face was purple, and blood was dripping from the corner of her mouth. She wielded a soft sword with the ferocity of a mad tiger, attacking recklessly.
"Song Xiaobei, it's me! Someone I know!" Zhu Huihui called out loudly. This wasn't to get close to Song Xiaobei, but because she was the only one still alive, and she needed to ask her for information on many things.
Song Xiaobei made a "hoarse" sound from her throat, unable to say anything at all, and just swung her sword wildly, each move a desperate attack.
Liu Yue pulled Zhu Huihui away from her attack, her brows suddenly furrowed, and she floated up to the roof with Zhu Huihui.
Below, Song Xiaobei seemed oblivious, continuing to hack and slash indiscriminately, each strike hitting nothing but air.
Even Zhu Huihui noticed something was wrong. She exclaimed in astonishment, "Has Song Xiaobei gone mad?"
"It's not madness, it's poison!" Liu Yue swooped down and struck Song Xiaobei's pressure points.
Song Xiaobei threw down her sword and collapsed in despair!
Liu Yue quickly took out a small bottle from her bosom, poured out a few pills, stuffed them into Song Xiaobei's mouth, and then pursed her lips and let out a whistle.
Before long, eight figures flashed out like shooting stars. Six of them were Zhu Liuyue's imperial bodyguards, and the other two were the two hall masters of Fengxue City responsible for escorting Zhu Huihui. They had been following at a distance and arrived immediately upon hearing the summons.
"Everyone, spread out and investigate the scene. Look for any survivors! Everyone here died from poisoning, so be careful not to touch them!" Liu Yue ordered in a deep voice.
The six guards and two hall masters agreed and went.
Before long, everyone reported back. It was confirmed that there were no survivors in the Bloodstained Tower; all 181 people in the village, regardless of age, had been killed.
Liu Yue was silent for a moment, then said, "Carry Song Xiaobei down the mountain to see Madam Wan on Hidden Spirit Island, and then send someone up the mountain to dispose of the body!"
The two hall masters of Maple Snow City dismantled a door panel, made a simple stretcher, carried Song Xiaobei on it, and hurriedly went down the mountain.
Zhu Huihui silently took out an earring from her pocket, respectfully placed it under a tree, and said sadly, "I'm sorry, Serpent Envoy! I can't pass on your message to your daughter!"
Liu Yue stood beside her and gently advised, "The Serpent Envoy is a heroine, and her daughter has gone to her side. No one will bully that child anymore..."
Zhu Huihui remained silent, her voice heavy with sadness. Yes! No matter what, the Serpent Envoy's daughter was now with her mother, which was better than her living in a daze, not even knowing who her mother was…
Under the cover of night, Dongting Lake was as smooth and warm as a deep green silk. A small boat moved slowly, breaking through the gently rippling surface, and the water lapped against the sides of the boat, creating layers of waves. The lights on the boat cast shadows that tinted the snow-white waves with a pale yellow hue.
It was already quite late, but Zhu Huihui was still sitting at the bow of the boat, resting her chin on her hand, seemingly lost in thought. Huahua lay beside her, snoring contentedly.
Liu Yue stood on one side of the ship's railing, gazing at her retreating figure with a deep look in his eyes. This child seems to be burdened with worries lately…
After a long while, he walked over and sat down next to her: "Grey, aren't you tired after a long day?"
Zhu Huihui shook her head and said, "I'm not tired. Brother Liuyue, aren't you going to sleep?"