"What did you say?! The person who killed the General's family back then was Consort Liu?!" Sheng Ge's eyes were filled with disbelief, her hands clenched tightly in her black sleeves, her knuckles turning white.
Shen Qianmo raised an eyebrow. Shengge rarely showed such emotions. Although it was an exception for Situ Jinghao, the Great General of Tianmo seemed to have nothing to do with him. She couldn't help but ask, "Shengge seems very agitated? I didn't know Shengge had such strong emotions. The power of love is truly great."
Shen Qianmo wasn't a reserved person. Although she initially found it hard to accept Sheng Ge's feelings for Situ Jinghao, over time she felt there was nothing to criticize. In fact, she often teased Sheng Ge about it, and she felt happy whenever she saw Sheng Ge blush and become flustered. This Sheng Ge, she had never been able to find any fault with him since they were young, now she was going to make a good joke of him.
"I am originally from a military family in Tianmo." Shengge had no intention of joking with Shen Qianmo. Her eyes darkened and she said with an icy expression.
Shen Qianmo's smile vanished. Shengge was actually from a military family in Tianmo. So, that general was Shengge's father?! No wonder Shengge always seemed so cold; it turned out she had suffered the unjust deaths of her father and entire family. No wonder Shengge became so strange in Tianmo, seemingly even more icy; it was the place where her clan was wiped out. But...but Consort Liu was Situ Jinghao's mother!
A hint of seriousness flashed across Situ Jingyan's face. Originally, it was merely a legitimate pretext to deal with Situ Jingye and Consort Liu. He thought it was just an old case. He never expected that someone from the family of the general who had been exterminated years ago would still be alive, and even more unexpectedly, that this person was Shengge.
"Palace Master," Shenge said after a long silence, her tone seemingly contradictory.
"Are you sure?" Shen Qianmo had known Shengge for many years and naturally understood the look in Shengge's eyes. He was asking for permission to avenge his family himself. But this would make the already impossible relationship between him and Situ Jinghao even more impossible.
Situ Jingyan also frowned. Although it would be more authentic and legitimate for Shengge to do this, the rift between Shengge and Situ Jinghao would probably be even more difficult to untangle.
“It was impossible to begin with. Besides, how can we not avenge the annihilation of our clan!” Shengge said coldly.
He had never forgotten the hatred. He hadn't mentioned it before simply because he didn't know who the real enemy was and didn't want to implicate innocent people.
Now that his enemy is right in front of him, how can he not avenge his parents and clansmen who died unjustly?! Moreover, he knows perfectly well how Situ Jingye treated Situ Jinghao, and no matter who it is for, Situ Jingye deserves to die!
"In that case, this matter will be entrusted to you, son of the Great General," Situ Jingyan said coldly, his eyes fixed on Shengge with a deeper meaning.
Shengge nodded solemnly.
"Shengge, play a game of chess with me." A man approaching from afar, dressed in a light blue robe that accentuated his refined and unparalleled temperament, possessed perfectly sculpted features on his jade-like face. The most serene smile still graced his lips, but the despair and sorrow in his eyes had slowly been replaced by a serene elegance.
Consort Liu is dead. Situ Jingyan has also begun his full-scale operation. Therefore, Situ Jinghao no longer needs to dress as a woman to avoid suspicion.
"Okay." Sheng Ge paused slightly, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. It seemed contradictory, like a struggle, but she ultimately answered gently. Her icy tone only showed a hint of warmth when she spoke to Situ Jinghao.
Chapter Sixteen: The King Returns
As Situ Jingyan watched Sheng Ge and Situ Jinghao's figures gradually disappear from sight, his obsidian-like eyes radiated a powerful aura, and the corners of his mouth slowly curled up into an extremely bloodthirsty and cold smile.
It's time. He's endured far too long for Situ Jinghao's sake; now it's time to eradicate all the undeserving forces in Tianmo. The world will be his sooner or later. So, let's start with Tianmo.
Shen Qianmo stood quietly beside Situ Jingyan. Dressed in white, her face was expressionless, concealing her unparalleled beauty and arrogance, leaving only an otherworldly nobility.
The red and white colors looked so peaceful under the cold desert sun. Only the distant complaints shattered this idyllic scene.
"Situ Jingyan! You're finally back. You've been gone for a month. Let me tell you, I'm not going to get involved in this mess in Tianmo anymore." Yan Xiuling was wearing a blue robe, and a complaining expression appeared on his delicate and lovely face. His eyebrows and eyes seemed to be acting like a child, but if you looked closely, you could still see the sharp glint in his eyes.
When Situ Jingyan saw Yan Xiuling arrive, his smile became even more wicked, and he said indifferently, "You've had a hard time these past few days. You can go back to Linwei and rest now."
Upon hearing Situ Jingyan's words, Yan Xiuling nearly fainted. Wasn't this a classic case of using him? Although he had long understood that Situ Jingyan only wanted him to keep Situ Jingye in check, he thought it would be good to learn about the inner workings of Tianmo, so he agreed.
Who knew that Situ Jingyan would be so meticulous? He spent a whole month in Tianmo and only managed to see some superficial things, without seeing any of the truly important military plans.
How could he not be angry?! This is a classic case of trying to steal a chicken but losing the rice instead! He's been doing Situ Jingyan a month of hard labor for nothing.
"What's with that long face, Young Master Xiu? Do you want to stay and help out?!" Shen Qianmo raised an eyebrow, a malicious smile playing on her lips, and said, "If that's the case, Jingyan won't mind."
"No way. I've been here for a month already. If I don't go back soon, I'll lose my position as crown prince." Yan Xiuling immediately rejected Shen Qianmo's words, glancing at her while thinking to himself, "The woman Situ Jingyan has his eye on is no pushover!"
Upon hearing this, Situ Jingyan smiled slightly, exchanged a glance with Shen Qianmo, and said with a smile, "In that case, I won't keep you any longer."
Yan Xiuling rolled his eyes. These two were clearly in cahoots. They made him do hard labor for a month, and now they easily sent him away! He was, after all, the Crown Prince of Linwei, and the future emperor of Linwei.
“It seems your father’s condition won’t last much longer. You’d better hurry up, or you’ll accuse me of bullying you.” Situ Jingyan said with a wicked and confident smile, looking at Yan Xiuling’s gritted teeth.
“I know.” Yan Xiuling suddenly dropped his baby-faced demeanor, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes. He understood that Situ Jingyan was waiting for him to ascend the throne so they could compete fairly; this was their agreement.
Judging from Situ Jingyan's current plans, Tianmo's secret forces will definitely be eradicated. It seems he also needs to speed up his actions in Linwei; he can't afford to lose at the starting line.
Watching Yan Xiuling leave, Situ Jingyan's face showed a gentle smile. He gently took Shen Qianmo's hand and said with a smile, "Mo'er, Yan Xiuling suffered a loss he couldn't speak of."
Shen Qianmo smiled, about to speak, when she was interrupted by a man dressed in a resolute manner.
"Master, the investigation into Situ Jingye's clandestine forces has been completed." The resolute man reported with his head bowed, his icy aura somewhat reminiscent of Sheng Ge.
“Uproot them completely, leave none behind.” Situ Jingyan pursed his thin lips and uttered eight simple words.
"Yes." The man accepted the order without the slightest surprise on his face and left.
"That's Qingzhu?" Shen Qianmo raised an eyebrow. She had already met three of the four guards of the Enchanting Blood Tower. She guessed that the man from earlier was the only one she hadn't met before, Qingzhu.
Situ Jingyan watched Qingzhu's departing figure and said, "That's right. Qingzhu's son is the most steady and ruthless. It's best to entrust this matter to him."
“Uprooted completely. Situ Jingye's influence must be considerable, right?” Shen Qianmo narrowed her eyes and asked seemingly casually.
Situ Jingyan has been tolerating Situ Jingye for quite some time now. Situ Jingye isn't stupid either; the power he's secretly cultivating must be considerable.
"Hmph! His power? He probably doesn't know how many of his so-called army are my men." Situ Jingyan just snorted coldly, his wicked smile undiminished, his eyes filled with the confidence of victory, and said to Shen Qianmo, "Mo'er, just watch how your husband deals with these clowns."
"The air in Tianmo needs a change." Shen Qianmo simply smiled slowly. She was not a kind and weak woman. Although she disliked killing, it didn't mean she would be soft-hearted towards Situ Jingyan's opponents.
Having spent so many years in the martial world, she had long understood that mercy to the enemy was cruelty to oneself. So when Situ Jingyan said he would wipe them out completely, she was not surprised.
In the days that followed, the entire Tianmo seemed to be gripped by an invisible hand. The atmosphere was oppressive, as if even the air itself was filled with the stench of blood.
A bound man dressed in bright yellow brocade robes was thrown in front of Situ Jingyan and Shen Qianmo. He looked about six or seven parts similar to Situ Jinghao. Although he was not as stunning as Situ Jinghao, nor as eerily handsome as Situ Jingyan, he was still quite good-looking.
The man's expression was extremely ferocious, as if he wanted to devour someone. His eyes gleamed with malice, and he twisted his body back and forth in great resentment, seemingly trying to break free of the ropes.
"I advise you to save your energy." Situ Jingyan coldly looked at Situ Jingye, who was twisting his body, a bloodthirsty smile curling at the corner of his mouth. His expression was calm and his words were condescending.