"Your information network is quite impressive..." Shen Yu forced a smile; the feeling of having his embarrassing situation exposed was not pleasant.
But since his identity and purpose had been exposed, Shen Yu became even bolder and bowed to the two men, asking for their help: "Please help me, and I will definitely repay you when I get back."
"Help with what?" Qin Moyu's brows twitched slightly. He could understand why he shouldn't use the Red Lotus Karmic Fire to injure Shen Yanlan, but shouldn't he be looking for professionals who could exorcise and soothe the soul when facing a ghost? As a prince, there were plenty of people willing to help him with this, so why ask him?
"Help me wake up Aunt Yan." Shen Yu smiled bitterly and uncovered the thing he had been holding in his arms.
Inside the gray cloth bag were several yellowed bones and a skull.
He looked down at the skeleton in his arms and recounted the events with a mixture of sadness and anger.
It turns out that during the war between the four continents, the border between the Southern Kingdom and the Western Kingdom was attacked, and the border city was lost several times. Only the Long Pass remained. If even this pass was breached, the Southern Kingdom would be in danger of being destroyed.
Yan Di led her troops to defend Changguan Pass. Facing a fierce enemy, she had to hold out until the other borders were stabilized before she could receive support. She defended the city with the awareness of certain death. At that time, the entire Southern Kingdom was shrouded in gloom. No one expected that she would actually hold the pass in the end. However, by the time the reinforcements arrived, she had already been tricked into leaving Changguan Pass with her troops and died in battle outside the pass. No one even knew where she died or how her body could be recovered.
This matter has always been a pain in the hearts of the Southern Kingdom's royal family. What is even more infuriating is that Guizhong, who once tried to attack the Southern Kingdom but was driven back by Yan Di, shamelessly claimed that he would find Yan Di's remains and turn her into a ghost to be controlled by them. Fortunately, they did not know where she was buried. After a few years of peace, they have recently started to stir again, and it seems that they have actually found a place.
The Southern Kingdom's royal family has its own set of cultivation techniques. If people of similar bloodlines are connected by these techniques, they can sense each other. However, the Southern Kingdom's royal family suffered heavy losses after the war between the four continents. Shen Sheng had always opposed Shen Yu going out to find the remains of the Wild Goose Emperor, and had asked him to be patient. But after learning that Ghost Tomb had started making trouble again, Shen Yu really couldn't bear it anymore.
He evaded his pursuers who were trying to find him, and having planned ahead, he left the Southern Kingdom and rushed to the border between the Southern Kingdom and the Western Continent at top speed.
The hardships he endured along the way need not be elaborated upon, but he was fortunate enough to find the burial place of the Wild Goose Emperor in the second possible location.
At the same time, he also learned why the people from Onizuka couldn't find her remains. The burial site was clearly a tragic scene of mutual destruction, with scorched earth and broken limbs everywhere. Shen Yu searched for a long time before digging out a few pieces of Shen Yanlan's bones. Unexpectedly, the old man and the young man appeared at this moment.
They actually arrived here earlier than Shen Yu and successfully found Shen Yanlan's remnant soul. However, they were unable to truly refine it because they could not find the bones. After discovering Shen Yu, they decided to wait for him to dig out the bones and then take advantage of him.
Caught off guard, Shen Yu was ambushed by the two and could only flee with the skeleton. He was eventually knocked unconscious here, but by chance, they saw Shen Yebai and Qin Moyu who had just come out. Coveting the Red Lotus Karmic Flame, they chose to try and steal it.
Although the old man fled in panic, he still controlled Shen Yanlan's remnant soul. Shen Yu could not tolerate this, because he had Shen Yanlan's remains and wanted to risk trying to awaken her. However, because he was injured, he needed Qin Moyu and Shen Yebai's help.
Shen Yu had finished telling his story and explaining his purpose, but Qin Moyu hesitated about whether to grant his request.
He deeply admired the Yan Emperor for her courage in defending the city and dying for her country. Who says women are inferior to men? If it weren't for her holding Changguan up, there might not be the Southern Kingdom we know today.
But reason told him that this was risky, because ultimately he and Shen Yu had only met once, and he didn't need to help with this.
Hesitant, Qin Moyu asked Shen Yebai in a low voice, "Yebai, do you think we should say yes to him?"
Shen Yebai also had mixed feelings.
Although he doesn't admit that he is Shen Mo, Shen Mo gave him some memories of the Southern Continent royal family, which naturally made him feel good about the people of the Southern Continent royal family. In a way, Shen Yanlan and Shen Yu can also be considered his juniors. He understands what Qin Moyu is worried about.
He pondered for a long time before slowly exhaling and saying, "Let's help."
Qin Moyu didn't realize that the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned. He nodded vigorously and said, "Okay."
Sometimes, people should follow their hearts and do good deeds that make them happy.
Having decided to help, Qin Moyu and Shen Yebai didn't waste any more words and immediately began preparations, which deeply moved Shen Yu.
"Thank you," he said solemnly to the two of them.
Shen Yu didn't need the two of them to do much; all she had to do was protect herself and get to Shen Yanlan without being attacked.
But things are easier said than done. Shen Yanlan's obsession was too strong, and she ignored magical attacks. Qin Moyu could only control the Red Lotus Karmic Fire to melt her attacks, while also being careful not to hurt Shen Yanlan and Shen Yu. Shen Yebai, on the other hand, focused on blocking the ghost army behind Shen Yanlan.
Although these ghost armies are not afraid of magic and weapons, the powerful sword energy can disperse them, temporarily rendering them inactive.
Shen Yu walked step by step toward Shen Yanlan. Seeing the incomplete armor on her remnant soul and the blood-stained hair, he felt a pang of heartache.
"Aunt Yan, let's go home."
He will never forget that day.
Dark clouds loomed overhead, pressing down on everyone and making them uneasy. Ten-year-old Shen Yu, still dazed and confused, was led by Shen Sheng to the main hall. The white silk ribbons on the walls had never been removed; they floated eerily in the air, sometimes emitting a mournful sound when blown by the wind.
The empty throne held a crown; this position, which once symbolized power, was now comparable to a guillotine. The hall was deathly silent.
"Brother, are we choosing a new emperor?" Shen Yu asked in a low voice.
“Yes.” Shen Sheng held his hand tightly, his expression darkening as he thought of his uncles and father who had sacrificed their lives on the front lines.
"If I become emperor, can I avenge my father?" the young Shen Yu asked innocently.
"Wait... no, Xiaoyu, what are you doing?!"
Shen Yu suddenly shook off Shen Sheng's hand, ignoring Shen Sheng's shouts behind him, and ran straight into the hall. Puffing out his chest to appear taller, he said, "Choose me!"
The childish voice echoed in the hall, but Shen Yu showed no fear; his gaze was piercing.
All the people in the room were not as brave as a mere child.
"Why does Xiaoyu want to be the emperor?" Suddenly, Shen Yanlan, who had been looking up at Bai Ling and dressed in plain linen clothes, walked out gracefully.
She knelt down and lovingly touched Shen Yu's face, her voice still trembling with a slight sob, and softly asked, "Little Yu, do you know what it means to be the emperor?"
"I know, I must go into battle and avenge my father!" Shen Yu said loudly, her eyes red.
"Something's not right." Shen Yanlan hugged Shen Yu.
She seemed to be answering Shen Yu, but she was lost in memories, recalling the same words her father and brothers had said before going to the battlefield: "To be emperor is to protect the millions of people behind you."
A short sentence, but it came at a terrible price.
Looking at the young Shen Yu, she finally understood the look in their eyes when they went to war.
It is reluctance to leave that is also the source of courage to face death.