The old man from the snow-capped mountain stroked his white beard slightly. "Being able to kneel up the mountain shows true sincerity, but since you've already knelt halfway up, you should kneel the rest of the way!"
Yi Yun Shangcheng frowned. "Little Si, do you know that woman's name?"
Xiao Sizi thought for a moment before saying, "I didn't go up to ask at the time, but I heard her pointing to the sky and cursing angrily, saying her name was... Ji Wushang!"
Yiyun Shangcheng suddenly braced himself, and the old man from the snow mountain immediately scolded, "What are you so agitated about! You'll reopen your wound!" As he spoke, he immediately began to tend to the wound on Yiyun's chest.
"Now that I've finished this game and won against you, senior, please go down the mountain to heal Nan Xu Cong!" Yi Yun gritted her teeth. "My injuries have healed considerably!"
"I have never agreed to your request!" The old man from the snowy mountain snorted coldly, his expression changing faster than ever before. "Besides, you can't beat me!" Nan Xuzong, that woman's husband!
Yi Yun Shangcheng smiled. "Senior, do you mean you agree?" He looked at the Snow Mountain Elder. "If Senior still doesn't agree, then I can back down. You don't need to treat my injuries anymore; please help her instead!"
"Of course you say that, I've already cured you!" The old man from the snow mountain snorted.
Yi Yun Shangcheng narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at the strange-tempered old man in front of him, then at the wound on his chest that had already been bandaged, and then looked up at him, "Do you really want Ji Wushang to kneel and worship all the way up the mountain?"
"Hmm." The old man from the snow-capped mountain looked outside. "The wind and rain have stopped; it's nothing to worry about!"
"Hehe, senior makes it sound so easy. She is extremely weak, how can she bear such pain? If senior had not treated the King, would you have been able to prevent her from kneeling down to treat Nan Xu Cong for her?" Yi Yun placed the chess piece on the city wall.
Instantly, all the white pieces on the board were captured, leaving only a remnant army that was no match for the enemy!
The old man from the snowy mountain was slightly surprised and nodded, "Yes!" This young man had actually broken his exquisite chess puzzle! The King of the Western Regions truly possessed such abilities!
At this moment, Yiyun Shangcheng stretched out a hand, a large hand brimming with immense power, and then struck towards his own chest! The Snow Mountain Elder was shocked and immediately stopped him, deflecting the power in his hand. "Are you courting death?"
"Please grant my request, senior!" Yi Yun Shangcheng looked at him. "I have already defeated you in the game of chess. If you still want more chips, I can give them to you!"
The old man from the snow-capped mountain nodded. "She doesn't know you're doing this."
“I have no intention of letting her know!” Yi Yun Shangcheng stood up from his seat. “She only needs to remember that she hates me!” Yi Yun Shangcheng turned to look at the Snow Mountain Elder. “I will still go and kill Nan Xu Cong, so please, senior, do not mention that I was here before, nor mention the bet I made with you here! You saved me, so you should also save Nan Xu Cong!”
"Hmm." The old man from the snow mountain gently waved for Xiao Sizi to leave.
"Young man, why not let her go? You'll feel better that way!" The old man from the snowy mountain smiled. "She doesn't love you, yet you keep pestering her. What good will that do?"
"It's a pity he's made up his mind about her and won't change it. Besides, a successor will soon be born in the Western Regions, and I, Yiyun Shangcheng, have nothing to worry about!" Yiyun Shangcheng looked at the Snow Mountain Elder with a wicked smile. "After today, Senior, it would be best to live in seclusion and avoid the world. Otherwise, you might bring about your own demise!" He would absolutely not allow Ji Wushang to endure such a so-called act of sincerity in climbing the mountain again! If the Snow Mountain Elder didn't have such strange rules, Ji Wushang would never have thought of such a method as kneeling to climb the mountain!
Starting from the source, Yiyun Shangcheng understands this better than anyone! She's willing to do anything, no matter how heinous, for her! Whoever is involved, directly or indirectly, she will eliminate them all for her sake!
Yi Yunshangcheng's eyes flashed with coldness, "I believe you, senior, will understand."
The old man from the snow-capped mountain paused, wondering what he meant. The old man from the snow-capped mountain smiled and said, "I'll be waiting!"
"Hahaha!" Yi Yun Shangcheng laughed twice, then looked at him, "Senior should move on, so I won't disturb you any longer! Thank you for the beautiful wine! You remind me... of her. But please don't mention my affairs." Yi Yun Shangcheng said as he slowly walked out. What good would it do to mention it? Heh! He was just here for simple treatment!
"Should I see her?" Yiyun Shangcheng glanced wistfully in the direction outside.
The old man from the snow-capped mountain watched his departing figure, his steps faltering but his resolve unwavering.
"Your Majesty." The five elders and Hao Yueyi immediately surrounded Yiyun Shangcheng as soon as she emerged. "Your Majesty, how is it?"
"I am fine!" Yi Yun Shangcheng snorted coldly. "You all go back first. I will return to the palace later!" He had not forgotten his responsibilities as the King of the Western Regions!
"Your Majesty, you need to rest because of your injuries!" Hao Yueyi looked at him. "There's blood seeping out!"
"Just a little bit, it's no big deal!" Yi Yun Shangcheng glanced at him coldly. "Get down!"
Hearing this, Hao Yueyi and the others had no choice but to step aside.
Ji Wushang gasped for breath, his legs feeling like they were filled with lead, unable to walk any further! Everything before his eyes seemed to overlap, almost invisible, and all he could hear were soft sobs. Gradually, he could hear nothing at all.
Ji Wushang was relying on his willpower to walk at this moment. If he could choose, he would really prefer to climb rather than walk this mountain path.
Hongfei and Cuiwu wept uncontrollably, while the four burly men carrying Nan Xuzong's sedan chair wiped away tears from their own eyes.
If even Heaven cannot tolerate such love, cannot grant this couple's blessing, then what in this world can we believe in, what can we expect, and what can truly be called love?
Ji Wushang shakily got up from the ground. Some sand seeped into her palms. She was so tired that she had fallen to the ground and was wiping her wounds.
Cuiwu stepped forward and immediately knelt on the ground, bowing towards the Buda Snow Palace. "Madam has been kneeling for so long, now it's my turn to kneel in your place!"
“We’ll do it too!” Hongfei immediately knelt down on the ground. “Madam, please get up. We’ll kneel for you for the rest of the way!”
"Can I?" Ji Wushang smiled and moved his legs forward.
Ji Wushang bowed to the heavens.
When the old man from the snow-capped mountains arrived at the Potala Palace, he was unexpectedly awakened by a shout: "Master, Master, the iron tree has blossomed!"
"What?!" The old man from the snow-capped mountain immediately turned around and looked at Xiao Liu, who had come to report. "An iron tree blooming?"
A thousand-year-old iron tree blossoms, and a withered tree comes back to life!
The old man of the snow mountain immediately headed towards the Potala Palace. Sure enough, before he even reached the palace, he saw the iron tree in front of it burst into bloom, its flowers a vibrant red. The old man of the snow mountain walked forward in disbelief, watching as the petals of the iron tree fell with the wind, carpeting the ground, and some of the vibrant red petals drifted into the Potala Palace.
"Quickly, get down the mountain! He's finally here!" The old man from the snowy mountain looked alarmed and immediately ran down the mountain. The six young apprentices around him followed him down the mountain.
Ji Wushang was practically dragging his bloodied legs as he walked. Hongfei and Cuiwu had been kneeling and crying for quite a while, and they were both exhausted.
The old man from the snow mountain watched Ji Wushang staggering away from a distance. He stared at him intently for a while before stepping forward and saying, "There's no need to kneel. He won't die!"
Ji Wushang was startled, looking at the person who had suddenly appeared in front of her. She took a few steps back, but unexpectedly, she lost her footing and was about to fall backward! Hongfei and Cuiwu quickly got up and helped Ji Wushang up, "Madam!"
The old man from the snowy mountain looked at Ji Wushang, his eyes scanning her. Was this really her? Or should it be her husband...? The old man from the snowy mountain looked at Nan Xuzong in the sedan chair, the vermilion mark between Nan Xuzong's brows drawing him in.
He saw something clearly, and his pupils lit up. That heart was actually an undying heart!
"Hurry up the mountain!" the old man from the snowy mountain shouted immediately. Gong Shu watched and urged the four burly men to carry it up the mountain.
Ji Wushang tried to kneel before the Snow Mountain Elder, but the Snow Mountain Elder stopped her, saying, "Your sincerity is witnessed by heaven and earth. I am ashamed!"
"Thank you, senior!" Ji Wushang smiled, but could no longer bear the burden and collapsed to the ground!
Hongfei and Cuiwu quickly helped Ji Wushang up, "Madam!"
The old man from the snowy mountain stepped forward and fed Ji Wushang a pill. "It's alright, take it with you up the mountain!" Perhaps he was moved by their actions that day? Was his own rule a bit too harsh?
A man stood behind the snow-capped mountain, observing everything around him. The wind constantly blew against him, causing his long black robe to billow. A bitter smile suddenly appeared on his sharply defined, handsome face.
Wu Shang, in your eyes, there is only him; in your heart, there is only him. This makes me so jealous! So resentful!
...
Ji Wushang felt as if he had walked through hell; his legs were completely numb. Perhaps this was what it felt like to have useless legs. He could understand the despair Nan Xuzong felt when his legs became disabled!
When Ji Wushang woke up, he looked at the incense burner and his first thought was to know how Nan Xuzong was doing and whether he had woken up yet!
"Someone come here! Someone come here!" Ji Wushang shouted towards the outside.
Hongfei hurriedly entered, carrying a bowl of medicine. "Madam."
"How is Cong?" Ji Wushang asked immediately. "Has he woken up yet?"
Hongfei shook her head and immediately said, "Madam, why don't you drink this medicine first and then ask the senior how it goes? Because I saw that the senior had someone carry Master into the house, and he hasn't come out yet."
Ji Wushang nodded slightly upon hearing this. "Bring it here, I'll drink it." Ji Wushang said, propping himself up.
Hongfei immediately stepped forward to help, then made her drink the medicine. Although it was bitter, Ji Wushang obediently drank it all. She knew she absolutely could not collapse! She had to live well; otherwise, how could she take care of Nan Xuzong?
“Madam, you can’t go see her yet, because your legs aren’t fully healed and you can’t move around easily,” Hongfei called out as she looked at her about to get up.
Ji Wushang frowned; she truly couldn't move now...
"I want to see him." Tears streamed down Ji Wushang's face as she gently wiped them away, only to realize that her clothes had been changed. Hongfei must have helped her!
Hongfei immediately comforted him, "The senior said he can definitely cure Grandpa. It's just a matter of time."
“His time is precious, don’t waste it.” Ji Wushang sighed. “You can go now, I need to be alone.”
"Yes." Seeing Ji Wushang lying down as if about to sleep, Hongfei quickly went to serve her. Ji Wushang understood what she meant, sighed inwardly, and thought, "Fine, I'll go along with her for now!"
Hongfei watched Ji Wushang fall asleep before leaving.
The old man from the snow mountain carefully examined Nan Xuzong's chest, where there were two handprints. Clearly, he had suffered extremely severe hand injuries. He hadn't expected them to be so vicious!
Yiyun Shangcheng wanted to kill him, and wanted to shatter his internal organs, but wasn't he also letting Yiyun Shangcheng rot in his chest?
Sigh, the world of young people, I really don't understand! This kind of treatment is no simple matter. The old man from the snowy mountain added the medicinal herbs to the hot water. At this moment, Nan Xuzong's head was covered with many silver needles, as was his chest.
After a long while, they performed internal energy treatment on Nan Xuzong, gave him medicine, and so on. This process took a long time.
Suddenly, a soft exclamation rang out, "Oh dear, the heart is actually on the right side!"
Ji Wushang practically dragged his heavy steps, then dodged the eyes and ears of the crowd, searching house by house.
Fortunately, there weren't many people here, otherwise Ji Wushang would definitely have been discovered.
Unexpectedly, she found herself in a side hall of the Buda Snow Palace. Looking around, she could see the blooming iron tree flowers. However, Ji Wushang had never seen such flowers before, so she was amazed that they could bloom so brilliantly on the snow-capped mountain.
When the wind blew, the petals swirled and flew, captivating Ji Wushang. If he could spend his life with him under a tree with fluttering petals, he would be content.
Ji Wushang sighed softly and immediately headed towards the areas of the room. He needed to see Nan Xuzong as soon as possible; he couldn't rest easy if he didn't see him for a day.
Walking through the covered corridor, Ji Wushang saw several young apprentices guarding the area outside. He guessed that the Old Man of Snow Mountain was treating Nan Xuzong inside. Ji Wushang looked around and saw a bench, so he went over and sat down.
Knowing he's alright, I'll go rest now. I'll just wait here for a while!
The imperial city of the Xia Dynasty.
It was a rather cold day, and Huangfu Xuan was nervous, but he still managed to sneak Ma Ruyi into the palace, bypassing all the checks, and into the Xiaoyun Hall to wait for the prince to choose a consort. This was the final step; if the prince found her pleasing and the Zhou Emperor approved, he could issue an imperial decree to bestow the marriage.
Inside the hall, a large group of powerful and influential figures were seated. Emperor Zhou sat on the dragon throne, and Empress Yao sat on the phoenix throne beside him. Below, at the banquet, seated on either side were the Second Prince Huangfu Ting, the Third Prince Huangfu Xuan, the Sixth Prince Huangfu Yu, the Eldest Princess Huangfu Jing, and the Seventh Princess Huangfu Lan. Also present were the Right Chancellor of the North, Bei Zhentang, General Ma Rong, Ma Ben, Ma Rui, and many other ministers.
The banquet hall was packed with people, all waiting for the candidates to enter the palace. If they could be officially appointed as imperial concubines on the spot, it would be an even greater honor.
Huangfu Xuan looked at the wine cup in front of him, waiting anxiously for someone to come in. According to the rules, the order of seniority should be followed. Only after Huangfu Ting had chosen his concubine could Huangfu Xuan choose his concubine.
Huangfu Xuan looked up outside, wondering how Ma Ruyi was doing, how Ji Wushang was, and whether he could save Nan Xuzong.
Before long, Emperor Zhou ordered the banquet to begin and instructed people to bring up the women to be chosen as concubines.
Huangfu Xuan's gaze fell on the women who were filing in, searching for the woman he had decided to marry.
However, Huangfu Ting had already stood up. Looking at the last woman to appear, he said before Emperor Zhou could speak, "Father, I want her! Ma Ruyi will be my concubine!"
Huangfu Xuan was startled, and Ma Ruyi, standing there, was also very surprised. She hadn't expected that the Second Prince would call her name!
"Ma Ruyi?" Emperor Zhou turned his gaze to the woman Huangfu Ting had pointed to, and looked her up and down.
Huangfu Xuan looked at Huangfu Ting, his anger growing. Even a woman was going to compete with him? With a whoosh, Huangfu Xuan stood up as well. "Father, I want to marry General Ma's daughter, Ma Ruyi, as my principal wife!"
Upon hearing this, everyone was in an uproar. They were already surprised to hear that Huangfu Ting was in such a hurry to marry Ma Ruyi as a concubine, but now they heard that Huangfu Xuan was going to marry Ma Ruyi as his principal wife! This woman, who would have thought, also had the ability to charm the emperor and attracted the attention of two princes at the same time!
Ma Ruyi glanced at Huangfu Xuan out of the corner of her eye and saw that he was furious. A ripple of emotion stirred within her.
Emperor Zhou looked at Huangfu Xuan with surprise, "Xuan'er, why did you choose Miss Ma again?"