He must be under close surveillance by the Southern Frontier Holy Clan, unable to spare the time to set up traps and formations. Now, having to disguise himself and secretly meet him like this, he probably can't stay long. So, he asked succinctly.
“Three days. West of the city outskirts. After setting it up, leave the array diagram here.” Without answering Xuan Lou’s question, Shen Qianmo said knowingly.
A conversation between intelligent people doesn't need to be too explicit; a few words are enough for them to understand each other's meaning.
"I'll try my best." Xuan Lou frowned. Setting up formations and mechanisms in three days wasn't too difficult, but setting up a formation or mechanism that could wipe out the entire Southern Border Holy Clan was not so easy.
After all, the people of the Southern Frontier Holy Clan are not idiots who don't understand any mechanisms or formations. Their martial arts skills are not easy to deal with. It is really not easy to set up a mechanism or formation that can destroy them.
"Okay. Let's go." Shen Qianmo frowned slightly, raised an eyebrow and said to Xuanlou. Xuanlou saw Shen Qianmo's expression and didn't think too much about it, so he quickly left the room.
Shen Qianmo watched Xuan Lou disappear from sight. Her eyes turned icy cold, and she became wary. It seemed that her disguise over the past few days was slowly being seen through by the Southern Frontier Holy Clan. Even though she and Situ Jingyan had disguised themselves, they were still being watched by the Southern Frontier Holy Clan again.
How annoying! They've been secretly monitoring their every move, and they even try to assassinate or poison them from time to time. If it weren't for Shen Qianmo and Situ Jingyan, they probably would have died countless times already.
“Jingyan, Xuanlou will be here in three days. You and he can discuss how to deal with the Southern Frontier Holy Clan. I'll distract them.” Shen Qianmo sensed a faint fluctuation of energy in the shadows, knowing that the Southern Frontier Holy Clan was already secretly monitoring their actions. However, she deliberately remained calm and pretended not to know anything.
Situ Jingyan understood Shen Qianmo's intention, a smile flickered in his heart, but he put on a worried look on his face, "What if they make a move if we separate?"
"The people of the Southern Frontier Holy Clan don't resort to underhanded tactics. Have you seen them openly confront us these past few days?" Shen Qianmo deliberately feigned disdain, her eyes subtly revealing contempt, and said to Situ Jingyan, "Don't worry."
In the shadows, the members of the Southern Frontier Holy Clan exchanged glances, each revealing a meaningful yet ruthless smile.
"Hmph! This Shen Qianmo is so arrogant, it seems her death is imminent!" A protector glared at Shen Qianmo with a venomous look.
The two kings also smiled faintly. They hadn't dared to make a direct attack because they were wary of Shen Qianmo and Situ Jingyan's skills. Now that Shen Qianmo and Situ Jingyan were separated, the few of them working together against Shen Qianmo alone would be no match for her. A sinister voice slowly emanated, "Shen Qianmo is courting death! Retreat! Let them have a comfortable three days. Gather all our forces; in three days, we will avenge our fallen brothers!"
Sensing the faint fluctuations in the surrounding aura disappear, the contemptuous look on Shen Qianmo's face vanished, replaced by a calculating expression. A sly smile slowly crept onto her lips, and her dark eyes, filled with amusement, looked at Situ Jingyan as she said calmly, "It seems they believed it."
Situ Jingyan's dark eyes were also full of evil. He reached out and pinched Shen Qianmo's cheek, saying affectionately, "Although they have fallen into the trap, we still need to be careful in everything we do."
Shen Qianmo nodded. She understood Situ Jingyan's concern for her, and even for Situ Jingyan's sake, she would definitely pay attention to her safety.
For the next three days, without the surveillance of the Southern Frontier Holy Clan, Shen Qianmo and Situ Jingyan lived a carefree life, enjoying the scenery of the Southern City and strolling around as if on vacation.
"The water in Nancheng is so clear." Shen Qianmo and Situ Jingyan arrived at a mountain stream. Shen Qianmo reached out and splashed the clear mountain stream water. Her dark eyes showed a rare touch of childlike innocence and purity.
Situ Jingyan sat on a rock beside the mountain stream, looking at Shen Qianmo, who was dressed in fiery red. Her face was filled with an innocent smile, and her beautiful eyebrows and eyes appeared even more gentle and pure. Her fingers tapped on the book, and the splashing water enveloped her in a light and ethereal picture. At this moment, Shen Qianmo was as beautiful as an elf who had fallen to earth, otherworldly and lively.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Shen Qianmo noticed Situ Jingyan's dark eyes staring at her, and touched her face in confusion. Had something gotten on her face? Why was Situ Jingyan staring at her like that?
When Situ Jingyan saw the puzzled look on Shen Qianmo's face, a gentle smile suddenly appeared on his face. Unlike his usual wicked charm and domineering aura, this smile was gentle and serene, like moonlight flowing water, seeping into people's hearts little by little, carrying a gentle and peaceful power.
That gentle smile softened Situ Jingyan's usually wicked face, making it gentle and serene. Situ Jingyan walked to Shen Qianmo's side, gently cupped her cheeks, and said in an extremely gentle and tranquil tone, "Such quiet days are actually quite nice."
Shen Qianmo hadn't expected Situ Jingyan to say such things to her at this moment. Looking closely into Situ Jingyan's clear black and white eyes, those dark pupils, at this moment, lacked the domineering aura of someone vying for the world, and the unfathomable scheming; they only contained purity, and were filled with her image.
A captivating smile slowly curved her lips. Unlike her usual alluring and seductive smile, this one was pure, yet carried a fiery power that swept into Situ Jingyan's heart.
He gazed deeply into Shen Qianmo's dark eyes. Never before had he felt so content. After these past few days of wits and courage against the Southern Frontier Holy Clan, this peaceful moment was a rare treat. Looking at the pure and innocent Shen Qianmo, he suddenly felt that the world, it seemed, was not so important after all.
Even if he gained the world, nothing could fill his heart as completely as Shen Qianmo's smile.
Shen Qianmo gazed deeply into Situ Jingyan's dark eyes. This was the first time they had looked at each other so purely and quietly. Since they met, they seemed to have been facing one thing after another. The matter with the Southern Frontier Holy Clan had exhausted them even more. It was rare to have such a quiet moment, and she felt very content.
"Slaying and conquering the world. Does Mo'er feel tired?" Situ Jingyan pulled Shen Qianmo into his arms, his alluring voice ringing in her ear.
Shen Qianmo leaned quietly against Situ Jingyan's chest, a slow smile curving her lips. "Not tired."
She would help Situ Jingyan with anything he wanted. As long as she was by his side, she didn't feel tired.
“I used to think that gaining the world meant gaining everything, but since I met you, everything seems different. However, at this moment, we have no way to stop.” Situ Jingyan held Shen Qianmo tightly. In the past, he was single-mindedly focused on conquering the world, but now, he was willing to give up the world for Shen Qianmo. However, the current situation did not allow him to do so.
Tianmo now faces both the Southern Frontier in front and Linwei behind, leaving no room for Situ Jingyan to claim he won't contend for the world. At this point, if they don't fight, only destruction awaits them. Situ Jingyan understands this principle, and so does Shen Qianmo. In truth, contending for the world is both ambition and a necessary means of self-preservation.
With a knowing smile, Shen Qianmo hugged Situ Jingyan tightly and said, "I understand. I understand everything."
Yes. She understood everything. She was already deeply moved that Situ Jingyan was willing to give up the world for her. For a born emperor, the world meant far more than just power; it represented his ambition, his abilities, and the realization of his ideals. And now, Situ Jingyan was willing to abandon the world for her, which could only mean one thing: she had transcended everything in his heart, even surpassing his beliefs.
To love someone is to love them so much that you can give up everything for them, including your life. But faith is something that can never be surpassed; it is the driving force behind everything a person does after birth. Yet Situ Jingyan is willing to give up what he has always wanted to do for her. How could she not be moved?
When Situ Jingyan heard Shen Qianmo's words, he felt a warmth in his heart. There were no romantic words, just "I understand, I understand everything," which warmed his heart more than any other words.
"I was just about to watch the sunset." Shen Qianmo glanced at the slowly setting sun on the horizon, a dreamy smile playing on her lips. Then, her wise black eyes narrowed, and she gave a seemingly helpless pursed-lip look, saying, "Unfortunately, I had an appointment to retrieve the mechanism array diagram at this time."
"It's alright. Once the world is at peace, I'll accompany you to see it every day." Situ Jingyan reached out and wrapped his arms around Shen Qianmo's waist, a doting smile playing on his lips as he spoke to her.
"Okay," she replied gently.
The two glanced longingly at the mountain stream. They hurried on, seemingly unintentionally entering an inn.
"Miss, would you like to buy some flowers?" A flower seller, holding a basket of flowers, looked at Shen Qianmo with a fawning expression.
Shen Qianmo glanced at the flower girl seemingly unintentionally, a hint of joy flashing in her dark eyes. Situ Jingyan, who was standing next to her, saw the change in Shen Qianmo's eyes, smiled, and said to the flower girl, "I'll take all these flowers."
"Why buy so much?" Shen Qianmo raised an eyebrow, her eyes clearly full of laughter, but she pretended to be coquettish as she spoke.
Situ Jingyan smiled and looked at Shen Qianmo, handing her a basket of flowers with doting affection, saying, "If Mo'er likes them, take them all."
The Southern Frontier Holy Clan member hiding in the shadows curled his lip in disdain. "Hmph! Deep affection?! Those two certainly have a strong bond. Wait until tomorrow when Shen Qianmo acts alone, then they'll kill her and see how Situ Jingyan reacts!"
"Let them enjoy their last day of happiness!" Hidden in the shadows, the king, who hadn't said much until now, glanced coldly at Shen Qianmo and Situ Jingyan and said indifferently.
Upon hearing the first king's words, a cold glint flashed in the two kings' eyes. Since they dared to kill so many of their brothers, they should pay the price. Did they really think the Southern Frontier Holy Clan was to be slaughtered at will?!
The people of the Southern Frontier Holy Clan were seething with hatred, waiting to kill Shen Qianmo the next day. Meanwhile, Shen Qianmo and Situ Jingyan leisurely returned to their residence.
Looking at the basket of flowers, Shen Qianmo slowly took out a diagram of a mechanical array from the bottom of the basket. She carefully examined the diagram, her dark eyes filled with seriousness.