It is said that the imperial court has found this treasure map, and martial arts masters have conspired to secretly infiltrate the palace to obtain it.
"And now?" He smiled, a half-smile playing on his lips.
"Three more groups of people are getting restless and heading towards the palace."
"Don't alert them; wipe them all out in one fell swoop." Who would have known that this treasure map incident was just a pretext to strike at the martial arts world? This was Dugu Jing's true purpose. He suddenly remembered the Emperor's words; he would do his best to accomplish this task.
For a time, the palace was brightly lit every day, and the Imperial Guards appeared in every corner. It was said that those who infiltrated the palace had vanished without a trace. The fervent fervor for finding the treasure map seemed to have slowly subsided. Even the grandmaster of martial arts announced his intention to retire from the world. Where there is martial arts, there is conflict. The imperial court's reach eventually extended. The martial artists who had been surviving in the cracks disappeared without a trace, seemingly all living ordinary lives under different identities.
Author's Note:
Sorry, the next chapter will be the end of this book. I really don't want it to have a bad ending, but...
Chapter 37
With her delicate fingers, adorned with rouge, rubbing them up and down on the silk handkerchief, 'Liu Feiyue' pouted in dissatisfaction and asked, "Where is His Highness? Why hasn't he arrived yet?"
"Miss, His Highness is still in his study working."
One by one, the 'Liu Feiyue' pastries were placed on the table. The tea lid was slowly lifted, and a white powder wrapped in paper was sprinkled inside. A slanted smile appeared on the corner of her lips.
In the study
He had flipped through the book many times, but his furrowed brows remained furrowed.
"Your Highness, what's bothering you?" Mu Yunyan smiled gently, like a breeze, and slowly sat down, picking up the teapot and pouring tea into a teacup. "Have some light tea to refresh yourself."
Dugu Jing glanced at him and took the teacup.
A pair of smiling eyes stared intently, her hands unconsciously clenching. He'd probably drink it soon, wouldn't he?
Suddenly, a powerful gust of air was felt. "Who's there?"
With a thud, a white figure fell to the ground.
"You'd better protect your woman yourself!" A burst of giggles followed.
Dugu Jing reached out and caught her, meeting her eyes which held a hint of fear. A sudden tremor ran through him, as if something within him had melted away.
"you……"
A flash of silver light, and a sword rested diagonally against his neck. "His Highness ordered me to kill her!" Mu Yunyan's eyes held a hint of resentment and indignation.
"I...I," she blinked. She wanted to say it, but it felt like her mouth was glued shut; she couldn't utter a word. What was wrong?
Dugu Jing placed her on his lap, with a tenderness that he couldn't quite describe.
"Your Highness, this person's identity is unknown; they absolutely cannot be allowed to live. They could very well be someone sent by the martial arts world to avenge your death!" Just one step away, just one step away! Mu Yunyan thought bitterly, if he could just drink that cup of tea, he would forget that woman forever, and he would never have to worry about anything again. But…
Dugu Jing's eyes flashed with wariness, then he picked her up and said, "You don't need to worry about my affairs."
Mu Yunyan reluctantly stepped back, sweeping the curtain aside with her sleeve. Her expression turned extremely unpleasant.
Looking down at her, he gently covered her eyes with his large hand and asked in confusion, "Who exactly are you?"
"I am Liu Feiyue," I wanted to say, but the more I thought about it, the less I could speak. I could only pray with my eyes that he would recognize me.
Dugu Jing suddenly dared not look into those eyes; they were too similar, so very similar. He was afraid that he might lose control and mistake her for Liu Feiyue.
Are you a maid in this household?
He struggled and made two muffled noises.
So she was just a maid. He wrapped his arms around her tightly, saying in an unquestionable tone, "From now on, you'll stay by my side."
The cup slammed to the ground with a crash, and a long fingernail snapped in two with a snap. "You mean he left that woman behind?" Her eyes held not only resentment but also panic. How could this be? That meant… No, she had to go find her brother.
He knocked on the door, "Brother, brother...it's me, it's me..." but no one answered after knocking for a long time.
He called out to a servant, "You, come here and break down the door!"
The servant trembled, his body shaking, "I wouldn't dare."
"What's there to be afraid of? If you don't do it, I'll just chop you up."
Upon hearing this, the servant's face changed drastically. He staggered back several steps, then lunged forward with his eyes closed, yelling, "Ahhh—!"
Bang--
The door was kicked open.
There was a person lying next to the table inside. It was her brother! She rushed over and shook him, "Brother, brother... wake up, brother..."
Wine jugs lay scattered everywhere. He smacked his lips a few times and mumbled, "Why did you do this to me? I've done so much for you, why are you still hung up on that woman..."
Her face instantly changed, then she remembered. She felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave. So, everything her brother had done wasn't for her. It was all for her! So, this was the truth. She stood up in a daze, her body swaying slightly. A lie, a lie!
"Miss, what's wrong, Miss..."
He murmured, "Don't worry about me, don't worry, just leave me alone... alone..."
He woke up early, stroking her smooth face, and suddenly a feeling of happiness welled up in his heart. Wasn't he...? His expression changed, and he got up and put on his clothes.
I had been awake for a while, but I pretended to be still fast asleep.
"...Don't call her, prepare breakfast."
"Yes, Your Highness."
A warm smile appeared on his lips.
She would stay in her study, and when she got tired, she would look at the reports. Gardening, running, catching butterflies, dancing… a smile unconsciously crept onto her lips; she truly had a vibrant and fulfilling life.
"Your Highness, Your Highness."
"What is it?" Dugu Jing came back to his senses.
"We found the Empress's body behind the artificial hill, Your Highness..."
Dugu Jing's expression changed instantly, and he used his lightness skill to rush out.
There lay her body, and I held her tightly. My heart was filled with remorse and guilt. Why did this happen…?
Seeing Dugu Jing embracing that woman from afar, I felt somewhat uneasy. But then I heard from the servants that she was dead. Dead? How did she die?
He stepped forward and said, "Dugu Jing..." Overjoyed! He could actually speak.
"Dugu Jing, I..."
Holding the person in his arms, he slowly got up, a wet tear falling down his face.
He stared blankly, a sudden pang of pain shooting through his heart. Was she really that important to him?
He carried the bundle to the door.
"Silly woman, where are you going?" The long, thin legs kicked wildly.
She retorted angrily, "None of your business! I'm leaving, and I'm going to leave as far away as possible."
"Idiot..." He turned around and disappeared again.
I've made up my mind; I'm going to go and explore the world.
"Idiot, wait for me..." The long-legged boy followed.
Three years later.
Standing on the hilltop, under a peach tree.
"Your Highness, what are you looking at? Why do you come here every year?"
The man in purple looked down the mountain without saying a word, then took out a black box from his clothes and said with dissatisfaction, "Where did you take my wife? Where is she?"
A burst of laughter followed.
"Brother, Yue'er has fallen in love with the pirate life. She said she's not coming back. You'd better take care of yourself."
Dugu Jing angrily threw down what he was holding and hurriedly got up.
"Your Highness, where are we going?"
"Of course, I'm going to find a wife..."
----over----