Небо над реками и озерами очень чистое

Глава 65

Xie Qinglan couldn't bear to see her friend get beaten, so she stepped forward and separated the two, but Shen Huaiyang's voice only got louder.

"The demonic cult killed my elder brother, why can't I take revenge? I'll kill them all! If you have the guts, kill me now..."

"Killed your brother? Wasn't Brother Shen missing?" Qinglan was taken aback, forgetting to block Bijun, and accidentally got kicked, wincing in pain.

"Don't listen to his nonsense. When did the Demonic Sect ever invade the Central Plains?" Yin Hu retorted dismissively. "Anyway, in his eyes, all bad things are done by the Demonic Sect."

Shen Huaiyang stared intently at Yin Hu. "Back then, my elder brother disappeared without a trace. Our family waited and waited, hoping that he would suddenly return like Brother Xie, but..." The boy's eyes reddened, "A month ago, someone delivered a jade urn and a note, saying that my elder brother died in Tianshan ten years ago, leaving only his bones."

As he listened, Xie Yunshu's expression turned extremely ugly.

“You believe me based on just one jar? I’ll go out and get ten or eight right away,” Bi Jun said dismissively.

"There's no mistake, there's still the good luck charm that Mom sewed for my eldest brother before he passed away." Tears welled up in her eyes, but she stubbornly held them back. "We were all hoping for this... but we never imagined he was already dead."

Xie Yunshu stood frozen for a long time before walking closer to him.

"What's your older brother's name?"

"Shen Huaiyi." Finally, a tear broke through the barrier and fell to the ground, kicking up a little dust.

"You two look very alike?"

"How did you know?" Shen Huaiyang asked, surprised. "Have you met my older brother?"

really.

A surge of emotion welled up within him, and he took a deep breath. He finally understood why Jia Ye, despite having control of the situation, had forsaken the opportunity to eliminate the enemy and instead cured them of their poison… his only, most vulnerable weakness…

And then… she truly fell into the hands of his enemy. He dared not even imagine what was happening now; the thought of her possibly being abused and humiliated nearly drove him to despair…

"Do you know who sent the jade altar? Who could retrieve the bones from the heart of the Demonic Sect and then travel thousands of miles to return them to the Shen family?" An indescribable bitterness filled his chest. A desolate fate, like a giant gray net, entangled the struggling masses, and no one could escape it.

Shen Huaiyang looked up blankly.

"It was you who subdued the person who was taken away this morning."

The author has something to say: Who sent the jade altar back?

A: Gaya.

When?

A: On the eve of the incident at the Bai family in Yangzhou, Jia Ye went to the Shen family. Hehe, I don't know if you guys noticed.

Since I started writing this, many readers have given me chapter-by-chapter ratings and encouragement. I am truly touched and want to express my gratitude with tears in my eyes.

However, I received a notice from the company that I have to go on a business trip and will have to temporarily stop updating for a week. I bow to thank all the readers who have followed my work, and I will continue when I return.

Please understand, this was absolutely not intentional. Please don't throw tomatoes or rotten eggs at me.

By the way, I'm secretly hoping... is there any chance... on my way back... that I'll see that long-awaited, long-awaited review from drool-worthy idiot?

I crawled away, my heart filled with anticipation...

Tracing

She felt weak and had no strength left in her body.

She couldn't even push away those rude hands, but thankfully it didn't matter. The bluish-black of death spread from where they touched her to her heart, taking the lives of the insolent ones. One by one, they fell down, their distorted faces terrifying.

She heard muffled shouts and curses, and someone bound her hands with thick cloth before throwing her into a carriage. After a bumpy ride, she was dazed and thrown into a cold, hard place, and with a dull thud, she was plunged into complete darkness.

She tentatively touched something in the complete darkness, and a rustling sound reached her ears. She almost laughed out loud at this ending...

It's not impossible... Anyway, the King is dead, and Huaiyi has returned home. As for her mother, that person will probably find a place to give her a proper burial.

So, this outcome... isn't so bad.

She silently closed her eyes.

"Even though Father is not here, you are not allowed to act recklessly. Without my warrant, you are not qualified to use the secret guards that can only be used in emergencies." Xie Quheng was still furious.

"No need for all of them, one-third of the dark attributes will suffice," Xie Yunshu said calmly.

"That's no small matter. We'll make arrangements when Dad gets back."

"It's too late." His voice was very low. "I'm begging you, I'll take full responsibility."

"You really would do anything for a witch? You don't even care about the Xie family?" Xie Quheng looked at his younger brother's resolute eyes, feeling disappointed and heartbroken.

"She was captured by the Prince of Nanjun's heir. Doesn't he know why he offended his elder brother? The Xie family has always upheld this kind of chivalrous code?"

"...If you make this move, the Xie family will be associated with the Demonic Sect, and their reputation will be completely ruined."

"Then I'll say I stole the token and ask Father to expel me from the family." He had already planned his strategy. "That way, we can protect the family's reputation."

“You…” Xie Quheng was truly speechless.

Xie Yunshu snatched the token from Xie Quheng and left, with Xie Quheng immediately following.

"Big brother!"

"I'll go with you. I can't let you go crazy alone," Xie Quheng cursed under his breath, furious. "Qinglan will stay home and take care of her."

Upon hearing the last sentence, Qinglan, who had rushed out, fell silent.

Activating the Xie family's long-standing influence in Yangzhou in a short period was no easy task. Without alerting the guests, information was rapidly disseminated, like a series of interconnected nodes, eventually coalescing into a formidable force. The deployment was carried out clearly and systematically according to orders from superiors.

By the time everything was in place, dark clouds had gathered, the mountain shadows were heavy, and a violent summer downpour was imminent, making it hard to breathe.

Pedestrians on the road were hurrying home, and distant thunder rumbled faintly in the sky. Merchants and vendors busily packed up their goods and gathered together, ending their day's business early.

The four riders galloped wildly through the streets, leaping across alleys and stone bridges, hurrying towards their destination. A carriage caught up from behind, following closely behind. Xie Quheng glanced at it and loosened the reins.

"Is there something you need, Young Master Yu?"

A handsome face emerged from inside the car, but his usual smile was gone.

“I have met Miss Ye several times. Today, I heard that she has encountered an accident. I cannot stand idly by. Please allow me to accompany you, Brother Xie. Perhaps I can lend a helping hand.”

"This is a private matter for the Xie family, and I dare not trouble Brother Yu." Xie Quheng bowed from his horse, politely declining the offer.

"Brother Xie, please don't stand on ceremony. I am sincerely helping you and have no ulterior motives. No matter what happens today, I will keep my mouth shut and vow not to let anyone else know. If I break this promise, may I be condemned by heaven and man."

Yu Sui spoke with great seriousness, and Xie Quheng was also moved.

"To be honest, Brother Yu, this matter involves the heir of the Prince of Nanjun, and it is no small matter. It would be best if you didn't get involved in this mess."

"Brother Xie, rest assured. Although I am not very talented, I am not afraid of any tricks. At this time, saving lives is urgent. I know that I am overstepping my bounds and being presumptuous. Please allow me to accompany you. As long as I find that Miss Ye is safe, I will return and will not cause you any trouble."

Yu Sui spoke earnestly and every sentence made sense. Xie Quheng was about to make excuses when the other party spoke again.

"I have heard from seniors in the martial arts world of the North that they have spoken of the secrets of the Prince of Nanjun's heir. Perhaps we can use him to force him to release the man. Please believe in my sincerity, Brother Xie. If we can reduce the conflict, it will be a way to repay the Xie family for their hospitality."

The last sentence moved Xie Quheng.

After much deliberation, he sighed. "Brother Yu's kindness and generosity will be remembered by the Xie family. Please."

Xie Yunshu remained silent, unable to focus on anything else, his only concern was for the person whose fate was unknown.

It's not difficult to get an audience with the Prince of Nanjun. If you make the Xie family's name known in Yangzhou, even a prince won't dare to underestimate you, let alone Xiao Shicheng, with whom you've clashed before.

The illustrious crown prince leisurely sipped tea and chatted in a mountain tea pavilion. When he saw the crowd arrive, he rose to greet them, subtly glancing at each one. Chishu, standing to the side, subtly shifted his gaze, concealing his surprise.

"The sudden visit of the two young masters of the Xie family must be for important matters. Could you please tell me?" Xiao Shicheng was extremely sensitive to Xie Yunshu's gaze and asked directly, abandoning all pretense.

"Please forgive my impetuousness, Your Highness. I have come here to ask Your Highness for someone." In stark contrast to his silence when standing behind Jia Ye in the past, Xie Yunshu's handsome face was now icy cold, his eyes filled with murderous intent, like a sharp sword eager to be drawn and drink blood, its edge fully revealed.

"You want someone?" Xiao Shicheng masked his horror with a smile, but quickly realized it was inappropriate. Xie Yunshu's hostility deepened, and a murderous aura emanated from him. "I wonder if there is anyone here that Young Master Xie wants."

Princess Shalin of Shanshan.

Chishu was immediately taken aback.

Xiao Shicheng thought for a while and vaguely remembered that there was such a person.

"Is Young Master Xie referring to one of my father's close favorites?"

"good."

“Third Young Master is far too rude.” Xiao Shicheng’s face turned cold. “Leaving aside your aggressive approach and insolent words, just the fact that Shalin is my father’s favorite means that he cannot arbitrarily demand her with a single word. Where do you place the reputation of the Nanjun Prince’s Mansion?”

"I'm determined to have her today. Whether the young master agrees or not..." Without any patience for tactful words, Xie Yunshu spoke harshly, his eyes filled with murderous intent. "I have no choice but to offend you."

Xiao Shicheng was taken aback by the other party's rudeness and laughed in anger. "What do you intend to do? Sweep the Prince's Mansion with the power of the Xie family?"

The conflict escalated to this point in just a few words, leaving Chishu secretly filled with doubt and unease.

Xie Yunshu didn't say anything more, but gave a cold laugh.

He put his right hand between his teeth and whistled. The whistle was unusually strange, like a bird with a broken wing being choked, sharp and ominous. It whistled three times, echoing heavily through the mountainside, and suddenly a fire lit up the dark mountainside.

The light appeared briefly and then disappeared, as if someone had lit a tinderbox in the distance.

A single glimmer of light is insignificant. But the continuous flashes of light converge into a sea of stars, enough to leave onlookers speechless.

Countless points of light flashed and then vanished in an instant, their sheer number enough to be suffocating. Countless people lay in wait in the darkness, silently awaiting a command.

Red scalp tingles.

Xiao Shicheng froze.

"I have only one request: please hand over Princess Shalin, Your Highness." Xie Yunshu's voice was calm and composed, and its stillness made it all the more terrifying.

"You've been abusing your power; you should know the consequences of your actions today." His spirit defiant, Xiao Shicheng became even more forceful.

"If the young master insists, he may not see the consequences." Xie Yunshu's resolve was as firm as iron, making the threat without any restraint.

The confrontation remained deadlocked. Xiao Shicheng's face was ashen, his mood unpredictable. He was always proud and arrogant as a prince, and had never been threatened like this before. He almost wanted to fight back.

Yu Sui, who had been at the back, suddenly stepped forward and spoke a few words. Even Xie Yunshu, who was very close, couldn't hear it, clearly indicating that he had used a technique similar to telepathic communication.

With just one sentence, Xiao Shicheng was instantly stunned and extremely surprised. He scrutinized Yu Sui for a long time before suddenly relenting.

"Since the Third Young Master insists on demanding it, there must be a reason. I can agree to your request, but you must know the reason."

Xiao Shicheng's sudden softening made Xie Quheng breathe a sigh of relief. No matter the reason, a direct conflict with the Prince of Nanjun's mansion would not end well.

Seeing that Xiao Shicheng was signaling to his attendants to summon Shalin, Xie Quheng spoke on behalf of his younger brother.

"Princess Shalin had Miss Ye abducted this morning." She added the second half of the sentence, not forgetting to add, "Miss Ye happened to be unwell and temporarily lost her martial arts skills."

Xiao Shicheng found it hard to believe, and almost thought he had misheard.