Bei Gong Jue Shi awaited his reaction, his hand already gathering immense strength beneath the table. The moment he made any move, he would send him to hell without hesitation! So what if he was eleven or twelve? He was going to die sooner or later anyway, and sending him to hell would bring him absolutely no pain!
"What a nice view."
Bei Gong Jue Shi was completely stunned. What had he just heard? So beautiful? What was so beautiful?
"What are you saying?" Bei Gong Jue Shi's words suddenly seemed to come out of his nose, pressing down on the boy and making it hard for him to breathe.
"I...I said, your eyes are beautiful." Damn it, did I run into a pervert? I was just starving, that's why I pretended to be an acquaintance to get something to eat, okay? I only went up to him to eat for him because I saw he wasn't eating meat!
The power that Bei Gong Jue Shi had gathered in his hands suddenly vanished, leaving him stunned. For the first time, for the first time, someone had said his eyes were beautiful! Was it true? No, no, it must be because he saw he wanted to kill him, that he said such a lie! Bei Gong Jue Shi immediately stood up, grabbed the boy, and carried him out! He didn't even put on his cloak as he went out; everyone saw a man with heterochromia carrying a boy of about six months old!
No one dared to stop them, even though the boy was punching and kicking them.
"Put me down! Put me down!" This man must be insane! I only said one sentence and he's already torturing me like this. Is he even human?
The soft, yielding hand slammed against Bei Gong Jue Shi's body, causing no pain or itch. Bei Gong Jue Shi carried the person to a corner before putting him down, his eyes filled with terror. "You said, my eyes are beautiful?"
The boy stepped back, but instead encountered a cold wall; someone had blocked his way.
The boy looked a little nervous. This man seemed very unpredictable, and he realized he had made the wrong choice.
"I was wrong. I shouldn't have taken your meat. I know you must have been hungry, but I was hungry too. I only went to your table to eat because I was really hungry!" The boy, seeing his fierce expression, couldn't hold back any longer and cried, "At most, I'll earn money in the future and buy you some beef."
Bei Gong Jue Shi paused for a moment, "I didn't ask you those questions."
"Then what do you want to do? I just ate your flesh, I didn't do anything!" The boy looked at him with teary eyes.
Bei Gong Jue Shi squinted and looked him up and down. He felt that something was wrong with his eyes, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He could only move his gaze up and down to look at his short stature and obviously underdeveloped body, which was covered in coarse cloth clothes.
The boy cursed the man inwardly. Why was he staring at him like that when they didn't even know each other? He'd only rushed out and forgotten his money! If he had money, he'd buy dozens of pounds of beef and pound him to death! Thinking this, the boy immediately wiped away his tears. He wouldn't cry!
"Go!" Bei Gong Jue Shi suddenly withdrew his gaze and said, "Don't let me see you again."
This little boy said his eyes were beautiful. He once thought he had found someone who wouldn't mind his eyes, someone who would treat him well. But in the end, he never imagined it was a lie, and that he was a complete fool!
That woman should be married by now!
Bei Gong Jue Shi turned around and walked into the night.
The boy looked at him, feeling utterly bewildered. But, for someone who was completely unrelated to him, whether he left or lived, it wasn't his business! He dusted himself off and, in a good mood, walked off in the opposite direction.
After a delicious meal, it's time to rest. The best place, the place where you won't be disturbed, is naturally the City God Temple! Many people in this town worship the City God, and there might even be offerings!
But just then, he heard a rustling sound. The boy immediately looked around warily and vaguely heard some light footsteps. He cursed under his breath, turned around, and ran in the direction that Bei Gong Jue Shi had just left in.
"Young master, save me! Help me!" he cried out immediately. If he wasn't mistaken, the man was definitely a highly skilled martial artist. Although he himself didn't know martial arts, he was absolutely certain of his assessment! Compared to him, even his brother might not be able to defeat him!
Bei Gong Jue Shi had always been a heavy drinker, so he naturally didn't care about the wine he had just drunk. But at that moment, he heard someone behind him shouting for help? Calling him "Young Master"?
Bei Gong Jue Shi stopped and turned around, watching the boy running towards him, desperately shouting for help. It was a bit jarring. Bei Gong Jue Shi always preferred peace and quiet, and this shrill cry irritated him, though he gathered some internal energy in his right hand.
Before the boy even reached him, several figures in black suddenly shot out from the sky. To be precise, they weren't human, because these things had no human features whatsoever; they were completely wrapped in black cloth, with only vague human shapes visible.
"A black corpse?" Bei Gong Jue Shi exclaimed in surprise. He pushed off with his feet and soared into the air. He threw a fierce punch that struck the so-called black corpse. The black corpse that was hit fell from the sky and shattered into pieces, instantly turning into nothingness!
Bei Gong Jue Shi was taken aback. He had only seen the Black Corpse in an ancient book that his father, the Prince of Zhenbei, occasionally took out in his study. There were only a few sentences recording it: The Black Corpse was controlled by the Yiyun tribe shaman of the Western Regions. It was immortal and not human, and spent its life serving the shaman.
The boy was startled and immediately hid behind Bei Gong Jue Shi. "Save me, thank you!"
What surprised Bei Gongjueshi even more was that this boy was actually being tracked, or rather, hunted by the black corpses. So, how did he get involved with these black corpses, and what grudge did he have with that Western Regions wizard? Moreover, this was within the territory of the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty, not the Western Regions. Therefore, this boy was no ordinary person!
Bei Gong Jue Shi turned around and glanced at him. "Wait for me here. Don't leave!" Although his tone was flat, it was full of threat.
The boy paused, looking at him. His figure was like a ghost, his hands clenched into fists, and the power gathered in those fists. He stepped forward and swiftly beat all the black corpses until their souls were scattered.
The boy watched in astonishment as the man dealt with all the black corpses in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. He hadn't expected this man's martial arts to be so high! Should he wait for him? No, now that these black corpses were dealt with, he was at least safe. He needed to find his brother; otherwise, it would be difficult to restore his body!
Thinking of this, the boy's eyes filled with hatred. He looked around and immediately chose a path to run away.
Inside the Western Regions royal palace, a tall man of about forty or fifty years old, his eyes painted with seven colors, stared at the Gu worms before him. He was covered in ritual implements, his entire body adorned with mysterious patterns. Beside him stood another man, also dressed in formal attire and wearing a crown, about thirty years old. He had a handsome face, a dignified expression, and a cruel smile playing on his lips.
"Wizard, how is it?" the man wearing a jade crown asked, his heart filled with anxiety as he watched the Gu worms cease to wriggle.
"My great king!" The wizard turned and knelt before Mount Evian, raising his arms high. "Someone is helping her!"
Upon hearing this, Yiyun Shenshan's face immediately darkened with displeasure. "Hmph, send people ahead if you want. I want to see who exactly is helping her and how long they can keep doing it!"
When Beigong Jueshi had killed all the black corpses, he turned around, thinking of seeing if the boy was frightened by his killing, but all he saw was an empty space!
"Damn it!" Bei Gong Jue Shi roared, his knuckles turning white. He would never let him get away with this! He had saved him, and yet this man dared to disobey his orders? All he had asked was to stand still and wait for him! He couldn't even do something so simple? He had only asked him a few questions! It wasn't serious, and as long as he hadn't offended the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty, he would absolutely spare his life!
Bei Gong Jue Shi was filled with resentment. He lifted his foot and gradually walked into the darkness. But then he thought, he certainly wouldn't go far. This boy is clever enough! He actually used him to escape a calamity. Good, very good!
The boy was heading towards the City God Temple. Damn it, how did he get exposed? Hadn't he been hiding so well? How did the black corpse find him!
The boy couldn't figure it out, so he muttered to himself as he entered the City God Temple and found a spot that he thought was pretty good to hide in.
He didn't know how long this would continue before he could find the person he was looking for. When he inquired before, he heard that someone had seen Yiyun Shangcheng in the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty, so he had been fleeing all the way to the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty. However, he had been searching for two or three months and had not seen a single person. Instead, he had been chased and killed several times.
Yi Yunmu sighed, then huddled in the haystack, stopped moving, and closed her eyes.
But at that moment, someone at the other end of the City God Temple opened their heterochromatic eyes. How ridiculous! What could a lowly beggar possibly have to offer for food and lodging? Wasn't it just some desolate wilderness? Where else could the best option be but the City God Temple?
Bei Gong Jue Shi's lips curled up slightly. He wanted to see what kind of excuse he would use to escape this time!
Silently, Bei Gong Jue Shi was already standing in front of Yi Yun Muchen. Looking at him now, she felt a pang of pity. Yi Yun Muchen was already quite short, but now he was hugging his legs with both hands and burying his head in them, like a kitten, or a big ball that she could lift up with just a gentle touch.
Thin and with a touch of loneliness, Bei Gong Jue Shi stood there for a long time.
When I was little, I was often alone on Wudang Mountain, so I curled up like this now.
Bei Gong Jue Shi couldn't bear to disturb him, so he stood there for a while before turning back. But Yi Yun Muchen, alert to the sound of footsteps, immediately looked up and saw a pair of unusual eyes looking at him with a half-smile.
Yi Yun Muchen immediately retreated, but there was nowhere to retreat. "Um, I, I..." Yi Yun Muchen's eyes darted around. "You said you didn't want to see me again, so I listened to you and left."
Bei Gong Jue Shi's eyes turned cold. "But I also told you that you were to wait for me here, yet you left on your own!"
"I didn't leave, really, look, I'm right in front of you, aren't I? If I wanted to leave, I would have done it tonight." Yi Yun Muchen cried inwardly. Damn it, why didn't she just leave tonight? Even if it was tiring, it was still better than talking to this capricious, inhumanly powerful man!
“Your excuse is very good, I’m satisfied,” Bei Gong Jue Shi said, then sat down next to Yi Yun Muchen. “Say your name.”
Yi Yun Muchen was stunned when she heard his first sentence. She had never met anyone like this before. He said the excuse was good? He was actually satisfied with it!
"Say your name, I don't want to ask a second time!" Bei Gong Jue Shi said impatiently, seemingly having exhausted his patience.
Yi Yun Muchen narrowed his small eyes, "You should say your name first, then you'll have the right to ask other people's names!"
Bei Gong Jue Shi was stunned. This was the first time someone had dared to speak to him like that!
"Qualifications? What qualifications? I saved your life, and you're talking to me about qualifications?" Bei Gong Jue Shi stared at him, his eyes filled with a warning.
Yi Yunmu gave an awkward smile. Yes, he saved her... She couldn't afford to offend him.
"I...I don't have a name..."
"Huh?" He glared angrily.
"Uh, I, my name is Chen Mu." Yi Yunmu felt a chill run down her spine. How was she supposed to escape? This man was no kind person. "What's your name?" He simply gave her a look that said, "Tell me if you want, or don't."
"Gong Shijue." Bei Gong Jue Shi muttered, this little brat actually dares to play with me? Let's see how long you can keep up this act! Chen Mu? Hmph!
"Brother Gong, it's getting late, you should go and get some rest!" Yi Yun Muchen looked into his eyes, grinned, and fawned over him.
"I haven't finished asking yet." Bei Gong Jue Shi sneered. What a joke, trying to escape?
"How did you come to know those black corpses? What exactly is the deal with them? How did you become the target of their pursuit and attempts to murder you?"
As Yi Yunmu Chen listened, a look of doubt flashed across his face. This... he could actually recognize those as black corpses! Heavens, who exactly is this person! How does he know about the black corpses of the Western Region wizards!
"Don't make excuses. I don't like not telling the truth," Bei Gong Jue Shi said coldly.
"Um, um..." Yi Yun Muchen chuckled. He had just realized he was lying, so why did he still say he was satisfied? This person... Yi Yun Muchen thought, unable to utter a word. But the next second, he saw a snake on the beam flicking its red tongue at Bei Gong Jue Shi's back, and it leaped up, about to bite the back of Bei Gong Jue Shi's neck!
"Watch out!" Yi Yunmu shouted.
——
The morning breeze was refreshingly cool, and if Shangguan Feiyan hadn't come to wake him, Ji Wushang could have slept on forever. After tidying himself up, he immediately joined the young ladies for lunch, and then followed Granny Wang back into the main hall.
Inside the main hall, everything had changed. The small desks around the hall were gone, leaving only a large painted screen. Ji Wushang looked at it in surprise. Could it be that the young ladies were going to embroider on this screen? Ji Wushang stepped forward and touched it. The screen was at least thick, with a plywood backing. It seemed impossible to thread a needle, meaning that no embroidery could be made.
What exactly do you want?
Once today is over, I can go back home. I hope this last match won't be too difficult.
The other young ladies around them were also looking around, wondering what kind of test they would be given.
Just then, a long shout was heard from outside the palace: "Her Majesty the Empress has arrived!"
Upon hearing this, Ji Wushang and the other young ladies immediately knelt on the ground, not daring to raise their heads, waiting for the sound of the Empress entering with her long, flowing skirt. Then they heard everyone shout, "Long live the Empress!"
Ji Wushang then opened his mouth and moved casually, making it seem as if he were also paying his respects.
"Rise, all of you!" the Empress said, then glanced at the young ladies present. But, it seemed like two people were missing. Where was her niece, Yao Jinhan? And wasn't Consort Yuan supporting a young lady named Yuan Meian? Where was she?
Ji Wushang and the others stood up and stood in neat rows.
She had questions in her mind, but she would ask Granny Wang what was going on later. Thinking to herself, the Empress immediately said, "I came here only to see the young ladies' needlework. After all, this is a literary embroidery competition that our Great Xia Zhou Dynasty has. I saw your works in the embroidery room before, and they were all very good. I am very satisfied and will reward you all."
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty the Empress." Everyone knelt down again.
Ji Wushang only hoped that he wouldn't be made things difficult for others.
The Empress glanced at everyone's faces and said, "You are all very good. Granny Wang, let's start with the questions!" With that, she led her people to the side.
Wang Momo immediately curtsied to the Empress before stepping forward and saying, "Whoever can embroider a large red peony on this painted screen will win this round."
Wang Mama pointed to the painted screen placed in the hall, and the young ladies around her were all surprised, wondering how it could be embroidered.
“This, Granny, how can you embroider it? This painted screen is still just a painted screen; it can never compare to embroidered cloth!” A young lady couldn’t help but step forward and ask.
Wang Mama glanced at the Empress, who was sitting elegantly to the side, seemingly oblivious to their presence. She could only nod. "Yes, Miss Li, this is the question. The rest depends on your efforts." With that, she immediately moved to the side. "Start the timer." She then turned the funnel upside down, and the quicksand began its countdown.
Ji Wushang looked at the painted screen. At this moment, all the young ladies were racking their brains, trying to figure out how to insert the thin needle and thread in their hands.
At this moment, some eunuchs carried in several enormous painted screens, saying that the young ladies should do needlework. Ji Wushang counted them; there were about ten painted screens in total. This meant that if a young lady could embroider the entire large screen, she would win. However, if she took the screen but couldn't embroider it, she would definitely lose.
Therefore, many women dared not ask for these painted screens.
Standing before this enormous painted screen, Ji Wushang inadvertently recalled that day in the Imperial Garden. This painted screen was about the same size, and he had been dancing and painting on it. But the last eight characters were written on with gold thread by Nan Xuzong. Wasn't his gold thread just like needle and thread? However, only someone with profound martial arts skills could create such embroidery, while he himself was far less skilled.
Ji Wushang was a little troubled. How could he possibly get things done?
Suddenly, Ji Wushang thought of a way and immediately walked towards Granny Wang, bowed slightly, and said, "Granny, could you provide me with some inkstones and wolf hair brushes? The bigger the wolf hair brush, the better."
At this moment, the man who was just about to step in at the doorway paused. What did this woman need the wolf-hair brush and inkstone for? But without thinking too much, he went in.
Granny Wang was somewhat surprised, "What brings you here?"