Upon hearing this, Luo Zhiheng immediately left. She hurriedly walked towards the door, unaware that the Prince had already sent someone to follow her.
Luo Zhiheng returned to the inn where she had stayed before, to her original room, which she had kept empty despite paying for it. Her whip was inside; she didn't dare bring it with her when she went to Mu Yunhe's side, since its power was specifically designed to target souls, and she feared that the soul might sense it and alert him.
But now she has no choice but to use the whip, partly to protect herself and partly to test Mu Yunhe.
She wasn't sure if the current Mu Yunhe was still her Yunhe. The demon had said that a soul could devour a person's soul, thereby taking control of that body. Mu Yunhe was powerful, but the current Mu Yunhe was completely different from the Mu Yunhe of the past. She couldn't take the risk; she couldn't let Mu Yunhe's body be controlled by a soul of unknown origin.
From the moment the guards said that Mu Yunhe had injured Xiao Xizi, Luo Zhiheng had a deep suspicion that Mu Yunhe at the moment he injured Xiao Xizi was no longer the real Mu Yunhe.
Having found the whip, Luo Zhiheng concealed it around her waist, making it easy to pull out with a single effort. She still needed to find Luo Zhiwu; before she became a target herself, she needed to make arrangements for Luo Zhiwu.
As luck would have it, Luo Zhiwu was blocking the inn. She had just stepped out when Luo Zhiwu cornered her and forced her to come back.
"Brother!" Luo Zhiheng exclaimed, somewhat surprised and overjoyed.
Luo Zhiwu, her face dark with anger, hissed, "What do you want to do? Are you trying to make me and Father die of anger? How could you be so bold as to jump into the wolf's den on your own initiative? Do you even want Father and me to live? Heng'er, how could you be so irrational?"
"But when I returned to Yunhe's side, didn't my brother also contribute? Didn't he also play a part in persuading the Prime Minister? Don't tell me my brother didn't know. Although I didn't see my brother appear, I know perfectly well what he did for me! I am grateful to my brother. I thought my brother understood everything I did, but I didn't expect that my brother couldn't understand me either. Then why did my brother help me return to Yunhe's side!" Luo Zhiheng was provoked by Luo Zhiwu's words. Her worry for Mu Yunhe made her lose control of her emotions. She was already exhausted. She didn't want her brother to stop her at this crucial moment.
Luo Zhiwu was also helpless. He loved and indulged Luo Zhiheng more than he blamed her.
She softened her tone, but still couldn't calm his volatile emotions. Luo Zhiwu gritted her teeth and said, "Things are different now! I helped you before because I didn't want you to be sad or anxious. Although I knew that letting you go back to his side was a dangerous decision, I knew that Mu Yunhe would never hurt you and would always protect you. But I never expected that Mu Yunhe's surroundings were not just a den of wolves and tigers. Why didn't you ever tell me that the real danger around Mu Yunhe was something inhuman? That thing can kill anyone easily and without anyone noticing!"
"What do you expect me to do? Do you expect me to just watch you die in a place where you could die with your eyes wide open at any moment? Do you want me to stab myself in the heart? Luo Zhiheng, you've always been very self-centered since you were little, but that's not your fault. It's because your father and I spoiled you. But have you ever, can you, put yourself in your father's shoes? What would your father and I do without you? Can you bear to let our father, an old man, bury his young son?" Luo Zhiwu was also very agitated. He had just learned something that terrified him, and he had completely lost control.
Luo Zhiheng's eyelids twitched violently, her expression a mixture of shock and anger: "How did you know? The great danger beside Mu Yunhe is something neither human nor ghost, who told you that? You witch, isn't it?"
Seeing Luo Zhiheng tremble slightly, Luo Zhiwu knew she had risen to power. She gritted her teeth and sneered, "You little brat, you have some very good subordinates, but they are really too stupid to dare to hide such a thing from me. Do they think they are loyal to you? They are harming you! If it weren't for their loyalty to you, I would definitely destroy them!"
"What did you do to them?" Luo Zhiheng's face changed drastically as she grabbed Luo Zhiwu's arm and roared.
For Luo Zhiheng, Yao Niang and the others were even more important than family. During her three most painful years, it was their unwavering companionship and protection, their constant encouragement and support, and it was they, along with the people of the wilderness, who allowed her to survive and live such a noble life. They were her family, and if anyone dared to harm them, even her beloved older brother, she would absolutely turn against them!
"What can I do to them? I just analyzed the pros and cons with them and forced that witch to tell me the truth! You little brat, you've got some nerve! If I had known it would be like this, I would have rather died than let you come back to take this risk. No, you didn't come back to take this risk, you came back to die!" Luo Zhiwu roared through gritted teeth.
Luo Zhiheng quickly pulled him aside and growled, "Keep your voice down! Do you want everyone to know? What did you do to Yao Niang and the others? Brother, I'm begging you, they're all good people, don't make things difficult for them. I'm already having a hard time, you guys are my strongest support, let's not fight amongst ourselves, okay?"
Luo Zhiwu didn't want Luo Zhiheng to worry, so she snorted coldly, "Nothing much, I just gave them all a good scolding. But they knew you were in danger, so they insisted on coming back with you. But I might only bring that witch back, and the rest of you will continue back to create a false impression for the enemy, so that the inhuman thing won't notice you."
Luo Zhiheng breathed a sigh of relief and took Luo Zhiwu's arm, saying, "Brother, you're the best. Thank you for not hurting them. I can't say much else to you now, so please answer a few questions for me first. If Mu Yunhe wanted to mobilize all the overt and covert forces in the capital, is it possible for him to do so?"
Luo Zhiwu looked at Luo Zhiheng with surprise, pondered for a moment, and gave an answer that made Luo Zhiheng uneasy: "Yes. Because he is a diviner. No matter when or what he wants to do, he can mobilize troops at any time. In a sense, Mu Yunhe's status is actually above the imperial power. It's just that his diviner status belongs to the secular world, and he can't care about the imperial power. That's why the royal family is willing to support him and is not afraid that he will take away the imperial power."
Luo Zhiheng's eyelids twitched wildly, and she asked in a trembling voice, "What if Mu Yunhe tries to launch a coup using his identity as a priest? Will he succeed?"
These words made Luo Zhiwu's expression change. She grabbed Luo Zhiheng's arm and said seriously, "What exactly does Heng'er want to say? Is Mu Yunhe going to... rebel?"
Luo Zhiwu suddenly felt her mouth and throat dry, not from thirst, but from the tension and horror that followed the absurdity and disbelief.
Luo Zhiheng shook her head, her tone heavier than ever before: "It can't be called a rebellion, or rather, Mu Yunhe wouldn't rebel. I know him; if he wants something, he will definitely create and obtain it with his own hands, he will take the right path to possess it, he would never resort to force or robbery, or even do things that violate justice. But what I'm worried about is, what if someone uses Mu Yunhe's body to do some despicable and vile things, causing Mu Yunhe to bear infamy and harm innocent people, and then Mu Yunhe suffers divine retribution?"
Luo Zhiwu asked anxiously, "Heng'er, what exactly do you mean? Explain yourself clearly, what exactly happened to Mu Yunhe?"
Luo Zhiheng looked up, her voice already icy: "I suspect that Mu Yunhe has been suppressed by that inhuman thing, and the worst-case scenario is that Mu Yunhe is already dead, and that demon has taken over Mu Yunhe's body."
"How could this be?!" Luo Zhiwu exclaimed in shock, then gripped Luo Zhiheng's wrist tightly, saying, "Although I don't know why you're saying this, or whether it's true or not, if it really is as you say, then I won't allow you to do anything foolish!"
Luo Zhiheng and Mu Yunhe had such a deep relationship, yet when the topic of Mu Yunhe's possible death came up, she remained so calm, almost emotionless. This was highly illogical! Luo Zhiwu was terrified that Luo Zhiheng might do something foolish.
“Brother, don’t worry. You can’t stop me from doing what I’m really going to do. Yunhe and I have been separated for too long, and I don’t want to be separated from him again. Isn’t the fact that I’m still alive the best proof? No matter how much I didn’t understand or resented Mu Yunhe in the past, I’ve been trying my best to get back to his side because I love him. With him, there is hope.”
“You say I live too self-centeredly, which is really just being too selfish. I am selfish; I have no familial affection for Mu Yunhe. Whether Mu Yunhe is there or not, I would do anything for my family and the people I love, even if it means death! But if Mu Yunhe is gone, I will absolutely not live alone. If that is selfishness, then I will be selfish to the very end without hesitation. Please don't blame me, brother.”
Luo Zhiheng looked into Luo Zhiwu's eyes. There was a veil between them, but it could not diminish their blood ties, nor the familiarity and attachment that were etched into their bones.
If Luo Zhiheng had someone in this life who could be her father, her brother, her best friend, someone she could respect and love, someone she could be close to and talk to about anything, then that person would be her brother, Luo Zhiwu.
She loved her brother very much, but she chose to remain true to her love.
Now, Luo Zhiheng sensed the urgency of time and the gravity of the situation. She had so much to say and so much to do. She might not have been a good sister or a good daughter, but that didn't negate the fact that she truly loved her family. But Mu Yunhe meant something entirely different to her.
This man was the first man she encountered after coming into this world. She arrived here like a newborn, needing to learn and start anew about everything. Mu Yunhe, though only nineteen years old, possessed a soul as pure as a child's. From the beginning, they were like two silly girls with vastly different temperaments, each with their own views, stubbornly clinging to their own opinions as they lived together.
They were constantly rejecting each other, changing each other, understanding each other, and eventually integrating into each other's lives.
Meeting, getting to know each other, cherishing each other, understanding each other, falling in love...
In life, one doesn't know how many paths one can walk openly and honestly. In a relationship, one doesn't know when love begins or when it ends, but as long as one can persevere, one doesn't want to give up and cannot abandon it.
She still has her dearest loved ones, but her Yunhe, once even she no longer wants him, will have nothing left.
Without his mother who lived for him and endured all suffering for him, without his meager fatherly love, without sibling affection. Even today, Mu Yunhe might have no status or position, and might even become a sinner burdened with infamy. Just thinking about it made Luo Zhiheng's heart ache terribly.
She couldn't leave Mu Yunhe; she would stay by his side, even if the road ahead was filled with bloodshed and carnage, she would steadfastly walk to the end! If, at this moment, her Yunhe truly vanished forever, she wouldn't be afraid, she wouldn't despair, because she would always come to be with him. On the road to the underworld, Mu Yunhe would not be alone!
Luo Zhiheng was lost in thought when she suddenly realized that her relationship with Mu Yunhe was no longer just simple love. Sometimes she thought it was more about mutual attraction and a comforting sense of mutual pity. Loving someone is not easy; not loving someone is even harder.
"You've made up your mind? No regrets?" Luo Zhiwu's voice was low and hoarse, filled with deep weariness and bewilderment.
Luo Zhiheng smiled, then, remembering that Luo Zhiwu couldn't see her smile, she said, "It's decided, no regrets!"
Luo Zhiwu felt a sharp pain in her chest, as if someone had ripped a hole in her heart and torn out a piece of flesh. The pain spread in all directions, and every part of her body ached. He suddenly pulled Luo Zhiheng into his arms and whispered, "Fool! How could our Luo family have a fool like you? So stupid, so foolishly willing to do anything for a man, abandoning even your own father and brother. Is he worth it? Is he as good to you as we are?"
Luo Zhiwu's feelings were complex, a bittersweet mix of joy and sorrow at seeing her daughter grow up, resentment, and a touch of jealousy and disgust towards Mu Yunhe. How could she possibly accept giving away the child she had cherished and pampered? How could she possibly feel at ease?
Luo Zhiheng said softly, "He may not be good or perfect to others, but he is the best in my heart. Just like how I may be a lovesick, disgusting woman, or a vicious existence in other people's eyes, but I am the best and irreplaceable in his heart. I am so glad that others may search their whole lives and never find the person who is most suitable for them and cherishes them the most, but I have found him. Brother, you should congratulate me and be happy for me, shouldn't you?"
Luo Zhiwu didn't want to nod, because his beloved younger sister was actually talking to him about her plan to die for a man! And she was even trying to persuade him to accept it! Wasn't this simply too unbelievable and incomprehensible? But he couldn't refuse. His sister was stubborn, and once she made up her mind, nothing could change it. He didn't think he was stronger than nine oxen!
"You brat, congratulations." He congratulated her reluctantly, then continued, "You all have to live well, and make sure that Mu Yunhe lives well too. I don't believe he died so easily. Maybe he's adrift somewhere. Do you think a diviner would die so easily? Once everything is settled and you all come back, I'm going to give him a good beating. Who told him to steal my precious little sister!"
Hearing Luo Zhiwu's rare childish complaints, Luo Zhiheng merely curled her lips into a faint smile; she couldn't manage a laugh. A deep bitterness spread through her mouth. She felt she should cry, but tears wouldn't fall. What was the point of crying now? To send Mu Yunhe off? No, she wouldn't easily admit defeat until she personally confirmed Mu Yunhe's death!
Luo Zhiheng forced herself to be strong, setting aside her personal feelings, and said, "Brother, my suspicions aren't unfounded. Mu Yunhe injured Xiao Xizi today, and his guards witnessed it. I don't believe Mu Yunhe would suddenly go mad and attack someone he's close to and trusts. This abnormal behavior makes me very uneasy. If that soul has truly taken over Mu Yunhe's body, yet he swaggered to court, what do you think his purpose is? What is he planning to do? I don't believe he has no ulterior motive. If he had no motive, why would he target someone of Mu Yunhe's status and position?"
Upon hearing this, Luo Zhiwu pondered for a moment before saying, "Do you suspect that this soul is using Mu Yunhe's body to do evil, or even harbors the ambition to overthrow the Mu Dynasty and become emperor himself?!"
Luo Zhiheng said, "He doesn't need to overthrow the Mu Dynasty. Brother, you forgot that he is using a body that doesn't exist. Mu Yunhe's other identity is that of a prince! He is also an heir with the right to inherit the throne! With such a double heavyweight identity, if this person wants to do something, it is really impossible to guard against and terrifying."
"If he really makes a big move next, then the unprepared Mu Dynasty will be in a very passive position. I must go back to Mu Yunhe's side, I need to find the truth, and also keep an eye on him. But once I go back, I will likely become the target of that soul entity. At the very least, I will no longer have freedom. If it is inconvenient for me to do anything, then everything I do will be exposed, which will be even more dangerous."
"So you mean I should stay outside and work with you from the inside to deal with Mu Yunhe, no, to deal with that soul entity?" Luo Zhiwu asked.
"It's not about dealing with it, but about you starting to prepare. Use all your available power to protect the royal family and the capital. Brother, if even after all that preparation, this soul entity can still control the capital and make it fall into his hands, what will we do? Is there anyone who can stand against him?" Luo Zhiheng asked with great concern.
Luo Zhiwu was also troubled: "If we've made full preparations and still can't deal with that soul entity, then no matter how many people come, it will be difficult to suppress it. Moreover, we can't act openly. We have no idea how much power Mu Yunhe has. If that soul entity also knows about these powers, then it will be very convenient for him to use them, and we will still be on the defensive. Unless there's someone who can make this soul entity wary, but he even dared to touch the divination priest, what else could he possibly be wary of?"
"Brother, you can secretly go to those pharaohs, find Elder Tong and General Murong. At the appropriate time, just in case, you can temporarily reveal a little something to them, but remember that too much is as bad as too little. What these old men value most is the dragon vein, the emperor, and the world. Although Mu Yunhe is very important to them, we cannot rule out that they might be so eager that they would do something to harm Mu Yunhe."
Luo Zhiwu frowned and said, "You mean you still want to leave room for Mu Yunhe?"
Luo Zhiheng said anxiously, "I don't believe Yun He would be completely unprepared. Even if that soul has pushed Yun He to a certain point, given Yun He's temperament and abilities, he wouldn't be completely unprepared. You can be flexible. Once I go back, I won't come out again. Brother, don't risk looking for me. You absolutely mustn't show up, because that will only attract the soul's attention and vigilance. You also need to hide Yao Niang well. Yao Niang can see that soul, and the soul can also see Yao Niang, and it knows that Yao Niang can see it. If Yao Niang is here, firstly, it will expose me, and secondly, it will put Yao Niang in danger."
"At a time like this, you're still worrying about others!" Luo Zhiwu was furious. After pacing around anxiously on the ground twice, she suddenly said, "I know someone who knows how to disguise himself. Let's go find him and have him disguise me. I'll go into Mu Yunhe's mansion and take your place."
Luo Zhiheng was startled, but moved to tears by Luo Zhiwu's care and concern. She threw herself into Luo Zhiwu's arms, tears finally streaming down her dry, aching eyes, and choked out, "Thank you, brother, thank you so much. What right do I have to deserve such care from you?"
"Silly girl, you are the treasure of the Luo family." Luo Zhiwu's irritability vanished instantly, leaving only deep sorrow and endless pain. Stroking her hair, a thousand words were reduced to a single, seemingly joking, yet heavy sigh.
Luo Zhiheng sobbed, unable to speak for a long time. Her heart pounded with guilt and terror as she thought, "I'm not the real Luo Zhiheng! I'm not the Luo family's darling! I'm just an imposter! What's the difference between me and Luo Ningshuang in some way? We're both imposters, basking in the enviable pampering of Luo Zhiheng! The only difference is that Luo Ningshuang is the real imposter, while I'm just occupying this body!"
If one day, her father and brother find out that her soul has taken over their precious Heng'er's body, how will they treat her? How will she face them?!
The thought of such a day in the future filled Luo Zhiheng with heartache, unease, and shame.
The first update is here! This is today's main update. I'll be making up for yesterday's 7,000-word main update today. Keep up the good work! Please vote, leave comments, and give monthly tickets! Group chat!
525 Vicious slander! A sinful face! (7,000 words added to yesterday's update)
Updated: 2013-12-31 20:48:49 Word Count: 7784
“Brother, I can’t let you take the risk for me. Besides, this is my business, a battle between Mu Yunhe and me. I don’t want anyone else to interfere. I appreciate your kindness, brother. If there’s another chance, I will definitely stay by Father and brother’s side to accompany you. If not, then in the next life, I must be a child of the Luo family, your sister, and Father’s daughter.” This was Luo Zhiheng’s hope. She had never had such a strong expectation before, wanting to truly integrate into this family and become their daughter and sister.
Luo Zhiwu stroked her head. He couldn't see his sister's face, but that didn't stop his warm and precious smile from appearing: "Silly girl, you will always be the apple of our Luo family's eye. No one can replace you. You did very well. No matter what, the children of the Luo family shouldn't be selfish and only live for themselves. I won't object to your decision. I just hope you can take care of yourself, take good care of yourself!"
Luo Zhiheng nodded with tears in her eyes, hoping only that in the next life she could truly become a child of the Luo family, rightfully and legitimately receiving the love of her brother and father, instead of this stolen love!
Despite her reluctance and countless words of farewell, Luo Zhiwu reluctantly agreed to Luo Zhiheng's decision, allowing her to return to the treacherous and dangerous priest's mansion.
"Heng'er, you must protect yourself. Don't be reckless and don't put yourself in dangerous situations. Don't confront that soul head-on. Even Mu Yunhe couldn't fight that soul head-on. You are no match for that person. No matter what happens, think of me and your father, and don't act impulsively." Luo Zhiwu couldn't express all her worries and concerns in a thousand words.
Today's parting may truly mean the end of their lives. She will never see her father, whom she has never met, the father who has given her so much joy, so much hope, so much emotion and wonder. Not being able to meet him is the greatest regret of her life.
Any other tone would always evoke sorrow and melancholy. When Luo Zhiwu's arm trembled as she held Luo Zhiheng, it was clear that this usually composed and mature man could no longer conceal his true emotions. Those who are afraid are not weak; they are often afraid because of what is there, because they are flesh and blood and find it difficult to let go. When kinship is ingrained in one's blood, it cannot be severed with a few words.
Luo Zhiheng finally left, breaking free from Luo Zhiwu's embrace and preventing Luo Zhiwu from seeing her off. As she smiled and gradually hid Luo Zhiwu in the room, and as she saw Luo Zhiwu's eyes reddening from the threshold, she bit her lip hard, trying to remember the face of the man who was gradually disappearing in the crack, as well as all the reluctance and warmth in his face and eyes!
Perhaps in the next life, she will never be able to see this brother who loved her with all his heart. Perhaps this parting will be the end. Perhaps there will be no more "perhaps".
As the door finally closed completely, Luo Zhiheng burst into tears. The most hurtful thing is always emotion, and the most touching thing is also emotion. In this world, she was no longer an orphan or a lost soul; she had someone to care about, and this unbreakable bond of family made her heart softer and stronger.
On her way back, she was strong and brave, just as she had been when she inexplicably came into this world. Everything was unknown, and she had no room to retreat but to fight! To fight for a future for herself, and to fight for clarity for Mu Yunhe!
In the priest's residence, the king listened quietly to his subordinates' reports. His originally calm face changed drastically as he heard the increasingly unbelievable titles and the people he was meeting!
"You said she went to see Luo Zhiwu? What did Luo Zhiwu call her? What did you say A-Wu called her?!" The Prince seemed to be half-possessed, suddenly stood up and rushed to his subordinate, grabbing his arm and demanding an answer.
The subordinate had never seen the Prince so out of control, and was immediately terrified, stammering, "She did go to see Luo Zhiwu, and Luo Zhiwu did indeed call her Heng'er."
The Queen was utterly shocked, her beautiful eyes filled with horror and confusion. She seemed unable to accept it, or perhaps terrified, pacing back and forth in the room, muttering to herself, but no one could understand what she was saying. After a while, she suddenly returned, still gripping her subordinate's wrist tightly, and asked urgently, "And what about her? What does she call A-Wu?"
"I didn't hear clearly, because I saw Luo Zhiwu enter the room, so I didn't dare to get too close for fear of being discovered. But I vaguely heard the two of them shout a few times, and the woman must have called Luo Zhiwu 'brother'," the subordinate reported cautiously.
The Queen staggered backward, no longer just shocked, but utterly horrified! She had never felt this way before; the journey from heaven to hell was but a thought away. No, it was just a single word.
Her head was buzzing; something flashed by, something else remained, something she couldn't grasp or touch. The agonizing feeling made her want to bang her head against the wall. She wanted to ask Mu Yunhe, but he hadn't returned yet. She was being driven mad by the questions and thoughts swirling in her mind, yet she also felt her ideas were insane. But how could she explain the conversation between the woman named Xun Jun and Luo Zhiwu?
Who is Luo Zhiwu? That's her own nephew! The brother who dotes on Luo Zhiheng the most! He's not in the Mu Dynasty right now, shouldn't he be seeing off that barbarian chieftain? Didn't he just compete with Mu Yunhe for the barbarian female chieftain? Wasn't he supposed to be her protector? Why is he back? And why is he meeting with Xun Jun again?
"Are you sure you saw it clearly? Was that person really Luo Zhiwu?" the King asked again in disbelief.
The subordinate hurriedly replied, "It's absolutely true. I wouldn't dare to guarantee it with my own head."
"How could this be? What is it that I don't know?" The king slumped into his chair, muttering to himself with a grim expression.
"Your Highness, that woman should have already returned to the affiliated middle school. If you have any questions, why not find her and ask her for clarification?" the subordinate said cautiously.