Huan Juntian said, "Inform the soldiers of Huan Changming what he has done, and lead the army to march on the capital to punish Huan Changming."
“Since you have already made up your mind, I will definitely stay and help you.” Lu Pianpian paused. “However, my father is still in the capital, and I am a little worried that Huan Changming will arrest my father to vent his personal anger.”
“Senior brother, judging from Huan Changming’s personality, he will probably put your father under house arrest as a hostage so that he can force you to submit in the future.” Huan Juntian comforted Lu Pianpian. “Huan Mi is right. Huan Changming probably wants to use them to control us. I will send someone to ride back to the capital to find out more information. Don’t worry about it for now.”
Lu Pianpian was slightly relieved. "Okay."
On that day, Huan Juntian conveyed Huan Changming's evil deeds in the capital to the three armies.
These soldiers were out there defending their country, fighting bravely against the enemy, while Huan Changming seized the opportunity to murder the emperor and usurp the throne, plunging the capital into chaos and bloodshed. The valiant men were enraged upon hearing this, wishing they could personally kill him to avenge their country.
Furthermore, having spent these past few days fighting under Huan Juntian, most of the soldiers had already won the heart of the Crown Prince and hoped that Huan Juntian would become the next ruler of Li Kingdom. Now, however, the throne had been taken by Huan Changming, who had half the blood of the Western Night royal family. They were genuinely dissatisfied and determined to help His Majesty the Crown Prince reclaim the throne.
Huan Juntian's spies, sent to gather information, returned on the tenth day.
The news brought back was as Huan Juntian had predicted: Lu Zhong had indeed been placed under house arrest, but his life was not in immediate danger. In addition, they also brought back news that Huan Changming, accompanied by his trusted ministers, had traveled to the coast of the South China Sea.
Qu Surou said, "The coast of the South China Sea is sparsely populated. What kind of conspiracy is he planning to carry out there?"
Lu Pianpian said to Huan Juntian, "Junior brother, you could take advantage of the current situation where the capital is leaderless, lead your army on a journey, and retake the capital in one fell swoop."
“Senior brother, I also have this plan. However, the army takes a long time to travel, unlike the fast horses and light cavalry. Huan Changming is not what he used to be. He also has the bamboo demon by his side. If he suddenly turns back when we are advancing, it is not impossible for him to catch us off guard.”
After deep thought, Lu Pianpian nodded and said, "I'm just concerned about Huan Changming's move to the South China Sea coast. He's leaving the capital now, so he should be able to foresee that we'll take the opportunity to attack the capital. But he's willing to take such a big risk to go there in person..." This is something that can't help but worry about.
Qu Surou listened to the two of them analyzing Huan Changming's hidden meaning, one after the other, until she felt a headache coming on. "I say, why don't the three of us just go to the coast of the South China Sea and we'll know what he's up to? Why do you two need to waste your energy guessing here?"
Lu Pianpian and Huan Juntian exchanged a glance, then bowed to Qu Surou and said, "Senior Sister, your insight is profound."
Qu Surou touched her nose. "That's right."
That very day, Huan Juntian ordered his trusted deputy to handle all matters of state, large and small, and to lead the army to the capital. Meanwhile, the three siblings went to the shores of the South China Sea to meet Huan Changming and see what his true intentions were.
Lu Pianpian followed behind her junior brother with ease, letting him carry her through the air.
Qu Surou and Huan Juntian assumed that he was still recovering from his injuries and did not want to use his spiritual power, so they did not think too deeply about it.
"If you ask me, Pianpian, you should really stay in the military camp to recover from your injuries. Huan San and I can go there instead." Qu Surou said worriedly. "Huan Changming is just a kid who can't even do Qi cultivation. I don't believe he can cause any trouble in front of Huan San and me!"
Lu Pianpian just smiled when she heard this, her face turning a little pale.
Huan Juntian cautioned, "Senior Sister, do not underestimate your opponent."
The coast of the South China Sea is a vast ocean, and the people living around it make a living by fishing.
Huan Changming arrived in great style, displaying the grandeur of an emperor. A little inquiry revealed that he had departed from the port by ship three days prior.
"The sea is boundless and it's hard to tell which way is which. We are three days behind Huan Changming. It would be safer to buy a boat, prepare enough water and food, and then go after him."
Huan Juntian had thought things through carefully. He bought a boat at the port, hired a boatman, and made sure there was enough water and food before setting off.
The sea is vast and boundless.
Lu Pianpian stood at the bow of the ship, looking at the vast and magnificent sea, feeling the sea breeze blowing in his face, which blew away a lot of the fatigue he had accumulated over the past few days.
Huan Juntian came to his side. "According to the fishermen at the port, Huan Changming is going to an island called Huamian Island. But the locals have never heard of this place before, and it seems like a myth."
"In that case, it will be difficult for us to pursue them."
The boatman adjusted the sails to let the boat sail with the wind. "Gentlemen," he said, "the sea ahead is often shrouded in thick fog. It's easy to lose your bearings if you can't tell which way you're going. Do you know exactly where you're headed?"
Lu Pianpian thought for a moment and said, "May I ask, sir, have you ever heard of Flower Sleep Island?"
After thinking for a while, the boatman shook his head, "Never heard of such a thing."
Lu Pianpian changed the subject, "I heard that the new king of the country arrived with great fanfare a few days ago. I wonder if the sea ahead is a necessary route for every ship?"
"That's natural. No matter where you're going at sea, you can't avoid the sea area you're heading to."
"Then please take the helm, elder brother, and sail the ship towards the sea ahead."
"Okay!"
The sea is slow, and if they travel day and night, they might be lucky enough to encounter Huan Changming's ships in the waters ahead.
The boatman was experienced and knew how to take advantage of the wind and current to increase the speed of the boat.
It was still noon when the boat sailed into the sea area mentioned by the boatman. The thick fog blocked the view and the sky suddenly darkened.
Qu Surou could have passed the time on the ship by reading storybooks, but the sunlight was blocked and she couldn't see the words in the storybooks. She then tried to light a candle to provide light, but found that the candle was damp and she couldn't light it no matter what she did.
Qu Surou stood on the deck and wailed, "Oh God! How could this happen? Without storybooks to read, how am I supposed to survive on this ship?!"
The boatman, finding the little girl amusing, smiled and reassured her, "Don't worry, young lady, she'll be fine in a few days!"
Lu Pianpian rushed out of the cabin in a panic, "Senior sister, please go in and check on junior brother, he's vomited again..."
Qu Surou spread her hands, "He gets seasick, even giving him a resurrection pill didn't help."
Meanwhile, on another ship at sea.
Huan Changming, his face pale, leaned against the edge of the boat, retching incessantly.
He vomited for as long as their ship sailed at sea, and in just a few days he looked much thinner.
"His Majesty……"
Jingyi stood anxiously to the side, handing Huan Changming a handkerchief. After wiping his mouth, Huan Changming was hit by another wave, causing his stomach to churn, and he couldn't help but retch while clinging to the side of the boat.
"Mu Lingzi, can't you think of a solution?" Jing Yi asked Mu Lingzi, worried about Huan Changming.
Mu Lingzi glanced at the dusty-faced guards on the deck. "What can I do about seasickness? Lord Jing, why don't you think about this? We've been without water and food for three days. How can we ensure that mortals, including His Majesty, don't starve or die of thirst before we leave this misty sea?"
They had brought enough water and provisions for more than a month, but on the second day of their journey, they encountered a thunderstorm. The strong winds and high waves at sea not only swept away the guards and boatmen, but also took away much of their water and provisions. Now that their water and provisions were exhausted, they could only wander aimlessly in the fog.
With Jing Yi's help, Huan Changming struggled to his feet and pointed at Mu Lingzi, saying, "Go and see if any ships are passing by. If so, rob them and take their water and food... but leave the boatmen alive."
Mu Lingzi was somewhat displeased. "Your Majesty, I am a proper fairy. You want me to do the work of a petty thief?"
Huan Changming glared at Mu Lingzi, who replied sullenly, "Yes, Your Majesty."
He leaped into the air and quickly circled the surrounding sea, actually spotting a small boat. He swooped down and flew closer, discovering two men and a woman standing on it; the two men were none other than Huan Juntian and Lu Pianpian.
He had suffered many losses at the hands of these two men, and was about to turn back to report to Huan Changming when a huge black shadow suddenly rushed out of the sea and blocked his way.
Mu Lingzi got splashed with seawater. "Why did you come out?"
The demonic dragon was no longer as weak as before; its body almost covered half the sky, and Mu Lingzi was as small as an ant in front of it.
The demonic dragon roared at Mu Lingzi several times, the sound so loud it seemed to shake the heavens and the earth, immediately attracting the attention of the ship where Lu Pianpian was.
Mu Lingzi sighed, "If we've already been exposed, what kind of sneak attack is this..."
Without saying a word, the dragon spat out a mouthful of flames at Lu Pianpian's boat, and the sail was immediately set ablaze.
Mu Lingzi tried to stop them, but she couldn't. "Don't burn the food and water on the ship!"
The demonic dragon, however, was unusually excited and seemed about to breathe fire again. Mu Lingzi had no choice but to climb onto Lu Pianpian's deck and use her body to temporarily block the dragon's fire-breathing action. "Roar!"
"What kind of demon are you! Shouting to burn my boat!"
Lu Pianpian helped Huan Juntian up, "Senior sister, he's a bamboo demon bribed by Huan Changming, he's no good!"
Qu Surou drew her sword and stabbed at Mu Lingzi, "You bastard, anyone who dares to collude with Huan Changming to bully my junior brother must die!"
"Little girl, with such a fierce tongue, be careful no one will want you!" Mu Lingzi blocked the attack, not forgetting to tease Qu Surou.
Qu Surou scoffed: "It's none of your business, you stinking man!"
Seeing the sky ablaze with fire from the ship, Huan Changming ordered his men to steer the ship toward the source of the flames. From afar, he spotted the figure standing atop the ship, a figure he longed to tear to pieces and devour.
"Lu Pianpian!"
Jing Yi helped Huan Changming up with all his might, "Your Majesty, Huan Juntian and Qu Surou are also here, we cannot be careless."
At this moment, Huan Changming only wanted to grab Lu Pianpian and make her kneel down and beg for mercy. He didn't care about anything else.
He flung Jing Yi's hand away and flew to the bed where Lu Pianpian was. Seeing Lu Pianpian holding Huan Juntian tightly with both hands, he felt a strange sense of irritation.
He and Huan Juntian exchanged a glance, and then the boat rocked again, causing them to turn their heads away and gag.
"vomit……"
"Junior brother! Are you alright?" Lu Pianpian asked with concern. Huan Juntian waved his hand at him, "I'm fine, don't worry..."
Lu Pianpian wiped Huan Juntian's mouth with her sleeve without minding the dirt, a scene that irritated Huan Changming. "You little beast, burn them to death!"
If you want to play the brotherly hero in front of him, then let's die together!
The demonic dragon couldn't wait to spew another mouthful of flames onto the ship. Mu Lingzi and Qu Surou were still locked in combat and almost had their hair burned. "Don't hurt your own people!"
Lu Pianpian helped Huan Juntian avoid the burning flames. Huan Changming could see that Huan Juntian was just as unwell as he was. He decided to take advantage of Huan Juntian's illness and kill him. If he didn't kill Huan Juntian now, when would he?
While Lu Pianpian was leading Huan Juntian to avoid the flames, he lunged forward, took out the dagger he carried and stabbed at Huan Juntian, but Lu Pianpian noticed in time and blocked him with her sword.
Huan Changming confronted Lu Pianpian, saying hatefully, "If you don't move aside, I'll kill you too!"
Lu Pianpian didn't back down at all, "If you want to touch my junior brother, you'll have to step over my dead body first!"
"Fine! Fine..." Huan Changming laughed in exasperation, "Lu Pianpian, you really are quite something!"
Huan Changming showed no mercy, kicking Lu Pianpian in the stomach and sending her flying to the side. Without hesitation, he raised his knife and slashed at Huan Juntian, shouting, "Huan Juntian, prepare to die!"
Lu Pianpian suddenly lunged at Huan Changming, and the two rolled several times on the deck until they reached the edge of the boat.
The guardrail has been burned down, and behind it lies the turbulent sea.
Huan Juntian shouted with all his might, "Senior brother, be careful!"
Jingyi was extremely anxious, fearing that Huan Changming had fallen into the sea. "Mulingzi, save His Majesty!"
Qu Surou's attacks were swift and fierce, and Mu Lingzi was too busy to help Huan Changming.
Lu Pianpian pinned Huan Changming down, then used her skill to snatch the dagger from his hand and held it to his neck. "If you dare move again, I'll slit your throat!"
Huan Changming felt the stinging pain from the blade cutting his skin. In his dark blue eyes, his emotions surged like the sea behind him, so deep and dark that they seemed to swallow Lu Pianpian completely.
"Lu Pianpian...you want to kill me?"
Lu Pianpian did not answer him, nor did she withdraw the dagger pressed against his neck.
Lu Pianpian's actions speak for themselves.
He chuckled, his expression a mixture of disbelief and amusement, as if he had witnessed a colossal joke.
Huan Changming asked again, unwilling to give up, "You want to kill me?"
"You want to kill me for Huan Juntian?!"