novelraw Chapter 646: He’s Still Alive!
Chapter 646: He’s Still Alive!
Yama looked at Qi Yun with a complex expression, then looked at the casket. Since the master wanted it opened, he had no reason to insist otherwise.
He gritted his teeth, stepped forward, and pried open each of the ninety-nine nails on the casket.
Qi Yun’s breath grew increasingly rapid as each nail fell. He hoped his guess was correct, but worried he might disturb his son’s peace if he was wrong.
However, certain things had to be done, and only he could do them!
Qi Yun took a deep breath, staring at the casket, afraid to miss anything.
The ninety-nine nails were indeed very solid, and an average person couldn’t pry them open. Fortunately, Yama was skilled in martial arts and possessed great strength, allowing him to open it.
Even so, it still took a full hour.
"Dang!"
When the last nail fell, Qi Yun and Yama’s breaths nearly stopped!
"Master?"
Yama looked at Qi Yun, who took a deep breath and, with a slightly hoarse voice, said, "Open it!"
Yama took a deep breath, stepped forward, and opened the lid.
"Boom boom boom!"
The heavy sound of the casket lid sliding was heard. Qi Yun watched the contents gradually revealed under the lid, his breath growing more rapid and labored. He saw a young man in a brocade robe, lying quietly in the casket.
Because the casket was so well-made, the body inside showed no signs of decay even after nearly a year.
But that was just temporary.
When the casket was opened, outside air rushed in, and the body inside rapidly changed.
His neck and hands decayed quickly at a visible pace, and a thick, rancid odor assailed them!
Yet Qi Yun did not look away. He fixed his gaze on every inch of change within the casket, and then he saw a phenomenon. His pupils suddenly contracted!
Qi Yun saw it, and naturally so did Yama, who couldn’t help but cry out, "Master, his face, his face is intact!"
Indeed, his face had no change at all! This was impossible, absolutely impossible!
Hands, neck, and other areas had all decayed; how could the face alone remain unchanged? This face was suspicious!
"A human skin mask! It’s a human skin mask!"
Qi Yun exclaimed slightly excitedly, his body trembling from the excitement!
It’s fake, this is a fake!
This isn’t Mu’er, after all, it isn’t! This is just a stand-in!
Otherwise, who can explain why wear a fake human skin mask?
"Master, brilliance!"
Yama was deeply shocked and knelt on one knee. How could he not be astonished? This emperor deserved the title of a great ruler for discovering such an anomaly!
What Yama admired most was Qi Yun’s determination and courage!
Normally, who would dig up their own child’s buried casket to perform an autopsy? If the judgment was wrong, it would disturb the deceased’s peace!
Yet Qi Yun still did it!
Heaven knows how much inner torment he endured when making that decision!
Thankfully, now the truth is revealed!
Li Qingmu did not die!
His Xiao Mu did not die!
Qi Junmu is still alive!
That most intelligent and ruthless Eldest Young Master of Beiliang Country is him!
"Phew..."
Qi Yun slowly exhaled a turbid breath. Knowing his beloved son is alive, Qi Yun felt relieved, but simultaneously, he felt a sense of sorrow.
Rong Si, you were so impatient to take Mu’er away, so eager to swallow the world?
If you wanted these things, fine, but why would you target Mu’er?
Qi Yun did not believe Li Qingmu would have a good life going to Beiliang. He must be living under surveillance every day, possibly having lost his own self!
"Rong Si, oh Rong Si, you’d better not harm Mu’er; otherwise, the bond between us as husband and wife is over!"
He spoke softly, and then turned away.
Yama quickly followed, curious, "Master, what about this casket..."
"Leave it as it is... consider Mu’er of the past as dead!"
He is no longer Li Qingmu now, but Qi Junmu!
Yama re-nailed the casket. It took a long time, but the ready-made nail holes made it a quick task.
The two left the Imperial Mausoleum and returned to Sanqing Palace, where Yama asked, "Master, could you send someone to inform the Princess Consort that Prince Mu is alive? She would be overjoyed!"
Qi Yun had this thought but quickly dismissed it: "No need, this is top secret now, and must not be disclosed. If leaked, Mu’er could be in danger!"
"Yes, I obey!"
Yama was deeply impressed. The Supreme Emperor’s mind was indeed more meticulous and comprehensive than most. He had initially thought of informing the Princess Consort of the good news but overlooked the potential dangers such disclosure could bring to the prince.
"Moreover, send orders to have Cao Yin accelerate his march northward and join Gao Chi in defending against the Liang Army!"
Qi Yun proceeded to issue several direct orders, which Qi Junlian hadn’t considered. This child had just become Emperor and lacked thorough consideration of many matters, leaving Qi Yun, as the father, to care.
Meanwhile, at the frontier.
Gao Chi had already retreated with the main army to Valley Pass. After Shantong Pass fell, they suffered further losses at two more checkpoints, making the situation extremely urgent.
No other choice remained, as too many Liang Army troops had infiltrated, leaving the rear exposed and necessitating a withdrawal to reconstruct a defense line.
Yet doing so delivered a severe blow to morale, which could only be restored with reinforcements.
Thus, Gao Chi wrote a petition for punishment, detailing the frontier’s conditions and pleading for court reinforcements.
If his thoughts are correct, it should be Cao Yin bringing troops over.
But Cao Yin is in Xinan!
Xinan is so far from the north here, it’s estimated it will take more than a month to march. Who knows if they can hold out here?
If a few more checkpoints fall, Dazhou will really be in danger!
"Great General, the enemy forces are attempting another assault!"
Just as Gao Chi contemplated both sides’ map before him, an officer rushed in to report the latest developments.
Gao Chi frowned and said, "Have them hold firm! Valley Pass’s supplies are ample; if we defend strictly, the enemy won’t easily break through!
Besides, they’ve pushed several hundred miles into Dazhou here, and supplying their army’s food must be a major issue. This assault is just a test; if we panic first, we’ll fall into their trap!"
"General is right; if we withstand several waves of attacks, the enemy will temporarily retreat, allowing time for our soldiers to rest. Let the front-line officers hold firm!"
Nearby, another officer said solemnly.
"But Great General, the enemy has pushed it with one hundred thousand troops! Their plan is to pile up bodies to build a mountain road and storm straight through!"
That reporting soldier wore a troubled expression; the situation was extremely urgent!