novelraw Chapter 525 - 169: Little Hei’s Mighty Feat!
Chapter 525 - 169: Little Hei’s Mighty Feat!
"Hua Cangzhu, where do you think you’re escaping?"
Outside the Hidden Pill Tower, Hua Cangzhu, with his remaining disciples, was blocked at the entrance by Xia Tianwu and the Tower Guardian Elders of the branch.
Upon seeing Xia Tianwu again, Hua Cangzhu’s eyes narrowed in surprise and he exclaimed, "Xia Tianwu? How are you here?"
Xia Tianwu sneered, "Surprised? I was originally following the dean’s orders to the branch to investigate your case. Unexpectedly, you’ve actually saved me the trouble by committing such rebellious acts, I can execute you on the spot!"
Hua Cangzhu’s facial muscles twitched severely, a sinister light flickering in his eyes.
The Tower Guardian Elders of the branch also looked at him angrily.
Hua Cangzhu coldly scanned the circle, noting everyone’s expressions. He suddenly laughed hideously, saying to Xia Tianwu and the others, "Don’t come closer, if you don’t let me leave, I’ll trigger the Earth Fire and burn down the Hidden Pill Tower!"
"You dare!"
Xia Tianwu roared fiercely.
The eyes of the Tower Guardian Elders also radiated anger.
Hua Cangzhu’s sudden threat made them cautious, hesitant. He was still the dean of the branch and could naturally use the dean’s Token to trigger the Earth Fire beneath the Medicine Tower Branch.
Hua Cangzhu sneered arrogantly, "Do you think I dare?"
Xia Tianwu’s eyes narrowed slightly, falling silent.
Triggering the Earth Fire is no trivial matter; mishandling it could lead to the tower’s destruction and everyone’s demise.
"Hua Cangzhu, don’t act recklessly!" Xia Tianwu warned once more.
Yet Hua Cangzhu smiled coldly, "If you don’t want me to act recklessly, just let me leave. Once I’m gone, the Medicine Tower will naturally be safe."
"Elder Xia, we can’t let this traitor leave!" The Tower Guardian Elders of the branch urged hastily.
"Indeed! Elder Xia, this rebellion has great ambitions, if we let him leave, it may cause a disaster in the future."
"Elder Xia!"
The voices of persuasion echoed in Xia Tianwu’s ears, while Hua Cangzhu’s expression grew more hideous with these objections. Still, he only stared at Xia Tianwu because he knew the only person who could make the decision among these people was Xia Tianwu.
Xia Tianwu raised his hand, silencing the persuading Tower Guardian Elders.
His face fluctuated as he looked at Hua Cangzhu, saying in a low voice, "Hua Cangzhu, hand over your dean’s Token, and I’ll let you leave. But these disciples cannot go with you."
"Master!"
"Master! Don’t abandon your disciples!"
"Master, your disciples are loyal and devoted, don’t abandon us."
As soon as Xia Tianwu finished speaking, the dozen disciples behind Hua Cangzhu began to panic, descending into anxiety. Hua Cangzhu might have life-saving means, but they did not.
Having committed such an act leaves them no other path but death.
Hua Cangzhu’s smile was chilling, ignoring the pleading disciples behind him, he said to Xia Tianwu, "You can have these disciples, but the dean’s Token... Do you think I’m stupid? If I give it to you, how would I protect myself?"
Upon hearing their master abandon them, the dozen disciples who had always followed Hua Cangzhu instantly turned pale, collapsing to the ground as if hit by a great shock.
"Hua Cangzhu!" Xia Tianwu shouted. "Do you think everyone is as faithless as you are? You don’t trust me, how can I trust you won’t harm the Medicine Tower when you leave?"
"Let me leave, once safe, I will naturally hand over the Token." Hua Cangzhu gritted his teeth, stating his bottom line.
At this moment, the dean’s Identity Token was his protective talisman, how could he hand it over lightly?
"You hand over the Token, and I’ll let you leave. My word is my bond and I won’t go back on it." Xia Tianwu was equally unwilling to compromise.
Before they could resolve their stalemate, an impatient Tower Guardian Elder rushed directly at Hua Cangzhu, reaching out to grab him. "Hand over the Token!"
This rash move left Xia Tianwu shocked and dismayed.
Though he wanted to stop it, he couldn’t.
In the blink of an eye, the elder reached Hua Cangzhu’s side, and the two started to fight.
Seeing things unfold this way, Xia Tianwu was forced to give the order to attack and seize the Identity Token from Hua Cangzhu’s hand.
The dozen disciples abandoned ruthlessly by Hua Cangzhu now had no will to resist. They didn’t need the Tower Guardian Elders to act; they just knelt in surrender.
Surrounded, Hua Cangzhu fought frantically, but after a few exchanges, a strike hit his shoulder blade, making him stagger.
Fiercely, he declared, "Fine! If you want me dead, then stay here and be buried with me!"
With that, he grabbed the dean’s Identity Token, channeling Spiritual Power into it, and shouted, "In the capacity as the dean of the Medicine Tower Branch, I command the Earth Fire prohibition to be lifted..."
Xia Tianwu’s eyes flashed with fear, yelling, "Quick! Stop him!"
No reminder was needed, as the other Tower Guardian Elders also rushed at Hua Cangzhu when he took out the Token, attempting to stop him.
Yet Hua Cangzhu was determined.
As the others charged forward, his Identity Token flashed with flames, causing the Earth Fire buried underground to start agitating.
Underneath the Medicine Tower Branch, a thread of Earth Fire lay hidden.
The Earth Fire emerged through the surface’s openings, providing firepower for disciples in the Alchemy Area.
Moreover, in any place within the Medicine Tower Branch with an Alchemy Room, there was an Earth Fire outlet. It could be said that the Earth Fire formed a network beneath the Medicine Tower Branch, crisscrossing the entire courtyard.
Following Hua Cangzhu’s command, the Earth Fire buried underground seemed to hear a call, losing its usual calmness, turning berserk, rushing to various outlets desperately.
The underground of the Medicine Tower Branch began to tremble, and the temperature started to rise.
"What’s happening?"
The Medicine Tower disciples, unaware of the incident, stumbled as the ground shook, their bodies colliding, faces pale with panic.
"How did it suddenly turn like this? Is it an earthquake?"
"There’s never been an earthquake here, why is it suddenly shaking so violently!"
"Earthquake? Then what do we do?"
"It’s so hot! Did you all feel it suddenly getting hot!"
"It’s really hot, just like being grilled by fire."
"Ah! My shoe sole got burned through!"
Voices of discussion surged from all around.
Mu Qingge and the others also swayed as the ground shook, the sudden anomaly furrowing her brows, an ominous feeling growing inside her.
"It’s bad! Hua Cangzhu has triggered the Earth Fire!" Suddenly, Lou Chuanbai remembered something, exclaiming in shock.
Mu Qingge looked at him. "Earth Fire?"
Lou Chuanbai hurriedly nodded, speaking urgently, "There is an Earth Fire hidden beneath the branch; the firepower in the courtyard for disciples and elders’ alchemy all rely on it. This Earth Fire can only be driven by the dean’s Identity Token, partly to control it, partly as a secret maneuver to perish together with enemies if unable to resist a strong enemy invasion."
Having explained quickly, Lou Chuanbai looked grim, "To think, Hua Cangzhu is so deranged, wanting to bury everyone, including all of the branch, with him!"
Mu Qingge’s eyes narrowed swiftly, she called out, "Dragon Tooth Guards, hear my command!"
Fifty Dragon Tooth Guards immediately appeared around her, kneeling on one knee, shouting in unison, "Little Lord!"
"You must swiftly protect the master and students of the Medicine Tower and escort them out without fail!" Mu Qingge ordered at once.
As her words fell, a massive explosion sound suddenly echoed, making the ground tremble incessantly, causing everyone to crouch in horror.
After the explosion, everyone looked toward the source of the sound. Only to see a blaze of flame swirling, hovering above the Medicine Tower.
Mu Qingge’s eyes abruptly narrowed, she said to Lou Chuanbai, "I’ll go take a look!"
After speaking, her figure disappeared from the spot.
The Dragon Tooth Guards immediately carried out her orders, organizing the Medicine Tower’s teachers and students to quickly evacuate to the perimeter.
"Zizhong, where are you going?" Lou Chuanbai grabbed Mei Zizhong, who was running backward, and asked anxiously.
At this moment, explosions were constantly heard, the buildings of the Medicine Tower Branch were being destroyed, and the fire was quickly spreading in this direction.
Mei Zizhong glanced at the hand sleeve held tightly by his master and said anxiously, "I’m going to find Qingge." He was worried about leaving her in the dangerous Medicine Tower Branch.
However, Lou Chuanbai shook his head, stopping him, and used a bit more force in his grip: "She’ll be fine. If you go over, you’ll only distract her. Quick, follow us."
"Master, but she..." Mei Zizhong said hesitantly.
"Quick, go!" Suddenly, a Dragon Tooth Guard pushed him, and many Medicine Tower disciples surged forward, blocking his retreat.
Mei Zizhong left amid the pushing.
He looked back from time to time for a glimpse of Mu Qingge but saw nothing.
He knew she was strong and did not need his protection at all. However, he still wished to be by her side and do what he could.
But, is even that opportunity denied to him?
...
"Hua Cangzhu, you’ve gone mad!" Xia Tianwu shouted fiercely.
At this moment, the Medicine Tower Branch had turned into a sea of fire, and Hua Cangzhu stood crazily laughing at the entrance of the Hidden Pill Tower.
Inside the Hidden Pill Tower behind him, the fire had already spread, and it wouldn’t be long before it reached him.
"Hahaha...Die, all of you! If I die with you accompanying me, I consider that a gain!" Hua Cangzhu said frantically.
His hair was disheveled, his robes had some bloodstains and were torn, remnants of the battle just fought. In his hand, he tightly held the Token of the Dean, despite it being so hot that it burned his hand, he would not let go.
Suddenly, a person appeared beside Xia Tianwu, attracting everyone’s attention.
Hua Cangzhu looked at the suddenly appearing Mu Qingge, squinting his eyes and hatingly said, "Is it you?"
When Xia Tianwu saw Mu Qingge, his eyes burst with joy. He quickly explained the course of events to her, then looked at Hua Cangzhu with a serious expression.
Xia Tianwu’s attitude toward Mu Qingge aroused Hua Cangzhu’s suspicion.
This was not like how an elder should treat a disciple. Instead, it felt as if Xia Tianwu was showing respect to Mu Qingge.
The fact that Mu Qingge was conferred the title of Elder at the Main Courtyard was to be announced by Xia Tianwu on this visit. Those aware, like Mei Zizhong and others, were not talkative by nature and naturally did not spread it around.
However, before Xia Tianwu had a chance to announce it, the incident at the branch happened, causing Hua Cangzhu and the others from the Medicine Tower Branch to be unaware of Mu Qingge’s current identity.
"How can the Earth Fire be calmed?" Mu Qingge asked with a slightly solemn expression.
Yet, before Xia Tianwu could speak, a crisp sound was all that was heard. Looking up, everyone saw the scene of the Token in Hua Cangzhu’s hand shattering and falling.
Xia Tianwu’s face changed drastically, "Hua Cangzhu, you madman!"
His voice trembled with anxiety.
Without needing further explanation, Mu Qingge could guess that in order to make the Earth Fire retreat, it was related to the Dean’s Token. Now that the Token was destroyed, the Earth Fire might become more uncontrollable.
As if to confirm Mu Qingge’s thoughts, after the Dean’s Identity Token was destroyed, several explosions echoed throughout the branch. Cracks appeared on the ground, gradually expanding, and Earth Fire emerged from within, tongues of flame licking the plants on the ground.
The treehouses in the Medicine Tower that had initially amazed Mu Qingge were already surrounded by fire, and the endless Medicine Field also turned into a sea of fire, with countless herbs being burned to ash.
Now, the only things holding on were the three towers of the Medicine Tower, but even they began showing cracks.
"Elder Mu, what do we do now?" Xia Tianwu looked at Mu Qingge in defeat.
"What did you call him?!" However, Xia Tianwu’s address to Mu Qingge made Hua Cangzhu agitated.
He couldn’t believe his ears and stared intently at Mu Qingge, seeking confirmation from Xia Tianwu.
Xia Tianwu, as if intentionally provoking Hua Cangzhu, coldly smirked and mockingly said, "It seems you didn’t know. After going to the Main Courtyard, Elder Mu successfully passed the Elder’s assessment and has become the youngest Elder in the history of the Medicine Tower, highly valued by the Dean."
"What! He’s an Elder? No! That’s impossible!" Hua Cangzhu’s face twisted in rage, his gaze at Mu Qingge filled with murderous intent.
Yet, Mu Qingge wasn’t paying attention to what they were saying. Instead, she searched rapidly in her mind for a solution to the problem...
What to do? The most reliable way has been destroyed by Hua Cangzhu.
How should she resolve this?
Release Yuanyuan? Use the Bone Demon Flame to extinguish the Earth Fire? The Bone Demon Flame is an Abnormal Fire; dealing with the Earth Fire is naturally not a problem. The issue is that the Bone Demon Flame is also a fire, and its temperature is extremely low. If released, people in the Medicine Tower couldn’t withstand it, and the branch would be destroyed as well.
If Yuanyuan can’t be used, then what else can be?
Mu Qingge’s mind spun rapidly; the more chaotic and urgent the scene, the calmer she became.
Suddenly, she felt a movement from the Heaven-Burning Furnace in the space, as if it wanted to come out.
Mu Qingge frowned, the words of the Main Courtyard’s dean suddenly echoed in her mind—
’The Heaven-Burning Furnace can do more than refine elixirs; it has other significant uses.’
However, what other uses it had was not detailed by the Main Courtyard’s dean, perhaps because even he didn’t know specifically. The Heaven-Burning Furnace had always been silent, but now it showed movement, could it possibly resolve the crisis at the Medicine Tower Branch?
Mu Qingge’s eyes flickered, and with a flick of her hand, the Heaven-Burning Furnace appeared in her palm.
The blood-red furnace wall expanded in the wind, the Heaven-Burning Furnace self-propelled out of Mu Qingge’s hand, growing bigger. This unusual phenomenon immediately drew the attention of everyone on the ground.
"The Heaven-Burning Furnace!" Hua Cangzhu exclaimed in shock.
He couldn’t believe his eyes, looking at the rectangular blood cauldron suspended in the air, he couldn’t have guessed the Heaven-Burning Furnace was with Mu Qingge.
"What is that?"
"It looks like a Pill Furnace!"
The Medicine Tower disciples, running with the Dragon Tooth Guards, heard and looked skyward, only able to vaguely see a blurred silhouette in the fire.
However, Mei Zizhong and Zhao Nanxing recognized the Heaven-Burning Furnace at a glance.
Upon seeing the Heaven-Burning Furnace, they knew it was Mu Qingge who acted. For some reason, even though the fire continued to spread rapidly, they felt a sense of relief in their hearts.
Suddenly, the mouth of the Heaven-Burning Furnace faced downward, aiming at those rampant fires.
The mysterious rune on it emitted a golden glow, floating from the furnace body, encircling it, rotating continuously, forming golden bands of light.
A massive suction force burst forth from the mouth of the Heaven-Burning Furnace, rushing toward the flames on the ground.
The Earth Fire hidden within the Medicine Tower Branch, seemingly under heavy assault, was absorbed into the Heaven-Burning Furnace with no ability to resist. The flames in the Medicine Tower Branch receded swiftly like the tide, and the temperature gradually fell.
"Oh heavens! The furnace can eat fire!"
"So amazing!"
"What a treasure this is!"
In almost an instant, all the fire was drawn into the Heaven-Burning Furnace. Only when not a spark of fire was left on the ground did it reluctantly adjust its angle, releasing a satisfied belch.
Yet, this sound to everyone’s ear was like thunder in a clear sky.
Completing its task, the golden runes surrounding the furnace body gradually returned to normal, embedded into the furnace wall.
Mu Qingge, however, noticed sharply at this moment that the runes seemed somewhat familiar.
Suddenly, her pupils shrank, and she remembered where she had seen them!
The strokes of these runes were identical to the words in the incomplete scripture passed down in her family.
If true, and the scripture was left by the legendary Divine Clan, then this Heaven-Burning Furnace...
In her heart, Mu Qingge gasped, unable to continue the thought further.
The things around her slowly started to connect with the Divine Clan, giving her the feeling of falling into a massive vortex, as if she would encounter an ancient enigma in the future.
The Heaven-Burning Furnace spun continuously, shrinking as it descended.
Just as it was about to land beside Mu Qingge, she suddenly rushed out, grabbing the collar of the shocked Hua Cangzhu, throwing him into the Heaven-Burning Furnace, while her other hand swiftly pulled out his Qiankun Bag, tossing it to Xia Tianwu.
"Ah——!"
In mid-air, Hua Cangzhu’s agonizing cries echoed.
Before the cries dissipated, he fell into the Heaven-Burning Furnace, surrounded by the flames within.
Boom——!
The Heaven-Burning Furnace landed heavily on the ground, causing cracks to appear on the surface.
It seemed to be complaining that Mu Qingge had forcibly stuffed it with something it didn’t like to consume.
"Ah——! Save me——! Ah——! Ahh ahh ahh——!" From within the Heaven-Burning Furnace, Hua Cangzhu’s miserable screams continually emerged.
The severity of the cries made the onlookers shiver involuntarily.
However, Mu Qingge calmly and serenely walked to the Heaven-Burning Furnace, gently patting its body, "Burn for three days and three nights, only then he can perish."
Sss——!
This extraordinarily calm statement made the Tower Guardian Elders of the Branch gasp, their eyes filled with terror as they looked at Mu Qingge.
Probably, they could not understand why Mu Qingge, so young, had such a ruthless disposition.
Even if they too hated Hua Cangzhu to the bone, they would not have thought of such torment.
What is the feeling of being burned by great fire?
And to be burned for three days and three nights, it’s the most painful torture in the world.
Yet, Xia Tianwu stared expressionlessly at Hua Cangzhu’s figure in the Heaven-Burning Furnace, seeming to agree very much with Mu Qingge’s way of handling the matter.
The Heaven-Burning Furnace emitted a dull sound.
It seemed to protest that Mu Qingge’s task was too difficult, burning someone to death was easy, but ensuring he burned for three days and three nights without dying, which was too challenging for the furnace!
"Protest is ineffective, if you can’t do it, then continue to gather dust in the corner." Mu Qingge threatened lightly.
The Heaven-Burning Furnace emitted a buzzing sound again, seemingly lamenting Mu Qingge’s cold, heartless, unreasonable behavior.
But, it still did as Mu Qingge said.
At the bottom of the Heaven-Burning Furnace, when no one was watching, whenever Hua Cangzhu was about to be burned to death, a tiny silver thread as thin as silk would penetrate into his body, alleviating his injuries, then continue to be burned, over and over again...
With the Earth Fire absorbed by the Heaven-Burning Furnace, the Medicine Tower Disciples had no need to escape anymore.
They all naturally moved toward the Hidden Pill Tower, slowly gathering near the Heaven-Burning Furnace to witness the miserable state of Hua Cangzhu being slowly burned by the Heaven-Burning Furnace.
The terrifying appearance, the shrill screams, made them shiver all over.
Mu Qingge glanced coldly over them, "Look closely at Hua Cangzhu’s fate, don’t let his fate happen to you."
This was a warning, also a deterrent.
Indeed, with her words, the staff and students of the Medicine Tower held their breath.
At this time, no one would refute what identity Mu Qingge used to say such words, and no one would stand out against her.
Because they knew, whose life was rescued by whom.
The Heaven-Burning Furnace was thus placed by Mu Qingge on the plaza outside the Hidden Pill Tower, allowing everyone to witness Hua Cangzhu’s fate with their own eyes.
Hua Cangzhu’s cries echoed in the Medicine Tower Branch for three days and nights, that kind of pain made him regret, regret what he had done, regret not ending it as soon as Mu Qingge appeared!
He further regretted why he had originally admitted Mu Qingge to the Medicine Tower!
During these three days, Xia Tianwu led the rest in the Medicine Tower, along with the Tower Guardian Elders, to refurbish the Medicine Tower Branch, Lou Chuanbai being sent by him to help.
Mu Qingge and Zhao Nanxing, along with Mei Zizhong, took the injured Shang Zisu back to the small courtyard in Sangzhi City, temporarily avoiding the worldly chaos.
...
In the small courtyard of Sangzhi City, winter passed and spring came, and the big tree in the yard sprouted buds, lush green in the sunlight. Mu Qingge stood under the tree, in front of her lined up fifty Dragon Tooth Guards.
"Any news recently?" Mu Qingge asked.
Back then she followed Xia Tianwu over, hurriedly, without much understanding of the current training status of the Dragon Tooth Guards.
"Report to Little Lord, we received a notice from Leader Mo before coming to Sangzhi City, instructing us to assemble at Qinling. The road leading from Qinling to Di Country has been opened, we need to enter Di Country for training." The squad leader of the Dragon Tooth Guards said.
"Oh?" Mu Qingge lightly raised an eyebrow, "Mo Yang moves quite fast. What about the others?"
"Out of five hundred Dragon Tooth Guards, a hundred are left in Three O’clock Country for Little Lord’s dispatch, the remaining four hundred are divided into three parts to enter Di Country, Yu Country, and Rong Country for training, each round lasts three months, alternating in rotation. The Thousand Fierce Army is the same, leaving thirty thousand, the rest follow the Dragon Tooth Guards to Second-class Countries for training, then return to replace those staying behind."
Mu Qingge originally wanted to say, no need for such trouble, just go out for training.
But upon second thought, what if something happens, and there is no one by her side to deploy, which indeed is imprudent. Thus, she said nothing more about Mo Yang’s arrangement.
"Since that’s the case, there’s nothing else for me here, you all head to Qinling." Mu Qingge said to the fifty people.
"Yes, Little Lord." Without hesitation, all fifty adhered to Mu Qingge’s command.
Before leaving, Mu Qingge took out a batch of elixirs, all of them were advanced elixirs, some even were Spirit Level elixirs. She let the fifty take them back and distribute them to the others.
Training in a Second-class Country would definitely be dangerous. Though the Dragon Tooth Guards wouldn’t easily die, she had to prepare what needed preparation.
The Dragon Tooth Guards didn’t linger in Sangzhi City, they left immediately.
After seeing the Dragon Tooth Guards off, Mu Qingge continued to stand under the tree.
Mei Zizhong came out from the house, standing beside her, gazing at her exquisite side profile, he remained silent for a long time.
Mu Qingge turned her gaze to him, couldn’t help but touch her cheek, asking: "Why is Brother Mei looking at me like this? Is there something dirty on my face?"
Mei Zizhong slowly shook his head, in his eyes that were as clear as water, there was an unfathomable exploration.
Mei Zizhong’s unusual behavior left Mu Qingge somewhat confused, she said: "If Brother Mei has something to say, just say it straightforwardly."
Mei Zizhong merely looked at her, after a long while, he said: "Qingge, have you always lived such a tough life?"
Mu Qingge frowned puzzledly: "I don’t understand the meaning in Brother Mei’s words."
Mei Zizhong pursed his lips slightly, telling her: "I’ve seen your subordinates, they’re not trained by ordinary people. I’ve also seen your life outside the Medicine Tower, you’re relying on yourself, even letting others rely on you. Isn’t it hard for you?"
Mu Qingge was stunned, seemingly not understanding why Mei Zizhong suddenly raised such a question. But she still truthfully shook her head: "I don’t find it tough."
Her answer brought a ripple in Mei Zizhong’s eyes as clear as water.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, yet the words hovered on his lips.
Just as he gathered the courage to speak, Zhao Nanxing’s voice came through: "Brother Mu, come quickly."
Zhao Nanxing had been staying in the room with Shang Zisu, at this moment he suddenly called for Mu Qingge, causing her to turn and head to the room without hesitation.
Mei Zizhong seemed forgotten as he stood under the tree, with the green leaves on the branches blown by the wind, swirling and landing on his shoulder, then sliding to the ground.
"Can I share all of this with you? Although I know I’m not strong enough now, I will work harder for you." Mei Zizhong said his thoughts aloud, but besides himself, no one could hear.
"What happened?" Mu Qingge lifted the curtain and entered Shang Zisu’s room.
Inside the room, Shang Zisu sat by the bed, leaning against the bedpost. Silent and still, as calm as wood. Zhao Nanxing stood in front of her, holding a meticulously prepared bowl of soup, offering a bitter smile to Mu Qingge.
"Zisu refuses to eat, I’m really at my wits’ end." He handed the bowl to Mu Qingge, the implication very clear.
Mu Qingge took the bowl from Zhao Nanxing’s hand, nodded understandingly, saying to him: "You go out first."
Zhao Nanxing obeyed and left the room, leaving only Mu Qingge and Shang Zisu inside.
Mu Qingge placed the bowl of soup on the table, without any intention of feeding Shang Zisu. She walked to the bedside, lifted her robe, and sat down. Facing Shang Zisu, she said, "How long do you plan to continue like this? That person has already been killed by your own hands. You’ve avenged your grievance, so you should look forward and move on."
Shang Zisu remained silent, not even sparing a glance at her.
Mu Qingge furrowed her brows and continued, "Now, it is you who is still immersed in that event. If you can’t let go, who else can help you?"
Shang Zisu’s continued silence made Mu Qingge take a deep breath. She said earnestly, "The Shang sister I know is someone cold on the outside, strong on the inside. Despite such misfortunes, I am confident she won’t be defeated; she’ll stand up even braver."
"Will killing him allow me to return to the past?" Shang Zisu suddenly spoke, but her voice was laden with endless despair. "Once tainted, it’s always tainted; no amount of blood can wash it clean."
Such disheartening words prompted Mu Qingge to abruptly rise from her seat, looking at her angrily, "What’s tainted? Is this how you see yourself? Don’t say your virginity is still intact, but even if it wasn’t, should you die because of it?"
A flicker of pain crossed Shang Zisu’s eyes.
She woodenly raised her head to look at Mu Qingge, "Every day I’m alive, I’m reminded of what happened that day. I don’t know how to forget it, let alone face the future."
"So you’re torturing yourself like this? Fine, even if you want to torture yourself, you have been depressed for so many days. Shouldn’t it stop? Time will dilute everything, and this matter won’t affect your future. In the future, you’ll still be able to marry someone you love and pursue your own happiness," Mu Qingge said, frustrated at her inability to change.
"I’m already tainted! Who would marry me? Would you?" Shang Zisu shouted at Mu Qingge. Tears streamed down her face as she looked at Mu Qingge, with a trace of expectation in her eyes. This vented sentence seemed also to be her long-held secret voice.
Mu Qingge gazed at her, silently.
Seeing her expression, Shang Zisu smiled sadly, "See, you despise me too, don’t you? You can sympathize with me, help me, but you won’t marry me."
"I’ll marry you!" Suddenly, Zhao Nanxing rushed in, his eyes bloodshot as he looked at Shang Zisu, that resolute tone without a hint of hesitation.
Shang Zisu gave him a complicated look and then turned away.
Zhao Nanxing’s eyes were slightly red, and in his gentle gaze, an infinite affection and love surfaced. He slowly approached Shang Zisu, saying to her, "Zisu, I’ll marry you. Don’t misunderstand, I’m not saying this out of sympathy or anything else, but it’s a sentiment that’s been hidden in my heart for a long time and I dared not confess. No matter whether you’ll accept me or not, I want you to know that in this world, there is someone who will always wait for you. In this life and the next, I, Zhao Nanxing, will marry no one but you, Shang Zisu!"
Mei Zizhong also came to the door, looking at the three in the room, his composed gaze filled with complex emotions.
Shang Zisu slowly turned her face, looking at Zhao Nanxing, her lips trembling slightly, "I’m not worth you treating me like this."
Zhao Nanxing gave a graceful smile, "I know you don’t love me, but it’s okay, I won’t force you. I’ll still guard you as always. If one day, you meet someone you love, I’ll bless you. If not, just turn around, and you’ll find I am still behind you. I just want you to know, no matter what happens to you, you’re still the sacred and pristine junior sister in my heart, the woman I, Zhao Nanxing, love. So, please stop torturing yourself, stop tormenting me, alright?"
Mu Qingge was somewhat shaken. She had never seen such a humbling Zhao Nanxing.
He is a Prince, and even in his gentleness, he carried an innate nobility. Though approachable, he was still proud and would never speak like this.
But now, he was pleading with Shang Zisu.
Shang Zisu seemed somewhat moved, and Mu Qingge could feel the shock overwhelming her, which as the party involved, could only be multiplied.
However, she understood that she could not give Zhao Nanxing any answer now.
Mu Qingge looked around at the people present. Mei Zizhong had long known her true identity, while Shang Zisu was still caught up in her current identity.
Previously, in the Ancient Witch Country, Jiang Li asked her when she would announce her identity to the world.
She had said that she would do so after seeing a certain person.
She knew very well who that person was.
But now, seeing Shang Zisu’s appearance, she had no choice but to reveal her identity in a small circle ahead of schedule.
Sighing inwardly, Mu Qingge said to Shang Zisu, "Sister Shang, I don’t refuse to marry you because I despise you. In fact, I won’t marry any woman as a wife."
Shang Zisu’s eyes widened, unwilling to believe as she looked at her.
Mei Zizhong’s calm gaze suddenly contracted, as if he realized what Mu Qingge was about to do. Unknowingly, the hand hidden in his sleeve slowly clenched, and his heart also tensed up.
Zhao Nanxing, on the other hand, looked at Mu Qingge with confusion, seemingly unable to comprehend what she was saying.
Mu Qingge lowered her head and raised her left hand to remove the purple earring from her left ear.
In an instant, a magical scene was presented before the three.
It seemed as if a layer of mist appeared around Mu Qingge, and when the mist cleared, it was no longer the suave, charming young man before them, but a peerlessly enchanting, stunning beauty.
"You...you you you..." Zhao Nanxing’s eyes widened, looking at her in disbelief.
Shang Zisu was so shocked that she was left speechless.
Even though Mei Zizhong was already prepared in his heart, seeing Mu Qingge at this moment still made him feel as if his heart was hit fiercely, lost in her unparalleled beauty.
Mu Qingge curled her lips into a faint smile, looked at Mei Zizhong and explained to Zhao Nanxing and Shang Zisu: "Brother Mei had already sensed my identity when he took my pulse last time; he just kept it secret for me, so he didn’t reveal it. I initially disguised as a man because I had no choice. Later, I got used to it and was too lazy to explain."
After saying that, she looked at the shocked Shang Zisu and said, "Sister Shang, now you know why I can’t marry you, right?" As she spoke, she cast a mischievous look at Zhao Nanxing and teased, "If I were really a man, I might have to compete with Brother Zhao right now!"
"Oh, no, you don’t! Stop trying to steal Brother!" Zhao Nanxing quickly responded.
Shang Zisu also blushed slightly at Mu Qingge’s playful words, seemingly forgetting a little about her previous ordeal.
"I... I want some peace and quiet, you all go out first." Realizing that she had fallen for another woman, Shang Zisu felt her heart was a bit in disarray and immediately issued an expulsion order.
Her reaction delighted the three of them.
If she had remained dull, that would have worried them.
Now that things were like this, they were all much more at ease. Following the instructions, they left, giving Shang Zisu a quiet space.
As they walked out of the room, Mu Qingge had already put on her earring again, returning to her male disguise.
Zhao Nanxing looked at her with amazement, pointing at her earring and asking, "Mu Shi... sister... ahem, I’ll follow Brother Mei and just call you Qingge. What’s the origin of this earring? It actually has such a capability? So if I put it on, will I become a peerless beauty?"
Mu Qingge’s mouth twitched.
She was defeated by Zhao Nanxing’s train of thought. After knowing her identity, what he was curious about turned out to be whether the Illusionary Artifact left by her mother could disguise him as a woman?
"Do you want to try it?" Mu Qingge casually said.
Consequently, Zhao Nanxing was so excited that he itched to try it: "Really?"
"No way." Before Mu Qingge could speak, Mei Zizhong refused.
Zhao Nanxing frowned at Mei Zizhong, displeased, "Why? It’s not yours, it’s Qingge’s."
"It’s an eyesore." Mei Zizhong gave him a light glance before withdrawing his gaze.
"..." Mu Qingge stayed silent.
"..." Zhao Nanxing stayed silent.
"Mu Ge? Mu Ge, are you there?" Suddenly, a knock came from outside the door.
Mu Qingge looked up and recognized the voice as Wei Qi’s. "Come in."
The door responded by opening, and Wei Qi and the others walked in. Seeing Mei Zizhong and Zhao Nanxing still standing in the courtyard, they immediately collected themselves and greeted the two of them.
The two of them naturally returned the greeting with pleasant expressions.
Mu Qingge walked toward them and asked, "Did you come here to find me for something?"
After the Medicine Tower incident was over, she only had time for a brief exchange with the four of them before returning here.
Wei Qi quickly nodded and said to Mu Qingge, "Mu Ge, weren’t you always looking for news about Abnormal Fire before? It turns out there’s one in Ba Country."
Mu Qingge’s eyes narrowed as she asked, "Really?"
Wei Qi looked at Fu Tianlong and Shui Ling, "You two tell her."
Wei Guanguan also hurriedly added, "Yes, hurry and tell Mu Ge." She then said to Mu Qingge, "We were just chatting casually just now and accidentally talked about it, so we came to you right away."
Smiling at Wei Guanguan, Mu Qingge turned her gaze to Fu Tianlong and Shui Ling.
Fu Tianlong and Shui Ling exchanged glances, and the former said to Mu Qingge, "In Ba Country’s territory, there is a place called Eight Desolates Ridge. The terrain is rugged, and there are almost no roads leading to it. Moreover, there are many Spirit Beasts along the way, so it has always been sparsely populated. We heard from our elders that the reason it’s called Eight Desolates Ridge is that the Eight Desolations Void Flame from the Abnormal Fire once appeared there, but whether it’s still there now, I don’t know."
"Eight Desolations Void Flame, ranked before Bone Demon Flame..." Mu Qingge murmured.
In the space, Yuanyuan seemed to sense something and became excited. It seemed that, for him, the Eight Desolations Void Flame was a nutritious and delicious meal!