The black cloak fell, revealing a stunningly beautiful face. A sharp pain like bone fractures came over Fang Xie. He couldn't help frowning and reached out to cover his chest.
The arrow wound there had split open again...
"If you don't want to see my kingdom fall into chaos again, stay out of this. Without my order, just do your own job. Otherwise..." The middle - aged man was silent for a while and then said in a low voice, "I'll take your life with my own hands. Don't forget, it's me who gave you this life."
Fang Xie forced himself to hold back the blood that threatened to surge up his throat. He slowly raised his deep, pool - like eyes and looked at the middle - aged man in the darkness. He said slowly, "Okay."
Gujia Mountain Villa.
In the courtyard full of falling flowers, the still lotuses were in bloom.
Fang Xie walked slowly along the long corridor, covering his chest. Every few steps, he had to lean against the vermilion pillars to catch his breath.
His long, fan - like eyelashes drooped as he gave a desolate smile.
The stabbing pain in his chest came in waves, numbing him with pain.
A layer of inerasable sorrow clouded his deep eyes. He slowly raised his head and looked at the crescent moon in the sky.
A graceful figure slowly walked behind him. Big, bright eyes stared at his back as she tightened the handle of the lantern in her hand.
"When will the moon be full?" he said softly.
Yu Lingyao was stunned for a moment. She didn't expect him to notice her. She lowered her eyes and whispered, "The moon is fullest on the 15th."
His fan - like eyelashes fluttered gently. His deep eyes stared quietly at the crescent moon and asked, "What's the date today?"
Yu Lingyao looked at his figure, pursed her lips and replied, "It's the 5th."
Fang Xie looked at the moon in the sky. A self - mocking look flashed across his deep eyes. He said, "Sure enough, waiting is the best thing to do..." He slowly turned around and looked at Yu Lingyao who was holding the lantern not far away. "Your surname is Yu?"
Yu Lingyao was slightly startled. She lowered her eyes and whispered, "Yes."
Fang Xie looked at her quietly and said slowly, "Do you know who I am?"
Yu Lingyao looked up. Her big, bright eyes looked at him and said, "You... are Lord Fang Xie."
Fang Xie looked at her. His deep eyes were as calm as still water. He seemed to be talking to himself, "Fang Xie...?"
Yu Lingyao tightened the handle of the lantern. She bit her lower lip and looked at him.
The clouds were swirling, the green mountains were looming in the distance, and the flowing water was gurgling.
A man in a dark - colored narrow - sleeved python robe was standing quietly by the railing. His silver hair fell in disarray and fluttered gently in the wind.
"Lord Tianzhu."
A charming female voice came from behind.
Wanyan Meng squinted her tiger - like eyes. Her graceful figure slowly walked towards Qi Guansi Ya. A mighty white tiger circled at her feet. Its bell - like eyes stared menacingly, and its tiger claws pressed firmly on the ground with an air of authority.
Qi Guansi Ya stared quietly at the green mountains in the mist. His black eyes showed no sign of joy or sorrow.
"Lord Nanxing has found out all the details of the alliance leader," Qi Guansi Ya said calmly.
Wanyan Meng curled her lips, hooked his arm and looked up with a smile, "Why is Lord Tianzhu so preoccupied with these things? You don't even miss me."
Qi Guansi Ya lowered his head. His black eyes stared quietly at her and said, "These days, you haven't been doing your job for me seriously."
Wanyan Meng was slightly stunned, then smiled, "How can Lord Tianzhu say that about me..." After a moment of silence, she added, "If I don't do things for Lord Tianzhu, who else should I do them for?"
Was he blaming her for not getting the Rebirth Fruit and for letting the Hundred Families go?
Qi Guansi Ya didn't say a word. After a while, he said, "Let's set off." In a moment, he added, "It's time this all came to an end."
Wanyan Meng stared at him quietly. Suddenly, she curled her lips.
"Okay. I'll do whatever Lord Tianzhu says."
In the capital city, the streets were bustling with activity.
The business of the musical instrument shop was always good. Although not many people came every day, selling one zither could bring in a good profit.
Su Xiaoliu was lowering her head to sort out the ledger, while Zhong Fengyue was behind, using a cloth to wipe the dust off the zithers.
Half a month had passed since that incident, and life was no longer interrupted by those martial - arts - related affairs.
Life was comfortable, but there was always a feeling that something was amiss. When she thought about it carefully, her heart felt stuffy.
"Si Tu Qianyue, how many taels of silver did that nobleman Liu pay for the zither he bought last time?" Su Xiaoliu flipped through the ledger and turned to ask Zhong Fengyue behind her.
Zhong Fengyue looked at her, curled his lips. His black eyes sparkled with a stunning luster as he said, "That Xiyao zither cost 20 taels, but I sold it to him for 30 taels."
Su Xiaoliu couldn't help laughing, "No wonder the ledger always shows 10 extra taels. So it was you who raised the price..."
"That nobleman Liu never even gives alms to the beggars. It would be a pity not to make more money from him," Zhong Fengyue said with a smile, looking at Su Xiaoliu.
Su Xiaoliu put down the ledger and looked at him, "You're right, big businessman." After a moment, she added, "I'll go to Boss Qin to get some zithers. You stay here and watch the shop. I'll be back soon."
Zhong Fengyue curled his lips and nodded, "Okay."
Su Xiaoliu walked around the table, lifted the corner of her skirt and stepped over the threshold.
When she reached the center of the capital, the business here was booming every day. Pedestrians were coming and going.
Suddenly, a scream was heard. Then, more and more people gathered not far away.
Su Xiaoliu frowned slightly. She was used to such scenes. Whenever something happened, people would gather around and watch for a long time.
Su Xiaoliu turned her head and ignored it. When she walked not far from the crowd, her eyes suddenly fell on a corner of a dark - red robe. She was stunned.
The next moment, she squeezed into the crowd with all her might and finally reached the front.
Looking down, she saw a familiar face. A dark - red robe embroidered with crabapple flowers. The black cloak had been taken off, revealing that stunningly beautiful face. His long, fan - like eyelashes were drooping. Under his high nose bridge, his thin, flesh - colored lips were slightly pursed. His beautiful eyebrows were slightly knitted, looking a bit pained.
Su Xiaoliu quickly squatted down and helped him up from the ground. She heard the whispering and chattering above her head.
"This young master is so good - looking. He doesn't seem to be from the capital. Why did he go out alone when he's not in good health..."
"Exactly. I was walking fine just now, and suddenly I saw him fall. It really scared me..."
"Who is this girl? Does she know this young master?"
...
Su Xiaoliu pursed her lips. Suddenly, her hand was grabbed. A cold sensation came from her fingertips. Su Xiaoliu stared blankly down.
Fang Xie slowly opened his eyes, turned his head, and looked at Su Xiaoliu with his deep eyes. His flesh - colored lips parted slightly and he said softly, "I'm hungry."
Su Xiaoliu was stunned. After reacting, she didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
So the reason he fainted suddenly was that he was hungry...
When the on - lookers around saw that he was awake and that Su Xiaoliu had come, they felt there was nothing interesting to watch and gradually dispersed.
Su Xiaoliu supported him, looked up at him, pursed her lips and said, "Come on. I'll take you to get something to eat."