However, all that was yet to come.
Let's shift our focus back to Loulan.
Due to Moyan's ever - growing ambition, Ruoqiang was on the verge of annihilation under Loulan's attacks.
Luo Qiu, the saintess of Loulan, received a letter at the last crucial moment.
Originally, that night was supposed to be the last night for Ruoqiang's survival.
But after Luo Qiu read that letter, all the people in the tent were driven out.
It was said that the woman in the tent cried her heart out that night.
The next day, she withdrew from the camp and led the army back to Loulan.
Ruoqiang managed to retain a tiny piece of its fief at the last moment.
Back at the main pavilion of Loulan, Luo Qiu met Moyan.
As soon as Luo Qiu entered Moyan's room, Moyan slapped the table and stood up, angrily accusing her, "Do you know what you've done?"
"How many times do I have to emphasize this?
"We've already had no way to attack the Eastern Ze Wilds, but Ruoqiang is a must - take for us.
"That piece of fat right in front of us. We only needed to take one more step to completely crush it. Why did you stop at the last moment?"
"Luo Qiu, have you forgotten how Luo Hao of the Ruoqiang Marquis Mansion humiliated you? He said that even if he had a chance to choose again, he would still get rid of you, the scourge of Ruoqiang."
Luo Qiu's eyes were still blank.
She had remained silent since she entered Moyan's room.
"What's wrong with you?
"You seem like you've lost your soul."
In the past, whenever Moyan mentioned those humiliating memories, Luo Qiu would be filled with hatred like a person injected with stimulants. But today, she was truly different.
"Luo Qiu, no matter what has happened, you shouldn't act on impulse and gamble with Loulan's future."
"Luo Qiu, what on earth do you want? I've already promised you that I would take good care of Ye Qingluan in the mansion. Servants are dedicated to her every day. I've tried my best to meet all your requests. How could you do such a thing? Are you worthy of me?"
"Lord Moyan—"
Luo Qiu finally spoke.
Staring into Moyan's eyes, she said, "Without me, you would never have been able to conquer Ruoqiang. Ruoqiang is the place where I lived for eighteen years. I know its geographical structure well. I've done enough for Loulan. Aren't so many cities enough to satisfy your ambition?"
Moyan stared blankly at the woman in front of him.
She was so determined when she spoke.
"Moyan, it was I who betrayed morality that allowed you to achieve what you have today. The position you're in now is only possible because you stepped on my shoulders."
"Luo Qiu, do you know what you're saying? You're the saintess of Loulan. Everything you've done is for Loulan. It's your duty. Moreover, have you forgotten that if I hadn't used strategies back then, how could you have made a contract with the Chaos? How could you have gained such power?"
"That power wasn't given by you. You obtained it through means, Moyan. Do you think I don't know your feelings for my sister? You want to possess her. Your desire for her even surpasses your loyalty to Loulan. The reason you wanted to conquer Ruoqiang and brainwashed me into doing these things for you is just because you hate my sister."
"Shut up!"
Luo Qiu's eyes were filled with despair.
She took two steps back.
The light in her eyes faded.
She said, "You say I'm selfish, Moyan. You're the most selfish and disgusting person."
"Do you know what you're talking about?"
"Of course I do, Lord Moyan. You're jealous of the man who appeared beside my sister that night. You're jealous of him. You hate him to the core."
"What a joke. A mere man. What's there for this leader to care about? Let alone be jealous of!"
"Hahaha, Lord Moyan, your mind is so narrow. Even now, you still won't admit that you're jealous of him. Because he only appeared for such a short time. You've raised my sister for so long and waited for her for so long, but from beginning to end, my sister never even glanced at you. Instead, she fell in love with that man who had only been around for a short while. Lord Moyan, in this scheme, even I became your pawn."
Moyan's face turned gloomy.
He composed himself and said, "Luo Qiu, who has bewitched you to come back and question this leader like this? You mustn't fall for others' schemes and damage our relationship."
Tears welled up in Luo Qiu's eyes.
She stared fixedly at him.
"Lord Moyan, you said it was my sister who abandoned me back then, right?"
"Yes."
"But she said the last person she saw was you. And all you did at that time was ask for something. You didn't say anything else, right?"
Moyan was startled and quickly said, "You saw her? She told you that? No, Luo Qiu, you can't believe her. If she really cared about you, she would have come to visit you when you were seriously injured after she took the Starlight Grass. She's lying to you."
Luo Qiu shook her head.
"She's lying to me? Why would she lie to me? Lord Moyan, tell me, what does she have to lie to me with?"
Moyan said, "She'll always find a way to lie to you. Over the years, she's avoided seeing you and didn't even care about your injuries. Isn't that the best proof?"
Luo Qiu smiled.
Her smile looked so helpless.
"Moyan, I used to think you were a hero of Loulan. I regarded you as a father. But you knew how much I cared about my sister, and yet you didn't pass my words to her at our last farewell. You've really gone too far."
"Luo Qiu, don't let her confuse your mind. She must have used sweet words to deceive you and wants you to let go of your hatred for Ruoqiang, right? You once said you wouldn't hunt beasts, and I agreed to you. It's because you've borrowed the spiritual power of the Chaos that your mental power has risen so rapidly. Is she afraid that you'll surpass her?"
"How could my sister be such a petty person? Lord Moyan, it's you. It's you who destroyed the last connection between my sister and me. She must be extremely disappointed in me."
Luo Qiu stretched out her hands.
Over the years, how much blood of the female mermaid tribe had these hands been stained with?
Moyan said that as long as she did something extreme, her sister would surely appear to punish her. But nothing happened.
The flesh and scales of the female mermaid tribe had been used to cultivate batches of magical beasts for Loulan. Moreover, the scales of the female mermaid tribe had also been used to forge a team of tough cavalry for Loulan.
Moyan stepped forward, grabbed Luo Qiu's shoulders with both hands, and said anxiously, "Where did you see her? Tell me. I'll go and bring her back."
Luo Qiu laughed, and then tears rolled down her face.
"You won't be able to see her. Neither will I.
"We'll never see her again."