137. The Necessity of Restoring the Kingdom

Chapter 137: If You Truly Love Someone, You Would Never Bear to Let Her Suffer Even a Little Bit

It was originally his fault, so he should bear the consequences.

The two decided to head to the Medicine King Valley, naturally changing their route.

They only stayed briefly in the small town, then bought two fine horses and set off.

Since Zhan Lianjing wore a mask, it was inconvenient for him to act openly. Le Qianxue made two masks from human skin for them; wearing these, they could move about openly without fear of drawing attention.

The masks were plain and unremarkable, which made things much easier.

The terrain around Medicine King Valley was not particularly dangerous, but for a hundred years, the Yuan family had rooted themselves there, setting numerous traps and defenses. Ordinary people dared not enter. The Yuan family was known for their aloofness and dislike of outsiders, so very few people entered the valley each year.

As they neared the valley, the mountain path grew narrow and unsuitable for riding, so they led their horses by the reins on foot.

The couple chatted and laughed as they walked, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.

Suddenly, Le Qianxue brought up the matter of the ancestral scroll and the fan. Zhan Lianjing pondered for a moment before saying, “That fan is also an important item. It was passed down by our ancestors. We must find it; only then will the scroll be useful. I don’t know the details myself.”

Le Qianxue frowned. “I thought you knew a lot, but now you say you don’t even know what the fan looks like or how to find it.”

Moreover, the scroll itself was missing, and many parties sought it, but no one could locate it.

Zhan Lianjing said, “My father was a descendant of the previous dynasty, but he knew little. Besides, he disappeared before Yun Ge was born. I was young then and went early to my master to cultivate, so I know very little.”

Le Qianxue sighed. “The fall of a dynasty is inevitable, as is the rise of a new one. Why do you keep clinging to restoring the kingdom?”

Burdened with so much, it must be exhausting.

Besides, Zhan Lianjing was still poisoned with the Bone-Piercing toxin. Doesn’t he care for himself?

Zhan Lianjing’s expression remained calm, his eyes distant as he said softly, “This isn’t just about restoring the kingdom. Do you know what the Tianlong Kingdom did?”

Le Qianxue was startled and shook her head. “Then explain clearly, so I don’t remain in the dark.”

“Everyone says the Wang emperor was deceived and tyrannical, causing the people to suffer. But do you know who the traitorous minister was?”

“Could it be the Yu family?”

“No, the Yu family were loyal to the founding emperor. It was he who orchestrated everything. At that time, the Wang emperor had the support of four great families and was unshakable. But the traitor kidnapped the Princess Shengyue and used her to threaten the Wang emperor,” Zhan Lianjing revealed.

“What? The entire dynasty was abandoned because of one Princess Shengyue?” Le Qianxue was stunned. Though selfish, the emperor should bear responsibility for the whole kingdom.

Zhan Lianjing’s tone grew solemn. “You don’t understand the importance of the Princess Shengyue. Do you know why the Wang dynasty lasted five centuries? Because besides the four great families, there was an important bloodline—the Shengyue family. Is the Tianlong Kingdom now peaceful and free of disasters?”

Le Qianxue thought carefully and realized it was true.

Tianlong rarely suffered common floods or droughts, so the people lived in peace.

“Could this be related to the Shengyue family?”

“Yes. Each generation of the Shengyue family has a son and a daughter. The son continues the lineage, while the daughter becomes the Princess Shengyue. She possesses some divine power that protects the entire nation. It sounds mystical, but it’s true. At first, I didn’t believe it either. But after years of observation, Tianlong truly has had no disasters.”

“So now you understand why the Wang emperor was willing to sacrifice his entire kingdom to preserve the Shengyue bloodline?”

Le Qianxue was surprised. So the Princess Shengyue had extraordinary abilities.

She continued, “That means the Princess Shengyue has been imprisoned for over a century?”

This was frightening. Because of this fate, the Shengyue family had been captive for a hundred years.

Zhan Lianjing nodded. “Exactly. The traitor kidnapped the princess and took control of the entire family. Since then, the Shengyue family vanished without a trace. But they have always been proud people. Although they now submit to Tianlong, it’s against their will.”

Le Qianxue finally understood. “So the Tianlong emperors weren’t good at all. For selfish desires, they imprisoned a family for a hundred years and held the people's safety hostage. No wonder you’ve been plotting for so long. I don’t have a good impression of Tianlong now either.”

“My master told me the Princess Shengyue communicated with him spiritually, asking us to rescue her,” Zhan Lianjing said. “Her divine power is nearly exhausted. The new generation princess is controlled by the Tianlong emperor. Even if we don’t restore the kingdom, we must save the Shengyue family.”

Le Qianxue nodded. “What’s your plan?”

“Even the scroll can’t be found, and the fan is in the emperor’s hands. My forces alone aren’t enough,” Zhan Lianjing admitted. “Moreover, Mu and Liang Jin kingdoms are watching closely. Now is not the time to act.”

“I once interrogated Yuan Feng. He said the scroll is the key to the previous dynasty’s palace. Ziye also said there’s a battalion of shadow soldiers guarding it. That’s true, right?” Le Qianxue asked.

They walked slowly through the mountain wilderness. Although birds chirped, their footsteps were light.

Yet Zhan Lianjing’s mood was heavy. “Ziye knows because Master Wenzhi told him. Master Wenzhi is over a hundred years old and knows much about the previous dynasty. Now he’s trying to seize the fan, so he must share my purpose. Ziye may also be from the previous dynasty. As for the shadow soldiers, my master told me about them too. I didn’t believe it at first—where would such soldiers come from? But now, with the princess’s divine power, shadow soldiers aren’t so unbelievable.”

Le Qianxue could only smile helplessly. “Then once we find the scroll and the fan, we’ll know everything.”

They turned a corner, and just ahead was the entrance to Medicine King Valley.

At the entrance, she paused.

Zhan Lianjing said, “There’s a formation in the forest here. It’s hard to enter.”

“I heard you were blocked outside the last time you came,” Le Qianxue laughed. She approached the stone wall and tapped, as if searching for something.

Zhan Lianjing watched curiously. Le Qianxue found a hidden mechanism and pressed it. With a rumble, the forest shifted, revealing a narrow path.

“Did Yuan Tianci tell you this?”

“No, the valley master did,” Le Qianxue replied. “Too bad I promised to bring the alchemy cauldron last time but forgot.”

“That’s an unfortunate oversight. No gift to present,” Zhan Lianjing teased, then produced a set of Ice Soul Needles as if by magic.

Le Qianxue was stunned. “Didn’t you fight for those? How did you get them? The Yan family must have suffered terribly!”

“I took them, but I’ll pay up,” Zhan Lianjing said. “It was just convenient to grab them. Now we have a gift. Let’s go in.”

Le Qianxue was delighted, clutching the needles as they entered.

They passed through the forest and several traps before reaching the valley.

Le Qianxue looked around; indeed, this was Medicine King Valley, abundant with herbs, a true secluded paradise.

Ahead stood a wooden hut, and someone emerged. Le Qianxue’s sharp eyes recognized him—Yuan Tianci.

She called out hurriedly, “Tianci! Master Tianci!”

Yuan Tianci twitched his mouth. Le Qianxue calling him “Master Tianci” here was practically courting death. His father was sharp-tongued and would surely scold him to death.

He hadn’t expected Le Qianxue to come, and even more so, that she was with a man.

Looking closely, his anger flared—it was Zhan Lianjing.

He snorted, glaring at Le Qianxue, but didn’t want to get involved.

Seeing him angry, Le Qianxue rushed over, tugging at Yuan Tianci. “Why the temper? Come, let’s talk properly.”

Yuan Tianci turned his head coldly. “I knew you were soft-hearted and would get entangled with him again. Have you forgotten how much I suffered for you? I’m truly hurt by how you treat me.”

Le Qianxue was helpless, unsure how to explain.

She did owe Yuan Tianci something.

At that moment, Zhan Lianjing approached. “Yuan Tianci, come here. I have something to discuss with you.”

Yuan Tianci scoffed, “Why should I go? You’ll stab me again.”

But Zhan Lianjing’s cold gaze made Yuan Tianci’s scalp tingle. After hesitating, he angrily stepped forward.

Le Qianxue wanted to follow, but Zhan Lianjing said, “It’s not suitable.”

Thus, the two men walked aside to converse privately.

Le Qianxue watched their expressions; Yuan Tianci’s changed constantly—from surprise to frowns.

Then Yuan Tianci grew somber, his eyes reddening.

Le Qianxue did not know what Zhan Lianjing told him to evoke such strong emotions.

...

(Tianjin)