72 Green Fruits

The gaze of the woman in blue suddenly grew complicated, but in the end, she closed her eyes. Clear tears slid from the corners, staining Jun Xiao's hand. Jun Xiao let go, lowering his gaze to the tears still wet on his fingers, even rubbing them gently, as if he had discovered something novel.

Meanwhile, Jun Yi, now free, strode forward and pushed the woman in blue away, separating the two of them, but also withdrawing the snowy silk from Jun Xiao's chest, causing a surge of blood to spread over his black robes. The woman in blue fell to the ground, and Jun Xiao, unable to hold himself up, slumped down as well. Jun Yi hurriedly gathered Jun Xiao into his arms, pressing a hand to his wound and calling out anxiously, "Someone! Quickly, go fetch a doctor! Brother, don’t worry, I’ll take you to a doctor at once. You’ll be fine, nothing will happen to you..."

As Jun Yi spoke, he tried to lift Jun Xiao, but was stopped by him.

"Jun Yi... I know you desire the position of Hall Master. When I am gone, this should be no issue. We calculated the time of the sorcerers' attack, but underestimated their numbers... You must... you must protect the Hall of Integrity, do you understand? The Hall of Integrity cannot fall in my hands—never. Someone has already gone to report to the authorities. Before they arrive, you must defend... the Hall of Integrity. Do you understand?"

Jun Xiao's complexion gradually faded to pallor, while Jun Yi's eyes were bloodshot. He pressed Jun Xiao's wound and roared, "You’re not allowed to die, do you hear me? Who said I wanted to be Hall Master? I don’t care at all about the Hall of Integrity—you're not allowed to die, not allowed!"

Jun Xiao seemed not to hear Jun Yi's desperate shouting. He turned his head to look at the woman in blue, who happened to open her eyes as well. Their gazes met once more, and Jun Xiao remained bewildered.

Jun Yi, seeing this, grew even more furious. He released Jun Xiao and kicked the woman in blue in the abdomen, causing her face to blanch instantly. "Is it for her that you want to leave me? You’ve already forgotten your feelings for her—why is it still like this?"

Jun Yi kicked her again and again, stopping only when a sword was thrust toward him, making him dodge back. The woman in blue was helped up by Ah Yuan, and Jun Yi returned to Jun Xiao’s side. But Ah Yuan was not there to save her. Yun Qing saw him reach into the woman's wounded abdomen and, moments later, withdraw something resembling a worm. With this in hand, Ah Yuan carelessly dropped her to the ground and carefully placed the creature into a small furnace. Without waiting for Jun Yi to respond, Ah Yuan departed, calling back, "Second Master Jun, how does it feel to have suppressed your emotions for so many years? Since this is so, why cling to the fetters of worldly ethics?"

After such torment, the woman in blue had lost all breath, and Jun Xiao, too, gradually closed his eyes for the last time.

Jun Yi, eyes blood-red, threw his head back and cried out, seeming mad, seeming wild.

At the front gate, a large troupe had already stormed in, but Yun Qing could not bear to watch any longer. She turned and left.

It turned out that all Jun Yi had done was because his feelings for Jun Xiao exceeded those of mere brothers. Yun Qing had never imagined, nor had Jun Xiao, yet Ah Yuan’s words revealed it all. In the end, perhaps Jun Xiao and the woman in blue recalled something, but Yun Qing could not know; she could only feel this ending was too tragic. She saw clearly that neither of them needed to die, yet both chose not to avoid that final blow.

Perhaps Jun Xiao was simply tired, perhaps he wished to hand over the Hall of Integrity openly to Jun Yi. But what about the woman in blue?

No matter how Yun Qing pondered, there would never be an answer.

When Yun Qing left Shu Prefecture, she encountered Gu Qian once more. Gu Qian stood several steps away, bowing slightly to Yun Qing. "Divine Lord, now that the tale of Yan Rong and Jun Xiao is concluded, you must follow me to Qingdu to meet the Heavenly Emperor. The heavens are in upheaval, and this is the time you are needed most."

"Upheaval? Do you mean that time you sought my ascension?"

Gu Qian nodded, then said, "Divine Lord, since you already understand, why linger among mortals? Though you have lost your treasured artifact, your power remains. With the assistance of the other Divine Lords, the gap caused by its absence can certainly be mended."

"Can it?" Yun Qing sneered. "Do you mean to tell me that by killing that young girl, peace will be restored to Heaven? Is it not laughable that the four Divine Lords, including the Heavenly Emperor, would join forces to bully a girl who cannot even defend herself? I would rather not return to such a Heaven! Star Lord, do not say another word—do not follow me any further."

Yun Qing strode forward, but Gu Qian, face tense, reached out to block her way. "Divine Lord, you must consider the greater good. Even when that girl was powerless, it took all four Divine Lords to slay her. Imagine if she were allowed to grow stronger—what then? The Heavenly Emperor acts only for the future peace!"

"The greater good? What is the greater good? Have you forgotten, Star Lord, that the entire line of the Sorcerer Tribe was destroyed by my hand? To ask me to serve this so-called greater good of yours—I fear it is difficult. My words end here." Yun Qing swept her sleeve, pushing Gu Qian back several steps, then vanished toward the outskirts of the city.

Gu Qian wished to pursue, but was firmly restrained, and seeing Fei Ling before him, his pupils contracted.

Fei Ling said, "If only you had killed me yourself, Star Lord, you wouldn't have these troubles now. Do you regret it?"

Gu Qian pursed his lips in silence. Fei Ling continued, "Let me tell you something else—the one who stole the Soul Lantern did so to save that girl you speak of. I think the Divine Lords will be very interested in this news. Why not go and inform them?"

Gu Qian's expression hardened. He was about to question Fei Ling further, but Fei Ling had already vanished, and the restraint on him was lifted. After a brief hesitation, Gu Qian decided to return to Heaven.

Fei Ling, too, did not hurry after Yun Qing, but instead returned to the Hall of Ephemeral Life. Qing Ning and Yi Zihan had indeed already departed. Fei Ling fetched Bai Ye from Yi Zihan's chambers and sought out Wei Han and the others.

"I have a favor to ask."

Wei Han smiled, "What is it?"

"In the coming days, the Heavenly realm will surely seek out the one who stole Yun Qing's Soul Lantern. I need you all to watch closely. If they truly find him, please retrieve the Soul Lantern for me."

Having spoken, Fei Ling saw their expressions change, but in the end, Wei Han said, "We cannot. Before leaving, Qing Ning told us not to get involved. Otherwise, trouble will surely come to the Hall of Ephemeral Life."

"This is just the fifth brother speaking on behalf of his so-called junior sister. That girl, and the one who took the Soul Lantern—have you ever heard of them? Nobodies, are you truly afraid?" Fei Ling sneered.

Wei Han was still somewhat hesitant, but finally said, "Let us wait and see. If we truly find the person, we will do our best to retrieve the Soul Lantern for you."

Receiving their promise, Fei Ling smiled, and after bidding farewell, went off to pursue Yun Qing's trail.

As for Yun Qing, after leaving Shu Prefecture, she traveled toward the capital of Que Kingdom, Yongzhou. Though the journey was long, she did not use magic, nor did she ride a horse. Occasionally, she took a passing carriage, but mostly she walked.

The previous time she went to Yongzhou, she had been in a hurry, and, nearly losing her life on the boat, had not paid attention to the scenery along the way. Now, slowing her pace, she realized that Que Kingdom's landscapes were no less beautiful than those of Luo Kingdom; the styles were simply different.

Que Kingdom lies north of the Chu River. Near the river, the land still holds some southern gentleness, but further north, the style is mostly bold and rugged. As the saying goes, the land shapes its people, and so Yun Qing found it easy to understand the emperors of these two kingdoms. The Luo Emperor is capable, but lacks the decisiveness and methods of the Que Emperor. Over time, if conflict arises, it is likely Luo Kingdom will suffer.

Thinking of the Que Emperor, Yun Qing shook her head. Even without conflict, his ambition would drive him to steadily expand Que Kingdom’s territory. In the past, he still showed some tenderness toward Chu Xue, sometimes leaving room for retreat. In those years, only Qi Kingdom suffered, and not alone—compared to his previous methods in Shu and other regions, this was much gentler. Now, with even the last trace of tenderness gone, how could he be merciful? For such an emperor, if Heaven grants him enough time, ruling the world would not be difficult.

It took Yun Qing more than half a year to reach Yongzhou, the capital of Que Kingdom. Unexpectedly, her experience this time was much like the previous one. No sooner had she entered the city than she faced a situation where soldiers were clearing the streets. Pushed to the edge of the stone avenue along with the other citizens, Yun Qing hesitated, but chose to wait.

"What’s going on? Didn’t they say the Noble Consort Qi had long fallen out of favor?"

"Who knows what the emperor thinks? They say emperors are fickle, and ours is no different. But which consort is favored doesn’t matter to us, so long as the emperor is good to the people!"

"Haha, I think it’s great! Ever since Noble Consort Qi was sent to the Cold Palace more than two years ago, the emperor has stayed in his study every night. The ministers have repeatedly petitioned, but he ignores them. Now that she’s favored again, the emperor can relax a little. After all, it’s hard to stay in the study all the time without a beloved companion!"

Hearing this, Yun Qing grew curious and asked one of the men, "Uncle, is this Noble Consort Qi’s procession?"

"Judging by your accent, you’re not from around here! Before she fell out of favor, Noble Consort Qi loved to visit the Heavenly Kingdom Temple to pray. After more than two years, such a grand procession can only mean it's her. No other consort has this hobby. You’re lucky, girl—first time here and you’ve caught it!"