Xiao Chi Zhan had not yet reached Saibei when he learned that they had already entered Nanjiang. He immediately turned and rushed towards Xi Guan.
Upon disembarking at Sang Jiang, Li Qiong Yu, who was waiting there, directly brought Wei Qing Ge to fly onto his warship.
"Our people in Xi Guan have pursued them into Lingnan, and word has come that Ye Luan is unharmed."
Xiao Chi Zhan's expression was grim. He stood at the edge of the bow, exuding a palpable aura of killing intent.
Li Qiong Yu walked towards him and spoke.
"For him to personally descend into Lingnan this time, he must have other intentions. Do not act rashly."
Xiao Chi Zhan kicked away the protective railing, his face contorted with terrifying rage.
"If I do not kill him, my hatred will not be appeased!"
Li Qiong Yu stood by his side, a mocking cold light flashing in his alluring peach blossom eyes. He was dressed in a red robe, and as the wind blew through his ink-black hair, his exquisitely handsome face remained devoid of expression.
When Wei Qing Ge emerged after changing her clothes, she saw the two of them standing at the ship's bow. Perhaps sensing her presence, they both turned their heads.
One was handsome and demonic, like a banished immortal; the other was dashing and bright as a flame.
A white light seemed to glint off both of them, adding to their captivating beauty.
Wei Qing Ge snorted inwardly, pursing her lips. While they were none of them good people, she had to admit that they were all truly devastatingly handsome.
She tiptoed and sat on a stool nearby.
"Has the medicine been applied?"
Li Qiong Yu walked towards her.
Wei Qing Ge didn't want to deal with him. If it weren't for him, she would have sprained her ankle and nearly fallen into the water.
However, she was also worried about A Luan's whereabouts, so she kept a stern face.
"Has A Luan been found?"
"She is unharmed."
After speaking, Li Qiong Yu scooped her up in his arms.
Wei Qing Ge struggled angrily, "Put me down."
The moment she thought of this perverted flirt locking her up in the dark realm for so long, taking her everywhere, she became angry. He was just like that dog, Tantai Ye, restricting her freedom.
If she wasn't worried about A Luan this time, she wouldn't have come.
"Don't move, let's go apply medicine."
Xiao Chi Zhan glanced at the bickering pair, his brow furrowed in annoyance, his entire being radiating hostility.
Wei Qing Ge sensed it and fearfully fell silent.
Lingnan was vast, covering an immense area and spanning the entire Qu'nan River. The twenty prefectures of the southern border of Da Liang established sixteen border defense cities all within this region.
Longcheng was a crucial fortress city on Da Liang's border. However, with the breach of Guanyue Pass, the armies of Nanjiang had marched unimpeded, occupying the entire Longcheng. After settling in, they would advance towards Xi Guan.
Ye Luan was brought to the Prefect's Mansion in Longcheng.
The Prefect's Mansion was filled with armored soldiers, tightly surrounded.
She was settled in the main courtyard where Xie Bei Han resided.
When Xie Bei Han returned from his meeting, he saw her sleeping soundly, her head resting on the table.
"So sleepy?"
He walked over gently, intending to pick her up. Suddenly, Ye Luan opened her eyes, dodged his hand, and stood up.
Xie Bei Han chuckled and straightened up.
"You must be hungry. Come out and eat something."
Ye Luan pursed her lips and followed him out.
On the dining table, a feast of delicacies was already laid out.
She sat down without ceremony and began to eat.
"Arrange a room for me."
Xie Bei Han raised an eyebrow. "They are all full."
Ye Luan looked up at him. "Is Your Majesty trying to tell me that in such a large Prefect's Mansion, there isn't a single room available for me?"
She had only learned that he had already ascended the throne in the past few days by staying by his side.
Xie Bei Han let out a scoff, leaned back in his chair, his beautiful phoenix eyes fixed on her with a possessive gaze.
Ye Luan's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately averted her gaze, lowering her head to eat.
"Your Majesty, the person has returned."
At this moment, a soldier's voice suddenly came from outside.
Xie Bei Han paused, put down his chopsticks, and looked at her.
"After you finish eating, go wash up. There's a bathhouse in the back."
With that, he strode out.
Xu Qing waited in the main hall for a while before seeing Xie Bei Han push open the door and walk in.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Dismissed. Sit."
Xie Bei Han took his seat and asked.
"How is it?"
"Xi Guan is difficult to defend and easy to attack. It cannot be taken in a short period."
Xie Bei Han said, "I came to Nanjiang personally, seeking their lives."
Xu Qing lowered his brown pupils and remained silent.
"Where is Xiao Chi Zhan?"
"His whereabouts are unpredictable."
Xie Bei Han sneered, took a sip of tea, and continued, "I heard Tantai Ye is getting married, and the woman is in a coma?!"
"Yes, Batu has already departed for Shangjing. According to the plan, they are doomed."
Xie Bei Han slowly stood up, a wicked smile on his face.
"Once they are dead, Da Liang will no longer be an obstacle to my unification of the six prefectures, and no one will contend with me for her."
Xu Qing raised his eyes, his voice calm and devoid of inflection.
"Your Majesty has successfully ascended the throne. The entire court dares not disobey. I wish to complete the matters in Nanjiang, and then Your Majesty may permit me to enter Buddhist order."
Hearing his words, Xie Bei Han's expression sharpened, and he turned back.
Xu Qing stood there fearlessly.
He wore a kasaya, held prayer beads, and his refined features were as cold as a lotus in the snow. His face, sculpted like a Greek statue, exuded a distant indifference.
Xie Bei Han looked at him for a while before saying lightly, "You are unwilling to let go?"
"I came out of the pass this time to ensure Your Majesty's smooth enthronement. Once it is done, I should return."
Xie Bei Han turned back with a lingering gaze, a sneer on his lips.
"He's dead, and you still want to leave? This reign is so boring."
Xu Qing lowered his eyes, the ascetic and aloof contours of his features tinged with a faint, sorrowful light.
"Has Your Majesty gone to see him?"
"Mm."
Xu Qing said nothing, lowering his gaze to conceal his emotions.
A silence flowed through the air.
Just as Xie Bei Han was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and turned back to look at him.
"Chi You is trapped in Shangjing. The three of us are from the same sect. Although the sect was destroyed, she still calls you Senior Brother. We cannot stand by and do nothing."
Xu Qing's expression slightly changed. "I understand."
Xie Bei Han said nothing further, turned, and left.
After he left, Xu Qing glanced at the scenery outside before also exiting the main hall.
He walked around the corridor and returned to his room.
As soon as he entered, he saw a woman on the soft couch, dressed in a thin blue robe, revealing a large expanse of fair skin. She lay there as if boneless, emitting a faint fragrance.
Seeing him enter, Chi Yan smiled slightly, the beauty mark between her brows blooming with vitality, like a resplendent peony, unmatched in its brilliance.
"The Holy Monk has truly come to Longcheng. I thought they were deceiving me."
She gracefully stepped down from the couch, carrying a peculiar scent. The small bells on her ankles were extremely alluring in the quiet room.
Xu Qing ignored her, walking directly to the desk, taking a seat, and picking up the sutras on the table to read.
After a moment.
A soft, smooth body pressed against his back, a familiar scent entering his nostrils.
She moved up his strong spine inch by inch, like a slippery snake, burrowing into his embrace.
"It's been a long time, Holy Monk, don't you miss me?"
Xu Qing's expression was neither joyful nor sad, like a serene and detached statue enshrined before the Buddha.
"One who seeks Buddha does not bear emotions."