Mu Rongchong held Yun Xiao’s soft hand tightly, gently stroking her face. Her skin was as smooth as silk, no different from a woman’s, moist like water, and felt exceptionally good beneath his touch, burning hot wherever he went.
“Xiao’er, if this plan succeeds, will you marry me?”
“En?”
Yun Xiao looked up in surprise, her gaze falling into a pair of eyes as deep and mysterious as ancient, secluded ponds. Ripples spread across the clear water, all for her.
He, who had always been devoid of emotions, now had longing and attachment in his eyes.
“This?”
Yun Xiao blinked, dimples appearing on her cheeks, and she lightly shook her head. “If I say no, will you let me go?”
“No.”
The word was powerful and full of dominance, seeming to emanate from his dan tian. A faint glow appeared in his eyes as he stared at her, lowering his head to gently bite her lips.
A wave of numbness spread through Yun Xiao’s body, causing her to tremble slightly. A fiery passion ignited within her, and she couldn’t help but draw closer, like a parched person encountering water.
After a few kisses, she seemed to have become much more adept. She reached up and massaged his neck, taking control of the situation.
He allowed her gentle sucking, nipping, and soft kisses, like a newborn babe who had finally found its nourishment.
The night grew deeper. Mu Rong’s breathing quickened, his pupils dark and deep, two hot flames dancing within them, growing ever more intense, as if hiding two small beasts.
His large hands couldn’t help but caress her body, as if he wanted to possess more. They needed to become one to quell the burning flames within them that threatened to explode.
Her smooth skin tingled slightly from the rough calluses on his hands. Yun Xiao, caught in the throes of passion and almost losing control, suddenly awoke. What was she doing? They were supposed to depart tonight; how could she still be thinking of such things now? They would have plenty of time later.
Her small hands abruptly released him, and she pushed his body away, panting.
“Mu Rong, no, we are leaving tonight.”
Mu Rongchong reached out and held her tightly, wishing he could meld into her flesh, breathing heavily.
His body’s instincts were screaming. Her soft, jade-like form made him wish to pounce on the woman in his arms immediately.
But he knew she was right. They had to leave soon, and there would be plenty of time later. However, this girl had certainly tempted him.
“If you tempt me like this again, I will claim you.”
Mu Rongchong leaned in and whispered in Yun Xiao’s ear, biting her sharply. This caused Yun Xiao’s body to tremble again. Fortunately, Mu Rong eased his grip slightly, otherwise, she might have truly lost all self-control.
She was clearly a pure and innocent virgin, yet with this man, she could turn into something else. She truly didn’t know whose fault it was.
Yun Xiao chuckled softly and said gently, “Alright, go back to sleep. I’m going to sleep too.”
“En, let’s hold for a little longer.”
Mu Rong refused to let go, holding her for a while longer before reluctantly releasing her. They parted in front of the pavilion. Yun Xiao returned to her room to sleep, and Mu Rong also returned to Feng Pavilion.
However, shortly after returning to Feng Pavilion, someone delivered a message. Upon receiving it, Mu Rongchong’s expression changed drastically. He swiftly ordered Zhuifeng, “Immediately head to the capital.”
Zhuifeng and another subordinate were greatly alarmed. Their master and Prince Shangguan had agreed to enter the capital at noon. Why were they going now?
“Master, what happened?”
“We’ll talk as we go.”
Mu Rongchong was already heading out. He put on his mask, his white robe tracing a white arc, a faint, clear light emanating from it.
“What about them?” Zhuifeng was referring to Prince Yun and Prince Shangguan and the others. They had all agreed to leave together, but their master was leaving ahead of them. What had happened?
“You immediately send another subordinate to stay. Tell them not to enter the capital today, say I have something to handle. After handling it, return to Yunshui Mountain Villa, and then everyone will enter the capital together.”
“Yes.”
Zhuifeng dared not say anything more. The coldness and bloodthirsty aura surrounding their master indicated that the matter was significant. Since he had said so, he would remain.
Mu Rongchong, leading a few subordinates, rapidly departed from Yunshui Mountain Villa.
By noon, Yun Xiao and Prince Yun learned that Mu Rongchong had descended the mountain overnight. They had no idea what had happened.
Yun Xiao was very anxious, unsure of what had transpired, and a growing sense of unease settled in her heart.
Mu Rongchong traveled day and night without rest, heading towards the imperial mausoleum built in the western suburbs, where his father, the Emperor, was buried.
There were dozens of imperial mausoleums, some real, some fake. He didn’t know which one was the true resting place of his father. He had infiltrated it countless times, touching each one, trying to find out which mausoleum his father truly lay in.
Two days prior, he had received news concerning the imperial mausoleum.
The “Skeleton Blood Bandits” were still the most insidious tomb robbers in the martial world. They never saw sunlight and no one knew what they looked like. They roamed the four kingdoms, specializing in robbing royal mausoleums.
If there were no items of interest to them in the mausoleum’s burial treasures, they would blow up the mausoleum containing the emperor’s remains.
There had been previous instances, so all the kingdoms had offered substantial rewards for the capture of these detestable tomb robbers, but to no avail. These scoundrels were like rats living underground, impossible to guard against.
Furthermore, they had the ability to identify the true mausoleum among dozens of others. If cornered by royal forces, they would detonate explosives on their bodies, blowing themselves up with the mausoleum.
The Skeleton Blood Bandits rarely encroached upon Dong Qin, but two days ago, news arrived that they had appeared around the imperial mausoleum, having reportedly already robbed several empty tombs.
As soon as Mu Rongchong received this news, he could no longer rest. He rushed to the capital without delay.
He absolutely would not allow anyone to desecrate his father’s mausoleum. These damned Skeleton Blood Bandits.
He vowed to kill them himself.
Before Mu Rongchong even reached the capital, he issued a signal, summoning about a hundred subordinates from the Divine Dragon Palace to gather near the western suburbs to guard the imperial mausoleum by night.
On the evening of the third day.
The sky was devoid of stars and moon, pitch black, and one could not see a silhouette across the way. Figures could be seen moving along the high walls surrounding the imperial mausoleum; they were the patrol guards.
These guards were no match for the Skeleton Blood Bandits, who operated underground like moles, making them impossible to guard against.
The area was sparsely populated and dimly lit. Tonight, there was no moon, only scattered, faint starlight. The surroundings were gloomy, a thin layer of mist shrouded the air, and the shadows of the trees danced, their branches and leaves mottled, creating a ghostly spectacle.
Inside the imperial mausoleum, tombs stretched as far as the eye could see. The lanterns swaying in the night wind, flickering ethereally like ghosts, struck fear into the heart.
At the third watch of the night, dozens of people indeed emerged from underground and clashed with the patrolling guards.
Those individuals wore black night-clothes, with their heads and faces covered, only their eyes visible. Their attacks were fierce and ruthless.
One of them flung a handful of poisonous powder, causing a large number of guards to fall. In the blink of an eye, many had been dealt with.