Qingyao was no pushover, however. She didn't wish to engage in a prolonged battle with Miss Lian. Drawing the Phoenix Tail Qin from behind her back, she swept it out, unleashing a force as immense as a mountain tide. Instantly, a large swathe of flowers in the valley was flattened.
Seeing Qingyao engage in combat, Liu Zun's pupils darkened. A bloodthirsty aura emanated from him, and he said in a deep, cold voice, "My dear, I'm here to help you."
As soon as he spoke, Miss Lian's heart fluttered. She looked up and saw a handsome man with an icy expression staring at her with a chilling fury, as if he were prepared to fight her to the death.
This caused her movements to falter. She saw Qingyao's Phoenix Tail Qin sweeping towards her, but at the last moment, she managed to evade it. Otherwise, she would have been either dead or severely injured. This truly wounded her pride, and her face immediately turned ugly.
Suddenly, a thunderous shout echoed through the air.
"Villain, you unfilial wretch!"
As the command rang out, Murong Liu Zun instinctively exclaimed, "Master?"
As his words fell, Qingyao abruptly halted her attack and looked towards the bright moon behind her. Several people exchanged glances, their faces lighting up with joy. The Emperor had recovered! Only Qingyao's eyes were deep, and a knowing smile played on her lips. She turned to Murong Liu Zun and let out a cold reprimand.
"You scoundrel, Murong Liu Zun, how dare you deceive me!"
"My dear," Murong Liu Zun cried out in alarm, but it was too late. Qingyao lunged forward and struck his chest with a punch. He stood still and took the blow, then extended his hand to grasp hers. "Yao'er."
Qingyao glared at him angrily. "When did you wake up? Everyone was so worried about you, and you dared to pretend!"
"The night on the peak of Tianshan."
At these words, everyone began to imagine all sorts of things, and Qingyao's face instantly flushed red. The situation then quieted down.
Meanwhile, the old man Chixia leaped from mid-air and struck at Liu Zun with a palm. Liu Zun dodged, embracing Qingyao as he moved aside, his eyes widening in disbelief. He called out, "Master?"
What was happening? Old man Chixia's face was filled with fury. Having missed with his first strike, he launched another palm strike. Seeing the white-haired, silver-browed old man acting somewhat erratically, Qingyao flicked her Phoenix Tail Qin and said in annoyance,
"Stop! Why are you hitting him for no reason?"
"I'm hitting him, this unfilial wretch!"
Old man Chixia seemed incredibly angered, speaking with such agitation that his words were almost incoherent.
His eyes were fiercely fixed on Murong Liu Zun, leaving the latter utterly bewildered. His master had always doted on him, so what was going on?
"Master, what exactly happened?"
"Yes, he's injured, so he came to see Madam Yaochi. We never expected to see you here. Could you tell us why you're so angry?"
Qingyao stepped forward to stand between Old man Chixia and Liu Zun. Since Liu Zun couldn't exert himself now, she couldn't let their master and disciple fight.
Upon hearing Qingyao mention Liu Zun's injury, Old man Chixia chuckled, appearing quite pleased. He no longer seemed in a hurry to attack him. Stroking his beard and gazing at the sky, he said profoundly, "Retribution, retribution! For your treachery."
"Master, I haven't done anything!"
Xiao Yu'er, who had been standing outside, was enraged to see the old man bullying his father. He leaped nearly three feet into the air and shouted sharply.
"You baffling old fool! How dare you insult my father? What Chixia Elder! You're just a confused old scoundrel who fathered a degenerate like Shangguan Hao, causing my father to be imprisoned for months and injured. And now you have the audacity to scold my father!
Tomorrow, I will spread your ill repute far and wide, so you have no face left to show anyone."
After Xiao Yu'er's torrent of scolding, Old man Chixia's eyes widened. It took him a while to comprehend her words. He hesitantly stroked his beard, looked at Liu Zun, and after a long pause, slowly said.
"What happened to your senior brother? Didn't Wanhe Kingdom get destroyed?"
Qingyao observed the situation, a flash of inspiration striking her. Could Shangguan Hao have impersonated Liu Zun and deceived Old man Chixia? That would explain why Old man Chixia was so enraged.
"Wanhe Kingdom was destroyed, but Shangguan Hao secretly infiltrated the imperial palace and attempted to kill Liu Zun when he was caught off guard.
Although he had a breath left, he was chained up by wicked men. Because his head had hit something, he had a blood clot, leading to a lowered intellect. Shangguan Hao, believing him dead, took his place and lived prosperously in the palace."
Qingyao explained the entire sequence of events. Old man Chixia pondered for a while. He knew Liu Zun's character and never imagined such a turn of events. He supposed that the person who had invited him must have been sent by Shangguan Hao.
Upon realizing this, Old man Chixia stamped his feet and beat his chest, filled with remorse.
"So it was all that wicked creature's doing. That day, he sent someone impersonating you to invite me to the palace, saying the Seven Kingdoms were unified and we should celebrate. I was happy for you, that the world was finally unified, and decided to descend the mountain.
In my joy, I even brought your junior brother along. Who knew that person would secretly drug my wine and injure your junior brother? I always thought it was you, but it turns out it was that wicked creature."
Old man Chixia was heartbroken. He had calculated that Liu Zun would face a tribulation, but he never imagined that this tribulation would be caused by him.
"Master, don't be sad."
Liu Zun walked over. Old man Chixia reached out and grasped his hand, touching his meridians. His expression changed dramatically. "Your meridians are indeed damaged. Was it that wicked creature's doing?"
Liu Zun nodded. Old man Chixia grabbed him and turned to walk into the valley. After a few steps, he seemed to remember something and looked back at Qingyao. "Is this the person you like?"
"Yes, Master," Liu Zun nodded. He turned, reached out, and pulled Qingyao closer, followed by Xiao Yu'er. "Master, they are all the people I love."
Old man Chixia looked at them and stroked his beard with satisfaction. "Mm, good, very good..."
With that, Old man Chixia led the group into the valley. Miss Lian said nothing further, her eyes constantly following the group. A sly smile flickered in the corner of her eye...
Madam Yaochi was captivatingly beautiful. Although she was around sixty years old, she was exceptionally well-preserved and still graceful and alluring.
Upon hearing that the visitors were Old man Chixia's beloved disciples, she did not blame them but instead treated them with great affection.
Indeed, love extended to all those associated with him...
In the valley, hundreds of flowers bloomed, and butterflies danced gracefully. Maids dressed in seven-colored skirts moved among them, creating a breathtaking scene.
In the distance, there were waterfalls and streams. Close by stood ancient houses with carved beams and painted eaves, and jade pavilions. A spring breeze gently blew, caressing the flying silk veils. It was a true paradise, comparable to, or even surpassing, Wúqíng Valley.
In the main hall, the furnishings were elegant and meticulously arranged, with countless valuable antiques and jade pieces. Madam Yaochi sat at the head, her eyebrows like crescent moons, her eyes like polished obsidian. With a radiant grace, she kindly gestured for Liu Zun and Qingyao to sit.
"Today is truly a joyous occasion for Yunjian Valley. It has been a long time since it was so lively. Servants, prepare a banquet immediately."
As Madam Yaochi finished speaking, Old man Chixia, seated in the honored guest's seat, quickly raised his hand. "Wait a moment, Yaochi."