"Don't worry, Liu'er," Feng Xie said. "Mu Xing will be fine. If that person captured him, it's to threaten me. I'm sure he'll show himself."
As Feng Xie finished speaking, a triumphant laugh was carried on the wind, laced with a hint of admiration. "As expected of the Emperor. Your thoughts are truly meticulous. Yes, I captured him to threaten you."
The voice landed as a tall figure descended from the sky, landing at the edge of the cliff. In his hand, he held the small Mu Xing, who showed no reaction.
Liu Liu cried out in terror, "What did you do to him? You bastard, let my son go!"
"Yes, do as you wish. Release the child immediately."
Upon seeing the newcomer, Hua Wu You's enchanting eyes fixed on him with hatred. He spoke in a low voice, "Zhang Han, who told you to abduct him? You audacious servant, to commit such an act! Let him go quickly!"
It turned out this man named Zhang Han was from the Demonic Palace, Hua Wu You's capable subordinate. However, Zhang Han now shot Hua Wu You a contemptuous glance, a sneer playing on his lips.
"Do you really think you're someone important? I'm merely obeying your orders temporarily. You detestable wretch, you actually think you matter?"
Zhang Han finished speaking, ignored Hua Wu You's ashen face, and, holding Mu Xing, swung him by the edge of the cliff. He turned to Liu Liu and let out a wild laugh.
"Who would have thought the renowned Qi Ye was the current Empress? Do you know, this demon kept you hidden so well? After all these years, I never knew about you and your son. Otherwise, why would I have waited until now? If you want this child to live, have the Emperor come here to die. Only one can live now. Tell me, who do you want to live?"
Hua Wu You was driven to the brink of madness upon hearing Zhang Han's words, wishing he could strike the subordinate dead with a single palm.
However, with Mu Xing in his grasp, he dared not act rashly. He could only issue a stern warning, "Zhang Han, I never expected you to be his man. You ungrateful wretch, I treated you with such sincerity."
"Enough of your nonsense. Do you want the child or not? If not, I'm dropping him."
As he spoke, he genuinely began to loosen his grip. Liu Liu screamed, her composure shattered. She, who had always been calm and collected, had never felt such panic: "Stop! Don't hurt my child."
Feng Xie, standing beside Liu Liu, wore an equally grim expression. He nodded quickly, "Alright. You release him, and I will take his place."
As Feng Xie spoke, his three subordinates behind him cried out in alarm, "Your Majesty, absolutely not!"
Liu Liu froze for a moment, then her attention shifted back to her son. His small body swayed precariously by the cliff's edge, and her heart pounded in her chest.
If this man let go, her son would be dashed to pieces, cease to exist. All her hopes rested on her son, yet he was now hanging by a thread.
Furthermore, her son must have been acupoint-sealed, otherwise, he wouldn't be unconscious. Liu Liu's entire being was focused on Mu Xing, while Zhang Han, at the cliff's edge, laughed triumphantly.
"Good, good. I never expected an Emperor to be so sentimental. This is a fatal flaw."
"Zhang Han, release him. I won't blame you,"
Hua Wu You cautiously approached Zhang Han, trying to persuade him to let Mu Xing go. But Zhang Han was no easy opponent. His face turned cold, and he commanded sternly,
"Stop! If you take another step forward, I'll jump down with this child. See what you get. Remember, this is the little crown prince. My life is as valuable as the prince's. I'm willing to die for it."
Zhang Han spoke fiercely, and Hua Wu You's body stiffened, daring not to move closer.
"No, don't move," Liu Liu urged, her voice desperate. She was no longer the cold, enigmatic Qi Ye. She was merely an ordinary mother, a mother terrified for her son's safety.
Feng Xie quickly moved to the forefront, his voice domineering and cold, "Alright, release him, and I will go."
A ferocious killing intent surged from him, causing Zhang Han to swallow nervously. He felt his limbs go numb, his nose twitching slightly.
As he swayed, the hearts of those on the cliff's edge rose and fell with his movements. Then, he shouted sharply,
"Hurry, hurry, come over!"
He was ready to die, for that person had promised to ennoble his Zhang family as marquises. His death in exchange for his family's glory was worth it. Therefore, he was determined to drag this man to his death with him.
He hadn't harbored much hope initially, but he never expected the Emperor to be such a devoted lover. This made things much easier. Zhang Han's cold eyes remained fixed on Feng Xie. Rumor had it that this Emperor's martial arts were unfathomably profound and exquisitely skillful, so he could not afford to be careless.
Because he was too focused on Feng Xie's movements, he forgot that the others were equally formidable experts.
Hua Wu You's gaze swept over Liu Liu opposite him, his eyes suddenly deepening. Years had passed, but their tacit understanding remained.
Upon receiving his glance, Liu Liu understood his intent – to strike when Zhang Han was unprepared. She nodded slightly, her attention fixed on Mu Xing in Zhang Han's hand.
Feng Xie advanced towards Zhang Han, his presence chilling and imposing. The wind howled, his white robes danced, his dark hair flowed, and his silver hairpin glinted. Behind him were cries of panic and despair, but he remained deafive, walking forward resolutely.
As long as he could exchange his life for his son's safety, his death would be worthwhile. What use were the heavens, what use was the empire? At this moment, he was merely a father heartbroken for his son, and he had to atone for his past mistakes.
Seeing Zhang Han's entire face turn green with agitation, and his complexion flush with blood, Hua Wu You raised his hand and swiftly moved towards Zhang Han. Simultaneously, Liu Liu leaped up, lunging directly at Zhang Han's hand. Zhang Han, caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events, tensed up, and his grip suddenly loosened.
Mu Xing plummeted directly towards the abyss. Without hesitation, Liu Liu plunged after him. Feng Xie's heart tightened, and he could no longer hold back, leaping after her into the chasm. Below, the waves crashed and churned, spray flying, a scene of perilous danger.
Liu Liu spun, her arms encircling her son's small body. Her heart finally settled. As she turned, a figure descending rapidly from above grabbed her. With a few agile leaps, she kicked off the cliff face and ascended to the high platform.
Meanwhile, the culprit Zhang Han had already been kicked into the chasm by Hua Wu You. Liu Liu landed on the cliff and immediately released her son's acupoints. Little Mu Xing opened his eyes, looked at the faces before him, and rubbed his eyes curiously, "Where is this?"
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that he was unharmed. No one wished to tell him about the perilous events that had just transpired. Liu Liu hugged him, shaking her head, "It's nothing, nothing."
The cold sweat clinging to her clothes had soaked them through. Her legs felt weak, as if they could no longer support her. She looked up and saw Hua Wu You, standing before them, his expression suddenly contorted into a frightening grimace. He clutched his head, his body convulsing.
Dai Mei, who had been standing at a distance, rushed forward and grabbed him, asking anxiously, "Wu You, what's wrong? What's wrong?"
Hua Wu You's enchanting face was contorted, and beads of sweat rolled down his temples. Holding his head, he writhed on the edge of the cliff, "It hurts, my head hurts, it hurts so much!"
In immense pain, he, who was always so proud and arrogant in front of others, was now suffering like this. Liu Liu looked at Feng Xie with immediate concern, "What's wrong with him? Quickly, seal his acupoints and take him back to Wanfeng Tea House for Nangong to examine. What's the matter?"
"Alright," Feng Xie responded readily. The matter of his son was not Hua Wu You's doing, and he had even helped rescue his son. As for other accounts, they could be settled once he recovered. He quickly sealed Hua Wu You's acupoints and sternly ordered his subordinates, "Ri Ying, Yue Ying, take him back to Wanfeng Tea House."