"Impossible, absolutely impossible!" Yan Yuqing refused to believe a single word from Xiao Man. That cunning woman, how could she be easily killed! Moreover, she cultivated both medicine and poison; if she didn't poison others, it would be a miracle, how could anyone poison her!
"It's the truth, believe it or not." Xiao Man stood up and sat down beside her. "Isn't she pathetic, dying at the hands of the one she was closest to and trusted the most, never knowing until her death who wanted to kill her, or why."
"She's not pathetic, she's just kind!"
"The word 'kind' has never been associated with her," Xiao Man said softly. "She has killed countless people, her hands stained with blood, both from her own people and enemies. Some called her a Jade-Faced Rakshasa with a Buddha's face and a serpent's heart, others said she was ruthless and power-hungry, but no one ever called her kind."
"What do you know? She was a person of pure goodness. For a childhood promise, she stained her hands with blood; for a jest, she sacrificed her lifelong happiness. She worked tirelessly for Yun Qi, and she did not deserve to die."
"She killed many people, but she saved even more!" Yan Yuqing said passionately. "She was a person who easily softened. Her greatest mistake in this life was making the wrong promise when she was young, agreeing to that insidious woman to protect her son as he grew up!"
Xiao Man's expression changed slightly. Agreeing to her sister to protect Murong Sheng Rui as he grew up was something she had never regretted. However, she could not forgive Murong Sheng Rui's actions now.
"You should leave. Stop looking for her, and just be the Demon Cult Leader you are."
In Pingxi City, Xia Hou Ying's expression was grave. Why would His Majesty come to Pingxi City at this time?
Murong Sheng Rui looked calmly at the woman kneeling before him. The woman's beautiful face, however, could not stir the slightest desire in him. What he cared about was her words.
"You say the Red Feather Iron Cavalry, in whose hands is it?"
"In the hands of the eldest daughter of the Protectorate General's manor, Xiao Man." The woman raised her head, revealing herself to be Wen Mo Yu. "And, Empress Dowager Yun Qi's Tian Gan Sword is also in her possession."
"Tian Gan..." A flicker of remembrance crossed Murong Sheng Rui's eyes. He had played with Tian Gan since he was young. Since his mother's death, he had been unable to draw the Tian Gan Sword. Even though he had deluded himself into believing that Du Gu Man was not dead, the existence of Tian Gan became a sharp sword piercing his heartlessness. Therefore, when Tian Gan was stolen, he had not ordered anyone to retrieve it.
"You have seen Tian Gan?"
"Tian Gan, Your Majesty should not be unfamiliar with it. Then the wounds caused by Tian Gan, Your Majesty must also be very familiar with." Wen Mo Yu untied her belt and removed her clothes. On her body, there were several scars inflicted by the Tian Gan Sword. These were left by Xiao Man when she intended to torture her.
Murong Sheng Rui's figure moved, and he was instantly in front of Wen Mo Yu. Wen Mo Yu had many wounds. The blade of the Tian Gan Sword was unique, and the scars it left were also unique, being cross-shaped. Wen Mo Yu had more than a dozen such scars on her body, and they looked very fresh. These wounds could not be faked.
"Indeed, they are wounds from Tian Gan." Murong Sheng Rui was overjoyed. "She can draw Tian Gan?"
Wen Mo Yu was puzzled. If she couldn't draw Tian Gan, could she have inflicted such injuries on her?
"On New Year's Eve, I was pursued by Xiao Man with a sword. These wounds all over my body were inflicted then. I clearly remember that the weapon she used was the Tian Gan Sword."
Murong Sheng Rui trembled with joy. Tian Gan was a divine weapon that recognized only one master in a century. That master was Du Gu Man. After Du Gu Man's death, the divine weapon sealed itself and could no longer be drawn. Yet Xiao Man could draw it. What did this mean?
"You may go. I understand."
Wen Mo Yu retreated from the room, a chill running down her back. Yun Qi, this young emperor, was capricious and truly terrifying. For a moment, she thought she was going to die at Murong Sheng Rui's hands.
However, Emperor Yun Qi was ruthless and poisonous. This was a good thing. Xiao Man, facing the Emperor of Yun Qi, would you still have a chance of winning? Do you think Prince Qin would go against a nation for you? You are doomed!
"Someone."
"Your Majesty."
"I want to know everything about Xiao Man, no matter how small the detail." Murong Sheng Rui's lips curved into an evil smile.
Xiao Man, what a coincidence, the same name. Mother, could it be you?
"Yes."
"Your Majesty, this servant believes that woman's words cannot be trusted," Wei Wu Ji reminded him. "That woman clearly hates Xiao Man intensely, and Xiao Man is the eldest daughter of the Protectorate General's manor, her status is not low. She wants to use your knife to kill someone."
"Do you think I don't understand her intentions?" Murong Sheng Rui's eyes were filled with amusement. "However, I am truly very curious about this Xiao Man. The existence of the Red Feather Iron Cavalry, I don't need to say it, you understand. Regardless of whether she has any relation to Mother, the Red Feather Iron Cavalry cannot fall into the hands of Yu Sheng."
"Your Majesty is wise."
"Also, the people I sent to Yu Sheng have all met with disaster, don't you find it strange?" Murong Sheng Rui said slowly. Two of his four companions had perished in Yu Sheng.
"Your Majesty suspects that someone leaked the news?"
"If it wasn't someone leaking the news, then it means someone knows our every move like the back of their hand." Although Murong Sheng Rui was young, his mind was deep and calculating. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to deceive Du Gu Man and exterminate the Du Gu family.
"Your Majesty suspects Xiao Man?"
"It's very simple to verify the suspicion in one's heart," Murong Sheng Rui said slowly. "Once I meet her in person, I will know if she is the person I am looking for."
Wei Wu Ji lowered his head. The dead could never come back to life. His Majesty deluded himself into believing that the Empress Dowager was still alive, simply to give himself a sliver of hope. Why should he shatter his hope?
Qu Yang appeared silently behind Xia Hou Ying. Xia Hou Ying, holding his weapon, thrust straight behind him. The tip of his spear was only an inch away from Qu Yang's vital point.
"Don't suddenly appear behind me," Xia Hou Ying retracted his spear and said coldly.
Qu Yang sat down beside Xia Hou Ying. "You have something on your mind."
Xia Hou Ying seemed not to hear him, continuing to polish his spear. This spear had been with him for many years, like his comrade. He cherished it greatly.
"Following Qian Yi Han's death, Bai Li Le Tian has also died," Qu Yang said slowly. "Of the four companions, only the two of us remain."
Xia Hou Ying remained unmoved. These two were likely killed by that person. Qian Yi Han rarely appeared in public, and very few people knew him. Yet, as soon as he arrived in Yu Sheng, he was assassinated. Unless someone knew him and knew the location of Yun Qi's spies in Yu Sheng, it could not have been done so cleanly and efficiently.
Xia Hou Ying's mind flashed with that person's every move, every smile and frown. If they were not completely different people, he would have suspected they were the same person!