Within the Luanyang Count’s residence in the royal city!
“Does it still hurt?” Tu Liyang carefully applied medicinal ointment to the bruised face of Tu Lingduo, then gently blew on it.
Duke Tu Lingtuo’s slap had been very fierce, directly swelling her face, a burning pain. But now with Tu Liyang applying the ointment, it instantly felt cool and refreshing, and she no longer felt it hurt very much.
“In the future, let us return less often to the Tu Ling Ducal residence, alright?” Tu Liyang said. “Our Luanyang Count’s residence is not necessarily much inferior to the Tu Ling Ducal residence.”
“Alright,” Tu Lingduo said.
“Why did Father-in-law hit you?” Tu Liyang asked.
“He suspects I am related to Zhi Li’s assassination case,” Tu Lingduo said.
Instantly, Tu Liyang was startled, then a sweet feeling of happiness welled up in his heart.
This was top secret. He had not expected his wife Tu Lingduo to not conceal it from him. Instantly, he no longer asked further, only continuing to gently rub the ointment onto her face.
At this moment, Tu Lingduo’s heart was truly incomparably complex.
Tu Liyang’s meticulous care for her was truly very touching. If it were someone like Soren doing this, probably all the women in the world would be willing to die for him.
But every time she opened her eyes and saw Tu Liyang’s short and ugly appearance, her heart would be filled with resentment and unwillingness.
She was not as vain and shallow as Gui Qinshao, but she also could not be so detached as to completely not care about her husband’s appearance. Every time she was together with Tu Liyang, she truly wished the ground would crack open so she could crawl inside. She always felt that people behind her were pointing and laughing at her.
Just at this moment, a female warrior came in and said, “Miss, he has come.”
Tu Liyang was startled, then put away the ointment, saying, “Then I shall go out first. Call me if you need anything.”
He did not ask Tu Lingduo who the person she was meeting was.
“He counts as my elder brother, only the family does not acknowledge him,” Tu Lingduo said.
Instantly, Tu Liyang’s eyes brightened, an expression of complete happiness impossible to conceal, then he directly went out.
When Tu Liyang walked out, he saw a tall man in a black cloak walking in, his face also hidden within the cloak.
At this time, Tu Liyang’s heart was happy. Hearing that the man before him was Tu Lingduo’s unacknowledged elder brother, he instantly stopped, saluting, “Greetings, Elder Brother.”
The one who entered was of course Duke Tu Lingtuo’s illegitimate son, currently the young backbone general of the Tianshui City garrison, Fen Mo. Seeing Tu Liyang’s affectionate gaze, he could not help but be startled, then said, “Greetings, Young Master Tu Li.”
Tu Liyang said, “Elder Brother, go in and speak with A Duo. After you finish, if you have time, I shall treat you to wine.”
Fen Mo still did not let Tu Liyang see his face, nodding, “Thank you, Young Master.”
Then, he directly walked into the secret chamber to meet with Tu Lingduo.
Fen Mo had grown up in a complex environment from childhood. As an illegitimate son of the Tu Ling family, he was completely unacknowledged, and his childhood had not been good at all. After growing up, he had no good feelings towards these high and mighty noble offspring, and never gave them any pleasant expressions.
Whether towards Soren or Zhi Li, he was cold and indifferent.
But facing the short and ugly Tu Liyang, and his earnest gaze, he could not help but feel his heart soften.
…
After entering the secret chamber, within the dim room there was only Tu Lingduo alone. Within several tens of metres around, there was not a single person.
“This time I went to Tianye City to recruit archers. The time is short, I cannot stay in the royal city for long,” Fen Mo said.
Tu Lingduo sighed, “Fen Mo, I do not treat you as a subordinate. We are half-siblings from the same father.”
Fen Mo was silent, not answering.
Tu Lingduo said, “Actually, in Father’s heart, there is no difference between you and me. Just now, he slapped me flying from my wheelchair with one blow. If Tu Liyang had not protected me, I would have long been kicked to death by him.”
Fen Mo’s expression instantly eased somewhat.
Then, Tu Lingduo said, “How is that matter progressing?”
Fen Mo, as Tu Lingtuo’s illegitimate son, was later recruited by Tu Lingduo into the kingdom’s Black Ice Bureau, then dispatched to lurk by Yan Nai’er’s side.
Originally, Tu Lingduo had planned to use Fen Mo to seize the Silver Wolf Legion. She had not expected the Silver Wolf Legion to be obtained by Soren, now becoming an important military force of Tianshui City. And Fen Mo also became the most key young general being cultivated by the Tianshui City army, his weight even above Suo Mu, Ye Jingyu, and others.
Thus, Tu Lingduo and Zhi Li made the best of a mistake, letting Fen Mo continue lurking in Tianshui City, allowing this chess piece’s power to be maximised.
Several months ago, Tu Lingduo had assigned Fen Mo a task, also the only task, and that was to find the location where Luanyang City Lord Tu Liwen was imprisoned in a secret dungeon.
Of course, Tu Lingduo did not want to rescue City Lord Tu Liwen, but wanted to kill… him, then let her husband Tu Liyang inherit the position of Luanyang City Lord.
“Found it,” Fen Mo said.
Instantly, Tu Lingduo was overjoyed. The location where Soren imprisoned Tu Liwen was too secretive. She did not know how many secret agents she had sent, all without success.
It seemed Fen Mo’s status in the Tianshui City army was still high. Spending several months, he had finally found it.
Then, Fen Mo took out a map, placing it before Tu Lingduo. On it was the specific location of the secret dungeon imprisoning Count Tu Liwen.
“Here?” Tu Lingduo said, “This is a brothel area, with people coming and going.”
“Yes, it is here,” Fen Mo said, “And the brothel above does not even know that beneath their feet is a secret dungeon, imprisoning a kingdom’s noble.”
“Thank you, Fourth Brother. Regarding your mother’s matter, I will handle it well,” Tu Lingduo said.
Fen Mo nodded, then could not help but ask, “There are rumours saying Soren is already dead?”
Tu Lingduo said, “This is not a rumour. He is indeed dead. His skull is in Prince Zhi Li’s hands.”
Fen Mo’s expression changed, his voice trembling, “Then why are there also rumours that Soren dispatched an assassin to assassinate Zhi Li?”
Tu Lingduo said, “Taking advantage of the situation, finding a reason to exterminate the Suo clan, that is all.”
She was very clever, deliberately saying some things that looked like top secrets but were actually not important, making one involuntarily feel she trusted them very much.
Instantly, Fen Mo fell silent.
Tu Lingduo said, “Fourth Brother, the Suo clan’s destruction is a foregone conclusion, but your future is boundless. After Tianshui City’s fall, your mission will be almost complete. At that time, you can come to Luanyang City to be the deputy commander of the city garrison, or go to the Southern Campaign Great Camp. However, I hope you will come to Luanyang City to help me lead troops.”
“We shall see,” Fen Mo said, “I take my leave. I cannot let people see any flaw.”
“Fourth Brother, walk slowly,” Tu Lingduo said.
Fen Mo secretly left the Luanyang Count’s residence.
At this time, Tu Liyang was still enthusiastically preparing a banquet. He detested anyone from the Tu Ling family, but it was rare that his wife had a close elder brother. He also wanted to try his best to befriend him.
“Where is that Elder Brother?” Tu Liyang asked.
“Military affairs are busy, he left,” Tu Lingduo said.
Tu Liyang said regretfully, “He, returned to the Tu Ling Ducal residence?”
“No, he will not go there,” Tu Lingduo said, “He has no foothold in the Tu Ling Ducal residence, but he is very talented. So I want to recruit him to Luanyang City to help you. Your brothers are ambitious and often bully you. Without your own people, it will not do.”
“Alright, I will listen to you. You treat me so well,” Tu Liyang said gently, “I am not afraid of those brothers of mine either. It is only that Father’s whereabouts are still unknown. I am unwilling to contend with them, lest outsiders see an ugly spectacle, and feel that Luanyang City has an opportunity to exploit.”
These words caused Tu Lingduo to be startled instead.
After Count Tu Liwen’s disappearance, his other several sons had become arrogant and unrestrained, beginning to repeatedly oppress Tu Liyang, and also beginning to fawn upon Zhi Li, filled with the intention of replacing Tu Liyang.
Tu Liyang had always shown a relatively yielding attitude. Tu Lingduo had thought him weak and easily bullied. She had not expected him to say such words.
Her own short, ugly monster of a husband, besides his small stature, ugly face, and somewhat strange, paranoid personality, truly was not lacking in intelligence and breadth of mind.
However, once encountering matters of love, he was like a fool, allowing her to manipulate him as she pleased.
Tu Lingduo even felt that if she wanted to kill Tu Liyang, he would probably foolishly stretch out his neck.
“Sigh…” Tu Lingduo sighed infinitely in her heart.
…
Hearing Zhi Yan’s voice, the Demon Continent princess Wanwan was instantly startled.
Soren was also very astonished. How could Zhi Yan chase here? How did she find this place?
Immediately after, Zhi Yan, sword in hand, drifted down from the mountain like a celestial being from beyond the heavens, directly stabbing towards Wanwan.
Without waiting for Wanwan to give the order, several dozen Demon Continent experts instantly pounced towards Zhi Yan.
“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…”
These several dozen Demon Continent experts shuttled about like ghostly shadows.
These several dozen Demon Continent experts were all Demon Continent Ghost Shadow Warriors.
Soren completely knew the power of Ghost Shadow Warriors.
On that day, when A Shi Luo battled the Little Old Man Gao Yu, five Demon Continent Ghost Shadow Warriors were deployed.
These Ghost Shadow Warriors had no other characteristics besides being fast, agile, completely as if they could flash and shift shadows.
If Yan Nai’er had not ordered several thousand archers to madly shoot arrows, leaving these Ghost Shadow Warriors nowhere to hide, Gao Yu would have directly died at the hands of these Ghost Shadow Warriors back then.
And A Shi Luo had only brought five Ghost Shadow Warriors that time. Today, by the Demon Continent princess Wanwan’s side, there were fully several dozen.
Their speed was incomparably agile, completely as if flashing.
Little Old Man Gao Yin’s martial arts ranked within the entire Furious Wave Kingdom, yet he still could not withstand three Demon Continent Ghost Shadow Warriors.
Soren knew that Princess Zhi Yan’s martial arts were very, very, very strong, probably on par with A Shi Liren, on the same level as Li Chenglian and Gao Yin. She should not be much stronger than Gao Yu.
Gao Yu could not block three Demon Continent Ghost Shadow Warriors, and now there were fully several dozen Ghost Shadow Warriors besieging Zhi Yan.
Others might not dare to kill Zhi Yan, but the demoness Wanwan truly dared to kill.
Because the current Zhi Yan could no longer receive the protection of the Divine Dragon Temple.
Seeing several dozen Demon Continent Ghost Shadow Warriors instantly surround Zhi Yan like ghosts, the swords in their hands like a blur of light, slashing towards Zhi Yan, Soren instantly burned with anxiety.
This silly woman, did she not know to sneak in secretly to rescue him? She even shouted loudly before charging out, as if afraid others would not know.
“Wanwan, do not kill her,” Soren hurriedly said to the demoness.
“She and I are mortal enemies. If I can kill her, I certainly will,” the demoness Wanwan giggled.
And Zhuang Zhixuan stood sword in hand, guarding before Wanwan.
“Wanwan, if you spare her life, I will help you obtain the Dragon Seal holy object within this pagoda reaching to the heavens,” Soren shouted loudly.
“Tsk tsk… you think too highly of yourself,” Wanwan smiled, “Do you think you have room to bargain?”
Then, she lazily watched several dozen Demon Continent Ghost Shadow experts besiege Zhi Yan.
At this time, Princess Zhi Yan’s figure could no longer be seen at all. One could only see her surrounded by several dozen ghostly shadows, countless swords madly slashing towards her.
Then, blood mist splattered.
Instantly, Soren could no longer care about so much, directly stepping forward several steps, preparing to take the Demon Continent princess Wanwan hostage.
Although, he completely did not know how strong Wanwan’s martial arts were. During all the time they had spent together, she had never displayed her martial power.
But he had just stepped forward half a step when a finger pressed against his back.
Instantly, Soren’s entire body could not move.
It was Zhuang Zhixuan. Her beautiful eyes looked towards Soren, shaking her head.
Damn, this woman’s martial arts were that high? One finger made Soren completely unable to move. She truly was much more powerful than Nai’er.
And such a figure actually served as a personal female guard for the demoness Wanwan.
Just as Soren burned with anxiety, feeling that Zhi Yan was about to be torn into pieces.
“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…”
Suddenly, a burst of blood mist splattered.
Countless human bodies were pulverised.
One could only see these Demon Continent Ghost Shadow experts, one after another, instantly turning to dust.
Princess Zhi Yan, her body still spotless, like a celestial being.
Instantly, Soren was completely stunned.
Wanwan was also completely stunned!
For some unknown reason, these several dozen Demon Continent experts were actually instantly fixed in place.
Then, rapidly slaughtered by Zhi Yan.
One second to kill three. In merely a few seconds, several dozen Demon Continent Ghost Shadow experts had already been pulverised.
I, I, I damn!
He knew Princess Zhi Yan was formidable, but had not expected her to be so formidably powerful to this degree.
Several dozen Demon Continent experts, instantly fixed in place by her.
Then, killed clean in a few seconds.
Too… too terrifying, too powerful!
No wonder she shouted before appearing. It turned out she truly could charge over domineeringly without restraint.
These Demon Continent Ghost Shadow experts’ characteristic was speed. And once fixed in place by Zhi Yan, they became incomparably fragile, not even as good as ordinary high-ranking warriors.
One truly did not know how Zhi Yan fixed them in place.
In the blink of an eye, these Demon Continent Ghost Shadow Warriors were about to be killed completely clean.
The Demon Continent princess Wanwan’s expression changed drastically.
Then, she fiercely grabbed Soren with one hand, directly throwing him towards the great door of the pagoda reaching to the heavens.
“Whoosh…” After Soren was thrown into the great door of the pagoda reaching to the heavens, he directly vanished without a trace, as if transmitted to another world.
Princess Zhi Yan rapidly charged up, wanting to rescue Soren.
But, it was already too late. She could only watch as Soren was thrown into the pagoda reaching to the heavens and disappeared.
The Demon Continent princess Wanwan, along with Zhuang Zhixuan, directly charged up, jointly attacking her.
“Clang…”
The three clashed at close quarters!
Zhi Yan retreated half a step, Wanwan retreated one step, Zhuang Zhixuan retreated five steps.
The Demon Continent princess Wanwan said, “Zhi Yan, I admit I cannot defeat you, but you also cannot kill me. Soren has already been thrown into this pagoda reaching to the heavens by me. Now he has probably already turned into a wall relief, essentially dead.”
Princess Zhi Yan’s face was icy cold, the Dragon Gold Sword in her hand pointing at Wanwan, trembling slightly.
Then, the Demon Continent princess Wanwan said charmingly, “You called him husband just now. Was not that bastard Huai Bingyi deeply devoted to you? Were you and he not getting along very well? Who exactly do you like?”
Zhi Yan said, “Soren is my husband. I of course love only him wholeheartedly.”
“Tsk tsk tsk…” Wanwan sneered, “You, Zhi Yan, a person without heart, without emotion, without desire, would actually go and love someone. Truly an eye-opener. However, love spoken so easily, I fear is not true love.”
Then, Wanwan pointed at the great door of the pagoda reaching to the heavens, saying, “Soren has already been thrown into the great pagoda by me, turned into a stone carving, forever unable to come out. If you truly love him, then follow through this great door, enter the pagoda reaching to the heavens. If you die for Soren, I will count it as you truly loving him.”
Princess Zhi Yan gazed at the great door of the pagoda reaching to the heavens. Inside was already completely empty. Then she saw that a person had been added to the wall stone carvings. It was precisely Soren.
Soren had truly turned into a stone carving.
Then if Zhi Yan entered, she would also truly never be able to come out. It would truly be dying for love.