“Brother, have you already been promoted to Dragon Archer?” Tu Ling Duo asked.
“My strength has already surpassed it,” Fen Mo said.
He had always spoken in this cool manner. He meant that his strength had already surpassed Dragon Warrior, but because he followed Suo Lun, his relationship with the Dragon Temple was not good, and he had not received certification from the Dragon Temple’s Heavenly Star Hall.
In this world, whether archers, swordsmen, or knights, all were divided into ranks.
Moreover, personal treatment was completely tied to rank. Whether castles, estates, or fields, the treatment that Dragon Warriors could enjoy was clearly stipulated.
For example, only Dragon Warriors could be promoted to positions above ten thousand commander.
And whether Dragon Archer, Dragon Swordsman, Dragon Knight, Dragon Strength Warrior, and so on, all counted as Dragon Warrior level.
According to such a system, originally among the officers of Tianshui City there could only be one or two Dragon Warriors, namely Yan Nu and Suo Han Yi.
But now, Suo Lun held an army exceeding a hundred thousand, and experts surpassing the Dragon Warrior level numbered a dozen or twenty as well.
However, many people had not received certification from the Dragon Temple, and Fen Mo was one of them.
But even so, Fen Mo had still become a general at the ten thousand commander level, one of the youngest generals in Suo Lun’s army.
Hearing that Fen Mo’s strength had already reached Dragon Archer, Tu Ling Duo was slightly startled, but that was all.
Among the family retainers of the Tu Ling clan, those surpassing the Dragon Warrior level already exceeded a dozen. Adding the disciples and followers of Duke Tu Ling Tuo in the military, Dragon Warriors numbered several dozen or more.
In the eyes of the top nobility, although Dragon Warriors were somewhat rare, they were not worth attaching great importance to.
Ling Ao was almost the youngest Dragon Warrior in the Fury Wave Kingdom, but so what? Was he not currently like a dead dog?
As for what level existed above Dragon Warrior?
At least in the public classification of the Dragon Temple, Dragon Warrior was already the highest level.
Because the Dragon God did not wish for humans to possess overly strong martial arts. If individual martial power became too strong, it would not only affect secular royal authority, but also threaten the rule of the Dragon Temple.
Tu Ling Duo feigned nonchalance and said, “Brother, since you have already broken through to Dragon Archer, and are a high-ranking general in Suo Lun’s army, with Suo Lun about to engage in the decisive naval battle with Yan Mo, this is precisely the perfect opportunity for you to display your divine might. Why did Suo Lun specifically send you out to escort goods?”
This woman was very suspicious, and the murder of Tu Li Yang was a matter of great importance, so she was secretly probing Fen Mo.
Fen Mo said coldly, “Do you still need to ask me this? Do you take Suo Lun for a fool?”
Tu Ling Duo’s brows furrowed slightly. What she most disliked was Fen Mo’s arrogant attitude. What right did an illegitimate son have to be so proud?
However, Fen Mo’s accusation was quite reasonable.
The last time, because of Fen Mo’s help, the assassins sent by Zhi Li and Tu Ling Duo had “successfully” killed Luan Yang City Lord Tu Li Wen. (In fact, this was not true.)
Then, Suo Lun would certainly be suspicious. The dungeon where City Lord Tu Li Wen was imprisoned was so secret. How did Zhi Li and Tu Ling Duo know about it?
Although there was no evidence, Suo Lun could completely marginalise Fen Mo and send him to escort merchant caravans.
Thinking this through clearly, Tu Ling Duo’s slight suspicion of Fen Mo was involuntarily dispelled.
“Remember, tomorrow afternoon, at Black Crow Valley a hundred and twenty li east of the royal city, ambush my party!” Tu Ling Duo said. “You must act personally and shoot Tu Li Yang to death.”
Fen Mo frowned and said, “But Suo Lun has not given this order. If I assassinate Tu Li Yang, would that not expose myself?”
Tu Ling Duo said, “Suo Lun is about to fight a great naval battle with Yan Mo’s hundred thousand naval troops. This battle will certainly end in defeat. And currently the entire Fury Wave Kingdom is banning Suo Lun. Not a single grain of his salt or one of his magic mirrors can be sold. Soon the interior of Tianshui City will fall into chaos without battle, and Suo Lun’s destruction has already become a foregone conclusion. It does not matter if you are exposed. You can just return to the clan. But after killing Fen Mo, you will probably need to be put in cold storage for a period.”
Fen Mo thought for a while, then nodded and said, “Very well.”
Tu Ling Duo said, “Remember, tomorrow evening, a hundred and twenty li east of the royal city, Black Crow Valley!”
…
Within the young lord mansion.
“What explanation? What do I need to explain to you?” Zhi Ning said coldly.
Zhi Li said, “That maid Cai Yi whom you gave me is a spy. Last night, it was she who secretly notified Tu Li Yang to catch us in the act!”
Zhi Ning sneered coldly, “What does that have to do with me? Perhaps she was originally a spy of the Shadow Pavilion, or perhaps after coming to the young lord mansion, she was developed into a mole by the Shadow Pavilion.”
Zhi Li said, “But a few days ago, just as I was about to take Tu Ling Duo, you appeared at the perfect moment and ruined my good affair. Last night, it was again your maid who exposed my adultery with Tu Ling Duo. Don’t you find this far too coincidental?”
Zhi Ning said, “What do you mean?”
Zhi Li said, “Who knows whether after your trip to Tianshui City, you did not rekindle your old flame with Suo Lun, and instead are helping him deal with me?”
Zhi Ning’s beautiful eyes stared coldly at Zhi Li, and she said word by word, “Brother, you wrote me a letter lying that you had been castrated, tricking me back to the royal city. On the surface it was to let me come forward and sue for peace with Suo Lun, but in reality it was to detain me and the baby as hostages. Regarding this point, I have been pretending not to know.”
Speaking to the point of agitation, Zhi Ning’s expression became somewhat intense, and the baby immediately wailed loudly.
Zhi Ning hurriedly soothed the baby, then lowered her voice and continued, “Zhi Li, a few days ago I stopped you from sleeping with that slut Tu Ling Duo because I felt Tu Li Yang was pitiful and wanted to come forward to save him once. But I had not expected that slut Tu Ling Duo would still climb into your bed. Your repeated wickedness, how can I control it?”
Taking a deep breath, Zhi Ning continued, “Whether you believe it or not, everything that happened last night had nothing to do with me. From now on, I am completely removing myself from the struggle between you and that scoundrel Suo Lun. No matter which of you two dies, I will only shed a single tear, then continue living as before. You want me to be a hostage, then I shall be a hostage. In any case, for the rest of my life, I live only for my son.”
Princess Zhi Ning kissed the baby’s little face and said, “My baby has only a mother, no father, and no uncle. Lord Zhi Li, if there is nothing else in the future, please do not enter my courtyard again. This is my final request as a hostage.”
…
In the back courtyard of the young lord mansion!
Fang Qing Zhuo lay weakly on the bed. Last night she had been violently ravished by Zhi Li, truly losing half her life.
From now on, she truly never wanted to touch that sort of thing again. It would truly give her nightmares!
Toward her husband Zhi Li, she truly felt somewhat despairing!
Not despairing because her husband had abused her, but because her husband had conspired in adultery with Tu Ling Duo and plotted to murder Tu Li Yang.
How deeply infatuated was Tu Li Yang? How loyal and devoted was he to Zhi Li?
One could say that at last night’s wedding scene, if Tu Li Yang had not served as the vanguard, Zhi Li’s complete ban on Suo Lun would have been utterly impossible.
Yet Tu Li Yang had rendered great service at the front, while at the back Zhi Li slept with his wife and intended to put him to death.
Such conduct was completely beneath even beasts.
Zhi Li had always liked sleeping with other men’s wives. Fang Qing Zhuo knew this. She could not control it, nor did she wish to.
In her view, a man’s lustfulness was not a great flaw. Moreover, it was all consensual. Those women either offered themselves up voluntarily, or their husbands offered them up.
But this time Zhi Li slept with another man’s wife, took the man’s life, and schemed to seize his century-old foundation. This was absolutely unforgivable!
She truly could not imagine where that heroic yet gentle man had gone. Especially after he had been implanted with demon blood, he seemed to have become a different person, like a beast.
At this moment, a figure walked in.
It was the new young master of the Hidden Continent, and also Fang Qing Zhuo’s younger brother Fang Qing Yi.
Compared to Fang Qing Shu’s radiant brilliance, Fang Qing Yi was much more restrained. He was not so handsome, his clothing was much more plain, and his entire person appeared very mild. Only occasionally flashing glances made one feel that this was a person of unfathomable depth.
“Qing Yi, I want a divorce,” Fang Qing Zhuo suddenly said.
Fang Qing Yi was startled, then shook his head and said, “Impossible.”
Fang Qing Zhuo said, “Then I will take the child and return to the Hidden Continent. In any case, I no longer wish to live under the same roof as this man. He has already given me nightmares.”
Fang Qing Yi thought for a while and said, “Still impossible. The family has invested much in Zhi Li. We cannot abandon our efforts halfway.”
Fang Qing Zhuo said, “Your scheming is your business. Do not involve me.”
Fang Qing Yi said, “You are also a member of the family. Since you have enjoyed the glory the family brought you, you must serve the family’s interests.”
Then he directly rose and said, “Elder Sister, rest well.”
Every sentence he spoke seemed mild, but listening to them, they held not a trace of human warmth.
Fang Qing Zhuo only felt her entire body turn ice cold. Boundless, endless darkness enveloped her, and tears continuously slid from the corners of her eyes.
Now, she could find no warmth whatsoever in either of her two families.
…
Thus, Fang Qing Zhuo leaned against the head of the bed, silently weeping, feeling that life was completely grey.
She did not know how much time had passed when suddenly a person appeared before her, and a pair of hands helped wipe away her tears.
It was actually Zhi Li sitting by the bedside, helping her wipe away her tears. She did not know how long he had been there.
“Sorry, I should not have treated you like that last night,” Zhi Li said softly.
Fang Qing Zhuo’s eyes focused, as though only now aligning their focal length, seeing Zhi Li clearly.
How laughable. He was apologising for last night’s abuse, yet completely did not know that Fang Qing Zhuo’s despair stemmed from Zhi Li’s conduct toward Tu Li Yang.
“Can you spare Tu Li Yang and not kill him?” Fang Qing Zhuo asked.
Zhi Li’s face turned cold and he said, “This sort of matter, you should not concern yourself with.”
Fang Qing Zhuo pleaded mournfully, “I beg you, do not kill him.”
Zhi Li said angrily, “Fang Qing Zhuo, what do you mean? Do you favour Tu Li Yang so much that you have turned against me several times for his sake? Could it be that your tastes are so heavy, and you have some unspeakable relationship with him?”
At these words, they madly tore at Fang Qing Zhuo’s heart, making her even more despairing.
Instantly, Fang Qing Zhuo shouted with a voice she had never used before, “Zhi Li, I desperately tried to save Tu Li Yang not for him, but for you! I do not wish for you to degenerate into a beast!”
Slap…
Zhi Li delivered another slap, directly sending the weak Fang Qing Zhuo falling off the bed and crashing heavily onto the floor.
“I warn you, do not interfere in my affairs,” Zhi Li said angrily. “Do not think that because you are the great young lady of the Hidden Continent, I must indulge you.”
Fang Qing Zhuo struggled to rise, blood flowing from the corner of her mouth, her eyes already filled with coldness and despair.
Then, looking at Zhi Li word by word, she said, “Zhi Li, from this day forth, you and I are completely severed. Although the family does not allow us to divorce, you may not step half a foot into my courtyard again. In name we are still husband and wife, but in fact we are already divorced!”
“Hahaha…” Zhi Li laughed loudly. “You are my wife. The entire young lord mansion is mine. Where I wish to go, I go. If I wish to sleep with you, I sleep with you. How can you decide?”
Fang Qing Zhuo said coldly, “Zhi Li, do not forget. Although my nature is gentle, my martial arts are no weaker than yours. All these years I have swallowed my humiliation, not even speaking a single harsh word. This probably made you forget that I am a woman of formidable martial arts. If you dare touch me with half a finger again, I dare draw my sword and sever your arm. If you do not believe it, try me.”
Then she forcefully climbed up from the floor, abruptly drawing the precious sword at her side, pointing it distantly at Zhi Li.
The moment she grasped the sword, all weakness instantly vanished completely, replaced by fierce sword qi.
Zhi Li was startled, looking at his wife with surprise and a trace of cold laughter.
Fang Qing Zhuo said firmly, “Moreover, Zhi Ning and the baby will also move into my back courtyard. They no longer wish to see you either.”
Zhi Li said nothing, just looked at her like this, then slowly retreated and left directly!
After her husband departed, Fang Qing Zhuo’s jade hand loosened, and the precious sword fell to the ground.
Then she slid to the floor, covering her face and weeping.
…
Early the next morning, Tu Li Yang and his wife Tu Ling Duo departed the royal capital Zhi Du.
For some unknown reason, perhaps because the weather was hot, Tu Li Yang and his wife actually rode in a half-open carriage.
Tu Ling Duo’s face was covered by a light veil, and she wore a thin silk long dress. Her delicate figure appeared tall and graceful, lightly leaning against her husband Tu Li Yang’s embrace, her manner intimate and sweet.
And Tu Li Yang, lightly embracing his wife’s slender waist, wore a smile on his face.
The two paraded through the city in this manner, seen by countless people.
Many people pointed and whispered. Women all mocked Tu Ling Duo for marrying a short, ugly monster.
Men all envied Tu Li Yang for actually marrying such a great beauty, truly a flower stuck in cow dung.
Little did they know that although Tu Li Yang could walk and sit, eat and sleep at this moment, appearing as though completely unharmed, he was already like a walking corpse.
Zhi Li had administered him a strange poison from the Demon Continent, which left his life unharmed but his consciousness completely gone.
His embrace of Tu Ling Duo’s waist and the smile on his face were both poses arranged beforehand by Li Cheng Lian.
This was to let people see clearly that when Tu Li Yang left the royal city, he was safe and sound, and his relationship with Tu Ling Duo was also loving and sweet.
Moreover, Tu Ling Duo frequently touched her own belly, pretending to already be pregnant.
A woman has approximately two or three days each month when she is most fertile, so today was still a suitable day for conception.
After killing Tu Li Yang in the evening, she would still need to hurry back to Zhi Du. Under the guidance of a mysterious female sorcerer, she would copulate with Zhi Li and let Zhi Li plant his seed in her body, ensuring pregnancy in one attempt.
At this moment, the knights escorting Tu Li Yang and Tu Ling Duo numbered several hundred.
The party galloped all the way, and by evening they arrived at Black Crow Valley.
This was a hundred and twenty li from the royal city, the ambush location agreed upon by Tu Ling Duo and Fen Mo.
Fen Mo would assassinate Tu Li Yang here!
Of course, what Fen Mo did not know was that this was also the place where Tu Ling Duo had arranged for him to meet his death.
Tu Ling Duo had said long ago that Fen Mo knew too much, so he could not remain alive in this world.
After he shot Tu Li Yang to death with one arrow, there would be a predator behind the prey, taking his life.
The party drew closer and closer to Black Crow Valley, closer and closer!
Before their eyes, darkness fell, and Tu Ling Duo and Tu Li Yang’s carriage directly charged into Black Crow Valley.
Whoosh… An arrow, like black lightning, suddenly flew from a dark corner, shooting toward Tu Li Yang’s chest.