Facing the whisk that Li Chenglian smashed toward her, Fang Qingzhuo made no attempt to resist. She simply stood there quietly, watching as she was about to perish and be torn to pieces.
“Bang!”
Just at this moment, a black shadow suddenly shot out like lightning. The sword in his hand clashed fiercely with Li Chenglian’s whisk, saving Fang Qingzhuo.
Everyone looked closely. The one who had saved Fang Qingzhuo at the critical moment was actually the grand eunuch Gao Yin.
The weapons of two supreme experts instantly crossed in close combat.
“Boom!” The air trembled violently!
At this time, several grand inquisitors of the Dragon God Holy Temple immediately reacted. Dozens of temple cultivators also rushed forward swiftly, surrounding and protecting Zhi Li and the holy sacrificial priest En Lin.
Li Chenglian leaped up and roared hoarsely, “Protect His Highness, protect His Highness!”
Immediately, more than a dozen eunuchs led by Li Zhuo rushed out.
Li Chenglian shouted loudly, “Your Highness, flee quickly, flee quickly…”
Truly worthy of being the old servant who had raised Zhi Li since childhood. Even at this moment, Li Chenglian was still willing to sacrifice his own life to protect Zhi Li’s escape.
“Bang!”
A loud crash, and the palace doors were violently thrown open.
Then, countless imperial guard warriors and Shadow Pavilion warriors poured in, securing every corner!
The commander of the imperial guards, Hei Ningqi, strode into the great hall with the bearing of a dragon and tiger, roaring, “His Majesty has arrived!”
Then, Duke Zhi Ting pushed a wheelchair, slowly entering the Dragon Arrival Hall!
Seeing this withered old man in the wheelchair, everyone cried out in shock.
Wasn’t this His Majesty the King?
He, he actually hadn’t died. Not only had he not died, but his eyes were actually open, as if he still possessed consciousness.
They remained stunned for quite a while!
Suddenly, Prime Minister Yan Wuqi let out a miserable cry, clutched his heart, and collapsed to the side, falling unconscious.
The other civil and military officials, nobles and feudal lords trembled like sieves, shivering as they knelt down.
“Greetings, Your Majesty!”
…
This series of sudden changes came too fast!
From his wife Fang Qingzhuo exposing his demon blood, to Li Chenglian moving to kill Fang Qingzhuo, to Gao Yin stepping in to rescue her, and finally to the appearance of King Zhi Bian.
The total time from beginning to end did not exceed one minute!
Zhi Li truly did not know whether he should first look toward King Zhi Bian or toward his wife Fang Qingzhuo.
But in the end, he still looked toward Fang Qingzhuo, his voice trembling as he said, “Why? Although I had some violent outbursts toward you, I still loved only you. You were also my only queen. Why did you betray me?”
Fang Qingzhuo said, “Because you are no longer fit to be called human. Zhi Ning’s son is your own nephew, yet you actually did not hesitate to use his life to threaten Suolun. That madwoman Tu Lingduo went to harm the child time and again, and he is only one year old. Unable to defeat Suolun, you targeted a baby less than one year old. Worse than beasts.”
Zhi Li said, “A man who is not ruthless cannot accomplish great things. Suolun is the same.”
Fang Qingzhuo said, “No, he is different. Once he had the opportunity to kidnap your two daughters, but he did not. After rescuing Gui Qinshao, he returned the two children to me. Even when I brought the two children back, they were still sleeping soundly, not having woken up. Because when Suolun’s subordinates took our two daughters away, not only did they hold them in the most comfortable positions, but they also gently covered their ears, not waking them, fearing they might be frightened.”
“That was because Suolun had not yet been driven to desperation.” Zhi Li sneered coldly.
Fang Qingzhuo said, “That was because Suolun possesses humanity, unlike you who have already degenerated into a beast!”
Zhi Li made no further argument. He took a deep breath, still somewhat unable to believe as he looked at his wife.
She should be the most perfect woman in this world, gentle, kind, generous, tolerant.
Zhi Li had previously possessed countless mistresses, yet she never said a word, still tenderly caring for him, loving him, without the slightest trace of jealousy.
It was only when he attempted to commit adultery with Tu Lingduo and plot against Tu Liyang that he completely trampled upon Fang Qingzhuo’s bottom line. It was at that time that Fang Qingzhuo and Zhi Li separated.
But even at that time, Zhi Li still believed his wife loved him, that she absolutely would not betray him.
Zhi Li truly had not expected that this gentle and kind woman would deliver a fatal blow to him at the critical moment.
At this time, Fang Qingzhuo showed no guilt, nor any remorse. She simply looked at Zhi Li, her voice soft as she said, “The husband I loved has already died. You are no longer my husband. To protect my family, I am capable of doing anything.”
Zhi Li gazed at his wife for a long time.
He had always thought he understood her very well. Now it seemed his understanding of her was extremely shallow.
At this time, although Fang Qingzhuo had betrayed him and placed him in a fatal situation, Zhi Li actually could not summon much hatred in his heart.
Recently Zhi Li had already done every evil deed imaginable. So facing a wife of justice and kindness, he seemed somewhat unable to look her directly in the eye.
Then, he averted his gaze from Fang Qingzhuo and looked toward King Zhi Bian!
Facing this person, Zhi Li need feel no guilt whatsoever, completely free to conceal the hostility in his eyes.
That night, when Li Chenglian launched the signal flare of success in the palace, Zhi Li had still thought it strange in his heart. How could it have been so easy to succeed? Could Zhi Bian really be killed so easily?
Although Li Chenglian and most of the Shadow Pavilion experts were not present, the King’s security should not have been so negligent.
As expected, the person killed was merely the King’s body double.
When Li Chenglian led the assassins to appear, the Shadow Pavilion experts immediately sealed off the Purple Jade Palace. Then they transferred King Zhi Bian away through secret underground passages, placing the long-prepared body double upon the bed.
When Li Chenglian saw this body double, he was also somewhat puzzled. Although it had the King’s outline, there was indeed something unusual about it.
But by that time, tremendous sacrifices had already been made to assassinate the King. Just like a gambler who had already pushed out all his chips, he was naturally willing to imagine everything in the best possible light.
So at that time, Li Chenglian kept telling himself, this is the King, this is the King. Otherwise all the sacrifices would have been in vain. And when he lifted the double’s clothing and saw the five-star scar upon his chest, Li Chenglian’s heart settled, believing this must certainly be the King.
This was just like a drowning person, no matter what they grabbed, they believed that thing could save their life.
Furthermore, after Gao Yin rushed in, he immediately let out a heaven-shattering roar of anguish. Li Chenglian was even more willing to believe this was the real King.
However, in Li Chenglian’s heart, was it not also filled with unease?
So at this time, although Li Chenglian appeared shocked upon seeing King Zhi Bian, his heart was actually somewhat calm, as if he had long been mentally prepared for this scene.
…
All hope extinguished, all hope extinguished…
Zhi Li opened his mouth, but could not produce any sound. Then with difficulty and hoarseness he said, “Zhi Bian, since you did not die, why did you not reveal yourself to expose my crime of regicide? Instead you watched me ascend the throne. You clearly knew that once I truly ascended the throne, even if you were still alive, many things would be difficult to reverse.”
King Zhi Bian tried hard to open his eyes, tried hard to speak, but truly could not produce any sound. He was truly weakened to the extreme.
The grand eunuch Gao Yin said, “The reason is simple. Because Lord Suolun’s son is in your hands. And he is imprisoned in the Dragon God Holy Temple, which we are powerless to rescue. Once His Majesty appeared to expose you, in your deranged state you would choose mutual destruction, and then Little Lord would be in grave danger!”
Zhi Li said, “Then why have you suddenly appeared now?”
Gao Yin said, “Madam Fang Qingzhuo was about to perish. She has made such great sacrifices to save Little Lord. How could we watch her die at Li Chenglian’s hands without saving her? If Lord Suolun learned of this later, he would never forgive me.”
“Haha…” Zhi Li let out a strange laugh. “You truly are loyal and righteous!”
Gao Yin said, “We had not expected that Madam Fang Qingzhuo would step forward to expose you, and were thoroughly shaken by it. To rescue Little Lord, she was actually willing to sacrifice her own life and reputation, treating the position of queen as worthless grass.”
Having said this, Gao Yin knelt toward Fang Qingzhuo, saying, “This old servant thanks Madam for the grace of protecting Little Lord.”
Fang Qingzhuo had thought she was certain to die, never expecting to be saved by Gao Yin. She immediately hurried to rise, saying, “I dare not… I dare not receive such great courtesy from Lord Gao. Previously when you took away my two daughters, you immediately returned them, and could not even bear to wake them. I have kept this firmly in my heart. Moreover, the baby is also my family.”
Zhi Li could not stand seeing his wife like this. He suddenly let out a ferocious laugh, “Zhi Bian, previously you dared not appear because you were worried about Suolun’s son’s life. Then are you not worried about Suolun’s son now? You should know, that madwoman Tu Lingduo is in the secret chamber, holding Zhi Ning and her son hostage. If she learns what has happened in the palace, what will she do?”
At these words, Fang Qingzhuo’s delicate body trembled violently.
When she left the Zhi Capital Holy Temple, Tu Lingduo was not in the secret chamber.
And in Fang Qingzhuo’s view, how could Tu Lingduo possibly miss the glorious moment of Zhi Li’s coronation as king? She would certainly have disguised herself and hidden among the crowd to observe the ceremony.
Now Zhi Li said Tu Lingduo was actually in the Zhi Capital Holy Temple’s secret chamber, together with Zhi Ning and her son. How could this not make Fang Qingzhuo’s blood run cold?
Tu Lingduo was a madwoman, a venomous snake!
Her being in the secret chamber with Zhi Ning and her son, that feeling was like a venomous snake coiled around the baby at every moment?
And when news of the changes in the palace reached Tu Lingduo’s ears, what would she do?
This completely mad woman was capable of doing anything. The most bloody, the most cruel, things that completely trampled upon the bottom line of humanity, she could do them all!
Immediately, Fang Qingzhuo said to Gao Yin, “Quickly, quickly go to the Zhi Capital Holy Temple to rescue Zhi Ning and the baby. Any later and it will be too late!”
Gao Yin said, “Rest assured. Lord Suolun and Her Highness the Princess have already gone to the Zhi Capital Holy Temple to rescue Little Lord.”
“Hahaha…” Zhi Li laughed loudly. “What use is Zhi Yan going? She can’t even get through the door. Zhi Yan has already broken with the Dragon God Holy Temple. Even if Suolun has heaven-defying abilities, he cannot rescue his son. If he has the ability, let him forcefully break into the Dragon God Holy Temple! Hahaha…”
Then, Zhi Li let out an incomparably mournful, incomparably cruel laugh.
The civil and military officials throughout the great hall felt their blood run cold, their backs turn cold!
“Suolun, I have lost, I am finished!” Zhi Li laughed loudly. “But before I die, I can see your flesh and blood die a miserable death, can see you in unbearable agony. It is worth it, hahaha…”
…
Zhi Ning had said that for Zhi Yan’s interests, Gao Yin would certainly not inform Suolun that the baby’s life was under threat.
But the night before last, after Gao Yin obtained Zhi Ning’s blood-written letter, he immediately dispatched a griffin rider to deliver it to Suolun at the fastest speed.
Moreover, Gao Yin also attached intelligence that Zhi Li had assassinated the King, but the one who died was merely a body double.
Sent along with it was also a letter of confession from Gao Yin. Because Zhi Ning and her son were imprisoned in the Zhi Capital Holy Temple, Gao Yin was powerless to rescue them, and formally begged Suolun’s forgiveness.
Yesterday morning, not long after Suolun and Princess Zhi Yan personally went to offer condolences to Duke Tu Lingtuo, they received the secret letter sent by Gao Yin’s man.
Immediately, every hair on Suolun’s body stood on end, his mind about to explode!
First, he had never imagined that Zhi Li would actually go to assassinate the King.
Any person with a brain would not do such a near-certain death thing.
In Suolun’s view, Zhi Li’s only way out was to lead his trusted forces to flee to the Yan Empire and establish a government in exile, planning for a comeback.
And Zhi Ning and her son would certainly be taken by Zhi Li to the Yan Empire as his hostages. But there should not be any life-threatening danger.
He had never expected that Zhi Li would actually do such a mad thing as assassinating the King. Suolun could not understand it no matter how he thought about it.
The Zhi Li he knew was absolutely not such a mad, brainless person.
Very soon, Tu Lingchen came to pledge allegiance and kneel, revealing a heaven-shaking secret.
Zhi Li possessed demon blood!
Immediately, everything became clear!
Zhi Li assassinating the King and forcibly ascending the throne, although a near-certain death gamble, was also his only choice.
Then Suolun knew, Zhi Ning and her son were in danger!
If Zhi Li was calmly fleeing to the Yan Empire, then Zhi Ning and her son were not in great danger.
But if he went to assassinate the King and forcibly ascend the throne, that was completely walking on a tightrope, walking through a mountain of knives and a sea of fire, destruction at any moment.
At this time Zhi Li was mad. He would certainly treat Zhi Ning and her son as his only lifeline. To threaten Suolun, to threaten Gao Yin, he was capable of doing anything.
Once Gao Yin did something to stimulate Zhi Li’s sensitive nerves, or Duke Zhi Ting issued threatening remarks, then Zhi Li would use bloody methods against the baby, intimidating the two of them.
Instantly, Suolun truly felt his back turn cold, his scalp stand on end.
He immediately sent a flying kite message to Gao Yin and Zhi Ting, not to make any provocations toward Zhi Li!
If his son suffered any harm, then Suolun truly would not forgive himself!
The cunning Zhi Li had actually imprisoned Zhi Ning and her son in the Zhi Capital Holy Temple’s secret chamber. This cut off any possibility of rescue by force!
No matter who it was, forcefully breaking into the Dragon God Holy Temple had only one result, death without a burial place.
Immediately, Suolun and Zhi Yan cast aside all matters, riding a griffin toward the Yan Empire.
Currently, only two people could rescue Zhi Ning and her son. One was Huai Bingyi, the other was Ji Xiuning!
And Suolun and Zhi Yan chose Ji Xiuning!
Risking violation of the Yan Empire’s airspace, Suolun and Zhi Yan found Holy Maiden Ji Xiuning at the Yan Capital Holy Temple.
Ji Xiuning, the eldest princess of the Yan Empire.
Holy Maiden of the Dragon God Holy Temple, future Sky Sacrificial Priest.
The spiritual leader of the entire Dragon God Holy Temple thirty years from now!
One so supreme, upon hearing Suolun and Zhi Yan’s request, without a second word, immediately mounted a griffin and followed Suolun and the other to fly toward the Nu Lang Kingdom to save people!
Her benevolent heart and universal love were not the slightest bit false!
In her view, no matter how intense the political struggles of human kingdoms, she completely paid them no mind. But threatening a baby’s life, this completely trampled upon the bottom line of humanity. She absolutely would not sit idly by and ignore it, especially since the Dragon God Holy Temple had also played a very dishonourable role in this.
It was precisely because people like her existed that the Dragon God Holy Temple could still maintain its facade of light.
…
The griffins of Suolun, Zhi Yan, and Ji Xiuning had just entered the airspace of the Dragon God Holy Temple when they were immediately intercepted!
At the same time, dozens of incomparably powerful spiritual forces locked onto the three of them. Several griffin knights simultaneously ascended into the air.
Ji Xiuning raised high the token of the Sky Holy Temple, and emitted the unique spiritual signal of the Sky Holy Temple.
Instantly…
The griffin knights who had just ascended hurriedly descended. All spiritual forces locking onto the three of them vanished without a trace.
Then, led by Ji Xiuning, Suolun and the other three entered unimpeded into the depths of the Zhi Capital Holy Temple, landing before the high tower imprisoning Zhi Ning and her son.
“This is a forbidden area. No one may enter!” Four temple cultivators guarding the high tower stepped forward to intercept!
Ji Xiuning once again produced the token of the Sky Holy Temple!
Immediately, these four temple cultivators were shocked. It was actually the Holy Maiden from the Sky Holy Temple. Instantly they felt as if their souls were about to scatter.
But their fates were completely bound together with Zhi Li’s.
Although the Sky Holy Temple was supreme, it was too far, too far from them. What could decide the fate of these four cultivators were only the sacrificial priests and grand sacrificial priests.
So, these four temple cultivators gritted their teeth, refusing Ji Xiuning and the other three entry.
A county magistrate is not as good as the local official. These people were outrageously bold, even daring to block the Holy Maiden of the Sky Holy Temple!
This was just like a central investigation team going to some prefecture-level city. Everyone would be terrified at the news, none daring to block their edge. But some county joint defence team members would dare to step forward to block you, not letting you enter some place to investigate.
“Your Holiness, I need to first go report to the Grand Sacrificial Priest before I can give you a response,” said the leading temple cultivator. “Without Grand Sacrificial Priest Na Lu’s order, no one may enter!”
Grand Sacrificial Priest Na Lu, Zhi Li’s greatest hardcore supporter in the Dragon God Holy Temple.
Ji Xiuning’s breathtakingly beautiful, immortal-like face turned cold. Her beautiful eyes focused, and an incomparably powerful spiritual force burst forth.
Instantly, the four powerful temple cultivators silently flew backward, crashing to the ground, their fates unknown.
Then, Ji Xiuning, Zhi Yan, and Suolun rushed down the high tower’s steps at flying speed.
Like ghosts and lightning, the three suddenly appeared in the secret chamber imprisoning Zhi Ning and her son!
Immediately, Suolun witnessed a scene that made his eyes crack!
At this time Tu Lingduo was completely unaware of the three’s arrival. Waving a dagger in her hand, pinching the baby’s small mouth, she said, “Oh, you’ve grown so many little milk teeth. I’ll pull them all out and send them to your father Suolun as a gift, how about that?”