The next morning, a maidservant rushed in with an urgent report.
"Demon King, Demon King! That young man and that young lady, they're awake, they're awake!"
Hearing the commotion, I quickly got out of bed and hurried to their room, where a crowd had already gathered.
I had arranged for two beds in the room so they could see each other as soon as they opened their eyes.
I walked through the crowd to the front and saw Li Xingye and Yu Jiao, who had awakened.
"How do you feel?" I asked anxiously.
Li Xingye patted his head and quipped, "I'm not dead yet."
I laughed and teased him, "It seems Yu Jiao has worked her magic on you. The once indifferent and heartless Li Xingye can now make jokes."
He smiled slightly, a flush of embarrassment on his face.
"Yu Jiao, how do you feel?" I asked her.
Yu Jiao smiled faintly and waved her arms, saying, "Just superficial wounds, nothing serious."
Li Xingye looked at the crowd of Black Mountain people and said with shame, "I have already caused the deaths of so many Black Mountain people, and now I am saved by you. I am truly sorry, I am not even human."
He suddenly stood up and apologized with his head bowed.
Hei Feng stepped forward to comfort him. "We know you didn't mean to do this. We are happy to see you have reformed. May I hug you?"
Li Xingye smiled foolishly, a little unsure, but nodded slightly.
Hei Feng didn't hesitate, walked to the bed, and gave him a big hug, as if letting go of the past.
They had once served different masters, but now, having escaped death and reformed, they could face their fallen brothers.
Liu Shinian also praised him, "Your martial arts are superb, you can fight a hundred with one. It would be so beneficial to learn a few moves from you."
Li Xingye smiled slightly, unsure how to respond.
Yu Jiao stepped in to smooth things over. "It's rare that you are willing to forgive him. Xingye is naturally pure and was led astray, which is why he committed so many sins. I thank you all on his behalf."
As she spoke, she got out of bed and was about to kowtow to everyone.
I quickly stopped her, "Let the past be the past. From now on, you will no longer be controlled by anyone. Live your lives happily."
Yu Jiao nodded, a tear falling, a tear that was long overdue.
Speaking of which, I couldn't help but thank them. "Yu Jiao, you have saved my life multiple times, and I have no way to repay you. Now you and Xingye have risked your lives to save mine. I thank you here."
As I spoke, I knelt down and kowtowed to them. Those behind me also prepared to kneel.
Yu Jiao was extremely moved. She quickly got out of bed, helped me up, and said to everyone, "Get up, everyone. What is this? Get up."
Li Xingye also advised, "If my life can truly be exchanged for the Demon King's life, then so be it."
Lin'er was grateful to them both. "Thank you both for your strong support in saving the Demon King. May I ask what your plans are from now on?"
Li Xingye spoke first. "I have killed too many people and done too many things in my life. I do not wish to participate in any more battles. I only wish to retire to the mountains with Yu Jiao and live out the rest of my days."
Yu Jiao added, "Xingye and I have discussed it. We will live in seclusion in the mountains and no longer concern ourselves with worldly affairs, nor will we be used by anyone."
I knew that as long as Yu Jiao was by his side, Li Xingye would surely do well and not bring chaos to the world.
Yu Jiao looked out at the bright sunshine under the clear blue sky. It was a perfect day for travel. She said, "Since Xingye and I are fine now, we will not trouble you any further."
With that, she got up and helped Xingye up.
"Your injuries are not fully healed yet. Please stay until tomorrow," I advised.
Yu Jiao, however, was resolute. "The place we are going is still very far from here, so we must leave early. When we arrive, we will see the newly bloomed peach blossoms."
"Then I will send someone to escort you."
"No need."
With that, she took Xingye and walked towards the door.
Seeing her determination, I did not try to dissuade her further.
Before they parted, Yue Jiuceng volunteered, "May I hug you too?"
Yu Jiao smiled, "Of course."
He stepped forward and hugged Li Xingye goodbye. Liu Mei also spontaneously stepped forward to hug Yu Jiao, followed by Liu Shinian hugging Li Xingye, and Bi Yao hugging Yu Jiao.
Everyone present stepped forward to hug them.
Li Xingye was deeply moved by this genuine affection, regretting only that he hadn't met them sooner. Yu Jiao was also moved to tears.
After the embraces, she took the withered peach blossom from her hair, blew on it, and the peach blossom immediately came back to life.
In the breeze, a large number of blossoms scattered, falling to the ground and gathering at their feet, forming a large, circular peach blossom platform.
"Goodbye!" Yu Jiao waved.
"Goodbye!" We waved goodbye to them. At that moment, a gentle breeze blew, and the peach blossoms lifted them, carrying them into the distance.
Yu Jiao, who had waited for a thousand years, finally had the chance to spend her life with the one she loved. I sincerely wished them well.
Yu Jiao and Li Xingye's experience also provided a great revelation for Yue Jiuceng.
The world was no longer the carefree and leisurely place it once was. It was now a time when chivalrous individuals had to make choices. As true men, they should know what to do and what not to do.
...
After leaving Nanhai City, Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang successfully arrived at the Yaolu Mountain Range, which stretched for thousands of miles from west to east.
Regarding Qu Tongzi, whom the letter mentioned, he would tie a bright red flag with the character "Qu" on it to the mountaintop whenever he entered the mountain. At such times, gatekeepers would descend the mountain to greet them.
They had made all the necessary preparations on their journey. The two of them rode their horses to a high point, took out the flag, raised it, and began to wave it.
Afterward, they waited there for a long time, and finally, before nightfall, they heard a call.
"Since Mr. Qu introduced you, please follow me."
Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang turned their heads simultaneously and saw two children, about half a meter tall, each holding a lantern and wearing thick cotton clothes. Their hair was tied up in two small buns, making them look incredibly cute.
Xue Gucheng smiled slightly and bowed, "Thank you for your trouble."
Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang followed the two children forward. Xue Gucheng remembered that they had been on the mountain when they arrived, but now it was as if a smooth path had suddenly appeared, extending into the distance.
After walking for a long time, they saw a grand mansion adorned with large red lanterns. On the black plaque above the mansion's gate, several large characters were written in cinnabar: "Taiping Palace."
The young attendants stepped forward, gently knocked on the door, and called out in a childlike voice, "The guests have arrived, please open the door."
Immediately, the large gate opened, and Yan Wushuang and Xue Gucheng followed the attendants inside. They saw a person sitting majestically in the main hall directly in front of them.
He was dressed in a deep black robe and was engrossed in reading a book of unknown origin.
It wasn't until the attendants called out, "Master, the guests have arrived," that he slowly put down his book and stood up to greet them. "You two have traveled a long way. You must be tired. Please be seated. Tongtong, go and bring the guests a pot of hot tea."
"Yes."
After the attendants left, Yan Wushuang took out the letter written by Qu Tongzi to Zhong Dang and handed it to him, saying, "This is a letter from Mr. Qu to you. Mr. Qu said that once you read it, you will understand."
Zhong Dang took the letter, opened it, and read:
"Brother Zhong Dang, it has been a long time since we last met. Since you went into seclusion in Yaolu Mountain, we haven't had a chance to discuss poetry and music together. I've been to your place several times, and I had to wave a big red flag for your two clever little ones to come out and greet me.
Originally, there was no need to write to you, but the situation in the world has changed drastically. I'm sure you've heard about it.
Now, the Ten Thousand Demon King's army is pressing in, and the fall of the four cities is only a matter of time.
The Ten Thousand Demon King is benevolent and protective of the city dwellers, and her subordinates are the same. I used to resent and hate them, but now I have been influenced by this warmth and have changed my mind.
The Ten Thousand Demon King is now attacking the Western Purple Kingdom, and I hope to get your help. The era of the four cities is over. For the sake of the people of the world to escape the war as soon as possible, I hope you can lend a hand to the Ten Thousand Demon King."
After Zhong Dang finished reading the letter, his expression remained unchanged. He simply asked them, "May I know your names?"
Yan Wushuang introduced himself, "My name is Yan Wushuang, and this is Xue Gucheng."
Zhong Dang then recalled, "Oh, there's a rumor of a divine couple called the 'Snow Blade Twin Monsters.' I assume it must be you two."
"Those are just the names people call us. I didn't expect you, who live in seclusion in the mountains, to know so much about the outside world."
Zhong Dang laughed heartily and was about to ask more questions when he heard a grandmotherly voice say, "The tea is here."
Then, they saw the young attendant carrying three cups of tea steadily into the room.
Zhong Dang laughed heartily, personally bent down to receive them, and distributed them to Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang. He said, "This is wild tea that I grow myself. It has a faint floral fragrance."
Hearing this, Xue Gucheng slowly took a sip and then praised, "Indeed, it has a floral fragrance. It is a superior tea."
"I can see that Young Master Xue is also a connoisseur of tea. It's getting late tonight, so you two should rest first. We can talk about anything else tomorrow."
Xue Gucheng had no choice but to agree, "That would be fine."
"Tongtong, take the guests to their resting place."
"Yes, please follow me."
Yan Wushuang and Xue Gucheng had no choice but to follow the attendants to their quarters. After they left, Zhong Dang picked up the letter from Qu Tongzi again and reread it carefully.
At this moment, another attendant stumbled in and whispered to him, "Master, can I sleep with you tonight?"
Zhong Dang put down the letter again, picked him up, and gently patted his buttocks. "Are you scared alone again?"
The child nodded.
Zhong Dang then asked him, "Those two guests today are here to invite me out of seclusion. What do you think, should I go?"
The child asked doubtfully, "Why are they inviting you out?"
"They want me to lead their army."
"Go if it benefits all beings, and don't go if it harms them."
Hearing the child's words, it was like a divine enlightenment. If even a child understood this principle, how could he not?
Qu Tongzi was not a blind or ignorant person. He must have seen that things were developing for the better, which is why he decided to write a letter for the Ten Thousand Demon King.
He himself had also heard some rumors about the Ten Thousand Demon King. Everyone said she was benevolent and kind, never killing innocent people, and treated city dwellers and soldiers like her friends and family. It was rare to find such a ruler in the world. If she were to become the supreme leader, perhaps many of the world's problems could be solved.
After clarifying his thoughts, he picked up the child and walked outside. "Let's go, time for bed."
The next morning, he prepared a sumptuous breakfast. After Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang had breakfast with him, he dismissed the servants.
Then he asked Xue Gucheng, "What business does your Demon King have with me?"
Xue Gucheng then stated the purpose of their visit. "To be honest, sir, the Demon King wants to lead us to attack the Western Purple Kingdom, but the Western Purple Kingdom is a long way off. To avoid unnecessary deaths, it has been decided that you will lead the main force to the Western Purple Kingdom under the guise of fleeing."
Seeing that Xue Gucheng was completely open with him and revealed everything, Zhong Dang knew that the Ten Thousand Demon King trusted him.
Since it was for the sake of all living beings and to end the war sooner, he had no choice but to help the Ten Thousand Demon King.
"Alright, I promise you, but..."
"But what?" Yan Wushuang asked, a little anxious, fearing he might go back on his word.
"But I cannot return to Nanhai City with you. If I did, your secret plan would be completely exposed."
"Then what are your plans, sir?"
"In three days, I will summon a large number of civilians under the pretext of transporting my property. At that time, I will also enlist the help of a few wealthy merchants to cover for you. You can go back and tell the Ten Thousand Demon King to be prepared."
Yan Wushuang was still a little worried. "We have no proof, and if the Demon King blames us, it will be difficult to explain. Please write a letter for us to take back to Nanhai City."
Zhong Dang thought about it and agreed. He then asked someone to fetch paper and pen and wrote down his plan, handing it over to Yan Wushuang. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Yan Wushuang accepted the letter and cupped his hands in thanks. "Sir, your benevolence is unparalleled. I thank you on behalf of the Demon King."
With that, he bowed to him.
Zhong Dang nodded with satisfaction. "You are of the righteous path, yet you remain loyal to the Ten Thousand Demon King. This shows that she is indeed the benevolent ruler she is rumored to be. You two may descend the mountain with my two young attendants."
"Thank you, sir," Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang said in unison.
Then, they left without looking back and followed the attendants down the mountain. Once on the main road, they mounted their swift horses and hurried back to Nanhai City.
Meanwhile, in Nanhai City, someone had been thinking for a long time and had finally made a decision.
Yue Jiuceng said to Liu Mei, "Liu Mei, I want to join the Black Mountain."
Liu Mei was not too surprised. Instead, she said, "I have been waiting for you to say that. Mu Ye is righteous and loyal. I believe that under her leadership, all the common people will usher in a better future."
Yue Jiuceng was overjoyed. He hadn't expected Liu Mei to be waiting for him to say that.
Liu Mei thought for a moment and said, "Now is a time when people are needed. I know you have two friends named Shui Fang and Ying Lu. Call them over too."
He hadn't expected Liu Mei to be so thoughtful.
Yue Jiuceng laughed heartily, "I don't think they will necessarily come."
"I heard that they are also good friends with Mu Ye, so they will definitely come. Write them a letter and tell them."
Yue Jiuceng couldn't refuse her and said, "Alright, I'll try. If they don't come, don't blame me."
"No blame, no blame."
With that, Liu Mei eagerly got him paper and pen to write the letter.
Yue Jiuceng had no choice but to write a personal letter in front of her, then folded it into a paper crane and murmured, "Go find Shui Fang and Ying Lu."
The paper crane received the command and began to flutter unsteadily, flying out the window.