"It's rare that you also recognize the Ten Thousand Demon King as a man of deep sin," Hua Yue said, shaking her head as she analyzed it with him.
"Sir, you are learned and talented, and you must know the plight of the Four Cities. For thousands of years, the Four Cities and the Merfolk have been in a state of opposition.
Coupled with their hatred for the Ghost Clan, they have two more great enemies. Although much of the land on the continent has been incorporated into the Four Cities, it is only the tip of the iceberg.
The borderlands and more distant regions are still held by numerous mountain gods, each of whom carves out large territories under the Four Cities.
She paused and continued.
"Even without these, the Four Cities are extremely lax internally. People only pursue pleasure and live carefree lives, with no one training armies or controlling generals.
War is inevitable. Even if it's not the Demon King attacking, if it were someone else, the Four Cities would still be defeated, abandon their cities, and flee."
Hua Yue exposed all the threats and weaknesses of the Four Cities, laying them bare before him.
Qu Tongzi pondered for a moment and felt that she was indeed right, but he did not agree out of pride.
Hua Yue smiled slightly and then said,
"I know you are a man of great righteousness. Now that Dongyue Town has been breached, you must hate us. You can hate us, but please remember to eat."
With that, Hua Yue left without looking back. The disgust and hatred that had filled his heart were dispelled by more than half by her words. He shook his head helplessly and smiled as he swept the food on the table into his mouth.
At this moment, a strong wind blew from afar, lifting the fallen leaves in front of his door and sending them drifting into the air, finally landing in the hand of a person in red.
Liu Xiang smiled faintly as he looked at the withered leaf in his hand. He still preferred to stand on high buildings and overlook all beings, with the loyal Jin Yulan still by his side.
"It seems their next target is Xizi Kingdom," Jin Yulan had already guessed.
Liu Xiang smiled faintly, unconcerned, and simply said,
"It's been a long time, and I think Liu Muye's strength must have improved. I need to find an opportunity to meet her."
Jin Yulan was a little confused but still asked, "Does Your Excellency intend to act personally?"
"When the time comes, I will act. Xingye has been gone for so long without returning; it's time to find something for him to do."
This time, he did not convey his meaning through written characters as he had before, but instead instructed Jin Yulan.
"Go and tell him to find an opportunity to strike at Liu Muye. This time, no matter what means are used, bring back Liu Muye's head."
Jin Yulan's heart was startled. Although he had been given such instructions before, Liu Xiang had not harbored killing intent. Why did he now have it?
Seeing his long silence, Liu Xiang felt a hint of suspicion and asked, "What are you thinking?"
Jin Yulan finally came back to his senses and calmly replied, "I'll go and do it now."
With that, he turned and vanished. When he reappeared, he was on the official road not far from Dongyue Town, where a beautiful carriage adorned with bells was parked.
Beside the carriage stood an old coachman in gray clothes.
"Young Master, you've arrived," he said respectfully upon seeing Jin Yulan.
"Get on the carriage, and let's go find Li Xingye."
"Yes."
After getting into the carriage, he was still wondering why Liu Xiang was so eager to kill Liu Muye. He muttered to himself.
"If Muye dies, then the large number of people behind her will be leaderless. From then on, no one will be able to restrain them, and they will become kings of their own domains, leading to widespread chaos and countless deaths."
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but worry. Liu Xiang had been kind to him, and he would never betray him.
However, Liu Muye could not die now, but someone had to step forward and make a choice.
After much deliberation, he decided to tell Li Xingye about this matter and let him make the choice.
He knew that as Liu Xiang's retainer, he owed him a great debt, and only death could repay it. Since he would die sooner or later, they might as well do something meaningful.
At the same time, in the mountains and fields on the border of Xizi Kingdom, large patches of colorful wildflowers bloomed. Yu Jiao was picking flowers among them, smiling sweetly like the flowers.
Li Xingye stood under a tree, his arms crossed, leaning against the trunk, unlike his usual self.
Now, his smile was bright, just like when he first met Yu Jiao.
Just then, a "ding-dong" sound was heard from the sky.
Then, a carriage was seen flying from mid-air, landing steadily in front of Li Xingye.
Yu Jiao heard the sound and turned to see that someone had arrived.
Li Xingye knew it was Jin Yulan, so he said to Yu Jiao, who was standing stunned in the flower patch,
"An old friend has come to see me. Don't worry, continue picking flowers. I'll come to see how you're doing later."
Hearing Li Xingye say this, she put her mind at ease and happily replied,
"Okay, I'll pick the best flowers."
With that, she plunged into the grass to find the most beautiful and vibrant flowers.
At this moment, Jin Yulan slowly got out of the carriage. He followed Li Xingye's gaze and saw a pink silhouette darting through the flowers.
He then said,
"The world says the Drought Demoness is a harbinger of disaster, but she looks more like a lucky star. You, my boy, are quite fortunate and truly enviable."
Li Xingye, for the first time, seriously addressed him, "Are you here because you have a new mission?"
Seeing his change in attitude and no longer being so cold, Jin Yulan felt a pang of reluctance.
"Yes, there is something. Let's talk over here."
With that, he walked to the side, and Li Xingye followed him.
Jin Yulan stopped a short distance away and said to him, "Your Excellency wants you to take Liu Muye's head this time, no matter what."
Li Xingye looked a little troubled and couldn't help but frown.
Jin Yulan continued,
"I know it's not difficult for you to accomplish this, but I also have some thoughts I'd like to share with you.
Liu Muye is now the leader of the Three Alliances. Once she dies, her painstakingly established alliances will fall apart, and they will become independent kingdoms, leading to chaos and bloodshed in the world."
Li Xingye nodded in agreement and then asked, "What do you want me to do?"
Jin Yulan sighed heavily and said,
"You know that Your Excellency has been kind to us. Only death can repay his kindness. You know better than I do what needs to be done."
After speaking, he patted his shoulder heavily a few times and turned to leave, getting into the carriage and driving away.
When Yu Jiao saw the person leave, she rushed over and asked, "What did he say to you?"
Li Xingye smiled slightly and said, "Nothing, he just came to catch up."
"Really?" Yu Jiao clearly didn't believe him.
"Really. How are your flowers coming along? Let me see." He quickly changed the subject.
Yu Jiao handed over the bouquet of flowers and said happily, "I put in twelve points of effort. See how they are."
Li Xingye took the bouquet and examined it carefully, praising, "Not bad, they're beautiful."
"Right."
Then, Yu Jiao pulled Li Xingye into the flower patch to pick the most beautiful and vibrant flowers together.
As night fell, the entire world was shrouded in darkness, with only a few places illuminated, like luminous pearls.
Among these was Dongyue Town, located east of Nanhai City.
Qu Tongzi tossed and turned, unable to sleep. He recalled what Hua Yue had said during the day and gazed out the window, contemplating quietly.
Hua Yue was right. Even without the disturbance of the Ten Thousand Demon King, others would rebel.
After the great war ten thousand years ago, the various tribes dispersed and ruled themselves.
After a long period of suppression, the situation of the Four Cities was finally formed, but it also created hidden dangers.
Then he thought of himself:
Since Dongyue Town had now been breached, and as a musician, he could do nothing, he could only hope that the Ten Thousand Demon King was a wise ruler who could lead everyone to a brighter future.
With these thoughts, he felt relieved and let out a long sigh. At this moment, the familiar sound of a zither could be heard outside, but this time it was a cheerful and joyous melody.
He listened quietly and slowly fell asleep to the sound of the music.
The next morning, someone knocked on his door again.
Opening the door, he saw a strange maidservant. The maidservant said, "Sir, Miss Hua Yue invites you to the front courtyard."
"Alright, lead the way."
"Yes."
With that, the maidservant led him through the corridor, past the garden, and into the front courtyard, where Hua Yue was waiting.
The maidservant called out to Hua Yue, "Miss, Mr. Qu has arrived."
"You're looking for me?" Qu Tongzi asked, confused.
"I saw your light on all night yesterday. I wanted to ask if you slept well."
Qu Tongzi smiled foolishly and replied, "Hahaha, I slept quite well."
"That's good. I wonder if you have time to accompany me for a walk outside."
Qu Tongzi couldn't believe it and asked, "Can I walk around freely?"
Hua Yue smiled slightly and nodded, "You can walk around freely."
"Then I'll accompany you, Miss."
The two of them walked out of the palace and onto the street, where they saw Dao Lang, Fei Xiong, and Chi Li, who had won two consecutive matches on the arena, each leading a team and running forward.
"Where are they going?" Qu Tongzi was very confused.
Hua Yue explained, "The two lords are taking the soldiers from the dungeon out for some exercise outside the city."
Qu Tongzi was even more incredulous, "They can go out too?"
"Everyone can go out."
Looking at the street, many people had already returned to Dongyue Town and set up their stalls again.
At this moment, a passerby walked past them, and a wildflower he was wearing on his head fell off. Qu Tongzi reached out and caught it.
After twirling it in his hand, the petals seemed to come back to life and turned into a blooming peach blossom hairpin.
"For you," he casually gave the hairpin to Hua Yue. Hua Yue was a little surprised and felt a warmth in her heart.
"Thank you, Sir."
She took the hairpin and pinned it to her hair, asking Qu Tongzi with a happy expression, "Sir, what do you think?"
Her head swayed back and forth in front of him, and the hairpin also swayed precariously.
"It looks beautiful."
At this moment, Hua Yue rolled up her sleeves and took off the silver bracelet she was wearing, giving it to Qu Tongzi.
"This is the only thing I can offer. I give it to you, Sir."
Qu Tongzi shook his head and refused, "No need to give it to me."
Hua Yue insisted, "If you don't accept it, then I can only refuse the hairpin you gave me."
Qu Tongzi had no choice but to accept it, and Hua Yue personally put it on his hand.
Suddenly, a long spear was thrust from behind. Hua Yue shouted, "Be careful!" and pushed Qu Tongzi away, then turned and kicked, sending the spear shaft flying.
At this moment, a horse neighed, and a man in a brown robe fell from his horse and flew towards Hua Yue, kicking at her.
Qu Tongzi hurriedly shouted, "Be careful!"
Hua Yue, however, was not flustered. She dodged sideways and then engaged the man. After exchanging more than ten blows with fists and feet, the fight ended with elegant applause.
"Not bad, not bad, great progress."
They both turned their heads and saw that the newcomer was indeed Thirteen Niang. Qu Tongzi was a little bewildered, not expecting Hua Yue to be so skilled not only in music but also in martial arts.
"Sister Thirteen," the man in brown said.
"Xiaoyue, your martial arts have improved a lot in just a few days."
"I met some wandering knights and learned a few moves from them."
"Good, good."
She looked up and saw Qu Tongzi standing foolishly in front of them, looking confused.
So she asked Hua Yue, "Hua Yue, look, the gentleman you brought is scared."
Hua Yue laughed and said, "Xiaoyue's arrival was sudden, and I didn't have time to explain to him."
Saying that, she ran over and pulled Qu Tongzi to introduce him.
"Sir, let me introduce you. This is Hua Xiaoyue, my brother. Sister Thirteen, you know her, so I won't introduce her further."
Qu Tongzi finally breathed a sigh of relief and complained, "You siblings are really special, fighting as soon as you meet."
"We used to fight often, but it's much better now."
Seeing Hua Yue's proud expression, Qu Tongzi found the girl both innocent and amusing.
Thirteen Niang asked, "Sir, where are you and Hua Yue going?"
"Oh, it's too stuffy in the palace, so Hua Yue invited me to go for a walk outside the city."
"Then you go ahead. Come back early."
"Okay."
Xiaoyue was not satisfied and interjected, "Let me go too."
"You stay here, and come back with me." Saying that, Thirteen Niang grabbed him by the hand and led him back to the palace.
Qu Tongzi finally felt at ease.
The two of them walked leisurely out of Dongyue Town and came to the riverbank outside the town.
Qu Tongzi thought for a moment and then shared his thoughts with her.
"You're right. The Four Cities will inevitably fall into war. Now that the Ten Thousand Demon King has entered the Four Cities, it is fortunate for the common people.
I have never heard of her killing anyone indiscriminately, and she even treats defeated soldiers with kindness, as if they were her own family."
"The Demon King is indeed a rare democrat. Without her, our Ghost Clan would have long been killed by the Four Cities and completely disappeared from this world. She has given our Ghost Clan hope."
Qu Tongzi knew that the Four Cities detested the Ghost Clan and had always treated them as enemies. Before the Four Cities fell, they had sent a large number of soldiers to attack Black Mountain, attempting to kill them.
It seemed that they were driven to desperation, which led to the idea of destroying the Four Cities. Thinking about it this way, the Four Cities truly brought their misfortune upon themselves, but it was a pity for the displaced civilians.
"If one day, a reckoning must be made between us, will you stand with the Four Cities, or with us in Black Mountain?" Hua Yue asked abruptly.
Qu Tongzi was slightly stunned. This was a question he had never considered. He shook his head and said, "I will stand with neither."
Hua Yue then asked another question, "Do you think this war should continue, or is it better as it is?"
Qu Tongzi was momentarily at a loss, but he knew that once a battle began, it would continue until a conclusion was reached.