The night was deathly silent. The personal guard behind Hua Wenbo couldn't help but speak, "Master, you've truly set a deadline for the young master."
Hua Wenbo abruptly turned around and commanded in a cold, stern voice, "Go receive thirty strokes of the cane."
"Yes, Master," the guard retreated in fear. He had been too meddlesome. His master had always disliked others prying into his affairs.
"Wuqing, if you are my child, kill him. In the future, we will share all the glory and wealth." In the darkness, Hua Wenbo stared grimly at the sky.
In Wangyue Tower, a world-shattering scream erupted, echoing through the heavens and lingering within the small building.
In the room, Xiao Yu'er pointed at Qingyao's face with a furious expression, "Mother, your face!"
Qingyao unconsciously reached up to touch the side of her cheek. She knew what a horrific sight she must be. Blood-red spots covered her formerly snow-white, tender skin, completely ruining her originally stunning face and making her appear hideous.
It would be a lie to say she wasn't upset. Women are naturally vain, and no one is an exception. But what had happened could not be changed, so she could only force herself to calm down.
She pulled at her lips to force a smile. Her usual graceful movements, paired with her unsightly face, rendered her beauty nonexistent. However, her innate pride and composure remained completely intact. Without her heavenly beauty, other qualities were even more prominent, such as her brilliant mind and her noble demeanor, all magnified.
"Have I become ugly? Hua Wenbo gave me the Ugly Face Poison."
"Ugly Face Poison," Mo Chou and Xiao Yu'er echoed. Both their faces were ashen. They hadn't expected that man would ultimately harm their mistress. Although he hadn't harmed her life, the suffering she was enduring now was no less merciful than being killed.
"Mistress, what can we do?" Mo Chou asked worriedly. Her gaze couldn't help but shift to Yin Xuan beside them. Compared to their mistress's disfigured face, Yin Xuan's allure was even more pronounced. She wondered what the Emperor would think. Seeing his expression unchanged, a deep darkness flickered in his dark, unfathomable eyes, without the slightest unusual movement.
This reassured Mo Chou greatly. At least the Emperor did not directly show any signs of disgust, otherwise, it would have been another blow to their mistress.
Their mistress had suffered greatly recently. The thought of it made Mo Chou's heart ache. Who knew that Wuqing harbored such a shocking secret behind him, and that this had also caused their mistress to suffer.
Wuqing's importance to their mistress was no less than a rebirth. Their mistress was his teacher, friend, and lover. The affection in her heart was likely heavier than Mount Tai, far transcending romantic love.
Their mistress had always been a person who reciprocated kindness. Even though she had been harmed, she had never blamed Wuqing in her heart.
Only in this way would she be the one who got hurt. If it were someone who had never been good to her, they couldn't harm her. Instead, it was this person who was too good to her, yet constantly embroiled in trouble, that was the most hurtful.
"Why are you here?" Qingyao turned to look at Yin Xuan. She had already guessed who Yin Xuan was. The two people she thought she would never see again had strangely met again, and he had met her once more. What kind of fate was this between them?
Yin Xuan did not conceal anything. He had never intended to hide anything from her. It was only because this identity was convenient, and she did not wish to see the original him, that he had transformed into Yin Xuan.
"I have prepared everything and am ready to go to war. I wanted to see how you and Xiao Yu'er were doing before the war began, and I didn't expect something like this to happen."
Qingyao listened to his words and remained silent. The entire room fell into silence. Xiao Yu'er stood to the side, wanting to say something, but Mo Chou pulled her out, leaving the space for the Emperor and their mistress.
"How do you plan to fight the first battle? Towards which country will you extend your hand?" Qingyao asked unhurriedly, raising her eyes to look at Yin Xuan. He was also looking at her, his dark eyes filled with concern, seeming to pity her misfortune. There was no hint of ulterior motives in his eyes, and he did not look down on her because of the peculiar red patches on her face.
"We will attack Yueyang Country. It is located to the north of Xianyue." Yin Xuan said in a low voice. Qingyao's eyes flickered as she considered the geographical location of Yueyang Country. Having been traveling outside recently, she was fully aware of the current situation and the geographical positions of various countries. Therefore, as soon as Yin Xuan spoke, she calculated for a moment and shook her head indifferently.
"It's not advisable. To the northwest of Yueyang Country lies another powerful nation, Wano Country. Shangguan Hao is still the Crown Prince, and he is a disciple of Elder Chi Xia of Tianshan, just like you. He possesses great strategic wisdom. If you attack the small Yueyang Country, he will use it as an excuse to rally other countries to attack you, and he will also take the opportunity to gain a share of the spoils. Your move would undoubtedly be paving the way for others."
Qingyao calmly analyzed the pros and cons. Yin Xuan's face darkened. He had considered all of this, but without engaging Yueyang Country, there was no way to break through this stalemate. The seven countries would forever remain in their current state.
Ever since he had heard from his master that he had a fated tribulation, he had only wanted to complete everything as soon as possible so that the Southern An King could unify the throne. Because his father had placed great hopes on him before his death, only by unifying the seven countries, even if he truly could not escape the tribulation, would he have the face to see his father.
"I've thought about it, but I can't find a breakthrough." The difficulty was not in fighting, but in finding a breakthrough. Yin Xuan's face was covered in a layer of frost. For many years, he had sent people to infiltrate the seven countries, just to find a reason to start a war. However, all seven countries were highly vigilant, and none of them were willing to make the first move.
"If you help me with one thing, I will help you find a breakthrough and assist you in unifying the seven countries." Qingyao said lightly, her tone casual, with an unintentional display of pride.
Yin Xuan looked at her, not doubting her ability at all. His master had told him that she was not the original her, but a wandering soul from another world. What attracted him was precisely her from another world. He really wanted to ask her what her original name was, but he was afraid of startling her, so he held back.
However, her saying she would help him fulfill his dream of unifying the seven kingdoms surprised him greatly. Why?
"Qingyao, you don't need to do this. I saved you willingly, not for your repayment."
"I know," Qingyao said softly. She believed him because he was not the kind of person who would say insincere words for his dream, nor would he do insincere things for his dream. Everything was his willingness. It was precisely because of his willingness that she would offer her help.
And her help came with conditions. It could be said to be a cooperation. She would use her intellect, and he would provide the military might. Afterwards, they would divide the world equally, each gaining what they desired.
"I have conditions."
After Qingyao finished speaking, Yin Xuan looked at her earnestly, knowing she trusted him. He was very happy and relieved, and slowly said, "Tell me."
"First, help me speak to Empress Danfeng and obtain the antidote for the Blood Toxin. I don't want Wuqing to die. Second, I have established an organization called Fengchen Palace. After the unification of the world, Fengchen Palace will become the largest sect in Xianyue, and the court shall not interfere with anything they do. However, I guarantee they will not do anything that harms heaven and reason."
Yin Xuan listened to Qingyao's words, his dark, deep eyes unfathomable, emitting a shimmering light. A smile of relief appeared on his face.
Originally, he had been worried that if his fated tribulation truly came and he could not escape it, what would happen to her and their daughter?
Isn't it better now? With Fengchen Palace protecting her, she could ensure her lifelong glory and wealth. What could he not agree to? Although his master had said that she could resolve his tribulation, there were no absolutes in the world. Therefore, everything should proceed naturally.
"Alright, I promise you." Yin Xuan nodded forcefully. In fact, he had always known that if she truly wanted to strengthen Fengchen Palace, she could have obtained the antidote without his help. But she wanted to help him because she was always someone who repaid kindness, and if someone was good to her, she would be good to them. He had always known this.