For a time, he chased him, and he chased him, playing a game of cat and mouse.
Finally, the person in front seemed to have made up his mind. He suddenly stopped, waved his subordinates back, and stood under a large tree, waiting for Shangguan Lin.
The night was dark, like spilled ink, too thick to see clearly, but for those trained in martial arts, their eyesight was keener than ordinary people. Thus, Shangguan Lin, pursuing the person ahead, saw him at a glance.
The man was dressed in white, strikingly conspicuous in the dark night, with ink-black hair falling to his shoulders. His tall, slender figure stood between heaven and earth like a revered master, and even the towering mountain peaks could not suppress the dominance radiating from him.
He slowly turned his face, revealing a mask with a striking, individualistic design. His face was sculpted and sharp, his pupils as bright as brilliant gemstones, his lips sensuous and alluring, and his chin defiantly shaped.
This man was Murong Chong, the legendary Murong Chong, who was as elusive as a dragon without a tail, the Palace Master of Shenlong Palace. Could he have been the one helping him all along? No, how could that be?
Shangguan Lin intuitively shook his head. His gaze was so familiar, carrying a hint of indulgence as he looked at himself, as if someone long, long ago had looked at him this way. That person was Yao, but who was this? Shangguan Lin felt his surging emotions becoming uncontrollable. He felt as if he could barely breathe, his whole body trembling, a chill running through him. Only by firmly grasping a nearby branch could he steady himself. He spoke with all his might.
"Yao, is that really you? I can't believe it, I can't believe it! Why are you here?"
Shangguan Lin's body could no longer be controlled, and he slowly slid down the tree trunk. His heart was like ten thousand ants gnawing at him, causing unbearable pain.
If this was his Yao, then how much suffering had he endured? How had he survived? Why hadn't he come to find him?
The tall, white figure in the distance let out a soft sigh, like a delicate hand brushing against willow branches, like the east wind scattering light willow catkins. "Lin, are you alright?"
This time, Shangguan Lin could no longer hold back. Tears welled up from his eyes. It turned out that the Palace Master of Shenlong Palace, the Shenlong Palace that specialized in dealing with the imperial family, was because he was Yao, he was the crown prince.
The throne was originally his, left to him by their father, the Emperor. But now he had become a rogue leader in the martial world, while a bastard, an illegitimate son, had ascended the throne. All of this was the doing of that wicked woman. She had ruined Yao, and she had ruined that bastard.
Although imperial power was tempting, it was not something an ordinary person could wield.
From a young age, their father had taught Yao the art of emperorship, the ways of ruling the world, possessing a broad mind that could encompass the world's affairs. But what ability did that person have to do these things?
"Yao, why didn't you come to find me? Do you know how heartbroken I was?"
Because he thought of his elder brother's neglect and indifference towards him, he felt immense sadness and masked it with coldness. Others always thought of the Prince of Dong Qin, Shangguan, as cold and ruthless, but who knew that he was merely lost.
He didn't understand why Yao had suddenly become so distant from him. They were the best of brothers.
The tall figure walked over, slowly crouched down, and reached out to hold his hand. His deep voice carried a hint of helplessness.
"Why are you still acting like a spoiled child, just like when you were little? I thought you had grown up."
Upon hearing his words, Shangguan Lin's tears flowed even more fiercely. This was his Yao! The Yao who could do nothing about him, who always spoke to him with indulgence. Shangguan Lin pulled Murong Chong closer and hugged him tightly.
"It's so good to know you're alive, Yao. This is the best gift from heaven. Thank you, thank you."
Murong Chong remained still, letting him embrace him, his heart slowly warming. Besides Xiao'er, this was another person who could warm his heart. The woman he loved, the brother he loved. Sooner or later, he would reclaim everything that belonged to him...
In the distance, the sky was dark and heavy, without a single star. The light was dim, and a thin layer of mist shrouded the air. Branches swayed, creating a blurry and indistinct scene. A light breeze blew, giving an eerie, phantom-like feel.
After experiencing a spiritual cleansing, Shangguan Lin and Murong Chong finally calmed down and found a clean spot to sit.
At this moment, Murong Chong had removed his mask, revealing his true face. His exquisite features were still dazzling and brilliant in the darkness, his eyes shining with an imposing radiance, overlapping with the person Shangguan Lin remembered. He was indeed peerlessly handsome.
"Yao, what exactly happened back then? Is that person the son of that traitor Ye Qingtian?"
Murong Chong nodded silently. A bloodthirsty and fierce aura enveloped his peerlessly beautiful face, radiating coldness that even the air around them felt frigid.
Thinking of that person inevitably brought to mind the one who had given birth to him. His heart was torn once more, and drops of blood flowed down. He could not speak of this to anyone, not even Xiao'er. How could he tell others that his own mother had personally poisoned him?
Hatred spread through him like an corrosive soup, leaving him powerless.
For the past four years, there hadn't been a single night he hadn't dwelled on this disgraceful event.
He would have preferred to die by someone else's blade or sword, to die in ignorance, rather than to witness firsthand his mother, whose smile was as beautiful as a flower, personally bring him a cup of poisoned wine, to watch him struggle in agony, and then whisper into his ear.
"You are not what I wanted. I was born from that man's violation. I hate you. The sight of you makes me want to kill you."
Murong Chong tilted his head slightly, his pupils filled with a chilling, bloody glint. He had no tears; they had long since been shed. All that remained was hatred. But no matter how much he hated, could he bring himself to kill his own mother?
He had had the opportunity, but he had given it up each time. Now, all he wanted was to personally depose that person and kill him, to show him the tragedy he had orchestrated.
Shangguan Lin felt the pain in his imperial brother's heart, knowing that he must have endured inhuman treatment. His imperial brother's martial arts were so formidable that ordinary people could not approach him. The only one who could harm him was the Empress Dowager.
"Imperial Brother, are we just going to stand by and watch that person continue to occupy the Shangguan family's throne?"
"That is impossible."
His voice was loud, piercing the heavens, grand and imposing. His dark pupils were filled with the solemnity of an approaching storm.
"Then what should we do next?"
Shangguan Lin spoke calmly. Knowing that his imperial brother was alive, he felt a surge of strength. He was determined to join forces with his imperial brother to reclaim the Shangguan family's throne. This realm would not be allowed to be occupied by rebellious officials.
"For now, we must still deal with the flood in Lingnan. We must not destroy this commandery and its counties. The common people are innocent."
Murong Chong's magnetic, deep voice rang out. He paused, then continued.
"What I sent over tonight is a blueprint. Lingnan Commandery is high on three sides, with only the downstream for drainage. But doing so would inevitably worsen the disaster. Therefore, there is another method. This mountain is actually surrounded on four sides, with a depression in the middle. You must organize all your manpower to excavate a channel and drain the floodwaters within the commandery into this depression."