After finishing, she clapped her hands. A palm-sized black scorpion flew out from her body. Just like before, the red-clothed woman's slave scorpion technique became useless as soon as the black scorpion appeared.
The scorpions seemed to have seen a ghost. No matter how hard their master tried to blow her flute, they wouldn't move even an inch. They slowly, orderly retreated.
Seeing an opportunity, everyone immediately surged forward, transforming into countless flying shadows that sped towards the women and engaged them in battle.
As for Mu Xing, he watched everything with pride. Staying with the strange people on the island had turned his usual way of speaking into "Your little grandpa."
Although his mother had warned him many times, he still shouted like this when he was in a hurry. Liu Liu looked at the little guy's expression, waiting for her praise, and felt both amused and annoyed. She moved swiftly, joining the fight.
In the vast garden, sword lights flashed and colorful figures weaved through the fray. In fact, these women were not very skilled. Half of them were quickly killed by the people from Wanfeng Tea House, while the other half, who had been subdued, had their acupoints sealed.
Feng Xie captured the leader of the women, placing a precious sword at her throat. He spoke coldly with a grim expression, "Tell me, who sent you to assassinate me? If you tell me, I'll let you go."
The red-clothed woman never expected to be captured, especially by a child. She wondered where this little brat got these things from. In reality, Mu Xing's items were gifts from Fengguilang and the elders on the island.
They proved useful tonight. The red-clothed woman glared angrily at Mu Xing, completely ignoring Feng Xie, knowing that her fate was sealed tonight.
If she revealed anything, even if the Emperor let her go, her master would not. His torture was far more agonizing than a quick death by sword.
Normally, they would amputate a person's four limbs, turn them into a "human stick," and soak them in salt water to endure endless torment without dying.
Once these women committed a crime, they only wished for death. The red-clothed woman, filled with demonic energy, smiled flirtatiously at Feng Xie, "I'm not afraid of death, I just regret not sleeping with you."
After unleashing her defiance, she gritted her teeth and took poison, committing suicide.
The women whose acupoints had been sealed all bit their tongues and took poison to end their lives. In an instant, all the assassins in the garden were dead.
Everyone was stunned by this immense loyalty. What kind of organization was this, so strict that they would bite their tongues and commit suicide for making a mistake?
Seeing that everyone was dead, Feng Xie sheathed his sword and walked over, cupping his fists towards Liu Liu. "Thank you for your trouble tonight."
Liu Liu nodded but said nothing. Being so close, she feared he might notice any subtle signs, so she dared not speak more. Fortunately, it was dark, and he couldn't see clearly, so nothing happened.
Unexpectedly, Feng Xie became interested in the little Mu Xing. He bent down and looked at Mu Xing, his clear voice strangely soft as he asked,
"What is your name?"
Mu Xing frowned displeasively. He didn't like this man, who had a cold demeanor and seemed unfriendly towards his mother. This made him decide to dislike him.
As this thought crossed his mind, Mu Xing quickly reached out to cover his mouth and then shook his head, indicating he wouldn't tell him. His movements were elegant and cute, causing others to laugh, as if the previous scene was just a minor incident that no one was taking to heart.
Seeing Mu Xing's actions, Liu Liu feared Feng Xie might become angry and create more trouble. She quickly added, "He is my younger brother, Mu Xing."
"Oh."
Feng Xie stood up straight with disappointment, surprised that the little fellow was so hostile towards him. Did he have no affinity with children?
Children in the palace and outside the palace were unwilling to get close to him. If Liu'er's child stayed, would they dislike him? Or would they cling to him and call him "Father, Father"?
As Feng Xie thought of these things, he became pained again. His expression turned grim, and he turned to walk inside.
Feng Jiu quickly called for servants to escort the guests to rest. Liu Liu picked up Mu Xing and went to the separate courtyard with Dai Mei and the others. Along the way, Mu Xing chattered incessantly, "Brother, were Xiao Jin and Xiao Hei very powerful just now?"
"Yes, who made them Mu Xing's friends? Of course, they have to be powerful."
Liu Liu indulged her son's small vanity. The little guy nodded happily. Liu Liu thought they owed a lot to her son tonight, so she smiled and asked, "Mu Xing, what reward do you want? Mother will reward you."
"Really? Then, can I sleep with Brother tonight? Is that okay?" he said, his voice becoming small, and he sneakily glanced at Liu Liu.
Mother had already said last time that he wasn't allowed to sleep with her anymore because Mu Xing had grown up. But he really wanted to sleep cuddled with his mother. He wasn't old, he was still very young.
As their voices faded into the distance, the thoughtful gaze from behind them was locked onto them, filled with heartache and envy.
Returning to the separate courtyard, Liu Liu signaled Cui He to rest. Mu Xing would sleep with her tonight. The little guy excitedly jumped up and down on the bed, making a fuss for a while until Liu Liu urged him to sleep. He finally settled down, leaning against his mother with his big, watery eyes open.
"Mother, do you know? Whenever I'm with you, Mu Xing feels so happy."
Liu Liu's lips curved into a smile at his words, her eyes misting over. She looked down at her son. "Mother is too. Being with Mu Xing makes Mother the happiest."
"Mother, tell Mu Xing a story. I've forgotten the last one," Mu Xing said. Liu Liu knew how much she had neglected her son, so she nodded, tucked him in, and leaned on her side, gently patting his back.
"Once upon a time, in the vast, azure sea, lived a beautiful girl. That girl was a sea princess. She had double eyelids..."
Liu Liu's clear, cold voice slowly began. Before she could finish one story, her son had already fallen asleep, his little hand still tightly gripping her clothes.
Her heart ached. It seemed she, as a mother, was truly a failure, only focused on her affairs and forgetting her son. She decided she had to spend more time with him from now on.
The moonlit night was deep, and Liu Liu was also tired. She took off her clothes and lay down to sleep with her son.
Meanwhile, in another guest room at the tea house, a group of people stood chillingly in the room. Only on a long couch in the bedroom sat a man, emanating a cold aura with not a trace of warmth in his eyes.
His white robe reflected the candlelight, making him appear exceptionally somber. His handsome face was devoid of any expression, making it impossible to guess his thoughts.
He idly played with a jade thumb ring on one slender white hand, remaining silent for a long time. The others were somewhat apprehensive, unsure of their master's intentions.
"Did you see clearly who assassinated me tonight?"
Zhan Yun stepped forward and spoke in a deep voice, "Reporting to Your Majesty, your subordinate has identified their martial arts. They are from the Demon Palace. The Demon Palace has always been unorthodox. Why would they want to kill Your Majesty? It is likely they were ordered by someone else."
"Didn't you say the Demon Palace is unorthodox? If that's the case, why would they be willing to be controlled by others? There must be a hidden agenda. Hua Wuyou did not appear tonight, but he is bound to reappear. And if he hides in the shadows and attacks from the flanks, we will be defenseless. Therefore, we must be extremely cautious."