Chapter 25: The Jianghu is just the Jianghu

  The Baoju Mountain in the suburbs of Beijing, with a distant mountain range and beautiful scenery, stretches westward from Tian Du, with green hills and lush forests undulating continuously for hundreds of miles without interruption.

  You and several others, including Xie Jing, followed a narrow and secluded valley into the mountains, deep into uninhabited territory. After traveling for several miles, a steep and lofty mountain suddenly opened up before them, revealing a rather spacious low-lying valley.

  Inside the valley, warm and fragrant, lush green forests, winding waterfalls from the facing high cliffs fly straight down, to the foot of the mountain converge, splashing up a pool of deep blue spring. The four sides rely on the mountain to build pavilions and streets in a favorable position, with ingenious ideas, cleverly stealing the work of nature.

  You raise your head and gaze into the distance, seeing only the seven palaces of the Dipper Formation between the mountains, which is the Mingyi Building, Tianxu, Tianxuan, Tianquan, Yuhe, Kaiyang, Yao Guanghuxian Seven Palaces. The seven palaces are connected like pearls, hiding the starry sky, and from a distance, they surround a semicircular building in front of the mountain. Looking up at the signboard, it reads "Ziwei Yuan", with the words "Star Ziwei" above, implying the meaning of the imperial universe, with an extraordinary atmosphere.

  Upon entering the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, the ground was made of dark stone and the walls were white stone. The high hall was solemn and dignified. Three people stood facing us, waiting. They were the remaining three palaces' guardians of the sword, excluding the Heavenly Pivot Palace governed by Ming Xuan, the Heavenly Jewel Palace governed by Xie Jing, the Jade Balance Palace governed by Su Niang, and the Shaking Light Palace governed by Ming Yin. All three wore black clothes like Ming Xuan, and just by looking at their demeanor, one could tell they were top-notch experts.

  Among them, a dignified-looking man led two others to step forward and said to Dust: "Tian Quan Palace's Ming Ze, Tian Ji Palace's Ming She, Kai Yang Palace's Ming Zhi, pay their respects to Feng Jie Niang."

  Qī Gōng Hù Jiàn, below are the twenty-eight divisions of seats, secretly matching the star mansions, generating and restraining each other. Xiè Jīng is second only to Míng Xuán in the Míng Yī Lóu, the twenty-eight divisions of seats spread all over the place, all receiving his dispatch. Among the rest, Sù Niáng is in charge of internal affairs, Míng Hūn is in charge of assassination, Míng Zé is in charge of punishment, Míng Shè is in charge of wealth and measurement, Míng Zhí is in charge of education and training, with clear powers and responsibilities, mutually restraining each other, ultimately with Tiān Shū Gōng as the leader.

  You dust off your mind and remember that Ming Xuan is nominally one of the seven palaces, but in reality, she is the true master of Ming Yi Building. Without her, the entire building would be under his control. You can't help but think more about him, feeling that this person is old and cunning, hiding deeply and not revealing himself. If it weren't for the previous grudges between Ming Yi Building and Chang Men Gang, which allowed you to judge that Ming Yi Building was not an evil cult, she would really have to carefully consider whether to get involved in this muddy water.

  After a brief introduction to everyone, Ming Xuan raised his hand and said, "Miss Feng, please enter the inner hall!"

  You nodded, following them into the inner hall, where a high platform in front of the hall enshrined an ancient sword. The sword body was slender and narrow, less than two feet long, with purple scabbard patterns swirling around the mouth of the sheath. From a distance, it seemed as if the clear and elegant aura of the sword was faintly visible above it, charming but not flashy, clear but not sharp, like a cloud floating in the wind or the shadow of a flower under the moonlight.

  You've heard of this ancient sword "Floating Feather" that's been passed down for a hundred years, which has always been worn by the master of Ming Yi Building.

  Seven people dressed in mourning attire, standing on the seven stars, facing the sword and paying respects. After three kneels and nine knocks, the wall slowly moved to both sides, revealing a white stone cave, where the light was dazzling and piercing, making it hard to open one's eyes, with an icy cold air rushing forth.

  You hid the astonishment in your heart under a calm and composed demeanor, not leaking a single word, with even a faint smile at the corner of your lips, looking towards Ming Xuan.

  Ming Xuan's eyes were calm and peaceful as he said, "Snow Battle Marquis has been the master for many years. Phoenix Maiden, please."

  In the cave, a vast expanse of white misty coldness, your dusty lips and corners of your mouth slightly raised, take a step into it, the mechanism behind you immediately operates, already another world.

  The seven palace guards stood facing the closed cave, momentarily silent. After a while, Ming Ze suddenly said: "Such a weak and delicate woman, can she really take on the role of the pavilion master?" Except for Xie Jing and Su Niang, everyone including Ming Ze had such doubts.

  His eyes were calm and peaceful, with a hint of profundity, as he said, "Not only does she have the master's token, but also corresponds to the celestial star. Let's see how Snow War reacts."

  Ming Xiaodao said: "There is a sentence that is somewhat presumptuous, it's better to say it now. I'm afraid the person will agree with everything, but doesn't have the ability to take charge of Ming Yi Lou."

  Xie Jing had been quiet for half a day due to his injuries, but suddenly spoke up and said, "She is not an ordinary woman."

  "I'd like to hear more about it," Ming Xie said.

  Xie Jing shook his head: "It's hard to say."

  "What you just said is somewhat hard to convince people." Ming Xie said.

  Xie Jing glanced at him slightly and said: "Then let's just talk about one thing, do you know how much profit the Four-sided Building has made since she took over?"

  Ming Xie said with a different tone: "The financial accounts of the Four-sided Building have never been handled by me, Tian Ji Palace. How can I answer this?"

  He thanked him for his candor, but pretended to be unaware and said: "We are all brothers in the same family, where can we distinguish so clearly? The accounts of Sima Lou have always been reported to the General Platform on time. Now, the monthly profit is more than ten times that of the previous one, and I'm sure you all have a number in mind. All I can say is that from business methods to recognizing and using people, she is very unique and one of the few people I admire."

  Ming Xie smiled and said, "If you can admire him, it's clear that he has some special qualities."

  "As for whether she can handle it or not, we'll see in due course. Let's just wait and observe."

  "Kaiyang Palace's messenger requests an audience with the Imperial Sword Guard." Ming Xiao was about to speak when someone outside suddenly shouted for an audience.

  "Ming Ze turned around: 'I'll go take a look.' Before he could make another move, he had already stepped out of the hall, like a ghost or a specter. With his light and agile movements, he was already qualified to be considered one of the top experts in the Jianghu."

  He was tall and sturdy, with a refined appearance. Upon seeing Ming, he reported: "Your subordinate found the corpse of Yao Guanggong on the side path of Nan Mountain. Please instruct me, Sword Protector."

  His face as firm as a boulder slightly moved, he turned his head and shouted: "Ming Yu!"

  As soon as the words left his mouth, a figure flashed beside him, and Ming had already arrived at his side. His eyes were filled with a gloomy and ominous aura, and he coldly asked Xing Yu: "What's going on?"

  "The body was just discovered, but it has been confirmed that the person died half an hour ago."

  "Go and take a look." The two men exchanged a glance, then rushed to the scene of the incident, disappearing instantly into the depths of the forest.

  The main altar suddenly appeared with an enemy trail, just as the new owner's fate was uncertain. Ming Xuan's eyes flashed with a heavy breath, and he immediately ordered Ming Ze and others to gather their subordinates to thoroughly investigate the four directions of the main altar.

  A sudden sharp whistling sound pierced through the air from the south, and Ming Xian cried out for help in a precarious situation!

  A streak of cloud-piercing arrow, drawing out a blood-red color that makes one's heart palpitate. Immediately, two blue lights rose from the east and west, with the Heavenly Balance and Jade Scales Palaces arriving to provide reinforcements.

  In the south-facing forest, Ming Xie supported Ming Zhi who was almost fainting and stumbled back. On the way, they met Su Niang, but only saw that his arm was covered in blood, while Ming Yin was nowhere to be seen.

  His face was dark and ashen, his lips were pale as death, his jaws clenched tightly, obviously enduring extreme pain. Su Niang rushed forward to support him and asked in surprise: "What kind of poison is this, it's so overbearing!"

  Ming then reached out and took Ming's pulse. His expressionless face twitched slightly: "Never seen before. Who is this person, where is the problem?"

  Ming Xie said with a bitter expression: "Ming E was captured, I couldn't rescue him in time and only managed to grab Ming Zhi out. The thirteen Blood Killers of the Azure Blood Temple have arrived in full force and have already attacked the main altar."

  Ming Ze's eyes flashed with a hint of sharpness: "Let's return to the Purple Mansion first and then make our decision."

  "The Mengyi Building is indeed a place to enjoy, with its beautiful scenery, it's a good place to spend one's final days." However, in an instant, a loud and provocative voice came from outside the Ziwu Pavilion. Along with this voice, thirteen people wearing red clothes appeared in front of the hall, accompanied by several others wearing long robes of a foreign tribe, with long hair tied up in braids and curved knives at their waists, surprisingly they were Turks.

  Ming Xuan's expression remained unchanged as he swept a glance over the newcomer: "The master of Bi Xue Pavilion, Kuang Ge Pavilion has arrived. It is not an honor for Ming Yi Building to receive you. I just wonder when Bi Xue Pavilion became a running dog for the Turkic tribe. Congratulations!" Although his words were congratulatory, his tone was full of sarcasm.

  Kuangzi's expression changed slightly, and he said in a gloomy tone: "Old Man Mingxuan, the Mingyi Building has been opposing my Bixue Pavilion everywhere. Today, it's time to settle the overall account."

  "Ming Xuan said slowly: 'Your thirteen blood killings are despicable and poisonous, the Ming Yi Building has nothing to do with you because of different ways, just don't make a move, the master's words are heavy.' The implication is that the Bi Xue Pavilion's actions are contemptible, and the Ming Yi Building even feels dirty about being enemies with you."

  "Dead to the end still boast shamelessly." Kuang from the beginning pointed at Ming Yin, "Why not take this person's blood first to sacrifice the Blood Evil, what do you all think?"

  The red-robed figure holding down Ming Yu raised his hand and slapped him on the back, causing Ming Yu's body to shudder violently. Fresh blood splattered all over his collar, but he came to with a clear mind. A trickle of blood flowed slowly from the corner of his mouth as his beautiful eyes coldly stared at the person, not yielding an inch.

  A cold glint flashed in Ming Xuan's eyes. Su Niang, who had been friends with Ming Xuan since childhood, could no longer bear it and was about to rush forward to rescue him when she suddenly felt a severe pain in her dantian that was hard to endure, as if a steel knife was stirring wildly inside her. She let out a stifled groan and almost lost her footing.

  Kuang Ziyu smiled gloomily and said: "The poison on Ming's body tastes good, doesn't it? Ming is the guardian of the sword, what about you?"

  Ming then did not utter a word, secretly using his internal energy to resist the toxicity that was taking hold, but his hand, which was stroking the hilt of his sword, slightly trembling, betrayed his condition.

  As soon as the enemy appeared, Ming Yi Building had already had four people injured and one captured. Bi Xue Pavilion made a detailed plan to take them by surprise, immediately gaining the upper hand.

  The foundation of Mingyi Building is strong and powerful, with seven palaces and twenty-eight seats of good hands, which have already surrounded the Purple Mansion.

  The man beside him, a Turk, said: "Since the Mingyi Building cannot kill Ye Tianling, don't blame me for going back on my word. You won't get 50,000 gold coins, someone else will snatch them away. However, I received a secret report that the Mingyi Building has some connection with the Central Plains royal family. Why not tell me the truth and maybe you can still save your lives." This person was Tongda, the only son of Shi Luo Khan.

  "Ming Xuan coldly laughed and said: 'You have the heart of a wolf, wanting to run wild in the Central Plains? You're daydreaming!'"

  Kuangzi asked Tongda Dao: "The Green Blood Chamber has already settled this account with the king, how about showing some sincerity?"

  Suddenly, a soft and gentle voice came from the Purple Microcosm: "Kuang Zichu, you took advantage of my weakness to hurt my protector sword the other day. Shouldn't we settle this account first?" Along with the sound, Qingchen walked slowly towards him, holding an animal that looked like a cat or a ferret in his arms.

  He had only seen her at first with steps as if walking on ripples, white clothes flying, a pair of water-like pupils shining brightly with clear light, and every move she made was elegant and refined. Even he, who had seen countless beauties in his life, felt dazzled for a moment.

  Tong Da couldn't help but stare at Qing Chen, thinking that this place actually had such a beautiful woman, and it was worth coming here. He pretended to be elegant and bowed: "Miss, you are as beautiful as a national treasure, I appreciate it very much."

  The Seven Palaces Guardian saw that Xue Hua had accepted her identity, and by rights she was already the master of Mingyi Building. She stepped forward together: "Subordinate pays respects to Master Feng."

  She raised her hand to support him, and the snow leaped lightly from her palm. It was not large in shape, with a fox-like tail that was slender and soft, its entire body snowy white, except for a golden stripe on its forehead, and its eyes shone like golden threads, unknown what kind of spiritual beast it was.

  You carefully observed the expression on Ming's face, then glanced at Tong Da, her lips curled into a smile, but her eyes were cold and deep: "Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness, unfortunately, I don't appreciate you either, thanks for the praise."

  Kuang Ziyu's face turned red with embarrassment as he forced a smile and said, "The master of Mingyi Building actually acknowledges such a weak and fragile woman as its leader. It truly is the end of their luck."

  "You, Lord Kuang, have administered four types of poison to Ming Ze. The first is Wubuzhao, the second is Fengqingshen, the third is Lanyanzhi, and the fourth is Sujinhuang. Su Niang was affected by your Fengqingshen, her dantian's energy is chaotic and difficult to calm; Ming Ze was poisoned with Sujinhuang, if he were to circulate his qi, his blood vessels would reverse flow, causing unbearable pain. As for Ming Ze, the Wubuzhao you mixed with Lanyanzhi is why he feels icy cold all over, his acupoints feeling like they're being pricked by needles, but without the Wubuzhao, the Lanyanzhi wouldn't have taken effect so quickly. Am I right?"

  Kuang's expression changed and he smiled gloomily: "This young lady must also be an expert in using poison, but she only knows the toxicity without knowing how to use it."

  "You say you can speak out, then you can detoxify. Why don't we try it out? You use four kinds of poison, I'll only use one kind. If I can detoxify the poison you used, you'd better roll out of Ming Yi Building obediently. If you can detoxify my poison, I, the master of this building, will yield to you. How about that?"

  "Great!" Kuang's triangular eyes narrowed like a snake: "King Tongda, are you interested in this little girl?"

  Tong Da sneered: "If I get such a beauty, this king will surely love her dearly..."

  No sooner had he spoken than a shrill gust of wind suddenly rose behind him, followed by a sharp pain in his left ear. With a "thud", an arrow with the earring symbolizing his royal identity was pinned to a towering tree in front of him. The arrow body was almost entirely embedded in the trunk, leaving only the tail feathers outside. The sunlight shining on the precious gemstone of the earring flashed a dazzling seven-colored light.

  "All I heard was a cold voice from afar saying: 'Tongda, shut your stinking mouth.'"

  Everyone was shocked, Tong Da's soul had not yet settled, he hastily turned his head back, his face greatly changed as if seeing a ghost, and exclaimed: "Ye... Ye Tian Ling!"

  Not far away, on the mountain cliff, a figure in black warrior attire stood out under the night sky, with a long sword inserted behind his back and a strong bow grasped in his hand, coldly gazing towards this place. Those eyes were clear and boundless, as if reflecting the entire green forest, yet making the lush flowers and leaves silent and voiceless at the bottom of that calm gaze.

  Tong Da's face turned pale and cold as he was stared at by Ye Tianling, who had narrowly escaped death several times at his hands. He forced a smile: "Your Highness... welcome."

  Ye Tian said faintly: "You didn't stay honest in the north, but instead sneaked into Tiandu to stir up trouble. You're a good son taught by Shi Luo Khan."

  Tong Da stood up straight and puffed out his chest, trying to appear braver: "The gift you gave me that day, my father and I have not forgotten for a single moment."

  A cold smile flashed across Ye Tian's eyes: "Just now, I seemed to hear you say that you wanted my life. Why not come and take it now? Maybe you can even save those 50,000 taels of gold."

  Kuangzi took a step forward: "I'm very interested in this 50,000 taels of gold for the Bi Xue Pavilion, Your Highness, please."

  The night sky had never glanced at the corner of his eye since the beginning. At this time, countless mysterious armored warriors suddenly appeared in the originally quiet mountain valley, surrounding the valley from high above, with strong bows and iron crossbows aiming at the crowd in the valley.

  Eleven fell from the top of a large tree to the night sky beside him, laughing and saying: "It's still too early for you to fight with my fourth brother, swords have no eyes, don't move recklessly."

  Kuang Zichu and Tongda changed color at the same time, roughly estimated that there were thousands of people around, no matter how high their martial arts were, they couldn't defeat such well-trained soldiers and horses.

  Kuang Zijun was initially shocked and uncertain, the troops who had stayed outside the valley were now silent, it seemed that they had been annihilated in one fell swoop. Among the subordinates brought by Ye Tianling, there must be many skilled fighters.

  You took advantage of the opportunity to busy yourself finding a way to detoxify and treat the injuries of Ming Xia and others. Under the cold gaze of Tian Ling, Tong Da said: "Don't you hurry up and leave? Do you want me to send you off?"

  Tong Da looked around with a bitter expression, finally realizing that his side was at a complete disadvantage. He gritted his teeth and said, "Your Highness's gift today will be remembered by Tong Da, we will meet again."

  A flash of insight darted through his eyes, and he suddenly moved, his black cloak fluttering in the wind as he slid down the mountain slope.

  Tong Da only felt the sword peak pressing down, cold air rushing towards his face. In a state of shock, he swung out his curved knife and clashed with Ye Tianling's long sword in mid-air above his head, producing a clear ring that shook people's ears.

  "Ding-dong" several clear sounds, Ling had already fallen behind Tada, Tada was enraged by him, and slashed his sword at his back.

  Ye Tianling didn't even turn around, the sword scabbard swiftly emerged from under his cloak like lightning and struck back, Tong Da let out a painful cry as he was hit in the abdomen and stumbled backward. Next, his face felt an intense pain, Ye Tianling's sword tip slightly tilted, with a speed so fast it seemed to precede thunder, he fiercely swept across Tong Da's cheek, although no wound was visible, the pain pierced through to the bone marrow, half of his face immediately turned red and swollen.

  "This is a warning to you, don't be rude to Feng Niang again in the future." Ye Tian Ling's long sword had somehow returned to its scabbard, and he said indifferently: "Go back and tell Shi Luo Khan that if he can't discipline his son, then he should marry several more princesses, so as not to leave no one to inherit."

  Kuang Zizhuchu knew from the start that today's plan would not end well. He made a decisive decision, seeing Tongda leave in disarray, and smiled hypocritically: "Since Your Highness is here, Bixue Pavilion will take a step back first." After saying this, he signaled to his subordinates: "Let's go!"

  "Leave the Phantom behind!" Qing Chen stepped forward and said, "Fourth Brother, we can't let them take the Phantom away." As soon as he spoke, he suddenly thought that Ming Yi Lou and Ye Tian Ling's current relationship was unclear, so how could he lend a hand to rescue the Phantom?

  Ye Tianling turned his head and glanced at her, then said to the people of Bi Xue Pavilion: "Can you all hear what Feng Guniang is saying?"

  The red-clothed man who held Mu Yun in a tight grip pulled him closer and said, "You try shooting an arrow to see who dies first."

  The corners of his mouth, as sharp as a knife, revealed a hint of sarcastic smile: "I'm telling you for the last time, let him go."

  The man in red slowly backed away with a gloomy expression, the night sky was cold and clear, his hands behind him, walking towards him step by step as if strolling in a leisurely courtyard.

  "Stop right there! Come one step closer and I'll kill her!"

  The night sky was like a sharp blue blade, seemingly calm but chillingly piercing: "Then you will all be buried together, which is also reasonable."

  The meaning was cold and merciless, that person couldn't help but feel a chill from the bottom of his heart. Just as he was in a state of mental turmoil, a fierce and cold light suddenly burst out between the two of them, white silk-like snow, sword energy forcing the sunlight to seem frosty, heaven and earth changing colors.

  A flash of light cut towards the person's throat, and in the midst of the light, the person hastily retreated, holding their sword horizontally beside them, too frightened to move forward. The limp body had already been lifted by Ye Tianling, leaning softly against him.

  Draw sword, retreat enemy, seize person, all in a flash of inspiration.

  The others in the Azure Blood Pavilion were stirred up by Ye Tianling's sword energy, revealing a fierce glint in their eyes. Several people moved forward, but saw a row of long arrows flying towards them with strong winds, nine arrows whizzing past their ears and pinning themselves to the ground in front of them, although no one was injured, they were forced to be unable to unfold their bodies.

  "Hehe, sorry, my hands are itchy. But you'd better not move, 'a knife has no eyes' isn't a joke." Eleven held the golden longbow in his hand, with an innocent smile on his face that was as refreshing as the sunlight under the blue sky. Compared to Ye Tianling's cold and ruthless demeanor, he made people want to grit their teeth even more, but unfortunately, the rows of dark and ominous crossbows beside him were full of killing intent, and no one dared to make a move."

  Kuang Ziyu was shocked and suspicious, staring at the sword in Ling Tian's hand: "Guili Sword! Where did you get it from?"

  Ye Tian Ling glanced at Ming Hui, who was half asleep and half awake, picked her up horizontally and handed her over to Qing Chen, dropping a few words: "You're not worthy of asking."

  In a daze, I saw a pair of eyes looking at me, with a hint of icy vastness in the depths, yet like the endless night sky, carrying a kind of magical power that made me feel at ease. My heart relaxed, and the willpower I had been holding on to finally collapsed, and I gradually lost consciousness in a daze.

  Kuang Ziyu suppressed the murderous intent in his heart and cupped his fists, saying: "The green hills will remain unchanged, we will meet again another day, and I will definitely ask for your guidance, Your Highness."

  Ye Tian Ling didn't say a word, only lowering his head to glance at Ming Yu, and realizing that her internal injuries were not light, he placed the center of his palm on her back and slowly used his inner energy to help her heal. Qing Chen sent the medicine into Ming Yu's mouth, raised her head to see Ye Tian Ling's sharp profile, and softly said to him: "Fourth brother, thank you."

  Ye Tian Ling looked her up and down from top to bottom, his gaze stopping on her face. "As long as nothing's wrong, that's good."

  Eleven received the bow and arrow, brought a few guards over, just as he heard Qing Chen asking Ye Tian Ling: "How did you find this place?" He said with a headache: "You don't even count the days, that night at Yue Ma Bridge, it was said to be three days, now it's already the fifth day. Fourth brother left in Mo Bei to search for your near guard and hasn't returned yet, here almost turned Ige City upside down. If not for today tracking Tong Da and meeting you here, who knows when we would have found you. Just back from the battlefield, you let me rest for a few days too."

  She slightly moved her expression, not thinking that she would leave the four-sided building for several days without returning, and Ling Tian on this side would react like this. She was touched and slightly apologetic in her heart, but her face didn't show it, instead, she raised an eyebrow at Eleven and made a silent funny face, looking at Eleven's helpless expression, "Hehe" a smile escaped. Xue Zhan rubbed against her legs, waiting for her to call him, then jumped into her arms with a "whoosh", squatting in the crook of her arm, staring at Eleven with an air of superiority, his heterochromatic eyes gleaming with golden light, extraordinary aura emanating from him.

  He leaned against a large tree beside him, bowed his head and frowned, staring at the snow for a moment, then said to her: "I'm really afraid of you." He shook his head and lost his smile.

  At this time, Ming Xi had already eliminated eight or nine tenths of the poison. Together with Shang Qianling, they faced Night Sky and said: "Ming Yi Lou thanks you for your help in the underground palace, we are deeply grateful."

  Ye Tianling expressionlessly shifted his gaze away from Qing Chen's body and stood up. Qing Chen thought it was not good, seeing his solemn expression, don't stir up another conflict, but he just casually glanced at Ming Xuan and the others without doing anything.

  Ming Xuan continued: "Congratulations to Feng Zhu for subduing Xue Zhan, the Seven Palaces' Guardian Swordsmen will definitely assist with all their might, without any slackness."

  "You're welcome," said the Dust Smiling. Seeing a hint of doubt in Ye Tian's eyes, she continued calmly: "Fourth Brother, I was unable to stop what happened at Yue Ma Bridge that night, but now, as the master of Ming Yi Lou, I can guarantee that nothing like this will happen again. I hope Fourth Brother won't hold past grudges." With that, she drew her Seven Palaces Protective Sword and bowed in unison with it, showing her willingness to take responsibility.

  Ye Tianling seemed to have put this matter aside and said lightly: "If things are settled here, it's time to go back."

  "You still have some unfinished business."

  Although Ye Tianling was unclear about what had happened between her and Ming Yilou, she could also see that the relationship between the two had become unusual. In front of Ming Xuan and others, it was inconvenient to ask more questions, so she simply said: "Is there anything else?"

  Your smile has faded, and your expression is solemn. You turn to Ming Xuan and the others and say, "The main altar of the Ming Yi Lou is a place of extraordinary importance, yet it was easily breached by the enemy. Can you think of any reason why this might be?"

  Ming Xuan stepped forward and apologized: "Your subordinate was derelict in duty, please punish me, Your Majesty."

  Her phoenix eyes were clear and sharp: "What I want is not punishment, but to resolve the disaster." As she spoke, her gaze swept across each of the seven palace guards, making everyone feel a strange sensation under her scrutiny. Ye Tianling looked at her sideways with a cold eye, and suddenly a thin, sharp smile flashed on his lips, full of interest.

  Ming Xuan hesitated for a moment in the gaze of Qing Chen, and finally spat out two words: "Traitor."