Thus, a scene that was both ludicrous and pitiable unfolded on the main street.
Prince Jing stood facing an eagle, half the height of a man. The eagle planted one talon on the ground and stretched the other forward, making a gesture of offering something.
Prince Jing, cautious, stepped forward two steps and gingerly took the paper from the eagle’s talon, only finally relaxing when it showed no sign of attacking him.
Seeing such a timid Prince Jing, Ye Bai rolled his eyes in contempt in an all too human fashion.
Then, turning his back on Prince Jing with a flick of his haunches, Ye Bai called out with pride, flapping his wings and flying away.
Fortunately, Prince Jing couldn’t understand the language of birds, or he surely would have exploded with anger!
After Ye Bai flew off, Prince Jing opened the note, and the smile at the corner of his mouth grew wider and wider.
At least that girl had some conscience. She didn’t let him down after all the concern and effort he had put into searching for her these past few days. She knew to report her safety upon her return.
Prince Jing didn’t realize that unconsciously, his expectations of Ye Jiu had sunk so low. After days of anxiety, a simple note reporting safety was enough to satisfy him.
Looking up at the sky where the moon hung above the willow treetops, surely the girl had already fallen asleep?
She must not have rested well while away these past few days. Would he disturb her rest if he went to her at this time?
After much hesitation, Prince Jing turned back.
Forget it, forget it. She’s back now, and a little delay won’t matter. He would visit her tomorrow and then ask what exactly had happened these past few days.
Outside the city, in a small grove.
Qing Li was still dressed in black, but now he was covered in wounds.
Another gust of wind came at him, striking his chest directly. Qing Li had no strength left to resist, and spat out a mouthful of fresh blood as he fell to the ground like a leaf in autumn.
"This is just a small lesson for you, Qing Li. Don’t just remember your brotherhood with the War King and forget the nurturing grace of your mother!" Near Qing Li, a pained voice came from behind a mask.
Immediately, Qing Li, who had been in despair, was emotionally agitated, "You... don’t you dare touch my mother!"
"As long as you obey, nothing will happen to your mother, and she will live well," the masked figure said.
"Why must it be me?" Qing Li asked in anguish.
He knew that there were many skilled people under the masked figure’s command, and he wasn’t particularly outstanding. The only thing he had to offer was not his martial arts but his medical skills.
Even so, he didn’t understand why the masked figure had suddenly targeted him, threatening him with his only kin, forcing him to act against Sikong!
The masked figure was silent for a moment, not directly answering Qing Li’s question, but instead said in a turmoil of emotions, "Why? Why does this world owe you explanations? All you need to know is that you must do whatever I command. Only then will your mother be well, and you will be too."
Why? He wanted to know, too.
Unfortunately, when he first made the wrong step, he lost the chance to turn back!
So, even though he knew it was wrong, he had to keep making mistakes, step by step.
Looking into Qing Li’s eyes, the masked figure’s pain was no less than his own.
Composing himself, the masked figure’s gaze became resolute once again.
He had already abandoned those things he shouldn’t have, and lost them too. Thus, what he desired, he had to obtain, or how could he justify the sacrifices he had made?
Yunyun was his greatest tribulation in life, the hurdle he couldn’t overcome.
Ever since he decided to help conceal the true cause of the Prince’s death, he was doomed to a relentless struggle with the War Prince Residence.