While the group was still speaking, the woman abruptly stood up, clutching a scrap of fabric in her hands, and made a dash to escape.
“Don’t let her run; there are many questions we still need answered by her!”
Yueying seized the woman by the collar once more and hoisted her into the air.
“You… what do you think you’re doing? Let me go!”
A cold glint flashed in the woman’s eyes. With a powerful kick of her legs, she broke free from Yueying’s grasp and drew a sword concealed within her long sleeves.
Before Yueying could even react, the sharp blade in Guchen’s hand was already pressed against the woman’s throat.
“Meddlesome fool.” Yueying let out a cold snort.
Mu Chengyan, having finished comforting Jun Xun, turned back. “Speak. What is truly happening here? Why must so many innocent people be used as burial sacrifices?”
An elderly man in the back spoke slowly. “Shen Jin, the Man of a Thousand Faces, commits every conceivable evil. The government has offered a thousand-tael bounty…”
“Nonsense… Bro. Jin… is not like that!”
“He isn’t? Shen Jin’s hands are stained with blood how can he not be? He has murdered so many; he deserves death!”
The people of Sunset City gnashed their teeth in hatred toward him. Yet, because his power was too overwhelming, no one could capture him. The authorities were powerless as well, leaving them with no choice but to offer bounties to attract various martial arts gangs to do the job.
“Your Highness, we should not concern ourselves with these messy affairs.” There were so many chaotic things going on in the world; if their Crown Prince had to handle them all, he would be worked to death.
Mu Chengyan gave a few low coughs, his face flushing a faint, unhealthy red. Jun Xun gripped his jade-like hands, aching with heartache, wishing he could suffer in his place. If he could, he would gladly shoulder every sickness and pain afflicting Gege.
“Yueying, since we have arrived here, it means we have a karmic connection with this place. So many innocent people cannot be allowed to lose their lives in vain. If this matter is not resolved, they will continue to use these people as bait.”
Song Jinxuan couldn’t help but gaze at Mu Chengyan a moment longer; to think he possessed such a kind heart it truly matched his own.
“Indeed, I… my thoughts are perfectly aligned with this friend’s.”
Jun Xun swept a look of hidden disdain toward Song Jinxuan. A good-for-nothing, and he dares to compare himself to Gege!
Gege is the kindest person in this entire world, yet heaven is blind, allowing him to suffer so much. Since I have come to Gege’s side, I will never let him suffer even the slightest injury ever again.
Jun Xun gripped those warm hands, as if he were holding his entire world.
“I am Chu Xuan. I have yet to learn this friend’s name.”
“Mu Chengyan.”
Three exceptionally gentle words.
“Y—you… what did you say?” Song Jinxuan scratched his ear, wondering if he was becoming hard of hearing and had misheard.
“Mu Chengyan, Crown Prince of the Yuanqi nation. Did you hear me clearly this time?” Yueying let out a cold snort. Truly a simpleton, though it is his honor to have encountered our Crown Prince.
“You are… Mu Chengyan?” Song Jinxuan’s voice hiked up an octave.
Behind him, the soldiers had already readied their blades, waiting for their Prince to give the word to seize the enemy nation’s Crown Prince.
Mu Chengyan tilted his exquisitely beautiful face upward, his fair skin looking even more translucent and flawless in the sunlight. “Mn, is there something wrong with that?”
Song Jinxuan was momentarily dazzled, unable to tear his gaze away. He is even more beautiful than every beauty I have ever encountered…
“N—no, nothing is wrong. So it is the Crown Prince of the Yuanqi nation. I have long heard that the Crown Prince possesses a kind heart and loves his people as his own children; seeing you today, your reputation is well-deserved.”
Watching Song Jinxuan’s infatuated gaze, Jun Xun wished he could poke his eyes out. Is Gege someone he is even qualified to look at?
Song Jinxuan scratched his head with a silly grin, while the soldiers behind him exchanged bewildered glances. Wait, weren’t we here to kill him? Didn’t the Prince swear up and down he would slay him himself and show the Yuanqi nation the might of our Great Song nation?
“Nonsense! Did this Prince ever say such a thing? I clearly said we were to come in person to welcome the Crown Prince, to demonstrate the magnanimity of our Great Song nation.”
Everyone sheathed their broadswords. Could it really be that we misheard?
“Gege… don’t speak to him.”
The youth lowered his eyes, his dark depths swirling with morbid, sickly shadows. Seeing Mu Chengyan smile at someone else drove him insane with jealousy. Gege… Gege belongs only to me.
This good-for-nothing Song Jinxuan if he doesn’t stay in the imperial palace and insists on running out, does he think being a prince is too easy? If it is too easy, I wouldn’t mind adding a little pressure.
Song Jinxuan suddenly felt a chill run down his back. He crossed his arms and rubbed them, assuming it must be because the weather had turned cold. Such a great beauty wearing so little; I wonder if he is cold.
“Ah-Xun, he saved our lives; one must know how to be grateful for kindness.” Mu Chengyan earnestly educated the youth.
“The weather is turning cold. Here… let me give you one of my robes.” Song Jinxuan held out a white garment, looking rather nervous. It was his only white robe; only white was worthy of his noble status.
Jun Xun stared at that eyesore of an outfit in Song Jinxuan’s hand, wishing he could throw it on the ground and stomp it to pieces! Gege would never accept such a piece of junk.
Mu Chengyan gave a gentle smile and accepted it. “Thank you.”
Darkness exploded within Jun Xun’s eyes…
Regaining his senses, Mu Chengyan noticed the youth had suddenly bolted away, leaving behind nothing but his retreating back.
“Ah-Xun…”
Mu Chengyan stood up and immediately set off in pursuit.
“Your Highness, where are you going?”
“Yueying, you stay here and keep an eye on them; I am going to chase Ah-Xun down.”
Before the words had faded, he had already vanished. Song Jinxuan clutched his robes and chased after him, too. “I… I shall go as well. Wait for me!”
Not far away lay a desolate, god-forsaken wilderness of rotting branches and fallen leaves; the path was exceptionally rugged.
“Ah-Xun!”
Mu Chengyan dragged his sickly body along, steadying himself against the mountain wall as he searched bit by bit for the youth’s trail. What could have upset Ah-Xun to make him bolt away so suddenly? Did I say something wrong?
This was a desolate wasteland without a single household in sight, not to mention the presence of wild beasts. The more Mu Chengyan thought about it, the more concerned he became, quickening his pace.
“Ah-Xun…”
His call echoed through the tranquil valley.
Rustle…
A faint sound emanated from a hollow mountain cave. Mu Chengyan halted his steps. “Ah-Xun, are you inside?”
It was pitch black ahead, and no one responded. Mu Chengyan stepped inside, leaning against the mountain wall as he moved slowly into the darkness.
“Ah-Xun, what is wrong? Did I say something wrong?”
The cave was completely dark, and having already exhausted himself, Mu Chengyan missed a step after only walking a few paces, his body tipping forward…
A pair of large hands reached out instantly, holding him firmly in a steady embrace.