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墨書 Inktalez
I gathered my inner strength and struck the city gate, producing a deep, resounding thud. The Night Watch's City Guard heard the commotion and quickly shouted from atop the gate, "Who dares to be so audacious under the Royal Authority?"
At that moment, I had already scorned the Royal Authority and had no intention of revealing my identity as Xuan Wang.
So, I disdainfully shouted back, "Your princess is in my hands. Open the gate!"
The emperor had long since issued a proclamation stating that Princess Jinping had been abducted by Xuan Wang and was currently missing, with her life or death unknown, offering a reward of Ten Thousand Gold for any information.
The City Guard naturally did not dare to delay. Upon looking down and confirming that there seemed to be a woman on horseback, they quickly lined up to open the city gate.
However, they were not foolish; even though they were eager to find the princess, they were wary of someone trying to take advantage of the situation.
Thus, they stood at the entrance and opened the gate just wide enough for two horses to pass side by side.
They had seen Xuan Wang before; when I returned triumphantly with my troops, they had gazed upon the face of the war god at the city gate.
Now, facing me, their expressions were somewhat timid.
A soldier who appeared to have some rank stepped forward. "Xuan Wang, you..."
"No need for pleasantries. Go report to your superiors that I have brought back the princess," I said coldly as I dismounted and casually stood beside my horse.
They dared not say more; even their leader did not respond but quickly arranged for a soldier to run off.
So I stood at the city gate waiting alongside those soldiers.
Before long, that soldier returned with several elegantly dressed individuals. They approached but did not dare come too close. Among them was someone I recognized—the Capital Prefect.
He was a good official, and I had interacted with him quite a bit in the past. At this moment, he was the only one brave enough to step forward.
“Xuan Wang, why must you… sigh.”
The Capital Prefect, nearing his fifties, wore a grim expression. His hands trembled as he attempted to pat my shoulder, but halfway up, he lowered them again, still shaking.
“Is it worth it for a woman?”
Watching his actions stirred something within me. I had already borne a bad reputation, just like in the past; the difference now was that my heart felt fulfilled.
I smiled at him kindly. “It is worth it. She is my life.”
He shook his head, and then I placed Jin Ping into the sedan chair brought by the soldiers, standing still outside.
The Capital Prefect remained silent and unmoving as well.
I didn’t understand his intentions. After a long silence, he finally waved his hand. “Arrest Xuan Wang.”
It was then that I realized the silence he had maintained might have been an opportunity for me to escape.
I appreciated this kindness.
I complied and was taken away to the Dali Temple.
The Dali Temple was as dark and damp as ever. No matter how the outside world flourished and changed, this place remained gloomy and unwelcoming.
As I walked through, the prisoners cast disdainful glances at me. Should I be looked down upon?
Once, I was the powerful Xuan Wang, but now I have become a prisoner.
It doesn't matter anymore; I have no regrets.
The only thing I worry about is you from my past life.
The jailer roughly shoved me into the damp dungeon, where some wet straw was spread on the floor. He then said, "Still a prince, huh? Now you're here to keep us poor jailers company? You people get money and power and just mess around; it’s no wonder you got caught!"
He spat out a mouth ful of filthy saliva and turned away without a hint of sympathy.
I got up, the chains on my body clinking together with a sharp sound. Suddenly, an inexplicable pain pierced my heart; this hurt more than any injury I had sustained on the battlefield.
I wandered aimlessly in the prison for several days, and no one came to interrogate me.
Perhaps it was divine mercy; at that time, chaos reigned outside the walls, and there was probably no one else in the entire nation who could bear this burden but me.
The emperor had no choice but to temporarily set this matter aside and personally summoned me: "If you can quell the rebellion, I will grant you Qilin Grass." However, I keenly noticed that he did not promise to erase the past. Well, if I could save you, that would be enough for me.
Having received his promise, I agreed to lead the troops into battle.
Before my expedition, Jin Ping took me to see you from my past life.
I had intended to bring you along to the front lines, but your health had deteriorated further, and your condition grew increasingly severe. All I could do was urge you to take good care of yourself and ask Jin Ping for carefully selected guards to accompany you.
I never expected Jin Ping to be so malicious. Because of my care for you and my love for you, she harbored resentment against you. She had the national master cast a curse upon you, branding you with eternal hatred, and without hesitation, she killed you and pushed you into an abyss.
By the time I returned to the city, the entire palace seemed to be on high alert. It was then that I learned unexpectedly of your death in my past life. Jin Ping approached me fearlessly: "That's right; I killed her. If it weren't for her, you would already be my son-in-law."
Her words were like dismissing an inconsequential trinket. "Besides, why should you bother with such a wild girl? I am a dignified princess of the Li Kingdom..."
Before she could finish, I could no longer contain myself. I angrily tightened my grip around her neck. "Shut up and say less, or you will already be dead."
Perhaps my eyes were glaring with an unearthly terror, like a demon returned from hell. "What right do you have to kill her? Your life cannot compare to hers at all. I will wipe out your entire royal family. If you don't believe me, feel free to see for yourself."
That was probably the first time Jin Ping, who had been pampered as a princess, felt fear.
She gritted her teeth, took a deep breath, and forced out a trembling smile. "You want to kill me? Fine, go ahead."
"I tell you, my life is now tied to that wild girl, Gu Yanxi. If you kill me, she won't even have the chance to be reborn." She didn't mind showing a twisted smile on her face. "You love her so much; can you bear it?"
I was taken aback, not understanding the meaning behind her words, yet I did not loosen my grip. After a while, my expression began to twist again; I could hardly bear the pain of losing you.
"Do you know? Living is more painful than dying. I can make you wish for death but be unable to die." I whispered into Princess Jinping's ear, the coldness felt like a chill gathered from the underworld.
"Don't forget, your relatives are still alive. Their lives are not tied to Yan Xi; whether they live or die does not concern me."
Princess Jinping's face turned pale, and she fell silent.
Mu Xuanche released his grip on her neck and turned to leave.
"Hey!" Princess Jinping suddenly rushed forward. "I have only one request: you must give me a proper burial!" Her face was ashen, but her gaze held an unprecedented determination. "Mu Xuanche, you're very powerful; I can't defeat you. If I commit suicide, you must guarantee that you won't harm my relatives in the slightest."
Without hesitation, Princess Jinping suddenly drew the long knife hanging at Mu Xuanche's waist and lightly brushed it across her neck. Blood gushed forth as she collapsed with a thud.
Like flowing clouds and water.
I stared blankly at the body of Princess Jinping, silent as I picked up the long knife from the ground and sheathed it.
Inside, I felt a sense of melancholy; everything felt too much like a dream.
I buried Princess Jinping with great care, no longer concerning myself with the conflicts of the world. At the edge of the cliff where you had died, I erected a gravestone, kneeling there for over ten days until I nearly starved to death.
I thought this was the only thing I could do, and it was the punishment I deserved.
All of this must have started because of me.
Until now.
Later, in my quest to obtain True Dragon Qi, I also sought to return to the past and alter Heaven and Earth, hoping to make it back before my death to protect you for a lifetime.
Jin Ping has now completely perished in Qin Wang's Tomb. Your elder brother, ambitious in his desire for True Dragon Qi to ascend to power, has received his just deserts.
With the old story concluded, I gazed steadily at you as you slowly embraced me. "You're so foolish, Mu Xuanche. Why did you have to die?"
You choked on your words, unable to speak.
I forced a smile. "It's all over now."
I helplessly looked at the True Dragon Qi in my hand and softly said, "My requests have never been high; I just wanted you to live and be happy."
"As long as you're with me, whether it's for a year or a lifetime, I'm very happy." In our final outcome together, I could consider myself satisfied.
Gu Yanxi rested her head on my shoulder, seemingly crying. I didn't know what words to use to comfort her, so I could only silently watch Gu Rong's coffin, waiting for her emotions to settle.
However, it was this gaze that revealed a problem; Gu Rong's coffin seemed to be slightly ajar.
I gently patted Gu Yanxi's shoulder. He looked at me with a hint of confusion, and then I turned my attention to the coffin, where I sensed something was amiss.
She stepped forward to take a closer look, discovering a thick, yellowed piece of paper pressed down inside.
Gu Yanxi glanced at it and then handed it to me with eyes shining brightly.
It stated that as long as Yan Xi could give birth to a child, the curse would naturally be broken.
We exchanged smiles.
(End of Chapter)
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