64. The Eve of Rebellion
When the three left the Heart of Blazing Flame, they saw the Grand Elder restraining the other contestants.
He was puzzled by their presence.
However, sensing their anger, he couldn’t release them. He knocked them unconscious and had them taken away.
But when it came to Gong Yiling and her disciples, he hesitated.
“If you don’t want me to expose the royal family’s secrets, don’t stop us.”
Gong Yiling glared at him coldly, her aura calm and imposing.
Her unwavering demeanor, even in this situation, intimidated the guards, who didn’t dare approach.
They looked to the Grand Elder for instructions.
“Where is His Majesty?” The Grand Elder asked, his expression complex. “Did you not see him?”
“How would I know where he is?”
Gong Yiling glanced at him. “More importantly, haven’t you heard the news, Grand Elder?”
The Grand Elder froze. “News… what news?”
“It seems you’re unaware.” Miss Gong clapped her hands, a smile audible in her voice despite the veil.
“Yan Chuyue was present when Shangguan Long spoke with Shangguan Lingyue.”
“W-what?”
The inner palace, surrounded by mountains on three sides, was usually quiet and peaceful, undisturbed by the outside world.
However…
Outside Yanlie City, armies were converging from all directions, like streams merging into a river.
Over ten thousand soldiers gathered at the main gate.
Their banners, long forgotten, were now dusted off, revealing a single character:
“Yan.” (General Yan’s surname)
“General,” a guard captain on the city wall said to Shangguan Lingyue, “please issue your command.”
“Command?” Shangguan Lingyue looked at the banners, her expression unreadable. “Do you know what that banner represents?”
“Over a decade ago, my most respected brother died suddenly, and his men were dispersed among the various legions. Anyone in this empire might betray us, but they won’t.”
“Because they are the empire’s shield. They are the Yan Army.”
“But…”
Shangguan Lingyue raised her hand, silencing him. “Send someone down and ask their leader what they want.”
“General!”
“That’s an order!”
The guard captain, his face grim, saluted. “Yes, General!”
The standoff continued until the Grand Elder sent someone to inquire.
Upon learning the truth, the Grand Elder frowned and looked at Gong Yiling disapprovingly. “Why would you do this?”
“How do you know it was me?” Gong Yiling shook her head. “Hidden actions will always be revealed. The Yan Army, once a hundred thousand strong, lost half its men in that battle because of the royal family’s betrayal.”
“They’ve blamed the demonic sects for over a decade, but now they’ve learned it was likely Shangguan Long’s doing.”
“Do you think those loyal soldiers will tolerate such treachery? Will they tolerate that treacherous Emperor?”
Having said this, Gong Yiling, calculating that Shangguan Long’s transformation was almost complete, decided to leave.
“Shangguan Lingyue won’t attack soldiers seeking justice for General Yan. I suggest you find your Emperor instead of wasting time with me, Grand Elder.”
She turned and walked away with the two girls.
The Grand Elder didn’t speak, and no one dared stop her.
According to the rumors, this young lady could single-handedly kill the Calamity Heart Flame Python.
They were no match for her.
But the Grand Elder didn’t intend to stop her anyway, letting them leave.
On their way back, they remained silent.
Upon reaching the palace gates, Gong Yiling left the two girls at a corner, found Mo Ke outside, gave him some instructions, then quickly returned.
Seeing the two girls asleep, leaning against each other, she sighed.
It had been a long day.
The third round of the competition, the encounter in the Heart of Blazing Flame…
If it weren’t for the two girls, even she would have collapsed from exhaustion.
But now she had a problem.
She didn’t want to wake them, but she also didn’t want them sleeping here.
Carrying them back… was possible, but there were two of them. Was she supposed to do a piggyback ride on top of another piggyback ride?
“What are you doing here?”
The sudden female voice made Miss Gong sigh in relief, as if she had found her savior.
A minute later…
Gong Yiling carried Lu Xinyao on her back, while Yan Chuyue carried Qiu Shui, walking side by side towards the manor.
It was near dusk, but the usually bustling streets were deserted.
Only the two figures, carrying the sleeping girls, their shadows stretched long by the setting sun, could be seen.
After walking for a while, Yan Chuyue finally spoke.
“Um…”
“Thank you.”
“Ah!” Gong Yiling’s words surprised her.
But she quickly recovered. “You don’t need to thank me.”
“My father’s matter is my responsibility. You just gave me a suggestion, to inform my father’s former subordinates.”
Yes.
It was Yan Chuyue who summoned them.
Only General Yan’s daughter had the authority to call upon his former troops in his name.
And this was what Gong Yiling had asked her to do before entering the Heart of Blazing Flame.
—Regardless of Shangguan Long’s plans, this was her first move against him. But things went much smoother than expected, even resulting in his unexpected early exit.
“Well, this isn’t my usual style.” Yan Chuyue chuckled, sighing.
“I wouldn’t have resorted to such drastic measures. Miss Lü, you’re much braver than I am.”
“Is that so?”
Gong Yiling stopped and turned to face her.
She murmured, “I’ve… experienced the consequences of inaction. I just want to make up for my past mistakes.”
