65. I Have a Friend
“Hmm?”
Yan Chuyue stopped and turned to Gong Yiling, puzzled.
“Some things… aren’t worth sharing.” Gong Yiling turned away, a wry smile on her face, and continued walking along the quiet path, bathed in the setting sun.
Despite saying this, she felt that this female protagonist, this mercenary queen, this emotionless killing machine, Agent Yan, might actually be a good listener.
“There’s someone I feel sorry for.” Gong Yiling said, “Although she wasn’t always cute, clingy and annoying as a child, always arguing with me when she grew up, always having those little girlish crushes, angrier at me than smiling…”
Listening to her description, Yan Chuyue felt a strange sense of familiarity.
But she couldn’t pinpoint who it reminded her of.
“I always thought I hated her, always thought she was just an immature child, but… she has a courage I could never imagine. She always pursued her dreams, no matter what.”
“Actually, back then, I wanted to be on her side, just as a fool, a courageous fool.”
The most profound connections were often those where understanding remained unspoken.
Listening to Gong Yiling, Yan Chuyue envied the girl in her story.
Although that girl’s path might have been more difficult, always bearing the burden alone.
“Can she still wait for you?” Yan Chuyue stepped forward and patted Gong Yiling’s shoulder. “The past is the past. Being there for her now is what matters.”
“…Perhaps.” Gong Yiling suddenly pictured her sister’s confident and unrestrained demeanor at the book signing, and she chuckled, shaking her head.
“But all this courage… I learned it from her. If it were the old me, I wouldn’t have dared to cause such chaos in Yanlie City.”
The influence of her new identity was secondary.
If she had changed, it was because of Gong Youyuan.
Especially something as outrageous as messing with the Emperor, only her sister would do such a thing.
“If I could, I would also like to meet this girl you speak of.”
Yan Chuyue, unaware that the girl was herself, sighed. “If only I were as courageous as her.”
Hearing this, Gong Yiling finally looked at her, puzzled.
What was this girl saying?
She was a mercenary queen! And yet she was talking about… lacking courage?
If she had any more courage, she would probably assassinate the president, or steal a nuke from Russia.
Was this the legendary ultimate Versailles master? (A reference to humblebragging.)
She had achieved enlightenment.
—
—
While Gong Yiling and Yan Chuyue strolled back, the palace was in chaos.
Honestly…
The Yan Army outside the city gates was incredibly disciplined.
Although they had assembled a large force, they knew their purpose.
They had no intention of rebellion, simply seeking justice, demanding an explanation from the royal family, from the Emperor, for their fallen general.
However… this explanation…
The Grand Elder looked at the monstrous Shangguan Long, his heart filled with anger but unable to express it.
—The Emperor was in a terrible state, beyond disheveled!
Half his body had transformed, dragon scales and claws visible beneath his torn robes. The scales even spread to his face, making him look ferocious, no longer possessing the dignity of an emperor.
If it were just physical transformation, he could still be saved.
The most troublesome part was his unstable mental state.
He seemed to be in a frenzy, unable to speak coherently, roaring at everyone he saw.
Like, “I’ll kill you!!!” and “Hahahaha, I’m a dragon! I’ll rule the world!”
He was practically a madman.
“I apologize, Grand Elder,”
The imperial physician stood up, bowing with a troubled expression. “I can’t treat His Majesty’s condition.”
“His physical transformation is irreversible, and his mental state is due to psychological trauma and excessive stimulation. My medical skills are useless.”
“So it’s true…” The Grand Elder seemed to have aged ten years. He sighed and said to the physician, “Prepare some calming medicine and bring it later.”
“Yes, Grand Elder.”
As the physician left, he bumped into Shangguan Lingyue, rushing in.
Having received no news, she had returned to the palace.
But seeing the figure on the throne, she froze. “What happened?”
“It’s a long story.” The Grand Elder briefly explained the dragon vein incident and Shangguan Long’s current state.
After hearing the description, Shangguan Lingyue tried to appear concerned, but she couldn’t help it.
She almost burst out laughing.
Shangguan Long’s current state was pure karma.
He deserved it!
She suppressed her amusement and said dryly, “But those soldiers are demanding an answer. I can’t just tell them the Emperor has gone mad and send them home.”
That would surely cause a riot.
And more importantly, this might just be the beginning!
“That girl from the Yan family, she’s staying at your manor, right?”
“Yes.” Shangguan Lingyue raised an eyebrow. “Do you want me to bring her here?”
“No…” The Grand Elder shook his head. “She’s also a disciple of that Immortal Master. Perhaps this is all part of her plan…”
“Then what do you intend to do?”
“I’ll go there myself.”
