Chapter 41 Undefeated "I don't want to kill you, get out of my way."...

Qi Baitong stared directly at Li Yuheng without flinching, and repeated, "This was given to me by A Yue."

Li Yuheng's fair face turned red with anger: "That was a gift I gave to my sister. How could she give it to you? If you keep talking nonsense, I'll skin you alive!"

But his confidence was unfounded. Could it be that Gu Shanyue really gave away the things he had given her to someone else?

This person was still Qi Baitong, who fawned over her in every way.

There was never anyone else between them.

Qi Baitong also froze, his expression blank, and looked down at the pearl he had been cherishing and protecting in his hand.

Is this something Li Yuheng gave her?

He cherished and loved it so much, wishing he could stuff the pearl into his heart, but it turned out that it was a gift from Li Yuheng.

Qi Baitong felt as if she had swallowed a mouthful of bitter herbs; the bitterness spread, making her heart almost stop beating.

He knew it; he knew he was just an insignificant substitute.

But whenever the facts prove this again, he still inevitably feels pain.

The pearl in his hand suddenly became a hot potato; he didn't know whether to hold it tight or let go.

The scene fell into an eerie silence as both of them were caught in a painful vortex of doubt and anger, carefully pondering every detail of their time with Gu Shanyue.

Could it be that she really has her eye on this bodyguard...?

Is he really just a dispensable substitute...?

When Gu Shanyue came out, Bai Yan immediately grabbed his wooden cane and ran away. The female lead in the garden was still swaying her water sleeves and singing opera. Qi Baitong and Li Yuheng were both stiff in different postures, looking as if they had been hit.

"Yu'er, come here."

Gu Shanyue had no time to think about anything else and immediately called out to Li Yuheng.

Li Yuheng snapped out of his daze and subconsciously walked towards Gu Shanyue.

Qi Baitong was still kneeling, holding the Eastern Pearl in her hands, looking at Gu Shanyue's anxious gaze fixed on Li Yuheng.

This time, she still didn't even glance at him.

Gu Shanyue pulled Li Yuheng to a secluded spot and asked, "Yu'er, do you know that your senior sister was also afflicted by the Needle Gu back then?"

Li Yuheng's mind was in a mess, but upon hearing these words, his expression changed slightly.

Under Gu Shanyue's gaze, he spoke: "I know."

"You really know? If you know, why didn't you tell me?" Gu Shanyue frowned.

“Sister, I was only five years old back then and knew nothing about this. It was only after you sent me back to the palace two years ago that I came into contact with the Imperial Guard and began to have some vague guesses,” Li Yuheng sighed. “If I hadn’t lit the rocket, I’m afraid you would still be wandering around the martial world. How could I tell you?”

Indeed, as he said, if he knew, it would have been after he had grown up.

Gu Shanyue did indeed feel aversion towards the imperial city and did not want to have any further involvement with it.

Gu Shanyue's tone softened: "You should have told me about such an important matter immediately."

"Wouldn't that use up one rocket? I only have three, I can't afford to be so extravagant." Li Yuheng took her hand and shook it.

Gu Shanyue ignored this nonsense: "What else do you know about Senior Sister being poisoned? Have you found out who the culprit is?"

Li Yuheng's expression changed several times before he finally shook his head: "No."

Gu Shanyue then asked, "Any clues?"

Li Yuheng shook his head again: "Not for now."

Gu Shanyue remained silent for a moment, then picked up her sword and was about to walk out when Li Yuheng hurriedly grabbed her: "Sister, where are you going?"

Gu Shanyue said decisively, "To the palace."

Li Yuheng immediately pulled the person closer: "What are you going to do?"

Gu Shanyue's eyes were sharp, and she said decisively, "Go ask the emperor. He was my senior sister's husband back then, so he definitely knows more than you. Moreover, the matter of the needle-threading Gu must have been approved by him before it was left to the Imperial City Guard."

"This matter is not so simple. Do you want to break into the palace again? This time it's different from the sneak attack back then. If you ask Father Emperor, he can just play a few words and keep you around for a while. But when the Imperial Guards surround the city, once they catch you, they'll set a charge and throw you in jail. What chance will you have then?"

Gu Shanyue kept walking forward, and Li Yuheng couldn't stop her. He was so anxious that he said a long string of words.

Gu Shanyue stopped and turned to look at him. His eyes were filled with anxiety, and he seemed very worried about her.

Gu Shanyue's calm demeanor was tinged with a burning flame: "They can't catch me."

Li Yuheng felt helpless, as if he were facing a willful child.

"Sister, even the most skilled warrior will get tired. If you swing a sword ten thousand times, your hand will be too sore to lift it. But an army is endless."

Gu Shanyue's eyes were dark and clear: "As long as Wugou is here, I will not be defeated."

"elder sister……"

"If Wugou is not here, there is only one possibility: that I am already dead."

After Gu Shanyue finished speaking, she walked out again. She was always like this, fearless of anything, and even less afraid of death.

Li Yuheng was completely helpless against her, and could only cry out, "Sister! Don't you think about what I would do if you died? Without your protection, I would die in this Shengjing City without knowing why, just like Mother. At least Mother had you to collect her remains, but what about me? I could only wander as a lonely ghost, unable to be reincarnated!"

His words were extremely heavy, striking people's hearts with a profound impact.

Gu Shanyue did indeed stop.

“Sister,” Li Yuheng tugged at her sleeve and gently rested her face against her shoulder, “Don’t go…”

Gu Shanyue raised her hand and touched his face: "Yu'er, be good."

Li Yuheng's eyes widened, and the instant he realized that Gu Shanyue had not compromised, his body went limp and he collapsed.

Bai Yan, who had been hiding somewhere, rushed out, his expression changing drastically: "You...!"

Gu Shanyue gave him a light push, and Li Yuheng fell right into Bai Yan's hands.

"He just fainted."

After saying that, Gu Shanyue leaped away and flew away.

Bai Yan hesitated for a moment, but still did not send anyone to chase after her. Instead, he summoned the physician.

Gu Shanyue flew straight out of the Crown Prince's residence, soaring over the buildings of Shengjing, heading towards the central palace wall.

She tried it once twelve years ago, and now she's trying it again. What's the big deal?

She was indifferent to her own life and death, so how could Li Yuheng's theory about collecting the remains possibly stop her?

As long as Li Yuheng dies after her, she can face her senior sister with a clear conscience, and there's no need to care about anything else.

The only important thing now is for her to get the Emperor to tell her exactly what happened back then and who cast the curse.

Thoughts raced through Gu Shanyue's mind. Once within the palace's defensive perimeter, she concealed herself and followed the palace's location from her memory.

However, compared to the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, the palace security was significantly strengthened today, with more patrols and more frequent shifts.

Gu Shanyue's trail was as elusive as a bird's flight. Just as she landed on an eave, someone spotted her and flew out, shouting, "Who dares to trespass on the palace!"

Gu Shanyue stopped rushing forward and looked at the man who had flown up.

"Prince Pingliao, Li Jing," Gu Shanyue slowly uttered the name, her eyes indifferent, "You want to stop me?"

Her tone was as calm as a falling leaf, yet it was filled with murderous intent, as if the white sword at her waist would be drawn and take his life the moment Li Jing uttered the word "yes".

Li Jing was a general who pacified Liaodong. In those days, when the world was in chaos and foreign tribes invaded, he led the establishment of an iron cavalry in Liaodong. He defeated the barbarians, who were famous for their horsemanship and archery, and they dared not invade again. For many years, they retreated to one place, all because of his powerful reputation.

"Even if I don't stop you, the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Guards will still stop you! You are just a commoner, what brings you here to break into the palace with a sword?"

Li Jing was not the stereotypical image of a burly, strong general. Instead, he was slender and tall with a dignified appearance, resembling a strict civil official if one did not observe his imposing manner.

"I have something to ask the Emperor. Move aside, I won't touch you."

Gu Shanyue remembered that the Pingliao King's family was helped up by her senior sister to guard the northern border, and Gu Shanyue did not want to hurt him.

But saying such a thing doesn't convey any sense of intimacy; instead, it sounds like an impolite provocation.

Li Jing's face darkened: "What an arrogant little girl! Back when I was fighting the barbarians, you..."

He was originally going to say, "You don't even know where you are yet," a phrase that is always appropriate for the younger generation.

But Gu Shanyue was different. Back when he fought the barbarians, Gu Shanyue was wielding his sword against the Blood Mirage. The genius swordsman became famous in one battle, and from then on, who in the world did not know him?

He really can't put on airs like an elder.

Li Jing brandished his spear: "I'm here today, you won't be allowed to break into the palace!"

Gu Shanyue looked at him indifferently, her emotions completely unmoved. The wind blew her clothes, and she stood tall like a tree, motionless on the soaring eaves.

She opened her mouth and uttered only one word: "Come."

Those who adopt a passive attitude and wait for others to make the first move are either fools or experts.

Gu Shanyue is definitely not the former.

Before they even exchanged blows, Li Jing was already clearly at a disadvantage. Gu Shanyue wasn't afraid of him, but he was wary of Gu Shanyue.

Li Jing felt slightly annoyed, raised his spear and leaped forward, thrusting it towards the slender and resilient Gu Shanyue.

His attacks were wide and sweeping, but Gu Shanyue leaped up lightly, her sword flashing brightly like the moon in autumn water. The two weapons clashed, and a piercing metallic hum rang out. The one who was forced back was none other than Li Jing.

Gu Shanyue held his sword, pointing it at the incredulous Li Jing.

"I don't want to kill you, get out of my way."

Li Jing's expression changed several times. Although he had long heard of Gu Shanyue's reputation, he was also an invincible general on the battlefield. He never expected that he would be defeated after only one move.

The title of the world's number one swordsman is truly well-deserved.

Even if I step aside, you will not get what you want today.

Gu Shanyue frowned, a cold glint in her eyes: "What do you mean?"

Li Jing sheathed his sword and glanced at her sideways: "His Majesty is seriously ill in bed and delirious. No matter what you want to ask him, you will not get an answer."

"Seriously ill in bed? Wasn't he perfectly fine on Mid-Autumn Festival?" Gu Shanyue questioned.

"No matter how energetic they may look, they are not young people after all. Most of the old ministers who went through the chaos of war back then are exhausted and weak. Your Majesty has only fallen ill today, which means you are already in good health," Li Jing said with a sigh.

Gu Shanyue's gaze fell on Li Jing's face: "And what about you? Why don't you show any signs of weakness or decline? I remember you're older than the emperor?"

Li Jing was speechless for a moment. Even though soldiers were known for their straightforwardness, he had never seen anyone so blunt.

"...Back then, I was in Liaodong, not in the Central Plains. What did their poor health have to do with me?"

"oh."

Gu Shanyue swiftly sheathed his sword, still attempting to storm into the palace. Li Jing quickly stepped forward to stop him: "I've already told you His Majesty is seriously ill, why are you still trying to barge in?"

Gu Shanyue said calmly, "I want to see it for myself."

The meaning was clear: she did not believe Li Jing's explanation.

Seeing that she was unconvinced no matter what he said and kept barging into the palace, if the inner guards were alerted, the events of twelve years ago might repeat themselves.

Li Jing sighed, "Alright, come with me."

Gu Shanyue turned around: "Where to?"

Li Jing said irritably, "Where else can we go but to see His Majesty?"

Gu Shanyue raised her eyebrows in surprise and followed Li Jing. The two swaggered through the palace, which was much more convenient than when she flew over the palace walls and was constantly stopped by people.

They entered the emperor's sleeping chamber. Emperor Yong lay on his bed. He had been full of energy and scolding people during the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, but in such a short time, he already looked old.

Without needing to say more, Gu Shanyue knew at a glance that Li Jing had not lied to her.

Gu Shanyue frowned even more deeply, a sense of unease rising in his heart.

They seem perfectly fine on ordinary days, but when it's really needed, they turn into a sickly, listless person. How can someone be so annoying?

Seeing the murderous intent gathering in Gu Shanyue's eyes again, Li Jing immediately said, "We've seen it all, let's go."

Unwilling to give up, Gu Shanyue strode forward, grabbed Emperor Yong's shoulder, and shook him vigorously.

She moved so fast that Li Jing didn't have time to stop her, and was so frightened that a cold sweat broke out on his back.

If Gu Shanyue hadn't held back his sword, Emperor Yong would probably be bleeding profusely by now.

Gu Shanyue shouted, "Li Zhi, wake up! I have something to ask you! Li Zhi!"