Chapter 125 Bloodstained, Everyone on Canglang Island Killed

Then Ah Jiu noticed that Guan Ye seemed angry. She sat on the ground, puffing out her cheeks, and absentmindedly tugged at the dry grass, looking clumsy yet adorable.

Hearing her own approaching footsteps, Guan Ye looked up at him, her gaze suddenly freezing as it slid to his waist. The girl's face drained of color—"A-Jiu, your sword…"

"I just saw someone who looks like you."

"You must have seen a ghost in the middle of the night."

Guan Ye, who was as strong as steel, was so frightened by this ghost that her legs went weak. If she hadn't been carried on his back, she probably wouldn't have been able to leave Tianhufang. She hugged her neck tightly with both hands, her wet palms rubbing helplessly, and she leaned limply on his shoulder.

Guan Ye said, "I want to go back to Canglang Island, but I'm afraid I can't do it."

"We made a blood oath to stand together and never betray each other. If you can't do it, I'll help you."

Yes, that's what I said to Guan Ye.

Pei Yuan, Pei Bi, Feng Shisan, Xiao Ma, Ji Fang, Lou Cangyu, and all those who came to Rongdu from Canglang Island—they swore a blood oath to stay together and never betray each other. They all strictly guarded the secret of Canglang Island's human smuggling operation; they were all one life.

Ajiu asked Cui Jin what would happen to the Canglang Island group if his plan succeeded and he truly reached the pinnacle of power. Lu Chaoge's last appearance was on Canglang Island, but the islanders all knew that this boy named Ajiu had arrived by a large ship, and they knew that Ajiu was not the person Mu You thought he was.

Cui Jin also said: "The people of Canglang Island have received favors from the Pei family, and every family is related by blood. They are all one life, and since they are one life, they will stick together. Even with a knife to their throats, no one will utter a single word about smuggling people. When the throne is within their grasp..." A ruthless glint flashed in Cui Jin's eyes, "I will use their blood to send you to the clouds."

—Kill them? Kill everyone on Canglang Island? Ajiu's heart skipped a beat.

Whose path is not stained with blood? Cui Jin fiercely swung his whisk. At that time, he still had two eyes. Suddenly, his eyes burst forth with scorching flames, as if to burn the entire Cangshan Mountain to the ground. Was Mu You's throne not stained with blood?

Ajiu was so frightened that she took a few steps back. Cui Jin actually dared to call the current emperor by his name.

"Scared?" Cui Jin stared at A Jiu, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Knowing Cui Jin's plan, Ah Jiu realized that going back on his word now would mean certain death... He had second thoughts, but it was too late to refuse. He could only bite the bullet and head to Tangshui City. When he arrived, he realized that everything was indeed under Cui Jin's control. At the Tangshui City docks, where refugees gathered, there really was a man with a small mustache. With his departure for sea imminent, he spent his days wandering around the city, his cunning and sharp eyes scanning all sorts of young men: a refined young man from an official family, a delicate and impoverished noblewoman, and an orphan girl with hair like withered grass and shoes half-rotten. Ah Jiu also noticed the girl. She hadn't found work for several days and kept swallowing as she looked at the steamed bun stalls on the street. When the bearded man walked towards her, her eyes, which were barely open from hunger, suddenly lit up. She rolled up her tattered sleeves, squeezed out a tiny bit of rat meat, gritted her teeth, and carried the steamed bun basket.

At that time, Ajiu was watching her from not far away, and he secretly marveled at how strong this girl was. She could carry dozens of kilograms of steamed buns even after being hungry for several days. If she were full, wouldn't she be able to run freely?

The bearded man spoke a few words to the girl and then walked toward Ajiu. Ajiu took a deep breath, her dark eyes fixed on the bearded man who was getting closer and closer. They made eye contact at just the right moment, as if they had agreed beforehand. Ajiu then boarded the large ship bound for Canglang Island.

After sailing at sea for many days, Ajiu had hardly spoken to anyone. He secretly observed the orphaned girl who did odd jobs and heard the bearded man call her name—Guan Ye.

Ah Jiu wondered which character it was. Could it be the "night" from "long night burning bright" or the "dimple" from "a faint smile with two dimples"? On Canglang Island, the young men on the boat dared not utter a sound. Guan Ye, who was fearless, suddenly appeared. After struggling to write her name for a long time, she could only awkwardly laugh and squeeze out dimples, saying, "It's this 'dimple'."

Ah Jiu picked up a twig and wrote Guan Ye's name on it. He also spoke on Guan Ye's behalf, saying: "Guan Ye eats little and does a lot. If she stays on the island, she will surely find a place."

Perhaps it was these words that touched Pei Bi's heart and swayed the bearded man's decision to take Guan Ye away. Guan Ye was finally able to reminisce with A Jiu about their time on Canglang Island.

Ah Jiu knew that no one would be left alive on the ship returning. If Guan Ye went with them, she would die in the deep sea with the others. Ah Jiu wanted her to live, to live well with him.

During the thousands of days and nights spent at Pei Chong's old residence, Ajiu often regretted agreeing to take this path with Cui Jin. This path was long and arduous, and no one knew how far they could go or whether they could reach the end. Cui Jin himself was in danger, or he might die in the treacherous court... Was she really going to spend the rest of her life on this deserted island? This place was not even as good as Cangshan.

Until that stormy day, Pei Bi stumbled and gathered them to guard the island with hidden swords. Ajiu was overjoyed. He knew that Cui Jin had come to pick him up. On the crowded beach, he saw those eyes that shone in the darkness again—Guan Ye, it was Guan Ye.

Three years passed in the blink of an eye. Guan Ye not only survived, but thrived. She was tall and beautiful, with a heroic air between her brows. She also carried a short sword in her bosom. If the guests on the treasure ship intended to harm the islanders, this girl would definitely be the first to draw her sword and fight, even if the sword she was holding was not yet sharpened.

Suddenly, a thought popped into Ajiu's mind—if only he could take Guan Ye with him when they left.

The night the Meteor Sword was forged, A-Jiu didn't sleep a wink. He suddenly didn't want to leave, but... he had no choice. Back in Rongdu, no matter how he tried to avoid Cui Jin, he was always there. A-Jiu avoided the imperial sword-testing, and Lou Cangyu lost with a broken sword. A-Jiu was disappointed, but secretly pleased, thinking they could finally return to Canglang Island. Who knew Cui Jin would take him to the palace to meet the Emperor... and once they met, there was no escaping it...

At first, Mu You's loving gaze made A Jiu feel uneasy. He was afraid that he might say something that would give him away. His fear made Mu You feel even more sorry for him, and Mu You became more and more attentive to him, giving him a yellow horse, a fish tally, and the Chaoge sword...

Chaoge was skilled in sword dancing, and the sword technique he used was taught by Cui Jin. As soon as he put away his sword, Ajiu knew something was wrong. Mu You's eyes seemed to be trembling as he looked at him. In Ajiu's sword dance, Mu You seemed to see an old friend reborn. When he heard Ajiu say the name "Chaoge", Mu You's strong spirit suddenly collapsed and his eyes reddened.

A deep sense of panic welled up in Ajiu's heart. He was horrified to realize that he was beginning to get used to Mu You's favoritism, the luxurious yellow carriage, the respectful palace servants and eunuchs, the freedom to enter and exit the inner palace, and Mu Chenbi's wariness towards him... Mu Chenbi seemed to be really nervous about his face. Ajiu gasped. Could it be... that Mu Chenbi was also worried that he could do it?

—But can I really do it?

At the fork in the palace road, Ajiu saw Princess Mu Runhe again. The wind was biting cold, and Mu Runhe shivered as she watched Ajiu approach. Whether from the cold or from fear, it was hard to tell.

“Crown Prince…” Mu Runhe murmured.

Just as Ajiu was about to remind her that she had mistaken someone for someone else, Mu Chenbi was walking towards the fork in the road at the other end of the palace path. He raised his dark phoenix eyelashes, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

"Crown Prince Brother!" Mu Runhe darted towards Mu Chenbi like a startled cat; this time, she wasn't mistaken. Hiding behind Mu Chenbi, Mu Runhe pointed at Ajiu, who looked exactly like him, her voice trembling, "Who is he?"

Ajiu looked at Mu Runhe's pale face and frowned, saying, "Princess, we met last time... I call myself Ajiu."

"A-Jiu?" Mu Runhe looked up at Mu Chenbi. "And who is A-Jiu?"

Ajiu was somewhat taken aback. Only a few days had passed, and Mu Runhe didn't remember her? Mu Chenbi lovingly stroked his sister's hair and leaned down to coax her a few words in her ear. Mu Runhe calmed down a little, and her clear black and white eyes darted around Ajiu's face.

Those eyes… Ajiu recalled Lou Shitou on Canglang Island. Lou Shitou also had a pair of equally bewildered eyes. Ajiu immediately understood that Mu Runhe was the same as Lou Shitou.

Mu Chenbi said in a low voice, "Runhe is my sister. She was frightened when she was young and fell ill. After she recovered, she became somewhat numb. Your face... scared her."

Ajiu lowered her eyebrows and said with a self-deprecating smile, "I didn't mean to frighten the princess. My body and hair are a gift from my parents, and I was born with this face. I can't change it. Please don't take offense, Your Highness." With that, she clasped her hands in a fist and bowed to Mu Chenbi, then turned and left without looking back.

Behind Mu Chenbi, Mu Runhe cautiously peeked out, watching Ajiu intently, then tilted her head to look at her brother's face, "You two look so alike."

Mu Chenbi gently pulled his younger sister closer and said with a warm smile, "Did Runhe mistake her for the Crown Prince again today?"

"I didn't." Mu Runhe revealed a childlike, innocent smile. "I know he isn't. You're behind me, and I'm calling you. You are Runhe's Crown Prince brother."

"Oh?" Mu Chenbi asked doubtfully. "Everyone says that I look exactly like him, even my father would mistake me for him. How did you tell us apart?"

Mu Runhe pursed her red lips and poked her heart with her finger. "We are bound by blood, but he is not. We are not blood relatives, so Runhe will never mistake him."

Mu Chenbi was amused by her serious demeanor. When he turned around to look for Ajiu again, she had already disappeared.

Outside Xingguo Ward, Guan Ye finally waited for A Jiu to return. A Jiu did not ride in the imperial carriage. The setting sun cast a long, slanted shadow on him. He walked with slow, deliberate steps, his eyes fixed on the tip of the sword in his hand. As if sensing someone watching from a distance, A Jiu stopped. The afterglow spread across his raised face, like a long-hidden pearl shedding its dust and shining with dazzling brilliance.

"A-Jiu." Guan Ye called out to him, but when A-Jiu didn't respond, Guan Ye ran off.

The way she ran towards Ajiu was just like the wild deer that broke free of its restraints on the day Jiang Muyun died in the furnace. The wild deer ran away on the bluestone path, and Guan Ye ran towards the light in her heart.

"Why did it take you so long to get back?" Guan Ye grasped A Jiu's hand. "Your hands are so cold."

Ajiu gazed at Guan Ye's beautiful, dreamlike face. The Cangshan Mountains were desolate, with only endless vegetation and the dilapidated Yunxian Palace atop the mountain. Ajiu had always thought herself forgotten by the world, destined to live a life of oblivion in Cangshan. Even following Cui Jin's wishes to leave the mountains, she was merely a puppet in Cui Jin's hands, unable to break free until death. Until she reunited with Guan Ye by the sea, the light in Guan Ye's eyes drew Ajiu to her. At that moment, Ajiu realized that they were both abandoned by the world; if Guan Ye could live a fulfilling life, why couldn't she?