Chapter Sixty-Three
The entire capital city was engulfed in flames. Mo Yinghuo looked at Zhao Shu, hesitant to speak.
Zhao Shu: "Your Highness, Your Majesty, we must find another Xuan Stone Array to bring the Heavenly Fire into the Northern Wilderness, otherwise no one in Yunxiu Kingdom will be able to escape this calamity."
Suddenly, heavenly fire plummeted directly towards them. The head steward shouted, "Your Majesty, be careful!"
His slightly chubby body was surprisingly powerful; with two steps and a leap, he was extremely agile and tackled Emperor Zhaoming to the ground.
Zhao Shu, unaware of what had happened, had his Xuan Blade in hand, and with a clang of flint and steel, he stood firmly in front of Mo Yinghuo. Instantly, sparks flew everywhere, and Zhao Shu felt a tingling numbness in his arm. Mo Yinghuo immediately snatched the bow and arrow from the Imperial Guard's hand, and with a crisp "thud," the Xuan Iron Arrow shattered the flying stone, scattering across the room.
Mo Yinghuo immediately approached Emperor Zhaoming, "Your Majesty, please use the Xuan Tie Arrow immediately."
Emperor Zhaoming: "Commander of the Imperial Guards, immediately convey my decree: all troops, including the Grand Council, the Ministry of War, the Northern Camp, and garrisons in various regions, whoever can use Xuan Tie Arrows, shall immediately take action and do everything in their power to protect the people of Yunxiu Kingdom!"
Three golden fireworks burst into the sky above Yunxiu Kingdom, their light as bright as day, instantly illuminating the deep sky. This was the signal to activate the Xuan Tie Arrow.
"Archers, take your positions." A deep, calm voice resounded powerfully through the night sky. Marquis Beiding frowned as he looked at the sky filled with flying fire. "We must protect the border people and the Beida Camp. We cannot allow the Xiongnu to take this opportunity to offend my Yunxiu Kingdom."
Thousands of black iron arrows exploded across the northern camp. In the east, west, and north of Yunxiu Kingdom, the Yunzhao Army stationed there instantly displayed the same invincible and swift force they once had. Using black iron arrows as weapons and flying fire as they attacked the enemy, they launched a fierce and unprecedented battle.
Tens of thousands of black iron arrows, ready to be launched from all directions, soared into the sky with overwhelming momentum. When the heavenly fire was a certain distance from the ground, in a flash, like two venomous tongues tearing at each other, they instantly exploded into countless fragments in the air.
The starry sky over Yunxiu Kingdom was both bustling and utterly devastating.
Mo Qiming looked at the Princess in disbelief, "So, the reason you disbanded the Yunzhao Army in the first place was to prepare for today."
Mo Yinghuo glanced at him, "Where exactly is the other Xuan Stone Array?"
Prince Zhaoming shook his head in despair, "They didn't say it, the veterans didn't say it, and there's another one..."
Suddenly, most of the celestial fire falling from the starry sky converged and fell towards the palace.
Zhao Shu held three black iron arrows in his hand, and the bowstrings emitted an extremely crisp sound. The black iron arrows were released without anyone noticing, and they continuously pierced through all the falling rocks from the sky.
"Quickly evacuate the palace," Zhao Shu said.
Everyone immediately ran out of the palace, and the entire palace was thrown into chaos. The black arrows continued to dodge the flowing fire in the air.
"Consort Jing." Mo Yinghuo suddenly saw a familiar figure among the scattering crowd ahead, quietly looking up at the shooting stars.
"Watch out." A black iron arrow flew straight up to Consort Jing, and the flying debris cut her pale cheek.
Consort Jing turned her head, suddenly becoming incredibly quiet as she looked at Mo Yinghuo running towards her. For some reason, at this moment, she suddenly felt that personal life and death, grudges and affections, were no longer so important. Emperor Lizhao's heartless words, "Yunxiu Kingdom needs people who can shoulder heavy responsibilities," were still relevant. Her two children were not as resilient as the eldest princess.
Suddenly, Consort Jing screamed, "Watch out!" Suddenly, a stray rock flew straight toward Mo Yinghuo from who-knows-where.
In the heat of the moment, Mo Yinghuo had forgotten to dodge the flying pebbles in her haste to save Consort Jing. She cried out in alarm, realizing it was too late to scatter. Suddenly, she was pushed by someone, narrowly avoiding the onslaught of rocks, and landed safely in a broad, warm chest.
"Oh no, Consort Jing!" Mo Yinghuo quickly stood up and walked towards a short distance ahead.
Consort Jing was already coughing up blood, lying weakly on the ground. Mo Yinghuo gently helped her up. Consort Jing looked at Mo Yinghuo kindly and smiled, "Princess, I'm sorry. I'm just a woman; I couldn't kill those barbarians, and I couldn't hate the late Emperor. I can only... I can only harbor resentment towards you. I've placed all the blame on you, but I've forgotten that you were just a child then. You were the one who pushed Jingde and Jingren away, and it wasn't you who was trampled underfoot. Those palace maids and guards were all sent by the Emperor at your request. I overheard them talking in secret. Thinking about it, it makes sense; a concubine in the Cold Palace shouldn't receive such treatment." That year, it wasn't just me who suffered; you suffered too, burdened with so much grievance. Though I don't fully understand, I can see that after His Majesty's passing, you single-handedly shouldered all the secrets. You seemed so powerful, but in reality, you were always terrified… afraid they would suddenly reappear… That day was your birthday. This is for you… it was a surprise they planned to give you that night… I heard that since then, you haven't celebrated your birthday… It's alright, Princess… You were just a child then… How can a person not celebrate their birthday… Promise me, from now on, you will…”
In one breath, she poured out all the resentment and grievances of the past years, which, along with the shooting stars, vanished like bubbles. Finally, compared to the screams of those fleeing all around, she closed her eyes peacefully, a sight that even inspired envy.
Mo Yinghuo listened quietly from beginning to end, without interrupting her. Zhao Shu stood beside her, shielding her from all the heavenly fire and meteors.
Shu Rong and Haitang Hou Jun frowned, watching the shooting stars streak across the sky. For some reason, standing in this desert, they both felt a sense of helplessness and mutual understanding.
Marquis Haitang handed the wine flask in his hand to Shurong. Shurong smiled and took it, then took a big gulp. Suddenly, he murmured, "Don't laugh at me lying drunk on the battlefield; how many have returned from ancient battles?" [1] He shook his head and smiled bitterly, "How many have returned, how many have returned..."
The two watched in silence as the shooting stars fell more and more frequently, their unease growing stronger.
Shu Rong: "My lord, something seems wrong with these shooting stars." He paused, then his heart suddenly skipped a beat. "Oh no, they're heading towards the capital."
Marquis Haitang noticed it too. He gripped the long sword at his waist tightly, his brows furrowed. The Empress Dowager was also in the capital. "Deputy General Shu, what are the Princess's orders?"
Shu Rong shook her head.
Fire rained down from the sky, and in less than an hour, the capital of Yunxiu Kingdom was like the end of the world. Mo Yinghuo mounted a horse that was running wildly in all directions, and Zhao Shu, seeing this, also mounted a horse shortly afterward.
"Your Majesty, I'm going to find another Mystic Stone Array," Mo Yinghuo said to Emperor Zhaoming.
Zhao Shu: "Do you know where the other one is?"
Mo Yinghuo suddenly sighed, "If I'm not mistaken, the other one should also be at Jietai Temple. And Mo Wangshu should know where he is?"
Zhao Shu looked at Mo Yinghuo carefully and asked, "Did he put you in the coffin?"
Mo Yinghuo nodded and said, "Zhao Shu, let's hurry to Jietai Temple. I reckon Mo Wangshu is there."
Zhao Shu grabbed her hand and whispered, "Use a wormhole."
"Didn't you just say you couldn't..." Mo Yinghuo hadn't finished speaking when the two of them disappeared before everyone's eyes. Emperor Zhaoming looked at the spot where the two had vanished, his expression complex.
"Your Majesty, the Xuan Tie arrows of the Military Affairs Bureau are about to give out," the head steward said anxiously.
Emperor Zhaoming, however, seemed to have a sudden surge of confidence. He brushed the pebbles off his clothes and said calmly, "Don't worry, we'll hold on."
Not far away, Li Fenglu rode a tall horse and charged straight towards them menacingly, shouting, "Your Majesty, I am late in coming to your rescue!"
The falling rocks startled the galloping horse, causing its front hooves to fly into the air. After neighing and screaming twice, it inexplicably threw Lord Li in front of Emperor Zhaoming.
"..."
"..."
"Your Highness, what are you doing here!" Mo Wangshu looked at Mo Yinghuo, who suddenly appeared in front of her, with a look of horror.
Mo Yinghuo looked around. It was where the veterans lived. He glanced at Zhao Shu, and sure enough, the two of them had guessed it.
"Ashu, why did you do that?" Mo Ying asked, puzzled.
Mo Wangshu did not answer her question, but muttered to himself, "The throne was originally yours, wasn't it?"
Mo Yinghuo was taken aback, then said helplessly, "If the people are healthy and the Yunxiu Kingdom is at peace, what does it matter who sits on the throne?"
Mo Wangshu shook her head. "But you can do it too."
Mo Yinghuo laughed, "How do you know I can definitely do it?" She paused, "Ashu, there's not much time left. Where exactly is the other Xuan Stone Array?"
Mo Wangshu suddenly asked, "Did you change the imperial edict yourself?"
Mo Yinghuo simply stared at the person in front of her who looked incredibly beautiful in his floral dress. His face slowly turned pale, and his hazy eyes gradually lost their luster, until finally, all the emotions he had been holding vanished.
It turned out she knew everything; from beginning to end, he had only been causing her trouble. He had naively planned to keep it a secret from everyone, only wanting to help her reclaim the throne. As long as Emperor Zhaoming and Prince Xian were gone, the ruler of Yunxiu Kingdom would naturally be the eldest princess.
"This is it." Mo Wangshu lowered his eyes, not letting anyone see any change in his expression.
Mo Yinghuo looked at Zhao Shu, only to see his brows furrowed. "How is it?"
Zhao Shu shook his head. "It's already been destroyed."
Mo Yinghuo: "You mean, the stone formation is unusable."
Zhao Shu: "Huo'er, we've all been fooled by the old soldier. The entire capital city is actually a real mystic stone array. And the old soldier's residence is the core of the array."
Mo Yinghuo didn't react for a moment, "Why would the veteran do that?"
Zhao Shu shook his head. "I suspect that the Stone Spirit Star people made a deal with him."
Mo Yinghuo: "Zhao Shu, are there any other ways to stop it?"
Zhao Shu nodded. "Yes, wait for me here."
Mo Yinghuo suddenly grabbed his arm. "What do you want to do?"
Zhao Shu: "The Kun Cave can devour everything, including heavenly fire."
Mo Yinghuo: "Then, what will you do? If the power of Kun Cave is as you say, Zhao Shu, how could you possibly escape?"
Zhao Shu said softly, as usual, "There's a wormhole." He suddenly stopped, a hint of tenderness appearing in his voice. "You, wait for me." With that, he turned and left.
Mo Yinghuo watched Zhao Shu's retreating figure silently, a powerful sense of loss enveloping her. She didn't know how to shake it off. Under this vast sky, Mo Yinghuo felt for the first time the naked insignificance and powerlessness of humankind.
"Ashu, let's go." Mo Yinghuo looked at Mo Wangshu, who had been standing still in place. "We should save as many people as we can."
Mo Yinghuo's last Xuan arrow flew into the air, shattering upon impact with the flowing rocks. Almost as everyone looked up at the sky in despair, the night seemed to have been torn open, becoming deep and bottomless, even darker than night itself. At the same time, the meteor vanished from the sky.
The night was dark and quiet, as if nothing had ever happened. Only collapsed houses, rubble and corpses scattered on the ground, and countless broken pieces of black iron arrows... a truly gruesome sight.
Mo Yinghuo put down the longbow in his hand and called softly, "Zhao Shu, Zhao Shu."
Emperor Zhaoming stood inside the palace gate, and the civil and military officials exclaimed in surprise, while the people outside the palace instantly joined in the cheers.
Time flew by, and three months later...
Thousands of black iron arrows, white as rainbows piercing the sun, shot in unison towards the Northern Wilderness Black Stone Array. Instantly, the sound of collapsing stone pillars was deafening. In less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, the Black Stone Array was reduced to a pile of rubble.
Almost at the same moment, Marquis Beiding led the soldiers of Yunxiu Kingdom, poised to attack. The sound of wine bowls smashing to the ground echoed throughout the entire Beida Camp.
The Kingdom of Yunxiu finally clashed with the Northern Barbarians. Marquis Beiding gripped his long sword, the words spoken by the eldest princess resonating powerfully within him.
"My lord, this unyielding spirit protects not only the land and people of Yunxiu Kingdom, but also the land and people of the Mo family! My lord, do you not understand the Emperor's good intentions? Marquis of Beiding, do you think His Majesty bestowed the title of Marquis of Beiding casually? In the Northern Frontier, His Majesty has already said who has made the greatest contributions. He knows it very well, it's just that you, my lord, have not understood it."
Marquis Beiding looked at Mo Chonghua, who was preparing to go into battle to atone for his sins, and said, "Seventh Prince..."
Mo Chonghua gripped the ring-pommel sword at his waist, his thick eyebrows furrowed in a fierce expression, but he was less arrogant than before. "I heard what the Princess said. Let the two siblings resolve their own affairs. In any case, all I want to do is pacify the Northern Frontier."
Xu Yong laughed loudly, "Haha, me too."
"Go forth and launch a northern expedition!" Marquis Beiding roared to the heavens. His resounding voice stirred the hearts of countless soldiers who were determined to defend the north. With the momentum of a white rainbow piercing the sun, they marched straight to the northern frontier and passed through the capital.
Mo Yinghuo stood on the city wall, looking north, and smiled, "Achen, do you know, when I first saw ten thousand soldiers die tragically, I stood alone outside the camp all night." She seemed to be recalling the past, somewhat excited yet calm, "So many heroic souls, buried in foreign lands; horses' hooves went south, east, west, and north. Lone smoke rises over the desert, amidst the clash of swords and the thunder of horses, the wind rises, the whip cracks. The majestic Yunxiu Kingdom was ultimately built by them, the soldiers of Yunxiu Kingdom, with their blood and flesh."
Emperor Zhaoming watched Mo Yinghuo's retreating figure silently, saying nothing for a moment before approaching and asking with concern, "Abbot Zhao, is it still..."
Mo Yinghuo shook his head.
Emperor Zhaoming sighed, "Then what about the bloodthirsty Gu in your body?"
Mo Yinghuo: "It's already resolved."
Emperor Zhaoming's hand suddenly trembled. Mo Yinghuo smiled and started walking towards the foot of the city wall. Suddenly, she stopped, turned her back to Emperor Zhaoming, and slowly said.
"Ah Chen, you don't need to feel indebted to me. I'm not doing this entirely for you, but also for the sake of Yunxiu Kingdom. Father's fear has blinded him, but I see things very clearly. You have the talent to govern the world, you have the demeanor of a king, you know how to use people, you understand the art of power, you know the hardships, and you are ruthless in reforming. I believe that my Ah Chen will surely bring peace and prosperity to Yunxiu Kingdom, with all surrounding lands submitting to you, the people living in peace and health, and the country enjoying happiness. As for your sister, she's always been carefree and unrestrained. She can enjoy the delicacies of the palace a few times, but boasting about it would only waste my precious years. The yellow sands of the border are much more enjoyable to savor slowly."
After saying that, she leisurely walked down the city wall. After a while, a few cheerful voices came from behind her. "Achen, I am not belittling myself. You are good at governing the world, but I am afraid you are not as good as me at fighting. Mo Yinghuo requests permission to go and guard the border tomorrow. I will guard the country, and you can govern the world."
Emperor Zhaoming remained silent, watching Mo Yinghuo as he casually walked to the foot of the city wall, his expression unreadable.
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