Chapter 37 A sword piercing the heart... just because of this.
Mingguang stood there, completely oblivious to what Bitao was saying.
His ears were still ringing, and his throat was so dry it felt like he had been thirsty for days; even swallowing saliva was difficult.
However, his years of keeping his emotions hidden meant that even in this situation, his face showed no sign of emotion.
He even seemed indifferent.
Time has matured his features, giving him a restrained solemnity.
Like a divine weapon sheathed, though it no longer displays its sharpness, its chilling edge remains undeniable.
This morning, Mingguang instructed the servants in the mansion that if Xiao Taozhi had not yet returned by then, they should first welcome her into the mansion.
He had already returned when he received the news; it would take at least fifteen minutes to get here from the palace.
Why is Xiao Taozhi standing here instead of entering the mansion?
Could it be... that she waited specifically for him?
On either side of the main gate of the Danxi Prince's Mansion, strings of red lanterns hung, illuminating the vermilion gate and giving it a rusty, dim light.
The dim light, like blood, spilled onto the ground, meandering all the way to Bitao's feet, where it intertwined with the dark red dress she was wearing, concealing her figure within the rusty light and shadow.
Using the dim red light, Mingguang looked at the small peach branch.
The peach branches have grown a bit more...
Little Peach Branch was smiling, and opened her mouth to say something.
This time, Mingguang heard it clearly.
“Imperial Celestial is very busy, and I apologize for my unauthorized visit.”
Mingguang opened his thin lips, suppressing all the surging emotions beneath his calm and composed demeanor.
He spoke, his voice unusually serious due to excessive tension: "Why are you here?"
After asking the question, Mingguang felt that it seemed inappropriate in every way.
Too abrupt and cold, Mingguang actually wanted to ask Xiaotaozhi why she hadn't gone in first... to wait for him.
Fortunately, Xiao Taozhi didn't mind.
Moreover, from these stiff words, I understood what he wanted to express.
He replied, "I came to find the Celestial Immortal Mingguang. If you are not here, what is the point of me entering the Prince Danxi's residence?"
As Bitao spoke, she stepped out of the rust-colored shadows.
She smiled, her dress billowing in the early autumn evening breeze like a blazing fire, burning all the way to Mingguang's eyes.
"It's been a long time, Fairy Mingguang..." Bitao repeated the first sentence.
But after a pause, he stared at Mingguang and said slowly, "You've lost a lot of weight."
Mingguang pursed his lips slightly, making the curve of his profile appear even more tense.
He looked at the little peach branch that was only two or three steps away from him, but felt a little unreal.
He found that he could not reconcile the little peach branch in this moment with the little peach branch figure in his long-forgotten memories, or even with the fairy peach blossom who had chased him for a hundred years.
The person he had been corresponding with for three years was now standing in front of him, and did not fit any of Mingguang's expectations.
Seeing the coldness and resistance in Mingguang's eyes, Bitao thought with a pounding heart, "As expected of Mingguang the Celestial, he is truly extremely perceptive."
Bitao didn't try to hide her true emotions just now...
She lowered her head slightly, a smile playing on her lips, but when she raised her head again, her peach blossom eyes were filled with tender affection, like autumn water.
With a smile, she took another step closer to Mingguang, put her hands behind her back, and tilted her head slightly to look at him.
"What? After three years of cooperation, now that I, your 'best ally,' have come all this way, won't even invite me in for a cup of tea?"
Bitao had no intention of pretending anymore. For the past three years of writing letters, she had always written those sweet words in her letters, just to make Mingguang efficient and quick to reply.
Now... when we meet, I realize that I can't pretend I'm still infatuated with him.
Bitao was afraid that Mingguang would notice something was wrong with her, so she wouldn't even let her in the door.
Mingguang lowered his gaze to meet her clear, shimmering eyes, and seeing the teasing smile within them, he seemed to snap out of his daze and realized that the distance between them could not get any closer.
Xiao Taozhi escaped the rusty dim light, and the lanterns on the carriage not far away shone brightly like moonlight, reflecting on her peach-blossom pink face. The bright light also made Xiao Taozhi clearly visible in front of her.
She looked a few years older than when she was in the Heavenly Realm, but there wasn't a significant change.
However, she was wearing a crimson dress today, something she had never worn in the celestial realm before.
Mingguang remembered that Xiaotao preferred shades of pink, light pink, or a mix of pink and white... In short, they were always similar to the peach blossoms blooming on her large, spiritually-infused peach tree.
This is the first time I've seen her wear such dark-colored clothes.
But she still smiled, her tone leisurely and slow, as if nothing mattered to her and no one needed to rush.
Everything is exactly the same as before...
Perhaps he was seeing things.
Yes, I haven't rested for many days and haven't been eating on time.
Today, he is still in the Dragon Might Palace, spending the whole day with Emperor Huiwei, who is covered in the bitter smell of medicine, is already delirious and drooling, and has even wet his pants. His mind is like that of a child.
He kept pestering me with pitching and playing football, which completely exhausted me.
If Emperor Huiwei hadn't already become mentally impaired, and if this matter hadn't soon become impossible to conceal, Mingguang wouldn't have been in such a hurry to appoint the Crown Prince.
The king's idiocy will inevitably cause upheaval in the court and among the people. Mingguang must eliminate all potential threats before the storm begins.
Because of the upheaval in the court and the shifting of power, just like the hurricane in the sea, once it takes shape, the most severely affected will be the common people, the weakest fish and shrimp in the sea.
Mingguang thought of the affairs of the court and subconsciously reached out to pinch his brow.
But because Bitao was watching, she raised her hand a little and then lowered it again.
He didn't know what to say to Xiao Taozhi to reconnect with their estranged feelings.
His mind was completely blank; he couldn't even think of asking, "Was the journey smooth?"
After standing there for a moment in silence, he simply turned around and left with an indifferent "Come with me."
Having said that, he walked towards the vermilion gate of the Prince Danxi's mansion on his own.
That's so arrogant.
No wonder so many people say that she pursued the Celestial Immortal Mingguang in the Heavenly Realm for a hundred years, but didn't even get a glimpse of him.
Bitao stared at the back of Mingguang's head, really wanting to kick him.
But then the gaze slid down the back of his head, past his strong waist bound tightly by a jade belt, and finally landed on his long legs that moved with ease.
When he rode away on horseback, his leg had not yet recovered. How did he manage to avoid being crippled after the bumpy ride back to the capital?
Bitao thought with a hint of wickedness, "Since he's disabled and can't be the crown prince, I won't have to go through all this trouble to travel thousands of miles to get here."
As Bitao followed Mingguang to the door, the previously polite and courteous old man suddenly reached out and stopped Bitao, who was following closely behind Mingguang.
"Distinguished guest, the Prince Danxi's mansion recently captured several assassins disguised as guest ministers. Since the day before yesterday, it has been stipulated that everyone walking within the mansion must disarm themselves."
This seemingly kind-faced old man, whose eyes were actually gleaming with shrewdness, was clearly no pushover. He bent his waist even lower, displaying a humble demeanor.
However, he wasn't very polite: "Since you've come from afar, we should do as the locals do... How about we take off this dagger from your waist and let you clean and maintain it properly?"
"Please rest assured, distinguished guest, the Prince's mansion has a dedicated weapons master who is most skilled in weapons maintenance."
Bitao's smile remained, but her eyebrows were slightly raised.
Before she could say anything, Mingguang, who was walking ahead, turned around and stopped, saying to his steward, "No need."
The old steward obeyed Mingguang's orders without question and immediately bowed to Bitao to apologize: "It was this old servant who offended you. Please, honored guest."
He stepped aside to make way and extended his hand in a gesture of "respectfully inviting".
Bitao lowered her raised eyebrows, but quickly and very understandingly took the curved knife from her waist and handed it to the old man.
"Then I'll trouble you to keep an eye on it for me, but there's no need to trouble the weapon master in the manor. It's just a decoration I bought on the street to match my dress."
Bitao handed over the curved knife, which the old man immediately accepted with both hands.
Upon closer inspection, it was indeed inlaid with many rust-red gemstones, resembling scattered blood beads, but they were all fake.
The scimitar is very light in the hand, and the workmanship is rough. The handle has never been wrapped with thread. If you really want to use it, it will be extremely easy to slip out of your hand if it gets wet with blood.
It is clear that this is not a good knife that can cut through iron like mud. As this distinguished guest said, this scimitar is really unbearable to hold, and it is only pleasing to the eye when paired with her crimson dress.
The old man quickly and respectfully withdrew, holding the knife in both hands.
Bitao continued to follow behind Mingguang, the two of them standing a few steps apart, but neither of them spoke again.
Mingguang didn't know how to get closer to Xiaotaozhi.
Bitao had no desire to become close to Mingguang.
As soon as Mingguang stepped into the mansion, two servants carrying lanterns followed him from the sides to light his way.
They were clearly well-trained and skilled in martial arts; each of them moved with light steps, and the lanterns they carried did not sway at all as they walked.
Tsk.
As expected of the Prince Danxi's Mansion.
As she walked, Bitao discreetly surveyed her surroundings, focusing on the weak points of the guards.
When the two of them arrived at the entrance of the main hall, Bitao thought to herself that what the old man had said earlier was probably true.
It seems that assassins have just been recruited into the Danxi Prince's mansion.
Although we've only passed two screen walls and three hanging flower archways along the way, we're not far from there yet.
The Prince Danxi's mansion was incredibly large, astonishing in its scale. Compared to it, the Prince Rong'an's mansion was like a river next to a ditch.
Although not as exquisitely built as the Prince of Rong'an's mansion, it exudes the grandeur and majesty of a former imperial palace.
The surrounding walls were very high, and there was not a single weak point in the defense.
Each one of them was clearly a highly skilled and capable soldier. They were in groups of three or five, with sharp eyes, patrolling back and forth, and not one of them was slacking off or losing focus.
Bitao was so focused on looking at the courtyard that she didn't notice when the person walking in front of her stopped.
The person in front stopped, turned around, and stood on the next step, about to tell Xiao Taozhi that they had arrived.
As a result, the two absent-minded people bumped into each other, which was quite unexpected.
Bitao tilted her head to look around a corner to see if there were any dogs, and then she suddenly buried her head in Mingguang's arms. Mingguang instinctively reached out to support her.
However, due to their height difference and their position, he touched the back of her head.
Mingguang: "..."
Bitao: "..."
Bitao's head was facing Mingguang's belly.
Oh, it's been three years, and his aversion to people getting close still hasn't gotten better; he still trembles when someone touches him.
I wonder if his political enemies would take advantage of this flaw of his?
After capturing the man, there's no need for any torture. Just have a few burly men hold him down, and it probably won't take more than two incense sticks' worth of time for this invincible Prince Danxi to confess everything.
Bitao probably found the image rather comical and couldn't help but laugh.
Her smile made it seem as if her act of throwing herself into Mingguang's arms was intentional.
Mingguang immediately realized their current position and pushed Bitao away with a sudden burst of strength.
Unexpectedly, Bitao was already prepared for his various subconscious actions. Her head was pushed back, but her hand somehow hooked onto Mingguang's jade belt.
Mingguang, along with Bitao, leaned forward.
However, Bitao misjudged Mingguang's current "dislike of people getting close" problem, which became increasingly serious, so she used extra force.
Moreover, he refused to take a single step down from the steps, which intensified the resistance between the two sides.
The large, bright jade belt simply couldn't withstand the violent pulling.
With a "rip," it broke!
After the belt broke, the fine jade beads and pieces on it were no longer restrained and all fell to the ground with a clatter.
The sound of tearing silk and shattering jade startled both of them, who had already regained their footing.
But the next moment, something even more ridiculous happened.
First, the servants holding lanterns around the area suddenly put down their lanterns and knelt down, all bowing their heads in unison.
Bitao glanced at it from the side, then looked at Mingguang.
Mingguang, standing on the higher step, also looked bewildered for a moment.
But soon, his robes, no longer bound by the jade belt, were blown open by the night wind, which seemed to enjoy the spectacle.
Early autumn has arrived, but the lingering heat of late summer remains fierce.
While Mingguang was with Emperor Huiwei, his undergarments were stained with food.
There were suitable clothes in the palace, but Mingguang disliked other people's clothes very much.
Even if no one has ever worn it, as long as it wasn't made specifically for him, Mingguang considers it someone else's.
He wasn't the type to cause a huge uproar among his servants over the smallest thing.
Therefore, he returned wearing only an outer robe that thankfully did not spill any food.
Originally, Prince Danxi's outer robe was a crimson purple embroidered with python patterns in gold thread, with the collar crossed below his throat, so it wouldn't have been a problem if he had just worn it alone.
Who would dare to peek under Prince Danxi's collar to see if he was wearing an undershirt?
However... the outer robe is ultimately just an outer robe. Without the restraint of the jade belt, it is too loose and cannot be closed up on its own.
Aroused by the night breeze, it suddenly... as if it had some special fetish, and became wide open.
It fully exposed his robust, well-defined, and lustrous chest.
Bitao: "..."
This was the first time she had ever seen Mingguang like this... well, his entire upper body.
When I treated his wounds before, I only saw a part of it. Later, when he was unconscious inside the cult, the person who changed his clothes was actually from the Lei Department.
After Mingguang woke up, the two had a brief conversation, but he was also wrapped in a blanket at the time.
but……
Putting everything else aside, if we're just talking about figure, the fairy Guanghan, who always has her neckline plunging to her pubic bone, is really nothing to look at compared to Mingguang.
Mingguang's chest is twice the size of Mingguang's.
Her breasts are so big...
The outline of his abs is so deep, with two slanted grooves extending from his lower abdomen to his waistband...
With such a wide frame, how can her waist still be so slim?
Does Mingguang Tianxian spend all her free time working out to get in shape?
In that instant, a flood of emotions rushed through Bitao's mind.
But in the end, she took a small breath and then exhaled.
Clutching the shattered jade belt that still held some scattered pieces of jade, she sighed, wondering if she could ever explain her lust for Mingguang's beauty back in this life... No, even if she returned to the Heavenly Realm, could she still explain it clearly?
After all, if he wasn't a lecherous devil, what kind of behavior would it be to rip open someone's belt the moment they meet after three years apart?
Bitao couldn't help but chuckle at the absurd scene.
"Mingguang Tianxian...your waist..."
Bitao reached out and handed over the tattered belt, before she could even utter the last word "belt".
Mingguang snapped back to his senses, glanced down at himself, and then quickly pulled his outer robe over his head.
The vertical lines between his brows immediately appeared, and he thought to himself: Little Peach Branch really hasn't given up his wicked intentions.
Then he moved quickly enough, opened the door, slipped inside, slammed the door shut, and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Bitao was left standing there all alone.
Bitao held Mingguang's belt with one hand, scratched her forehead with the other, touched her face, and tidied her hair.
I finally experienced what embarrassment truly means.
But when she thought of Mingguang fleeing in panic as if he were a snake, she couldn't help but chuckle.
"The belt is secured so carelessly..."
Bitao lowered her head to study why Mingguang's belt broke so easily.
The jade pieces are connected only by gold thread, and the bottom of the jade pieces and beads is covered with an extremely fine brocade cloth that is even invisible to the naked eye during normal wear.
It looks nice, but it's not very durable.
Little did they know that this was a style favored by high-ranking officials and nobles in the imperial city.
Not only because the priceless jade pieces and beads on it could display one's noble status, but this thin jade belt also did not restrict the movement of the waist and abdomen like a thick waistband.
The phrase "jade belt and brocade robe, young master and prince" is often used together.
It's all about being beautiful; why worry about it being durable?
Who would bother to pull hard on the belt of a prince or nobleman?
Did they eat bear's heart and leopard's gall?
Having eaten the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard, Bitao stood in front of the tightly closed door and waited for quite a while.
Finally, Mingguang pushed the door open again, beckoned to Bitao, and gestured for her to go in.
Before stepping onto the steps and entering the room, Bitao looked up and saw the name of the reception hall: Peach Blossom Garden.
When Bitao went in, she was carrying half of Mingguang's belt in one hand, and because she had dealt with the common people for many years and cherished money, she was also holding a piece of broken jade that she had picked up from the ground in the other hand.
Mingguang had already changed into his usual light-colored clothes, which he wore when he was active in the mansion.
No patterns were embroidered on it; only in the interplay of light and shadow could one discern subtle, flowing lines and fleeting shadows.
It's clearly a valuable piece of satin.
He sat down sideways at a round table, pouring tea with a teapot in his left hand.
After Bitao went in, she piled the belt and broken jade on the table, pulled over a stool, and sat down opposite him.
Mingguang remained outwardly calm, but in reality, his hand holding the teapot trembled slightly when Bitao sat down directly opposite him.
A drop or two of tea spilled out of the cup.
Fortunately, Bitao didn't see it either; she was looking at Mingguang.
The belt on this garment is wide enough.
This kind of belt wouldn't break even if you were hanging yourself or swinging on a swing.
Mingguang pushed the teacup toward Bitao.
Bitao then looked away from him, picked up her teacup, brought it to her lips, and tilted her head back to drink.
Mingguang immediately pressed down on her wrist with lightning speed.
I used only one finger, and it was a light, quick touch, like a dragonfly skimming the water. I immediately pulled my hand back after making contact.
Bitao: "..." Okay, I'm toxic.
Their eyes met, and Mingguang's thin lips moved slightly as he uttered a single word: "Hot."
Bitao: "..." This one word is truly worth a thousand pieces of gold. Why are you arguing with her like this?
She put the cup down again.
It's no wonder that Bitao picked it up and wanted to drink it. She's always in a hurry, and usually, Da Yan'er and Cuiwei serve her. They know best what water temperature is right for Bitao and never let her drink it too hot or too cold.
Bitao lost her appetite for tea.
Anyway, I'm not here for tea today.
She decided to cut to the chase: "I heard you're going to become the Crown Prince. Has the auspicious date been set?"
Mingguang poured himself a cup of tea, but only held the teacup without bringing it to his lips.
Without even looking up, he replied, "Not yet."
The two of them were sitting a little too close together.
Mingguang had been sitting slightly turned to the side facing the door out of politeness.
But when Xiao Taozhi came in, she should have sat with her back to the door, but instead she pulled up a chair and sat directly opposite him, their knees almost touching.
This goes beyond what Mingguang would normally discuss with anyone.
You have to look directly into the other person's eyes when you look up.
Bitao didn't sit so close on purpose. She didn't dislike people being close to her. When Zhankui was clingy, he would practically lie on top of her, and her brothers would often rub her head.
Even when it came to Liu Yimin, the heretical bishop of the Tsinghua Divine Sect, Bitao used her toes to carefully examine his face.
It is polite for her to sit directly opposite someone, look them in the eyes, and speak.
Who knew that Mingguang Tianxian had such a bad habit of not daring to look people in the eye?
In short, he managed to squeeze out two more words but still didn't look up.
Both polite people were offended by the other's politeness.
Bitao completely lost her patience.
He simply stood up from the stool, walked around Mingguang, and pretended to play with the decorations in the room.
She stopped looking at him and said in a low voice, "I have some important information for you, which I believe will be of great help to you this time. In return, will you promise me something?"
When Mingguang is face to face with someone, he doesn't dare to look them in the eye.
After Bitao got up, he turned around and began to follow her with his gaze.
Upon hearing Bitao mention an important piece of information, he remained as taciturn as ever, asking with a double entendre, "What?" Bitao touched the vase and then the incense burner with the auspicious beast design.
Finally, he walked to the long table in the main hall and touched a sword.
She didn't answer Mingguang immediately, but turned to him and asked, "Is this the Emperor's Sword?"
The sword, though sheathed, was chilling to the touch. The cold, sharp aura of the iron weapon seemed to emanate from the sheath, making one's blood run cold.
"no."
Mingguang said, "It is my sword."
"Does it have a name?" Bitao picked up her sword and played with it in her hand through the scabbard.
Mingguang paused for a moment before whispering, "Peach juice?"
Bitao laughed without turning her head: "You really like peach juice. Back when you were in the cult, you would drink peach juice as soon as you woke up."
Before I entered, I saw the words "Peach Blossom Garden" inscribed above the reception area. And you named your imposing and fierce sword "Peach Juice"?
Mingguang's fingers tightened slightly as he gripped the teacup, his fingertips turning red from the scalding tea.
He explained in a completely emotionless voice, "Peach Blossom Garden... that's what the original palace was called." He simply kept it as is, without changing it.
Moreover, this room is not a living room at all. It is only separated from Mingguang's bedroom by a side door and is his usual living room. Otherwise, he would not have changed his clothes so quickly.
Moreover, he genuinely disliked people getting close to him. Normally, there were few servants in this courtyard, and the few he had were so frightened by his open front that they knelt down in front of him.
The tea he brewed himself was likely at the wrong temperature.
He acquired the palace as the residence of the Prince of Danxi, but he never indulged in the worldly riches and honors.
Therefore, he occupied less than one-tenth or one-twelfth of the vast palace.
The backyard was once the main courtyard where emperors would reside during their summer retreats, and Mingguang never set foot there.
He always lived in the guest courtyard, which was not far from the entrance, where the ministers who came to the summer palace with the emperor stayed.
That is why the assassins failed to touch Mingguang's room despite breaking in several times.
As for that sword...
After Mingguang descended to the lower realm, he rarely used his sword. He didn't need to fight personally, and he was often surrounded by many guards.
He only used that sword when he was practicing his martial arts.
It's not some peerless divine weapon; it was just crafted by the master weapon maker in the manor according to his sword-wielding habits. The materials are good, and it's quite handy.
Moreover, the sword wasn't actually called Peach Branch.
When Mingguang answered, he deliberately shortened the answer.
But Bitao clearly understood it to mean two other words.
Otherwise, Bitao would discover that this fierce weapon has a very sweet name: Little Peach Branch.
Bitao seemed to have developed a great interest in the sword.
He gripped the hilt and pulled the sword out a little, looking down at the sharp, dull gleam of the blade, and exclaimed, "It's a fine sword!"
Mingguang did not respond. Bitao walked over with her sword and said to him, "My men received a secret edict from the palace a few days ago, from Emperor Huiwei himself."
Bitao placed the sword, along with its hilt, which she had already drawn, onto the pile of broken jade on the table.
Looking down at himself, he reached into his robes and pulled out a scroll of secret edicts still warm from his body.
The fabric of the imperial edict was unusual. Mingguang's eyelids twitched and his brows furrowed. He knew it was the fabric of an imperial edict even before he opened it.
However, Emperor Huiwei in the palace had already gradually become mentally impaired and confused several months ago.
Every time he went to court, he needed many palace servants to assist him. Mingguang repeatedly warned him to use various snacks and candied fruits to coax and entice him so that he would just sit there in the court and not reveal his stupidity.
Mingguang received the secret decree, his fingertips trembling imperceptibly. He suppressed the unease, unfolded the document, and his expression suddenly turned grim.
It is indeed Emperor Huiwei's handwriting, and it bears the imperial seal that Emperor Huiwei used to make toys some time ago.
The font used on the seal changes every stage, making it impossible to forge.
The mission in this secret decree was quite simple: to promise Tsinghua Divine Religion the status of the state religion and to grant it the position of bishop and national preceptor.
They were ordered to send assassins to kill Prince Danxi during the ceremony to confer the title of imperial grandson.
Mingguang suddenly looked up at Bitao.
Bitao smiled at him, raised her hands to show her innocence, and said, "Don't worry, I'm not here to kill you."
"If I wanted to kill you, why would I show you this secret decree? Right?"
“I have come to beg you, Celestial Radiance.”
Mingguang stood up, clutching the secret decree. He didn't have time to talk to Bitao at the moment. He quickly went to the door, summoned the servants, and whispered a series of tasks to them.
Hui Weidi truly possessed superb acting skills; it's a real pity he didn't become an actor.
For the past few months, she has been feigning madness and foolishness with him, seemingly favoring him, giving him power, and even relying on him, but in reality, she is secretly colluding with a cult.
What exactly is his intention?
Mingguang couldn't figure out Huiwei Emperor's purpose for the time being, so he could only send people to be on guard in all directions, pretend not to know, and wait and see what Huiwei Emperor would do next.
After giving a series of instructions, he turned back and looked at Xiao Taozhi with gentle eyes.
He asked her, "You came to the capital in person not just to deliver this secret edict, right? What is it about?"
She brought him such valuable information that even if it were just a reciprocal gesture, like the win-win cooperation they'd had over the past three years, Mingguang would do his utmost to meet her demands.
Moreover, he would never refuse Xiao Taozhi's request for help.
Bitao stood beside the table, her hands braced behind her on the edge, and accidentally bumped into a teacup.
The tea wasn't hot anymore, and it trickled down between my fingers.
Bitao didn't turn around to look, but instead asked Mingguang again, "I heard that you are about to ascend to the position of Crown Prince, but the auspicious day has not been set. Do you know the approximate time?"
Mingguang took a few steps toward Bitao, not understanding why she didn't just state her request but asked this question.
But after thinking about it for a moment, I replied, "Not until September."
"Oh... what can we do?" Bitao sighed deeply. "It's too late."
Mingguang had already walked to a short distance in front of her, and thought that she had said she was too late to attend his investiture ceremony.
Mingguang was about to say, "If you have something to do in your sect, you can come again in a few days. I will be happy to welcome you anytime."
She will come in a few days, after he ascends to the position of crown prince and the sacrificial ceremony to heaven is over, he can accompany her to stroll around the imperial city and have some fun.
He owns several estates with fun facilities such as hot springs, swings, hunting, horseback riding, and boating. She would definitely like them.
Before he could finish speaking, Bitao continued, "Can't we postpone the appointment of the Crown Prince? You're all-powerful in the court now; it would be easy for you to do this, wouldn't it?"
"Please wait for me, please?"
Bitao said, "How about the Winter Solstice? When you confer the title of Crown Prince on the Winter Solstice, it will be a natural way to offer sacrifices to Heaven."
Mingguang considered the current tense situation in the court, which couldn't be explained in just a few words.
I felt a little uneasy when she acted coquettishly towards me.
But he didn't hide anything from Bitao, saying, "Actually, there's nothing interesting about bestowing the title of Imperial Grandson. Postponing it... I'm afraid it won't work."
Emperor Huiwei's intentions are unclear now, and to avoid any unforeseen complications, he must take control of everything in the court as soon as possible.
Bitao sighed deeply again, seemingly filled with great regret.
I raised my hand, which was soaked with tea, intending to shake off the tea.
But then he raised his hand and licked the water droplets away.
Then she asked Mingguang, "When I came to see you before, the old man in your household told me that you had prepared a tribute tea for me in the golden autumn, called 'Azure Snow.' Is this it?"
Snow in the netherworld?
That sounds so ominous.
Mingguang saw her licking her fingers, and his ears felt inexplicably itchy, as if there were flying insects in his ear canals.
He quickly walked over and picked up the overturned teacup.
He said, "If you want to drink, there's still some in the pot. Just let it cool down a bit."
Mingguang stood by the table, took a new teacup and poured tea for her. His ears were so red that they couldn't be hidden in the brightly lit hall.
Bitao glanced at his bright red ears and thought to herself that it seemed Emperor Huiwei's matter was indeed very important to him, and he was very anxious.
He obtained such important information about her, yet he refused to make concessions and wait for her; this deal is unfair.
Since he refuses to pay the equivalent reward for the traded goods.
Then she had no choice but to do it herself.
Bitao looked at Mingguang, who had put down the teapot beside her, changed her posture, and placed her hand on the hilt of her sword.
As Mingguang turned to look at her, she suddenly attacked, taking a step back and swiftly grabbing her sword. Without hesitation, she thrust the sword into Mingguang's chest.
The speed, ruthlessness, and suddenness of the attack caught Mingguang completely off guard. Even as he instinctively gripped his sword when he felt a chill in his chest, he couldn't immediately react to what had happened.
"It is indeed a peerless sword, but it is a pity that it does not match the soft name of Peach Juice."
Bitao gripped the sword hilt, and contrary to her decisive and ruthless actions, she stabbed Mingguang with her sword, yet her calm and nonchalant tone remained unchanged.
Like this fierce and piercing sword, yet named Little Peach Branch, it is indeed hypocritical in appearance and in reality.
As Bitao spoke, she thrust her sword forward and through the light.
Mingguang gripped the blade tightly, barely regaining his senses before Bitao easily stabbed him again.
Looking down, I saw the penetrating wound in my chest, but it was my palms that first gushed blood and felt the piercing pain.
The blood dripped down in a torrent, like spilled tea.
He took a step back, looking at Bitao with a face full of astonishment.
Bitao stopped him, saying, "Don't move! You should have already felt it. This sword is right next to your heart meridian. If you move, you will damage your heart meridian and die on the spot."
She said this, but her actions were anything but hesitant. With one hand gripping the hilt of the sword and the other pressing down on Mingguang's shoulder, she leaned forward and used almost all her strength to stab the sword further in.
It only stopped after piercing through Mingguang's back.
There was no other way; Mingguang was as fierce as his sword, and Bitao had to ensure that he was completely unable to fight back.
Mingguang's hand, which was gripping the sword, had its flesh completely severed in order to stop the sword from moving forward.
Mingguang finally retreated to the side of the stool, but before he could dodge, he fell down on the round stool.
Fortunately, the stool had no backrest; otherwise, if the sword tip had been deflected and touched his heart, he would have surely died on the spot.
But...why?
Mingguang slumped down, and to steady himself, he had to grip the edge of the table with one hand and use his almost severed hand to grab Bitao's sleeve.
He tried to grab her arm, but his palm was torn, and he could only manage to pinch a small corner with his fingers.
The human body is far too fragile.
If the injury were elsewhere, he would still have the strength and means to fight back and escape.
But now the injury is near his heart, and the sword hilt is still in Bitao's hands. As Bitao said, if he moves recklessly, he will be courting death.
The sword strike was too sudden and too deep. Mingguang's lips trembled several times, but due to shock and serious injury, he couldn't utter a single word.
He even felt that he could hardly sit still and that he would fall to the ground and die at any moment.
He could only look at Bitao with disbelief and anger, filled with the thought of being betrayed by his allies.
Bitao, standing high above him, supported his shoulders to help him steady himself, and slowly loosened her grip on the sword hilt.
Meeting his gaze, I tacitly understood his meaning.
"No, no, I have not betrayed my alliance with you. I am not here to kill you because of the emperor's secret decree."
As Bitao spoke, she reached into her bosom and pulled out a medicine bottle.
Because he needed to support Mingguang's shoulder, it was difficult to pour the medicine out, so he simply placed the medicine bottle on the table and smashed it with his own hand.
The porcelain shard pierced her palm, and blood welled up, but Bitao seemed to feel no pain.
He took out a small pill from the porcelain shard, mixed it with his own blood, and offered it to Mingguang's lips.
"Eat it, it's good for your life."
"You need to save your life first, then I'll talk to you slowly."
"I have a very skilled doctor by my side. There is no difficult disease that he cannot cure, and no dying person that he cannot save."
“I think he is even more capable than the imperial physicians in the palace. This little pill is his masterpiece, which he has poured his heart and soul into. It is called ‘Nine-Turn Yin-Yang Thunderbolt Invincible Life-Saving Divine Pill for Wealth and Treasure’.”
"Is the name too long?"
I already told him that he wouldn't be able to sell it with this name; it sounds like fake medicine.
Even after stabbing the man through the skin, Bitao continued chatting casually, even laughing inappropriately: "He didn't listen to me, and sure enough, he couldn't sell them. They all ended up stuck in his hands and were eaten by his own people as candy to nourish their bodies."
"But this really can save your life, I specially saved one for you..."
"Eat it." Bitao pressed the pill against Mingguang's trembling lips, but Mingguang's jaw remained tightly clenched.
His gaze toward Bitao grew increasingly fierce, like that of a dying tiger or wolf, as if he were gathering the power for a final, desperate strike to tear his attacker to shreds.
In reality, he was using such ferocity and anger to mask his uncontrollable pain.
The pain of being pierced through the heart by a sword.
Physical pain was not actually that unbearable for Mingguang.
Although mortal bodies are fragile and even the slightest injury can leave an ugly scar, he has long been accustomed to enduring pain, whether in the heavens or on earth.
But being betrayed by a trusted friend, someone with whom he considered himself to have an unparalleled understanding and telepathy, was like a sword piercing Mingguang's heart.
His uncontrollable anxiety at her arrival caused him to lose his appetite and sleepless nights. He even coaxed the "foolish" Emperor Huiwei to give him numerous tributes and snacks. The palace servants whispered among themselves that he was "enjoying imperial tributes before even ascending to the position of crown prince," and that he was a power-hungry and greedy man, but he didn't care at all.
Now, those things that he refused to acknowledge, no matter how much he suppressed them, only kept recurring, turned into slaps to his face and swords aimed at his chest.
His heart was still intact, and he was barely clinging to life.
But his heart meridian had actually been severed.
How proud and arrogant Mingguang was! Bitao's actions were tantamount to piercing his heart with a thousand arrows.
Seeing that he was clenching his teeth and refusing to take the medicine, Bitao was somewhat surprised: "Don't you want to live? This medicine is not poisonous."
"Now, all I need to do to kill you is turn the hilt of my sword."
As Bitao spoke, she tapped the hilt of the sword stuck in Mingguang's chest twice.
Mingguang's gaze followed her fingertips to the sword hilt. Thinking of how he had named this sword Little Peach Branch, he felt another silent pang of heartbreak.
Bitao pinched his chin, but he became stubborn and turned his head away, refusing to cooperate.
He knew, of course, that she wouldn't stab him with a sword and then poison him to death.
But if he could walk now, he would definitely leave this place at all costs.
He refused to look at her again, and refused to reveal even the slightest bit of his vulnerability and heartache.
Just think of it as... just think of it as being bitten by a treacherous, ungrateful wolf.
However, he couldn't take the medicine, and although he hadn't drawn his sword, blood had already begun to spread across his chest.
Mingguang was already wearing light-colored casual clothes, and with the blood spurting from his palm as he caught the sword with his bare hands, his clothes now looked truly appalling.
"If you continue like this, you will bleed to death."
Bitao turned his face back, intending to say a few more words of advice, but he suddenly sprayed a mouthful of blood on her face.
Hot blood splattered between her eyebrows and eyes. Before Bitao could even close her eyes, everything in front of her was instantly a sea of blood.
But she didn't hesitate at all and immediately grabbed her clothes, seemingly forgetting to let go of Mingguang's pulse.
After experiencing it all, he raised his sleeve to wipe his utterly disheveled face and reached out to pull Mingguang back from collapsing.
"Goodness, you're really throwing a tantrum!"
She was certain that she had not damaged Mingguang's heart meridian at all. She had practiced this many times over the past three years, even though she used a scarecrow.
A stab right next to the heart would only render him unable to resist; as long as he doesn't pull out the sword recklessly or move around wildly, he won't die easily.
Bitao wasn't originally there to kill people.
She even brought a life-saving pill just in case...
Even if the medicine hasn't been administered yet, it hasn't damaged any other internal organs, so there's no reason for vomiting blood.
Then it can only be him; his blood and qi are attacking his heart!
Mingguang had been forcing himself to sit up straight, but now, due to a sudden surge of anger, he coughed up blood and couldn't even sit up anymore.
That mouthful of blood was as if he was spitting out all his pride and arrogance.
Within the pupil, the hard, cold outer shell shattered silently, quickly becoming covered with crimson blood vessels.
His pupils, which were originally a pale gold like the rising sun, quickly turned into a blood red like the glow of sunset.
It is beautiful, but it is truly shocking.
When Bitao met those extremely resentful and horrified eyes, she dared not delay any longer. Unable to pry open Mingguang's clenched jaw, she pretended to put the pill into her own mouth.
"If you don't take your medicine, I'll feed it to you mouth-to-mouth?"
Mingguang leaned against her arm, looking up at her with a self-destructive gaze.
The constantly bleeding, torn palm gripped the fabric of her shoulder tightly.
When he heard that Bitao still dared to joke with him like this even now, he felt a sweet taste in his throat and some blood welled up from the corner of his mouth.
The drops fell softly onto my clothes, like red plum blossoms blooming amidst white snow.
Bitao: "..." If she really dies, her results in the competition will be erased because she killed a celestial being during the competition!
Bitao had planned everything meticulously, but she hadn't anticipated that Mingguang Tianxian was such a stubborn person who would rather die than submit.
In an instant, Bitao thought of many kinds of ferocious beasts that would never be tamed, even if they were locked in a cage, their feet bound, and food stuffed into their throats.
She calmed herself down and noticed that Mingguang had even closed his eyes and was no longer looking at her.
Bitao continued, "Open your mouth, or I'll dislocate your jaw and then use my fingers to shove this pill down your throat."
"That scene definitely won't be very appealing."
Mingguang's eyelashes twitched slightly.
Bitao unleashed her ultimate move: "You know that everything we do in the mortal realm is being watched and monitored. You don't want to return to the Heavenly Realm and have a photo of you with your mouth wide open, being at the mercy of everyone, do you?"
Mingguang suddenly opened his blood-red eyes, wishing he could devour Bitao whole.
Bitao then held the pill to his lips, and he slowly opened his mouth and took it in.
Bitao brought over the cup of tea he had just poured, and the temperature was just right.
Mingguang took a sip of water from his teacup and swallowed the medicine.
Bitao finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, she could still use the Silver Han Gu to leave a shadow and threaten Mingguang.
However, Yin Han Gu exploded again and again and again because of her actions.
Or rather, from the moment Bitao plunged the sword into Mingguang's chest, wave after wave of fire erupted from the Silver River, like pouring cold water into a frying pan, sizzling and crackling as the entire heavens burst into a blaze of fireworks.
"Aaaaaah—Help! Where is the immortal master Sui Sai?! Someone has killed an immortal!"
"I knew she had ill intentions! But I never expected her to be so arrogant, daring to slaughter a fellow immortal in front of the Nine Heavens Immortals!"
"Didn't she love Mingguang? Was it all a lie?! Was that century-long pursuit all a lie?! Aaaaaah—"
"Then what's real? Someone tell me, what's real?!"
...
Such things, going on and on, create utter chaos.
However, the immortals in the competition sat upright on the high platform. Some stared at the Silver River with serious expressions, but the Immortal Emperor and the Great Emperor of the Eastern Pole, as well as the three officials of Heaven, Earth and Water, did not react at all.
He had just finished frantically processing official documents and opened the Silver Han Net when he saw Bitao stabbing Zhu Mingxiandu through Mingguang.
First, he let out a "burp" like a rooster crowing.
Then came a deafening "Fuck!"
He hurriedly went to find Shangguan Dongwanggong, whom he usually had nowhere to hide from.
If Bitao really kills Mingguang this time, the only one who can protect her is probably Dongwanggong!
As for why Bitao killed Mingguang, isn't it obvious?!
She must be harboring resentment because her advances were rejected!
After all, once they arrived in the mortal realm, Bitao lost Mingguang's memories of being a celestial being. Both of them were now mortals, driven by love and hate, so it was normal for them to kill each other!
The two people in the Peach Blossom Garden were unaware of what was happening in the Heavenly Realm at that moment.
Bitao held Mingguang in her arms for a while and noticed that his complexion had improved slightly. She knew it was due to the effects of the medicine, and the bloodstains on his chest had not spread any further. Only then did she tentatively help him sit up on his own.
However, Mingguang was so angry he almost broke his teeth, but he couldn't sit still at all.
Not to mention yelling and shouting for help.
Bitao had no choice but to talk to him while half-hugging him.
The scene was very awkward... Luckily, Mingguang didn't open his eyes.
Bitao presented the facts and reasoned with her: "I have no intention of ruining your plans, and I have given you enough time to make arrangements against 'Huiwei Emperor'."
"This sword strike is not because I betrayed you, but because you owe me my due."
"I gave you a secret decree, even relinquishing the opportunity to become the Imperial Preceptor. This decree must be extremely important to you and to the countless ancient immortal clan contestants under your command, right?"
"In the struggle for power, one wrong move can lead to total defeat. Even if you have the ability to turn the tide, can you guarantee that your subordinates won't sacrifice themselves for it?"
"If your subordinates were to die, even if the elders of the ancient immortal clan did not blame you, you yourself would not be able to get over the guilt in your heart."
"So this is a big help to you."
Bitao watched as Mingguang's eyelashes trembled, and his tense jawline became even sharper. Even without opening his eyes or speaking, Bitao could read his anger.
But Bitao continued, "I told you I came here to ask you for a favor. I've asked you, and I've discussed it with you, but you won't agree to postpone the gift-giving..."
Upon hearing this, Mingguang finally opened his eyes.
No matter how much he tried to suppress and control himself, he still couldn't stop the bloodshot eyes from appearing in his eyes.
Just as he couldn't understand, nor could he comprehend, what the things she said had to do with her suddenly stabbing him with a sword.
Bitao met his raging eyes. Because the two were practically embracing, and he couldn't sit still, Bitao couldn't let go. In this superior position, she could even count his eyelashes.
Bitao had never seen anyone so disheveled yet still so strikingly handsome.
Looking at Mingguang with a completely irrelevant expression, she said, "Many people have told me that they like you, that they like you so much they're going crazy."
"They say I have been pursuing you in the heavens for a hundred years, but have never received your response or favor."
"They say you are a celestial being, while I am a spiritual immortal. The difference between the two immortal ranks is not something that can be compared to an insurmountable chasm."
“They say…you are a role model of the ancient immortal clan, a candidate for the future immortal emperor, a high branch that I can’t reach even if I strain my neck.”
"They also said that in order to get close to you, I made a fool of myself and became infamous, and even had my immortal essence shattered by you several times... That's why my celestial soul was damaged when I was teleported to the lower realm."
Bitao, understanding and considerate, said, "But I don't blame you."
As Mingguang listened to these words, he slightly curled his lips and let out a cold laugh from his chest.
He felt that the ridiculous person was not Bitao, but himself.
He is everyone in the heavens who believes that Bitao is still devoted to him!
"I admit that your face is the most captivating I've ever seen among all the men I've ever met."
Bitao ignored the resentment and ferocity that almost solidified in Mingguang's eyes, and just said to herself, "But I don't understand, since I've been chasing you for a hundred years and still haven't caught up with you, why don't I give up?"
"I don't think there's anything worth pursuing someone who won't respond even after a hundred years of pursuit."
"How about this, let's make another deal. Once we return to the Celestial Realm, I promise I won't bother you anymore, and you won't hold a grudge for this sword strike, okay?"
"Besides, although you are incomparably handsome, your temperament is really cold and rigid, which makes you unpleasant."
When Bitao finished speaking, Mingguang struggled for a moment.
He must have been furious again, because the veins on his forehead and neck were bulging.
It's unpleasant.
What an unpleasant situation.
Bitao pressed down on his struggling shoulders, hugged him tighter, and said, "You can't sit up, so don't move around."
Bitao finally got to the point: "I can do without you, but I absolutely need that top spot."
Bitao pointed to the roof as she spoke.
Mingguang looked up following her finger, and the unspoken understanding between them made him instantly realize her true meaning.
Bitao said, "This injury will only prevent you from ascending to the position of crown prince in a short time. Resting for a month or two will be just in time for the winter solstice ceremony, without delaying your plans."
"And I also need some more time before I can pass away."
In just over three years, Bitao had already expanded Mingguang's sphere of influence and his influence among the people.
Including the Yun Chuan True Immortal, who is currently the most powerful under him and is far away on the border, the Bing Lun True Immortal, who has taken control of the military power in the capital region on his behalf, and so on... He had estimated the faith power of everyone around him.
They calculated that once Mingguang ascended to the position of crown prince and the sacrificial ceremony to heaven ended, he would be the hope of the country and would also win the hearts of the people.
Over the years, he has introduced numerous policies that benefit the people, and his merits are already complete.
Once he becomes the crown prince, a mere 100,000 faith points will be gone in the blink of an eye.
Then she'll lose the first prize!
Bitao said, "You are my most tacit ally, and also my most formidable rival."
"I have no desire to participate in court infighting, nor do I wish to collude with that Emperor Huiwei, whom I have never met, to deal with you."
Bitao even hugged Mingguang's shoulders and neck with some distress, and said with her head down, "I really had no other choice but to resort to this last resort."
Mingguang moved his lips. The pill was very effective; he could speak again, but he didn't want to say another word!
The salty, fishy taste turned into boundless bitterness.
The pain was so intense that his liver and intestines convulsed, and he almost felt tears welling up in his eyes.
It wasn't betrayal after all, but Mingguang felt even more heartbroken than if he had been betrayed.
That's why.
Just... just because of this.
Without hesitation, she ruthlessly pierced him with her words, simply because she wanted to win.
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