Chapter 146: Inescapable Fate
Zhu Zixing's heart stirred: This man is quite knowledgeable, and must have a lot of strategies in his mind. If he could be recruited to his side... He immediately cupped his hands and smiled, "What you say is very true, I have learned a lot. May I ask where you two are headed? It is getting late, why don't you stay at the manor for the night and rest well, so that I can fulfill my duty as a host?"
Chunxiang readily declined, saying, "We appreciate your kindness, young master. However, we have important matters to attend to and cannot trouble you further. Farewell!" With that, she gracefully drew her sword and bowed respectfully.
A hint of regret flashed in Zhu Zixing's eyes: "In that case... I won't see you off any further. Have a safe journey." He also cupped his hands in farewell.
Deep within the shadows of the forest, Ku Bai Diao quietly returned to Ling Xueyan's side. Ling Xueyan raised an eyebrow and asked, "How did it go? Did you get it done?"
Ku Bai Diao's lips curled into a sinister sneer: "Don't worry! The saddle felt and reins are soaked in 'power-reducing powder.' In an hour, they'll be as soft as mud."
These words brought a satisfied smile to Ling Xueyan's lips. "Very well! Then I'll wait this hour and personally take that little bitch's life!" A surge of rage welled up within her: Xie Yunfeng... let's see if you can escape my grasp tonight! A thought flashed through her mind, and she suddenly asked Ku Baidiao, "Do you have any aphrodisiacs on you?"
Ku Bai Diao was taken aback: "Aphrodisiac? What do you need that for?"
Ling Xueyan was too lazy to explain: "Don't ask any more questions, just give me some."
Ku Bai Diao hesitated for a moment, then took out a small, exquisite porcelain bottle, uncorked it, poured out a pea-sized, deep purple pill, and held it in his palm: "Here, I'll give you one."
Ling Xueyan glanced at it and said disdainfully, "So stingy? What good is one pill?" Before she finished speaking, she had already snatched the entire bottle from Ku Baidiao's hand. "I'll take the whole bottle!"
Ku Bai Diao, both anxious and angry, rebuked, "Are you crazy! This 'Joyful Union Pill' is extremely potent! One pill is enough to make a person behave in a disgraceful manner and lose all reason. If they do not find someone to have intercourse with within two hours, their blood will surge backward and they will explode and die!" As he spoke, he stared longingly at Lin Xueyan's hand that was tightly gripping the bottle, full of heartache and reluctance.
Upon hearing this, Lin Xueyan quickly put the bottle into her bosom and said coldly, "You, a master of all poisons, do you still care about these little pills?"
Ku Bai Diao gritted his teeth and replied, "This is something I painstakingly refined using several rare medicinal herbs!"
Ling Xueyan ignored her, instead giving her a cold glare before turning away with her arms crossed. Ku Baidiao was so angry at her attitude that he trembled all over. He stomped his foot and slammed his medicine staff into the ground, sending dirt and stones flying.
Inside Longyang City, the Grandmaster sat leisurely in his armchair, his goose-feather fan swaying intermittently, occasionally flicking the black and white chess pieces on the table with its handle. He searched everywhere for Yin Xiaosheng and Yi Qingxue without success, his heart filled with frustration. But things in this world always leave traces. The wind leaves its mark, the wild goose its cry! No secrets remain hidden forever.
"Thump, thump, thump..." The sound of hurried footsteps grew louder as a subordinate rushed in, knelt on one knee, and bowed, saying, "Reporting to the Grandmaster! Someone has secretly reported that Yi Qingxue's whereabouts have been discovered!"
"Oh?!" The Grandmaster suddenly stood up and asked urgently, "Where is he?!"
"It's right here at the Ma family mansion!" the subordinate replied loudly.
"Good! So it was hiding right under our noses!" The Grandmaster's eyes flashed, and he ordered in a deep voice, "Reward the messenger handsomely! Keep the news strictly confidential, and do not alert the enemy. I will report to the Brahma Emperor immediately!"
"Yes!" The subordinate acknowledged the order and quickly withdrew.
On the main hall of the Brahma Palace. "What?!" Upon hearing the report, Ouyang Longyuan, who sat high on his throne, was furious. "The Ma family father and son! I have tolerated them time and time again, yet they still dare to harbor traitors and oppose me!" He slammed his fist on the table and shouted, "Surround the Ma family mansion immediately and capture all the rebels! Not a single one shall escape!"
The Grandmaster, the Young Emperor, and the others immediately bowed and accepted the order: "Yes, sir!"
Upon hearing this, Yi Mingjian's expression changed drastically, and sweat beaded on his forehead. He knew that his sister was now trapped and likely in grave danger.
Ouyang Longyuan's gaze swept over him, taking in his unusual behavior, and he immediately called out loudly, "Jian'er!"
Yi Mingjian's heart tightened, and he quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully, saying, "Disciple is here."
"Now that you have joined my ranks, you should serve me well to prove your loyalty." Ouyang Longyuan's tone was cold, yet it also carried a hint of favor: "Your sister, Yi Qingxue... I will make an exception for you."
Upon hearing this, Yi Mingjian looked up abruptly, a flash of wild joy in his eyes. He hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "Disciple thanks Master for his grace!"
"Wait!" Ouyang Longyuan abruptly raised his hand, his fingers clenching tightly, his eyes flashing with cold light: "It's not difficult for me to spare your sister, but you must personally kill Ma Pingchuan! Use his head to earn everyone's trust! If you can't do that..."
Ouyang Longyuan's voice suddenly turned icy cold, "Our master-disciple relationship is severed! At that time... I will personally send you and your sister on your way!" The word "death" was not uttered, but it was already evident in the chilling killing intent.
Yi Mingjian trembled violently upon hearing this. He lowered his eyes to avoid the piercing gaze, and his throat bobbed with difficulty: "Disciple...understands."
Seeing this, the Grandmaster beside him smiled smugly, waved his goose fan lightly, took a step forward leisurely, glanced at Yi Mingjian and said, "Young Master Yi, there's no time to lose, please! If we delay a few steps, I'm afraid those thieves... will escape again!" After saying that, he flicked his sleeve and walked triumphantly out of the hall.
In less than a quarter of an hour, the entire Ma residence was surrounded by a large force brought by the Grandmaster, leaving no room to move. Swords clashed, and the air was thick with murderous intent.
"Father! The outside is completely surrounded. What should we do?" Ma Pingchuan asked his father urgently, his face drained of color.
Ma Kaitai's expression was solemn, but he showed no panic. He said in a deep voice, "What's the panic? What's meant to happen can't be avoided. I'll go out and meet them myself."
Qiuxia stepped forward quickly and said resolutely, "Uncle Ma, why don't I fight my way out with Young Master Yin to cover your escape and Miss Qingxue's escape!"
Ma Kaitai slowly shook his head: "Now the entire Longyang City is under the control of Ouyang Longyuan, where can we escape to?" His words were full of helplessness as he saw through the situation.
Yi Qingxue's eyes reddened, and she choked out, "Uncle Ma, it's my fault that you've been hurt. They want to arrest me. I'll go out... just to ensure your safety!" With that, she tried to rush out.
"Stop!" Ma Kaitai shouted sharply, looking at the figure as if she were seeing a deceased old friend, his tone heavy with sorrow: "Your father is dead in battle! Your eldest brother, Yi Mingjian... has already recognized a traitor as his father! Your second brother, Mingyuan, is even more missing, his fate unknown! You, girl, are you still going to act recklessly and throw your life away?!" His voice softened, and he gently comforted her: "Qingxue, Ouyang Longyuan's ambition is boundless, his desires insatiable. The disaster that has befallen Ma Family Village today was foreshadowed, it has nothing to do with you, don't blame yourself anymore."
Ma Pingchuan composed himself and looked at his father, saying, "Father! The horse farm still has quite a few strong horses. Although it's difficult to break through, we can perhaps stall them for a while longer and then devise a plan to escape Longyang City!"
Ma Kaitai pondered for a moment, then nodded and replied, "For now... this is the only way."
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