Leaving the Garden!

A collection of ballads from the Northern and Southern Dynasties period, their origins unknown, describing the romantic love between men and women.

Whether it was the "carving arms to drink fresh blood, offering cattle and sheep to the heavens," implying blood sacrifices and cannibalism in their oaths.

Or the "turning to dust and ash, never ceasing to love," a near-maniacal entanglement that would not end even in death.

They all carried a strange, terrifying, and eternal power.

These were absolutely not love songs!

They were more like a curse originating from the depths of the soul!

Almost the instant the ballad began to play once more.

Those walking corpses connected by snow-white umbilical cords.

Came one after another before the Prince of Yuzhang, then began to walk in the direction opposite the Hualin Garden offices.

Squelch!

Squelch!

Squelch!

The corpses lined up in a row, then exploded one by one before the three of them.

Scarlet blood instantly splattered the surroundings, emitting a shimmering, blood-red light.

In the darkness of Hualin Garden, which had thinned but still made it impossible to discern direction.

It illuminated a bloody path leading out of the garden.

Even though, in theory, he had seen blood several times before.

Watching the sight of thousands of humanoid corpses exploding into powder in an instant.

Zhu Yuanzhang still felt a slight sense of discomfort in his heart.

Yet he was the first among them to react.

"Get on!"

Zhu Yuanzhang transformed into a fierce tiger and let out a roar, like the sudden shout of a high monk, immediately jolting the other two from their shock.

"Forgive me, Your Highness!"

Fu Qi looked at the path ahead, which was constantly shrinking and blurring amidst the erosion of the darkness.

He gritted his teeth, knowing that relying solely on mortal legs, it was absolutely impossible to outrun the darkness before them.

He apologized to Xiao Dong, then resolutely hoisted the youth onto his back, crouching atop the fierce tiger.

"Go!"

Tiger transformation!

Sangqiwo Jataka Secret Mantra!

Accompanied by a Zen-like roar from Zhu Yuanzhang!

The eerie darkness ahead, which had been constantly compressing this path made of human blood, suddenly stalled.

The white tiger form of Zhu Yuanzhang exerted force with its hind legs, leaping forward.

Before them, several ice-sculpted corpses emerging from the darkness were staring at the white tiger with dead, pale eyes, never blinking.

They spread their arms, their feet not touching the ground.

They formed a wall of ice that neither blade nor sword could break.

Although the blood path beneath their feet burned their bodies with a sizzling sound.

They still blocked the path forward for Zhu Yuanzhang and the others.

"Subdue the demons!"

A bright, golden flame suddenly appeared in the eyes of the variegated tiger.

Suddenly! The golden light pierced through the entire road like a fire dragon.

Burning the ice shackles on the surface of the ice corpses along the way into ashes.

Intense pain rose from beneath the tiger skin, from within the body of Zhu Yuanzhang.

As the Dingguang Demon-Subduing True Fire clashed with the Mountain-Shrinking Fist, Zhu Yuanzhang lost nearly thirty years of his lifespan in a mere instant.

However, none of that mattered anymore.

At this moment, six-sevenths of Zhu Yuanzhang had completely transformed into a Deep One.

A continuous stream of essence and longevity surged from the bloodline of the Deep One.

Far from feeling the exhaustion of a nearing end, Zhu Yuanzhang felt something else.

Within his body, an endless, wave-like, inexhaustible power surged forth.

The fierce tiger charged wildly.

The massive form transformed by the Sangqiwo Jataka Secret Mantra.

Combined with the monstrous strength contained within the steel-like bones and iron muscles of an ancient creature like a Deep One.

In an instant, the ice sculptures shattered, and the corpses were reduced to blood-red pulp.

Those expressionless mummified officials of Hualin Garden, constantly emerging from the darkness, were crushed into powder.

The garden gate was within reach!

Zhu Yuanzhang leaped forward.

From the surging darkness, a black ice spike shot out.

Fu Qi threw himself recklessly to pin Xiao Dong beneath him.

He then let out a muffled groan of pain.

Behind him, the young Prince of Yuzhang, Xiao Dong, still wore a look of utter terror.

He gripped Fu Qi's hand tightly, and even after they had left Hualin Garden, he did not let go.

"Fu Qi."

Zhu Yuanzhang ran a long distance along the palace horse path, only stopping once he was certain Hualin Garden was no longer in sight.

He set the two down and deactivated the tiger form of the Sangqiwo Jataka Secret Mantra.

"Where to now?"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

He looked the two men before him up and down.

Fu Qi's condition at this moment was abysmal.

Back in Hualin Garden, he had already observed that the three flames of life on Fu Qi's body were flickering precariously.

Yet, strangely, there were no external wounds.

Clearly, inside the government office, Fu Qi must have witnessed something truly terrifying.

Compared to Fu Qi, Xiao Dong's state was significantly better.

No... rather, after experiencing so much, one could say Xiao Dong's state was "suspiciously good."

Feeling the craving emanating from the Dingguang Demon-Subduing True Technique within his body.

Zhu Yuanzhang stared deeply at the pale, uninjured youth before him.

A portion of the "Xiao Liang Dragon Qi" had actually gathered upon him.

If I could seize the Dragon Qi possessed by this person, I fear the Dingguang Demon-Subduing True Technique would reach the perfection of the third level in an instant.

No wonder.

Fu Qi's goal was so clear; he was single-mindedly determined to bring Xiao Dong out of Taicheng.

What a pity...

Seeming to sense the undisguised, hungry gaze of Zhu Yuanzhang.

The handsome but terrified youth's body trembled instinctively.

Despite his fear, he still bowed deeply and sincerely toward Zhu Yuanzhang.

"I beg Zen Master Minghe to save Master Fu. If I ever have a day of restoration, I will certainly reward you handsomely."

Though it is a hollow promise.

At least he can recognize the situation.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, leaning down to examine the wounds on Fu Qi's body, thinking to himself.

But as a transmigrator, Zhu Yuanzhang knew clearly.

Although Fu Qi successfully escaped Taicheng, he would die suddenly within less than a month.

And Xiao Dong would become nothing more than a puppet in the hands of Hou Jing.

After Xiao Yan died, he was first enthroned and then deposed by Hou Jing, who forced him to abdicate the Xiao Liang throne.

Even after the restoration of Jiankang, he would die at the hands of Zhu Maichen, a trusted aide of Emperor Yuan of Liang, Xiao Yi.

He would be drowned alive in the Qinhuai River.

"Why did things turn out this way?"

While checking Fu Qi's injuries, Zhu Yuanzhang furrowed his brows.

Although there were twists and turns, Fu Qi's plan had actually been near perfect.

To think he truly found a path to survival within the lethal city of Taicheng.

And after escaping the city, there was a real possibility of rebuilding Xiao Liang under the identity of Crown Prince Zhaoming's grandson.

So, what exactly did Xiao Dong overlook?

What led to the tragic ending that befell them both in original history?

"Nothing serious."

Although dozens of thoughts flashed through Zhu Yuanzhang's mind in an instant.

On the surface, however, his expression remained unchanged.

Facing Xiao Dong's concern, a flicker of True Fire appeared in his hand, melting the last ice shard embedded in Fu Qi's chest.

He replied with a calm expression.

"It is merely a chill that has entered the body; a few days of rest will suffice."

"Many thanks, Chan Master."

Hearing that Fu Qi was not in any serious danger, Xiao Dong could not help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"Go to the Grand Marshal Gate."

Fu Qi opened his eyes.

His expression looked much more spirited than it had back in the Hualin Garden.

He said.

"Once we reach there, Yang Kan will surely find a way to get us out of the city."

Fu Qi spoke with absolute certainty, never doubting Yang Kan's loyalty for a moment.

"Master Fu... it is truly wonderful that you are alright."

Seeing Fu Qi wake up, Xiao Dong could not help but burst into tears.

Zhu Yuanzhang watched everything before him with indifference.

The True Fire had ignited the last of Fu Qi's remaining lifespan.

At this moment, he was merely experiencing a final, fleeting burst of energy.

In truth, the moment he had laid hands on him, Zhu Yuanzhang knew why the historical Fu Qi had died so quickly after leaving Taicheng.

His True Essence was withered, his blood and vitality exhausted.

It could be said that for Fu Qi to still be alive and speaking at this moment was, quite frankly, a miracle.