Mirrorheart King's heart tightened as she hurriedly considered how to answer.
Before she could cobble together an explanation, Jin Yangxi suddenly leaned closer. Her clear golden eyes fixed on Mirrorheart King like a child unable to find her playmates, her voice tinged with innocence and hurt:
"Mirrorheart King, where are Huang Tian and Zhen Jun? How come they all disappeared after I woke up from a nap?"
At the mention of Huang Tian, the corner of Gu Yuena's eye twitched.
The memory of the holy sword piercing her chest rose before her eyes, and a dull pain stirred in her chest. She abruptly turned to stare at Mirrorheart King and demanded:
"You know Huang Tian?!"
Mirrorheart King's heart lurched. She silently cursed Jin Yangxi-that brainless idiot was going to get her killed. Faced with the Silver Dragon King's sudden change in attitude, she could only see trouble ahead. She bowed again and said:
"My liege... I do indeed know her." Mirrorheart King's voice was dry, but she dared not hesitate.
"Huang Tian, Zhen Jun, and I were originally fellow ferocious beasts in this Star Dou Forest."
Gu Yuena narrowed her eyes dangerously and stepped forward:
"If you were fellows, why are you here? And where is she now?"
Mirrorheart King's mind raced as she concocted a half-true excuse:
"Huang Tian is currently in another world. I don't know her exact whereabouts. They seem to be seeking some sort of inheritance there."
She swallowed and continued her lie:
"My true form is a plant, so combat was never my strength. Besides, the Spirit Hall Empire in that other world was mobilizing its armies on a massive scale, and wars kept breaking out. Afraid of getting caught up in them, I found an opportunity to escape back first."
"I happened to encounter