Side Story: Yu and Zhen (End)
Hansite's face paled, and he coughed violently, collapsing to the ground.
at the same time-
Lorenzo and the Death Knell both coughed up a mouthful of blood!
The two felt that the "moonlight spring water" in their stomachs, which had been gentle, moist, quiet and docile, suddenly boiled like molten iron!
That's not an illusion.
With the activation of the "Moon-Boiling Spirit Domain", the originally dormant Moonlight Spring water was completely revitalized.
The "Seven Quatrains" material contained within reacted and reorganized in an instant, revealing its long-dormant, ferocious face!
****
The deadly poison that Yu Yao painstakingly designed was no ordinary poison.
Lorenzo and Death Knell suffered sudden cardiac arrest, their Magic Power backfired, and their Dou Qi dissipated!
The Death Knell froze for only a moment before it was struck.
This time, it was that bastard Meiwu'er who did it again!
Without hesitation, Death Knell unleashed her ultimate burst skill, and in a flash, she transformed into an almost invisible afterimage, heading straight for the window.
Meiwu'er and Xialike were prepared when they heard Hansite play.
At this moment, they erupted simultaneously, giving chase with all their might!
As for Zhapulai-
Although he couldn't read the thoughts in the Death Knell's mind, he could still sense the intentions of Meiwu'er and Xialike.
Therefore, his pursuit was even half a second ahead of the two of them.
It was stuck in the very front row, tightly attached to the Death Knell.
If they can hold out against this burst of enemy speed, they might be able to capture her!
The Death Knell blared out of the banquet hall through the window.
The toxins in her body surged wildly, fiercely battling against the detoxification laws, causing her entire body to feel hot.
After a while, she finally figured things out completely.
I'm a fucking idiot!
What utter rubbish of wisdom!
Those damned Tayans, they've been scheming from beginning to end!
Every single minute and every single second is an act!
Death Knell whirled around and glared at the three people who were relentlessly chasing after her like glue.
First, there was Meiwu'er struck her twice with his sword.
The Death Knell recalled the properties of the Moonlight Spring when Hansite activated it; the Arcane Domain opened, enveloping Meiwu'er.
"AoE Energy Simulation!"
With her understanding of energy at the Destiny level, she was able to briefly recreate a portion of the properties of the "Moon-Boiling Spirit Domain"!
Meiwu'er felt a sudden, sharp pain in his abdomen, coughed up blood, and fell from mid-air!
Then came Zhapulai, who was the closest pursuer!
With a Death Knell of his wrist, a short knife shot out, heading straight for the opponent's face!
"You got off easy!"
She cursed him inwardly.
****
Zhapulai raised his sword to block the flying knife.
But at the very moment the blades touched, the strange power that had been attached to him by the Death Knell suddenly tightened and solidified!
Arcane Mark: Chains!
Zhapulai froze, lost his balance, and crashed heavily onto the stone-paved floor of the palace, leaving a deep ditch.
He quickly got up and broke free of the energy chains binding him.
It's an Oberon Dancer!
With blades and Magic Power, they weave a battle of death.
Its core skill, "Arcane Mark," applies an energy mark to enemies, which is then detonated when the time is right.
Zhapulai's "mind reading" feeds this information back.
A cold sweat immediately broke out on his back.
The original plan of the Death Knell was to stack enough marks on Zhapulai, then activate "Arcane Mark Burst," stab him a few more times, and send him to his death in one go.
This opponent's plan from the very beginning was to kill him!
And if they actually fought according to the enemy's plan, he would be doomed!
Zhapulai looked up at the night sky.
The figure of the Death Knell gradually disappeared.
Xialike arrived beside him in just one leap.
"We can't catch up," Zhapulai said bitterly. "That woman named Lingna is just too strong."
"Would the poison kill her?" Xialike asked.
"Difficult," Zhapulai said in a deep voice. "While the 'Seven Absolutes' are very powerful, Lingna's ability to simulate the Moon Chanter's domain shows that her understanding of energy manipulation far surpasses our comprehension!"
"Then hopefully this time—" Xialike slowly exhaled, "Even if we don't kill her, we'll at least get a scratch."
C
I really never want to encounter an enemy as ridiculously powerful as Lingna again.
Zhapulai couldn't help but secretly criticize Lorenzo.
If this cold-hearted emperor had just let his guards make a move, given their advantageous home advantage today, they could have easily replaced Lingna by sacrificing just a few lives!
****
Where Meiwu'er had fallen, Chloe and Stacy had already rushed over to provide first aid.
When Xialike returned, Stacy had already completed gastric lavage and induced vomiting, and her forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat.
"The good news is that the ' Moon-Boiling Spirit Domain ' effect simulated by Lingna is far inferior to the original," Chloe said quickly while casting a spell to stabilize Meiwu'er's condition.
"And the bad news?" Xialike's heart sank.
"The bad news is—" Stacy looked up, her face pale, "Meiwu'er is still poisoned."
"I managed to suppress it."
"But it absolutely must not be triggered a second time!"
Hearing this, Xialike breathed a long sigh of relief.
His entire body visibly relaxed from that tense state.
"It's good that he's back—" Xialike murmured softly, "I thought Meiwu'er... he—"
Upon hearing this, Zhapulai, who was standing nearby, also breathed a sigh of relief.
He genuinely liked the young man Meiwu'er.
"Oh, right," Xialike suddenly looked up at Zhapulai, "Thank you."
He did not specify what he was thanking for.
But both of them knew the truth.
Zhapulai's "mind reading" domain meant that when he grabbed Xialike by the neck earlier, he already knew the general outline of the whole matter.
Chloe, with her strong mental fortitude, is able to conceal her true feelings.
But Xialike had absolutely no ability to conceal his thoughts or give himself away in front of Zhapulai.
In other words -
From that moment on, the Executioner Zhapulai, already knew the truth about what happened tonight!
"I am loyal only to the Empire."
Zhapulai paused for a moment, then spoke with a wry smile.
"That's how it should have been."
He raised his hand, revealing a gruesome scar on his arm.
"This is the wound I sustained on the Plain of Despair."
"I have fourteen similar wounds on my body, all from fierce battles."
I survived by sheer luck.
"But my two sons both died in battle on the Plain of Despair."
A night breeze blew by, and the rain had stopped sometime earlier.
"I loathe wars fueled by ugly ambitions, and I loathe ugliness itself—" Zhapulai whispered, "So I hesitated then."
In the end, they chose to sit idly by.
After he finished speaking, he suddenly realized something, and his expression changed slightly.
"Etc."
"My reaction—could it also be part of your plan?"
"Yes," Xialike readily admitted.
Zhapulai's "mind reading" field is an indispensable part of the entire plan.
Fortunately, these planners knew enough about the Executioner's past.
Knowing what kind of person this seemingly cold and hard-faced Saint Rank truly is.
"The younger generation is truly formidable," Zhapulai sighed, his gaze sweeping over the young people before him. "The most promising elites of the future."
****
Through the broken windows, chaos still lingered in the center of the banquet hall.
The royal physicians were surrounding His Majesty Lorenzo, employing a variety of methods like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea.
They've exhausted every method they could think of.
They even drained the blood from one of the servants to replace Lorenzo's entire blood supply.
Of course, it was to no avail.
Lorenzo had no heartbeat or breathing.
The imperial physicians were drenched in sweat, but dared not stop for a moment.
During this time, someone secretly glanced in their direction, their eyes filled with a hint of unspoken longing.
If this continues, His Majesty's body will start to stiffen!
"They're waiting for us to come over and call a halt."
Zhapulai said.
Are you ready?
Xialike closed his eyes and mentally reviewed the flow of his argument.
The one who poisoned and killed the late Emperor Lorenzo was that mysterious and powerful woman named Lingna.
Although the initial plan was to frame Saimusi.
However, the difference is not significant.
In short, despite the best efforts of Xialike Like and his party, they managed to obtain the "Seven-Colored Sacred Jade" from Master White Pheasant.
But Lorenzo's poison had already penetrated to the bone, and ultimately, there was nothing that could be done to reverse the situation.
They fought valiantly but failed to apprehend the killer.
What happened tonight is a tragic national disaster.
The Star Empire will surely avenge this!
Xialike took a deep breath, pushed open the now meaningless door to the banquet hall, and stepped inside.
In the final royal announcement, the banquet was described as a raid by an extremist terrorist organization.
Emperor Lorenzo died a heroic death!
Under the auspices of Xialike, the Empire held a grand state funeral for Lorenzo.
Subsequently, amidst the calls for revenge from the court officials, the former crown prince officially ascended the throne and became the new emperor of the Star Empire.
Xialike used the excuse of "keeping everything simple during the national mourning period" to cut the coronation ceremony in half.
Even so, the remaining half is still quite long.
Meiwu'er stood guard beside Xialike, sword in hand, waiting for him to complete his oath.
During the break before the next activity, he handed over a water bag.
Xialike tilted his head back and took a sip, moistening his dry throat.
"You don't need to follow me all the time," he said to Meiwu'er. "You're carrying a bomb on your person, so get some rest."
"Precisely because you're carrying a bomb, you should move around more," Meiwu'er grinned. "As the saying goes, why sleep so much while you're alive?"
"Even after death, one may not sleep forever," Xialike laughed.
He looked around and, sure enough, didn't see Janet. He couldn't help but sigh softly.
The poor girl fainted and lost control of her bladder in front of everyone, losing all face.
Since then, he has remained secluded at home.
Clearly, it left a very deep psychological scar.
The only poison Xialike added to her pastry was "the poison without form."
She would faint due to the camphor toxin, becoming a spark that ignites widespread panic throughout the banquet.
In other words, Janet was indeed used by him.
But the consequences shouldn't have been this severe.
Who would have thought that griffin eggs were mixed in with the food at the event, and Janet even ate quite a few?
I can only try to make it up to her later.
Xialike thought to himself, then handed the water bag to Chloe.
The latter took it and drank a sip.
The two held hands and walked together onto the high platform to receive blessings from the imperial elders and guests.
"I'm sorry," Xialike said in a low voice, "The wedding hasn't even started yet, and I'm already making you do the work of an empress."
Chloe shook her head, a businesslike smile on her face, going through the motions of the ceremony.
She suddenly spoke, her voice very soft, but it was about another topic.
Lorenzo —he did so many wrong things.
"Isn't there any accountability at all?"
Xialike tightened his grip on Chloe's hand.
"That's politics," he whispered. "You know that in your heart."
This world is never simply black and white.
Or rather, it has always been gloomy.
It is only because there are people who uphold their principles and bottom lines that this world sometimes seems to have a glimmer of light and something beautiful worth cherishing.
"And what about Queen Yu Yao?"
A hint of tears suddenly welled up in Chloe's eyes.
"After Lorenzo dies, he will be honored and laid to rest in the royal mausoleum in a grand funeral."
Why can't Queen Yu Yao's remains even return to her homeland?
Her voice choked slightly, and a tremor could no longer be suppressed in the last syllable.
That night, they rescued Queen Yu Yao and killed the apothecary Saimusi, who was unable to escape.
However, Yu Yao had already suffered fatal injuries in the attack launched by Lorenzo half a year ago.
The only thing that kept her alive, dragging her broken body along, was the unborn child in her womb.
She was already nearly at the end of her life.
Saimusi used "ashes of fire" on her, forcibly dragging her to the end.
Ultimately, she passed away after giving birth to her eggs.
And those who prevented Yu Yao's remains from being returned to her homeland -
It's Xialike.
"The death of the Feather Race Queen in the Star Empire is too intriguing."
97
Xialike explained in a low voice.
This matter will not have any impact on the Star Empire.
On the contrary, the Feather Race, caught in the middle, cannot bear any unnecessary speculation or rumors.
"This, too, is politics?" Chloe whispered.
"Yes."
Another elderly elder stepped forward.
Chloe readjusted her expression to avoid making her perfunctory attitude and distraction too obvious.
"Perhaps you are right, Xialike," she said slowly.
"But I just want to do something spontaneous."
Chloe thought to herself.
****
Three months later.
Near the Plain of Despair, in a secluded place.
A tall tower made of White Bone stands silently in the forest.
In the top room of the tower, a skeletal dragon was lazily lying down, flipping through a thesis.
The slender bony claws caressed the pages, and every now and then it would pick up a pen and write or draw in the blank spaces.
Very focused.
Galio went outside.
Although he knew that the other party had already sensed his arrival, he still symbolically raised his hand and knocked on the door.
The bone dragon did not raise its head, and the direction in which the soul fire focused remained unchanged.
"Please come in," Zijin said calmly.
"Scholar Bay Owl."
The Dark Grand Magus Mentor Galio walked in and rubbed his hands together.
"Speak quickly if you have something to say, otherwise get lost." Zijin said impatiently.
Galio quickly handed over a stack of papers.
"It's about the large-scale Teleportation, specifically the stabilization matrix," he explained quickly. "I've already made several versions, but the phase fluctuations are still too large, failing to meet the standards required for teleportation."
Zijin took the manuscript paper and flipped through it with her bone claws so fast that she could read almost ten lines at a glance.
"Huh, you actually solved the core pathway problem?"
There was a hint of surprise in her voice.
"Hmm, this method looks ingenious—unfortunately, I don't quite understand it."
"The spatial aspects are inherently quite complex," Galio chuckled dryly.
In the past, his answer would most likely have been, "Please allow me to explain in detail."
However, when it comes to issues related to spatial folding, this Scholar Bay Owl's mind is as flat as the smoothest ice.
Nothing can be kept.
Zijin continued flipping through the pages and discovered that a rather detailed plan for constructing the magic array was attached at the end.
"You've collected all the materials?" This time she was genuinely surprised.
"Yes."
"Hey Black Raven, which sucker are you that lets you wreak havoc like this?"
The Zijin finally showed some interest, raising its bone claws slightly as if ready to listen to gossip.
"Well—I suddenly found a large sum of money."
Galio was too embarrassed to admit that he had sold "Myriad Phenomena Prism".
For scholars, a lack of money can be addressed by finding solutions.
They could sell the world's only research subject.
That would be something you'd laugh at for the rest of your life!
Seeing that Galio was unwilling to talk about it, Zijin didn't bother to press him further.
She raised her bone claw, signaling the man to get lost.
But Galio didn't move.
He really can't stop searching for a stable matrix.
He forced himself to continue, "The most difficult parts of the Scholar Bay Owl have now been solved."
There aren't many problems left.
"Once the stabilization matrix is completed, large-scale interdimensional teleportation will truly be just around the corner!"
"Once it's finished, won't you be able to get the Titled Scholar naturally?" Zijin said. "And then, could I be listed as the corresponding author on your upgraded thesis?"
"The Scholar Bay Owl is joking," Galio said sheepishly.
"You don't allow signatures?" Zijin scoffed.
"Then why should I do your work?"
"I wouldn't dare," Galio readily admitted. "If your friends and family found out you're trapped here, I'd definitely be in deep trouble!"
"You know that too?"
In fact, the two of them are currently in a state of mutual restraint.
Galio certainly possessed the "White Bone Mark".
However, Zijin also fundamentally locked out reverse permissions.
This made it impossible for him to control the Zijin.
Conversely, Zijin herself could not escape the constraints of this tower of White Bone.
The situation has remained deadlocked for quite some time.
Nobody benefited.
"Why don't you just let me go?" Zijin suddenly said. "Anyway, you can't gain control, and it'll save you from having to worry about me turning against you every day."
"You'll let me go?" Galio smiled bitterly. "Belladonna, don't lie to people about something like this."
Zijin remained silent for a while.
"Although it was your teacher, Russell, who initially plotted to frame me."
"But it's a fact that you helped set up the formation."
"And then you took the opportunity to plot against me—that's a fact too!"
****
This matter is somewhat complicated.
Two years ago, Zijin made a pact with the Thought Entity of the Plain of Despair, and through the Undead Scourge, summoned the White Bone Fortress.
During this process, she was deliberately plotted against by the necromancer Russell, and the "White Bone Mark" was carved into her bone dragon body.
But what Russell didn't know was—
The bone dragon is not the life core of the Zijin at all.
The true core form of Ailisha was sealed away by her with the Feather Race before she came to the Plain of Despair.
Russell's concept of "White Bone Mark" was flawed from the very beginning at the level of its underlying principles.
It could not control the Zijin's soul.
Unless the Zijin actively merges with it.
"You know perfectly well," Zijin continued, "If you had kept your promise to grant me my freedom after killing Russell, this would have been over long ago."
"I will definitely give you a sufficient reward as a token of my gratitude."
"I believe it," Galio said wistfully, "But humans are inherently greedy."
"The moment we joined forces to kill Russell, what I was thinking was—if I control you, it's the same as controlling a bone dragon and a top-tier scholar who can be commanded—"
Galio spoke, he fell into endless frustration.
In this situation, if he dares to withdraw from the "White Bone Mark," Zijin dares to retaliate on the spot!
Then turn him into a skeleton!
After that, both of them remained silent for a long time.
At the top of the tower, only the sound of turning pages and the soft rustling of bone claws remained.
Galio suddenly pulled another paper out of his pocket.
"This is a recent post from your friend Chloe."
"It's said that she might be promoted to Titled Scholar because of this paper."
Zijin took it and looked at it.
The paper title reads:
On the Application of Chelation in Toxin Prevention
First author, Chloe.
Second author, Simmilla.
Third author, White Pheasant.
The fourth author, Stacy.
Upon seeing the order of the signatures, a subtle look flashed in Zijin's eyes.
Chloe was surprisingly ranked ahead of the three professional doctors.
And this lineup is quite interesting.
She opened the main text and read it carefully.
The paper provides a detailed list of various toxins that can be found in common foods, as well as their corresponding chelating agents.
These chelating agents can bind to toxic ions in the blood, thereby detoxifying them and excreting them from the body.
The paper not only describes the preparation methods and specific effects of various chelating agents, but also points out that some complex chelating agents that are difficult to obtain on a large scale can be found in certain foods or herbs as low-cost alternatives.
Zijin couldn't help but gasp.
Isn't Chloe an archaeologist?
What on earth caused this sudden outburst of madness?!
This paper is incredibly valuable.
It not only established the "chelation detoxification" system for the first time, but also proposed a low-cost detoxification path suitable for all living beings.
"As long as this research can be successfully reproduced and verified by peers..."
Zijin's tone revealed genuine joy.
"It would be truly unacceptable if Chloe didn't receive the Titled Scholar!"
She put down her paper and glanced at the teleportation array design draft that Galio had brought.
"Okay, leave it here for now."
Zijin's mood improved considerably, and with a wave of her bone claws, she began to shoo people away.
"I'll calculate it for you when I have time."
****
At the same time.
Star Empire, Capital City, City of Radiance.
The Crown Prince's Palace.
Because of Xialike's ascension to the throne, he and Chloe had already moved into the palace.
This place has actually been vacant for several months.
During this period, Xialike has been extremely busy.
Yesterday, he set off for the northern bay to discuss matters related to the construction of a large seaport.
On this morning before sunrise, Chloe left all her entourage behind and returned alone.
She walked in carrying the candlestick; the room's furnishings remained unchanged, just as familiar as ever.
The nearly twenty years they had spent together came flooding back like a tide, crashing into her eyes.
Chloe ignored her tears.
Even if you wipe it off, it will still leak out.
She placed the candlestick on the desk, pulled out a chair, and sat down.
Then, she unfolded a sheet of paper and picked up a quill pen.
The technique is constructed, and a soft, Magic Power glow gathers at the tip of the pen.
"Academy Spell: Audiovisual Experience!"
Chloe lowered her head and began to write on the paper.
SS
I'm leaving. Don't worry about me.
The Feather Race is now in a precarious state.
I must go back and do everything I can to help my people and friends.
Feel sorry.
I will do something else that I will regret.
I apologize again.
In short, after I left, they should tell the public that I died of illness, that I "died."
As you said, this is politics, and it's the best solution.
I know you'll arrange everything perfectly.
Just like always.
goodbye.
SS
After finishing the short letter, Chloe dispelled the runes from her pen, folded the letter, and left it on her desk.
While writing, she also concealed phonetic patterns within the text.
That section describes other things.
only-
Xialike may never read it.
Chloe stood up, picked up a small wooden box from the side, and opened it.
Inside, lined with soft velvet, lay a white egg.
There was also a small jar containing Queen Yu Yao's ashes.
Death and rebirth both reside within this small box.
Chloe's thoughts flashed back to three months ago.
On her deathbed, Yu Yao gently placed her hand on the egg.
I named him Wu Ling.
Even if the world is dark, we must still fly.
"Wu Ling will definitely be a smart child. In the future, he may become the king of the Feather Race, or he may not—but it doesn't matter. As long as he grows up well, I will be content."
That day, Yu Yao actually talked on and on for a long time.
It's all trivial stuff.
Imagine if this child could one day run with her people across the grassy land.
Will it fly under the warm and bright sunlight?
She was lost in thought, her breath growing weaker and weaker.
"Never tell Wu Ling what happened here."
These were Yu Yao's last words in this world.
Chloe wiped away her tears, blew out the candles, carefully wrapped the egg, closed the wooden box, and lifted it up.
She wrapped her scarf around her neck, pushed open the door, and went out.
On a cold winter morning, the streets were deserted.
At a street corner, hundreds of Feather Race were waiting.
Next to them was a convoy of vehicles, fully prepared and ready to depart.
During this period, Chloe contacted and gathered a group of Feather Race who had grown up among various ethnic groups and received diverse educations through various channels.
At her urging, these people were willing to go with her back to Northern Ice Island.
After meeting, everyone greeted each other.
Chloe looked at these faces and bent down deeply.
Thank you everyone.
She handed the wooden crate containing the Wu Ling, along with a small amount of luggage, to the caravan, indicating that they should leave first and head to the port.
I have something else to take care of.
"I'll catch up with you after I'm done."
Chloe explained.
The convoy quickly set off and gradually disappeared into the distance.
A short figure appeared beside Chloe.
Why did you call me here so early?
Newman huddled in his thick winter clothes, his face showing a resentful look of not having slept well.
On such a quiet morning before dawn, he would normally sleep for another three hours before getting up.
An owl landed on Chloe's shoulder, and that was the culprit that woke Newman from his sleep.
"How's the ' Deep Soul Cocoon ' thing going?" Chloe asked.
"Everything went smoothly!" Mentioning this, Newman immediately perked up, a hint of pride even appearing on his face. "I've got the goods. But I'm a little reluctant to sell them—are you short of money right now?"
"I don't want the payment," Chloe replied decisively. "You help me complete a project, and we're even."
Newman's eyes lit up immediately.
That's great!
"What project?" he asked hastily.
"The Imperial Mausoleum of the Star Empire," Chloe said calmly, "Lorenzo's burial grounds."
Newman didn't react immediately, then subconsciously replied, "That place wasn't built that long ago, it doesn't need maintenance—besides, the work on the imperial tombs isn't something a third-party contractor like me should be involved in, is it?"
"It's simple," Chloe said calmly. "I've got the explosives ready."
"I'll take you and the explosives inside."
"You are responsible for locating the main structure, planting the explosives, and detonating them."
Newman was nodding one second, but the next second he froze completely.
After his brain cells finally grasped what he had just heard, the poor halfling jumped up in fright.
"You you you-"
-""
He pointed at Chloe, stammering for a long time, but couldn't utter a complete sentence.
Chloe didn't give him a chance to react at all, and directly lifted the half-man up to shoulder height.
"You have to do it, whether you like it or not!"
She threatened him without any politeness.
"If you cooperate with me, I'll leave my name afterward, and no one will bother you."
"But what if you refuse to do it?"
"I'll find someone else to do it, and I'll leave your name on it afterwards!"
Newman turned green with anger upon hearing this.
"----I must have had the worst luck in eight lifetimes to have met you guys!"
"They're gone."
Chloe, carrying the halfling, walked toward a carriage waiting by the street.
"Why did you have to come to me for something like this?!" Newman cried out, struggling and breaking down.
"Before Zijin left the Radiant Holy City, she wrote me a letter."
Chloe recounted the story as if citing an academic paper.
She said she deeply regretted it, realizing she should have left professional tasks to professionals.
"Otherwise, the Saint Lan Cathedral wouldn't have been destroyed."
Upon hearing this, Newman nearly choked on his breath.
"Saint Lan Cathedral, is the issue that it didn't collapse?!"
"Such a large building, with the main structure and the auxiliary buildings on both sides, in the end only one pillar is still standing!"
"How dare the Zijin show her disdain?!"
He was so angry that he danced around with his arms and legs.
"Her explosion has been privately included in demolition textbooks and listed as a classic success story!"
"Missing even one pillar means the work isn't complete," Chloe said. "Scholars should strive for rigor."
"There are simply no scholars who pursue rigorous standards when it comes to demolishing buildings!!"
Newman protested in indignation.
The two boarded the carriage and left.
The first snowflake of winter fell silently.
(The End of "Feathers and Poison")