Chapter 5: Chapter 178: The Little Demon King of Chaos

Chapter 178: The Little Demon King of Chaos

"Chu Moxin!" Upon hearing these three words, Yao Mowan's hand, which had been reaching toward Xuzi, froze in mid-air. A flash of shock appeared in her eyes, and the corners of her lips twitched instinctively. How could it be that brat! Yao Mowan suddenly felt a splitting headache.

"The Emperor just summoned this Prince and said that in ten days, the State of Shu will send envoys to Great Chu. He has tasked me with full responsibility during that time, and that envoy is the King of Shu's Coldness, Chu Moxin." Ye Junqing pressed his fingers to his forehead, his voice carrying an unmistakable trace of irritation.

"That is truly not good news. He is a notorious little demon king of chaos! Mowan truly does not understand—why would Chu Mobei suddenly send his younger brother to Great Chu?" Yao Mowan knit her willow-leaf brows, murmuring to herself.

It was no wonder Ye Junqing was scratching his head. If Chu Mobei was insidious, cunning, and full of schemes, then this younger brother was undoubtedly a case of the student surpassing the master. Fortunately, Chu Moxin was only ten years old; compared to being ruthless and decisive, he was not yet as formidable as his brother. Regardless, his arrival would undoubtedly be a massive headache for Yao Mowan.

"This Prince only knows that the boy's greatest talent is wearing an expression of pure innocence while privately doing the most black-bellied things... which is actually quite similar to you," Ye Junqing said resentfully. Back when he represented Great Chu in peace negotiations with the State of Shu, he had suffered quite a bit at the hands of Chu Moxin.

"The Prince overpraises you. Compared to Chu Moxin, Mowan is still far behind! I heard that back then, the Prince only said a few words to him, and he responded by drugging you with Bone-Softening Powder and lighting Soul-Calming Incense. Afterward, he locked the door and lit a fire, nearly roasting the Prince alive." Yao Mowan had also attended those negotiations, so she naturally knew of Ye Junqing's embarrassing incident.

"How do you know about this?" Ye Junqing abruptly raised his eyes, looking at Yao Mowan with suspicion.

"It is common knowledge; how could Mowan not know? The Prince is being a bit of a hypocrite, playing the 'covering one's ears while stealing a bell' act." Yao Mowan still remembered that after that incident, Ye Junqing had threatened everyone who attended the negotiations to keep their mouths shut. However, for the dignified Prince Su of Great Chu to be toyed with by a mere child—such a violent topic was not something he could hide just by saying a word.

"That little brat... this time, this Prince will definitely not fall into his trap!" Ye Junqing muttered indignantly.

"Then Mowan shall wish the Prince good luck in advance!" Yao Mowan rose gracefully and then swayed past Ye Junqing. "Though it seems good luck always stays quite far away from you!" Leaving these words behind, Yao Mowan walked elegantly toward the inner chamber.

"Hey! Don't go! This Prince lives in Guanshu Palace after all; I am considered one of the people of Guanshu Palace! Do you not intend to join forces with me to face a common enemy!" This was Ye Junqing's true purpose. To him, fighting violence with violence was the best strategy. Both Yao Mowan and Chu Moxin could be described as eccentric outliers among rogues.

"Mowan does not have the habit of seeking out suffering." With a loud *thud*, Yao Mowan closed the door without hesitation.

"How can you call it seeking suffering! If you were to step up, it's anyone's guess who would prevail. This Prince believes in you!" No matter what words of praise Ye Junqing directed at the door, he could not make Yao Mowan open it again.

***

Main Chamber of the Prince of Jing's Estate

Looking at Duan Zirou as she packed her belongings, Ye Zixiao's face wore a look of misery.

"Zirou, why must you do this? I have already said that no matter what happened between me and Yao Su luan, it was all just an act. In this world, no one can take your place in my heart. We have experienced life and death together; do you still not understand Zixiao's sincerity?" Ye Zixiao pleaded earnestly, reaching out to try and take back the bundle in Duan Zirou's hands.

"Five years of marriage, from childhood sweethearts to a single branch—how could Zirou not know what is in your heart? Regarding Yao Su luan, you certainly did not give her your heart; you couldn't even claim to like her. Zirou was merely acting out of momentary anger; it did not reach the point of being jealous of her." Duan Zirou carried the bundle to the dressing table and picked up a few simple, plain hairpins to place inside.

"Since you know my intentions, why are you so determined to leave?" Ye Zixiao looked at Duan Zirou in confusion.

"Why did you approach Yao Su luan? And why did you stockpile troops in Jizhou? Do you think Zirou is unaware of these things? The struggle for the throne among the Five Dragons was so tragic back then; you promised Zirou you would stay out of it, and only then did you escape disaster. Zirou thought you would learn your lesson, but I did not expect you to remain stubborn and covet the throne! Since you will not listen to Zirou, Zirou has no reason to stay and become an obstacle. Zirou has decided to become a nun at the Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas to prevent the Duan Estate from being implicated should your schemes be exposed. But rest assured, if your grand cause fails, as your wife, Zirou will surely follow you to the underworld. If your great cause succeeds, then there is no need to remember that a person named Duan Zirou ever existed in this mortal world." Duan Zirou's voice was calm and emotionless, though tears shimmered in her eyes. Having shared a deep bond as husband and wife, how could she bear to leave Ye Zixiao? This was her final gamble; she hoped Ye Zixiao would consider their marital bond and give up the struggle for the throne.

"Zirou, this Prince is unwilling! The empire of Great Chu should have belonged to my father! If the late Emperor had not used despicable means to kill my father, the one sitting on the throne today should have been me, Ye Zixiao!" Regarding his father's mysterious death all those years ago, Ye Zixiao had never been able to let it go.

"In the struggle for the throne, there is only success or failure, not right or wrong! As members of the imperial clan, we both should understand this truth! Enough, nothing Zirou says will change your mind. After this parting, Zirou wishes that we shall never meet again." Carrying her bundle, Duan Zirou turned and left resolutely. The moment she stepped out of the main chamber, her tears fell silently.

Until Duan Zirou's sedan chair left the Prince of Jing's estate, Ye Zixiao never attempted to stop her again. *Zirou, rest assured, if Zixiao attains the throne, I will surely crown you Empress! If Zixiao fails... it is better that you are gone...*

Inside the sedan, Duan Zirou had long since wept until she was a person of tears. Tears traced paths down her cheeks, wetting her collar and breaking her heart. Several times she wanted to lift the curtain to look back, to rush back and embrace Ye Zixiao, but she forced herself to endure. Once upon a time, no matter how great the storm, they had never been parted, but now, this was her only path.

Unknowingly, the sedan had reached the woods leading to the Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas. Just as Duan Zirou was wiping her tears, she suddenly felt the sedan come to a halt.

"Princess, something bad has happened!" Upon hearing the trembling voice of the sedan bearer, Duan Zirou immediately wiped her tears and reached out with her jade-like fingers to lift the curtain. To her horror, she saw over a dozen men in black blocking the way ahead.

"Who are you?" Duan Zirou's expression turned cold. She stepped down from the sedan with composure and demanded sternly.

"We are the ones sending you to hell! Do it!" Without a word of explanation, the men in black brandished machetes and charged at Duan Zirou instantly. Seeing this, the two sedan bearers on either side rushed forward, one of them urgently grabbing Duan Zirou's arm.

"Princess! Run, quickly!" In an instant, the entire forest was filled with the flash of blades. The sound of clashing weapons was piercing to the ears. Duan Zirou was pulled by the bearer, running desperately forward, while four or five men in black pursued closely behind.

The piercing sounds gradually faded, and more and more men in black caught up. Duan Zirou knew that the three bearers must have met with misfortune.

"Zhao Wu! Let me go! Go save yourself!" Duan Zirou knew that those men were determined to succeed and that she could not possibly survive. Since that was the case, why should she sacrifice an innocent life!

"Princess, do not worry! Even if this servant must give his life, he will protect your safety!" Zhao Wu refused to let go of Duan Zirou's hand, showing his unwavering loyalty.

"Go! Go back and tell the Prince to avenge me! Otherwise, both you and I will be dead, and the Prince will know nothing! If you do not leave now, this Princess will commit suicide by biting her tongue!" Seeing a fork in the road ahead, Duan Zirou suddenly pushed Zhao Wu away and ran in another direction. Zhao Wu hesitated for a moment, then immediately ran back toward the Prince of Jing's estate.

Looking at the cliff before her, Duan Zirou gave a bitter, desolate smile. Perhaps this was Heaven's mercy upon her, sparing her from witnessing the tragic end Ye Zixiao would face once his schemes were exposed.

It was fine; dying like this was fine. If Ye Zixiao still held affection for her, he would surely avenge her. For him, this might perhaps be a turning point. If she could use her death to buy Ye Zixiao's life, her death would not be in vain.