Chapter 445: Searching (Second Update)

“Is there a problem?”

Mu Qinghe frowned and asked coldly.

The people on the other side had been urging him to return, and he could no longer afford to delay any longer. Furthermore, the injuries he had sustained within the Imperial Mausoleum had mostly healed over the past two days.

Now was the best time to set off.

“It’s not that, it’s just...” Chu Liuyue pondered for a moment, “It’s just that the situation in the Imperial Capital is somewhat special right now. If we leave now, wouldn't it seem a bit strange?”

Currently, Rong Jiu was leading the Northwest Army and had already engaged in combat with the Imperial Guard!

If they left at a time like this, it simply wouldn't make sense!

Moreover—she already knew that all of this was Rong Xiu's plan. How could she be the first to leave before seeing the outcome?

Mu Qinghe asked back indifferently

“Even if they are fighting, what does that have to do with us leaving? It is nothing more than a minor skirmish.”

Such a tiny Yaochen Kingdom was not even as large as one of the provinces under his command.

Chu Liuyue felt an immediate urge to facepalm.

*A minor skirmish.*

The lives of tens of thousands and the succession of a national regime were, in Mu Qinghe's eyes, merely a "minor skirmish."

But considering his status, it didn't seem like he was wrong.

The scale of battles Mu Qinghe had experienced was indeed far more dangerous and terrifying than this.

“No... Vice General Mu, I think you misunderstood my meaning.”

Chu Liuyue spoke carefully.

“I am Prince Li's fiancée, and I count as half a member of the Imperial Family. Now that such things are happening, how can I just walk away?”

At the very least, she had to wait until the dust had settled!

Mu Qinghe's expression grew even colder.

“Time is limited. Whether to leave or stay, choose for yourself.”

Chu Liuyue fell into a dilemma.

She absolutely had to go to the Tianling Dynasty; it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Following Mu Qinghe back would not only be above board but would also allow her to better conceal her identity! Furthermore, there was a high possibility she could directly come into contact with Jiang Yucheng and the others!

Without this connection, even if she broke through to become a Tier 7 Martial Artist and entered the Sky Curtain Realm to return to the Tianling Dynasty, the situation might not necessarily be better than it was now!

But if she left now... what about Rong Xiu? What about her father?

It wasn't that she was worried they couldn't guarantee her safety, but rather that nothing had been explained or arranged yet.

If she followed Mu Qinghe now, it would certainly leave behind many troubles.

Who knew when she would be able to return from this trip?

Or... would she never return at all!?

Chu Liuyue pressed her lips tightly together, remaining silent for a long while.

“Mu Qinghe, after all these years, why are you still so utterly lacking in tenderness toward a delicate lady?”

A playful, casual voice drifted over.

Chu Liuyue looked up to see that Jian Fengchi had arrived at some unknown point.

Walking toward them, he laughed

“Prince Li and Miss Chu have only just finalized their engagement; they haven't even held the grand wedding yet! If you force her to go back with you now, wouldn't that be like breaking up a pair of mandarin ducks? At this distance of ten thousand miles, it will be hard for the young couple to even see each other in the future!”

Mu Qinghe turned his head and gave him an expressionless glance.

Jian Fengchi shrugged. Instead of stopping, he walked up to Mu Qinghe's side, draped an arm over his shoulder, and smiled with a swaying, elegant grace.

“Anyway, the final deadline has already passed, and those who should have gone back have long since departed! You are already late to set off, so why be so tense about these one or two days? In my view, you might as well do a favor—hey! If you're going to talk, just talk, why are you attacking me?!”

Jian Fengchi swiftly broke free from the grip of Mu Qinghe's hand, rubbed his nearly injured wrist, and took a few steps back.

“Fine, fine, fine! It's your business anyway! No one else can interfere, right? If this young master stops talking, will that satisfy you?!”

Chu Liuyue: “...”

If one were to say that Jian Fengchi was a head taller than Mu Qinghe and appeared tall and robust, why was he inexplicably so cowardly...

Watching this scene from the side was truly a bit bizarre...

However, her thoughts quickly focused on certain words within Jian Fengchi's sentence.

*The final deadline?*

Could it be that Mu Qinghe's trip out here was subject to a time limit?

And why were there others?

It sounded as if many people had gone out simultaneously to perform a mission... Could it be for the sake of those practitioners who possess the Original Veins of the Earth Scripture?

Chu Liuyue felt a faint sense of unease in her heart.

But looking at Mu Qinghe, it was clear he would not reveal a single shred of information.

Mu Qinghe's expression was cold and solemn.

“I must return today.”

Jian Fengchi's gaze shifted slightly.

Because his back was toward Chu Liuyue at that moment, she did not see the momentary change in his emotions.

But soon, a calm returned to Jian Fengchi's eyes. He crossed his arms, rubbed his chin, and asked tentatively

“How about... you go back first, and once the matters here are concluded, this young master will personally escort her back? How does that sound?”

As soon as the words fell, Mu Qinghe immediately replied

“No!”

“What do you mean no? Isn't this a great proposal?”

Jian Fengchi paused, giving Mu Qinghe a meaningful look.

“You are busy with affairs; staying here is purely a waste of time. It just so happens that this young master is idle; what harm is there in looking after her for a few days? With me here, could I possibly let her be late?”

Chu Liuyue's heart stirred again.

*Late?*

Was Mu Qinghe looking for her because he was in a rush to return for something?

“Miss Chu doesn't want to go back right now. If you force her away, wouldn't you be being a bit heartless?”

Jian Fengchi returned to his usual unserious tone.

But it was obvious that he was serious about this proposal.

A flash of contemplation crossed Mu Qinghe's eyes.

After a moment, he finally said

“Three days at most.”

“No problem!”

Jian Fengchi agreed instantly. Then, remembering something, he turned to glance at Chu Liuyue.

“Three days should be enough, right?”

Chu Liuyue nodded slightly.

“Thank you, Vice General Mu, Young Master Jian.”

She had a premonition that within three days, this struggle would surely reach a conclusion.

And what she needed to do was use these three days to arrange everything.

Mu Qinghe glanced at Chu Liuyue, and with a wave of his wrist, something flew out from his sleeve.

Chu Liuyue caught it immediately and looked down.

“This is my token. With this, someone will naturally bring you to me when the time comes.”

Having said that, he said nothing more. With a thought, a long sword flew out, hovering before him!

Mu Qinghe leaped up and departed on the sword!

His speed was extremely fast, and in the blink of an eye, he vanished from Chu Liuyue's sight!

Chu Liuyue's brow furrowed slightly.

“Young Master Jian, has Vice General Mu returned?”

Jian Fengchi withdrew his gaze, the emotions in his eyes quickly vanishing, replaced by his usual cynical, carefree, and unrestrained smile.

“He has matters he needs to attend to; don't mind him. As for you, once you are prepared in these next few days, just let this young master know.”

The corners of Chu Liuyue's lips curled slightly.

“Thank you, Young Master Jian.”

Jian Fengchi's smile deepened.

“By the way, I heard that these past few days, that Emperor Jiawen seems to be looking for something... a bronze vat?”

(End of Chapter)