FRGNM -Chapter 136 The King’s Orders

None of that mattered. Even Yizhui and Yimeng called him “Father Huangfu,” so why would he fantasize about anything else? If the person in front of him could give him this chance, he would take good care of them.

“Staying is fine. As for the opportunity… I don’t know what kind of opportunity it is. Huangfu Xuan, may I trouble you with something?” Ling Ruoxi’s lips curled slightly. She looked ahead calmly. By now, she should have risen to her own strength.

Inside the room, those gathered were already miserable, pressing their hands to their heads, not knowing what they had done wrong. Suddenly, they even wanted to drown their sorrows in alcohol like Ling Ruoxi, but their pride wouldn’t allow it—they feared her mockery.

“Your Majesty, why have you suddenly summoned the seven of us? What is your purpose?” Wuque asked helplessly, staring at the seated figure. If they were summoned, at least they should be given an order.

Luo Mingyu stood quickly, looking out at the crowd, his expression indifferent. “Has anyone from Qiongyu Island gone to investigate Evil King Island?”

“Not yet. They have concentrated their forces outside the borders of Duanyun Country. Your Majesty, I believe we should immediately summon the disciples of Evil King Island to escort you. Otherwise—”

“There’s no need. Since I have already separated from Qiongyu Island and they have discovered my identity, hiding is pointless. We return to Evil King Island, order its disciples, and attack Qiongyu Island.” He spread out his right hand, and a scroll appeared in Luo Mingyu’s palm. “This contains the information I have gathered over the past hundred years on Qiongyu Island. You seven figure out the best strategy. Depart now. Return to Evil King Island.” His dark eyes were colder than before. Staying here had no meaning—wasn’t that so?

He would not admit to any wrongdoing. Otherwise, he would never have revealed his identity at that moment to save Ling Ruoxi. Everything he did was justified. As for explaining himself later, he decided it was unnecessary.

Back at the inn, the once familiar room was now empty. Ling Ruoxi didn’t worry. She quickly packed her things and left.

“Then I’ll leave this matter to you. Yizhui and Yimeng are my children; I must bring them back,” she said with a faint smile. She didn’t know the location of Evil King Island, nor did she want to go there.

Fang Xu toyed with his teacup, propping his cheek with one hand. “Oh? And now, what do you plan to do? Go to the palace?”

“There is something I must confirm,” Ling Ruoxi said quietly.

“Don’t joke with your own happiness. Luo Mingyu is gone—you still have me. If there’s anything you want to know, I can find out for you.” Fang Xu smiled faintly, holding the golden token he had given her. He had a general idea of her intentions.

Does she still have any so-called happiness left?

Ling Ruoxi sneered, pushing the door open. The sharp sunlight made her squint. She gently closed the door behind her, gripping the golden token, and walked forward.

What she needed to confirm was the matter of her parents. She didn’t want to know what happened back then—she just wanted to know if her parents were still alive, and where in this world they might be.

The nine-layered walls returned, exuding a sense of deep oppression. The arranged pavilions, terraces, and banquet halls felt like a celestial palace. A seated figure raised a hand slightly. “You’ve arrived, Ruoxi.”

“I’m here.” Ling Ruoxi looked ahead coldly and took a seat. “Let’s be direct, Senior Murong. I’ve come this time—”

“I know. You’ve come to marry my Mo’er,” Murong Ming said with a faint smile.

Ling Ruoxi twisted the ring in her hand, looking at him coldly. “I’ve come regarding my parents. But one thing I declare—I will never marry Nangong Mo.”

“Oh?” His gaze changed completely. The cold aura of the woman before him was no longer the same Ling Ruoxi he knew. Even without Dou Qi, she could rival a ruler of the world.

Interesting. Murong Ming raised his hand. “Then you should know, I cannot tell you these things if you are not family.”

“Then it’s troublesome. If you won’t speak, I’ll seek answers elsewhere. Even without the power of the Murong family, I can find the clues!” Ling Ruoxi stood coldly, her eyes like blades. The faint smile at the corner of her lips made him instinctively avert his gaze.

Even Murong Ming, who had looked away, was stunned. He quickly met her cold stare, only to find that she had already closed her eyes, standing there with indifferent composure.

“Is it because of Luo Mingyu? I feel like you’ve changed,” Murong Ming said lightly.

The standing woman turned. “You’re overthinking. This is just the old me.”

“Heh, the old you… fine. Ruoxi, I won’t force the marriage with Mo’er. But I cannot tell you about the matter you speak of. I must adhere to my principles—this was your mother’s rule. But I can give you a clue: go to the Eastern Capital. Find the King of the Eastern Capital. That man will tell you everything.” Murong Ming chuckled helplessly as he rose. “It seems arranging a marriage between you and Mo’er won’t be easy. Now, it’s the time of young people—do as you wish, as long as you don’t destroy this continent.”

The King of the Eastern Capital… that’s the man! A sharp light flashed in Ling Ruoxi’s dark eyes. She clenched her fists. “Where is the King of the Eastern Capital now?”

“Huh? When did you get so slow? I already said—go to the Eastern Capital to find him. He’s naturally waiting there for you.”

Turning, the person who had been sitting was gone. Ling Ruoxi snorted coldly, striding forward. If he was in the Eastern Capital, then she would go there to find him.

So that was why he said what he did before… We will meet soon, King Li Yi of the Eastern Capital!

A gentle breeze rose. The autumn scenery lived up to its reputation. Yellow leaves floated across the mountains, carrying faint earthy fragrances. Ripe fruit hung heavily from branches. The mountains were awash in autumn colors, a picturesque sight.

Dressed as a man, her beautiful form lifted her head slightly, gazing at the gray sky, lowering her bamboo hat, and continuing forward, holding the reins.

The Eastern Capital, at the far east, was a small country but one that commanded respect on Longxing Continent. Many nations sought to ally with it at all costs.

It produced jade and medicinal herbs, a wealthy land with treacherous terrain, easy to defend but hard to attack. Thirty thousand troops could hold against even Duanyun Country’s three hundred thousand. The country also had numerous elite Dou Qi masters: over a thousand at Blue level and five at Purple level.

It was a feared and respected place, surrounded by mountains, with deserts and grasslands, blessed by fortune, almost like a fairyland.

“Mountain nation, Eastern Capital—truly lives up to its name.” Ling Ruoxi looked up at the layered walls in the mountains. Though not as grand as Duanyun Country, they had a different imposing presence.

Due to the terrain, she couldn’t ride a horse. Without magical beasts, she climbed on foot. Step by step, ascending thousands of meters.

Her wrist darted, throwing a hidden arrow. Her nimble figure moved like a monkey through the mountains, climbing effortlessly. Landing lightly on branches, then leaping like a leopard—anyone seeing this would be shocked. Without Dou Qi, mountain climbing was suicidal.

In the Eastern Capital’s mountains, normal travelers had to move in groups to survive magical beasts. One unlucky encounter with a high-level beast meant certain death.

“Waaah…” A pitiful cry echoed, startling birds in the mountains.

Ling Ruoxi stopped and turned toward the sound. A strong smell of blood filled the air. The ground trembled, as if ready to collapse.

She hurried to the source. On the empty ground were only a few severed limbs—no bodies. The smell of blood was overwhelming.

Beasts consuming humans was common. One misstep and this was the consequence. The limbs were clearly bitten off, coated with corrosive saliva that left pits in the ground. Nearby, a huge footprint suggested even the strongest human would be crushed.

“Wuu…” Low sobs echoed in the quiet forest.

Instinctively, Ling Ruoxi gripped her dagger and approached. Pushing aside the branches, she saw a child curled by a tree trunk, crying. His pale blue clothes were soaked in blood. He appeared to be the only survivor, surrounded by half a human corpse that protected him from detection by the beast.

She sheathed her dagger and landed swiftly. “What happened here?”

Hearing human voices, the boy stopped crying, raising his swollen, teary eyes to her, stubbornly clutching her pants. “Big brother, help me! A beast… ate my father and mother…”

“What’s your name?” Ling Ruoxi asked, picking him up. Her dark eyes glinted sharply as she patted his back to soothe him.

Through sobs, the little boy choked out, “Big brother, my name is Xiao Lan. Father said we were going to the Eastern Capital together. Dozens of us set out, but a huge beast appeared. It crushed half of us with one step and ate my father and mother, and the uncles and aunts too…”