FRGNM -Chapter 204 Harboring Rebellious Intent

Several maids nearby hurried forward, supporting Ling Ruoxi as she stood up and helping her put on her outer robe.

Nangong Mo stood there calmly, placing the bowl of medicinal soup on the table. “You’re inside the imperial palace of the capital. This is my sleeping quarters. Do you know how grave a mistake you’ve made?”

“What do you mean?” Ling Ruoxi frowned. Had she made a mistake? Could it be that she had angered the imprisoned divine beast?

Nangong Mo nodded, then shook his head. “Drink the medicine first. I’ll tell you afterward.”

The bitter smell rushed straight to her nose. Ling Ruoxi pinched it shut and swallowed the soup in one gulp. “Now can you tell me?”

“Of course.”

The maids helped her over to the soft couch and stood at her sides. Nangong Mo sat down casually and said indifferently, “Back then, Ning Feng mentioned this to you as well—that the south of the imperial city is too chaotic, and that General Lie Yun is stationed there. Do you remember?”

“Uh… vaguely.” At that time, Ling Ruoxi had already slipped away. Ye Ningfeng had indeed mentioned it, but she hadn’t paid much attention.

Nangong Mo nodded, turning his head aside. His eyes coldly fixed on the green willows outside the window as he lowered his voice. “Do you think it was Imperial Grandfather who sent him to guard the south of the capital? Wrong. Lie Yun commands seven hundred thousand troops—immensely powerful. In secret, he colludes with bandits and brigands to expand his influence. At the same time, he has secretly raised another three hundred thousand soldiers and forged countless weapons. Moreover… he has stockpiled grain and made complete preparations. Under him are twelve Purple Sovereign guardians, and he himself is a Purple Sovereign. Tell me—what do you think he wants to do?”

“Rebel?” The word flashed through Ling Ruoxi’s mind, and she blurted it out instinctively. She then quickly covered her mouth and asked in shock, “How is that possible? Isn’t your Supreme Emperor great-grandfather a Purple Sovereign as well? And now you’re a Purple Sovereign too, plus Luo Mingyu and all the ministers at court—even if Lie Yun wanted to rebel, it would be impossible!”

“You’re mistaken,” Nangong Mo said, shaking his head.

“The Supreme Emperor will not act. He has already handed all state affairs over to Imperial Grandfather. Unless Duanyun is truly on the brink of destruction, he will never intervene. You also know that once one becomes a Purple Sovereign, worldly matters lose their meaning. What Purple Sovereigns pursue is the Heavenly Dao—they do not involve themselves in ordinary human affairs. Imperial Grandfather’s strength is decent, but he’s only a Green-tier Dou Qi cultivator. If he were to face them, he’d be captured almost instantly.”

Nangong Mo drew a deep breath. Over this period of time, he had thoroughly seen through the current state of Duanyun Kingdom.

His fists clenched slightly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes as he continued in a low voice,
“Among the civil and military officials at court, including the Pillar-of-the-State Generals, more than half are corrupt. They don’t show it openly, but secretly they’re already in contact with Lie Yun. And the divine beast you encountered in the Trial of the Gods was deliberately placed there by them. It’s said they possess a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon Egg—once hatched, it would be invincible between heaven and earth, born a sacred beast, and would recognize as its master the very first person it sees. The Earth-Spike Dragon was merely something they used—nothing more than nourishment.”

“You stumbled into the Trial of the Gods by accident. Outsiders don’t know, but I’ve already investigated everything. Lie Yun used the emperor’s name as a pretext—every day, ten people were sent there to die, becoming nourishment for the Earth-Spike Dragon so it could tend the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon Egg. Now that the Earth-Spike Dragon is dead, the egg has lost its source of nourishment. Lie Yun will certainly gather other demonic beasts. That old fox will never expose his secret. Next month is the Supreme Emperor’s birthday—I suspect he will present the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon Egg as a gift.”

Nangong Mo’s voice grew heavier, his deep gaze flickering.

Ling Ruoxi was momentarily stunned, staring at him in a daze. She coughed lightly and frowned. “If the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon Egg becomes a sacred beast upon hatching, Lie Yun would never hand it over so easily. There must be something fishy here.”

“Exactly. He will definitely tamper with the egg. That egg is extremely dangerous—but the Supreme Emperor doesn’t know. Ruoxi, only you know about this matter. Could you keep it secret for me, and also lend me a hand?”

Nangong Mo turned his gaze toward her eyes.

Lend a hand? Slightly surprised, Ling Ruoxi still nodded. “Go ahead and say it.” After all, this involved her—how could she simply walk away?

“You’re skilled in medicine and the disciple of a divine physician. If something really happens to the Supreme Emperor, I ask that you do your utmost to treat him—stay by his side and don’t let him be harmed. Alright?”

His voice trembled slightly. Nangong Mo was actually pleading with her.

This man before her…

Ling Ruoxi frowned faintly, then nodded.

Nangong Mo became excited, suddenly grabbing her small hand. “That’s great! Thank you, thank—”

“What’s this? Taking advantage of my absence to grope my woman?” A sly smile curved upward as a white-robed figure appeared at the doorway and strode in. His sharply arched brows showed clear dissatisfaction toward Nangong Mo.

Nangong Mo immediately stood up, pulling some distance between them. “It was just a moment of excitement. Ruoxi, remember to drink your medicine. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave… Oh, right—tomorrow the Supreme Emperor has invited you. I’ll accompany you.”

“No need to trouble the Crown Prince. I’ll accompany her myself.” Dominantly pulling Ling Ruoxi into his arms, Luo Mingyu stared provocatively at the man opposite him.

Only after Nangong Mo left did Luo Mingyu reach out and pinch Ling Ruoxi’s small face. “What? You just woke up and you’re already chatting so happily with him?”

“No, that’s not—” Ling Ruoxi pushed him away. Remembering what Nangong Mo had said, she endured the pain and sat down. Folding her hands beneath her chin, she asked softly, “Luo Mingyu, what do you think of Duanyun Kingdom?”

“What do you mean, what do I think?” Luo Mingyu dragged out his words, stepping closer with a heavier nasal tone. “Have you grown fond of this place?”

“No, that’s not it—I mean… hiss!” Ling Ruoxi twitched, hurriedly waving her hand in explanation. But as soon as she lifted her arm, a sharp pain shot through her. She clutched her right hand and sucked in a breath.

Luo Mingyu rushed to her side, gently holding her small hand. “Don’t be so reckless next time. Even though you have the Thunderbolt Spear, your Dou Qi is unstable. You only just broke the Three Talents Formation—it’s already taken a toll on your body. Rest properly.”

“But… Luo Mingyu, I…” She wanted to tell him what Nangong Mo had said, but the words seemed stuck in her throat—she couldn’t say them out loud.

She knew clearly what was about to happen, yet she lacked the strength to stop it. All she could do was follow Nangong Mo’s request and protect the Supreme Emperor—the man she was about to meet tomorrow.

“What? Your meridians are severed, your organs displaced, and your dantian nearly damaged—and you still don’t know how to take care of yourself?” Luo Mingyu placed a hand on her head, gently lifting her and laying her on the bed. “Rest well. Tomorrow morning, I’ll come get you. Sleep… sleep…”

A layer of purple light covered his palm as he stroked her small head, watching her slowly close her eyes.

A trace of sorrow welled up in his gaze. Standing there, he lightly ground his teeth, one hand pressing against the bed as a sharp glint flashed through his eyes.

“Mingyu, protect Ruoxi well. Remember—don’t let her know about this matter. Otherwise… sigh…”

That familiar voice echoed through his mind. Luo Mingyu rubbed his temples, looking at the sleeping figure and forcing a bitter smile. Just as Murong Ming had said—both a hope, and an endlessly distant wish.

A gentle breeze rose, bamboo leaves rustling softly, making the place feel like the countryside. The tranquil environment surprised Ling Ruoxi. Continuing forward, a modest folk-style house came into view, standing somewhat abruptly yet surrounded by water. A long corridor stretched over the water, winding like a small snake.

A giant waterwheel turned slowly, lifting shallow streams of water and scattering droplets into the air. From afar, under the sunlight, it looked as though a rainbow had been drawn across the sky.

“I didn’t expect your Supreme Emperor to choose such a place,” Ling Ruoxi said with a slight smile. “The spiritual energy here is quite good—quiet, undisturbed. Cultivating here would be very beneficial.”

She reached out, sensing the lively spiritual energy dancing in her palm, and shivered slightly.

Nangong Mo smiled softly beside her. “Heh, I’ve only been here three times myself. This is where the capital’s dragon vein lies, so the spiritual energy is naturally much richer than elsewhere. Up ahead is where the Supreme Emperor resides. He prefers quiet. I’ll accompany you inside—everyone else will wait outside.”

“Hey—my wife should naturally be escorted by me.” Luo Mingyu stepped forward first, grabbing Ling Ruoxi’s wrist and pulling her gently into his arms. His sword-like brows lifted as he provoked the man before him.

Nangong Mo’s movement stiffened, but he explained with a light smile, “Hasn’t the Evil King understood my meaning? The Supreme Emperor doesn’t see outsiders. Although he invited both of you into the palace, only Ruoxi is permitted to enter. You—”

“Great-grandson, wait outside. Let Mingyu and Ruoxi come in.”

A deep voice came from within the house—soft, yet carrying an undeniable authority.

Nangong Mo’s expression changed slightly. He immediately retreated and cupped his hands.
“Your great-grandson understands. Evil King, Ruoxi—please go in.”

As he spoke, doubt filled his eyes. Impossible. Given the Supreme Emperor’s temperament, how could he allow the two of them to enter together? Could it be… that the Supreme Emperor and Luo Mingyu had known each other long ago?

The room was quiet and elegant, lacking the imagined luxury. Instead, it resembled the dwelling of a mountain cultivator—simply built of bamboo and wood. Apart from basic furnishings, there was nothing else.