FRGNM -Chapter 252 Welcome Back

“What? You… you actually sent the letter! So what? The princess is about to become my wife—how could you possibly interfere!” Yelü Hanxin shouted, though his anger seemed somewhat weakened.

Indeed, by Jinqin Country’s usual way of handling things, they preferred peace over war. Yunshui Country was stronger than theirs, and a marriage alliance was the best solution. It benefited their nation and ensured the survival of their century-old foundation—why wouldn’t they agree?

For a moment, Yelü Hanxin panicked, subconsciously clutching his horse’s reins tightly, staring at the man before him.

Impossible. He would never let the princess go!

“How could you think I can’t interfere? She’s been with me for the past three days. Do you think I’m some virtuous saint?” Dongyang Ze’s lips curved into a cold smile. “With a beauty in my arms, how could I refuse? Besides, the letter has already been sent. You think there’s nothing else between the princess and me?”

“You—!” Yelü Hanxin’s face darkened. Slamming his hand onto his horse, he surged forward, swinging his great blade at Dongyang Ze.

He was fast—but Dongyang Ze was faster. The fight was overwhelming. With a swift move, Dongyang Ze kicked into Yelü Hanxin’s chest. “You really think you can beat me, Yelü Hanxin? The next move… is lethal.”

Raising his sword, Dongyang Ze slashed forward. The sharp sword energy whistled past Yelü Hanxin’s ear. Something seemed to fall to the ground. The man’s eyes widened as he saw a long lock of hair lying there. Dongyang Ze wasn’t joking—if he stayed, this man would die.

“Report! General, the emperor’s decree has arrived!” A soldier ran up, holding the sealed document carefully.

Yelü Hanxin immediately opened the letter. His expression changed drastically. He pulled back the reins and shouted, “Retreat! Withdraw!”

The long army fled like rabbits, disorganized and panicked. After all, who could ignore the green-robed figure leaning against the wall, smiling innocently yet hiding unknown tricks?

Dongyang Ze retracted his sword and turned to the people in the city. His lips curved slightly as he prepared to speak—but he noticed Shen Qing’s pale face. A murderous aura surged behind her, and Dongyang Ze quickly dodged to the side.

Buzz! Sharp Dou Qi erupted, slicing through Dongyang Ze’s armor. His bloodied sword stabbed into the ground. The man standing there sneered, raising his right hand and releasing a white smoke that spread through the crowd.

Covering his waist, Dongyang Ze stepped back. He sniffed the smoke, covering his nose, eyes cold as he stared forward.

The standing man laughed coldly. “Dongyang Ze, didn’t expect me to be waiting here, did you? Trying to take someone away? No way! Even if you die today, it’ll be right here!”

“Who… who are you?” Dongyang Ze waved through the mist, his face changing in shock. “You… you’re the healer who cured me? How… how can it be you?!”

“Yes, it’s me.” Huang Ming laughed, pressing his hand to his cheek. Flick! The human-skin mask fell to the ground, revealing a black mole at the corner of his mouth and a feral glint in his eyes.

Something suddenly clicked in Dongyang Ze’s mind. His face changed drastically. “You… you’re the man who took Bai He! You actually…”

Huang Ming smirked, pressing the mole. “What’s wrong? Don’t recognize me? Yes, I took her away. So what? Fortunately, she was protected by Purple Bamboo energy—I couldn’t harm her. I had no choice but to bring her to Jinqin, pretending she was the princess. Didn’t you even look closely? How could someone like her possibly be the Jinqin princess?”

“You… you lied to me?” Shen Qing trembled slightly, eyes flashing with killing intent. “How… how is that possible? Didn’t you say I was the child left behind by the emperor, raised by the old mother of Yunshui Country, and now you’re here to bring me home? How could it—”

“Yes. Otherwise, how could you have followed me? The mask you wore was to create a face like the queen’s, so they wouldn’t scrutinize you. You were nothing but a lowly singer, and using that identity, you could be with her. So what? You’re still just a lowly wretch!” Huang Ming laughed cruelly, the grin widening.

Before he could continue, a flash of cold light approached. Dongyang Ze dodged swiftly. Huang Ming stared at him, “You? Just an ordinary person, wanting to fight me? I may be a healer, but I also possess Dou Qi. Think you’re impressive? Fine. I’ll kill you right here!”

“Why did you take Bai He, go against me, and despise me so much? What’s your purpose?” Dongyang Ze shouted, hands trembling on his sword.

Hearing what seemed the best joke in the world, Huang Ming chuckled, dragging his chin. “Your Highness… do you even remember who I really am? My true identity?!”

Only his sharp eyes were visible above his hand, piercing forward. Dongyang Ze’s face changed. His fists clenched. “Traitorous scum… you tried to assassinate me, and there’s still one left? Today, it’s over!”

Huang Ming laughed. “Hahaha! Dongyang Ze, you think you can fight me? You only have a healer helping you. Do you think that makes you invincible? Even if he is a healer, what can he do? He can’t save you!”

Coldly, he reached for his great blade—but it was gone.

Impossible. It had been right here…

Weighing the sword in his hand, he muttered, “If even the sword is this useless, the man must be worse. What use is this?”

“What are you?” Huang Ming’s face darkened. He hadn’t expected someone to snatch his weapon despite his vigilance. His expression turned terrifyingly cold.

Tapping the blade, clang! The sword snapped in half. He threw it away casually. The green-robed figure pointed at him. “I am the healer you speak of. Coincidentally, I am also a Dou Qi master. So… do you want to fight, or leave now?”

“You! Hmph! Even if you have Dou Qi, what good is it? I don’t believe anyone opposite you can survive! Dongyang Ze… how does it feel wearing the pouch? Feeling ants crawling all over you?” Huang Ming sneered.

He assumed the original poison would still affect Dongyang Ze. But Ling Ruoxi had already sealed it with Dou Qi. No matter the poison, it could not interact with her Dou Qi—it had no effect.

Dongyang Ze looked at him coldly, remembering Ling Ruoxi’s words. He pointed his sword at Huang Ming. “You think that would work on me? Stop deluding yourself. The toxins in my body have long been neutralized!”

“You—!” Huang Ming’s face turned pale. He sent out a surge of deadly Dou Qi like lightning, intent on killing Dongyang Ze.

“Fighting a Dou Qi master as if they were an ordinary person? How embarrassing!” The green-robed figure raised his hand. Purple Dou Qi erupted. The man lunging forward was struck, flying backward with a smack, crashing to the ground. Clutching his chest, Huang Ming’s eyes widened. “Y-you… you’re a Purple Lord!”

A Purple-level Dou Qi master… and a healer! Who exactly is this man?!

“Yeah… and so what?” Green Robe laughed, showing no intent to kill Huang Ming.

Silver Wolf yawned, scratching his head. “Can we go now? I’m eager to reach Danhuai Tower. If Purple Bamboo actually grows legs and runs away, we’d be out of luck.”

“You won’t escape,” Green Robe said, placing a hand on Silver Wolf’s shoulder.

His gaze landed on Silver Wolf. A glimmer of silver hair emerged from beneath his hat. Huang Ming’s pupils contracted, horrified at the duo. Thinking of the news they had spread… so that’s who they were.

He realized now—his loss was deserved.

Biting his tongue, the poison rushing through him, Huang Ming spat blood and laughed to the sky. “Hahaha! So it’s you… from Duanyun Country. You won’t get the Purple Bamboo… never!”

“To die in peace, the compass and the Demon-Slaying Qin are in our hands. You can rest easy now,” Silver Wolf said irritably, hating people who try to speak after they’re already doomed.

Huang Ming froze. Shocked, he collapsed, committing suicide with the poison.

Dongyang Ze drew a deep breath and turned back, opening his arms slowly. “Bai He… I missed you so much. Welcome back…”