FRGNM -Chapter 322 Poisoned

“Of course, of course. Oh right—you’ve just returned and still haven’t seen Yizhui and Yimeng, have you? Come, Mother will take you to see those two little rascals. They’re even more impressive than they were a year ago…” Baili Yan smiled faintly. Perhaps afraid of hearing the outcome, she quickly grabbed Ling Ruoxi’s wrist and led her outside.

Naturally, the five artifact spirits of the Purple Bamboo Divine Needles were unwilling to leave their master. Each of them sat beside Ling Feng, refusing to depart no matter what.

A black aura swept in. The black-clad figure moved like a ghost of the night, stepping forward slowly. Her bewitching face made one shiver, yet it was stunningly beautiful—unforgettable.

“Well now, where did such a great beauty come from? Hahaha! Walking alone at night so late—aren’t you afraid? Come, little girl, keep your big brothers company and have some fun…”
The slightly drunken youths quickly stood up and approached the black figure, each reaching out to grab her shoulder.

A slow smile appeared at her lips. Standing casually in the narrow alley, she tilted her head and looked at the thugs, stepping forward as her long hair fluttered freely.
“Foolish humans… do you still think I’m an ordinary person? Honestly—how could your eyes ever see the Blood Guards behind me?”

She took one step forward. The nearby thugs shuddered violently, and in the next instant were flung away. The woman merely gazed up at the sky with a faint smile. Behind her stood a dense formation of Blood Guards, completely merged with the night. No one could sense their existence—it was as if they were nothing but phantoms.

“Revive Ling Feng? Heh—how laughable. That man fell into my hands twenty years ago. Even if he were to recover his strength, it would take a hundred years. You’ve gone to such great lengths. Ling Feng… hahaha. Very well—then I’ll play along for now, and take a look at just how miserable you are, Ling Feng. Hahaha…”

Her icy laughter echoed through the night, chilling to the bone.

A light breeze rose, carrying a trace of cold.

For some reason, Ling Ruoxi felt as though something were堵住 her chest, unbearably uncomfortable—like someone was strangling her throat. She suddenly opened her eyes, only to find her entire body drenched in sweat.

Just now, it seemed she had dreamed of something, yet she couldn’t remember any of it. The figure that enveloped her was indistinct—she couldn’t see what it looked like. She only felt an oppressive aura that left her unable to resist, without even the strength to fight back.

Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Ling Ruoxi looked at Yizhui and Yimeng sleeping in each other’s arms and smiled softly. She reached out and gently touched the two little ones beside her. After a year apart, their faces had changed a great deal.

Yizhui looked even more like that man now—his brows and eyes carried Luo Mingyu’s aura, and even his innate dominance had taken shape. Though restrained, it still carried lethal force.
Yimeng, on the other hand, though resembling Ling Ruoxi, looked more like Baili Yan. Her temperament had also changed—no longer as mischievous as when she was little, she had grown much more reserved, like a refined young lady: gentle, shy, and no longer wild.

Yet this seemingly delicate little girl, once she struck, was even more ruthless than Yizhui—if not stronger.

“You’re awake.” The person guarding outside the door opened his eyes slightly, locking onto her and noticing her unusual state. Standing up and brushing aside her damp hair, Luo Mingyu raised a brow. “A nightmare?”

“Yes.” Ling Ruoxi nodded and gently pushed him away. Her languid eyes gazed at the sun in the sky. For some reason, even in such weather she felt a hint of chill—something she couldn’t quite accept.

“Let Yizhui and Yimeng rest a little longer. We—”

“Lord Evil King, His Majesty requests that the two of you go to the main hall.” A figure suddenly appeared and knelt on one knee.

His Majesty?

What was Nangong Mo up to now, summoning them so suddenly?

In the solemn grand hall, all the officials had already withdrawn. On the dragon throne, Nangong Mo sat with a deep frown, gripping a letter tightly. Beside him, Qian Yi—her belly already quite large—could only pat his shoulder, signaling him not to get too worked up.

“Long time no see.” Ling Ruoxi smiled faintly and stepped into the hall, about to speak—when Nangong Mo suddenly raised a finger to his lips. He stood up and handed her the letter. “Read it yourself.”

“Hm?” Ling Ruoxi frowned slightly and took the letter. Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest as her eyes fixed on the words. She read aloud, “I look forward to you reviving Ling Feng. —Baili Wushuang.”

Her heart jolted violently. Ling Ruoxi turned to Nangong Mo and asked coldly, “When did this arrive? Almost no one knows about my father. How does Baili Wushuang know I intend to awaken him—and even sent this?”

“I don’t know either. This letter was placed by my bedside this morning. I opened it and saw this. That’s why I summoned you after court. We kept this absolutely secret—yet Baili Wushuang still knows. Could there be a traitor among us?” Thinking of this, Nangong Mo sucked in a cold breath and clenched his fist.

A traitor…

Luo Mingyu frowned slightly. Jiang Yu was the Purple Bamboo Divine Needle—he would never leak this. Qingyi was their friend and wouldn’t betray them. As for Silver Wolf and Yuwen Zhiyuan, the two shared their lives—if Yuwen Zhiyuan harbored thoughts of betrayal, Ling Ruoxi would know immediately.

“Impossible. No one following us could be a traitor. Baili Wushuang has her own methods. Since she also hopes I awaken Father, how could I disappoint her expectations?”
A sharp glint flashed in Ling Ruoxi’s eyes as she clenched her fists.

Nangong Mo frowned and shook his head. “I can’t investigate further. The people around Baili Wushuang are too strange—they come and go without a trace. If they can place a letter in my bedroom, they could just as easily take my head. Those Blood Guards of hers are terrifyingly strong—our side’s Dou Qi cultivators are far too weak.”

“It’s a pity the artifact spirits of the Purple Bamboo Divine Needles are guarding my father. If they could come out, we might have a chance to catch their trail.” A cold aura suddenly burst forth around Ling Ruoxi.

She froze and quickly turned around.

A black-clad figure was practically thrown in.

Leaning against a pillar, the coldly standing youth looked at them, icy light flashing in his eyes.
“Take him. The Blood Guard you wanted—just a bunch of trash. Hmph.”

“Jiang Yu…” Ling Ruoxi froze and hurried forward to inspect the lifeless Blood Guard. His entire body had turned black—he had died of poison. There were no visible wounds; clearly, after being captured, he had bitten poison and committed suicide.

Unfortunately for them, these Blood Guards didn’t know that purple bamboo was naturally immune to all poisons. Even suicide by poison couldn’t let the toxin invade their bodies.

“Don’t touch him—” Seeing Luo Mingyu reach out, Ling Ruoxi quickly pressed down his hand. This was no joke—even with Dou Qi protecting him, he couldn’t casually touch such poison. She and Jiang Yu were exceptions—her body was naturally immune to poisons, and such toxins would be neutralized automatically.

She pulled open the corpse’s clothing. His skin was completely black, and on his arm was carved a strange symbol. On closer inspection, the pattern was actually formed from the characters “Wushuang.”

“This poison is terrifying. Once bitten and swallowed, it takes effect instantly—and even corrodes Dou Qi. At the moment they bite the poison, all the Dou Qi in their bodies is completely eroded. There’s nothing left—no way to study it. Next time we capture one, we absolutely cannot let them bite the poison.” Ling Ruoxi slowly stood up and looked around the hall.

If Baili Wushuang’s people could infiltrate the palace without a sound, they could hide anywhere. In moments of distraction, or even during casual conversation, they might overhear everything. They might have even planted people around the icy cave itself. From now on, they would have to be extremely careful.

“I didn’t expect Baili Wushuang to be this ruthless. Ever since she emerged from the forbidden land, she seems completely twisted. In any case, everyone must be careful—especially you. Such a big happy event and you didn’t even notify us. How many months has it been?”
Ling Ruoxi smiled and walked toward the person seated above.

Qian Yi smiled softly and instinctively caressed her belly. “Eight months. Almost time to give birth. As for you—you disappeared without a word after leaving. I wanted to inform you, but there was no time. Still, after nearly two years, your strength has improved greatly. I can’t even see through you anymore.”

“You say that like you ever could…” Ling Ruoxi pinched Qian Yi’s nose with a smile, then clapped her hands and placed her fingers on Qian Yi’s pulse. “Alright, let me check your pulse and see whether it’s a boy or a girl. If it’s a boy, he’ll marry my Yimeng. If it’s a girl, my Yizhui will marry her.”

“Pfft—sounds like you’re determined to become in-laws with us. But back then, when you and Mo were betrothed before birth, didn’t you resist the marriage anyway? Let the children decide their own matters—how about that?” Qian Yi laughed, recalling the past wedding.

Nangong Mo’s face darkened. He hurriedly waved his hand. “Yi’er, that’s ancient history—why bring it up? Besides, you’re my only empress now. Even if you offered me concubines, I wouldn’t marry them. Don’t talk nonsense—focus on taking care of the baby.”