FRGNM -Chapter 325 One Strike to Kill

“Courting death!”

In a flash, Huang Yuan sprang to his feet. A sharp glint flickered in his eyes, veins bulging in his right hand as it gripped the long sword. His gaze fixed coldly on the people in front of him. If Yuan Mengmeng made another move, he swore her head would roll!

It seemed Huang Yuan’s ferocity had scared her—Yuan Mengmeng inhaled sharply, trembling as she stared at the people before her.

Huang Yuan didn’t even draw his sword. He just snorted coldly, stepped quickly in front of Luo Mingyu and Ling Ruoxi, and placed a hand over his heart. “Holy Lord, Holy Daughter, these two did not provoke you, did they? It was, rather, the Crown Princess and the Prince who were startled.”

“Pfft, Crown Princess and Prince?” Yizhui and Yimeng were stunned. Seeing Yuan Mengmeng so terrified, they could only think she had it coming. Such a woman, constantly flaunting her status—what was there to respect?

But these words now genuinely frightened them.

They usually trained in the backyard or studied at the academy and rarely interacted with high-ranking officials, so they had no idea about the outside world. Every day, this princess mocked them, making them feel like the palace was never a place for them—a feeling of being under someone else’s roof.

And now… what did this mean?

Huang Yuan, seeing their confused expressions, paused and asked in surprise, “Has the Emperor not told the Princess and the Prince that you are considered non-blood descendants of Duan Yun Kingdom? This…”

“Uh…” Yizhui and Yimeng hadn’t thought about it. Ever since they came here with Bailiyan, they hadn’t paid attention. All they knew was that the home they had lived in for so long was destroyed and everything had changed. Their status… was essentially that of servants.

Huang Yuan explained, “A year ago, the Emperor officially granted you the titles of Princess Mengyun of Duan Yun and Prince Zhuifeng, and the whole nation celebrated. This was at the same time as Princess Mengmeng’s own ceremony. Back then, both the princess and prince were in seclusion, so they weren’t disturbed.”

Thinking of Nangong Mo, there was no way he would treat Ling Ruoxi’s children unfairly. After all, that woman had been someone he once cared for. Now, she was still his closest friend—they had shared hardships and life-and-death struggles together.

Yuan Mengmeng finally realized why she had been the only one at the previous ceremony. She had been curious about who else received the honor—but now it was clear: it was entirely her own doing.

“Ah, I see.” Yimeng’s long lashes trembled, and her tightly clenched hands relaxed.

Ling Ruoxi bent down, her warm fingers resting on her shoulder. She smiled softly. “Little Meng’er, what are you thinking? Mother and Father said it already—no matter what trouble you get into, we are your strong backing. Go ahead and do it. I refuse to believe there’s any obstacle in this world we cannot overcome for you!”

“Mother!” Yizhui beside her stared blankly at Ling Ruoxi. That was a bit too bold, wasn’t it? But with their powerful parents, no matter how much he trained, there seemed to be a vast chasm he could never cross.

Ling Ruoxi chuckled and patted Yizhui’s small head. Her mood instantly brightened. Her lips curved into a perfect arc, her crescent-like eyes gazing forward. Indeed, no matter the disaster, she and Luo Mingyu would stand in front of their children, shielding them from wind and rain.

She placed a protective hand on Yizhui’s shoulder, shielding the children behind her. Luo Mingyu knelt beside Yimeng, rubbing her head, standing shoulder to shoulder with Ling Ruoxi, his sword-like brows slightly raised.

Then, the air filled with a thick stench of blood. Huang Yuan’s face changed drastically. He stepped forward, drawing his sword, shouting, “Who goes there? Show yourself!”

“Vuuuumm!”

A faint sound of a zither floated through the air, carrying an almost hypnotic pressure that pressed down on everyone. The chest felt as if something were blocking it—unbearably uncomfortable.

Under the zither’s torment, reality seemed to twist.

“Gah… I didn’t expect the ones opposing the Queen would be you two. Escaping our eyes and reaching Duan Yun’s Imperial City, your strength is decent… but still too inexperienced.”

A black-cloaked figure descended from above. Its withered hands looked like dead bark, lifeless. Its dark face was hidden in shadow, only the eyes glinting with hidden light.

Huang Yuan inhaled sharply, sensing danger. “Who are you?!”

“Kill!”

The guards quickly formed a formation, shielding Ling Ruoxi and Luo Mingyu. Nothing could happen to those behind them.

The civilians kneeling on the ground trembled, scrambling to hide in nearby houses to watch.

An old man casually seated on a roof plucked the zither with one hand while holding his scarf with the other, chuckling, “Who am I? A mere young general like you isn’t worthy to know. Luo Mingyu, traitor, you’ve wasted the Queen’s trust—she’s heartbroken because of you.”

“How long ago it was, and you still flaunt it? From the start, I never intended to submit completely. What rebellion are you talking about?” Luo Mingyu’s black scythe appeared in his hand, making the air tremble.

The killing intent was heavier than usual, as if refined by years of experience. Yet in the next moment, all outward aggression vanished. He stood there as if sensing nothing.

Half-God!

Ling Ruoxi inhaled sharply. This kind of unity of heaven and man was her insight—but seeing Luo Mingyu use it so proficiently, he had clearly stepped into the Half-God realm.

The cloaked figure above seemed to notice something was off. Its black eyes narrowed, withered fingers pressing the zither strings.

“I’ll handle this!” Huang Yuan roared, raising his long sword. A green fighting qi surrounded him, forming a massive blade, slashing forward.

The cloaked figure leapt, cradling the zither.

“Boom!”

The ground where he stood exploded. Hidden black-clad assassins flew out helplessly, completely unable to resist.

The figure’s black eyes flashed coldly. Cradling the zither, it swiped forward, and a visible purple light streaked out like lightning.

“Pfft!”

Huang Yuan dodged too slowly and was flung backward by the force.

A black scythe appeared in the figure’s hand. It stepped forward, heavy and deliberate, eyes locked on the black-cloaked figure ahead. Aura of death spread around, nine Nether Energies almost wrapping him entirely. His white robes instantly turned black.

“Oh? Angry now? Tsk tsk. Your Evil King Island was destroyed by us—that just proves your incompetence. That guardian of yours, Wuyun or whatever, tortured to death—want revenge? Hate us? They weren’t killed by us, but by yourself. Weaklings cannot oppose the strong!”

The icy voice pierced Luo Mingyu’s heart like a blade. Those who had fought alongside him, now dead or crippled—all to protect Evil King Island. This was a lifetime of trauma, yet the person in front of him was seeking death!

The figure paused atop the roof, staring at the vanishing black shadow below, swallowing nervously. Its eyes seemed to calculate something, body trembling as it instinctively glanced behind.

The black figure stood silently behind him—no murderous aura, yet more terrifying than before. That tall silhouette was beyond his reach.

“Crack…”

The zither trembled violently, shattering into dust. The broken strings struck his cheek. The withered face cracked open from head to chin.

One strike. A Purple-rank expert split in half. What kind of power was this?!

“Boom!”

The figure standing behind exploded, yet the figure on the roof only watched coldly, clenching a fist. “Baili Wushuang, have the guts to come out. Hiding—are you still the same as before?”

“Heh, my dear Mingyu, why so impatient? Don’t worry, I’ll be back in a month.” The cold voice lingered in the air, then dissipated instantly.

Luo Mingyu’s expression darkened. His fists clenched, black eyes flashing with rage. Damn, Baili Wushuang must be nearby, or else how could he know what they were doing!

“Amazing!” Yizhui stared at the figure, still in shock. He only knew his father was strong, but he hadn’t realized he could be this powerful—able to casually kill a Purple-rank!

By comparison, he was far too weak. When would he become as formidable as his father?

The man seated cross-legged had long lost consciousness. The four small figures around him tried to sustain his body with Purple Bamboo Qi, but it was futile. His body resembled a corpse; no matter their effort, they couldn’t detect life as Ling Ruoxi could.

“Rest, rest. With your current strength, waking the master is impossible. We don’t know medicine—let Ruoxi handle it, or we might waste the Purple Bamboo Qi, and then it may be too late.”

Leaning against the cold mountain rock, as if unaffected by its chill, Jiang Yu looked at the four people in front of him, then shifted his gaze toward the large blade standing at the cave’s edge.