The rain of blood across the sky finally ceased.
A black-clad figure slowly descended from the clouds, her boots stepping onto the gravel-strewn ground.
Yue Huaiyuan snapped back to his senses, haphazardly wiped the blood from his face, snapped his legs together, and with a solemn expression, prepared to bow.
"General Yue Huaiyuan greets—"
"That's enough."
Jiang Yuechu frowned slightly and waved her hand, directly interrupting the old general's awkward movements.
"General Yue, you're getting on in years, and your back isn't as sturdy as it used to be. Who are you putting on this performance for?"
Upon hearing this.
Yue Huaiyuan's body stiffened. He looked up and saw that the young girl had no intention of putting on airs.
His eyes grew inexplicably warm.
It was still that Jiang lass.
She hadn't changed.
"Heh..."
Yue Huaiyuan smiled sheepishly. "I knew Your Highness wouldn't care for those empty formalities."
Only now did Wang Hong truly regain his composure.
Hearing the words 'Your Highness'.
He asked tremulously, "Old... Old Yue, who exactly is this..."
Although he had heard Old Ghost Yue shout something earlier, his mind had been a muddled mess in that life-and-death moment.
Now, that Mountain Gazing Realm Red Flood Dragon had been slaughtered, and its corpse was nowhere to be found.
Such heaven-defying methods at such a young age.
Yue Huaiyuan puffed out his chest, looking immensely proud as if he were the one who had slain the Red Flood Dragon.
"This is the one the current Emperor just recognized, Her Highness Grand Princess Zhaoyue!"
Wang Hong was startled by these words.
The Grand Princess?
He had heard news from Chang'an earlier.
It was said that His Majesty had found his biological sister who had suffered a difficult life wandering among the common folk.
To think... it was the person before him?!
Wang Hong swallowed hard, his throat feeling dry.
He hurriedly bowed and said, "Wang Hong, the Demon Quelling General of Poyang Commandery, Jiangnan West Circuit, greets Your Highness. Thank you, Your Highness..."
Jiang Yuechu waved her hand and said, "General Wang, there's no need for such formality. I only happened to be here today and lent a hand."
Xie Tinglan had remained silent the whole time.
He silently sheathed his dual halberds back onto his back.
In his mind, that fleeting, stunning figure at the Yue Estate had caused him to toss and turn on many nights.
When he later learned she was the Grand Princess, he buried those feelings deep within his heart.
But seeing her again today, he realized.
So... is this the level of the scenery she sees now?
Sensing his burning gaze, Jiang Yuechu turned her eyes toward Xie Tinglan.
Seeing the girl look over, Xie Tinglan hurriedly lowered his head, completely concealing the dejection in his eyes that he hadn't yet hidden away.
"Lieutenant Xie, I trust you have been well."
The girl's voice was cool but not distant.
"Thanks to Your Highness's blessings, Tinglan is... doing well."
"That is good."
After saying that, she spoke no more.
Xie Tinglan felt a bit lost, yet also a bit relieved.
This was fine.
Just being able to see her and hear her from such a close distance was already wonderful.
The Daoist nearby stepped forward and gave a Daoist greeting.
Zhang Daoxuan's expression was incredibly complex.
Looking at the girl who was several years younger than him, his Dao Heart felt a bit shaky.
It had only been a few months since they parted in Suzhou.
Back then, she was only at the Ink Dot Realm.
Seeing her again, she was already at the Mountain Gazing Realm.
Such a cultivation speed... even looking through all the Daoist scriptures, how many people since Ancestor Lyu's Ascension could match her?
"Your Highness's talent leaves this humble Daoist... in awe."
Zhang Daoxuan gave a bitter smile, his tone carrying a hint of desolation. "My master often says the Jianghu below the mountain is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. I was originally quite proud, but today I realized..."
"It was just luck."
Jiang Yuechu did not wish to dwell on the matter. She turned her gaze to the mess that was the Dusi Yamen and the terrified citizens throughout the city.
"The Demon is dead. I'll leave the remaining cleanup to you all."
Yue Huaiyuan was stunned, catching her meaning. He hurriedly said, "Is Your Highness leaving? Why not stay for a meal before you go?"
"Since leaving the Region East of the River, Your Highness probably hasn't tasted west lake vinegar fish in a long while, right? Although this city doesn't have the fresh catch from West Lake, the grass carp from Poyang Lake are quite firm. I'll personally cook today and prepare it for you..."
Jiang Yuechu paused and looked back at the rambling old man.
Several black lines couldn't help but appear on her forehead.
You old geezer... can you stop obsessing over your west lake vinegar fish!?
"General Yue."
Jiang Yuechu interrupted his chatter with a helpless expression.
"Normally, I wouldn't decline this meal, but the situation in Luling is currently critical..."
Hearing this, the smile on Yue Huaiyuan's face gradually faded.
He opened his mouth as if to say something, but it ultimately turned into a heavy sigh.
"Sigh..."
Indeed.
With the situation as it was, how could it be time for drinking?
He just... wanted to keep this girl for a moment, even if it was just for a hot meal and a rest.
After all, with her current strength, she would definitely go to Luling.
In a place like that.
Even at the Mountain Gazing Realm, she might find it hard to protect herself... "That's enough."
Seeing the old man's dejected face, Jiang Yuechu's lips curled up slightly.
"Put this meal on my tab. Once the chaos in Jiangnan West Circuit is settled."
The girl turned around, her cool voice echoing in the wind.
"At that time... if you dare try to fool me with watered-down cheap wine, I'll flip the table."
"Good!"
The old general cupped his fists heavily and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness... take care!"
The other three also cupped their fists together.
"We respectfully see off Your Highness!"
Jiang Yuechu didn't look back; she just waved her hand casually with her back to them.
"I'm off."
Just as she had come.
Boom—
A long rainbow rose from the ground, instantly tearing through the clouds and whistling toward the oppressive southern horizon.
Yue Huaiyuan watched the receding golden rainbow, remaining motionless for a long time.
After a while.
He kicked Wang Hong beside him.
"Hurry up and clean this up. This mess in the city is waiting for us to wipe its ass."
Wang Hong snapped back to his senses and smiled bitterly. "Fortunately, Your Highness helped us, otherwise the two of us would really be drinking Meng Po's soup down below today."
Xie Tinglan silently watched the horizon.
Wind rises from the tip of the green duckweed.
But the elegance of the next hundred—no! thousand years.
After today.
It seemed it would all be claimed by that one person... Above the sea of clouds.
Though the red demonic clouds had dispersed.
The residual Demonic Qi still lingered around the nose, refusing to dissipate.
Li Qianyuan stood with his hands behind his back above the clouds, indifferently watching the direction the golden light had gone.
"How long has it been... has she already grown to such a level..."
If he remembered correctly, when he saw her at the Jiang Family a few days ago, this girl was only at the Seed Lotus realm.
Such a growth rate.
Even for him, a former emperor, he felt a jolt of alarm at this moment.
"Cough... cough cough..."
Li Qianyuan suddenly bent over and let out a series of violent coughs.
When the coughing subsided, he opened his palm.
There was no blood in his palm.
Only a mass of slowly writhing, gray Death Qi.
A hint of urgency appeared deep in his eyes.
The time left for him... was no longer much.
"Whew..."
He expressionlessly shook off the Death Qi in his palm.
He had originally thought to wait a bit longer... but looking at it now.
If he gave her a bit more time, even if it was just three to five months.
There was no guarantee this girl wouldn't take another step and touch the threshold of the Lamp Lighting Realm.
In all things, too much is as bad as too little.
"I must... hurry."
The wind rose and the clouds surged.
That dark green figure took a step forward, and his form instantly faded away.
Leaving behind only an indistinct murmur.
"My good daughter, do not blame your father for being cruel... In the future, once I have glimpsed eternal life, I may not be unable to compensate you..."