What Mingyue held in her hand was the royal decree sent by the Emperor of the Tianlang Kingdom yesterday.
It clearly stated that Tianlan Shangren was a lunatic.
His possessiveness was pathological. Even before the Tianxuan Kingdom was destroyed, he had controlled the Tianxuan Emperor and manipulated the court.
After the Tianxuan Kingdom's demise, he wanted to control the Tianxuan Crown Prince and the Tianlang Kingdom.
His restoration of the kingdom was merely a desire to return to his former days.
Rather than letting Ji Shiyou control the Tianxuan Continent, it was more about fulfilling his own desire for control.
This was because his greatest pleasure was to hide in the shadows.
Manipulating puppets gave him an unprecedented sense of accomplishment.
To satisfy his pathological psychology, if any puppet he chose showed signs of defiance, he would kill them and then select someone else he could control.
Thus, he had killed the Tianxuan Crown Prince and the Tianlang Emperor.
Rao Disha, the new Emperor of Tianlang, had long known Tianlan Shangren's true nature.
Therefore, he feigned obedience for years, secretly gathering evidence, winning over court officials, and consolidating power into his own hands.
After enduring hardship for over a decade, he finally drove Tianlan Shangren out of the Tianlang Kingdom.
His letter to Ji Shiyou this time also had a selfish motive.
He wanted Ji Shiyou to see Tianlan Shangren's true character.
He feared that Ji Shiyou, misled by Tianlan Shangren, might send troops to Tianlang.
To ensure Ji Shiyou believed him, he enclosed various pieces of evidence with the letter.
"Since you know everything, let's be upfront. If you agree to send troops to Tianlang, I can lift the 'Shiqing Dan' poison from your body. This way, you won't have to endure the monthly torment of heart-wrenching pain on the fifteenth."
Upon seeing the royal decree from the Tianlang Kingdom, Tianlan Shangren knew that any further denial was futile.
He decided to shift to negotiation and said to Ji Shiyou,
"Explain clearly, what 'Shiqing Dan' poison?"
"Ji Shiyou, is there anything else you're hiding from me?"
Mingyue was greatly surprised upon hearing about the 'Shiqing Dan'.
Why hadn't Ji Shiyou told her he was poisoned?
Seeing Ji Shiyou's face filled with questions and displeasure, Ji Shiyou stammered, unsure how to answer.
He truly didn't want Mingyue to worry, which was why he kept it from her; it wasn't out of malicious intent to deceive her.
"You still don't know? This young man is truly devoted to you. His heart is full of love, and he couldn't bear to see you worry, so he silently bore everything. Back then, to save your life, he made me promise to spare you when we annexed the Wuman Kingdom. He willingly took the 'Shiqing Dan'. Originally, the 'Shiqing Dan' was not a poison. On the contrary, if one could sever all emotional attachments, it would enhance their cultivation and internal energy. However, his love for you is too deep. He refuses to abandon his feelings for you even in death. Thus, the 'Shiqing Dan' turned into a corrosive poison that acts up every full moon on the fifteenth. During its onset, the pain is unbearable, as if one is undergoing an ice and fire purgatory, a torment that pierces the heart and erodes the bones. You didn't know? All of this was for you. If you can persuade him to send troops to Tianlang, I will remove the 'Shiqing Dan' poison from him."
Hearing Mingyue's question, Qinglan Shangren realized that Ji Shiyou had not told Mingyue about the 'Shiqing Dan'. He therefore tried to manipulate Mingyue into persuading Ji Shiyou.
"Don't be swayed by him. I can endure it. I would rather suffer the torment of the 'Shiqing Dan' every month than be used by him. Qinglan Shangren, since you've come today, you won't leave alive. The revenge for my father's death cannot go unavenged. You disregard the lives of everyone in the world to achieve your goals. Today, for the peace of the world, both for public and private reasons, I must kill you."
Seeing Mingyue looking at him with reddened eyes, Ji Shiyou, fearing that Mingyue might be persuaded by Qinglan Shangren to lift the poison, quickly shouted, intending to kill him.
As his voice fell, countless soldiers wielding sharp blades appeared on the plaza outside the imperial study. On the palace walls, hidden imperial guards drew their bows and nocked arrows, sealing off any escape routes. Within the room, Xing Sheng, who had been hidden in the shadows, emerged with elite imperial guards, surrounding Qinglan Shangren. It turned out that upon receiving the royal decree from the Tianlang Emperor, Ji Shiyou and Mingyue had already made preparations. If Qinglan Shangren dared to come today, he would be trapped and killed.
"Hahaha! You want to kill me? Ji Shiyou, you've grown! However, don't forget that all your skills were taught by me. I am your master, and a disciple can never defeat their master. I know all your weaknesses, your fatal flaws. You can disregard your own life, but you cannot bear to see Mingyue suffer even the slightest grievance. I told you, you would agree to my demands. And I am confident that you will do as I say. If you kill me today, you will lose her forever!"
Facing the imposing array, Qinglan Shangren's expression remained unchanged. Instead, he pointed at Mingyue and laughed heartily.
"What did you do to Mingyue?"
Ji Shiyou's face changed drastically, and he asked urgently.
"Why the hurry? You'll see soon enough."
Qinglan Shangren glanced at the sun in the sky and smiled faintly, not answering directly. This made Ji Shiyou even more anxious. He pulled Mingyue closer, intending to check her pulse.
At that moment, Mingyue's brow furrowed slightly. Her face then turned ashen, and she spat out a mouthful of blood. Her eyes closed, and she fainted into Ji Shiyou's arms.
"Mingyue! What's wrong? Qinglan Shangren, what exactly did you do to her?"
Ji Shiyou held Mingyue, his eyes filled with rage, and roared.
"What's the shouting for? She's merely been struck by my 'Three-Day Soul Dissipation'. Without my antidote, by sunset, this woman you care about most will die. Do you still want to kill me? Do you still insist on defying my orders?"
Seeing Mingyue's poisoning symptoms, Qinglan Shangren calmly and unhurriedly stated. The reason he dared to come alone today was because he was confident of a safe escape. Although Mingyue had severely wounded him with her 'Consecutive Explosive Strikes' that day, and he hadn't managed to abduct her, his objective had been achieved. Before escaping, he had thrown a smoke-emitting object on the ground, which was actually poisonous smoke, known as 'Three-Day Soul Dissipation'. This poisonous smoke, once inhaled, showed no symptoms and could not be detected. It would remain in the body for three days before its toxicity manifested, making it extremely insidious. At the time, Mingyue had thought it was merely a tactic by Qinglan Shangren to buy time to escape and impede her. She had inhaled it without any reaction and thus paid it no mind. However, even if she had known it was a fatal poison, it would have been useless. This was because it was a unique concoction made by Qinglan Shangren, and no one could cure it.
"Guards, apprehend him and search him!"
Seeing Qinglan Shangren's smug expression, Ji Shiyou shouted. He intended to subdue Qinglan Shangren and search for the antidote.
"Foolish. Do you think I would carry the antidote with me? Stop wasting time. If you care about this woman, then let's have a good talk. If you don't care about her life or death, then I accept my fate and am willing to die with her. Don't even think about a cure."
Qinglan Shangren sneered at Ji Shiyou.
"Speak, how can Mingyue be cured? I will agree to everything."
Ji Shiyou said without hesitation. He admitted that Qinglan Shangren had successfully grasped his weakness. As long as Mingyue could be cured, he would spare no effort and agree to any condition.
"Love is indeed a wonderful thing, and the best means of control. Why didn't I realize this before? If I had known, twenty years ago, if I had controlled your mother, I could have controlled your father. My plan would have been realized long ago, and I wouldn't have had to wait until now! But it's not too late. If you want me to cure her, it's the same as I said before: send troops to Tianlang. Kill Rao Disha, and bring me his head in exchange for the antidote."
Qinglan Shangren sighed and slowly stated his demand.
"I cannot do that!"
Ji Shiyou's brows furrowed, and he spoke.
"Oh? You've opened your eyes? You don't love this woman anymore? You're no longer willing to do anything for her unconditionally?"
Ji Shiyou's answer surprised Qinglan Shangren. Had Ji Shiyou already severed his emotional ties so quickly?