"But this Emperor claims he doesn't mind. Can he really be so accommodating?"
"Since Your Majesty knows I did it, you must have also guessed that I have no intention of cooperating with your country."
"If you truly had no intention, you wouldn't have saved us."
Jin Jinghong said with a gentle smile.
"As a physician, I simply wished not to harm lives. Unlike your Tian Que Kingdom, which would sacrifice countless innocent girls to obtain a tool."
"I have already sent those people home. If you wish, Yaowang Valley can be returned to you."
"Returned?" Rong Zhi sneered. "It was mine to begin with. Isn't using the word 'returned' rather inappropriate now?"
As the two exchanged words, the atmosphere grew tense.
Liu Yunxi gleaned some of the story from their conversation. It wasn't surprising he had heard that Rong Zhi was long dead, only to see her alive now. It was indeed the work of Tian Que Kingdom.
Tian Que Kingdom, if nothing else, was unparalleled in its mastery of Xuan arts, which explained its formidable national strength.
He should be grateful to the ruler of Tian Que Kingdom for returning a living Rong Zhi. However, judging by Rong Zhi's words, many innocent lives were involved.
He gave Wen Yu a significant look. Wen Yu subtly gestured for him to remain calm, to wait and listen.
"If you refuse, it's your choice. The hundreds of disciples in Yaowang Valley... if you don't care about their lives, you don't have to obey me."
This was a blatant threat!
Rong Zhi clenched the edge of the table tightly, then let out a laugh after a long pause. "As the saying goes, 'He who understands the times is a wise man.' When one is under another's roof, one must bow. Since I am currently in Tian Que Kingdom, and my numerous disciples are in your hands, tell me, how do you propose we cooperate?"
Jin Jinghong's expression softened upon hearing this, appearing quite satisfied with the outcome.
The First Prince, Jin Yunfei, spoke up.
"It's very simple. As long as you can lead the various martial arts factions to pledge allegiance to Tian Que Kingdom, we will not only guarantee the safety of the Yaowang Valley disciples but also ensure you all enjoy endless wealth and glory."
"You want us to be dogs for Tian Que Kingdom?" Wen Yu couldn't help but scoff. "Your Majesty has a remarkable plan. We of Xiaoyao Manor number at least ten thousand disciples. Trading these ten thousand for the few thousand disciples of Yaowang Valley... that's not even a losing deal, it's a nonsensical one."
"Cough cough!" Liu Yunxi shot him a warning glance from the side. Wen Yu then quieted down.
Did Jin Yunfei not know how despicable their actions were? However, with such a great temptation laid before them, who could resist?
Rong Zhi said, "I have been dead for many years. Even if I issue a command, who will believe me? Won't they think it's a scheme by someone with ulterior motives?"
"The Valley Master need not worry about that. You only need to show yourself. We will handle the rest."
Jin Yunfei was brimming with confidence. With the entire Yaowang Valley held hostage, they were bound to agree.
"You are likely not unfamiliar with the Manor Lord of Xiaoyao Manor. As long as Xiaoyao Manor takes the lead, and other martial arts factions follow suit in pledging loyalty to Tian Que Kingdom, you can save all of Yaowang Valley."
"Why should I save Yaowang Valley? I don't know her that well." Wen Yu had barely spoken when he received another warning look.
He cleared his throat awkwardly. "What I mean is, I need some time to consider."
"Of course. The Manor Lord has traveled a long distance and will be staying at the imperial inn. Our Tian Que Kingdom will provide excellent hospitality."
This banquet could be described as tense, or rather, filled with undercurrents of conflict. As they were leaving, Rong Zhi excused herself and followed Wen Yu.
Xia Yunting was about to follow when Jin Jinghong stopped him.
"Xia Yunting, you should focus on investigating the Chen family's affairs. The Chen family has been hidden for so long that even I was unaware. Your investigation will be a great service."
He smiled slyly.
He hadn't interfered with the Chen family for so many years because they had the Empress Dowager's backing, and he couldn't openly defy her.
But if someone else were to undertake the task, it would be different.
If it were discovered that the Chen family was harboring descendants of the Xuan sect, they would undoubtedly be deemed disloyal. With the strict laws in place, even if the Chen family avoided prison, their status would be compromised.
This was clearly a move to make Xia Yunting the sacrificial lamb.
Xia Yunting lowered his head. "Yes."
"I say, this Emperor is too arrogant. He's just an emperor, in such a vast land, and he's not the only one. Why is he so full of himself?"
Wen Yu grumbled as he walked, but Liu Yunxi stopped and turned, a radiant smile appearing on his face as he saw Rong Zhi behind them.
"You're here? Come back to the inn with me. It's been so many years. The last time we only spoke a few words. This time, you must tell me all about your experiences over the years. I've never met anyone who came back from the dead before."
Rong Zhi approached, her gaze falling on Wen Yu.
"And who is this..."
"I am a creditor of Xiaoyao Manor..."
"A nobody. No need to bother with him. Let's go!"
With that, he led Rong Zhi away, quickly getting into a carriage. The carriage soon disappeared, leaving Wen Yu dumbfounded.
"What are you doing? Abandoning a friend for love!"
At the inn, the innkeeper had prepared a table full of food. As Wen Yu entered, Liu Yunxi was diligently serving Rong Zhi.
"I wouldn't dare eat Jin Jinghong's food. Who knows if he'd poison it? You haven't eaten much either. Come, come, fill your stomach."
Rong Zhi readily accepted Liu Yunxi's care, acting as naturally as if they had been a couple for many years.
"Hey, you two are being too unfair. You just left me outside."
Wen Yu sat down indignantly, gazing at Rong Zhi with curiosity.
"I thought someone who had lived another life would be different from ordinary people. Turns out, they have two eyes, one nose, and one mouth. Hey, quickly tell us, how did you actually come back to life?"
Rong Zhi gave a wry smile. "I wish I hadn't come back to life. Tian Que Kingdom, in order to perform some resurrection ritual, searched for young girls under ten years old across the country and brought them to Qianji Pavilion for a life-for-life sacrifice. When I woke up, I was in the outskirts. They must not have realized I was awake and simply discarded me like a corpse. For years, I have been in the imperial city, wanting to return to Yaowang Valley, but Yaowang Valley is guarded by imperial soldiers, so I couldn't get back. To find a way back, I've lingered here."
"Is that all?" Wen Yu seemed unconvinced, and the excitement in his eyes diminished.
"I thought there would be some interesting story. Turns out, in your second life, you're still just a physician who only knows how to practice medicine."
"Wen Yu." Liu Yunxi cast him a look. Wen Yu closed his mouth and quietly ate his rice.
Liu Yunxi then asked Rong Zhi, "What do you think about what Jin Jinghong said today?"
Rong Zhi sneered. "With so many disciples in their hands, what else can I do? I have to agree."
"Now that Yaowang Valley has pledged allegiance to Tian Que Kingdom, the people inside are likely not the disciples from before. Why do you still care about them?"
"Even if they don't recognize me as their master, I can't let them die because of me."
She sighed, her tone filled with helplessness, a stark contrast to her demeanor at the banquet.
Outside, the innkeeper secretly overheard everything and quietly withdrew. The moment he turned, he sent word of this to the palace.
"Father, it seems the Valley Master of Yaowang Valley is quite sensible, saving us the trouble of a major conflict."
Jin Jinghong smiled with the certainty of victory. "I knew it. The arrangements made back then would surely yield results."
"Father is wise. First, send General Xia to lead the poisoned soldiers to Yaowang Valley for treatment, then find an opportunity to kill the Valley Master. The numerous disciples of Yaowang Valley will pledge allegiance to Tian Que Kingdom effortlessly. Now that the Valley Master is in our hands, we will also annex the martial arts factions who know her. Then, conquering the surrounding small countries will be as easy as crushing ants."
Both sides harbored their own schemes. The night passed without incident.
Xiaoyao Manor claimed they needed time to consider, but didn't specify how long. Wen Yu simply treated this trip as a vacation, eating, drinking, and playing every day, while also pestering the innkeeper. After all, he was only the nominal Manor Lord of Xiaoyao Manor; the real decisions were made by Liu Yunxi.
Rong Zhi also enjoyed a rare period of peace. Being at the inn was far better than being in the Ministry of Punishment's prison. Considering the imminent storm, Rong Zhi cherished these two days.
Unexpectedly, someone came to cause trouble at this very time.
In the dead of night, someone climbed in through the window.
"Who?"
"It's me."
"Xia Yunting?" Rong Zhi looked at the person before her in surprise.
Hadn't he lost his memory? What was he doing here? Was this his own initiative, or did he have a mission?
As she pondered, the other person spoke.
"Come with me. I can take you back to Yaowang Valley."
"Take me back to Yaowang Valley? Why?"
Upon hearing this, Rong Zhi subconsciously formed a guess. Had he regained his memory? But in the moonlight, Rong Zhi noticed that his eyes still held a look of confusion.
He hadn't regained his memory. So why would he help her?
"I don't know what I've forgotten, but I'm sure you are someone very important to me. Even if this is a mistake, I will help you. Come with me. I can help you transfer the disciples of Yaowang Valley to a safe place, and you won't have to be threatened by the Emperor."
Rong Zhi's heart skipped a beat. The look in his eyes and his tone were so sincere that it was impossible not to be moved.
"Thank you, but I cannot go with you."
The risk involved was too great. Tian Que Kingdom still held her disciples, as well as Chu Qingze and Xiao Jianli. If the Emperor were to investigate, he would surely find them. She couldn't allow her friends to be put in danger.
"What are you hesitating for? This is your only chance!"
Xia Yunting was somewhat anxious. The Emperor had already set his sights on him. He had managed to slip away from the pursuing imperial guards to sneak in. If he took this gamble, perhaps there was a chance of success.