Mu Hanqi stared at the newspaper, lost in thought.
She refused to believe Ye Longlin was missing, nor that he would abandon her.
"You said you would stay with me forever."
"You said you would be with me when the child was born!"
"Ye Longlin, I'm waiting for you to come back. You've never lied to me, and you won't lie to me this time, will you?"
Mu Hanqi murmured to herself, her gaze fixed on the newspaper. Each word on the page felt like a sharp sword piercing her heart.
She couldn't accept this reality.
In her heart, Ye Longlin had always been the epitome of invincibility. There had never been a precedent like this, and he wouldn't disappear without reason.
He would never leave them, a widowed mother and child, to fend for themselves in this world.
Even though this reality had already occurred, she still couldn't accept it.
Mu Hanqi knew in her heart what Ye Longlin's disappearance signified; at least, there was an eighty percent chance he was gone.
But as long as the Hall of Honor hadn't issued a death notice, a sliver of hope remained in her heart.
She cared nothing for the consequences or outcomes that Ye Longlin's disappearance would trigger. Her sole concern was Ye Longlin.
If not for the child in her womb, Mu Hanqi might have followed Ye Longlin to the grave.
Old Lin, returning from the Celestial Masters' Mansion, felt something was amiss as soon as he entered the town. As if recalling something, he left his luggage at the door and ran quickly in one direction. When he reached the door, Mu Hanqi was listless and didn't even notice him.
He also felt eyes on him from all around the small shop, sensing a hint of killing intent.
"Zhang family's wife, Zhang family's wife."
Old Lin stood directly at the entrance of Aunt Zhang's eatery and called out.
"Call, call, call, what are you calling for!"
Aunt Zhang came out impatiently, still holding a knife with some fish blood on it.
Old Lin approached and asked anxiously, "What happened? I see Xiao Qi isn't in good spirits."
Aunt Zhang opened her mouth, unsure of what to say. After a sigh, she recounted the whole story. Upon hearing it, Old Lin sighed deeply.
"This girl is truly unfortunate. From now on, she'll have to raise the child alone."
Aunt Zhang shook her head slightly. For them, disappearance was tantamount to death.
After all, it was a battlefield!
Old Lin said nothing and directly entered Mu Hanqi's shop. At the entrance, he was stopped by soldiers from the Dragon Pavilion.
They didn't know who Old Lin was, and they had just heard him inquiring about their sister-in-law.
"Don't worry, I won't harm her."
"If I truly intended to harm her, do you think your group could stop me?"
The Dragon Pavilion soldier then let him pass.
They could sense danger emanating from Old Lin.
"Girl."
Old Lin walked in and sat on a stool at the counter.
Mu Hanqi looked up, saw Old Lin sitting before her, and managed a smile, "Uncle Lin."
Old Lin grinned, "Girl, do you trust an old man?"
Mu Hanqi nodded, unsure of what he wanted to say.
"This old man has observed the celestial phenomena and discovered that Ye Longlin is not dead. Rest assured, he just can't return for now. At most, two years. Believe Uncle Lin, in two years at most, he will return. Two years from today, if Ye Longlin hasn't returned, you can come and take this old man's head!"
Old Lin's words were resolute, even stating a specific timeframe and offering his life as collateral.
This was undoubtedly using his life to guarantee Ye Longlin's return.
"Girl, I, Old Lin, am a Celestial Master from the Celestial Masters' Mansion. You must believe me. When you two got married, I told Ye Longlin, but he didn't believe me. However, I anticipated this outcome. After all, even without my warning, Ye Longlin would have gone back."
Old Lin sighed, his gaze complex. His sense of duty to his country made him feel inadequate.
But their Taoist sect had also paid a heavy price for this nation.
Even the only Purple Robe Celestial Master in the Taoist sect became a Grand Tutor, thereafter abandoning the affairs of the sect, leading to its declining status.
"I believe you."
Mu Hanqi took a deep breath and nodded sincerely.
In despair, people don't fear the absence of hope; they fear the lack of even a glimmer of hope in their despair.
Now that Old Lin was willing to bet his life that Ye Longlin would return in two years, she naturally chose to believe him.
She wasn't afraid of waiting; she was afraid of having no hope.
"It's good that you believe me. I was afraid you wouldn't."
"Girl, believe me, that kid will definitely return."
Meanwhile, outside the small town.
Buses were parked in the lot, and soldiers clad in black uniforms disembarked.
"Once you enter the town, put away all weapons and proceed with handguns. Do not disturb the residents, understand?"
Xiao Zhan stood before everyone and said in a deep voice.
"Understood!"
Imperial Guards!
He was ordered to bring Mu Hanqi back to the capital for protection.
The Great Elder also didn't believe Ye Longlin was dead. To this end, he specifically visited the Grand Tutor's mansion, and they gave the same answer: he would definitely return in two years.
Although they weren't entirely sure what had happened on the battlefield, they were willing to believe Ye Longlin was alive.
This was their faith in him.
Just as Xiao Zhan was about to order them into the town, a convoy of Maybachs also arrived. Young and middle-aged individuals in uniform alighted, and from the central vehicle emerged a graceful woman, around forty years old.
"Imperial Guard Commander Xiao Zhan, greetings to the Qin family head."
Xiao Zhan bowed respectfully.
The Imperial Guard had dealings with the Zhenwu Qin family, so they were quite familiar with each other.
Qin Shimeng nodded, "You are here to take Mu Hanqi away?"
Xiao Zhan nodded in reply, "Yes, Qin family head. By order of the Great Elder, and you are..."
Qin Shimeng walked forward, "Ye Longlin's father was an old acquaintance of mine. I am here to take Mu Hanqi away. Moreover, it is inconvenient for you to look after her. As a woman, it would be convenient for me to care for her. Besides, Mu Hanqi is also pregnant now. Is it convenient for you to look after her?"
This... he wasn't sure. He was merely ordered to bring Mu Hanqi back to the capital; he didn't know the specifics.
"Qin family head, this might not be appropriate. I won't be able to explain to the Great Elder. What do you think... And also... your relationship with Ye Longlin... we are not clear what kind of relationship it is."