Chapter 192

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Shaowei

Liu Qi

Thunder roared among the dark clouds, wind and rain howled in the mountain forests, and human voices surged with fervor beneath the shroud of the thundering lightning, wind, and rain.

The commoners wept with joy, kneeling in the rain, bowing to heaven and earth, bowing to the thunder and rain, bowing to the heavenly mechanism above the altar.

Among the officials and imperial relatives, all were likewise filled with joy; they tilted their heads back and reached out to catch the rainwater in their palms. A drenching downpour would normally make one want to take shelter, but this was sweet rain, sweet rain!

The great drought was broken, the great calamity ceased; it was the joy of grass, trees, and all living beings, and even more the joy of the state altars. No one minded being soaked by this rain; they only wished it would soak through ever more thoroughly, penetrating the earth and vegetation, seeping into the fields, mountains, and rivers.

Amid the rain and mist blown askew and hazy, countless pairs of stirred and suddenly comprehending gazes turned toward where that surrounded girl stood. Precisely so — the Heavenly Mechanism ought to be just like this, not laid low by disaster, epidemic, and national fortune. The true Heavenly Mechanism should possess such heaven-shaking willpower and courage, only then could there be the possibility of influencing the grand situation of the world!

The authenticity of the Heavenly Mechanism was no longer in doubt; no further verification of identity was needed. The conviction of people's hearts at this moment was an ironclad proof that could never be shaken again.

More and more officials braved the rain to surround the Heavenly Mechanism. Guo Shi also hurriedly ordered the eunuchs to fetch umbrellas, prepare clothes, summon physicians, and so on. Only Rui Ze stood frozen in place, his expression shifting repeatedly.

Shaowei, too, was finally exhausted. Three hundred-odd days of searching, injuries sustained breaking the formation, sleepless days and nights — at this moment it all fell like rain to the ground, or perhaps it was the great weariness beneath a settled heart. Her whole being could no longer support itself, and she tilted and fell toward the rear side.

Marquis Lu, who had been guarding there, hurriedly reached out to steady the child's shoulder. The old veteran of countless battlefields now felt his reactions lag, his hands and feet at a loss.

On the return journey from Henei Jun, the expected killing intent had appeared, but so had unexpected assistance — a group of highly skilled people who gave their all to protect them, then swiftly departed, unwilling to reveal their origins.

At that time, Zhu'er, whose wits had begun to recover, said with certainty that it must have been her Qingniang who sent them to protect Mother — wanting to protect yet not daring to let their identities be known. In this world, only Qingniang would do such a thing!

Upon hearing this, he and his wife both sensed something was amiss. His wife was willing to believe Zhu'er's words, but the Qingniang in Xian Tai Gong had always been kept only within Xian Tai Gong; she absolutely had no ability to command such manpower out of thin air, nor was there any reason for her to "not dare let people know her identity."

The doubts his wife had harbored these past years were magnified to the utmost. She returned secretly to the capital; the journey took several days. Then they suddenly heard that the child in Xian Tai Gong had been verified as the Heavenly Mechanism, so they hastened their pace once more.

Anxious to return to the capital to resolve the myriad troubles, he should not have come to this Lingxing Shan. The reason for coming was not a whim, but his wife's insistence.

His wife said she had once said before that if there was ever the chance, she should take Zhu'er to see a sacrifice from the Great Wu God. Now that chance had arrived; they should go see it.

His wife did not speak plainly to Zhu'er, but he had privately ascertained that his wife intended to verify a guess: that Great Wu God was unwilling to show her face to diagnose Zhu'er, yet still went to great lengths to recommend suitable physicians; the age matched; she had no relatives by her side... Furthermore, on the day his wife left the city, after a chance encounter with that child, she had said she felt the child was hiding something on her mind.

Arriving at Lingxing Shan, before they neared the altar, a little bird flew toward them, circling Zhu'er. The bird first cried "Summon the house slaves to aid," then cried to Zhu'er "Summon Mother to aid."

Zhu'er went as if mad again, following that little bird, running with all her might toward the crowd and the altar.

Beneath the altar, Zhu'er recognized that child.

Even now, Marquis Lu's heart still trembled. This youthful Wu God who had appeared out of nowhere was actually Zhu'er's own flesh and blood, his Feng family's child.

Not only that, but on the journey Zhu'er had already revealed the identity of the benefactor who saved her life back then — and it was none other than this child... a child of only eleven at the time! Who had forcibly snatched Zhu'er from the hands of those vicious bandits!

She is the Great Wu God, the Heavenly Mechanism; she is flesh and blood, and even more a beloved and respected child. Who knows how long she traveled, what hardships she crossed, to reach this moment.

Only now, supporting this child, did Marquis Lu finally feel some true tangibility. Seeing her dazed and trying to speak, Marquis Lu hurriedly leaned close and asked: "Good child, what do you want to say?"

Yu Si Wu, who had been maintaining a kneeling posture in shock, hurriedly crawled closer. Her emotions were in turmoil, all decorum gone, leaving only severe loyalty and a question born of experience: "How many taels this time? This official will go fetch them at once!"

Consciousness about to dissipate, Shaowei used her last lucidity to entrust: "Save Jiang Fu, look after Mother... protect Liu Qi."

The voice was faint; only those close by who paid heed could hear. Feng Zhu, using her sleeve to shield her daughter from the rain, welled up with tears again. Marquis Lu hurriedly nodded. Zhan Zhan, determined Shaowei could not see the motion, fluttered down onto the old man's shoulder in the rain, wings beating wildly against his head and ears, clamorously drilling him: "Faithfully obey the Great King's command! Faithfully obey the Great King's command!"

Marquis Lu, his mood in chaos, replied: "Faithfully obey... recorded, all recorded!"

Before Shaowei faded into unconsciousness, she vaguely heard Mother say: "Your great-grandfather has already obeyed the command; just rest assured, there is nothing left to worry about!"

"Quickly, settle the Tai Puzhe for diagnosis!" Liu Cheng snatched the umbrella a eunuch handed over, not minding himself, holding it high over Huali's head.

All officials and imperial relatives who participated in the sacrifice were to stay overnight in Lingxing Gong; all necessities were ready. Shaowei was quickly settled. Feng Zhu stayed by her side the whole time, not daring to look away for an instant, not stepping half a pace away.

Many people came to inquire after the Tai Puzhe's condition. Yan Xiang also came in person. Because the sacrifice still needed wrapping up, and because Feng Zhu even spoke in a very low voice, very worried her daughter would be disturbed, Yan Xiang could not stay long. Lady Shentu, sitting by the couch, smiled and shook her head.

Inside Lingxing Gong, officials and eunuchs bustled back and forth. Liu Qi had also arrived at his lodgings and was preparing to treat his wounds.

Not letting the accompanying physicians act, Yu Si Wu personally selected a few trustworthy witch-doctors and brought them to the Sixth Prince.

Although this Sixth Prince had previously failed to recognize the divine raccoon dog, fortunately he repented in time after the Baoquan incident. Today's wound was incurred protecting the Tai Puzhe's mysterious master, and the Tai Puzhe herself had ordered him to be protected, so he absolutely could not be allowed any mishap.

Wounded by a fire arrow, it was far more severe than an ordinary arrow wound. Liu Qi sat cross-legged on the cushion bed, removed his upper-body robes, and the witch-doctors were drawing out the arrows.

The pain was unbearable, yet the four words "protect Liu Qi" could serve as analgesia.

Liu Qi thought she must be worried someone would take advantage of the situation to strike at him on this Lingxing Shan, so the moment she gained some protection, she hurried to share it to protect him.

Pain intense, blood qi sweet and metallic — but just like the bloodstains left on his robes that day when he charged the formation, they were all proof of a deeper connection to her existence. The only difference was that day, when he charged the formation, he still believed he had fallen into demonic obsession due to greed, yet still did not know the source; whereas today he had a clear answer, right at the moment he blocked that arrow —

In truth, the instant before she saved him, he still could not be certain whether his judgment was mistaken, or whether he would fall into another layer of calculation along with her. But he could not care about that much anymore. At that moment, his heart held only a single thought: absolutely could not let her be dragged into purgatory and smashed to pieces in heart and spirit. Even if he fell, he had to hold her up. If his strength fell short, and he still had to face the worst outcome, then he would shatter together with her.

This had nothing to do with interest anymore; it completely transcended the bounds of alliance, and could no longer use coveting her marvelous abilities as self-deception.

At first his goodwill toward her was indeed because of her abilities, and for a very long time afterward he unchangingly used this purpose as the explanation for his interest, greed, and unwillingness to let her leave. On the soil of this glossed-over rationale, he indulged the growth of another kind of greed.

Until, with the resolve to sacrifice even all his prior achievements, he blocked that arrow. The disguise was pierced by a single arrow; meeting her shocked eyes, his true heart revealed its original form.

He actually harbored such a true heart. Having experienced the upheaval of his closest kin, he had long been unable to confirm whether the words "true heart" even existed. This thing is hard to grasp; once you doubt it, even if others bestow it upon you again, it is hard to fully believe. Only by handing it out yourself can you be certain of its existence.

Giving his true heart, confirming its existence — only then did he feel that this bizarre world filled with bloody betrayal still had an inch of safe ground. At the moment the arrow pierced his shoulder, he instead sensed a long-lost safety and peace.

Perhaps from the very beginning, he was not as pure as he thought. From the start he was drawn by the word "true" on her. There was too much on her that shocked and stirred his longing — bonds of kinship and affection.

So no matter how much he did, it was not for her, but to fulfill himself.

Fortunately she is the Heavenly Mechanism; saving her is equivalent to saving this world. Even if his private vendetta falls short by a hair, it does not count as violating his mother's and maternal uncle's aspirations. The instant this thought appeared, his childhood ambition was also startled awake, no longer only wrapped in hatred.

In the name of protecting her, he protects this world order. With the courage of chasing her, he unexpectedly rescued himself.

Therefore, liking her is truly a very good thing.

Yes, he likes her — already an extremely serious liking.

The arrowhead was yanked out from flesh and blood; fresh blood spurted.

A giving that violated principles, a true heart outside the plan — like a sharp blade that appeared who knows when, it picked the hardest bones to cut, yet excised the carrion and scraped away the diseased bone. Methods fierce, but immediate effect.

The wound was cleaned, and the pain brought by the packing of Golden Trauma Medicine made the heart pound violently.

Heart spasming, the person yet quiet. The youth lowered his head; dense eyelashes cast shadows. Sweat gathered between brow and eyes, fell from the tip of his nose — like a single tear falling in his heart: sacred, trembling.

Rain clamored outside the window, each drop falling with all its might, and even if shattered into pieces, it still turned into rain mist, rushing toward the earthly deity worthy of cherishing.

Water rippled outward layer by layer; bandages wound in circles, drying as relief came, pain fading away.

As Deng Hu put outer clothes on Liu Qi, from outside came Tang Jia's anxious inquiry, faintly audible: "……May I ask if the Sixth Prince is here?"

Chasing all the way, Tang Jia had shouted countless cries of heaven and earth; in the instant it began to rain, he almost suspected this rain fell because heaven and earth were fed up with him, raining to block his mouth.

It's no wonder he was so alarmed; Your Highness was so abnormal, no matter how he chased he couldn't catch up—how could he not worry? And after stepping onto Lingxing Shan, one fatal piece of news after another arrived: first he heard the Sixth Prince had obstructed the Great Sacrifice and been struck by an arrow, and he nearly couldn't catch his breath!

Then he heard the Sixth Prince pointed out the demonic Daoist had been replaced, and indeed they found the real demonic Daoist—thank heaven, it turned out he hadn't obstructed the Great Sacrifice……He had just relaxed halfway when he heard the demonic Daoist had split in two, the Sixth Prince was bewitched by the demonic Daoist's array, and like the Great Wu God had become a follower of the demonic Daoist!

How was this to be resolved now?

Though these past days he had grown used to the Sixth Prince going mad in front while he cleaned up behind, how could he clean up a scene like this, heaven help him!

Tang Jia trembled with tears, about to faint, but the sudden downpour forcibly kept him awake.

His traveling speed could not match the speed of changing news; by the time he arrived trembling, he learned the Wu God had become the Heavenly Opportunity, and the Sixth Prince was the one assisting the Heavenly Opportunity and upholding the righteous path.

Tang Jia felt dizzy, and his heart's path was even more bumpy and twisting than the mountain path.

Drenched to the bone, seeing the demonic Daoist burned to a charred corpse and washed away by the rain, he came to Lingxing Gong, still like a fluttering mother hen, searching for the nest of the injured ferocious bird that in his eyes urgently needed his greeting and protection.

At this moment he found it, and saw the youth on the bed with a pale face as if about to shatter; unable to help it, his hands shook, and with tears he said: "……One moment of carelessness, how did you end up in such a life-risking situation again."

Liu Qi gave him a weak smile: "Changshi, this is very worth it."

Tang Jia choked with a sigh, and after more chattering, changed into dry robes, held up a bowl of ginger soup, only then feeling his soul return to its place; he sat at the foot of the bed, comforting himself with murmurs: "No matter what, this perilous and tumultuous night is finally over……"

Liu Qi waited until he had finished the bowl of ginger soup, then said: "It's not over yet."

Tang Jia raised his head holding the empty bowl; tonight he could truly be diagnosed as a frightened bird.

"I am seriously injured and cannot move; there is an important matter that still requires Changshi to handle on my behalf." While speaking, Liu Qi took out a token, but it was a Royal Decree; after the Nanshan assassination, he could mobilize the Forbidden Army Embroidered Uniform Guard to enter and exit various places by this.

Tang Jia, having just recovered his wits, received it with both hands, and Liu Qi in a low voice explained and instructed him.

After listening, Tang Jia stared wide-eyed in disbelief: "Your Highness means, Prince Liang he……"

Liu Qi: "Whether he was wrongly suspected, we will know tonight."

On the altar, with a certain tone he said He Pingchun would surely soon uncover the truth, also saying it for that royal uncle to hear.

Perhaps before He Pingchun obtained evidence, even stronger evidence would appear on Lingxing Shan tonight.

As night deepened, places successively settled down to rest; Lingxing Gong became quiet, with very few figures moving about.

"It was already cleaned up; Your Highness really shouldn't have listened to that demonic Daoist and let others meddle in today's affairs—he is only acting for private desire, not truly thinking for Your Highness!"

"Your Highness, if you don't leave now, I'm afraid it will be too late……"

"That He Pingchun has probably already found a clue; the Emperor is suspicious, and once back in the capital, it will be hard to leave again!"

"To be completely safe, we should leave here quickly and head back to Liang Guo all the way! Then advancing and retreating will both be at ease!"

"Everything has been arranged properly; manpower will soon arrive to receive us……"

Qing Wu came to the door holding a bowl of medicine, vaguely hearing the Steward say this last sentence; she had no time to react when the door was suddenly pushed open. The Steward's face was stern, and in a low voice he said to her: "Pack nothing, and ask nothing; set out immediately to follow Your Highness away."

?? Thanking book friend Lian Ming for the reward of the alliance leader! Extremely grateful!

? Thanking everyone for the monthly tickets!

? Thanking book friends Nebula7, Yuying Feng, Magic Heroine, Shui Yue Wu Jian, I am the Sister, Soda Bubble Tea, Book Friend, Jian Shui Yi Hong Bing, Book Friend, etc. for their rewards!

? (The reward list temporarily organized; the rest I will slowly thank in every day's author's note! Until before I previously took sick leave~

? This time taking leave I received too much comfort from everyone; I want to convey this kindness to every book friend, wishing everyone calm, joyful, and at ease.)

? (And afterward updates will still be based on the 23:59 boundary; everyone don't wait specially, just look in the morning every day!)