Chapter 623: with translation of chapter title

To sow discord among the thirteen countries of the Western Regions—need not mention all of them; if just one or two of those links fall out of unity, could they not also become a gap through which one can attack?

Moreover, as long as the heart of a city and the imperial court fall apart, are the other cities still far away?

The Western Regions will sooner or later turn into a plate of loose sand.

Nanping, upon hearing Zheng Mama's words, only then realized it really seemed so, right?

She, still shocked, also did not forget to clap her hands in wild joy: 'Luo'er elder sister, absolutely awesome!'

Li Qingluo looked at them helplessly.

She also hadn't initially thought so far ahead.

Although she indeed wanted to sow discord and then win over the royal family of Eagle City, she also didn't know whether Queen Hailiye was someone capable of bearing great responsibility.

Everything was merely going with the flow.

However, she had indeed already decided inside the cavern: she must kill Baza and then destroy the cavern.

If successful, she could also establish friendly relations with the new king of Eagle City, making the trip not in vain.

Thinking of the worst outcome, it would be to kill everyone cleanly in the lord's manor, then let Eagle City descend into internal chaos on its own.

Unexpectedly, the former queen, namely the late king's consort Hailiye, was also such an intelligent woman.

Was she not simply using her own opportunity to regain Eagle City's royal power?

Having the title of a goddess, Li Qingluo was not about to be fooled into losing her mind.

Whether Hailiye will keep that promise in the future depends entirely on her conscience.

As for continuing to destroy this cavern, let it be considered Li Qingluo's gift to Eagle City.

After everything was placed at several cave entrances, Li Qingluo, Xuan Cang, Zhui Yu, and Sha Yi each took their positions.

Although Eagle City is merely an oasis in the desert, because it occupies a strategically important location, whether heading to Hala City or the several other small states, it is a necessary passage.

Merchants, troops, even the imperial court's travels—Eagle City is a place you cannot avoid.

Thus, the people of Eagle City also made a living and grew wealthy from this, with every household engaging in small businesses; over time, this place became a commercial hub for the entire Western Regions.

Thus, Eagle City has everything you could need; almost anything can be obtained there.

Li Qingluo wanted something flammable and explosive, which naturally wasn't that hard to obtain.

'Miss, will this work?'

Que'er eyed the several crates at the cave entrance dubiously, not entirely sure.

Li Qingluo: 'I trust Zhui Yu.'

Yes, these items were all prepared by Zhui Yu.

Li Qingluo had also expressed her desire to destroy the cavern when Zhui Yu voluntarily said he had a method, though he needed a few materials.

Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning had followed Duan Rongshi since childhood, learning almost everything.

Sha Lei is dead, so we won't mention him further.

Zhui Yu actually has some talent for explosives, but since this skill is not ordinarily needed, hardly anyone knows about it.

He is a person close to Duan Rongshi—how could he be an ordinary petty scoundrel?

Moreover, when you employ someone, do not suspect them; when you suspect them, do not employ them.

Li Qingluo naturally trusts him completely.

Zhui Yu is also not someone who likes to boast.

Que'er nodded: 'Should we retreat farther, Miss? You must take care of yourself.'

Que'er looked quite nervous; these days she and Zheng Mama have almost been taking turns staying by Li Qingluo's side without leaving.

Li Qingluo: 'Rest assured, I have it figured out.'

After saying that, she straightened her body, drew the bow to full, and nocked an arrow with a burning flame.

Boom—

Boom—

Boom, boom—

Amidst the heavy war drum beats of Sha San, the four arrows whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh— were released together.

Immediately followed by a boom—

Boom boom—

Bang!

The entire sand dune exploded.

Even underground came a rumbling roar, like an earth dragon turning over, letting people hear the sound of the valley splitting, inexplicably evoking a chilling dread.

Even Eagle City far away a hundred li felt the tremor; everyone covered their ears and crouched on the ground.

Fortunately, the lord's manor had already informed everyone that the harmful cavern would be completely sealed, not to reappear for at least fifty years.

Thus, the people of Eagle City all knew this was the goddess helping them bear the heavy sins of that cavern.

People kept chanting: 'Allah...'

As for the Shatuo Buddha, along with the death of the cavern and Baza, they will all be buried together beneath the cavern.

Amidst the blowing yellow sand, Li Qingluo quickly raised her hand and covered her mouth and nose with a veil.

Que'er and Zheng Mama both rushed forward to protect Li Qingluo; the three crouched, waiting for the yellow sand to mostly dissipate, then, under the cover of the Sha clan, they mounted the camels.

Only after they had gone far enough did the original direction of the cavern beneath the yellow sand gradually reveal its true form.

Those several openings were from then on completely collapsed and sealed.

Ordinary people, don't even think of being able to enter easily.

Thus, the cavern will no longer harm people.

Those innocent lives wrongfully killed in the cavern will from now on be considered to have graves for their burial, no longer lonely wandering souls.

Nanping stared in that direction, her face full of pain and helplessness.

"If souls truly exist in this world, then you all should go home."

The bridal procession of over a hundred people now has only myself and Cui Qilang left; as the princess, how could Nanping not feel anguish?

She raised her hand to wipe away her tears, turned her head to look at Li Qingluo, and said, "Sister Luoluo... I still intend to continue on to Hala City and complete this marriage alliance journey."

Li Qingluo: "Why?"

"Nanping, you must think this through! Since I have already rescued you, you can now choose your own life anew."

"If you're worried about Cui Qilang because of him, I can take care of it."

Nanping gave a bitter smile and shook her head.

"If I run away, what else can I do?"

"They will surely send another princess over."

"If not me, then another sister will go."

"Sister Luoluo, if you could come see me just once, I would already be content and deeply moved."

"If there is still someone in this world who truly cares for me, then what regret is there in truly losing my life on this journey?"

"Since I am a noble lady of DaLiang, formerly a commandery princess, now ennobled as a princess, the royal blood has always flowed in my veins."

"Having received stipends and enjoyed honors, I ought to bear the responsibility of being a daughter of the imperial house."

"If I flee, I would be sorry to the resentful spirits of the over a hundred people who escorted me in marriage, and sorry to DaLiang."

"If my going to Hala City can move the imperial court with my words and deeds, causing them to temporarily halt their invasion of DaLiang, then it would be worthwhile."

"Sister Luoluo, this is the path I have chosen for myself; I am not afraid."

Li Qingluo turned her head and glared angrily at Cui Qilang.

"And you?"

"What are you thinking?"

"Do you really intend to send her back into the tiger's den to the imperial court again!?"

"As long as you tell the world she has died in Eagle City, and as long as you return to DaLiang and inform the DaLiang imperial court that even if ten princesses were sent over, the Western Regions would never cease their ambition to invade the Central Plains—this would be the inevitable result; isn't this a problem solved with ease?"

"Cui Qilang, answer me!"

Cui Qilang showed no expression.

"As if wind and sand had completely plastered his face, he stood woodenly like an emotionless puppet."

He cupped his hands and replied, "Princess of Yaoguang, the marriage alliance is the princess's duty, and escorting the princess to Hala City is also my duty."

"Please consider the state and people of DaLiang."

"Do not let DaLiang easily fall into the flames of war."

Li Qingluo stared at him; her anger gradually subsided, replaced by a series of cold laughs.

"War? So you mean the ones who will suffer the hardships of war in DaLiang's land and people are this county lord and Princess Nanping?"

"If we were to be a little selfish, would we not become sinners for all ages?"

"Cui Qilang, you are truly admirable."

"You could personally push Nanping into an abyss of eternal ruin, all for your self-righteous, hypocritical sense of justice."

"If the peace between two nations rests on a single woman, what difference is there between the weak state that curries favor and the warrior with a broken spine who, fearing to return to the battlefield, must send his children out to be toyed with by the enemy—what separates them from beasts?"

"The establishment of peace beneath it can be considered the friendly exchange between the two nations."

"And Nanping is merely a pawn that DaLiang sends out to curry favor with the Western Regions! Can't you see that clearly?"

"How can a land without a backbone proclaim its legacy for a thousand ages?"

"DaLiang has already embarked on the path to ruin."

Cui Qilang: "Princess of Yaoguang, choose your words carefully!"

"Considering that you have saved my life and the princess's, I can treat your today's absurd and rebellious words as if I had never heard them."

"Even in the Western Regions, I have never seen you before."

"However, from now on we should go our separate ways, each taking a different path under the open sky."

"Princess of Yaoguang, farewell until we meet again."

Having said that, Cui Qilang nodded at Nanping, then turned his direction and led the way away.

Although Nanping was somewhat moved by Li Qingluo's words, she evidently had not changed her mind.

She smiled at Li Qingluo and said, "Sister Luoluo, I know you have other important matters to attend to, so please don't worry about me anymore."

"Nanping, you still have your own path to walk."

"We shall part ways here..."

"In the future, if fate allows, we will meet again."

After saying that, Nanping also quickly turned her horse's head and chased after Cui Qilang's direction.

Que'er and Zheng Mama gazed anxiously in Nanping's direction, urgently asking, "Miss, are we really just letting the princess go like that?"

"Or else we could tie her up, then kill that Cui Qilang once and for all—then no one would know about this, right?"

"Miss, you must decide quickly; matters cannot be delayed—I'll send the three assassins right away—"

Li Qingluo raised her hand to stop Que'er.

"No need."

"She's right; this is her own path."

"Since she has made up her mind to go through with the marriage alliance, what difference would binding her make?"

"In the end, it would go against her wishes and only make her resent me."

"My coming here wasn't for nothing—I did save her once. But kind words can't persuade a ghost bent on death; I can't save her a second or third time."

Everyone can only be responsible for their own life.

Come on, we should go to Loulan to find our master.

After saying that, Li Qingluo no longer hesitated, turned around, and rode on a camel heading north.