Chapter 650: How to Handle the Master's Corpse?

Li Qingluo shook her head, her face pale as she said, "I'm fine."

Qin Ling stood aside, stamping his foot in anger.

"Is this not a problem?"

"You must rest now, no more running around, no more overexerting yourself!"

"Otherwise, there will be irreversible consequences, and I, Qin Ling, won't bear them!"

Li Qingluo: "I know."

"It's none of your business."

Que'er and Zheng Mama hurriedly helped Li Qingluo sit down to the side.

Li Yunchu was so anxious she bit her lips until they bled.

Zhui Yu came over with a grim face, yet still cautiously asked, "Miss, were the words you spoke to Mr. Nangong before his death all true?"

Li Qingluo didn't respond; Zheng Mama exclaimed first, "What do you mean 'before his death'? What happened to Mr. Nangong?"

Que'er pulled Zheng Mama back, her eyes red as she shook her head.

"Granny, Mr. Nangong... he's dead."

"The corpse is in the carriage."

Zheng Mama stared at everyone in disbelief, seeing despair written on each face, yet she still couldn't believe it.

"How could this happen?"

"That, that's Mr. Nangong!"

"His martial arts were so strong, his mind so meticulous—how could he die?"

"We came to the Western Regions just to rescue him back to the Central Plains!"

Que'er: "Don't say another word!"

"Miss... Miss can't take it!"

Zheng Mama clenched her lower lip tightly; she indeed dared not speak, but turned away to wipe her tears.

Li Qingluo let out a deep sigh.

She lifted her gaze to her equally dazed senior brothers and sisters and asked, "What's wrong with all of you?"

"Although our master has passed, we are indeed heartbroken and grieving."

"But for the master, perhaps this is also an outcome he had long prepared for and anticipated."

"His debts are paid off in this lifetime."

"In his next life, he will be a freer person, able to reap more happiness."

"Let's all pull ourselves together."

After Li Qingluo finished speaking, she had everyone disperse, then only let Zhui Yu stay.

The crowd split into two groups, the killers surrounding Que'er, Zheng Mama, and Qin Ling.

Sha Yi didn't speak, but his bloodshot eyes were the loudest question.

Sha San kept scratching his head, anxious: "Que'er, you speak up."

"Miss, you're actually carrying a young master in your belly."

"How did we not know anything at all?"

"If something really happens to it, what… what will we do?"

Que'er stamped her foot: "Since you all already know, why are you asking me?"

"I too was ordered by the miss to keep everyone strictly in the dark; how could I possibly go against her wishes and secretly tell you?"

"It's you clumsy oafs who failed to notice the miss's oddness; I and Granny constantly feared she'd bump into something, and Doctor Qin also checked on her daily."

"Recently the miss has been drowsy, sometimes losing her appetite, sometimes eating voraciously."

"With so many abnormalities, you still didn't notice—can we still be blamed for not telling you?"

Zheng Mama: "Enough, enough, everyone stop questioning each other."

"This matter was bound to come out eventually."

"The miss's belly is gradually becoming obvious; you'll find out sooner or later."

"Now that you all know, you must take even more careful care of and protect the miss."

"Also, lately everyone should pay attention to the miss's mood; although she appears calm after Mr. Nangong's passing, her inner state may be close to breaking point."

"If anything happens, everyone should be more observant."

Sha Yi nodded in agreement.

Everyone else followed suit, nodding repeatedly.

On the other side, Zhui Yu knelt down in a heap.

"Miss... no, Princess Consort, how are we, your servant, to explain this to Your Highness?"

Li Qingluo: "How to explain? Explain what?"

"Your Highness is to help Great Chu reclaim its lost cities."

"Are you supposed to tell him to drop everything now and come find us mother and child?"

"So, nothing can be said."

"Zhui Yu, I'm fine."

"We'll head back slowly, and we can safely return to Mandara City, even to Gloryjoy."

"Don't disturb Your Highness's heart; when we meet again, he will naturally know."

Zhui Yu lowered his head.

His reddened eyes could no longer hold back tears.

But he also didn't want Li Qingluo to see his sorry state, so he raised his hand and hastily wiped it away.

This humble one understands.

This humble one… thank you, Princess Consort!

Zhui Yu knocked his head hard on the ground, and in his heart decided that he would henceforth risk his life even more to protect the Princess Consort and the Young Highness.

This must never happen again!

Therefore, regarding the matter of going to rescue Nanping, everyone no longer allows Li Qingluo to personally go into battle.

After all, she also had to consider the child in her womb, so she listened to everyone.

Sha San and Que'er remained uneasy, having been dispatched by everyone to stand before Li Qingluo, refusing to allow her to rise again.

Li Qingluo could only helplessly lie down on the soft chair right there.

Qin Ling was decocting the medicine at breakneck speed, his fan almost blowing away.

Li Yunchu stood beside him fanning him, while urging: "How can you hurry up and think of a solution? What prescription can quickly nourish Luo'er?"

Qin Ling almost couldn't help but flare up in anger at his dear wife.

Urging, urging, urging — it's going to kill him!!

But actually Li Qingluo isn't that weak.

It's because the blow from Nan Gongdi's sudden passing was too great, so she temporarily couldn't accept it, causing her qi and blood to surge somewhat.

By now, she has become much calmer.

She even doesn't hate Ana'er.

Because she understands, her master died willingly.

Xuan Cang came over with his junior fellow disciples.

"Luo'er, what are you planning?"

"Are we going back to the Central Plains next?"

"Let's discuss how to handle the master's remains."

Li Qingluo: "How about burning it in a fire?"

Lao San's eyebrows shot up immediately upon hearing: "What? You want to burn the master?"

"Why not let the master rest in peace in the earth?"

Li Qingluo: "The master once told me that if he died after a hundred years, he would rather be reduced to ashes so that he could wander with the wind across the three rivers and four seas."

"He did not want to rot in the soil."

Xuan Cang: "I believe this is what the master said."

"That would also be good."

"We could each take a portion of the master's ashes, and wherever we go, we could scatter them to the wind—how about that?"

"Although such conduct sounds utterly rebellious, the master was originally a free-spirited person who loved freedom, loved the wind, and did not want to be bound by worldly ties."

"Then let us follow his last wish."

The few siblings immediately agreed on this and decided to find a good place to cremate Nan Gongdi's corpse.

Meanwhile, Sha Yi and the others had successfully reached the outskirts of the ranch.

Since it is a royal ranch, there are naturally guards stationed.

But Zheng Mama and his group had already surveyed the surroundings thoroughly, even finding a way to sneak in.

However, bringing people out would inevitably cause a bit of a disturbance.

But they were many, so they didn't fear this small problem.

After an hour, the disheveled Nanping was brought back.

Her gaze and expression were dull and unresponsive; even seeing Li Qingluo elicited no reaction.

Seeing Nanping in such an inhuman state, Li Qingluo felt a pang of anguish.

She touched her face still wearing the human skin mask, did not lightly call out Nanping's name, but rose and ordered: "Leave immediately!"

Although they had silently rescued Nanping, the next day in a small town, search parties of officials still arrived.

The officials carried Nanping's portrait and went door to door asking.

Fortunately, Li Qingluo had already given Nanping a new face.

Li Qingluo then asked Qin Ling: "Have you checked her over?"

Qin Ling replied: "No serious problem."

"Although there are some minor injuries, they are not serious problems."

"The difficulty is that she may have undergone an unbearable ordeal and blow, so her mind and state have been sealed, which is why she appears abnormal."

Li Qingluo: "Can it be treated?"

Qin Ling: "I… I might not be as skilled as your great-grandfather."

Li Qingluo raised an eyebrow.

"You are quite honest."

"But you should first look after and treat her. Once we return to the Central Plains, let your grandfather take over."

Qin Ling was reluctant; "Alright."

After everyone had retreated, Li Qingluo picked up a piece of food and handed it to Nanping.

"Want to eat?"

Seeing the clean, delicious food, Nanping felt both tempted and afraid.

She cautiously looked at Li Qingluo, perhaps sensing that she truly meant no harm, and slowly reached out.

After taking a docile bite, Nanping's face still showed a pleasing smile.

Li Qingluo's eyes reddened, and she reached out to touch Nan Ping's head.

"What exactly did they do to you?"

"And what about Cui Qilang? Where did he go?"

Perhaps hearing the name Cui Qilang triggered a reaction, Nan Ping actually flinched.

Li Qingluo hurriedly embraced her: "Don't be afraid."

"I won't hurt you."

"I am your sister."

Nan Ping truly calmed down and continued obediently eating the snack.

Li Qingluo clenched her fist.

Western Region Imperial Court… Marquis of Bones…

One day, Li Qingluo will make them all pay for this!

Soon Li Qingluo and her party completely shook off the pursuers, and in a scenic yet desolate wilderness, she personally burned Nan Gongdi's corpse.

Watching the great fire gradually engulf Nan Gongdi completely, Li Qingluo's mind kept flashing all the scenes she had shared with her master.

Nan Gongdi was a strict master.

When he first began teaching Li Qingluo martial arts, he was actually reluctant.

But he soon saw her innate talent, so his teaching became more sincere and earnest.

Later, after days of daily interaction, the master and disciple experienced many things together, grew closer, and developed a father‑daughter‑like bond.

Yet those days were far too short.

So short it felt like just a dream.

Li Qingluo still thought it was a lifetime.

Still thought she could find her master again.

But she never imagined she could only watch helplessly as her master resolutely marched toward death.

Tears fell uncontrollably, Li Qingluo whispered softly: "Master, fare well."

"Luo'er, I will always remember you."

Other senior brothers and sisters also knelt on the ground, crying and shouting: "Master—"

After burning Nan Gongdi and gathering the ashes, Xuan Cang still intended to continue returning to the Central Plains with Li Qingluo and the others.

First, it's safer for everyone to travel together.

Second, he also wanted to personally escort Li Qingluo for a stretch, treating it as a debt of gratitude to all these senior brothers and sisters.

After all, later the road to the horizon will be long, statuses will differ, and no one knows when they might reunite in this life.

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.

Li Qingluo and her party took a detour to Wusun.

Standing on the high cliff, Li Qingluo personally scattered a handful of ashes.

"Master, the Western Region you once visited has left your feelings and bloodline here."

"For this feeling and bloodline, you also left your own life."

"I think you also wish to linger here for a while, right?"

"When Ku Erte returns, you can see for yourself what kind of person he truly is…"

"And, as you have long wished, you can accompany him."

Everyone watched the ashes drift with the wind; though their hearts remained heavy with grief, they gradually accepted the matter.

Master, see you in the next life.