Chapter 43: The Stone Shatters the Sky

  A sudden chaotic footsteps approached, Qing Xia hid in the arsenal of the military camp, frowning secretly, thinking: "Can't be so unlucky, actually having a mission to retrieve weapons at this time?"

  But in fact, her luck has not been very good lately. After leaving the alley just now, she was actually stalked by that group of mysterious people and managed to shake off the followers after much effort. Unexpectedly, hiding here just now, encountered the big camp's night action. At this time, wanting to escape is already too late, there are no doors or roads here, except for escaping through walls, can only rush out and fight hard with them. And Qing Xia also clearly knew that if she was seen by them in her current attire, what would be the consequences.

  Cold sweat slowly dripped down his forehead, Qing Xia grasped the sharp dagger in his hand, and a layer of ferocity gradually rose in his eyes. If all else fails, he could only resort to force to settle it.

  "Ah!" Suddenly, a large hand covered Qing Xia's mouth. Qing Xia was shocked and the dagger in her hand flashed back to stab. Her other hand quickly counterattacked, pinching the throat of the person behind her. Her fingers pressed down hard, her right foot spun back and hooked onto the opponent's ankle, pulling with force, causing the person to release their grip on her and fall before Qing Xia.

  Yang Feng! Qing Xia's eyes widened, staring at Yang Feng's handsome face, and for a moment, she was stunned. At this time, Yang Feng's body had already slammed to the ground with a loud crash, kicking up a huge cloud of dust.

  "Who's there!" A stern shout suddenly rang out, and the military camp personnel who came to fetch their weapons outside heard the commotion and cautiously asked.

  "Yes, it's me!" Yang Feng replied, quickly getting up. He raised an eyebrow, and with one swift motion, pulled off Qing Xia's black mask and the clothes on her shoulder, revealing her snow-white skin and face at the same time. A flash of anger suddenly crossed Qing Xia's eyes, and she glared furiously, but Yang Feng showed no alarm, his hands moving swiftly as he pulled out the green cloth that bound Qing Xia's hair. Her long black locks cascaded down.

  "It's me!" Yang Feng sprang to his feet and quickly ran out, giving a low, apologetic smile to the several soldiers outside, saying "I'm the one here."

  "Is that you?" A soldier recognized Yang Feng's face and quickly put away his guard. Another guard next to him, seeing Yang Feng covered in dust, asked suspiciously: "What are you doing here at this time? Is there anyone else behind you?"

  "There's no one, really," Yang Feng hastily replied, his expression flickering with anxiety and unease. "Just my little brother and me."

  "Hmph! I see you won't shed tears until you see a coffin." The big soldier sneered and said, ignoring Yang Feng's obstruction, and suddenly lifted the fiery red gun sling in the armory, stunning everyone.

  A charming woman with her head slightly lowered, her dark hair falling smoothly down, scattered on the snow-white and smooth shoulders. In the darkness, it is impossible to see the woman's face, only her sharp chin can be seen, shining with a seductive glow in the cold air.

  "Commander." Yang Feng hastily rushed forward, blocking Qing Xia's path, and gave a long bow to the leading man, saying: "This young one doesn't understand the rules, please Commander, punish him."

  "You damned little scoundrel, you've got a big nerve, soliciting prostitutes in the military camp! Are you tired of living?! The commander shouted loudly, and the people behind him finally came to their senses, loudly questioning Yang Feng, with a hint of obscenity in their expressions."

  "Sir, Colonel Sir, gentlemen, please keep your voices down! If outsiders hear this, will I still have my life?" Yang Feng said urgently, his expression tense, occasionally glancing outside, cautiously apologizing to the soldiers.

  "Alright, alright," the captain laughed loudly and suddenly punched Yang Feng's shoulder, scolding with a smile: "Considering you're still a decent person most of the time, we'll help you cover this up. When you get promoted and rich in the future, don't forget about your brothers!"

  "That's it," Yang Feng hurriedly expressed his gratitude, saying in a low voice: "The kindness of all the big brothers is like rebirth. Even if I go to the ends of the earth, I will remember the favors of all the big brothers."

  "Yang Xiaozi has been promoted to the Black Guard, and he's still so good at getting along with people. From now on, all of us brothers will be relying on you." A soldier said with a smile, and someone next to him chimed in, "Which courtyard is that woman from? You're really bold, she's also quite daring, taking on this kind of business, don't you want to make money at the cost of your life?"

  "Alright, everyone go out first. Yang Feng, let's head back first. Hurry up and tidy this place quickly. It seems like something happened on the Black Guard's side earlier, you should hurry over there too."

  "Yes, thank you sir, I will go immediately."

  A burst of loud laughter and chatter slowly faded away as the guests left. Yang Feng straightened his body, gazing coldly at the door with a pair of calm eyes like still water, then walked slowly to the back of the room and said to Qing Xia: "They've already left."

  Qing Xia had already dressed, Yang Fen took out a bundle from behind and threw it beside her, saying in a low voice: "Change into your military uniform, lest it's troublesome later. Someone came to the palace just now, if His Highness wants to go out later, we'll have to follow."

  She put on the armor over her night clothes, and when she opened it up again, she found a small package inside with all her makeup stuff. In just a moment, Qing Xia was all set, and when she came out again, she had transformed into that slightly chubby black-faced guard Xia Qing.

  "How did you find me?" Qing Xia raised her head and asked in a low voice.

  Facing Yang Xuan's sparkling eyes, Yang Fen suddenly felt a bit nervous, clearing his throat slightly, and somewhat unnaturally turned around, walking towards the direction of the main gate, saying: "I've been following you, but when we reached the wall of Tianlao Courtyard, I couldn't follow anymore, so I just waited there."

  "Idiot!" Qing Xia muttered under her breath, Yang Feng furrowed his brow, wanting to say something but ultimately didn't. There was an awkward silence between the two of them, the cool night wind blowing into the armory, stirring up the fine dust on the ground.

  "A low, mournful horn sounded suddenly from the northwest corner... Yang Feng's eyebrows rose slightly as he said in a deep voice, 'Not good, the prince is leaving the camp!'"

  "Come on, hurry up!" Qing Xia shouted angrily, suddenly running forward and grabbing a corner of Yang Feng's thick cloak, thinking of heading towards the back door of the armory.

  Yang Feng was slightly stunned, and in a daze, he had already walked out of the warehouse.

  Stars shone brightly and poured down, sprinkling faintly on the shoulders of two people. Donghua Gate, Zhengyang Gate, Taihe Gate, Zijin Tongdao, all opened!

  Chu Li wore a silver-white battle armor, a snow-white large cloak, riding on the tall northwest precious horse, with a large number of black-clad and black-armored Black Guards following behind him. They rushed along the way, the sound of horseshoes woke up the sleeping Nan Chu Golden Palace. Countless people opened their eyes in terror from their sleep, secretly paying attention to the changes in the wind direction of the imperial city.

  The war horse neighed, its front hooves standing upright. It came to a steady stop in front of the Qingyi Temple, Chu Li's face as calm as water. With a loud thud, he jumped off the war horse and strode towards the dilapidated Cold Palace.

  I never thought that one day I would return to this place again, and in such a capacity.

  A sudden warmth spread through his hands, and he slowly turned to see Yang Feng's eyes as vast as the sea. He nodded slightly at Yang Feng, then followed behind a large group of black-clad guards, walking in with Chu Li.

  Everything in the courtyard was as usual, with withered grass, dry tree stumps, a cold sky well, and a dilapidated palace. Everything was a stark reminder of the place's name and identity. Qing Xia stood among the crowd, looking at Chu Li standing under the cold moonlight, the pale moonlight shining on him, contrasting with the frost-covered ground, giving off a chilling aura. He just stood there motionless, without any movement, without any words, and without any expression.

  The moon is high in the sky, casting a round circle of light on the roof. Chu Li's cold armor reflects the clear and distant moonlight, with a hint of chilliness seeping through. A low, muffled voice suddenly sounds out, like a ghostly spirit seeking to claim lives in the dark night, carrying a thick scent of blood that spreads throughout the heavens.

  "Is this place being guarded by you?"

  "Yes, Mo Jiang Wei Yao, is the Guardian General of the Four Seas of Qing Dynasty, Mo Jiang..."

  "No need to say more." Chu Li lightly raised his hand, just a faint movement, and blocked the words in Wei Yao's mouth. "Drag him away and behead him."

  "Your Highness!" The wolf-like guards suddenly rushed forward, and Wei Yao was shocked and pale, letting out a mournful cry: "I, the last general, have reported to the palace three times, but each time I was blocked by the people of Concubine Dan. I am innocent!"

  "Wronged?" Chu Li suddenly let out a cold snort, his face dark and gloomy, not even glancing in this direction, but instead staring coldly at the ruined palace. A vast sense of desolation rose up from the bottom of his heart, his voice seeming to be frozen in ice as he spoke in a chilly tone: "I only look at results, not processes. If you can try to sneak out of the imperial palace three times, why can't you do it four or five times? Incompetence is useless, say one more word and I'll have your whole family buried with you!"

  The defending general Wei Yaocheng was dragged away like a dead dog, his face as pale as dead ashes.

  Qing Xia stood behind the crowd, looking at the innocent man who was dragged into this, but she didn't have the courage to go and save him. When one's survival is not guaranteed, a conscience is indeed an unnecessary thing. Her hands and feet were momentarily stiff, and her blood ran slightly cold. She never thought, or rather had never seriously considered, that her own escape would harm so many people. In this world, everything is interconnected, pulling on one thread can affect the entire fabric.

  "All the guards of the four gates, deploy to Nanjing's Quarry Valley to reinforce the army. Order the five city garrisons to search nationwide for Consort Lan, capture her alive if possible, and bring back her corpse if she is dead!"

  A sharp voice suddenly rang out, and the black-clad guards collectively knelt down on the ground. Qing Xia looked up in the crowd, only to see Chu Li's face pale, standing alone in the center of the courtyard, a flash of cold light passing through his eyes, with an unmistakable sharp edge that could not be concealed.

  "Your Highness! Where are you going now?" Xu Quan, the leader of the black-clad guards, suddenly asked cautiously.

  Chu Li's mouth corners were cold and stern, his eyes slightly narrowed, he jumped onto the war horse, and coldly spat out three words: "Cloud Soaring Palace!"