Willingly

"Your Majesty, three days ago, a man arrived at Yihong Pavilion with a peculiar and small-sized magical beast. Initially, we thought he was just an ordinary guest like others. However, after spending a night, our companion Feifei who rested with that man suddenly disappeared. Yunxi found it very strange at the time because losing sisters in the pavilion is a significant matter. On that day, Yunxi reported the incident to the secret guards, but even after two consecutive guards went out, they never returned. Knowing that Your Majesty arrived in Weiku City, Yunxi intended to personally report the situation to Your Majesty. However, when she went to Mingyue Tavern at night, she was told that Your Majesty was not there. That's why she returned to Yihong Pavilion to wait for Your Majesty."

Yunxi hurriedly explained, bowing her head even lower.

"Have you found any trace of that man?" Mu Yunxuan understood one thing very clearly: the disappearances and deaths of people in Weiku City these days were likely unrelated to each other, and it was possible that it was another scheme by Geng Sangyao, but it could also be something else entirely.

"Replying to Your Majesty, we haven't found any leads yet. Yunxi has only investigated the missing people. It's strange that most of the missing individuals are men and women under the age of twenty-five. Yunxi had discreet inquiries conducted, but there were no traces to be found."

Yunxi also found it very strange. Even if someone died, their body could usually be found. But despite searching for several days, there was no trace to be found.

"Continue the investigation. I will be at Mingyue Tavern these days. If there's anything, you can come find me there."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Yunxi understands."

"You may leave!"

Mu Yunxuan gave a cold order, and Yunxi didn't dare to hesitate even for a moment. She quickly exited the room.

After leaving the room, Yunxi hurriedly walked to the corner and took a deep breath. Her expression seemed as if she had just returned from a trip to hell.

Jinghuai hurriedly approached and smiled upon seeing Yunxi's state.

"Did you get scared?"

"Yes! Every time I see Your Majesty, I have to endure a lot of pressure."

Yunxi smiled, and the tense expression on her face slowly relaxed.

"In fact, Your Majesty has changed a lot recently. He is much easier to get along with than before."

"Is it really because of the lady?" Yunxi didn't think so, as the current Your Majesty still made her feel oppressed.

"Yes, it's true. Speaking of the lady, she is not a gentle and considerate woman, but she has captivated Your Majesty."

Jinghuai thought for a moment and spoke. He had never seen the gentle side of the lady.

"A woman who can captivate Your Majesty must be extraordinary. If there's a chance, I would also like to meet this woman who has captivated Your Majesty."

After chatting for a while with Jinghuai, Yunxi's nervous mood gradually relaxed.

"You will have the opportunity to meet her. But for now, the lady is injured, and Your Majesty has arranged many secret guards near Mingyue Tavern. It's difficult for ordinary people to approach the lady."

"The lady is truly fortunate." Envy appeared on Yunxi's face.

"I'm going in. I have something to report to Your Majesty."

"Understood!" Yunxi nodded, her beautiful face glowing with a charming radiance.

Inside the room, Mu Yunxuan had already become impatient waiting for Jinghuai and was about to leave when he saw Jinghuai enter.

"I thought you were lost in the tender world of that woman."

"Hehe!" Jinghuai laughed heartily. "Your Majesty has learned to joke as well."

"But do you have any news?" Joking was just a momentary thing. In front of others, he couldn't be as gentle as he was with Su Zimo.

"The secret guards have reported that the Third Prince left the capital of Haoyue Kingdom on the night of Empress Yao's burial. Furthermore, the Dark Night Pavilion has also been selling properties throughout the capital. It seems they intend to establish a presence in Haoyue Kingdom's capital."

"The Dark Night Pavilion." Mu Yunxuan recalled that after the thirteen shops owned by Mo'er were opened, the master of the Dark Night Pavilion appeared once but never again. And now they were buying properties in the capital of Haoyue Kingdom.

"For now, let's ignore the Dark Night Pavilion and investigate Junlintian. We need to find out where he has gone. Lately, Junlintian has been very composed, even enduring the matter with Empress Yao. It shows that he has learned to control his temper."

"Very well! If there's any news from the Second Young Master, it will reach us soon."

"Let's go back."

Mu Yunxuan felt uneasy in his heart, not being by Mo'er's side. His heart couldn't find peace even for a moment.

Outside a secluded courtyard, the candlelight was somewhat dim. An old man hurriedly entered the courtyard.

"Master, last night we brought a batch of high-quality men and women. Would you like to take a look?"

The old man respectfully bowed, his figure casting a ninety-degree angle on the door. Inside the door, in a luxurious and restrained hall, a man dressed in a black and white silk robe was lying on a couch, lightly dozing. Upon hearing the words of the servant outside, his eyes remained closed, and after a moment, he faintly replied, "No need."

His seductive and sexy voice merged with his face in the dim light and became even more mysterious and unpredictable.

"Those men and women are still being fed to the Dark Ice Flame Beast, as we did last night, using their blood from the heart."

Upon hearing this, the old man excused himself and left.

But at that moment, a voice suddenly sounded in the hall, "Where did those men and women come from? Why are there so many?"

A man in a black robe walked out from behind a folding screen and asked.

"Also, what do you need the blood of those women and men for?"

The man waited for a while, but the man lying down remained silent. This person was none other than Junlintian and the King of Yu, Murong Zeyu.

Junlintian's brows suddenly twitched, and then he opened his eyes. A trace of darkness flashed across his eyes, which were both cruel and sinister, with a strange ripple.

Junlintian stood up and leisurely walked to a door, pushing it open to reveal a different scene.

"You will know in due time. If you want to cooperate with me, it's best not to ask too many questions."

Murong Zeyu's sharp gaze flickered as he looked at Junlintian's back with many suspicions.

Through Junlintian's back, Murong Zeyu knew that there were men and women captured in the opposite house. Murong Zeyu curled his lips and cast a mocking glance at Junlintian's back. However, he didn't say anything and walked over slowly. The floor was covered with a red peony-patterned cashmere carpet, and his footsteps made almost no sound on it. Even though he walked slowly, it was only a dozen steps from the hall to the window. After standing shoulder to shoulder with Junlintian, Murong Zeyu cast a sidelong glance at him.

"What cultivation technique are you practicing? Why do you need the blood from these men and women's hearts?"

"If you want to become the Emperor of Xingyue Kingdom, there's no need for you to meddle in my affairs. We are currently like grasshoppers on the same rope. Don't forget, among these women, there is one that you stole from Yihong Pavilion. You know about Yihong Pavilion, and it belongs to Muyun Xuan. Knowing Muyun Xuan's character, he will definitely investigate, and he and Su Zimo have already arrived in Weiku City."

"Don't worry! I disguised myself at that time, and they won't be able to trace it back to me."

Murong Zeyu said confidently.

"Don't underestimate Muyun Xuan's abilities. He may not care about anything else, but he will go all out for his own affairs."

"He is currently busy dealing with the Witch Clan, so he won't have time to investigate us."

"Hmph! Perhaps they have already taken action after hearing the news. You really don't understand Muyun Xuan. You shouldn't have appeared here tonight."

"Oh, you understand him so well?"

Seeing Junlintian's furious face, Murong Zeyu's expression also turned unpleasant. He was also a prince, so why did Junlintian speak to him in such an authoritative tone?

"Hmph!" Junlintian snorted coldly. "I only understand half of him. Do you know that what I hate most about him is his indifferent attitude towards everything?"

"Well, that's my honor. Thanks to the insights you've given me about Muyun Xuan, we can take the initiative in many matters. Since you understand Muyun Xuan so well, why couldn't you defeat him? How did your own fiancée end up being taken by him?"

Murong Zeyu's words were like thorns, mixed with taunts. As long as he could make those who disrespect him feel uneasy, he considered it a happy occasion.

Upon hearing this, Junlintian was once again provoked by Murong Zeyu's words. His eyes instantly turned cold as ice, filled with a fierce and ruthless intent. He said coldly, "Murong Zeyu, be careful how you speak to me. Everything I do is to help you and myself. Without my assistance, let's see how long you can hold on!"

With his words falling, he moved a few steps away from Murong Zeyu as if he was looking at something filthy. Retreating to the center of the hall, he stared coldly at Murong Zeyu's back. Although Murong Zeyu was ambitious and ruthless, he lacked actual power and connections. It was because he was too cruel that many ministers in Xingyue Kingdom did not support him. Even those who supported him were coerced or tempted. Now, with the excellent conditions he offered, he wasn't afraid that Murong Zeyu would become an obstacle.

"By the way, I heard that you want to postpone the engagement with the Princess of Zisang Country?"

Murong Zeyu suddenly remembered and asked as he turned around, looking at Junlintian.

"I haven't decided yet!"

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Junlintian's lips. How could his wedding ceremony be complete without Su Zimo?

Su Zimo, just the thought of her filled Junlintian's heart with hatred. For the sake of Su Zimo, he had turned himself into his current half-human, half-ghost appearance, and he did so willingly.

<quillbot-extension-portal></quillbot-extension-portal>