chsdbacks Chapter 385 Xu Longxiang has truly fallen in love with the Moon Goddess!
Chapter 385 Xu Longxiang has truly fallen in love with the Moon Goddess!
the next day.
Before dawn, Han Zhong got up.
He was dressed in full armor, wearing black iron battle armor, with a long sword hanging at his waist, and walked out of the main tent.
The morning breeze blows from the east, carrying the dampness of dew and the fragrance of wild grass.
He stood at the entrance of the camp, gazing at the end of the official road.
The morning light spread across the horizon, gilding the distant mountain ridges with a pale golden glow.
After waiting for about half an hour, a group of people appeared on the official road.
Four horses, one in front and three behind, walked slowly and steadily toward the camp.
The horse is a fine steed from the North, with glossy coat and agile gait.
The riders on horseback were all wearing dark cloaks, with hoods covering most of their faces, making it impossible to see their features.
Han Zhong's heart skipped a beat.
He took a deep breath, removed his hand from the hilt of his sword, straightened his armor, and stepped forward to meet them.
Four horses stopped at the entrance of the camp.
The lead rider dismounted with a nimble and agile movements.
He took off his hood, revealing the face of a middle-aged man.
His face was square, with high brow bones, deep-set eyes, a straight nose, and a jawline that was sharp and angular.
His eyes were deep and steady, his gaze sweeping over the banners and watchtowers of the camp, exuding an imposing aura without anger.
He was dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit, with a jade belt around his waist and black boots on his feet.
A matching cloak was draped over her shoulders, its edges embroidered with silver cloud patterns that gleamed with a cold light in the morning glow.
Han Zhong's gaze lingered on his face for a moment before landing on his back.
The second rider dismounted and removed his hood.
A cold, imposing face was revealed.
His long hair was tied up high, his eyebrows and eyes were sharp as knives, his hand was on the hilt of a sword, and his gaze was like that of an eagle.
Her dark blue outfit accentuated her tall and slender figure.
Yunluan.
Commander of the Imperial Guards around His Majesty.
Han Zhong's heart suddenly relaxed; the weight that had been hanging over him for so long finally lifted.
His Majesty has even sent his own commander of the imperial guards, which shows that he attaches great importance to this siege.
With Yunluan around, the experts of the Moon Goddess Sect are nothing to fear.
His gaze continued to look behind him.
The third rider also dismounted and removed his hood.
A stunningly beautiful face was revealed, with eyebrows like distant mountains, eyes like autumn water, a high nose bridge, and delicate lips.
She was dressed in a moon-white outfit, with a long sword hanging at her waist. The scabbard was snow-white and inlaid with pale blue gemstones.
Her whole being was as aloof as frost, untouched by the dust of the world.
The fourth rider was the last to dismount and remove his hood.
A gentle, soft face appeared.
Her eyebrows were curved, and the corners of her lips were slightly upturned, carrying a faint smile.
She wore a plain white dress with a matching cloak, looking like a quiet flower blooming in the morning breeze.
Han Zhong's gaze lingered on those two faces for a moment before returning to his own.
He didn't recognize the two women, but since they were by Yunluan's side, they must be experts in the palace.
Without asking any further questions, he quickly stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed.
"This humble general, Han Zhong, respectfully welcomes you, esteemed lords."
The middle-aged man at the head nodded, his voice low and steady.
"General Han, you have worked hard. His Majesty has decreed that we should fully cooperate with you to wipe out the Moon Goddess Cult."
Han Zhongzhi stood up and turned to the side, making a "please" gesture.
"Gentlemen, please come into the camp to speak."
The middle-aged man strode into the camp.
His pace was neither hurried nor slow, each step firm and solid, like a moving mountain.
Yunluan followed behind him, her hand on the hilt of her sword, her gaze sweeping over the watchtowers and patrolling soldiers on both sides.
The two women walked at the very back, their steps light, like two leaves swaying in the wind.
Han Zhong followed at the very back, watching the four figures disappear into the distance, and a weight was finally lifted from his heart.
With these people around, the Moon Goddess Cult can't cause any trouble.
As for Xu Longxiang...
He lowered his eyes, suppressing that trace of guilt.
.......
The banquet was held in the main tent.
Several dishes were laid out on the long table; they were not lavish, but they were exquisite.
A pot of wine, a few silver cups, and candlelight burning quietly in the tent, casting the shadows of the group onto the tent wall.
Han Zhong sat in the main seat and personally poured a cup of wine for Qin Mu.
He held the silver cup in both hands and presented it to Qin Mu with a respectful posture.
"I have not yet asked your name, sir."
Qin Mu took the silver cup but did not drink from it.
He held it in his hand, looking calmly at Han Zhong, without a smile on his lips, his face solemn, like a stone whose edges had been smoothed by wind and frost.
He appeared to be a middle-aged man with a square face, high brow bones, deep-set eyes, and a jawline as sharp as if carved by a knife.
He was completely different from his usual lazy and composed demeanor.
"My name is Liu Bai."
His voice was deep and steady, without any superfluous words.
Han Zhong's hand paused slightly.
Willow White.
The name sounds familiar, like I've heard it somewhere before.
He frowned, his mind racing, flipping through rumors from the martial arts world to secret reports from the imperial court, and then to ancient books and catalogs.
The name was like a fishbone stuck in my throat; I couldn't swallow it or spit it out. It was vague and indistinct, impossible to grasp.
Yun Luan sat beside Qin Mu, her hand on the hilt of her sword, her gaze cold and stern.
She spoke, her voice soft, but each word clear.
"Sword fanatic Liu Bai, half-step into the realm of terrestrial immortals."
Han Zhong's pupils suddenly contracted!
Liu Bai, the sword fanatic, was a peerless swordsman who had already become famous throughout the world thirty years ago. He spent his entire life seeking the sword and never suffered a defeat.
Legend has it that he possessed unparalleled swordsmanship and retired to the mountains in his later years, detached from worldly affairs.
The legends about him in the martial arts world are becoming more and more numerous, and increasingly mysterious.
Some say he is dead, some say he has already reached the realm of a terrestrial immortal, and some say he lives in seclusion in some unknown mountain, spending his days with his sword and no longer concerning himself with the mortal world.
He never expected that His Majesty would send a powerful expert at the half-step terrestrial immortal realm to help him!
I never expected that the sword fanatic Liu Bai would be under His Majesty's command!
His heart skipped a beat, as if someone had pulled him up an inch from his chest.
Your Majesty can even subdue such a legendary figure, then...
He dared not think any further.
His face quickly lit up with a look of surprise, his smile as bright as peach blossoms in March, even the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothed out.
"So it's Mr. Liu Bai! I've heard so much about you! With your help, things are much more secure now!"
His voice was loud and his tone was fervent, but his heart sank, like a stone falling into a deep pool, sinking deeper and deeper.
Given how strong the opponent is, it's almost impossible for him to secretly rescue Xu Longxiang right under Liu Bai's nose.
But he couldn't do anything about it; he couldn't control the powerful figures sent by His Majesty.
He only hoped that the situation would become chaotic and Liu Bai would be too preoccupied to attend to other matters, thus giving him a chance.
Qin Mu did not laugh.
His face was expressionless, like a stagnant pool, devoid of any ripples.
He put down the silver cup, crossed his hands on his knees, and straightened his back. He looked like a sword sheathed in its sheath, its sharpness concealed, yet making people afraid to look directly at him.
"His Majesty has ordered us to follow your commands. What should we do next?"
Han Zhong snapped out of his daze and suppressed the turbulent thoughts in his mind.
He straightened up, walked to the map, and pointed to the mountain range in the southwest border region marked with dense symbols.
His voice was steady and clear, like he was giving instructions for battle in a military tent.
"The Moon Goddess Cult's main base is hidden in these mountains, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. There are dozens of branch altars on the outskirts, with more than ten thousand believers, but the real challenge lies in their core fighting force: ten first-rank elders. The strongest of them is said to have reached the Celestial Phenomenon Realm, while the other nine are at the peak of the Vajra Realm."
He drew a line on the map with his finger.
"My plan is that tomorrow morning, I will lead 50,000 troops in a frontal attack to draw the attention of the Moon Goddess Cult's main force. You and the three ladies will then infiltrate from the flank, directly attack the core of the Moon Goddess Cult, kill the ten elders, and capture the Moon Goddess alive."
He paused, then pointed to another location on the map.
"According to our scouts, there is a secret passage beneath the Moon Goddess Cult's headquarters leading to a canyon behind the mountain. I have already sent men to ambush at the canyon entrance to prevent the Moon Goddess from escaping through the secret passage."
He did not mention Xu Longxiang.
He dared not mention it.
He could only hope that the situation would be chaotic enough that he would have a chance to release Xu Longxiang from the secret passage when Liu Bai couldn't see him.
Qin Mu looked at the map and remained silent for a moment.
His gaze moved from the red line to the location marked with the secret passage, and then to the symbol of the core of the Moon Goddess Cult.
Han Zhong is quite capable; he managed to send spies to gather so much information in such a short time.
They definitely have military capabilities.
Then he nodded, his voice still deep and steady.
"That works. Let's do as the general says."
Han Zhong breathed a sigh of relief.
His face still wore a smile, a smile that carried a hint of relief and a trace of weariness that he couldn't hide.
He picked up his wine cup and raised it towards Qin Mu.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, sir."
Qin Mu picked up his wine cup and gently clinked it against his.
The two of them drank the wine in their glasses in one gulp.
The liquor slid down my throat, and the warmth spread from my chest to my limbs.
The wind outside the tent had stopped, and the night was as still as a stagnant pool. Only the candlelight burned quietly, occasionally bursting into a tiny crackling sound.
Han Zhong put down his wine cup and leaned back in his chair.
He glanced at Qin Mu's expressionless face, then at Yun Luan's cold and stern features, and then at the two women sitting quietly in the corner.
The weight on his heart didn't lift; instead, it felt even heavier.
But he could neither say nor do anything.
He could only wait, wait until tomorrow.
.......
Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the Moon Goddess Cult.
When Xu Longxiang woke up from his drunken stupor, it was already broad daylight.
He sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing his temples; his head still felt heavy.
I drank too much last night. The Baihua wine was smooth on the palate, but had a strong aftereffect, like a snake slowly tightening.
A maid brought him a hangover soup, which he took and drank in one gulp. The bitterness spread from the tip of his tongue to his throat, and he became a little more sober.
He got up, walked to the window, and opened it.
A morning breeze swept in, carrying the fresh scent of mountain grass and trees, dispelling the lingering smell of alcohol in the room.
He stood by the window, gazing at the distant, layered mountain ridges, but his mind was filled with the image of the Moon Goddess removing her mask last night.
Those eyes, as cold as stars; that face, as white as jade; that curve of the lips when she smiled gently.
Like a feather, it gently brushed against the tip of his heart, not painful, but intensely itchy.
He recalled her words—"Young Master Xu, you and I are the same. We've both been driven to the brink of despair."
The voice was soft and gentle, like a petal falling on the water, yet it stirred ripples in his heart.
The more he thought about it, the more he felt that the moon goddess was his confidante.
There are very few people in this world who understand him. His sister is one, Jiang Qingxue is another, Fan Li is half a person, and the rest either fear him, hate him, or take advantage of him.
No one truly understands him.
But the Moon Goddess understands.
She understood his loneliness, his resentment, and his desperate determination when he was driven to the brink of despair.
When she said, "You and I are both people who have been driven to the brink of despair," he felt as if his heart had been gently squeezed.
Xu Longxiang's heart skipped a beat.
He picked up the teacup on the table; the tea had gone cold, but he didn't care and drank it all in one gulp.
The herbal tea, though bitter and refreshing, couldn't extinguish the fire that had just ignited in my heart.
Fan Li sat opposite him, taking in Xu Longxiang's entire performance.
He looked at the prince's slightly red ear tips, at the way he drank the cold tea in one gulp, and at the unconscious smile on his lips as he stared out the window in a daze. He sighed softly in his heart.
Your Highness has truly fallen for this Moon Goddess.
He originally thought that if His Highness could forget those people in the palace through the Moon Goddess, it would be a good thing.
But he couldn't just stand by and watch His Highness become so obsessed.
Who is the Moon Goddess?
The cult leader, who has operated in the southwestern border region for decades, is ruthless and cunning, and even the imperial court is powerless against her.
How could one easily give their heart to such a person?
He decided to give a reminder.
He picked up the teacup, gently blew away the foam, took a sip, and put it down, his voice neither too loud nor too soft, as if he were talking about something perfectly ordinary.
"Your Highness, when shall we return to the Northern Territory?"