Death… and me

Emperor Zhao Zhe trembled with fear inside the Imperial Palace. His Majesty had never imagined such brutality from Diwu Qing Rou; he was ruthlessly executing subjects… His Majesty was a man who had grown up in a pampered and protected environment. Therefore, he had never even envisioned such a bloody massacre in his entire life!

Diwu Qing Rou's conduct didn't reflect the slightest bit of mercy.

He didn't seem to care about the imperial clan's dignity. He didn't seem to care about the loss of tens of thousands of lives either.

Neither did he care about the lives of the hundreds of civil servants and the military officers. Anyone falling into his hands could only be described in one word – dead!

The imperial concubines had been crammed together in one corner; their beautiful faces were alarmingly pale and devoid of all traces of blood. Their bodies trembled like a bunch of dead leaves falling in the wind.

"Prime Minister Diwu has arrived!" a guard at the entrance announced as he lifted his blood-stained saber. However, this sounded like the knell of death to Emperor Zhao Zhe.

"Diwu Qing Rou is here?!" Zhao Zhe's lips turned purple as he asked with a shivering voice, "What's he doing here?"

Nobody answered his question; there was a pin-drop silence.

The sound of calm and steady footsteps resounded as Diwu Qing Rou leisurely walked in with a gentle smile on his face. He casually strolled-in with his hands clasped behind his back; he was clad in an ordinary cotton robe.

His countenance was both elegant and dull; it seemed as if living things didn't wind around his heart.

However, it seemed like Zhao Zhe was seeing the image of a demon in Diwu Qing Rou — a demon from hell whose entire body was drenched in blood. His Majesty was so frightened that his eyes rolled back while revealing the whites of his eyeballs; it seemed as if he would faint any moment now.

"Your Majesty looks safe and sound," Diwu Qing Rou greeted him in a soft voice.

"Safe… and sound… You as well. You too appear safe and sound, Prime Minister…" Zhao Zhe tried to control his facial muscles as he attempted to give a diligent greeting with a smile on his face. After all, he didn't wish to lose the remnants of his royal demeanor. However, he had failed miserably in his attempt of saving it.

Diwu Qing Rou crossed his hands behind his back, and stood at ease. He then cast his eyes sideways; an imperial guard hastily moved a chair, and placed it right behind him. Then, a smile appeared on Diwu Qing Rou's face as he gracefully sat down.

"Your Majesty…"

"What?"

"You and I – a ruler and his minister… I think fate has brought us together," Diwu Qing Rou heaved a sigh. Then, he continued with a smiling expression on his face, "I initially thought that you and I would get along well… like a ruler and his minister should… I had believed that we would work together with a common purpose of unifying the lands into one domain. We would stand at the top while the entire world prostrated before us.

"I have the ability to achieve that. I also have the courage to rule it from above. But, it's a pity that Your Majesty has always failed to trust me," Diwu Qing Rou heaved a deep sigh as he shot a pitiful look towards Zhao Zhe, "Whatever may the reason behind your distrust, but was it worth the trouble?"

"This… is our fault…" Zhao Zhe's eyes couldn't dare to meet Diwu's as he replied in a trembling voice.

"Well, it truly was a blunder on your part…" Diwu Qing Rou chuckled and said.

"You never trusted me in the past. You left me with no recourse but to find opportunities in the battlefield in order to gain my own power and authority. But, I had never imagined that the path I was going to take back then would bestow such a military authority and power upon me that it would clearly surpass yours."

Diwu Qing Rou narrowed his eyes; it seemed as if he was recalling the tragic battles from his past.

"It took numerous battles, negotiations, and constant efforts to build my fame to where it stands now. Piles of countless military exploits and achievements were drawn to my name during the time of my service in the military. And, that even forced you into rewarding me with the titles that I deserved. Then, it just took a certain step for the entire jurisdiction and military command to fall into my hands. And, the outcome has been decided as things stand.

"You've always been incapable of controlling me," Diwu Qing Rou paused for a moment. He then said, "I waged wars on all sides after that. Firstly, I focused on eradicating the dissidents. Secondly, I became an omnipotent commander in the eyes of the common people. In fact, I was the one pulling the strings behind that war even in the eyes of Tie Long Cheng. And, all of it was done to attain great military accomplishments…

"But, he was wrong. I didn't desire meritorious military accolades. Instead, I wanted absolute power," Diwu Qing Rou's voice sounded dull as he continued, "The entire troops of the Great Zhao were sent to the battlefield by me at different intervals during that time. All I wanted was to get in touch with the military generals and high-ranking officers. My motive was to use my persuasion skills, and convince them into accepting my authority. And, I had done this so that I could gain absolute control over each and every army troop.

"I was sure that you would never hand them over to me. So, my only option was to strive on my own in order to obtain them myself.

"Innumerable traps led to huge losses for the Iron Cloud. But, our Great Zhao wasn't in a better condition either since too many of our people had also fell into the traps that I had personally set-up. I had led them into the ambush which was set-up by their own nation. But, you will recall that these people were loyal to Your Majesty. In fact, they were the so-called 'loyalists' of the Great Zhao. You see, I didn't trust them since I hadn't been able to obtain your trust at that time. They needed to be let go because I needed only those who were loyal to me – Diwu Qing Rou…"

Diwu Qing Rou heaved a long sigh and said, "Iron Cloud had been weakened so terribly by the end of the war that they found it difficult to retreat. I stopped the battle, and returned to the Imperial Court with unparalleled military successes to my credit.

"Everyone thought that I had intentionally allowed Iron Cloud some respite. But, the reality was a lot different," Diwu Qing Rou continued, "I only had control over the military at that time; not the government. So, I needed to come back in order to build a government — a government that I could control on a whim. Moreover, the Imperial Clan had significant control over the nation. Let's consider a possibility in which I had destroyed the Iron Cloud Nation. Then, Your Majesty would've executed me with a flick of a finger.

"So, I couldn't choose to start an all-out war at that time. I had to give-up on the excellent advantageous situation that we had built for ourselves, and was instead forced to retreat in order to manage things from the rear," Diwu Qing Rou sighed deeply and continued, "I would've given you a unified domain if you had put your trust in me back then. But, you didn't…

"You've waited for far too long to deal with me. And, it's too late now," Diwu Qing Rou stood-up, "The military holds absolute authority. You have no soldiers under your command now; and no generals on your side. You only have a bunch of pedantic scholars to depend on. So, how do you plan on defeating me – the current leader of this nation's entire army? Your Majesty, don't you find this so ridiculous that even laughter would probably shy away from this?"

Zhao Zhe's face turned deathly pale as he stared blankly.

"There are so many things that I wish to tell you; there were so many things I had always wished to share with you all these years. But, I feel that they aren't necessary now that we stand here," Diwu Qing Rou continued in an indifferent tone, "In fact, there's no need for us to be talking like this. I'm quite surprised by myself. This conversation is probably a result of a change in my mood. But, I feel very naïve now."

Diwu Qing Rou said slowly, "It was childish of me that I bothered to have a conversation with you… Or perhaps it was just a demonstration of power."

Diwu Qing Rou turned around and left like a gust of wind. He didn't even bother to look back at the Emperor who had been utterly and thoroughly defeated by him.

Diwu Qing Rou's voice sounded from outside after a few moments, "Seal this place! Let His Majesty lead a comfortable life inside. No one is allowed to enter or leave this place from now onwards… until the war ends."

"Yes!"

"If we win the war — His Majesty shall be permitted to look at our achievements before he's beheaded. If we lose — behead him straightaway! After that, you shall proceed to exterminate his nine generations."

"Yes!"

Zhao Zhe heard everything clearly; he then fainted as his eyes rolled back into his head.

His death was certain… regardless of their victory or defeat in the war.

This was a reversed situation. After all, it was always the Imperial Clan that ordered the extermination of others' nine generations. But, what did Diwu Qing Rou state in his order today? Was it not the extermination of the nine generations of the Imperial Clan?

This was… something rather hard to explain…

The purge was still going on in the Great Zhao. Moreover, it seemed from Diwu Qing Rou's stance that the present state of affairs would repeat over and over again for quite some time.

In the meantime, the members of the Gu Clan contacted Gu Du Xing with the message –'Return to the clan!'

Chu Yang whispered to Gu Du Xing in the middle of the night on the eve of his departure. Chu Yang also gave him a big bag full of items, "This is for Ji Mo, this is for Dong Wu Shang, and this is for…"

The majority of things were for Mo Qing Wu.

The two brothers stood opposite to each other as the morning wind bore witness to their parting.

"Take care!"

"Take care!"

Both the brothers said at the same time.

Gu Du Xing turned silent as he looked at Chu Yang with a profound expression in his eyes. Then, he turned around to leave; he didn't look back even once.

[Dear Brother, we met in a time of distress. But, you still helped me out. You gave me hope throughout this time, and assisted me with my martial arts practice. You've done everything that you could for me.]

[I won't fail you.]

[Never!]

These words reverberated within the bounds of Gu Du Xing's heart. However, he couldn't say anything.

Chu Yang didn't say anything either.

Parting always appears dull, but it's a sweet sorrow. Both of them knew that they would meet in the Middle Three Heavens next; not here.

The Mo Clan had livened-up in the Middle Three Heavens.

This shouldn't have been the case since all the clans were preparing for the imminent war on the Cang Lan Battlefront. But, the Mo Clan's front yard was as busy as a marketplace.

Mo Xing Chen was in his study. He was discussing some matters with the Great Elder when a servant reported, "I have a message for the Clan Lord – two Young Masters have arrived to visit us; they belong to the maternal side."

"Young masters from the maternal side?" Mo Xing Chen gawked.

"Yes. Young Master Ji Zhu has arrived with Young Master Ji Mo."

"Ah, guide them to the drawing room for the time being. Go and inform the Eldest Young Master to welcome our guests."

"Young Master Ji Zhu is already in the drawing room; he's having tea. But, Ji Clan's second young master has gone into the inner chambers to find the Young Lady."

"Young Lady? Which one…?" Mo Xing Chen was left gawking once again.

"My Lord, they're looking for Lady Xiao Wu," The servant lowered his head as he tried his best to hide his twitching mouth from his lord's eyesight.

"Xiao Wu?!" Mo Xing Chen was stunned, "Why is Ji Mo looking for Xiao Wu?"

Inside the inner residence…

"Big Brother Ji Mo!" Mo Qing Wu was pleasantly surprised. Her cheers resounded through the backyard. She rushed towards Ji Mo as if she was flying, "Big Brother Ji Mo, what brings you here? Where's Brother Chu Yang? Did he come too?"

"Eh, your Brother Chu Yang didn't come," Ji Mo saw the brightness of her face fading away as he said.

He felt sorry for the poor girl. He then hastily hugged her, and carried her up in his arms. After that, he said in a consoling manner, "Well, your Brother Chu Yang isn't here. But, he has asked me to deliver lots of good things to you…"

"Really?" Mo Qing Wu opened her eyes wide in excitement. "Where? Where?!"

"Ah! It's only natural that… Eh?" Ji Mo noticed that something wasn't right. "Why are you so light? My god! How did you lose so much weight? You've become so skinny."

Then, Second Young Master Ji turned furious, "Who bullied you?!"

"No wait, Big Brother… no one has bullied me." Mo Qing Wu's eyes gleamed. Then, they became dull once again. She raised her face as she pleaded earnestly, "Big Brother Ji Mo, I don't want to live here any longer. Can you take me to your home?"

"This…" Ji Mo hesitated.

"No, you mustn't," a voice was heard, "Xiao Wu, how can you talk about leaving your home so easily?"

The voice belonged to an Elder of the Mo Clan's branch clan. He was the one who had been ordered by the Clan Lord to bring Ji Mo here.

"What has happened to Xiao Wu?" Ji Mo put her down, and stood-up to look towards that King Level Expert from the Mo Clan.

"Second Young Master Ji… actually…" The expert hesitated for a while. Then, he noticed that Ji Mo's countenance was turning grim. So, he hurriedly pulled Ji Mo to the side, and whispered into his ears, "Her Three Yin Meridians are damaged."

Ji Mo was dumbfounded.

Chu Yang had never told him about this even though he had joined the Heavenly Armament Pavilion.

Therefore, he had heard of this matter for the first time.