Chapter 042: Saving Lives

The first to find Liu Qing was none other than Xue Ze, yet the one who saved him was not her.

Guided by her spells, Xue Ze finally located Liu Qing, who lay unconscious in a shallow pool of water. She dragged him from the riverbank into her boat, then used her magic to brush away the droplets of water, blood, and sweat, channeling her inner energy to keep him alive.

But Xue Ze did not know what poison had afflicted Liu Qing; when she tried to heal him with her Tianshan arts, his condition only worsened. Suddenly, he was seized by a surge of strength, burst through the broken boat, and fell into the deep river.

Witnessing this, Xue Ze was struck with terror. She tried to use her spells to save him, but was thrown to the opposite bank by the strange force emanating from his body.

Fallen and unable to rise, Xue Ze felt a wave of discomfort. What was this strange power? Could it suppress the Tianshan arts? Was it, as her senior had warned, that their powers would greatly diminish once they descended the mountain?

There was no time to ponder further. Not far off, she saw a group of riders approaching. She immediately called for help, fearful that any delay would cost Liu Qing his life. At the same time, she cast a spell to conjure a veil and placed it over her face.

"Help! Someone has fallen into the river!"

Soon, the group came running. Xue Ze glanced at their attire and recognized the style of the Kunlun Sect, which eased her heart and filled her with hope.

"Miss, what has happened?"

"Don't help me—quick, go save the man in the river! A young man in green robes has fallen in; his life is in grave danger!"

"Understood!"

Half the group rushed to the river, and before long, they pulled Liu Qing from the water.

Xue Ze and the others gathered around Liu Qing, examining him closely. He had delicate features and a clear, proper countenance, but his brow was furrowed and he bared his teeth in pain. Though there were no wounds on his body, his lips and eyelids had turned black—he was deeply poisoned.

"Miss, I fear this man does not have long. You have my condolences."

"Indeed, we must go to greet the sect leader, so we cannot stay."

As the group prepared to leave, Xue Ze stopped them. "Gentlemen, this man is on the brink of death. Will you truly turn your back on him? Can you not spare a moment?"

"We have already helped you retrieve him from the river. Beyond this, there is nothing more we can do!"

"Besides, his clothing marks him as a man of the Northern Hua court. We cannot be entangled in such matters!"

Xue Ze sighed and addressed the leader of the group, "You are disciples of Kunlun, are you not? How can you be so indifferent? Have you only remembered your martial skills and forgotten the other teachings and rules of your sect?"

"Miss, I must respectfully disagree. We are ever grateful to be part of Kunlun and would never betray our master's teachings. But this court official is deeply poisoned; there is nothing we can do!"

Xue Ze smiled. "No matter. Where there is a will, there is always something to be done."

"What do you mean, miss?"

With a whisper of magic, Xue Ze conjured a token and held it up before them. "Do you recognize this?"

"Yes, yes! That is the Sect Leader’s token. Miss, you must be close to the leader—please forgive our ignorance!"

"It is of no account. Just do as I say." Xue Ze smiled serenely. "Take this man—"

Before she could finish, she saw another group of riders emerging from the forest. The Kunlun disciples noticed as well, their expressions shifting.

"They are troops from the Northern Hua court!"

At these words, Xue Ze felt a chill run through her heart. She hastily instructed the Kunlun disciples, "You must take this man away—take him to your sect leader! He is acquainted with your leader; do not let him fall into their hands!"

"Very well. And you, miss?"

"Don't worry for me—I will draw them away! Hurry and find your leader Yu!"

"Understood!"

With that, the Kunlun disciples carried Liu Qing away, moving much faster than the approaching soldiers. Seeing their polite and capable manner, Xue Ze felt greatly relieved.

"Though I lied, only this way will they do their utmost to bring him to safety. Once he is back at Kunlun, surely my father will look after him."

As the soldiers drew nearer, Xue Ze cast a spell upon herself, crafting the appearance of wounds and blood, and collapsed against a large boulder.

When the newcomers saw her, she slowly opened her eyes.

"Miss, are you all right?"

"I'm fine."

"Did you see an injured man?"

Xue Ze was about to answer when the crowd parted and a general strode forward. His voice was hauntingly familiar.

"What has happened here?" the general demanded.

"General, we found an injured woman!"

Their eyes met, and Xue Ze started in surprise—it was him!

"General Fengxing!"

"You—are you my benefactor?"

Fengxing immediately knelt to examine her wounds, but she refused him repeatedly.

"What happened? Did those people ahead injure you?"

"No, no! I accidentally fell from above."

Fengxing looked up at the cliff and was taken aback. "You fell from up there? Then you—"

Xue Ze glanced at the people behind him and said nothing. Fengxing, understanding, sent his men away.

"I know the Tianshan people act with secrecy, but how did you come to be injured?"

"They are false wounds, meant to deceive." Xue Ze sat up properly and whispered, "I just saved someone and feared you might be the ones hunting him, so I had no choice but to feign this."

"Could it be..." Fengxing thought for a moment, then asked eagerly, "Did you save a young man, about my height, fair-skinned, a little thinner than I am?"

Xue Ze hesitated, unsure how to respond.

"Please trust me. I am Liu Qing's friend—I came here specifically to find him!"

"Then why did you come down from where he fell? Was it your men who forced him to jump?"

Xue Ze dared not trust Fengxing’s words, for she did not understand the tangled webs of the mortal world. All she knew was that Liu Qing had been pursued by men in court uniforms.

"We encountered bandits and found some clues, which led us to believe Liu Qing fell from above. Please, don't mind my identity—just tell me where he is!"

Xue Ze faltered. "What would it matter if I told you? He is gravely poisoned—he may not live much longer."

"Even so, I must obey my sovereign's order and bring Liu Qing back!"

"An imperial order? From the Emperor? Isn’t the Dowager Empress the one in power?"

"Indeed! Though the Dowager Empress holds immense authority, I owe my loyalty to the Emperor and follow his noble example. To tell you the truth, Liu Qing is not only my friend, but also the Emperor’s cousin. That is why I must find him!"

Xue Ze nodded, half-convinced, but still wished to test him.

"Even so, I must deliver him to the Empress Dowager. Our paths diverge here—I cannot help you further!"

Fengxing was startled. "Please reconsider, benefactor! The Empress Dowager paid little heed to the royal family’s tragedy, hurrying to close the case. How much care would she spare for Liu Qing? If you bring him to her, his fate will be most dire!"

"And your Emperor can guarantee Liu Qing’s safety?"

"The Emperor is loyal and true; he will do all he can to protect him. The Dowager Empress seeks a swift conclusion, but the Emperor defies her to seek the truth. Liu Qing is key—he is both the Emperor’s kin and the blood of Northern Hua. How could the Emperor wish him harm?"

"Very well! Tell your Emperor to come to Mount Kunlun. Once I have verified everything, I will hand Liu Qing over to him!"

"But..." Fengxing hesitated. "The Emperor cannot easily leave the palace. There, he is closely watched and holds no real power..."

"If he truly wishes to save someone, would he be bound by such things? If even leaving the palace is impossible, how could he protect Liu Qing’s life? Liu Qing is grievously poisoned—be prepared for the worst!"

With those words, Xue Ze vanished, leaving Fengxing bewildered.

"My benefactor has taken Liu Qing away—how shall I report this to the Emperor?"

Fengxing sighed and sent word back.

The palace was far from tranquil. Every day, Liu Li lived in fear and exhaustion. The entire household of the Grand Prince had perished, and Eunuch Liu was gravely ill. Spies and informants lurked everywhere, and only Gao Hai could be trusted, though both were perpetually busy and weary.

Liu Li was deep in the palace, investigating the events and searching for the truth, when he was interrupted by Xiao Li.

"Your servant greets Your Majesty!" Xiao Li glanced at Liu Li’s cold face and whispered, "Your Majesty, Lord Gao seeks an audience."

Liu Li cleared his throat. "Send him in."

Gao Hai entered briskly, surveyed the room, and said with ease, "Your Majesty, a letter has arrived from Fengxing!"

Liu Li put down his work and dismissed Xiao Li and the others. Only then did he approach Gao Hai. "What news does the letter bring?"

"Fengxing says a disciple of Tianshan has rescued Liu Qing and is keeping him at Kunlun. If you are sincere, you must go yourself to fetch him; otherwise, they will not easily hand him over. He also says..."

"And what else?" Liu Li asked anxiously.

"He says the young lord is gravely ill and may not survive much longer."

Liu Li sighed, sorrow weighing on him for a long while.

"I always knew the killer was ruthless and would never leave Liu Qing alive as my uncle’s only heir and my own kin. They fear I will continue to investigate and uncover the truth. It was fortunate that we arrived in time; without the missing bodies of those powerful nobles, I could not have investigated or tracked Liu Qing! Now, he is at death’s door—how can I stand by and do nothing?"

"But, Your Majesty, the Dowager Empress is already displeased with you for attempting to leave the palace to search for him. Will you truly defy her again? If you trust me, allow me to handle this matter!"

Liu Li shook his head and handed the records to Gao Hai. "I must go myself. My royal uncle has perished—I cannot watch Liu Qing slip away as well. Since Tianshan and Kunlun are involved, how could I not go in person? Here are my findings—continue digging, work with them to uncover more clues! There is no time to delay in saving him, and the investigation is equally urgent!"

"Yes, Your Majesty! Please take care of yourself!"