Chapter 467: Backlash
Chapter 467: Backlash
Everyone's eyes widened in disbelief.
The Qinglian Sword, which even Lady Feng couldn't draw, was unexpectedly pulled out by an obscure junior sister.
Until now, they hadn't even heard of her supposed name.
Even today, when she entered the palace, it was only due to Elder Yan's connection.
Did Gongsun Yanming know about this?
He sent Elder Yan to the palace to clean up Gongsun Liuying's mess, never expecting that his own daughter's reputation and dignity would be completely ruined.
Now, there was no way to argue against this.
It couldn't be blamed on his injured finger again.
How severe was the injury? It had healed so well that even the needle marks were barely visible.
Moreover, with his right hand injured and his left hand missing, didn't she just try with both hands earlier? She even used her internal strength.
"There's something suspicious about the sword!"
Empress Dowager Hu regained her senses and made a decisive statement.
Empress Jiang, for once, didn't argue with Empress Dowager Hu.
It wasn't that she didn't want to; she was just considering her rebuttal.
To be honest, she didn't believe in Lady Feng and the Qilin's abilities, and her first reaction was the same as Empress Dowager Hu's—the sword had been tampered with.
But she couldn't understand Wu Mountain's purpose for doing this.
Forget it, what did Wu Mountain's purpose have to do with her?
Qianji Pavilion and Empress Dowager Hu were colluding, and it had affected her. Not letting their scheme succeed was the right thing to do.
Empress Jiang scoffed, "Do you get to decide if there's something suspicious or not? The princes and imperial grandchildren just tried the sword, even your own grandson tried it. If there's truly something amiss, wouldn't they have discovered it? Are the royal bloodlines so stupid and pig-headed?"
The Liang Emperor closed his eyes, barely restraining his anger, "Empress Jiang."
Empress Jiang gave a perfunctory bow, "Your servant spoke out of turn."
Empress Jiang's words were blunt but true. Gongsun Liuying drew the sword first, and the princes and imperial grandchildren tried later. If there was indeed something suspicious, they would have found out earlier.
Lu Yuan exclaimed, "Oh, I understand! Could there be a hidden mechanism inside the sword?"
Lu Zhaoyan glared at her son, "Do you know what Qianji Pavilion does? Qianji Pavilion's mechanism techniques are unparalleled, even the Wu Mountain Temple pales in comparison. There's no mechanism in the world that can escape Qianji Pavilion's discerning eyes. Am I right, Miss Gongsun?"
Gongsun Liuying's nails almost dug into her palm.
Lu Yuan raised his eyebrows, "Miss Gongsun, are you implying that you agree, or is there indeed a mechanism, but you didn't discover it? If your medical skills are inadequate, Lady Feng's identity is questionable, and even your mechanism techniques are fake? I say, Miss Gongsun, from top to bottom, is there anything real about Qianji Pavilion?"
Gongsun Liuying's face turned pale as she stared at him fixedly, "Young Master Lin Yuan, you can humiliate me, but please don't humiliate Qianji Pavilion."
After saying this, she turned around, her eyes coldly fixed on Za Mu Duo and the accompanying Wu Woman, "Two Wu Women, I don't know what Qianji Pavilion has done to offend Wu Mountain, but the Divine Maiden is using such means to force me to give up Lady Feng's identity."
Za Mu Duo calmly met her gaze, "Miss Gongsun, even if the former Pavilion Master were still alive, they wouldn't dare question the Divine Maiden's Temple. If Qianji Pavilion truly has objections, let the Pavilion Master go to Wu Mountain and seek teachings from the Divine Maiden herself!"
Gongsun Liuying was left speechless.
Za Mu Duo addressed the Liang Emperor solemnly, "The Qinglian Sword has chosen its master. Congratulations to the Liang Emperor for finding the Lady Feng."
The Liang Emperor's expression was complex, "You mentioned earlier that the Divine Maiden observed the stars at night, and the Tianfu Star moved, bringing the Gou Chen catastrophe. Only the Qinglian Sword can resolve this crisis. What do you mean by this?"
Although the Liang Emperor respected the Divine Maiden, if it were only her word, he might not have believed it so readily. However, not long ago, Gongsun Yanming and Master Ziwu had both calculated that the Liang Kingdom's fate would be in turmoil, and Master Ziwu even predicted that this catastrophe was related to the Qilin's anomaly.
Gou Chen is the Qilin Star Cluster.
The Divine Maiden's mention of the Gou Chen catastrophe aligned with Master Ziwu's divination.
Za Mu Duo sighed and shook her head. "The Divine Maiden's exact words were as such, but as for their meaning, we dare not speculate."
It wasn't that they dared not speculate, but rather, everything was implied without being explicitly stated.
The Liang Emperor understood this and nodded. "Thank you for your efforts, envoys. Please stay in the Imperial City for a few more days, and I will show my hospitality."
Za Mu Duo cupped her hands together. "The Divine Maiden has instructed us to complete our task. We must return to Wushan to report, and we appreciate the kindness of the Liang Emperor. Farewell."
Meng Qianqian stepped forward, holding the Qinglian Sword with both hands. "Wu Woman, this is your sword."
Za Mu Duo said, "The Qinglian Sword is a gift from the Divine Maiden to Lady Feng. Please accept it, Lady Feng."
Meng Qianqian opened her mouth slightly. "Wu Woman..."
Za Mu Duo's eyes were gentle. "Lady Feng, please rest assured."
To the others, it seemed that Za Mu Duo was comforting Meng Qianqian to accept Wushan's gift without worrying about the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion taking it away.
However, only Meng Qianqian and Lu Yuan understood the true meaning.
The Divine Maiden and Chang Le are safe, and Wu You is also well. Please don't worry, and focus on doing what you want to do with the Young Master.
Meng Qianqian tightened her grip on the Qinglian Sword.
Thank you, Maternal Grandmother.
---
The Wushan Mountains stretched across the sky, an endless range.
Liu Muyan stood on the altar of the temple, gazing silently into the distance.
A serving Wu Woman came to persuade her for the seventh time, "Divine Maiden, you've been standing here all day. Please go and rest for a while."
Liu Muyan shook her head. "I'm not tired. I don't need to rest."
The Wu Woman followed her gaze towards the boundless sky. "Divine Maiden, are you looking at the sky? What's up there?"
Liu Muyan's lips curved slightly, and her entire being exuded an innate divine aura. "I'm waiting for nightfall."
"What?"
The Wu Woman was surprised. "Then, wait inside. I'll call you when it's dark."
Liu Muyan smiled. "It's here."
"Huh?"
The Wu Woman was perplexed.
As the sun set, the clouds lost their radiance, and the night sky deepened like layers of ink. Stars twinkled into view.
Liu Muyan gazed at the starry sky, and among the stars, the Tianfu Star was growing dim and being devoured by another star.
"The Tianfu Star has returned to its position."
"Hasn't the Tianfu Star always been there?"
The Wu Woman pointed at the starry sky and asked.
Liu Muyan replied, "You're still young. When you grow up, you'll understand. But I hope you never have to see it."
The Tianfu Star's anomaly signified great chaos in the world.
Not seeing it meant a peaceful and prosperous era.
Liu Muyan looked at the fading Tianfu Star. "Taking what doesn't belong to you will come at a cost."
---
Imperial Palace.
Everyone was immersed in shock, and no one noticed the strangeness of Gongsun Liuying.
She felt as if the Qinglian Sword had not been drawn from its sheath but rather torn from her heart, ripping out flesh and blood.
An indescribable pain filled her body, and it was only with great willpower that she managed to stay standing.
But now, she could no longer hold on.
She knelt on one knee and vomited a mouthful of fresh blood.
Everyone's faces changed.
Lu Qi hurried to support her. "Miss Gongsun!"
But before he could reach her, Gongsun Liuying lost consciousness and fell straight down.
Seeing that she was about to hit him, Lu Yuan quickly retreated, pulling Cheap Old Man with him. "I didn't do anything. I didn't touch her."
Happy New Year's Eve! One more chapter to come. Let's bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. Please cast your monthly votes!
(End of Chapter)
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