85. Ahua
"Lin Chaoyu, tell me, why did you do it?"
At this moment, Yun Ling was like Yama, the judge of sins, his gaze fixed on Lin Chaoyu.
"Senior brother, I..."
"You've been by your master's side for almost thirty years. How has she treated you? Why did you try to kill her?!" Yun Ling demanded loudly.
Lin Chaoyu lowered her head, not daring to meet Yun Ling's gaze.
"Cheng Lingshuang." Yun Ling turned her gaze to another person.
"...Master has already fallen into demonic possession," Cheng Lingshuang replied.
"Fallen into demonic possession? Hahaha...hahahahaha..."
Yun Ling seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world.
But he seemed to understand the reason.
It was only because he left Lingshuang with these goals for the future that night that she was exploited by Su Mei, leading to the situation we see today.
It turns out that all the mistakes were caused by himself.
Yun Ling raised the Ruoshui Sword, and Cheng Lingshuang closed her eyes and stopped struggling.
As a sword rang out, Cheng Lingshuang felt no pain whatsoever.
But a few drops of scalding hot liquid splashed onto her face.
She opened her eyes, her indifferent face instantly freezing in shock.
Yun Ling didn't strike Ruoshui Sword at her, but instead struck himself.
A huge wound was clearly visible on his chest, and even his internal organs were faintly visible.
Cheng Lingshuang felt a heavy pressure in her chest, and nameless emotions began to spread in her heart.
She felt as if all her strength had been drained away, and she slumped helplessly to the ground.
She wanted to go forward, but the figure was getting further and further away from them.
Yun Ling picked up Jingwei and flew away from Mount Taixu on his sword.
Lin Chaoyu watched Yun Ling's departing figure with a dazed expression, but ultimately didn't dare to call out to him.
Overnight, the Taixu Sword Sect was destroyed.
Cheng Lingshuang left with her own Xuanyuan Sword, and Qin Suying also left the place.
Lin Chaoyu was left alone to guard Mount Taixu and this Fuyun Temple.
No one knows where Yun Ling took Jingwei.
More than a decade has passed in the blink of an eye.
"Yun Ling... do you really not intend to inherit the throne?"
At this time, Emperor Ming's hair had turned white and his face had some brown spots, making him look like an old man in his twilight years.
"Father, look at me like this, how many more years can I sit on the throne?" Yun Ling shook his head.
Since that day on the mountain, in order to heal Jingwei's injuries, Yun Ling forcibly transferred his life force to Jingwei.
Now his hair is gray, and although he doesn't look old, he doesn't have many years left to live due to the loss of vitality and the erosion of disease.
"Sigh, never mind, I'll hold on for a few more years. Then I'll pass the throne to Xiao Kongming. Xiao Kongming has inherited your and Rita's intelligence. Although she's young, she already has some of your former charm. By the way, how come you and Rita only had one child? Haven't you considered having more?"
"Uh... Father, Ahua is looking for me everywhere. Please excuse me."
Once again, the topic was brought up, and Yun Ling immediately made an excuse to leave.
"Hey, you little rascal."
As he stepped outside, a crimson figure approached and grabbed his arm.
"Ling! Where have you been?"
She pouted and looked at Yun Ling with a slightly dissatisfied expression.
"Father wants to discuss something with me. Where would you like to go today?"
Yun Ling's face showed a hint of doting as he gently pinched her nose.
"I want to go for a walk outside today!"
"Let's go then."
Yun Ling led Ahua outside.
The two went outside, and Ahua ran around lively, looking here and there.
"Is this cosmetic? Can I try it?"
"Of course." The vendor handed her the sample.
Ahua was fiddling with something in front of the bronze mirror, oblivious to her own thoughts.
"I'm done! Do I look good?" Ahua turned around, showing off her makeup results.
"Pfft..." Yun Ling couldn't help but laugh.
The painting looks like a big tabby cat; it might actually scare a child to tears at night.
"Rita lied to me! She said this would make me prettier..."
Seeing Yun Ling's reaction, Ahua puffed out her cheeks, which, combined with her current attire, made her look even more comical.
"Lady, that's not how you use it..." the vendor said with a smile.
Yun Ling stepped forward and carefully wiped the marks off her face.
"Let me draw it for you, don't move around."
"Um!"
Yun Ling carefully applied makeup to her, while Ahua stared intently into his eyes, her heart racing as she watched his serious expression.
"Ling's eyes are so beautiful," Ahua suddenly said.
"Because my eyes are filled with you," Yun Ling explained.
"Um..." Ahua blushed deeply.
This time, Ahua offered no resistance and allowed Yun Ling to draw everything.
"Am I pretty?" Ahua asked again.
"Beautiful." Yun Ling praised without reservation, then turned to the vendor and said, "Could you please wrap these up for me?"
"Is this for me?" Ahua's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Of course." Yun Ling nodded and handed the items to Ahua.
"I will take good care of it! I promise!" Ahua's face blossomed into a smile, as beautiful and captivating as a hundred flowers in full bloom.
"Yes, I believe Ahua."
Similar scenes, but completely different endings.
Perhaps it's due to a change in identity.
It used to be Jingwei, now it's Ahua.
After restoring Jingwei's health, Yun Ling returned to the palace.
Perhaps due to brain damage, even though Yun Ling healed all her injuries, she was still left with some aftereffects, turning her into the innocent and carefree Ahua she is today.
I wonder when she'll return to her original appearance, but... Ahua is quite cute.
Ahua held Yunling's hand, and laughter filled the entire street.
"Husband, you're back." Rita glanced sideways, a smile on her face.
"These are gifts for Rita and Xiao Kongming." Ahua placed the gifts on the table.
"Where's Xiao Kongming? Did she go to read again?" Yun Ling asked in confusion.
"Yes, that child knows she might inherit the throne in the future, so she's studying like crazy." Rita sighed softly, glancing at Yun Ling as she did so.
This crown prince is incredibly audacious, picking up any random child from outside and making them his heir, completely disregarding any notion of legitimacy...
If Emperor Ming found out, he would probably be furious.
"Once Xiao Kongming takes office, we'll need Rita to help her a lot in court." Yun Ling's eyes held a hint of worry.
He didn't even know if his mutilated body could last until Xiao Kongming ascended the throne.
"Has your health deteriorated to this extent? You're already preparing for your death." Rita walked behind Yun Ling and gently massaged his shoulders with her delicate hands.
"Well, although my self-created 'True Technique of Returning to Oneness of the Void' can suppress the symptoms in my body, this disease cannot be cured, and it will experience an explosive increase about every ten years. I'm afraid the next one will be my limit."
Yun Ling was well aware of his own situation and was able to face his death with equanimity.
He was just a little worried about the people around me.
"Ling will be alright!" Ahua held Yun Ling's hand tightly, tears welling up in her eyes.
...