95. Disappearance
Afterward, Yun Ling and Ahua went to Mount Taixu.
Mount Taixu remained unchanged, looking exactly the same as before, with Lin Chaoyu managing it in an orderly manner.
"Is this where I used to live?" Ahua looked at the scenery on Mount Taixu and exclaimed unconsciously.
"Hmm, but Lin Chaoyu doesn't seem to be here. There's still some trace of her presence. She just left not long ago, so she's probably hiding from us," Yun Ling guessed.
"Let's wait a bit, maybe she's had something to do and has left temporarily," Ahua suggested.
"Hmm." Yun Ling looked at the familiar scenery before him. This place, where he had lived for more than twenty years, felt somewhat unfamiliar to him.
Perhaps it's because Jingwei is no longer here.
The two wandered around Fuyun Temple, visiting all the rooms, but Lin Chaoyu did not return even as night fell.
Just as Yun Ling had predicted, Lin Chaoyu was hiding from them.
Is it fear? Or guilt? Or perhaps both?
"Let's go, Ahua, we should go home."
"Yes, let's go home."
Yun Ling took Ahua and left Mount Taixu on their swords. Lin Chaoyu watched the two from a distance, her eyes filled with anticipation, but she dared not approach them even a little.
She knew that with Yun Ling's strength, it was impossible for him not to have discovered her presence.
She simply refused to come out, so Yun Ling didn't force her.
"Master, senior brother... I'm sorry."
Even though Yun Ling and Jingwei have forgiven her, she still cannot forgive herself.
After Qin Suying died, she was the only one trapped in the past...
A bloody storm quickly swept through the martial arts world. In addition to the struggle for the "Taixu Sword Qi", the hidden dangers of the "Divine Pill" also came to a head.
Large numbers of demonic beings appeared in various places one after another, and even Yun Ling's tireless efforts day and night could not stop their growth, plunging the land into unprecedented turmoil.
Durandal also began leading her army to exterminate those possessed by demons.
Although the number of cultivators is not as large as imagined, some ordinary people without cultivation aptitude have tried to take "divine pills," which has led to a considerable proportion of ordinary people becoming possessed by demons.
Li Sushang also uncovered the truth behind the massacre of the Yijian Manor through her own efforts and took revenge on the participants.
She felt that she should do it, especially since most of the incident participants had taken the so-called "divine pills" and were bound to fall into demonic possession sooner or later.
Although she was not strong enough, she had Yun Ling's "Ruoshui" protecting her, so she didn't encounter any danger.
Otto returned to his hometown, leaving a feather for Ahua before he left. Saying that by touching the feather, it would bring the "Immortal Jingwei" back to life.
Otto will return to collect his due compensation.
The turmoil in the martial arts world lasted for several years, and the disease eroded his body even more severely. Yun Ling's health deteriorated rapidly, and he might even pass away before Emperor Ming did.
Yun Ling could only slightly reduce the number of times he went out, allowing himself to hold on for a few more days.
He devoted his time to Emperor Ming, Ahua, Kongming, and Rita.
At least while he and Emperor Ming were alive, the people below dared not harbor any disloyal thoughts.
However, Emperor Ming eventually fell ill and died. For an emperor, he was already considered to be of advanced age, yet he still couldn't resist the ravages of time.
All subjects of the Empire shall weep for three days and refrain from weddings. All princes shall remain in their kingdoms and not travel to the capital.
He left a will stipulating that the Crown Prince Kongming would succeed to the throne, with the Queen Mother Rita acting as regent.
As Yun Ling watched the old man who had doted on him all his life leave, he couldn't help but shed tears.
He was bedridden for three days and almost passed away, along with the late emperor.
Fortunately, with the care of Ahua and Rita, he barely managed to survive.
"Xiao Kongming will be taking over in a couple of days, right? Have all the necessary preparations been made?" Yun Ling asked.
"...Everything is ready." Rita nodded.
"Are you hiding something from me?" Yun Ling asked Rita.
"My lord, the most important thing for you right now is to take good care of your health. Don't worry about anything else." Rita still didn't tell Yun Ling about the matter.
"Don't worry, I'm... cough cough cough..."
Before Yun Ling could finish speaking, he coughed up a large amount of dark red blood.
"Husband, you should say less," Rita said reproachfully.
"I'm worried. After all, Xiao Kongming is still so young. What if she gets ambushed by my other siblings? No, Rita, help me cover up the blood marks with makeup. I need to go out for a walk."
Yun Ling stood up. He had to maintain a strong demeanor; otherwise, other vassal kings could easily seize the opportunity.
At least let them know that the eldest prince of the Ming Empire, the number one person in Shenzhou, is still alive!
"...Alright." Rita knew she couldn't persuade Yun Ling to do otherwise, so she could only help him up.
"Thank you, Rita." Yun Ling gave a pale smile.
Rita helped Yun Ling stroll around. Because of the makeup, Yun Ling looked radiant and didn't resemble a sick patient at all.
"Second sister, you have such a good appetite today!"
Yun Ling came to visit the Second Prince.
"Brother, would you like some?" Kiana held up a chicken leg and stuffed it into Yun Ling's mouth.
"You eat it, you eat it," Yun Ling waved his hand in refusal.
"Your Majesty, you look much better lately. Are you feeling better now?" Kiana asked.
"Yes, I have made a breakthrough in martial arts, and living a few more years shouldn't be a problem," Yun Ling nodded and said.
"That's good. Father has just left. If you, my brother, were to leave as well, the Ming Empire would truly be thrown into chaos."
Although Kiana may seem foolish, she is actually very concerned about national affairs and has her own unique insights into them.
But this only applies to obvious little things; she's a complete idiot when it comes to handling many important matters.
She herself was very self-aware of her ability and had no intention of vying for the throne.
As for the others, with Yun Ling keeping them in check, they dare not make any other moves.
"Oh, right..." Kiana suddenly lowered her voice and whispered something in Yun Ling's ear.
"Are you saying that the Grand Tutor has treasonous intentions?" Yun Ling asked, somewhat surprised.
Tutor Jackal is Kiana's teacher and someone Emperor Ming saved during his campaign. Seeing her extensive knowledge, Emperor Ming made her Kiana's teacher.
However, no one expected that after Emperor Ming's death, she would plot a rebellion.
"Hmm, these past few days, Jackal has been intentionally or unintentionally expressing her dissatisfaction with Kongming in my ear, and then praising me for being better than her in this and that way. Obviously, she wants to support me to take the throne and make me a puppet emperor so that she can take the opportunity to seize the Ming Empire."
Kiana took a bite of meat and said as she chewed.
"I know my own limitations. Xiao Kongming is much more capable than me. She is the most suitable person to be the emperor."
Kiana had no objection to the idea of Kongming becoming emperor; in fact, she wholeheartedly supported it.
"How about this then..."
Yun Ling devised a plan for Kiana: if Jackal fell for it, she would be caught red-handed, and then they could bring her to justice.
"Brother, this plan is brilliant!" Kiana's eyes lit up. Indeed, it was a pity that her brother wasn't the emperor.
"By the way, has Xiao Kongming been found? She's about to inherit the throne, and her whereabouts are still unknown," Kiana asked.
"What?!"
...