C38

Lots of people had died. The masked man suddenly turned his sword around and stabbed towards Yun Duan who was standing by the door. Yun Duan's whole body instantly turned stiff as if she had been hit by acupuncture points. She couldn't move at all.

Qin Ni was so frightened that she pounced in front of Yun Duan, preparing to block the sword with her body.

It was clear that the sword was emitting a bloodthirsty glow under the sunlight. Just as it was about to stab Qin Ni, Yun Duan's hidden guards charged out. They were entangled with each other and their moves were fierce, each one fatal.

Yun Duan was still unable to move. She was so vexed that she couldn't even frown. If she was pointed at in the air, then she would be bewitched. Although she didn't know what method the other party used, it was a fact that she couldn't move.

She didn't expect that after 300 years in the Desolate Mountain, she would have a way to deal with all those evil things, but facing this masked man, she could only passively wait to be killed.

The hidden guards seemed to have improved a lot. At least they were able to keep the masked man busy this time. The blades made contact with the flame, and a fierce killing intent filled the entire Floating Cloud Pavilion. Yun Duan couldn't help but shiver.

The black shadow guard's speed was extremely fast. The sword and saber slashed out with purple spiritual energy, which was extremely powerful. The masked man's pure colored spiritual energy was extremely strong, and when they clashed, a deafening bang sounded.

With the sudden darkness before her, Yun Duan was able to move. However, with someone pulling her, the black fog disappeared very quickly. A large number of guards swarmed in, and the masked man was no longer able to harm Yun Duan.

When the scene became clear, Yun Duan looked around anxiously. The masked man had run away, coming and going as he pleased. No one could do anything to him.

Qin Ni was so frightened that her face turned pale. Qiong Ying cried as she ran towards the injured piece of wood clothes, still in a state of shock.

Yun Duan's gaze swept over her sleeve. The person who had just pulled her?

He glanced at Qin Ni. It didn't seem like it.

Could it be?

If she remembered correctly, she had smelled this faint, nameless scent before. That was the first time the masked man had visited her, and it seemed that her secret guard wanted to be punished. That was the smell on his body.

With him here, he felt much more at ease.

Yun Duan's gaze swept across the people lying on the ground. The stench of blood spread. Some were already dead and some were injured. She hurriedly walked down with a grave expression. She first looked at Mu Yi and asked, "How is it?"

Mu Yi had lost a lot of blood, but her mind was still clear. She replied weakly, "No problem!"

"Shut up! Bring her back for treatment!" Yun Yang was agitated when he heard that.

Jon bowed his head in fright. "Yes!"

The departing official hurried over. When he saw the entire yard full of corpses, he could not help but furrow his brows. He looked at Yun Duan, who was standing in the courtyard completely unscathed, and let out a sigh of relief.

Yun Duan looked at the departing official and slowly suppressed the panic in his heart. He took a deep breath and said, "It's good that you're here. Take a count and see how many dead and injured you are!"

"Yes sir!"

Qin Ni supported Yun Duan into the hall. The wind blew, and a thick stench of blood dispersed. Yun Duan's brows tightly furrowed, and the smell was a little difficult to bear.

Qin Ni poured her a cup of tea and said, "Mistress, calm down!"

He had never thought that such a thing would happen. He had thought that the masked man's assassination attempt would have no results and had never imagined that he would come with such a murderous intent after a few months. It was truly shocking.

Yun Duan drank a few cups of tea before putting the teacup down. She held her forehead with one hand and waved her hand. "Go out and take a look!"

Qin Ni looked at Yun Duan's pale face and knew that she was worried. She nodded her head, "Yes!"

He did not know how long it would take to clean it up this time. That kind of bloody smell would likely last for many days.

The lush flowers in the courtyard were affected by the spirit energy and fell to the ground one by one. Even the dark green plants were stained with blood. Qin Ni sighed lightly. It seemed that she had to change them again.

After a long while, Qin Ni walked in and saw that Yun Duan was still holding her head up as the breakfast was still untouched on the table.

She slowly walked forward. When Yun Duan heard her footsteps, she raised her head and asked anxiously with her black eyes, "How is it?"

"Mu Yi's arm was injured by the sword qi, and he also suffered a palm strike that injured his internal energy. The physician said that it shouldn't be too tight, and it'll be fine after a few days of rest!"

"What about the others?"

"Forty-seven people died, and twenty-three were injured!"

47 people. Yun Duan lowered her gaze in frustration. All these people died because of her, but she didn't even know where that masked man came from.

Perhaps because she had seen through Yun Duan's thoughts, Qin Ni thought for a moment before speaking up, "The palace will bury them and their families will make appropriate arrangements. Mistress need not blame herself, it is their honor to be able to protect the three kings!"

Yun Duan frowned slightly.

Qin Ni continued: "Even if they sacrificed themselves, there would still be someone to take charge. But if something happens to Master today, then all the living beings in this world will be plunged into a deep abyss of suffering. Qin Ni knew Master's heart was kind, but she could only sacrifice herself sometimes!"

She hoped that her consoling master could listen to her words. She could feel guilty, but she could never back down. That step had already been taken, and there was no way back.

Now that the Sixth Prince had left and His Majesty was old, the burden would naturally be borne by her master. If she were to feel apprehensive now, then what would she do when faced with an even greater crisis in the future?

Yun Duan thought that she had spent her three hundred years in the desolate mountain, she could be bloodthirsty and merciless, she could kill without blinking. However, she was afraid that others would die because of her. This kind of terrible feeling was truly torturous.

However, what Qin Ni said was right. The current situation did not allow for her to be pessimistic. Today, Emperor Chen had already declared that he would allow her to succeed the throne. Then, no matter how dangerous the road ahead was, she had to continue walking.

She picked up the pastries from the table and stuffed them into her mouth. Her stomach was empty, but the strong blood was spreading in all directions. She found it hard to breathe, but she had no choice but to keep her spirits up.

In the Plum Garden, Emperor Chen stood with his hands behind his back, leaving the official behind him.

After a long while, he slowly said, "The masked man is here again?"

The official then nodded, "It is always quiet and undetectable. There is nowhere to guard against it!" His cultivation was already of the highest quality, and no one knew where he came from. All these years, he had repeatedly attacked and caused a lot of casualties, so no one dared to provoke him, so he came and left without a trace.

"Still no news?" Emperor Chen looked at the beautiful and beautiful Plum Blossom, his gaze cold.

"No, there's no way to investigate it. Even if there are some clues, it would just end there if we gave chase!"

As a result, there was nothing to be found, not even the slightest bit of useful information.

"Where's Third King Ji?"

The official's eyebrows drooped as he replied respectfully, "No problem!"

Silence. The wind blew gently and the plum blossoms swayed in the wind. A clear and cold fragrance spread far and wide, seeming to cover the bloody scene that was spreading everywhere.

It was another cloudless day. The temperature in the air was not high, but there was no wind, so it could be considered a good day.

Yun Duan glanced at Qiong Ying who had come in with a plate. She put down the scroll in her hand and softly said, "You don't have to serve me these days. Go and take care of Mu Yi!"

Qiong Ying's eyes were red as she opened her mouth hesitantly, "I am the master's servant girl. I should take care of the master!"

Yun Duan let out a soft sigh, "Qiong Ying, you are very thoughtful. You should understand what I meant. It is an excellent thing that you and Mu Yi are in love with each other. I will not stop you. As long as you choose, I will support you!"

The tears in Qiong Ying's eyes flowed down as she said in a choked voice, "Thank you, Master!"

Yun Duan waved her over and wiped the tears off her face with his fingertips. He said lovingly, "Don't cry anymore. You always like to cry like I bullied you! "

Qiong Ying quickly shook her head, and her tears began to roll down again. Yun Duan watched helplessly, and could only allow her to cry.

"I am happy, but I didn't expect Master to agree!"

Yun Duan curled her lips slightly. With a smile on her face and a peaceful expression, she said, "This is a good thing. Why don't I agree to it?" Alright, go ahead. I just need to find Qin Ni! "

"I will come back as soon as Mu Yi can get out of bed, and I thank my master for his kindness!"

Qin Ni looked at Qiong Ying who was walking away in a hurry. She smiled as she replaced the pot of water in front of Yun Duan. It was a little cold.

"A little girl is a little girl, but a person she likes is actually so considerate. When she left, she looked like she was laughing and crying. I don't even know if she's happy or sad!"

Yun Duan picked up the book again and turned the page. With a smile on her lips, she said, "It doesn't matter if she is happy or sad. Mu Yi was chosen by herself. We can only do her blessings!"

Qin Ni smiled and nodded. Fortunately, the palace guards and maids were together, and this rule made everyone a little bit more satisfied.

"Someone you can like?" Yun Duan stared at the book and asked casually.

Qin Ni was stunned, then suddenly laughed: "Master, what are you talking about? I'm already an old man, even if there's someone I like, it would already be in the past!"

Yun Duan blinked and took the book open to look at Qin Ni. Smiling, she asked, "I can't tell that you're old. If you like her, then you like her. How can there be a difference between now and the past?"

"…"

Qin Ni's gaze looked out from the open door of the hall. A new plant had grown in the yard, and the overflowing life of the plant was very lively even in this late winter.

Her black eyes flickered as if she had thought of something. After a long while, she turned her gaze towards Yun Duan, who was quietly reading a book.

"Master, Qin Ni can be considered to have been blessed to have met you in her previous life, and she doesn't have any other extravagant hopes in this life. She only hopes to be with Master for a long time!"

Yun Duan was slightly stunned and slightly surprised. Qin Ni's age allowed her to leave the palace, and she could even find a person she liked to marry. Two people with a plain, light, happy, and happy life; how great that was something she couldn't ask for.

It was just that she did not expect Ye Ci to have this kind of thought, which was quite unexpected.

However, he still wanted to persuade her again.