When Bai Zihe returned to the hotel, his fifth senior sister, Yue Rushuang, had already been waiting for a long time. However, Yue Rushuang’s expression was grave, her brows tightly furrowed, and she seemed distracted, not even noticing Bai Zihe’s return. Xue’er, standing beside her, was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. Liu Qianxun, usually the most active, also understood the seriousness of the situation and, for once, remained silent.
“Fifth Senior Sister, what exactly is going on?” Bai Zihe’s voice startled Yue Rushuang. She looked up, her peerless beauty unable to hide the worry on her brow. “Junior Brother, this situation is extremely bad.”
Bai Zihe’s heart sank. His second senior sister, Ji Xueyun, was the female war god of the Eastern War Zone. Even she found the situation dire… this meant it was incredibly urgent.
“Second Senior Sister, under everyone’s watchful eyes, crippled Zhao Qingtian, the Governor of Jiangdong Military Region. This news reached the ears of Li Qiankun, the Domain Lord of the Eastern War Zone.”
“Li Qiankun is autocratic and brooks no argument. Upon hearing this, he was furious.”
“He personally led the elite soldiers and formidable generals of the Eastern War Zone to apprehend you, galloping through the night. Not long after, they arrived in the Jiangdong region!”
Hearing this, Bai Zihe recalled his second senior sister’s sudden departure and instantly understood. As expected, Yue Rushuang’s next words confirmed his suspicion.
“Second Senior Sister was worried about your safety, so she decided to take the blame herself.”
“The moment she returned, she fell into Li Qiankun’s hands.”
“She took all the blame upon herself. Li Qiankun was naturally enraged and decided to sentence her to death!”
“Tonight at midnight, the Jiangdong provincial military will execute Second Senior Sister at Sanjiang Estuary!”
As Yue Rushuang finished speaking, an overbearing and unparalleled killing intent swept through the entire area. Crackle! All the glass in the Xiujiangnan Hotel shattered at that moment. The powerful aura surged outwards, causing everyone’s expression to change drastically, their hearts filled with trepidation and fear. The vast hotel felt like a leaf in a storm, on the verge of being torn apart and collapsing at any moment. Even Yue Rushuang and Xue’er, who were closest, struggled to breathe under the pressure.
Bai Zihe’s gaze turned icy, his killing intent sharp. “Xue’er, call Zhan Tianlong now.”
“Tell him to mobilize all forces within Jiangdong Province and rush to Sanjiang Estuary at the fastest speed, overnight, to rescue Second Senior Sister!”
“Anyone who dares to obstruct…”
“Be it man or ghost, deity or Buddha…”
“Show no mercy!”
Bai Zihe was truly enraged. His second senior sister had traveled thousands of miles to save him, only to be unjustly executed by the Eastern War Zone… Then let’s fight! Even if the sky turns upside down! Even if the seas are overturned! He would ensure Second Senior Sister’s safety!
“No!” Yue Rushuang immediately became anxious and tried to dissuade him. “Junior Brother, the Eastern War Zone has many talented individuals. The person in charge of executing Second Senior Sister this time, Long Qinchuan, is an expert close to the Grandmaster level.”
“I cannot let you take this risk.”
“The rescue of Second Senior Sister will be handled by me.”
“You will provide support from the side…”
Beep, beep! Before she could finish speaking, Bai Zihe pressed her acupoints, sealing her inner energy.
“Fifth Senior Sister, please forgive me!” Bai Zihe apologized with a contrite expression, then left the hotel.
Yue Rushuang had never imagined Bai Zihe would suddenly attack her. Caught off guard by the acupoint sealing, she was completely immobilized. With Bai Zihe already gone, she was desperate to break free from the acupoints. However, no matter how hard she tried, it was in vain. She could only look at Xue’er and say, “Xue’er, quickly unseal my acupoints! I cannot let Junior Brother take this risk!”
Xue’er smiled wryly. “Your Excellency, this time…”
“I believe in the Young Master!” This refusal was clear.
Midnight. The lonely moon hung high, shrouded by countless dark clouds, casting a pale and chilling light. The execution ground at Sanjiang Estuary. The biting wind scraped against one’s face like ice. The place was filled with a grim and肅杀 (sùshā - grim and murderous) atmosphere. Heavy troops were already in position, with soldiers everywhere, in plain sight and in hiding. One soldier every five paces, a sentry every ten paces. The security was extremely tight! The scene was eerily silent. Insects, snakes, birds, and beasts had all gone into hiding, daring not to make a sound. Even the air seemed to have solidified; no one could remain calm and unfazed in such a oppressive environment. Because, today, a person was to be executed here. Ji Xueyun, the sole female marshal of the Eastern War Zone, and the former national goddess!
Rustle. Footsteps approached from a distance. A group of fully armed soldiers, escorting Ji Xueyun, slowly entered the execution ground. Although Ji Xueyun’s elegance had not diminished, the heavy shackles on her hands and feet, and her disheveled hair, indicated that she was no longer the formidable figure she once was. Ji Xueyun now… was merely a prisoner deemed a “rebel” by Li Qiankun! About to be beheaded!
A moment later, Ji Xueyun was escorted to the execution platform. Long Qinchuan sat in the chief seat, looking at Ji Xueyun below, who was bound by layers of shackles yet remained proud and aloof. He sighed.
“Ji Xueyun, you are the sole female marshal of the Eastern War Zone… You have repeatedly achieved merits for Great Xia and for the people.”
“Why do you protect an unknown young man?”
Ji Xueyun laughed proudly. “Long Qinchuan, perhaps the unknown person you speak of today will soar like a dragon and roam the heavens in the future?”
Long Qinchuan’s voice was cold. “There are not so many dragons in this world.”
Ji Xueyun scoffed, knowing that further words were useless, and remained silent. The scene fell into dead silence. After a long pause, Long Qinchuan spoke slowly.
“Ji Xueyun, you are young, yet you possess such strength and status. It is truly rare.”
“I cannot bear to kill you. I will give you a chance to live.”
Hearing this, Ji Xueyun raised her head. Her face, in the moonlight, was cold and peerless, so beautiful it was breathtaking. However, the corner of her mouth bore a faint sneer.
“Do you want me to reveal the whereabouts of Junior Brother?”
Long Qinchuan said indifferently, “You are a smart person. You should do what smart people do.”
“Hahahaha—” Ji Xueyun burst into hearty laughter, her laughter filled with disdain.
“Yes.”
“If I reveal Junior Brother’s whereabouts, you will spare my life.”
“But…” Ji Xueyun’s expression was resolute, and her words were ironclad. “If Junior Brother dies, what meaning is there for me to live?”
“You…”
“Give up on that idea!”
With that, Ji Xueyun slowly closed her eyes. She knew that once she said those words, there was no turning back. What awaited her would be ruthless and cruel punishment. But she, Ji Xueyun… regretted nothing in this life! The scene plunged into silence once more. Long Qinchuan said nothing further, but picked up a specially made firearm. Click. The bullet was chambered, the bolt pulled back. All he needed to do was pull the trigger, and the generation’s female war god, Ji Xueyun… would perish. Goodbye, my Junior Brother. Hearing the sound, Ji Xueyun raised her head proudly. A flicker of reluctance crossed her face, finally transforming into a look of utter pride. Her life… was legendary, and she was proud. To die, she would do so with elegance!
The next moment. Long Qinchuan’s index finger rested on the trigger. Whoosh!!! However, at this moment, a piercing sound echoed across the entire area. A golden light, like the brightest star in the dark night, broke through the distance of time and space, suddenly appearing in the night sky.