96. Reunion at Wangshan
Seeing that she still couldn't hide it from Yun Ling, Rita had no choice but to confess everything.
A few days ago, Kongming suddenly disappeared from the palace, only leaving behind a letter saying that she had to do something very important.
Although Rita sent many people out to search, they found nothing.
"I'll go find her."
"No, what can you do with this crippled body? The reason I didn't tell you is because I was worried you'd go out and risk your life with this body!" Rita decisively rejected Yun Ling's request.
"Rita!" Yun Ling's eyes were filled with anger.
"Yun Ling!!!"
Rita hysterically called out Yun Ling's name.
Yun Ling had never seen Rita like this before, nor had he ever seen her cry.
At this moment, Rita was not the prime minister of the Ming Empire, but just a woman worried about her beloved husband.
"At least...can you at least live for yourself just this once...?" Rita's voice was full of pleading.
Yun Ling looked at the person in front of him, who had been with him for decades; their relationship was no longer like a simple transaction.
He gently pulled Rita into his arms, feeling the touch of her hair against his chin.
Rita's body trembled slightly; she was afraid, constantly afraid of Yun Ling's departure.
"...Thank you, Rita." Yun Ling gently patted Rita's back to comfort her.
Rita knew that this man would definitely go and bring Kongming back; she couldn't persuade him to come back, not in the past, and not now.
She bit her lip, trying hard not to cry out loud.
Her hands gripped Yun Ling's shoulders tightly, her knuckles turning slightly white.
"Let's go, Ahua."
Yun Ling changed his clothes and walked outside.
Although Kongming had been away from the palace for a long time, the traces she left behind could still be used to roughly determine her location.
But on their journey, a recent heavy rain washed away all traces of her presence, and Yun Ling had no idea where to look for her.
"Ahua, do you have any clues?" Yun Ling asked Ahua.
In recent years, due to health reasons, he has rarely been involved in national affairs.
"A few years ago, the matter of the divine pill caused a great uproar in the martial arts world. The Ming Empire was in turmoil, and there were also enemies eyeing it from the outside. Fortunately, General Durandal and Lingshuang were able to clean up the demons, which stopped the turmoil."
"Based on our route, the most likely place where Kongming is right now should be on Wangshan Mountain. Not long ago, Yan Shiluo's son, Yan Shiming, declared war on all the Taixu Sword Sect members and even the entire martial arts world on Wangshan Mountain, claiming that he would destroy the entire Shenzhou," Ahua guessed.
"Yan Shilu has offspring?" Yun Ling was somewhat surprised.
And he's just as arrogant as his father.
"Yes. Xiao Kongming can observe celestial phenomena. Perhaps she sensed that this incident was not as simple as she imagined, which is why she quietly left the palace to try and resolve this crisis alone." Ahua nodded.
"That idiot..." Yun Ling's words were tinged with worry as she led Ahua toward Wangshan Mountain.
...
After decades, martial arts practitioners gathered once again at Wangshan Mountain.
However, this time the momentum is not as great as last time. This is because the "Divine Pill" incident has caused the entire martial arts world to decline and decay, and many traditions have been lost.
"Who should preside over this 'Demon Subduing Assembly'?" someone suddenly asked.
"Of course, it should be presided over by the number one person in the world today—Mr. Yun Ling!" Someone recommended Yun Ling without hesitation.
"But Mr. Yun Ling has not shown his face for a year. Rumor has it that he is seriously ill and may be nearing the end of his life."
"Then how about letting Fairy Lingshuang, the second best in the world, preside over this?"
"Do you think she'll even acknowledge us?"
"I recommend Miss Sushang. Although she is still young, her strength ranks third in the world. She can take charge."
"Although Miss Sushang is very strong, she lacks experience and may not be up to the task..."
Everyone discussed which person should be chosen as the leader for this event.
"How about I take charge?"
A girl, carrying a feather fan and dressed in a green robe, approached the crowd with a leisurely air.
"Who is this little girl?"
"I don't know, I've never seen her before."
"I seem to remember her... Wait, she's the new emperor of the Ming Empire—Empress Kongming! Although she hasn't officially ascended the throne yet, she's already the new emperor appointed by the late emperor!"
Someone recognized Kongming's identity.
"A new emperor? Why would Her Majesty the Empress personally come to Wangshan Mountain to exorcise the demon? And it seems she has no guards with her. Could she be an imposter?" someone wondered.
"There's no mistake, I once saw Her Majesty Kongming by chance, it's definitely her."
Kongming cleared her throat.
"Ahem, I am the current Empress of the Ming Empire—Zhuge Kongming. This 'Demon Subduing Assembly' is of great importance, and I hope everyone will give me some face and follow my orders. After it is accomplished, I will reward you with official titles and ranks, and you will be generously grateful."
"Hey? Xiao Kongming, it's really you! What are you doing out here? Have you finished dealing with palace affairs?" a voice suddenly rang out.
Turning around, Kongming realized that the person who had called her was Li Sushang.
"Miss Sushang, it's been a long time. Your aura seems to have become even more refined." Kongming greeted Sushang.
With Li Sushang as guarantor, Kongming's identity was naturally confirmed, and the person in charge naturally fell to Kongming.
"Xiao Kongming, why did you come to participate in this 'Demon Subduing Assembly' in person?" Li Sushang couldn't help but ask.
"Miss Sushang, are you the only one who came this time?" Kongming asked back.
"It seems my master will be coming too, and Aunt Chaoyu will be coming as well," Li Sushang replied.
"Phew...three people? Hopefully, we can hold them off," Kongming murmured.
"Is something big about to happen?" Li Sushang asked, somewhat puzzled.
She was already quite surprised by Cheng Lingshuang and Lin Chaoyu's decision to come this time.
"Hmm! I used astrology to divine this event, and it is predicted that three great demonic beasts will be born today! Each of these beasts is an ancient and powerful creature that will bring devastation to all living beings."
"The first is the Extreme Yin Beast—Yama!"
"The second is the Extreme Yang Beast—Huodou!"
"The third is the Chaos Beast—Formless!"
"If these three beasts are allowed to leave Wangshan Mountain, they may bring disaster to the entire land!"
"This... why didn't Uncle-Master Yun Ling come?" Li Sushang looked around.
At this point, Kongming blushed.
"I ran away secretly without my father's knowledge."
"Moreover, his body no longer allows him to fight." A touch of sadness appeared in Kongming's eyes.
"However, I have already set up an array at the foot of the mountain, but it will take a long time to activate, so I beg you, please do your best to hold them off." Kongming looked earnestly at Li Sushang.
"Don't worry, leave it to me, I'm very strong!" Li Sushang said confidently.
In three years, she had comprehended the Divine Essence under immense pressure and even had the strength to fight against her master, Cheng Lingshuang.
"Uncle-Master Yun Ling really should retire. I wonder how much longer he can hold on." Li Sushang's words were full of concern.
Yun Ling kept Ruoshui by her side, saving her from danger on many occasions. She didn't know how to repay this kindness.
...