If I make it back alive, please ask him to be merciful and let me go…
Fan Men’s eyes flashed and he went on high alert. “President Jun, what are you planning to do?”
Instead of answering his question, Jun Xiqing reached out and pushed Ping Ping toward Fan Men. “You two leave first. Steward Fan, bring my Ping Ping along with you. I want you to promise that you will keep her safe.”
Ping Ping nearly fell over from that push. Fan Men quickly reached out and held her steady. As Ping Ping was a delicate girl and she blushed furiously as her soft body fell into Fan Men’s strong arms.
Fan Men was also stunned and he quickly released Ping Ping. When she recovered her balance, Ping Ping looked at Jun Xiqing and said nervously, “Your Highness, I am not leaving. I will go wherever you go. Don’t abandon me!”
Jun Xiqing’s flawless face glowed like a piece of smooth porcelain and she only said crisply, “Steward Fan, this is the Holy Lady Clan’s territory and we are surrounded by the Chief’s men. If anything bad happens, we will all die here. I will go and distract the Chief while you escape with Ping Ping. If Lu Yeming is quick enough, he will be able to meet up with you.”
“President Jun, you probably don’t know this Chief well. He is called Yuan Ming and is the Holy Lady Clan’s most exceptional High Priest. He was on par with His Majesty Murong Jiancheng then, and thereafter assumed the role of Chief for the last 30 years. His methods are notoriously vicious. How do you plan to distract him and how do you plan to escape after?” Fan Men very much disapproved of her plan.
Jun Xiqing gave a slow smile as she glanced down at the red poppy in her hands. “I have this, and this is enough.”
What did she mean?
Fan Men didn’t understand.
At this moment, the sounds of approaching footsteps could be heard and Jun Xiqing’s gaze turned harsh. The black cloak she was wearing made her porcelain face look even more radiant. “Steward Fan, you are Lu Yeming’s most trusted aide, and yet you are still behaving in such a wishy-washy manner at a critical time like this?”
“President Jun!”
“Your Highness!”
Jun Xiqing wrung her sleeves, her eyes were filled with impatience. “Leave now. Don’t hold me back!”
With that, she added scornfully. “Lu Yeming, that fool. He left me with such an imbecile for a teammate. He will be the death of me!”
“…”
Having been rebuked so harshly, Fan Men started to leave, dragging Ping Ping along with him.
But Ping Ping refused to budge. “Your Highness, I am staying with you. Please don’t chase me away!”
Fan Men frowned. “Ms Ping Ping, my apologies.”
Fan Men lifted Ping Ping over his shoulders and carried her off with him.
…
A subordinate reported to Yuan Ming. “Chief, something bad happened. Fan Men and his gang have escaped.”
Yuan Ming’s sharp eyes turned malevolent. He had known all along that Lu Yeming was a fake.
He had met the great West Duke, Lu Yeming, eight years ago. Lu Yeming possessed an exceptionally powerful and grand aura, his energy was entirely unique and second to none.
This imposter was incomparable.
“Gather all the men and give pursuit!” Yuan Ming commanded.
“Yes.”
Yuan Ming climbed onto a horse and led a team of riders to give chase.
As Fan Men glanced back at Yuan Ming and his men, he saw they were gradually catching up to them. He was already mentally prepared to do battle.
It would be a fierce massacre. No one could predict how much blood would be shed.
This was politics. This was the fight for power.
How much fresh blood had to be shed in order to pave this road?
The sky was slowly darkening. It would be night soon. A huge battle was imminent.
The air was very tense as everyone had their hands ready on their guns. No one even dared to breathe out loud.
Yuan Ming came nearer and nearer on his horse…
A melodious voice suddenly rang out. “Yuan Ming.”
Yuan Ming immediately halted his horse. Everyone on both sides turned in unison toward the source of the voice.
They saw an alluring figure dressed in red on horseback. Her jet-black hair flowed freely down, a red poppy flower pinned at the top.
Fan Men’s eyes widened. All sorts of emotions flashed through his eyes, before settling on… admiration.
In his entire life, he only admired one man, Lu Yeming.
And now, he also admired a woman, Jun Xiqing.
Yuan Ming turned to look at that person. His dark, harsh eyes blazed like two roaring fires.
“Yuewu.” His voice was a low murmur.
Bei Yuewu looked at Yuan Ming and said in a lilting and coquettish voice, “Yuan Ming, I already told you that I don’t like you.”
With that, she tugged at the reins with her fair hands and galloped away. Her red gauze dress swirled in the air. It was a mesmerizing sight.
“Yuewu!”
Yuan Ming hollered out loud and quickly tugged at his horse to chase after her. Upon seeing their Chief give pursuit in another direction, those men quickly turned and followed.
The danger that Fan Men faced was instantly eliminated.
…
Yuan Ming galloped over the grasslands, in close pursuit of that red figure. His team had been left far behind.
“Yuewu!”
He finally caught up.
Bei Yuewu turned and gave a light smile.
Yuan Ming’s heart gave a violent thud.
Bei Yuewu waved her hand over her own face and that enchanting face faded away to reveal delicate little features. It was Jun Xiqing.
Yuan Ming knew then he had been duped. “Face-Changing Magic? President Jun, you are truly the daughter of the Jun Family. Talented and peerless.”
Jun Xiqing smiled. “Thank you for your compliment, Chief.”
Yuan Ming snorted. “President Jun, you have lured me and my army away all on your own. Aren’t you worried that you won’t be able to escape?”
Under the glowing moon and cool breeze, Jun Xiqing’s red figure on horseback looked like a wondrous, shimmering fairy.
She plucked the red poppy flower from her hair and tossed it over to Yuan Ming.
Yuan Ming caught it in his palm.
Jun Xiqing’s mellifluous voice rang out. “Chief, loving someone is like grasping sand in one’s palm. The tighter you try to hold it, the faster the sand trickles out. Why don’t you try letting go? Let go of her, and at the same time, let go of yourself.”
As Yuan Ming looked at the red poppy flower in his hand, his eyes were full of conflicting emotions, but then he smiled sarcastically. “So has President Jun let go of President Lu?”
Jun Xiqing looked at Yuan Ming and winked impishly. “I have never schemed to keep him in the palm of my hand. One should never be petty and low when loving someone. Although I love him, it is none of his business.”
Yuan Ming was stunned and for a few moments, struggled to regain his composure.
He shut his eyes. “The daughter of the Jun Family is so charming and gracious. I don’t believe President Lu has no feelings for you. I will capture you back now and hold you hostage over him.”
Yuan Ming flung a thin metal chain outward. At the other end of it was a steel claw which glinted coldly in the light. It pierced Jun Xiqing’s shoulder.
Fresh blood seeped out, staining her dress red and turning her face a pale white.
Yuan Ming was stunned. His claw had been dipped in venom, and most people would have been immediately poisoned on contact and would have been suffering the effects. But Jun Xiqing wasn’t.
How?
He stared at Jun Xiqing in shock. “You… you are…”
