Chapter 482 461: Little Yueqiu's Resolve (Part 2)

"Y-Young Master Pei!"

Su Ziheng's voice shot up before he forcefully suppressed it into a whisper. "How did you—suddenly appear behind me!"

He clutched his wildly pounding chest and took half a step back. The sole of his boot crushed a few dry leaves, making a harsh crunching sound in the silence.

Pei Yuhang didn't bother explaining. He slowly raised his hand, and the scabbard in his sleeve let out a soft CLICK. "My patience is limited. If you have something to say, say it quickly!"

"Also, did you deliver the message I had you bring to the Emperor of Zhao?"

Hearing this, Su Ziheng's expression stiffened. He then said carefully,

"Young Master Pei, I reported your words to the Prime Minister first."

He paused, a thin layer of sweat beading on his forehead. He scanned the surrounding darkness, as if worried the walls had ears.

After confirming there was no one around, he lowered his voice, his expression growing more tense as he spoke.

"When the Prime Minister learned of your message, he was horrified. He told me to keep the matter quiet and not to alert His Majesty for the time being."

"And my reason for seeking you out this time is also on the Prime Minister's orders... His Majesty knows nothing about it."

Su Ziheng added cautiously.

Pei Yuhang narrowed his eyes. 'Is this so-called Prime Minister of theirs going behind the Emperor of Zhao's back to get my help?'

"What does your Prime Minister want?"

Pei Yuhang couldn't help but ask.

Su Ziheng's expression immediately grew solemn. He swallowed hard and said, almost in disbelief, "Our Prime Minister suspects... that His Majesty is currently being controlled by some foul entity.

He sent me today to ask you, Young Master Pei, what exactly that woman you mentioned in your message to His Majesty is."

"If there really is a Demoness controlling His Majesty, and you, Young Master Pei, have a grudge against her... then our Prime Minister wishes to meet you in person."

Pei Yuhang took a deep breath. This was an unexpected boon.

'Ji Shenyun's control over this Sea of Consciousness isn't as absolute as I thought. Not everyone in this world's imperial court is under her command!'

'If that's the case...'

A cold glint flickered in Pei Yuhang's eyes.

'Since he didn't want to force Little Yueqiu to accept becoming "Qing Yueqiu," his only other option was to strike first. He would team up with the natives of this world and eliminate that Ji Shenyun!'

'Once she's dealt with, the Sea of Consciousness will return to Qing Yueqiu's control, and my disciple will awaken all the same!'

「The next day.」

Morning light spilled through the gauze window. Little Yueqiu's long eyelashes fluttered, and her eyes gently opened like a butterfly's wings.

Her limpid, crimson eyes were still clouded with sleep, but they cleared instantly the moment she noticed the empty space on the pillow beside her.

She sat up, the silk quilt slipping from her shoulders to reveal the thin, white undergarment beneath.

Little Yueqiu traced the cool satin of the pillowcase with her fingertips. Someone else's warmth should have lingered here.

But now, that familiar figure was nowhere to be seen, and a flicker of loneliness crossed Little Yueqiu's beautiful eyes.

All the past joys had become illusions. She had thought being rescued by Pei Yuhang in her time of crisis was a bond of fate.

She never expected it was all just an act.

Pei Yuhang had probably targeted her, waiting to rescue her and take her as a disciple, all so that his true disciple, Qing Yueqiu, could awaken within her body...

'And this world... is it just an illusory dream, too?'

Little Yueqiu gazed at the scenery outside the window, her expression dazed. Nothing about it looked fake. The thin, unmelted snow and the sparrows on the branches were so real.

Just like the joys and sorrows of her life growing up in Prince Ning's Mansion—how could they be fake?

"My memories, my family... are they all fake?"

A lump formed in Little Yueqiu's throat. The mirror reflected her suddenly contorted face—a towering hatred churned in her crimson eyes, only to fall back into dead silence the next moment, like a frozen lake.

Finally, a flash of determination appeared in her eyes.

Fake or not, after a night of contemplation, she had already decided her next steps.

Whether Pei Yuhang chose her or not, she first had to kill the Emperor of Zhao who had destroyed her family!

Even if this was a fake Illusion Realm, she would still make the Emperor of Zhao die!!

Little Yueqiu took a deep breath, cupped some cold water, and began to wash up. She lifted her head, and the girl in the Copper Mirror had a cold expression, her lips pressed into a tight line as if coated in a thin layer of frost.

Little Yueqiu raised her hands to tie up her loose silver hair. Her fingertips applied a little extra force, as if bundling up all her weak emotions along with it, determined not to show another trace of them.

'What's wrong... is this world. From now on, my heart will be completely frozen.'

The silver-haired girl thought with a hint of teenage angst. The coldness in her eyes had already solidified as she pushed open the door, but in the next instant—

She saw Pei Yuhang standing before the steps, his white robes fluttering in the morning breeze. He held a travel pack in his hand, looking as if he were about to depart on a long journey.

Her fingertips suddenly trembled, and her hand gripping the doorframe turned pale.

The wall she had built around her heart cracked at that moment. Her breath hitched, and that angsty teenage resolve to freeze her heart and blame the world instantly melted away.

Pei Yuhang noticed her gaze and looked at her gently. "Yueqiu, I've made breakfast. Go on and eat."

He turned slightly, gesturing toward the food on the table inside. Steam was rising from it, standing out clearly in the chilly morning light.

His voice was as gentle as ever, as if yesterday's confrontation had never happened.

But Little Yueqiu didn't look at the breakfast. Her throat bobbed as her lips parted and closed again. She seemed to have much to say, but in the end, only managed to squeeze out a single, quiet question:

"Master, are you leaving?"

There was a barely perceptible tremor in Little Yueqiu's voice.

Those crimson eyes, once so stubborn and cold, now looked up at him like those of an abandoned cub—wet, wronged, yet not daring to question him.

"Is it because of what happened yesterday? Are you angry, Master... and you don't want to see me anymore?"

Pei Yuhang's heart softened. Seeing her looking as pitiful as an abandoned kitten, how could he bear to let her overthink things?

He reached out and gently ruffled the top of her head, chuckling helplessly. "What are you thinking, Yueqiu? I just have some business to take care of."

The pads of his fingers were warm, and his touch was gentle. It made Little Yueqiu's nose tingle, and she almost failed to maintain her cold expression.

She turned her face away and mumbled, "...How many days?"

"I'm not sure exactly, but it should be quick. I'll only be gone for a few days."

He pulled his hand back, his tone serious. "I've prepared rice, flour, and everything. Just wait for me at home, alright?"

Little Yueqiu was silent for a moment, then she tugged on the corner of Pei Yuhang's robe. "Can you take me with you?"

Pei Yuhang shook his head.

"I'm very strong now. That man who called himself the World's First Sword wouldn't be my match anymore."

Seeing that Pei Yuhang didn't seem to acknowledge her strength and still thought she'd be a burden, Little Yueqiu puffed out her cheeks in a pout.

"That was a direct confrontation. A real life-or-death battle isn't that simple."

"Group attacks, sneak attacks, poison, hidden weapons... Yueqiu, you don't have any combat experience. You really can't come with me."

Pei Yuhang stroked the top of Little Yueqiu's head and said softly, "Be good. Wait for me at home, okay?"

Little Yueqiu didn't answer. Pei Yuhang sighed softly, then bent down and gave her a hug.

"Yueqiu, when I get back, I'll solve the problem with you... I promise you'll be satisfied with the outcome. For now, stop obsessing over whether you and Qing Yueqiu are the same flower.

No matter what, you are the one and only great disciple of me, Pei Yuhang."

After saying this, Pei Yuhang straightened up, picked up his travel pack, and slowly pushed open the door.

Little Yueqiu watched Pei Yuhang disappear from sight. She clenched her small fists, took a deep breath, and returned to her room. From under the bed, she pulled out a sword covered in dust.

"Master... must be going to deal with the mastermind behind all this."

"Since he's going to get revenge, then I'll get my revenge too! Otherwise, if this world disappears before I can kill the Emperor of Zhao, won't I regret it for the rest of my life!"