Overdraw the future and become a peerless martial god

Chapter 90 Returning home
Prince Duan leaned slightly against the gilded armrest, his eyes narrowed, a hint of mockery in them:

"Oh? So it seems I misunderstood you?"

Xie Mingli remained expressionless, but a surge of anger welled up in her eyes. She spoke slowly, her voice as cold as frost:

"The Wuhou family has served the people for generations; their loyalty is beyond question—"

Before he could finish speaking, a sword rang out.

Her sword sheath suddenly struck the ground, the glass lamps trembled violently, and the light and shadow at the corner of the palace cracked.

A streak of cold light flashed through the air, slashing diagonally and lightly brushing against the hem of Prince Duan's python robe.

"boom!"

One corner of the jade table snapped in two.

"If there is any disloyalty, then this case shall be dealt with."

Xie Mingli slowly sheathed her sword, and dust fell from the beam, settling on her shoulders.

In that instant, she seemed to see it again—paper money falling in front of her mother's coffin, and the ground covered in sorrowful snow.

Chu Ning stood to one side, his expression unwavering, simply gazing at her with profound eyes.

Prince Duan glanced at him, but his smile deepened:

"You're becoming more and more like...your father."

He tapped on the jade table, his voice indifferent:
"Although the Wang family is gone, its power, businesses, secret agents... all belong to me."

His voice was like cold iron falling to the ground, carrying the unique pressure and controlling nature of royalty, sending chills down one's spine.

Xie Mingli slowly lowered her head, her voice low but still clear:

"The Marquis of Wu's residence... complies with orders."

Her eyes were filled with frost and snow, but her heart was pounding like thunder. Yet she could not move, she could not make a mistake.

A cryptic smile flickered in Prince Duan's eyes as he slowly opened his palm, as if he held the fate of the entire Marquis Wu's mansion in the palm of his hand.

He rose, his python robe trailing on the ground, the hem of his garments swaying slightly like waves, his every move exuding noble majesty.

He raised his hand to straighten his cuffs, his movements calm yet imposing, as if erasing the tense atmosphere that had just made everyone breathless, and returning him to the old fox who was used to manipulating the court with a smile.

"In that case, the misunderstanding is cleared up."

His voice was gentle and warm, with a hint of benevolent tolerance: "You may bring Xie Jinghong back."

These few words, however brief, were like the resounding sound of a great bell, instantly shattering the long-standing oppression in everyone's hearts.

Xie Mingli's pupils trembled slightly, and a glint of light suddenly appeared in her eyes.

Her tense back finally relaxed, her lips trembled slightly, and she could hardly believe that the "release" had come so smoothly.

She turned her head to look at Feng Jin, and their eyes met. In each other's eyes, she saw a long-lost sense of relief and exhaustion.

Finally, Xie Jinghong is coming back.

Feng Jin slowly loosened his grip on the sword, his palm already drenched in cold sweat. He murmured softly, "Thank God... at least he has a glimmer of hope."

Just as everyone was beginning to feel relieved, Chu Ning didn't move an inch, but instead took a step forward.

His robes fluttered slightly, his gaze was calm as water, yet it carried a sharp, intimidating edge as he looked directly at Prince Duan on the high seat.

"Your Majesty."

His tone was low, but every word was as clear and unmistakable as metal striking stone: "The fact that Young Master Xie Jinghong was turned into a blood puppet by the Wang family is not just hearsay, but something I witnessed firsthand. If this is true, it has far-reaching implications and endless consequences. I implore Your Highness to investigate as soon as possible so that Young Master Xie can regain his consciousness."

After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent for a moment.

It was as still as stagnant water, yet undercurrents were surging.

Several guards exchanged glances, seemingly waiting for Prince Duan's reaction, while Xie Mingli's expression also tightened, her long-lost relaxation returning to its previous tension.

Prince Duan narrowed his eyes, gave Chu Ning a half-smile, and tapped the jade table with his fingertips, making a rhythmic sound.

After a long silence, he finally spoke:
"As for the Wang family's practice of using living people to create puppets... there is still no conclusion."

His voice was neither hurried nor slow, yet it carried an undeniable air of authority.

"Rumors should not be taken at face value, and the evidence is not yet conclusive. I will order my secret agents to thoroughly investigate this matter, and once the truth comes to light, I will report to His Majesty. If what you say is true, that the Wang family used living people to create puppets and has committed countless acts of bloodshed, then none of those remnants will be able to escape the laws of the Great Qian Dynasty."

At this point, he paused slightly, as if changing the subject: "As for Xie Jinghong, if there is a way to restore his consciousness... that would be ideal."

His words appeared to be moderate and even, but in fact they were watertight, neither admitting to the blood puppet theory nor refusing to investigate.

Chu Ning remained silent, his gaze slightly lowered, as if trying to determine whether this powerful prince was holding back or leaving room for maneuver.

Xie Mingli frowned slightly, her fists slowly clenching.

"If Your Highness can truly investigate the matter of the Blood Puppet and save Jinghong's soul, I, Xie Mingli, will be eternally grateful," she said in a deep voice.

Upon hearing this, Prince Duan smiled slightly and stood with his hands behind his back.

"You're too kind. Jinghong is a pillar of the court, so naturally we must protect her."

Then, he glanced at everyone, seemingly casually, yet with an unfathomable meaning.

"That's enough for today. You may all leave."

Before he finished speaking, a palace attendant stepped forward to clear a path and signaled for everyone to leave.

After Xie Mingli bowed, she and Feng Jin followed Chu Ning out of the Golden Palace.

Beneath the long corridor, the wind rose like a knife, whistling through the carved railings and painted beams, lifting Xie Mingli's clothes.

She looked down at her shadow on the ground, her eyes no longer filled with the anger and coldness of before, but only with deep weariness and contemplation.

Chu Ning walked at the back, glancing out of the corner of his eye in the direction of the Golden Palace, and whispered:

"You believe him?" Xie Mingli did not answer immediately.

After a long silence, she said softly:
"I don't believe it. But now, we have no other choice."

Chu Ning nodded slightly.

"Then we'll wait and see...how far he can go in his acting."

……

Night fell, the twilight as dark as ink, pressing heavily upon the Wuhou Mansion like a thick curtain, separating heaven and earth into two realms of profound silence.

Before the carriage carrying the four had even come to a complete stop, the gates of the Marquis of Wu's mansion were already brightly lit, with rows of tall lanterns and torches illuminating the entire stone path leading into the mansion, as if clearing the night road in advance for the return of a certain king.

The vermilion gate stood tall, its crimson gold door studs gleaming coldly in the night. Two rows of black-armored guards stood motionless before the gate, as still as statues.

Long spears stood in rows, their cold light like threads. The armor was carved with lifelike Bixie patterns, which seemed to leap out and devour people in the dim light.

Steward Qin Henian led the men to carefully carry Xie Jinghong into the Qinghua Courtyard inside the Wuhou Mansion.

A gust of wind rose along the way, and the fallen leaves rustled, as if the world itself was silent for him.

Feng Jin followed closely behind the stretcher, never leaving its side, her steps hurried yet steady as if deliberately concealing her panic.

Xie Jinghong's face was pale, her lips were bluish, and the large bloodstains on her chest had turned black.

His usually proud and aloof face now lay quietly on the soft pillow, lifeless, like a shattered statue.

Feng Jin knelt before the bed, her hands trembling as she reached out to him, but stopped herself just before touching him, as if afraid that the slightest force would prevent her from calling him back. He gritted his teeth and whispered:
"Jinghong...please open your eyes and look at me, okay?"

Xie Jinghong did not respond; only her chest rose and fell slightly.

Chu Ning followed Xie Mingli into the mansion, his steps as steady as ever, yet the thunderous aura behind him lingered, faintly echoing in the night like a surging tide.

That was the lingering fighting spirit and killing intent after 121 consecutive victories at Qingyun Arena, fierce and cold, like a sharp blade ready to strike at any moment.

Chu Ning stepped onto the bluestone steps, feeling the coolness of the sunken starstone beneath his feet. Starlight swirled between the steps, like fireflies in the dark night, but it couldn't compare to the chilling glint of lightning in his eyes.

The next instant, a thunderous roar resounded throughout the long street:
"Welcome back to the residence, Lord Lei Ji Dao!"

"Welcome back to the manor, Miss!"

The sounds were like a surging tide, solemn as a morning court.

Before the gate stood a line of black-armored guards, dozens of the Marquis of Wu's personal guards kneeling on one knee, heads bowed, palms on the ground, in perfect unison, not daring to slacken in the slightest.

At that moment, the wind stopped and the sound ceased.

Chu Ning stepped in, the lightning still lingering, the long sword at his waist trembling slightly, as if still harboring unfulfilled killing intent.

As he walked through the guards, not one dared to look him in the eye.

His steps were unhurried, yet each step seemed to resonate deeply within everyone's hearts, steady as a mountain, breathtaking and awe-inspiring.

Xie Mingli, dressed in black, walked beside him, her eyes shimmering with undisguised joy and respect.

She had seen him when he first entered the Marquis of Wu's mansion; at that time, he was just a young man who had escorted her there.

Now, he alone with his sword, is famous throughout Qingzhou.

His formidable reputation was earned through countless battles and bloodshed.

Xie Mingli's lips curled up slightly, as if her long-suppressed emotions had finally found an outlet.

She knew that this was not the end of so-called glory, but the true beginning for Chu Ning.

At this moment, Chu Ning simply watched all of this calmly, as if he had long been accustomed to all living beings bowing down and all thunderbolts descending upon him.

But only he himself knew that this path was never for glory, but for life, for his destiny, and for the people he protected.

Lei Ji Dao Jun, return to your residence.

At this moment, everyone in the Marquis Wu's mansion showed him utmost respect.

With everything settled, the mansion returned to peace for the time being.

Xie Mingli personally led Chu Ning to Tingsong Pavilion.

That was the place her mother used to frequent when she was alive; it was quiet and elegant, with a whole bamboo forest outside the window.

As the spring breeze passes by, the bamboo shadows sway gently, creating a scene as beautiful as a dream.

At this moment, only a single oil lamp was lit in the pavilion, its dim yellow light casting the two figures obliquely onto the ground, motionless.

Xie Mingli took a bath and changed her clothes, shedding the armor and sharpness she had displayed during the day when dealing with Prince Duan.

She wore a long, flowing, dark blue robe with flowing patterns, as soft as water. A deep purple ribbon was tied around her waist, making her slender waist and graceful curves appear exceptionally exquisite.

The fabric was so light and thin that it seemed almost invisible, swaying gently as she walked, her skirt rippling like waves in the wind, each step like a lotus blossom.

Her black hair was styled in a high bun, but unlike the elaborate palace attire, it was adorned with a jade hairpin at an angle, with several strands of black hair falling to her temples, highlighting her long neck and snow-white skin.

She paused for a moment in front of the bronze mirror, then lightly traced the corners of her lips with her fingertips, applying a light touch of color, as if she were without makeup yet possessed an innate charm.

It's not about being deliberately alluring or trying to please, but rather a gentleness that's hidden deep within and responds to different people.

At this moment, Xie Mingli, stripped of her power and responsibilities, is simply a woman with affection hidden in her heart.

When she entered Tingsong Pavilion, her steps were lighter than usual.

Bamboo shadows slanted down in the pavilion, and the dim yellow light enveloped her in a gentle halo.

Her gaze fell on Chu Ning, who was still sitting on the bamboo couch, his eyes closed as he rested, his expression as serene as a figure in a painting.

Xie Mingli's heart stirred slightly. After a moment of silence, she spoke softly, "Chu Ning, thank you."

Chu Ning's eyelashes trembled slightly, like the wind blowing across the surface of a pond, creating ripples.

(End of this chapter)