From cute to empress

Chapter 236 The Mysterious Appearance of the Blood Blade Sect Master

The voice vanished in a flash. I gripped the reins tightly, but a shadow cast a shadow over my heart. Ominous? What ominous meaning? Could there be something else behind the Ghost Face incident? I suppressed my uneasiness and turned to look at Zhen Youcai. He was standing at my side, his gaze firm and calm.

"You're right, let's go," I said, my tone firm. No matter what challenges lie ahead, I will not back down. I will protect this hard-earned peace.

After returning to the palace, I immediately summoned court experts and jianghu celebrities to jointly study the ancient secret book. This secret book records ancient formations and spells, and is obscure and difficult to understand, but we all understand that it is related to the fate of the entire jianghu, and we must devote all our efforts to it.

"Your Majesty, this secret book seems to contain a sorcery called the 'Blood Moon Curse,'" a white-haired old man said tremblingly, pointing to a passage in the book. "This sorcery can manipulate a person's mind, causing them to become violent and bloodthirsty. It's extremely vicious!"

"Curse of the Blood Moon?" My heart sank. Could it be that those people in the martial arts world who were controlled by the Ghost Face were all under the influence of this evil magic?

"Is there any way to crack it?" Zhen Youcai asked with a frown.

The old man shook his head and said, "I am not very knowledgeable. Your Majesty needs to seek help from someone else to crack this."

Just when everyone was at a loss, Zhen Youcai, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke up, "Mengmeng, do you still remember the stone tablet we found in Sunset Canyon?"

My eyes suddenly lit up, "You mean, the stone tablet engraved with strange patterns?" I remember that stone tablet, the pattern was ancient and mysterious. We studied it for a long time at that time, but we couldn't figure out the mystery.

"Yes, it's that stone tablet!" Zhen Youcai said with certainty, "I suspect the pattern on that stone tablet is the key to breaking the 'Blood Moon Curse'!"

I immediately ordered someone to go to Sunset Canyon and bring the stone tablet back to the palace. A few days later, the stone tablet arrived at the palace. Zhen Youcai and I carefully studied the patterns on the stone tablet and finally found a way to break the evil spell.

In the days that followed, we developed a special antidote according to the instructions in the secret book and stone tablet, and distributed it throughout the world to help those who had been bewitched by the evil spell regain their sanity.

As time went on, those who had been controlled in the Jianghu gradually returned to normal, the Ghost Face incident finally subsided, and peace returned to the Jianghu. Seeing the people living and working in peace and contentment, and the heroes of the Jianghu regaining their former heroic spirit, my heart was filled with joy. All of this is the result of the joint efforts of Zhen Youcai, me, and all the people who have worked so hard for this.

At the celebration banquet, I raised my glass to all the heroes present, "Today, I drink this cup with you to celebrate our victory over evil and our preservation of peace!"

Everyone raised their glasses and drank it all.

"Your Majesty, although the martial arts world has returned to peace, we must not let our guard down. The Blood Blade Sect has suffered a heavy blow this time, but there's no guarantee they won't make a comeback." Sect Leader Jianxin's expression was solemn. "To be on the safe side, our major sects have decided..."

Before he finished speaking, there was a sudden commotion outside the palace, and then a guard ran in in a panic, "Your Majesty, something bad has happened, outside the palace..."

Before the guard could finish his words, he was interrupted by a hearty laugh from outside the palace. "Hahaha, Your Majesty, don't panic. It's just an old friend visiting!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a man in red, holding a blood-red scimitar, striding into the hall. Behind him were two martial arts masters with very different temperaments.

"Master of the Blood Knife Sect?!" Sect Leader Jianxin suddenly stood up, his eyes full of vigilance.

I was shocked. Wasn't the Blood Blade Sect's leader imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison? How could he be here? Could it be...

"Old Jianxin, how are you?" The Blood Blade Sect leader laughed and walked to the center of the hall. He glanced around and finally landed on Zhen Youcai and me. "Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, Your Majesty, for successfully quelling this catastrophe in the martial arts world!"

The sarcasm in his words made me feel even more uneasy, and I always felt that there was some conspiracy behind this.

"Master of the Blood Knife Sect, instead of reflecting on your mistakes in the Heavenly Prison, you trespass into the imperial palace. What are you trying to do?" Zhen Youcai stepped forward and stood in front of me, speaking in a sharp tone.

The Blood Blade Sect leader laughed heartily, not caring about Zhen Youcai's questioning. "I came here today to express my gratitude to His Majesty."

"Thank you?" I looked at him puzzledly, "Thank me for what?"

The Blood Blade Sect's leader curled up his lips into a strange smile, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for eliminating Ghost Face and clearing the way for our Blood Blade Sect!"

I was shocked. Could it be that there was another hidden story behind the ghost face?

"What do you mean by that?" I suppressed the uneasiness in my heart and asked in a cold voice.

The Blood Blade Sect leader didn't answer my question. Instead, he turned to look at the two martial arts masters behind him. "I'm sure you're all familiar with these two. They've come here specifically to express their loyalty to His Majesty!"

Only then did I notice that the two people standing behind the Blood Knife Sect Leader were: one was the Lingjiu Palace Leader who was dressed in white and had an immortal look, and the other was the Sword Heart Sect Leader who was dressed in tight clothes and looked heroic.

"Master Jianxin, Master Lingjiu, what are you doing..." I looked at them in disbelief, not understanding why they were involved with the Master of the Blood Knife Sect.

Sect Leader Jianxin stepped forward and bowed deeply to me. "Your Majesty, we are fully aware of the immense danger posed by Ghost Face. We have come here to express our position. We will do our utmost to maintain peace in the martial arts world and will not allow Ghost Face to take advantage of us!"

The Lord of Lingjiu Palace also nodded in agreement, "Your Majesty, rest assured. Lingjiu Palace will work together with the imperial court to protect the peace of the martial arts world!"

What they said sounded righteous, but it made me feel even more uneasy.

At this moment, the Blood Blade Sect Master, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up, "Your Majesty, now that the affairs of the martial arts world are over, it is time for me to take my leave."

As he spoke, he turned and walked out of the palace. When he reached the door, he suddenly stopped, looked back at me, and said meaningfully, "Your Majesty, the world is treacherous and people's hearts are unpredictable. You should take care of yourself!"

After saying this, he left without looking back. The Lord of Lingjiu Palace and the Head of Jianxin Sect also bowed to me and turned to leave.

I watched their backs as they left, my heart filled with confusion and anxiety.

"Mengmeng, don't worry. We will fight back against any enemy we encounter, and we will block any flood with earth." Zhen Youcai held my hand and said firmly, "No matter what happens, I will always be by your side."

I nodded, took a deep breath, and suppressed the anxiety in my heart.

"Pass the order down and prepare a dinner. I want to welcome all the heroes!" I gave the order loudly, my tone revealing unconcealable fatigue.

As night fell and the lights came on, the entire palace was enveloped in a festive and peaceful atmosphere. Dressed in my finest attire, I sat side by side with Zhen Youcai in the pavilion of the Imperial Garden, accepting congratulations from various sects and schools.

"Your Majesty is wise and brave, and you have made great plans. This is how you resolved this catastrophe in the martial arts world. We admire you!" Sect Leader Jianxin raised his glass to toast, his words full of admiration.

"Yes, Your Majesty and General Zhen are truly a match made in heaven. With the two of you working together, I believe our dynasty will usher in an even more glorious tomorrow!" The Lord of Lingjiu Palace also echoed with a smile.

I lifted my wine glass and took a gentle sip, my gaze sweeping across the faces brimming with joy, but I didn't feel as relieved as I'd imagined. The words of the Blood Blade Sect Master, along with the unusual attitudes of the Sword Heart Sect Master and the Vulture Palace Master, were like thorns piercing my heart, preventing me from truly letting down my guard.

"What's wrong? What are you thinking about?" Zhen Youcai noticed that I was absent-minded and asked softly.

"It's nothing, I just feel..." I hesitated, not knowing how to express the uneasiness in my heart.

"Are you still worried about the Blood Blade Sect Master?" Zhen Youcai saw through my thoughts at a glance, held my hand, and said softly, "Don't worry, I've sent people to secretly monitor their movements. If they dare to act rashly, I will make sure they never return!"

I nodded and held Zhen Youcai's hand with my backhand, trying to draw some strength from him.

The party lasted late into the night, and after seeing off the last guests, I felt drained of all my energy.

"Are you tired?" Zhen Youcai looked at me with concern and gently held me in his arms.

I leaned on his shoulder, closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and felt the hard-earned peace and tranquility.

"Let's go for a walk in the garden," I whispered.

The moonlight, like water, cast a silvery glow over the flowers and trees in the Imperial Garden. Zhen Youcai and I walked hand in hand along the cobblestone path, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.

"Mengmeng, you know what? I am really lucky to meet you." Zhen Youcai stopped, turned around and looked at me affectionately.

"Me too." I raised my head and met his gentle eyes, and a sweet warmth surged in my heart.

"From now on, I will always be by your side, protecting you and loving you forever." Zhen Youcai gently held me in his arms and whispered a promise.

"I believe you." I closed my eyes and buried my head in his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, as if all the troubles in the world had gone away.

Suddenly, I felt Zhen Youcai's body stiffen. He pushed me away, looked warily into the depths of the garden, and shouted in a deep voice, "Who?!"

I nodded and held Zhen Youcai's hand, trying to draw some strength from him. After all, the Blood Blade Sect was only forced to retreat, who can guarantee that they won't make a comeback?

I leaned on his shoulder, closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and felt the hard-earned peace and tranquility. After days of hard work, I finally felt relaxed in this moment.

Moonlight streamed down like water, casting a silvery glow over the flowers and trees of the Imperial Garden. Zhen Youcai and I strolled hand in hand along the cobblestone path, savoring this rare moment of tranquility. It was absurd that for a ruler of a nation, even a moment of peace and quiet had become a luxury.

"Me too." I looked up and met his gentle eyes, a sweet warmth welling up in my heart. Yes, it was my greatest luck to meet him and walk hand in hand through this thorny road.

"From now on, I will always be by your side, protecting you and loving you forever." Zhen Youcai gently held me in his arms and whispered a promise. His embrace was as warm as ever, as if it could dispel all my anxiety and fear.

"I believe you." I closed my eyes and buried my head in his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat. It was as if all the troubles in the world had faded away. At this moment, I just wanted to indulge in this sweet happiness and never wake up.

Under the moonlight, we stood hugging each other, our two hearts closely dependent on each other, forming a quiet and beautiful picture.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, it's late at night and the dew is heavy. You should return to the palace and rest early." The voice of Eunuch Wang sounded not far away.

Zhen Youcai and I smiled at each other, held hands, and walked side by side in the moonlight towards the bedroom.

"It's great to have you here." I said softly.

"Well, we will be together forever." Zhen Youcai held my hand tightly, his eyes firm and gentle.

However, fate always seems to play tricks on us. Just when we think that the dawn of peace is about to shine upon the earth and a happy life is about to begin, an undercurrent quietly surges deep within the world...

"Report——"

The moment we stepped into the bedroom, a hurried announcement broke the silence of the night.

My heart tightened, and a sense of foreboding arose...

"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, urgent news from the martial arts world!"