Faced with that sudden flash of blade light, Xuan Yuanxue, despite his shock, retreated backward, his right hand already sweeping towards his waist. In the blink of an eye, he had drawn the long sword from his side and lunged it toward the streak of light. Yet, before the blade could meet the incoming slash, a colder sensation washed over his back, causing his expression to shift once more…

But he could not react at all. A searing pain shot through his back, and immediately after, he saw a sharp claw emerging from his sternum. In the palm of that hand, clutched tightly, was a still-beating heart—was that his own?

Xuan Yuanxue stared at the sight in disbelief, attempting to utter something, but no sound came forth. Blood continuously sprayed from his mouth, causing his consciousness to blur. In that final, dissipating moment, his gaze locked onto Gongsun Xiangyi, and in her eyes, there was no longer confusion or terror, only boundless elation.

With a sharp thud, Xuan Yuanxue’s body collapsed, the fresh blood staining the tawny-yellow carpet. The mighty general, Xuan Yuanxue, who had attained the Great Grandmaster realm, had met his end within the chambers of his fiancée. Until death, he never found the time to articulate why he cherished Gongsun Xiangyi. Until death, he never grasped the identity of his killer. Until death, he failed to mount even the slightest resistance. This was the chasm of strength; this was the sheer disparity in power.

Gongsun Xiangyi looked on with near disbelief at Liang Xiaoke, standing before her, still grasping a heart in his hand. Was this even human? How could his strength be so immense? Xuan Yuanxue was a genuine Great Grandmaster, yet against Ye Jingyu and Liang Xiaoke’s coordinated strike, he possessed no power to resist. When had such a formidable master appeared by Ye Jingyu’s side?

Little did she comprehend that the third stage of the Corpse Emperor realm equated to the Peak Martial Saint. Let alone a mere Great Grandmaster like Xuan Yuanxue, even an average Martial Saint would be no match. Compounded by the decoy maneuver Ye Jingyu had initiated earlier, and with Liang Xiaoke emitting absolutely no life signs—even when he was merely at the Corpse King stage—Xuan Yuanxue would never have detected him, let alone now with his advanced cultivation. On the surface, Xuan Yuanxue died unjustly, but against two super-powered adversaries, his death was anything but unwarranted.

“Enough. Time is pressing; we must leave quickly!” Ye Jingyu retracted the Heavenly Venerable Blade, stating it quite casually. Killing a Great Grandmaster was hardly a significant feat for Liang Xiaoke. “How do we leave now? Should we proceed according to the original plan?” Liang Xiaoke inquired while voraciously gulping down Xuan Yuanxue’s heart, clearly enjoying the feast, the vivid, crimson blood trailing down the corners of his mouth. “Yes. Xiangyi, you will say this shortly!” Ye Jingyu nodded, then leaned in to whisper a few instructions into Gongsun Xiangyi’s ear. Gongsun Xiangyi, having finally suppressed the shock surging within her heart, listened to Ye Jingyu’s words and nodded softly.

Immediately, Liang Xiaoke dragged Xuan Yuanxue’s corpse beneath the bed, then climbed onto Gongsun Xiangyi’s own bed. “Miss Lu, you should leave now. I wish to speak with Xiangyi alone for a moment!” Liang Xiaoke spoke, manipulating his voice to perfectly mimic Xuan Yuanxue’s tone. Ye Jingyu patted the shoulder of the still-stunned Gongsun Xiangyi, prompting her return to awareness. She channeled the innate Zhenqi within her body and simulated Gongsun Lu’s voice, replying, “Your Highness, I… I…” The voice was thick with tears, but the maids outside, familiar with the temper of the Gongsun family’s 'Little Devil,' would find such an outburst entirely expected. “What ‘I’? Get out quickly!” Liang Xiaoke suddenly intensified his tone. “Waaah…” Gongsun Xiangyi instantly burst into loud sobs, abruptly sweeping her sleeve before rushing toward the door. “Miss!” At this moment, Ye Jingyu also assumed his role, chasing after Gongsun Xiangyi as she fled. Gongsun Xiangyi shoved the door open, and before the maids outside could react, she bolted out, covering her face and weeping, her expression mirroring that of a desperate woman whose spirit had been grievously wounded. “Miss!” Ye Jingyu’s figure rushed out behind her, his own face a mask of panic, as if terrified his young mistress might do something reckless.

Witnessing this scene, the maids stood dumbfounded. However, they considered everything entirely normal. Everyone in the manor knew of Gongsun Lu’s temperament; to be chastised so harshly by the man she favored meant intense heartbreak was inevitable. “Shut the door for this Prince!” A steady voice commanded from within. The maids swiftly stepped forward to close the main door, daring not to peek inside, unsure if their master was currently enraged. No one noticed the pool of blood on the floor.

Gongsun Xiangyi ran until she reached the edge of her separate courtyard before finally stopping, collapsing against a large tree to sob. Ye Jingyu’s figure quickly caught up to her. “Wuuu… wuuu…” Gongsun Xiangyi cried softly while murmuring to Ye Jingyu, “Young Master, what should we do now?” “Miss, please do not grieve further. Let this servant help you back to your room to rest!” Ye Jingyu spoke loudly for the benefit of any eavesdroppers, while simultaneously steadying Gongsun Xiangyi and whispering, “The defenses are tightest here. Once we are beyond this point, I can certainly break us out!” Gongsun Xiangyi continued to cover her face with her sleeve as she walked out, leaning on Ye Jingyu’s arm. The guards, having vaguely heard the commotion inside, dared not approach or provoke the 'Little Devil' at such a juncture. They barely noticed that Ye Jingyu, a mere household servant, was even permitted to touch their young mistress.

The two navigated perfectly through the layers of defense, pausing only when they reached a shadowed corner by a wall. “Young Master, Xiaohua is still in their hands! I cannot abandon it!” Gongsun Xiangyi finally spoke up. “Xiaohua? Do you know where it is?” Ye Jingyu frowned. If they now diverted to rescue Xiaohua, who knew if it might alert the true masters within the Gongsun estate. Gongsun Xiangyi shook her head; she knew nothing of Xiaohua, yet her eyes remained clouded with worry, as it had been her companion for over twenty years. “Then we must leave the Gongsun Estate first before deciding. Rest assured, if Xiaohua is safe, I will definitely bring it back!” Ye Jingyu weighed the situation briefly before making his decision. To search for Xiaohua now would inevitably expose their tracks; at that point, even he might not manage an escape.