Seeing the determined look in Ye Jingyu’s eyes, Gongsun Xiangyi gave a slight nod. She knew this was not the time for willfulness.

Veiled by the darkness of the night, and with the main focus of the Gongsun Estate centered on the separate courtyard where Gongsun Xiangyi resided, Ye Jingyu and the other person managed to leave the Gongsun Estate without incident.

In the room where Gongsun Xiangyi was staying, Liang Xiaoke had already risen to his feet. He gazed down at Gongsun Lu, who knelt before him with profound reverence, his expression shifting constantly—tinged with regret, disappointment, excitement, and agitation.

“Let’s go,” Liang Xiaoke murmured, shaking his head lightly. He seized Gongsun Lu’s wrist, slipped his body downward, and vanished instantly.

Only someone who had already become a Jiangshi (Zombie) like Gongsun Lu could be dragged through the earth in such a manner. However, Liang Xiaoke had no intention of leaving the Gongsun Estate just yet. He sensed that the epicenter of this Muju Zhi Di (Wood Desolation Land) lay within the estate itself, so he pulled Gongsun Lu and tunneled directly into the deep earth.

It took about fifteen minutes before they finally reached a depth of three thousand zhang beneath the Gongsun Estate—a place where even the divine sense of a Soul Immortal could not penetrate. Feeling the surrounding Wood Spiritual Qi so dense it was nearly solid, the light in Liang Xiaoke’s eyes intensified. Even Gongsun Lu, now a Jiangshi, opened her eyes, which were blazing with fervent light.

Without wasting any further words, Liang Xiaoke settled Gongsun Lu in this spot. He then retrieved the various rare treasures he had gathered over the years from his Qiankun Ring, arranging them according to the layout of the Five Elements Blood Corpse Grand Array. In a short time, the formation was complete, and immediately, the surrounding Wood Spiritual Qi began to surge toward them like a frenzy.

At this moment, Gongsun Lu’s body was restrained there, unable to move. Yet, her eyes remained fixed on Liang Xiaoke, filled with confusion.

“Stay here obediently. Forty-nine days from now, you will naturally be able to break free of this formation. Come find me then, understood?” Liang Xiaoke stated coldly.

Gongsun Lu nodded dully. Although she had turned into a Jiangshi, since Liang Xiaoke intended to refine her into a Blood Corpse, it was impossible for her to retain a high level of intelligence. At this point, she possessed no thoughts other than obeying Liang Xiaoke’s commands.

“Ah, this dāo (flesh/body), it’s still too small!” Liang Xiaoke cupped Gongsun Lu’s yù (jade-like/smooth flesh) and muttered with regret, noting the lack of feel, before flashing away from the spot. Gongsun Lu, however, closed her eyes, fully immersing herself as the Wood Spiritual Qi and the subterranean Yin energy flooded into her body.

Back in the separate courtyard where Gongsun Xiangyi resided in the Gongsun Estate, the few maids outside noticed that after a long time, there was still no sound from within, causing them to grow uneasy.

“Xiao Cui, the Princess has been inside for so long and hasn't come out. Could something have happened?” a maid named Xiao Lü asked first.

“What could possibly happen? She must just be having intimate conversations with the Young Lady. Why worry so much?” The maid named Xiao Cui rolled her eyes, unconcerned, though her face betrayed deep fatigue, clearly struggling to stay awake.

“But the Princess has been in there for a full half an hour, and there hasn't been a single sound!” Xiao Lü remained uneasy.

“If you’re worried, then go ask!” Xiao Cui’s tone was clearly impatient.

Xiao Lü considered it, then softly called out, “Princess…” but still received no response. Following that, Xiao Lü gently knocked on the door, yet there was still no reaction.

At this moment, even the maid named Xiao Cui forced herself to concentrate, a look of confusion spreading across her face.

“Princess…” This time, Xiao Lü raised her voice and knocked harder on the door, but there was still no response from inside.

The two girls exchanged a look, simultaneously pushing the door open and stepping in. They immediately saw a pool of blood on the ground and cried out in alarm...

Instantly, the entire Gongsun Estate was thrown into chaos...

Fifteen minutes later, Gongsun Sheng arrived in his wheelchair. Upon seeing the pool of blood on the floor and the corpse of Xuanyuan Xue, his face turned ashen white.

This was Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan’s youngest son, and now he lay dead within his residence. How could he possibly explain this to Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan?

Staring at the heart pierced through, the image of Liang Xiaoke immediately flashed through Gongsun Sheng’s mind, as it seemed only he possessed such capabilities.

“Search the entire city, find them! Dead or alive, bring them to me!” At this point, Gongsun Sheng didn't bother questioning the maids about what had happened; he understood everything completely. Ye Jingyu, along with his companion, had brazenly rescued Gongsun Xiangyi. Not only that, but they had killed Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan’s son. This feud was now irreconcilable.

Just then, a man dressed in a long white robe appeared beside Gongsun Sheng. Seeing Xuanyuan Xue lying on the ground, a flicker of deep sorrow crossed his features.

“Prince Jing, this…” Seeing the arrival of this figure, Gongsun Sheng’s face also showed grief, and he was about to offer an explanation when he was cut off.

“Uncle-Esteemed, there’s no need to say more. I will personally report this matter to my Father the King. No matter whose disciple he is, I will personally avenge my Ninth Brother!” Xuanyuan Jing stated coldly, before stepping forward himself, gently lifting Xuanyuan Xue’s cold body, and walking step by step toward the outside.

A powerful killing intent emanated from him; no one dared to step forward to obstruct him at that moment...

Sensing Xuanyuan Jing’s potent killing aura, Gongsun Sheng understood that it was impossible to smooth this over now. Even if the culprits were found, his Gongsun family could not escape implication, especially since it was his great-granddaughter who had brought the people in?

“Xu, transmit my order: take down everyone in the First Branch of the family, and they will be handed over to the King for disposal later!” Gongsun Sheng knew that since Gongsun Lu had caused this matter, and now she was missing, her father and grandfather must bear the consequence.

“Understood, Master!” Xu, standing behind Gongsun Sheng, sighed softly, his figure slowly vanishing into the void. Only he truly understood the anguish in Gongsun Sheng’s heart. Gongsun Yuan was his eldest son, one of the sons he cherished most, but in order to quell the grief of the Zhenbei Divine King over his lost son, and to prevent the annihilation of the Gongsun family, he had to do this...

The night felt exceptionally desolate. The entire Gongsun Estate, and indeed the whole of Medicine City, was galvanized by the death of Xuanyuan Xue. When the three thousand Blood Cavalry and five hundred Blood Guards stationed outside the city learned that their General had been murdered, they nearly rioted. Had Xuanyuan Jing not appeared in time, these enraged soldiers might have bathed Medicine City in blood to vent their fury...

(Three chapters today)