Dead or alive.
A mother requested that her disciple bring her daughter back. However, she mentioned the words dead or alive in her orders. How could this be true?
There was a saying that goes, a tiger would never devour his own child. This was especially true for Ping Yang's mother, the respected and revered Queen of the Great Xia Dynasty.
"Did mother… did she really say those words?" Ping Yang said in a trembling voice as her body shudder. She then bit her lips in apprehension.
"How could I, Cang Yue, put words into my master's mouth! Have you made your decision?" Cang Yue stared at Ping Yang with a cold stare that could freeze a churning waterfall.
"I have already told you. You are not taking Ping Yang!" Fang Zhengzhi placed his hands on Ping Yang's shoulders once again. The moment he made contact with her, he was reminded of the first time they met.
That day, Ping Yang was wearing a purple cape. She was lifting her head arrogantly like an adolescent peacock as she handed the Snow Jade to him.
"Take my horse to the stable and give it the best feed. Do you understand?"
From then on, their fate seemed to intertwine in a most peculiar manner.
Ping Yang's arrogance, stubbornness, and domineering demeanor had left an exceptionally deep impression.
One could say that Ping Yang had many flaws.
However, this was also the person who accompanied him every step of the way and even took on an attack from Ying Shan for him in the World of the Sage.
Time and again, Ping Yang had caused troubles. Even the situation today had a lot to do with her.
And so what?
Fang Zhengzhi had no idea why he would stand in front of Ping Yang to defend her, but he did. If he had to give a reason, it might be that Ping Yang was not suitable for life in Ling Yun Tower.
How could a princess of the Great Xia Dynasty who had enjoyed wealth and comfort all her life survive in the harsh Ling Yun Tower? Cang Yue's attitude and the uncertainties led Fang Zhengzhi to this conclusion.
"I will not let you take Ping Yang away!"
"Me too!"
"Cang Yue, even if you are powerful. You are alone for today!"
Shan Yu, Yan Xiu, and Yan Qianli echoed Fang Zhengzhi in his words. Following which, Wu Yuer stood right in front of Ping Yang.
"Cang Yue, I am indeed a disappointment to Yu er. However, I will not agree for you to forcefully bring Ping Yang back!" Lin Mubai hollered.
As Lin Mubai's voice rose, the soldiers of the Mountain Braking Army and Yan Cloud Calvary became serious as well. They held their spears tightly in their hands.
"We will not agree!"
They shouted in unison.
The royal guards and the Dragon Protection Squad had also arrived at the castle walls amidst the shouting. Each of them stared at Cang Yue and the pillar that rose to the heavens.
They had no idea what just happened.
However, they knew that they were soldiers of the Great Xia Dynasty. That was enough.
"Oh? It is getting more interesting by the second!" Cang Yue stared at Fang Zhengzhi's group before staring at the Yan Cloud Calvary and Mountain Breaking Army with a serious expression,
Just as Yan Qianli had mentioned, she could not fight against the entire empire even if she was that powerful.
"Cang Yue, leave and tell Yu er that I will never be able to redeem myself for what I did. However, I cannot allow you to bring Ping Yang back against her will!" Lin Mubai slowly rose from the ground as his eyes glimmered with a strong resolve.
"What if I insist?" Cang Yue clenched her fist. At the same time, countless light spots surrounded her body like the stars in the milky way.
She could not win against an entire empire. However, she was Cang Yue from the revered Ling Yun Tower. She would not admit defeat, especially in front of Lin Mubai.
"You will not be able to!" Lin Mubai clenched his fist. At the same time, a golden dragon rose from his back, its eyes glimmering with a deadly crimson aura.
"The Green Dragon Eye? Do you know what will happen if you do that?" Cang Yue squinted her eyes. She knew that Lin Mubai had the Green Dragon Eye with him. She even knew what it signified and hinted at.
The Green Dragon Eye was known for its defensive capabilities. However, it's powers were not limited to merely defending. That was because the Green Dragon Eye was actually deemed as an offensive artifact.
"I will die!" Lin Mubai replied without hesitation. At the same time, he stared at Ping Yang and her crystal-clear eyes before saying, "I will not have any regrets."
"To think that a person as selfish as you would give up your life for a princess. That is something new. Alright then, I will fulfill your wish today! Let us die together!" Just as Cang Yue said those words, she took a step forward.
Boom!
Countless light spots flew into the sky and fell from the horizon, turning into a milky way that falls from the heavens. It illuminated the torrential rain in the night sky.
"How powerful!"
Everyone shuddered upon seeing the scene. Cang Yue's strength was way beyond their expectations.
However, they did not retreat.
"Kill her!"
"For the sake of Princess Ping Yang!"
"We will not give in!"
War cries sounded across the area.
Fang Zhengzhi held the Traceless sword tightly in his hands. He had no idea what Cang Yue meant when she told Lin Mubai to die together. However, he had to prevent Cang Yue from snatching Ping Yang away.
Wu Yuer, Yan Qianli and the rest also had a serious expression on their faces. Their gaze was fixated on Cang Yue.
"I will come with you!" At that moment, a voice rang amongst the heavy rain. A figure then managed to loosen herself from Fang Zhengzhi's grip and walked forward.
The rain fell.
Countless raindrops fell onto this figure, making her crimson gown exceptionally elegant. It stained the night sky radiantly red.
"Princess Ping Yang…" Shan Yu stared at Ping Yang and wanted to go forward to block her way. However, after seeing the determination in her eyes, she swallowed her words.
"Ping Yang, you cannot go with her! If Yu er did not say those words, I will definitely allow you to see her. However, now…" Lin Mubai stared at Ping Yang with a concerned expression.
"Father, she is still my mother!" Ping Yang looked up into the horizon and the falling rain, allowing the rain to beat mercilessly on her face.
"That was the past, but now…" Lin Mubai tried to convince her.
"She still is and will be!" Ping Yang seemed slightly unfocused, though she sounded determined.
"Ping Yang…" Lin Mubai was about to convince her further when he swallowed his words and sighed.
"Ping Yang, have you decided?" Fang Zhengzhi stared at Ping Yang as he gripped his Traceless Sword tightly. He had no clue why Ping Yang came to this decision.
However, he could kind of understand Ping Yang's decision.
It was a peculiar feeling.
"Yes," Ping Yang nodded as she said.
"Lin Mubai, I am envious. It seems like your daughter's decision had saved your life!" Cang Yue finally stopped in her tracks after hearing those words. Following which, she turned towards Ping Yang and said, "Since you have decided, stop spouting nonsense and come with me!"
"If I come with you, will I be able to see mother?" Ping Yang drew her glance away from the horizon and clenched her fist as she said.
"Yes," Cang Yue nodded.
"Alright then, I will follow you," Ping Yang gritted her teeth as she said.
"Haha, there is one thing I forgot to tell you. You might never be able to return after going on this trip," Cang Yue said.
"Never be able to return?" Ping Yang shuddered at the thought as she muttered. She then cast her glance on Lin Mubai before resting her eyes on Fang Zhengzhi. She was hesitant.
"What kind of place do you think the Ling Yun Tower is? Do you think you can come and go as you please? Let me tell you, upon stepping foot in Ling Yun Tower, you will no longer be a princess of the Great Xia Dynasty. You will merely be an ordinary person. No one will give in to you, nor will anyone be concerned about your life and death. Are you still willing to come along?" Cang Yue snickered.
"I… I will go!" Ping Yang bit her lips in apprehension. In comparison to her usual arrogant and haughty attitudes, she seemed extremely dejected. She still nodded in the end as she turned towards Fang Zhengzhi and said, "Shameless fellow, I won't be around anymore. You have to live on, and… Sister Yan, actually she has feelings…"
"I will find you!" Fang Zhengzhi interrupted Ping Yang as he shouted. This was the first time he felt powerless. This was not because he had to give in, nor was he afraid.
It was because he knew that Ping Yang would still leave with Cang Yue even if he gave up his life. This was Ping Yang's decision.
"Find me?" Ping Yang said in a surprised tone.
"Yes, I will go to Ling Yun Tower and find you," Fang Zhengzhi said.
"You will really find me? Didn't you say that I am arrogant and stubborn and unlikable?" Ping Yang's lips trembled as she muttered in disbelief.
"You are unlikable, but I will still find you. You must wait for me," Fang Zhengzhi smiled.
"I have to wait… alright, I will give you half a year. You must find me!" Ping Yang's face seemed to lit up at this thought, a glimmer of hope flashed through her eyes.
"Hm, take care of yourself. I might be there in a few days. When that time comes, we can have a steamboat together," Fang Zhengzhi nodded as he said. A smile broke out on his face.
"Alright!" Ping Yang laughed. Following which, she quickly walked towards Cang Yue.
"How naïve!" Cang Yue stared at Ping Yang before casting her glance at Fang Zhengzhi, "A Supernatural State individual who only has half a year left to live is thinking of coming to Ling Yun Tower! Fang Zhengzhi, have you never heard about how a person should know his worth?"
"I have, though I do not think you understood it well? Have you forgotten about your status as a disciple?" Fang Zhengzhi cast his glance towards Cang Yue as he hissed.
"You have a sharp mouth, though you are still going to die soon. Half a year you say? That's right, there is no point in going beyond that time anyway," Cang Yue squinted her eyes. She did not seem enraged by Fang Zhengzhi's words.
"If Ping Yang is hurt or did not manage to see her mother, I will definitely kill you! Even if you are hiding in the Ling Yun Tower, I will kill you!" Fang Zhengzhi said as he gave Cang Yue a cold stare.
"Kill me? Haha, Fang Zhengzhi, I suggest that you take good care of yourself and enjoy the rest of your life. Do I have to remind you about your lifespan? Half a year is the maximum you can go. You understand that right?" Cang Yue chuckled as she said.
Fang Zhengzhi fell silent.
There was no point in saying anything further. Just like what Cang Yue mentioned, he had only half a year left. Was it possible to attain the Saint State in such a short amount of time?
Fang Zhengzhi subconsciously stared at Yan Qianli.
Saint State!
It was a level where everyone dreamt they could achieve. However, even such an individual seemed to be insignificant in front of Cang Yue.
Most importantly, there was also the mysterious Ling Yun Tower, Cang Yue's greatest pillar of support.
This was the gap between their powers.
Many a time, Fang Zhengzhi felt that raw power was not the only way to resolve issues. For example, intelligence and luck could play a bigger role.
However, this time around…
He definitely felt the great power difference.
Ling Yun Tower!
Half a year?
Would he be able to see Ping Yang again?
"Shameless fellow, even if everyone does not believe that you will come, I do. I will wait for you! If you do not come in half a year, I will extend it to a year, then two, three and so on…" Ping Yang's voice rose as her eyes became sparkling clear and a light spot glimmered within. It was small but conspicuous.
"Ping Yang…" Fang Zhengzhi stared at Ping Yang seriously for the first time in his life. He stared at the elegant crimson dress and the beautiful eyes.
Boom! Lightning flashed across the sky.
Memories then flashed through Fang Zhengzhi's mind. The promise he made with Ping Yang, the battle he had with Chi Guyan in the Heavenly Dao Pavilion, his debt towards Fang Houde, Qin Xuelian, his brotherly love with Yan Xiu, the trust of Shan Yu, Wu Yuer's conditional support, and the thing he lost to Yun Qingwu.
He had too many things to do.
If he could not achieve a breakthrough in half a year, he would be dead.
Fang Zhengzhi clenched his fist as he said, "If the heavens want me dead, I can only change my fate!"