Chapter 120

Chapter 120: The Long River Rolls On, Reaching the North (Part 3)

The desolate streets bear the clear marks of war, with only a few scattered people coming and going. Shops and 

restaurants that had been closed are now gradually reopening; the turmoil has finally receded, but the lives of 

the people must continue.

The once bustling brothel, filled with the sounds of warbling birds and dancing flowers, is now deserted, unless 

one ignores the occasional bursts of laughter emanating from the elegant chambers upstairs.

"Seventh Master, it's been over a year since I last saw you," a seductive woman clung to the handsome young man, 

her fingers tracing alluring circles around his throat. "What important business have you been busy with? You 

haven't even thought of me..."

The young man smiled wickedly, lifting the woman's chin. "Of course Seventh Master missed you! That's why I 

came to see you!"

"Oh dear," another alluring young man pressed closer, his voice sweet and coquettish, "Seventh Master, you only 

think of Sister Hong, don't you care about Yan'er?"

Freeing her other arm, Qi Shuangran embraced the young man who called himself Yan'er, whispering a deep 

laugh in his ear, "Tsk, is Yan'er jealous? How could Seventh Master forget you? After we finish our wine, 

Seventh Master will love you dearly!"

Upon hearing this, Hong'er protested again, starting a fuss.

The elegant room was filled with playful squeals, occasionally punctuated by hearty laughter from the men, 

creating quite a lively atmosphere.

"Master, what a pity! If you had come a few days earlier, you wouldn't have missed the excitement." Yan'er 

seemed to recall something pleasant, her face showing regret. "The other day, His Majesty the Cang Emperor rode 

through here on horseback, ah, how majestic..." Before she could finish, she noticed the man's displeased 

expression, his mood unpredictable, and quickly changed her tune, chuckling, "However, while the Cang Emperor 

was heroic, he was too serious, unlike Seventh Master's humor! Seventh Master..."

With a "crash," Hong'er and Yan'er were suddenly thrown out, the furnishings in the room shattering on the floor 

from the force of the man's energy.

Enduring the pain, the older Hong'er stopped her playful laughter and cautiously approached, soothingly saying, 

"Seventh Master, please don't be angry. It was my fault for not serving you properly. Here, please..."

"Get out!" Qi Shuangran's eyes turned icy, frightening the two into scrambling to their feet and hastily retreating.

A figure in white appeared silently behind her. Qi Shuangran didn't turn around, only coldly asking, "Where is the 

Southwest Army now?"

"Reporting to the Palace Master, the Southwest Army has already entered Hongdu."

After a moment's thought, Qi Shuangran said nothing more, and walked out with her hands behind her back.

"Palace Master, where are you going?" The man hurriedly followed, wanting to ask further, but was intimidated 

by Qi Shuangran's gaze and swallowed all his words, only able to helplessly watch his Palace Master disappear 

again.

In the chaotic mountain forest, a remnant of the army was surrounded.

"Protect the Emperor and the Empress Dowager!"

With a shout, the two sides finally clashed. Hong Cheng's remaining troops tried to escape, but were surrounded by 

the Canghuan army that had been closing in.

Luo Shui brandished his sword and shouted, "Soldiers, capture Cheng Tian Yi!"

Looking at the swarming Canghuan army, Cheng Tianyi laughed arrogantly, "You rabble think you can capture 

me? Si Cang Qing, you're too naive!" As he spoke, he suddenly stretched out his arms, and countless hidden 

weapons flew out, propelled by powerful internal energy, instantly scattering the attacking soldiers.

Blood flowed like a river; those struck by the hidden weapons instantly decayed into pools of blood—and those 

who touched them suffered the same fate.

Luo Shui's eyes sharpened, "Soldiers, be careful!" With that, he leaped towards the bloodthirsty man, his spear 

flashing rapidly, thrusting forward with tremendous force.

Cheng Tianyi spun around and dodged, his arm flashing as countless tiny, snowflake-like projectiles flew from 

his sleeve. Luo Shui leaped onto a tree trunk, somersaulting several times in the air, barely managing to dodge 

the projectiles. When he landed, he was shocked to find that the man had broken through the encirclement, 

abandoning even his mother to flee.

Because the man's strength was indeed formidable, and fearing the vicious projectiles, the soldiers were 

momentarily panicked and at a loss.

Having broken through the encirclement and escaped nearly a hundred paces, a dark figure suddenly rushed 

towards them. A flash of cold light, and a long sword thrust forward. Cheng Tianyi dodged awkwardly, then 

attempted to repeat his previous tactic, unleashing a barrage of projectiles with his inner energy.

"Clang, clang, clang!" The long sword moved swiftly, its unpredictable moves dazzling the eye, while the rain of 

projectiles flew in all directions, striking the surrounding trees with heavy impact. Before Cheng Tianyi could 

react, a longsword, carrying immense force, was suddenly pressed against his shoulder, forcing him to his knees 

with tremendous speed.

Meanwhile, Luo Shui and his soldiers arrived just in time. Seeing Cheng Tianyi subdued, they all breathed a sigh 

of relief. Luo Shui looked at the timely helper and smiled, "Your Highness possesses excellent martial arts skills. 

If it weren't for you, this villain would have escaped again!"

Feng Lan, dressed in black, nodded slightly. His hands moved swiftly, pressing several of Cheng Tianyi's major 

acupoints before he relaxed and said to Luo Shui, "General Luo, Cheng Tianyi is now in your hands!"

"Your Highness, rest assured!"

"Hmm," Feng Lan sheathed his sword, looking north towards a range of rolling mountains. He asked softly, 

"How many days will it take to reach Hongdu from here?"

Luo Shui replied, "Three days. Your Highness, let's set off immediately and reunite with the Emperor!"

◇Cang◇Huan◇Seven◇Palaces◇

Looking at the secret letter in his hand, Si Cang Qing nodded to Mo Qingjue, "Well done. You may leave!" He then

turned and looked at Cheng Tian Yang, who was sitting there seemingly lost in thought, and went to his side. 

"Yang, Cheng Tianyi and his mother have been captured alive by Luo Shui."

Slightly taken aback, Cheng Tian Yang looked up at Si Cang Qing and said softly, "Really?"

Si Cang Qing did not answer, but simply handed him the secret letter.

Cheng Tian Yang carefully read and repeatedly the few words on the letter. After a long while, he seemed to finally 

confirm it, and suddenly laughed, a laugh that was unstoppable.

"Hahaha..."

The room echoed with the man's laughter, a mixture of joy and indignation, exhilaration and desolation.

“Yang,” Si Cang Qing embraced the trembling body, his hand gently caressing the other's face. “Enough!” 

Though he couldn't share the same visceral pain and despair, he had witnessed every joy and sorrow along this 

journey.

Now that Cheng Tianyi and his mother had been caught, that painful past should be severed completely. He 

disliked seeing this man display such emotions again.

Suddenly stopping his laughter, Cheng Tian Yang quietly met Si Cang Qing's slightly worried gaze, a gentle smile 

returning to his lips. His hand, seemingly weary, fell limply to the floor, the letter fluttering to the ground.

“Your Majesty…” Cheng Tian Yang tilted his head back, supporting himself, and gently kissed Si Cang Qing’s 

lips. He spoke softly, the words slipping from their lightly touching lips, tinged with weakness, “I want you…”

Slightly taken aback, Si Cang Qing held the trembling body in his arms, feeling the warm yet desolate touch on 

his lips. Slowly tightening his arms, he gently returned the kiss…

If this man wanted it, he would give it to him.

The temperature in the room rose instantly, the lingering warmth of spring stirring the turbulent heartstrings. 

Ascending to the other, Cheng Tian Yang lowered his head, gently biting the other’s neck, and with a flick of his 

hand, the gauze curtains fell softly.

Only when his robes were pulled open did Si Cang Qing suddenly understand what the man meant by “want.” 

He abruptly restrained Cheng Tian Yang's wandering hands, creating a slight distance between them. He gazed 

silently into the man's hazy eyes, where a turbulent undercurrent flowed.

"Yang, don't force yourself."

Instinctively, Si Cang Qing felt that this wasn't what Cheng Tian Yang truly wanted…

His body stiffened slightly, and Cheng Tian Yang stopped all movement, carefully observing Si Cang Qing's face. 

After a long while, he spoke softly, "Your Majesty, I'm not forcing you."

His arms wrapped around the other's neck, their bodies pressed tightly together. Cheng Tian Yang chuckled softly, 

"Your Majesty has been fighting on the frontier for so long, haven't you had any release?" He lowered his eyes 

slightly, concealing all his emotions, and continued, "Isn't it uncomfortable? My technique is quite good… 

Your Majesty, don't you want it?"

A sudden sense of unease rose within Si Cang Qing. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he vaguely sensed 

that Cheng Tian Yang's words displeased him.

Before the other could respond, Cheng Tian Yang kissed his lips again, his hands busy tugging at the intricate 

robes.

A hint of helplessness crossed his brow. Si Cang Qing abruptly rolled over, pinning Cheng Tian Yang beneath him. 

One hand gripped the man's wrist, the other restrained his struggling body.

Silently gazing at the man's dazed eyes, flushed face, and disheveled hair, Si Cang Qing paused briefly before 

slowly lowering his head to kiss those smiling yet sorrowful eyes. His kiss lingered for a moment, then drifted to 

the delicate tip of his nose. He gently bit down, then his teeth slid down to the warm cheek…

The kisses were soft and delicate, just like the man's gentle tenderness. Cheng Tian Yang closed his eyes tightly, 

frozen in place, feeling the warmth linger on his skin.

"Your Majesty, you want me…" he murmured softly.

“Alright,” Si Cang Qing responded softly in return. His lips slid slightly, landing on the other's. Lips and tongues 

intertwined, their breaths mingling, the tenderness gradually becoming intoxicating, as if floating on clouds.

Forgetting everything.

His robes were half-open, and Si Cang Qing gently parted the collar of the person beneath him, his fingers softly 

removing the last garment.

“Your Majesty…” Finally no longer stiff, Cheng Tian Yang cooperated with the other's movements, unconsciously 

raising his upper body, letting the other's will roam freely, his fingers also caressing his hair.

That lingering warmth, gentle yet firm, finally squeezed into his heart.

Si Cang Qing slightly propped himself up, his lips leaving Cheng Tian Yang's body, his fingers still lingering on 

that supple form, slowly sliding down.

But then, his movements abruptly stopped. Si Cang Qing pursed his lips, the desire in his eyes fading, his face 

gradually darkening. "Your Majesty," Cheng Tian Yang shifted restlessly, his hand sliding down to encircle the 

other's shoulders, slightly panting, "Why did you suddenly stop..."

He abruptly stopped, Cheng Tian Yang's eyes flickering, his entire body tensing.

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