Chapter 093: Kill Them

Duan Ling and Zhou Nongshan had only just arrived when Zhao Zhigao’s booming voice rang out from beyond the courtyard gate.

“Ye, my friend, today’s roasted duck from Chen’s is especially succulent. I went out of my way to buy two just so we could share a few drinks together!”

Today was a day off at the yamen—a rest day, as it would be called in the modern world—so Zhao Zhigao had decided to come by and drink with Song Ye. After all, once Song Ye “marries” into the Prince of Xiang’s household, opportunities for the two brothers to share a drink would become rare.

Moreover, when Song Ye becomes the prince’s consort, it would be impossible for him to continue working as a yamen runner. In the future, not only would they seldom drink together, but even seeing each other would become a luxury.

Striding into the courtyard with two bags of roast duck and two jars of Nu’er Hong wine, Zhao Zhigao was surprised to discover that several guests had already arrived, including the princess herself.

“Brother Zhao, you’ve come too,” Song Ye said with a smile.

In the two years since Song Ye had found himself in this world, he’d gained a young wife and an adopted younger sister by sheer chance, but hadn’t made many friends. It seemed that all those he could truly call friends had gathered in this little courtyard today.

As the saying goes, there’s no time like the present.

“How about I go to the kitchen and whip up a few more dishes so everyone can eat and chat together?” Song Ye suggested.

Zhou Nongshan immediately agreed, “That sounds great, but—” He glanced hopefully at Qin Xuanxi. “I wonder if our sister-in-law would be willing to cook up her special stir-fried chicken for us?”

Qin Xuanxi looked straight at Song Ye, a gentle smile on her face, as if leaving the decision entirely to him. In front of his friends, she gave Song Ye ample face.

Looking at her, Song Ye asked, “Would you trouble yourself to cook for us once more, my dear?”

Qin Xuanxi nodded. “Since my husband has asked, I’ll happily go to the kitchen again!”

Zhou Nongshan was so delighted that his two-hundred-pound frame seemed to leap a yard off the ground. Without hesitation, he pulled two plump live chickens from his storage pouch, clearly having planned ahead.

…

Only as the sun dipped toward the western hills did Song Ye’s visitors start to take their leave.

The first to go was Murong Qingyi—who should now be called Liu Qingyi.

She planned to return once more to the Murong estate to ask whether Murong Jingtian had come back, and so she departed before the others.

Arriving at the Murong residence, Murong Jing met her at the door. “Jingtian has returned,” she said, “but soon after he arrived, he left again with his usual crowd to drink at his sweetheart’s house.”

Liu Qingyi asked anxiously, “Where is his sweetheart’s house?”

“Murong Qingyi, don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Murong Jing said. “If you go looking for him at that woman’s place now, you’ll only be asking for trouble. You’ll ruin his mood, and he’ll give you a tongue-lashing. Better to wait and come back tomorrow.”

Liu Qingyi shook her head. “Sister Jing, please just tell me the address.”

Seeing how Liu Qingyi had made a dozen trips to the Murong residence over the last few days, Murong Jing’s heart softened. She relented and told her the address.

“Thank you, Sister Jing—and by the way, I forgot to tell you, I’m no longer called Murong Qingyi. My name is Liu Qingyi now.”

Murong Jing was stunned, then whispered fiercely, “Are you out of your mind? Do you think changing your name will let you sever ties with the Murong clan? Once the head of the family finds out, he’ll never forgive you!”

A look of steely resolve came over Liu Qingyi’s face as she replied, “After my mother died, there was nothing left in this world that could threaten or frighten me.”

With that, she turned and walked away.

…

Xuan Yang Ward, East Yi Lane.

Murong Jingtian’s sweetheart’s house was tucked away in this very alley.

Inside, Murong Jingtian sat with his beautiful companion, carousing with five other wealthy sons of Yan City. His younger brother, Murong Jingliu, was not present.

At that moment, a servant’s voice called from the hall, “Miss, my master is not receiving guests today. Please come back another time.”

A woman’s voice replied, “I’m not here for your master. I’m here for his sweetheart.”

Recognizing the voice, Murong Jingtian’s expression darkened in annoyance.

Liu Qingyi soon appeared before him. “Murong Jingtian, Sister Jing said my mother’s will is with you. Please, give it back to me.”

“Who let you in here? Can’t you see I’m drinking?” Murong Jingtian roared, flinging his wine cup at her.

Liu Qingyi did not dodge, but as the cup struck the protective energy around her body, it shattered instantly.

Still keeping herself in check, Liu Qingyi repeated, “Murong Jingtian, please return my mother’s will to me.”

“Filthy!” Murong Jingtian slurred, clearly drunk, his words raw and unfiltered. “Your mother’s will is filthy, and so are you! You, Murong Qingyi, are the greatest disgrace of the Murong clan. I can’t fathom why the clan leader let you live this long.

“The last time, I planned to have those four immortal masters from the Seven Star Sect get rid of you, wipe away this stain for good. Of course, I took plenty of gifts from them for the trouble. But who would have thought you’d come back alive and well?

“Now that your mother’s dead, you might as well join her. Do you really think you can stay here, serving me like a slave?”

At these words, Liu Qingyi’s anger boiled over. Her fists clenched so tightly her lips began to bleed.

Sang He, sensing her fury, glimmered with a faint black light.

At the same time, a cold, sinister woman’s voice echoed in Liu Qingyi’s mind.

“Kill them all. Leave none alive. Just say the word, and I will help you destroy them all.”

Yet Liu Qingyi fought to restrain herself. Once more, she pleaded, “Will you not return my mother’s will to me?”

Murong Jingtian threw back his head and laughed. “Your mother was a shameless woman, consorting with demonic cultivators—a disgrace to the name of Murong! Her will was filth, and I would never keep something so vile in my storage realm.

“Don’t you understand? I threw your mother’s will into the fire long ago. But don’t worry, I didn’t bother reading it!”

He burst into laughter again, oblivious to the shadow of death closing in.

At that moment, Liu Qingyi’s robes billowed, her entire body wreathed in fierce black energy. Her eyes turned blood-red.

She parted her lips and uttered three words in a cold, flat voice.

“Kill them all.”