Chapter 154 The System is Gone

A single call of “wife” echoed from Li Yuxi’s lips, melodious and lingering, sending chills all over Chu Bing’s body.

She rubbed her arm, wearing a look of disdain. “Are you out of your mind? Don’t say nonsense. I have nothing to do with you!”

The smile on Li Yuxi’s lips faded slightly, a trace of danger flickering in his eyes. “How many times have I saved you? And you say we’re not connected? Bing’er, you’re too cold-hearted.”

Chu Bing pursed her lips, her expression somewhat awkward. “You saved me, and I’ll find another way to repay your kindness. But I truly have no other feelings for you, so stop talking nonsense!”

“Bing’er...”

“Don’t call me Bing’er. I’m going to sleep now, do as you please!” Chu Bing pulled the quilt over her face and lay down.

Old Qian watched the scene nearby with keen interest, a gleeful look on his face. Li Yuxi noticed his schadenfreude, snorted coldly, then turned around, grabbing Old Qian by the collar and leading him outside without another word to Chu Bing.

Once they left, Chu Bing immediately tried to contact the system, but she realized something serious—the system had completely stopped responding!

“System? System?”

No matter how much Chu Bing called out in her mind, there was no reaction.

Suddenly, she recalled that before she lost consciousness, the system had mentioned its data was becoming chaotic... Could it be that the system had malfunctioned?

Would it ever come back?

Chu Bing pulled down the quilt and stared blankly at the blue gauze canopy above her bed.

Since she had traveled through time, the system had always been with her. Though their relationship was never smooth at first—she often felt the system was working against her, and even now she sometimes felt that way—she couldn’t deny that the system’s presence gave her a sense of security in this unfamiliar ancient world. Whatever she did, she had confidence. But now, the system was gone.

Biting her lip and clutching her chest, her expression grew more and more bewildered.

Without the system, how was she supposed to carry on from now on?

***

At the Li family estate.

In the courtyard of Prime Minister Li.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm as he looked at Li Mohan. “You said shortly after leaving the estate, you noticed someone following you. Then in the desert, those men suddenly ambushed and killed all the elite soldiers you brought with you?”

Li Mohan lowered his gaze coldly. “Yes.”

“Did you get a good look at them?” The Prime Minister’s eyes fixed sharply on Li Mohan, suspicion flashing deep within.

Why were all the elite soldiers dead, yet Li Mohan had returned alive?

Li Mohan’s face remained icy, expression unreadable. “I saw some of them, but there were too many to remember clearly. They acted ruthlessly, probably elite assassins. If my second brother hadn’t rescued me, I might have been dead.”

The Prime Minister was momentarily stunned. “Li Yuxi? He saved you?”

“Yes. Though my second brother is wayward, he still cares about family. Father… if possible, you might consider having him return to the estate. His martial skills have grown strong, which could be a great help to the third brother.”

Hearing Li Mohan speak only with concern for Li Haoran, the Prime Minister’s expression softened. He sighed. “I’d like to bring that boy back, but with his reckless nature, he won’t return unless he wants to.”

He was, after all, his own son and still held some fondness for Li Yuxi.

Waving his hand dismissively, he lost interest in continuing the conversation. “You’re injured too. Go rest for now. We’ll deal with the external matters later—first, recover your strength…”

“Yes.”

Li Mohan bowed and took his leave.

As he stepped out of the courtyard, he happened to encounter Li Haoran.

“Big brother,” Li Haoran called out to Li Mohan, his expression tinged with awkwardness. “I have a few things to say to you.”

Li Mohan regarded him steadily, then nodded.

They moved to a secluded corner where Old Zhao stood nearby as a lookout.

Li Haoran lowered his voice. “Big brother, about the attack you suffered...”

“That group must be from the court,” Li Mohan interrupted, categorizing the attack decisively.

Li Haoran was stunned.

He had actually come to apologize to Li Mohan.

After the assassination attempt, he was certain of Chu Bing’s feelings for him and no longer harbored such hatred toward Li Mohan.

Besides, with Li Mohan’s intelligence, he would eventually discover who the real culprit was. Better to admit fault now than keep the explosive secret.

Having shared life-and-death experiences, Li Haoran believed Li Mohan wouldn’t be too harsh on him.

But no one expected Li Mohan to immediately shift the blame to the court.

Li Haoran was dumbfounded.

***

Li Mohan continued, his expression still calm. “It’s not just the attack on me. On our way back this time, those were also court agents.”

He glanced at Li Haoran, then explained, “The human traffickers you and Chu Bing confronted are backed by the prefect of this jurisdiction. Those traffickers captured children from the village and handed them over to the authorities. They act on behalf of the court, which is why the village has remained undisturbed all these years.”

A chill ran through Li Haoran’s body.

He hadn’t imagined the court had become so corrupt!

People said officials protected each other, but now it was collusion between officials and bandits! Even the local magistrates had started to reach out their claws toward the common folk. How could the people survive?

Seeing Li Haoran shaken, Li Mohan’s expression grew a shade more serious. He lowered his voice. “Third brother, I know your ambitions run deep. You did the right thing this time. I have no particular talents except for my martial skills. If you need help in the future, just say the word.”

“Big brother...”

Li Haoran stared at Li Mohan, deeply moved.

He knew Li Mohan once wanted him dead, yet why...

Li Mohan patted Li Haoran’s shoulder, his gaze distant. “Most people in this world live in hardship. They’ve waited too long for a wise ruler. Third brother, don’t let them down.”

Li Haoran’s heart surged.

Li Mohan’s words made it clear he would support him!

He took a deep breath and bowed respectfully. “Big brother, I will not disappoint you!”

Li Mohan nodded, seeming to smile faintly, then turned to leave.

But Li Haoran hurried after him. “Big brother, Miss Chu was seriously injured. Second brother doesn’t know where he left her, and I’m worried...”

He looked at Li Mohan imploringly. “Can you help me find her?”

Li Mohan furrowed his brow, was silent for a moment, then said, “I will go.”

Yet, perhaps the person Chu Bing wishes to see isn’t him.