allonlinenovel Chapter 250: Valley Thoughts and Palace Rumors
Chapter 250: Valley Thoughts and Palace Rumors
In the valley, morning mist lingered through the trees like a veil, and the clear song of birds awoke the new day. In front of the cottage where Ling Xuan and Yun Mengting lived, flowers blossomed and butterflies fluttered.
Ling Xuan, wielding a wooden sword, slowly danced across the courtyard, the wind from his sword slicing through the air with a gentle whistling sound. His posture was swift and agile, each move exuding a heroic air, though a hint of worry occasionally flickered between his brows. Yun Mengting sat on a stone bench nearby, her gaze gently following Ling Xuan's figure. She held a bunch of freshly gathered herbs in her hand, carefully sorting them.
Since their narrow escape in the ruins that day, thanks to the mysterious man's help, they've felt like a dead tree reborn, their lethargy swept away, their spirits rekindled. But the thrilling dangers and difficult decisions in the ruins still haunt them like a nightmare. Ling Xuan sheathed his sword and walked over to Yun Mengting, gently wiping the sweat from his forehead. He asked, "Ting'er, how are you feeling today? Does your wound still hurt?" Yun Mengting shook her head slightly, smiling softly, "I'm fine now, thanks to your careful care." The two smiled at each other, their smiles filled with relief at having survived the ordeal and deep affection for each other.
In the afternoon, sunlight filtered through the mottled leaves, casting patches of golden light onto the ground. Ling Xuan and Yun Mengting strolled along the valley path, surrounded by lush greenery, the air thick with the fragrance of flowers and plants.
"Brother Xuan, you said we've been in this valley for some time now. I wonder what the outside world has become like? Especially within the palace. The previous incident with the conspiracy group and the Qiankun Secret Book will definitely not be resolved. What kind of changes will there be now?" Yun Mengting asked softly, her eyes revealing a hint of curiosity and worry. Ling Xuan frowned slightly, and after a moment of contemplation, he said, "Although we have thwarted the conspiracy group, there is no guarantee that remnants will not stir up trouble. The palace has always been undercurrents, and now I am afraid that the situation is even more turbulent."
As they spoke, the sound of horse hooves shattered the tranquility of the valley. The two men paused in alarm, only to see a knight in black galloping toward them. The knight reined in front of the hut, dismounted, and respectfully saluted Ling Xuan and Yun Mengting.
"Are you Prince Ling and Miss Yun? I've been sent by my master to deliver some news." The mysterious visitor's voice was low and hoarse. Ling Xuan stepped forward and asked, "Who are you? What do you have to say?" The mysterious visitor slowly raised his head, his eyes sweeping over Ling Xuan and Yun Mengting. He said, "My master is a senior official in the imperial court. The situation at the palace has been turbulent recently. It's been reported that a new force has emerged, colluding with the remnants of the previous conspiracy group with ulterior motives. Furthermore, the court is increasingly interested in the affairs of the martial arts world. Having heard of your deeds in the martial arts world, they are interested in recruiting you into the palace."
Ling Xuan and Yun Mengting exchanged a glance, both surprised. Yun Mengting asked, "What if we refuse?" The mysterious visitor sneered, "If we don't go, we might be seen as a threat. The power struggles at court are complex and intricate. If you two are intelligent, you'll understand the stakes." With that, the mysterious visitor mounted his horse and rode away in a cloud of dust.
Ling Xuan gazed at the receding figure, lost in thought. Yun Mengting was also deeply troubled. She knew the dangers of the palace, but she didn't want to implicate Ling Xuan. "Brother Xuan, what should we do? Going to the palace is like walking into a tiger's mouth. But if we refuse, it will bring disaster upon us and even endanger the entire world." Yun Mengting's voice was filled with helplessness. Ling Xuan gently held her hand and said, "Ting'er, don't be afraid. Let's go back to the house and plan it out."
Back in the cabin, Ling Xuan paced back and forth, weighing the pros and cons in his mind. Yun Mengting sat at the table, tightly clutching a cup of tea, but showing no interest in drinking.
"Ting'er, I think if we want to completely escape the strife of the martial arts world, we might have to face the palace. Furthermore, the situation in the palace is unclear right now. If there's a new conspiracy brewing, how could we bear to stay out of it? But this journey will surely be fraught with obstacles." Ling Xuan finally stopped and looked at Yun Mengting. Yun Mengting raised her head, her eyes filled with worry. "But the palace is full of treacherous people. We're going there, and our fate is uncertain." Ling Xuan walked over to her, sat down, and gently put his arm around her shoulders. "I understand. But we're not the naive people we were back then. With our past experience, we'll be able to handle it with caution."
Yun Mengting nodded slightly. She knew Ling Xuan had a point. However, the thought of entering a palace filled with danger and uncertainty filled her heart with fear. "Then we must be fully prepared," Yun Mengting said. Ling Xuan nodded in agreement. "I'll go find out what's going on at the palace first. You rest well in your room. I'll make a decision when I return."
With that, Ling Xuan turned and walked out of the cabin, his figure gradually disappearing into the twilight of the valley. Yun Mengting looked in the direction he left, praying silently in her heart, hoping that they could successfully face the upcoming challenges.