Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1436: They All Looked at Him with Pity for the Simpleminded

A collective look of disdain was cast his way, and the Fifth Prince felt a flicker of relieved satisfaction. Ever since his encounter with Mu Hanyan, he had begun to doubt his own intellect. However, observing Jiang Yuzhe now, his self-assurance was somewhat restored. If Jiang Yuzhe were privy to the Fifth Prince's thoughts, he would likely be furious enough to spew blood, utterly despising him—what was there to be so proud of?

"It appears the upcoming battles will not be simple," Zirong remarked in a hushed tone, paying no mind to explaining himself to Jiang Yuzhe.

Huayue and the others’ expressions also turned profoundly grave. "Not simple" barely scratched the surface. Based on Yun Qianmo’s account, the ensuing confrontations would undoubtedly be fraught with extreme peril. Should Mu Hanyan resolve to defend Beining Pass to her last breath, her own life could very well be at stake.

"There's no use dwelling on it. We must hold Beining Pass, and we must hold Lu’an City." Whatever they could conceive, Mu Hanyan, too, could grasp, yet she spoke with unwavering determination.

"Mm," Huayue and the others assented with firm nods, their gazes converging, by unspoken agreement, on Ye Lanfeng.

While Beining Pass held significant strategic value, in their estimation, Mu Hanyan’s wellbeing transcended all other concerns.

"This time, I shall remain by your side and help defend Beining Pass," Ye Lanfeng stated without the slightest hesitation upon noticing their collective attention.

A collective sigh of relief escaped Huayue and his companions, their faces softening into relaxed smiles.

The Fifth Prince and Qu Fengting were even more privately delighted. Following the palace banquet, their perception of Ye Lanfeng shifted entirely; he was no longer viewed as merely Mu Hanyan's subordinate but was regarded with quiet reverence for his elevated status and formidable strength. Despite understanding the subtle implications behind Yun Qianmo’s recent pronouncements, Ye Lanfeng's confirmed participation in Beining Pass's defense significantly bolstered their morale.

The preceding events at the General's Mansion had generated considerable unrest, prompting several hundred soldiers and commoners possessing moderate cultivation levels to hastily arrive. To avert widespread panic, the Fifth Prince omitted the full truth, attributing the commotion to an overly intense sparring session among himself, Mu Hanyan, and the others, thereby appeasing their concerns.

Subsequently, Mu Hanyan and her companions retired to their respective chambers for rest. Meanwhile, the Fifth Prince and Qu Fengting hastened to rouse the soldiers who had been incapacitated earlier. Fortunately, Yun Qianmo’s control had been remarkably precise, and Ye Lanfeng had exercised restraint, ensuring no severe injuries were sustained.

"I understand now, I understand! What he meant was that the monstrous beasts appearing next will be even more powerful, so much so that even Han Yan won't be able to repel them, right? I've got it, haven't I?" Just as the assembly began to disperse, Jiang Yuzhe suddenly clapped his forehead, as if jolted from a stupor.

Mu Hanyan and the others stumbled simultaneously, nearly collapsing to the ground.

"Did you not absorb a single word of our conversation?" Mu Hanyan inquired.

Jiang Yuzhe simply shook his head, his face etched with bewilderment.

"Retire early. Conserve your energy. It benefits your mind. And your ears as well," Zirong advised, patting Jiang Yuzhe’s shoulder with earnestness, then pausing for a moment's thought before adding another suggestion.

Jiang Yuzhe remained utterly bewildered, perplexed as to why they were all regarding him with that particular look of pity reserved for those with diminished capacity.

Night descended upon the land. Aside from the sentries standing vigil on the battlements, all others had succumbed to slumber. Beining Pass was enveloped in an unnerving tranquility, a peace so profound it bordered on the unnatural. None could fathom the tempest that lay concealed beneath this placid surface.

In the far distance, atop the soaring mountain peaks, mists swirled and unfurled like ethereal ribbons. Two figures, one kneeling and another standing, appeared to be suspended amidst the celestial clouds.

The kneeling figure, adorned with a silver mask and bearing a body stained with blood, was Yun Qianmo, who had recently departed from Beining Pass.

The standing figure, cloaked in a golden mask, emanated an aura of unbridled arrogance, as though the entirety of the world lay subjugated beneath his dominion.

"Why did you venture to Beining Pass?" the man in the golden mask inquired in a low, authoritative tone, his voice resonating with power.

"Your subordinate acknowledges his transgression. I humbly request your judgment, my lord," Yun Qianmo responded, his voice devoid of any discernible emotion, akin to a stoic statue.

"Why did you venture to Beining Pass?" The man in the golden mask amplified his voice, clearly incensed, thereby intensifying his imposing presence.

"Your subordinate acknowledges his transgression. I humbly request your judgment, my lord." Yun Qianmo remained impassive, offering the identical response.

They remained locked in this silent confrontation, the kneeling subordinate and the commanding superior, with only the ceaseless, biting wind sweeping past them.

"Enough. Arise," the man in the golden mask relented after a prolonged silence, his voice laced with weariness.

Yun Qianmo remained silent, rising to his feet and waiting with deference behind the masked man.

"I understand the reasons behind your actions. However, you must also comprehend the reasons behind mine," the man in the golden mask stated calmly.

"This subordinate understands," Yun Qianmo replied.

"We will overlook this matter for now. I trust you will refrain from acting independently again. Always prioritize the greater scheme of the world above all else. You must not harbor even the slightest sentiment of romantic attachment." Without waiting for Yun Qianmo's response, the masked figure disappeared into the distance.

Yun Qianmo stood in silence for a considerable time before ascending into the sky and departing.

...

As dawn broke, bathing the earth in sunlight, Beining Pass resumed its imposing demeanor, reminiscent of the times before the great battles.

The Fifth Prince and Qu Fengting, accompanied by several hundred soldiers, stood atop the city walls like a line of sharpened spears. Below them, over a thousand soldiers formed a precise battle formation, prepared for combat.

Mu Hanyan, leading several hundred sons from noble families, was stationed to guard another section of the wall. Despite the ferocity of the past few days' battles, the presence of the Swords had ensured that not a single young master from a noble house had fallen. Even those who sustained injuries were not critically harmed; a brief rest of a day or two would see them back on their feet, as energetic as ever.

With their formidable Combat Power bolstering the defenses, the Fifth Prince and the other officers found their task significantly eased. Although their side sustained a far greater number of wounded compared to Mu Hanyan's contingent of noble sons, not a single soldier had met their demise.

Recalling the dire circumstances preceding their arrival, even they regarded this outcome as nothing short of miraculous.

Beneath the pass, commoners moved to and fro with purpose, dispatching bundles of sword-arrows to the parapets and conveying massive boulders to the Catapults positioned at the rear.

After days of conflict, even the soldiers defending the fortress had not lost a single man. Consequently, the commoners remained entirely unharmed. The look of despair and bleakness that had once clouded their faces was now absent, replaced by an undeniable spirit of determination.

Yet, curiously, the Exotic Beasts did not launch their usual assault today. The canyon that pierced the depths of Longyan Mountain lay entirely undisturbed.

Time flowed onward, and as dusk began to settle, signaling the approach of evening, not a single Exotic Beast had yet appeared. All remained eerily silent.

"Could it be that these Exotic Beasts have finally surrendered?" Most felt a sense of relief washing over them. They had been engaged in relentless combat almost daily, with no respite in sight. Regardless of whether the Exotic Beasts had truly given up, a day of peace was certainly a welcome development.

However, Mu Hanyan, Huayue, and the others displayed no such relaxation; their expressions grew even more grave.

The words of Yun Qianmo seemed to linger in their minds. They all understood that the Exotic Beasts would not simply cease their attacks. This was merely an ominous calm preceding a far greater tempest.

"Boom!" Suddenly, a thunderous clap, shaking the very heavens, erupted from within the canyon.

Everyone looked towards the sky, perplexed. Colorful clouds adorned the horizon, and overhead, the sky was a pristine, clear blue, devoid of any dark clouds. Where, then, had that thunder originated?