Chapter 122: I Will Just Wipe Him Out Myself

After about an hour of commotion, the welcoming procedures were finally completed. The delegation from the Heavenly Earth Sect was greeted with standard protocol. However, when the groups from the Ice Wave Sect and the Gold Soul Hall arrived, they were met with an overwhelming show of force. Several of their members, lacking sufficient cultivation, were nearly forced off their battle beasts by the sheer pressure.

These sects also utilized flying battle beasts, but they were vastly inferior to the Sky Cloud Beasts, with the highest-level creature being only a low-rank level six, while the others were around level four.

Neither of the two sect leaders had come in person; they had sent only elders. Under the pressure radiating from the Fire God Army—which approached the level of a Battle Saint—their condition was naturally quite pathetic.

Once the welcoming task was finished, Hu Mo was cast aside by Hu Yihu, left to his own devices. After much contemplation, Hu Mo eventually headed toward the imperial palace. No matter what, he knew he had to face the situation.

The atmosphere within the palace was filled with festive joy, and everyone was busy with their duties. As a general, Hu Mo had free access. To be honest, this was his first time inside the palace. Since being conferred the title of General Weilong, he had used illness as an excuse to avoid court sessions, so the surroundings felt truly unfamiliar to him.

He wandered through the palace, hoping to find where Zhu Xinyue resided. However, the palace was vast and filled with restrictions; his soul power could not extend beyond him, which left him feeling utterly helpless.

Just as he was feeling lost, a hand tapped him on the shoulder. He spun around to see a familiar face. As their eyes met, he saw the person’s face was filled with fury, as if he owed her a fortune.

"Ah, it is Her Highness the Fourth Princess. General Hu Mo pays his respects," Hu Mo said hurriedly, his heart full of bitterness. Judging by her expression, it was clear she was angry with him on behalf of Zhu Xinyue.

"Heh, so the great General Weilong has wandered into the inner palace? Are you here to find my little sister? No, that can't be—there shouldn't be any connection between you two. Don't you know you should avoid suspicion, given that she is getting engaged today?" the Fourth Princess said without a shred of politeness. At the thought of Hu Mo rejecting Zhu Xinyue, her anger flared up as if she had just inhaled gunpowder.

Hu Mo gave a bitter smile. "Your Highness, I know you are angry, and I know I have done things to upset you. I am here to resolve this, so I must see Xinyue!"

Hu Mo looked at the Fourth Princess with intense longing. His words left her momentarily stunned, her face clouded with doubt. After a long moment, the suspicion faded, and she whispered, "Fine, follow me. I hope it is not too late."

The Fourth Princess turned and walked ahead in silence. Her heart was in turmoil. On one hand, bringing Hu Mo to see Zhu Xinyue was strictly forbidden, a transgression that filled her with anxiety. On the other, she desperately wanted her sister to find true happiness. She had witnessed the changes in Zhu Xinyue over the past few days; in just three days, she had lost so much weight and looked utterly hollow. It pained her sisters deeply, yet they had no way to help. Now, she could only pin her hopes on Hu Mo, fully aware that the one who tied the knot must be the one to untie it.

After weaving through many turns and passing several checkpoints, Hu Mo finally arrived at Xinyue Residence. This was Zhu Xinyue’s private chamber, where she was currently dressing for her coming-of-age and engagement ceremonies.

She sat at her vanity, staring blankly into the bronze mirror. She had always been beautiful, with a lively, spirited charm; now, she was beautiful in a desolate, sorrowful way.

Though her rouge was bright, it could not hide the pallor of her face. Zhu Xinyue’s heart was on the verge of closing off entirely. She feared that once the marriage was finalized, her heart would seal itself away forever. If her beloved was far away, what use was there for a heart?

"Xiao Hong, do I look pretty?" Zhu Xinyue asked suddenly, a faint, fragile smile on her lips.

"Yes, Princess! You are the most beautiful today!" a maid in red replied, smiling as she surreptitiously wiped the corner of her eye with her sleeve.

Zhu Xinyue’s smile deepened slightly. She glanced at the mirror and murmured to herself, "But if I cannot show this face to the one I love, what is the use of being pretty? Xiao Hong, do not be sad. I will not die; I will live—I will live for him."

Zhu Xinyue’s soft voice drifted through the room. Outside the door, Hu Mo stood like a statue, his hand, which had been reaching out to knock, frozen in mid-air.

Seeing him like this, the Fourth Princess frowned and said impatiently, "Why are you standing at the door? Why don't you go in? Are you afraid?"

With that, the Fourth Princess shoved the door open and pushed Hu Mo inside. Seeing that familiar face reflected in the bronze mirror, Zhu Xinyue’s spirit jolted. She spun around, exclaiming, "Brother Hu, why are you here? Fourth Sister, you..."

"Enough talk, little sister. Solve this between yourselves; I will stand guard outside. You don't have much time, so say what you need to say," the Fourth Princess interrupted, pulling Xiao Hong out of the room. As she left, she glared at Hu Mo, who nodded slightly before slowly closing the door.

Zhu Xinyue’s heart raced. Besides Zhu Yan and the imperial physician, no other man had ever entered her chambers. Hu Mo’s presence made her feel even more flustered, as if she didn't know how to act.

Seeing her thin, frail frame and recalling her words, Hu Mo’s heart ached. A person could invent any number of reasons for their actions, but they could never defy their own heart. His heart had told him that this woman was worth loving and worth protecting.

"Why have you lost so much weight? Is the food in the palace not good? Back when we were in that small village, you used to eat quite heartily. Is the palace food not as good as what we had there?" Hu Mo said with a smile, instinctively walking toward her.

Zhu Xinyue let out a small, sudden laugh. "Of course the food in the palace isn't as good. Have you ever seen a prison where the food is better than on the outside? If I had a choice, I would rather not be a princess. I would choose to live in an ordinary village, eating simple meals with the one I love. That is the life I want."

Zhu Xinyue squinted, lost in her dreams, looking every bit like a child. Hu Mo stopped a foot away from her, his tall frame shielding her completely.

At such close proximity, their breathing was clearly audible. Zhu Xinyue’s heart beat so fast it felt as if it might leap from her throat. Hu Mo leaned in slowly, as if wanting to merge with her.

Suddenly, he pulled her into an embrace and whispered softly into her ear, "I still cannot bear to give you to someone else. It would be a truly foolish thing to do."

Zhu Xinyue froze, and then tears surged forth—tears of happiness, tears of joy.

After a long while, they slowly separated. Hu Mo wore a smile, while Zhu Xinyue’s face was streaked with tears. Hu Mo gently wiped them away and laughed, "Silly girl, you won't be pretty if you keep crying. I am making this decision at the risk of everything; endless suffering awaits me. Heh, but that is the tradition of our Hu family—our wives are won through strength. We let our actions speak for themselves!"

"You and your glib tongue," she replied. With her heart finally unburdened, her previous despair vanished. She leaned against his chest, feeling his warmth, and murmured, "I am so afraid this is a dream. If it is, I truly don't want to wake up."

Hu Mo gently stroked her hair and said softly, "Don't worry, Xinyue. This is no dream. You are mine—forever mine. No one can take you away."

His tone carried a heavy weight, and a fierce fighting spirit radiated from him.

"But, Brother Hu, he is the Crown Prince of the Divine Wood Empire and the successor to the Heavenly Saint Palace. I'm afraid..."

"Don't say another word. Leave everything to me. Xinyue, go and finish your ceremony. I will challenge that so-called Crown Prince openly before the entire world. You are my woman; how could you ever marry another?" Hu Mo’s voice was filled with dominance, like a sleeping lion finally awakening. Zhu Xinyue’s heart trembled once more, and she closed her eyes in pure bliss.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door, followed by the Fourth Princess’s impatient voice: "Are you done hugging yet? The time for the ceremony is almost here, and everyone is waiting for our protagonist. Save the intimacy for after the ritual!"

Zhu Xinyue’s face turned crimson, and she reluctantly pulled away from Hu Mo.

Hu Mo gave a faint smile, kissed her forehead lightly, and whispered, "Wait for me. I, Hu Mo, have chosen you for this lifetime!"

"Yes! I will wait for you!" Zhu Xinyue nodded firmly, a look of resolve on her face. She had already decided: if she could not be with Hu Mo, she would rather die and let her soul fade away.

After parting from her, Hu Mo began to calculate his next moves. While it sounded easy, accomplishing it was anything but simple. This was outside his plans, but he was acting on his heart. In this life, he refused to have any regrets.

"To hell with it! Whoever stands in my way will be destroyed! I’ve realized something—I’m just a rogue at heart, and rogues have their own principles. If someone wants to steal my woman, I’ll just wipe them off the face of the earth!" Hu Mo declared fiercely. A surge of powerful battle energy erupted from his body, and in an instant, he vanished, charging into the distance with incredible speed.