Chapter 302 - - 300 Loyalty visible to heaven and earth_1

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The words were logical, strategic, sorrowful, despairing, and spoke of the greater good of home and country…

But Luo Shuang’s eyes still brimmed with intense wariness; she had been through too much during this time.

Deception, betrayal, fleeing, hunger, homelessness…

In a short time, she had experienced the most tragic and distressing events of her life.

Even if she once was a delicate princess unfamiliar with worldly matters, she had grown up, and a key indication of growth was no longer easily trusting anyone.

General Si Chen was dead.

During the escape, all one could see were flashes of blades and shadows of swords—who would care if someone was secretly directing everyone to slaughter each other…

Leng Shi’s words seemed honorable and righteous at first glance, but upon closer thought, they were all unverifiable claims.

But what was his purpose in doing this?

He was just a step away from killing her.

Does he still want to use her identity?

Now the only thing useful about her was her identity as a fugitive princess!

Enslave her, trade her to Duke Dingguo for a better future; or use her as a bargaining chip to coerce Duke Dingguo; or simply reduce her to an object of pleasure to cater to the special tastes of certain nobles…

Perhaps, the order he received wasn’t to kill her but to capture her alive instead.

Watching the resigned Duge ready to face her death, Luo Shuang’s mind flashed through many ways she could be exploited. She bit her lip tightly, knowing that killing Leng Shi and escaping on her own was the best choice. No matter the opponent’s schemes, they could all be easily foiled.

But looking at Leng Shi, who was tragically awaiting death yet still full of vigor, she knew she had no chance. The moment she harbored a thought to kill, she would likely face an attack as sudden and fierce as a storm.

Moreover, she was injured and nearly at the end of her strength. She wasn’t confident that in such a state, she could fight and kill an assassin whose job was to take lives.

What’s more.

Even if she really could kill Leng Shi, with her current physical state, it was impossible for her to leave this forest.

She couldn’t die.

She still had to avenge her father and brothers and reclaim Qingwu Country.

The least she could do was not to die here in obscurity, perishing alongside an assassin.

She needed to survive.

Whether it was true or false, the man before her was her only chance to live. Once her injuries had healed, she would always have the opportunity to flee from his side…

“He Xu, what kind of talk is that? General Si Chen died loyal to the country; how could I possibly kill his soldiers in my own escape? If I killed you, I would not have the face to meet the Emperor or General Si in the afterlife!”

Luo Shuang sighed and put away her dagger, “Get up, Mr. He, I believe you. If you wanted to kill me, you would have done so already. Why go through all this trouble to deceive me again?”

Damn!

What an actor!

Duge was moved, his eyes flared with shining light as he excitedly said, “Princess, do you really believe me?”

“Of course,” Luo Shuang forced a small smile, shaking her head as she said, “I don’t think a princess of a fallen country has anything worth your deception. Killing me and returning with my head would be enough for you to get promoted in Dragon Teeth; you had no need to reveal your identity. If I can’t trust even you, who can I trust? I’ve already lost everything.”

“No, princess, you haven’t lost everything. You have me,” Duge stood up again, picked up the longsword from the ground, sheathed it, and said with great righteousness, “And you have the countless people of Qingwu Country waiting for redemption. Princess, although I may have modest abilities, I am willing to lay down my life for the cause of reclaiming your country…”

“…” Luo Shuang watched Leng Shi, who suddenly stood up, clear and spirited, as if not wounded at all. The medicine she had taken out to win sympathies suddenly froze in midair, and she felt a chill down her spine as her heart raced.

At this moment, only one thought remained in her heart.

He wasn’t injured.

It was all a deception.

She was fortunate she hadn’t attempted to kill anyone.

Swallowing nervously, Luo Shuang probed, “Mr. He, your injuries?”

“Just a blood bag,” Duge smiled and calmly replied, “It was a temporary measure to test the princess. Although I am loyal to Qingwu Country, I am not naive. If just now you had chosen to leave me behind, or really tried to kill me…

“That would prove that the Princess is selfish and self-serving. Such a princess, even if successful in restoring her country, would be of no benefit to the nation. At that time, I will personally send the Princess on her way to reunite with the Emperor…”

“…” Luo Shuang’s face turned pale.

“However, the Princess did not leave by herself; instead, she chose to take out medicinal herbs to save her subordinates, which proves that the Princess is a kind-hearted person, worthy of He Xu’s allegiance.” Duge looked at Luo Shuang with satisfaction, “He Xu also acts for the future of Qingwu Country, please forgive me, Princess.”

“…” Luo Shuang felt cold in her hands and feet, and a myriad of curses raced through her mind. Since ancient times, it has always been the sovereign who tested his subjects, and never the subjects who tested their sovereign. What an unfaithful, unfilial, uncompassionate, and unjust scoundrel you are.

Yet, for some reason, after He Xu explained his reasoning, Luo Shuang’s suspicions of him actually lessened slightly.

She took a deep breath to calm her emotions: “Mr. He truly has a meticulous mind!”

“The Princess flatters me.” Duge chuckled, “Without a meticulous mind, how could General Sichen have sent me to Chongming Country as an undercover agent? Without such acumen, how could I have orchestrated the demise of both Dragon Teeth and the guards, leaving only myself and the Princess alive? If there had been a single error in any part of this plan, either I would be dead, or the Princess would be dead—how else could we have ended up with such a flawless result, eliminating the traitor and ensuring the Princess’s safety, bringing about a perfect conclusion as it is now.”

Listening to his self-praising speech, Luo Shuang truly didn’t know how to respond.

To tell the truth.

If it wasn’t for the necessity of relying on the man before her, she would rather stab him to death herself.

Killing all of her guards and not even leaving a single maidservant, leaving her with no one to rely on—is this what you call a perfect result?

This is clearly cutting the weeds and digging up the roots!

Taking a deep breath, Luo Shuang thanked Duge with a gesture: “In that case, from now on, Luo Shuang will rely on Mr. He.”

“The Princess is too polite.” Duge gave a fist salute, “In life, I am a person of Qingwu Country; in death, I will be its ghost. This life is devoted to Qingwu Country, and I will do everything in my power to assist the Princess in restoring her country. This loyalty can be witnessed by heaven and earth…”

“Alright, I understand.” Luo Shuang’s head throbbed slightly, “Mr. He, now that only the two of us are left, let’s not speak of Qingwu Country again, lest we invite unnecessary disaster.”

“I understand,” said Duge. With his operations, he had initially won Luo Shuang’s trust. After repeatedly expressing his loyalty, his injuries had long since recovered, and his abilities had also grown to some extent.

His True Qi was also gradually recovering.

Compared to the last Alien Battlefield, the cultivation system in this world was much more complex. Martial Artists cultivated True Qi, Magicians cultivated magical power, and there were jobs similar to mages who drew upon the power of the universe for their own use, as well as beast tamers, potion masters, and so on.

Moreover, the world was not only inhabited by humans but also Demonic Beasts.

A variety of professions and races vied for splendor, making up this rich and colorful world.

“Princess, what are your plans next?” asked Duge.

“According to the established plan, first go to Qinglan Sword Sect, meet my master, and then ask him to persuade the Emperor of Chongming Country to send troops to aid me in reclaiming my country,” Luo Shuang said.

Duge looked at Luo Shuang and fell silent.

“Does Mr. He see a problem with my plan?” Luo Shuang asked.

Not just a problem; a big problem.

Qinglan Sword Sect.

One of the strongest eight sects of the current age, where each head of the sect is known as the Qinglan Sword Saint, with personal strength strong enough to influence the destiny of a country.

The various countries also liked sending their princes and princesses to these sects to learn skills and maintain relationships with the major sects, which in turn needed the resources of the royal families, a mutual beneficial arrangement.

But being born of high status, princes and princesses study the art of power and governance; how many of them are willing to put in the effort to learn martial arts? Their entry into greater sects is merely a gold-plating.

The disciple of some Sword Saint, it sounds good when mentioned.

But at the end of the day, they are only nominal disciples.

Under the Qinglan Sect, there are not a hundred princes and princesses, there are eighty, nearly as many as the descendants of King Zhongshanjing, Uncle Liu of the imperial family.

A deposed princess of a fallen nation, with neither people nor money—why would a great Sword Saint help you?

What benefit is there for him in helping you?

Is it because you have a big face, or because you’re beautiful?

This person is truly desperate for help!

“Fourth Princess, let’s first survive, then consider other matters,” Duge sighed inwardly, turned to Luo Shuang, and said, “This time, no one from Dragon Teeth returned to report, so they are likely to send a second wave of assassins. Duke Dingguo is also unlikely to let the Princess live. We must overcome these two imminent threats…”

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