Return of the Pearl

On this special day, the sun shone through the clouds onto the earth, but the atmosphere in the palace was unusually solemn. Yongsheng and Yongyan, dressed in gorgeous court robes, walked into the court with their heads held high. Their eyes met, and the spark of competition was instantly ignited.

In the court, ministers were discussing various issues one after another. However, Yongsheng and Yongyan had no time to pay attention to these. They were concentrating on showing their talents and strengths. Yongsheng spoke eloquently and endlessly, expounding his views on state affairs; Yongyan won the praise of many ministers with his profound knowledge and unique views.

At the same time, outside the palace, An Yi was lurking silently as usual. He was agile and like a black shadow, making it difficult to detect. His task was to closely monitor Xiao Jian and Yong Bi's every move to see what kind of conspiracy they would come up with.

One day, An Yi suddenly felt a strange breath. The feeling was very subtle, like a ripple on the calm lake. With years of experience, An Yi knew that this was no accident. His nerves immediately tensed up and his eyes became extremely sharp.

Without any hesitation, An Yi took action. Like a ghost, he followed Yongbi silently, passing through corridors and rooms, and finally came to a remote and mysterious secret room.

Yongbi slowly picked up some food and threw it in front of Xiao Jian with a contemptuous attitude. At the same time, a sneer of disdain appeared on the corner of his mouth, and he said in a cold tone: "Eat! You have been hungry for several days. If you don't eat, you will really die!"

Xiao Jian was now covered in wounds, his once handsome face filled with pain and anger. He raised his head with difficulty, his eyes filled with confusion and unwillingness. He asked in a weak but firm voice, "What on earth do you want to do? What on earth did that person who disguised himself as me do?"

After hearing what Xiao Jian said, Yongbi's expression of mockery intensified. He raised his chin, let out a shrill laugh, and then said in a sarcastic tone, "He's entered the palace! He's gone to recognize your sister for you! Just stay here and relax!"

Xiao Jian became even more anxious upon hearing this. He used all his strength to struggle, trying to break free from the restraints. Veins bulged on his face, his eyes were filled with rage, and he gritted his teeth and shouted, "Who the hell are you?"

However, Yongbi turned a deaf ear to his question and just looked at him indifferently. A barely perceptible cunning flashed across his face, and he said coldly again: "Stop talking! Eat quickly!" The tone was as if he was talking to a poor guy who had no power to resist.

Yongbi didn't care about Xiao Jian's life or death at all. He threw the food away casually as if he was throwing away a worthless thing. He turned around, his steps seemed a little casual and lazy, as if he didn't care about all this.

The moment he turned around, a trace of indifference and boredom flashed across his face, and his eyes revealed a kind of disdain and contempt for Xiao Jian. The corners of his mouth rose slightly, with an imperceptible sneer, as if mocking Xiao Jian's incompetence and pitifulness.

His shoulders shrugged slightly, as if trying to get rid of some trouble. His steps were neither fast nor slow, but with a resolute attitude. Xiao Jian's eyes, full of despair and resentment, followed him like a shadow, but could not affect his determination to leave at all. He was thinking in his heart that after the Holy Envoy was rescued, this guy would no longer be of any use, so he would just be left here to fend for himself.

After Yongbi left, An Yi pushed open the heavy stone door, and a rotten and damp smell hit him in the face. An Yi looked closely and the scene before him made him feel heartbroken. He saw Xiao Jian tied to a stone pillar, his body covered with scars, his clothes stained with blood, and his originally handsome face was now unrecognizable, looking extremely hideous and terrifying, as if it was a ghost struggling out of hell.

An Yi bit his lips tightly, suppressing the grief and pity in his heart. He took a deep breath and approached Xiao Jian cautiously. Every step was as light as a feather. He successfully approached Xiao Jian and quickly untied the ropes that bound him.

Xiao Jian stared intently at the man in front of him, his heart filled with ripples of doubt. He frowned, and with a hoarse and confused voice, he asked, "Who are you?"

When An Yi heard Xiao Jian's question, he immediately straightened his body, with a solemn and serious expression on his face. His voice was steady and powerful, like a firm wind blowing past Xiao Jian's ears: "I am the emperor's secret guard, and your sister is the emperor's virtuous concubine. I have been ordered to come to rescue you. Come with me!"

After hearing An Yi's words, Xiao Jian's eyes flashed with surprise and relief. He nodded without hesitation and said anxiously, "Take me to see my sister quickly. That man is from the Tongtian Sect. His disguise skills are incredible! It's incredible. He can even imitate the voice of anyone he has met once. He's about to enter the palace to rescue the Holy Envoy. You must stop him quickly!"

When An Yi heard what Xiao Jian said, his heart felt like it was hit by a huge rock. He was horrified and his face turned gloomy in an instant. Deep worry and anxiety condensed between his brows. He thought to himself: What should I do? What if that fake Xiao Jian disguised himself as the emperor? That would be a huge trouble!

An Yi did not delay any longer. He turned around with Xiao Jian in a panic and rushed to the palace as fast as an arrow. On the way back to the palace, An Yi's heart was like a turbulent sea, ups and downs. After returning, he must report the whole matter to his master and let his master decide how to deal with Yongbi.

Yongbi slowly stepped out of the secret room, his face still showing a trance-like look of being immersed in a beautiful dream. The corners of his mouth rose slightly, outlining a smug smile, as if he was still savoring the beautiful fantasy. His eyes were blurred and erratic, as if he was still immersed in the illusory world he had woven, dreaming of the unattainable Spring and Autumn Period.

He thought to himself that this time he finally had a chance to avenge his father. He clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms, and a strong desire for revenge surged in his heart. When the people from Tongtian Sect came to him, he had almost no hesitation, as if he was attracted by some magic, and chose to cooperate with them without hesitation.

There was a crazy light in his eyes, which was a kind of desperate determination. His heart was filled with hatred and desire. He had completely lost his mind and only wanted to use the power of Tongtian Sect to realize his revenge plan, even if it meant paying a huge price.