Huanzhu Time Travel: Yan Luo's Unbreakable Love in the Yong Dynasty

Black smoke surged like a raging tide, relentlessly encroaching upon the group, its howls growing ever more piercing, as if tearing their very souls apart. Xiao Yanzi's heart pounded, her hand gripping the dagger trembling slightly, but she gritted her teeth, struggling to regain her composure. Seeing this, Hongli swiftly stepped aside, shielding her behind him. His dark blue robe fluttered in the smoke, his eyes as resolute as stars in a cold night, radiating an unyielding authority. "Don't even think about it!" he roared, his longsword flashing from its sheath, the blade whistling sharply as it sliced ​​through the air, attempting to dispel the inky black smoke.

Hongzhou frowned, his short sword flashing with cold light. His black outfit, soaked with sweat and clinging to his body, did nothing to diminish his imposing aura. "This smoke is very strange, everyone be careful!" he shouted, vigilantly scanning his surroundings, not missing a single corner that might pose a danger. Fucha Fuheng swiftly opened his folding fan, the mechanism on its surface instantly popping out, gleaming with a cold metallic sheen. He slightly turned to the side, elegantly yet warily shielding everyone behind him, and said calmly, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I will do my best to resist." His voice, though not loud, was filled with a reassuring strength.

Just as everyone was struggling against the encroaching smoke, the man in black suddenly flashed forward, pouncing on Xiao Yanzi like a ghost. Startled, Xiao Yanzi instinctively raised her dagger to block, but felt a powerful force rush towards her, almost knocking her off her feet. "Xiao Yanzi!" Hongli cried out anxiously, desperately swinging his sword at the man in black to try and save Xiao Yanzi. However, the man in black moved nimbly, easily dodging Hongli's attack and continuing to close in on Xiao Yanzi.

In the nick of time, Hongzhou leaped into the air, his short sword aimed straight for the man in black's back. Sensing the danger, the man in black quickly turned to defend himself, engaging Hongzhou in a fierce battle. Their figures clashed, swords flashed, and a tense atmosphere filled the air. Taking advantage of the moment, Hongli pulled Xiaoyanzi back quickly, searching for an opportunity to counterattack. "Don't be afraid, I'm here," Hongli whispered, comforting Xiaoyanzi, his hand tightly gripping hers, conveying warmth and strength.

In the fierce exchange, the black-clad man's cloak was ripped open by Hongzhou's dagger, a corner fluttering down to reveal a jade pendant around his neck. Xiaoyanzi, with her sharp eyes, caught sight of the pattern on the pendant and her heart skipped a beat. The pattern was remarkably similar to a symbol on a mural in the Shadow Pavilion. "He's connected to the Shadow Pavilion!" Xiaoyanzi exclaimed, her eyes filled with shock and realization.

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback, and the rhythm of their attacks paused slightly. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the man in black exerted his strength, repelling Hongzhou, and then quickly retreated, disappearing back into the smoke. "Trying to leave? Not so easy!" Hongli roared angrily, drawing his sword to give chase.

"Your Majesty, be careful, it might be a trap!" Fucha Fuheng hurriedly stopped him.

Just then, a voice from the black-clad figure came through the smoke: "You think this is the end? How naive. Little Swallow, do you think you just happened to time-travel? Do you even know your true origins?" The voice was laced with sarcasm and mystery.

Xiao Yanzi's heart tightened, and she asked loudly, "What do you mean? What does my background have to do with all of this?" Her eyes were filled with doubt and anxiety, and she leaned forward slightly, as if trying to pull the man in black out of the smoke to get an explanation.

"Hmph, you're nothing but a pawn chosen by fate. How could you so easily uncover the secrets of the Shadow Pavilion?" The man in black sneered, his voice fading into the distance, as if deliberately keeping everyone in suspense.

"Explain yourself!" Little Swallow shouted angrily, her cheeks flushed slightly with excitement, and her eyes burning with rage.

As the smoke gradually dissipated, the dilapidated temple returned to its dim silence, the man in black vanished without a trace. The group looked around, their hearts filled with doubt and unease. "What exactly happened?" Hongzhou frowned, sheathing his dagger, his face full of confusion.

Hongli's face was gloomy. He slowly sheathed his longsword, his eyes filled with contemplation: "It seems that the conspiracy behind this is far more complicated than we imagined." He raised his hand and gently stroked the hilt of the sword, as if he was thinking about the next move.

Xiao Yanzi lowered her head in deep thought, the words of the man in black echoing in her mind. Her background? What was the connection between this and the murals in the Shadow Pavilion and the mysterious goods? The more she thought about it, the more her head ached, and she couldn't help but rub her temples. "No matter what, we must find out the truth. I refuse to believe I'm just a pawn." She gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with determination and resentment.

Fucha Fuheng nodded slightly, closed his folding fan, and said, "I will immediately send more people to investigate and make sure to uncover the secret behind this." His eyes revealed loyalty and determination, as if he was ready to meet any challenge.

The group decided to return to the palace first and then discuss the matter further. Along the way, everyone remained silent, lost in their own thoughts. The setting sun cast long shadows on them, making them appear particularly forlorn. Upon returning to the palace, Hongli immediately summoned Su Peisheng, Fucha Fuheng, and others to the imperial study to discuss countermeasures.

"Su Peisheng, immediately issue the order to strengthen the security of the palace. No one is allowed to enter or leave at will." Hongli sat on the dragon throne, his expression dignified, his voice carrying an unquestionable command.

"Yes, sir!" Su Peisheng replied hastily, then turned and left in a hurry.

"Fuheng, go and investigate the identity of that man in black, and his relationship with the Shadow Pavilion. You must give me an answer as soon as possible." Hongli looked at Fucha Fuheng, his eyes filled with expectation.

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Fucha Fuheng accepted the order and quickly withdrew.

Xiao Yanzi sat to one side, her fingers lightly tapping the table as she fell into deep thought. The events of the past few days kept replaying in her mind: the strange dreams, the mysterious murals, the inexplicable time travel… Could all of this truly be connected in some unspeakable way? She looked up at Hongli, her eyes filled with determination: “Your Majesty, I will definitely find out my true identity and the conspiracy behind it all.”