Just a moment ago, he was wearing a mocking expression, but now a glimmer of tears flashed in his eyes. "A thousand years have passed. It feels like a lifetime. I haven't dared to utter that word'mom' for a thousand years. It hurts here."
Jun He pointed at his chest. My gaze fell on his chest. How could I not understand the bond between him and his mother?
It was a wound that would never heal for him. I stepped forward and patted Jun He on the shoulder. My heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Gu Yuan stepped forward and placed his hand on Jun He's shoulder. "Don't worry. Boss Gu didn't die in vain. I will make sure those who should be held accountable will pay."
Jun He and Gu Yuan stood side by side, one a celestial and the other a demon. Although they seemed out of place, in my eyes, they were more like brothers who had shared weal and woe.
To ease Jun He's sorrow, I pretended to pout and shouted at him with feigned anger. "Do I look that old? Where on earth do I look like your mom?"
"Haha, my mom isn't old either. My mom is Gu Qingcheng, the most beautiful woman in the Underworld."
A boyish smile once again spread across Jun He's face. Maybe by bravely uttering Gu Qingcheng's name, he had finally come to terms with her passing and found peace in his heart.
...
Three days passed in the blink of an eye. That day had finally arrived.
As soon as the gates of the City of Eternal Night opened, a group of heavenly soldiers and generals appeared outside to escort the Crown Prince back.
All the heavenly soldiers were clad in silver armor. The last time I saw such a sight was when Gu Qingcheng fought the heavenly soldiers in a bloody battle. There was no difference at all.
Gu Yuan had already changed into a long white robe with wide sleeves, a white wide - edged waistband, and a plain hem without any patterns. A jade silk ribbon was tied around his waist, making him look ethereal and otherworldly.
After Gu Yuan walked out of the City of Eternal Night, ten thousand heavenly soldiers and generals knelt on one knee, lowering their weapons, and paid their respects.
"We welcome Crown Prince Yuan back to the Heavenly Court to report..." Their powerful voices were so imposing that the entire Three Realms seemed to tremble.
Gu Yuan raised his hand and flicked the hem of his robe. The aura of a king overwhelmed the whole scene.
Long Jin quickly stepped forward and bowed to Gu Yuan. "Crown Prince Yuan, His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor has prepared a feast in the Purple Star Palace. He is waiting for you. Please, Crown Prince Yuan..."
After saying that, he pointed the way. Wherever his hand pointed, the heavenly soldiers made way, creating a long, shining path to lead the Crown Prince into the Heavenly Court.
Gu Yuan didn't say a word. Instead, he glanced at Jun He and me beside him. We nodded in return.
Gu Yuan lightly tapped his feet and soared into the clouds along the long path.
Jun He and I followed closely behind, afraid that something might happen to him.
However, we might have been over - thinking. Although Gu Yuan had lost his magical powers, he was still an ancient silver dragon. Flying should be an innate instinct for him and didn't require magical powers.
When the three of us were about to enter the Southern Heavenly Gate, an old acquaintance came towards us from afar.
Long Lin was accompanied by a group of heavenly soldiers. He looked at us from a distance, with an overbearing and imposing demeanor.
Seeing Long Lin, Gu Yuan stopped. Long Lin waved his fan and pointed at me, indicating for me to go and talk to him.
I turned to look at Gu Yuan beside me. He smiled at me and said, "Go. It's time for a closure."
I nodded at him. Jun He spread his palm, creating a black mist under my feet. I walked towards Long Lin along with the mist.
Long Lin closed his fan and gently raised it, signaling the soldiers beside him to step back. He wanted to talk to me alone.
When most of the people around had left, Long Lin reached out his hand to shake mine. I slapped his palm instead, as if the last bit of friendship between us had burned out.
He gently raised his fan and said, "My dear lady, are you betraying me?"
I put my hands behind my back and replied proudly, "Your Highness, you're joking. I'm a disciple of the guild, and you're a celestial of our guild. Now that you've turned against me, who is betraying whom?"
"Hahaha... You're still as sharp - tongued as ever. I like it so much."
"Your Highness, you're already notorious. Don't add the charge of seducing your sister - in - law. That's a stain that will last for ages, even more despicable than rebellion."
My words were like thorns, stabbing and adding salt to the wound. I couldn't fight physically, but I could surely use my words to hurt him.
Long Lin laughed again. He didn't show the slightest sign of anger.
"I'm a petty man with a tiny heart. It's only as big as the eye of a needle and can only hold one person. But in the end, even this person was taken away by Gu Yuan. This is simply... intolerable."
"I don't even have the last shred of hope for her. So I can only focus on my career. Once I become the lord of the Three Realms, I'll have everything, and resurrecting Man Yue will be just around the corner."
I stood there in silence.
Long Lin continued, "I need your help, my dear lady. You've seen how the current Heavenly Emperor is in a mess. You've seen how he treated Xi Nv and Gu Yuan. Even so, are you still going to help him and be his accomplice? Have you thought about the consequences?"
"Your Highness, have you heard of the saying 'a wife follows her husband'? Gu Yuan's decision is my decision. No matter what decision he makes, even if it's wrong, I'll follow him. So you'd better plan well for your army's invasion."
After saying that, I turned around and walked towards Gu Yuan. Looking at Gu Yuan, a loving smile spread across my face. Gu Yuan curved his lips and reached out his hand to greet me.
Long Lin had been amiable towards me before, but at this moment, his expression became more and more serious.
"Sooner or later, you'll realize that this decision of yours is wrong. You'll surely regret it."
"I hope that day comes soon."
I didn't look back and ran towards Gu Yuan. I reached out and grabbed his hand, following him towards the Southern Heavenly Gate.
Long Lin just watched as our procession entered the Southern Heavenly Gate in grand style. From afar, I saw him staring at his palm for a long time. It was not until he closed his fan and disappeared into the sky that I turned my head and looked up at Gu Yuan.
Gu Yuan reached out and ruffled my hair. "Don't worry. Everything will get back on track."
After he said that, a man in eunuch's clothing walked towards us from afar. He held a whisk in his hand and trotted towards us with a beaming smile on his face.
"Crown Prince Yuan, please follow me. The feast in the Purple Star Palace is ready. It's waiting for you to take your seat."
This man, hunched over, looked so treacherous that I would recognize him even if he turned to ashes.
That scoundrel Xue Liang had returned to the Heavenly Court to serve that dog - like Heavenly Emperor. Looking at his disgusting appearance, I couldn't help but recall the day when Boss Gu was tortured beyond recognition and died on the chain hook.
I wished I could skin him alive right now.