Chapter 684: Chapter 6: Farewell
"I didn’t expect that after all these years, he still hasn’t let go of Cai’s death and has always carried guilt in his heart."
Wei Qun said, "If not for that, he wouldn’t have returned to the outskirts of Wu’an County to pay his respects to Cai, learned about our ’One Plum’, and rushed to save us."
Mentioning Tan Wujiu, the few former Cyan Dragon Guards present couldn’t help but sigh in lament.
Back then, out of anger, they laid down their armor and swords, harboring resentment towards Tan Wujiu and dissatisfaction towards the Cyan Dragon Bureau.
None of them expected that one day, Tan Wujiu would die in battle to save them.
They risked their lives to retrieve Tan Wujiu’s body.
In the tent, another woman suddenly spoke, "Actually, the Cyan Dragon Lord’s visit this time wasn’t just for the Cyan Dragon Guards; part of it was due to us."
"Elder Zong, Sister Yan."
Mei Yingxue bowed and said, "No matter what, I must thank you for your immense support this past year. Without the firearms you brought and the methods you taught ’One Plum,’ they wouldn’t have lasted until today."
The two were former Vemilion Bird Bureau Marshal Zong Zhulan and Captain Yan Qi.
"Miss Mei, you overstate."
Zong Zhulan said, "We also acted under the command of the Eldest Princess, fulfilling our duties."
Mei Yingxue said, "The Black Water Country has already deployed the Capital’s Imperial Guard. That Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard is a First Grade Grandmaster, aided by the Cyan Dragon Bureau. ’One Plum’ still has more than five thousand people; their target is too big, and with so many injured, it will be hard to make it back to Daqian."
"The two of you are far superior in martial arts. If you each leave, there’s a great chance you’ll make it out alive. There’s no need to stay with us."
Actually, Mei Yingxue and Yuan Qingmu had only known each other briefly.
The disparity in their status was significant.
After parting ways in Wu’an County, she thought they’d have no further contact.
But unexpectedly, the Eldest Princess had always remembered her.
Upon hearing she had established ’One Plum,’ she specifically sent two experts from the Vermilion Bird Bureau to assist.
Among them, Sister Yan Qi, she knew from prior engagements.
Back in Wu’an County, they’d fought side by side.
If not for these two experts from the Vermilion Bird Bureau and their firearms, ’One Plum’ wouldn’t have caused so much trouble for the Black Water Country and lasted this long.
Yan Qi said calmly, "Even if we escape this place, we have nowhere to go. By choosing to come here, we are no longer Vermilion Bird Guards and can’t return."
Seeing the two unwilling to leave, Mei Yingxue cupped her hands and said, "Actually, I wish to request that you both return to the capital and thank the Eldest Princess on my behalf. In this life, I have no chance to see her again, but perhaps in the next life, I will repay her great kindness."
"Moreover, if the Cyan Dragon Lord catches you here, it could very well become evidence against the Eldest Princess."
Both Zong Zhulan and Yan Qi felt a chill in their hearts.
This indeed was a significant possibility.
The current emperor is ruthless and shows no mercy, even to the imperial family. In the fall, he plans to execute Prince Wei, Yuan Qingmo.
If such a major handle falls into the hands of the Cyan Dragon Bureau, the Eldest Princess’s situation will be extremely perilous!
Zong Zhulan and Yan Qi exchanged glances and stood up simultaneously.
"In that case, we will take our leave."
Yan Qi looked at Mei Yingxue, "Miss Mei, take care!"
In reality, she knew in her heart that Mei Yingxue likely wouldn’t survive this calamity.
When they last broke through the heavy encirclement of the Black Water Country, ’One Plum’ suffered heavy casualties, Tan Wujiu perished, and all their accumulated firearms were used up.
’One Plum’s’ combat power was greatly diminished. If pursued by the Black Water Country’s Imperial Guard, they would be completely annihilated.
"You two, take care as well."
Mei Yingxue nodded.
Then she looked at a man and a woman in the tent and said, "Young Hero Mei, Female Knight Zhu, thank you for your righteous support during this time and for teaching me several martial arts from the Plum Blossom Sword Sect. I have benefited greatly."
"Miss Mei, you’re too kind."
Both rose and returned the gesture.
This man and woman were the ’Cyan Plum Sword Hero’ Mei Zhenyu and Zhu Lingxue from the Nanxia Plum Blossom Sword Sect.
On that day at Langya Pavilion, under Chen Tang’s guidance, Mei Zhenyu overcame his heart demon, sparking a desire for Beiqian Pingzhou and the Extreme North Cold Domain.
However, due to changes in the sect and the Martial Arts Assembly, he never set out.
After the Martial Arts Assembly, he bid farewell to his master and crossed the river to Beiqian.
Zhu Lingxue had little interest in this way of honing the Sword Dao.
But she knew the journey was exceedingly dangerous and wanted to accompany her senior brother.
The two traveled north, experiencing some thrills along the way in Beiqian. Upon reaching Pingzhou, they heard much about ’One Plum’ and developed a liking for this rebel army.
Later, they heard the leader of ’One Plum’ was a woman known as the ’Red-clothed Cold Plum,’ sparking their curiosity even more.
The sword formulas they practiced were the ’Cold Plum Sword Technique.’
However, shortly after meeting Mei Yingxue, ’One Plum’ was besieged by the Black Water Country, resulting in a long escape with heavy casualties.
During these days, the two always fought alongside ’One Plum’ and did not flee.
Mei Yingxue was silent for a moment, then softly said, "And thank you for telling me about Chen Tang. If you return to Nanxia and get a chance to see him..."
She suddenly fell silent. After a while, she forced a carefree smile and said, "Well, there’s nothing much to say. Just tell him I’ve made a name for myself, called the Red-clothed Cold Plum, which sounds better than his Young Hero Tiger Subduing."
Mei Zhenyu and Zhu Lingxue were silent.
They heard the farewell tone in Mei Yingxue’s voice.
Zhu Lingxue, with reddened eyes, couldn’t help but step forward and grasp Mei Yingxue’s hands.
They had not known each other long, but during these days, they got along extremely well.
In her heart, she greatly admired this Sister Mei.
Clearly only older than her by a year or two, yet so strong, capable of leading an army, and coming and going like the wind.
"Sister Mei, you must survive and come to Nanxia when you have the chance. Find us in Nanxia, in Nanxia Wu Province; you can reach us by boat..."
As Zhu Lingxue spoke, tears began to fall, tinged with a note of sobbing.
Mei Yingxue felt a pang in her nose, deeply moved.
In the past, she would have cried her heart out.
But now, as the leader of ’One Plum,’ she could not cry.
With a bamboo stick in her mouth, Meng Liangyu pretended to be sad and sighed, "Eldest Master, after all this time, I still haven’t made a name for myself."
"How could you not?"
Mei Yingxue smiled, "Xiao Meng of ’One Plum’, renowned everywhere, doesn’t everyone know?"
Meng Liangyu rolled his eyes, "That name is too perfunctory!"
Mei Zhenyu said, "Miss Mei, if there’s something you want to tell Brother Chen, you must survive to go to Nanxia and tell him in person."
Back then, when they inadvertently mentioned Chen Tang, Mei Yingxue reacted tremendously.
He guessed that Chen Tang had an extraordinary place in Mei Yingxue’s heart.
"In person?"
Mei Yingxue smiled forlornly, "There’s no chance."
She seemed to recall something and fell into a daze.
If she could, she dearly wished to return to a few years ago.
That evening when a group of them gathered in a shabby, dilapidated room to ring in the new year.
Back when her parents and brother were still alive.
She so wished time would stop at that moment.
After a brief silence, she snapped back to reality, looking at Meng Liangyu nearby.
Just as she was about to speak, Meng Liangyu, as if guessing her intentions, shrugged, "There’s no need to persuade me. I can’t leave with a leg injury."
Mei Yingxue pursed her lips and then turned to Mei Zhenyu and Zhu Lingxue, "Young Heroes, you should leave with Elder Zong and Sister Yan, for company on the road."
"It’s too late."
At that moment, a cold and aloof voice came from outside, "None of you here will leave!"
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