"Huh? The Mount Shushan people took Zhao Ling'er away? Could it possibly be that Senior Brother Sword Saint has already found Zhao Ling'er's whereabouts?"
Upon hearing Elder Shi's urgent words, the Drunken Sword Immortal's facial expression changed slightly with surprise and he asked with obvious concern.
"Huh? Are you Taoist Mo Yixi?" As the Drunken Sword Immortal spoke his question aloud, Elder Shi's sharp gaze fell directly upon him. He appeared slightly startled by recognition. After a brief moment's thought he said with genuine surprise.
The Drunken Sword Immortal was the Mount Shushan swordsman who had boldly entered directly into the Nanzhao Kingdom's palace and successfully rescued the princess from confinement. Elder Shi knew him personally and understood that the kingdom was deeply indebted to him.
"Wait just a moment. What did you just say? You knew all along that the Mount Shushan people would take Ling'er away?" Li Xiaoyao who had been standing nearby also heard the Drunken Sword Immortal's revealing words clearly. He asked with shock and growing anger.
"Yes I knew that Senior Brother Sword Saint was planning to descend from the mountain specifically to bring Zhao Ling'er back to Mount Shushan. So the true purpose of my journey down the mountain this time was to inform you so you could take Zhao Ling'er and hide her safely. I did not expect her to mysteriously disappear on her own so I did not ask any further questions about it. But I genuinely did not expect Senior Brother to somehow find Zhao Ling'er before we could locate her ourselves."
At this critical point the Drunken Sword Immortal had absolutely nothing left to hide from anyone. So he explained the complete truth without reservation.
"So it truly was the Mount Shushan Sect Leader himself who took the princess away" Elder Shi breathed a tremendous sigh of relief upon hearing the Drunken Sword Immortal's confirming words.
If that were genuinely true then there was absolutely no need whatsoever to worry about the princess's safety or wellbeing. Elder Shi despite being stationed far away in distant Nanzhao was extremely well aware of the Mount Shushan Sect Leader's outstanding reputation as a legendary swordsman throughout the land.
"Damn it all! Why did your Mount Shushan Sect Leader forcibly take Ling'er away from me?" Li Xiaoyao who stood nearby exclaimed with righteous anger upon hearing this revelation.
"It is actually our Mount Shushan not just mine!" Hearing Li Xiaoyao's careless words which completely disregarded and ignored him as a Mount Shushan disciple, the Drunken Sword Immortal immediately corrected him firmly.
Although neither he nor Li Xiaoyao had ever held any formal apprenticeship ceremony together, he had personally taught the young man the Mount Shushan School's sacred sword-wielding techniques. So in practical essence Li Xiaoyao was now properly considered a Mount Shushan disciple himself.
"Are you truly the Prince Consort? I heard that old man specifically say he did not want the princess to tragically repeat her past mistakes. So he took her away forcibly and forbade her from ever leaving Mount Shushan again." At this tense moment Anu who stood nearby suddenly interrupted with her own information.
"I absolutely must go to Mount Shushan immediately to rescue Ling'er!" Hearing Anu's distressing words, Li Xiaoyao declared with a fiercely determined expression on his face.
"Yes Prince Consort I completely support you in this! I will definitely go with you! I lost the princess through my carelessness and I bear responsibility for it..."
Hearing Li Xiaoyao's brave words, Anu was deeply impressed with his devotion and loyalty. She nodded seriously while practically jumping up and down with enthusiasm.
"Anu you will come back to Nanzhao Kingdom with us immediately!" However before Anu could finish speaking her passionate words, Elder Shi suddenly shouted in a deep authoritative voice that was completely unquestionable.
"Ah? Anu does not want to go back home! Anu wants to go and help rescue the princess!" Anu's cheerful face immediately fell dramatically as she protested.
"No this matter is absolutely not negotiable!" However when Elder Shi got truly serious about something, he became completely unstoppable and left Anu no room whatsoever for negotiation or argument.
"Anu please just stop talking right now..." Tang Yu who stood protectively beside her knew his adoptive father's stern character extremely well. Anu would definitely suffer if this argument continued escalating. So he immediately stepped in and offered gentle solace.
"Well you are perfectly justified in going to Mount Shushan under these circumstances." Although the Drunken Sword Immortal was not particularly optimistic about Li Xiaoyao's chances of successfully rescuing anyone, considering Li Xiaoyao's technical status as a Mount Shushan disciple, he felt it was entirely appropriate for him to go up the mountain now.
Furthermore he had only accepted this one single disciple during his entire lifetime. So it was absolutely right and proper that he should bring Li Xiaoyao back to Mount Shushan for Senior Brother Sword Saint to meet and evaluate personally.
"Going to Mount Shushan? I should definitely take this excellent opportunity to go there as well..." Alex who had been silently observing everything now finally spoke up with his intention.
"Well it is indeed the perfect time for you to travel to Mount Shushan" the Drunken Sword Immortal nodded in complete agreement.
Alex had been planning to journey to Mount Shushan to formally become a disciple. But his request would require the Sword Saint's personal approval which was absolutely essential.
Elder Shi and his group would naturally not be going along. With the princess's safety now completely assured, Elder Shi decided to return directly to Nanzhao to report everything to the Emperor.
Liu Jinyuan and Lin Yueru had both gone back earlier to rest or bathe. They remained unaware of what was currently happening and no one had specifically informed them yet.
Having firmly made the decision to depart, there was absolutely no time left to waste. Li Xiaoyao seemed desperately eager to fly directly to Mount Shushan immediately if such a thing were possible.
Elder Shi also said a proper and respectful farewell to Lin Tiannan. And of course he sincerely promised to always remember the Lin Family Fort's invaluable assistance during this difficult time.
Alex naturally also sought out Liu Jinyuan personally and informed him of his planned journey to Mount Shushan.
Originally Liu Jinyuan had immediately planned to accompany Alex on this journey. But he was not really the right person for this particular trip. So Alex decided not to bring him along this time.
As for Lin Yueru? Alex thought carefully about the situation. Although he and she did not seem to have established any clear romantic relationship, they had been together for such a long time. They could at least be considered good friends correct?
If he was leaving for an extended period then he would absolutely have to say a proper goodbye.
So after some careful thought and consideration, Alex also made his way to Lin Yueru's private room.
Hearing that Alex was looking for her specifically, Liu Jinyuan naturally followed along as well out of curiosity.
Alex knocked politely on the door. Lin Yueru had just finished her refreshing shower and was carefully combing her long hair. Hearing that Alex and Liu Jinyuan had come to see her, she simply styled her hair quickly and came out to greet them.
"Cousin and Mister Alex what can I do for you both?"
Her beautiful hair was still somewhat damp perhaps from her recent shower. But now she looked quite charming and lovely. This sight immediately caught Liu Jinyuan's appreciative eye.
"Master Alex has something important to inform you about" Liu Jinyuan said after a brief moment while coming back to his senses.
Following Liu Jinyuan's introductory words, Lin Yueru's curious gaze naturally fell directly upon Alex with interest.
"I am here specifically to say goodbye to Miss Lin" Alex stated without any unnecessary nonsense. He went straight to the point immediately.
"Are you leaving?" Upon hearing Alex's direct words, Lin Yueru's entire body trembled slightly with shock. Her expression became considerably much gloomier and sadder.
"Yes Zhao Ling'er was captured and forcibly taken to Mount Shushan. Li Xiaoyao desperately wants to go to Mount Shushan to attempt rescuing her. It just so happened that I was already planning to travel there anyway. So this time we decided to go together" Alex nodded and explained clearly. But he did not dare to look directly at Lin Yueru's face.
Lin Yueru lowered her head sadly and did not speak a single word. Her true expression could not be seen at all from this angle.
There followed a long moment of uncomfortable silence and the atmosphere seemed painfully awkward. Seeing that Lin Yueru had not spoken even one word in response, Alex finally said "If there is nothing else you wish to say then I will take my leave now."
As soon as those final words fell from his lips and seeing that Lin Yueru still merely kept her head lowered without speaking, Alex did not remain any longer. He turned around and began walking away toward the door.
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