The princess was ordained by Heaven.

Chapter 261: Becoming a Part of This Land

Zheng Shi and Nie Zhao knew very well that they were no match for Qi Yongji.

This is a fact they don't want to admit but have to.

So they have to think of other ways.

Qi Yongji wouldn't give them time to communicate. Their teamwork seemed pretty good, but they weren't very familiar with each other. Success this time didn't mean they could do it again next time.

He couldn't possibly shout it out; Qi Yongji isn't deaf.

Therefore, they can only communicate with each other through eye contact.

Fortunately, nothing went wrong this time.

With his inner strength infused with sword energy, Nie Zhao moved with ethereal grace, wielding his sword as if it were an extension of his arm, thrusting straight forward – this was an attack.

The sword flashed like a streak of light, each strike blocking the enemy's retreat—this was the way to stop them.

The reason they coordinated so perfectly was that they were replicating the collaboration between Zheng Jiu and Zheng Shi.

The tacit understanding between Zheng Jiu and Zheng Jiu over the past ten years cannot be cultivated overnight.

Qi Yongji laughed at their naivety; they had already failed once, yet they still refused to believe in fate.

He calmly prepared for the situation, but a sense of loneliness and isolation arose within him.

However, when they were face to face, the balance of power between them shifted instantly.

His back was completely exposed to Zheng Shi's attack.

This was actually within his expectations.

He deftly sidestepped, preparing to evade the attack.

But Nie Zhao smiled and said, "Go to hell!"

A sharp pain shot through his chest. Qi Yongji looked down and saw a broken blade piercing through his chest.

This is the sword that was just stuck in Zheng Jiu's heart. Nie Zhao took it out and has been hiding it behind his back ever since.

Qi Yongji's response was flawless, but he didn't expect that Nie Zhao and Zheng Shi's plan from beginning to end was to retaliate in kind.

The solemnity on the faces of the Sixth Prince and the Emperor visibly dissipated.

Zheng Xun, who could only sit on one side because the bed had collapsed, knew that things were far from over.

[Did you think Qi Yongji was dead? Impossible!]

How can someone survive if their heart is pierced through the skin?

Don't forget, there's another kind of existence in this world: some people are born different from others, their hearts are located in the right atrium.

Most people wouldn't think of this, and neither would Zheng Shi and Nie Zhao.

In the fight just now, they had pushed themselves to their limits, and both of them were exhausted after the first move.

But Zheng Shi has a good habit: she'll finish the job.

Even though she felt that Qi Yongji had no chance of survival, under Zheng Xun's influence, she remained wary of him.

So she brushed aside Qi Yongji's weapon and prepared to stab him in the waist and abdomen again.

Qi Yongji chuckled, and as she approached, he suddenly sprang up and slapped her with his palm.

After Zheng Shi's experience, Nie Zhao never dared to relax, and finally pulled Zheng Shi away with great difficulty.

Qi Yongji tilted his head: "Since I didn't die, then it's you who should die now."

He stepped forward slowly, his aura rising steadily.

An invisible internal force swirled around him, and anyone who got too close would be swallowed by the vortex.

His hair flew wildly, making his handsome face look like a demon.

He approached slowly, and Nie Zhao and Zheng Shi huddled together defensively.

At this moment, they still had weapons in their hands, and Qi Yongji's injuries were much more serious than theirs.

Logically, they should have the advantage.

But they themselves are aware of their situation.

Their strength and inner power had long been exhausted. Although they could maintain a calm facade, they were actually just empty shells that would crumble at the slightest touch.

Qi Yongji cautiously stopped some distance away from them.

He placed his hands in front of him as if holding a bottle, and then gently pushed forward. His powerful internal force propelled the yellow sand towards Zheng Shi and Nie Zhao.

The two men staggered back several steps, their faces pale, and a trickle of blood escaped from the corner of their mouths.

Oh no...

"It's over," the Sixth Prince murmured.

Zheng Xun pretended not to hear, staring intently at the sky, wishing he could pass through to help.

This is why I didn't confront Qi Yongji at first.

He's very strong, and... he's incredibly lucky. Even when pushed to the brink, he manages to escape unscathed and even improve his situation.

Before his luck fades, any difficulties will only serve as a whetstone for him.

It's unfair, isn't it? It certainly is.

Everyone thinks they are the protagonist of their own life, but once they get close to the real "protagonist," their true colors are immediately revealed.

All beings are equal, but under His light, they are equal for life.

If there were no conflict with him, at most one would just sigh, but Da Yong and him are on opposite sides, irreconcilable and impossible to reconcile.

The emperor raised his hand to cover his face, his expression complex and sorrowful.

However, he is not invincible. His fortune rests on the He Kingdom, just as mine rests on the Dayong Kingdom. There is only one possibility for his death—the destruction of his kingdom and the loss of his people.

A fire was burning in Zheng Xun's eyes; she needed to use all her strength to suppress the urge to fight him.

Inside the light screen, Qi Yongji did not press his advantage.

"That's all."

After saying that, he shook his head and turned to leave.

He left just in time, because the next moment, He Wuyu arrived with reinforcements.

Zheng Shi and Nie Zhao sat on the ground, their faces increasingly dejected.

He Wuyu patted them on the shoulder: "Go back."

Zheng Shi staggered to his feet, nearly falling to the ground.

"where?"

She asked vaguely, but He Wuyu could understand her unspoken meaning.

"I'll take you there."

She helped Zheng Shi up and slowly walked back.

A series of heavy footsteps followed behind her. He Wuyu turned around, and Nie Zhao followed her with difficulty.

Helpless, He Wuyu could only call someone to help them all back.

Zheng Jiu's body had been moved aside and was protected by his comrades, so he was not disturbed by the enemy.

Zheng Shi knelt down beside him: "Ninth Brother..."

She still couldn't believe that Zheng Jiu had really gone.

Last time they were talking about Little Nine in the palace; I wonder if it's working diligently now.

They clearly have many things to do, and they clearly have clear plans for the future.

They had clearly agreed to be the princess's most capable subordinates, and even if they couldn't leave their names, they would be heroes walking in the night.

How could he have died?

How could such a vibrant life come to such an abrupt end?

How could this be? It was too sudden, everything happened so hastily and absurdly, she still couldn't believe it was real.

She wanted to cry, to question, to go hysterical, but she couldn't do anything.

Just as she couldn't save him when he was in danger.

She propped herself up on her arms and slowly lay down next to Zheng Jiu, taking his hand in hers.

Nie Zhao watched all of this in silence.

He should probably apologize, because Zheng Jiushi failed to dodge the fatal blow in order to prevent him from getting hurt.

But at this point, it seems inappropriate to say anything.

The person who should have heard the apology is dead, lying here, seemingly fused with the surrounding rocks, becoming part of this land.