Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Absolute Zero

Translated by: iris.knight

“Hey,” Yan Zun laid on a chaise lounge. “Some guy sprinkled some powder on you and you’re out?”

“I...” Gu Qingyu was ashamed. “My powers are not strong enough yet, I’m sorry”

“Don’t apologise to me,” Yan Zun sat up. “You should apologise to that ‘companion’ of yours. Your weakness would drag him down and leave him to fight alone in such a dangerous palace.”

“This...” Gu Qingyu sighed, then remembered something, her eyes glinted. “That’s right! Aren’t you the Lifeblood Jewel of Destiny? The self-proclaimed powerful Yan Zun? Help me please!”

“How do you want me to help you?” Yan Zun lifted his chin, showing his interest. “If it’s too difficult, then I wouldn’t bother.”

“Teach me a powerful move!” Gu Qingyu was extraordinarily excited. “You can teach me a move, then I can use it to beat that guy!”

Yan Zun shook his head. “But he’s not your only enemy.”

“Huh? Who else was there?” Gu Qingyu widened her eyes. In that room, she did not sense anyone else but the two of them!

Yan Zun narrowed his fiery eyes. “They’re very powerful, so you couldn’t sense them. In that case, I will teach you one move. This move would instantly freeze anyone or anything within several metres of you, but it takes a huge toll on your energy, magic and stamina. You must remember that well, don’t disappoint me...”

Back to the present, Gu Qingyu and Jia Qizhe walked into the room. The floor was covered in a thin layer of ice that creaked and cracked with each step. The noise was jarring, especially to those with sensitive ears like Gu Qingyu...

Swoosh. Jia Qizhe lifted the blankets. There wasn’t anyone there.

“Dammit.” Jia Qizhe put the dagger back in his sleeve and swapped his weapon to the blue sword, “Murong Zuoyu must be nearby.”

Gu Qingyu put her dagger back too, but she doesn’t have another weapon, so she reluctantly took the dagger out again.

“For you.” Jia Qizhe nudged Gu Qingyu in the arm with something.

“Huh?” Gu Qingyu tilted her head and took the item, which was a crossbow sleeve! “Why did you give me this?”

“It goes well with your cat powers. Use it to protect yourself.” Jia Qizhe said as he walked out in a hurry, Gu Qingyu followed hastily.

Outside, a row of soldiers rushed over. “Quick! Don’t let them escape!”

One of them saw Gu Qingyu but Gu Qingyu had her back towards them, so he didn’t see her face. “Your Highness!”

Gu Qingyu’s heart skipped a beat. Murong Zuoyu is back?!

“Relax.” Jia Qizhe whispered softly in her ear. “They mistook you for Murong Zuoyu.”

Gu Qingyu looked at her purple robes that she didn’t change on Jia Qizhe’s insistence. Was it because this Murong Zuoyu also liked to wear purple robes?

Gu Qingyu coughed a couple of times in pretense. “Cough cough! You all fall...” “He isn’t the Duke!” “Yeah, the Duke doesn’t cough when talking!” “They must be the assassins, get them!”

“Run!” Jia Qizhe, without a second word, grabbed Gu Qingyu and leaped to the roof. Gu Qingyu understood immediately and fastened the crossbow on her hand, then shot the front few soldiers.

“Good job.” Jia Qizhe grinned, a blue light surrounded them, then they reached the tree near the palace. Teleportation?

Just as they thought things were over, Someone was standing under the tree! He was dressed in purple robes with wavy black hair. He stood there with his eyes closed while holding a sword in his hand.

This must be the real Murong Zuoyu? But how did he know that they will be here?

“Ah, it’s you.” Murong Zuoyu opened his eyes, his words filled an unspeakable chill and callousness. “Running away after ruining my bedroom? It won’t be so easy.”

Oh dear! Gu Qingyu exclaimed, “Why are you stopping us? We didn’t offend you, right?”

“I’m not sure.” Murong Zuoyu gave a cold smile.

Gu Qingyu frowned. “Don’t force us or things will get ugly.”

“Ha.” Murong Zuoyu laughed flippantly, “With just the two of you?”

“You’re really too condescending.” Jia Qizhe swung his sword. “Break.”

A blue slash of air flew towards Murong Zuoyu. Yet, he simply hopped onto a branch, he moved so fast that Gu Qingyu couldn’t keep up!

Swoosh. Gu Qingyu shot an arrow while he was distracted, Murong Zuoyu swiftly evaded and caught the arrow with his teeth! The crossbow given to her by Jia Qizhe did pack a punch, he actually dodged it just by tilting his head! And he caught the arrow with his teeth! How powerful is he?

“There’s no choice, we can’t beat him!” Gu Qingyu spoke to Jia Qizhe in a low voice, “Run!”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Yep.” Jia Qizhe grabbed Gu Qingyu and flew up, but was blocked by Murong Zuoyu, “Leaving so soon? I’ve not even gotten started with you.”

“Why are you blocking us?” Gu Qingyu couldn’t help asking, “It was fine not giving us the herb, now you won’t let us go. Hey, just because you’re a Duke doesn’t mean I’m scared of you!”

“You have the Lifeblood Jewel of Destiny,” The look Murong Zuoyu gave Gu Qingyu was mixed with coldness and greed. “Hand it over.”

“Huh?” Gu Qingyu looked at him strangely. “The Lifeblood Jewel of Destiny? You’re after the Lifeblood Jewel as well?” Now that I think about it, the Lifeblood Jewel of Destiny is quite rare, who wouldn’t want to take it when given the opportunity like this?

“Yes, so give me the jewel.” Murong Zuoyu replied.

The footsteps and voices of the soldiers could be heard in the distance.

“They seemed to have gone this way, after them!”

“Hurry up!”

“Don’t let them escape!”

Gu Qingyu stomped. “I cannot give you the Lifeblood Jewel, but you can take anything else you want!”

It would be disastrous if they were caught; not only would she be recognized, but Jia Qizhe, Qi Yichen and the rest would also be implicated.

Murong Zuoyu thought a bit and said. “Then I’ll just follow you.”

“What?” Gu Qingyu’s jaw dropped. “Are you kidding me?”

“Who’s kidding with you?” Murong Zuoyu tilted his head. “The Lifeblood Jewel is very difficult to steal once it has recognized an owner, in that case I’ll just follow you all. What, do you have any complaints?”

“Ah, nono, of course, shall we go?” Gu Qingyu asked.

“Yes.” Murong Zuoyu faintly nodded.

He actually agreed to this so readily...I was so worried that I wouldn’t escape!

With Murong Zuoyu’s lead, they quickly reached outside the palace, where Xiao Qi, Qi Yichen and Mo Bai were waiting for them. Their jaws collectively dropped when they saw Murong Zuoyu.

“He is?” Mo Bai looked towards Gu Qingyu.

Gu Qingyu explained snarkily, “The legendary Murong Zuoyu!”

“Murong Zuoyu?” Qi Yichen paid no attention to the description. “What’s he doing here?”

“I want to know too,” Gu Qingyu sighed, “Let’s go back to the tavern first.”

They soon reached the tavern, everything seemed extraordinarily easy because of Murong Zuoyu’s presence.

“Let’s talk, what’s going on?” Qi Yichen seemed especially curious.

“This...” Gu Qingyu was about to explain but was interrupted.

“I am here to protect the Lifeblood Jewel of Destiny. Besides,” Murong Zuoyu said, looking at Gu Qingyu. “The jewel’s owner seemed to have agreed already.”

“Well...”

“Isn’t that right?” Murong Zuoyu looked towards Gu Qingyu.

“Um...yes.” Gu Qingyu felt like crying. “Don’t address me in such a weird way, I have a name, I am...Zhu Fan.”

“Oh, Zhu Fan.” Murong Zuoyu replied faintly.

“But...you’re the Duke and you might even be the next Emperor, are you sure you can let go of your responsibilities and go on an adventure with us?” Gu Qingyu asked cautiously.

Murong Zuoyu nodded. “Or what else?”

“Alright, hope you have a good time...” Gu Qingyu stood up weakly. “I think I’ll go to bed, good night, everyone...”

“Brother Zhu, are you alright?” Mo Bai seemed worried, “Want me to take a look? You seem unwell.”

“No need, I’m just tired, Xiao Qi, let’s go...” Gu Qingyu pulled Xiao Qi and was about to leave, then Murong Zuoyu’s weird voice rang behind them. “You two sleep together?”

“You. Have. A. Problem?” Gu Qingyu emphasized each word and turned back slowly, the creepy look on her face needed no description.

Murong Zuoyu went silent.

“Xiao...Xiao Fan, let’s go.” Xiao Qi looked at Gu Qingyu and shivered, then she dragged Gu Qingyu up the stairs. Gu Qingyu was pulled away by Xiao Qi, at least it was a form of escape...

After Gu Qingyu and Xiao Qi left, Jia Qizhe glared at Murong Zuoyu with piercing cold eyes. “What exactly are you after?”

“Protect the Lifeblood Jewel of Destiny and prevent it falling into the hands of evil.” Murong Zuoyu replied with the same chill. “Humph, I was born to protect the Lifeblood Jewel of Destiny and I still have to observe and decide if that Zhu Fan is an evil person or not.”

“If he is?” Qi Yichen asked.

Murong Zuoyu said without a hint of hesitation or fear. “Then I will kill him.”

“Then I will kill you before you could.” Mo Bai gently sipped his tea. That did not sound like something he would say, it surprised Jia Qizhe and Qi Yichen. Mo Bai was so gentle, but now he’s saying such words?

“Then you’re welcome to try.” Murong Zuoyu left with these cold words. Mo Bai kept sipping his tea. Nobody said anything.

Back at Gu Qingyu who went back to her room and laid down in a huff.

Seriously! Murong Zuoyu actually followed along!

“You seem to be in a bad mood.” For some reason, she was back in the spirit world. Yan Zun was still lying on his chaise lounge. “So? Was the move that I taught you not enough? Did the mission fail?”

“No...” Gu Qingyu hung her head. “Murong Zuoyu tagged along. He said he’s going to protect the Lifeblood Jewel of Destiny!”