Chapter 204

“Your Highness, would you like some pastries?” Phoenix Five took out a dish of pastries from the hamper and placed it on the desk in front of Duanmu Xi.

Staring at the pastries on the table, Duanmu Xi slightly curled her lips. It seemed that she had eaten some pastries. Now, upon seeing the pastries, she felt hungry again. She stroked her belly gently. These days, she had maltreated her babies indeed.

No sooner had Duanmu Xi eaten a pastry than she heard Long Yue say outside the carriage, “Your Highness, we’re arriving in the territory of the Wilderness Region.”

Hearing that, Duanmu Xi lifted the curtain and got off the carriage.

Staring at the luxuriant jungle ahead, Duanmu Xi knitted her eyebrows.

Situ Kong and the others also got off the carriage and walked forward.

Long Yue looked at the jungle in front and said with a frown, “Your Highness, given the current situation, the carriage can’t get through at all!”

What Long Yue said obviously coincided with Duanmu Xi’s mind. Duanmu Xi pondered for a while and said, “Since the carriage can’t get through, let’s leave it aside and walk inside.”

Long Yue’s eyes glistened. This was the only solution indeed. Only when they got through the jungle could they reach the Wilderness Holy Region. Yet, they were fine with it but Her Highness…

“That’s not acceptable!” Hearing Duanmu Xi’s words, Phoenix Five was the first to object and then stared at Duanmu Xi’s belly disapprovingly, “Your Highness, you’re not alone now. What if…”

The jungle was endlessly deep. Her Highness was pregnant. If the babies were affected, the consequences would be unbearable.

Situ Kong aside said with a worried face, “Xi, the jungle is full of dangers. The road can’t be too flat. Without the carriage, I’m afraid that you…”

Seeing that everyone was worried, Duanmu Xi curled her lips, “I have the best refining pharmacist in the Hantian Continent to take care of me. There’s nothing to worry about.”

She believed that her and Snow’s babies were not that fragile.

Due to Duanmu Xi’s flattery, Situ Kong became a lot more relaxed. He wouldn’t let anything happen to Xi and her babies.

Seeing that Situ Kong looked a lot more relaxed, Duanmu Xi said, “Besides, with Lanze, Zimei and the others around, how can I have no mount to ride on?”

If it weren’t for her babies’ sake, she would have let the green dragon send her to the Wilderness Holy Region.

Situ Kong patted his head and said with a smile, “You’re right. I did forget your contracted mythical creatures.”

He had seen Xi’s contracted mythical creatures. They were all awesome. With them to protect Xi, he was completely relieved.

Phoenix Five, Long Yue and the others were all relieved to hear Duanmu Xi mention the contracted mythical creatures.

They abandoned the carriage and walked into the jungle. Many things in the carriage were also left behind. Yet, Long Yue took the two horses before leaving.

As soon as they entered the jungle, they were stunned by the scenery in front.

The trees in the jungle were dense and big. It was hard to see the top of the trees.

There were short bushes under the trees. They disliked sunshine and all grew around the trees.

Beneath the bushes were some unknown plants of various colors. They looked very beautiful.

However, the most attractive things were not the trees or plants but the faint fog enshrouding the whole jungle. The fog was colorful rather than white. It looked like a rainbow from the distance, which was fascinating.

“Everybody be careful. The fog is poisonous.” Situ Kong was the first to come to his senses. Looking at the colorful fog, he slightly narrowed his eyes.

Staring at the colorful fog, Duanmu Xi put on a stern look, “This isn’t ordinary fog but miasma. Everybody hold your breath.”

Upon hearing that, all the people held their breath and covered their mouths and noses with sleeves. Yet, it was too late. Long Yue and the others felt dizzy and the scenery in front blurred increasingly.

“I…” Phoenix Fourteen directly fell backward after uttering one word.

She only focused on the colorful fog just now. When she heard Situ Kong’s words, she had inhaled lots of miasmas. It was too late for her to hold her breath.

Yu Ying next to her saw her collapse and subconsciously held her, “Are… Are you alright?”

Phoenix Fourteen opened her eyes with difficulty and saw Yu Ying look at her with a fretful expression. He seemed to be saying something but she couldn’t hear anything.

“Fourteen,” Phoenix Thirteen shouted and scurried to Phoenix Fourteen. With a worried look, she stared at Phoenix Fourteen who fainted and wanted to fetch Phoenix Fourteen from Yu Ying’s hands. Yet, she also felt dizzy and also slumped to the ground.

Duanmu Xi was worried to see the others faint and collapse. She looked at Situ Kong and said, “Chief Master, feed them the Alexipharmic Pills.”

Unexpectedly, the miasma here was so poisonous. They were at the entrance only. The miasma in the depths of the jungle must be more serious than that at the entrance. If they didn’t take the Alexipharmic Pills, they couldn’t get through the jungle at all.

Situ Kong nodded, took out a jade bottle from his arms and passed an Alexipharmic Pill to Duanmu Xi, “Xi, you eat first.”

Duanmu Xi slightly curled her lips and shook her head, “Did you forget that I had eaten the wood spiritual fruit before?”

Hearing that, Situ Kong took a tumble. He was so concerned about her that he became flustered. He did forget that Xi had eaten the wood spiritual fruit. Now, she was immune to all poisons.

Since she was immune to all poisons, of course she didn’t have to take the Alexipharmic Pill. Situ Kong passed the Alexipharmic Pill to Long Yue next to Duanmu Xi instead.

“Thank you, Elder Situ.” Long Yue’s mind was a mess too. Yet, he took the Alexipharmic Pill from Situ Kong but didn’t eat it directly. Instead, he ate the Alexipharmic Pill in his hand after Phoenix Five had the Alexipharmic Pill.

After eating the Alexipharmic Pill, everyone sat on the ground and started to regulate their breath.

Yu Ying wanted to help Phoenix Fourteen but after seeing that Situ Kong did her a favor, he also started to exert his energy to regulate his breath.

With Situ Kong’s assistance, the Alexipharmic Pill in Phoenix Fourteen’s body started working quickly. She also gradually came around.

Phoenix Fourteen blinked and turned to look at Situ Kong, saying respectfully, “Thank you, Elder Situ.”

Seeing that everyone became well, Duanmu Xi said, “Since you’re fine now, let’s continue walking ahead.”

She had one month only and didn’t have much time left. She must go to the Wilderness Holy Region as soon as possible.

…

In Guo’s mansion of the Imperial City of the Baihu Empire.

A middle-aged man in his forties rushed into the study.

Upon seeing the old man sitting on the wooden chair in the study, the middle-aged man directly said without greeting, “Dad, have you heard the rumors in the army?” His voice was hurried and faintly trembling.

That old man was nearly 60 years old but still energetic. With sharp eyebrows and big eyes, he displayed a majestic air. This old man was Guo Zhengxiong, the general of the Baihu Empire. And the middle-aged man was Guo Zhiqi, his eldest son. Although he was General Guo’s eldest son, he was still a Rank-6 Commandant.

Guo Zhengxiong glanced at Guo Zhiqi’s worried face and a shimmer of disgruntlement crossed his black eyes, “What rumors make you forget about the manners?”

Guo Zhiqi’s eyes twitched. It was too urgent for him to mind manners.

“Dad, rumor has it in the army that our family colludes with the enemy to betray the country and aims to plot a rebellion…”

“Bullsh*t.” Guo Zhengxiong flew into a rage. He thumped the table and jumped up, “It’s clearly a slander. Someone wants to sling mud at our family.”

This was outrageous. Who on earth dared to set against the Guo Family boldly? If he found the ringleader out, he must slash the ringleader into pieces.

Guo Zhiqi looked at Guo Zhengxiong’s angry face and said with hesitation, “Dad, do you… really…”

Guo Zhiqi’s faltering made Guo Zhengxiong even angrier. He just struck a kick at Guo Zhiqi.

“Just speak. Don’t shilly-shally!”

Guo Zhiqi’s shins were kicked and bent. His face grimaced with pain. He felt a bit angry and stopped hesitating, “Have you colluded with Prince Regent of the Xuanwu Empire?”

Guo Zhengxiong was astonished to hear that and directly grabbed Guo Zhiqi’s collars, saying fiercely, “Why did you mention the Xuanwu Empire? Tell me clearly about the rumors.”

Guo Zhiqi was shocked by Guo Zhengxiong and told the latter about the rumors in detail.

After hearing him out, Guo Zhengxiong let go of Guo Zhiqi’s collars and staggered two steps back. He slumped to the armchair behind.

Why? He thought someone wanted to frame the Guo Family and sling mud at them. To his astonishment, it had been found that he had dealings with Prince Regent of the Xuanwu Empire.

Seeing Guo Zhengxiong’s dejected face, Guo Zhiqi guessed something and instantly got anxious, “Dad, how can you do that? If this is known by His Majesty, our whole clan will be doomed.”

That was a wake-up call to Guo Zhengxiong. He also started to feel flustered. Colluding with the enemies and betraying the country was a capital crime punishable by familial extermination.

Guo Zhiqi turned around twice in situ and said, “Dad, how about entering the palace and begging Hui’er for help?”

Guo Zhengxiong shook his head, “Your sister has been confined in the Le’an Palace. No one is allowed to meet her. Now, she can hardly fend for herself. How can she help us?”

“What should we do?” Guo Zhiqi hung his head in dejection and then said resentfully, “How can His Majesty be so heartless? After all, my sister is his legitimate wife and also has given birth to his eldest son. How can he treat her this way?”

Hearing that Guo Zhiqi mentioned the Eldest Prince, Guo Zhengxiong thought of something and then stared at Guo Zhiqi, “Invite the Eldest Prince here.”

Without the Guo Family, how could His Majesty ascend the throne so smoothly? Now that his throne had been stabilized, he wanted to get rid of the Guo Family. This was not acceptable.

Guo Zhiqi was dumbstruck to hear that and then his eyes glistened. He immediately said with delight, “I’m on it now.”

Then, Guo Zhiqi directly ran out.

Guo Zhengxiong looked at Guo Zhiqi leaving and his lips were curved into a sneer. He thought, “Your Majesty, don’t blame me. You made me do this.”