Chapter 109: Treachery and Looming Peril

Lin Kaiquan, pointed at by Yun Yi’s long sword, abruptly shed his earlier humility, as if transformed into a different person altogether. He ignored Yun Yi’s stern rebuke and instead turned toward Shen Qianmo with a proud and sinister smile, his voice dropping to a hoarse tone.

“Everyone says Princess Xuan is unmatched in wisdom, but from where I stand, she’s nothing special. A mere orphan unsettled the famously calm and decisive Princess Xuan. Ha! It was hardly worth the many days I spent feigning friendliness to that brat.”

Shen Qianmo furrowed her delicate brows, surprised. So this Lin Kaiquan was an imposter!

Yun Yi was equally taken aback. Without a sound, this man had just dispatched two skilled Shadow Guards from the Wuyun Manor, his strength unfathomable. He swiftly moved beside Shen Qianmo, gripping his long sword tightly, guarding her like a devoted protector.

“So you’re the one who poisoned Tietou with the heartbreak toxin? And your aim was to lure us here to Snow Ridge?” Shen Qianmo’s calm nature and years of professional instinct quickly settled her, and she asked coldly.

“If I didn’t, how else could I have the chance to separate the heavily guarded Princess Xuan?” Lin Kaiquan said proudly. “Look at Snow Ridge—doesn’t it seem breathtaking, like a heavenly paradise? Once Prince Xuan arrives, you two can reunite here and become a celestial couple. So, Princess Xuan, are you pleased with my arrangement?”

So that was his purpose.

His target was not only her but also Meng Yuanheng!

He knew Meng Yuanheng would soon arrive at Jinyang Pass, and Snow Ridge was surely a deadly trap, waiting for Meng Yuanheng to come upon hearing she was imprisoned there. Then he could use her to threaten him.

“Who exactly are you?” Shen Qianmo’s tone grew icy.

He referred to himself as “this one,” reminding her of Yin Zhan, the leader of the Infinite Sect, who spoke similarly. Could this man be another sect leader in the martial world?

Lin Kaiquan smiled slyly. “Princess Xuan might find my true face quite familiar.”

With that, he lifted his hand, revealing his real face.

“You are... Mo Hanshan?” Yun Yi exclaimed.

Indeed, the face was identical to Mo Qingshan’s.

This man was Mo Qingshan’s twin brother, the leader of the Shadowless Sect, Mo Hanshan!

The real Lin Kaiquan was likely already dead by his hands.

Though Mo Hanshan looked just like Mo Qingshan, years of practicing the Purple Enchantress Demonic Art had given his eyes a strange gleam. His entire being radiated a cold, ruthless aura, like a fierce vulture ready to tear you to shreds at any moment.

Yun Yi’s usually carefree and handsome face was now deeply grave.

Mo Hanshan’s martial prowess was unfathomable, far surpassing even Mo Qingshan and Meng Yuanheng. Today, it seemed unlikely they would escape unscathed.

Yet they could not just wait here to be killed and become pawns to threaten Meng Yuanheng.

Yun Yi and Shen Qianmo exchanged a glance, then moved in perfect sync to retreat outside the cave.

But the situation outside was far worse than they imagined.

On the snow-covered summit of the thousand-zhang peak, over twenty black-clad figures stood silently. Each wore a black scarf over their faces, their cold eyes sharp against the white snow—a sight both chilling and striking.

Facing them were more than ten armored soldiers of the Great Sheng Dynasty, their dark armor gleaming under the sunlight with a sharp, forbidding light.

At the forefront of the armored soldiers stood a man, wind billowing his robes, black hair flying. For a moment, Shen Qianmo was stunned.

That figure and posture resembled Meng Yuanheng.

The sunlight was too bright, and when she squinted to see clearly, her heart sank.

It was actually the Crown Prince Meng Tianluo!

“Miss Shen, long time no see.”

Upon seeing Shen Qianmo, Meng Tianluo’s deep eyes flashed with complex emotions—love intertwined with hatred. His features, similar to Meng Yuanheng’s, revealed joy mixed with jealousy.

This woman was wholeheartedly devoted to Meng Yuanheng, willing to go to prison for him last time, and now leading troops into battle for him.

That crippled Meng Yuanheng—what right did he have to such deep love from such a beautiful and outstanding woman?

Shen Qianmo met Meng Tianluo’s cold stare with an unruffled calmness.

That was her nature. The more dangerous the situation, the calmer she remained.

She snorted coldly and spoke with disdain.

“I never imagined that Your Highness, the illustrious Crown Prince, would collude with those lowly, crooked sects of the martial world. If the Emperor hears of this, your claim to the Crown Prince title will be in jeopardy.”

Meng Tianluo sensed the mockery beneath her words. His handsome face paled with anger as he lunged forward, but Mo Hanshan grabbed him firmly.

“Your Highness, please calm yourself. This woman won’t escape. As long as she’s in our hands, Meng Yuanheng will have no choice but to hand over his military command for her. Then you’ll have both the kingdom and the beauty you desire.”

So this was Meng Tianluo’s plan!

He coveted the three hundred thousand troops under Meng Yuanheng’s command.

Shen Qianmo found his naivety laughably foolish.

She did not believe she was so important that Meng Yuanheng would abandon the Xuan Prince’s centuries-old legacy and nearly half the Great Sheng Dynasty’s military power for her alone.

Even if Meng Yuanheng were willing, she would never agree.

Though a beauty, she had no desire to become a bane.

Yun Yi was also shocked by Meng Tianluo’s wild ambition. The prince was clearly reckless—coveting not only Meng Yuanheng’s military command but now also his woman, with no fear of being cut down by Meng Yuanheng’s sword.

The two exchanged a knowing glance. Seizing the moment when Meng Tianluo and Mo Hanshan were off guard, Yun Yi suddenly raised his sword and struck heavily at a thick snowdrift on a nearby rock.

Instantly, snow exploded into the air, like a vast smoky veil, enveloping the peak and temporarily obscuring everyone’s vision.

Taking advantage of the cover, Yun Yi used lightness skill to swiftly escape with Shen Qianmo, vanishing among the rugged mountain stones in the blink of an eye.

“Pursue them!” Meng Tianluo spat the command, his eyes cold.

This woman was Meng Yuanheng’s greatest weakness—and his most powerful weapon against him.

He must have her.

Snow Ridge was now heavily surrounded by his troops.

Today, she would not escape his grasp.

Since childhood, he had seen Meng Yuanheng as his fiercest rival. No matter how hard he tried, Meng Yuanheng always surpassed him effortlessly, like a radiant halo that drew all eyes—even as a cripple, he won the love of such an extraordinary woman.

And he, having only the hollow title of Crown Prince, had nothing else.

How could he accept this?

He would show the world that he, Meng Tianluo, was the rightful heir to the Great Sheng Dynasty.

Meng Yuanheng was nothing but a hidden bastard unworthy of equal standing or brotherhood!