A Journey in the Shadow of Power

days p

s greeted him politely. He continued ridin

ate guard exclaimed, sta

door opened, an old man with a silver beard rushed to greet him. "Qingye, yo

this illegal trade and will report it to the empe

," his adoptive mother, Mu Shuya

to Tianxia. I just wanted to say g

pted his decision. His mother gave Qingye so

ered," Mu Chengyu said softly, as if

ngye turned. "W

rawberry Moon. The moon will be pink tonight,"

emembered Qingyuan village; they would become sacrific

which would be in vain. And the minister's execution would happen

llage. I would be very grateful if

der. "You've grown into a true man, Qingye. Trust others as they h

all

gyu nod

Qingye rode h

began to rise. Its color was not ordinary white, but a

gye looked at the sky and murmured t

harging through the night fog, carry

t cross-legged. His hands and feet were chained, but his face remained

he whispered softly

heavy rain poured on the stone roof. An

ster. The palace has pr

nce taught how to read war tactics, who secretly eavesdropped on generals' d

ore than just my life. I am more at peace with t

-pink sky felt like a bad omen. Small children were not allowed out of their homes. The men guarded th

hugged a small boy who was c

re, he could drive them away ag

not come back," the grandmother said softly

east. Villagers began to gather in the vi

clearly visible. "Three days. The full moon will be perf

yue's residence. She was pouring tea when she heard a faint voice from beh

gyuan village must be sacrificed. Their blood wil

th. She crouched behind

will suspect me. Not

er hand. Her breath caught. Her mot

y. She wouldn't let hundreds of innoce

ed out of the house. She invited

save our lives. Follow me north. We will hi

en of the village. They moved silently, carrying only what they could. Su

se remained lit. Her

whispered, look

in Qingyuan village, the Red Moon Se

were heard from outside. A martial artist arrived. Long

Su Lianyue exclaime

you," the man

e in danger?" Su Lianyue

pass by; they mentio

Lianyue pulled

. I'm sure another one will come next," an i

dded, not particularly int