Chapter 15: Handsome Peach-Blossom Eyes

“After much contemplation, Madam could not bear to see you take such a great risk. She said she would rather have a worthless daughter than lose you.”

Zhao Erdong took the blue-bound book from Baihe’s hands, stroking its soft leather cover, while the weary face of Yuan Bai appeared vividly in his mind.

Perhaps, fate had its own design.

Perhaps this forbidden tome was not meant for everyone, but uniquely suited for her fragile constitution.

This forbidden manual—she had to practice it. It was her only chance; she neither wanted nor could afford to miss it.

“Baihe, rest assured, this forbidden manual will do me no harm. Maybe that is the special nature of my fragile body.”

Baihe could not argue with Zhao Erdong and had no choice but to accompany her. Here, with no one to save them, self-rescue was the only option. Perhaps this tome was their sole hope for survival.

The oil lamp flickered dimly as she turned to the second page of the manual.

“From the mingling of things, the primordial essence is born. Independent, unchanging, it moves ceaselessly without peril...”

She closed her eyes, feeling the currents of energy surging within. The small cluster of golden spiritual essence seemed to be drawn along, leaping with the flow.

...

Night deepened as a lithe figure slipped over the high walls into the Prime Minister’s residence.

The figure moved agilely through the pavilions and towers, deftly avoiding every watchful guard—both overt and covert—until reaching the study of Zhao Tianjiang.

Inside, the study was pitch-black; Zhao Tianjiang had already retired for the night.

Soft moonlight spilled from the horizon, casting pale light upon the shadow by the door. Clad entirely in black night attire, with a triangular black veil covering his face, he resembled a true night stalker.

His eyes, gleaming faintly with a peach hue, held a sharp, restless alertness.

He stood silently by the door, listening intently. His brow furrowed in hesitation.

At last, he pushed the door open and leapt toward the window, slipping through it.

Suddenly, the sounds of combat erupted. The man darted back out of the window, pursued by four black-clad guards, all remarkably skilled.

He seemed unwilling to engage in battle, focusing solely on evasion.

Clearly, he sought to conceal his identity. In the Great Moon Kingdom, each family possessed unique secret arts—once revealed, they would betray one’s lineage.

Though he avoided fighting, his escape skills were extraordinary. In several swift movements, his figure vanished from the guards’ sight.

...

A colored smoke bomb soared into the air. Hidden guards, once cloaked in darkness, emerged into the open, scattering to encircle the Prime Minister’s residence tightly.

In the desolate courtyard, Zhao Erdong had been cultivating for three full hours. Baihe remained by her side but had fallen asleep.

Zhao Erdong was thrilled to discover the small golden spiritual essence within her had grown considerably, now about the size of a baby’s fist. If she persevered, she believed the trickle would one day swell into a pond.

At that moment, she sensed the faintest footsteps approaching; someone had entered the courtyard.

She hastily ceased her cultivation, opening her eyes to meet a pair of beautiful, peach-hued eyes.

The woman’s gaze was suspicious, and Zhao Erdong returned it without hesitation.

“Who goes there?” Zhao Erdong asked quietly, still seated calmly. If the assassin was sent by Zhao Qilin, shouting would be futile.

The owner of the beautiful eyes, seeing her composure, revealed a glint of admiration. Unlike ordinary girls who might scream in such circumstances, she remained composed.

“And who are you? The Prime Minister’s residence has many empty courtyards—why do you live here?” The woman scanned the surroundings and raised an eyebrow.