68: Chapter 68 Purple Robe and Silver Armor, Yu Yuanchuyu, Empress in Arms, Legs Weaker

"Who are you, Your Excellency?"

"Why have you trespassed into my Lizhou defense zone?"

Yu Yuan Chuyu's eyes, which seemed to hide the afterglow of a setting sun, swept indifferently over Ye Xiu.

When she saw this man dressed in white as pure as snow, with a wine gourd hanging from his waist, smiling and showing no fear despite being surrounded by hundreds of elite soldiers.

A trace of imperceptible admiration flashed in her eyes.

But immediately after, that admiration turned into deep wariness.

Because she keenly sensed that within this seemingly playboy youth.

A terrifying power was hidden, one that caused the family heirloom sword in her hand to tremble slightly.

"I am Ye Xiu. I'm passing through your esteemed lands while chasing a certain... girl who owes me a debt of the heart."

Although Ye Xiu recognized her identity, his dissolute manner didn't change one bit.

He looked at this heroic and formidable female Prefect, especially the white mourning clothes faintly visible under her purple robe and silver armor.

A strange desire for conquest couldn't help but rise in his heart.

This was a completely different feeling compared to facing Si Youyou or the Seventh Princess.

It was an impulse to ruthlessly pluck and play with this 'flower of the high peaks' blooming amidst ruins.

"Owes a debt of the heart?"

Yu Yuan Chuyu's brow furrowed slightly, her tone turning a few degrees colder:

"In these desolate mountains and wild ridges, where would a girl come from?"

"I see that Your Excellency's gaze is frivolous and you reek of wine; I suspect you are some flower-thief bandit searching for prey."

"If that is the case, then today... you have run into a brick wall."

"Hey, hey, hey, Lord Prefect, those words are quite hurtful."

Ye Xiu spread his hands with an innocent look:

"I have always been one to cherish the fair sex; how could I be a flower-thief?"

"However..."

Ye Xiu's tone shifted as his gaze boldly roamed over Yu Yuan Chuyu's body:

"If it were for a beauty as peerless as you, Lord Prefect, even bearing the reputation of a flower-thief would be... worth it."

"Presumptuous!"

As the master of a province and a former Empress, when had Yu Yuan Chuyu ever been teased so publicly?

Her heroic and beautiful face instantly froze like frost.

"Qiang!"

A clear, resonant sword chime echoed through the mountain forest.

The yu yuan sword was unsheathed!

The blade was crimson as blood, as if it had condensed the afterglow of ten thousand setting suns.

"Since you seek death, this official shall fulfill your wish!"

Yu Yuan Chuyu moved, her entire being transforming into a purple stream of light.

Instantly crossing dozens of yards, she aimed straight for Ye Xiu's face.

"Sunset Sword Technique: Long River, Round Sunset!"

This sword strike was grand and majestic, yet tragic and desolate.

It was like the final sigh of a monarch from a fallen dynasty under the setting sun.

Everywhere the Sword Qi passed, the space seemed infected by that tragic Concept, becoming sluggish and heavy.

"Good sword technique!"

"The Concept is sorrowful, yet it doesn't lose its regal Aura."

Facing this single strike capable of severing mountains and rivers, Ye Xiu not only didn't draw his sword, but even had the leisure to comment.

His body shifted slightly, his footwork seemingly messy but actually in harmony with the Heavenly Dao, effortlessly evading the sharp sword light.

"Ding!"

Just as the yu yuan sword was about to slash his sleeve.

Ye Xiu extended two fingers and pinched the crimson blade with unerring precision!

"Weng!"

The yu yuan sword, which had been surging with momentum, let out a wail between Ye Xiu's fingertips and was unable to move forward another inch!

"What?!"

Yu Yuan Chuyu's pupils shrank violently, and waves of shock crashed through her heart.

This was her family's secret technique; paired with this divine Sharp Weapon, even a powerhouse of the Six Harmonies Realm wouldn't dare take it head-on.

This man... actually used only two fingers?

"Lord Prefect, the sword is a good sword, but unfortunately... there is a knot in your heart, and your Sword Intent is not pure."

Ye Xiu held the blade, looking at that exquisite face just inches away.

They were so close he could even smell the faint orchid fragrance from Yu Yuan Chuyu, as well as... a lingering scent of incense.

"What do you know!"

Having her inner thoughts exposed, a flash of pain and shamed anger appeared in Yu Yuan Chuyu's eyes.

Her wrist flicked as the spiritual power in her body erupted, trying to shake off Ye Xiu's fingers.

"Sunset Melting Gold!"

A blinding red light suddenly burst from the sword, with a temperature high enough to melt steel.

"Playing with fire?"

"Then I am the ancestor of that."

The corner of Ye Xiu's mouth curled slightly as the Solar True Fire within him stirred.

A trace of golden flame traveled through his fingertips onto the blade.

"Zizizi!"

Yu Yuan Chuyu's proud Sunset Fire, upon meeting Ye Xiu's Solar True Fire, was like meeting its natural predator and was instantly swallowed whole.

Not only that.

That overbearing power of Pure Yang followed the sword and surged directly into Yu Yuan Chuyu's body!

"Ugh!"

Yu Yuan Chuyu's delicate body trembled as she felt a scalding heat rush into her Meridians, instantly dismantling all her defenses.

Her originally heroic stance collapsed instantly, her legs went soft, and she fell uncontrollably into Ye Xiu's embrace.

"Pa!"

Ye Xiu released the sword and naturally reached out to catch her.

This former Empress and current Lizhou Prefect was thus held firmly in his arms.

"Let go of me!"

Yu Yuan Chuyu was filled with shame and anger; she wanted to struggle, but found her body limp and devoid of strength.

And...

This man's embrace was so warm.

That warmth actually caused a long-lost throb in her heart, which had been frozen ever since her brother left and her nation fell.

"I can let go."

"But shouldn't the Lord Prefect listen to my explanation first?"

"Explanation? What explanation could a lecher like you possibly have?"

Yu Yuan Chuyu gritted her teeth, her heroic face now flushed red.

It wasn't out of shyness, but more because of the rampaging Pure Yang True Qi inside her.

This Qi was too overbearing, like a blazing sun had burrowed into her body.

Not only did it burn her until she was weak, but it also made her Dao Heart, which she had guarded for years, tremble along with it.

"Don't have such a big temper, Lord Prefect."

Ye Xiu felt the trembling of the delicate body in his arms, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

But he didn't continue his advances; after all, this was the official road, and hundreds of eyes were watching.

If he really pushed this former Empress too far, it would be hard to settle if she decided to fight to the death.

Thus, his free left hand slowly reached into his robes.

Under Yu Yuan Chuyu's wary gaze, he pulled out a heavy gold medallion radiating imperial Dragon Qi.

"Here, look at this."

Ye Xiu held the token and waved it before those shamed and angry beautiful eyes:

"Let's get reacquainted."

"I am Ye Xiu, also known as your Seventh Princess's..."

Under the setting sun, the lifelike five-clawed golden dragon on the gold medallion reflected a dazzling light.

Especially the massive character 'Ling', which exuded an unquestionable royal majesty.

"This... this is?!"

Yu Yuan Chuyu's pupils shrank, and her struggling body instantly froze.

As a former sovereign and current provincial Prefect, how could she not recognize this token?

This was the 'Five-Clawed Golden Dragon Command' that only core members of the Yankang royal family could possess!

And judging by the Aura on this token, it was clearly the personal item of the Seventh Princess Ling Yuxiu, who was deeply favored by the Emperor and known as the 'Overlord of the Capital'!

"To see this command is to see the Princess in person..."

"It seems the misunderstanding is resolved?"

Seeing this, Ye Xiu reluctantly released the warm and soft beauty in his arms.

But he didn't let go completely; instead, he gentlemanly supported the still somewhat weak-legged Yu Yuan Chuyu to stand firm, even taking the opportunity to tidy her slightly messy collar.

His fingertips accidentally brushed against that section of white mourning clothes, making Yu Yuan Chuyu tremble again as if struck by lightning.

"Young Master Ye... please show some respect."

Yu Yuan Chuyu took a deep breath and, using the motion of adjusting her clothes, forcibly suppressed the abnormality within her body, restoring some of her majesty as a Prefect.

Only the lingering crimson at the tips of her ears betrayed her current panicked heart.

"I was offensive just now; this subordinate official was blind."

"It's fine, it's fine! It's good that the misunderstanding is cleared, and I have something I'd like to ask the General for help with!"

Seeing that they had talked enough.

Ye Xiu then openly threw out his idea.

This area was vast, and as the Wine Sword Immortal, he was unfamiliar with the place.

The hope of finding the escaped Long Jiaonan was slim.

But if Yu Yuan Chuyu took action, the situation would be completely different!

"I hope Lord Yu Yuan can help me conduct a carpet search to find that Long Jiaonan!"