General Luo scoffed. It was common knowledge in the Azure Dragon Country that his daughter was the most precious thing he had in the world and Ling Yu’s grandfather had almost killed her, his treasured darling. So, why would he not stand there to try and save her at this crucial moment? He would be a total idiot if he actually did such a thing!

　　“Yin’er, it would seem like we’re done here. Let’s go.”

　　Luo Yin’s gaze landed on Gu Ruoyun’s beautiful face as she heard General Luo’s words. She held onto her hands as tightly as she could and said, “It seems like there’s nothing else left to do here. I’ll go back to the general’s mansion with my father. Remember to look for us if anything else happens.”

　　“Thank you.”

　　Gu Ruoyun was silent most of the time but those two words conveyed all the gratitude and feelings she had across.

　　This time, the Luo family have seemingly made an enemy out of a strong cultivator from the mainland for Gu Ruoyun’s sake! They had seemingly thrown all their bets on her. She was going to remember this favor forever.

　　Friends were common during good times but it is a rare thing to find someone who would stick with you through the hard times.

　　“Daddy,” Luo Yin said endearingly as she walked towards General Luo.

　　“Let’s go home”

　　“Alright!” General Luo announced with a wave of his hand, “Ling Yu of the Ling family has conspired with an outsider to bring harm to our country! Fortunately, the Fourth Prince of the Vermillion Bird Country has managed to foil her plans. I’m heading back to the palace to report this to His Imperial Highness. Follow me, soldiers! Move out! We’re going for an audience with the Emperor!”

　　The final remaining shred of hope within Ling Yu’s heart vanished once the general’s rough, authoritative voice finished its announcement. Her body curled and she fell like a ragdoll onto the ground. Her delicate face had turned into one of absolute despair…

　　It was over. It was all, over…

　　She had thought of her grandfather’s horrifying death and how she had fallen from her status of being a noble, honored Lady. Her heart was now filled with a deep, seething hatred.

　　“Hahaha!”

　　She suddenly burst into a wild laughter, her hair in disarray like that of a lunatic. A vicious, hostile light that was filled with hatred flashed across her eyes.

　　“Gu Ruoyun! How could there be a woman as cruel and merciless as you in the world? You’ve single-handedly destroyed the entire Ling family! I, Ling Yu, swear one more that I will never leave you in peace, even if I were a ghost!”

　　An icy frost covered the depths of Zuo Shangchen’s eyes before he smiled and said, “You want to become a ghost? My apologies, by my hands you won’t even have a chance at becoming a ghost!”

　　With a single wave of his hand, a burning red flame came shooting out from his sleeves, setting fire to Ling Yu’s body.

　　“It hurts!”

　　The kind of pain she was in made her felt like her soul was being torn apart.

　　“AHHHHHHH!!!!!”

　　Ling Yu’s face contorted within the flaming red blaze as if she was suffering from the worst pain imaginable.

　　The pain lasted for a long period of time. It was only when it reached a point where everyone could no longer bear to continue watching her suffer, that her body finally turned to ash, disappearing without even a trace from the flames. Not even her soul had been spared — her entire existence had been erased from this world.

　　Though the man had just brutally murdered a person, his face still seemed as beautiful as peach blossoms with the air of a Casanova. He continued his lazy but seductive smile, waving his fan as if nothing had even happened.

　　“Like I’ve said, you won’t even have a chance at becoming a ghost,” Zuo Shangchen said as he curled his lips. Under the stares of the crowd, he waved for Gu Ruoyun to come closer to him. He smiled as he said, “Xiao Yun’er, you’ve really made me wait an entire month! Come here, and quickly give me a hug so I can finally stop missing you.”

　　Gu Ruoyun rolled her eyes, the corners of her mouth twitching, “Fourth Prince, would it be possible for you to be a little more decent?”

　　“Why?” Zuo Shangchen raised an eyebrow as his almond-shaped eyes held a mesmerizing gaze on her as he smiled, “Does my Xiao Yun’er think that I’m not decent enough? Then… how decent would you like me to be?