Stealing the Pen: Kirin's Primordial Lotus

Chapter 571

Wen Zongyu was tied up tightly and thrown onto the carriage like a lamb to be slaughtered. Dian Zhu, having failed in his mission, had no hesitation in biting through the poison sac hidden in his teeth, ending his own life.

Gong Shangjiao, Gong Yuanzheng, and Gong Zishang parted ways with Zhuo Yichen and the others at a fork in the road. Gong Shangjiao and his companions had an important mission: to bring the news of the Wufeng leader Dianzhu's death back to the palace gates and inform their brothers who had been hiding in the valley. This news meant they could finally escape the fear they had previously endured, no longer huddled in the valley.

Zhuo Yichen was to take Wen Zongyu and his guards back to Tiandu and hand them over to the emperor for punishment. It was a difficult task, but Zhuo Yichen took it on without hesitation.

"Second brother, after we part today, I don't know when I can see you again!" Gong Yuanzheng said goodbye to Zhuo Yichen with reluctance on his face, and even tears flashed in his eyes.

Seeing this, Zhuo Yichen smiled, patted Gong Yuanzheng's head, and comforted him, "Yuanzheng, don't be sad. Wufeng has been defeated. What remains are just a few strongholds that need to be cleaned up. Father and the guards have already cleared out most of Wufeng's strongholds. You can also lead the guards to clear out those Wufeng strongholds that have not yet been discovered, bringing our victory to a perfect end."

After hearing Zhuo Yichen's words, Gong Yuanzheng felt a surge of excitement in his heart. His eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had found a perfect solution.

"Yes!" Gong Yuanzheng said excitedly, "In this way, not only can I get rid of the constraints of the palace gate, but I can also go to find you, second brother, immediately after completing the task of clearing those strongholds!" His voice was full of anticipation and joy, and he seemed to be eager to start this plan.

However, just as Gong Yuanzheng was lost in his own imagination, Zhuo Yichen's brows furrowed slightly, as if he was thinking of something that made him a little worried. Seeing this, Gong Yuanzheng hurriedly asked with concern, "Second brother, what's wrong with you? Is there something on your mind?"

Zhuo Yichen hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to tell his brother the bad news. He took a deep breath and said slowly, "This has nothing to do with Wen Zongyu's capture or the disappearance of the Demon Collection Division's enemies. It has to do with Dad and the others."

Gong Yuanzheng's expression instantly grew serious. He anxiously asked, "What happened to Dad and the others? Second brother, tell me quickly!"

As Zhuo Yichen spoke, he paid close attention to his brother's expression, fearing that he would not be able to bear the news.

After hearing the bad news, Gong Yuanzheng's face changed drastically, but then returned to normal. However, his voice was slightly choked with sobs. "Second brother, are father and the others going back to their world?"

Gong Yuanzheng really wanted Zhuo Yichen to tell him that his guess was wrong. His father and the others were not going back, but had something to do, so they left them for a while, just like before.

Zhuo Yichen looked at Gong Yuanzheng, who was full of expectation. Although he felt reluctant, he still broke Gong Yuanzheng's beautiful expectations. "Yuanzheng, you know Brother Xiaohua chose to fake his death and leave that world because he was needed over there. All the bad things on our side have been solved, so they have to go save their world too!"

Gong Yuanzheng looked up at the sky. The sunlight was a bit dazzling. He squinted his eyes, trying not to let the tears flow. He took a deep breath, trying to hold back the urge to cry. His voice trembled slightly as he said, "Brother, I know! Dad and the others will definitely come back. They're just going to take care of some things. Maybe once they finish their business over there, they'll come back right away!"

Zhuo Yichen looked at Gong Yuanzheng quietly. He could sense his brother's inner pain and anxiety. He slowly reached out and gently pulled Gong Yuanzheng into his arms, saying softly, "Yuanzheng, if you think this way, it means you've truly grown up! You're no longer like that child, with your emotions written all over your face."

Gong Yuanzheng's body trembled slightly when he heard Zhuo Yichen's words. He clutched Zhuo Yichen's clothes tightly, as if he could grasp a trace of warmth and comfort. He buried his face in Zhuo Yichen's arms, and finally couldn't help but let the tears slide down his cheeks, soaking Zhuo Yichen's clothes.

Zhuo Yichen felt the tear-soaked cloth on his chest, and a pang of pain welled up in his heart. He raised his hand, gently stroked Gong Yuanzheng's hair, and whispered, "Okay, stop crying, Yuanzheng. Dad and the others will definitely come back safely. We must trust them."

"Yuanzheng is the treasure in father's heart. How could father bear to see Yuanzheng miss you but not be able to see you! Brother Xiaohua was so regretful that he couldn't be by your side at every important moment of Yuanzheng's life. How could he be willing to leave you here alone?" Zhuo Yichen softly comforted Gong Yuanzheng.

Gong Yuanzheng's subtle sobs, like a candle in the wind, drifted gently from Zhuo Yichen's arms. Although the cry was brief, it was like a sharp sword, piercing Zhuo Yichen's heart.

However, after only a short moment, Gong Yuanzheng raised his red eyes, which looked like two ripe cherries, wet and heartbreaking. He blinked, his gaze like dewdrops in the morning light, clear yet confused, falling directly on Zhuo Yichen.

"Dad and Brother Xiaohua really won't let me wait for them alone anymore?" Gong Yuanzheng's voice was as light as a falling feather, but with a slight tremor that could not be ignored, as if this question was extremely important to him.

Zhuo Yichen's heart was almost broken by the child's words. He hurriedly comforted him, "Don't worry, Yuanzheng, Dad and Brother Xiaohua will definitely come back to visit Yuanzheng! My second brother promised Yuanzheng! After they have dealt with their affairs, Brother Xiaohua and Dad will definitely come back to Yuanzheng as soon as possible." His tone was firm and gentle, as if this was a promise that would never be broken.

Gong Yuanzheng listened to Zhuo Yichen's words, lowered his head slightly, and remained silent for a long time. His small figure seemed somewhat lonely and helpless at this moment, making people want to hug him tightly.

Finally, Gong Yuanzheng seemed to have made up his mind. He raised his head, looked at Zhuo Yichen, and said softly, "Then Yuanzheng will wait for Dad and Brother Xiaohua to come back to accompany Yuanzheng!" Although his voice was still very soft, it was more firm, as if telling Zhuo Yichen that he would keep waiting.

After Zhuo Yichen comforted Gong Yuanzheng, he mounted his horse and prepared to take Zhao Yuanzhou and the others to escort the defeated Chongwu Camp guards and Wen Zongyu back to Tiandu.

"Yuanzheng, I'll be waiting for you in Tiandu!" Zhuo Yichen looked at Gong Yuanzheng who was standing next to Gong Shangjiao.

Gong Yuanzheng waved goodbye to Zhuo Yichen with a smile on his face. The sunlight shone on him, illuminating his vibrant and energetic figure.

At the same time, Gong Shangjiao and his group were also preparing to embark on their journey back to the palace gate. They had an important mission in mind - to pass on the good news that Wu Feng had been completely eradicated to the palace gate elders and those palace gate disciples whose families had been destroyed because of Wu Feng.

Along the way, the palace guards appeared exceptionally excited, their faces brimming with joy. They chatted with one another, sharing the exciting news. And Gong Shangjiao, usually a serious man, even cracked a rare smile. Though it was a faint smile, it conveyed a sense of relief and ease deep within him.

Gong Zishang was incredibly excited. She and Jin Fu and the others laughed and chatted along the way, seemingly forgetting all their worries and sorrows. The sword that had long hung above the palace gate was finally removed, signifying that their long-held concern was finally resolved. And Wufeng, their long-time enemy, was also annihilated at this moment, their family's blood feud finally avenged.

Gong Zishang thought to herself, "Mother, are you seeing this in heaven? I've personally avenged your great hatred! My father has now received the due retribution for all the evil he did to you! I haven't let you down, nor have I wasted the talent you bestowed upon me!"

The people who were safely evacuated from the Old Dust Valley also returned. On the way back, they also heard that the bladeless assassins who had been lurking around them had been arrested one by one.

The moment Gong Shangjiao and his companions rode into the Jiuchen Valley, both sides of the road were crowded with the common people of the Jiuchen Valley. They cheered enthusiastically, and some even took out the delicious food that they had been reluctant to eat at home and stuffed it into the arms of the palace gate guards one by one.

As for Gong Shangjiao, Gong Yuanzheng, and Gong Zishang, they had already ridden away from the bustling area as swiftly as birds, leaving Jin Fu and the others behind to struggle to deal with the excited people.

"Oh my! Gong Er, Gong San, did you see how excited those people were just now? They were almost going to eat us alive!" Gong Zishang was riding on the horse, dancing like a child, and happily narrating everything that had just happened on the street.

Gong Yuanzheng turned his head helplessly and glanced at Gong Zishang, who was so excited that she lost herself in the crowd. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing a faint smile, but he quickly regained his composure and sneered softly, "Sister, I see that you seem to enjoy the feeling of being surrounded by people! In that case, we haven't walked very far anyway, you can just turn back now and continue to immerse yourself in the excitement!"

Upon hearing this, Gong Zishang's smile froze. She stared at Gong Yuanzheng with wide eyes, as if she couldn't believe her ears. After a long moment, she came to her senses, smiled sheepishly, and quickly explained, "You little brat, what nonsense! I finally managed to squeeze out of that crowded crowd. How could I possibly go back? Wouldn't that just let someone else take advantage of me for nothing?"

Gong Yuanzheng looked at the woman's outrageous words, looked Gong Zishang up and down, and sneered, "What advantage do you have that others can take advantage of? You are such a woman! Brother is right, women are good at lying! Not only beautiful women can lie, ugly ones can lie even more!"

When Gong Zishang heard what Gong Yuanzheng said, her already round eyes suddenly widened even wider, as if stretched by something, almost popping out of her eyes. Her mouth also opened wide, as if an egg could fit inside, her face filled with astonishment and anger.

Then, like an enraged little lion, she clutched the reins tightly with both hands and kept yelling, "Go! Bite its butt! Bite it hard! Let the horse know that its owner will pay the price for saying the wrong thing!"

It happened in a flash. Gong Zishang swung the whip in his hand, and the horse that was originally walking slowly seemed to be suddenly given an injection of chicken blood. It spread its four hooves and galloped towards Gong Yuanzheng's horse like an arrow.

Seeing this, Gong Yuanzheng's mouth curled up slightly, revealing a contemptuous smile. He clamped his legs tightly around the horse's belly, swung the whip in a beautiful arc in the air, and then lashed it hard on the horse's butt.

With a crisp "pop" sound, the horse under him seemed to have received an order and immediately ran away like a wild horse, as fast as lightning.

Gong Yuanzheng rode his steed at full speed, turning back to taunt Gong Zishang: "Your horse, which is being crushed to death by you, wants to bite my horse? Haha, aren't you daydreaming?"

Gong Zishang was so angry when she heard Gong Yuanzheng's ridicule that she stamped her feet. Her face flushed red like a ripe apple. She swung the whip even harder and kept shouting, "Chase him! Chase him! We must catch up with him!"

So the two horses started a fierce chase in the dense jungle. The sound of their hooves resounded through the sky, as if the whole forest was shocked by the sound of their running.

Gong Shangjiao stood aside, watching the two people chasing each other, shook his head helplessly, but the corners of his mouth rose unconsciously, revealing a doting smile.

However, when he saw Gong Zishang's horse gradually falling behind, he couldn't help but feel a little worried. Gong Zishang was a woman after all, and there was still a gap between her and Gong Yuanzheng, a boy. He didn't want to see his brother get hurt, nor did he want to see her get hurt.

In the end, Gong Shangjiao decided to spur his horse to join the chase, hoping to protect his brother and Gong Zishang.

The three of them rode their horses to the palace gate, but Gong Zishang still hadn't caught up with Gong Yuanzheng. Gong Shangjiao had put in a lot of effort in this.

After Gong Zishang dismounted, he gritted his teeth and looked at the pretentious Gong Shangjiao, "Gong Er, you've really had enough!"

Gong Shangjiao handed the horse to the guard who came to pick him up, as if he didn't see the anger on Gong Zishang's face, "Miss, what are you talking about! Brother Yuanzheng has never ridden a horse before, so it's normal for me to protect him! Besides, Brother Yuanzheng is..."

Gong Zishang interrupted Gong Shangjiao's spellcasting and continued, "Brother Yuanzheng is young and childish! Don't argue with him! I'm tired of hearing you say this!"

Gong Zishang covered his ears and ran straight into the palace gate. "The elders should be waiting for us in the Elders' Court! Let's go and tell them the good news that Wufeng leader Dianzhu is dead!"