Chapter 103
Chapter 103: Task Four Complete!
Sitting on the dragon throne, Chu Zhi Rou gazed at Shi Zi Chu. As she looked at that face, jealousy surged in her eyes. Even in the distant Chu Kingdom, the reputation of Shi Zi Chu’s virtuousness had reached her ears. The ignorant and foolish commoners had actually hailed her as a goddess, a bodhisattva!
Shi Zi Chu smiled faintly and asked in a gentle tone, “Junior Sister Zhi Rou, have you thought about what will happen when you return?”
She had one notable trait—she held grudges.
Chu Zhi Rou’s gaze darkened, then she smiled with an air of triumph. “Shi Zi Chu! I’ll be waiting for your return!”
She would surely prepare a “great surprise” for Shi Zi Chu!
Shi Zi Chu raised an eyebrow slightly.
It seemed that Chu Zhi Rou was certain she wouldn’t be able to return anytime soon. She must have known the details of her task through some opportunity.
“I won’t kill you,” Shi Zi Chu said, her voice sweet with a smile. “But if you want to go back, you’ll have to end it yourself.”
Chu Zhi Rou might not have the resolve or courage to end her own life.
As expected, after Shi Zi Chu’s words fell, Chu Zhi Rou’s face grew even darker, her hand clenched tightly around the dragon-headed armrest.
“Don’t worry. I won’t let anyone bully you either,” Shi Zi Chu chuckled, her face showing a trace of affection. “After all, you’re my husband’s dear little sister.”
Chu Zhi Rou stared at the affectionate expression that Shi Zi Chu deliberately displayed, her voice sharply rising in fury. “You seduced my big brother?!”
“How could you say seduced?” Shi Zi Chu laughed lightly.
Taking advantage of Ye He Qi’s absence, she shamelessly started to slander, “Your big brother and I have already been married. Isn’t it quite normal for a couple to show affection?”
Shi Zi Chu’s boastful tone drove Chu Zhi Rou mad. Ignoring System 003’s warnings, she rushed toward Shi Zi Chu, her luxurious robes trailing behind her. “You shameless wretch! Not only do you seduce others, now you dare to seduce my big brother!”
“Whoosh—”
An arrow whistled through the air, instantly piercing Chu Zhi Rou’s neck.
The force of the arrow caused her to fall backward, her bloodshot eyes wide open as blood poured from her mouth.
She couldn’t speak because her throat had been pierced by the arrow, and she could only lie there waiting for her life to end.
Shi Zi Chu turned to look, her gaze falling upon the beautiful yet darkened face, and she couldn’t help but think to herself, what a spectacular sight!
“Couple’s affection?”
A deep, cold voice echoed, like a poisonous snake lurking in the shadows, ready to strike.
Looking at Shi Zi Chu’s innocent expression, Jiang Wan Sheng’s anger turned to a strange, grim smile. “Xing Lan, that old man, I can accept. But what about Ye He Qi? What right does he have?”
Shi Zi Chu raised her hand lazily, signaling for him to come.
Jiang Wan Sheng turned his head, unwilling to listen.
But after less than a minute, he tossed aside his bow and arrow, walking over to pull Shi Zi Chu tightly into his embrace, almost as if he wanted to merge her with his very soul.
What else could he do?
He’d known Qing Qing was bad for a long time.
“Task complete?” Shi Zi Chu gently patted Jiang Wan Sheng’s back, her voice soft and soothing.
Jiang Wan Sheng muttered a soft “Mm.”
“Pfft!”
The dagger thrust into his heart was poisoned and painfully sharp.
A groan of pain escaped Jiang Wan Sheng’s throat.
“Sheng Sheng, be good. Wait for me to return,” she cooed gently, her voice sweet like a lover’s whisper, though the dagger in her hand pushed deeper into his body.
Blood spilled from the corner of Jiang Wan Sheng’s mouth as his head drooped weakly on Shi Zi Chu’s shoulder.
There was no shock or anger in his eyes—just a kind of twisted, maniacal excitement.
“I’ll wait! For you!”
His final breath was drawn in Shi Zi Chu’s arms, and for Jiang Wan Sheng, it was a form of happiness.
When Yao Ruo Ruo returned, she found Shi Zi Chu sitting on the floor, Jiang Wan Sheng’s body lying across her lap.
Her pupils constricted instantly.
When had Jiang Wan Sheng appeared? When had he died?
Shi Zi Chu looked up, her face still holding traces of unshaken sorrow. “Ruo Ruo, what did the envoy to Jimo Kingdom say?”
“They’re dead,” Yao Ruo Ruo replied.
After Jiang Wan Sheng’s body disappeared, Shi Zi Chu stood up, her expression growing even more sorrowful. “The envoy is dead. As for right and wrong, I have no heart to argue.”
Yao Ruo Ruo gave her a thumbs up.
Only Zi Chu could do this!
——
The envoy sent by Zhou Kingdom was killed in Jimo Kingdom, and the Zhou Kingdom Empress, enraged, led an army to attack Jimo Kingdom.
Jimo Kingdom was a tough opponent, but no matter how strong the bones, they could not withstand the iron cavalry of Zhou Kingdom.
In less than three years, Jimo Kingdom was wiped off the map.
As for Jiang Kingdom, once a mighty nation, it fell into turmoil after losing its monarch. By the time Shi Zi Chu arrived, it was easily absorbed.
Within five years, Shi Zi Chu and Yao Ruo Ruo, leading the iron cavalry of Zhou Kingdom, had obliterated three kingdoms, and several smaller unnamed nations surrendered one after another.
The goal of unifying the world had been achieved!
When the news of Jiang Kingdom’s fall reached the capital of Zhou Kingdom, the army had already returned victorious and was about to arrive at the city.
Imperial palace, imperial study.
It had been five or six years since Shi Zi Chu and Ye He Qi last met.
At this moment, the man in moon-white robes sat on the dragon throne, while Shi Zi Chu, dressed in battle attire with a long sword at her side, stood not far away.
They locked eyes across the room, and a sense of murderous intent slowly filled the imperial study.
Ye He Qi rose from his seat, drawing the long sword from the table as he walked toward Shi Zi Chu. In a soft tone, he said, “It’s been years, and you’ve already grown white hairs.”
Shi Zi Chu smiled lightly. “And you have fine lines by your eyes.”
Their casual conversation seemed like the reunion of old friends, but this was all while holding long swords in their hands.
After some brief pleasantries, the clash of swords ensued.
Shi Zi Chu’s martial skills were formidable, but Ye He Qi had not neglected his training either. Their years of married life had made them more familiar with each other, and their battle was fierce and intense.
As time passed, the wounds on both of them accumulated at the same pace.
“Cough, cough…”
Ye He Qi looked down at the long sword lodged in his heart, the bloodstained lips curving into a beautiful smile. “Madam, when did you poison me?”
Shi Zi Chu lowered her eyes, glancing at the long sword embedded in her own body.
It wasn’t that Ye He Qi’s aim was bad, but when he thrust it, his hand had shaken, causing the sword to miss its mark.
The reason for the shake was the venom of the gu.
Shi Zi Chu drew the dagger from her waist and sliced through Ye He Qi’s long sword, then with force, she stabbed it deep into his body.
“Your husband has been hiding something from me.”
Ye He Qi chuckled softly. “What?”
“You still have a task,” Shi Zi Chu said, and as her words landed, Ye He Qi’s reaction was the best answer.
Shi Zi Chu was very curious about what Ye He Qi’s task was, but—Ye He Qi breathed his last!
Without getting an answer, Shi Zi Chu felt anxious and unsettled.
Forget it, she would ask when they returned.
After Ye He Qi’s body vanished, Shi Zi Chu walked to the desk, looking at the items on it.
A military tally, the imperial seal, and an abdication edict.
Shi Zi Chu feigned confusion for a moment before turning and walking outside.
Yao Ruo Ruo looked at Shi Zi Chu, covered in wounds, and was about to summon the imperial physician.
The next day.
When the ministers awoke, they found that the emperor on the dragon throne had been replaced.
A woman claiming the throne sent the old, feudal ministers into a frenzy, almost overturning the Golden Throne Hall.
But Shi Zi Chu was not one to use gentle methods. After executing a few of the ministers who disagreed, the coronation ceremony went smoothly.
After the ceremony, the voice of the artifact spirit echoed, announcing, “Task Four Complete!”
Wearing the dragon crown, Shi Zi Chu sat on the dragon throne, her calloused palms tracing the vividly sculpted dragon-headed armrest.
Only one task remained—living out her natural life.