From cute to empress

Chapter 229 The Oath in Peach Blossom Valley

The Blood Blade Ancestor fled in the direction of the rolling Death Peaks, a place perpetually filled with miasma and a treacherous, rarely visited place. As I gazed at the mountains, sprawled like a giant beast in the setting sun, the uneasiness within me grew stronger.

"Mengmeng, don't worry, he can't run away." Zhen Youcai held my hand. His palm was warm and strong, giving me strength as always.

I turned to look at him. He was pale, and the blood at the corner of his mouth hadn't yet dried. It was obvious that he had been exhausted in the battle. I wiped the blood away for him with concern and asked softly, "How are you? Are you seriously injured?"

He shook his head and forced a smile: "I'm fine, just need to rest for a while. But you, you've worked really hard today."

I shook my head and said nothing. In today's battle, I fought alongside Zhen Youcai, finally exposing the conspiracy of the Blood Blade Sect and the Iron Blood Escort Agency to the public and bringing justice to the martial arts world. Although the Blood Blade Patriarch escaped, without the protection of the Iron Blood Escort Agency, he was nothing more than a stray dog, unable to stir up any trouble.

With the dismantling of the Blood Blade Sect and the Iron Blood Escort Agency, the strife within the martial arts world gradually subsided. The various sects suffered heavy losses, realizing that internal strife would only bring sorrow to their loved ones and joy to their enemies, and so they all ceased their activities and returned to their respective sects.

The story of Zhen Youcai and I, the heroes of this great battle, spread throughout the martial arts world. People praised me for my bravery, calling me a rare and rare woman. Others admired Zhen Youcai's loyalty and courage, calling him a true hero who served his country and his people.

I don't care about these false reputations. What I care about more is whether the world can usher in true peace after this catastrophe.

A few days later, the leaders of various sects gathered at Shaoshi Mountain to discuss important matters. Zhen Youcai, believing the matter to be of great importance, decided to go there in person to investigate. Before leaving, he handed me a jade pendant and solemnly said, "Mengmeng, wait for me when I come back."

I held the warm jade pendant in my hand, a mixture of emotions welling up in my heart. Watching him retreat, I suddenly had a premonition that this trip to Shaoshi Mountain would be another reshuffle of the Jianghu landscape...

"Mengmeng, what's wrong with you?" The maid's voice came to my ears, bringing me back to reality from my thoughts.

I shook my head, put the jade pendant close to my body, and said slowly: "Nothing, let's get ready, it's time for us to set off."

The trip to Shaoshi Mountain went much more smoothly than I'd imagined. Perhaps the successive battles had severely damaged the various factions, or perhaps the demise of the Blood Blade Sect and the Iron Blood Escort Agency had served as a wake-up call, but under the leadership of Sect Leader Jianxin, the leaders of each sect surprisingly unanimously signed a peace agreement, pledging to cease fighting for profit and to jointly uphold peace and justice in the martial arts world.

Watching those once-irreconcilable sects now shake hands and make peace, I'm overwhelmed with emotion. The strife in the martial arts world has been going on for ages. Can it truly be quelled? I can't say for sure, but at least we've taken the first step toward peace.

After descending from Shaoshi Mountain, I rushed to Xiayi Villa without stopping. Zhen Youcai had already made arrangements there, preparing a grand celebration banquet and inviting all those who had helped us.

The brightly lit Xiayi Villa was especially lively tonight. As the cups clung to each other, the heroes of the Jianghu toasted me one after another, their words filled with admiration for the "Empress." I smiled faintly in response, but I still felt a little uneasy.

"What? Are you not used to this kind of occasion?" Zhen Youcai came to my side at some point and handed me a cup of tea.

I took the tea, took a sip, and shook my head. "It's not that I'm not used to it, it's just that this all feels a little unreal. It's like a dream, and when I wake up, everything will return to the starting point."

Zhen Youcai looked at me with a deep gaze: "Mengmeng, don't worry, this is not a dream. From now on, I will always be by your side, protecting you, and never let you suffer any grievances again."

He held my hand, the warmth of his palm reassuring me as always. I looked up and met his affectionate eyes, a strange feeling welling up in my heart.

"Talented, I..."

"Mengmeng!"

A familiar voice interrupted me. I turned around and saw a tall figure walking towards us with a meaningful smile on his face... "Meng Meng!"

That familiar voice gave me a shiver. I looked up and saw Master Jianxin approaching us. He was tall, and his eyes held a profound smile, as if he saw everything. I smiled, motioning him to join our conversation.

"Congratulations, you've finally made it through this stage," said Master Jianxin, his eyes filled with admiration and deep thought. He whispered, his tone revealing a sense of relief and anticipation, "The responsibility on your shoulders has grown even greater."

Zhen Youcai tightened his grip on my hand. He looked towards Sect Leader Jianxin with a firm expression, "Sect Leader, don't worry. We will work together to protect this hard-earned peace."

Sect Leader Jianxin nodded and suddenly whispered, "During this time, I've seen you grow. Especially you, Niu Mengmeng." His deep gaze seemed to penetrate my soul and see into the future. "I hope you can not only protect the peace of the martial arts world, but also lead it towards true harmony."

"I will, Master," I replied firmly. As soon as I finished speaking, the atmosphere in Xiayi Villa suddenly became quiet, and everyone's eyes were focused on us, as if waiting for some announcement or decision.

Zhen Youcai seemed to have made up his mind. He turned around, faced the crowd, and said in a loud voice: "Everyone, today is not only a time for us to celebrate the unity of the heroes, but also a time for me to announce my intentions to everyone."

His words made everyone curious, even I was surprised. Zhen Youcai walked up to me and looked me straight in the eyes, his eyes full of deep affection.

"Mengmeng, we've been through so much and faced countless challenges together. I already love you deeply and hope to spend the rest of my life with you." He knelt on one knee and took out an exquisite jade ring from his bosom. "Will you marry me?"

The hall was so quiet that only the faint crackling of the flames could be heard. I looked at Youcai, who was kneeling before me, and my eyes suddenly became moist. Without any hesitation, I nodded and said tearfully, "Yes, Youcai."

Instantly, cheers erupted throughout Xiayi Villa. Heroes of the Jianghu rushed forward to offer congratulations, many thumping their chests and pounding their fists on the table. A wave of happiness washed over me, and Zhen Youcai and I stood side by side, feeling the blessings of the crowd.

Yet, I knew this was only a milestone in our journey. Suddenly, an idea struck me, and I turned to the group and said, "Everyone, from today on, I have decided to reveal the secrets of the ancient tome to the public. This secret holds immense wisdom and power, and should not be held by just one person or one sect. We must protect it together and work together to promote true peace in the martial arts world!"

As soon as I finished speaking, a burst of discussion erupted in the room. Many people's eyes gleamed with unprecedented excitement and hope, as if they saw the future and hope of the martial arts world.

Sect Leader Jianxin stepped forward and spoke in a resounding voice, "Niu Mengmeng is absolutely right. The peace of the martial arts world depends on each and every one of us. Let us protect this power together!"

Everyone responded enthusiastically and the atmosphere became extremely heated.

The celebration continued, but Zhen Youcai and I realized that our new chapter had just begun. We were no longer lone knights, but a new generation of leaders leading the Jianghu towards peace and unity.

After the banquet, we walked out of Xiayi Villa side by side. The night breeze was cool and the stars were shining. Zhen Youcai held my hand tightly and whispered, "Mengmeng, no matter what the future holds, I will always be with you."

I nodded, my heart filled with determination and anticipation. We knew this road wouldn't be easy, but as long as we had each other, we were fearless.

In the distant sky, we can vaguely see the dawn, which is the new starting point of our journey.

Zhen Youcai stopped, turned around and smiled at me: "Mengmeng, there is one more thing I have always wanted to tell you-" "What's wrong?" I looked at him puzzledly, the moonlight shining on his face, reflecting his gentle smile.

"As for me..." Zhen Youcai paused, seeming a little shy, "I want to take you to a place."

He took my hand and led me through the art of flying, leaping over mountains and forests, skimming across fields, and finally stopping in front of a quiet valley. Peach blossoms were in full bloom in the valley, and the pink petals fell like rain, making it look like a paradise.

"It's so beautiful here." I exclaimed, took a deep breath, and the fragrance of flowers was refreshing.

"As long as you like it." Zhen Youcai looked at me gently, "I first saw you right here."

My heart trembled slightly. It turned out that there was such a fate between us. Zhen Youcai took me to a peach tree and pointed to the mark on the trunk and said, "Look, this is what I carved back then: 'I wish to win the heart of one person and never leave him until we grow old.'"

I stroked those marks, and a wave of emotion welled up in my heart. Zhen Youcai continued, "Mengmeng, I love you. I will spend my whole life protecting you and making you the happiest woman in the world."

I snuggled in his arms, feeling his warmth and love, my heart filled with happiness and contentment. We stayed like this, quietly hugging each other, until the sky turned pale.

"It's time to go back." I said softly. Although I was reluctant to leave, I knew that we had more important things to do.

Zhen Youcai nodded, took my hand, and left Peach Blossom Valley, looking back every few steps. Returning to Xiayi Villa, we said our farewells to Master Jianxin, promising to visit often. Master Jianxin looked at us, his eyes filled with satisfaction and anticipation.

"The future of Jianghu is in your hands," he said meaningfully. "Remember, no matter when or where, you must stay true to your original aspiration and never forget your original intention."

We nodded solemnly, turned around and left, leaving behind only a dashing back. I knew that the story of Zhen Youcai and I had just begun, and we would go hand in hand to create a better future together.

However, not long after we left Xiayi Villa, a dark figure quietly appeared. He stared at us with sinister eyes, a sneer on his face.