They Are Archenemies, But They Have A Child - Chapter 33

Chapter 33: Brief Peace

Yun Qingwu and Meng Ping unanimously decided to invite the remaining people in the palace to share this long-awaited feast. In addition, Qu Ping’s family and the families of the four Elders were also included.

If possible, Yun Qingwu would have liked all the Nanze clan members to enjoy it, but that was unrealistic.

“The chicken soup is so delicious!” Qu Ye carefully sipped a mouthful of soup and happily exclaimed.

Meng Ping served an entire chicken drumstick to Qu Ye and smiled: “Ye’er, eat more. You’re still growing.”

Seeing this, Liu Dongxue tried to decline: “There are only six drumsticks in total. How can we give Ye’er a whole one? Why don’t we share it further?”

Meng Ping: “No need to divide it! The drumsticks today are prioritized for those who are still growing!”

Saying this, Meng Ping distributed the drumsticks one by one to the ‘old children’ who were still growing up. After distributing them, the last drumstick remained. Meng Ping handed it to Cold Lici: “This meal is thanks to Xiao Ci for catching these three chickens, so this last drumstick goes to our biggest contributor!”

Cold Lici looked at the drumstick and averted his eyes: “I don’t need it.”

Yun Qingwu glanced at Cold Lici, took a bowl, and accepted the drumstick: “I want to eat it, but I can’t finish a whole one. You share some of the burden for me.”

Yun Qingwu began to act, cutting the drumstick into two sections.

When Meng Ping heard the first half of the sentence, she looked at her son with some reproach. Upon hearing the second half, she understood Yun Qingwu’s intention and happily let Yun Qingwu take the drumstick, her eyes filled with satisfaction.

The young couple is quite harmonious.

Yun Qingwu handed the thicker section of the drumstick to Cold Lici. Cold Lici watched for a long time before taking it.

Meng Ping returned to her seat with satisfaction, only to see that a bowl of chicken soup, containing some chicken meat, had also been served in front of her. She playfully glared at Liu Ya beside her: “Honestly, there’s only soup left in your bowl!”

Liu Ya said warmly: “I just love drinking soup.”

Qu Ping also shared the chicken blood in his bowl with his wife, Liu Dongxue. Liu Dongxue then returned a chicken wing to him.

Qu Ping handed the chicken wing to his daughter, Qu Huanyu: “Eat more.”

Then he looked at Yun Qingwu: “Huang’er, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Everything will be fine.”

Qu Huanyu took a sip of soup and chimed in: “Besides distributing grain, we’re also working hard to build ice sheds.”

“Speaking of which, those ice sheds are a great idea! As expected of our Lord of the Nation, you have vision!” Elder Zhou echoed.

“After the recent grain distribution, everyone’s mood has stabilized considerably. However, this is not a long-term solution. If only there were some kind of crop that could grow abundantly just with sunlight…”

Elder Xie sighed, stroking his beard that had thinned due to worry.

Elder Dai deliberately bumped Elder Xie’s arm, frowning: “When—we—should—be—ha—ppy, we—should—che—rish—it. Don’t—say—de—pre—ssing—things—to—day!”

“Lord of the Nation, don’t worry. I have developed a detailed grain distribution plan. According to my plan, we can remain stable for at least six months!”

Elder Qian lifted his eyebrows smugly, spinning the abacus beads at his waist.

“Hmph, six months, and what happens after six months?” Elder Wei sneered. The chicken soup on his table remained untouched.

Because of this sentence, the atmosphere at the dinner table abruptly stiffened. Yun Qingwu’s hands beneath the table clenched into fists.

Elder Wei ignored the looks from others and continued: “The disaster is widespread now. The chickens are probably all dead. Where did this demon fox find these chickens? I wouldn’t dare to eat it.”

Yun Qingwu put down his chopsticks, about to speak, but Cold Lici spoke first, his tone chilly: “Eat it or don’t, as you please.”

Elder Wei was even more provoked: “There is clearly a way to solve the problem now, yet you are turning a blind eye, harmoniously sitting here like a family with this demon fox. Hmph, I cannot afford this meal!”

Elder Wei abruptly stood up and looked at his family: “Let’s go.”

His family exchanged glances. His wife glared fiercely at him: “What madness is this?!”

Seeing this, Elder Wei could only leave by himself: “Since the Lord of the Nation is unwilling to act, I can only proceed with my own methods.”

After Elder Wei left, the atmosphere in the hall, although somewhat relieved, was still heavy with a lingering gloom that could not be dispersed.

The grain distribution only gave the Nanze clan members a brief respite. Three months later, as the available grain became increasingly limited, anxiety and panic returned with double the force to everyone’s hearts. The brief peace, just as Elder Wei had predicted, was completely gone.

Along with the disaster came the plague. Soon, white banners hung in every household.

Incited by Elder Wei, the public outcry for the sacrifice of the demon fox grew louder and louder.

“Cold Lici, can we bring rain one more time?”

Inside the Moon Bathing Palace, Cold Lici looked with complex eyes at the person before him, whose face was pale and whose tea-holding hands trembled uncontrollably from weakness. He said coldly: “If we bring rain again, there might not be rain, but you certainly won’t survive.”

Yun Qingwu lowered his head, veins popping out on the hand gripping the teacup: “Just once. We’ll try one more time.”

“No. If you want to play the fool yourself, this Lord is not interested in accompanying you.”

Yun Qingwu suddenly looked up at the indifferent demon before him, his eyes red. He shouted angrily: “Then are you just going to watch them die? Or do you want to be dragged off for sacrifice?”

Silence returned to the room after the angry roar.

After a moment, Yun Qingwu looked at the person before him, whose eyes were too calm compared to his own excitement. His tumultuous feelings cooled down. He stood up and left: “Even without you, I can certainly do it.”

“Lord of the Nation! This is bad! Elder Wei has led the people to break in. They are demanding… demanding the surrender of the demon fox.”

Just as Yun Qingwu stepped out of the Moon Bathing Palace, he ran into Ah Ge, who rushed to meet him. A piercing pain shot through his brow: “Let’s go.”

The conversation between the two outside was clearly audible to Cold Lici in the room. His eyes deepened. He touched the Bone Sword at his waist.

“This day has finally arrived. What now? Time to act?” The Bone Sword flicked its tail, eager to move, clearly enjoying the drama.

Cold Lici did not reply. He got off the couch and walked toward the disturbance.

The crowd was stopped at the second palace gate, led by Elder Wei. Their faces were agitated, yellowed from the torment of hunger, and their eyes were filled with a numbed, yet bloodthirsty ferocity.

“Hand over the demon fox! Hand over the demon fox!”

“Lord of the Nation, please listen to the cries of the people! The calamity will not cease until the evil is removed! Don’t be stubborn anymore!” Elder Wei’s eyes were full of anguish. He pointed to the citizens behind him.

Yun Qingwu silently looked at the faces before him, identical to those in his nightmares. His lower lip oozed blood from clenching his teeth too hard.

Just then, someone with sharp eyes saw Cold Lici appear on one side and pointed: “The demon fox is there! Charge, everyone! As long as we capture the demon fox, we can call back the Great God Bai Ze!”

Hearing this, the crowd began to stir uncontrollably.

“Good! Everyone, follow me to seize the demon fox!” Elder Wei waved his sleeve, desperately pushing the soldiers blocking the path.

“Charge!”

The frenzied crowd erupted with unprecedented strength, rushing toward the human wall in unison.

The soldiers forming the wall had distorted expressions and were on the verge of being overwhelmed.

Cold Lici looked coldly at these people, then at Yun Qingwu, who was silently lost as if in a trance.

Overestimating their ability.

He stared at the people whose faces were contorted with madness and who wanted his life. His right hand began to form a spell.

“Wait! Everyone, please listen to me!”

Just then, Meng Ping, who had rushed over, spread her arms wide, firmly blocking the crowd that was about to break through.

The scene fell silent at her voice. Cold Lici’s brow furrowed tightly. His hostility hadn’t dissipated, but he looked at Meng Ping searchingly, and the action of his hand stopped.

Yun Qingwu also snapped out of his daze. As if sensing something, he rushed to Meng Ping’s side: “Mother, what are you doing here?”

Elder Wei: “Madam Meng, are you also going to stop us from saving the Nanze Kingdom?”

Meng Ping retracted her arms and clasped her hands in front of her, her expression resolute: “I intend to sacrifice myself in place of Xiao Ci.”

“Mother!” Yun Qingwu’s eyes were bloodshot. He gripped Meng Ping’s arms tightly, as if letting go would mean the person before him would leave forever.

Cold Lici stared in disbelief at the person who spoke those words, his face filled with confusion and absurdity.

The people present were completely stunned, exchanging glances.

Elder Wei was the first to regain his senses. His tone was severe: “Madam Meng, that demon fox is the calamity. Only sacrificing him can possibly win back protection. If anyone’s sacrifice would work, this old man would volunteer to be the first.”

“Xiao Ci being the calamity is only your speculation. Can you guarantee that your conjecture is fact?” Meng Ping’s tone was gentle, yet firm.

The image of Meng Ping shielding him that year resurfaced in Yun Qingwu’s eyes. He shouted sharply: “Mother, no! You cannot do this!”

Meng Ping patted Yun Qingwu’s hand reassuringly and said warmly: “Huang’er, don’t hate them. Their current frenzy is all caused by this natural disaster. If blame is to be assigned, it is our incompetence, and the dereliction of duty of the Great God Bai Ze, who should be protecting us.”

Yun Qingwu’s eyelashes trembled. Meng Ping’s words were like a knife plunging directly into his heart.

Yes, whether it was back then or now, as the guardian god of the Nanze Kingdom, he had failed his citizens.

“Mother, even so, it should be me who takes responsibility, not you,” Yun Qingwu murmured.

“Huang’er, you are the Lord of the Nation. You are the only one who can contact Ah Ze. Only if you live is there any chance of salvaging all this.”

Meng Ping finished speaking, pushed Yun Qingwu away, and looked at the restless crowd again, shouting: “Did you hear me clearly? The blame does not fall on an outsider. As the Mother of the Lord of the Nation and a devout believer in the Great God Bai Ze, I am willing to pay for their sins.”

She took out a knife she had prepared, swung it at her arm, and sliced off a piece of flesh: “I offer my bone and my flesh as atonement. May it buy everyone a sliver more of life.”

The clamorous crowd below quieted for a moment, then scrambled forward, eager to seize the falling “food,” piece by piece.

Elder Wei was pushed to the side, his expression blank, his face pale.

Cold Lici’s vertical pupils flared up, hostility rising instantly. The Bone Sword whistled out of its sheath.

But before it could fly out, it was forcibly grasped by someone’s hand.

Cold Lici looked at Yun Qingwu in disbelief: “What are you doing?”

Yun Qingwu’s face was completely drained of blood, his expression numb. His voice was hoarse as if laced with grit: “It’s useless. No one can change Mother’s decision. It was true then, and it is true today.”

“So, you won’t intervene?” Cold Lici asked in disbelief, questioning him.

Yun Qingwu let out a low, soft laugh: “Mother is right. I have no choice.”

As the words fell, he snatched the Bone Sword and plunged it into Meng Ping’s throat. Blood splattered all over his face, sliding down his paper-white cheeks, staining the ground red, little by little.

His lips trembled slightly, his eyes blank, made somewhat horrifying by the crimson stain.

Meng Ping used her last vestige of strength to look at Yun Qingwu, her lips moving: “Thank you, my son.”

With that, those eyes, which had always been bright and lively, slowly closed.