Chapter 91: Jun Moli’s Provocation (Second Update) – Please Subscribe

An Ran was struck with shock. Her eyes widened, staring at Jun Moli in disbelief as if she had been hit by a bolt of lightning. Her hand slackened, and the mortar she had been holding dropped to the ground with a crisp clatter. With a "thud," the remains and juices of the poisonous spider splattered everywhere.

What had Jun Moli just said? Use his entire life to repay her? Was he joking, or had she misheard him?

At that moment, An Ran was not entirely surprised by his words, but rather by the fleeting stir she had felt in her own heart. Though her composure had returned, the sensation of that heartbeat had been profound—a feeling she had never experienced with Yu Jinglan.

Since the age of three, she had followed her mother in and out of the Night Moon Imperial Palace. That was when she first met the young Crown Prince of Night Moon, Yu Jinglan, who was ten years old at the time.

For twelve years, Yu Jinglan had been meticulous and deeply caring toward her, constantly insisting that he would one day marry her. Yet, she felt nothing for him beyond the affection one holds for an older brother. Even the respect and trepidation one ought to show a monarch were absent; she was simply herself, never bowing to anyone.

Yet, this sudden flutter had been triggered by Jun Moli’s simple words. Had her heart, which she believed long dead, begun to feel again without her knowing?

"Ran'er, let me spend my short life repaying you, will you? Don't go back with Yu Jinglan!" If his previous words were a confession, this was a plea. He begged her to stay with a sincere heart.

"You knew who he was?" An Ran asked coldly after a moment of stunned silence. How could Jun Moli have known? How much of her conversation with Yu Jinglan had he overheard? If he knew Yu Jinglan had not come for diplomatic reasons, would Xian Yue take action against him? Would they detain him? Would the two nations go to war?

Sensing the chill radiating from An Ran, Jun Moli closed his eyes in pain. After steadying his breathing, he said softly, "I guessed. Because you called him 'Brother Lan'."

A guess?

Jun Moli was truly formidable to deduce Yu Jinglan’s identity from just two words. What else about her did he know?

An Ran wanted to press him further, but she saw his face turning paler, his brows furrowing as the toxin spread within him once more. Looking down at the wasted spider juice, she walked straight to the hidden compartment to retrieve two more spiders.

She took another pill from the compartment and placed it in Jun Moli’s mouth. He was still clutching the previous one, now reduced to a third of its size. Had anyone seen him treat such a rare, priceless medicine with such waste, they would have been tempted to slap him. Medicine from a divine physician was hard to come by; no matter how wealthy one was, if the physician was displeased, one wouldn't even catch a glimpse of the pills.

Jun Moli was slightly taken aback, the corners of his mouth twitching before smoothing out. He lay back quietly, a faint sadness lingering in his expression.

An Ran crushed the spiders again, fed the Gu insects, replaced the parasite that threatened to burst his body, and introduced new ones. It was not until the horizon turned a pale, fish-belly white that she finally finished bandaging his wrist. Jun Moli had fallen into a peaceful sleep, feeling secure with An Ran by his side.

"Why not sleep a little longer?" An Ran heard him stir. She put down the insect she was experimenting on and looked back to see his complexion had recovered significantly, easing her worries.

"After the morning court session, the officials will head to the city gates to welcome the new Emperor of Night Moon. Though I am usually idle, I must join the other princes to welcome him."

Jun Moli’s lips curled into a faint, handsome smile as he explained. He made no mention of the fact that Yu Jinglan had already entered the city the night before, as if the events of the previous evening were nothing more than a dream.

An Ran smiled faintly and turned back to her insects. Sometimes, she preferred these silent, repulsive creatures to the hypocrisy of people.

Jun Moli sighed inwardly. Had the words he had summoned the courage to speak last night created even the slightest ripple in her heart?

***

At the gates of Moon City!

Because Xian Yue had yet to establish a crown prince, Jun Dingyue had been quietly balancing the power between his sons to incite internal conflict. To prevent any one prince from gaining too much prestige during the welcome for Yu Jinglan, Jun Dingyue had arrived in person, seated on his dragon palanquin.

The commoners lining the streets knelt, calling out "Long live the Emperor" upon seeing the imperial presence. Held back by the long spears of the Imperial Guards, they watched as the procession slowly moved through the cleared streets. Leading the way were three generals on horseback, their expressions cold and vigilant. Behind them marched a formation of Imperial Guards in silver armor, followed by the dragon palanquin, then the infantry, the princes—including Jun Moli—and finally the civil and military officials.

The lead general raised a hand, and the guards came to a synchronized halt, filling the empty street with an aura of solemnity.

Jun Dingyue wore a bright yellow dragon robe embroidered with a five-clawed golden dragon amidst clouds. With his sharp features and deep, piercing eyes, he exuded a terrifying sense of imperial pressure.

The lead general dismounted, listened to a subordinate, and then knelt before the palanquin. "Reporting to Your Majesty, Minister Zhan of the Ministry of Rites has sent word: the Night Moon Emperor’s procession is less than two miles away. They will arrive promptly at noon!"

"Understood," Jun Dingyue replied, his voice deep and weathered. He toyed with two well-worn walnuts in his hand. The emperors of the Jun dynasty had long favored this pastime, rooted in the saying: "Rotating the world in one’s palm, wishing to turn back time." As masters of the empire, they could command the heavens, yet time remained a ruthless master they could not conquer.

A quarter of an hour later, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside the city gate. The officials moved in rank, standing quietly behind the Emperor’s palanquin.

Soon, Zhan Lun, the Minister of Rites who had been sent to Night Moon, entered the gates. Young and exceptionally capable, he had been promoted rapidly by Jun Dingyue. He dismounted and knelt, shouting, "Long live the Emperor!"

"Rise. Has the new Emperor arrived?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. He is about to enter the city."

Moments later, Yu Jinglan’s golden palanquin slowly approached. The crowd watched as he sat upright within. He was a man of imposing stature with bronze skin and sharp, sculpted features. His dark, icy eyes held a wild, untamed, and seductive charm. He radiated the aura of a king who could shake the world, a cold, sharp smile playing on his lips.

Jun Moli felt a surge of unease. Seeing the man in the flesh, he felt a powerful sense of insecurity. With such a kingly man by An Ran’s side and their long history, he was no longer certain if she would choose to stay for his sake.

"We, the Emperor of Xian Yue, lead our officials to welcome the new Emperor of Night Moon. May our nations enjoy lasting peace and prosperity!"

The court official announced, and the ministers followed: "Welcome to the new Emperor of Night Moon!"

Jun Moli momentarily lost his focus, but quickly suppressed his worry, his eyes filled with a resolute determination. Ran'er would be his; no one would take her away.

Yu Jinglan sensed a challenging gaze and turned his head. Not far away, Jun Moli stood tall, offering a smile that held deep, hidden meaning.

Yu Jinglan was momentarily surprised, then understood. This Prince Li, who lacked even the strength to truss a chicken, dared to challenge him in public. Very well... he curled his cold lips, meeting Jun Moli’s gaze. Sparks seemed to fly between them in the air.

"It is a blessing for both our peoples that I can work with the new Emperor to seek their well-being," Jun Dingyue said, his voice carrying clearly to Yu Jinglan.

Yu Jinglan smiled. "If it benefits the people, why not? The two nations have warred for years with great loss and no gain; why continue?"

"Well said!" Jun Dingyue beamed. "A banquet has been prepared in the palace to welcome you. Please!"

"Thank you."

As the procession moved toward the palace, Yu Jinglan’s palanquin passed by Jun Moli. He looked down at him, a faint smirk playing on his lips.