Chapter 277: Bitter Persuasion

Zhu Tao knelt on the ground, unwilling to rise, and said cautiously, “This subordinate was disrespectful earlier. Please forgive me, Flower King.”

Yun Qingxue smiled. “It’s fine. Get up quickly.”

Only then did Zhu Tao stand up, frowning as he asked, “Flower King… why have you come to this Yunhuang Illusionary Realm? Could it be… did that woman Tongyun do something to you?”

“No. After regaining my senses, I escaped from the Flower and Wood Clan to seek a master and learn skills. Coming here for training was my master’s idea,” Yun Qingxue replied.

Zhu Tao nodded, then quickly added, “If Your Majesty doesn’t mind, please come with us to our humble dwelling to rest.”

“Of course. Thank you for the hospitality,” Yun Qingxue said with a faint smile. Zhu Tao and his brother Zhu Bai led the way.

After walking through the pitch-black tunnel for about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, they arrived at a small underground room of about ten square meters.

Yun Qingxue glanced around. Though it was called a basement, it more closely resembled a widened tunnel. The space was sparsely furnished—just two simple beds and two leather water pouches on the floor. Additionally, there were three other tunnels in the walls, their destinations unknown.

“Our dwelling is crude. We apologize for the discomfort, Your Majesty,” Zhu Tao said awkwardly, quickly dusting off the bed placed near the eastern wall.

“Please have a seat, Your Majesty.”

Yun Qingxue walked over and sat down, while Zhu Tao, Zhu Bai, and Daise stood before her.

She smiled. “You may sit as well.”

“This subordinate dares not!” the three replied in unison.

“Given our shared hardships, we might as well be comrades. If you won’t sit, perhaps I should stand too,” she said.

After a moment’s hesitation, the three sat cross-legged on the floor.

Yun Qingxue sighed helplessly. “There’s no need for such formality before a fallen Flower King like me.”

“Your Majesty is always Your Majesty! We beg you not to belittle yourself. We must always remember our place and dare not show the slightest disrespect,” Zhu Tao said earnestly, his entire demeanor rigid with propriety.

Yun Qingxue didn’t argue. The brothers truly had vastly different temperaments.

The younger brother, resentful over his clan’s misfortunes, had blamed her as a “tyrant.”

The elder brother, despite their suffering, remained unwaveringly loyal, strictly adhering to the etiquette he deemed proper—stubbornly rigid, yet so devoted it was almost humbling.

“Your Majesty, how did you end up lost in this bamboo forest? And how did you encounter Xiao Bai?” Zhu Tao asked curiously.

At this question, Yun Qingxue clearly saw Zhu Bai’s eyes flicker with guilt, as if afraid she would reveal his earlier assassination attempt.

“We came here by chance…”

Yun Qingxue briefly recounted the events, omitting Zhu Bai’s assassination attempt and simply stating that they had met him in peril and that he had led them out of the bat demon’s lair.

“Xiao Bai did well in this matter!”

As soon as Yun Qingxue finished, Zhu Tao immediately praised Zhu Bai without hesitation.

Zhu Bai chuckled sheepishly, still looking somewhat guilty, but he glanced up at Yun Qingxue with gratitude.

No one understood better than him how deeply ingrained his elder brother’s loyalty was.

Even after their entire Green Bamboo Clan had fallen into such a wretched state, he had never once heard his brother utter a single complaint against the Flower King.

If his brother harbored any resentment, it was directed at the heavens for their silence—or at Tongyun, who had attempted to usurp the throne. His grievances were always phrased as, “The heavens are blind! To let villains like Tongyun seize power! Dark clouds obscure the sun and moon—when will our Flower and Wood Clan see light again?”

If his brother learned that he, Zhu Bai, had blamed the Flower King for their clan’s suffering and even attempted assassination, he would undoubtedly tie him up on the spot and then prostrate himself before the Flower King in apology!

“Brother, that old monster is hunting the Flower King. Staying here isn’t safe for them. Why don’t we… gather our entire clan’s strength to help them escape?” Zhu Bai said seriously, looking at Zhu Tao.

Zhu Tao nodded solemnly and turned to Yun Qingxue. “Your Majesty, this subordinate will gather the surviving clansmen and find a way to send you away as soon as possible!”

With that, he made to rise.

“Wait!” Yun Qingxue stopped him. “There are still some matters to discuss. Other things can wait.”

“Yes.” Zhu Tao, who had half-risen, sat back down.

Yun Qingxue looked at Zhu Tao with grave seriousness, even unconsciously adopting the regal bearing of the legendary Flower King. “I have a few questions for you. You must answer truthfully. Understood?”

“Yes,” Zhu Tao replied obediently.

“If there’s a way to leave, why haven’t you escaped yourselves? Why stay here in constant fear?” she asked directly.

Zhu Tao’s response was less immediate this time, his gaze shifting uneasily.

After a long pause, he finally said, “This subordinate would never harm Your Majesty. Please do not doubt our loyalty.”

“I’m not doubting your loyalty. I just want to understand the reason!” Yun Qingxue said calmly.

“We… we have our reasons for not leaving…” Zhu Tao hesitated.

“What reasons?” Yun Qingxue pressed.

“This… please understand, Your Majesty. This subordinate cannot say!”

“Fine.” Yun Qingxue nodded amiably, then abruptly changed tack. “Since you can’t tell me, then I’ll tell you—I’m not leaving.”

“Your Majesty!” Zhu Tao was startled and quickly urged, “This place is extremely dangerous. Your Majesty must not stay!”

Yun Qingxue looked at him solemnly. “If you call me Your Majesty, then as your ruler, how can I abandon you and flee for my own life? How could I ever command respect or deserve your loyalty?”

“Your Majesty is the hope of the entire Flower and Wood Clan. Please prioritize the greater good and leave this place at once!” Zhu Tao pleaded urgently.

“Please prioritize the greater good, Your Majesty, and leave quickly!” Zhu Bai also bowed deeply, pressing his forehead to the ground.

“The greater good?” Yun Qingxue looked at the two of them. “If I hadn’t met you, perhaps it would be different. But I have! In this situation, if I stand by while an enemy slaughters those loyal to me and only think of saving myself, then I don’t deserve your respect—let alone the title of Flower King!”

“Your Majesty, this is no time for heroics! We are willing to die to ensure your safety. All we ask is that one day, you may restore our Flower and Wood Clan. That would be the greatest mercy to us!” Zhu Tao said, kowtowing heavily once more.

“Zhu Tao!” Yun Qingxue’s expression turned cold, her voice tinged with anger. “With the enemy at our gates, your duty isn’t to persuade me to flee alone—it’s to think of how we can fight together!”

“Your Majesty!” Zhu Tao’s voice trembled with emotion. “If our clan stood even a thirty percent chance against the bat demons, this subordinate would never ask you to leave. We would fight to the death for our king! But now… please, Your Majesty, do not act recklessly. Our lives are worthless. My brother, our entire Green Bamboo Clan, and I are willing to trade our lives for your safety!”