Chapter 279:

When Zhu Tao first learned that the person before him was the newly appointed Flower King of the Florafolk, his heart swelled with excitement.

Seeing the Flower King trapped here, he had already resolved to lead his clansmen in a desperate charge to break through the bat demons’ formation, even at the cost of their lives, to ensure her escape!

He believed that as long as the Flower King lived, their Florafolk would one day rise again, and the loyalty of his Bamboo Clan would be celebrated for generations to come…

But he never expected that this newly appointed Flower King would be yet another reckless, emotional ruler!

For the sake of a mere spirit snake from the Water Tribe, she was willing to throw her life away against those bat demons, charging into certain doom!

Could someone so impulsive truly shoulder the heavy responsibility of leading the Florafolk?

Would the tragedy of a thousand years ago repeat itself…?

At this thought, Zhu Tao let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh.

Right now, perhaps he shouldn’t be worrying about whether history would repeat itself.

What he should be most concerned about was whether this stubborn Flower King, whom he couldn’t persuade, would even survive to leave this place!

Even if a ruler acted recklessly, it was a retainer’s duty to shield their sovereign—no matter what—to ease their burdens and protect them at all costs.

“Ah!”

Zhu Tao sighed heavily in his heart, then bowed deeply to Yun Qingxue. “This subordinate deceived you earlier. I beg for a chance to atone for my crime!”

Yun Qingxue’s eyes lit up instantly. “So A-Dai can still be saved, right?”

“Yes,” Zhu Tao admitted reluctantly with a nod.

“What’s the antidote?”

Upon receiving confirmation, Yun Qingxue pressed eagerly.

Zhu Tao’s expression darkened. “The core of the bat demon that wounded this sacred snake!

If we retrieve that demon’s core and apply it to the wound, the poison will be neutralized!

This subordinate deceived you earlier. I beg for a chance to redeem myself—let me lead my clansmen to retrieve that demon’s core for you!”

Yun Qingxue waved a hand. “I need to think this through carefully!”

Now that she knew the antidote, she understood why Zhu Tao had lied earlier.

Because obtaining it would be nearly impossible! He had likely withheld the truth to stop her from throwing her life away in a futile attempt.

That was why he had claimed there was no cure—to make her give up and leave!

“How exactly can we leave this place?” Having pieced this together, Yun Qingxue quickly realized another inconsistency.

Earlier, she had asked Zhu Bai why they didn’t flee if the bat demons tormented them so. Zhu Bai had said the demons’ formation trapped them here.

Yet later, he claimed his brother could send her, the Flower King, away.

This contradiction had puzzled her.

Then, upon meeting Zhu Tao, he too claimed he could help her escape. But when she asked why he and his clansmen didn’t leave if escape was possible, his evasive response spoke volumes.

“My King…” Zhu Tao’s lips trembled slightly as he lowered his head further. “To sacrifice for you is this subordinate’s honor!”

Yun Qingxue’s temper flared. “The method you mentioned to help us escape—it’s practically a mass suicide for your clan, isn’t it?!”

Zhu Tao’s head sank even lower, his silence confirming her suspicion.

Yun Qingxue exhaled deeply, gaining a new understanding of Zhu Tao’s loyalty…

“Rise,” she said, her tone softening as she stepped forward to help Zhu Tao and Zhu Bai up.

“I beg you to let me atone for my crime!” Zhu Tao refused to stand, remaining on his knees.

“Atone, yes—but blind sacrifice is foolish!

First, rise. We’ll strategize how to deal with those bat demons together!”

Zhu Tao remained motionless, still kneeling.

“What? You won’t heed my command?” Yun Qingxue’s expression darkened again.

The man who had just begged for a chance to redeem himself now wore a different expression. He met her gaze firmly. “Of course I obey you, my King. But I will not stand by and watch you rush to your death!”

Yun Qingxue let out a cold laugh. “You don’t want me to throw my life away, yet you expect me to watch you and your clansmen die for me?”

“This subordinate said it before—to sacrifice for you is our honor!”

“But to let my subjects die for me so easily is my shame and failure!”

Zhu Tao frowned, about to argue, but Yun Qingxue cut him off with a wave.

At this moment, she truly felt exhausted—debating with a blindly loyal retainer was utterly draining!

“Zhu Tao, do you trust me?” she asked.

“Of course!” he answered without hesitation.

Seizing the moment, Yun Qingxue pressed, “Then if you trust me, calm down and rise first!”

“Yes.” Zhu Tao finally stood.

Yun Qingxue then asked, “Do you know how those bat demons cultivated such indestructible claws and wings?”

Zhu Tao frowned, thinking. “This subordinate isn’t entirely sure. But I once overheard that they possess some kind of cultivation treasure—one that hardens their wings beyond destruction.

As for what it is exactly, I do not know.”

“After all this time fighting them, have you discovered any weaknesses?” she pressed.

Zhu Tao shook his head. “When the bat demons first attacked, our clan had two elder cultivators at the Great Demon stage.

Thanks to them, the demons gained little in their early raids.

The elders once said the strongest among the bat demons were only at the Perception stage…

Logically, two Great Demon elders should have easily crushed a group of bat demons at the Spirit Gathering and Perception stages.

Yet for some reason, even with the elders present, we barely held our ground in battle.

And each time, the bat demons would abduct our clansmen mid-fight, draining their cultivation.

After several such battles… our two elders were overpowered and had their cultivation devoured alive!

With them gone, the bat demons grew bolder—raiding us regularly, then eventually moving their lair here.

At the time, our clan still had some strength left, so our strongest formed a team to counterattack.

But the demons effortlessly defeated them, capturing and imprisoning them to drain their power.

After that… our Bamboo Clan lost all will to fight.”